I Love My Mailo

Your pet pooch does so much for your family that appreciation should not only be shown by how they are fed or taken care of but also where they rest, and this is where dog beds come in. Beds for dogs come in many shapes, sizes and forms, some being more exotic than others. For those who are buying for the first time, finding the perfect bed for your dog can be quite challenging, if not, daunting. With thousands of selections available in the market, how will you know that what you're looking at is the right one? Need help? The tips below may be of some assistance.

First off, you'll want to determine the size of the bed. This is easily determined by measuring your dog in both length and height will do. But what if your pet is still in its growing stages? Well, you can choose a slightly bigger bed, but take note that you may still end up buying a new one if he is able to outgrow it. Don't choose an adult sized bed for a pup as he may only feel uncomfortable with it.

Secondly, and if possible, you'll want a bed that you can reuse over and over again. Make sure that if the bed itself is not washable, the covers can at least be removed for cleaning. This will ensure that your dog stays clean and feeling fresh all the time, not to mention that it can make the bed look so much more inviting to sleep in for your dog.

Third, consider the essential accessories. For colder seasons, get an accompanying blanket to go along with the bed. What's even better is that for as long as you are willing to spend the time searching, you'll actually be able to find dog beds that already include a blanket with the deal. Whether you buy them individually or as a pair, blankets are essential accessories that you should take into account so make sure you spend some time checking them out.

Last but not the least; buy beds that will suit your dog. If your pooch is not really particular with whatever design you get then this won't be an issue. There are instances however where your pet will tend to set its preferences over a particular design or style which is why you may want to bring him along when shopping for dog beds. This will ensure that he's going to be happy and comfortable with what you'll be getting for him.

The topic of this article might have you wondering. First, let me be clear: Dogs are not children. However - many of the same teaching principles when working with children apply when you are playing with or teaching (not 'training'), your dog. Drawing from interviews I've had with master dog trainers, animal behaviorists, and veterinarians, and informed by my own experiences teaching children as an elementary school teacher for ten years, I will be sharing ways that teaching and playing games with your dog is very similar to working with children.

In the last two articles, I discussed how working with children and dogs is similar in the following four ways:

1. The environment in which a child learns greatly impacts how and what a child is able to learn. Similarly, the environment in which a dog learns greatly impacts how and what a dog is able to learn.
2. Children learn best with a person they trust and whom they have bonded with. Similarly, dogs learn best with a person they trust and whom they have bonded with.
3. One of the most effective and enjoyable ways that children learn is through playing with toys and by playing games....and....One of the most effective and enjoyable ways that dogs learn is through playing with toys and by playing games.
4. Children love and need meaningful, purposeful, problem-solving challenges. Similarly, dogs love and need meaningful, purposeful, problem-solving challenges.

In this article, I will discuss two more ways in which working with children and dogs is similar:

5. Children fully engage in learning challenges that offer multi-sensory learning experiences (see, hear, smell, touch, and taste)...and...Dogs fully engage in learning challenges that offer multi-sensory learning experiences.

Again - the similarities do seem obvious. Think about the difference between asking children to practice their spelling words by printing out each word five times on a piece of paper, or alternatively, giving the child a silver pie tin (visually stimulating) with some dry pudding in it (smelling) and working with a partner to practice spelling each word (hearing), and then licking their finger each time they get a word spelled correctly (tasting). How you present a task tells me everything about how much the children are going to love (or not love) learning. In the same way, the more we can involve all of a dog's senses in a positive way - particularly smell and hearing because these senses are superiorly developed for dogs - the more successful the teaching is going to be.

Dog trainers differ in their opinions regarding using food as rewards when working with dogs. However, in a dog's natural environment, food is the ultimate reward to work for. A dog's sense of smell is so highly developed that you would likely be very surprised to discover what your dog is capable of when using his or her nose! One dog trainer who is well known for his positive methods in working with dogs is Dr. Ian Dunbar. Dr. Dunbar is an internationally recognized veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and dog trainer, and is the founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Dr. Dunbar has authored numerous books and DVDs about puppy/dog behavior and training, including Dog Behavior, How To Teach A New Dog Old Tricks and the SIRIUS Puppy Training video. For more information, please visit his website at: http://www.dogstardaily.com/

6. Scaffolding learning allows children opportunities for numerous small successes and increased confidence. Similarly, scaffolding learning allows dogs opportunities for numerous small successes and increased confidence.

Have you ever have a teacher who didn't care if you understood what was covered last lesson before moving on to today's content, or a teacher who spoke using such elevated language that you could barely make out what they were talking about? Imagine what it must feel like for dogs, who, as Dr. Ian Dunbar reminds us, do not speak nor have the capacity to speak English. Every minute of a dog's life, he is trying to learn a second language - an incredibly difficult task!

When you are playing games with your dog, it is important to remember that you will need to start at a very basic level, and then gradually increase the challenge (or "scaffold" learning) for your dog as he or she enjoys many small successes, and, as a result, the increased confidence to tackle more advanced challenges. Beginning at an advanced level may result in your dog not being interested in the game or challenge because they can't see a way that they can be successful and so may view it as not being worth their effort! Therefore, whenever you are giving your dog a challenge, it is important to pay careful attention to what your dog seems to find easy and what he or she finds difficult. This will vary with every dog and within every breed because, like humans, dogs have distinct and individual doggy personalities. The more games I play with my own dogs, the more I learn about Tango and Sparky's very distinct and clear preferences and talents - and they often surprise me!

Toys such as Kongs (sold at most pet supply stores such as Petco), can be wonderful TOOLS to design intellectual and physical challenges for dogs that begin at a basic level and then become increasingly difficult as your dog develops his or her skills over time. Throughout the My Doggy Genius series, I will offer you numerous different ideas for intellectual challenges you can do with your dog, beginning with the basics, and then increasing the difficulty over time so that your dog can increase his self-confidence and so you can strengthen your bond with your furry little friend!

Although of course dogs are not children with fur, some of the underlying principles are similar when working with both children and with dogs. As I have written previously, six key aspects that are similar when working with children and with dogs include:

1. The environment in which a dog learns greatly influences how and what a dog is able to learn.

2. Dogs learn best when they are with a person whom they trust and have bonded with.

3. Learning is a lot more fun when games are involved!

4. Dogs fully engage in meaningful, purposeful problem-solving challenges.

5. Dogs fully engage in learning challenges that involve multi-sensory learning experiences.

6. Scaffolding learning provides dogs with opportunities for many small successes and increased confidence.

In this final article, I will discuss perhaps what I would perceive to be the most important way in which working with children and dogs is similar:

7. Working closely with children requires kindness and patience. In the same way, working closely with dogs requires kindness and patience.

I know that at times it is difficult to be patient with your dog, especially when Fido has just ripped up your sofa or a brand new pair of your shoes. However, my experiences working with children in elementary school have taught me a lot about how I should also interact with my dogs.

In every interaction I have with children whom I teach in the classroom, I always imagine that his or her parent is standing directly behind them, and for me, this serves as a reminder of the respect and love with which children should be treated. Every child's parent wants the best for their baby, because this child is the most important being in the world to them. Teaching children with respect means remembering at every moment that you are blessed to spend your days with another person's most precious gift. I think we need to remember this regardless of whether or not that child learns the lesson you are doing your best to teach the first time, or the fifteenth time. We do not give up on children, we are patient, and we try again, because they deserve every chance to be successful. They're just little, and they're just trying to figure out how to be successful and how to be accepted and loved in this world.

Much like children, dogs are vulnerable. They are smaller than us. We likely have more power and strength than they do, especially when they are young. Perhaps even more importantly, our dogs did not ask to be with us; we have asked them to be part of our human world. In so doing, we have accepted a responsibility to lace every interaction with them with kindness and with patience to help them to learn the ways of this strange human world that they been brought into. When your dog doesn't understand at first what you trying to teach them, whether it be new or a simple trick, please be patient. Be gentle. Whatever you are trying to teach your dog, only work with him for about 5-10 minutes, and end the session in a positive and joyful way, letting your dog know how proud you are of him for trying, and that he is loved and wanted. When they still don't get it after the tenth or fifteenth try, ask for help from a professional dog trainer, but please, do not lose your patience. Believe it or not, your dog is not going to the bathroom in your house (or whatever he or she is doing that is driving you insane) just to spite you - dogs don't have that capability - that's a human quality. They likely just haven't figured it out yet, and it is our responsibility to exercise kindness and patience until they do.

The relationship between people and animals has changed in more recent times. "Pets" have become "companion animals", describing a more mutual relationship. We derive many benefits beyond companionship. Caring for them helps maintain our own health, they play a key role in our daily routines and leisure activities, they act as social lubricants, they stabilize our lives with their constant presence and unconditional devotion, and help us through rough times. Many owners consider their companion animals to be a family member.

The Death

The grief felt by the loss of a pet is unique, and can elicit strong feelings that often parallel the grief response to the loss of a human companion. It is natural to feel shock, disbelief, numbness, anger, pain, hurt, sadness, guilt and overwhelming grief.

The loss of a pet may have many more implications other than the loss of companionship. The absence of the pet often creates secondary disruptions such as the loss of enjoyable past times. There may also be "symbolic loss" where the pet represented a last link with special people, or times. If the pet's death removes those links, old losses are re-grieved in conjunction with current ones.

Things are often made worse by the total lack of understanding from those who believe the loss means nothing. We live in a society where speaking about death is keenly avoided, yet an estimated 75% of owners experience difficulties after pets die.

Euthanasia

Euthanasia literally means "good death", but coming to terms with the loss of a pet may be particularly difficult if you were in the position of having to have them put to sleep. Many people will experience feelings of guilt. You may ask yourself whether you did the right thing, or re-examine what more you could I have done. This is normal. I am sure you will have done all that you could, which is the most we can ever do.

Making that decision shows the enormous amount of love you had for your pet, and your ability to put their well being before your own thoughts of loss. When a pet we love is ill and suffering, there is no other choice but making the decision to have their life ended.

Grieving

Grieving is a process not an event. The process consists of a number of stages: disbelief, pain, anger, guilt and acceptance.

Immediately after the death of a pet, the owner often feels shock or denial. It may be hard to accept the animal is no longer with us. Our homes may feel very empty, and our days long any lonely.

The middle phases involves emotional pain, and feelings of guilt, anger and depression. This is the time when you need the support of family and friends.

There is often no clear beginning or end to the grieving process. Each person grieves differently. You may get stuck in one phase, or skip others. Healing will take a dissimilar amount of time for each individual.

The last stage of the process is acceptance and recovery. You may still experience sadness, but you will have accepted the reality of the loss of your pet, and can look back with happiness on the many pleasant memories of your time together.

Occasionally, grief can remain unresolved. This is a very real problem and was a major contributory factor in the establishment of the UK Pet Bereavement Support Service.

Coping

The death of a pet is very upsetting, and it is important to allow yourself to grieve. Don't feel embarrassed about crying. It helps when you release these intense emotions. If grief is freely expressed, healing time is greatly reduced. When the expression of grief is inhibited, recovery takes longer.

On the Internet you will also find a number of moving poems. "Rainbow Bridge" is one example. Briefly, this says that dogs go to a place outside the gates to Heaven. Their illnesses are cured, old dogs become young again, and they play together happily, waiting for the arrival of the owner they left behind so that they can enter Heaven together. I'm not sure that I believe in Heaven, but I hope my dog 'Max' found his Rainbow Bridge. If you need to cry, find and read this poem.

Try to remember your pet in whichever way helps: talk about them, look at their photos, or write about them. I wrote a letter to my dog. I knew he would never read it, but it helped me to say goodbye. I needed to tell him how proud I had been of him, how much I had enjoyed our time together, and apologise for the occasions when I had been annoyed or didn't have the time to play.

In a family, there may be differences in the way that people express their grief, and this can create conflict due to a lack of understanding of what others are feeling. It's very important to talk with family members, and share your feelings. My letter to my dog helped my wife to better understand how I hurt I was feeling.

Sometimes other people do not recognise the extent to which the loss of your pet may be affecting you. It is not uncommon to hear comments like "it was only a dog", or "you can easily get another one". It is very important for you to have someone who knows from personal experience how distressing the loss of a pet can be, and who will listen with compassion and without judgement. The Blue Cross, Britain's pet charity, runs the Pet Bereavement Support Service and telephone help line (0800 096 6606). Volunteers who are trained to deal with pet bereavement problems provide advice and counselling. Don't be too proud to ask for help.

There are many Internet web sites where you can create a memorial - just a few words to record your sorrow and love. It helps you release your feelings, and appreciate there are many other people who feel the same way.

Don't rush into any decisions as you may do something you will regret. Tidy away their things if it helps you, but don't dispose of them. Some people will want to get another pet, but don't do this too quickly as you need time to come to terms with your loss.

Closure

When we lose a person we love, they would ultimately want us to move on with our lives and be as happy as we can. It is the same when we loose a loved pet - they too would want us to move on, be happy, and remember the good times with them.

Although coming to terms with the loss of a loved pet can be devastating, it is also a reflection of the pleasure they brought to us during their life. The pain and sadness will diminish.

If you have a lot of love to give to another pet, that would be a really good thing to do - but when the time is right for you. You pet would want you to love again.

Dogs need a certain amount of exercise each day. Small breeds do not need as much as large breeds do, but both types need about 1 to 2 hours daily. If the dogs do not get the right amount of activity, they can become bored and mischievous. If your life is too hectic to walk your dog this amount of time daily, you might need to hire a dog walker.

A dog walker will spend enough time with your dog to exercise him properly. When the walker brings him home, he will be much calmer and happier. This will make him less likely to misbehave. Also the walks are good for his health and he gets to relieve himself, while he is out.

Some dog walkers will offer added services. They might water your flowers, pick up your mail, or watch over your house until you get home if you are traveling. The prices for their services will depend on whether they just walk your dog or do extras.

Some Tips for Hiring a Dog Walker

1 - The walker should not only have a passion for dogs, but be trained to handle them too. He should understand dog behavior, safety and handling. It is wise to find one who has cared enough to become certified in dog walking.

2 - The walker should have insurance. This will cover not only him if something happens to the dog, but also your dog. If your state or city requires a license make sure he has one.

3- Always ask for references. Talk to these people too, to make sure the dog walker does a good job. You do not want to trust your dog to just anyone after all.

4 - How well does the walker get along with your dog? Does your dog take to him right away? A canine can sense a lot about individuals, so if he shies away from the walker, this could tell you to look elsewhere.

5 - If your dog has special needs of some sort, make sure that the walker has the training to deal with him.

6 - Do you like the personality of the dog walker? You are going to be dealing with this person more than just once most likely. It will be hard to do this if you do not like his personality.

7 - Check out the prices for dog walkers in your area. This way when you interview a few of them, you will know they are charging the right prices. There might be various ways the prices are set, so make sure you understand. You want the best walker at the best price.

8 - Interview more than just one person, so you are sure of your choice in the end.

Follow these tips and you will have no trouble hiring a qualified dog walker. This way your dog will get walked as much as he should be, be well taken care of, and without interrupting your busy schedule.

If you have pets and are considering a trip, then you must consider who is going to take care of them, while you are gone. Do you use a pet-boarding service, or do you hire a pet sitter? This article will look at the pros and cons of both. Hopefully, this will help you make up your mind as to which one is better for you.

Pet-Boarding Service

You can get pet boarding from kennels or some veterinarians. One thing that is ideal about this option is the fact there is usually an opening, however, only if you plan ahead. Some other advantages of this type of service are:

• Grooming
• Veterinarian checkups and shots (at the veterinarian locations)
• Dog training
• Deluxe accommodations (at upscale establishments)
• Playtime Clean accommodations
• Feeding(you can even bring their favorite food)
• Cost is reasonable unless it is a high-end place

Of course, the more features that are offered the more expensive the boarding will be. The main disadvantage to this type are service, is the lack of one on one attention. Some dogs develop kennel cough by being confined with other dogs that may have it. Most veterinarians will give a preventative shot for this though, right when you dog checks in for boarding. Cats can also contract diseases from other cats on occasion.

Pet Sitters

A professional that does pet sitting can be a bit pricier than the above options. However, there are some advantages that might appeal to you. Check out the list before to see what some of them are:

• The pets will be in their own familiar surroundings at home. So they will not feel uprooted.
• No struggling to transport the pets to and from the boarding place. This is especially important if you have large dogs for pets.
• Your pets will not be exposed to other animals and their possible health problems. Some pet sitters will offer to water your plants, pick up your mail and handle delivery of packages
• The sitters might also make sure the house looks lived in while you are gone. This is done by having the lights turned on in the evenings and the curtains closed, and then the reverse done for during the day.
• Sometimes you can find relatives or friends to be the sitter. This is an ideal situation.

There is the lack of extra services though, no veterinarian care or grooming and so on. Also, you might not always be able to afford the extra cost of the professional sitter. This service is a lot more expensive than a standard kennel or veterinarian that does boarding. It might be equal to the high-end boarding. You could have a harder time reserving a sitter.

All in all it is your personal preference which service you use. Just remember how important your pet is to you, and that it does deserve proper care while you are out of town. Choose the one that gives your pet the best care.

Getting a sufficient amount of sleep is an extremely important issue, although many of us do not get enough sleep because of the bed that we sleep in. The reason for this is that our bed does not allow us to settle into a comfortable position. This is especially significant in the context of a place for your dog to sleep, because given the highly active nature of our canine friends, this means that they are at a higher risk of developing arthritis of the joints.

If your dog currently suffers from arthritis then it maybe a good idea to get your best friend an orthopedic dog bed. These are highly specialized dog beds and often make use of memory foam.

The reason that they are so special is due to the fact that they have been specifically designed to ensure that the full weight of your dog is supported no matter what position they sleep in and avoid creating irritation of joints.

However, even if your dog does not happen to suffer from arthritis (and let us be grateful for small favors), this does not mean that you can, or indeed should, take a passive role when it comes to searching for suitable dog beds.

His bed will be the first thing a dog will make a beeline toward whenever they are tired and wish to recover their flagging energy levels. With that in mind as a dog owner you are advised to ensure that you choose a bed that will be comfortable for your pet.

Specifically, dogs are infamous the world over for their fascination with dirt and mud. This becomes problematic because it means that as the dog climbs onto their bed it will become dirty and soiled with the passage of time. In addition, potentially harmful and dangerous bacteria will slowly but surely develop and accumulate within the dog bed, thereby posing a potential health threat to both the dog and other members of your family.

Keeping that in mind, it is imperative that you purchase a bacteria resistant foam dog bed, and more importantly, a dog bed with a covering that can be easily washed, sterilized and disinfected as the case may be.

Let's face it: all dogs have a tendency to play rough with their toys and to the average dog their bed may be nothing more than a big toy. Keeping that in mind, you the dog owner may wish to opt for a chew resistant dog bed that is more resilient than average. This is especially important if you know that your pet is very energetic. In short, if you have a young puppy, which is not getting enough exercise, then a durable relatively indestructible dog bed is the best choice for them because these types of dog beds will be better able to withstand the excessive abuse they may receive.

No matter what type of bed you choose for your dog, keep the dog's size in mind and buy a bed that will comfortably accommodate your pet. The size of the bed is one of the most important factors in choosing a proper dog bed.

Is your dog itching and scratching a lot? Did you think at first it was fleas, but could not find any on your pet? It could very well be a food allergy then. There are certain ingredients in commercial-dog food that can cause allergic reactions in dogs. Some of the main ones are corn, soy, dairy, fish, chicken eggs and wheat. Certain proteins like beef and other meats can also be allergens.

Symptoms

Symptoms can start when the canine is just a pup at 5-months old. Also, they can occur much later in life. However, most of the occurrences happen from 2 years to 6 years of age. Some of the symptoms are itchy skin on the feet, groin, legs, ears and face. The scratching can lead to a loss of hair. Ear and yeast infections are also signs your dog might have a food allergy.

This type of allergy can be hard to diagnose though, because there are other allergies that have the same symptoms. A flea allergy is an example of this. So many times it is a process of eliminating what the allergy is not, before finding it is a food allergy.

Treatment

The main treatment of this problem is to find a dog food, which is minus what the dog is allergic to. This often times is trial and error, meaning that you might have to feed to dog several foods, before finding the one that is right for him. A substitute that could work for beef is rabbit. You can mix in some rice for the carbohydrate.

Also there are the commercial foods, which are specifically designed to address the food-allergy issue. However, many times you might make your own food combinations at home to feed the dogs. This way you can carefully regulate the foods your dog is eating.

While trying a new diet for your dog, do not let them have anything that could trigger his allergy. This means treats, rawhide chews and more. Just let them eat their new food and drink water. If the symptoms subside, you will know you have hit upon the answer. However, you might find as we said before that you have to try a new combination.

It usually takes at least 3 weeks for a dog to respond to any new diet. However, it can take as long as 12 weeks. So give your dog enough time to adjust, so you can see the full effect of changing food. Just check with your veterinarian, to be sure that all the nutrients are included that your dog needs whichever of the food you do use.

Do not assume if your dog is scratching an excessive amount, it is nothing. There is a root cause for this type of scratching. It could just be food allergies. Luckily, if this is so, it is just a matter of changing your dog to another diet. You will see a big improvement, as soon as you find the right food for your dog.

One of the main reasons why dogs have been so successful as a species is their ability to digest just about anything. As omnivores dogs can eat a wide variety of foods. Not only that, but a dog will eat things that most other animals give a wide berth.

So it should hardly be a surprise that dogs sometimes get diarrhea. In fact, it's probably a bigger surprise that they don't get it more often.

Dog diarrhea can have any number of causes including, an upset intestinal tract, worms or parasites, anxiety, or more serious diseases. It may also just be an upset tummy, but you can never be sure, so it is best to speak to your vet.

Most of the time it will be something minor and a simple medication will clear it up. Or you could use a natural remedy that is known to work.

Here are some effective home remedies for diarrhea. (Use these for mild cases only, disease related diarrhea obviously requires veterinary treatment).

Homeopathic Medicine

There are quite a few homeopathic medicines for treating dog diarrhea, including arsenicum album and aloe. The right medicine to use will depend on the dog's symptoms, such as the consistency of the stool.

Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies like L-Glutamine, Slippery Elm, Catnip and Bayberry are effective in treating a number of intestinal problems including inflammation, bacterial infections and flatulence.

High Fiber Diet

Fiber rich foods are excellent for promoting good intestinal health. Not only do they soften the stool in the case of constipation, but they also clear toxins from the system, thus eliminating a common cause of diarrhea.

In the wild, dogs get most of their fiber from grasses, but feeding foods like brown rice or pasta, pumpkin and oatmeal on a regular basis is an effective way to ensure a healthy digestive system.

Probiotics

Probiotic foods are rich in bacterial cultures. By feeding your dog these foods you effectively introduce "good bacteria" to the body and thereby maintain balance in the digestive system.

The best way to introduce this to your dog's diet is to buy a probiotic powder (there are a number marketed specifically for dogs). The powder is tasteless and can be mixed in with your dog's food.

Bland Foods

When treating a dog that has diarrhea you need to strike a balance between keeping the dog nourished and hydrated, and not causing further irritation to the digestive system.

For the first day you should withhold all food, but ensure that the dog gets plenty of water. From day two, begin to feed the dog a bland diet (boiled skinless chicken and rice is ideal). Continue with this diet until your dog's condition returns to normal. Remember to always have fresh water available and to monitor his water intake as dogs with diarrhea are at risk of dehydration.

Although diarrhea is usually trivial it is always best to have your dog examined by a vet. Provided the vet confirms that there is no major medical problem underlying the diarrhea, the methods mentioned above will be effective in clearing it up.

Although you may not be able to completely stop dogs from barking (after all this is their only way of communicating to you), you may drastically reduce the barking in your house by applying some simple methods that we are going to talk about next.

The first thing you will want to do is to determine why exactly your dog is barking. There may be several reasons for your dog's barking. They may be barking in order to get your attention or to alarm you of something. Some dogs simply bark compulsively so it is your job to prevent that if you can. However, you will need to realize that you can never stop a dog's barking completely. Even if you find a way to do so, it is important that you allow your dog to express itself completely.

If you haven't managed figuring out yet why your dog is barking then you need to analyze the situation a little further. If your dog is refusing to stop barking then you will need to ask yourself what is your dog barking at or if there is a particular trigger that determines your dog to start barking uncontrollably.

The most common reason why dogs bark is to protect their territory. You may temporarily be able to make him stop by telling it to do so but the problem is by far solved.

To get to the root of the problem you will have to make sure that your dog doesn't feel the need to assert his territory. You do this by showing your dog that you are in charge (the alpha male) and keeping him away from possible threats. This could mean putting him in the backyard or in an area where there are no passersby.

Dogs also tend to start barking from anxiety. They do this as a result of positive reinforcement of excited barking (like when you get home from work). A good way to fix this is if you ignore your dog when you get home and your dog starts barking.

You can alternatively train your dog to quiet down by using anti barking devices. These barking collars will teach your dog to control his barking and only bark when it is necessary (for example when you need to be warned if there is a burglar in the house or that your house has caught fire).

As you can see, controlling your dog's barking is not such a big deal after all. So if you hear complaints from your neighbors or you think that your dog should tone down its barking then you can start applying what you have learned here. That being said, you will probably have more success with anti barking devices. You can find some great information about how to stop dogs from barking using these barking collars by searching for this information on the internet.

If you're the owner of a large breed dog and you want to dress him (or her) up this Halloween, then you need to take a close look at large breed dog Halloween costumes in order to choose the right one for your dog.

Everybody loves Halloween, why? Because we get to dress up in wacky costumes and be someone other then who we really are and that's down right fun to do. Do dogs love dressing up for Halloween? Who knows, one thing's for sure they look darn cool in a costume.

Dressing up large breed dogs in big dog Halloween costumes is a bit different from dressing up little dogs in small dog Halloween costumes. You will want to get a costume that is suitable to the dog's large size and breed. You don't want to get something that's too cutesy. Small dogs are more suited for cutesy costumes like bumble bees, fairies or Minnie Mouse. Large dogs are more suited for costumes like police officer, superhero or dinosaur.

If you are wondering if there are large breed dog Halloween costumes out there that will suit your dog, you can rest assured that there are a large variety of costumes to choose from and one or more are bound to suit your dog.

As an example your Doberman pinscher can be a vampire dog, a Rottweiler can be a police officer or you can dress a German shepherd as Batman and that's just a start. There are lots to choose from.

Another idea is you and your dog doubling up with your costumes. How about dressing up as Batman and Robin, Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker or Buzz Lightyear and Woody from "Toy Story". Just think of how much fun that can be and the heads you will turn when people see you two as a matching dual.

There are a few things you might want to be aware of when choosing large breed dog Halloween costumes. If you live in a warm climate be sure to get something that keeps your dog from overheating. Also get a size that allows your pet to walk comfortably. You don't want your dog tripping up at the wrong time. You might also want to get something reflective so your pet is seen easily in the dark.

Halloween cannot only be a fun time for you, but as you have seen with large breed dog Halloween costumes it can be a fun time for your large breed dog as well. May you and your dog have a happy Halloween.

Dogs normally do not have problems riding in a car. On the contrary, they love it. However, there are some who are not particularly thrilled about car rides. In fact, they hate it and they let you know by refusing to get into the car, barking, squealing, crying, biting the seatbelt or running crazy in the kennel, while some may vomit or even poop in the car from fear. If it sounds familiar, your dog has a car anxiety.

Your dog could be protesting over car rides for several reasons. If he displays fear and vomits while riding in the car, there is a great chance that he is suffering from motion sickness. Yes, dogs can have motions sickness too. It may sound strange but a car ride can make dogs nauseous which in turn can lead to vomiting in the severest cases. Another common cause of dog car anxiety is the fear from the car ride itself. Dogs that do not ride in cars often may feel uncomfortable about the sound of the engine or/and have difficulties watching everything running by at a great speed. But the most common cause of dog car anxiety is association with a negative experience. Ask yourself where do you normally drive your dog. Are you regularly taking him to the park or do you drive him only to the vet? In this case, it is not the car ride that is making your dog anxious but the vet. But how can you make car rides less stressful experience for both of you? This depends on the cause of your dog's car anxiety, so be sure to take the necessary measures according to the cause.

If you think that your dog is refusing to ride in the car because it makes him nauseous, you should limit food intake before the planned trip, fasten him turned forwards, keep the car well ventilated and take frequent stops to allow your four legged friend to get some fresh air. But if your dog has severe motion sickness or if you are planning to take him on a longer trip, you should perhaps consider dog motion sickness medications. They are available over-the-counter, however, you are recommended to consult with your vet first before giving your dog any medications.

Fear from car ride due to discomfort or association with negative experience can be dealt with pretty much the same. Rather than forcing your dog into the car, try to trick him in with a treat. Give him treats as he approaches the car and then sit in the car and offer him another one. Do not drive anywhere when he comes to get that treat but praise him for being a good dog. Repeat a few times and your dog will start associating the car with treats. When he gets comfortable getting into the car, take him to short rides (but not to the vet) to make him forget about previous negative experiences. Also, be sure that the first ride with a final destination is not a trip to the vet but a park or beach otherwise you will be back at the beginning.

Any dog, regardless its size, shape or breed should be taught the five basic commands. Let's be honest, dogs are cute, but a trained dog is even more pleasant to be around. These command if taught correctly, will make your life and your dog's a very happy one.

It is very important that you train your dog with positive reinforcement. Find out, or you might already know what motivates your dog the most. For some dogs, is about food, and for other, affection will move him. Either form of reward you will be using to train your dog, remember that timing is the key factor when training your dog. If you reward your dog even 5 seconds later, you may be rewarding the wrong behavior. It is also important to fill yourself with a lot of patience and consistency. The more you practice with your dog, the better he'll get at learning the new command. Practice one million times until your dog automatically does the command you ask him to do.

The basic commands are "Sit", "Down", "Stay", "Come", "Heal".

Sit: Your dog pretty much sit and remains sat until you release him.

Hold a treat in your hand a bit higher above your dog's head, and slowly move the treat backwards over your dog's head. This will make your dog to sit. If this doesn't work, keep moving the treat above his head backward towards his tail until your dog sits. The second your dog sits, reward him with the treat and praise the behavior by saying "Sit!" Once your dog sits repeatedly, wait for a few seconds before rewarding, and remember to give the treat only when your dog is in the correct position.

Down: when your dog is sitting facing you. Hold his favorite treat on your hand and put it on top of his nose. Move the treat slowly straight down to the floor. Your dog should follow your hand and naturally drops to rest on his chest or belly. This is when you release the treat and praise him by saying "Down!" only and only when your dog is on the right position-down! Sometimes, your dog will follow your hand with the treat in with his head without lying down. If this happens, once you have lowered the treat to the floor, move the treat toward away from your dog. This will make your dog lay down, and it is when you release the treat and praise him.

If your dog is not responding to the food reward, it is fine to slightly push your dog's shoulder down and to the side. Once your dog drops to the floor, then immediately praise him and release the treat.

Stay: with this command, your dog will hold his position, which it's mostly when sat, until released.

Ask your dog to sit or lay down. You can also use a leash to keep control of your dog. Once your dog is sat or laid down, stand in front of him, and a firm tone of voice say "Stay" holding your palm flat, very close to his nose. Then, move to a short distance away from your dog, and keeping eye contact with your dog, and return to him. Praise with your dog by saying "Good", or "Great", and give him a treat. Once again, make sure you praise and give your dog the treat only when the dog remain sat and in the staying position. As you practice, increase the time you ask your dog to stay and the distance between you and him. Keep in mind that consistency will pay off and sooner than later your dog will begin to understand.

Come: This command is also called the "life saver". Thus, it is very important that your dog learn this command properly.

Attach the leash to your dog (preferably, a long leash) and walk away about 2 to 4 meters facing him. Say "Come" and pull him quickly in to you, where he will be praised. Make sure you sound happy and welcoming, but firm. And give the command only once. As your dog improves, increase the distance of the leash.

At some point you will be confident to practice off-leash, when so, do it in a fenced area. Give your dog the command and if he doesn't respond, go grab your dog and take him to the spot where you initially gave him the command. It is imperative to not praise or reward your dog until he obeys to your command on his own the very first time. Before practicing this command off-leash, make sure you practice as many times as possible with the leash on. Also, it is a recommendable to reinforce this command for life. Always.

Heel: this command may take some time for your dog to learn it. The purpose of this command is to stop your dog from pulling you. Be aware that you must make it clear who the pack leader is, which it should be you. When on a dog walk, your dog might pull because he simply is excited to be outside, or his walking pace is faster than yours.

Start by having your dog sit next to you on your left side. Walk your dog always on your left side, this action will send your dog the message that you are on charge. Once your dog is calmly sitting next to you on your left. You step out first, and say" Heel" while you start walking. Say "Good Heel" if he walks behind or next to you. If your dog tries to walk in front of you, tag his leash firmly but gently. This should make him to back off. If your dog is pulling you badly. You can stop this behavior by simply stopping every time your dog starts pulling. This will give your dog the message that you aren't going anywhere if he keeps pulling. You will need to fill yourself with tons of patience. But it does pay off. Your dog will learn.

These methods are used at Manhattan Paws Walkers, a NYC dog walker and puppy training Service.