Pets Dogs

How To Choose The Right Dog

Before picking a dog, there are many considerations to take into account. You'll be more likely to pick a well suited dog if you think through these points in the beginning. Now that you've decided what you want from your dog, you can begin searching for breeds who match your requirements.
The next step is to start gathering as much information as you can. Make sure that your sources of information are reliable.If you have any questions of a general kind, try talking with someone at the local vets practice. By the same token, if you have questions which relate to a dogs breed characteristics, you should seek the advice of a reputable dog behavioural specialist. Advice from friends may be well-intentioned, but be wary of treating it as expert advice.
Don't forget also that dogs, like us, are individuals.
The way that a dog is behaving now will be due to a combination of both his previous experiences, coupled with the characteristics he has inherited from his breeding. For breed issues therefore, it is advisable to talk with a respected dog breeder.
If you think you may have identified a dog who fits the bill, spend as much time with him as you can to assess his confidence and look at his behaviour over a long period of time.

Is he content in your families company?

Is he confident and excited when you are near him, or does he seem fearful or apprehensive?

A thorough assessment of the dog, taking into account his history and level of training, will assist you to make the decision on whether or not he is the dog you are looking for.Take the time to observe the dog interact with his mother and siblings if you have the chance, as you will still learn plenty about your dogs genetic make up and tendencies by watching members of his close family.
If you've chosen to opt for a younger dog, it should be no less than 2 months old,and ideally should have completed its early socialisation training He should also have started work on its obedience training.The puppy should appear relaxed around strangers, and be quite happy for you to pick him up, so watch out for any signs of distress or anxiety while you're interacting with him.
Its very well worth doing the research and taking your time at this stage to try and ensure you stand the best chance of picking the perfect dog for you.

Tips On How To Stop Dogs Whining

If you're trying to curb your dogs whining behaviour, you'll have to identify what is causing him to do it.
Dogs whine as a means of showing us what emotions they are experiencing - pleasure, pain, fear, loneliness etc.You mustn't punish your dog for showing his feelings, but rather show him the way in which you would like him to behave in a given situation. Whilst some dogs seem to prefer whining over other forms of expression such as barking, all dogs can be taught to choose another method of expression, so long as you are consistent in your re-training.
First of all you'll have to stop rewarding him with attention when his whining begins. For example, your dog may whine from excitement when he sees you preparing for his morning walk. If you then quickly put him on the leash in order to stop his whining, you have really told him that whining is a great way of convincing you to take him for a walk! Instead, what you should do is praise your dog for calm, quiet obedient behaviour.
Why not give this a try instead...
Tell your dog to 'lie' or 'sit', and wait calmly until he obeys. If he continues to whine, tell him ‘No’ or ‘Be Quiet’. Say the command once only, and then wait for him do as you have asked.Don't give him any eye contact while you wait for him to be quiet.
If after ten seconds or so, he still has not behaved as you have asked him to, then leave the situation and start another task without him - the idea is to demonstrate to him that he has been unsuccessful in trying to control your actions
Repeat this process until he begins to do as he has been told.
Make sure you reward him with loads of happy and affectionate praise when he starts to act as you have asked him to, he will hopefully repeat this correct behaviour next time in order to receive similar praise from you. He may not get it right first time, but if you consistently follow the above steps, sooner or later he should work out what you want him to do, and that whining is no longer a good way of getting what he wants.
You will also find you can use this process to re-train dogs who are whining before they are fed, when they go on car journeys, or any other excitement-triggered bout of whining.

Managing Dogs And Babies In The Home

If you're looking for a plan of how to safely introduce your new baby to your dog, why not consider this...
The first time you bring your baby home, make sure that somebody else is carrying the baby, so that mum and dog can say hello to each other properly. Don't punish your dog for getting excited when he sees mum for the first time - he's bound to be pleased that she's home! Just make sure that the baby is taken to another room while mum and dog say their hello's.
Encourage your dog to calm down once the hello's are out of the way.
It is vital that your dog is in a relaxed state before the baby is brought into the room. Give your dog treats for remaining relaxed and for obeying your commands. Make sure that your dog is properly leashed and that there is a fair distance between the dog and your baby - opposite sides of the room would be good.

As someone gradually brings your baby nearer, talk to your dog in a calm and reassuring tone of voice. It's vital that this process is not rushed, and is done in a positive happy atmosphere. If your dog tries to jump up at the baby, or you feel he is becoming anxious in some way, take him out of the room straight away.

Don't try to reassure you dog by stroking him and talking in a 'There,There' tone of voice, as this will only serve to confirm in his mind that he was right to be anxious or aggressive. Instead, tell him firmly 'No', take him from the room, and return him only when he has returned to a relaxed state of mind.
Ensure that your dog is still correctly leashed. When your dog is relaxed, he can now be allowed to take a brief sniff of the baby. Keep praising him for remaining relaxed and attentive to your instructions to 'Sit' or "Lie Down'.
Gradually increase the amount of time that you allow the dog to be close to the baby. If you are confident that your dog is now completely at ease around the baby, you can think about removing his leash, so long as you have another adult with you to help. You may decide it's best at this stage to put your dogs muzzle on.

Make sure your dog gets lots of one-on-one attention from the family members over the coming days - this will help him see the babys arrival as having lots of positive consequences for him.

If you are going to be at home on your own with the dog and baby, make sure you tie the dog securely to a heavy piece of furniture, or instead, use a baby gate to provide a barrier while still allowing your dog to feel included by being able to watch through the gate.
Under no cirumstances should you ever leave a dog and a baby alone unsupervised - not even for just a few seconds.