Hangin’ with the Animals

posted by Animal Lover2 on Feb 26

by Edie MacKenzie

It wasn’t that long ago our Chessie/Golden mix, Sonagh, would go into a state of complete apoplexy with the arrival of guests. She would be completely out of her mind . . . to the point where I couldn’t open the door. Well today, I can report both of my dogs stay in their sit position and are perfectly quiet when anyone arrives at the door.

This article will show you what you need to do to stop your dog from jumping up on everybody who enters your house.

And here’s the good news: Your problem is solvable, because dogs are very trainable. That behavior just needs to be modified into acceptable house manners.

So the first thing you want to do, if you don’t have one, is get your dog a Gentle Leader. You can find one at your local vet office or pet supply store.

Now here’s how the training starts: Before company comes, take your dog for a good, vigorous, half hour walk, making sure they stay in a heel the whole time. You want to be in charge of the walk, not your dog. No sniffing and exploring on this trip. This does two things.

1 - It uses up some of your dog’s energy

2 - It establishes your leadership

Next, when company comes, pick a spot you want to establish as your dog’s “company spot.” This can be 4-5 feet back from the front door. Next, have your dog in their Gentle Leader with the leash clipped to it. Then put them in a sit/stay and step on the leash so your dog can’t get their head any higher than a normal sit position.

Praise them for sitting nicely and give them a special treat you use ONLY when guests are coming. Try some dried liver bits - disgusting to us but candy for dogs. Now have someone else answer the door while you continue to manage your dog. Keep them focused on the treats, their sit/stay and your praise.

You may even want to develop a command for this activity. If you tell your dog “Company!” they will eventually associate their “company spot” and the desired behavior with this command.

It’s just that simple.

Now I’ll be honest, you will need to practice this quite a bit before you can expect a calm dog when people come into the house. So make people coming and going from your home a regular thing rather than a special event.

I think one of the other factors is how your guests react to your dog. You can help coach them so they can change their behavior. This will help with your dog’s behavior, because their anxiety over the bouncing, jumping dog is being conveyed to your dog and she is, in turn, reacting to it.

Your dog will probably continue to try your patience - that’s what puppies and dogs do. Just hang in there, because it will be worth it! Ear scratches to wee your dog! Tell them, with your help and dedication, they’re going to be an incredible dog some day!

May you all have great moments with your dog.

Edie Mackenzie has been a dog nut for longer than she can remember and is the author of two books on designer dogs, the Labradoodle and Goldendoodle. You can learn more about successful dog training and the only guide Edie recommends here: {a xhref= http://www.discoveringlabradoodles.com/ssfarticle.html“}Dog Training

About the Author Edie Mackenzie has been a dog nut for longer than she can remember and is the author of two books on designer dogs, the Labradoodle and Goldendoodle. You can learn more about successful dog training and the only guide Edie recommends here: Dog TrainingPets

posted by Animal Lover2 on Feb 11

by Anita hampton

Aside from dogs, cats are the next best pets for the home. In fact, 34.7 million households in the United States own at least one cat. However, the benefits of owning a cat are not constrained to having them as mere pets because cats, like dogs, can be trained to do tricks as well. Even if they are known as ìhouse cats,î it is important for them to be given the taste of the outdoor environment. This can be done through walking. Yes, it is important to engage a cat in outdoor activities such as walking, just like the dog. This is because cats need further stimulation by having a taste of the activities gained by being outside. Walking them outdoors makes them feel entertained and stimulated. Studies show that cats that are constrained inside the house show a significant sign of boredom and depression. These are not likely to be noticed since cats cannot verbally or even physically tell their owners that they are bored and depressed. However, there were signs that were noted in a study that projects the negative effects of not having occasional walks outside the house. Scratching the furniture was noted to have a direct association with depression that the cat is experiencing. The problem with most cat owners is that they tend to pamper their cats and they forget to give them the benefits of enjoying the environment. Hence, a growing health problem arises because most cats are found to be obese. What people do not know is that even if they are known to be domestic animals and have been in ìclose contactî with people for more than 3,500 years, cats are known to be born hunters. In fact, most zoologists contend that cats are the ìmost graceful huntersî in this world. For this reason, walking a cat is extremely important. Proper use of materials should be observed when walking your cat. Walking your cat does not necessarily mean it is okay to leave your cats outside. They can encounter danger such as getting a disease or being hurt by neighbors or vehicles.. Try to train your cat to walk with a leash and a harness on. It is best to use a jacket as well so that your cat will be comfortable while walking. Walking your cat is not a hard work. You just have to use the right tools and the proper training of your cat and you can be assured of a happy and stress-free feline at home. Cat Health Tips
Pets: The Benefits of Walking Your Cat