Just About Jacks

Archive for July 28th, 2009

I want to tell you about a great way I learned to prevent your dog from digging up your yard or garden. A few days ago I ran into town with my friend. When we returned to his house about 3 hours later we couldn’t even drive through the gate. My friend”s nutty dogs dug a huge hole over five feet across and at least two feet deep. Because we are living at the beach the digging is pretty easy for the dogs.  His dogs have done this every so often for years. It was clear time to teach these old dogs new tricks, and stop their digging.

There are various reason that may be causing the dog’s digging behavior.  It could be because of boredom, or separation anxiety, an attempt to escape, an attempt to dig down to cooler moister soil during hot weather, or a predisposition based on the type of breed you have . I will mention some ideas for stopping your dog from digging in your yard or garden. My friend’s dogs dug up the area right in front of the front gate, so it seemed like an escape attempt.  His dogs are not picky where they dig their holes-probably just randomly digging out of boredom. His dogs would also dig up any recently watered areas of the yard because it is so hot at the beach. It was obvious my friend need to learn how to stop his dogs from digging his whole place up.

I helped my neighbor out using the methods I learned in Secrets to Dog Training  To read my review of Secrets to Dog Training click here. Secrets to Dog Training Review This book is chock full of useful methods for stopping dog behavior problems, such as digging in the yard.

We used the book’s advice to build his dogs a separate play area, where they could hang out and dig to their heart’s content, without messing up the rest of the yard. My friend’s yard is all sand, so it was only necessary to enclose the desired area with fencing to make the acceptable digging area. It’s a good idea to make sure there is some shade above the enclosed area for protection form the summer sun. My neighbor even put in a wading pool and some chew toys. These dogs get a lot of love. Since the dogs only dug up the yard when he was away he has now learned how to prevent the dogs from digging up his yard using a win-win type of solution.

Even if you don’t live at the beach, you can make the same kind of area in your own yard to prevent your dog from digging. You can find an area of the yard to enclose and create the substitute digging area for your pet by putting a sandbox filled with loose soil mixed with sand for digging. Pick an area to enclose that has some shade  (or add some shade cloth) and in addition to putting in a sandbox for digging purposes, be sure to put in his water bowl and some chew toys to keep him busy.

This is a great way to prevent dogs from digging up your yard and it provides them a nice place to hang out when you are away. If you later notice your dog is only digging in his new area, you can try letting him loose again even if you are not at home, and it is quite possible he won’t dig up the lawn. If your dog is digging to escape, though, he should probably stay in the enclosure while you are away. Give this method a try and you should have solved the problem of your dog digging up the yard problem.

You can read more about stopping dog digging and other dog training tips by clicking here-Stop Your Dog From Digging.

To get your copy of the best on-line dog training program for teaching your dog at home, click here to get Secrets to Dog Training.

Choosing dog toys for your dog can be a difficult task. Not only do you have to consider exactly what the dog toy is going to be made out of, but you also need to take what your dog likes into consideration. Chew resistant dog toys can be very easy to find but are they right for your dog? Is your dog one of the type of dogs that likes to chew up all of their toys? Where can you find these types of dog toys? Well, in this article, we will answer all of those questions and more for you! Dog Squeaking Toys may be just what you need.

While checking out new dog toys, you want to be certain that your dog is going to like the toys you get for him. For instance, toys which resist being chewed provide an excellent little challenge for dogs who do like to chew the heck out of their toys. Plus, of course, you will not have to deal with the mess!

Now of course, there is a whole bunch of different chew resistant toys out there for your dog but you really should make sure that your dog takes interest in the toy. Chances are, if the pooch is not into tennis balls or any other balls, they really won’t like ball that is chew resistant. So find the best toy that is suited to your dog, not one that just looks cool.

Then again, balls are hardly the only type of toys you can find which will resist being chewed. A lot of pet stores and even department stores have all different types of resistant toys available. You can always ask to see their selection. Typically you can find things like discs to toys shaped like other animals and even people.

The price is always going to be a concern whenever you are dealing with special toys. Face it, these toys are going to be slightly expensive, so you want should check on some of the prices before you make your purchase.

After you have looked through all of the toys, it might be a good idea to research exactly what you might be considering getting. There have been a few cases about a few of these types of toys that have caused harm to dogs simply because another ‘air hole’ wasn’t placed in the ball. These toys are very resistant to a lot of things and are made to be durable; you just need to make sure that they are safe for your dog to play with.

Finally, you want to make sure that you are considering just how big or how small your dog is. You should never ever get a dog toy that is out of the size range for your pooch. Big toys for big dogs, little toys for little dogs. This is why taking your dog with you is a fantastic idea!

After you have taken all of these points in mind, go ahead and go a little crazy! Buying toys, any type really is a fun experience! This is especially true if you can take your dog with you to pick out their toys! Many pet stores nowadays welcome pets inside their store and why shouldn’t they? Dogs especially are part of a lot of people’s families and you really should let them pick out their own toys!  These Dogs Toys are the Designer Dog Accessories that you should look into getting for your pet and friend!

Choosing the right small dog carriers for your small dogs can be a difficult task. You want to find the right carrier that fits your dog’s personality but also one that is going to keep them safe and sound. Dog carriers nowadays are extremely popular, especially among the celebrities and even some fashion designers are coming out with dog carriers for smaller dogs. Carriers For Small Dogs may be exactly the thing you need right now.

The first thing you need to consider is what precisely the carrier is needed for – besides carrying, of course. What that means is, why do you intend to use it? Some pet owners simply want to keep their dogs with them whenever possible. Other people, however, need a carrier so they can take their small dog on a trip, be it in a car, on a train, or on a plane. The design of the carrier is also a consideration.

Once you have done that, you are one step closer to making a decision about what carrier to purchase. Specifically, you are now ready to start trying to find the best possible deal. Going on the Internet can really help you, no matter what kind of carrier you are interested in buying. Of course, you have to understand that the price is going to be proportional for more upscale and sought after dog carriers. Still, going online is a great way to get a deal on over the shoulder ones.

For traveling purposes, you need to think about a few aspects as well. For instance, you are going to want to take the material of the carrier into strong consideration. Soft plastics and things like that need to be avoided. It can get much too hot and uncomfortable, especially since you dog will have to be in his carrier for a while. If you have to go with a plastic carrier, a hard type is better.

You always need to call ahead before you travel anywhere with your dog, to make sure that pets are allowed. For planes, it should not be a problem. However, a lot of trains do not allow pets unless they are trained service animals. With planes, there may be size restrictions. These typically do not apply to small carriers, but it is still better to err on the side of caution.

Small dogs also do well in dog strollers. They can be easily rolled around and they cannot get away from you. They will be safe, comfortable, and out of the way, so they will not break a leash, get stepped on, or get into any messes.

Backpacks or papoose carriers are also popular for smaller dogs. As an owner, you can keep your pet right next to you. This can be soothing for both of you.

As you can see, there are many different things that you need to take into consideration whenever you are getting a carriers. So make sure that you take all of this information in mind whenever you are considering your dog carrier! These Dog Travel Accessories are the Dog Accessories you need.

Dog Training Video

When you get a puppy, you might not think immediately about dog training, but you really should. Having a well trained dog can mean the difference between a alm and settled household and a chaotic one.

Dog behavior is directly impacted by how much training he has. He needs to have structure and limits in his life. If you don’t provide this, he will, and that can create significant behavior problems in your dog.

Why Train Your Dog?

No matter your dog’s breed, he is descended from wolves and his instinct is to be part of a pack. In the dog pack, there is a hierarchy, with clear dominant roles and submissive roles. If you don’t make yourself the leader of the pack, your dog will make himself the leader. That’s not good and creates all kinds of dog problems.

Training reinforces and establishes the hierarchy concept for a dog. It teaches him that someone in the household is in control and that he must submit to that person.

Although some people say they prefer to not provide any dog obedience training, that’s a mistake. Puppy training – it’s best to start them young – can do much for your young dog, and will only help him as he gets older.

Where to Get Training?

You have a few choices:

1. You can hire a professional trainer to come to your house
2. You can attend dog obedience training classes
3. You can purchase an online ebook and CD or DVD (the cheapest and the preferred option)

Whatever you do, it’s important that your dog’s first (and future) experience with training is successful.

Dog Obedience Training.

When most of us think about dog training, we think first and foremost about dog obedience training. Dog obedience training is really about the basics of training and includes learning commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “heel.”

Even if your dog only learns the most basic of dog training commands, his knowledge of just a few basic commands is immensely useful to you as the dog sowner.

A dog that’s received some dog obedience training is also much more pleasant to strangers and other dogs. You can control his behavior when necessary and he will also develop the inner discipline that will help him make right decisions even when you’re not around.

Dog House Training

Dog house training is something you can do yourself. You don’t need the experts for this, though a little advice from a dog training expert certainly can’t hurt.

Your dog should be house trained in order to ensure that he can understand the basics of his needs. That is, he should understand, through some consistent dog house training efforts on your part, that there are certain needs he has that must be met appropriately.

If you have never done any puppy training before with potty issues, you might look in the following places:

* Books, online ebooks and CD or DVD
* You Tube videos
* Friends with more experience than you
* Dog training experts

Crate Training

The concept of crate training is lost on many dog owners, but it’s a concept and a behavior that should be encouraged.

Crate training dogs gives them a sense of safety and security. While initially, many dog owners will use crate training as a puppy training method, the older dog benefits greatly from using a crate as well.

Crate training can be used to reinforce house training, or it can be used as a tool to teach a dog to sleep in a particular place at night, to keep the dog away from strangers, or transport the dog in the car.

There are so many essential uses for crate training, in fact, that dogs suffer from not having this kind of dog obedience training in their lives.

Basic Dog Problems

Dog training tips run the gamut from “be sure you use a firm voice” to “let your dog lead the way.” The reality is what works for you might not work for someone else and a different dog might respond differently to training.

Find your own path with your new dog. Keeping in mind that:

* He needs structure and discipline and dog obedience training gives him that
* He will respond to firm direction from you that’s given lovingly and consistently
* Both you and he will be happier in your relationship if your dog has even the most basic understanding of dog obedience training.

Dog training is an essential part of owning a dog. It’s worth whatever effort you are willing to give it.

When traveling with your pet, it is absolutely imperative that you find an Airline Approved dog carrier before you even buy your tickets. There are a lot of things that you have to do in order to take your dog on a plane. It is better to be safe than sorry, after all, and the best way to do that is to follow a few simple steps. It is not hard by any means. The process is simply a bit involved, due to the fact that you want to make sure your pup will be safe and happy during his travels.

Getting approval from the airline might seem like a lot of work but it is well worth the effort. Furthermore, it is something you have to consider when you are buying a carrier for your dog. After all, the main reason that you need this approval is because it helps to make your dog safe, comfortable, and happy. Despite the fact that an increasing number of pet owners choose to take their dogs traveling, though, a number of airlines do have stringent rules to follow.

Failing to find out what your particular airline expects could potentially ruin your travel plans. Can you imagine having to turn around when you reach the airport, because you discover that either your pet is not allowed or that he or she does not have the proper kind of dogs travel? Not only do you risk completely missing your flight, but you are left without a contingency plan concerning the care of your dog while you are away.

The first thing you need to think about – and ask about – is the size of your dog. Bigger dogs typically need to be checked, so they will travel in the plane’s cargo area. Thus, you are going to want to make sure that you purchase a large carrier – you want your dog to be comfortable back there.

At the same time, however, you will need to check with the airline about size restrictions. You could show up with a carrier which is too big, only to be told that the airline will not accept it due to its size. Fortunately, all it takes is a call to the airport before you fly out. Make sure you call early enough ahead of time that you have the opportunity to exchange a carrier if you need to do so.

It is possible to bring your dog with you as a carry on. Lots of people do this with smaller dogs. However, again, the dimensions of the carrier may be strict, so you need to call ahead of time to see what they are. You also have to make sure that your dog himself will be allowed in the cabin.

The airline is not the only important thing to consider though. Your pet’s comfort comes into play quite a lot. Above all, your dog has got to be comfortable and safe in his carrier. There needs to be room for him to move around and he cannot be too crowded. You do not want to make this an unpleasant experience for him.

There are a lot of dog carriers nowadays. You really just have to do your research and you should have absolutely no problems finding one! Dogs in this day and age are so popular and they are basically an extension of the family, so of course more people are taking their dog with them on vacations now. The crate or carrier is one of the mot important things whenever you are taking your dog with you and if you do your research, you should have no issues at all.