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Camping with Dogs-Ten Commandments
CAMPING WITH DOGS - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
In the U.S. alone, more than 30 million people each year take
their pets with them while camping. Yet, when we first started
RVing with our dogs, we were unable to find much written on the
subject....
Cat Scratching Solutions
For a cat, scratching is a natural, necessary act. Besides keeping her claws in top shape, the stretching involved in a good scratch keeps her upper body strong and loose. Also, every time a cat scratches a surface, scent glands between her toes...
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:...
The Pro's Never Yell Or Scream Commands At Their Dog
I never yell at my dog. Never. Well, okay. There's one exception. And that exception is if: I'm already working with the dog at such a far distance that he can't audibly hear me. And usually this is the case only if I'm teaching the dog to respond...
Training your dog not to chase people, bicycles, joggers, etc.
Dogs by nature are predatory animals, and all predatory animals
share the motivation to chase fleeing objects. While this may be
a natural instinct, it is not appropriate when those fleeing
objects are joggers, bicyclists or the mailman.
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Shih Tzu - Obedient Shih Tzu Make Better Companions And Are Happier
There are of course many reasons for owners to want a calm,
obedient and faithful shih tzu. For one thing, obedient and
trained shih tzus are happier shih tzus, less likely to get into
tussles with people or with other dogs. Another reason is that
many communities require that the dogs living in their
neighborhoods be well trained. This is especially true for many
breeds thought to have aggression and behavior problems - dog
breeds like pit bulls and rottweilers for instance.
And of course, training your shih tzu well will also make he or
she a much better family companion, especially in households
where there are young children. Many studies have shown that
proper dog training makes a big impact when it comes to cutting
down the number of dog bites and other behavior problems
encountered by dog owning households.
When considering training your own shih tzu, or having someone
else help you train it, there are certain basic commands that
must be mastered in order for a dog to be considered truly
trained. These basic commands include:
Heel - it is important that any shih tzu learn to walk beside
its owner on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging
behind.
Respond to the word No - the word no is one word that all shih
tzu must learn. Training your shih tzu to respond to this
important word can save you a ton of trouble.
Sit - Training your shih tzu to sit on command is a vital part
of any dog training program.
Stay - A well trained shih tzu should remain where his or her
owner commands, so stay is a very important command in dog
training.
Down - Lying down on command is more than just a cute trick; it
is a key component of any successful dog training program.
Dog training does much more than just create an obedient,
willing shih tzu companion. Training your dog properly actually
strengthens the bond that already exists between dog and
handler. Dogs are pack animals, and they look to their pack
leader to tell them what to do. The key to successful dog
training is to set yourself up as that pack leader.
Establishing yourself as pack leader
is a very important concept
for any potential dog trainer to understand. There is only one
leader in every pack of dogs, and the owner must establish him
or herself as the dominant animal. Failure to do so leads to all
manner of behavior problems.
A properly trained shih tzu will respond properly to all the
owner's commands, and will not display anxiety, displeasure or
confusion. A good dog training program will focus on allowing
the dog to learn just what is expected of it, and will use
positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviors.
In addition to making the shih tzu a good member of the
community, obedience training is a great way to fulfill some of
the dog's own needs, including the need for exercise, the
security that comes with knowing what is expected of it, a
feeling of accomplishment and a good working relationship with
its handler. Dog training gives the dog an important job to do,
and an important goal to reach.
Giving the shih tzu a job is more important than you may think.
Dogs were originally bred by humans to do important work, such
as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people. Many
dogs today have no important job to do, and this can often lead
to boredom and neurotic behavior.
Basic obedience training, and ongoing training sessions, provide
the dog with an important job to do. This is especially
important for high energy breeds like German shepherds and
border collies. Training sessions are a great way for these high
energy dogs to use up their extra energy and simply to enjoy
themselves.
Incorporating playtime into your dog training sessions is a
great way to prevent both yourself and your shih tzu from
becoming bored. Playing with your shih tzu helps to strengthen
the all important bond between you - the pack leader - and your
shih tzu.
About the author:
Connie Limon is a professional shih tzu breeder. She publishes a
FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus
upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts on
shih tzu puppies are offered to subscribers. Sign up at:
http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com
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