House training your dog properly is one of the most important aspects of dog ownership. More dogs are surrendered to animal shelters for elimination problems than for any other reason, so proper house training can literally be a lifesaver.
Training your dog
The most popular ways to house break dogs, and the ones that are the most effective, are those that use the dog’s own instincts to provide this important lesson.
Dogs are instinctively very clean animals, and they try very hard to avoid soiling the areas where they sleep and where they eat.
The modern methods of house training dogs, including crate training, den training and other variations, take advantage of this aspect of dog behavior to create a well behaved, house trained dog in less time than many other methods.
Another aspect of the dog’s nature that can be used to your advantage is the fact that the dog pays close attention to the kind of surface on which it makes its toilet. That means that a dog that has become accustomed to using grass or dirt as a toilet will be reluctant to eliminate on other surfaces, such as gravel, asphalt or carpet for that matter. This is a great aspect of canine behavior that many owners are unaware of.
The first part of house training any dog is setting up the training area, or the dog’s den. The den is the centerpiece of the house training program, and it should be a small area, like a small bathroom, or part of a larger room. The dog should be confined to this den any time it cannot be directly supervised.
It is also important for the owner to spend as much time as possible in the established den with the dog. The owner and family members should spend time in the den, playing and interacting with the dog. It is important for the dog to feel as comfortable as possible in his special area.
The dog should be given a special bed in the training area. These dog beds can be anything from a store bought bed to a beach towel to something as simple as a large cardboard box. The important thing is that the dog feel comfortable and secure in this area.
At first the dog may do its business in the bed area of its den, but after awhile, when the dog has come to recognize this as his sleeping area, he should be reluctant to eliminate there.
The other part of this house training process is to establish the toilet area. It is very important that the dog have ready access to the toilet area every time he needs to do his business.
It is also very important for the owner to go with the dog every time he goes to the toilet area. This is important for two reasons. First, it will ensure that the dog uses the established toilet area, and only the toilet area. Second, it will allow the owner to provide praise and encouragement to the dog for using the toilet area.
Establishing a set feeding schedule for the dog is also very important to properly house training the dog. A set feeding schedule will mean a set elimination schedule. Once you are familiar with the dog’s toilet schedule, you will be better able to anticipate his toilet needs and take him to the toilet area whenever the need arises.
It is important to not confine the dog for long periods of time without access to his toilet area. If the dog is left alone too long, he may have no choice but to soil his den area, and his can set house training back for weeks or even months. It is important to take the dog to the toilet area consistently, and to provide lots of praise every time the dog eliminates there.
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My brother is getting a German Shephard soon, but they grow fast. He is old enough to by anything he wants to, so for his bday i wanna get him somethin for his dog. Like the bed, what are some good dog beds that will be good for a puppy and a large dog, and kinda girly for the dog but boyish for my brother?
I would recommend checking out http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com
They carry more large dog beds than most dog supply sites I've come across. If you have the money to spend, then I think your wisest investment would be to get an orthopedic dog bed. They come in large sizes and are super comfy and supportive, especially for older dogs.
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You bring your cute, fun loving puppy home for the first time and of course you want your him to sleep with you. All furry, cute, warm and snuggly. But that is not the best thing to do for you or your hound. You really need a dog bed to establish correct behavior at the outset. It may be OK now, but when your dog grows to his full size at over 100 lb, will it still be fun?
Now that we have established that a dog bed is an essential item for your pet, what type do you get and what kind of things are you looking at?
How Do You Pick a Dog Bed?
First off ask yourself these questions. Does he like to be able to rest his head with a view of the entire room? Does he hang his head over the edge? Does he avoid the bed because he needs to cool off? Watch your dogs behavior and you’ll quickly learn which type of dog bed best suits him
Benefits and Features of a Dog Bed
The Indoor/Outdoor Bed is tough, water repellent and can be used inside or out. Orthopedic foam tends to provide additional warmth too so if you live in a warmer climate, your dog may prefer a cooling bed like the Canine Cooler to the traditional orthopedic bed. Using a dog bed in your home can help reduce injuries to your pet such as jumping off the couch; which is probably your canines favorite place to lie, especialy when you are away.
Picking the right dog bed will help with your allergies and even clean up. Using a dog bed provides you with one area where the majority of the shedding and/or dander is contained. Just pick up the bed, (or bedding), and put it in the washing machine. Of course make sure it’s machine washable first!
It is important for an older hound to have a comfortable rest area. Senior dogs over the age of 10 are similar to a seventy-year-old person. Can you imagine your grand parents curled up on the floor for the evening? Quality beds such as the Memory Foam Bed or the Thera Ortho Mattress are designed to relieve sore joints, bones and other problems that may arise due to your pets age or weight. They even make orthopedic dog beds now to help address this issue. Similar to humans, dogs also experience changes as they age. Their joints can stiffen, or their bones become thinner. If your older hound has slept in a kennel his entire life, it is good to learn that there are beds specifically designed for use in canine crates.
How to measure your dog for a bed: Different dogs sleep in different positions, as humans do so look at how your canine sleeps and determine the best size bed for your dog. Measure your dog when his is comfortably sleeping and add about 5 inches to ensure that he has enough room in his bed. Watch your canine sleep. Does he usually curl up or stretch out? If he’s relaxed to his maximum size, make sure the bed is big enough to support his entire body.
Spend some time determining which bed is best suited for your dog, keeping in mind that this will become a favorite resting place for your pooch! If your dog likes his head on a pillow, try a lounge bed or couch. Beware, low quality beds are easily torn and fall apart. They never really offer your hound the benefits of a higher quality bed.
Think of your dog bed as an investment, any number of high quality beds will last the lifetime of your canine, and so will their benefits!
Stephen Dolan
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-beds-are-they-fun-or-functional-103859.html
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Dog beds today come in all sizes, colors, shapes, materials and to suit any canine and any decor. If that’s not enough you can even have canine beds custom made. But does Your Canine Need a Bed? If you get your pooch used to sleeping in one spot he’s less likely to sleep on the floor or other hard surfaces which can cause arthritis and calluses in later years.
What to Consider Before Buying a Dog Bed
Does your pooch shed or have any other disorder that will cause the bed to need constant cleaning? Does your dog curl up in a ball? Have you ever considered you dog’s specific needs for comfortable rest? Asking these questions will help you hone in on the ideal dog bed.
Some Of The Benefits
Beds with sides are great for dogs that like to hang their head over the edge. For older dogs, or dogs with problems, thick orthopedic mattresses filled with medical-grade foam or even a boxspring are ideal. Some even come heated but if not you can buy a heating pad. Some pads are warmed in the microwave and some plug in. The type you choose will depend on where the bed will go and how long the pad needs to stay heated. The Indoor/Outdoor Bed is tough, water repellent and can be used inside or out. So the type of dog bed you choose depends on your pooch and its preferences.
Dog Bed Features
It is important for an older dog to have a comfortable rest area. Beds such as the Snuggle Ball Bed, Bagel Bed and Cozy Cave provide warmth and comfort for your dog, especially in the winter months. Sleeping on a cold hard floor can cause chronic pain and additional discomfort. They even make orthopedic hound beds now to help address this issue. Make sure the bed is big enough for your hound.
Most are stuffed with polyfill, often have cedar chips to repel odors and their covers are removable and machine washable. If you have a little pooch a small round pillow-type bed may be the best. It will let your pet burrow and nest. They come in a variety of styles, materials and colors and most can be thrown straight into the washing machine. A dog that sleeps in a tight curled up position might prefer a round bed with sides.
Think of the bed as an investment, a number of high quality beds will last the lifetime of your dog, and so will their benefits! A strenuous day can mean an evening of discomfort with a pulled muscle or painful joints so a good night’s sleep is essential for your dog to wake rested and ready for a new day.
Stephen Dolan
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-beds-are-they-useful-or-useless-123134.html
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For those who own larger dog breeds, it is often difficult, not to mention expensive, to find the right accessories and items like dog beds. Luckily, there are a number of ways you can find better deals on beds for larger dogs without sacrificing quality.
There are a number of ways to fix the problem of beds for larger dogs, or at least help you find one that will work for both you and your dog. This involves thinking about sleeping habits, taking measurements and looking at firm, high-grade bedding. This also involves thinking about the shape of the bed.
First off, think about how your dog sleeps. Do they toss and turn, roll, or, in the cases of many larger dogs, sprawl? This is especially important if your large breed is as large as a Great Dane. A good remedy for this can be donut dog beds, which are simply large, round beds that are especially effective at supporting huge, sprawling dogs.
Next, think about your dog’s actual size and take measurements. This is key, as ‘large breeds’ encompasses breeds from German Shepherds to Great Danes, even though there is a significant height difference between the two. Thus, instead of relying in the ‘for large breeds’ title, take your dog’s measurements before getting them a bed. This ensures you can truly get the right size bed for your dog, whether it is square or donut shaped bed.
You want to ensure you get material that is high-quality, preferable with memory foam padding and virgin fiber fill. Remember that larger dogs wear things like beds out faster because of their weight and habits; thus hardier outside materials like canvas and firm, memory-foam insides are some of your best options when looking for a larger bed.
Last but not least, think about the shape of your dog’s bed. While square is fine, there is a reason many dog beds are rounded. Donut shaped dog beds are quite popular because they fit almost any size or breed of dog and come with as many options. They can also be easier to place in a house and make your dog feel more comfortable.
Kausik Dutta
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/buying-a-dog-bed-for-your-large-breed-121983.html
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