.: Pet Training

It’s easy to explain most of the behaviors displayed by a dog as related to dominance. But is it correct? Sometimes, yes, but sometimes this over-simplified characterization of behavior does more for the human than the … Read More

It’s a familiar scene to many pet owners: Fido is gnawing the couch or has gotten into the trash and is dragging rubbish all over the new carpet. Naturally, your first reaction may be to shout, … Read More

You’ve got a puppy. Congratulations! Now is the time to prevent behavior problems in adulthood. Many serious issues can be prevented by properly raising your pup. More dogs die each year in the United States due … Read More

By OTTB, I mean, of course, an Off the Track Thoroughbred. In other words, a retired racehorse, like my Ember, aka Embrace Reality, pictured below. OTTBs can excel in most disciplines, are generally inexpensive compared to … Read More

I cringe every time I see a dog wearing a barking collar, particularly the type that delivers a painful shock to a dog’s neck. These collars are stronger than many people think. When I put a … Read More

If you remember my introduction, you will recall that I have two cats. Both are kitty litter trained and although I know how to toilet train them, neither of them are. The main (and probably only) … Read More

Would you like to teach your horse to lie down on command? How about improving your mare’s flying lead changes, or testing a young horse’s jumping potential without needing to place a rider on his back? … Read More

One question that I frequently hear from prospective rat owners is, "I have a cat. Will the rats be safe with a cat in the house?" Unfortunately, there is no single right answer to that question. … Read More

The subprime mortgage crisis, declines in some sectors of the economy, and a rising cost of living have led to more families moving out of houses and into apartments, townhomes, and condos. I see ads on … Read More

Just for being a reader of this blog, you can get this free short report: Basic Dog Training Tips and Tricks, compliments of http://808BluePitbull.com This short report covers: * types of dog personalities (identify which type … Read More

Housebreaking is something anyone will want to do no matter the breed of dog they own. Fortunately for the human companions of Golden Retrievers, that’s a much easier task with these intelligent, eager to please pups. … Read More

By Bonnie Martin Frequently I talk to, hear of, or read about someone who bought a trained horse and after riding it for a period of time decide that the horse needs to go to a … Read More

Golden Retrievers are among the more active breeds and require a lot of exercise to stay fit and happy. Originally bred for game fetching, these energetic dogs can run much of the day, even late into … Read More

One of the most common reasons people have for buying a pet bird is the desire for a talking pet. Most people think of the talented African grey when they picture a talking bird, but quite … Read More

The German Shepherd breed was developed over 100 years ago, as the name suggests, for herding sheep. That activity is less common in the world today, but the basic skills are still much in demand. GSDs, … Read More

Here’s an interesting trio of videos from http://Petside.com .. 1) Grooming Your Champion At Home 2) It’s Not Easy Being Pretty 3) The Mugs Of Westminster Be sure to watch them all! Just select the second … Read More

And you thought normal dog training was difficult. Sit, stay, down, come, heel… all require weeks or more of dedicated trainer and dog effort to master. Now, consider the months or years needed to train a … Read More

You’ve managed to make it up on top of your horse and boy, is it a long way down! Now, how do you get him to move? After all, you don’t want to make an animal … Read More

Socialization involves getting your dog familiar and comfortable with other dogs, pets and people in their environment. As natural pack animals it’s often easy to do, and sometimes even harder to keep them from interacting at … Read More

Over 130 different breeds compete in major dog shows, such as the Westminster in the US or Crufts in the UK. But there’s a good deal more to developing a show dog than simply acquiring a … Read More

Once upon a time, seeing-eye (guide) dogs were almost the only type of assistance dog around. Over the last few decades, the field has widened considerably. Today, dogs help the hearing impaired, the blind, wheelchair bound … Read More

Nothing is more essential to good training than good health. And the foundation of good health is a good diet. Depending on your budget you may or may not be able to feed your dog a … Read More

Not every dog gets spayed (removal of female reproductive organs) or neutered (removal of male organs). Whether through an intention to breed or other motive, many individuals leave their companions intact. Left with a full complement … Read More

Many people don’t have the time, energy or patience to devote to dog training. Few other activities require as much, if the result is to be a safe, well-adjusted dog and a happy human. For some, … Read More

If you want to successfully train a horse, you should consider adding some special equipment to your tack room. While you may be able to make do with the tack you already have, training will be … Read More

Electronic fences are a control device. That said, electronic fences can be a blessing or a curse – not only for the dog but for the human as well. An ‘electronic fence’ is a set of … Read More

Contrary to popular belief, there are not as many training styles as there are trainers. Despite individual differences, people handling dogs fall into clearly recognizable categories. And no matter your individual style or that of your … Read More

Since rabbit urine can have an overpowering smell, litter training is something most pet owners will want to do. Even feces, as unpleasant as they can be, aren’t as big a problem. They often can be … Read More

Teaching your pet tricks is easiest when you work with their nature, not against it. Most dogs are eager to please and respond enthusiastically to rewards. Teaching tricks is often as much a matter of simply … Read More

Proper training begins even before the pup is born. While it’s not always possible to buy a pup from champions, selecting the proper breed and temperament is essential. Choosing a pup starts with choosing the dam … Read More

The word ‘vital’ has its roots in the Latin word for life. That gives us a clue to why dog training is so important, both for owner and dog – it enhances the quality of life … Read More

It’s no accident that some breeds are more commonly found as working dogs. Retrievers, and a few others tend to have the Shepherdsphysical characteristics, intelligence and temperament needed to perform the complex behaviors even they need … Read More

The creativity of trainers and those who supply them with additional tools is never-ending. To the new or casual trainer there appears a dizzying array of devices. Though many are useful, they shouldn’t be viewed as … Read More