Did you know that one of the best health treats you can give your dog is to fast him for one day per week?
When I got my first Collie the breeder surprised me by advising me to starve my dogs for one day every week. She said it was her secret to winning first prize at the shows. Her dogs were always in top condition. She believed that dogs were intended to have ‘hungry days’ and that it was part of their metabolism.
Justin Bryce has a great blog post here explaining the theory and how it works.
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Kelly Braid is a cat enthusiast who has spent most of her life as a cat owner and the last eight years correcting the behavior of, and training her own cats. She has also helped many friends and co workers live more harmoniously with their felines.
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You do not want to have a champion obedience dog but you want a well-mannered family pet. What commands do you need to teach him?
The first thing your dog needs to know is to come to his name. You start by calling him and when he comes, you reward him. How simple is that? Make sure you acknowledge him every time and he will come to you every time.
The next thing he needs to know is ‘No’. You say it firmly and quickly. It must get his attention. Every time he is about to do something you do not want him to do you must say ‘No’. He will learn that he is to stop and look at you for further instructions.
The next thing a well-mannered pet knows is how to walk on a leash. He needs to walk beside you, on the left hand side, without tugging at the leash.
When starting to train your dog to walk on a leash you need to make sure he does not get a fright and try to run away. He will fight the leash and become tangled up. This will frighten him.
Start in a familiar area like your back yard and let him wear the collar and leash while walking around. He will get accustomed to the feeling. Do not leave him unattended.
Once he is accustomed to the feel of the collar and leash, start to walk with him, holding the leash. Do things slowly and gradually. As he becomes comfortable with one thing, move onto the next.
When you take him for a walk for the first time, do not rush him. Do not expect to walk far the first few times. If he struggles, just stand still until he is ready. It will not take long for him to look forward to walking with you.
When he tugs, give one quick jerk, and then stop walking. He will learn the jerk means he is being punished and the walk will not continue until you say.
If he does not want to move, give him a quick jerk, and then call him to you. Reward him for coming.
If he crosses in front of you, give him a quick jerk, and then keep the leash short so he cannot cross. When he stops trying to cross, praise him.
Many people get their dogs to sit at every corner when they are walking. It is a good way to train the dog to sit. It is supposed to encourage them to look before they cross the road too.
Sit and Drop are the next most popular commands. They can be taught at home first, and then practised on your walks. Give your dog the command and when they are in the right position, reward them. If you have brought your pup up to sit before he gets a treat he will catch on very fast.
Once your pet knows these commands and you practice them several times every day, you will have no trouble training him with any command. Once he associates a given verbal cue with a movement and getting a treat, he will almost train himself.
You have decided you need a dog. You should not just buy the latest fashion accessory, unless you are filthy rich and can pay someone to look after it when it is no longer fashionable. Even then, you should not have a dog. Get yourself a handbag or a pair of shoes instead.
If you are going to take on the responsibility of a dog, you need to be aware that all dogs have needs. All dogs need to be exercised and trained. They all need some form of grooming. All dogs need companionship.
You need to decide whether you have time to exercise, train, groom and play with your dog.
You need to decide the right breed of dog for you, based on what you can provide for the dog and what the dog can provide for you.
If you are older and frail, you need think about a breed that does not need a lot of exercise or grooming. A smaller companion breed would suit you best. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a good breed for less active people.
If you have babies or young children, you need a low maintenance dog that will not get over-excited and bite. You will not have time for grooming the dog. You will probably want a breed like a Labrador or golden retriever. A smaller breed like a Pug or Maltese would be good too.
Remember that even the best dog will bite when provoked. All children should be supervised at all times with a dog. I have heard of a dog biting a child after getting a pencil embedded in its ear. Always supervise children and pets for everyone’s safety.
If you have older children, a more active breed would be able to keep up with them. A border collie would be good as long as the children were very active. Collies are good for older children although they need more grooming. You cannot depend on children to groom their dog. You will need to supervise them.
Some breeds are more independent than others are and can be left in the backyard for most of the day and will not fret. They still need companionship and exercise. They need the stimulation of a walk and they need to please you. If you only want a guard dog, you would be better off buying a CC Camera security system and a burglar alarm.
Some breeds need constant companionship to be happy. They are best for older people who are home during the day. These dogs will fret without their master, so if you plan to be away often you should reconsider these breeds.
All dogs need to be trained to be well-mannered pets. Dogs that nip or bark excessively are not happy dogs. Dogs need a master and they will be happier if you give them one. Do not let your pet rule the household. He will become stressed and snappy if you do.
A dog is a great responsibility but he can also be a rewarding companion. Be your dog’s best friend and train him well, care for him and understand his breed’s special needs.
