The Dbottino Weblog

Coming when called is a vital skill that every shih tzu must learn, both for its own safety and that of those around it. A disobedient shih tzu that refuses to come when called could easily be hit by a car, get into a fight with another shih tzu, or suffer a variety of other bad experiences. A well trained shih tzu that comes when called can safely be taken out to play in the local park, at the beach, on the hiking trail, or anywhere else the owner and shih tzu may wish to go.

Basic training to come when called is relatively easy and straightforward, and involves providing praise, treats and other perks when the shih tzu does as his owner wants. After these basic come when called training exercises are mastered, there are a number of fun exercises that can be introduced to challenge the shih tzu and pique its interest.

Making training into a fun game is one of the best ways to motivate shih tzu and handler alike. It is easy for training sessions to become routine and boring, and it is important to keep them from degenerating into this state.

Before beginning any food based training exercise, it is important to make sure that the shih tzu is properly motivated and ready to respond to treat based training. Testing the shih tzu is simply a matter of taking a piece of his regular food and waving it in front of the shih tzu’s nose. If the shih tzu shows great enthusiasm for the food, it is ready to start the training. If not, it is best to wait until the shih tzu is in a more receptive mood.

The treats that work best for treat based training games like hide and seek are cut up quarter inch or smaller pieces of chicken, cheese or liver. In other words, something your dog will love. It is best to use very small pieces to avoid overfeeding the shih tzu during the training sessions.

One great game for you and another family member or friend to play with your shih tzu is simply back and forth recall. This is a great exercise for teaching your shih tzu to come whenever it is called by a member of the family. Shih Tzu often learn to only respond to one person, and this can be a problem when other people are watching the shih tzu. That is one reason why professional shih tzu trainers always insist on working with the owner as well as the shih tzu. A well trained dog must learn to respond to whoever is in charge, not just the owner or usual handler.

In the back and forth recall game, two or more people stand approximately ten yards apart, in a safe place like a fenced in yard. One person calls the shih tzu and asks him to sit and say until another person asks the shih tzu to come. When the shih tzu responds to the command to come, it is rewarded with a treat. Most shih tzu respond wonderfully to this exercise and love playing this game. When playing the back and forth recall game, it is important that only the person who called the shih tzu be allowed to give the shih tzu a treat.

After the shih tzu has mastered the back and forth recall game, the humans in the game can start to spread further out, thus turning the back and forth recall game into a fun game of hide and seek. The hide and seek game starts with two or more people in the center room of the house. Every time they call the shih tzu to come, they spread out further away from where they started. As the game continues, one person will be at one end of the house, while another may be at the opposite end. What makes the hide and seek game so much fun for the shih tzu is that he must seek out the person to get the treat, instead of simply running up to a person in plain sight. This type of seeking behavior appeals to many of the shih tzu’s natural instincts. After all, dogs are naturally hunting animals, and seeking out food is second nature to them.

Connie Limon is a 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 are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Training your dog will help him to be a more obedient animal. It will also help him to be a better pet. The time that you spend investing in this training will reward you for many years. Your pet will be closer to you and will respect you even more. And, it doesn’t take away for his or her personality. But, what is does is sets the rules, the boundaries which help an animal to feel secure.

Your pet is communicating with you. They want attention and will do whatever it takes to get it. Believe it or not, you may actually be unconsciously telling your dog to behave badly if you do not provide them with the attention that they are in need of. If you yell at your pet for doing something wrong, for example, having an accident on the rug, you are providing attention to it and therefore, they may keep doing it to get that attention. You are excited which makes them excited. Instead, try ignoring your pet when they do something wrong like this.

On the flip side, then, positive reinforcement works well on many pets. Reward your dog for good behavior. What can you do? Things like giving them a treat or just verbally praising them works well. Or, take some time to pay extra attention to them. This does several things for your pet. The pet will realize that good behavior, whatever it is, will get them this type of reward. And, it will help to promote you as the leader. You need to remain the leader of the pack, even if your dog tries to challenge this. For those who need to learn this, and even those animals that are less assertive, obedience training can be quite beneficial. When the dog uses his or her instincts to follow a leader, the pet will feel more secure and behave properly as well.

Positive reinforcement type training can work in a number of different ways. For example, the capture reward process where the pet is rewarded when the good behavior is displayed is commonly used to gently coax the animal into giving you the desired reaction. The professionals will likely tell you that it is best to use several senses for training. The use of verbal communication and the use of hand signals are necessary. Things like sit, come, go, stay are all verbal signals. You need a release signal as well which will inform the animal that she has done a good job. You would give the release signal and then her reward right afterwards. This links the signal with the fact that the animal has done something good.

Now, who is going to teach your pet and how will they do it? First of all, you can do most of the training yourself. You can tap into the resources that you find at the library and bookstores on training the dog in how to type books. You can get quite a bit of the information you need to do it right on the web as well. If you do want to find additional help, seek that of a professional in your area. You can find them through pet supply chains or your local humane societies. Classes can be a great way to help your dog to socialize and to educate yourself. You can find local personal trainers for your dog as well. These individuals will come to you and work with your animal in a custom way to give them the support that they need.

Best Pet Health Information is a resource which will help you find infomation, hints and tips to keeping your dog happy and healthy. www.best-pet-health.info
This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and live links are included intact.

Buying dog doors online

If you need to buy a dog door then have some fun doing it online. Not only will you find discount prices but you’ll have a huge selection of colors, designs, shapes, sizes and multiple features you haven’t even thought about. You’ll find designs that fit any wall or door with easy install instructions. Finding a dog door couldn’t be much easier than online.

To begin your shopping journey you’ll need to measure your doggie to determine the size you’ll need. Instructions to measuring are on most all sites along with even being able to call if you have additional questions.

Wouldn’t it be great if your dog could open doors? Well, generally speaking they can’t. Therefore freedom and convenience for you and for your dog is right at your finger tips and just a few days away. I don’t know if doggies can think but imagine how we’d feel if we had to ask permission every-time we needed to go potty! Ridiculous, but maybe our little best pet friends would also be happier with the independence that the dog door is going to provide?

We dog owner’s love our dog doors because the flexible, two way panel is safe for any pet. The soft vinyl flap won’t trap or injure tender paws, ears or tails….AND, the permanent magnets assure you of a draft-free, energy efficient closure.

Placing a floor mat on the inside of the dog door is also recommended. A great advantage of having the dog door installed in a wall (instead of a door) is that no one needs to know that you have a dog door. This is important for some people who fear an intruder may crawl through the dog door into your house. However, our guess is that if the dog door is big enough for an intruder to crawl through – he’d be pretty stupid to do it, as he may end up face-to-face with the big dog on the other side of the door! In any event, when you have an in-wall installation.

If you are renting your place of residence, or do not want to cut permanent holes in a wall or door, you can still have a dog door. In this case, you will want to install the dog door in either a sliding glass door, or a regular door. Dog doors that are made for sliding glass doors actually come as a whole panel (patio dog door) that you install in the doorway section; therefore it does not permanently affect your sliding glass doors in any way. Enjoy your little project as your doggie is gonna love you more for it with the new found independence a door dog provides.

More doggie stuff at http://www.dog-stuff4u.com

How to Handle Dogs that Jump up on People

In parts 1 and 2 of this 3-part series we discussed two canine behavior problems; biting and barking. In this 3rd and final article, we will discuss the problem of puppies and dogs that jump up on people.

Most puppies and many dogs have the habit of jumping up on people. This is actually their away of greeting people, and trying to reach the individual’s face. For puppies, the facial area is the chief point of contact between them and other dogs or people.

Dogs that jump up on people are annoying; jumping up can also cause injury, especially when children are involved. Although you might not mind your dog jumping up on you in greeting, it would be unfair and confusing to allow your dog to jump up on you, but then punish him for jumping on others. Therefore, care givers should teach a dog not to jump.

To teach a dog not to jump, be firm and consistent, but show no anger. A raised knee when the dog jumps and a firm “No jump!”, can be most effective in training a dog not to jump.

If this method fails to work, try holding the palm of your hand out so that when the dog jumps up he will bump his nose against it. At the same time command in a loud voice “Down!” Dogs have very sensitive noses and will not purposely risk many such bumps.

How to Train a Puppy Not to Jump up on People

The Monks of New Skete Monastery, Cambridge, New York, have been breeding, raising, and training dogs for more than thirty years. When it comes to ways to train a puppy not to jump up, they suggest kneeling and putting the palm of your hand flat out in front of the puppy’s face when you sense he is about to jump. This effectively blocks the jump; it also disposes him to respond to a sit command.

To give your puppy an alternative to jumping up when greeting you, crouch down to his level when he runs to greet you; guide him into a sitting position. Pet him and talk to him in greeting, telling him “Good boy.”

To train a puppy not to jump up when greeting guests, practice bring him up to people while on a leash. Lead him into a sit-stay several feet before reaching the person. Then have the individual approach. If the pup tries to jump toward the person, give the leash a quick jerk and order “No jump!”

Repeat the process until your puppy learns not to jump. Be firm but encouraging, and offer praise when he doesn’t jump. Of course, this procedure is effective only if the puppy already knows the commands “Sit” and “Stay.”

Training a dog not to bite, bark, or jump isn’t all that difficult. It just takes a firm but understanding hand, and a commitment to consistency. Every dog and puppy should, and can, be a joy to be around.

At Savvy Dog Lover, we care about you and your pet. This concludes our 3-part series on dealing with top canine behavior problems. Again, parts 1 and 2 of this 3-part instructional dealt with excessive barking and biting; both can be found at www.savvy-dog-lovers.com.

©2006 Lori S. Anton
Savvy Dog Lover editor
Writers Write Now

Published writer and dog lover, Lori Anton, has been writing for nearly 30 years. She is founder and editor of Writers Write Now, offering original professionally written SEO content, quick content, and free content for web sites; visit Writers Write Now. Lori lives in rural Wyoming with her husband, Jeff, and their diabetic canine companion, Muffy.

Lori S. Anton is also an editor for the Savvy Dog Lover web site. Savvy Dog Lover offers valuable information on pet health, care, and training, as well as top pet care products. Visit Savvy Dog Lover – where the best bones are buried!

Dogs and children need your guidance and supervision to live together happily ever after. Here are some tips that will help your family get along.

One of the best ways to introduce your new dog to your children is to ask your children to help you to massage and pet your dog. This will help getting your children used to having the dog around and becoming responsible for having the dog or puppy in the house. Soon it will be second nature and your children will be less unsure of having the dog around in their space. It will also help the dog to be more comfortable when having different people handling her.

If you don’t have a dog now, but are getting one soon, start exposing your child(ren) to dogs and how to act around them. Help them learn to respect each dog’s space and preferences. Teach them not to approach unleashed dogs. If a dog is leashed always ask the dog’s owner first, and then to move slowly. Explain that the dog will want to sniff them, and explain that’s how a dog identifies you. Experts recommend keeping hands down along the sides of the body. Dogs have such a keen sense of smell that they don’t’ need us to hold hands out. Warn the child that if a dog has been abused in the past she may snap at a hand coming towards her.

Just as you will establish house rules for your dog (stay off the couch, etc.) it is important to establish boundaries for children in regards to your pet. Teach your child(ren) to never take a toy from your dog. Dogs are often especially possessive about their toys. Kids and dogs make great playmates, but teach your children that if they play roughly, the dog will respond in kind. Even though the dog doesn’t mean to hurt your child, accidents happen. Playing fetch is a better game than wrestling between kids and dogs.

An excellent way for your child to bond with your dog is to take part in training her. Giving her treats as a reward for correct behavior is a delight to kids, and it raises the child’s position in your dog’s eyes. Just as your dog develops respect for your child, help your child do the same. Teach your children that dogs are living beings with likes, dislikes, and fears of their own. Help them see their pet as more than entertainment, but as a cherished member of the family.

It is important that your child(ren) respect your dog or puppy and respect her as a member of the family and do not see her as a plaything. While petting and playing with the dog is acceptable, and helps the dog exercise, you should not let children abuse the dog by pulling its fur or hitting it, or harming it in any way. You should also make sure that your children do not tease your dog at feeding time. The dog will become ill-disciplined and will not respect you or the regular feeding times that you have established.

While these suggestions might seem negative, you should emphasize to your children the great companionship and love that they can expect when a child and a dog have a good relationship.

Best Pet Health Information is a resource which will help you find infomation, hints and tips to keeping your dog happy and healthy. Dog News Center publishes news and articles about dogs and puppies.

http://www.best-pet-health.info This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and live links are included intact.

Five years ago this August a funny little puppy came to live in our home.

He was tiny, blue-gray and white colored coat, skinny tail that hurt when it hit you and the biggest bat ears I’d ever seen on a puppy. There was one other oddity his eyes were two different colors, one blue one brown.

This little guy’s energy level was amazing; he ran and bounced like there were springs attached to the pads of his feet. He made us laugh from the moment he walked through the front door.

However the reality of having a new puppy soon set in, keep in mind we had not done this for fifteen years. Prior to Toby’s arrival we had been blessed with a wonderful Golden Retriever named Beau. Unfortunately after fifteen years of love and companionship he left us due to a long illness.

Getting back to the new puppy for about the first year I awoke each morning between 4:00 – 4:30am, walked around the yard in the freezing cold – it was October when this little furbaby came to live with us – then slept in a chair with my new little buddy.

In the end the interrupted sleep, housebreaking and everything else that come with a new puppy was well worth it.

Toby has grown into a beautiful, absolutely handsome dog – Oh, in case I didn’t mention it, he is a Blue Merle Shetland Sheepdog – he has brought so much joy and laughter to our home, but most importantly he helped fill a void in my heart that I really believed would be there forever.

He is such a wonderful friend. Every morning he is waiting for me when I come down the stairs – he’s afraid of stairs and will not go up or down – sits next to me while watching TV and lays in his bed right next to my desk keeping me company while using the computer.

I’m also kept informed of anything that happens to be going on – ringing phone,
Squirrels in the yard, passing cars and trucks, timer on the oven going off.

You may be wondering why I titled this story My Whirling Twirling Sheltie. For those of you lucky enough to share your lives with these gorgeous little dogs, you already know the answer. For those of you not familiar with Shelties here is why.

Shelties are very happy, vocal, lovable dogs that smile – yes, they smile – because of this they get excited about almost everything, when this happens they spin around in circles.

It’s really amazing to watch; you wonder sometimes how it is that they don’t bang into something or why they don’t fall over from being dizzy. This trait is so common it’s even got a name “The Sheltie Spin”.

If you are considering getting a puppy, check out these fantastic bundles of fluff. They are compact in size, extremely intelligent, they love to learn and pick up new commands quite fast. However in my opinion their best quality is their loyalty, their love is so unconditional; it really is a wonderful thing.

This is a share ware article. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as the entire article is left intact including this notice. Copyright © 2005 Bonnie Carrier.

Bonnie P. Carrier is the creator of Savvy Home Decorating & Savvy Outdoor Decorating. She is the mother to two grown daughters and a very spoiled 4yr old Blue Merle Sheltie named Toby. Stop by for information and ideas for both inside and outside your home.

http://www.savvy-home-decorating.com

http://www.savvyoutdoordecorating.com

There are many different types of aquariums. There is pretty much one for each level of enthusiast and not all aquariums are for fish. There are aquatic plant aquariums as well and they are very beautiful.

One of the simplest of aquariums is a fish bowl. A fish bowl can even be part of a table arrangement. When one chooses a fish bowl it should be a big one. At least a gallon. You’ll also need a small net and two 1 gallon bottles of drinking water that is not distilled or de-ionized, as tap water isn’t safe for your fish. Even if water is treated with water conditioners it still wouldn’t be safe. You will also need some floating fish food. You will need to fill your fish bowl 2′ form the top of the bowl. Then you will need to cover your bowl with a clean plastic cover. Sometimes a clean lid from a coffee can will do. You don’t want your fish to jump out or another pet jumping in! You will need to replace about 20% of the water twice weekly and you can make your own bottled water by using the following method. Fill a bottle with tap water and leave about 2″ of empty space at the top of the bottle. Add about five drops of water conditioner and then replace the cap tightly. You will need to let the bottle of water sit for at least three days before you use it for your fish.

There are also cool water aquariums. These aquariums sit at room temperature and do not require a heater. You need an aquarium and a cover. You should get an aquarium stand as well. You will need a five inch fish net, water conditioner and some food to feed your fish. . Make sure you read all the instructions from your aquarium and water conditioner. Make sure your aquarium is running for at least three days before you add any fish. Only add one fish at a time and wait for at least three weeks between fish. There is a maximum of one 1 foot fish per gallon. Don’t overcrowd your fish.

A Warm Water Aquarium will require more skill to maintain than a cool water aquarium. You’ll need an aquarium, an aquarium cover, an stand and a power filter with a BIO-Wheel. You’ll also need a 5-inch fish net and a bottle of water conditioner as well as fish food, such as floating flake food and freeze dried blood worms.

One other type of aquarium is the betta fish vase. This has become increasingly popular. Often times buyers of a Betta Fish Vase have been told that the Betta can live by eating the lily roots, this is a mistake. The Betta will eat the roots, but only out of desperation and it will not be a healthy fish.

The Betta should be fed floating food that is labeled for Betta Fish and freeze dried blood worms, which are actually mosquito larvae. Betta Fish usually do much better in a large fish bowl than in a vase. So if you happen to receive one, your fish may be better off if moved to a bowl. Please think twice before offering one as a gift.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Aquariums

A 3D aquarium is made with the help of 3D technologies and animated with software like flash. It can be described as a beautiful underwater landscape, inhabited with colorful, beautiful and interactive fishes that look like real ones. These 3D animated aquariums bring to life the exotic fishes with vibrant colors and realistic movements. These 3D animated aquariums depict numerous colorful and vibrant fishes and realistic underwater plants swaying with the music and water in the aquarium. These aquariums give you a real life experience as if you are standing and looking at a real aquarium.

The most common and favorite fishes used in 3D animated aquariums are tetra neon, Tiger barb, Zebra fish, Guppy fish, gold fish, and Angelfish. These fishes in the 3D aquariums are made in such a way that they give you a realistic experience of enjoying an aquarium. The features of these 3D animated aquariums allow you to change the look and feel of these aquariums by means of adding new aquarium fish, creating a unique underwater world, and changing the coral background.

A favorite with kids and youngsters, it is one of the most popular screensavers that can be purchased for most types of PCs. These 3D animated aquariums can immerse you into a contrasting underwater world inhabited by beautiful aquarium fish. You can watch one for hours on end. There are also big screen animated aquariums, which are a popular novelty item in offices and other locales worldwide. It is often seen as a status symbol when a person devotes a big screen to just animated fish.

It’s appealing to see yourself “saving” an adult dog from a shelter but
dealing with a dog with a troubled or insecure past can be very challenging.

The good news is that you’ll be getting a full size dog so you know what to
expect in that regard. He’s likely to have at least some rudimentary
training, perhaps from shelter personnel.

The worst thing that can happen is that the dog and the owner are not well
matched. Inexperienced shelter personnel might place a strong-willed,
albeit small, dog with an elderly couple.

Sometimes, owners over-estimate their own abilities and under-estimate the
time commitment to handle dogs with tricky or troubled personalities.

Louise Louis of www.ToyBreeds.com notes that many older dogs entering a new
home will not behave well. Expect problems like whining, barking, destroying
things, and toilet mistakes.

That’s because the dogs are anxious and do not feel safe in the new home.
Do not take this behavior personally and try not to become angry.

Please recognize that the concept of gratitude is a human one. It does not
exist in dogdom.

On the other hand, some owners make the opposite mistake and become too
indulgent with these dogs. That will only increase the dog’s insecurity and
may create a dog that can’t bear to be away from its owner.

If you get a second hand dog, you need to find a middle ground. The dog needs
security, not pity. Be kind but be firm. You are in charge and you need to
show it to your dog.

If you dog anxiously paws at your lap trying to get attention, ignore him!
You make the decisions on playing, walking and feeding. Behavior problems
are minimized when your dog feels secure and has a leader (you) that he
is confident can protect him.

Not all shelter dogs will come with problems, but because some will,
it’s best to begin your relationship on the basis that problems
should be expected and dealt with.

In the long run, this will help the dog’s new home become it’s last one.

Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and
creator of the popular website on small dogs,
http://www.ToyBreeds.com

You may have a lifestyle that involves hours in your car, and you like your dog to go with you. If that’s the case, we hope you won’t be like Deanna. She loved her little shih tzu, Scarlet, so much that she did everything she could to help Scarlet feel secure, including endangering herself and her dog by allowing Scarlet to sit on her shoulders while she was driving. Scarlet would fall asleep and slide down Deanna’s back so she had to hunch over while driving — a very uncomfortable and dangerous position. Deanna’s daughter, Kim, who also loved Scarlet very much, cured her of her shoulder-sitting habit. “I just wouldn’t let her sit on my shoulders,” she said. This reflects a profound training method — your kind and firm expectations and follow-through.

Many people have developed the habit of letting their dog ride in the passenger seat next to them. This is a mistake, mainly for safety reasons. If you have a fairly large dog, your view can be obstructed. If you encounter an emergency and need to brake suddenly, your dog could get injured by hitting the windshield or by the air bag. If you have to make a sharp turn, your dog could end up bumping into or falling over you.

Your dog is safest in the back seat. Use either a special harness for your dog that hooks on to a seat belt, a doggy car seat that elevates your dog so he or she can watch out the window, or a leash that attaches to the seat belt. All of these items can be found at a pet store or on the Internet. If your car is a station wagon or sport-utility vehicle, the best way to transport your dog is in the far back of the car using a crate or a grill to create a safe, convenient compartment for the dog. This is how Lynn’s dogs ride in the car, and they love going everywhere with the family, no matter how long the trip. They’re so quiet, it’s easy to forget they’re back there. All it takes to get them ready is to ask, “Would you like to go to the movies?” Or, “Should we go to the bakery?” Or, “Anyone want to go to Tahoe?” and both dogs are standing with noses to the door, ready for an adventure.

If you have a pickup truck without a camper shell, you have only two options: in the cab with you with the leash attached either to the door handle or some other device that keeps your dog from reaching you, or a crate in the pickup bed securely fastened with bungee cords or something similar that will prevent it from tipping over or sliding. Unfortunately, it is common practice for some people to keep dogs in the back of a pickup either loose, which is illegal in some communities and a totally unacceptable option for safety reasons, or to use a commercially available device that allows the dog to be secured in the pickup bed without being able to reach the sides. If you have an accident, the device could break and your dog could tumble out of the truck to certain death or severe injury, not to mention the serious hazard to traffic. Also, keeping a dog in the pickup bed can be very damaging to the dog’s eyes with debris flying through the air. In hot weather, unless you have carpeting in your pickup, the metal will heat up to an unacceptable degree and hurt the dog’s feet. It’s an excellent idea to transport a dog in a pickup with a camper shell with adequate flooring (not the metal bed itself) and with windows on the side for ventilation, or a window between the cab and the camper shell, so the dog can feel close to you.

Start training your dogs early if you want them to get used to traveling in a car with you. Use one of our recommended forms of containment or a crate. Leave a bowl of water in the car, along with some type of animal product such as a baited bone or a hoof. And lock your doors; if your dog is well socialized, valuable, and friendly, he could become a dog-napping victim. In hot or even warm weather you must never leave your dog in the car, even in the shade. Even with windows cracked open and in the shade, the temperature inside the car can be fifteen to twenty degrees hotter than outside, and your dog can die of hyperthermia.

If dogs could talk, we think they might say: “Riding in the car is almost as much fun as going for walks with you. Thanks for taking me along and keeping me safe.”

Reprinted from: Pup Parenting: A Guide to Raising a Happy, Well-Trained Dog by Lynn Lott, Jane Nelsen, and Therry Jay © 2006 Rodale Inc. Permission granted by Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18098. Available wherever books are sold or directly from the publisher by calling (800) 848-4735 or visit their website at www.rodalestore.com

Internationally renowned parenting experts Lynn Lott and Jane Nelsen, who have more than 2 million copies of their Positive Discipline books in print, have teamed up with acclaimed animal behaviorist Therry Jay to create a unique approach to “parenting” this important member of the family.