Dog Training Tips

Your Puppys Essential Needs

Food and Water Bowls: A puppy needs a variety of basic items. Topping the list are a food dish and a separate water bowl. A mat to put them on is also necessary in order to save the floor from slurped water and spilled food. If your puppy has long, hanging ears, get dishes specially made to keep their ears out of the food or water. Consider bowls with weighted bases or non-slip bottoms so your pet cannot push them all around the room. For a dog that will be very tall, two dishes in a raised stand will keep food and water where they belong and at a comfortable height. Lightweight plastic bowls are not a good idea especially for a teething, chewing puppy. If your puppy is in an exercise pen, a water bowl is available that hangs on the wire and can be raised as he grows.

Food: Begin with whatever dog food the breeder was feeding, or ask your veterinarian for advice. You may also buy a top-quality food made especially for puppies. Vets today agree that it is not necessary to add vitamins or minerals to a quality dog food for a healthy puppy. Too many vitamins are actually detrimental, especially for large breeds.

Cookies and treats: Small, plain dog biscuits are ideal for “good puppy” rewards and an occasional treat. Fancy flavored treats are okay for adult dogs, but young puppies do better on a blander diet and fewer treats!

Collar and Leash: Collars come in all colors and styles. Just keep in mind that the puppy will outgrow several collars until he reaches his full size and he may go through as many as six different collar sizes as he grows. It is very sad to see a little puppy weighed down with a heavy chain collar and a leash strong enough to restrain a horse! Be sure each collar and leash you select matches the current size and strength of your puppy. Take him with you to the pet store to be sure you get the right collar, and keep in mind that you will probably be back in a couple of months for a bigger one. The leash will last longer, unless your puppy is allowed to use it as a teething toy, which is definitely not a recommended game.

Collars that can tighten around the dog’s neck are meant to be used only as training devices and removed when the lesson is over. They are not intended for continuous wear because they are dangerous. If this type of collar catches on any immovable object, the dog can easily strangle in his efforts to get free. Stay with soft buckle or snap-closure collars for everyday wear. If you go for “motivational training,” you will be staying with the soft collar.

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Your Dog’s Diet May Reduce His Brain Function

A 1996 study with dogs investigated a growing misconception among some trainers and veterinarians that low protein diets (16 to 20% protein) can improve the behavior of hyperactive or aggressive dogs. These were dogs that had formerly been fed what was erroneously called a high protein diet (28 to 32% protein) on a dry-matter basis.

The results suggested that lowering protein in the diet is not generally useful in treating behavior problems involving territorial aggression, dominance aggression and hyperactivity. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, a study was not done that reduced the carbohydrates (the major component of most dog foods) while increasing protein.

In a carefully controlled study, protein-starved animals were evaluated for the effects of protein depletion on various organs. Examination of the brain revealed only a 14% average protein loss, compared to gross depletion of 27-65% or more in other organs. Researchers concluded that, because it directs hunting/food-seeking behavior, the brain may have naturally evolved to be less susceptible to protein starvation.

Unfortunately, we must now cite rat studies for further data. Protein-starved experimental animals exhibited no serious learning deficits regarding responses to aversive (shock) stimuli or maze problems involving food rewards. However, the animals did have lower thresholds for electro-convulsive shock, that is, they convulsed at lower voltages than normal animals. The researchers tentatively concluded that a protein depletion of up to 14% in the mammalian brain does not appreciably affect learning, but slightly reduces excitability thresholds. This study raises interesting questions about the effects of protein, carbohydrate and fat ratios on the general level of excitability in mammals, particularly in problem dogs, many of which are excitable.

Studies on rats indicate that carbohydrate-rich diets can significantly increase levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) is an essential but still poorly understood chemical neurotransmitter found in greatest concentrations in the nuclei of the medulla oblongata, which has a role in determining the general levels of excitability. What is pertinent is that the ratios between carbohydrate, protein and fat intake may produce both immediate and long-term changes in the excitability of dogs. It now remains to relate this empirically to certain behavior problems.

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RECOMMENDED READING: "Sit, Stay, Fetch : Dog Training To Stop Your Dog's Behavior Problems" - Click here to read a review...

"Sit, Stay, Fetch!" "A Step-By-Step Proven Training System That Will Have Your Dog Or Puppy Obeying Your Every Command!" "Transform Your Dog Into A Delightful Pet!" CLICK HERE for more details

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You Cannot Predict The Future Personality Of A Mixed Breed Dog

It is harder to predict the breed-specific behavior of a mixed-breed dog. It is more certain to say that a Chihuahua will be noisy, that a Pit Bull will be aggressive, and that a Saluki will be reserved with strangers. That can’t be done as easily with a mixed-breed dog. The only way to attempt it is to first identify what breed each parent was, either from firsthand knowledge or by observing the dog himself and trying to make an educated guess as to what breeds appear to be present.

First, look at any book or magazine containing color photos of the breeds. Then look at the color, length, and texture of the mixed breed dog’s coat. Look at his leg and back length, his bite, his ears and tail. Pay attention also to his behavior. Is he sniffy like a scent hound? Does he want to herd like a Shepherd or Collie? Is he a natural retriever like a Lab? Does he have a high prey drive like a terrier? His behavior in combination with his appearance could help you determine what sort of dog he is. This is not an exact science of course, but it can be an interesting exercise.

Certain breed crosses should absolutely be avoided. For example, a Rottweiler-Chow mix might look adorable, but he would probably be a dominant, aggressive, stubborn handful. A mixture of Chinese Shar-Pei and Pointer would certainly be a hyperactive, aggressive, unpredictable mess.

Some crosses might be acceptable, however. The reserved nature of a Greyhound might be improved by the gregarious, playful attitude of a Lab, for example, and the quiet, dignified temperament of the Greyhound might have a quieting effect on the energetic Lab temperament.

If you are seeking for a mixed breed, consider a four to six-month-old dog. By the time a dog is four months old, his personality and temperament are basically established. For example, if a five-month-old dog is very shy, he may be shy the rest of his life. This shyness can be modified through confidence- building and socialization, but the basic temperament won’t change.

All puppies are adorable, but unless you can observe the behavior of the parents and litter mates, you will have no way of predicting the dog’s temperament, personality, and ultimate size. A four to six-month-old dog, however, will show his true colors and yet be young enough to learn quickly and well. It is also possible (though not assured) that a dog of this age might be housebroken to some extent. You will also be more able to observe any medical or structural problems, which wouldn’t be as evident in a young puppy.

Another option is to get an older mixed-breed dog. Again, the personalities of these dogs are usually well defined. They are often housebroken, and many have had some obedience training, which will make them easier to deal with. You must be aware, however, that an older dog may have been abandoned because he has medical problems or because he became aggressive after a profound change occurred in his environment.

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RECOMMENDED READING: "Sit, Stay, Fetch : Dog Training To Stop Your Dog's Behavior Problems" - Click here to read a review...

"Sit, Stay, Fetch!" "A Step-By-Step Proven Training System That Will Have Your Dog Or Puppy Obeying Your Every Command!" "Transform Your Dog Into A Delightful Pet!" CLICK HERE for more details

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