All About Dogs

Copyright (c) 2010 James Mahoney

The head collars used in dog collar training have become an increasingly popular dog training tool in the past couple of years. Two of the most well known brands of head collar on the market are the Gentle Leader and the Halti, but there are many other brands that incorporate the basic concept.

Those head collars considered to be the most successful consist of two woven fabric loops, one loop should fit snugly around the dog’s neck just behind his ears. At the same time the other loop loops around the muzzle loosely enough so that the dog will still be able to eat, drink, bark, and even bite.

There are two brands prominently on the market, they are Halti and the Gentle Leader. There are other brands that also employ the basic head collar idea.

The Gentle Leader head collar is designed to remove the tendency of the dog to pull by placing gentle pressure on calming points and preventing any uncomfortable pressure on the dog’s throat. The Gentle Leader is also useful in dog collar training because it discourages lunging, jumping, excessive barking, and calming an anxious or aggressive animal.

HALTI is also a popular choice in head collars because it has been designed to combine maximum steering efficiency without sacrificing comfort for the dog. The collar has no metal parts in contact with the dog’s skin and the point of steering is situated well down the nose and away from the dog’s eyes. A feature of the HALTI head collar not found on other designs of head collars, is that with this collar the owner can use an on-off muzzling action to close the dog’s jaws.

There are advantages to training a dog with a head collar as opposed to dog collar training with a traditional or training collar. This is because head collars are easier to use for beginning dog trainers than training collars. Head collars are also useful when it comes to preventing dogs from pulling, or controlling and retraining dogs that have a tendency to pull.

When the head collar is fitted correctly, it mimics the two most common holds dogs used in communicating leadership to other dogs low in rank in the pack. Adult dogs either will grasp the subordinate dog firmly, but gently, just behind the ears, or they will hold it by the muzzle, with the collar serving to constantly remind the younger or subordinate dog that he’s not in charge.

When it comes to how a dog responds to the collar and how the owner reacts to the dog’s response can give us a valuable insight about the animal’s behavior and its relationship with his owner. Dogs naturally operate in and need a stable pack structure to give them a feeling of security. The head collar in dog collar training can help to communicate your leadership to your dog and can help them to accept that they live in a human-centered pack, dogs will naturally assume that position because every pack must have a leader.

The head collar can also be effective at controlling a dog’s behavior in difficult situations may like needing to control a dog that wants to be with other dogs. The collars can be effective at controlling other difficult situations. Head collars are great when taking your dog on an outing, or even in an area where there will the dog will be around other dogs and other distractions.

While a head collar can be a great tool for dog collar training, it is not to be used as a replacement for proper dog training. For a head collar to be effective it must be used in combination with sensible dog or puppy training methods, like reward training and other forms of positive reinforcement.

In conclusion, the head collar can be an important and useful tool, bus it is important to use it appropriately, follow all the package instructions, and make sure you combine using the head collar with solid training methods. The goal of dog collar training with a head collar should that the dog behaves as well with a regular collar as it does with the specialized head collar.

J. Mahoney is the owner of Dog Trainers Ideas.com. Just feel free to visit <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href=" http://budurl.com/headcollar”>www.dogtrainersideas.com” target=”_blank”>www.dogtrainersideas.com”>http://budurl.com/headcollar”>www.dogtrainersideas.com where you will find a resource providing you with advice on all aspects of dog training, house training and dog health.

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Copyright (c) 2010 James Mahoney

If you love working with dogs, a dog training career may be just right for you. Dogs all the way from puppies to older dogs, need training, and their owners usually don’t know how to train them. They need a professional to do the job.

If you are considering pursuing this as a career, you could just start by practicing on your own dog. If you are good at training your dog, then you might be good at training other people’s dogs. But if you find that training your dog leaves you frustrated and drained, then a dog training career might not be the best choice for you.

A career can be very rewarding. Most people love dogs and more and more people are becoming dog owners. Also people are coming to realize the importance of training when it comes to their dog’s well being and overall happiness.

There are basically two types of careers since it field really consists of two different areas. These areas are pet and service dog training. These are both in demand, however there are far more opportunities in pet dog training.

For a successful dog training career however it is not enough just to love dogs. You have to be able to get along well with the people who own the dogs too, and when training the dogs, you are also training the owners as well.

So when the owners become distraught will you be able to deal with them in a way that iscalming, but firm and be understanding.

To found out more information about careers in dog training and how to get, check out the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). They state on their web site that they are committed to becoming better trainers through education. APDT is a good place to find out more about dog training jobs, as well as networking with their members.

You can also find dog trainer training academies that provide those interested in dog training careers the basics of the business. Besides training, you can also find out about the running of your own dog training business before getting started.

There are many ways to get started in a dog training career. You could volunteer your services at a dog training class held by a local animal shelter. This will help to give you a feel for what is involved in pursuing dog training career. If you prove to be a good teacher than you could consider going to the next step in your training.

You could receive training at a school for those interested in a dog training career where you can get good hands on training. You should be able to find many schools and seminars available in your area.

But remember a career in dog training requires more than just knowing how to handle dogs, you must know how to handle their owners too. If you possess these qualities in addition to having good training, you could be well on the way to success in this field.

J. Mahoney is the owner ofDog Trainers Ideas.com. Just feel free to visit <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href=" http://budurl.com/dogtrainingcareer”>www.dogtrainersideas.com” target=”_blank”>www.dogtrainersideas.com”>http://budurl.com/dogtrainingcareer”>www.dogtrainersideas.com where you will find a resource providing you with advice on all aspects of dog training, house training and dog health.

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Copyright (c) 2010 James Mahoney

When giving commands to a dog, a calm, firm, authoritative voice is consider to be most effective. Generally a dog will not respond well to hesitant, pleading voices, or certainly not to yelling, which to the dog sounds too much like threatening barking or scolding. It is also important that the word being used for the command, and the pitch of the voice always be consistent every time the command is delivered.

When you are first giving dog training commands to your dog you must realize that in order for your dog to take what you say seriously, you have to approach it seriously first. You should use an authoritative voice when giving commands to your dog as an authoritative voice is the most effective. Dog really do not respond well to yelling because it might sound like some kind of threatening sounding barking. They also will not respond very well if the voice sounds hesitant, or pleading. The word that is used for the command and the pitch of your voice be consistent every time you deliver the command. This way the dog will be able to learn what you mean.

You should make eye contact with your dog when you are teaching him with dog training commands, thereby making sure that you have gotten his attention. The auditory command should have his name in it (Sam, Sit!) Your voice should be of right tone and volume, and remember don’t shout.

Speak the command clearly and in a firm voice, but in a slightly lower tone than what you would normally in normal conversations. Many experts think that lower voices are easier to hear, and that dogs listen best to deeper voices. Also by using a slightly deeper voice consistently in dog training commands causes it to be recognized by the dog as a “training voice”, which can do a lot in helping to get your dog’s attention in the future.

If you say the puppy’s name before a giving any dog training commands, you can help ensure that your dog knows that a command is coming and that it is just for him, not other dogs, or children, or people. This way he will be more likely to pay attention.

You have to remember that because dogs hear a lot of human speech during the day that may have no relevance for them at all. This is important since you will find it is easy for them to disregard commands among all the voices they are hearing.

You must reward and or praise your dog in order to reinforce the dog training command when he performs the required action correctly. Doing this helps the dog to understand that he has done a good thing.

Dogs respond to a kind yet firm approach, and that includes voice and praise, along with proper firm corrections.

It must be remembered that many dogs are not trained with a voice command at all. Depending on what they are used for, they are taught to obey a combination of whistles and hand signals. For example deaf dogs are trained to obey visual signals only. Also there are obedience classes that teach hand signals for common commands in addition to certain voice signals. These voice signals are usually used in more quiet situations, at a distance, and in advanced dog obedience competitions.

Man and dog have been friends and companions forever. The behavior of your dog is the most important factor in determining how much you will enjoy your pet. Remember, that since all dogs have descended from pack animals, they learn first from their mother, then their littermates and in the role of adult pack member they will establish their behavior through their interactions with you.

Learning how to give dog training commands can guarantee good communication that will strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

J. Mahoney is the owner of Dog Trainers Ideas.com. Just feel free to visit <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href=" http://budurl.com/dogtrainingcommands”>www.dogtrainersideas.com” target=”_blank”>www.dogtrainersideas.com”>http://budurl.com/dogtrainingcommands”>www.dogtrainersideas.com where you will find a resource providing you with advice on all aspects of dog training, house training and dog health.

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(By Joe Cinova)

So here’s the big question. When and how do I start to cut my dog’s nails? It’s a great question and with a little education and the right tools you can be on your way shortly. In this article I’ll also give you my #1 secret for cutting a small, little, nervous dogs’ nails.

 The first thing you need to do before starting is to understand the whole procedure or it can be quite a traumatic experience for your pet and for you. The process itself is much easier on a dog that has “white” or “light-colored” nails than those like my Miniature Pinchers that are black.  Ok so let’s get started.

 The first step in developing a successful program for cutting your pets nails is starting when they are young. Very young! Although cutting nails is a common occurrence for us, for a dog it’s probably one of the most nerve-racking things they can be put through. Getting them use to having their nails cut is so important. It’s something that will help them and you for years to come.

As soon as we got our girls home from the breeder, I got them used to having their nails cut. I developed my own process and started using it immediately. Even if I didn’t really cut their nails I would go thru the actions of doing so. This way it becomes second nature to them.

 Next, they always were treated and praised with a cookie after I am done. They very easily relate me cutting their nails to a positive outcome, providing I’ve done it correctly. To do so, the first and foremost item you need is a proper pair of nail cutters. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT use nail clippers meant for a human. Here’s why.

 A dogs nails are different in 3 important ways. First, they are much harder than our nails. Second, their nails have what is called the “quick”. This is where the “living” part of the nail begins. And third, a dogs nails are shaped completely different than ours. They are basically “flat and curved to the shape of our fingers.

 The right nail cutters will make all the difference in the world. There are 2 basic types to consider. There are guillotine cutters or scissor type. Generally speaking the scissor type is better suited to a smaller animal in my opinion. Having to manipulate the larger guillotine type cutter on small nails just isn’t an easy thing to do. Also, the scissor type nail cutters have a “backing” plate to prevent you taking off too much nail at one time.

 Both of these cutters work well on a pet’s claws for one big reason. They are shaped to enclose and cut all around the nail in one shot. If you used regular clippers for a human, they will “crush” the nail and it will break off in pieces. Your dog will go nuts.

 When we cut our nails we know we can safely cut the nails down very close to the tip of the finger. If we cut too close to the skin, IT HURTS! Well, in a similar fashion, if we cut too close to the “quick” on a dog’s nails IT WILL HURT THE DOG. Preventing this from happening is the difference between keeping them happy and you from sweating bullets.

 So what is the ”quick” in a dog’s nail? Simply put it is a blood vessel that runs inside the center of a dogs nail. This is the part that you need to watch out for and the longer you wait between cuttings the closer to the end of the nail it will be.

On light colored nails it is easy to see. It is the “pinkish or whitish” looking colored part of the nail closer to the paw. Shining a light thru the bottom of the nail will also let you see it better. For dogs with darker or black nails it is much more of a challenge to cut the nail properly. Shining a light may help but the proper way to do it is a little at a time.

 As you cut off very small sections of the dark colored nail you need to keep looking at the front edge of the nail. The nail will have a top dark color and the bottom will be a light or off color white. Once you cut the nail and are at a section where the “top dark color” turns to a slight gray or even a pinkish looking color, you need to stop. This is where the “quick” begins. Success! One down seven to go.

 Clipping their nails on a REGULAR basis will help tremendously. Every three to four weeks should do the job. Even small cuts automatically make the quick retreat back towards the paw. This is what you want to happen so it’s not as much of a worry. This is especially true for dark colored nails.

 If you wait too long between cuttings it is a major discomfort to the animal. It can cause health issues including sore feet and hip problems. The nails should barely touch the ground when they walk. So if you hear them tapping on the floor or see them getting caught in the rugs, it’s time to cut them.

Now for my #1 secret for cutting a small, little, nervous dogs’ nails. Remember I told you I have Min Pins. They are quite a high strung breed and never have and still don’t take well to having their nails cut. The girls, who are 5 years old aren’t that bad. TC on the other hand is a male. He just turned 17 years old this year and is still feisty as ever.

 He is the one that needs all the comfort and understanding in the world before I can touch him. He has never gotten used to it until a few years back. The secret I use is to cover him with his own blanket while I am cutting his nails.

He always tried to nip whoever cut his nails. So I first bought a small muzzle. That stopped him from biting but it made him More nervous. So I decided to place his blanket on my lap put him on it and cover him up in it while I cut. It calmed him down, which calmed me down and now we’re both friends again. LOL!

 I reach in and take one paw at a time and it’s now a pleasure. For whatever reason, having the blanket around him keeps him calm so it’s well worth trying especially on a smaller dog. You’ve seen the same effect on other animals. Ever watch them try to wrap up an alligator on TV? What’s the first thing they do? They throw a blanket over their eyes. Well its doing the same thing here, its keeping them calm.

 Talk to your vet and have them show you the correct procedure for trimming your pets nails. Use sharp nail cutters and remember to start them young and keep their nails trimmed. Proper pet care is a great responsibility. The most important thing for you is consistency and patience. Don’t let the little things stop you from enjoying their company. You’ll be glad you didn’t and so will they!

 Thanks for reading.

 Copyright Cinova LLC – 2009

Joe is an on-line author and internet affiliate marketer. As an individual that’s been involved with sports for years including martial arts (2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do), lacrosse, baseball, football, coaching and being a referee health and wellness are an important part of his life.

He has also spent years raising cats, dogs and birds. As an engineer he spends a great deal of time working on his house, designing and fixing things and developing his new business platforms.

With his experience he has written articles to share the information and experiences developed over the years.

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Many men, especially those later in life have made the decision with their doctors to simply watch and wait.Signs Of Bone Cancer In Dogs Men at higher risk for prostate cancer include African-American men older than 60, farmers, tire plant workers, painters, and men exposed to cadmium; the lowest number of cases occurs in Japanese men and those who do not eat meat who reach the age of 80.

The main job of the prostate gland is to make seminal fluid, the milky substance that transports sperm. In most men, prostate cancer grows very slowly; most men will never even know they have the condition. Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over 75 years old.

Most prostate cancer symptoms, although usually associated with prostate cancer, are more likely to be connected to non-cancerous conditions. Additional symptoms that may be associated are bone pain or tenderness, and abdominal pain. If you have one or more prostate cancer symptoms, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

Some men may experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer. There are various other symptoms that may not be mentioned here. The need to urinate frequently, especially at night is another common symptom but can mimic other health issues.

There are several potential downsides to PSA testing; for example a high PSA does not mean a patient has prostate cancer. One downside to PSA testing is that health care providers are detecting and treating some very early-stage prostate cancers that may never have developed into anything. There is a newer test called an AMACR that is more sensitive than the PSA test for determining the presence of prostate cancer.

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The decision about whether or not to pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion between you and your doctor. A bone scan can indicate whether the cancer has spread. A chest x-ray may be done also to see if there’s a spread of cancer or metastasis.

What you can do right now is begin to understand what exactly your treatment options are and where you’re going to start. Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can all interfere with libido on a temporary or permanent basis. Most men simply want the best treatment they can get but what is important is choosing the best treatment for you.

Urinary incontinence can be one of the complications of surgery. Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone; this is called hormonal manipulation. Hormone manipulation is mainly used as a treatment to relieve symptoms in men whose cancer has metastasized.

Side effects of the chemotherapy drugs depend on which ones you’re taking and how often and how long they’re taken. The invasive conventional treatment of prostate cancer is often controversial. If continued chemotherapy is decided upon after the first round of chemotherapy, most men receive further doses on an outpatient basis at a clinic or physician’s office. Think hard and long before committing to any chemotherapy.

Whether radiation is as good as removing the prostate gland is debatable and the decision about which to choose, if any, can be difficult for anyone. Prostate cancer that has spread may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or even nothing at all. A new therapy is on the forefront that recruits the body’s own immune system cells to destroy any tumors that could become a new way to treat men with advanced prostate cancer – if the FDA approves the highly individualized treatment.

For a more natural approach making a ginger tea, by adding a thin slice or two of fresh gingerroot to hot water, is helpful to many people I know. Concentrating on a diet of predominately fruits and vegetables (preferably raw- uncooked) and no junk food, should give you an observable improvement in your overall health within 30 days. Eat foods that contain the essential fatty acids.

A good dietary, natural treatment approach is to avoid all acidic inflammatory foods; those are foods that are not alive, not dead, non-nutrient food. Studies done on antioxidant vitamins question their value when not actually contained in food; it’s clearly better to consume these antioxidants in living foods because they may also need to work with other nutrients present in the foods to work properly. Some foods and beverages to avoid that are inflammatory are: caffeine, salt, sugar, meat, dairy products, additives, soft drinks, white flour, white rice, alcoholic beverages, fast food, processed vegetable oils, and canned, refined, packaged and processed food.

Eat high-fiber snacks like raw nuts (soak them overnight first to release the enzyme inhibitors that make them difficult to digest), raw seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, and figs. Drink plenty of pure, unchlorinated, filtered water, a minimum of a quart each day. For an easy fiber boost, mix in two tablespoons of ground-up flaxseeds in raw applesauce made from two-three apples in your food processor.

Evidence indicates that many patients detect cancer at an earlier stage because of annual screening, so make sure to get a good, thorough exam. As new research comes out adjust your treatment options accordingly but a good diet will be your best initial defense. In the end, only you with the help of your doctors, knowing your individual situation, can determine the best treatment plan for you.

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