Dog Grooming

Dog Grooming & Routine Care All dogs need regular grooming. It improves the appearance of short coated dogs, and is essential for those with long coats. It also does much to stop unwanted hair on the furniture and carpets. Start as soon as you get your dog or puppy. If you get dogs used to grooming from an early age they will accept it as a normal routine and become to enjoy it. For the shorter haired...

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Training your dog with a training collar and leash

Tony Robinson


The leash and training collar is the most basic piece of equipment used in training a dog. Using the lead and training collar properly is vital to successful dog training. The training collar is designed to apply a specific amount of pressure each time the leash is tightened. The amount of pressure put on the leash controls the amount of pressure placed on the training collar, and the pressure can be adjusted according to how the dog responds.
How each dog responds to training with the leash and training collar is quite variable. Some dogs barely react the first time they encounter a collar and leash, while others fight this strange contraption with all their might. It is important to recognize how your own dog reacts, and to adapt your training program as needed.
The first part of training with collar and leash, of course, is to purchase a quality, well made training collar that will fit your dog properly. There are many types of training collars and leashes on the market. The most important thing is to choose one that is sturdy and well made. The last thing you want to do is chase your dog down after he has broken his collar.
The length of the collar should be approximately two inches longer than the circumference of the dog's neck. It is important to accurately measure the dog's neck using a measuring tape. In order to get an accurate measurement, you must make sure that the tape is not tight around the dog's neck.
Most training collars come in even sizes, so you should round up to the next size if your dog's neck is an odd number. It is important that the chain that attaches to the collar be placed at the top of the dog's neck. That is where the training collar is designed to apply the best pressure.
The ability to apply varying degrees of pressure, and to relieve that pressure instantly, is what makes a training collar such an effective tool. It usually takes new users a little while to get used to using the training collar, and some styles of training collar require more finesse than others. If you are unsure which collar to choose, be sure to ask a professional dog trainer, or the management staff at your local pet store, for help.
After you have become familiar with the way the training collar works, it is time to begin using it to train your dog to walk properly on a lead. The well trained dog is one who will walk at his owner's side on a loose lead, neither dropping behind nor charging ahead.
The well trained dog will also vary his pace to meet that of his handler. Under no circumstances should the handler be forced to change his or her pace to match that of the dog.
If the dog does begin to charge ahead, it is important to correct the dog promptly by giving a quick tug on the leash. This will give the dog a good reminder that he needs to change his pace. It is important to quickly relieve the pressure as soon as the dog responds. The training collar is designed to relieve pressure as soon as the leash is loosened.
Most dogs will immediately respond to corrections by a good, properly used training collar. If the dog does not respond as directed, it may be necessary to apply greater pressure. This can be especially true of large dogs or those who have preexisting behavior or control problems. If you are still unable to get a response from your dog, it is possible that you are using a training collar that is not large enough for your dog. If you think this may be the case, be sure to ask for expert advice before proceeding.
About the author: Tony Robinson is an international author and dog lover. His website http://www.dogtraining4u.com contains valuable insights into the life of our canine friends.

T-Shirts for Dogs Showcase Your Pet's Personality

Fido and Rover move over - make way for Max and Rocky, which topped the list as the most popular dog names chosen by dog owners in New York City. According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Health, Princess, Lucky, Lady, Buddy, Daisy, Ginger, Buster, and Sandy rounded out the top-ten list. It's certain that Max, Ginger, and their pals will be well taken care of and pampered. Americans spend $34 billion each year on their pets, and the pet business is seeing an annual growth rate of six percent a year. Increasingly, pet owners are indulging their dogs as they would their children....

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The latest information and news on Dog Care Advice:

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Fire officials were working to determine the cause of a house fire that killed more than 30 dogs and cats in Plano. The fire was reported about 9:20 p.m. Monday in the 1400 block of Amherst Drive less than half a mile west of Collin Creek Mall, police said. The owners were not at home.
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Where to Find Free Dog Tags

Free dog tags usually come in the standard, basic materials, such as stainless steel, brass, anodized aluminum, or plastic. If you've ever tried to do a web search for free dog tags, you know what a pain it can be. Websites claim to offer free dog tags, but in fact you have to buy something first. This can be OK in many cases, especially when you need to stock up on pet supplies such as collars, leashes and chains, and other dog supplies. It doesn't cost much to make a dog tag, so manufacturers will offer these for free in many cases. Just imagine your dog's name on a tag, arriving in the mail,...

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