Puppy Basics: Potty-Training, Reprimanding, and Rewards. . .

Potty Training Your Puppy: Make sure you feed your dog at regular times every day as this makes bathroom breaks regular as well. Feed your puppy 2-3 times a day. As soon as he is finished eating, take him to a grassy potty area". Speak the words go potty or go in the grass before and while he is eliminating. Be sure to praise him when he is done. What you are doing is building word associations...

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Crate Training Dogs & Puppies- FAQ

A. Grignard


1) Why should I crate train my dog?
Crate Training is the fastest and most humane method of housebreaking dogs. Have you ever seen a dog under a table, chair or bed? The reason is that dogs naturally want to seek shelter, even in a house. If you don't provide it, they will create it themselves in an effort to feel safe and secure. A crate serves as a den for your dog.
2) How does crate training work?
Like babies, puppies cannot control their bladders until they mature (usually between 3 and 6 months). Dogs have a natural instinct to avoid eliminating in their dens. Therefore, confining your puppy in his crate for the proper amount of time encourages him to "hold it" until you take him outside for a walk. Pet Dreams offers Free Crate Training Tips with more step-by-step details.
3) What about housebreaking older dogs?
It is never too late to crate train your dog! The number one reason dogs end up in shelters is behavior problems. Crate training, at any age, can help break bad habits and solve most of these problems.
4) How long do I need to use the crate?
Crates are not just for training- they are good for the lifetime of your dog. By providing a crate for your dog, you are in essence providing him with his own bedroom. Crates are especially important for older dogs that use it to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday family life, which often includes small children or other pets that may harass them.
5) How safe is crate training?
Dog crates are the best housetraining tool available. They provide a room for your dog while protecting your home furnishings from damage. However, even a crate isn't an absolute safe harbor for your pet. As per crate manufacturers warnings, you should always remove standard collars before placing your dog in a crate. Otherwise, your dog is at risk for possible strangulation if his collar or ID tags become caught in the crate's bars. Pet Dreams' Cratewear bumpers are the only bumpers made high enough to help prevent collar strangulation and other crate-related injuries.
6) I was told that dogs like their crates, so why do I have to force mine inside?
There are many reasons to not enjoy a bare metal dog cage.

7) What can I do to make my dog's crate more appealing?
8) How do I stop my dog from whining or barking the crate?
Again, make sure the crate is in a good location. Veterinarians and trainers recommend covering the crate to give your dog the privacy he needs to feel secure. If your dog can see you, he'll want to be with you outside the crate. Crate covers lower the number of distractions your dog sees, which reduces barking and stress. Note: Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety should not be crated. If you feel your dog is suffering from separation anxiety and is showing clinical signs, please avoid crating him until speaking to a professional.
9) What's in it for me?
Dog crates give your dog a place he can claim as his territory. Providing your dog with a comfortable room of his own will help keep him off your furniture. In addition to the safety and comfort benefits for your dog, Cratewear will enhance your wire crate to fit your decor, making the crate an attractive addition to any room. All of this results in a more positive training experience for you and your pooch!

© 2005 Pet Dreams - Pet Dreams® and Cratewear® are registered trademarks. All rights reserved.
About the author: Visit http://www.petdreams.com for our complete line of d og crate covers, crate pads, and pet beds. Our site also contains more crate training tips, FAQs, articles, and forums!

"Dog Toys For The Brain, Teeth And Feet"

Thinking of the best toys that suit your dog? Browse through the dog toys below and see what fits your pet and your budget. For dogs who love to chew: 1. Kong Jump'n Jack Prices: $5. 60 (small) $7. 50 (medium) $8. 80 (large) Kong Jump'n Jack is a dog toy and a teeth cleaner and gum exerciser at the same time. It has a very unpredictable bounce that makes it a lot more fun for the dog to play with. It has a lot more surfaces that clean dog's teeth. Kong Jump'n Jack also has slits that are useful for the gums to be exercised. 2. Squirrel Dude (Busy Buddy) Prices: $5. 99 (small) $8. 99 (medium)...

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The latest information and news on Dog Care Advice:

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Night vigils to search for dogs responsible for killing dozens of sheep and an ostrich are carried out by Kent Police.
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The streets of the Capital Region are three dogs safer after a police K-9 graduation at the Rensselaer County Jail on Tuesday.
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Exclusive Hotel for Dogs Clip (Coming Soon)
ComingSoon.net has your exclusive first look at a new clip from DreamWorks Pictures' Hotel for Dogs featuring Don Cheadle (upcoming Iron Man 2 and The Avengers ). The comedy adventure, opening January 16, co-stars stars Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Lisa Kudrow and Kevin Dillon.
Alert over theft of ?designer dogs? (Gulf Times)
By Mark Blunden ANIMAL rights campaigners are worried a pet-stealing ring is operating in London after two ?designer? dogs were snatched by burglars. The miniature pinschers, worth £650 each, were stolen on Boxing Day while their owner was out.
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LACONIA - Those attending the Jan. 17 showing of the Nickelodeon movie "Hotel For Dogs" at Regal Cinema on Loudon Road, Concord, will have an opportunity to assist the N.H. Humane Society of Laconia and Happy Tails Dog Park in Belmont.
Top of the Queue: Despite 'Marley,' movie roles don't always go to the dogs (...
OK, OK, we get it. The huge box-office receipts for "Marley and Me" have made it perfectly clear: Dogs are goofy, loyal lunks that just charm the socks off us at every turn. So they get tons of movies made about them that make viewers ooh, ah, chuckle or cry. Shaggy has Scooby, Lassie has Timmy and Mickey had Pluto. "Beethoven" had five movies, "Air Bud" got to play basketball and supposedly ...
Top show dogs have their day (Daily Pilot)
Top dogs took over at the Orange County Fairgrounds from the weekend through Monday, as the Shoreline Dog Fanciers Assn. of Orange County Inc. and the Malibu Kennel Club held back-to-back all-breed dog shows.

Her Dog's Aggression Is Worse After In-Kennel Training

A Bull Mastiff owner wrote me, with the following question: My problem comes in a 147-pound package. Mack is a 15 month-old Bull Mastiff. He has been in and out of training since he was 10 weeks old. He was starting to show dominance aggression at around nine months, so I found a training facility that would in-kennel train him. He was there for seven weeks. When I got him back he seemed to have a bigger problem than when he left. I was told by the trainer that he showed no signs of aggression there. He also said that he would have to schedule an in-home session which would run me another $250+....

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