More Exercises to do with Your Pet

In our last blog we reviewed a few ways we could workout with our furry friends so both of us stay fit. We could all use a little more exercise! Listed below are a few more suggestions for these "buddy" workouts:


1.) Sumo Squats for the Critter
This workout is similar to the Squat and Toy Press. Only this time, you start with your toes pointed slightly outward, making sure that your knees line up with your toes. Hold the toy or ball in both hands, with arms extended straight down toward the floor. As you bend both knees, bringing your seat parallel to the floor and keeping your arms straight, lift the toy directly over your head. As you straighten your knees, jump off the ground a few inches and return the toy to the down position. Hopefully, your mongrel will continue to jump for the toy until your quads have hit exhaustion.

2.) Fetching Push-Ups
The idea is to set yourself up in a push-up position, with whatever modifications you require to do many repetitions (on your knees, against a wall, etc.). Lift one hand and throw a ball. Do as many push-up repetitions as possible until your pet returns. Repeat the toss with the opposite arm.

3.) Laser Creature Crunch
Domesticated animals seem to be fascinated by laser pointers. Get into a comfortable crunch position on the ground, and hold the laser pointer in both hands. Begin doing 10 crunches with the laser on your chest, and of course, pointed away from you. Watch your pet go nuts trying to chase it in the process. Every 10 reps, alternate arm positions behind your head, above your head, and even to your knees. Your dog will go insane, and you will have abs of steel!

4.) Dog Curl/Dip/Press
These options depend completely on the level of stillness your pet can provide. For my two dogs, playing dumbbell just ain't gonna happen. But I have many friends with extremely trusting animals that love to be bench-pressed. Should you try to press, curl, dip, or lunge your best friends, do it relatively close to the ground, just in case they change their minds.

There's a study that shows people with terminal illnesses are three times less likely to suffer depression if they own a pet. Pets are amazing stress reducers and loneliness decreasers, and have actually been proven to lower blood pressure. They also make us more social creatures, as we meet new people on walks, at parks, etc.

If you add a pet to your household, your life will be dramatically enriched. If you are unable to make a lifelong commitment, borrow a friend's dog for a day, or look into a short-term fostering program. And there are hundreds of organizations out there that could use volunteers to walk the dogs they are sheltering. That way, you get some exercise, and make a difference at the same time. Whatever you do, integrate some canine or feline time into your exercise regimen, and watch the change occur. Now that is doggone good!

STAY TUNED FOR MORE TRAINING EXERCISES WITH YOUR DOG!
or visit
Stephanie S. Saunders' article on the Beachbody.com Newsletter, May 2010

http://teambeachbody.com/about/newsletters/-/nli/167#51927720

The Importance of Being Alpha

Everyone wants their dog to listen and obey commands. But many people struggle with this, thinking: "I do everything I can and have tried multiple dog training methods, but he still won't listen!"

There may be a reason for this. Your dog may think HE is the leader of the pack!

Dogs are instinctively pack animals. In a pack, there's a pecking order to the group, with the alpha dog being at the top. The alpha is the strongest of the pack; he sets all of the rules and maintains the order of the pack.

When you introduce a dog to your family, to him - it becomes his new pack. Whether you know it or not, he will be feeling out his role is the hierarchy. If he is a dominant dog, you might find yourself in stiff competition to establish who is alpha.

The pecking order is like a ladder, where the alpha is at the top, followed by a second in command and so on. If you're at the bottom, then you're not in charge of anybody, and your dog will seize the opportunity to be in control of the situation.

You don't want your dog to think he's above anybody in the family. So it would be a good idea to make sure your entire family understands this concept and follows it.

Here are some steps you can take to establish yourself as the leader of your pack:

      Dog Training Secrets.




Don't let your dog sleep with you! We all want our dogs to sleep with us, but if he sleeps with you, he'll consider himself apart of the litter and equal or above you. The alpha dog always sleeps alone, in the most comfortable spot.

Walk through doorways first before your dog. The alpha always enters the den first, and has control over the room. So tell your dog who runs the show when entering a room, especially the front door.

Always feed your dog after you eat. Make sure the whole table is clean and some time has passed, then it's OK to feed him. If you feed him about two hours before you eat, this should be all right as well.

The alpha dog is never indecisive; he makes decisions and sticks to them. If you reprimand your dog or give him a command, make sure you follow through with it.

If he is completely disobeying and being unruly, gently place him on his back, hold him firmly and look him in the eyes. Keep him there until he relaxes. This means he's submitted to you physically. Dogs fight, and when you do this you show him who's the boss and who calls the shots.

Under no circumstances should any of these methods ever be too rough or harsh. You don't want your dog to fear you; you want him to respect you.

There is never a reason to mistreat your dog to show him you're in control. Choose a dog training guide that teaches a method you're comfortable with and expand on these ideas

Dog Training Videos: How to Teach Your Pooch Accurately

Sometimes, it is not enough to read the things you need to do in training your dogs. Reading does not always result to effective application. You may overlook some details that can only lead your dog training courses to failure. It is after all impractical to pay for a dog trainer if you can actually do the task yourself.

Because we all live in a high tech world, all of the methods in getting several things done successfully are now shown in videos. A dog training video is also now available for troubled dog trainers who can not do things the right way.

These kinds of videos are best for amateur dog trainers who are not good in visualizing what they have read in books and helpful articles. Sometimes, even if the instructions are already clear, some owners still tend to imagine something slightly different from what is written. These training clips can guide you on how to react whenever your pet fails to do the correct thing or how to reward it with food treats and cheerful compliments.

The training videos will also show how some training equipment are employed. For instance, in dog leash training, the clips can show you what appropriate materials should be purchased for your pooch. If you are clueless on how to correctly utilize a retractable leash, then a dog training video can surely come to your rescue. These videos can also teach you the right tone for scolding your pets. A video can help you mimic the expert trainer's tones and gestures accurately. With training clips, the owner is guided well and problems brought about by dog training are lessened.

These clips are also best for people who are too stubborn to read books. A book which contains 30 pages about dog training can be shortened into one to two-hour dog training clips which are definitely a lot effective.

Dog training videos can be obtained from the internet. You can watch them through several sites which offer varying videos uploaded by different users. Sometimes, a how-to article is also accompanied by a how-to video, but you should be warned that not all videos are made by professional trainers themselves. Some dog owners share what they have discovered through these dog training clips.

If you want to acquire a copy of a canine training clip made by an expert dog trainer, then you should purchase one. These dog training DVDs are actually affordable. You may order these clips as a set, each containing specific dog training courses you should learn by heart. You can also buy one at a time if you find buying a DVD set expensive. These videos can be purchased via the internet or in your favorite media stores.

Make dog training easier by watching a dog training video. Not only are you spared from the boring task of reading a book, you are also saved from the possibility of getting things done incorrectly. Of course, you would not prefer doing the latter.

Article referenced from Go-Articles.com by Fatima Edris

Importance of Dog Training Video

Dog training videos are created to assist owners and trainers to better train their dogs. With the help of visual aids and a step by step guide, training your dog should be easy. Training dogs in general requires a lot of time, effort and patience. Just like humans, some dogs learn faster than others. Make sure that your program is suitable for your dog. With the help of modern technology, dog training videos are also available through the internet. Some trainers or owners try to download these videos so that they can effectively train their dogs. Some dog training school offers a dog training video after the whole session so that the owner can do some follow up and recap with their dogs personally. Recap is important so that your dog will constantly remember the trainings.

There are so many kinds of dog training video and that is why it is important for you to determine as to what kind of training your dog needs. Some training might only cover the obedience training, tracking, agility and the likes. Some dog training videos even come with the basic background of dog's behavior and makers of these kinds of videos believe that learning some basic background on dog's behavior will help trainers understands the nature of dogs better. Make sure that your dog has fully mastered the old tricks or trainings before you continue teaching your dog some new tricks again. Dog training videos are only created to assist trainers in doing a step by step training. However, the hard work and determination will have to come from the trainer himself. Do not get swayed by the entire offer, stick to your desired programs for your dog. Remember one step at a time. You cannot bombard your dog with tons of lesson each session.

                                                 DOG TRAINER PRO

In order for you to properly select as to what dog training video suits your dog best is to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your dog first. This way you can start enhancing your dog's strengths and follow through his weaknesses. If you happen to own a toy dog, do not expect the dog to be as agile and as aggressive as the guard dogs. Although all dogs may have some common traits, you still have to understand that each breed of dogs have their own uniqueness, strengths and weaknesses. Some dog training video also teaches the appropriate attitude to dog owners when it comes to teaching their dogs. Most of the dog training videos will advice all trainers and owners not to hit their dogs because this will not help at all. Rewards prove to be the most effective means or approach to training dogs. Dogs are like kids. They like being rewarded. Dogs are very sensitive and are keen to their owner's feelings. If you are a good owner or trainer, the dog will forever stay loyal to you. Another dog training advice on how your dog can enjoy each training session is to include some play time.

Article referenced from Go-Articles.com by Fatima Edris

Keep Your Dog Safe During the Holidays.

Everybody is coming and going, parties and dinners are in abundance and your dog is going crazy with all the activity. Keep your pet in mind when entertaining.

Here is the first scenario: Doorbell rings and people arrive. Your dog bounds to the door to greet them, jumps all over the guests and as they are filing in, your dog runs outside and into the street.

Second scenario: You have all these goodies out on tables awaiting the arrival of your guests. Chicken wings, chocolates, alcoholic egg nog, etc. You go to get dressed and your dog decides to be the taster.

Third scenario: Your dog is well behaved around people and loves to interact with them. You have no problem allowing him to join the party. However, your guests can't resist giving your pet a sample of what they are eating. Who can resist those big, soulful eyes?

The above examples show how a happy party can turn disastrous for you and your dog.

Food we humans find delicious (and so does your pet), can be fatal to your dog. Alcohol, chocolate, chicken or turkey bones and many more can cause a gastric nightmare or worse. Also, the decorations around your house can be a temptation to your pet, such as electric cords, Christmas tree water with preservative in it, tinsel, tree ornaments, live holiday plants, the list goes on.

So how do you keep your pet safe and enjoy holiday entertaining? Over the years we have encountered the above problems and our own home and at friends and family parties.

The best thing we have found is before your guests arrive and you put out the holiday goodies, sequester your dog in another room with water, a toy and some soft music to help soothe him. The music volume should be at medium level, to help distract him from the noise of the party.

If your pet is very well trained and use to the excitement of holiday activity, allow him to stay and celebrate with you and your company. However, let your guests know not to feed your dog any of the party food or drink. If they want to give him a treat, then keep a bowl of his favorite dog goodies handy so your guests can give them out to your pet.

After the festivities, clean up your house immediately or at least put all the plates and such on a high counter to take care of the next morning. If you do clean up after, make sure the trash is secured and not where your pet can get into it.

The holidays should be a happy time for all, including your dog. So practice keeping your pet safe this holiday season just as you would your children.

And don't forget to tell Santa what your dog would like under the tree. Our dogs enjoy unwrapping their presents Christmas morning (ripping the paper, actually) and then trotting away with their prize to chew or play.

We wish a safe and happy Holiday season to all our two and four legged friends and family. May the Season bring you peace and joy.

                            "Let's Get This Party Started!"

Many of our family and friends have asked our advice about their dogs and suggested we put together a website for tips, help and fun pages for dog owners. So we did. If you found this article helpful, you can view more information at http://the-best-dog-for-you.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darlene_Corning

Dog Obedience Training: 3 Big Mistakes.

Puppies are cute, but unless they are trained well, they can grow up to be very disagreeable. Responsible dog owners need to invest time in training their pup. Oftentimes most people make the same mistakes when training, especially with their first dog. Below you will see the top 3 most common mistakes that uninitiated dog owners make when training their new puppy.


1. You do not have to assert your Alpha role by always "punishing" your dog when you call him. I refer here to doing something to him that he does not enjoy doing. For example, it is not a good idea to call your dog, and then clip his nails. Another unpleasant thing for the dog is to have his leash strapped to a post. When you call your dog, let him associate this with something pleasant. Use a cheerful voice, pet him, and tell him what a good dog he is. Let him associate good things with your call, and he will come to you every time. He will also be trusting of you during unpleasant tasks like having his nails clipped.

2. Do not presume that a dog will eventually grow out of bad behavior; it is simply not going to happen. You are the Alpha, and you must assert that. A dog wants to be trained, and he wants to live comfortably in your home. This is best possible when he knows the house rules. So from the start, take time to teach your dog what is, and is not acceptable behavior at home.

3. Do not hit your dog as a method of training. This will only make your dog aggressive, or at the very least, a submissive wetter. Instead, focus on reinforcing good behavior with doggie pats and rewards. The best dog is a happy dog.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glen_James

Dog Training Tips: Dealing with Dog Separation Anxiety

Dog separation anxiety is a major problem with many dog owners. Out of all of the dog behavioral problems out there, anxiety forms a big chunk of the pie. Why do dogs become anxious and what can we, as owners, do about it? The answer requires some study and research, but in a summary, here is what I feel that you can do to help your dog's problems. Good luck and follow these steps.

Got an anxious dog?
You won't if you just...A dog that is left alone for long periods of time is obviously going to be lonely. This is very easy to combat. Do not leave the dog alone for so long. There, that didn't take rocket science did it? If you are not able to keep your pet company throughout the day, simply leave the television or radio on. The animal needs to know that something is there other than itself. Loneliness is one of the easier issues with anxiety.

Many pets cannot comprehend that your leave will mean a return (hopefully). For dogs and cats, an owner who has left is a very fearful thing, until they learn your routine. How can you train your dog to know that you are only going for a short period of time and that it is ok to be left alone? I will touch upon that in a second but first, what are some other signs your dog is anxious?

Signs of separation anxiety include a number of other related behaviors. Chewing, peeing on the rug, trying to dig under the door, and barking are normally the most found side effects of dog anxiety. If you come home and can see any of these signs, you will know that your dog is becoming anxious. Take the steps needed to prevent the behavior from getting worse.

You can train your dog to live on its own for a while by not being so cozy with the pet whenever you leave the house. What I mean by this is to not have a long drawn out good-bye session with pooch. It will make the dog think that you are praising it for whining and being anxious. Leave the house without saying a word. Make sure to leave food and water for your pet, as well as a couple of its favorite toys. Toys can keep an animal occupied for longer than you may think.

It is also suggested to confine the dog to a certain portion of your house. The reason for this is that you do not want an unruly dog to have the rule of the house. Upon your return, you may not recognize the place. So with that said, make sure to leave the dog in a room or in a crate. I would suggest a room if that is possible.

These are just a few tips that you can use to help combat this behavior your dog may be experiencing. It is also very important to practice leaving the room, house, or place where your dog stays, as a dog training method. The more your dog realizes that it is alright to be left alone, the less anxiety you will see from it (if this is the only problem). Give your dog training time a few weeks and you should see a great improvement in your pet's behavior.

Excerpted from DogTrainingGuide.Org

Dog Obedience Training In Home: Dog Training Tips

A huge benefit of training your dog in home is that it saves you time. Taking the time to train your dog now, will actually save you time in the long run. For example, if you take the time to train your dog to behave properly inside the house, you will actually be saving time cleaning up mischievous messes that he or she could create in the future without proper training

Training your dog is a process that takes some time, some patience, and some professional assitance. You will find home dog training courses in the form of ebooks or videos, written and produced by professional dog trainers, that can be a great resource. Following them on your own schedule in the comfort of your own home, you can learn all the basic commands: sit, stay, heel, down, come. You will even find that such courses can help you to correct specific behavior problems you might be having, whether your dog is knocking over every visitor who walks in the door or barking through the night. Many offer consultations with the trainer so you can get professional advice on your own specific problems-all.

                               Do It Yourself Dog Training

Tips for Training Your Dog In Home are presented below:

•House training your dog calls for the support of your whole family member. Best dog training comes from consistency in you and your family conduct towards the dog by knowing and following the routines and understanding the rules set forth for the dog.

•Set time aside for your in home dog training "class" just as you would for a class with a professional dog trainer. Try to schedule your home training for a time when you are rested and not rushed.

•Exercise your dog before you begin your dog obedience training.
•Prepare some small training treats before you begin the training.

•Remove distractions, from cell phones to the kids. Turn the phone off, pop on a video for the kids, and turn your attention to the class just as you would if you were in a group class with a dog professional trainer.

•It is much easier to set up new good habit than breaking an old bad habit. So instill new habit instead of trying to remove your dog bad habit, it is surely takes a lot more effort, whenever you can always establish good habit from the start, when you can't dispose the old bad habit, try to replace the old habit with new and more exciting habit for your dog.

•Set aside consistent locations for your dog, such as potty place, sleeping place, etc. Don't change these location as it may confused your dog. Dogs not only need consistent schedule and command, they also need consistent place. This is the essence of best dog training for in home dog obedience classes.

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Author: Sean Whitton