Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Getting Your Canine to Go In His Dog Crate

No matter if you have an older dog or a pup, crate training is a great training method for your pet. Introducing your canine properly is a key factor to the outcome of your crate training success. No matter how difficult it gets, never force it. You must be patient and take your time. Always go at a pace at which your dog is comfortable. If you rush it, you can get off to a bad start. If that happens, your canine may not ever want to go inside the crate.

One of the first things to do is make it a comfortable place for your pet to be when inside. Putting it where you plan to keep it permanently helps make it more normal to your pet. If possible, it is ideal to keep it in a location that makes your pet feel like a member of the family. I like putting the crate in the living room or bedroom, but anywhere comfortable is good.

It's a great idea to put his or her favorite bed or blanket and a few favorite toys in the crate. After setting it up, go about life as you normally would, paying little attention to the new addition to your home. This will make your canine more curious about the crate, and likely to explore it on his own.

It is really up to your canine to check out the crate on his or her own. Never force your canine inside under any circumstances. It will only lead to frustration and difficulty. It is very critical that your pet explore it on his or her own. Place a treat inside if you like. That makes nearly every canine curious. Being patient is another key factor. Leave the crate in its place for several days and see how your canine behaves with it. Once your pet gets used to it just being part of the home, he or she will eventually enter it, especially if his or her nose is following the scent of something good inside. If necessary, you might have to positively coax your pet inside with another treat. Positively is the key here. Again, never force your dog inside. It will only make it a negative place to be.

At first, leave the dog crate open. Don't lock your canine inside. This helps make it a comfortable place to be. Let your pet come and go as he or she pleases at first. You will be off to a great start. Many people find that they rarely have to lock it if they start out this way. Their canines think of it as a safe haven and actually go there when needed. Others, like me, have to leave for longer periods of time during the day. If your pet likes to be destructive when you are away, you will need to keep him or her inside at some point. Take your time before locking your pet inside. Taking a few weeks to make it comfortable is a key aspect to being successful.

It's important to note, that you should never use the crate for punishment. Don't send your canine to the crate for doing something you don't like. Dogs don't comprehend that type of punishment. If you do this, the crate will quickly become associated with a place of punishment to your canine. Getting your pet to go inside becomes extremely difficult if this happens. It is much easier to do it right the first time than to go back and correct behaviors that have already been learned.

Done properly, dog crate training is a wonderful and positive experience for both you and your canine. It is a great foundation for all training, and opens up the sky as the limit for your dog.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Cooling Dog Beds Help With the July Heat

It's July, and it's hot! At least it is where I live.  I have 2 black dogs and it's imperative that those of us who live where it gets warm in the summer look out for our pets when it gets hot.  Dogs can overheat easily, and one of the last things we want to do is have them suffer from heat stroke or exhaustion.  If you can keep them inside, then that is probably the best option.  When that is not possible, the cooling dog beds do come in handy.  They will keep your pet quite a bit cooler than he or she would be without one.

They are great for use inside the house too.  Not only will they keep your pet cool, but offer many orthopedic qualities too.  They are great for post surgery, pets with arthritis, and have many other great uses as well.  We are looking at a couple more hot months ahead, and I purchased each of my dogs a Soothsoft® Canine Cooler® cooling dog bed.  I am impressed and really love what it has offered to my dogs.  Soon it will be cooling off, and I will be writing about heated beds, and testing some with my dogs.  At least nowadays, there are many great pet products available to keep our pets comfortable.  It's definitely worth it!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

What Can A Dog Crate Bed Offer My Pet?


Dog crate beds offer a safe and comfortable spot for your pet to relax inside or outside of his or her crate. Some of the advantages of adding one in your crate are reviewed here. Among the best additions to any pet crate is a dog crate bed. Your pet deserves some comfort, and adding a pad to her crate is a fantastic way to provide that comfort. There are a lot of fine products available today, ranging from simple pads sized to fit every size of crate there is, to some fancy orthopedic and memory foam pads. If none of the options fit your budget, you can always use one of your pet's favorite blankets. No matter what you choose to do, any option is better than nothing at all.

A brand new dog adds plenty of fun and excitement to several people's lives. With the cuteness, comes a great deal of responsibility. Already having a pet dog crate bed saves some worrying about the comfort of your dog and allows you to focus on more important things like training. Having a new puppy is not a walk in the park. They have needs that need to be met, and you don't want to waste your time shopping for beds. You will have issues such as potty training to deal with right away, and a dog crate is one of the best options for doing this, so a nice pad isn't a bad idea to think about before you get your new puppy. You might find numerous tricks and tips as to what really is the best way to housebreak your dog. The most endorsed technique you will find is dog crate training.

This technique can be a difficult concept for several people. A new puppy needs to be let out every few hours to potty, but with work, and other obligations, it can be hard for us to do. It is possible to find someone you know who can help out with this task if you are unable. They must be willing and good with pets. You can also hire someone to do it too. Another option is purchasing potty training pads. Personally, I don't like this option, but it is there. They do help some, and I occasionally use them if absolutely necessary, but they really smell bad and don't teach your pup not to eliminate in the house. Many pet owners find it easier to keep their pet in a crate while gone.Some people think that canine crates are cruel, but the puppy, however, does not. If used positively, it really becomes his den. You will benefit too. Puppies like to chew, especially when you are away, and this cannot happen when inside the den. If you do it right, your pup will sleep there during the night, and rest or sleep until you let him out. Because of the den instinct, your dog will not soil the crate, but remember too, that accidents do happen, and it is never a reason to punish your dog.

That is a very brief overview on the benefits of a crate, but if I didn't recommend using a crate for your dog, then why would I recommend a pet crate bed? A dog crate bed provides relief to the joints. Hard surfaces may cause many joint problems in your pet later on down the line. This can be a major problem with your pet's activity level and sleep patterns. We want our pets to be around for a very long time, so let's provide them some comfort from the start. Adding a dog crate pad to your dog's crate is one of the most cost effective ways to prevent harm. They are designed to fit every size of crate and are easy to clean and handle. They come in a variety of styles and colors. There is sure to be a perfect match for your pet. Most come with removable covers. These covers are also machine washable. These beds are not just for crates either. They can be used just about anywhere. It is worth it to give your pet the comfort and security he deserves.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

How to Help Your Puppy Stop Barking While In His Dog Crate

Most of us who have ever had a new puppy, know that those first few days, or weeks can be a struggle.  Your pup whines and barks whenever he or she is put inside his dog crate.  This is an issue that should be addressed right away if it is happening to you.  You don't want it to become a habit.  Then it will be much harder to fix.

First of all, your new puppy is looking to you for guidance.  Now that his or her mother is not letting the pup know what is tolerable, the job must become yours.  Exercise is the most important tool in this process.  A puppy that has gone for a nice long walk or run is a tired puppy.  A tired puppy doesn't want to bark as much as a puppy with a lot of pent up energy.

Some other tips that I have heard from others are:
  • Using a dog crate cover to create a quiet place - If you do not feel like making another investment in a crate cover, putting a towel or blanket over the dog crate is a great and economical alternative.
  • Give your puppy a bone or something that is safe to chew on when inside the crate.  This gives him or her something to do and will help reduce the anxiety that can be caused by being alone.
  • Train your puppy to think of the dog crate as a den or safe place.  If it is always associated with a positive thing such as a treat or praise for going in, it will be comfortable to your pet.  It is in their genes to be den animals.  There are many good trainers and training courses available for helping with this.
  • When you are gone, turning on the television or radio can help the puppy think that there is someone around and that also helps reduce the anxiety.
Of all of the things mentioned, exercise and proper training are the two that work best for me.  The exercise isn't bad for us people either.  In fact, after writing this post, I am going to take my two mutts for a nice long walk.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Small Pet Carriers: What Can They Offer My Pet?

A small pet carrier is among the finest products in the pet industry. They have grown to be increasingly popular during the last little while. They are often seen nearly anywhere you go these days. Pet carriers help it become pleasurable to take a trip with your small canine. They're not only enjoyable, but they also provide a very safe and effective manner of travel, whether it be by automobile, by walking, or on an airline.

A couple of the very best attributes to look for when deciding on a dog carrier bag for your dog are comfort and quality. Your pet will really love traveling in one of these brilliant carriers when it is safe and comfortable. This is definitely one thing the makers of these items have considered when designing them. You can see whether or not there has been proper care and thought put into the design and style of a small dog carrier.

A high quality carrier is generally designed for airline travel, and some Sherpa Pet Carriers include "Guaranteed on Board" plan. Airline travel with small pets has increased in popularity recently as has the love of smaller sized animals. With the volume of individuals with smaller animals increasing extremely fast, the pet product businesses have answered by developing these small dog carriers. There has been a lot of time and effort beyond the fantastic designs and colors offered dedicated to developing them, including designing them specific for traveling by plane.

Nearly all of these types of carriers are made of a soft material from nylon to posh leather, there will most likely be one that's wonderful for your canine. They come in a number of colors, styles, and sizes. There are many which have wheels for easy toting, some that appear like a purse, some are backpack pet carriers for hands-free transporting.

Not only does a pet carrier provide style and convenience to your dog's travel experiences, but a top quality product will also provide a safe and secure home for him to travel in. We all love our animals like they are our own children, and want their safety to be a big priority. The fashion and countless possibilities of small pet carrier bags make shopping for them fun and exciting, but realizing that your furry companion will be safe and sound during her next trip to the park, the beach, or even around the world could be the biggest satisfaction that one of these great and exciting items may offer you and your furry companion.