Here is a picture to brighten your day!!!

A PET’S TEN COMMANDMENTS………

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10 On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.
Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God’s critters.

~Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!

This was written bu our dear friends at the Pound Paws Rescue

Have a super day!!!

Most dog owners have heard of clicker training. It really isn’t a new training technique, but has been used for many years in training marine mammals such as dolphins and seals. As more and more people move away from choker chain training, gentle methods such as clicker training will only become more popular.

What is this clicker training anyway?

A clicker is a small plastic device with a metal strip; you press the strip and it clicks very distinctly. The key to training with it is to teach the dog that the click means a reward is coming.

When you train any animal, you need to reward them the instant that they do what you want. The problem that most people have when training their dog is that they’re too slow. They give their dog the reward after the behavior is performed, which confuses the dog. To train with a clicker, you need to teach the dog the click means a treat is coming. When he understands that, you can use the clicker to pinpoint exactly the moment your dog does the right thing.

Take your clicker, grab a few small treats and call your dog to you. Now, click and simultaneously give the dog a treat. Wait a little bit, then again click and give a treat at the same time. Repeat this ten to twenty times, and then stop. Repeat these little training sessions several times a day. When you click and you notice your dog reacts with interest, he understands that the click means treat. At this point you can start to use it for training.

One example of training with a clicker is teaching your dog to sit. Show him a treat and lift it above his head. As soon as his rump touches the ground you should click, then give them the treat. He’ll learn that to get the click and the treat, he needs to put his rump on the ground. Instead of showing your dog what he’s doing wrong, as you do when you correct him with a choker chain, you’re showing him exactly what he’s doing right. Can you see the difference, and why a dog would learn much quicker with a clicker?

The other advantage to the clicker is that it allows you to reward the dog without them being right next to you. For anyone who trains dogs for agility or teaches complicated tricks, this is very handy. Many service dogs, such as those who assist people in wheelchairs, have been taught their tasks using a clicker.

The best part of clicker training is that there is no fear or confusion for your dog. If you get the timing wrong, the worst that happens is that your dog gets a free treat. That’s quite unlike correction training, where a poorly timed check with the chain will leave your dog wondering what it was he did wrong.

There are so many positives to clicker training, and it’s also a lot of fun. So grab a clicker, and start training!

For more valuable information on clicker training click
here ]]> http://puppy-dogs.com/2010/08/20/tips-on-clicker-training/feed/ 0 http://puppy-dogs.com/2010/08/11/wordless-wednesday/ http://puppy-dogs.com/2010/08/11/wordless-wednesday/#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:00:44 +0000 puppy http://puppy-dogs.com/?p=669

Have a super Wednesday!!!

I thought this was too cute. Enjoy your Monday!!!

Enjoy…Happy Wednesday!!! Be sure to give your puppy lots of love today.

Reduce, reuse, recycle, carbon footprint – they’re all terms we associate with taking care of our environment. You’ll be glad to know that our four legged friends can also play a role in taking care of our planet. Here’s how it can be done:

1. Reduce.

Reducing waste and reducing wrapping and packaging can lower the amount of landfill we produce. Choose dog accessories and toys with no packaging, so there’s less rubbish to dispose of.

Where possible, buy your dog’s preventative medication and food in bulk, as this will also mean less packaging to put in the bin. For example, if the budget allows it, buy a year’s worth of worming tablets instead of one at a time, and purchase a bulk bag of kibble that will last you longer.

While we’re on the topic of kibble, if you feed a good quality food that is very digestible, you’ll need to feed him less to meet his nutritional requirements. This will also mean you have to buy less food, and dispose of less packaging.

When you’re picking up your dog’s feces during your daily walk, use a biodegradable bag so that it breaks down when it’s put in the bin. Plastics can last for many years in landfill.

2. Reuse.

Don’t throw anything out without making sure it can’t be turned into something useful for your dog. Those old bath towels can be stitched into blankets for him. Leftover ropes or panty hose can be plaited into tug toys. You’ll find that your dog isn’t put off by recycled toys, and will enjoy a game, no matter what they’re made of.

3. Recycle.

Your worm farm or compost bin will appreciate a top up with your dog’s feces, and they can contribute to your healthy garden.

Look for dog accessories made from recycled fabrics and materials. You can purchase dog beds with recycled filling, and your dog will sleep very well on them. Hemp can be recycled into dog collars, and it’s very durable.

4. Replace.

Replace any cleaning products that may be harmful to the environment with a gentler alterntative. Use a phosphate free shampoo, and wash your dog as little as possible. That way you’re not adding chemicals to our waterways.

Look at what you’re using for parasite control, and see if there is an environmentally friendly alternative. One example is using tea tree oil to control fleas on your dog. Keep in mind that just because a product is natural, doesn’t necessarily make it safe – tea tree oil can be very toxic to dogs if used incorrectly.

Also, don’t take chances on natural products that may not be as effective as chemicals, particularly with potentially deadly diseases such as heartworm.

We’ve only got one planet, and we need to look after it as best we can. Give your dog the opportunity to do his part. He won’t mind at all.

For more information on how to go green with your dog visit
The Dog Channel.