The Dog Site

Lassie, Benji, Rin-Tin-Tin…We all have fond memories when we think of dogs.  Perhaps as a child, you were one of the lucky ones in the neighborhood who’s parents allowed you to pick out a puppy from the store at the local shopping mall.  You brought that puppy home and gave him a name like Spot, or Lucky.

You brushed his coat, showed him to your friends, and even convinced your parents to let him sleep in your room.  Having a puppy was a wonderful thing, until it was time to pick up his poop and take him for a walk…and that was about the time that your puppy, became your parent’s dog.

Having a dog is a big responsibility, and too often children are over-eager to have one of their own.  Chores are done, pennies are saved, and beds are made; all in an effort to prove to the parents that the child is deserving and responsible.  The time has come and it has been decided that indeed the child has shown himself to be able to care for a puppy.

Together the family visits the local animal shelter, a neighbor’s pet who has just delivered a litter, a shopping mall pet store, and perhaps even a breeder’s home.  An animal is chosen, and the child is ecstatic.  Gingerly carrying the young animal to the car, and jabbering about wanting to show him off to all his friends.

Upon arriving home, the young dog cowers in a corner, trying to hide from the outstretched, sticky hands of half-a-dozen 6 year old.  Eventually the puppy becomes accustomed to the noise and children, and confidently ventures around your home and yard, playing with his new owner.

Time passes, and both the youth and his dog begin to grow.  The child loses his baby teeth chubby cheeks as the animal loses his soft hair, and playful yelp.  It is now necessary for this dog to be taken for longer walks and to be washed and brushed once a week.

His little messes on the lawn have turned into big messes, and the days grow farther apart between cleanings.

The once adorable, playful and energetic puppy has now become a full grown dog, and through the eyes of the once eager child, that dog has lost his appeal.  The duties  that the youth once swore to follow through on, have fallen on older shoulders, as parents now pick up where the child has left off.  More often than not, the dog watches through the window as the boy runs outside to greet his friends.

Rather than jumping aboard every time our children’s attention turn to something new, let us nurture their own growth, so that they may see the importance of caring for a living creature.  Perhaps we ought to start small with the ever popular Chia Pet, upgrade to fish and maybe even a hermit crab.

Later in life, when the responsibilities of caring for another can be better under stood, consider a puppy for your child; who by this time is perhaps a teenager or young adult.  Dogs are beautiful and loving creatures that depend on us for many things.  They indeed will be our best friend, but first, we must be theirs.

You’ve bought a new puppy home with the intention of being the best dog owner you can possibly be.  You wave goodbye to your puppy the next day and return home to find that the newest member of your family has decided that your slipper makes a great chew dog toy.

Dogs love playing with toys.  If they don’t have their own dog toys, they’ll find something of yours to use.  This can be anything from the aforementioned slipper, to a sock, to a lovely wooden sculpture you paid a small fortune for.

Dogs are not discriminating when it comes to having fun.  They love biting and playing and if you aren’t offering something for that purpose, they’ll go out and hunt something down on their own.

If you train your puppy early with the idea that only certain things are his or her toys, that idea will stick.  You won’t have to worry about leaving anything lying around, because as your puppy grows, it will understand that not everything is its toy.

The size of your dog will help determine which toys are most suitable.  You wouldn’t want to give a large bone to a Dachshund, nor would giving a small ball to a Saint Bernard be the best idea; he might swallow it in one gulp.

When you decide it’s time to buy a few items for the dog toy chest visit your local pet store.  There you will find literally dozens of things that dogs can use to play with.  Some are specifically designed to help strengthen the dogs jaw and teeth.  Things like ropes with a knot in it allow you to hold one end firmly while the dog pulls on it.  Dogs love this type of resistance play.

Another fun item for dogs is squeeze toys.  These are similar to the type of toy you’d purchase for an infant.  When the dog bites down on it, it will make a noise.  They enjoy this and you’ll find them wanting to play with it over and over again.

Many people buy their dog a stuffed animal.  These have several purposes.  One is that the dog can chew on it, or push it around.  Another reason some pet owners invest in this type of item is that it gives the dog comfort while they sleep.  It becomes a very familiar part of their environment and you might even catch the dog falling asleep with its head resting against the soft toy.

Dogs never get tired of chasing things and for that purpose nothing beats a ball.  It’s very important to buy one that is suitable in size for your dog.  This is also a great way to introduce the idea of fetching to your dog.

Every dog owner wants to watch their animal having fun and with a few toys you can do just that.

When you are training a new dog, it is best to face reality: most of us are not the Dog Whisperer.

German Shepard

Dog training books can help new owners train their young pet’s good behavior skills from the first step instead of dealing with bad behavior later. They also help frustrated owners whose relationship with their pets is strained because of behavior issues.

These resources are invaluable tools for owners with young pets that need to learn how to behave in new surroundings or dogs that have separation anxiety (i.e.: chew on furniture when they are left alone).

Owners also struggle with issues like aggressive behavior, house training, establishing who is the Alpha, or dominant personality in the home and setting boundaries.

Regardless if you are a new pet owner or you raise canines on a professional level, there are many training resources available to you. Dog training books range from general training to behavior problems to specific methods. Once you make a decision about what type of training you need for your pet, you can then focus on resources that will help you reach that goal.

It’s extremely important to utilize resources that are easy to use and effective. For example, a training book on The Clicker Method rewards dogs with treats when they follow commands. Other methods on which dog training books are produced are The Dog Whisperer Method as well as the Positive Reinforcement Method. Both of these methods exercise training tools that promote non-violent owner treatment while training your pet.

It is always to your benefit to review the basics of training methods before you decide which method to use. Consider your dog’s personality and how a specific type of training might work for him or her.

Sticking to a less structured training regime and buying a variety of dog training books may not be what your dog needs to learn. Online tools are also available with reviews of dog training books and tips on how to get more results from them. This could serve as a great resource in determining what book should be used to train your pet.

Whether you bring home a puppy or a full-grown dog, it is important to have a plan in place. In a new home with new owners a dog will require some form of training so that everyone can coexist peacefully.

There are several dog training books on specific methods available to help train your pet.

If you stick to one method of training, be certain to research it and know what other owners and your veterinarian think about it. If your dog needs training in certain areas, choose a method that focuses on particular types of behavior. Whatever your preference there is a large variety of dog training books available to assist you with making a dog a wonderful addition to your family.