The Dog Site

If you have a new dog or puppy, you may be interested in give your dog some basic dog training. Dog training can be taught by an obedience instructor, or you can do the dog training yourself.

Dog training with an obedience instructor can vary in price and it usually takes place in a class. If you do the dog training yourself, it is usually chargeless and you can do it from your own home. If you do choose to do the dog training yourself, it is best to get educated on dog training.

There are 3 basic things your dog should learn through basic dog training. These are: sit, stay, and come. The first part of dog training is to teach your dog to sit. To start this dog training, you will first need some dog treats.

To prevent your dog get distracted, you need to do the training in a quiet environment. Tell your dog to sit repeatedly as you hold the dog treat just over their head. This way the dog has to look up and may sit on their own to reach the treat.

If not, gently push their rear down. Praise and reward your dog with a treat when he do the “sit” position. This kind of dog training works because the dog constantly hears “sit” and will learn to associate the command with sitting and receiving praise.
To teach your dog to saty is the next part of this training. This is often a difficult part of dog training. This kind of dog training is also incorporated with teaching your dog the command “come.” Sit your dog in an area with no directions.

Tell your dog to stay repeatedly as you back away. Start out by keeping eye contact with the dog. If the dog gets up, tell it “no” and start again.

This dog training will takes a while, remember this. You may need someone to sit with the dog to help reinforce the dog to stay the first few times.

Once you have made progress with this dog training, you then start by walking away with your back turned. Dogs will often get up to follow you at this point. Tell your dog “no” and start the dog training again by repeatedly telling your dog to stay as you walk away.

Once your dog has mastered this part, you can teach it to come. After your dog has stayed, tell it to “come.” Have a happy voice and pat your knee as you say “come.” Your dog should respond to this dog training right away and you may then reward it.

Instead of punishment, it is better to use praise in dog training. Dogs respond best to positive dog training, rather than negative. With all of this in mind, you should be able to teach your dog the 3 basis commands.

Follow all of this action and you should soon have a more obedient dog that is worth everyone’s praise!

Please also check out my other guide about : dog clothes, dog crates and also dog adoptions

The Irish Water Spaniel is an uncommon breed, native to the Emerald Isle that is strongly built and taller and squarer than most spaniels. In fact the tallest of spaniels. Their fur consists of dense locks with a distinguishing puce / liver colour with a dominant purple tint. Irish water spaniels are about 60 cms (two feet) tall and weigh twenty five – thirty kgs (around 60 lbs). The Irish Water Spaniel’s throat and face are smooth with the head topped with a “top knot” raising as a peak between the eyes. Irish Water Spaniel’s have an unusual  medium sized smooth, rat like tail. Which contrasts strongly with their curly fur.

Irish Water Spaniel’s were and are a working dog, so are active and very intelligent. It important to socialise them if they are to blend into family life. Irish Water Spaniel’s need plenty of routine exercise and time spent on dog training to really profit from them. They are defensive of their family and have a deep, fierce sounding bark if aggravated. They usually live for 8-12 years
.
The Irish Water Spaniel coat is non-shedding which could be great for those who have someone in their family who suffers from allergic responses might not be affected by this breed. They do not require regular daily grooming unless showing. Every so often a trim to remove straggle ends with a comb and scissors to eliminate the mats. No surprise with their name that they love swimming, so an occasional swim will curl up the coat again and keep them contented.

The Irish Water Spaniel developed in the 1830s in Ireland. Many experts believe the Irish Water Spaniel came from the Poodles, Portuguese Water Dog and Barbet. The Irish Water Spaniel hunted as a gundog in the marshes, rivers and bogs in Ireland.

Although happy to curl up and sleep at home, routine walks and exercise are crucial for a healthy, trouble free Irish Water Spaniel. An unexercised Irish Water Spaniel is likely to lead to a mischievous, naughty dog. A great home for them is an active one, with plenty of activities going on and space, where their minds as well as bodies are exercised. Dog walkers love them, as they appreciate good walks. Numerous Irish Water Spaniel owners work their dogs in the shooting field, in obedience tests, in agility competitions, or in the conformation show ring.

Their intelligence leads them to enjoying agility and obedience activities and combined with their great nose often leads to them being trained for drug and explosive detection.

The major health issue with Irish Water Spaniel’s is caused by their size and may suffer from hip dysplasia, prior to breeding, the potential parents should be scored for this.

They can be greedy, so you need to regulate their food intake.

The Irish Water Spaniel is a wonderful dog for an active family or couple who have the energy and either experience of other dogs, or are willing to train them, maybe with the help of a professional dog trainer.

There is nothing sadder than finding out that your brand new dog has taken ill. The bright little life that has given you so much pleasure over the last few weeks is sitting quietly in a corner. His little eyes open and close and his head is down. Puppies are like little children.  When taking care of a sick puppy, be smart and use common sense.  Taking care of your sick puppy is usually a challenging ordeal. Even though they are like little children, they can not tell you where it hurts. And when they vomit, it is hard to stick their head in a bucket. But remembering the basics of first aid and calling your vet, will greatly help you in taking care of your sick dog.

A Warm or Cold Nose

The first way to tell if a puppy is really sick and not just reacting from eating the wrong rock, is whether his nose is cold or warm. Puppies have cold and wet noses. If your puppy’s nose is dry and warm, then he is running a fever. It’s difficult to take your puppy’s temperature at home, so by feeling his nose will give you a good indication.

If your puppy’s nose is warm, then call your vet. Follow your vet’s instructions and use common sense. Taking care of your sick puppy is just as simple as taking care of a sick human. He needs a quiet and comfortable place to sleep. He should not have food and only give him clear liquids. It would probably be alright for him to sit on your lap while napping. A little back rub and a few ear scratches can always soothe a sick puppy.

Puppies produce strong endorphins when they are near their loving human counterparts. It has been proven that puppies respond to love more than they do to food. Your vet might tell you to give the little fella a half of an aspirin to help bring his temperature down. When giving your puppy this aspirin, it is probably best to crush it and mix with water and then put it down his throat with an eye dropper. Then you just have to wait. The hardest part in taking care of your sick puppy is the waiting.

Trying to take care of your sick puppy overnight can be very difficult. The easiest way would be to place his doggie bed next to your bed. This way you both will be able to get a good night’s sleep.  He knows you are near, and you can keep an eye on him. If he is not better by the time morning arrives, then it is time to call the vet again. The vet will probably have you bring him into his office.

Even though taking care of your sick puppy is so sad, it usually only lasts for a short period of time. Puppies are strong and heaven looks after them. So, in no time your little friend will be up and about chewing on your shoes.