Dogs need exercise, and the activity they love more than any other is walking. However, many dog owners shirk the responsibility. Perhaps they simply don’t have time, or maybe they don’t realize how important it is to walk their dogs.

Others give it their best shot, but eventually quit because the dog is difficult to handle. If this all sounds familiar then listen up because I’m about to tell you something very important.

“Dogs have to have their walks!”

As any dog trainer will tell you, a dog needs to be exercised every day. Depending on breed, age, size and so on this can range from a short 30 minute walk, to hours of vigorous activity. But the point is that exercise is essential, and walking is probably the best exercise there is for a dog.

But dog walking is more than simply clipping on the dog’s lead and heading out the door. A few simple guidelines will make it an altogether more enjoyable experience, for you and the dog.

Here are some of the things you should be doing;

* Walk when its cool, rather than in the middle of the day. If however you do walk in hot weather it is important to take water along for your dog, to prevent over heating.

* Walk with your dog beside you, not in front of you. Allowing the dog to always be in the lead gives him the notion that he is the pack leader.

* Don’t pull back on the lead because this will just encourage your dog to pull back. Try to always keep a relaxed grip, and if your dog does pull, stop and wait for him to calm down before continuing.

* Don’t let your dog lead you where he wants to go. You control the walk and decide where to go, when to stop, and when to head for home.

* Avoid other dogs. You never know how two dogs are going to react towards one another. Quite often these encounters will end up in a fight. If you have a small dog and a large dog approaches, pick you dog up and turn your back. If your dog is large, turn and walk in the opposite direction.

You also don’t know if a strange dog has been vaccinated and if it is carrying any diseases that may be passed to your dog.

* The right leash or collar. Pick a leash / collar combination that is strong enough to keep the dog in check, but still comfortable for him to wear. Also ensure that your dog wears his id tags. You never know when he might slip his leash.

In the unlikely even that the dog does escape, the id tag will identify you as the owner and hopefully see the dog returned safely to you. You may also want to have your dog micro-chipped for extra peace of mind.

* Lastly, enjoy yourself! Hanging out with your dog is one of the funnest things you can do, two buddies working out together and enjoying the pleasure of each others company. What could be better.

There’s lots more about dog training, dog care, dog care and other interesting dog info at www.dogsanddogtraining.com

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One of your first jobs as a dog owner is house training your puppy, and even if you do nothing else in terms of dog training, you’ll have to do this. That is, unless you are prepared to live with an animal that has no control over her toilet habits.

Fortunately, in most cases, it is easy. Choose a method, implement a plan, add a bit of patience, and you’re done.

In fact, all you have to do to ensure success, is to tap into your dog’s natural behavior. For starters, dogs are, by nature, clean animals and will never “do their business” close to where they eat and sleep, except in extreme circumstances.

Secondly, dogs love to please us and will do whatever it takes to make us happy.

Remember these two principles as you house train your dog, as they are the secret to success regardless of the method you employ.

Here are the most common puppy house training methods;

Supervision Method

Crate Training

Paper Training Method

Litter Box

The method you choose is entirely up to you, but my favorite is crate training. I have trained many dogs using this method and I am always blown away at how easy it is. This is probably because it taps the two aspects of dog behavior I mentioned earlier.

With crate training your puppy you use these behavioral aspects to your advantage - a much better approach than chasing your dog and trying to haul him outdoors, or to the paper every time he squats down.

Don’t feel you have to go with crate training though, because the other methods also work. Just choose the one you feel comfortable with. Whichever method you choose though, you will need to remain consistent, patient and positive. Shouting will achieve nothing other than making the dog afraid of you.

Never forget that she’s just a baby. You wouldn’t punish a baby that messed her diaper, or scream at her and rub her nose in it. So why would you do that to a little dog?

The puppy doesn’t yet know that she has done something wrong. But persist with your training and she’ll soon get the picture. Dogs are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. So stick with it and you’ll see results.

Want to see results even faster?

Then praise your pup when she succeeds.

Your puppy desperately wants to make you happy. When you praise her for ‘going’ outside, or on the paper, she learns that this behavior pleases you, and she’s encouraged to repeat the behavior, just to get more praise from you.

And don’t be stingy with the praise either. You need to make it very obvious that you are pleased with her behavior, so be enthusiastic, be effusive, be downright over the top!

Later, when you start obedience training, your puppy will already know that obedience equals praise, so in effect house training actually sets the scene for all your training efforts to come.

Find out more about dog training tips, dog care, information on dogs and other interesting dog info at http://www.dogsanddogtraining.com

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Dogs have a wide vocabulary that includes barking, growling, howling, as well as whining. All of these convey their own message. Whining for example is normally interpreted as a sign of distress, and as such instantly draws our attention.

Dogs, of course, have long since figured out that whining is also a sure-fire way of getting what they want.

Why Your Dog May Be Whining

A dog will usually whine when it is fearful, anxious or in pain. Some of our more creative canine friends have also learned how to fake being anxious or afraid in order to attract our attention. But dogs don’t pretend to be hurt, so if you believe your dog is genuinely in pain you’ll want to attend to the problem right away.

The other causes of whining are fairly easy to treat. All it takes is a few, easy to implement, steps.How to End the Whining

Let’s discuss anxiety whining first. Often this is related to the dog being left alone. The dog has noticed a routine you go through before leaving the house, something as simple as turning off the TV and activating the alarm.

This then becomes the trigger that sets off your dog’s whining. In order to address this you’ll need to break the connection between your actions, and the dog’s reaction. There are a number of ways to do this.

You could simply vary your routine. Or you could confuse the dog by getting ready to leave, and then not go out. Another alternative is to go through your whole routine, then go out for 30 seconds or so, before coming back in.

These are all easy ways to break the connection the dog has built up between your routine, and the fact that it results in him being left on his own. It sounds simplistic, but it works.

Another cause for whining is fear. For example a dog left alone in an empty house may become fearful and anxious. The solution here is simply to cut down his space.

Restricting your dog to just one or two rooms and giving him some crate training is an effective way of dealing with this form of whining.

Be aware that it will take a bit of time to accustom your dog to the crate, but it is relatively easy because the crate simulates a den environment. Once the dog is used to the crate he no longer feels the need to patrol his larger “territory” (the house). It is an effective way of addressing both fear and anxiety in your dog.

How to Address “Attention” Whining

Dogs are arch manipulators and usually have a bag of tricks that they use to get what they want. For example, small dogs love doing the “sit up and beg trick”, because they know it is cute and gets them attention.Likewise, if your dog works out that he just has to whine for you to come running, guess what? He’ll be doing a lot of whining, and you’ll be doing a lot of running!

If you pay attention, you’ll soon pick up on the subtle ways in which your dog tries to manipulate you. You’ll have to learn how to ignore the attention seeking whining or your dog will wrap you around his little paw.

Find out more about dog training tips, puppy care, dog health and other interesting dog information at www.dogsanddogtraining.com.

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Dogs and are smart, faithful and loving creatures but don’t be duped. Under the hood your loyal pal is really a wolf in dog’s clothing.

Accepting this idea is at the core of understanding how your dog thinks, and why he behaves in the ways that he does.

A Dog’s View of the World

Dogs interact with the world at the level of instinct. Basically, their needs are food, shelter, and the protection of the pack.This means they need a pack leader who they trust and are willing to follow, and this is the role you have to fill.

The next key to understanding dog behavior is to remember that dogs do not understand words. This idea confuses many people because their dogs seem to understand every word the say. But, what you are seeing is merely word-association.

The truth is, that dogs have no capacity for understanding words, they mainly interpret body language. They learn to associate actions with actions, so if you praise your dog when he obeys a command, he understands that when he obeys, you react by being pleased with him.

So when you say, “Good Boy!”, your dog may sit and look at you like he feels really pleased by the compliment, but he’s really responding to your facial expression, the tone of your voice, the pat on the head, and the treat he knows in coming.

How to Think Like a Dog

The most important thing to remember is that dogs respond to body posture and tone of voice, rather than words. By understanding that your dog thinks in images and responds to actions, you will have a much greater influence over him.

Dogs become very tuned into routines. For example, your dog will quickly learn that you come home at a certain time and will look forward to your arrival. If you don’t arrive as expected the dog will begin to become stressed.

This is because the dog forms expectations based on past actions, and learns to expect a particular outcome. If that outcome is not carried through it creates anxiety.

How to Be the Alpha Dog

In the wild, the Alpha Wolf controls all the activities of the pack - when they eat, when they move, who receives affection. These are the same things you control in your dog’s life. By controlling when he receives food, walks, and attention you reduce frustration and anxiety.

Now leadership is one thing, but what about showing affection to your dog? Good question. Giving affection makes you a strong leader if it is given in the right way and at the right time. Given any other way, it marks you out as a pushover. Your dog will sense that and exploit it.

Affection should always be a reward. Give affection when your dog does something good and he’ll repeat that behavior over and over again.

There’s plenty more about dog training, dog care, dog breed info and other interesting dog information at dogsanddogtraining.com

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Body language is important to a dog and conveys just as much, if not more than the words you say. When you approach your dog confidently and speak calmly, you command his immediate respect, while a tentative approach and uneven voice shows fear and uncertainty. And when you address your dog with shouting and frantic movements, you just confuse him.

It therefore stands to reason that you need to pay attention to your body language when interacting with your dog. If you want your dog to obey you need to stand tall and convey an air of calmness and confidence.

Body posture is very important in all this. When you stand straight and upright you exert control, when you stoop forward your dog sees it as an invitation to approach. So if you’re playing with your dog and he begins to get a bit too boisterous, standing up straight will normally bring him under control.

Another aspect, particularly when walking, is your position, relative to the dog. If you are in front, you’re the leader. When you’re walking and your dog starts to get worked up or aggressive, walk ahead of him and he will immediately calm down.This is because, as you are in the leadership position, he can relax and follow.

Your dog’s tone of voice is also important. Listen closely and you’ll pick up all kinds on nuances. A growl for example is not always a threat, and with a certain inflection is actually a playful sound. A bark may be a sign of excitement, a warning, an attention getter or many other things, depending on how it is vocalized.

By the same token, your dog reads a lot from your tone of voice. If you want to get your dog’s attention then a confident voice is needed, so that even if your dog doesn’t understand the words, he understands from your tone that you mean business.

On the other hard, a soft, affectionate voice should be used when you praise and reward your dog, and a high-pitched voice when you want to encourage him to participate in a game.

One way in which you should never communicate with your dog though, is yelling. Your dog interprets this as aggression and while you will succeed in making the dog afraid of you, that won’t make the dog any more likely to obey you. In fact, it will have the opposite effect as the dog will become fearful and less eager to please you.

Keep in mind that dogs respond to tone of your voice, rather than the actual words. Initially, a voice command will have no meaning to a dog. But after many repetitions the dog will begin to recognize the sound of the word and figure out what he has to do when he hears it.

One last thing about giving commands, dogs are intimidated by staring and regard it as a threat, so don’t stare directly at your dog. Rather tilt your head slightly upward or to the side.

If you want to find out more about dog training tips, dog care, dog obedience training and other interesting dog information check out www.dogsanddogtraining.com

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The modern lifestyle places plenty of demands on your time. If you’re a dog owner, one of the things most likely to suffer is the amount of time you spend with your dog.

Exercising your dog is one of those things that is easy to put off when time is an issue - it’s not as though the dog can complain or anything - but I’d encourage you to make time.

All dogs, regardless of their breed, age, or size need regular exercise. And as a dog owner it is your responsibility to see that they get it.

Here are 5 tips to help you with the “what”, “where” and “how much”, of exercising your dog:

1. What Is The Right Amount of Exercise?

There are a number of factors that will determine how much exercise is appropriate for your dog. The first of these is breed, with herding, working and sporting dogs needing more exercise than companion and guarding breeds.

Big dogs generally need more exercise than smaller dogs, though if your small dog happens to be a terrier you can scrap that guideline. Healthy adult dogs need more exercise than puppies or older dogs.

These are generalizations. You’ll have to do some research to find out about your specific breed’s typical exercise requirements.

2. Start Slowly, Scale Up Gradually

Don’t go from zero to intense in a single bound! If you just started an exercise routine with your dog, then begin with a short walk and gradually build up to longer distances - for your own sake as much as the dog’s!

3. The Best Exercise for Your Dog

Not all dogs have the same level of energy. A two mile walk would just be getting started for a Border Collie, while for a Pekingese it would be exhausting.

Don’t over exercise your dog. It could be result in injury, even possibly, death. Find out what the breed needs and adjust accordingly.

4. The Games Dogs Love To Play

So far we’ve spoken mainly about walking, but you should also make games part of your routine. The great thing about games is that they challenge the dog physically, as well as mentally.

Choose a game that taps into your dog’s natural instincts. For example, Labs will chase and fetch a ball all day, while Beagles love finding hidden objects.

Just about all dogs love tug-a-war, and games like tag and hide-and-seek are also quite popular with the canine fraternity.

5. The Great Outdoors

If you’re a person who loves the great outdoors, you should involve your dog in these activities. What better way to bond with your dog?

Be aware though that these activities are not suitable for all dogs. In particular, you should avoid over-strenuous exercise with dogs that suffer from breathing problems, like Pugs and Bulldogs.

Follow these five tips and you’ll have no problem designing an appropriate exercise routine for your dog. You’ll be rewarded with a healthy, balanced dog, who loves to spend time with you.

If you want to find out more about dog training tips, dog care, dogs 101 and other useful dog advice check out www.dogsanddogtraining.com

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Any study of dog behavior has to start with an analysis of the behavior of the wolf, ancestor of all domestic dogs.

Wolves are exceptional predators with a complex set of behaviors, signals and communication methods guiding their behavior. Their bodies and brains are the result of millions of years of evolution that has resulted in perhaps the ultimate co-operative hunter.

DNA evidence now proves conclusively that the wolf is the sole ancestor of the domestic dog. So it is not surprising that dogs have many of the same instinctual behaviors as wolves.

Once you accept this, a lot of your dog’s behaviors will begin to make sense.

Here are some of the behaviors common to dogs and wolves.

Pack Hierarchy: The wolf pack has a simple, but effective hierarchial structure. At the top is the alpha male and his mate. The rest of the pack are usually their offspring although it may include other, non-related wolves. All however, unquestionably follow the alpha male.

Dogs also look for leadership in their human “pack”. Where none is present, they will feel compelled to take up the role themselves, leading to dominance issues.

Body Language: Wolves (and dogs) use a complex body language to communicate and usually, this “language” carries more weight than any form of vocalization. Body language uses the tail, ears, eye contact, body movements, posture and facial expressions to get the message across.

Humans often misinterpret these signals. For example, tail wagging is often misconstrued as a sign of happiness, when in fact it usually indicates uncertainty.

Territorial Aggression: In the wild, wolves will stake out a territory, then patrol and defend it against intruders. The same behavior can be seen in dogs. They will naturally protect what they perceive as their territory, whether it’s their home, a favorite toy, or even a person they regard as “theirs”.

Social Interaction: The social structure of the pack promotes co-operation, while play and social interaction helps the pack develop the co-operative hunting skills that are central to their survival.

For the same reason it is important that you interact with your dog through play, walks, and training. It is also important to socialize your dog, or he’ll start seeking everyone outside his immediate “pack”, as a threat.

Pursuit: A wolf pack hunts by pursuing a prey animal until it is exhausted and easily subdued. Their instinct is to chase anything that moves away from them.

Dogs are the same, chasing the neighbor’s cat, the mailman or a passing cyclist.

Retreating: An injured animal in the wild has little chance of survival, so a wolf will usually back down rather than risk injury in a fight. Dogs likewise will usually rather flee than fight.

Vocalization: A wolf has the same vocal abilities as a dog and contrary to popular belief they do occasionally bark. However, as vocal signals would frighten off prey, or alert enemies, they tend to use their voices sparingly.

Dogs, on the other hand have spent thousands of years in the company of humans and have learned that we communicate mainly by voice. They therefore have no problem expressing themselves with a bark, a while or even a howl if the mood takes them.

Want to read more about dog training, dog care, dog behavior and other interesting dog information? Visit www.dogsanddogtraining.com

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Dogs are the most diverse of all animal species. Within the genus Canis lupus familiaris, you’ll find a dizzying array of sizes, body shapes, coat lengths, and coat colors.

However, it may surprise you to learn that all of these breeds are virtual anatomical facsimiles of each other. Yes, you heard right, a Chihuahua and a St Bernard have virtually the same body structure.

It is broadly accepted that the dog, as we know it today, descends from the wolf. We may have changed the appearance of dogs in countless ways, but under the hood, the basic anatomical model is that of the wolf.

In common with wolves, dogs have;

* A skeletal structure made for running and chasing prey.

* Flexible front limbs with disconnected shoulder bones that serve as shock absorbers when the dog is running.

* Heavily muscled hind legs allowing for a burst of speed off the mark, as well as for leaping on prey.

* Small feet with fused wrist bones which allows them to make rapid changes of direction when running at speed.

* A cardiovascular system that gives them the endurance to track prey for hours without getting tired.

* A tail which is used for signalling and is very important to pack hunters.

* Powerful jaws with specialized teeth, for catching, holding and tearing prey.

More Interesting Facts About A Dog’s Anatomy

Although many of the physical characteristics of modern dogs are due to selective breeding recent research suggests that numerous changes may have occurred naturally.

Every dog coat color is either a variant of yellow, or a mutation of the beta defensin gene, which produces a black coat.

Dogs regulate their body temperature via a complex system that includes, panting, sweating through the pads of the paws, and a “heat exchanger” that prevents body heat from reaching the brain.

All dogs have 42 teeth – Six pairs of sharp incisors in the front of the mouth, two pairs of large canines (fangs) plus premolars and molars.

A dog has three eyelids in either eye, a top and bottom eyelid plus a third lid that can be swept across the cornea to remove debris and acts as a kind of windshield wiper.

A dog’s skeletal structure includes 361 bones, but the size, shape and placement of the bones differs significantly from breed to breed.

If a dog is taken by surprise or if it is alert to danger, it will sometimes raise the hackles on its back. This caused a ridge of hair along the spine to stand up and is made possible by tiny muscles at the base of each hair shaft.

Dogs have a very poorly developed sense of taste. This is actually key to their survival, as a dog will eat things that most other animals give a wide berth.

Dogs are one of the most successful species on earth, and much of this is down to their supreme adaptability, and an anatomy that is perfectly suited to their environment.

If you want to discover more about dog training, dog care, dog breeds a-z and other helpful dog info drop by at http://www.dogsanddogtraining.com

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Dogs are incredibly intelligent creatures who love learning. Get a few dog owners together and they’ll soon be sharing stories about their “genius” dogs.

Unfortunately, many dog owners never take the trouble to provide their dogs with mental stimulation. A pity really, because this can be achieved with not much work, and just a little bit of thought.

And you’ll end up with a happier, calmer, more fulfilled dog.

Here are seven easy activities to get your dog thinking.

1. Canine IQ: Go to Google and enter “canine iq”. The search turns up a series of tests designed to find out how smart your dog is. The results are less important than the activities which will work your dog’s brain.

2. Solving Simple Problems: Hide an object and get him to search for it. Place a treat just out of reach and let him find a way to get to it. Dogs are great puzzle solvers, so he’ll enjoy this activity.

3. Basic Training: Training is a must for all dogs but an added benefit is that training forces the dog to think. It requires a considerable amount of focus to understand commands and know how to respond.

4. Teach a Trick: Once your dog has the basic obedience commands under his paw, you’ll be amazed at the complex tricks you can teach him.

Obviously, some breeds are easier to train than others. It is always going to be easier to train, say a Lab or a German Shepherd, than it is to train a Dachshund or a Bulldog, for example.But if your dog is reasonably bright, and you are prepared to put in the time, you can teach any number of “movie-type” stunts and tricks.

5. Make Your Dog Earn His Keep: Dogs in the wild have to work for everything they need, and despite centuries of domestication pet dogs are still prepared to do the same. Get your dog used to working for what he wants. Train him to sit before he gets a treat, teach him to fetch his leash before going for a walk, or his favorite toy before playing a game.

6. What’s Your Dog’s Day Job? Just about every breed of dog was bred with a particular job in mind. They still have the ingrained traits needed to do those jobs, so use this to your advantage.Witness your Sheltie trying to herd the family cat, or your Beagle following a scent when he’s on the lead and you’ll understand my meaning. Find creative ways to put these natural instincts to work.

7. Canine Sports: These days there are hundreds of events all over where dog owners and their dogs can get together to participate in sports like fly-ball, agility and coursing.These sports are great for working both body and brain, dogs seem to absolutely love them and they’re great fun for humans too.

Try the 7 exercises above with your dog and prepare to be amazed at what you and your canine companion can achieve.

Visit dogsanddogtraining.com to discovermore about dog obedience training, dog care, dog training tips and other interesting dog information.

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Most dogs have a zest for life that puts even the most active human in the shade. However, if your dog is an uncontrollable ball of energy, there are three probable reasons - lack of exercise, anxiety and lack of leadership.

I hope you’ve noticed the common thread here. All of these are things you control.

Helping A Bored Dog

A common thread with over-excitable dogs is that they are bored. These dogs often get little or no physical or mental activity. They become lethargic and frustrated so that any break in their boring routine is greeted with over-the-top excitement.

This is pretty easy to resolve - give your dog some exercise! All dogs need exercise and this is an area where many dog owners, unfortunately, shirk their responsibility.

How much exercise does a dog need? Well that depends on the dog. Age, breed and health are all factors. Your little Peke will be quite happy with a stroll around the garden, but that’s just not going to cut it with a Lab, let alone a Border Collie.

Tackling Separation Anxiety

Many dogs that suffer from separation anxiety are prone to over-excitement. This is a condition that afflicts many “home-alone” dogs. It can be a difficult issue to overcome, but there are changes you can make right away to start addressing the problem.

*Don’t Encourage the Behavior - For Starters you need to stop giving your dog attention when he is in an anxious, pumped up state. Ignore the dog completely until he has calmed down, then, and only then, give attention and affection.

*Change Your Routine - I’ll bet your dog knows your routine even better than you do, and when he notices the familiar things you do before leaving, it sets off his anxiety. By changing your routine, even slightly, you can break the cycle and affect the behavior.

*Restrict his access - Restrict your dog to a small area when you are not at home, maybe just one room. You may even want to buy a dog crate and train him to stay in the crate while you’re away.*Give him something to keep him occupied - A dog gets pretty bored hanging around for 10 to 12 hours with nothing to do. Keep him occupied with some chew toys, and a hidden treat or two to find.

Provide Pack Leadership

A dog that lacks leadership will always be on edge because he is uncertain of his role in the pack. Best way to address this? You could start by teaching him some basic obedience commands, like “sit” and “stay”.

The benefits of training go way beyond simple obedience. Training is a great way to provide your dog with mental stimulation, and it also leaves him in no doubt as to who is in charge. This will naturally have a calming effect on the dog.

Applying these 3 principles will have a noticeable effect on your dog’s hyper-active behavior. Keep in mind that not all dogs were created equal. Some dogs (and some breeds) are just by nature more boisterous than others.

Read more about dog training, dog training tips, dog health and other helpful dog information at dogsanddogtraining.com.

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