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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Any dog owner would genuinely be proud to have a disciplined dog. It really is incredibly important for any dog to be completely obedient to the master’s commands. You merely can’t anticipate your dog to be obedient by nature or by birth. It’s going to take some time and effort to make your dog obey and recognize your commands. It is possible to have your dog undergo dog obedience training for greatest results.

Dog obedience training could be executed in a number of techniques - two of these common strategies are typically carrot and stick strategies. The initial approach entirely relies on the stick or also known as punishment approach. The other one operates with the reward program for the dog. The leash and collar approach of dog obedience training lived via for some time now. It is fairly primitive, nevertheless, still widely common and mostly followed. The premises of this dog obedience training are mainly based on generating use of a leash as mode of communication with the dog. The dog requirements to fully recognize the commands, and if not followed, the leash ought to be put into action. Creating use of a leash isn’t sufficient - the dog need to also be fully conscious of the best and wrong behavior. Once the dog is on the track of bad behavior, the dog could be reprimanded with the leash.

However, the reward program doesn’t punish any misbehaving dog. The reward program follows a psychological approach to handle the dog training. The dog need to know the good and right behaviors and are then compensated for doing so. Any misbehavior of the dog will result to the negation of any reward. Then, the trainer or the master walks away right after the dog showed any misbehavior. A dog can be a intelligent animal that is able to differentiate between the bad and good behavior.

Regardless of what technique is employed for the dog training techniques, it can be quite essential to know that the training ought to be consistent. Dogs are animals that effortlessly get confused on account of double standards. If you want your dog to in no way ever jump on the bed, you ought to not ever invite or let him on the bed. Ensure that your dog in no way reaches or stays on the bed. Dog obedience training starts off on the simple issues like standing, sitting, walking, listening to commands too as following those commands, etc.

The master could very well have an effect on the dog obedience training. It is possible to also uncover other alternatives to this by having your dog sign up for dog obedience classes or hiring a certified dog instructor. Also, take in mind that it is constantly the very best to train your dog your self. Your dogs will definitely enjoy it and will probably be an excellent way of strengthening your relationship.

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Advanced obedience is to a canine what returning down the toilet seat is to a man - it takes patience in constant reeducation but it can be done. Dog obedience training is among the most rewarding experiences between a dog and his master. You are not only doing your own self a great benefit; you are giving your animal a happier and fuller life. Obedient dogs are well-adjusted, confident and mentally quicker. You can be confident in his behavior even if you leave him alone with other people.

The most essential thing to remember in attempting to train your animal is to establish your position as the head in your relationship. When he ‘gets’ that you are his master, it is much simpler to train him the commands you expect him to obey. Confusing the dog in this regard can be risky; he will be aggressive and try to dominate you. Don’t overcompensate and be excessively mean to show you’re the master; be firm, keep your ground and fix this unfavorable trait as soon as you see it rearing its ugly head.

Make your authority known by using a strong and sure voice. When you give the command to “Sit!” gently guide him in the said position firmly. Each command will take several tries, especially in the beginning. Progression from basic to more advanced obedience training is relatively simpler once your dog understands the patterns you’ve established in your teaching classes.

The positive reinforcement method of training is rewarding your animal with doggie treats or praise for correctly accomplishing the command. It is themost useful way to train your dog; it’s what he comprehends. Applaud your dog each time he does something right. Sometimes, this is easy to overlook but make the extra effort not to. Dogs get confused easily and distinguishing good behavior every time will make certain that he will remember what is right.

Conversely, chastise your dog whenever he makes a mistake. Do it during the mistake and not after so the dog will understand the error of his ways. Scolding him will also highlight the distinction between what is good from what is wrong. For example, if he starts finding the suspicious looking dirt on his path fascinating enough to ingest, scold him as soon as he does it. Then put appropriate food before him to eat. When he starts dining on his own set meal, be profuse in your praise.

To be able to progress in dog obedience training, keep it short and as often as possible. Be repetitive in your commands. Don’t restrict teaching your canine during “school time” or certain hours of the day. Otherwise, he won’t want to study during the most part of the day.

Dogs in movies awe you with the complexity of the stunts required of them. However, do remember that they all started with sit. Begin with the basics and progress to the more complicated commands from there. With persistence and consistency your dog will advance to more challenging stunts like growl, leave it, fetch and attack. Use the same standard in how you trained him earlier and you will taste sweet success in the higher levels.

Now that you’ve got the professional’s secrets in advanced obedience training for dogs, it’s time to roll up your sleeves, get the happy dog and commence the training!

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Training your dog has to be one of the biggest, if not thee biggest thing to do when you first get your puppy or large dog.

When I see the puppy, I will know his or her name.

I went to the kennel and picked out a Red male Doberman pinscher. I fell in love with that dog, but really the struggle was yet to come. People insisted that I send him to dog training classes. Different scenario’s just kept popping up like obedience training, dog training collars, dog behavior training and potty training. I realize that this is where money starts to add up. It’s like having a child!

I live in Manhattan, in other words, “dog heaven”. It looks like there are just as many dogs as there are people, with these dogs walking around with their masters. I was still adjusting to buying dog treats for the little guy while my girlfriend wanted to pick out some special dog collars, which can be “an arm and a leg” also. “Dobee” was a 5 months and growing fast so I opted for real positive dog training. I was shocked to see over 216,228 dog owners worldwide have been successful with their obedience training, and solved their dog’s behavior problems.

The best decision I could of made, honestly.

You do not want this to happen. “He steals food from the plae.” “he won’t come back when he is called.” “He destroyed the living room furniture.” “He barks all night.” “He’s a great dog, but I wish he wouldn’t . . . “

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Dogs aren’t just pets. He is a comrade with whom successes and failures may be shared. Man’s best friend needs more than a roof over it’s head. They require your time and patience! In order to stay healthy and in shape, he should exercise and play.

Rudimentary canine education is where it starts. Dogs are naturally pack animals, comfortable in groups. There are followers as well as leaders. They do it instinctively. Quicky establishing yourself as the pack leader makes your pet happy because that’s what he expects. The only thing you need is some simple dog training tips.

The bond with your pet grows the longer you are together. By playing more with your pet, you have fun together and understand each other better.

Discipline and tricks may both be imparted upon a dog during play. Your dog will learn better if you use games to train him instead of the more routine methods.

A great group activity is an interesting game called ‘follow the leader.’ Try this for a fun game played between owners and their dogs. Place light objects like cones or cans on the ground and let the group go around the objects and the dog will follow. In the next stage, the position of leader is switched, and the game begins again.

You can also adapt ‘hide and seek.’ The children play it mostly. One kid stays with the dog, while the others hide. Next, the dog is asked to look for a person whose name is called. The dog learns discipline from this ritual.

Another variation on this activity is to hide your dog’s treat and allow him to search for it. This is how he can begin to utilize his keen sense of smell to locate things.

Another great way to spend quality time with your dog is to take them for a walk or run. This also allows you to exercise. Frisbee catching or fetch are games played frequently by dogs Try these exercises to stimulate your dog’s mental and physical development.

Establish your dog as a tremendous pet and enjoyable friend by spending quality time around him. It can bring so much joy and love into your house.

- Puppy training can be a lot of hard work, but it can also be fun. Learn the basics, such as potty training puppies by reading this puppy training guide, along with basic dog training tips at DogTrainTips.com

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