Obedient Dog Tips

 Powered by Max Banner Ads 

I’m not talking about something that requires batteries. No, I’m referring to the twenty-two breeds recognized by the AKC as being toy dog breeds – from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier. They make great human companions, adapt well to smaller spaces, they are generally good-natured and they’re cute.
With so many people “down sizing” their homes and living in more compact areas, toy dogs and other small dogs may offer the perfect choice in a canine companion. But first, you need to assess your environment to determine if a toy dog (or any pet) is compatible with your life style.
While toy dogs in general can make good companions in small apartments, some breeds adapt more easily to these conditions than others. Toy Poodles, for example, adapt well to small spaces, and they are “non shedding” which is important if you have allergies.
Will you be leaving the dog alone while you work? While no one wants to leave their pet alone all day, sometimes it is unavoidable. There are many opinions as to whether you should leave a dog at home for eight or nine hours per day. Some feel it is not fair to the dog, while others do it successfully, and have happy, well-adjusted pets. Develop a morning and evening routine with your dog in which you feed them, walk them, and play with them so they know what to expect. Some experts say that dogs have no sense of time, so they can’t tell if you’ve been gone eight minutes or eight hours.
Obviously, ensure the dog has plenty of water and that the dog’s barking will not disturb others.
If you have small children, you may want to delay getting a toy dog or get a larger breed. Toy dogs can be quite fragile, and small children may indeed think the dog is a toy. When the child is old enough, a dog is a great way to teach responsibility by feeding and caring for the dog.
Do you have other animals in the house? Some toy breeds do not tolerate children, other animals or strangers very well. Others, such as the Bichon Frise (BEE-shon FREE-zay) are very sociable, and get along well with other dogs.
As a group toy dogs are more difficult to train than larger dogs. So you will need to be patient while house training your toy dog. Again, some breeds have a reputation for being easier to train than others.
In many ways, toy dogs are less expensive and more convenient to live with. Obviously, they eat less, their beds, mats, and crates are smaller and they require less fenced area if you let them out. With many more travel facilities being “pet friendly,” your toy dog can be a great traveling companion. Many breeds can be “carry on luggage.” While I don’t recommend it, I’ve known people who have taken their toy dogs along on their motorcycle trips!
Toy dogs can be good home protectors, too. Breeds such as the Chihuahua and Pekingese are naturally wary of strangers and bark readily at unusual noises.
Finally, we can make some generalizations about the characteristics of various breeds, but keep in mind that dogs – like people – are individuals, and they may or may not possess the characteristics of their breed. For that reason, you may want to consider an older dog rather than a puppy so that you can observe the dog’s behavior.
OK, if you’re determined to get a toy dog, and have done your research to determine which breeds best fit your lifestyle, what should you do to ensure you get a healthy, happy, well behaved pet? Should you consider a pure breed or a mixed breed?
While many people will only consider a pure bred toy dog, understand that pure bred dogs (of any size) will have more genetic-related health problems than mixed breed dogs. The reason is that pure breeds started with a very small population of dogs, and it is kept that way to ensure consistency in the breed. Thus genetic problems are carried on from one generation to the next. If you’re willing to accept these risks and the inevitable veterinarian bills, then go for a pure bred toy dog.
It’s now possible to have a pure bred dog’s DNA tested to see if it carries, has, or is free of specific genetic diseases. The problem is that DNA testing can only be performed for a few certain diseases specific to a given breed.
Mixed breed dogs, on the other hand, come from a much larger gene pool, so the chances of chronic genetic disease are much lower. “Mixed breed” can be a misnomer because some “mixed breeds” may have no pure bred dogs anywhere in their linage. Therefore, mixed breeds don’t develop any of the, well, “deformities” that are the hallmarks of pure breeds, like the Dachshund (back problems) or Bulldog (breathing and many other problems). Mixed breeds have evolved to the right size and shape of what a dog should be. And, since many pure breeds are bred for certain behavioral traits, mixed breed dogs are more even tempered.
Another reality is that pure bred toy dogs have become fashion accessories for the rich and famous, and the price of toy puppies has risen accordingly. It’s not uncommon for pure bred puppies of certain breeds to bring several thousand dollars. A better alternative is to check out pet adoptions and rescue centers. Not only will you be giving a dog a home, but you’ll be helping to prevent over breeding.
The Internet has many, many good sites to help you learn more than you ever wanted to know about toy dogs – or any dog – for that matter. With a little research, you can find an ideal companion you’ll enjoy living with for many years.

Dogs love to be outdoors, but their energy and playfulness are significantly hampered when ‘connected’ to their owner by a leash. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a place to take your pooch where they can run free and enjoy playing with other fun-loving dogs?
Enter the Dog Park!
This idea was born because many parks don’t allow dogs at all – even on a leash – so finding a safe place for exercise and play was something of a challenge. There may be wilderness trails close by, but is your dog safe to run off leash, assuming the regulations allow this? If your dog doesn’t respond 100% to your voice command there’s always the possibility that he will get lost or tangle with aggressive animals. Of course you will also encounter people, particularly those with young children, who are afraid of dogs and are frightened by a dog that’s running loose.
Okay – sounds like a dog park may be the perfect solution. But what exactly is it? Actually, this isn’t a ‘dumb question’ since it can have different meanings depending on the community’s definition.
Sometimes it’s simply a park where dogs are allowed, so the users designate it as a ‘dog park.’ A more sophisticated example is an area within a city or even a neighborhood that has been specifically designed with amenities that make it obvious that dogs are not just allowed, but encouraged to romp and play off leash. Dogs – especially those that were socialized as puppies – will quickly develop new friendships and enjoy having a variety of playmates.
The parks can be any size and may or may not be fenced. If they are privately owned, there may be a fee charged either on a per use or annual basis. Some states have a ‘recreational use immunity’ ordinance which protects the landowners from liability only if no fee is charged. Check out the regulations posted at your local dog park to see what is applicable.
At least one question has no doubt come to mind – what’s the likelihood of dog fights, and how can they be avoided? The reality is that it’s just about impossible to prevent an occasional fight. However, if your local dog park has an active user group this risk is significantly reduced. Someone will always be in the park to encourage or demand, if necessary, that an aggressive dog be kept on a leash or removed from the park. Another consideration to minimize the risk is to locate a park where large and small dogs have separate play areas.
It’s important to keep an eye on your pooch and recognize when his movements indicate an impending confrontation. Redirecting his attention at exactly the right moment, while staying calm and using trained voice commands, can save the day. Keep a favorite toy or treat handy and call your dog over immediately to distract him with something he enjoys. Caution – don’t throw the toy because both dogs may run for it with unpredictable consequences.
One important issue is the proper disposal of feces. Obviously, the concern is the spread of disease. Typically, the dog park’s user group will supply pickup bags, trash containers and regular disposal service. Since there is an expense involved and the park is usually manned by volunteers, expect to make a donation or participate in a fundraiser for this purpose.
All visitors to the park should share the responsibility to help keep the park clean, but unfortunately some people may think that someone else is paid to take care of this. Look for signs explaining the proper use of the park, and contact the park owner if none are present. Also, don’t be afraid to politely speak up when someone neglects to clean up after their dog. They may have just missed the ‘event’ or they’re new at this and simply don’t know how to properly use the bags. Tactful education and peer pressure works in almost all situations.
Most user groups have special event days devoted to sprucing up the park and generating a community spirit among the users. This is a great opportunity to show your support and to thank the owners and volunteers with your participation.
So – are dog parks just for dogs? The reality is that they’re more a social and recreational outlet for their owners. It gives people pleasure to watch their pooch at play while giving them the opportunity to exercise with their dog without the constraints of a leash. Since the dogs are the common denominator, no one is left out from enjoying the activities, even if just watching the dogs play together gives them pleasure. It’s a terrific opportunity to meet and socialize with others who are true dog lovers. Who knows – you may find just the companion you’ve been seeking. And we’re not talking dogs!