Archive for January, 2010

Dogs are one of the animals that are closest to human beings. They serve us in many capacities not only as companion dogs but also as guide dogs for the blind, rescue dogs, K9 units, sheep dogs and many more. There are many ways to train dogs for specific duties and there are also a lot of dog training equipment to choose from to efficiently train dogs.

Why We Train Dogs

Although many dogs are highly intelligent and are credited to be able to understand their masters well, they still need training to be able to fully serve their masters. The numerous dog training equipment along with well trained personnel who can train dogs for specific duties all come down to training a dog to help or assist people. Dog training equipment varies depending on the need of specific roles that dogs are trained for.

Dogs that assist blind people have specific dog training equipment such as a harness and a lead. The harness dog training equipment for guide dogs for the blind is not initially introduced to the dogs when they are still puppies. First, the chosen dogs are sent to foster homes where they are trained basic obedience training such as stay, sit, heel and other commands. The dog training equipment that puppies and young dogs encounter in their foster homes are just leads and collars.

When the dogs come to a certain age, they are surrendered to the establishment that trains them to be guide dogs for the blind. Before this, they are evaluated again for their suitability to guiding blind people. Those that are found capable then go through intensive training with dog training equipment specifically aimed at training them for guiding blind people. The process takes less than a year and when they have passed, they are then placed with blind people who seek to have a guide dog.

The dog training equipment used to train the dogs to efficiently guide blind people are similar or the same to the harnesses used in real life. Actually, some blind people take off the harness from the dog when they are at their home. They usually use it when they are out of their homes or in unfamiliar places.

Guide dogs for the blind are discouraged from playing with other people while they are on duty. People are also discouraged from petting them or distracting these dogs from their service.

Is your family looking to adopt a new puppy? A family dog can be a great experience. However, it can also be a nightmare if you don’t know what you are getting into. It is important to research the different breeds of dogs in order to determine which breed best fits the lifestyle and schedule of your family. There are many different aspects of owning Chihuahua puppies. Some are positive, while some are negative. Once you know about the pros and cons of owning a Chihuahua puppy, or any dog for that matter, you will be able to weigh them against each other and see if the dog is a perfect fit for your family.

Positive Pros Why You Should Adopt

Chihuahuas are the smallest of all the dog breeds. They usually don’t grow to be taller than 10 inches, and they can weigh as little as four pounds. Many people see this as being a pro, because it means that the Chihuahua puppies are easy to transport and carry around. This makes family vacations extremely easy. The dog’s small size can also be seen as a positive aspect because it means that relatives and young children are less likely to be intimidated by your new pet.

Chihuahua puppies are also popular pets because they are extremely comical and entertaining to watch. They have funny personalities and tend to take themselves very seriously. This provides a lot of entertainment for any family. Additionally, Chihuahua puppies and dogs are known for being great watch dogs. Their temperament and natural protectiveness are other pros to owning a Chihuahua puppy.

Chihuahuas have a long life span. Therefore, if you adopt a Chihuahua when it is a puppy, it will be with your family for a long time. Chihuahuas are also fairly low maintenance in that they do not require very much exercise. This means that the owner is not required to take the dog for a daily walk, and a fenced-in backyard is most likely not necessary.

Counting The Cons

Though there are many positives to owning a Chihuahua puppy, there are also some cons that should be considered before you proceed to adopt a Chihuahua. Though their small size can be a plus, it can also make the dogs extremely fragile, and likely to encounter more medical problems. Most experts do not recommend adopting a Chihuahua under four pounds. Additionally, Chihuahuas can be high maintenance in that they are difficult to train and housebreak. Though they are known for being comical, Chihuahua puppies also have a reputation for being suspicious and neurotic.

Careful Considerations

Take into account the pros and cons of adopting a Chihuahua puppy before taking the plunge. It may be that you decide a Chihuahua is not the right dog for you and that is fine. However, it is better that you make this decision before you adopt the puppy as opposed to after the deed has been done.

There no doubts that dog training collars are a great aid when it comes to training your dog, and that is why there are such a variety of them available with each employing different mechanisms that aid in guiding your dog, restraining him and also discouraging him from bad as well as disobedient behavior. However, it is very necessary to use the dog training collars in an appropriate manner if you dont wish to harm your dog and so, you need to ensure that the collar is of the right size as well.

Research Well Before Choosing

Before buying dog training collars for your dog, it behooves you to first research them thoroughly so that prior to choosing one, you are sure of how to use it and in case of doubts, you may even need to consult with a dog training expert to get the choice right. Among the different types of dog training collars you will find the prong collar, the Gentle Leader, the Haiti , the choke collar as well as electronic collars.

The prong collar appears to be quite painful though it in fact is not the case and such a collar is made from metal prongs that are linked to one another and when the dog owner applies pressure on this dog training collar, the dog feels a slight pinch that is very similar to how its mother would have bitten it when grabbing the pup by the scruff of his neck.

The Haiti and Gentle Leader are head halter devices that resemble harnesses which control horses and these dog training collars are different from the prong collars in that they do not try and control the dogs behavior; rather, they are designed to restrict the movement of the dog, and the philosophy behind such dog training collars is that they enable you to control the dogs head, which will automatically translate into controlling the body of the dog as well. Such dog training collars are especially suited for dogs that are given to lunging and biting or otherwise being aggressive.

The choke collar is another type of dog training collar and there is much controversy surrounding its use with some considering it to be humane while those opposed to it are of the opinion that they are little better than devices for torturing the dog. It works by tightening around the dogs throat when pulled by a leash and then relaxes when released by the dog owner.