Getting a dog can be a great way to add to your household. Dogs can quickly become your best friend and they are very loyal if they are treated well. So you have the dog food bowl, the water bowl and the food. What do you need to pick up next? Well it is absolutely essential that you have a dog collar. Dog collars provide several functions. Obviously they can be decorative but they are more than just fancy collars to adorn and enhance your pampered pooch’s neck. They are a way to train your dog to walk beside you and to listen to your commands. Your dog learning to listen to your commands is absolutely essential to the health of your dog. You would not want him or her running from you directly into traffic. That dog collar can prevent it. If you are not quite sure what type of dog collar to get or even why they are used…this article is for you.
What type of material are dog collars made from?
Dog collars can be made from a wide variety of materials. The cheapest collars are generally made from synthetic fibers. The more expensive collars are made from high quality leather and are designed to last longer. In a pinch you can make a dog collar from a piece of rope but you should know that the rope will fray far faster and may not hold properly if you need to restrain your dog. There are also collars made from stainless steel. Generally these types of collars are used for training purposes though there are people who prefer them aesthetically. There is no limit on what can be made into a dog collar if you put your mind to it.
Are some dog collars considered more humane than others?
Many animal activists believe that the choke collars and the prong collars are very inhumane and often hurt the dog. They believe that the collars are used too frequently by people that are not trained to properly use them. And it is true that if someone uses the collars improperly they can do a great deal of damage to the dog’s body and its mental health. The main problem with most collars is that people neglect to check how tight the collar is. A metal collar can quickly bite into a dog’s neck and can cause serious infections if the owner does not constantly check for the right degree of looseness in the collar.
My dog hates his collar, are there other forms of dog collars I can use or what should I do?
If your dog truly hates the feel of a collar or you simply cannot get it to learn proper commands you can go with a harness. Sometimes harnesses are great to use on stubborn dogs that want to lead you on a walk rather than you leading them. You do not have to worry about the dog choking because the harness wraps around the chest and upper abdomen. However if your dog has chest problems or airway problems then you may want to avoid this type of collar because it does put pressure on the chest.
How much do dog collars cost?
How much are you willing to pay? Dog collars are a lot like women’s shoes. It all depends on what you want. Some collars are only a few dollars. Others can cost thousands of dollars because of the type of materials and enhancements you add. A diamond studded collar is going to cost much more than one made of rhinestones. So it really comes down to what you need and what you want.
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Do male or female dogs make better pets? Are male or female dogs simpler to train? The answers to these questions depend upon what you are wanting in a pet and not necessarily in the gender of the dog. Both male and female puppies can grow up to be wonderful pets and both can be well trained. Your decision to get a puppy should be based more about how the puppy reacts to you and your family rather than the gender of the dog.
Many things go into choosing of a pet. The size, temperament and level of care that the breed requires are far more important than the gender of the puppy. Much like humans, male and female dogs have different personality traits but either one can be a wonderful pet and both genders can be well trained. For more information about dog obedience training and where you can get dog training videos online that will show you step-by-step every thing you need to know.
Unless you are planning on breeding dogs you will want to make sure that your dog is spayed or neutered. Breeding puppies is a big responsibility and most regular pet owners want to give that responsibility to the professionals. There is much more to breeding puppies than just having a cute litter of puppies every so often. If you do plan on breeding puppies then you will have to contend with having your female dog go into heat regularly and making sure that your male dog does not go out roaming to find a female in heat. Spaying and neutering is just common sense.
Male dogs are often thought to be more territorial and because of that better watchdogs. Females are generally a bit smaller in stature but are thought to have more loving and warmer temperaments. Families with young children may consider a female dog because of the maternal instincts of a female or they may choose a male because of the increased energy and endurance to play. It is an individual choice depending upon what you are looking for in a pet.
Dogs, whether they are male or female, do have their own personalities. Female dogs can be just as aggressive as male dogs and male dogs can be just as loving and sweet as female dogs. Characterizations like these are just generalizations and there will always be an exception to every rule. The crucial thing is how your dog’s personality fits with your family.
There are a few traits that are more predominant within a certain gender but dogs of the other gender will sometimes exhibit those same behaviors. For example, male dogs tend to mark their territories but a female will also mark territory in times of stress. Female dogs tend to be somewhat more independent but a male dog can also express this characteristic.
A female puppy may be a little bit easier to housetrain because they do not mark their territory as much as a male. Oftentimes police dogs are male because of their increased endurance. If you are just looking for a wonderful pet then the gender shouldn’t make any difference but if you are looking for something specific the gender might be a concern. A pleasant personality that fits into your family is the most important aspect of choosing a pet.
Both males and females express their own challenges that come with raising a puppy but the rewards are the same regardless of gender. Males and females both make wonderful pets and that is what you really want.
Puppies are so adorable; they can melt anyone’s heart. They are curious, fun, playful and cuddley and we tend to enjoy every aspect of having a new puppy until they go potty in the house and then we have to contend with the biggest problem and difficulty of having a new puppy, house training.
House training a puppy can be difficult and frustrating sometimes. But we all need to recognize that a puppy is still just a baby. He has not yet learned how to control himself and until he gets older to where he has some of the control he will need you to be patient and loving as you spend quality time with him teaching him what is acceptable.
A young puppy that is less than 15 weeks of age might need to go outside as often as 2-3 times per hour. A puppy that is playing hard will also need to go out more often because playing makes urine. Remember that your puppy is still not able to control himself so any mishaps at this stage are not his fault but rather yours for not getting him out to potty often enough.
Consistency is the most crucial part of potty training. Be consistent in taking him out on his leash to the same place every time. Be consistent about issuing the same commands such as “potty now” every time. And be consistent with your abundant praise and special treats when he does a good job.
After your puppy completes his elimination chore reward him with abundant praise and treats. Try to make the house training practice as positive as possible for your dog. If you are impatient or mean to your puppy as he is acquiring this knowledge of puppy house training your efforts will take more time as he will become afraid and will not know what is demanded of him.
It is unlikely that you will be able to spend all of your time with your puppy so when you need to be away from your puppy you should put him in a crate. Puppies and dogs are natural den animals and they like to have a small place of their own. Also, puppies will rarely soil their own space so a crate will assist you in teaching your puppy how to control himself.
The most crucial aspects of potty training are to be consistent and positive. Make sure that you take your puppy outside frequently, especially at the beginning. Always use just one spot for his potty place and use consistent commands. Give him lots of praise for a job well done and make sure that the experience is not a frightening one for him.
In a just a few weeks your house training will be over and you will no longer have to be concerned about accidents in the house. House training is the most important aspect of owning a new puppy but it can be much easier than you expect if you are consistent and positive. For more information about dog obedience training then you can get dog training videos online that will teach you every thing you need to know.