Bringing home a dog involves much more than just providing it with love, care and other basic necessities. To make the dog a good pet, a great deal of training may be required, so that it behaves in a desirable manner. Some dog breeds can be easily trained, while some may require the dog owner to put a lot of effort and time into training the dog. Although, professional dog trainers can be hired to do the job for you, training the dog yourself can strengthen the bond between the two of you and can be a learning experience for both. Many tools for training dogs are available to facilitate this. Listed below are some of the easy to use and dog-friendly training tools.

Dog Training Leash and Collar
The simplest tool for training your dog is the leash and the collar. It might sound surprising, but the dog’s leash and collar can be the easiest to use, for training your dog when outdoors. As far as the dog leash is concerned, a shorter leash ensures better control over the dog. There are automatic recoil leashes available that can be used to adjust the length of the leash. Various types of collars like no bark collars, remote operated collars, beeper and tracking collars, chain collars, etc. are available for obedience training.

Dog Fencing
Dog fences are essential when you want to contain the dog to your premises, so that you don’t have to deal with annoyed neighbors. Apart from the conventional fences, electric dog fences can be very useful for this purpose. The invisible electric dog fence trains the dog to refrain from venturing out of home, by producing beeping sounds, and if the dog still tries to move out, a mild static shock is delivered.

Clicker
A clicker is a small plastic device with a metal piece inside, which when squeezed and released produces a clicking noise. This device can be useful when you train the dog to follow commands and instructions, as the clicking noise attracts the dog’s attention towards you. The dog will also be able to recognize this noise after a few days of use, which will enable you to track your dog, in case it goes wandering about.

Dog Crates
Dog crates are used to train the dogs in the housebreaking process. Dog crate training also enables the dog to have a place of its own in the house, especially when it is left alone in the house for long hours. You can place soft comfortable blankets, a bowl of water and something to chew onto so that the dog feels comfortable in the crate.

Dog Training Treats
Dog training treats encourage dogs to follow commands, so that they earn the treat. The treat should be something that is not included in the dog’s daily diet, like liver, chews, biscuits, cheese bites, etc. The dog would want to be rewarded with the treat, which will encourage it to perform the task well.

Muzzles
Muzzles are used to train dogs who incessantly barking, biting and chewing problems. The dog’s mouth is covered which prevents it from barking, biting and chewing onto anything that comes its way.

Apart from the above-mentioned training tools, a number of books are also available that can guide you, on providing your dog with effective training. To produce the desirable behavior, make the training an enjoyable experience for your dog and treat it with love and respect.

What is dog lice? Are they the same type of lice that affect humans? What is the most effective way of getting rid of dog lice?

Sometimes even a clean, well-groomed dog can play a host to different types of unwanted guests. One of these unwanted visitors is called dog lice. Dog lice infestation is not common among dogs in this country, especially those that live in a clean environment and get proper care and attention.

However, you should still be aware of their symptoms and know how to deal with the problem should it occur. Dog lice causes severe irritation and illness to your dog. In addition, dog lice carries disease and complications such as anemia.

Dog lice are flat, gray, wingless parasites that are about a twelfth of an inch long. Dog lice are very slow movers. In fact, they hardly move at all. Dog lice only affect the dogs in your home and are not capable of surviving off of cats and humans.

here are two types of dog lice that exist: The first type of dog lice concentrates on biting the skin and feeding on skin flakes; the other type of dog lice feed on your dog’s blood. Blood sucking lice causes severe irritation because they penetrate the skin of your dog in order to feed.

Signs that your dog is infected with dog lice are heavy, intense scratching, and irritation that often results in bald patches. Dog lice are usually found on the area around the ears, neck, shoulders, and anus. Although dog lice are relatively large, you are more likely to spot their eggs in your dog’s hair. Lice eggs (nits) are easier to see because they are attached to the dog’s hair and look like white tiny flakes of dust.

Treating dog lice is relatively simple and easy due to the fact that they have not built up a resistance to insecticides. Your vet will more likely recommend an insecticide spray or bath to kill them. He may require you to cut off matted hair and wash your dog about once every week with the insecticide.

This procedure is then repeated until the itching is gone and there are no more visible lice eggs. If you have a puppy that is infected with lice, consult your vet first before starting on any kind of pesticide treatment or other type of medication.

To prevent further lice infestation and make sure that all the lice eggs have been completely eliminated, it is a wise idea to throw away all bedding that your dog has lain on during lice infestation and to disinfect the area where he sleeps.

Dog lice - When it is time to see the vet

Chances are that you have noticed lately that your dog’s new favorite hobby is scratching himself in at least three places at once. When you part his coat to examine what is causing the itch and excessive scratching, you notice tiny white dust-like particles that are attached to the hair shafts. What are these tiny particles and why are they causing your dog to itch?

Your dog is suffering from lice infestation. Dog lice are six legged parasites that feed either on your dog’s flesh or their blood, triggering intense itchy reactions. The tiny white particles that are attached to his hair are lice eggs or nits. Although dogs rarely get lice and it is actually more common for people to get human lice, dog lice is still out there and our dogs are not immune to them.
One tiny louse cannot kill your dog, but once that tiny louse decides to invite all his louse friends to live off of your dog, then your pet could literally be eaten alive. If your dog is suffering from a severe case of lice, he could lose about one quarter of his blood volume within months, causing severe anemia or shock.

A jumping dog who calls for your attention looks adorable at first. However, if this becomes a habit already, it can be both frustrating and irritating. The good news is, there are several methods to curtail this common dog’s behavioral problem. Yes, you can totally stop your dog from jumping too much by using appropriate training techniques.

The primary key for successfully stopping your dog from excessive jumping is “consistency” in training. When your dog jumps up a lot, ignore him for a while. Don’t reach down and fetch your dog from the ground. This kind of response will encourage your dog to continue from jumping.

For instance, if you’ve just arrive to your home after a tiring day from work, don’t greet your canine and stay calm. If you act too lively and run to the house, your dog can get too excited that he might associate your hand gestures as signals that you want to play with him. Put a little bump with your leg and say “No!” or “Stop!” using a commanding voice.

Every time your dog jumps unnecessarily, do this kind of exercise again and again until he finally understands you. You must also hold your canine’s training collar under his chin and pull it downwards. To make the training even more effective, give your dog some positive reinforcements whenever he obeys you and stays on the ground by rewarding him with dog toys and treats.

Meanwhile, if you don’t want your dog to disturb your visitors, you can put him a dog leash. Also train him to follow the Sit command. When your dog barks and jumps, advise your visitors to just ignore him. If your pet tries to jump up, tell him to sit. Don’t shout at him for it will only excite him more.

These training methods, however, can only be successful if all the members of your household follow the same rules. Avoid giving mixed signals. Make sure the same training method is employed all family members to totally curtail your dog’s jumping problems.