If your canine begs for food each time you and your family sit down to enjoy a meal, realize there are steps you can take to curb the behavior. Infrequent begging may not pose a significant problem (though it should be discouraged). On the other hand, your pet's persistent whining, pawing, barking, and staring, may be a constant source of irritation - not only to you, but also to your dinner guests. It may warrant corrective action.
It is important to be familiar with the reasons dogs beg for food so you can properly address the behavior in your pet. We'll clarify these reasons below. We'll also present six quick tips you can use to discourage your dog from begging when you and your family are enjoying a meal.
Understanding The Reasons Canines Beg For Food
Dogs will set aside nearly every task in order to pursue food. Unless they find a food item distasteful, the attraction is irresistible. Moreover, the easier a canine can acquire a tasty treat, the more likely he will repeat the activity that made it possible. Recognizing these two factors is critical to understanding why some canines beg, and others do not.
If your pet whines, paws your leg, or barks while you are sitting at your dinner table, it is because he has learned that doing so works. He has received food in the past as a direct result of the behavior. As long as he thinks begging will work in the future, he will continue to beg. This reveals a clear training path for owners who want to curb the behavior.
6 Tips For Curbing The Begging Behavior
As with nearly all canine behavioral issues, begging for food can be discouraged by addressing the trigger - in this case, confirmation to your dog that it works. The following tips will help you accomplish this.
1 - Don't offer food from your plate. Every time your canine receives food after he begs, his "success" reinforces the behavior in his mind. Consequently, he will continue doing it until he is convinced it no longer works.
2 - Create a consistent meal schedule for your dog. Whether your pet receives one or two meals a day, feed him at the same times each day. This will train him to expect his meals at specific times rather than hoping to receive sporadic food treats when you and your family eat meals.
3 - Avoid giving table scraps to your canine. The food you provide your pet should be limited to dog food - commercial or homemade - and dog treats. If you offer table scraps, he will acquire a taste for them, and look forward to receiving scraps in the future. This encourages begging.
4 - Maintain your resolve to curb the behavior. It might be difficult to refuse your canine when he begs for food. The problem is, the more often you concede, the more often he will beg. The behavior gains momentum. Stay resolute. Giving in once will undo your past efforts to discourage your pet's bad habit.
5 - Confine your canine in a different room during mealtimes. When you and your family are about to enjoy a meal, take your pet into a room that prevents him from observing you. If necessary, place him in his crate or behind a closed door. Give him a few of his toys to occupy his attention.
6 - Don't punish your pet for begging. His love for food is instinctive. Remember, his tendency to beg comes from past experiences that have convinced him it works. Yelling at your dog will confuse him since he will not understand why he is being punished.
Dog Barking Collars - When Are They Effective?
It doesn't come as surprise that many dog owners would like to learn more about dog barking collars. Excessive dog barking compared to other unwanted behavior affects not only us but also our neighbors which, unfortunately as we all know it, means legal trouble. If you own well-known barker than you will know exactly what I am talking about.
But, are these collars effective at all?
There are three major groups of barking collars: shock collars, citronella collars and ultrasonic collars. They all claim and to the certain degree do stop or reduce nuisance dog barking. Some are more safe than the others and all of them could be excellent training tool.
However, it should be pointed out that we shouldn't rely only on dog barking collars because while they all will stop or at least reduced excessive dog barking they do not address the underlying issue that cause dog barking. These training collar have great potential if used along with positive dog training and/or behavior modification training.
Some of these training tools, such as spray commander, can be activated remotely. Why is this important? In order to establish clear line of communication (and when it comes to dog training it is all about communication) we must find a way to let our dog know which behavior has earned him a reward and which has earned him "punishment"
This is possible only if reward or punishment takes place immediately when dog does certain activity. It now becomes clear why clicker training is so effective. It allows dog trainer to mark positive or desired behavior by "clicking it". Their slogan "click and treat" works very well.
Some citronella collar models do the same with marking positive behavior with sound and spray of citronella serves as disruptive stimulus which is harmless but annoying enough to stop our dog in what he was doing.
Tips For Traveling With Pets In A Cold Climate
Winter cold and snow can be a problem for your pets, even those that are accustomed to winter chill. But when you travel with pets that are not winterized, you need to prepare in advance. These tips will help you protect your beloved pet from the elements and keep him safe, comfortable and happy.
Never leave your dog outside in the cold without supervision. This is especially true for short-haired dogs, puppies or old dogs. Cats are also very sensitive to cold and need to be indoors where it's warm (of course, I believe cats should never be outdoors unsupervised).
If you are traveling by car, be sure to pack plenty of extra blankets. In case of an emergency, you and your pets will be able to stay warm until help arrives.
Never leave your dog alone in a cold car for extended periods of time. Letting your dog shiver and feel like he's freezing for hours on end is cruel and abusive.
You might want to get your short-coated dog a sweater to wear during walks or in the house if you keep that thermostat set low. People use Snuggies and sweaters. Why shouldn't Fido?
Some people find that their pets need more food in the winter, probably because keeping their bodies warm requires more energy. But be sure not to over feed them.
Be careful when you are walking your pet around areas that have been treated with salt or other chemicals to help melt snow and ice. That stuff can irritate the pads of their feet. Worse, if they ingest it, it's downright harmful. You can buy chemicals that are pet friendly to melt the ice if you need them.
If you must leave your dog outside for long periods of time, make sure he has dry, draft-free shelter. It should be large enough so that he can lay down and sit in a comfortable position, but not too much larger. The smaller space will hold the dog's body heat better. Be sure to raise the floor a few inches off the ground, and turn the shelter away from the wind. A dog-house with some type of doggy-door is best - even if it's only plastic or burlap.
To Buy Or Not To Buy A Dog For Christmas
Are you thinking of bringing home a new dog for Christmas? You may have heard the saying "A Dog Is For Life, Not For Christmas" and in most cases this is true, but not always.
First and most importantly it can not be a rash decision, but must be thought out carefully and done for the right reasons. You will need to do some research. Ask your self these questions:
Why are you getting the dog now?
Hopefully it is not because the kids are driving you crazy. Maybe you have more free time in the winter. My wife designs landscape projects and she is home more in the winter and we actually plan on new additions to our pet family for the late fall or winter time. This is actually the best time of year for us.
Have you though about the costs of raising a dog?
On average a dog will cost between $750.00 to $1,500.00 per year per dog. This cost is based on a healthy dog with minimal veterinarian costs. There will be:
1, Food costs
2, Veterinarian costs, flea and tick preventative, heart worm, vaccinations and maybe other medications and spay and neutering costs
3, Town licenses
4, Training crate
5, Microchip
6, Collars, leashes, bowls, and toys
7, Training classes and treats
Are you getting a dog because you promised one to your child?
1, If so remember it is ultimately your responsibility to care for the dog.
2, The younger the child the more responsibility you will have.
3, I recommend having the mind set that I am caring for the dog and any help from the youngsters is great and that you should reward your child for helping and not yelling because they are not.
Have you thought about the breed of dog you are going to choose?
1, If you live in a city and have a small apartment, a Border Collie or Australian Shepherd would not be a good breed for you.
2, Do you live a very cold environment, here a shorted haired dog will not be happy in the winter and you will need to purchase coats for your dog. These include many smaller dogs, Chihuahuas, Grey Hounds, and Cairn Terriers.
3, If you have an active lifestyle you may want to get an athletic dog for agility, flyball or frisbee competitions.
Have you thought about the time of year?
1, The holidays can be very stressful for many families with all the chores that go along with the holiday. Shopping, decorating, visiting family (near or far), large meals to prepare just to name a few. Having to care for a new family member can put you over the edge.
2, If it snowing outside and 5 degrees are you going to be willing to bring a new puppy outside every thirty minutes for a potty break.
3, Maybe you will not be able to put up a Christmas tree or other ornaments which could be dangerous for a new puppy or dog.
Where are you going to get your new family member?
There are many good places to get a new dog and each will have it's pros and cons. Some of the most popular ways are through:
1, Local shelters
2, Newspaper advertisements
3, Rescue organizations
4, Local breeders
5, Pet stores
Have you thought about the dog and his or her feelings?
Believe or not dogs can get very stressed during the holidays as well. Dogs are creatures of habit. Even older family dogs may not enjoy the yearly change, the busy life style, the fact you are probably spending less time with them.
Now think about a rescue dog that may have been neglected and sent to a shelter only to be brought into a home that really can not properly take care of him. This is not a good way for your new life partner to enter your home. It is not fair for you or them.
If all you get out of this article is to think before you buy, to second guess yourself then I have done my job. I am not saying you should not bring a new pet into your home during the holidays, but you do have to really think about your decision and make sure the timing is right.
What could be worse that bringing home a shelter dog, just to return him with all the other unwanted gifts. Dogs do have feelings and due feel abandoned and only creates an unhealthy dog that will probably be put to sleep (killed) because of us humans.
So please think about whether or not to buy a dog for Christmas and make sure you are comfortable with all the responsibilities that go along with owning and caring for a living creature.
A dog is the only thing on earth that will love you more than it loves itself.
5 Reasons To Avoid Buying A Dog From A Pet Store
You pass a pet store window, and observe several cute puppies behind the glass. They seem happy, healthy, and friendly. It's tempting to venture inside the store, and inquire how much it will cost to take one home. You would be better served by continuing on your way.
Many people have heard that buying a dog - puppy or adult - from a pet store is a bad idea. Few aspiring owners, however, are familiar with the reasons. In this article, we'll describe a few of them. If you're thinking of taking home a pet store puppy, the following should give you pause.
1 - A Poor Match For Your Lifestyle
The people who work at pet stores are trained to sell animals to those who want to adopt a pet. While they carry myriad products, the profit margins on animals are higher. Thus, their goal is to "move" the animals. Unfortunately, they often encourage people to adopt canines that are ill-fitted to their lifestyles.
Unlike a professional breeder or reputable shelter, both of which will make sure you know what to expect from the dog you're adopting, the store will simply push the sale. Sadly, many people are burdened with a poor match, which motivates them to abandon their canines.
2 - Puppy Mill Dogs
The puppies that are sold from pet stores often come from puppy mills. These are essentially breeding farms where pups are caged and mistreated. Some of them are malnourished. Others suffer serious health conditions brought about by the squalor in which they are forced to live. Still others suffer from socialization issues that may be challenging - even impossible - to address.
Why do pet stores sell puppies that come from puppy mills? Because the profit margins are high. As long as people continue to buy them, they will carry the inventory.
3 - Health Problems
Related to the previous point, many pet store dogs suffer from an assortment of health issues. Some, like digestive problems, hip dysplasia, and infections, are hidden from view. A casual inspection of the canine will fail to reveal them.
Sometimes, a store will extend a degree of coverage to those who purchase an animal in their care. This coverage is seldom exhaustive, however, and thus may not cover some of the diseases from which dogs can suffer.
4 - Behavioral Problems
Many of the canines at pet stores struggle with behavioral issues. In some cases, these issues are due to treatment they received at the puppy mills from which they arrived. Other times, behavioral problems have resulted from a previous owner's lax approach to training and discipline. As the problem worsened, the owner was finally forced to abandon his or her pet.
These issues are often difficult to address, even by a professional trainer. Over time, persistent separation anxiety, biting, and jumping on people, can strain the relationship between the canine and his owner.
5 - Contributes To The Puppy Mill Industry
One of the best reasons to avoid adopting a pet store dog is because doing so removes financial support from the puppy mill industry. As mentioned earlier, stores will continue to sell these puppies as long as people purchase them. This means new generations of canines will be bred and raised in these facilities. Those that remain unsold - or outlive their usefulness - are often euthanized.
An alternative is to adopt a dog from an animal shelter. The employees at these facilities are keenly interested in finding a good match for the animals in their care. They realize that failing to do so leads many owners to abandon or return their pets. For this reason, reputable shelters will make certain the canines are healthy and friendly. When the pets display small behavioral issues, the employees will inform potential owners.
Buying a dog from a pet store can lead to many frustrating and expensive problems. Each of the reasons above pose a compelling argument against doing so.
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