My Dog Press

All young dogs are inquisitive by nature, and want to explore. This can make lead training difficult, as the puppy wants to be everywhere but by the owner when they go for a walk. The sights, sounds and smells of new places can be irresistible to a puppy, and it is important to catch poor lead behavior very early on before it develops in to something more difficult to control.

The Pulling Game

Many dogs don’t go through an adequate socialization or lead training programm when they are young. This leads to pulling, biting and snapping when other dogs come in to view. The dog makes a harsh rasping noise as he tries to pull away from the lead, making walking an exhaustive process for the owner. A well-trained dog can be a pleasure to walk, but a poorly-trained one can be frustrating.

The First Principles of Lead Training

Firstly, a dog needs to be well socialised. This means that he is used to other dogs and responds well to them. This is why it is very important to introduce the dog to as many others of his species as possible as soon as he has had his inoculations against disease. Going to socialisation classes early on is invaluable, or even just taking the dog to the park and letting him romp with others, or introducing him to friends and family who have dogs too, so he can get used to being around all manner of breeds and temperaments.

Starting Lead Training

As soon as the pup is ready to go out, use the lead as part of toilet training. Pop him on it when he goes in to the garden and walk with him as he has a good explore. Encourage him to go where he likes on the lead, letting him get accustomed to it and praising him for good behaviours. Reward with treats or puppy biscuits if he comes back to you, even on a lead, and wears the lead without chafing at it or jumping about. Gradually, the puppy will understand that the lead is a positive thing that lets him go out, rather than something that will tether or restrict him.

Continuing Lead Training in the Outside World

When your pup is comfortable with the lead, it is time to go on the first walk together. Get lots of treats and set out when the puppy is feeling confident. The best possible beginning is to take another dog along too, as the puppy will focus on the dog rather than pulling. If having another dog along on the walk is not possible, take the following steps to achieve a perfect walk: Reward the puppy when he stays near you without pulling Keep him focused by showing him treats and encouraging him Try not to pull on the lead, or shout, as the puppy will need to trust his owner if things get frightening Engage his attention with a favourite squeaky toy if he gets distracted Walk at an easy, gentle pace without stopping so he understand he needs to walk beside you Try to keep going – don’t stop unless he needs to go to the toilet, as this will make your pace more difficult to second-guess and understand Always keep calm, confident and relaxed, as tension from the owner will wind the puppy up. If the puppy does well, reward him with lots of love and affection. A walk that goes well the very first time should be the best possible experience for owner and puppy, and this can be repeated again and again with positive reinforcement for a happy and relaxed future together.

Dog aggression is a very common problem facing millions of pet owners, and can be due to any number of genetic and environmental issues. Certain breeds are inherently more aggressive than others, but living conditions, abusive treatment, isolation and other factors can play a role in exacerbating the situation.

Canine aggressive behavior can emerge as a result of stress, illness, pain, fear, jealousy or other influences, and is manifested through barking, growling, biting or snapping. Sometimes it happens in certain situations, other times it is harder to predict which is even more troubling for dog owners.

If you would like to learn more about a natural cure for treating canine aggression just follow the link or find out more information on this troubling condition below.

How can dog aggression be treated?

If you notice aggressive behavior in your dog (or cat) you should check with your veterinarian to make sure there are no serious underlying health conditions causing your pet to act up.

A qualified behavioral therapist or trainer can work with your dog to minimize this behavior. Treatment involves recognizing the situations when your dog tends to act up and preventing them from happening if possible. If a member of your household is feeling the brunt of your pet’s agression, have that person provide all of the dog’s needs, so it learns to rely on only him or her, without any attention from other family members. Rewarding passive activity is key.

Many pet owners are turning to natural treatments for dog aggression, which can be used in conjunction with behavioral therapy to reduce aggressive behavior. Treating canine aggression naturally can soothe anxiety, restlessness and agitation as well as improve general health and well-being.

There are special herbal and homeopathic ingredients which have been shown to calm high-strung dogs and reduce aggression levels, allowing them to have more peaceful interactions with humans and other animals. Many of these natural treatments have helped humans with anxiety and stress as well.

If you are interested in treating canine aggression you might want to consider Aggression Formula, a special natural treatment with herbal and homeopathic ingredients that can reduce biting, scratching and other aggressive behavior as well as calm and relax your dog.

Canine distemper is a very serious viral disease which usually affects puppies between the ages of three and six months, and elderly or infirmed dogs and other animals.

Distemper in dogs is highly contagious and caused by airborne exposure to respiratory secretions of animals infected by the virus. It can be lethal without treatment, attacking the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. Early signs include pus-like eye discharge, fever, coughing, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. In later stages, canine distemper virus could cause seizures, twitching and even paralysis.

If you are interested in learning about a breakthrough natural treatment for canine distemper follow this link to find out more. Or continue reading below to find out more about this serious dog health problem.

How is the condition usually prevented and/or treated?

Accoring to most veterinarians, 50% of pets that are infected with canine distemper will not survive, while those that do will have permanent problems such as deformities and digestive disorders. Canine distemper and seizures are very common as well.

To prevent the illness from occurring, pets are vaccinated throughout their lives. There is no cure for the disease, and conventional means merely temper symptoms and keep the dog from developing more serious complications.

However, frequent vaccinations can compromise a dog’s immune system and have serious long term implications on its health. For this reason many pet owners are turning to safer, natural treatments for distemper in dogs.

Homeopathic veterinarians have had enormous success in not only preventing the illness from occurring, but also treating distemper in those pets that have been infected with the virus. As such they have a much more optimistic outlook on the disease than conventional veterinarians.

If you are interested in preventing or treating canine distemper, you might want to consider Vi-Pro Plus, a special natural treatment with herbal and homoepathic ingredients that can protect your dog against distemper and other viral infections.

Arthritis in dogs is a debilitating condition affecting one in five adult dogs and marked by painful joint inflammation. The most common form is osteoarthritis which involves the degeneration of cartilage and bone.

The onset of dog arthritis can be due to a number of factors, including injury, obesity, genetic predisposition and poor nutrition. Some of the symptoms include stiffness, difficulty in climbing stairs, whimpering when standing, unusual movements, noticeable swelling in a limb, thickening joints and shying away from petting. If you do notice any of these signs, be sure to have your pet checked for canine arthritis.

If you would like to learn about an effective natural arthritis treatment for dogs follow the link provided. Otherwise you can continue reading to find out more about this painful joint condition.

How is arthritis in dogs treated?

As with humans, the condition can be managed with dietary changes, regular exercise and anti-inflammatory medications.

It is important that your dog maintains proper weight and has a balanced diet with the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs for optimal health. Limiting snacks and foods that can aggravate inflammation is also key. Make sure your dog gets regular exercise to improve mobility and strength.

Besides dietary and fitness concerns, treating the inflammation directly is of utmost importance. Anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed by veterinarians to relieve dog arthritis pain.

However, due to the potential side effects of these drugs, including kidney & liver problems, vomiting, ulcers and excessive urination, more and more pet owners are turning to natural treatments for arthritis in dogs. Natural remedies can be as effective as prescription drugs in alleviating joint and muscle pain, without the potential adverse reactions of these chemical-based drugs.

In addition to treating dog arthritis, high quality supplements can boost your dog’s immune system, strengthen and protect the skeletal system, remove harmful toxins and promote general health and well-being.

If you are interested in preventing or treating canine arthritis, you might want to consider Pet Alive Muscle & Joint Support, a specially formulated supplement containing glucosamine, spirulina, devil’s claw and other nutrients which have been shown to prevent and treat arthritis in dogs.