My Happy Dog World- Dog Training, Understanding Dog Behavior by Paws and Bones

Korbel's Cutee Pics

2012-01-26T23:53:00.000-08:00

Pictures of my dogs really keep us happy simply by looking at them, it feels great to see images of our dogs who looks so cute and innocent. Most of us dog lovers keep a collection of pictures of our canine pets, and sometimes we are so much overwhelmed that we loved to share these pictures to the world for them to inspire people and to appreciate the amazing and wonderful gift that nature has given.

Big Dog Meets Small Dog - A Wonderful Friendship

2011-11-08T01:11:00.001-08:00

Big Dogs and small dogs can they get along? Small dogs are known for having a mind set of a big dog! And because more often these baby dogs show no fear on larger dogs, they tend to be provocative, such stubbornness leads to trouble.

Because of our human nature, we act as protectors of our little dogs, often times we pick them up and hold them in our arms above the other dogs, so they never learn proper greetings. This deprives the dog to learn proper social skills with other animals and people. Of course, we do need to protect them. Whenever dogs are off lead, we should supervise them closely. For safety, small dogs can be kept on a loose lead and be picked up only when necessary.

However, if you have well behaved trained dogs that submit and can socialize with any dogs regardless of size and breed, then introducing your small dog will not be a problem but beneficial.

Here's a video of my two dogs, Loki a 3 yr old large mixed dog and Korbel a 2 months old Shih Tzu that shows how well they get along.

Simply Amazing - "Korbel" Our 2mos old Shih Tzu

2011-11-04T03:36:00.000-07:00

She is so so cute! What more can I say, maybe add amazingly smart because she's only 7 weeks old and she can do tricks just like a pro. They say Shih Tzu's kinda hard to train, so I wanted to find out if its true. Well, here's the outcome of the 4 days training of the so little and young Korbel.

A Dog Poker Game

2011-09-26T00:33:00.000-07:00

PACMAN: The Dog I Adopted from the Street

2011-09-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

It has been past seven months since my father died, and if he still lives today, surely, he'll be very glad and amazed to meet the neglected dog I found in the street. My dad loves my dogs so much because he finds my pets very amusing. Sad to say he missed to see the most submissive and affectionate dog I brought in his home. Surprisingly, this dog who came out of nowhere, skittish, skinny, wounded, and infested with fleas, obviously showing all the signs of neglect, appeared to be a very kind, obedient dog.

I will never forget the morning walk with my two dogs when suddenly this awful looking pooch came to follow us, he was so persistent in spite the many times I tried to drive him away. The dog was acting like he have known me for years, he's just there trying to get my attention, he continued to follow us till we got back home. I ignored the dog and thought that he would give up and simply go away, but I was wrong. The dog stayed and slept near our gate till the next day, so I thought of asking people from the neighborhood if they knew the owner of the stray dog, unfortunately no one claims. I was saddened to realize that the poor dog has really no home and obviously hungry and begging for food. And so I took and feed him, named him PACMAN and that started the beginning of a loyal and good friendship that was really meant to be. I was thankful that I found him because he can easily be a victim of an unfriendly & cruel environment.

Besides being submissive and loving, Pacman is a smart canine. It didn't took a while for him to learn the basics of obedience training. All he asks is praise and a loving touch to his face every time he follows a command, gestures that he was certainly deprived of.

The most important thing that Pacman does besides being a pet & watchdog is a consoling and affectionate loyal companion to my widowed mother. Every morning Pacman will bunt & sit next to my mom's lap keeping her company.

I always believe that dogs bring happiness, love and hope to people especially to those in stress and in grief.

5 Amazing Jobs Dogs Do

2011-05-16T08:14:00.000-07:00

As we all know now, dogs do perform some jobs that humans usually do. And below are just 5 examples of how dogs can be great workers. These amazing jobs dogs do only proves that with a little training dogs can do some really helpful things. Here are 5 jobs dogs do that help to improve our lives. There are more than just 5 jobs that dogs do, but these are an example of how versitile they can really be.

Therapy WorkImage by Getty Images via @daylife

Cute dogs - you cannot resist their charm. I am talking about dogs doing therapy work here. What they do is to give comfort and provide a very calming presence to those people that are admitted in the hospital, nursing homes, and other stressful situations. They do not really have to have a specific type of breed in order to become a therapy worker as long as they are sociable enough to be around people all the time and they have to be obedient. Usually smaller dogs work well in most of these situations. They are usually very cute and if you are going to toss in some things like accessories that would make them cuter, all the better.

Service And Assistance WorkImage via Wikipedia

Many movies have portrayed it and heck, you can even see it sometimes as you walk down the street. Dogs do service and assistant work especially to disabled individuals. These are guide dogs, hearing dogs, mobility assistance, autism dogs, psychiatric service, and mobility assistance. Humans should be really thankful for these dogs as they are making our lives easier to deal with.

Image via WikipediaSled Dogs

Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies are the most common dog breeds that make a good sled dogs. Even until now, dog sleds are being used to travel through terrains that are impossible to pass. Back in the day they were used to go through terrains during the first expeditions to the north and south poles. Now, apart from letting people travel, they also travel to deliver medications and supplies to towns that are very isolated and hard to reach.

Search and Rescue

Dogs that are able to participate in search and rescue operations make the lives of the investigators much easier. Dogs have more powerful scenting abilities and that is why they are more able to detect the scent of missing individuals - either dead or alive. They do this in dangerous weather, through the wilderness and even underwater.

Image via WikipediaHerding

And the last of these 5 amazing jobs dogs do is herding. This is very common to people who are living in the countryside especially in Europe. Dogs help in leading a number of kinds of livestock like sheep, fowls, and cattle among others. The most common herding dogs are Australian Cattle Dogs, Border Collies, and Kelpies.

Dogs have been a companion to people for a very long time and it is easy to see why. They do so much to improve the quality of life for us and they ask for little in return. It is no wonder that we spoil them like we do.

From Alex Fields writing for Bling Bling Puppy the internet dog store for dog collars, beds, and toys for your dog. You can also visit his blog for Terrier dog lovers called My Terrier Dog. Here you can read about different terrier dog breeds, grooming tips, and good sound dog related advise. Alex is a full time dog owner and loves to write about them.

Boom Boom The Smart Yorkie

2011-05-06T10:54:00.000-07:00

Here's another dog that makes me proud and happy every time I watch his training video. It is surely overwhelming to see a puppy student of mine performs so well. It was a job well done and his parents or should say loving owners were very satisfied and happy with the results. Boom boom a Yorkshire Terrier and 3 months old at the time is an enthusiastic pupil and obviously a quick learner.

This video has been long overdue and I should have posted this months ago. But this is something I don't want you to miss.

Tips for Dogs Left Alone

2010-12-06T22:43:00.000-08:00

It's really hard to leave our dogs behind especially if it's the kind of dog who loves to find genius and destructive ways to make himself/herself busy. It's a fact that most of us have to live and get along with the busy world spending a lot of time away from home, unfortunately our pets find it difficult to adjust.

There are dogs that easily get bored, stressed, and suffers from separation anxiety, while others seem content sleeping the rest of the day while you're away.

But how do you know if your dog is unhappy when left alone?

Here are tips, if you come home and found your furniture or things all chewed up, trash bin ransacked, pillows chewed to shreds, scratches on doors and walls, signs of dog urine and feces all over, and worst of all got an angry call from your neighbors telling you that your dog howl or barks all day, well, these are just the few annoying things that say your dog is having a bad day being alone.

If your dog becomes destructive because of boredom, anxiety, depression or simply because he is alone and you're away, the best thing you can do is to keep him positively busy by giving your pet dog plethora of fun things to do. Doing so will help your dog to become more relaxed and satisfied . Here are some tips:

• Hire a Dog walker or Trainer
• Leave your dog in a pet day care
• Leave plenty of exciting and fun toys for your dog (like puzzle toys that you can fill with treats)
• Give him lots of active play before you go,it will surely exhaust his extra energy.

Justice For Jack

2010-10-15T02:14:00.000-07:00

The story that I will share with you is the recent email that I just received from K9 Magazine. It is one of the most upsetting and heartbreaking news I've read and seen. This is a very cruel and heartless thing for a dog that the owner had done. Honestly, there are a lot of disgusting and bad dog owners around. A person who treats animals this way are just the kind of people who does not respect life and nature, and has no compassion. It's easy to imagine how bad the personality of these humans or should I say monsters.

October 14, 2010 (News from K9-Magazine)

Justice For Jack - Warning VERY Upsetting Story

‘Justice for Jack’ A facebook group entitled 'Justice for Jack' was started by a group of animal lovers in memory of a young dog who was named 'Jack' by staff at Whitehall Dog Rescue in Wakefield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Jack was left outside the gates of Whitehall Rescue sometime between the hours of 12am and 5am on Friday 17th September and it is thought he died during that time, having been left alone wrapped in a blanket, writes Maria Daines.

Jack's extremely emaciated condition has shocked animal lovers, dog owners and indeed the general public world wide and it is quite obvious from the distressing photographs of the dog, taken after this death, that Jack had not eaten for weeks, maybe months. Now campaigners are demanding justice and in raising awareness of Jack’s story the facebook group has grown to over 20,000 members at time of writing.

Brian Wheelhouse, founder of Whitehall Dog Rescue, shared the heartbreaking story of Jack on his website and he has since been interviewed on BBC Radio Leeds. Media coverage is increasing slowly but of course in cases such as this, the faster bad news travels the sooner questions will be answered and animal advocates are hoping their campaign will help to prevent other animals from being neglected in a similar way.

A petition dedicated to Jack, calling for harsher sentences for animal abusers has risen to almost 5000 signatures. The campaign has been highlighted by a song entitled 'God Bless Jack' written and performed by UK singer/songwriter Maria Daines.

Maria and thousands of others are now wondering if a breakthrough can be made in Jack's memory which could help to protect other animals at risk of cruelty or neglect. To sign the petition or find out more about the 'Justice for Jack' campaign please visit the links below.

Justice for Jack' facebook campaign group

- http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=149492061753712

Jack's story, Whitehall Dog Rescue

- http://www.whitehalldogrescue.co.uk/jackbless.htm

Petition

- http://www.petitiononline.com/csjf4/petition.html

Vixen- The Delicate Minpin

2010-10-07T18:20:00.000-07:00

A month ago a friend asked me to train his cute and very little puppy, again it was a Micro Miniature Pinscher, her name is Vixen and was 6 months old at that time. This is my second minpin to undergo training, and since I had a good training experience with a Minpin before, I thought it's going to be easy but it seemed I underestimated Vixen, obviously she was far different from Tyson. It's not always true that same breed shares the same temperament or attitude. In some aspects it can be agreeable though it's not always the case and should not be followed as a basis especially in training, since it may require a different approach.

I can't say that training Vixen was difficult but I would truly say it was quite challenging. Although it took more than a while for her to learn the basic sit, still she made it happen and proved to me that she can be as good as any other trained dog.

Now I'm proud to present you Vixen in her very first training video.

Dogs Make Us A Better Person

2010-09-27T01:28:00.000-07:00

They say that a man who’s kind to animals is a kind person. So does it mean I’m kind because I love dogs? Hahaha, well I’ll let my friends answer that. But seriously, I can say that owning and training dogs makes me a better person. Many people thought that teaching or training dogs is very difficult; imagine communicating to an animal that obviously does not understand human language and then telling that animal to behave or do things that is socially acceptable and human in nature, this may not sound easy and very challenging but not impossible as long as your kind, patient and willing to understand and accept their needs as animals. Remember that any animal pet such as dogs did not choose to live with us humans and yet we require and insist them to adjust to our human lifestyle & environment. And the sad and cruel part is people would cage them, put them on chains, send them to shelters or worst of all put them to sleep, if they fail to behave right or simply follow the human house rules.

This is exactly the case of a 2yr old mixed breed dog owned by a kid who used to love and play with his dog when it was still a puppy. I was shocked and sadden to find out that dog was put to sleep simply because of his biting behavior. I got a chance to interact with this dog when it was still 6 months old and I admit that the canine somehow shows disrespect by suddenly snapping and biting but it didn’t took a while for the creature to understand that his conduct was unacceptable, so I was able to correct it immediately. Then I found out what and who causes the behavior, it was the kid and the rest of his companions, sad to say his family who made their pet behave aggressively, they hit and hurt the dog every time it commits a mistake, and sometimes the kid will annoy him just for fun. The dog became aggressively defensive and this behavior has become associated with simply people trying to approach him, thinking that humans can’t be trusted. The poor dog was a victim of mishandling, disrespect, cruelty from ignorant owners.

I was in anger knowing these things happen, I said to myself, I wish people can be as passionate as I am, become dog trainers and discover that it’s not always the dogs that we teach that gain knowledge from us, but most of life’s lesson learned came from the compassion, respect , patience, loyalty, love from our dogs.

A positive reinforcement is not just effective for dogs but strongly for humans. If it’s easy for you to interact with your dogs, show goodness as your dog does the same, what more with humans.

Life is so simple and humans complicate it, a dog’s life is so simple and yet it’s willing to live with us in spite the conflicts of our nature. I taught my dogs so many things, complex tricks that’s really amusing, but it’s nothing compared to what I learned from them. I learned that teaching dogs applies to life. Be kind to people just like with your dog and most likely they’ll be kind to you, Be understanding and patient in teaching your dog as well as with everything you do in life and soon good things will come your way, learn to respect life like you respect your dog and life will respect you.

No wander, a Dog is a very special creature with a unique name spelled in reverse.

Dog Facts & Trivia: Take time to know them.

2010-09-14T23:05:00.000-07:00

Many people love their dogs but often take for granted the things they should know about their pets. Just the same, I thought I knew everything until these questions came out. Though I got 7 correct answers out of 13. Good thing I passed.

Here are few Dog Facts that every dog lover should know courtesy of Petplace.com

1. How many bones do dogs have in their body?
Dogs have an average of 319 bones in their bodies.

2. Can dogs be sunburned?
Yes they can – and light-colored dogs are especially susceptible.

3. What is the average lifespan of a small breed dog?
The average lifespan of a small breed dog is anywhere from 12 to 18 years.

4. What is the average lifespan of a large breed dog?
The average lifespan of a large breed dog is 7 to 12 years. As a general rule, the larger the breed, the shorter the lifespan.

5. What is the normal temperature of a dog?
Normal body temperature for a dog ranges between 100.5 degrees F to 101.5 degrees F. Normal human temperature is 98.6 degrees F.

6. What is the normal heart rate of a dog? How does that compare to a human heart rate?
The normal heart rate of a dog is anywhere from 80 to 120 beats per minute (depending on the breed/size of the dog). Most humans have a heart rate of approximately 60 to 80 beats per minute. A dog's heart beats twice as fast as a human heart.

7. How many vocal sounds can a dog make and how does that compare to a cat?
Dogs can only make 10 vocal sounds – as compared to a cat that can make about 100 vocal sounds.

8. How old was the oldest living dog?
The oldest living dog on record lived in Australia. He was an Australian Cattle dog named Bluey who worked among cattle and sheep for nearly twenty years. Bluey lived to the age of 29 years, 5 months.

9. How does a dog's sense of smell compare to ours?
Dogs have over 200 million scent receptors in their nasal folds compared to our 5 million.

10. Of all the dog senses, which one does he trust least?
Dogs trust their sense of sight the least.

11. Can dogs see in color?
Dogs do see in color – but mostly in shades of gray. They cannot distinguish between red, orange, yellow or green. They can see some shades of blue but blues are often seen as shades of gray.

12. How does a dog's sense of taste compare to ours?
Humans have six times as many taste buds as dogs. Most of a dog's taste buds are located only on the tip of the tongue. Dogs can detect sweet, sour, bitter and salty tastes. A dog smells rather than tastes.

13. What percentage of dogs are thought to be obese in the United States?
Approximately 25 to 40% of all American household pets are obese or overweight.

The Benefits of Crates

2010-08-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

Crate Training is just one of the many things that a dog should learn. As a trainer I always advise my clients and friends to let their dogs get used to a crate. Some of them may oppose to the idea because they thought that a crate is simply a cage keeping or treating their dogs like prisoners. Contrary to their belief, but a crate would do good than harm. A crate is more like a dwelling place that can just be a fashionable or stylish furniture that makes your dog very comfortable and secure.

Here is a very good piece of article that every dog owners should know. Thanks to our friend from wooddogcrate.com for sharing this very helpful information,

The Benefits of Crates

When you are shopping for your new dog, there are some standard items that must always go on your list. A leash and collar, food and water bowls, and a bag of kibble are essentials, but have you thought about buying your dog a crate? Although you may balk at the cost of a crate, it is worth the expense.

Here are 5 benefits of crate training that will appeal to all dog owners.

1. Toilet training is much easier if you use a crate. Your dog will be very reluctant to toilet inside their crate, so will hang on until you take them outside. You can then give them lots of cuddles and rewards for going to the toilet in the right spot.

2. You can keep your dog confined when you aren't able to keep an eye on them. This is particularly useful if your dog likes to chew on your shoes!

3. If your dog isn't the social type, they will appreciate a quiet safe place to escape when you have a dinner party, or even just when your family is particularly noisy. Dog crate furniture will allow them to have their own space amongst the family room and not feel overwhelmed. Their crate will become a haven where they can go anytime they need some peace and quiet.

4. Going on vacation? Take your dog's crate with you and they will have a comfortable place to sleep that smells like home. You'll also be able to relax, knowing that they aren't damaging your holiday house while you aren't there to supervise them. If you prefer to spend your vacation in a tent, you will still find a dog crate very handy. Your dog won't get their leash tangled around the tent guy ropes, and they won't knock over your gas stove while you are cooking your dinner.

5. A dog crate is extremely useful if your dog has had an operation. After they have been neutered, they need to be kept quiet until their sutures are removed. This is easier said than done, because most dogs feel just fine within a day or two of their surgery. If you have a crate, you can force them to rest, and they won't be able to run around too much.

6. Some dogs just won't sit still in the car. They rush from window to window, and bark in your ear. If you are lucky enough to own such a dog, their behavior is enough to take your attention away from the road. Not only that, but if you turn sharply, you could find your dog in your lap with their head staring out the front windscreen. Keep yourself and your dog safe while you are driving by confining them to their crate.

Most dog owners will find at least one good reason to buy a crate, but when they bring it home, they will discover several more benefits that make their life easier. Look beyond that price tag and think about how a dog crate could be useful in your own household.

Allana & Storm - Our New Dog Buddies

2010-08-04T20:23:00.000-07:00

It's fun and exciting to meet new dogs especially cute puppies that are so lovely and cuddly, a few weeks ago I got the chance to interact with two unique looking dogs named Storm & Allyana, and they are both handsome, pretty and quite healthy as well. Honestly, these are the dogs that I would immediately adopt without second thoughts, good temperament, fit and attractive.What I admire about these dogs is that they are mixed breeds and the gene combination came out well. The owners are so lucky to have them and they are indeed proud to show their pets around. I'm quite confident that the owners of Storm and Allyana are dog loving and caring people who always look onto the wellness of the their pets.

Meet Storm a 7 months male Chihuahua-Schnauzer mixed. This dog is so smart that it didn't even take a while for him to learn to sit and stay.

Next, meet Allyana, a very affectionate one year old female Shih-tzu - Border Collie Mixed. I love her Egyptian-Pharaoh Marking beside her right eye, so pretty and unique.

Trick Tips - How I Taught My Dog To Fetch

2010-07-13T03:46:00.000-07:00

Friends have been requesting me to make a post on how I taught Loki to fetch, and how long does it take for their dogs to learn the trick? Well, like I've said there are dogs that retrieve things naturally and all it takes is just a little polishing, however there are also dogs that are a bit challenging who requires more guidance as well as patience when teaching the dog and so obviously I would say that the latter will take sometime to learn the trick though its really possible. One thing should be kept in mind that all tricks start with the basics, it is important to establish a good foundation of the basic commands before proceeding to the next level.

Before you begin training, it is best that you have already made a good bond with the dog, so your pet would respect you and listen to you. Also training should be fun for both. Avoid stressing your dog by spending too much time teaching the dog a command that he/she fails to obey, limit your session to 5-15mins, depending on how efficiently your dog enjoys the activity. If your dog stops paying attention consistently and starts playing around with something else you can stop the training and continue some other time. Don't expect your dog to master a trick or command over night, be understanding and patient.

There are various methods and training techniques to teach the command fetch, retrieve or whatever you would like to call it. And the video I made that would like to share is my basic view of introducing to a dog how to fetch.

The Fetch Command Comes in Handy

2010-06-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

I like watching dog films, It's fascinating to see pets act and perform, especially when they do tricks that are really amazing. When I was a kid I dreamed of having a dog just like the ones in movies, a dog who can sit,stay,come and fetch things. At that time I have no idea how these commands can be possibly taught especially retrieving objects which I find very impressive and useful. I never knew that someday I'll be able to train and teach my dog the command I love most "Fetch or Get". but of course my dog went through a consistent training starting from the basics before he can actually do tricks.

Teaching the Fetch, Retrieve or Get command may be easy for some dogs who are natural retrievers, however, there are dogs that require more motivation and guidance, and owner teaching this command to his dog need a lot of understanding & patience.

Fetching or retrieving is not only a fun activity but also a good physical and mental exercise for your dog.It's also one of the few interactive games that will reinforce your human-dog bond. Working on a good foundation of Retrieve makes it easy for a dog to follow a more difficult task. Imagine your dog retrieving your car keys, instructing him to get his leash or even carry a basket for you. It takes time to master the trick so it should not be rushed.

Here is a demonstration of what fetch, retrieve can do after Loki successfully mastered the command. I use the word "Get" instead.

You can also view Loki's other related videos.

Loki's Training Exercises
Dogsketball

Loki the Son of Pixel

Unhappy Dog Equals Unhappy Owner

2010-06-24T01:42:00.000-07:00

This morning I met a man with two beautiful Labradors and just like everyone else whom I got to meet in a park started talking about their dogs/his dogs, likewise he spoke about good things as well as the bad things he experienced with his pets. At that moment I already felt that the man seemed to need help when he begun discussing the unacceptable behavior his canines exhibit, and I’m no longer surprise for I’ve heard these more than a dozen times. It’s always been that the dog is bored, stressed and suddenly became destructive. This Dog behavior issues can be caused by different things but more often it’s a typical case of an unhappy dog relationship with the owner.

As I listen to the man’s story on how he spends time with his Labs, it really turned out that the dogs were unhappy with him. Obviously, it was lack of time attending to his dog’s needs because he was too busy with his job which I do not blame. It’s just that, his dogs do not fit his lifestyle and we are talking about two large dogs that require social attention, physical and mental exercise. And again it is sad to say that the owner is the problem and not the dog.

I’ve always been consistent on telling people that dog ownership is a long term commitment that requires sacrifice, patience, and quality attention. It’s the owner’s responsibility to attend to his dogs’ requirements not just food or shelter but lots of interactive time such as playing or simply walking him to make him happy. Keep in mind that a happy dog is a behaved dog and that makes us owners more than pleased.

Here is a link to a great article that I would like to share entitled “Is Your Dog Happy?” by Dr. Nicholas Dodman. And learn some great tips and ideas to make your dog blissful.

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/is-your-pet-happy/page1.aspx

Fashionista Pooch - Dog Fashion Show 2010

2010-06-21T07:31:00.000-07:00

Last June 13, 2010, Philippine Canine Club Inc. (PCCI) held it’s Annual Dog Fashion Show- “Fashionista Pooch 2010 at Music Hall in SM Mall of Asia. This is in line with the Independence Day celebration and which explains why most of the dogs came in their cutest Filipiniana outfit. Well, certainly this is the kind of event I would not want to miss, and it’s a good thing I was able to bring Tyson-my Minpin student who’s single and ready to mingle. We saw Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Pomeranians and some other breed participants, but no Mini Pinscher walked the ramp. Tyson could have bagged several awards if he was able to join. Unfortunately, he cannot because he is a member of a different organization which PCCI does not allow. Well I guess it wasn’t his time to shine. Though it was indeed an exciting and fun experience for Tyson, not bad at all, with some fans and paparazzis around, Tyson still appeared like a celebrity that day.

Maldita, a five-year-old Shitzu, stands in front of a traditional style umbrella is the winner of the Fashionista Pooch 2010

MALDITA

TYSON: The High Spirited Mini Pinscher Dog

2010-06-04T05:21:00.000-07:00

It's been a long while since my last post and many of my friends have been asking what happened in the past month? Well, I may have been busy with some other things but dogs will always be my passion, in fact I have a new dog student that is amazingly smart, his name is TYSON, a micro mini pinscher and his only 6 months old. I have fun teaching this awesome intelligent creature, he loves being trained, he follows and performs every command with so much enthusiasm and he's a quick learner. Most dogs enjoy the chance to interact with their people and as long as it is pleasurable, they can actually enjoy the training process. With Tyson it's more of a play than schooling, it only shows that he is happy with the activities and this is exactly what I want him to feel. Training a puppy is a delicate task,lots of positive reinforcements and avoiding situations that could imprint a negative outcome, it's a crucial stage where there's good opportunity for good and bad habits to learn and carry over in his adulthood.

I used clicker training in teaching Tyson, it is a positive reinforcement type of training. There is no punishment and the goal is to keep it fun and positive for everyone involved. (Read the related articles below, on Clicker Training Your Dog). Personally, I find this technique very effective in marking a behavior though I still apply the conventional vocal praise reward method. The combination of two training process works best for me and Tyson.

I have video recorded a few sessions of Tyson's training during the first week. And I'm proud to share what he has learned in that short period of time.

Training your dog is a good way of building a relationship with your pet. Making your activities enjoyable and thrilling will keep the dog excited and interested in every session.

Mari - A Loyal Dog

2010-04-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

I just can’t forget the remarkable touching tale of Hachiko; I loved the movie so much that I have to watch it more than twice. And because I got inspired, I took the time of searching for other emotive dog films.

Here is a short video I got from youtube, Another tearful story of a Loyal and Heroic Akita.

The Dog Movie that made me cry - Hachiko

2010-03-26T23:29:00.000-07:00

Over the years, dogs are continually stealing the spotlight in movies. In some films, they even take center stage.

In the precedent decade there have been loads of movies about dogs. I remember watching heaps of Lassies Adventure and Rin Tin Tin but the best vintage dog movie I liked most is Old Yeller. This classic motion picture is just among the best dog movies I’ve seen, including Love Leads the Way mixed in with bigger blockbusters such as Marley & Me and My Dog Skip. All these films relate to the story of life-long friendship and loyalty.

But here is my most recent film I watched and really made me cry, the best of the best I've seen so far . A tender tale with a huge box office potential, Hachiko: A Dog's Tale is a tearful and wonderful film based on a true story that epitomized the remarkable bond that develops between one man and a dog. Loyalty, faithfulness and unconditional love are qualities that have earned dogs the title of "man's best friend". One particular Akita dog named Hachiko or Hachi took these qualities to such an extreme; he has earned a place in the hearts of all people, and has kept that place for over sixty years!

This is a must see film. The movie is an American adaptation of a legendary Japanese tale.

The real story took place in Tokyo, Japan. The dog became a national treasure and a monument was even erected to honor him. The Bronze statue of the Hachiko still stands at Tokyo's Shibuya Station.

Hachiko may be gone but he will never be forgotten. The story behind the statue is one that has endured and continually warms the hearts of locals and tourists alike.

Read more about the real story of Hachiko

http://www.timyoungonline.com/japan/hachiko.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachi 

How Old Is Your Dog?

2010-03-19T21:08:00.000-07:00

Every afternoon I bring my dogs to the park, it’s a good place for them to play and socialize not only with other dogs but with people as well. It is where I get the chance to relax and meet new friends too. And as always we begin talking about dogs and more often they will ask this question “How old is your dog?” Followed by “How old would that be in human? Tough question to speculate, but lucky for me I did my homework. And this is what I learned from Dogster.com

The well-liked delusion is that a dog gets 7 years old each year; others think it's even 10. But the thing is canine aging is quicker during the first 2 years of its life. After the first 2 years the ratio settles down to 5 to 1 for small and medium breeds. For large breeds the rate is 6 to 1, and for giant breeds the rate is 7 to 1.

Example, at 10 years of age a Great Dane would be 80 years old while a pug would only be 64. (Please refer to the Chart)

But what if you've taken a dog whose age is unknown? Well, Vets have other ways to estimate dog's age like checking on their teeth, muscle tone, eyes and coat. You can read more about it at Dogster.com

The Legend of the Dog

2010-03-06T21:33:00.001-08:00

Here is a very beautiful tale that is really worth telling our children. A story that will definitely open each one's mind and heart about the wonderful things that dogs do or did for us. We often take them for granted, and its about time we make a difference, by loving and taking care of them, making our dogs feel how important they can be to us.

(Photo via www.safeheaven.us/SafeHeavenGems4.html)

THE LEGEND OF THE DOG
by Elizabeth Hensley

It came to pass when Adam and Eve were cast out of Paradise, they left behind many friendly beasts who felt sorrow at their banishment. In those days before the full effects of The Fall were felt, the beasts could speak with humans and the humans with the beasts. All said farewell to the two, each in their own speech, but Wolf was more sorrowful than all the rest. He was so sorrowful to see them go, to never feel the friendly hand of Man upon his neck or to hear Eve's gentle words, that he brought himself before God's Throne and made an incredible request.

"Lord I wish to go with them."

God looked down at His creature with surprise. "My Wolf, do you not like it in my paradise that you should wish to leave?"

The Wolf bowed his head, his golden eyes filled with love, "My Lord, I love your garden very much, but I fear for what will happen to the Humans outside the Garden. How will they find food? Who will protect them from demons and the terrors of the night? When they multiply upon the face of the Earth, who will watch to keep them safe,one from the other? Who will sing with them in the times of the night so that they may not forget the Awe that is in your Creation? Who will be their friend? Who will remind them that You still love them? I want to help them, God!

God put a gentle hand on Wolf's head and told him: "Before you decide to do this thing I must show you what your future will be and what will be the future of your descendants. Here is what humans will do to you and your seed:

They will not let you mate with the she wolf of your choice, Instead they will select your mates for you and they will breed many strange and twisted kinds of creatures out of your seed.

They will take away your freedom by chaining you up and fencing you in. For many ages they will forget how to understand your language. They will forget that I made you as I made them.

They will practice their medical techniques on you. They will often hurt you very badly.

Some Humans will kick your kind. Some will eat them. They will use your name and the name of your she wolf as an insult, and they will consider you unclean.

When a she wolf has a litter that the humans do not want, they will often kill them rather than find them good homes. Many will operate on you so you cannot have offspring. Some will torture you out of pure meanness.

They will put their collar and tags around your neck and deny you the very right to live should you lack one.

When they first go out into space, they shall send your kind up first, and they shall not bring them back down again alive.

All through history they will love you but they will also abuse you very badly. Think very carefully, Wolf, before you make this decision!"

As God told Wolf of these things, the vision, sound and smell of each torture passed before him so that he knew in his deepest heart of hearts that God was right, and there were tears in Wolf's eyes. "Lord it's horrible! But it is in me to follow them. I must go!

And there were tears in God's eyes, "Such loyalty I have not found in any other of my creatures upon the Earth! I will grant you your request and from this day forward I will also give you a new name. Because your loyalty, your endless love and your ability to forgive mirrors My Own loyalty, My Own endless love and My Own ability to forgive, I will give you a Name that reflects my Name. From now on your name will no longer be "Wolf" but "Dog." the opposite of My own Name, and in the time when all fallen creatures are allowed by my blood to reenter Paradise, you shall go forward and reenter before all others."

And then the Dog left the Throne of God and the Paradise of the Beasts and he followed humanity over all the Earth and to the ends of the stars. He loved them for all Eternity.

The Beauty of Hybrids aka Designer Dogs

2010-02-25T06:31:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Have you seen or heard of a Goldendoodle, Pug-Zu, Goberian, and Alusky? Sure sounds like names of strange animals but if you’re not seriously in to dogs, you wouldn’t even know what they are. Well, those animals are Designer dogs or Hybrid dogs. It’s a cross between two purebred canines.

A Hybrid or Designer Dog is different from a mutt. Generally, a mutt is a mixture of multiple breeds of uncertain ancestry while designer dog has recognized purebred descent, and one knows precisely what it is. When you breed two different types of pedigree dogs, you can get a combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It’s similar to making a cocktail drink when you mix pineapple juice with vodka you create the taste of bitter sweet liquor.

Cross breeding is like customizing, you want to create a mixture of your choice breed, so all the good qualities you admire from each dog would likely appear in your Hybrid canine. However, it’s not a guarantee that all the best characteristics you expected would emerge. Just the same with genetic health issues that comes with the package. It may or may not solve the inherited health problems that came from the stock. Although, Some people believe that the percentage of hybrids being healthier is pretty much higher than that of the purebreds.

And so, if you’re thinking of owning a dog, you might want to check the pack of Hybrid first. Who knows? It could just be the perfect dog you’re looking for.

Here are some of my favorite Designer dogs:

(Photos courtesy of Dogbreedinfo.com)

GOLDENDOODLE

Cross between Golden Retriever and Standard Poodle

BOWSER

Cross between Basset Hound and Mini Schnauzer

BULLMATIAN

Cross between Bulldog and Dalmatian

CHIMATION

Cross between Chihuahua and Dalmatian

BERNEDOODLE

Cross between Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle

From Service Dog to SURFice Dog

2010-02-12T23:36:00.001-08:00

Have you seen the inspirational YouTube video "From service dog to SURFice dog" yet?

Most people have shed tears while watching. They said that "it's one of the best inspirational YouTube videos ever, this is what YouTube videos should be, what a wonderful story, heartwarming, it's a tear jerker, have your kleenex ready, touching. It seems each person finds an individual message in it, and it touches them on many different levels.

And this is what dog blogging is all about, creating awareness, and inspiring more people. Thank you to www.surfdogricochet.com for sharing this video.

Here's the link... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4

Meet My Padawan Siberian Husky - "ROWDY"

2010-02-04T21:48:00.000-08:00

Meet my new Padawan “Rowdy” a 4 year old Top Notch Siberian husky owned by a very dog loving family whom I got the opportunity and trust to handle and give their handsome canine a refresher course in obedience training. Perhaps you’re wandering, why is he taking the training again? Did the dog forget what he learned? Or it is something else?

Dogs don't really forget, they just have a short attention span. Kind of like a young child. They are doing something one minute, and then something else gets their attention and they forget what they were doing before. Dogs have a great sense of smell, and that triggers a lot of memories. Dogs recognize people and their experiences with them because of that powerful sense, you just need to consistently remind them. However, there are cases that dogs tend to forget which can be a medical problem, because dogs can get something like Alzheimer's disease when they age, just as humans do. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome, as it is called in dogs, produces a cluster of symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer's patients, including disorientation and confusion, memory loss and personality changes.

I know what you’re thinking, but definitely that is

Image via Wikipedia

not our case. In fact, Rowdy is a fast learner and remembers the new things I just taught him. He is the kind of dog that every owner and handler would love to have and be proud of. Siberian Huskies are loving, gentle, playful, happy-go-lucky dogs who are fond of their families. Keen, docile, social, relaxed and rather casual. They are dogs with so much energy. Good with children and friendly with strangers, they bark little and love everyone, not a good quality for a watchdog though. Huskies are very intelligent and trainable, yet, they will only obey a command if they see the human is stronger minded than themselves. If the handler does not display leadership, they will not see the point in obeying. It takes patience, consistency and an understanding of the Arctic dog character to make training effective for the Siberian Huskies. If you are not this dogs 100% firm, confident, consistent pack leader, he will take advantage, becoming willful and mischievous. These dogs should not be left alone for a long period of time without a great deal of exercise beforehand. A lonely Husky or a Husky who does not get enough mental and physical exercise can be very destructive. And this is really the main reason why Rowdy has to undergo training again, to release all his stress, mental & physical energy that have been stacked for quite a long while. He needs to experience long hours of walk, giving him the liberty to explore what surrounds him, letting him play yet setting boundaries, limitations and still having full control of the situation. Obedience training is one of the best things we can do for the relationship between us and our dog. Obedience training needs to be looked at as a foundation to problem solving, and will teach you how to resolve most issues with our pet. Communication can be increased through obedience training, and enhanced communication is a necessary step towards having our dog abides by what we want. Teaching Rowdy the Basic Obedience Commands is not only a very good physical and mental exercise for him, but such activities will also redirect his natural animal behaviors to a socially more accepted manner.

Remember that the Husky is a sled dog in heart and soul. Siberian Huskies can make wonderful companions for people who are aware of what to expect from these beautiful and intelligent animals and are willing to put the time and energy into them.

Thanks to http://www.dogbreedinfo.com for the vital piece of information about Siberian Huskies

NEED YOUR VOTES- 2010 DOG BLOG AWARD

2010-01-29T18:02:00.000-08:00

To everyone who visits and supports my dog friendly blog, I just like to express my sincere thanks for giving me the inspiration and enthusiasm to write about our four-legged friends, one of the best living creatures that we should love, and care about. I always believe with what Josh Billings said that “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.” And because it’s so true, writing and thinning out the good things about them is a small favor they truly deserved.

Finally, the greatest news that I would also want to share is that… the small favor I rendered came out to be my golden ticket to the Best Dog Blog Contest - TrainPetDog.com 2010 Dog Blog Award. It is the first time in the history of the Internet that a contest is being held to identify the 20 best dog-related blogs on the web, and pawsandbones.blogspot.com is one of the lucky sites that has just been invited to participate.

So, once again I’m wishing for your support by voting for my blog. Simply go to www.TrainPetDog.com homepage and enter my voting code which is 5tbrJ in the voting box and click on the Submit button.

Vote my blog and help me propagate my dog advocacy. Mahatma Gandhi once said that “the greatness of a Nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” and our best friend "Dog" is one of them.

Please visit http://www.trainpetdog.com now and vote.

"Raki" The Showbiz Dog

2009-12-26T08:18:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! But it's not yet over, we can still feel the fun and joy of the season, in fact we are not done celebrating, it’s been a busy tiring week yet we really are enjoying it. Just yesterday, me and my family went to Tiendesitas to shop and visit the famous Pets village that showcases the most exciting breed of dogs and other pets for sale. It’s a very pet friendly spot and a lot of passionate dog owners go to the place not just to shop but to socialize with other dog lovers as well. During my visit in Tiendesitas, I got the chance to meet Gio Marcelo and his amazing Belgian Malinois Dog “Raki”. Gio is a local showbiz personality who has an enormous passion for dogs, and that passion led him to become a successful professional dog trainer, together with Raki who seemed to follow Gio’s showbiz footsteps has made various TV appearances, like in ABS-CBN’s morning show “Umagang kay Ganda” and TV Drama Series “May Bukas Pa”. Raki also appeared in Dingdong Dante’s Movie “One True Love”.

Raki is a fully-trained reality, off-leash, companion and protection dog with excellent agility who can perform amazing tricks. He has perfect temperament and is impervious to all distractions and this is the result of Gio's mastery of the Art of Dog Training. You can learn more about Gio's Dog Philosophy and his services at K9Manila.com

The 5th Annual World’s Coolest Dog & Cat Show Winners

2009-12-23T22:02:00.000-08:00

Curious to see who took home the titles of Best Slobber, Best Costume, Naughtiest Dog, Best Purse Dog or the much-coveted Best in Show prize? Well, see the winners of the 5th Annual World's Coolest Dog & Cat Show presented by Dogster and Catster

Skye won Best Dog in Show!

Ball or Frisbee Player

Tongue/Slobber

Patriotic

Sports Fan

Naughtiest Dog

Purse Dog

Best Friends

Smiles and Grins

Craziest Tail

Costumes & Shades

Jumper

more: dog pictures & breed info
World's Coolest Dog Photo Winner!

Sleeper

Car Dog

Working Dog

Water Dog

PIDOE Says: The Dog Won't Eat Dog Food

2009-12-23T21:41:00.001-08:00

Hi Pidoe! Nice site, very interesting and quite helpful, and I just found out that you are a Filipino too, Kamusta? (How are you?) I’ll talk in English so as to be fair with your foreign readers, lol..anyway, you’re just the right person to seek, since I have an Askal type of breed which you can perfectly relate to when it comes to their characteristics and preferences. My dog’s name is Brutus, he’s already 3 years old, I got him from my uncle who owns lot of dogs, all of them are mix of unknown breeds in short “ASKAL”. But I like Brutus, he’s different from the rest, tri colored, heavy boned, he has the looks and physique of a mastiff and so I took him, the thing is, he’s quite malnourished and needs to gain weight so I tried to feed him with high protein dog food and that’s where the problem comes in, he is not accustomed to eating dog food, he only likes human food, the typical left over foods with the tasty sauces, gravy, rice, etc. and this is what most Filipinos normally feed their ASKAL pets. They said that starving him will surely make him eat anything, so I tried that for a couple of days, but still he won’t eat. I don’t want to prolong the days just to make him starve because I’m afraid that he might get sick.

Is there a chance that Brutus will eat dog food? What will I do to make him eat real dog food?

Thanks and good luck on your blog.

-Michael-

PIDOE K-9 ADVISOR SAYS:

Hi there Michael, and thanks for the compliments. It’s good to hear from a good fellow “kababayan” or Filipino who reads and appreciates my Dog blog. First of all I admire your kindness to Brutus, because, not everyone cares as much about “ASKALS” (An abbreviation for Asong Kalye or Street Mutt translated in English)many rather give most attention to purebred dogs. And by the way they shouldn’t be called Askals in the first place; the best term would be ASPIN (Asong Pinoy or Filipino Native Dog). It’s true that normally, ASPINS, as I prefer to call them are not trained by most Filipino owners in eating commercial dog food. They think that dog food intended for ASPINS is expensive and impractical thus they chose to feed them with human grade left over foods that can be unhealthy and harmful to some dogs as well. But take note that its not always the commercial dog food you can purchase from the pet stores that brings the best nutrition for your dog, in fact it can be contrary to what we believed. Some owners prefer raw food for their pooches, while others consider organic food in their dog’s diet. But still, I would suggest that you consult first your veterinarian regarding the food that’s best for your dog.

So since your dog has mostly been in a diet of human food, it might not be a bad idea to phase it out in your case but this should be done gradually. Start adding a few kibble to his usual diet, and while he gets used to it try adding more and reducing human food at the same time then just follow thru with the program, transition may take long until your dog appreciates 100% kibbles. While dogs are survivors and will go without for a while, they won't starve themselves when they realize that mealtime is when it is and this is what's available to eat. If they do, then there might be a medical problem.

Just don’t rush him and soon Brutus will like it and perhaps beg for it when he’s hungry. Be patient and good luck!

Having a Dog in your Bed

2009-10-05T19:02:00.000-07:00

I just received an email from one of our Dog Loving friends, and I'm so grateful to them for taking sometime to visit and read our posts which they appreciate. And I thank them also, for sharing a very informative article that our dog owners would like to know.

Our friends from dogfencediy.com came up with this original piece on "having a dog in your bed." It was written for us by their staff Veterinarian, Dr. Susan Wright.

This is a very interesting post, in fact, I know a lot of people who share the bed with their dogs. So, I guessed they have to think about of sharing their bed with their dogs again after reading this.

Here is the actual article.

Is having a dog in your bed a good idea? That's a bit like asking if babies should sleep with their parents. Some will say it's fantastic for all concerned, yet others will say that it's not okay under any circumstances.

Very young children should not be allowed to sleep with their dog. They may inadvertently kick or nudge their sleeping dog, and knock him out of bed. If he lands awkwardly, he may be injured. Older children with a medium sized, calm natured dog often love having something warm to cuddle, and love having their dog with them at night.

Most people would agree that it's not a good idea to have young puppies on the bed. They're not usually toilet trained and you may end up cleaning up more than just dog hair. Wait until your dog is fully toilet trained if you'd like to have him snuggle up with you in bed.

Consider the hygiene aspects of sharing your bed with your dog. If he has fleas, they'll breed in your bed linen and you'll wake up with itchy flea bites. Older dogs may have incontinence issues and you'll have to take steps to keep your bed clean and dry.

How big is your dog? Depending on the size of your bed, a giant breed won't leave much space for you. A toy breed may become lost in the blankets, or you may roll on him during your sleep. If you do, he may wake with a start and bite you before he knows what he's doing.

Are you a light sleeper? Dogs fidget, snore and snort in their sleep and may disturb you several times during the night. Conversely, if you find it hard to go to sleep, you may find that your dog may help you settle into sleep.

One big issue that many behaviorists have is whether or not having your dog on your bed makes him more dominant. There is a school of thought that allowing a dog to sleep where you (the pack leader) sleep elevates him to the same status as you.

This may be the case if your dog already feels he's dominant. However, if you have already put time and effort into your relationship with your dog and he respects you as his leader, having him sleep on your bed shouldn't be a problem.

If your dog does think he's the boss, he should sleep elsewhere. In fact, if he does think he's in charge, you need to work with a trainer to show him where he fits in, in all areas of your lives together.

Clean, well behaved dogs who know their place in your household are a pleasure to own. There's no reason why such a dog can't enjoy a good night's sleep on your bed.

Website: www.dogfencediy.com

A Dog Loving City in Ruins-Typhoon "Ondoy"

2009-10-04T08:27:00.000-07:00

Marikina is just one of the ill fated places that “Ondoy “destroyed. It used to be one of the cleanest and progressive cities I’ve seen. I’ve known and admired the place for its passion and love for dogs. Marikina is a very dog loving community, an ambassador of animal welfare particularly dogs. An active participant and event host for Dog Shows, Exhibitions, and other pet relevant programs, and now, a dead city that would perhaps take years to recover and rebuild what it has lost.

It’s hard to imagine that the so clean & lovely city of Marikina that I visited a week before is now submerged in muddy flood, cars were piled up like matchboxes washed away from the garage and into the streets, elegant homes destroyed and ended like eerie caves, and what was even worse was seeing bodies already floating around, including the body of a 3-month old baby stuck in a car windshield!

“It is too devastating, shocking and horrifying!” These are the words you’ll hear from the people who is now in severe desperation and trauma caused by the tragedy that Typhoon “Ondoy” left them. Too many families are now suffering from hunger, sickness, and emotional distress. It’s a tragic fate. Billions worth of property were lost, but what’s most painful was the lost of a loved one. So now we pray that after this great tragedy, people will continue to move on with high hopes and in time return to their normal happy lives.

Most Amazing Invention for Dogs

2009-09-14T07:43:00.000-07:00

PIDOE Says: Our First Dog Advise Seeker:Fixing Aggression

2009-08-26T07:58:00.000-07:00

Hi Pidoe,

Image by Steffe via Flickr

First of all, I would like to say that your site is great and pretty cool, especially the so “help desk” that I would like to consult. I have a lab-shepherd mixed dog named Rupert, and I’m not sure if he is really an aggressive one, kind of unpredictable. Sometimes he would bark and lunge on other dogs in the park, and sometimes he just plays with them, no harm done. The worst part is, he does the same thing with certain people. He is suspicious and nervous unless he knows them well, I was afraid that sooner or later, he might bite someone or any other dog we might come across.

What do you suggest to control his aggression?

Best regards
-Susan-

Pidoe K-9 Advisor Says:

Hi Susan,

Would you believe, I had the same problem with my dog before, and it really took a while before I knew it, that dogs behavior has something to do with genetics and how it was brought up. It is so important that you know the cause and source, where this negative behavior is coming from, with that we can assess and recommend the best training approach in dealing with it.

You have mentioned that Rupert is a lab-shepherd mix dog, knowing that, we can look on the possibility that your dog’s strong aggression could have been inherited from the genetics of a German Shepherd, that’s why it is so important to know its parentage, I’m not saying that German Shepherds are bad, in fact they are one of the best breed there is, but naturally they are protective of their masters, and their aggression is one way of instilling fear on people or dogs alike they feel as a threat or harmful. However with proper training this aggression can be controlled and commanded at the right time.

Another possibility of the cause of your dog’s unbecoming behavior, could have been inflicted during his puppyhood, I have an article about the importance of socialization. I said in that article that dogs need to have a constant interaction with different people and animals, in various situations and environment. And most importantly it should be a positive experience for the dog especially when he/she is still a puppy. Although, I have no idea of what it’s like for your dog when he was growing up, since you have not mentioned it. What I’m saying is, your dog must have lacked the socialization he needs during the early stage. That explains why he is so suspicious and nervous or better say uncomfortable with unfamiliar things or people that surrounds him. He is confused how to react to such situation, so he decides to display dominance thru aggression to counteract his fear.

Learning those two possibilities, the first thing you should do is train your dog to get used to his environment, by spending more dog walks with him. You need to use a training collar (you can choose between a choke collar and a prong collar, you can research on these on the Web) to correct any of his unnecessary behavior, and get his attention that you are the Alpha, Master and Leader. Your dog should know his position in the pack; he's the follower and you’re the Leader, A simple rule of the thumb in the Dog World.

Another thing when walking, don’t let your dog go ahead of you, so start with a short leash first during your walks, (you can read the article about the proper dog walk) so he stays close to you as possible especially when you come across another person or dog, in this way you can easily get control of him but make sure you’re getting slack in the leash, so it goes loose-tight-loose, your correction will be a sudden quick pull on the leash which will make the collar tight for less than a second. The objective is associate a negative reinforcement to a negative behavior so as not to repeat what took place. You'll know when it is motivational when she stops that bad behavior, and looks at you or submits every time you do the correction. You will have to be consistent on this until your dog gets accustomed to the surroundings and situations you used to avoid. I would suggest that you walk with other people, who walk their dogs too, its one way of getting your dog socialized with them, its called a “pack walk”. The dog will only consider the people walking with you as members of your pack as long as you the “Alpha Dog leader” allow it.

Practice the sit-stay command, if your dog has no obedience training yet, you can check the videos I have on my blog and watch how it is done. It is best that you make her in the sit-stay position while other dogs walk around and smell him. If he decides to lunge or bark, correct him with the “No!” followed by a quick pull on his leash then repeat the sit command. He needs to stay relax on a sit position until you give him the release command.

Always use positive reinforcement, like rewarding your dog with a treat, toy or a simple praise for every positive behavior he does. Let your dog play with other dogs, you can start with the dogs his familiar with.

I hope that helps. Good luck to you and Rupert.

Your K-9 Advisor

-PIDOE-

A Dog's Grief for his Alpha

2009-08-10T10:16:00.000-07:00

For the past several days until now, We Filipinos are still in great grief over the succumbed of a great historical leader, an icon of true democracy, an advocate of God, a persevering peacemaker, and most of all a loving, caring and enthusiastically supportive mother to her family, all these adjectives best describes a queen worthy of her throne, a president best commendable for her country, and I spoke of no other than Madam Corazon “Cory” Aquino. We were stunned by the overwhelming respect and honor given by infinite number of Filipinos whom she led with spirited great deeds.

Though it may seem awkward to say, but I saw the characteristics of a true alpha, based on my dog perspective point of view. An assertive and calm leader of a pack, for even the cunning wolves vowed their heads in submission.

Truly, with her remarkable spiritual prowess, and honest leadership, she will not be forgotten as one of the simplest, most honored, loved, and respected President of our Nation.

The 3D Illusion Dog

2009-08-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

Here is something that will astonish you, it may look creepy though, yet its fun looking at it. You might think its magic, but I assure you its all illusion, I know so, because I actually made one, and it really works. At first glance, the head did not appear to be moving, but as I stare longer while moving from different directions, suddenly, it started following me, shifting its head from various angles. Its really amazing.

Would you like to have the 3D Illusion Dog and know its secret?
Email me,so I can send you a copy of the pattern.

PIDOE Help Desk is now open

2009-07-24T00:03:00.000-07:00

Good news for our Paws and Bones' friends and visitors. As part of my advocacy and mission to create a friendly and happy human-pet relationship particularly with dogs, I have created a widget that would facilitate queries, and information about training,behavior,and other related stuff sought by dog owners and wannabes. It's like a help desk that gives advises and tips on resolving problems in handling our canine friends.

Pidoe is your friendly online k-9 consultant and adviser. You can see this section along the side bar.

DOGSKETBALL

2009-07-17T08:25:00.000-07:00

To all the followers and supporters of Paws and Bones, once again I bring you another fun video of Loki and her mom Pixel engaging in a new kind of basketball sport, I called it Dogsketball, lol. This is one good doggie way of releasing stress and taking out the excess energy of your dogs. Keep in mind that "a tired dog is a good and happy dog."

Enjoy and thanks for watching.

A Time for Family - A Time for Dogs

2009-06-29T21:22:00.000-07:00

If there are two things that I like or love being with most, that would be my family and lots of dogs. I enjoy spending time with my children, simply hanging out with them and having fun is a feeling of overwhelming joy. Every time spent with them is most worthwhile and quite relaxing, perhaps therapeutic in a way. And with dogs around, it really completes our day.

Talk about our attendance in a recent dog trick show held in a mall, I always look forward not to miss and bring my kids to such kind of events. I want them to appreciate and experience the fun and friendliness of the environment, it's a good place to get acquainted. You meet different people from all walks of life yet share the same interest, they all love dogs.

If pups need to be socialized with people, likewise children need to interact with dogs. The bond between canines and humans is zealous and precious during childhood, when playfulness, imagination and emotions govern

Kids need to learn how to love, care for, and respect other creatures like dogs. It teaches them a sense of responsibility.

The fact about exposing our children to pets is a Living Education.

So, next time you want to take your kids out for fun, perhaps you would like to check first for any dog related events or shows that's happening in the community. I guarantee, its most worth it.

"Weepet" A Dog Story

2009-06-26T02:31:00.000-07:00

Hello, years ago I was eating on garbage and drinking water from street drainage. I have no home and practically sleep anywhere.

People disliked me , they never want me near their yard, they threw things at me just to drive me away, or even worst, hit me with a hard stick to keep out from their gates. They hated me so much. Can't blame them because I'm a stray dog or in local term "ASKAL", they always thought I have rabies, since I don't look so nice and really stinks so bad. I was so awful and unhealthy.

One day, I got beaten terribly by a ferocious Pitbull, sad to say his owner trained him to be a gladiator and did it to me on purpose.

All along, I thought the whole world hated me, but I was wrong.....because I found a friend.

I never knew that a person who is so extremely passionate with dogs regardless of condition still exists.

At first, I thought he is no different from the rest, who does not care especially with dogs like me...well, I was wrong.

He fed me, bathed me, cured my wounds and took me in, let me sleep under their shed. He trained me well and taught me a lot of tricks, and one thing I'm good at is "Retrieving". At the time he saw me, digging from trash looking for food and carrying a bag of garbage in my mouth, he already knew and strongly believed, I have the potential. Maybe he was right, because I'm a fast learner and I really made him proud.

All the while I knew my world will never change, but now, everything a dog would want in order to be happy surrounds me.

I found a leader, an alpha, a friend, with endless patience and compassion.

And now, I'm very happy that people accepted me, especially the children, who enjoys my company as their playmate. We play "fetch" and always have fun.

It's a wonderful feeling being cared and loved. And I promised to guard, protect, and obey them. Become a comforting companion till death....

Because they are my family.

Weepet

The Importance of Dog Socialization

2009-06-23T06:14:00.000-07:00

There are two things that influence a dog's behavior, namely genetics and experience. Genetics is nature and it's given. Every breed of dog has its own genetic traits and characteristics that contribute to the way a dog behaves. As soon as puppy is born, he/she will react to things, environment, situations, based on its inherited way of stimulation and thinking.

However, such natural behavior can be controlled or altered, for better or for worse, depending on the pup's experiences, particularly during the early sensitive period of development. A young puppy has a fast learning mind and can easily absorbs whatever you teach him. A pup nurtured or raised properly can become a good dog or better yet a wonder dog, but if the wrong kind of learning occurs, you may end up having a dog with lifelong problems in attitude and behavior. It is so important to accompany young pup to people of all ages, genders, sizes, color and deportment during the early period of its development and this is the idea of Socialization.

In socializing young pups. the objective is to prevent such negative experiences. When pups are first born they trust everyone and everything. At this time they should be exposed, under pleasant circumstances and with positive results, to environment, people and animals of all sorts. The window of rapid acceptance begins to close toward the 8th to 10th week of life. If adverse experiences occur during this stage, the negative effect may become severe.

Although early socialization of an unvaccinated pup would pose an unacceptable health risk, it can be resolved by setting a degree of isolation but not totally. Friends can be invited to visit your home and interact with the puppy, by playing with him, feeding and praising him. The pup's experience should be positive and pleasurable at this time.

LOKI with Dog Buddy Sachi

Also, it is helpful to have the pup interact with fully vaccinated and well cared for animals of the same or different species, as long as it can be assured that they are friendly. Socialization to other animals, including dogs, is almost as important as socialization to people. Generally, dogs raised in kennels do not get well socialized to people.

Good socialization is well achieved in a home-based atmosphere where in pups are allowed to explore and interact freely. In short, spending more time in a kennel or crate lessens the chance of socialization.

The Proper Dog Walk

2009-05-30T18:59:00.000-07:00

Everyday, I never missed walking my dogs. As a trainer and handler, I'm fully aware of the benefits I get for my dogs and for me as well. I've experienced and proven that my pets behaved better, and easier to handle, however, doing the walk may not be simple as it seems, all the while you might think that you're practicing it the right way, and later on you'll figure out its all wrong, and your dogs start to rule over you. Dog walk is a ritual that should be done and followed correctly and consistently. It is so important to act and display the proper attitude of a pack leader in order for the dog to respect and obey you.

Here's an article that I like to share that explains in details of how Dog Walk really works. Well, I admit, sometimes I commit mistakes by letting my dogs lead their way. Giving them the chance to do so, just even once is true enough for a dog, to develop a breed trait of controlling and leading humans, and that should not be the case.

I strongly suggest you read the rest of the articles, because I really find them helpful in understanding and training your dog better.

The Proper way to walk your dog

Agile Ladder Climbing Dog

2009-05-15T21:33:00.000-07:00

Here is another Video of an incredible fearless dog that can climb almost anything. Not too many dogs can display this kind of discipline not even in the dog sports like Schutzhund and Mondio Ring. I'm sure the owner and trainer is so proud to have this dog,otherwise we won't be seeing this video. By the way the dog's breed is a Dutch Shepherd.

The Best & Funniest "Play Dead" Dog Trick

2009-05-15T19:08:00.000-07:00

Its quite amusing and entertaining watching flash videos from a site such as Youtube. One of the most popular medium so far in communicating with and reaching the whole world. Many things and personalities have been discovered and became famous simply because of their self made video flicks and documentaries that they've uploaded. I watch Ellen De Generes Show and one of the segment that I really love is the showing of incredibly amusing and sometimes funny videos their staff searched and gathered from youtube. The rating of the video is base on the large number of views and that what makes them popular.

I've been around the site frequently, since I have my own videos to check as well, trying to see how many views my dog have gotten so far, I just wish Ellen will get across those flicks someday, hahaha... Well, I don't know, because people will always look and vote for the best unless you have more than a million of friends to support it.

Well, this one heck of a video really made me insecure, the best and funniest "play dead" dog trick performance I have ever seen. Can't imagine how rich the dog and his owner will be in the next few weeks.

Check it out!

A Lovely Evening with A Dog Loving Family

2009-05-15T00:18:00.000-07:00

Few days ago, I was invited by a dear friend and schoolmate back in high school to join his wonderful family for dinner in their lovely home. I was so happy and excited to know that my friend Vanj and his family share the same thoughts and feelings as I do when it comes to dogs, and finally, I got the chance to meet their extremely beautiful and lovable pooches, Vanj owns five (5) good looking, sweet, and cute petite dogs, namely Basil the Basset Hound, Vina the Mini Pit bull, Shadow the Dachshund and I forgot the names of the Shih-Tzus, well I guess its kinda hard to forget the first two, who are the most entertaining ,and Shadow being the most popular when it comes to his behavior, lol.

I’m so glad to find out that there is such a family who really cares and loves dogs so much, who advocates real dog parenting. There are a lot of dog owners who claims to be dog lovers, but only a few I would say are authentic, and Vanj together with his wife Leah and children belongs to the most loving few. A family who is highly commendable for a job well done. Truly inspirational to others who wish to begin owning a dog friend.

Many Thanks to Vanj,Leah and the rest of the family for a very wonderful evening, I loved the gourmet, and of course I won’t forget the amazing dogs that I enjoyed having fun with.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Does your dog belong to these Top 5 easiest breed for training?

2009-04-13T01:26:00.000-07:00

The Top 5 Easiest Dog Breeds For Training: Is Your Dog One Of Them?

All dogs can be trained, regardless of breed. Although, there are some breeds that are really easier to train than most. Here is a list of my top five easiest to train dog breed.

5. Australian Shepherd: A very intelligent breed, they are fast learners and are very stable and almost never get defensive.

4. Doberman Pinscher: Considered one of the most intelligent breeds. With a strong play drive, this dog can do almost everything.

3. Border Collie: Belongs to the superb working dog breeds, they are quite sensitive and really smart. These dogs have an amazing ability to work with their handler/owner.

2. Golden Retriever: A wonder dog, fun to train and shows lots of patience, perfect for amateur handlers and trainers. Excellent workability. Popular service dogs.

1. Poodle: A really smart breed and very trainable, became popular as circus dogs. Poodles are amazingly rapid learners, teaching this breed to do tricks is fun and easy.

Consistency is a key to a Good Training

2009-04-13T00:12:00.000-07:00

There's the saying " You can't teach old dog new tricks" but you can always practice and teach your old dogs old tricks. Does it really makes sense? Yes it does, a dog remains dumb till it gets older if you don't start with a simple old dog training exercise such as sit, down, stay or even come. And consistency with a patient attitude should be followed. Mastering the basics will lead your dog to a higher level of ethusiasm in learning new and advance tricks. Challenging your dog's intelligence will not only make your dog smart and behave but the reward of fulfillment as a trainer and owner is emotionally remarkable.

Here is video update of my dog Loki and what we do everyday before we go for a walk. For those who have not known, Loki is the son of my female dog Pixel who is also a trained dog.

Check this video

Capturing Life's Priceless Moments

2009-03-16T22:49:00.000-07:00

Its been quite a while since my last post,and spending a lot of time with family and dogs has been keeping me busy,while school vacation is near ahead,everyone seem excited on how they gonna enjoy the holidays. We can already feel the excruciating heat of summer as it approaches, really the best time to go out and explore the beautiful island resorts and beaches. And importantly,never forget to bring a camera and capture the highlights of those wonderful moments. Recently, we took pictures of ourselves with our dogs, and I'm fascinated by the photos that appeared so beautifully and lively, these what I call capturing life's priceless moments.

The Super Dog Program

2009-02-21T20:11:00.000-08:00

In my last post, I mentioned about a special canine program that can enhances a dog’s intelligence and work abilities. The U.S. Military developed a method that serves as a guide to what works. In an effort to improve the over all performance of dogs used for military purposes, the program was called “Bio-Sensor” and later became known as the “Super Dog” Program. Based on years of research, the military learned that early neurological stimulation exercises could have important and lasting effects. Their studies confirmed that there are specific time periods early in life when neurological stimulation has optimum results. The first period involves a window of time that begins the third day of life and lasts until the sixteenth day. It is believed that because this interval of time is a period of rapid neurological growth and development, and therefore is of great importance to the individual.

The “Bio Sensor” program was also concerned with early neurological stimulation in order to give the dog a neurological system. Each workout involved handling puppies once each day. The workouts required handling them one at a time while performing a series of five exercises. Listed in order of preference the handler starts with one pup and stimulates it using each of the five exercises. The handler completes the series from beginning to end before starting with the next pup. The handling of each pup once per day involves the following exercises:

Tactical stimulation (between toes)
Head held erect
Head pointed down
Supine position
Thermal stimulation

Tactical stimulation

Holding the pup in one hand, the handler gently stimulates (tickles) the pup between the toes on any one foot using a Q- tip. It is not necessary to see that the pup is feeling the tickle. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds

Head held erect

Using both hands, the pup is held perpendicular to the ground, (straight up), so that its head is directly above its tail. This is an upwards position. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.

Head pointed down

Holding the pup firmly with both hands the head is reversed and is pointed downward so that it is pointing toward the ground. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.

Supine position

Hold the pup so that its back is resting in the palm of both hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling. The pup while on its back is allowed to sleep struggle. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.

Thermal Stimulation

Use a damp towel that has been cooled in a refrigerator for at least five minutes. Place the pup on the towel, feet down. Do not restraint it from moving. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.

These five exercises will produce neurological stimulation, none of which naturally occur during this early period of life. Experience shows that sometimes pups will resist these exercises, others will appear unconcerned. In either case a caution is offered to those who plan to use them. Do not repeat them more that once per day and do not extend the time beyond that recommended for each exercise. Over stimulation of the neurological system can have adverse and detrimental results. These exercises impact the neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be normally expected. The result being an increased capacity that later will help to make the difference in its performance. Those who play with their pups and routinely handle them should continue to do so because the neurological exercises are not substitutions of routine handling, play socialization or bonding.

Incredibly Intelligent Dogs

2009-02-19T23:29:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of or seen a Mondioring or Schutzhund Competition? If you are a dog enthusiast who likes to see amazingly intelligent sporting canines or perhaps experience the thrill of the Dog Sports, I suggest you attend any of the events(You may visit the site for their schedules). I have been attending the Philippine Mondio Ring Competition for a couple of years now, and it is really fun and exciting to watch the different sporting dogs exhibiting their remarkable intelligence in various exercises such as obedience, guarding , protection, and agility. These K-9s are really awesome and I salute their trainers. I noticed that most of the dogs that usually excel in the sport are Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd Dogs. In my opinion, genetics contributes on how well these canines perform. Obviously these are the kind of dog breed suited for the sports. Just like in a Car Racing Sports, an ordinary vehicle is no match to a racing car that has an engine designed to drive tremendous power and speed. In the dog world, the kind of breed, genes, and training are accountable for its winning performance. You may be surprised to know that some of the dogs who compete in the sports were bred from champions to champions and they cost even hundred thousands of pesos. Definitely they are not ordinary dogs, they are raised to compete.

Is it possible for an ordinary dog maybe a mutt to have the traits of an excellent sporting dog? Perhaps yes, there maybe mutts who can equally display or even out star a mondioring or schutzhund champion canine, in fact there is a program which can enhance dog intelligence and that article I will share in my next post.

DOG TRAINING 101-A

2009-02-08T22:52:00.000-08:00

Training Dogs is a talent or skill anyone could have, just like several years ago, I was not aware that I have the potential to train. It all started with a simple dog play, my mutt’s interest on playing with socks made it possible for me to get her attention and keep her sitting still, I have no idea then how it actually works but the socks really made wonders, so from then on my curiosity and enthusiasm led me to learn more about dog training and their behavior. Training dogs is not really that complex compared to rocket science, though it requires strong determination and plethora of patience.

It is better to understand some of the basics about dog‘s temperament, genetic behaviors and preferences before you actually start training your dog. Generally, knowing your dogs and establishing a strong bond with them is what makes training successful and fun as well. My experiences as a trainer have taught me a lot not only with canines but with people at the same time. I realized that dogs behave and react to situations just like humans. However in the canine world it is simpler.

Before anything else, it is so valuable to create a good relationship with your dog; you should know that dogs are accustomed to live in a pack where there is a leader and a follower. The leader or the alpha dog is the most dominant in the pack while the rest of the canine members become his followers. As a handler and trainer of dogs, you should position yourself as the alpha dog in the pack; the dog should look on you as his ultimate master and friend with all respect. Establishing this kind of relationship with your dog will make your training experience more relax, fun and rewarding.

I came across with different trainers using various methodologies in canine training. The effect and result of any program may vary depending on the approach of imprinting a command that the dog should understand and follow. Moreover, the temperament of the dog and its genetic behavior also contributes to how well it will respond to the training program; this is when dog psychology comes in handy. Reminds me of the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, who knows so much about dog behavior and how he effectively makes dogs to respond positively from uncomfortable situations. Obviously, I find Cesar’s approach effective and he made a great contribution to trainers like me, there are still a lot of good trainers whom I got a share of what I know in the field of dog training. And so, it’s just fair to share what I learned and experienced with those who wish to train their dogs.

Here are a few tips on how to train your dog effectively.

1. Conditioning-Before introducing the exercises or commands to your dog, first you need to get his attention by setting him in a situation that will eagerly makes him follow you, the dog should have interest and enthusiasm in you, dogs love to play and eat so you can entice your dog with a toy he likes or a treat. Some dogs will immediately show excitement simply just by seeing their master, especially when the owners have been away for quite a while. The dog’s enthusiasm is more noticeable during these times: Meal Time, Time to go out for stroll, after the long hours that the dog missed you. You can take advantage of these situations and convert it positively to make your dog do the training exercise you have programmed. CLICK HERE TO check this video on classical conditioning(Preparation for come or recall command)

2. Positive reinforcement- You should always remember that your dog will respond positively to every command as long he/she pleasurably benefits from the task, meaning every command obeyed by your dog should be rewarded; it may be a treat, a toy or a simple praise using your happiest tone of voice, timing in rewarding is also important and must be done within ½ second of the command to ensure that your dog makes the connection between his behavior and the reward. Dogs will most likely remember and repeat the task as long as his experience in doing it is pleasurable. If the dog fails to do the command, simply don’t reward it, but don’t recourse to hitting, spanking and shouting as a form of punishment, no reward is the punishment. The program should be reinforced positively; the moment should be fun and enjoyable experience for you and your dog.

3. Calm and Assertive Trainer’s attitude- You should display a calm and assertive attitude when training your dog, its okay for a dog to show excitement but not for the trainer, you should be relaxed and patient in giving the exercise or command and eventually the dog will also be calm as it follows. It is the attitude an alpha dog should be in a pack. Common mistake that trainers have is becoming overexcited and expecting too much from their canine friends, resulting to overtime training, causing stress and boredom in dogs. Training should be limited to 5 to 10 minutes to maintain the dog’s motivation. Do not force the dog to do the command after several attempts, resume training a few seconds later using a simpler command that you know he will obey then reward him for a job well done and issue a finish command such as “release”. Both the trainer and the dog should be left with a feeling of accomplishment. Don’t expect a wonder dog overnight.

4. Start with Basic Obedience- Basic Obedience Commands include come, heel, sit, down, and stay. It is essential for a dog to be familiar and have a strong foundation with the commands before introducing additional and advance tasks. Keep in mind that dog’s motivation decreases as the difficulty of the command increases. I would suggest starting with the sit and staying command which I find most useful during dog walks on leash. Eventually your dog will able to do more complex task as he progresses. Dog tricks you see in the movies are just a combination of basic and advance commands choreographed so well.

Here are videos you can watch on how to train your dog using basic commands.

SIT (Click to watch video)
STAY (Click to watch video)
DOWN (Click to watch video)
HEEL (Click to watch video)
COME (Click to watch video)

Amusing Interactive Obedient Dog ( Your Internet Pet Dog)

2009-01-26T20:36:00.000-08:00

This is a wonderful site program that kids and adults will surely love. I was really amazed. It was fun and enjoyable seeing this smart dog obeys every command I tell him. Something really worth sharing with. Check the link below now.

I Do Dog Tricks-Your Smart Internet Dog.

Choosing your best dog breed.

2009-01-25T01:12:00.000-08:00

Many have asked me which breed of dog is the best; I would say it depends on the kind of dog that would suit your preferences, environment, and lifestyle. If you are the type of person who lives in a city, and works eight hours a day, you may not find ample time to walk a pet, therefore a low energy dog that can adapt to a long daily stretch of separation by sleeping the day away, but then spend time with you when you get home in the evening is best recommended. An example of a dog suited for such situation is a Basset Hound.

Every breed has something special that attracts its followers. But still most people talk about the same thing in describing the qualities they get from a dog they consider best. Among these qualities are dogs that are Affectionate, Loyal, Loving, Intelligent and Obedient, Protective, Friendly, Good House Dog, Good Looking & Healthy and Very Remarkable. Now the question is which among the hundreds of breeds has it? Should you go for a purebred dog or a mixed breed?

A Purebred dog is descended from parents belonging to a particular breed, strain or kind over many generations without crossbreeding. Purebred dogs may have pedigrees or family trees that can be traced back for three to five generations and often more. These breed of canines is generally consistent in appearance, size and temperament. They are distinctive and expensive as well. While Purebred dogs have many wonderful attributes, they also have some disadvantages. Among them are price, availability and potential genetic health problems.

On the other hand, mixed breed dog is a combination of different canine races and genes. They are called mongrels or mutts. They are unique, a one of a kind dog. They may be the result of a cross between two known breeds or perhaps of unknown parentage. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They are as smart, beautiful and loving as any purebred plus to mention the affordable price and availability. Also genetic health risks may not appear in mixed breed. Some disadvantages that a mixed breed could have are its unpredictability in terms of appearance and temperament.

It’s easy to be confused when selecting the type of dog to get. It’s like a test and you don’t want to get wrong. Choosing the right dog based on your needs as an owner is one factor to consider and so as to experience a harmonious relationship with your pet. Having the right dog based on your preferences and lifestyle will avoid problems in relating with your pet. There are too many cases of dogs being sent to shelters, or simply abandoned because owners blame their dogs for being uncooperative, going back to the example we have earlier, if a person who loves a dog yet has no time for walks chooses a pet with high energy level such as a Siberian Husky, or belongs to a working group of dogs, I bet he’ll be pissed off and blame the dog for having behavior problems. Dogs under such category will surely go nuts without exercise or work, resulting to destructive behavior such as chewing your shoes or leather sofa. So what happens is you give the dog away, and sadly some owners would even hurt their dogs if it gets worst.

People wanting specific characteristics like looks, size, coat, temperament and ability to work will most likely go for a purebred dog. While those who wish for a unique kind of dog would prefer a mixed breed. No matter what the consequences are in choosing which breed of canine to have, still it’s worth the risk.

I suggest you check the following sites below for some tips on which breed fits your personality.

1.Which Breed Personality is best for you
2.15 Best Breeds for Type A vs Type B personalities
3.Top Dog Breeds for Families
4.Top 10 Most Intelligent Breed

Dog Attack-Can it be avoided?

2009-01-22T21:02:00.000-08:00

Everyday I walk my dogs around our village, its part of our daily routine and it’s a very good exercise not only for my dogs but for me as well. We go out twice or even thrice a day, you can say that I’m the most frequent dog walker at home. When I walk my dogs, I leashed them, just to avoid accidents, though they are better off-leash. And when at the park I set them free to socialize with other dogs and people as well. But I don’t recommend other dog handlers and owners to do the same unless their dogs are well trained and certain of their good temperaments.

At the park, we play and train, and sometimes entertain kids by giving them a short dog trick show. This is a good way of sending positive information to people who fear dogs. Not everyone likes dogs, and you can’t really blame them for feeling that way. Maybe that person had a bad experience with a canine causing trauma all through out his life. I also realized that most people were misinformed; they have the idea that dogs have rabies since birth, just like snakes with venom; of course this is so false. When I was a kid, I remember my mother telling me not to play roughly with a puppy because he has strong rabies. Perhaps that’s what my grandparents use to tell her, and that is what they want me to believe then. But unfortunately a lot of people still believe in this myth, and they have no knowledge on how to deal with dogs at all. This morning, me and my pooches came across a man, stand six feet tall, maybe weigh around 200 lbs, holding a 2ft long and 1 ½ inch diameter water pipe while walking, dude he's really big and yet I can see his fearful face as my pets approach him, he acted so scared and defensive, considering my dogs were on leash. Honestly, I got scared too, not for him but for my dogs, because at any instance the man could hit them with a pipe because his frightened, thinking the canines will instantly bite him. Well of course, dogs will not do any harm unless provoked. Frequently, people are the ones showing these loving animals the wrong gestures. Reminds me of King Kong, Joe Almighty, Willy the killer whale, and even E.T. they all suffer the same fate due to man's foolishness. I know its fiction but the acts of men were not. These things happen because of the negative perception, and wrong information gotten from an ignorant society particularly with canines. But I'm glad that many good informative sites are there on the Internet to resolve this issue.

Perhaps it's best for me to start educating you by giving a tip on “How to avoid being attacked by a dog”. It is true, dog attacks can be avoided. Most people, especially children are bitten by dogs because they wrongly interpret the dog's intention and they act the wrong way every time a dog approaches. Dogs rely more on their sense of smell rather than sight, therefore, have to come very close and sniff to assess something. Dogs will easily detect a passing or moving object and will mostly likely bark and growl to intimidate and instill fear in his foe then he will approach the person and get very close to scent what it is, this is the time when people usually get bitten, they thought that dog gets too close to bite, so instead of stopping and allowing the dog to sniff them, most people will kick out at the dog, do some harm and run. And this provokes the dog to retaliate and attack.

When you see a dog approaching you or even running behind you, is to stand totally still, do not move, and never talk or try to pat the dog. Some dogs may appear friendly but does not like to be touched. Wait for the dog to lose interest in you.

You can also bring some doggy treats with you, if you decide to go for a stroll where there are dogs you can't avoid. Food is what they love above all and it will surely lure him away by dropping the treats on the ground and remaining still. Do not extend your hand to feed the dog. Also please remember that dogs do not like to be stared at, so keep your eyes off the dog directly. Staring is a challenge of dominance and they see it as a threat.

In case you are knocked to the ground by a dog, Do not attempt to stand up, lie totally still, roll yourself up into a fetal position and stay calm. The dog will attempt to challenge you, and if you try to get back up , it will only result in the dog trying to pull you back down and it may result to a vicious attack.

I will not take responsibility for the injuries incurred to you or your dog as the result of the informative tip presented here. Just stay out of the dog streets.

My Dog Doctor (Therapeutic Human Dog Bond)

2009-01-22T20:22:00.000-08:00

Life is so tough these days. Everyday we face a new challenge to survive life’s difficulties and the damaging stress caused by it. There are moments we feel anxious, lonely, and emotionally depressed influenced by so many factors. But exactly how do you deal with it? Some people will find time to relax, go out with friends, enjoy and have fun to cope up with the pressures of life. Well, I’m one of the many stressed people who believe that owning a dog will make you feel better.

Many studies have proven the benefits of human animal bond. It has shown the link between a healthier, happier longer life and dog ownership. However, owning a dog is not necessarily a substitute for human support but it's an alternative way to express and receive love. Keeping a dog or any other pet can give you a sense of purpose and the feeling of being needed, a feeling that is most especially important for people who live alone and feel depressed. .

Simply watching our dog’s silly antics makes us happy and relaxed. When I see my dog looking at me with his big, adoring brown eyes together with his wagging tail, it surely brings a certain comforting feeling that takes away the daily life tension whether it’s related to family or work. With my dog around, difficult situations seemed to become more bearable. It surely decreases my feeling of anxiety and depression..

It is quite amazing how dogs choose to live with us, show loyalty and love for us no matter who we are, whether we are rich or poor, smart or dumb, young or adult. Dogs don’t care whatever status we have in life, they don’t live in vanity, a simple home, water and food and most of all love and care is all they wish from us. Dogs do not speak and yet they teach us to become better people, makes us feel confident, rare and special. It so sad to know that dogs can’t live long like us humans and having a long term commitment with our dogs may not be possible, but surely every moment with them will be valuable and inspiring..

For now, I will say that my dog is my reliever of stress. A Dog Doctor indeed.

A Dog Lover-Can you tell who's real?

2009-01-14T18:52:00.000-08:00

I've been training and living with dogs for quite sometime now, if you were to ask exactly how long, well that would be 5 years I guess, I may not sound so impressive considering the length of time I’ve spent teaching and learning how dogs behave and how we interact. Even though, every minute and hour of it has always been worthwhile. I’m very passionate with dogs, no matter what breed. I don’t have any preferences nor been selective of them. Taking care of a canine is something I really enjoy doing, just never get tired of them. But what makes me do all these? Dogs play an integral part of my family, not merely for the contributions he makes as a guardian, watchdog, and pet companion, but because of his unconditional love for and desire to be with us humans. Dogs’ strong enthusiasm to be with people- evident in a happy bark, wagging tail, and a toothy grin, draws us close to them and make dogs special to us.

It’s easy to tell why people get carried away by the desire to own a dog, however, not everyone is suited to dog ownership. It requires a commitment of time, patience and money that can be difficult to meet with long working hours, school, and other social activities. Dog needs a lot of loving interaction such as playing, training and petting. Providing them food, water and shelter is not all it takes. A dog is a social animal that craves contact with his human friend.

I’ve seen and met people who claim they love dogs. But on certain conditions, they only like purebred, expensive looking, admirable, cool to walk, a perfect dog that will make them proud and outstanding as owners, not handlers. They love dogs, but do not like to walk them much, pick up their poo, bath them and train them. They rather hire maids to take care of these chores. It saddens me to know that too many dog owners more often neglect their dogs especially if it is a mutt or mongrel. At first, they love them as puppies because they are cute, cuddly and lovable and they put so much attention to them, but as their pooch grow older, owners tend to forget all the enthusiasm of loving & caring for their pets. Look around you, and notice how many stray dogs you see awfully thin,skin so unpleasant,unhealthy and messing with garbage food. I will not be surprised to know how profitable those unlawful gruesome business on selling dog meat,you don't have to worry about the demand,since there's too much supply roving around for free. So unfortunate for dogs so loving and loyal to his master and still thrown out of home.

So, before you bring home a dog, think about your lifestyle. Ask yourself “Am I prepared to make a lifetime commitment to a dog regardless of breed and level of health?” While the pleasures of a dog’s companionship are boundless, so too are the responsibilities. It’s not fair to a dog to take him in, develop a relationship, and then sell him, give him away or send him to a shelter because you’re unable to give the attention he needs. However, if you’re ready to share your home and heart with a friend of the canine persuasion, the warm feeling of unconditional love between you and your dog is enormously rewarding.

FOR A GOOD CANINE START

2009-01-11T15:40:00.000-08:00

Finally after so many weeks of procrastination, the blog I've always been thinking and planning to make is here, though it needs some fixing so consider it as a work on progress.

While I'm writing this post, my dogs are so excited licking my face and hands reminding me that its time for their walk, its a good thing that I trained them to be patient, so I tell them to stay down, sit and wait, it really amazes me seeing them so obedient, sometimes I can't believe how I was able to train these lovely mutts that well, perhaps it's always been my extreme passion for them that led me to understand the craft of dog training and their behavior. This is the very reason why I created this blog, to share the thoughts , experiences, and fulfillment of a happy and loving dog owner and vice-versa. But most important of all is inspire people to become good,caring and responsible owner to their canine friends.