Guide to Dog Agility Training

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/jeffreysnaturalpetfo423/public_html/prod/wp-content/plugins/wp-word-count/public/class-wpwc-public.php on line 123

If you’ve ever seen dog agility programs on television or watched it live as the opening act for another performance, you know how amazing it is. But did you know that you can participate in dog agility training? Dog agility isn’t limited to certain breeds, people, ages or types of dog or human, and anyone can enroll their dog in agility training. In fact, you can learn how to train your dog yourself and bypass any professional training if you have the time and the will to get involved.

Dog agility training is the process of training a dog for Agility events, which are a kind of dog show that demonstrate certain tricks and stunts performed by human and animal. A typical dog agility course includes wheels, weaving polls, planks, see-saws, tunnels, hoops and A-frame jumps that test the dog’s ability to both negotiate the course and respond to his or her owner. The dog performs these stunts off-leash and with the direction of the owner.

If you are interested in pursuing dog agility training, you should first consult with your veterinarian to make sure that your dog is suitable for this practice. Certain types of physical problems can preclude the participation in agility training and you don’t want to cause injury to your dog by ignoring these precautions. Joint and muscle pain and arthritis are the most common ailments that would prevent a dog from participating.

Before you start your dog agility training, you will need certain equipment. First, you should have a comfortable pair of shoes and comfortable clothing. The dog isn’t the only one to get a workout during agility training, so you’ll need to be comfortable and free to move. The dog will need a webbed collar and a long (5-6 foot) leather or nylon lead. Chain leads don’t work well for agility because they can too easily become tangled in jumps or other obstacles.

Once you have your equipment, you’ll need to find a dog agility training center near your home. Some of these centers are outdoors, which means that weather must permit you to practice, while others have indoor training centers that are geared toward serious participants. Most agility training centers offer time slots for individuals to use the facility, and can cost between $5 and $50 per session. You’ll need to send up a time schedule so that you don’t interfere with other people and their dogs.

Training your dog for agility should be fun and not a chore. If you don’t know anything about dog training, you’d be better off signing up for classes at first than going at it on your own. Most agility training centers have instructors available and half-hour or hour-long classes won’t break your bank. Once you get a feel for how it’s done, you can venture out on your own and only take classes when you encounter a problem.

It is usually helpful if you bring treats with you to practice to reward your dog. Make sure your dog knows that you’re doing this for fun; don’t make it an exercise in trying your patience. If agility training doesn’t come easily to your dog, don’t shove it down his throat. Evaluate whether you and your dog are having fun and whether it’s something you want to pursue.

How to Become the Alpha Dog During Dog Training

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/jeffreysnaturalpetfo423/public_html/prod/wp-content/plugins/wp-word-count/public/class-wpwc-public.php on line 123

Dogs are pack animals, which means that there is always a leader — or “Alpha Dog” — in the pack to whom all of the other animals defer. When it comes to dog training, you as the owner must become the alpha dog to ensure obedience and respect. If you allow your dog to believe that he or she is the Alpha dog, you run the risk of losing his or her respect forever. Not only that, but a dog who things that he or she is the master is inherently dangerous, especially if you’ve purchased a breed that is naturally aggressive.

There are many schools of thought that pertain to becoming the Alpha dog in your dog training efforts. Some experts say that the best way to become an Alpha dog is to continually offer discipline and rejection. There are easier ways, however, that can start from day one. Two methods in particular have always worked with me, and they are easy enough that you don’t have to be an expert dog trainer to send the right message.

The first method of becoming the Alpha dog is to spend five minutes each day standing over your dog. When an animal turns his or her belly upwards to the owner, this shows absolute submission. Most dogs won’t do this right away because they are reluctant to give up control. In the wild, keeping their bellies tucked underneath themselves is a matter of survival — if a predator can’t get to the belly and throat, there is far less chance of becoming injured or killed.

So ask your dog to sit and stand over him. Put one leg on either side of the dog and pet his head and back. This doesn’t have to be an intimidating exercise; you can talk lovingly to your pet while you are demonstrating that you are the Alpha dog. Stand over your dog for about five minutes and when you are done, simply back away. After that, you can continue your training regimen or go back to everyday activities. The goal with this exercise is for your dog to eventually lay down while you are standing over him and turn his or her belly upward so you can rub it. This is the ultimate in submission.

The other method of becoming the Alpha dog in your household is more preventative than anything else. You should know what actions you can commit that will give your dog the idea that he or she is the Alpha dog. One is looking away first when you and your dog make eye contact. You’ve probably heard that you should never stare down an aggressive dog because this is perceived as a challenge, but the exact opposite is true when it comes to your dog. If you happen to make eye contact, never look away first. Continue to stare until your dog looks away — usually within ten or fifteen seconds.

The same type of concept holds true during play. Some expert dog trainers advise owners to never play “Tug-of-War” with their dogs because if the dog wrestles the Frisbee or rope or toy away from the owner, this is considered a sign of dominance. It’s important that you never get down on your dog’s level to wrestle or play games because, if you allow he or she to win, this might give your dog the impression that he or she is the “Alpha Dog”.

While most dogs are docile creatures who won’t try to “get over on” their owners, it’s important for you to establish that you are the Alpha dog from the very beginning. You’re establishing that subconsciously by dispensing food to your dog (a task of the Alpha dog) and by reprimanding him or her for bad behavior. However, if you are conscious about how your actions are interpreted by the dog, you’ll have far more success in your training efforts.

How to Choose Between a Cat or a Dog

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/jeffreysnaturalpetfo423/public_html/prod/wp-content/plugins/wp-word-count/public/class-wpwc-public.php on line 123

When it comes to cats and dogs, people usually take sides. It’s kind of like Coke and Pepsi, except with stronger feeling. Some people enjoy both, but many consider themselves either a “cat person” or a “dog person”. And indeed, there are even psychological theories about personality types being either “cats” or “dogs”.

Most individuals probably grew up with at least one or the other and made up their minds about which one they preferred early on. But what about those of us who just can’t decide which one we want to have?

Well, the best way to start might be to look carefully at both animals and examine their tendencies, habits, and needs. Of course, it would be inaccurate to generalize all cats one way and all dogs another, but there are certain truths to the stereotypes.

Dogs, in general, are more active than cats. They usually have more energy, and therefore will require more energy from you. This varies widely by breed, but if you have an active lifestyle where you like to run, hike, etc, a dog might be best for you. And of course, you probably would not want a really small dog for such activities.

Cats, on the other hand, do not require as much attention usually. Some are very affectionate and crave your touch, but most spend a fair amount of time alone. Cats tend to be very independent and like to do their own thing, whereas dogs will often stick close by you and seek attention constantly. However, if you are looking for a pet that will sit on your lap and cuddle with you while you watch TV, there are actually more cats willing to do this than dogs.

If you have kids, dogs are usually a little more tolerant, though once again this really depends on the breed. Cats will generally avoid anything that likes to pull on their ears and tail, understandably. Noise is also an issue to consider. Some dogs can be very loud and bark a lot, so if you know this will annoy you, you will probably prefer a cat, or will need to limit your search to the quieter breeds of dogs.

The bottom line is that every person is looking for different qualities in a pet, and no dog or cat will necessarily be perfect. At the same time, it is possible to make distinctions that will help you decide what kind of pet you are looking for. Who knows? You might decide you want both – or neither!

50th Birthday Party Ideas for Dog Lovers

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/jeffreysnaturalpetfo423/public_html/prod/wp-content/plugins/wp-word-count/public/class-wpwc-public.php on line 123

50th birthday parties are a huge moment in a person’s life! You can combine a 50th birthday party them with a dog birthday party theme to create a custom party for the dog lover in your life turning 50!
We all love our pets and treat them like little people, so encourage friends and family to bring their well behaved dogs and enjoy these ideas for 50th birthday party ideas that involve dogs!

50th Birthday Party Ideas for Dog Lovers #1: Adopt a Dog Party

Throwing an adopt a dog party is the perfect dog theme for someone who loves to be a part of their community, help homeless pets, and do something to make the world a better place.

Get together with your local animal shelter, pet adoption store, or even a local vet. Let them know you are a local dog love and would love to throw a get together that is a celebration as well as a chance for others to see and meet local dogs that need adopting.

This is a fun way to share your love of dogs, let other’s know there is a need out there, and have a great birthday celebrating as well as helping.

If the dogs can not visit during your party then ask for videos of the dogs. Many local TV cable channels show these, so you can have the videos of needy pets playing at the party. Ask for any gifts to be donation to the local dog or animal shelter!

50th Birthday Party Ideas for Dog Lovers #2: Dog Party

Why not throw a regular old birthday party with artist. Invite the (well behaved) dogs along to the party. Let your birthday party guests know if they have a social dog that can behave well around adults, children, and other dogs, that they are more than welcome to bring them to your birthday party!

Be sure to have human cake as well as dog friendly treats. You can have simple dog biscuits or bake elaborate dog friendly treats yourself!

Be sure to have plenty of water bowls around to keep your furry friends cool while they are at the birthday party!

50th Birthday Party Ideas for Dog Lovers #3: Dog Entertainment

Finally, a fiftieth birthday party is big deal, so why not splurge for a little entertainment? Look for local dogs that can perform in your area. These can range from Frisbee dogs who like to see and be seen at local dog shows ot dogs that can perform tricks, like jumping through hoops and so forth.

Search for these online and check with your local vet! You will be surprised at the number of over achieving performing dogs in your area!

Raw Food Supplements for Dogs

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/jeffreysnaturalpetfo423/public_html/prod/wp-content/plugins/wp-word-count/public/class-wpwc-public.php on line 123

If you have yet to find out the advantages of using a raw food supplement for dogs, be prepared to find one of the easiest and healthiest answers to most common dog issues. Raw foods have been on the market since before the great tainted wheat fiasco of 1997. However, the painful and unfortunate education the public received through this incident uncovered the need to rethink how we feed our dogs.

Raw food supplements for dogs do more than meets the eye. While the nutritional capacity that dogs receive from the supplement are akin to their natural, body development needs, you’ll be giving your dog the gift of real health.

Dogs that do not get their nutritional needs met tend to have small but irritating issue. They smell funky. They have runny or gunky eyes. They sneeze, itch, scratch, and even tear holes in their body from repeated licking. Their joints ache even if when they are young and they tire out pretty fast.

These seem like natural dog issues that are just part of being canine. However, it’s akin to wandering through life with a chronically runny nose, broken out skin, pain in your hips and back, and chronic fatigue. In general you just don’t feel so great.

By using a true raw food supplement you can help erase the daily issues that just seem like dog issues to you and I. Clear skin and eyes, a significant reduction in sneezing and scratching, no more repetitive irritating licking, and happy, joyous energy from sun up to sun down is how a dog is supposed to live. The nutritional balance that your dog receives from raw foods can literally take them from the edge of not feeling well to feeling and acting like they are on top of the world.

Even some aggression issues have been linked to poor nutrition. Dogs who receive a balanced and healthy natural diet tend to have fewer behavioral issues. Good behavior requires concentration on behalf of your dog. We don’t send out kids off to school with two spoonfuls of sugar for breakfast because we know they need good nutrition to concentrate. Dogs have that same requirement.

The raw foods that are in high quality supplements give your dog the natural balance, rather than the human balance. Dog food is developed by humans and most of it is based on human nutritional needs. Byproducts are often used because they are cheaper. They are cheaper because they aren’t as high in quality and don’t offer the dog ample protein. Supplementation can take the guesswork out of trying to feed your dog a good diet. With so many dog food companies competing for your attention, it is hard to determine what is best. Aside from buying ingredients and putting it together yourself, you need to find a reliable source for the supplement that will help round out the edges and fill in any nutritional gaps.

For reliable nutritional supplements try visiting WySong.com or BarfWorld.com. BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods. Each site has complete supplements as well as individual supplements for different issues. Each site also offers you insight into what raw food will do for your dog, and carries a line for the other family companions as well.

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Your Dog

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/jeffreysnaturalpetfo423/public_html/prod/wp-content/plugins/wp-word-count/public/class-wpwc-public.php on line 123

How to Buy Safe Dog Food

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/jeffreysnaturalpetfo423/public_html/prod/wp-content/plugins/wp-word-count/public/class-wpwc-public.php on line 123

Recent problems have highlighted unsafe dog food, which has sickened many animals in the past. Short of making dog food yourself, there is no way that is 100{b9e341c574339eadadbcd9546154bfec1f68832922c1af69f0a34b0157cffc6e}, but there are definitely things that you can do to give yourself a much better chance of getting a dog food that is healthy and safe. The following are tips for buying safe dog food for sensitive stomachs.

Buy from a trusted store

You are more likely to get safe dog food if you trust the store that is selling it. The different stores might be more careful in whom they choose to carry. For instance, I would feel much safer buying a product at Pet Supermarket than from a random person selling at a flea market. Both may be perfectly safe, but you are more likely to have a safe dog food from the more well-known store that has a reputation to maintain. They have a lot to lose if something goes wrong.

Buy the trusted brands

If you buy dog food from a brand you trust, then there will be a better chance that it is safe. There are many brands that are national and have more stringent regulations. Again, they may have a lot to lose if something goes wrong.

Make sure that the package is completely sealed

Do not purchase a bag of dog food if it looks like the package has been opened or tampered with in any way. Even if it is a good brand from a good store, who knows what might have happened to it if someone opened it? Even if it just got opened in shipping and handling and not by any person’s nefarious intentions, the food still could have a problem just by being opened if dirt or bacteria got into it or if it spoiled. Make sure that you buy dog food that is well sealed.

Do not buy dog food from countries that have had recent problems

Much of the dog food that has been in the news recently with problems has been from specific countries. You may want to avoid purchasing dog food from those countries if they are not as careful with their regulations. Many countries do have regulations and inspections, and you may want to purchase from one of those more trusted sources.

Most pet-owners want to be certain that they purchase safe dog food for their canine friends. Buying from a trusted store, buying a well-known brand, buying only fully sealed items and avoiding countries where there have been recent problems are some ways you can increase your chances of having safe dog food.

Home Remedies for Hot Spots on Dogs

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/jeffreysnaturalpetfo423/public_html/prod/wp-content/plugins/wp-word-count/public/class-wpwc-public.php on line 123

A hot spot is an area on a dogs skin that becomes inflamed and infected. Other names for hot spots on dogs include moist dermatitis and acute moist dermatitis. What happens to make it a hot spot is a dog gets an itch from flea bites, mite bites or other external parasites and starts licking and biting at it. The more they lick and bite at it, the more infected and inflamed it will get. The signs of hot spots on dogs include redness, itchiness, oozing pus and pain. There are ways to treat hot spots from home and save you time and money.

Shave the Area

The very first thing a dog owner needs to do when treating hot spots is to shave the area. Although hair loss in one of the symptoms of hot spots, hair can grow over the area and will need to be removed to treat it. Shaving the area will dry the hot spots out and allow air to get to them.

Cleanse the Area

Once the area is free of fur, you will then want to cleanse the area with warm water and a gentle cleanser. You can use a water based cleanser, antiseptic spray or a special shampoo. Rinse the area well and pat dry.

Black Tea Bags

You can also use black tea bags on the area to treat the hot spots. Black tea contains tannic acids which will help dry out and heal the hot spot quickly. Steep the black tea bag in hot water and let it cool. Apply the black tea bag to the hot spot for at least 5 minutes. Use black tea bags on the hot spots every day, six times a day until the hot spots are gone. You can also apply witch hazel to the hot spots as it will cool and relieve the symptoms from them.

Salt Water Solution

Fill a bowl with water and a teaspoon of salt. Soak a wash cloth in this salt water solution and apply the salt water soaked wash cloth to the hot spots. Let this sit for a few minutes. The salt water solution will help reduce the swelling caused by the hot spot and remove the pus as well.

Prevention

Once getting rid of the hot spots, you will want to do everything you can to prevent them from coming back. A few tips to do this include providing your dog with enough activities to keep them from biting and licking any itches, trying out a special collar to prevent them from biting and licking, keep their nails trimmed as often as possible to keep them from digging and keep their skin relieved and cool with witch hazel.

Using the above mentioned home remedies will not only save you a trip to the vet and the cost of the vet but your dog will be happy too.

Source:

Home Remedies for Dog Hot Spot Treatment

How To Introduce Your Dog To A New Bed

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/jeffreysnaturalpetfo423/public_html/prod/wp-content/plugins/wp-word-count/public/class-wpwc-public.php on line 123

Jeffrey’s Food Ranking Index

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/jeffreysnaturalpetfo423/public_html/prod/wp-content/plugins/wp-word-count/public/class-wpwc-public.php on line 123

If you are a pet owner who wants to find out more about the importance of pet food quality, then you are in the right place. As you might know, Jeffrey’s natural pet food is one of the most popular foods that you can purchase for your pet. Well, today you will have the chance to look into a ranking index that was designed by Jeffrey. In this article, you will find different food types and information about certain types of food that are both good and bad for your pets. Most people that have a pet don’t know what type of food is the best for their pet and they are usually feeding them with the wrong type of food that can cause some serious issues later on for the pet.

Nowadays, people are blinded by commercials and they believe everything they see or hear on TV. All the dog food commercials that you see are made to promote a pet food that will most likely cause serious issues for your pet. Of course, they don’t tell you this and you just keep buying it. If you want to know more about the reasons why artificial and processed food can cause issues, then stick around.

Artificial Food

As mentioned, there are a lot of so-called artificial pet food and the reason for that is because it is cheap to produce. Well, everything that is cheap is low quality, you might know that already. So why would you buy and feed your pet with artificial food when you know that is not good for their health. The more the food is being processed, the less good qualities it has. So, if you ever get the chance to choose between artificial and natural food, you should always go with the natural option because it is much healthier.

Natural, Unprocessed Food

Of course, the best thing to give your pets is natural food that hasn’t been processed at all. This way they get all the nutrients and they will be healthy. However, one issue that you might run into is that finding natural food suppliers is not easy. That’s why we have created this company to provide more quality food for your pets. We are making it, you just have to feed it to your dog. Your pet needs energy and the best way to provide them with energy boost is with quality natural food that hasn’t been processed.