Whether you have a new puppy or an old dog, it makes good sense to invest a little time training them. And while there is an abundance of information available about how to train your dog, you can go wrong with dog training tips from the experts.

What does a well trained dog act like? First, he is aware of his owner’s command and follows each because he likes to please his owner. He is not running around like a tornado and does not cause commotion, but behaves in a way that is likely to be helpful and cause pleasant thoughts regarding his presence. He does not jump on a person, he does not bark incessantly, he does not lick a person, he does not try to take food from their hands, he does not try to sit in a visitor’s lap, he does not nip or bite at fingers or hands, and he will lay down at the owner’s request. He is also well trained to expect his daily walks to relieve himself and will not, only in dire and unusual circumstances, relieve himself in the house. A dog owner has the responsibility to let his animal know there will be ample and regulated breaks for him outside and that the owner will be there when needed.

Positive reinforcement is essential: While there are many theories on how to train your dog, most dog training experts agree that positive reinforcement works best. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding your dog with verbal praise “good dog”, physical praise like a pat on the head and food rewards. It doesn’t involve yelling at your dog, hitting or punishing them. Positive reinforcement works because it builds a bond of trust with your dog. Dogs are motivated by rewards especially food rewards.

Always end on a positive note: Learning a new trick is hard work. End each training session, no matter how frustrating, on a positive note. Always give your dog a trick or behavior to perform that they know how to perform and end with a food reward and plenty of praise

Keep your dog healthy: One of the most important dog training tips from the experts recommends feeding your dog a quality dog food, giving them plenty of fresh water and making sure they get enough sleep. A healthy dog is a happier dog and will learn desired behaviors much more quickly.

Walking/Leash Issues: Can you picture this? A 75 pound Labrador retriever pulling it’s owner along at a fast clip while zigzagging from tree to tree. The poor owner, with a now dislocated arm, vows never to walk the dog again. This is sad because dogs can be trained to walk nicely and they LOVE to go on walks.

When the dog has learned some of the basic commands, a couple more commands like GET IT to retrieve an object or maybe JUMP to go through an exercise routine with hoops can be added. It is very pleasurable to train your dog and to give him rewards as he completes each task. Take the time to teach your dog some cool tricks. Yes, they’re fun for you and you’re able to show off your dog, but your dog likes them too because you’re giving him tasks to do and quality time with you.

Finally, teaching your dog to fetch something is a time-honored tradition. Dogs can be taught to fetch items and will remember the various names for items. This can be not only a fun trick, but a handy one if you’re unable to easily get things for yourself. You dog can learn to fetch all sorts of things by name – toy, ball, bone, newspaper, shoes, etc. Start with one word, and really emphasize the word. When he’s consistent at fetching that item, you can add another word, and so on.

Many people complain about their new dog chewing up everything in sight and tearing up their gardens, and admit that they don’t know how to stop the dog from doing this. There are some solutions, though they may take time to implement, which will help to stop this problem. There are a large variety of toys available which should keep the dog amused. Some are capable of hiding treats inside them, making the dog work for its reward by rolling the toy around until a treat falls out. Others can be placed into the freezer overnight and given to the dog on a hot day, letting the dog lick the cool treat over a period of time as the toy defrosts.

Many other variations of dog toys can be found or can even be made out of existing household items, just be sure to make them safe for the dog.

If you are unable to devote the time to training your pet, then please have a professional train your dog. It will be well worth the time and effort and money when one of your friends says, “Wow, your dog is such a pleasure to be around. I would love to have such an obedient animal as a pet”. Just take the praise and smile and give your dog a well deserved pat on the head!

Be sure your dog is comfortable and protected from the elements by wearing cute dog clothes and durable cooling dog beds.

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Cold winter day are swiftly approaching. So pull out those coats, sweaters and heaters! Even though dogs have their own coats, they can always the additional warmth presented by a dog coat or jacket.

Dog owners enjoy dressing up small dogs. Smaller breed dogs have hair rather than fur and are sensitive to chilly weather. They need the warmth of dog clothes if they are outside for any length of time. Dog breeds such as: Yorkshire Terriers, Silky Terriers, Chinese Crested Dogs, Dachshunds and Maltese truly benefit from wearing a dog sweater or coat. Little dogs don’t like the feel of the cold or rain and are happiest warm and dry.

Mid-sized dogs such as Welsh Corgis or Pugs are very muscular yet have very short hair. But a Welsh Corgi would look superb in a classy coat or jacket? Sometimes it is all about looking good! Boxers are another type of dog that does not do well in intense temperatures even with their muscular physique. And a Corduroy Dog Jacket would look great on any Boxer?

Short haired breeds, like a Basenji, Greyhound, Italian Greyhound, Weimaraner and Vizsla have a slender build and require exercise outdoors. They do not handle severe cold weather very well. During cold days a barn jacket is effortless to Velcro around an active dog and helps to keep outdoor dogs toasty in colder weather. The Polyester helps ward off wind and water to maintain dryness and safety from the elements, while the fleece side captures body heat to supply warm comfort.

Some dog breeds don’t require the warmth of a coat. For instance, the Alaskan Malamute has a thick and wooly base-coat that allows them to be exposed to the extreme cold weather without wearing protection. The Samoyed has a dual coat that contains a soft, thick undercoat with a harsh outer layer. In addition, cold temperature breeds have a tuft of hair around their neck for extra warmth.

Aging dogs need extra warmth in their old age. A fleece lined dog coat will maintain an older dogs warmth effectively. Especially for arthritic dogs, a dog jacket or coat will present relief to their cold bodies. Dogs not in good health can profit from a therapeutic dog coat. By using heat, cold and magnetic therapy, these dog coats offer rehabilitation for pain relief.

The correct fit is necessary for best possible comfort. Follow these steps using a tape measure to determine what size coat your dog will need.

Step 1: Measure your dog’s girth. The girth is the chest directly behind the front legs.

Step 2: Measure your dog’s neck. This is an important for hooded dog apparel.

Step 3: Determine the length of your dog from the base of their neck to the base of their tail.

Yes, dogs come with their own coats, but depending upon the breed, the size, and the weather a dog coat can add an extra bit of warmth for cold and damp days.

Even though dogs come equipped with their own natural coat, they can always use an extra bit of warmth for cold and rainy days. Joanne Gallagher recommends visiting Jake’s Dog House for a wide selection of Dog Jackets & Coats that will provide your dog with warmth and fashion during the cold winter months.

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When I was young our schnauzer had a form fitted black and red plaid coat. The fabric was rough. It always looked a bit dirty and the under the belly buttons were difficult to access and the buttons seemed to large for the button holes. As a result we only managed to wrestle the coat on to the unwilling dog once or twice at the start of each winter and for the balance of the winter the poor dog was cold.

Times have changed and there are now a plethora of dog coat options ranging from the practical to the ridiculous, from the inexpensive to the uber-pricey. There are models that the dog can step into, models that wrap around, and models that are similar to a cape with an elastic waist band. There are water-proof models and insulated models and light weight models. There are models suitable to short haired dogs and models suitable to longer haired dogs. Some of the coats for larger dogs have pockets for owners to carry small items such as books or water.

Dog coats come in a wide range of designs and colours. Some dog coats include safety features such as bells and reflective stripes. There are so many options that it can be difficult to choose the right dog coat for your dog. Below are the four most important considerations in choosing a coat for your dog.

1. Regional weather. Is the coat needed to protect your dog from the elements or is it a style thing? If you live in a temperate climate and the temperature rarely goes below freezing then you needn?t worry too much about the insulation factor of the coat and, in fact, should be careful that the coat doesn?t make your dog overheat. If you live in an area that has severe winters then you should look for a coat that is both insulated and wind proof and uses fabrics such as gortex. You may also want to look for a coat that is water proof especially if you live in an area that experiences freezing rain.

2. Machine washable. All dogs get dirty, even those who are on a leash and particularly in the spring thaw. Do yourself a favor and only consider getting a dog coat that is machine washable. Dog coats don?t need to be washed as much as people clothes but you should count on washing the dog coat in the mid-season and at the end of every winter.

3. The ease of putting the dog coat on your dog. If the coat isn?t easy to put on then you won?t use it. If you don?t use it then there is no point in buying it. Look for a coat with good quality Velcro fasteners as these seem to be the easiest. Also look for a coat that fastens at the back or side of the dog.

4. Size of dog coat to purchase. Before you start searching for the perfect dog coat you need to take a few measurements. Measure again the circumference if his neck and add 1 inch. Measure again around the broadest part of his chest and add one inch. Lastly, measure your dog from the start of her tail to the base of her neck. Take these measurements with you when shopping for a dog coat.

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