Basics Dog Training - Commands

Author: John Mailer

Training Your Dog to ""give""

Basics dog training your dog to release whatever he has in his mouth on your command helps to stop him becoming an aggressive and possessive dog. Nature dictates that whatever he finds is his.This is just normal dog behavior.

This is where you use obedience dog training. Whether it be his favourite toy or a juicy bone he has to be taught to drop it when told, with out growling or bearing his teeth.

To do this is quite simple using your basics dog training method.

First you need to put his lead on so he can't run off. Then using a new toy play with him. When he has the toy in his mouth, in a stern voice say ""give"" or ""drop it"" whilst also offering him his favourite treat. He should drop the toy and take the treat. When he does praise him again and again.

If during the basics dog training he growls when you try to take the toy from him just jerk the lead and repeat the command ""give"" or ""drop it"". He will then realise that a growl means a jerk and dropping it gives him a treat and plenty of praise.

Carry on playing with the toy and repeat the process a number of times over the next few days. After a few sessions the dog will start to drop it without hesitation knowing that he will receive his treat.

Each time you practice this basics dog training method replace the toy with something more desirable to your dog. Always using loads and loads of praise when he drops it. Eventually you will be able to give him a really juicy bone and he will drop it on your command similar to the professional dog training you see on the television.

You need to practice dog care at all times. When you give him a bone make sure it is a knuckle bone as this will not splinter as he tries to knaw it. Be wary of smaller bones always try to use premium dog food. Never feed him chicken bones as he will easily choke on them. Dogs love to chew, encourage this by giving them premium dog food chews.You can get in various different shapes sizes and flavours.

Using easy basics dog training one step at a time your dog will soon become your fully trained faithful best friend. Remember your dog wants you to be his leader. You can achieve this by giving him clear instructions a different command word for each situation and heaps and heaps of praise when he does right.

Basics Dog Training - Commands.

About the author: JOhn Mailer Dog Lover and author of the blogs below. Watch out for my new website coming soon. Basics Dog Training http://basicsdogtraining.blogspot.com, http://housetrainingfordogs.blogspot.com http://housetrainingforpuppies.com

Your Dog's Health; Why Dog Breath is No Laughing Matter

Author: Carolyn Schweitzer

Your dogs health is important to you. You show her how important by keeping her well fed and groomed, making sure she gets plenty of exercise and providing a collection of fun, safe toys for her entertainment. You don't skimp on the quality of his food. And to reward good boys and girls, there are always lots of delicious treats in the cupboard. But if he has bad breath, you could be overlooking a serious problem with your dogs health. ""Dog Breath"" is such a common condition that we make jokes about it. Sometimes we even tease our human ""friends"" using ""dog breath"" in play-ground style name-calling ( although hopefully this is limited to teenage boys.) And I know many pet owners who comment that they love their dog or cat like a child, but just can't stand the smell of the animal's breath! Well, guess what? ""Dog Breath"" isn't normal.

It's estimated that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats over the age of three suffer from the periodontal disease — a serious deterioration of the gums and supporting bones of the teeth. Yes, it's periodontal disease that's responsible for ""dog breath"". But the problem doesn't confine itself to your furry baby's mouth. It's an infection, and the tiny creatures responsible for it can break loose and enter the bloodstream. Once they do, they can infect vital organs such as the liver and kidneys, endangering your dogs health by causing a far more serious illness.

The best way to insure your dogs health, especially where periodontal disease is concerned, is with prevention . It can make all the difference.

Periodontal disease begins as gingivitis , which is virtually harmless and completely treatable. If allowed to move to the next stage--Periodontitis-- it can be stopped, but not cured. And the worse it gets, the faster it progresses. This applies to all animals, two legged and four legged alike. Think of a car parked at the top of a hill. The emergency break is released, and the car begins to roll downhill. Now, if you hit the breaks right away, no harm done. But the farther the car rolls the faster it goes, and the more momentum it builds. It gets harder and harder to stop it. By the time it's halfway down the hill, you could be headed for disaster!

You can maintain your dogs health nicely with proper home care. But, like the rolling car, if disease is already present, stopping and controlling it is a bigger job.

Prevention involves, above all, regular veterinary checkups and professional cleanings beginning early in your dog or cat's life. I'll show you how you can help maintain oral health at home, but it's impossible to do a thorough cleaning on an animal who's awake. Trust me on this. It's hard enough to do a thorough job with a cooperative human patient. When we're talking about animals who don't understand what we're doing or why, forget about it.

Most veterinarians recommend annual cleanings, but more frequent or involved treatment may be needed depending on your animal's condition. Please, no matter what you're doing at home, follow the vet's recommendations. As for your part, introduce your dog or cat to the idea of having his teeth brushed as early as possible. I know, it's not easy, and it takes time and daily conditioning to get your little guy or gal used to it. But your dogs health is worth it!

So how do you prevent the most common of threats to your dogs health? Brush her teeth, of course! Every day. Just like you would your own (twice a day for you, and floss too!!). This isn't easy, but it can become an expected part of your dog's routine if you do it right. Here are some suggestions:

1. Start when your dog is a puppy. The earlier the better.

2. At first, you just want her to get used to you handling her head and looking inside her mouth. Practice lifting up her lips and looking at her teeth and gums--front, back and both sides of her mouth.

3. Now begin gently touching the gum tissue with your finger and rub along her gums and teeth as if your finger were a toothbrush. Let her get used to the sensation. This is exactly the way you would introduce a human baby to brushing, beginning with just her gums. Even before there are teeth, there are harmful bacteria. So don't worry about a tiny puppy who doesn't have a full set of teeth yet--rub her gums, swab out her little mouth with your finger, and get her used the this kind of contact from her owner.

4. Your next step is to wrap gauze or a soft washcloth around your finger and rub the gums on both the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth.

5. Finally, introduce a tooth brush in one small area. As your dog gets used to the brush, you will be able to use it in place of the gauze or washcloth. Remember to brush the inside surfaces!

A little brushing a day, beginning with the first step and working your way up gradually, will eventually lead to a one to two minute session. Your dog will learn that it doesn't hurt and that she gets a couple of minutes of your undivided attention every day. It generally takes 8 to 16 weeks to get there, but in the end your dog will accept brushing as part of her daily routine.

If a little brushing is done every day at a set time, eventually your pet gets used to it, and some will even look forward to it. It will take most pet owners from 8-16 weeks until the pet accepts it readily. Now the pet realizes it doesn't hurt and that it will get 1-2 minutes of your undivided attention. Your pet enjoys your attention, and will eventually wait patiently for you to brush his teeth.

There's a toothbrush with three heads that will allow you to brush all three surface of the tooth at one time, which makes life a lot easier for both of you! It also has nice, soft bristles so you won't harm your pet's delicate gum tissue.There are also products that can be rubbed on the gums and added to the drinking water to help reduce bacteria in an animal's mouth and promote the dogs health and healing. Bad breath is actually a by-product of the bacteria that populate the mouth. They break down proteins and carbohydrates from your dog or cat's diet, and produce something called ""volatile sulfur compounds"", or VSC's. It's the sulfur that make the breath smell extra special!

Certain dental products have an agent that neutralizes the VSC's. Many owners have commented that their cat or dog seems to like the drinking water better when these products are added--even though they have no flavor! And there's a gel available that, although formulated for the gums, can be very soothing for skin conditions, cuts, and surgical wounds thanks to the Aloe Vera it contains.

The best oral care products work without the use of fragrances and flavors , which entice human consumers, but don't benefit your cat or dogs health in any way!

I was a practicing dentist for over 20 years , and I saw a lot of human patients who had terrible breath (and periodontal disease) and weren't even aware of it. People don't like to tell each other about bad breath. Even the dentist has to be delicate with this piece of bad news.

At least when dealing with a pet, you don't have to worry about social embarrassment in order to address your dogs health problem! Don't be shy, get in there and do something about it. Not only can your dog get rid of her breath odor, but she could even live 2 to 5 years longer as a result. And you'll be able to get close again, without holding your breath.

About the author: Carolyn Schweitzer DDS. Dr. Schweitzer was a family dentist for 20 years and is now owner and editor of several websites. You can learn more about specific dental care products by visiting her website at http://www.great-dog-gift.com/dentalcare

I Own A Dog

Author: Jim Henderson

I own a dog, or to be more precise, a four-legged fur-covered food processor (food goes in one end and out the other). Several considerations have prompted me to reexamine its' purported reputation as mans' best friend. Dog ownership, like everything else, has become more complicated since the first canine showed up at a cave looking for a handout. Take veterinary care for instance. Our pets are entitled to a more sophisticated level of health care than existed in the entire world at the turn of the century. Or training devices like electronic dog shock collars (currently not available for children). The difference is apparent even in something so trivial as dog food. From bones and table scraps to a modern day fare of a myriad of meat-by-products blended in a carbohydrate paste designed by a team of Nobel prize-winning nutritional dieticians (which strongly resemble reformulated table scraps). To illustrate the extreme that the consumer public has attained to, one cat food boasts that it protects a cat's urinary tract health. So far I am unable to get concerned about a cat's urinary tract health although it appears that many cat owners must be. You may have noticed that there is as yet no counterpart claim made to dog owners which leads me to believe that they are not as totally self absorbed as compared to pet owners of the feline persuasion. Surely this paranoia is the climax of Madison Avenue's cavalcade of the preposterous and the paltry and deserves a berth right up there with "ring-around-the-collar" and "the heartbreak of psoriasis."

Perhaps what perplexes me most is why this slobbering beast occupies such an exalted plateau. Anyone who has ever observed a dog sleeping or laying around most of the day has surely wondered at the expression, ""working like a dog"". The irony of this analogy is only eclipsed by, ""sleeping like a baby"". What has the canine done to merit such undeserved esteem other than drool excessively and wag it's tail with an insipid look on it's face.

Rather than possess any attributes of a redeeming value, the notorious mutt does have an entourage of annoying vices of which I will now enumerate. Any list would be sure to include barking all night, chewing on footwear and furnishings, digging holes in the yard and redistributing the contents of trash bags. Most distressing is the animal's unsanitary toilet habits (the furry beast is constantly manufacturing doggie-doo and indiscriminately placing it around the yard). This self-appointed washer-of-tires and waterer-of-fire hydrants is notorious for one other flagrant vice, they chase cats. Which may explain why cats are prone to urinary tract disorders in the first place

About the author: Jim Henderson is currently employed in the field of Environmental Regulatory compliance. He enjoys reading and writing in his spare time. A number of his articles have appeared in various on-line publications.

How To Find a Search and Rescue Dog Training School

Author: Melissa Buhmeyer

There are many things dogs can be trained to do but, of all the tasks a working dog can perform, search and rescue ranks the highest for needing qualified, professional trainers. A Search and Rescue (SAR) dog's performance, quite literally, can determine life or death to a human in need.

As shocking as it may sound, there is no set of standards for rescue dog training. Subsequently, rescue clubs, teams, and individuals emerge as trainers, when, in fact, they may know little, or nothing at all, about training a SAR dog. Attending seminars and reading books on the subject are worthwhile endeavors, but they do not constitute being a SAR dog trainer. Sadly, in a large percentage of cases, this is an assumption not only made, but followed, and replicated. In some cases, those touting themselves as SAR dog trainers scarcely have enough knowledge to teach a dog simple parlor tricks, let alone promptly and accurately scenting or tracking skills, where a human life hangs in the balance.

Even when the topical qualifications are in place, this is no substitute for failing to research the validity of those qualifications. You will hear the term ""qualified instructor"" often from those with police/military backgrounds. While this sounds impressive, keep in mind that there is no ""qualification"" standard to begin with, so the very title is misleading. Further, there may be a very good reason that the individual is no longer training/handling outside of the police/military venues. That reason may be a desire for work in the private sector, or it could be indicative of poor performance.

Now, I'm not trying to paint a bleak picture; there are a number of incredible SAR dog trainers out there. All of these great instructors hold one thing in common: they can bear your scrutiny with flying colors. If you're making the huge step towards training your dog for SAR, then you really need to make the right choices. Here are the top things to consider when choosing a SAR dog trainer:

1. Experience. There is no substitute and there is no better gauge of a trainer's value. Look for trainers who have years of experience in a wide variety of disciplines, not just SAR. Demonstrated ability, in more than a single focus, means that the trainer will be able to administer a wide variety of training methods to accomplish the end goal. Other potential disciplines to look for include: agility, obedience, hunting, or herding. This experience is easily verified by titles such as: Companion Dog (CD, CDX) Agility Dog (AD, MACH, NATCH), Schutzhund (I, II, II) to name a few.

2. Actual SAR experience is a must. SAR dogs perform a number of tasks that your instructor MUST have real-world experience with. They need to be well-versed, from first-hand experience, on how lost or fleeing people will act, how a crime scene needs to be preserved in cadaver searches resulting from criminal acts, etc. 

3. The trainer should be well-versed on all breeds and capable of assessing and advising on the limitations and capacity of that breed.

4. Separate marketing from proven performance. If your trainer is good, you can bet he or she will have references. Contact those agencies and inquire about the specific services the trainer was hired for and their thoughts regarding the trainer's services. Just because they have a polished web site, well-designed brochures, etc., does not mean they're the best pick, by default. In some cases, a smaller organization may actually yield better references.

The decision for you, and your dog, to become involved in SAR is a big one. Take the time to do your homework. Your success and enjoyment will not only be richer but it may, in fact, save a life!

About the author: Melissa Buhmeyer has been involved in dog training for two years and is the co-founder of http://www.dogtraining-s chool.com , a resource for aspiring professional dog trainers and all dog enthusiasts.

10 Things to Consider Before Getting a Dog

Author: Louise Louis

1. Are there any size or weight restrictions on dogs within your condominium or community? Many won't allow dogs over 30-pounds.

2. Do you keep your home very warm? Some dogs are bothered by warm room temperatures. A Chihuahua would be a better choice than Shih Tzu in that case.

3. How much dog can you lift? A Pug is a happy-go-lucky companion but may weigh 18-pounds while a Yorkshire Terrier usually doesn't exceed 7-pounds.

4. How much grooming can you do? If arthritis is a problem, avoid longhaired breeds such as Pekingese or Maltese and look at short, smooth-haired dogs such as Toy Manchester Terrier. Beautiful coats are beautiful because they're groomed daily.

5. How much exercise does the dog need? Any Terrier is a high-energy dog requiring outdoor exercise. On the other hand, an English Toy Spaniel or Japanese Chin can get all the exercise they need inside an apartment.

6. Is the breed's temperament a good match with you? Some people find Toy Poodles too challenging and would do better with the sweet-tempered Papillon.

7. Are you prepared for the costs of dog ownership? The bare minimum estimate for dog ownership is $1 a day.

8. Can you acquire pet insurance? Many companies offer group rates to their employees and retirees.

9. Would being a ""foster"" owner satisfy your need for canine companionship? Even if you don't want to take a dog into your home, shelters always need people who can walk and play with the dogs or provide temporary housing.

10. Finally, have you considered what happens to your dog if you can't care for him? Toy breeds often live 15-years or longer. Be sure to include instructions in your will on how your pet should be placed.

With a little forethought and planning, you can select the right breed of dog for your lifestyle and enjoy many happy years together.

About the author: Former dog breed and all-round dog person, Louise Louis now operates a website, toybreeds.com dedicated to helping people select the best small dog breed for their lifestyle.

Late-breaking News About Our Companion, the Dog

Author: Susan Dunn, The EQ Coach

""Well, you know Labs, they're almost human,"" I always say when I'm out walking Bailey, my Chocolate Lab, and people stop us. Do you feel the same way about your dog?

I agree with prize-winning pet columnist obedience herapy dog trainer, Lexiann Grant, who said, ""I love [dogs] immensely and cannot imagine my life without them in it. Because of a dog - their emotions and intelligence - I

·Have been lifted from depression ·Found a new, more profound meaning in my life ·Coped successfully with a long recovery from chronic illness ·Learned what is truly important in my daily life ... and what is not ·Know about love freely given and received without judgment""

My client Terry knows about therapy dogs. When her 21 year old son died in an accident, her Retriever was her constant companion. When she would cry, Tansy would push her head into Terry's lap and look up at her.

There are plenty of tales about dogs rescuing families from burning homes without being trained, or, like my grandmother's dog, sitting patiently in the lap of aged companions when they could be off playing.

Those of us who have dog companions know what we know, but research has come up with a really fascinating bit of evidence I'd never thought of. See if this ever occurred to you!

The closest other animal to humans genetically would be the chimp, right? But the fact is, we humans have never made our homes with chimps, so we may be closer to dogs in many ways.

Dogs and humans go way back. It appears Palaeolithic humans tamed dogs 15,000 years ago. According to Peter Savolainen, an evolutionary biologist at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, that's when we bred aggression out of wolves and made dogs pets.

Another researcher, Brian Hare, at Harvard has been studying dogs' special ability to communicate with humans. He did experiments where he hid food and then used nonverbal means of communication to indicate where it was. He tested dogs, human-reared wolves, chimps, and puppies. Chimps and wolves couldn't find it, but dogs and even puppies, who hadn't been around humans, knew what it meant when researchers pointed at the place, or 'eyed' it, or placed a item on it.

Hare's studies are showing that although chimps are our closest relatives genetically, they cooperate and communicate very poorly with us. But oh our dogs can! Want to make a webpage for your dog? Go here: http://66.13.229.109/mature_pet_page.asp

Want to nominate your dog for pet of the day? Go here: http://www.petsmart.com/smart_pet_of_the_day

Want to enter your dog in Pet of the Month contest? Go here: http://www.indulgeyourpet.com/iypenter.shtml

About the author: ©Susan Dunn, The EQ Coach, offers The EQ Foundation Course© on the Internet, for individuals and for licensing. Your EQ is more important to your happiness and success than your IQ. www.susandunn.cc. mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE ezine.

Resistance Training With Your Dog

Author: Nick Nilsson

You may be wondering, ""How can I possibly do resistance training with my dog?"" Well, here are a few exercises you can do with the aid of your faithful furry companion.

1. Leg raises - if you have a male dog, he's probably already shown you how to do this one.

2. Abdominal crunches with a paw on your forehead - laying down on the floor and grunting in pain can cause your dog to do it's own investigation to find out if you're all right. The scratch marks across your forehead are simply a byproduct of that concern.

3. Deadlifts - if your dog has any inkling that you're taking him to the vet or someplace else he doesn't want to go and you've had to scrape him up off the floor to get him in the car, you've just done a deadlift.

4. Pull-ups - this involves pulling up furniture, rugs, carpets, clothes, etc. to pick up all the fur that gets into the strangest of places.

5. Pushdowns - one for the overly-enthusiastic dinnertime beggar.

6. Lunges - when you're trying to grab her for a bath.

One final word of advice when doing resistance training with your dog is never yell out ""Spot me!"" if your dog is not housetrained. It's a mistake you'll make only once.

About the author: Nick Nilsson is Vice President of BetterU, Inc., an online exercise, fitness, and personal training company. Check out his latest eBook ""The Best Exercises You've Never Heard Of"" at http://www.thebestexercises.com or visit http://www.fitstep.com. You can contact him at betteru@fitstep.com or subscribe to BetterU News, his fitness newsletter at betterunews@fitstep.com.

Ten Important Things Your Dog Wants You To Know

Author: Danielle Hollister

*Please send me a copy of the ezine edition or the URL of the website where you publish my article. *You may use this article if you include the ENTIRE resource box that follows the article.

If your dog could talk, these are some of most important things she would like to tell you...

1 - My life will probably only last 7 to 14 years. It will hurt me more than you know if I have to be away from you for longer than a day or two.

2 - If you have patience with me and give me time to learn what you would like from me, I can promise you, you will never be disappointed.

3 - Trust me with your life and have faith in our future together. If I don't feel that you honestly believe in me, I will suffer great emotional stress. My sense of self-worth is totally dependent upon your confidence in me.

4 - Don't stay mad at me for long or confine me to a cage to punish me. You have your friends, your job, and your recreation. I HAVE ONLY YOU!

5 - Talk to me about anything you want as frequently as possible. Even if I can't comprehend your precise words, I can understand the meaning of what you're telling me by the tone of your voice.

6 - Remember no matter how you treat me, I will NEVER forget it.

7 - When you consider raising your hand to hit me, remember I have teeth that could break the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.

8 - Before you scream at me for failing to respond to your commands as I usually do, take time to think about what might be wrong with me that would cause me to treat you differently. Maybe I haven't been eating right or drinking enough water. Or maybe my age is catching up with me and I just can't do what I used to do.

9 - Take good care of me when I get old. Someday you will be as old as me and you will see how it feels.

10 - Be there for me through good times and bad. Never say you can't handle taking me to the vets for stitches or surgery. Nothing could make me feel worse. Everything in my life is easier for me to deal with when I have you standing by my side.

Remember my love for you is unconditional and it will last for your entire life.

Resource Box - © Danielle Hollister (2003)

Danielle Hollister is

the Writing Host at BellaOnline http://www.bellaonline.com/site/writing

& BellaOnline's Writing Zine Publisher www.bellaonline.com/articles/art157.asp

to subscribe visit the URL above or send a blank email to: bellaonlinewriting-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

About the author: Danielle Hollister is a professional freelance writer/editor/researcher with more than 10 years of experience working for websites, newspapers, public relations firms and private companies. She has been the Writing Host at BellaOnline since the site's creation three years ago. http://www.bellaonline.com/site/writing

She also created and continues to publish BellaOnline's Writing Zine at: www.bellaonline.com/articles/art157.asp

Let's Say You're a Dog. Are You So Competitive You'd Eat a Carrot?

Author: Susan Dunn, MA Clinical Psychology, The EQ Coach™

Seems like a girl always learns something out on the farm! Yes, it's a farm tale and I'm going to change the names of the animals to protect the guilty!

I spent last weekend down in Lower Alabama where my friend from high school owns a farm. On the neighboring property there lives a donkey we'll call "Jake." On my friend's property there lives a dog – his dog – we'll call "Spot."

Okay, not too original, but it serves the purpose.

So as night falls, the evening ritual is to go out and feed the animals.

Out we go, 3 large carrots in hand – well, his hand. His wife and I are just watching. My friend calls to Jake who, having 5 acres to roam, is nowhere in sight. Spot is circling around my friend, jumping up, spinning around. I'm sure you've seen this. Spot has been trained not to bark, but he's doing every other thing he can to attract attention, and acting ecstatic. Over a carrot??

"Spot's so jealous, he'll actually eat a carrot," says my friend, as we walk along.

Now, I've owned a couple of dogs in my day. You probably have too. Never did I have one who would eat a carrot. In fact it was a family fun time to watch one dog called Shy Nell when we would put vegetable soup in her dog dish for a treat – Campbells, canned. She'd dive in and 2 seconds later walk away with nothing left in the bowl – I mean not even a lick of gravy – except for the carefully out-selected squares of carrot.

"Pretty discriminating tongue," I'd tell my son. "Imagine being able to select out those bits of carrot without fingers!"

"I hate carrots too," he would reply.

We can hear Jake making his way through the underbrush, and hear the breathing. Then my friend starts raising his voice, calling, and Jakes starts his braying, to answer. When the three meet – my friend, Jake, and Spot, Jake gets his head and back rubbed, and lots and lots of marvelous attention. And there sits Spot, even willing to eat a carrot in order to be included.

Take home points for you? ·Paired-conditioning is powerful ·If you're eating a "carrot" make sure what you're doing it for is worth it ·You're a person, ask for what you want, don't accept the substitute ·Remain mindful, lest the ""carrot"" become the only reward, and something you don't want, you just don't want someone else to have it!

The Golden Handcuffs, of course – when you're working for the money, but the rest of it just isn't worth it.

Or when you're competing for a girl, a job, a promotion, a house … and get so lost in the competition, you aren't mindful of whether the "catch" is what you really want. Don't end up working for your ego, not your heart.

Be mindful!

About the author: ©Susan Dunn, MA Clinical Psychology, The EQ Coach™, http://www.susandunn.cc . Coaching for all your needs. Visit the EQ ebook library – http://www.webstrategies.cc/ebooklibrary.html . Start improving your Emotional Intelligence as part of your personal and professional development. We train and certify EQ coaches – www.eqcoach.net . Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE eZine.

Adopt Your Next Dog From a Rescue or The Pound

Author: John Schwartz

When I was a kid, dog adoption meant buying a puppy from a store in the mall. I'd never even heard of such a thing as an animal rescue shelter. It's something I truly regret every day now that I'm all grown up and dogs are such a central part of my life. I wouldn't even consider dog adoption from any place other than an animal rescue organization or the local pound now.

My enlightenment about ethical dog adoption is a sad tale. Sparing the details, I met people involved in animal rescue when I picked up a stray running along the highway by my home. The poor thing was just about dead from starvation. When I took her to the local humane society location, I was informed that she would almost certainly be put down within a few days. Incredulous, I asked why. Their response: 'She's black and big, and large breed black dogs are a dime a dozen, so they rarely get adopted.'

Needless to say, I took the stray with me. No way was I going to give up on getting a dog adoption success story out of the mess. After doing a little research, I discovered that animal rescue shelters are all over, in every state.

That's how I learned about a local group that not only worked on dog adoption for strays, but they also operated under a ""no kill"" philosophy. This type of animal rescue organization, surviving primarily on donations from the public, provides puppies and dogs with a good place to live while they await a loving family to take them home. And if they're never adopted, then they live out their natural lives in comfort and with human companionship, albeit from volunteers at the shelter.

I learned that dog adoption of strays from these animal rescue facilities saves thousands of lives every year, nationwide. And most of the groups are overwhelmed with the numbers of stray dogs and people wanting to dump them for whatever reason (usually for their own convenience). The ultimate fault lies with so-called puppy mills, which crank out litter after litter to sell in your local pet store. And of course, the fault also lies with people not getting their dogs spayed or neutered. Bob Barker was right all along! If even 50% of owners got their animals fixed, the situation would improve dramatically.

So began my own journey to the good side of dog adoption. I ended up marrying a woman who owns an animal rescue organization that uses the ""no kill"" philosophy. We share our lives with many dogs, all mixed breeds, and all of whom we love completely.

Oh, and that stray I mentioned earlier who started my dog adoption odyssey? Her name's Cookie, and when I first found her she was skin and bones. That was before a loving family that lives near a large park adopted her from that animal rescue group. The last time I saw her, she was almost fat from all the food and having the time of her life playing in the park. I cried. Happy tears.

Next time dog adoption is on your agenda, please consider looking at an animal rescue shelter near you. Or go to the local pound. Save a life!

About the author: John Schwartz writes about his life's passion: dogs and puppies. He is the owner of a popular website about safe

dog toys and other pet supplies -

http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com - and he works to rescue and place stray dogs.

Volunteer and Take Your Dog With You

Author: Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach

The secret of not-for-profit agencies is that there is great benefit to the benefactor. It should not be a secret. You've probably learned that the key to a miserable life is to focus on yourself alone. For the doldrums, for the blahs, a lack of purpose or refinding the breadcrumb trail, try volunteering.

As a fundraiser, I learned firsthand it isn't just "buzz" that it changes people's lives. From the idle rich, to parents bringing their children for an emotional learning experience and educational family activity, to singles flexing their caring muscles, to people in recovery, to people with stories I'll never know, all benefited. Sometimes the clients did as well.

Those who wrote checks benefited less than those who put in volunteer time and here's an opportunity that takes the stress off going to a strange place and meeting strangers. Go volunteering with your dog.

Nursing homes, children's shelters, hospital wards, rehab centers, psychiatric wards, and prisons are all possibilities. The right dog is egalitarian in his ability to divert, entertain and unconditionally love.

Best visiting dogs enjoy meeting strangers, approach in a friendly, not aggressive manner, tolerate strange situations, and calm quickly.

Begin with basic obedience training. Then start accustoming your dog to strange places and people so they learn to trust they'll be okay wherever you take them.

Then choose your venue, a place where your dog can shine. Your dog may be overstimulated by a bunch of squealing kids, or despondent at the relative quiet of a nursing home.

Investigate opportunities through The Bright & Beautiful therapy Dogs, Inc. - http://www.pet-therapist.com, , Therapy Dogs International, Inc. - http://www.tdi-dog.org, and Delta Society - http://deltasociety.org and schedule your visit. Or go it alone. If you and your dog are ready, call a volunteer director and arrange your visit.

About the author: ©Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc . I offer coaching, distance learning courses, and ebooks around emotional intelligence. I train and certify EQ coaches. Get in this field, dubbed "white hot" by the press, now, before it's crowded, and offer your clients something of real value. Immediate entry, no residence requirement. Mailto:sdunn@suasndunn.cc for free ezine. For daily EQ Tips, send blank email to EQ4U@yahoogroups.com .

Good Dog Health Starts Early

Author: John Schwartz

Good long-term dog health has many causes, but the one common factor is an owner who takes his puppy care duties seriously right from the start. It's no coincidence that in study after study, veterinarians and animal scientists report that when dog health is a primary concern of the owner from the outset, that pet often lives longer and suffers fewer canine diseases. The clear message to owners: put good puppy care at the top of your list from the moment you get your new friend home.

The first step to ensuring excellent dog health for the life of your furry friend is to get him checked out by a vet within a few days of bringing him home. Most doctors will recommend a puppy care regimen consisting of a series of vaccinations in the early months and good nutrition from the beginning.

While a dog's psychological needs might make many readers scoff, it's important to understand that proper dog health includes bonding with owners in a loving environment. That's why puppy care involves more than just shots and food. Stress, both physical AND mental, can wreak havoc on a new puppy's immune system, for example, which makes him more susceptible to many canine diseases (mange, distemper, parvovirus).

Finally, don't forget your dog's teeth in the overall dog health picture. A good puppy care plan includes lots of hard bones and crunchy treats to chew on regularly - preferably healthy versions, not typical pet store biscuits.

About the author: John Schwartz writes about his life's passion: dogs and puppies. He is the owner of a popular website about safe

dog toys and other pet supplies -

http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com - and he works to rescue and place stray dogs.

The Importance of Healthy Dog Treats

Author: John Schwartz

It wasn't so many years ago when dog treats consisted more or less solely of milk bones, fatty biscuits, and table scraps. Not many options, and virtually none that were healthy. Well, times have definitely changed! Nowadays, savvy pet owners choose dog treats that include greenies, healthy biscuits, and gourmet bones.

Not only are there more options for now, the quality has improved significantly in recent years as well. And with the Internet boom, finding the best biscuits and bones for your puppy is as easy and tapping a few keystrokes.  

It's important to note that many pet owners are now advocates of healthier dog treats for monetary reasons as well. They realize that, while they tend to cost more, healthy treats and food actually save money in the long run. A healthier diet over a lifetime results in less disease and illness in senior dogs, which means a smaller vet bill.

It's never too early to start feeding healthy dog treats. Puppy training often includes using a treat to reward good behavior. In one session alone, you might give your little trainee 6-10 rewards, maybe even more. Make them healthy biscuits, cookies, or bones, and you'll be giving your pet a nutritious foundation for a better life.

Experiment with several different kinds of dog treats and you'll quickly learn which are your puppy's favorites. Unlike humans when we diet, dogs seem to enjoy the healthier biscuits and bones every bit as much as the ""bad"" ones. If only we were so lucky!

About the author: John Schwartz writes about his life's passion: dogs and puppies. He is the owner of a popular website about safe

dog toys and other pet supplies -

http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com - and he works to rescue and place stray dogs.

About Dog Training

Author: Robert Em

Dog training is an art and there are right ways to go about it, as well as wrong ways. An often overlooked aspect of dog training is how your dog communicates back to you. If you want to successfully train your dog you need to understand your pet.

With enough patience and an understanding of how a dog's mind works, you can teach your dog to do virtually anything, from 'sit' to 'fetch me a drink'. So with a little ingenuity, you can figure out your own training techniques to get your dog to do anything you'd want him to do.

Dog obedience training begins with the owner. There are several things to keep in mind before starting any dog obedience training. You need to, understand that dogs have an attention span of no more than ten to fifteen minutes. So training should be limited to this amount of time. All training should be positive. Reward your dog for correct behavior and always end your obedience training sessions on a positive note.

Remember that you will get more cooperation from your dog when you are positive and patient. Instead of forcing your dog into a sit position, bring a tasty treat above and then back over his head until he sits back to get it. Reward him not only with the treat, but with lots of praise. These general rules will help any dog owner with the basic dog obedience training.

Training for a dog is similar to going to work. If you do not get anything good out of it, you will stop working. Having fun is a big plus. Dogs love to be trained, because they get to spend time with you and they really like the attention.

About the author: Learn how to get your dog to listen to you. Works on any breed, and it's easy to learn. A happy dog is a trained dog. For more about learning how to train you dog go to. http://pro4pets.com

Optimize Your Dog's Health With Homemade Dog Treats

Author: Todd Jones

Homemade dog treats are an excellent way to optimize your dog's health. When you make your own homemade dog treats you have the flexibility to include ingredients that will be best for your dog. For example if your dogs coat is dull or their diet is lacking in protein you could make homemade dog treats that are filled with ingredients to combat these problems.

Dogs with dull and lifeless coats can benefit immensely from homemade dog treats that are rich in fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids which are found in fish oil and flaxseed is essential to your dog's health and also helps to improve your dog's coat to create a luxurious coat that shines. If your dog does not have a coat that appears healthy it may be an indication that its dietary needs are not being met with the foods that you are providing. Creating your own homemade dog treats that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can help you to ensure that your dog remains healthy and strong.

Homemade dog treats also provide you with the opportunity to increase your dog's protein intake. If you have reason to believe that your dog is lacking in necessary proteins, you can make your own homemade dog treats that are packed with protein. Feeding these treats to your dog should help them to meet their protein needs.

About the author: Todd runs a website where you can find all sorts of homemade dog treats . Find over 130 dog treat recipes at: http://homemade-dog- treat-recipes.com

Nutrition and Your Dog's Behavior

Author: Jeanne Perciaccanto

Nutrition and Your Dog's Behavior

Proper nutrition is the fundamental basis for every aspect of your dog's life. It affects their health and longevity by offering an essential balance of proteins, fats, complex carbohydrates and the trace nutrients and minerals their bodies need for growth, repair and maintains of sound immune system.

Nutrition is a complex and integral part of your dog's ability to think clearly, lower stress levels and a produce a calmer behavior. Thinking takes a lot of energy. Dogs involved in a training program, expend tremendous mental energy focusing on the tasks presented to them. If your dog starts with minimal nutrition, they become lethargic, edgy or hyper active when asked to perform the simplest of tasks. They cannot focus and loss concentration after a short period of time or become confused. If the dog is continually asked to do something they cannot comprehend, confusion can lead to an aggressive form of acting out.

In training dogs, the first thing I look at is the dog's diet. I work from the inside out. Training becomes ineffective if the underlying causes for the behaviors are not changed. Hyper, unfocused and out of control dogs often are eating foods with high levels of cereal foods such as wheat, corn, and corn meal. Aggressive dogs eat food containing higher levels of incomplete protein which do not digest well. Shy and stressed dogs do not digest their foods well at all and often suffer from intestinal complications such as diarrhea. Their coats are often very dry and shed heavily.

One way to test the foods you are feeding is to soak the food in water for about 15 minutes. If it swells in size and becomes mushy, it is primarily cereal. Are you dog's stools often soft and loose or is the dog gassy? They are not digesting the food properly.

By looking at their food, you will do more to help balance their behavior, as well as, contribute to their health and longevity.

Life Abundance offers the best combination of food for all dogs concerned. The proteins are complete and digest easily. The carbohydrates are complex and do not turn into simple sugars producing energy swings of highs and low behaviors. The Probotics in the food balance and digest more easily, which is not only perfect for the nervous or shy dogs, but ensures all dogs are receiving the nutrition they need from food. Jeanne Perciaccanto has been a professional dog trainer for twenty years, at http://www.ultimatedogtraining.com, with an education degree in Health. She has combined both disciplines and researches diet and nutrition as it pertains to canine behavior. To search sites for food information go to http://www.healthydogfood.net. Jeanne Perciaccanto, a certified trainer and Health educator. Information can be found at http://www.healthydogfood.net and http://www.ultimatedogtraining.com.

About the author: Jeanne Perciaccanto has been a professional dog trainer for twenty years, at http://www.ultimatedogtraining.com, with an education degree in Health. She has combined both disciplines and researches diet and nutrition as it pertains to canine behavior. To search sites for food information go to http://www.healthydogfood.net.

Train Your Dog With Respect

Author: Wendy Yeager

Proper training of your dog should begin when he is a puppy. The first four months of a dog's life are very important in the training of your dog. This is when they learn behaviors that they will practice in the future.

Socializing your dog is one of the most important things you can do to influence your dog's future behavior. As soon as you bring your new puppy home, you should start letting him interact with other puppies, dogs and humans. Take your dog to parks where there will be other pets and people. Ask your friends if it is okay for your dog to visit their dog at their home or yours. Puppies will learn how to get along with other puppies and dogs if they are allowed to play with them when they are young. Introduce your dog to new experiences. Give him rides in the car, walk him on a leash around the park, let him hear the vacuum cleaner running. Help your puppy get used to a regular routine of baths, brushing , and healthy meals.

Housebreaking your puppy takes a lot of patience. Fix up a nice little space or room for your puppy. Place his food and water bowl there along with some favorite toys. Be sure to put newspapers all over the floor and replace them often. When you are at home with the puppy, let him out of his room for a short period of time to roam around and play. Return your puppy to his room and the newspapers after about 30-45 minutes to help with his housebreaking. Do not punish your puppy for having an accident. It could take up to six months before he is fully housebroken. Remember, most puppies can't control their bladder overnight until they are about four months old.

Your puppy will undoubtedly want to chew on things he shouldn't. Train him to leave your things alone by keeping them out of reach and by providing him with a variety of doggy chew toys. If he chews on your favorite slipper, don't punish him. Simply replace the slipper with one of his own chew toys. Praise him for playing with his own toys.

Sometimes, you will have to leave your dog home alone. Help him to feel comfortable alone by leaving on the television or radio for company. Leave an adequate amount of food and water. Don't forget to leave lots of doggy toys for him to play with.

You may be having trouble training your dog. Maybe he's not responding to your commands or seems to be ignoring you. Or maybe the housebreaking is backfiring and your dog is having accidents all over the house. These may be signs of a medical condition. Be sure to visit the vet regularly to rule out things like loss of hearing or bladder infections. Always be sure your dog is healthy, happy and well cared for.

If you feel this job is too big for you or you just want some additional instruction or behavioral training for your dog,, there are many reputable professional dog trainers and obedience schools. Do some research and ask questions to find the right school for your dog.

Most importantly, you must be a responsible owner in order to train them properly. If you want your dog to trust and respect you, you must do the same in return. Never hit, kick, or slap your dog. Include your dog in family outings and games and general family life. Do not play aggressive games with them as this can cause them to behave aggressively. Reward good behavior and yet do not spoil your dog. Remember, if you practice lots of patience, love and respect for your dog, you will receive the same from him.

Published by: Wendy Yeager http://www.wenmarcorp.com/dogs-go2

About the author: Published by: Wendy Yeager http://www.wenmarcorp.com/dogs-go2

Is your Dog Malnourished?

Author: Aaron Wilmot

Americans are more concerned about health than ever before, so we should also have an equal amount of concern for our pets ... particularly with regard to the ingredients in their food. We would want the ingredients in our pets' food to be acceptable for human consumption. After all, If byproducts are not tolerated in our food, why should they be tolerated in our pets' food? We're also starting to realize that our dogs and cats need daily supplements the same way that we do, in order to take care of their bodies for the inevitable ravages of aging. In the span of an animal's life, an early start at good health ensures less vulnerability to degenerative diseases, joints that are less likely to creak with pain and a healthier heart. Naturally we want our dogs and cats to live with us for as long as possible. Renowned holistic veternarian Dr. Jane Bicks says that when looking at dog food, one should be be weary of dyes, chemicals and artificial preservatives as much as possible. For example, BHA ... one of the most common synthetic antioxidant preservatives mainly used to prevent food discoloration and rancidity ... has been found in scientific studies to cause stomach cancer in lab rats at certain doses. In lesser doses, the preservative doesn't have a cancerous effect but there is no telling what BHA can do to the body in small doses over a long period of time. Dr. Jane states that the maximum life span of dogs is estimated to be between 25 to 30 years, but the average dog often lives no longer than 13 to 14 years. And she says that this difference is caused primarily by inadequate nourishment. She also states that protein is a critical part of a dog's natural development so pet owners should look for foods which have whole ingredients like meat, eggs, fish and dairy as opposed to byproducts. Harder working or more energetic dogs require more protein and fat in their diet to maintain stamina and good body form. A dog food that is complete and balanced and includes at least 26 percent protein and 1650 kilocalories of metabolizable energy per pound is ideal. During the seasons when dogs are not working, their energy requirements decrease. Feed less of the high calorie food or change to a less nutrient-dense dog food. Unbleached rice is one of the more digestible carbohydrates and supplies a wide array of energy for your dog. Corn and wheat, meanwhile, are considerably more difficult to digest. It is also a great idea to look for antioxidants. In recent years, we have become much more conscious of our antioxidant intake, so why shouldn't we have that same attitude towards our pets?

Dr. Jane Bicks has been honored on many occasions by the veternary profession and is the author of several books inlcluding 'Thirty days to a healthier, happier dog' She formulates Life's Abundance premium dog food as well as several types of dog supplements. For more information about Life's Abundance dog food and dog supplements go to http://www.dog-food-nutrition.info/

About the author: Aaron Wilmot is an author and researcher in the fields of human and pet health. For more info. go to http://www.dog-food-nutrition.com/ To subscribe to the healthy pets newsletter, send a blank e-mail to webmaster@aaronsfreebies.com

8 dog training tips for you and your dog.

Author: Fayola Peters

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. fayolap@yahoo.com

Dog Training Tips 8 dog training tips for you and your dog.

By Fayola Peters

Dog training requires simple persistence to be a successful and delightful experience for you and your dog. Here are 8 dog training tips to guide you along the way.

1. Dog Training Tips - Get your dog's attention Before you can start training your dog you first need to get its attention. You can do this by talking to him and offering him a small treat.

2. Dog Training Tips - Use the correct dog training supplies If you have a well behaved dog a six foot training lead and a regular buckle collar will do. However if you dog is uncontrollable you should use a training collar. For the right collar size measure the dogs' neck and add 2 inches.

3. Dog Training Tips - For safety in vehicles Before you introduce your dog to the inside of a moving vehicle you should teach him the 'down!' and 'stay!' commands. This ensures that he spends the ride on the floor of the vehicle.

4. Dog Training Tips - Elimination When your dog got to go it got to go. To prevent your dog from getting busy on the carpet you should train him to eliminate on command.

5. Dog Training Tips - Praise Always praise your dog when he learns a new command.

6. Dog Training Tips - Reprimand Do not hit your dog! Any time your dog is engaging in bad behavior, use the opportunity to teach him the 'stop!' or 'no!' command. Using the 'stay!' command can also be effective in these situations.

7. Dog Training Tips - Play with your dog This will help in building the bond between you and your dog.

8. Dog Training Tips - Do some dog training everyday Don't rush dog training. Teach your dog one command at a time and don't move on until he gets it. A little dog training everyday is all that's needed.

Well that's it for my dog training tips. Enjoy training your dog and remember that it takes simple persistence.

About the author: Fayola Peters is the webmaster of The-Dog-Training-Guide.com (http://www.the-dog-training-guide.com)

Animal Behavior: What is My Dog Saying?

Author: C. Bailey-Lloyd/Lady Camelot

Animal Behavior: What is My Dog Saying?

Dogs are quite amiable creatures. Much like our human counterparts, their speech is often amplified by their body movements and facial expressions. If you haven't done so yet, carefully study your dog's eyes. Watch his eyebrow motions. Often times, we don't hear them speaking because we're too busy not paying attention to their eye motions. When your dog is facing you and his eyes shift suddenly back and forth, he's telling you that he wants something. Whether it's, ""...hey, Mom - let's play,"", ""...come follow me, I want to show you something,"" or ""...I need to go pee;"" well - that's up to the individual animal himself.

Sometimes, dogs will look at you from the corner of their eye, will loudly yawn and fall to the ground. This is an obvious sign that they're bored and they want attention. Your attention.

Some dogs are rather bold with their sign language and will literally come up to you and place their paw on your leg, arm or hand. She'll either gently tap you or downright pounce on you. When she taps you - again - watch her eye movements. Are her eyes focused in one particular direction? Maybe the door, the empty water bowel or the dog food bag? Or after she taps you, does she press the side of her body against you? If she does, she wants to be stroked and loved. If she pounces on you with her paws, this is usually a sense of urgency. This usually means she wants to play rough or she needs to go outside and inspect the premises.

One of my favorite communication signals from dogs is when they lie on their backs, usually with forearms bent at the joints. This is the common ""white flag"" signal. What does ""white flag"" signal mean? Well, when dogs play with other dogs, this is their way of saying to one another, ""...okay, I give up - you win, you're the leader..."" But when they lie on their backs for you, it's even more telling. This means that they are submitting. You are the master and they willingly acknoweldge this to you. In general, when dogs lie with their backs toward you, this means that they are quite content and totally comfortable in their surroundings.

Don't be fooled by the wagging tail. Generally, dogs will wag their tails when excitable. But it's how they wag their tails that tells us exactly what they're feeling. When a dog wags his tail, along with his entire body, he's usually happy and excited. When a dog wags only his tail with short, fast strokes, this can sometimes show a sign of aggression or fear. When dogs meet other dogs for the first time, you will notice this short, fast-stroke tail wag as well. This can either mean that they are unsure of the other animal, or that they're going to become aggressive. Either way, be watchful of this ""tail-tell"" sign.

Another body language sign to look for is in the ears. When a dog's ears are back and flat against their skull, this can mean one of two things: 1) If accompanied by a full-body tail wag, they're happy to see you, or 2) if coupled with their tail between their legs, they're afraid.

One animal behavior that many folks despise is the chewing and destruction of personal belongings. This, too is animal speech. What most humans don't know is that aside from the destruction of personal property, dogs tend to chew things from their people owners, whom they like the most. Yes, I said, ""whom they like the most."" Dogs are fairly picky when it comes to chewing shoes, clothing, etc. When there are more persons in a household, dogs will specifically seek out personal items of people that they consider to be their master. Although this is not the nicest trait of animals, just remember that when you're scolding Rex that he only did it because he loves you.

In closing, dogs are the most telepathic lifeforms on earth. When you feel sad, they feel sad with you. When you are angry, they try to disolve the situation with their loving and pawing. When you're happy, they feel your happiness with you. Observe your animals, they are picking up on your emotions more than you may think. And always, love your animals - they're here only a little while...perhaps to teach us the most vital communication skill in the world - the ability to listen.

Animal Behavior: What is My Dog Saying? © 2004 - All Rights Reserved C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot is the Public Relations' Director for Holistic Junction -- Your source of information for

Animal Therapy ;

Animal Massage ; Alternative Health Care; Insightful Literature and so much more!

About the author: C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot is the Public Relations' Director for Holistic Junction -- Your source of information for

Animal Therapy

The Story of My Dog and Why You Should Care

Author: BRIAN

The Story of My Dog and Why You Should Care

It all began when I was 11 years old. That day, my mom was taking us (the kids) to Arnold's Hey and Grain, a food store for animals. As we were approaching the door, something caught my eye: a little dog (4 months old). The puppy was situated in a cage and was lying down on his tubby little belly. He looked at me with BIG, HUGE, BUG-eyes and whimpered. He looked so sad…so lonely…so isolated. I got down on my hands and knees and said to him, ""Hey there, little puppy. You sure look lonely."" Then the dog looked me straight in the eyes and said, ""Well duh. I'm stuck in this freakin' cage sleeping in my own business and eating nasty doggy kibble. How about getting me outa here, you mental midget?"" I replied with, ""Sure thing, dude. I'll buy you or something like that."" He rolled his bug eyes at me and stated, ""You humans are all the same…"" I smirked. Well, a few minutes after my encounter, my mom walked out of the store with the rest of the brats. She noticed I was looking at the dog and commented about how cute he was. Then I remembered how much I wanted a dog and asked her if I could buy this one (as if I bought a puppy every day). To my astonishment, she said, ""Maybe."" YESSSS!!!!! She looked in to the matter a little more and she decided to ask my dad whether or not we could get a dog. Again to my astonishment, he said, ""Maybe."" Before I could purchase my furry friend, he made me promise him that I would feed him, brush him, walk him, burp him, change his diaper etc…. Of course I agreed not realizing the mess I got my self into. ""Yeah whatever."" I said, ""I'll feed him, brush him, walk him, burp him, and change his diaper etc…"" So, we bought the little punk. It would take a day before we could actually pick him up. When that day came, I was more then ready to feed him, brush him, walk him, burp him, and change his diapers! When we got him to the car, he completely freaked out (I guess he was never in a car before). He jumped over the seats, he ran between our legs, he barked at oncoming cars, he screamed, he shouted, and he used words I would never use on this blog. When I asked him why he executed such juvenile behavior, he replied with, ""Because I'm a dog, stupid. Plus I was told it's great therapy - you should try it some time."" I shrugged and told him I had given that practice up a week ago. It was really difficult to find a name for this dog, so I went through the lists of names common to a dog. ""Zip, Butch, Rover, Cretan?"" I thought to myself. All those names seemed too….stupid. So I named him ""Richard."" He loved it.

As the months went by, he seemed to grow larger, more intelligent, but he never did lose his puppy-like features. Taking him on walks was moderately easy, except for one thing: Once he saw a person or location he wished to approach, he would tug and pull and coke himself until he would almost pass out. Once the animal rights people noticed this, they stated that this was total animal abuse and demanded they take possession of my dog - at least until they could find a suitable owner. Of course I told them I would do nothing of the sort. They did not like my little reply so we got in a gunfight and I won. He he, those losers… One month before he turned 1, he mysteriously developed the bad habit of chasing cars (an activity that is commonly executed by dogs). After a few weeks of having my arm pulled off, my mom and I decided that we needed to take some serious action. But before we started beating the living waste out of Richard, I decided I needed to have a little ""Boy-to-Dog"" discussion.

""Richard, we need to discuss something…"" I said.

""Make it quick, stooge. I have a tight schedule today."" He replied.

""Richard, you've gotta stop chasing after cars, you're really hurting my arms."" I said.

""You'll survive, Brian."" He replied.

""Not for long!! What do you suggest I do? I can't seem to train you to not chase vehicles."" I said.

"" Hey, I know: when you see a car coming, let me go."" He replied.

""That's it, smart-butt, time to get aggressive with you!!!"" I said

I bought a can of Bitter Apple, A spray that comes in a bottle and is affective against disobedient k9s. On our next walk, I took the can. This is how it went:

""Oh boy!!!"" he said, ""A car!!""

""Leave it, mutt!"" I said.

""No."" he said.

""Yes."" I said.

""Die."" He said.

""That's it!!! Take this!!!"" I said as I sprayed the substance in his mouth.

""AAAAHHHGGGGGGG"" he said, ""I'm melting!!!!!""

""No you're not."" I said.

""That stuff is N-A-S-T-Y! OK, I'll follow your unreasonable demands."" He said.

""Good."" I said.

(We don't believe in shouting, or yelling, so we use ""said,"" instead of ""yelled"" or ""shouted."")

After a few more sprays and ""discussions,"" Richard stopped chasing. I was obviously glad and so was he. Although Richard has his difficulties, he has a lot more ""good stuff"" about him.

the ""good stuff""

Richard is extremely intelligent when it comes to learning new tricks. I taught him how to shake my hand in about 6 minutes. I also taught him how to catch food in mid-air in about 9 minutes. He's a very fast learner. He is also learning to stay in the front yard without darting after cats and other such mobile things. Although he is currently 2, he still looks and acts like a puppy. Not only is he cute, he is also a great guard dog (just take my word for it). Oh yeah, did I mention he can talk?

Well, I think you have a good idea what my dog is like, so remember: Before you go around ranting about how cool your dog is, just think about how much cooler my dog is.

Thank you and good night

About the author: Brian T. is a conservative teen out to save the world from stupidity. He has authored many blogs and websites. His current blog is bloghogger.blogspot.com - a blog devoted to bashing liberalism.