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What to Consider When Training Dogs For Showing

Posted on May 15, 2017 7:25 pm by Christopher Thompson Comment

Taking Your Dog to a Show

It’s one thing to simply train a dog, and that’s hard enough, but it’s a whole different story when you plan on taking your dog to a show. This means they are the cream of the crop, papers and all. They are well-trained, and we’re not talking the basics or the cute stuff. It’s prim and proper, albeit still cute. Dog shows are very prestigious, so if you don’t have extensive training already yourself, it’s best if you get a little help somewhere along the way.

Eligibility is of course the very first hurdle

Of course, there are plenty of things you can do yourself to get your dog ready for the show.  Eligibility is of course the very first hurdle. After you clear eligibility for your dog, the next thing you might want to do is actually go to some of the shows. Have you already been to some of them? You will get a good feel for what to do that way just by watching, and you and your dog will feel more comfortable there.

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What type of leash do you have for your dog? This is a very important step. You’re going to need to be using a good one at the dog show, and your dog needs to get used to it now.Have you heard of ring raft classes? These classes prepare your dog to get show ready, and so that’s just another step you can take as you march forward towards you and your dog’s first show.

While the classes in some ways can be outsourced to the professionals, you are going to be with your dog. That’s why you needed the right leash, and you also need to practice gaiting, otherwise known as trotting. The hand stack is something else your dog needs to learn. You can tell that there is quite a bit of training, but it’s worth it if its what you want to do and you can tell your dog does, too.

You also have to teach your dog about examinations, and you have to bait train him as well.

Do your think you’re up to the task?

As mentioned, it’s a lot, but training your dog is always good, meaning anything you do wouldn’t be at a loss. It means time spent with your dog and helping him be his best.

As long as it’s fun, that’s what counts.

dog-smiling



The Dachshund, a Loyal Companion

Posted on April 28, 2017 7:22 pm by Christopher Thompson Comment

The Loyal Dachshund

The Dachshund hails from Germany and was originally bred as a badger hunting dog. Dachshunds, often referred to as wiener dogs, are part of the hound family. They have short, muscular legs and a long body, perfect for chasing their prey in tight burrows.

Today, they are mainly bred for pets. The dogs come with three different types of coats- short hair (smooth coat) long haired (silky coat) and wire-haired. The coloring on the them can vary. Some are either red (most common), black, tan cream or bluish gray. The color will depend on the genetic makeup of the parents.

Dachshunds are available in three sizes – standard, miniature and kaninchen (rabbit). Full grown, the dog will weigh between 8 pounds and 32 pounds, depending on the breed. The dog’s eye color is typically brown; however, they can also have amber, green or even blue eyes.

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Temperament & Training

Because these small breed were originally bred as hunting dogs, they can be stubborn. Typically, they will enjoy chasing small animals and birds. You can help prevent this by throwing a ball often. They can also be aggressive towards strangers and other dogs. However, once they are trained they are devoted and loyal to their owners.

Dachshunds are social dogs and can experience separation anxieties when left alone. This can lead to chewing of shoes and other items. Putting them in a crate when you are not home can help prevent this issue.

Since dachshunds were originally bred to burrow and track their prey, they enjoy burrowing under blankets and other items in the home. Keep plenty of dog-friendly blankets around to give them items to practice this behavior.

Housebreaking a dachshund can be difficult and will require time and patience. Many owners find that obedience training is needed to avoid and correct inappropriate behaviors. However, once the dog is properly trained, he will be a loyal companion for many years.

Health Considerations

This breed can be prone to spine problems due to its elongated spinal column. Obesity, too much exercise and jumping can cause the dog to develop disk disease. Additionally, dachshunds can have knee problems, vision loss and deafness.

The dachshund is the smallest breed of hounds. They are very intelligent and loyal to their owners. Because the dog is small, he is a perfect choice for apartment dwellers. This child-friendly lovable dog will bring years of enjoyment and love to the life of his owner.



Your Go-To Guide To Grooming Fido!

Posted on December 23, 2016 9:36 pm by Christopher Thompson Comment

Your Go-To Guide To Grooming Fido!

All good dog owners want to make sure that they care for all of their dog’s needs. That means that as well as providing quality food, exercise, a warm bed and, of course, an abundance of cuddles, they also have grooming needs that should be met.

Whilst you can take Fido to the local dog grooming center and indulge him in a spot of hair therapy, deciding to care for his needs at home can also have advantages. Firstly, whilst many of us humans love to get our hair done, the same can’t be said for our darling pooches. Some of them get stressed or anxious in new environments, especially if the said environment involves a stranger touching them, and rather intimately at that!

big-dirty-dog

Secondly, a session at your local dog grooming center will come with a hefty enough price tag. That’s money that could be spent buying Fido an abundance of new toys, balls, and favorite treats.

So if you have decided that grooming your dog at home could be the right move for you and your four-legged buddy, it’s time to learn a few of the basic tips and tricks that will have you feeling like a pro in no time. Ready to get started? Here we go!

Get The Right Gear

To do the job right you are going to need to invest in a few pieces of equipment, as follows:

– A pair of clippers
– A sharp pair of scissors
– Plenty of tasty treats!

Preparing To Prune?

It’s vital that the first experience Fido has is a good one. Ask someone to hold your little darling and keep him calm throughout the process. Plenty of treats, soothing words, and breaks if necessary should soon have Fido relishing his moment of TLC.

Keep It Regular

For dogs that have continuously growing coats, you should aim to groom every 6 to 8 weeks. This regular routine will also keep your dog familiar with the process, and enjoy it too.

Being a good dog owner involves lots of small things and a good helping of big things. By all means, you can fulfill your dog’s grooming needs by taking him for regular sessions at your local grooming center. However, if grooming your pet yourself appeals to you, you’re now armed with a few of the top tips and tricks.  You and your four-legged buddy are off on the right foot.



Your Guide To Grooming Dogs

Posted on December 19, 2016 9:31 pm by Christopher Thompson Comment

Grooming Dogs – All in a Dog’s Day

Every dog deserves to be well cared for. Unfortunately, grooming some dogs is a lot more difficult than others are.

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If you are having a hard time keeping your pet groomed, you’ll probably want to start looking for a solution. If you follow this simple guide to grooming dogs, you will be able to take care of your dogs and keep them in great shape.

Learn More About Your Dog

The more you know about your dog, the easier it will be for you to give your pet the kind of grooming that you need. A dog’s breed has a major impact on its needs.

The best thing that you can do is research dog breeds. If your dog is a mutt, you should look into its family line. See if your pet’s history will give you any insight into how they should be groomed.

Make Grooming Easy On Your Dog

Grooming can be stressful for an animal, especially if they aren’t prepared for it. You should do everything you can to mitigate that stress for them.

Try to groom your dog in a relaxing and comfortable environment. For example, if your dog loves to hang out in the living room, you can groom them in there.

You should be gentle with your dog and reward them for their good behavior. The better the experience is for your dog, the more likely it is that they will behave in the future.

Consider Going To A Groomer’s

It is important to remember that you don’t have to do all of your dog’s grooming at home. If keeping up with your dog’s needs is a major challenge for you, think about taking your dog to a groomer or get yourself some good grooming tools like the Equigroomer which works great on dogs that are shedding a lot and well outperforms a traditional dog brush.

When you take your dog to see a professional groomer, your pet will have the chance to receive a very high level of care. You’ll be able to talk to the groomer about the challenges that your dog is dealing with, and they will work with you to find ways to resolve all of those issues.

Grooming dogs can be easy, but it can also be extremely difficult. If you own a breed of dog that is difficult to groom, you should make sure that you are able to give your dog the kind of care that they deserve.




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