Edie MacKenzie On Dogs

Posts Tagged ‘Pup’

One of the best things about getting a new puppy is choosing a name. Except sometimes the right name seems impossible to find. You just can’t seem to find a name that works.

Weeks later, your puppy is still nameless, and you’re still clueless as to what you should call him.

In your desperation you eventual settle for a so-so name, a definite dog naming faux pas. Think about it, you’ll be spending a lot of years with your dog and calling his name thousands of times. So wouldn’t it be a good idea to pick a name you actually like?

Need some help? Then read our top 10 dog naming tips below.

1.You can’t go wrong with a one or two-syllable name. They are simple, easy to say and recognize, and there are literally millions of choices!

2.I’m not suggesting that you shun more exotic and unusual names. However, it has been suggested that names that are difficult for the dog to recognize have a big impact on training. So if you decide on call your dog Zerxes because you are fascinated by Persian history, that’s fine. But think about a nickname for calling, something like “Zerk” perhaps.

3.Names that are similar to voice commands are generally not a good idea if you plan on training your dog. Think about names that could be confused for a command, like “Ray”, for “stay”.

4.You’d also be well advised to steer clear of names that can be confused with that of another pet or a member of your household. Not unless you want to confuse everyone.

5.Don’t give your dog a name that will embarrass him. Beavis may be okay, but Butthead certainly isn’t! Dogs have feelings too.

6.Consider choosing a name that in some way describes your dog – think about his size, breed, any special markings. “Titan” doesn’t really work for a Yorkie, does it? Neither does Sweetpea suit a Pitbull.You could of course go for one of these names if you have a penchant for the ironic.

7.Remember that dogs don’t stay puppies forever. “Fluffball” may seem like a good idea for your cuddly little St. Bernard pup, but may be less suited, once he grows into a 250-pound adult.

8.Another good source of names is the breed’s original home country. Your breed’s home country has lots of famous people, places and traditions that will give you tons of dog name ideas.

Need some examples? How about, “Guinness” for an Irish Setter, “Yoko” for a Shibu Inu, or “Louis” to a French Bulldog.

9.You’ll also find myriad ideas by delving into your own interests. Lets say you’re nuts about football – you could try Marino, Namath, Montana, or just pick your own favorite player.

Now think about what interests you and you’re well on your way to hundreds of great names.

10.I find that it’s always a good idea to understand the origins and history behind your dog’s name. That’s pretty easy these days, but you don’t have to go searching Wikipedia for hours on end.

Just visit us at Puppy Names HQ. We have thousands of the very best dog names on the web. And all you have to do is pick your favorite.

Crate training, also called kennel training, teaches a dog to spend time in a plastic, wooden or wire enclosure called a dog crate. A common misconception is that this is cruel, when in fact dogs actually love the security of the crate.

The crate simulates the den environment of a wolf, so not only is crate training humane, it actually draws on natural canine behavior.

When should you start crate training? On the first night you bring your pup home. You should of course have already bought a crate, and hopefully you got one with a sliding panel. Adjust the panel so that you give the puppy just enough space to lie down and turn around. Don’t be tempted to give the pup more space than that.

Use a soft towel as bedding, rather than a blanket. The towel will be just as comfortable, but better at mopping up any spills.If you got your pup from a breeder, ask if he has a strip of bedding which has her mother’s scent on it. The scent will help to pup relax and settle in quicker.

Put the crate in an area that will allow the pup to interact with the family. Don’t put the crate in a secluded spot as the puppy will feel isolated and take longer to settle. Remember that dogs are social creatures by nature.

At night you should put the crate in your bedroom – at least in the early weeks. The puppy will kick up a fuss at first. This is only to be expected, as she’ll be frightened by her new surroundings and most likely missing her mom and littermates.

Don’t feel you have to respond to every whimper though. Do this and she’ll soon figure out how to get you to come running.

Before you know it she’ll be quite happy to sleep in her crate. As she settles into the household you can start thinking about moving her out of your bedroom at night. She won’t like this at first and won’t be afraid to let you know it, but hang tough and she’ll soon accept the new situation.

Soon the crate will be her favorite spot in to whole house, and you’ll find it’s where she prefers sleeping.

Another benefit of crate training is that it makes potty training so much easier. Dogs are hygienic animals. They will not ‘go’ in their sleeping area. So crate training teaches your puppy to ‘hold it in’, from an early age.

Remember though that a puppy does not have the control of an adult dog, so give her regular toilet breaks every hour or so.

If she starts making a fuss and wanting to go out, get her outdoors right away. Give lots of praise when she relieves herself outside and your potty training will be much easier.

Read more about crate training puppies, dog behavior, dog health and other interesting dog advice at http://www.dogsanddogtraining.com.

Dog training should be an enjoyable, rewarding process – for you as well as your pet! Canine training isn’t something which comes naturally to each pet owner, though. Don’t worry! A little advice can go a long way towards making the training process fun and hassle-free. Read on to discover some handy tricks to take the guesswork from dog training.

Want to know more about puppy obedience training, then continue reading this post…

Spend time every day training your dog, even when for only a few minutes each day. Dogs respond well once they reach practice what they’re learning and what they have learned. Practicing at least 15 minutes each day on commands your dog already knows keeps your dog used.

For any happy pup, you should start socialization from an early age. During the first few weeks of life, a puppy should be subjected to new situations, people, and animals. This helps him to be better adjusted and friendlier later in life. This can also make sure that he’ll feel less stressed when encountering unfamiliar situations and things.

In case your dog has specific triggers for bad behavior, keep him busy while you pass temptation. Quite simply, in case your dog isn’t keen on other dogs, you need to keep him busy and entertained while you pass other dogs in your walks. This ought to help him begin a relationship between seeing that stimuli and good stuff happening.

In case your dog is bored, try making them work with his meals. You will find toys and puzzles for dogs that need your dog to discern between scents. You will find toys that make your dog think creatively to get food from a chamber. Either way you go, your dog will have his scavenging instincts fulfilled!

Good behavior should be reinforced and bad behavior should be discouraged. Your pet will benefit from consistency. This consistency will allow your dog to know your message clearly. If there is no reward to conducting a behavior, your dog will be less likely to try it.

Try these pointers and find out how well they work. It won’t happen overnight, but eventually your dog will start responding. This can mean you can relax just a little. An excellent dog can be a great friend, but you need to take a little time to coach him first.

Are you still looking for the best dog training methods? Then properly you should start looking at how to house train a dog now.

A doggie in a cup! Sounds cute, isn’t it? It would be, as if your little stuffed-toy pup came to life. A teeny-weeny golden retriever, that could fit in your hand…………exciting hmm? But hold on. Golden retrievers are dogs; live, energetic, intelligent, loving, full-bodied living creatures, right? They are supposed to be man’s companion and not mere ‘moving and breathing toys’.

Golden Retriever is a breed known for its majestic looks along with an extremely pleasing demeanour. Trying to fit it into a teacup is not only cruel but also derogatory. If you love Golden Retriever – the breed, love it as it comes – the medium-large dog. And if it is the size that attracts you, then go for a toy dog breed, e.g. Chihuahua.

Moreover, there is nothing like a teacup Golden Retriever. Some breeds have been specially bred to reduce their size, over the generations. But there is no special small-sized Golden breed.

Talking about the term ‘teacup’, it can be defined as ‘slang’ in the group of dog terms. There is nothing like a ‘teacup’ breed. It is a term popularly used to describe a very small toy dog or pup that is small enough to fit in a teacup. No major kennel clubs approve of this term. Irresponsible, profit oriented breeders, or back-yard breeders as they are called, use this term to market small pups/dogs in order to make them sound special; so that they can fetch high (often exorbitant) prices.