Comments for How To Have A Happy Dog http://www.havehappydogs.com Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:41:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 Comment on Heelwork to Music: What Does It Involve? by fun and happy music http://www.havehappydogs.com/heelwork-to-music-what-does-it-involve/#comment-1701 fun and happy music Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:07:10 +0000 http://www.havehappydogs.com/heelwork-to-music-what-does-it-involve/#comment-1701 <strong>fun and happy music...</strong> ... fun and happy music…

…

]]> Comment on Dog Owner’s Guide: Introduction to Obedience Training by House of Treasures http://www.havehappydogs.com/dog-owners-guide-introduction-to-obedience-training/#comment-545 House of Treasures Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:03:33 +0000 http://www.havehappydogs.com/dog-owners-guide-introduction-to-obedience-training/#comment-545 I completely agree, terrific article. They definitely know more about what's going on than what a lot of people give them credit for. If you're down - they know it. If you're mad, then definitely know it... Jeff W. I completely agree, terrific article. They definitely know more about what’s going on than what a lot of people give them credit for. If you’re down - they know it. If you’re mad, then definitely know it…

Jeff W.

]]> Comment on Neutering Your Pet Dog: Is This Very Essential? by Jet http://www.havehappydogs.com/neutering-your-pet-dog-is-this-very-essential/#comment-502 Jet Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:39:04 +0000 http://www.havehappydogs.com/neutering-your-pet-dog-is-this-very-essential/#comment-502 I cut my dog's nuts off and behaved better. A beautiful American staffie that he is and NEEDED to get them off. What we should start doing is going around and cutting the nuts of people who don't cut their dogs. It would be a start on the RIGHT foot. I cut my dog’s nuts off and behaved better. A beautiful American staffie that he is and NEEDED to get them off. What we should start doing is going around and cutting the nuts of people who don’t cut their dogs. It would be a start on the RIGHT foot.

]]> Comment on Pedigree or Mongrel? by rowdybubba2 http://www.havehappydogs.com/pedigree-or-mongrel/#comment-485 rowdybubba2 Sat, 19 Jan 2008 08:35:28 +0000 http://www.havehappydogs.com/pedigree-or-mongrel/#comment-485 All I have ever had is mutts as many as 4 at a time and to me they are personality plus. They love unconditionally. It is the only way to go. All I have ever had is mutts as many as 4 at a time and to me they are personality plus. They love unconditionally. It is the only way to go.

]]> Comment on Understanding Dog Mouth Expressions by Sandy http://www.havehappydogs.com/understanding-dog-mouth-expressions/#comment-475 Sandy Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:10:55 +0000 http://www.havehappydogs.com/understanding-dog-mouth-expressions/#comment-475 Enjoyable. Dogs communicate through expressions. If you're really in to dogs, you can understand them by learning as many of their expressions as possible. Enjoyable. Dogs communicate through expressions. If you’re really in to dogs, you can understand them by learning as many of their expressions as possible.

]]> Comment on Fat Dogs Are Not Happy Dogs by National Canine Weight Check http://www.havehappydogs.com/fat-dogs-are-not-happy-dogs/#comment-474 National Canine Weight Check Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:36:00 +0000 http://www.havehappydogs.com/fat-dogs-are-not-happy-dogs/#comment-474 Overweight dogs can face serious medical problems, including heart disease, arthritis, skin conditions and breathing issues. We've pulled together some quality information at www.stopcanineobesity.com to help you identify and address these health concerns, but it's best to visit a veterinarian to learn more about the risks. Click on the link above to find a list of vets in your area who are giving free weight checks during National Canine Weight Check month in February Overweight dogs can face serious medical problems, including heart disease, arthritis, skin conditions and breathing issues. We’ve pulled together some quality information at http://www.stopcanineobesity.com to help you identify and address these health concerns, but it’s best to visit a veterinarian to learn more about the risks. Click on the link above to find a list of vets in your area who are giving free weight checks during National Canine Weight Check month in February

]]> Comment on Dog Owner’s Guide: Introduction to Obedience Training by John http://www.havehappydogs.com/dog-owners-guide-introduction-to-obedience-training/#comment-452 John Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:30:21 +0000 http://www.havehappydogs.com/dog-owners-guide-introduction-to-obedience-training/#comment-452 I agree completely. Dogs pick up on vibes, and if theres yelling, and very uniform, they don't enjoy it, and that carrys into the home. Pets should be fun! And training is an important part of making them that special part of the family. I agree completely.
Dogs pick up on vibes, and if theres yelling, and very uniform, they don’t enjoy it, and that carrys into the home.
Pets should be fun! And training is an important part of making them that special part of the family.

]]> Comment on Dog Owner’s Guide: Introduction to Obedience Training by Deena http://www.havehappydogs.com/dog-owners-guide-introduction-to-obedience-training/#comment-451 Deena Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:07:11 +0000 http://www.havehappydogs.com/dog-owners-guide-introduction-to-obedience-training/#comment-451 Paul; good and fair question! Whatever technique you are using, one must know their dog, and what the DOG considers rewarding. If they aren't food motivated, sometimes a special favored toy can be used only as a reward (not left about the house). Activities can be used as rewards. Going for a walk, playing together, etc. Know your dog, know (or discover) what really turns them on, & use that as a reward. But since for so many things a food treat can be very handy, I personally continue to experiment with different treats to see if I can find one the dog likes, just to have another option. The more unpredictable & varied the rewards, the better. The other big thing as far as I'm concerned is that you don't punish until you have carefully taught the dog what you WANT - how to be RIGHT. That's not to say you can't tell your dog "no"-stop that behavior; but if you're trying to teach something, you've got to get lots of repetitions rewarded so the dog understands what to do to get the reward before you start getting on them about being "wrong". Justin: no reason you can't experiment with the clicker with your present dog. Can be a fantastic learning experience, and many times it works super for independent/"stubborn" dogs; learn to work with them rather than pushing them (to which they just push back). It is such a CLEAR way of communicating, which makes sense to dogs, who think so black & white. Hallsey: Keep the treats out of sight until your dog has come, & you have a hold of her collar. THEN, while you are praising, give a treat. You have to remember the dog's history, & what you may have inadvertently taught. Dogs get better at what they practice, so you don't want to practice calling & having them ignore you. Get a new word/cue & start at square 1. Many dogs learn that even if they don't get punished for coming, at the very least their fun is over. So call, reward, release, & do it LOTS. There are good booklets/DVD's for teaching reliable recalls-check out dogwise.com Paul; good and fair question! Whatever technique you are using, one must know their dog, and what the DOG considers rewarding. If they aren’t food motivated, sometimes a special favored toy can be used only as a reward (not left about the house). Activities can be used as rewards. Going for a walk, playing together, etc. Know your dog, know (or discover) what really turns them on, & use that as a reward. But since for so many things a food treat can be very handy, I personally continue to experiment with different treats to see if I can find one the dog likes, just to have another option. The more unpredictable & varied the rewards, the better.

The other big thing as far as I’m concerned is that you don’t punish until you have carefully taught the dog what you WANT - how to be RIGHT. That’s not to say you can’t tell your dog “no”-stop that behavior; but if you’re trying to teach something, you’ve got to get lots of repetitions rewarded so the dog understands what to do to get the reward before you start getting on them about being “wrong”.

Justin:
no reason you can’t experiment with the clicker with your present dog. Can be a fantastic learning experience, and many times it works super for independent/”stubborn” dogs; learn to work with them rather than pushing them (to which they just push back). It is such a CLEAR way of communicating, which makes sense to dogs, who think so black & white.

Hallsey:
Keep the treats out of sight until your dog has come, & you have a hold of her collar. THEN, while you are praising, give a treat. You have to remember the dog’s history, & what you may have inadvertently taught. Dogs get better at what they practice, so you don’t want to practice calling & having them ignore you. Get a new word/cue & start at square 1. Many dogs learn that even if they don’t get punished for coming, at the very least their fun is over. So call, reward, release, & do it LOTS. There are good booklets/DVD’s for teaching reliable recalls-check out dogwise.com

]]> Comment on Neutering Your Pet Dog: Is This Very Essential? by Karan http://www.havehappydogs.com/neutering-your-pet-dog-is-this-very-essential/#comment-450 Karan Mon, 14 Jan 2008 04:43:08 +0000 http://www.havehappydogs.com/neutering-your-pet-dog-is-this-very-essential/#comment-450 I love your site. I found your blog via Google while searching for dog park and your post regarding ; How To Have A Happy Dog looks very interesting to me. It really looks very nice. The articles provided are long enough to provide great content but not so long as to be totally engrossing, if you know what I mean. I love your site. I found your blog via Google while searching for dog park and your post regarding ; How To Have A Happy Dog looks very interesting to me. It really looks very nice. The articles provided are long enough to provide great content but not so long as to be totally engrossing, if you know what I mean.

]]> Comment on Pedigree or Mongrel? by Mike http://www.havehappydogs.com/pedigree-or-mongrel/#comment-438 Mike Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:57:13 +0000 http://www.havehappydogs.com/pedigree-or-mongrel/#comment-438 As far as I'm concerned it's mutts for me! All 4 of my dogs are mutts and have been found or rescued in some way. I have 2 that are going on 10 and they both have been very healthy for their whole lives no special problems like you get with some purebreds. Not that I'm against purebred dogs but I would rather rescue one from the pound like our dog Baron than pay for a pedigree dog. There is no shortage of people looking for purebreds and I'd rather give a rescue/pound dog a 2nd chance. As far as I’m concerned it’s mutts for me! All 4 of my dogs are mutts and have been found or rescued in some way. I have 2 that are going on 10 and they both have been very healthy for their whole lives no special problems like you get with some purebreds.

Not that I’m against purebred dogs but I would rather rescue one from the pound like our dog Baron than pay for a pedigree dog. There is no shortage of people looking for purebreds and I’d rather give a rescue/pound dog a 2nd chance.

]]>