Monday 16 July 2018

Train your dog to catch frisbee

Many dogs like to play with Frisbees, although mostly dogs don't know how to catch a flying disc. With a little patience and  following steps, you and your pet can learn to do this fun and rewarding activity.

Note: this article assumes your dog already knows how to fetch a ball or similar object. If not, start withTeacha Dog to Fetch. It also assumes that you know how to throw a disc. If not, start with Throw a Frisbee Backhand and Forehand.

First ,Buy a minimum of 2 dog discs.Human discs ("frisbees") can injure your dog. Look for the brands Hyperflite, Hero or Aerobie. These discs are specially designed to reducerisk of injuring your in  dog. There are many discs for destructive dogs (the Hyperflite Jawz) and soft floppy discsas well (the Aerobie Dogobie). The Flippy Flopper is a soft fabric disc available at most pet stores. The Kong Flyer is also a good choice.

Get your dog to get excited about the disc by associating it with very positive things.For example:Use the disc as a feeding dish for a week.Rub hot dog on the disc and praise your dog for going after it.Play tug gently with the disc. Alwayslet your dog win. Don't rip the disc out of your dog's mouth.*.Reward any behavior that shows"drive" to get the disc. This means that even if your dog jumps up and grabs the disc out of your hand without waiting for you to offer it to her, this is positive.Never tell your dog to 'DROP' the disc. Always use a second disc to entice your dog to drop the one in his mouth, on his own. Remember, always encourage your dog's drive to have and get the disc.

Throw "rollers".Instead of throwing the disc in the air, throw it so that the disc rolls on the ground like a wheel. This helps your dog transition from fetching a ball to retrieving a disc. Dogs love to chase discs this way. It helps them learn to "target" thedisc and pick it up.4Throw the disc in the air and alternate with rollers.Begin with short, slow throws, and be very carefulto avoid hitting your dog with the disc.In the beginning, your dog will likely let the disc hit the ground before retrieving it. It may take 100 or more throws before your dog grabs it out of the air for the first time. show patience!
Encourage your dog's drive to get the disc.Eventually your dog will get used to the flying disc, learn how to track it in the air, and eventually will want the disc so badly ("DRIVE!") that she won't want to wait for it to drop tothe ground and will instead grab it outof the air. This is the moment you've been waiting for! Done, you now have a Disc Dog!


Train grabbing.Bend over slightly and hold frisbee in your hand, horizontal to the ground, at the height of the dog's mouth. Then let him grab it with his mouth while you are still holding on to it. Say "drop it" then takethe frisbee from his mouth immediately. Now praise the dog graciously by saying "good boy (girl) and repeat the process again a few more times.

Train him running and grabbing.Now dothe exact same exercise, only move your body in a circle away from the dog, keeping it at the height of the dog's mouth. As the puppy grows, youwill be able to stand up while doing this exercise.

Teach him jumping and grabbing.Now that you are standing up, hold the frisbee a little higher than the dog's mouth and horizontal to the ground, so he has to jump up to grab it. After a while, release the frisbee right before your dog jumps up to grab it. Try turning in a circle with this exercise as well.

Advance to the steps above for olderdogs.If you are training a young pup, you may need to repeat all the above steps many times before it is ready to chasethe frisbee.

Sunday 15 July 2018

Learn how to play with your dog

Scratch the dog's ears.If the dog is done sniffing your hand and doesn't seem hostile or angry, reach out from the side of her head and scratch behind her ears. This is a good place to start petting a dog who doesn't know you.
Learn where the dog likes being touched.The dog may let you pet his neck, shoulders, and upper back as well. Many dogs do not want strangers petting their legs, belly, or lower back, but there are exceptions.If the dog is not yours, ask the dog's owner if there are any injuries or sensitive spots you should avoid.

First Learn the dog's body language.Stop petting or playing if you see any of the following signs of discomfort.Raised hairs on the scruff or down the back
Stiffened posture and deliberate movements
Mouth closed accompanied with wide pupils or a sideways look
Excessive mouthing to the point of red marks, bruising, or teeth marks
Shying away with tail tucked down
Crouching down6Get to know the dog.Just like people, different dogs enjoy playing in different ways. Few dogs love their toys, and others prefer to play by wrestling or running. If this is a new dog in your household, you can guess what it might enjoy by researching its breed online. Over time, you'll get to know the dog's individual personality and exactly what it enjoysSmaller dogs and dogs with poor upbringings tend to be more skittishand nervous.AdvertisementPart Two of Three:Playing Games1Talk to the dog in an excited voice.Acheerful, high-pitched voice will get the dog in "play mode.These are all signs that the dog is feeling playful:*.Stretching with his rear in the air and front legs on the ground*.Wagging his tail or acting "wiggly"Pricking his ears up or forward2Play fetch.Throwing a ball or stick isa good way to start, although not all dogs like fetch. Wave the object to get the dog's attention, then throw it so she can see where it goes.

Play with rope toys.To play tug of war, show the dog the rope and let him take it in his mouth. Hold onto the other end and pull the rope a little,but not so much it hurts his teeth. Let him pull it back and forth, then let himtake it, while you smile and look happy.
Growling is normal in this context, not hostileSome dogs might interpret tug-of-war
as a game of dominance.2Give the dog chew toys.Most dogs love raw hides, bully sticks, and other natural chew toys. Durable, nontoxic rubber chew toys are a longer-lasting option. Either way, supervise the dog to make sure she doesn't injure her gums from over-chewing or from splintered pieces of bone.

Get the dog puzzle toys.These toys usually have a hidden container thatyou stock with treats. This could be a good choice to entertain your dog while he's home alone.

Sunday 8 July 2018

Train your cat to act like a decent celebrity,

Some people love their cats so much, but there are few behaviors, such as tearing up furniture, scratching people, and getting into areas you don’t want her to access, that are simply unacceptable. You will need to practice,patience and persistence to deter your cat’s bad behavior. With certain adjustments to her routine and the use of correcting techniques, you should be able to stop your cat from practicing bad
 behavior.

Understand the some common behavioral problems in cats.Though every cat is unique and may have specific issues or specific bad behaviors, most cats act out in seven ways:

Avoiding the litter box or refusing to use the litter box.
Marking furniture and other objects with their urine.
Scratching furniture and other objects in your home. Your cat may also scratch you or others when playfighting.
Acting aggressive towards other people or towards their owner.
Acting aggressive towards other cats in the home.
Displaying stress or anxiety.
Acting fearful of objects or people.

Bring your cat to the vet dr for a checkup to rule out any medical issues.Sometimes our cats will respond act out or display behavioral issues because they are struggling with a medical issue. For example, your cat may refuse to use his litter box due to a urinary tract infection, or he may actaggressively towards you because he is experiencing physical pain that is not immediately apparent to you. Some cats become fearful of people or objects due to vision issues and over groom themselves due to hyperthyroidism

Avoid physically or verbally punishing your cat.Physically or verbally reprimanding your cat is one of the least successful ways to correct your cat’s worst behavior. In fact, hitting your cat or yelling at him can lead your cat to act more fearful around you, be less willing to play with other people, and display more aggressive scratching and biting. Your cat will likely continue to act out when you are out of sight as he knows he can perform the behavior without punishment if you cannot see him.
Physical or verbal punishment is generally ineffective, as short-term solutions to your cat’s issues and will not stop your cat from acting out. Instead, it will create a more stressful environment for you and for your cat. Though it can be hard not to yell or hit your cat when they do something bad thing, like urine mark your furniture or go to the bathroom on the carpet instead of the litter box, it’s important that you take a deep breath as an owner and try to use a more effective correcting technique.

Use remote correction.This technique connects an unpleasant texture, smell, taste, or sound with a certain bad behavior to deter your cat from doing them. You can use home supplies to do remote correction,


YouProvide scratching posts and daily play sessions.Most cats act out due to boredom or under stimulation, so it is important that you commit to daily play sessions with your cat. Use a toy,or several toys, when playing with your cat to deter him from playing rough with your hands or arms. Focushis attention on the toys during the play sessions and switch up the toys each week so he does not get bored.
Scratching posts are also good for deterring your cat from scratching furniture or other fabric objects. Place scratching posts in communalareas of your home or your cat’s favorite spots.

Use cat pheromones to reduce stress in the home.If your cat is urine marking or urine spraying, it can help to use a synthetic cat pheromone in the home. It can reduce stress and prevent your cat from urine marking ifhe is feeling anxious or fearful.
This pheromone is usually delivered through a diffuser or a spray and can be found at your local pet store.

Easily train your dog to take part in dog show

Gaiting is moving your dog in a way that allows the judge to see their body movement and structure. The correct gait is usually atrot, with the dogs head up.
A trotting dog’s right front leg and left back leg move forward at the same time, then the left front with the right back.
Trotting is the correct pace because it shows the dog’s true structure the best position
To start, use treats to lure your dog to follow you around without a lead. The dog should remain at your left side.if the dog is comfortable wearing the collar and walking beside you, formal lead training can begin. Attach a show lead to the dog's collar, pick up the dog and carry it a short distance away from your home. Put it down and walk back toward your house at a speed that encourages the dog to trot, holding the other end of the lead. The dog should be happy to go toward home and follow you. Repeatthis process, carrying the dog fartheraway from home each time.
If your dog fights the lead, back away and offer it treats to come toward you.

Teain your dog to “hand stack.” To succeed, all dogs must learn this to"stack," or stand squarely and still. In hand stacking, you manually place each leg in position while standing or kneeling close to the dog
.Dogs will have to stack several times during a show. Few people let dogs "free stack" most of the time, but hand stack right before thejudge's examination. This ensures the best possible stance for the dog.
The specific position your dog should be in will vary by breed. Consult the guidelines for your breed, available from the appropriate club.
To train for hand stacking, keep a good-sized treat in your right side hand. Keep it partially covered so the dog can only nibble on it as you adjust the positions of the dog's feet with your left hand.

Adjust the dog's front legs first, moving them at the elbow. Then, keeping your left hand on the dog at all times, move to the back legs and adjust them at the hock. Never stackby touching the dog's feet, as this may cause it to shift its whole body. Repeat this until your dog is comfortable with the process.
Finally, teach the dog to maintain that position. Pull the food away for a second and tell the dog to stay. If it holds the position, say "yes!" and give the dog a nibble of the food. If itdoesn't, restack the dog and try again.

Easily Teach your dog to "free stack." Free stacking is when your dog assumes the proper position on command, rather than with manual adjustment. This is most easily done with some training treats and clicker
To begin with, click and reward your dog whenever it stands. If it keeps standing, reward it again. Keep doing this until the dog offers the stand position spontaneously.
Next teach “back up.” Step toward the dog and click and treat any shift of movement backward, which should result in the dogs back legs aligning. Repeat the process with the help of command, clicking and reward increasingly correct backing up behavior.Then, teach the dog to align its frontlegs with the command "step." To teach this command, step back and click and treat as soon as the dog moves a front foot forward. Once the dog does this easily, say “step” just before you prompt it. Repeat this until the dog aligns it's front feet on command.
Finally, teach the command "stack." Click and treat every time the dog is in the correct position. Repeat if the dog holds that position. Eventually, you'll be able to just use the "stack" command without "back up" and"step.

Bait train your dog.You want your dog to also look alert and happy when stacked. Most breeds should have their attention on the handler and the judge, and have their ears perked and their eyes on you.Teach your dog to look at you is something you can begin the first time you feed the dog a meal. When you put the food bowl down, repeat the word “cookie" over and over. This repetition will teach the puppy to associate a food with that word. Later, use this command to focus your dog's attention on you while offering it treats from your hand when it is in a stacked position. Thiscauses the dog stretch its neck upward to look at you. This pose shows the dogs outline and balance to the judge.


Train the dog tolerate examination.In a dog show, judges will physically examine a dog, touching its body and mouth. A successful show dog will need to tolerate this without complaint.A bestfirst step in getting your dog accustomed to this is to to touch the dog all over its body daily, including inside its mouth. If you start this at a young age, your dog will quickly grow accustomed to it.Next, begin giving your dog regular inspections that approximate those of a judge. Closely examine the dog's teeth. For males, touch the testicles.Do this on both a table and the floor, if your dog is smaller in size. While small dogs are usuallyinspected on a table, some judges will begin inspection while the dog is still on the ground..Finally, when the dog is comfortable with your inspections, bring in a second person and ask ask them to do the same. This way, your dog willget comfortable with inspection by strangers.Start showing for local clubs.Before you try taking your dog to a major club show, try showing your dog with a small, local club. This can be fun, and a good way to determine if your dog is ready for the "big leagues.

Tuesday 3 July 2018

Easy way to Communicate with your dog

Whether you have a new canine companion or you and your dog have been together for a while, it's helpful to know the meaning of your dog's communication signals so that you can adjust your own behavior as needed and so that you can be assured of your dog's feelings and what he is feeling now. Dogs make vocalizations and gestures using their face and body just as humans do in order to express their feelings. While few of these gesturescan appear very similar to human gestures, in dogs, they can have very different meanings. In this article, you'll learn to interpret your dog's various messaging strategies and you'll learn how to communicate more effectively with your canine

Learning your dog's daily habits, mannerisms, and movements through observation will allow the process of understanding itscommunication behavior to feel more natural. There will be plenty of things it does that will make sense to you without explanation. Just as every person is unique, so is your dog.Be aware that much of a dog's language or communication techniques are subtle.By learning canine communication, you will be able to respond to any problems your dog expresses beforea situation escalates. Not noticing small signs of stress or unhappiness can soon lean to more aggressive or distressed behaviors.always Remember that this is a two-way learning process. Dogs have to learnour behavioral cues as well, and you should be careful about your own gestures and posture. Dogs also do not understand English language. It is important that you teach your dog what you mean by "no" or "sit". Just saying "sit" over and over again won't make him learn it, and will make him think it's just part of the random nonsense you say during the day. Luring your dog into a sit position and then rewarding them heavily for doing that task will makehim eager to sit, and then saying theword as he sits will make him connect the dots that the word "sit" means "put your butt on the floor"
Note that a dog's ability to signal may be hampered by thebreedin question. Suppose, if your dog has squat ears or a docked tail, some of the signals may not apply to him/her.2Know your dog’s response to eye contact.Consider how you feel when someone stares at you directly rather than using normal eye contact. Just as you find it confronting, dogs also feel confused and threatened by direct head-onstaringbecause it is a threat stance for them. A dog that looks away in this situation is actuallybeing polite and is seeking to avoid confrontation. Alternately, training your dog to make eye contact to communicate is extremely helpful for keeping his focus on you..The most effective forms of dog training are positive reinforcement and clicker training. These are the most consistently proven type of training shown by scientists, veterinarians and animal behaviorists. Punishment is frownedupon because it is proven that dogs have very short memories, and likelydo not connect situations like them pooping on the floor to your dissatisfaction. In fact, dogs do not feel guilt. Their owners simply stop being as mad when they "look guilty" and it becomes rewarding for both the owner and dog for the dog to offer signs of "guilt". The dog learns you dislike it when poop is onthe floor and when you come home, they "act guilty" in order to appease you. They do not in fact relate their action of pooping to you being mad.

Clicker training is the idea is to lure your dog into a position and indicateinstantly they have done the right thing, and reward them for that behavior. Dog behavior is driven by the most rewarding or least punishing option they have in every situation. If the most rewarding option is to chew onyour shoes, they will do so. If you reward them for not chewing on yourshoes, they will choose to do that even when you are not around. In contrast, punishment or dominance suggests showing the dog who is boss, which simply results in the behavior being done when you are not around.
Dogs are highly reward based and the dominance theory has been disproven. Dogs act in ways that aremost rewarding, not based on trying to "dominate" you or another dog. Bethe most rewarding thing in your dogs life and he will be eager to do whatever you say.

Sunday 1 July 2018

Best ways to know if your cat is ill

One of the happiness a of caring for cats is their laid-back nature. Cats excel at being relaxed and living the sort of lifestyle we can only dream of: playing,eating, and sleeping. Unfortunately, these habits can be a disadvantage if cats become sick. Instinctively, cats may then try  helps to know what signs to look for
Looking for Changes in cat's Behavior and Appearance

Pay attention to how much your cat sleeping.Sick cats will sleep more sometimes. If your cat doesn't have other signs of illness, such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or obvious swellings, then keep him/her under observation. If symptoms develop, get him/her checked by a vet

If your cat isn't showing other symptoms, monitor him/her for 24 hours
 If he/she enters a second day of excessive tiredness then it's time to take him/her to the vet clinic.

Check your cat's fever temperature for fever.Use a rectal thermometer to check your cat's temperature. However, if she gets distressed it is best to stop and leave this to your veterinarian. 99.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit is a normal temperature range, while anything over 102.5 is regarded as raised, and over 103 is feverish.Take your cat to the vet if it has a fever.

A feverish cat usually sleeps heavily,may refuse food, and often has a dull coat that sticks out at odd angles. Its nose and ears may be dryand warm when you touch them with fingers at normal body temperature. While touching the ears is an inaccurate way of checking temperature, if the cat's ears feel cool then it is unlikely he/she has a fever.

Monitor any changes in the cat's litter box habits.Pay attention to: how much your cat uses the tray, if it has difficulty, if blood or mucus is in the urine, or if the feces are hard and nugget-like.

If the cat has had diarrhea, but continues to strain or has constipation   take it to the vet. Repeated straining and not passing urine, or the presence of blood, shouldtrigger an urgent call to the vet.

.Male cats are prone to urinary problems where they have difficulty passing water. The signs include visiting the tray frequently, and perhaps even squatting outside the tray. The cat may squat for several minutes or keep getting up and moving to a new spot then squattingagain. If possible, check to see if he/she produced any urine and if he/she did, check for blood.



Pay attention to your cat’s appetite and how much she eats .If you have noticed that your cat has not been eating much, or has been eating more than normal, there may be something wrong. If your cat shows no interest in food for a full day, there could be a range of issues--from eating the neighbors’ food, to feeling nauseous, to kidney problems.On the other hand, if you cat is suddenly ravenous, it could signal a health issue.

If your cat refuses food for more than 24 hours, get him/her checked by a vet so that the underlying problem can be corrected before he/she develops complications.

Check to see if your cat is dehydrated.Be alert for changes in your cat's drinking behavior. How much your cat drinks depends on whether he/she eats wet food (in which case it is unusual to see him/her drinking) or dry food (it is normal to see him/her drinking). Many conditions cause increased thirst, such as some types of infections, kidney disease, overactive thyroids, and diabetes. If your cat is thirsty, have him/her checked out by avet.
You can also physically check. Carefully and gently, grasp his/her skin between his/her shoulder blades. Pull the skin up and away from his/her body (again, very gently) and then let go. If your cat’s skin does not snap immediately back into place, he/she is more thanlikely dehydrated and should be taken to the vet.6Pay attention to your cat’s weight and body silhouette.Any change in weight is significant and should merit a trip to the vet. Sudden or even gradual weight loss could signal illness. If in doubt, weigh your cat once a week at home and if the cat keeps losing weight seek veterinary advice.

In the early stages of conditions such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism, the cat may seem otherwise well, but lose weight. Seekmedical advice if the cat keeps losing weight.*.Some illnesses, such as cancer in the belly or heart disease, mean the cat's overall weight stays the same but he/she loses body condition. This means you can feel his/her ribsand backbone more easily as there is less fat cover, but his/her belly might look rounded or swollen. If in doubt, get him/her checked by a veterinarian.

Examine your cat’s coat.A sick cat usually doesn't have the energy to groom himself.Typically, a coat that was once glossy and well-kept becomes dull, matted, and tangled. While stress can account for shedding or changes in grooming habits, your cat may actually be sick. Consult with a vet.

Changes in grooming habits may also be a result of arthritis. Grooming may be painful if your cat is stiff and sore. Once again, it's a sign that a trip to the vet is necessary.

Train your dog to close your door

Hold a sticky note in your hand to introduce a target.When the dog is consistently responding to the visual cue to touch your hand, it’s t...