Grooming Your Dog

Doberman Pinscher

The Dobie is an average shedder with a short, .
clean coat. Very little grooming is required of this breed.
Because many breeds beside the Doberman Pinscher have specific grooming needs, Best Friends has provided links below for the specific grooming requirements of each breed.

Dachshund

There are three different varieties of Dachshunds, the long-haired, the wire-haired, and the smooth-haired, all of which are average shedders. The long- and wire-haired Dachshunds require daily brushing. In addition, the wire-haired should be professionally trimmed twice a year. The smooth-haired Dachshund should be regularly groomed using a damp cloth to rubdown his coat. All three should have their ears checked regularly for signs of infection or inflammation.

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd has a thick, stiff outer coat and a softer inner coat. Daily grooming comprised of a quick brushing will help to keep the coat clean and healthy and help to combat shedding. This dog sheds constantly throughout the year and heavily with the seasons. Baths should be given no more than once or twice a years to avoid drying out the skin.

Great Dane

The Great Dane is an average shedder with a short, thick coat. The coat tends to be clean, with the hair smooth and glossy. To keep the coat shiny, brush daily with a firm bristle brush or body brush. This will also decrease the need for bathing, which can be quite a job, though dry shampoos can be given when needed. The nails should be frequently trimmed.

6 Tips For New Puppy Owners

You've brought your new dog home - now what! This is a question that many new dog owners may not initially think of in the excitement of bringing their puppy to meet its' new family. But it is a question that crops up when owners are confronted with a pet that chews their laundry or shoes. Or insists on relieving himself in the middle of the living room, on that lovely new rug. Or worse - on your bed!

Dogs can develop very frustrating behaviour, that can largely be avoided by correcting them straight away, at the time they actually do the wrong thing. Dogs don't relate their actions with time like we do. Thus, coming home to find a mess that your pet created hours ago, then getting angry at him, and trying to correct the behaviour then, is not going to work. Dogs won't associate being in trouble with the reason why. And because they don't understand English, we can't tell them! All they know is that they are in trouble, with no idea what they've done wrong. Worse, if you've just got home from work, they are really happy to see you. Not a very nice situation for a dog that just adores their owner and wants love and acceptance in return.

If you get your dog as a puppy, you have an advantage as you can do more to prevent poor habits forming. Here are 6 tips by Brian Killcommons:

1.Don't scold your dog after you've called him to you. He'll think he's in trouble for actually coming to you, and will associate coming to you with being scolded. So, when you try to train him, he won't come when called.

2. Don't try chasing your dog when you want him to come to you. This will seem like you're playing a game with him. It turns the dog into the leader and you into the follower. He'll think that running away from you will get you to follow him - not good for later training.

3. Get dogs used to being handled. This covers both grooming, which should be started as early as possible, even when there's no real need to. Start to check him over regularly, look at his feet, eyes, and ears. And when you are spending time with your puppy, get him used to handling different parts of his body, such as his tail, his ear, his mouth. Don't spend huge amounts of time doing this at first, and be gentle. The idea is to get him used to people touching him so that if children or visitors accidentally grab him, he won't be upset and possibly become aggressive.

4. When your dog is whining or barking, don't pet them. This reinforces the action, letting your pet think it's alright to do this. Unless you want a dog that will bark for your attention when he's older, don't encourage this now. And remember it's important to praise your dog as soon as he's done the right thing. So, when he stops barking, give him attention, and pet him then.

5. Only give your dog toys to chew, otherwise he'll think it's okay to chew everything. He can't tell the difference between your new and old shoes!

6. Don't play rough games with your new puppy. This includes wrestling, and tugging type games. It teaches your dog to be aggressive, and this may become a problem when he is much bigger and fully grown.

7 Tips to Consider When You Walk a Dog

When people go to walk a dog, they don’t consider the various obstacles that may stop them from having a pleasant walk. There are several things that can ruin a walk, but if you plan ahead of time and consider these tips it will be relaxing to walk a dog.

Tip 1: Training dog to walk on a leash
It is important that the when you walk a dog, they have been trained or are comfortable walking on a leash. Training dogs to walk on a leash is very simple because most are eager to just get outside and explore.

Tip 2: How many walks a day?

If you walk a dog a couple times a day for a half hour, they will get the energy out of them and go to the bathroom. You can turn it into a one hour ordeal, but splitting it up into morning and afternoon or early night walks allows them to get their energy out at different times of the day rather than all at once.

Tip 3: Social skills for the dog
When you walk a dog you have to remember that a walk is a social experience for them in a sense. Depending on the dog’s obedience, allow them to greet other people and other dogs to build relationships. This will help their self-esteem and better their mood.

Tip 4: Restrict the dog

As mentioned in the previous tip, it is important to let them greet others and explore. However, it is important to restrict the dog to a point and maintain some kind of authority over it. You don’t want the dog to be wandering onto other people’s yards or running wild, so that is why training dogs to walk on a leash is important.

Tip 5: Cleaning poop

To clean up after your dog, it is important to remember to bring a plastic bag or some kind of pooper-scooper.

Tip 6: Vary the walks

As mentioned earlier, when you walk a dog it is the highlight of their day. By varying the route you take, this allows the dog to venture new surroundings and keeps them interested to explore new habitats.

Tip 7: Practice obedience skills

Walking a dog is fun for them, but you can also use it as a time to practice some of their obedience skills. Reviewing the basic skills allows them to enjoy themselves and learn at the same time. You want to be careful NOT to turn it into strictly an obedience time for them though, because it is there most enjoyable time of the day.

How To Choose A Dog Trainer

Although many dog owners successfully train their pets without outside assistance, some benefit greatly by using a professional dog trainer. A quality dog trainer can help instruct the dog while also providing the owner with invaluable guidance and assistance. Very problematic dogs-those who seem inordinately aggressive or unruly, for instance-often pose training problems that outstrip the ability of even a relatively well-informed dog owner and a finding a great dog trainer becomes essential.

Dog trainers do not require specific licensing. Any person with a desire to do so can simply proclaim himself or herself a dog trainer, hang up a shingle, and begin soliciting customers. The bar for entry into the dog training profession is set so low that it is no surprise that there are many inadequate trainers trying to do business.

When choosing a dog trainer, how is a dog owner to decide who they should trust with their pet's care and education? Choosing a dog trainer can be a very difficult proposition but separating the untalented and amateurish from the truly gifted is essential to your dog's well being. Making a mistake in hiring a dog trainer will not only fail to help your dog, it could worsen his behavior and make it harder to correct later.

There is no magic formula for choosing the right trainer. There are any number of factors you may want to consider to find someone with whom you can successfully work and upon whom you can truly rely. However, there are at least two considerations that should guide most any selection of a dog trainer: Experience and reputation.

Experience

One should try to search out a trainer with significant experience. Experienced trainers are more likely to be able to successfully deal with the unique circumstances of your pet based on their track record with other animals.
Additionally, experience inherently communicates at least a reasonable likelihood of talent. One is not likely to have stayed in business as a dog trainer for any significant period of time if they lacked talent and failed to produce desired results. Experience, in essence, is also a proof of at least some ability.

What about new trainers? After all, even the most veteran and experienced trainer began as a rookie. Does this mean one should pass over every trainer who lacks a long track record?
You may be able to find a truly great trainer among the ranks of the less experienced. There is, however, the increased risk that the trainer will be unable to satisfactorily train your dog. If you are considering a novice trainer, grill them about their past experiences prior to entering the profession. Find out what kind of dogs they have dealt with, if they have a more experienced mentor, and how they feel they have qualified themselves to work with your dog. Picking a rookie trainer could work out perfectly, but it does increase the chances of dealing with someone who is woefully unprepared to handle the job responsibilities of training.

Reputation

Experience is an indicator of talent, but it is not a foolproof way of assessing a trainer's talents. It is possible for a crafty marketer to stay in business a long time, after all, regardless of the quality of their work. As such, it is appropriate to inquire about the reputation of the dog trainers you are considering. Solicit opinions and references from a variety of sources in order to find the right trainer for you.

Great sources for information regarding wonderful trainers and those you should avoid might include veterinarians, breeders, pet storeowners and close acquaintances who have used a dog trainer. By asking around, you can find out which trainers are most highly regarded.
Ask the trainer himself or herself, too. See if they will provide some references you may contact, preferably past clients. Any trainer who is unwilling to do this should be eyed with some degree of suspicion. Most qualified and talented traders will be happy to give you references to contact. Be sure to follow through. Talk to the references and find out all you can about the trainer and the quality of training the former customers and their dogs experienced.

There are a variety of factors that one may want to consider when seeking out a trainer for their dog. The importance of a trainer to a dog's life is significant and great care should be taken during the selection process. Two things that must be kept in mind when seeking a trainer are the trainer's experience and reputation.

3 Common Dog Training Mistakes

There are many different approaches to dog training and many different ways of implementing each of those approaches. Most techniques utilized today however, are premised upon the idea that positive reinforcement is likely to create the best results. Virtually every truly functional dog training system is outgrowth of positive reinforcement thinking.
Regardless of which specific program a dog owner may choose to adopt, there are common pitfalls that can be avoided. Dog owners are particularly susceptible to making three critical errors, which if avoided will make the training process far more enjoyable and effective. Three of the most common mistakes are inconsistency, impatience and treating the dog as a subject instead of a training partner.

Inconsistency

Consistency may be hobgoblin of little minds in terms of the need for human creativity. With respect to dog training, however, inconsistency is the quickest way to reduce the experience's effectiveness.
Dogs thrive on predictability. In fact, their ability to grasp cause and effect is at the very root of training. Operant conditioning is predicated on the fact that dogs will begin to associate events with consistent outcomes. This notion of consistency's importance must be extended to the overall process of dog training.
A dog is likely to best respond to a system in which regular actions produce regular results. Too often, dog owners fail to be entirely consistent. In the dog's mind, these lapses in regularity convey a sense of randomness to the process and make it difficult for the pet to associate his specific behaviors with specific results-the key to training. Dogs will excel when they are taught that things happen for specific reasons. When surprises occur it undermines the whole of the training process.
A successful trainer will retain consistency and will not deviate from an established course.

Impatience

There can be a great deal of frustration in dog training. Concepts we believe dogs should be able to grasp easily often escape them completely for quite some time.
We live in a world that is so often focused on immediate results. We learn to expect that our actions will be met by prompt, anticipated responses. Dog training runs counter to this societal trend toward speedy, immediate gratification. Training is an extended process that can require a great deal of patience from the trainer.
Impatience results in unpredictability on the part of the owner as they hastily cease a training session or abandon positive reinforcement techniques in hopes of finding a shortcut to desired results. Patience is, indeed, a virtue when one considers the role of the owner in a dog training situation.
A successful trainer will master developing a patient outlook throughout the extended process of dog training.

Treating The Dog As A Subject Instead Of A Partner

Dog training requires two participants: the dog and the owner. Frequently, however, owners tend to perceive the process as being uniquely about them. They fret over their techniques, equipment and strategies without giving real consideration to their training partner, the dog.
When an owner approaches the dog as a simple subject for experimentation, they lose track of what makes the dog unique and denigrate the always-important dog/owner relationship. Training becomes a chore, rather than a joint activity. What might have been a pleasurable chance for interaction becomes an un-enjoyable task.
Dogs are sufficiently intuitive to be attuned to a trainer's attitude and are less receptive to learning when they are treated merely as a subject instead of as a complete being. Owners who fail to see their pet's identity during training are unable to pick up on subtle clues and possible means to improve their techniques.

The successful trainer will treat his dog as a full partner in training, not merely as a subject.
By avoiding these three common pitfalls, a dog owner is more likely to be able to implement a training strategy that produces results. Additionally, the training experience is likely to be enjoyable for both the dog and owner, giving them a tremendous opportunity to build their relationship. Regardless of the exact methodology adopted by the owner, the training process will benefit extraordinarily from avoiding the mistakes of inconsistency, impatience and treating your pet as a subject instead of as a partner.

Bye-Bye, Bad Breath

Dental health is very important to dogs, especially since they use their mouths for just about everything. To help keep their mouths and teeth as clean and healthy as possible, brushing should occur regularly. For instructions on how to brush teeth click here.

Dog toothpastes, sometimes referred to as dental pastes or dental cleaners, are an essential part of hygiene. Dogs can suffer similar dental problems as humans, including tartar and periodontal disease; these can be avoided by regular brushing.

There are several new products on the market that help pet owners care for their pet's teeth. Products include various types of toothpaste, styles of toothbrushes, and multiple products that minimize tartar. There are several brands and types of dog toothpaste products to choose from. Here are some tips to help you choose the right toothpaste for your dog.

Remember that you should always use a canine-specific type. The product must be safe to swallow and ingest because dogs are unable to rinse or spit after brushing. Never use human dental care products! Some human toothpastes contain detergents which can irritate a pet’s stomach; also, large quantities of ingested fluoride can be harmful to pets.

When buying toothpaste for your dog, consider the ingredients, size of the container (a sample size may be a good idea), flavor, digestibility, form (paste, liquid, gel, pads, spray, sponges, rinse, etc.). It may be helpful if the products are easy to use. Ideally, your choice should be something your dog likes. For some dogs, a beef or chicken flavored paste works very well. It may take a few trial and error sessions before you find something that works for your dog.

Brush-Up On At-Home Dental Care

Annual dental exams with a veterinarian are necessary for your dog’s optimum oral health. Although some procedures should only be done by a professional, you can still take advantage of an at-home dental health care program for added assurance and prevention. Brushing and routine examinations are two preventative measures that can easily be done at home.

While performing oral exams, look for warning signs like bad breath, red or swollen gums, a yellowish-brown crust of tartar around the gum-line, or pain or bleeding when you touch the gums or mouth. These signs are all expressive of gingivitis and other gum diseases. Watch for discolored, fractured or missing teeth. Consult your veterinarian if you notice any bumps or masses forming inside the mouth.

Step-By-Step Guide to Brushing Your Dog's Teeth

Here are some easy-to-follow steps to brushing your dog’s teeth. This process will start off gradually, but will pick up in no time. Try not to overly restrain your dog because it may imply something negative. Be positive and excited during the process and your dog will be positive and excited as well.

1. It’s all about introducing something new and having a positive response. Dip your finger into some beef bouillon and call the dog as if you had a treat. Let your dog lick off the liquid, then proceed to gently rub the teeth and gums. Keep it brief. After a few sessions this will be a welcomed occurrence and you can move on.
2. Repeat the first step, but this time; wrap a small strip of gauze around your finger to let your dog become familiar with a new texture. Rub the teeth in a circular motion. Again, keep the sessions brief to avoid discomfort or disinterest. Praise your dog to let them know they’re doing well.
3. After your dog is used to the gauze you can switch to a toothbrush. Before actually brushing, let your dog get used to the texture of the bristles. You can do this by applying something that tastes good to the bristles and having your dog lick it off.
4. Once your dog is used to the brush you can introduce a toothpaste or rinse (use pet specific products, DO NOT use human products). Dog toothpastes are generally flavored with poultry or something your dog will immediately enjoy. Let your dog lick it off your finger, then gently rub it over the gums like in Step 1.
5. The hardest thing is getting started. Once you and your dog have gotten used to the routine, make it a daily occurrence. If you can’t do it daily, every other day will still keep plaque from materializing and will have an overall positive effect on your dog’s oral and dental health.

At-home dental health care is not only limited to you – your dog can also participate while having fun. A number of toys are designed specifically to reduce plaque and tartar build-up. Become familiar with your dog’s chewing habits to help you pick out an appropriately sized and textured chew toy