Dog Training

The Jack Russel Terrier – a Dog With Multi-Faceted Features!

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

Generally, when we look for dogs we are basically looking for three things; first, whether it can be a good companion, second, a good guard for the household, and third, whether it is expensive to maintain it or not.

Well the Jack Russel Terrier seems to fit the bill. This breed is a very good companion, very friendly with those to whom it has been “introduced”, and not so friendly with those who are not “introduced” Very prim and proper about its image! It is also a great one for routing those troublesome rats, or other furred animals, and those who have one, will find themselves the better for it.

As we said in the previous paragraph, it has a very strong sense of responsibility, and has a nose (hmm…can’t be helped) for trouble makers. You can depend upon them, it is said, to distinguish a foe from a friend, even though that foe might be your friend. Please read this again.

It is a hypoallergenic dog, which means that it causes very little allergies, and requires very little grooming. But it is recommended that a routine grooming is scheduled and maintained.

The Jack Russell terrier is named after John Russell a student in the University of Oxford, UK, who saw a white dog with spots on its eyes and ears accompanying a mailman. Abandoning, or combining his study of theology, this gentleman bred the dog that has been named after him.

It is a family dog, and loves human companionship. They are very fond of small children, strangely; and often will act as natural guards for them. If a child is crying, the Jack Russel terrier may come after the eldest in the house, and persist in pulling that person towards the child! And who wouldn’t like this?

They are very intelligent and full of good spirit, a curious nature; however, they require some training, otherwise they can be difficult. This is offset by the fact that they respond quickly to training. They are favorites in games and other shows for their speed, agility and quick reactions.

Jack Russel Terriers are terrible fighters. They don’t give up easily once their ire is up. And woe betide the person who comes in its way, and does not back up. It does not matter to it that it may be up against a larger or even more vicious dog. It does not give up, and that often times leads to serious injuries and sometimes it is fatal.

This is also displayed even towards its owners if it is mistreated or misbehaved with. It withstands some of the scoldings and punishments from the people it loves, but it can turn vicious if it senses a threat to itself. It is a survivor; gentle behavior and love and affection is what it desires. And if you treat it as a member of the family, it will be a valuable addition.

When it senses a stranger coming into the house, it would growl, and bare its teeth, and be ready to plunge to protect its owner, but once the owner has introduced the stranger, then it backs up, and will enter that person’s profile into its memory, and depending upon the first meet, may even greet the same person again when visiting with a joyful bark.

Jack Russell terriers are good pets, good companions, good guards, and fun to be with. Shower your love and affection on it, and it will reciprocate in more than equal a measure.

Abhishek is an avid dog lover and he has got some great Dog Health Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 80 Pages Ebook, “How To Take Care Of Your Dog’s Health” from his website http://www.Dog-Tale.com/192/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

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Bark Collars – a Smart Alternative to Giving Your Dog Away

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

It’s normal for your dog to bark every now and then. What’s not so normal is for your dog to bark all the time, without any apparent reason. The correction could be something attributed to the animal’s environment or to the development of a bad habit. If you’re one of those dog owners who cuddle their pet all the time, realize that your behavior only encourages him to get loud. So the next time Fluffy is barking his head off while you are busy doing something else in another room, before yelling at him to be quiet, stop and take a moment to think who more than likely contributed to this undesirable behavior.

Before leaving the house you need to make sure that your dog is prepared for your absence. You must leave him plenty of water and good, but don’t exaggerate with these so you can prevent his overeating; also, prepare him a special place of his own. It’s possible that you encouraged him to only be happy in your presence; when you leave, he will get bored and start making a lot of noise. He has soon learned that the world revolves around him and when he finds himself “abandoned” in the empty house he becomes distraught and starts barking-did you expect differently?.

Be a good role model and realize that the actual words you use when talking with your dog mean absolutely squat to him! What does matter however is the way in which you say those words and how you say it via your body language. When your voice is gentle before leaving the house, you only make things worse for him. Also overdoing the excitement in greeting your dog upon your return tells him that staying home all day alone really is a big deal!.

If you are the owner of such a spoiled dog, that barks all the time, without any obvious reason, you will be happy to find out that not all hope is lost; there are some devices called bark collars that are able to help you with the problem of the restless dog. There are many options of bark collars for energetic dogs, and you can choose the one that suits your pet best; the bark collar that uses citronella is one of the most popular anti-bark collars and it will give great results in no time. Unlike what some people imagine, these collars are harmful. Some people actually enjoy the smell. Because dogs don’t like it, they will soon learn it’s better to shut up before the spray activates. There are more versions of dog collars and you can associate these devices with dog training; it isn’t necessary to give your dog away in order to have peace and quiet in your house.

Many times when a dog barks is nothing more than a natural reaction. You can choose from many models of bark collars that can train your dog into barking less. Click here to find out more on the types of bark collars available.

Itchy Dog – Natural Treatment Concepts for the Jack Russell Terrier

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

Canine atopic dermatitis is extremely common in the Jack Russell Terrier. This terrible skin condition causes the skin to become very inflamed, red and itchy. The itchy skin causes constant scratching and constant itching. The itchy Jack Russell Terrier will chew the feet and scratch the abdomen, groin and arm pit (axilla).Ear problems are common also.

To understand how natural treatment can be helpful and effective, it is important to know a little bit about the anatomy of the skin and what goes wrong in canine atopic dermatitis. In the itchy Jack Russell Terrier with atopy, there is a deficiency in the skin barrier. The skin cells are bound together with ceramide. This outer barrier of skin cells and ceramide is a bit like a brick wall with bricks bound together with mortar. In dogs with atopy, the ceramide is deficient in a protein called sphingosine so the “mortar” is crumbling. This imperfect skin barrier is leaky. Water escapes from the skin making it very dry. Allergens are able to cross the skin barrier triggering the immune system and causing a terrible itchy rash.

Products that wash away the damaged skin barrier will make the problem worse. Shampoo with soaps and surfactants should be avoided. Products that are drying or acidic will dry and damage the skin further. Products like tea tree oil are commonly sold as natural treatment remedies for itchy skin. Putting an acidic product like tea tree oil on a dog with atopic dermatitis is like putting petrol on fire.

There are some natural products that make a huge difference however.

For a FREE “Home Diagnosis Manual to the itchy dog” and information on natural treatment that really stops your dog itching and scratching go to http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com

For more information on treating the itchy scratching dog the natural way and to find out how to stop the itch go to http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com/treating_itchy_dogs.html

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The Basics of Jack Russell Terrier Training

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

Keeping a Jack Russell terrier as a pet can be a very rewarding experience, but these natural huntsmen can be quite difficult to keep domestically without the proper Jack Russell terrier training.

The dog must begin its training when it is young for it to be any use, and the training begins by showing the dog who is dominant. If the owner does not assert his or herself as the head of the household, the dog will do so and that is the worst thing that can happen when training. This specific breed is very accustomed to praise, and praise is what the dog should get when it does what it is supposed to. Do not scold the dog when it does not follow what it is being told, simply ignore it.

While all puppies use their mouths as a hand to explore the world around them, they always must be told where their mouths do not belong. If a dog has a problem with biting, then a good strategy to show them not to is to place your hand over the dog’s muzzle and press its lips into the teeth.

Dogs who want to display their dominance will often put their mouth over another dog’s muzzle. This not only shows the dog who is dominant, but can also eventually show them that biting is not fun. If the dog keeps biting, a slight pinch on the lip can be given to further show the puppy that biting is not enjoyable. Couple this dominance training with a, “No bite!” command, and eventually that will be all that is necessary to say.

Some Jack Russell terriers develop separation anxiety when their owner is not present. This anxiety leads to destruction of household furniture and carpeting, and can also lead to other odd behaviors like hyperactivity. Some dogs pace around and around in a single room for hours until their owners come back.

There are multiple ways to treat this separation anxiety, such as leaving the dog with a chew toy that was given to it before being left alone. Another way of easing this anxiety is to simply spend about a quarter of an hour doing the, “Sit, stay, and down” routine with plenty of rewards when the dog gets the commands right. Eventually, reduce how many rewards are given to the dog, otherwise the dog may know to look for treats before obeying a command.

Jack Russell terrier training can be a rewarding experience for both the owner and the dog as long as the training is kept regular while the dog is young, and the application of what the training taught is continued throughout the dog’s life.

Are you having Jack Russell problems? Be sure to visit my site for lots of information on Jack Russell terrier training you need to know.

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Problems That Can Be Prevented With Jack Russell Training

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

Achieving successful jack russell training is indeed a pride of every dog owner, more particularly jack russell terrier owners. Seeing these little terriers perform tricks at your command will certainly fill your heart not only with pride but with happiness and self-fulfillment as well. But what if the pet you have been bragging about did something totally embarrassing like peeing at your friend’s living room when you went there for a brief visit? Perhaps it’ll make you wish that the ground would swallow you, right?

These behaviors, while totally embarrassing, can be prevented with appropriate jack russell training.

Urine marking.

This behavior is not uncommon among dogs. Most dogs, especially those that are not neutered or spayed have tendencies to mark places or things new to them. It’s their way of saying, “Back off! This new couch is mine”. Additionally, they mark to convey information like the dog’s order in the pack or mating availability. Neutering or spaying your beloved pooch can help lessen the marking tendencies. Constant supervision will also prevent your pet from developing such habit. If you see your dog lifting his legs to mark, do something to distract him; clapping your hands or shaking a can or bottle with coins inside. Then give the command “No pee!” or “Stop it!” in a firm tone. During jack russell training to get rid of urine marking, be consistent in using this technique until the problem is totally solved.

Excessive Barking.

Just like urine marking, excessive barking is also one of the most common problems faced by many dog owners. It can be annoying to you and those near you especially if everyone should be sleeping yet your beloved terrier chose to let his voice heard literally. To address the problem, find out what makes your dog bark. Is he afraid to be alone? Or perhaps he is sees squirrels or other animals he thinks he is supposed to chase? To stop the barking, it is important that you provide everything he needs – protection against harsh weather elements, toys to prevent boredom and the likes. Additionally, remove the things that are making him bark – small animals he considered his quarry, boisterous kids running around, etc.

These two behaviors are not the only problems that can be prevented with jack russell training. If your dog problem is neither of the two, be rest assured that there will always be solution to it – and it often involves training.

Richard Cussons loves to write articles about dogs. Check out more of his articles regarding jack russell training at http://www.jackrussellsavvy.com

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Simple Tips to a Successful Jack Russell Training

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

Some people go through a lot of frustration with Jack Russell training. Jack Russell dogs are known as intelligent working dogs but why do some people go through all this trouble. Maybe some are thinking that they got the wrong breed. Perhaps you haven’t thought that the problem is not with your dog but with you. Some dog owners do not realize that why they are having trouble with their Jack Russell training is because they do not have enough information as to how this training should be done.

Below are training tips to guide Jack Russell owners or those who are still thinking of getting a Jack Russell. Your Jack Russell’s behavior is in your hands so learn and watch your dog transform into a nicely trained dog.

o Early training

Train your puppy as soon as he comes home for the first time. Breeders usually allow puppies to be taken home at eight weeks of age. You can start with the basic pet obedience training such as “sit”, “down”, “stay” and “come”.

Other more advanced formal training will follow because of their intelligence and the way they respond to challenges the training brings.

o Positive Reinforcement

The use of positive reinforcement is a widely used method to train dogs. Praising a dog after he has performed a command will make him understand that he is rewarded because he has done something good.

Giving of food treats or toys usually motivates the dog to perform the command given to him. But you should know the difference between a reward and a bribe. Bribery, when it comes to dog training means that you are bribing the dog to perform a command. When this is often dog, he will later refuse to follow commands when he can not see the reward. In order not to bribe your dog, you should not let him see the treat before giving a command. Show and give the reward only when he has already complied with the command.

o Avoid punishment

As much as possible, do not punish your dog if he has done something that you do not like. Just like for example when you discover pile of feces beside your new living room couch. Rubbing his nose in his mess will just confuse him. He might actually think that he is being punished because he did his business. To deal with this problem, simply ignore him every time he accidentally dropped his bomb in a wrong place. Your behavior will make him understand that what he did won’t get your attention and he will eventually stop doing it.

o Next Level

Once you have accomplished the basic training, don’t just stop there. As what has been said, Jack Russell Terriers are highly intelligent and energetic dogs. It can even respond to agility training thus consistent and progressing training is encouraged.

You should have to treat your dog the way he should be treated. Do not think that he thinks and should act the same way as you do because your dog is not human. Dogs, though how intelligent, don’t see things the way humans do. Your patience is important. You should always remember that…

Richard Cussons is not just a writer but also a great lover of dogs. Discover more about Jack Russell Terriers at this site dedicated to Jack Russell dogs.

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Dog Training – How to Train a Jack Russell Terrier

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

Jack Russell Terriers are smart, independent and strong willed little dogs with a lot of personality. Some common Jack Russell Terrier problems are: Digging, hyperactivity, chasing, dog aggression and barking.

Because of the independent nature of Jack Russells it’s important that you establish yourself as a strong leader. The stronger the leader you are the better your Jack Russell will listen to you.

Start training your Jack Russell early. If you get a pup start training early, as young as eight weeks old. Use positive reinforcement to train. Too many negatives when you are training can result in aggressive behavior.

If you get a Jack Russell as a pup socialize your new pup as much as possible. Bring your puppy to a puppy class, let your pup play with other puppies, bring her to the beach, the city, the woods, around as many different people as possible. The better you are at socializing your pup the more stable she will be as an adult.

Jack Russells were bred to hunt for small animals and they will dig and have a strong desire to follow a scent. These behaviors are often looked at as bad behaviors. It’s important to substitute activities for your Jack Russell. Tug games, retrieving, tricks and obedience are all great things to do with your Jack Russell.

Jack Russells need exercise. They have a lot of stamina and too much pent up energy will result in a lot of behavior problems. Most Jack Russells love to roam and run and hunt. Because of this it is a good idea to fence in your yard or invest in some type of underground electronic fence.

A Jack Russell like any other breed of dog is a long term commitment and you will need to provide enough exercise, training and activity for this busy little bred.

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Jack Russell Health Problems

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

Jack Russell Terriers are known for their energetic and sometimes mischievous nature. It is this high level of energy that makes them highly suited for dog training. Simply put, they just love a good sport and good outdoor experience.

However, Jack Terrier Russell’s also have health problems that you will need to look out for. Although they are the image of good health given their usually intense and energetic mood, there are disorders that they are more susceptible to.

So to help you around, here are some most common Jack Russell health problems out there. They can really get in the way of your dog’s training so it is best to watch out for them.

Cataracts: Watching His Visual Capacity
Your dog’s eyesight is very essential to his training. And that is why you will have to be watchful of Cataract which can steal your Jack Russel’s health and eyesight. And because some cataracts are hereditary, it is best to always have your dog’s eyes examined by your vet.

Cardiomyopathy: A Barrier To His Energetic Nature
This disorder of the heart muscle which can also affect the lungs steals away one of the most outstanding quality of your Jack Russell Terrier – his almost bottomless energy. Sadly, this can make your dog weak during training which can be sad to look at considering that he was once a feisty one. So always have your dog’s cardiovascular health checked by your vet.

Von Willebrand Disorder: Avoiding Injury And Bleeding
This disorder attacks the platelets of your dog which makes him very susceptible to bleeding. Therefore, it is important that Jack Russells diagnosed with this problem should avoid strenuous activities that can lead to possible injury of cut. Any wound should be avoided because the bleeding might not stop.

Patella Luxation: A Leg Problem
This is yet another physical disorder that can gravely affect your dog’s ability to properly carry out some training exercises. This disorder which causes your dog to have abnormal walking patterns is a result of a dislocated knee cap. This must be treated right away to prevent further injury.

Myasthenia Gravis: Motor Nerve And Mobility Problems
This disorder goes deep into the central core of your mobility – it attacks the motor nerves. This results in abnormal twitches and movements in your dog’s hindquarters. This Jack Russell health problem can steal away even seemingly easy tasks such as sitting up and walking. Therefore, it limits just about all training and exercise – a sad malady to an energetic dog that loves to play.

So there you go! And those about sums up what you need to know about several Jack Russell health problems that can affect your dog’s training and exercise. Keep watch for these problems, and prevent them from occurring by having frequent visitation to the vet.

Dorrien Eddison is an expert in the area of Jack Russell training. earn how you can stop your Jack Russell Terrier barking problems today in Dorrien’s latest article.

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Stop the Loud Barking With a Bark Collar

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

As a dog owner, you must be prepared to face all sorts of situations, like excessive barking, that might annoy your family and neighbors.

What Can You Do?

You have to determine what stimulus makes your dog bark. No dog barks for no reason. There is usually an external stimulus that annoys your dog; maybe it’s an animal (like a cat), maybe it does not like people walking on the street or maybe it gets bored if left alone more than a certain amount of time. If you cannot remove the stimulus that annoys your dog, then you need to find alternatives.

Never punish your dog if it barks out of stress or fear, because this will only intensify the barking. You can use positive training techniques instead of coercion. Positive traning techniques include exposing your dog repeatedly to the stimulus, while you try to calm it down; distracting the dog when the stimulus occurs or the reshaping technique – teach it to bark on command. Many times these methods work efficiently if you have enough patience to apply them. However, sometimes it takes more than that to calm the repeated barking. You can even consider taking it to a training center or a vet.

About The Bark Collar?

Some people who own dogs use a bark collar to prevent excess barking. Three different methods are available, as well as combinations of methods for even greater effectiveness.

There are collars with “citronella” that can spray when the dog starts to bark. Some collars even give the dog a warning “hiss” so that they can learn to avoid the smell entirely.

Other Bark collars use sonic or ultrasonic methods, using sounds that only your dog can hear. Because your dog does not like this type of sounds, it will not start barking when the stimulus occurs.

There are also electronic barking collars you can use; they give the dog a shock whenever it barks. This collar is painful, but effective in reducing the barking.

You can find alternatives to these collars, but they will not be as effective. They can work by citronella spray, sonic / ultrasonic sounds, or electronic static. No type of bark collar can hurt your dog, but it can successfully prevent excessive barking.

If you need a solution to prevent your dog from barking excessively, you can either use dog training or Bark collars. The latter comes in three versions, which are all very efficient – collars with citronella spray, electronic collars or sonic/ultrasonic dog collars. Any of these methods will not harm the animal. More information on barking collars is available here.

Why You Should Consider Bark Collars

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

Most of the times, dogs bark for a justifiable reason. However, sometimes dogs over-react to situations or stimuli and become excessive in their vocalizations. Most of the times, they get agitated when they are left unsupervized for a longer period. The most affected ones are, as always, the neighbors.

Because it happens when the owner is not around, it is also one of the most difficult to control. In some cases, owners resort to extreme solutions to make the dog stop barking, such as surgical interventions or they even send it away. These are not inspired decisions, but dog owners see no other solution.

Fortunately for both the dog and the owner, anti-bark collars were invented for these situations. Like most new technologies, there were some unforeseen complications. They often mistook other dogs’ barking for the sound they needed to stop and started functioning even if it wasn’t the right moment. Others could not discern between a normal barking reaction and constant barking.

bark collars have improved massively since their beginnings. Now they come in three versions – ultrasonic, static or with citronella spray. All these collars use the same principle. The collar is activated when it detects sounds and vibrations within certain frequencies. Requiring that both systems be activated prevents the collar from reacting to another dog barking. Also having a volume and frequency requirement helps prevent the collar from being triggered by fear, pain, or other vocalizations not tied to problem barking.

bark collars based on citrus spray release the substance when they’re triggered by barking; the sonic ones produce a sound that irritates the dog and static collars give the dog a mild shock. None is intended to harm the dog, but startle it, which will silence it. Some of the static collars can be adjusted and they also have an automatic shutdown system if the dog barks continuously for a longer period. They can also be switched to lower settings if the dog barks less often than before. This system is meant to encourage your dog to only bark when it has to.

A bark collar is intended as an aid in training your dog not to bark inappropriately, not as replacement for training. You don’t need to let the collars on all the time. Use them only for as long as the dog needs them. If your pet only barks when you are away and there’s no possible means for you to control his training, ask for a neighbor’s help. He will be more than glad to do it, since he’s the most affected by your dog’s behavior. Consider the friendliest neighbor you have, with whom your dog is already used.

Keeping the pet under constant supervision is meant to record whether it has a normal reaction to the collar. As with other forms of training, praise and play for correct behavior, and exercise to reduce anxiety and restlessness help achieve the desired behavior.

Instead of resorting to extreme solutions, consider purchasing bark collars instead. These devices can prove to be very efficient in educating your dog. If you want to know more details about these devices and the mechanisms they use, read more about bark collars here.