By Emma Snow For anyone who may balk at the price of good pups nowadays, or who may think to himself, “At those prices I should become a breeder!” let me assure you that breeding does not make millionaires. There are a lot of bad reasons people breed their dogs, but there are only a few good ones. If you don’t meet all three of the following conditions and you still want to breed your dog, take a long, hard look at the situation in our crowded shelters across the country before you decide to contribute to the problem.
Good reasons to breed your dog:
1. You have in your possession a five generation pedigree (at least) for your dog that contains numerous champions in conformation, obedience, and/or fieldwork. There is no evidence of in-breeding, and you have a stud in mind with a complimentary pedigree.
2. Your dog is in excellent condition and closely fits the AKC standards for the breed.
3. You possess an abundance of time, patience, and indeed, passion for dogs in general, and your breed in particular. What’s more, you are in a financial position to cover the expenses that invariably incur with breeding dogs (see below for details).
If you’re a dog-lover looking for a way to make a few extra bucks, do yourself a favor and open up a kennel or a high-end poodle salon. Don’t imagine that raising pups will bring in the bucks, for the reality is the very opposite. But in case you’re still seeing dollar signs…
This article should give you an idea of the cost involved in breeding a dog.
To begin with, there are the initial costs, like purchasing the mother. If you remember condition #1 (above), you know that you’re going to need to be picky if you want to breed her. Plan on approximately $800. You’ll then need to have a series of tests run to make sure she meets condition #2. These tests include hip X-rays to rule out hip dysplaia, eye tests to check for cataracts, and tests for thyroid disease, in addition to any other tests recommended for the breed. These tests will cost you at least $300. Of course, you don’t have to do these tests, but it you don’t, you have no way of guaranteeing the genetic health of your pups, which serious buyers will be expecting. Then, of course there are the dog supplies you’ll need for the first year before your gal is ready to breed (food, toys, vitamins—you’re going to want to keep her healthy), but you had already planned on those, right? Tack on another $1,000.
So now we get to the fees at the time of breeding. Expect at least $400 for the stud fee, although it’s more if you insist on a champion-quality stud. There may be travel and boarding expenses, but we’ll give you a break and pretend that dream-guy lives down the block. Once your gal is pregnant she’ll need routine vet exams to check for infections that might affect the health of the pups. If anything goes wrong you may have to pay for ultrasounds or an emergency C-section. Oh yeah, pregnant dogs eat more, and need more vitamins…We’re talking $500 or more, even for a healthy pregnancy.
You’ll need some special equipment for the big day: whelping box, heat pads and lamps, thermometer, scissors, towels, baby scales, tweezers, hemostats, baby suction bulb, bottles and/or tubes for feeding (just in case mom gets an infection or can’t feed her pups), milk replacement formula, and nail clippers. But you probably have most of this stuff lying around, right? So we’ll be modest and say $100. Whew! The pups arrive and all is well. Now the money starts rolling in, right?
Wrong! You’ve only just begun. To keep those pups in tip-top shape you’ll need puppy wormer (given at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks), diarrhea medication, wellness check-ups with the vet, vaccinations and eye certifications, extra puppy food and vitamins, and advertisement fees! Plan on $300 minimum for each pup, plus $100 to take them off your hands. Oh, and you’ll need time off work to care for mother and pups. But you had ample time, right (condition #3)?
Wow! All those expenses add up fast! For a litter of four you’ll be dishing out at least $4,400. Even if you sell your pups for $800 (that’s average for a well-bred puppy), you’re out $1,200. While some of these expenses are one-time, can you expect to make money down the road? After seven litters, you might. But then again, consider that annual maintenance of the mother will cost you $1,000, and you shouldn’t breed her at intervals more frequent than two years. Maybe it’s understandable why 75% of breeders do not attempt to breed again. The verdict is in…if you’re thinking of breeding for the money, you should know right now, breeding definitely does not make cents!
About the Author
Emma Snow an animal lover works in marketing for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net leading portals for pet management.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Repetition, Consistency, Practice, Correction in Dog Training
By Fran Black Repetition, consistency, practice and correction are what it takes to train a dog to be happy and responsive. If you follow these simple steps you will find that your puppy can grow into an obedient well-adjusted dog. Gentle training should begin the moment you take your puppy home. Repetition
It is amazingly important to be consistent and repetitious with the training. Failure to be repetitious will prevent the dog from remembering the lessons. Always give the commands the same way, and do it often until it has been learned and remembered. Once a pup has mastered a command reinforce the command by using it consistently and repetitiously. Consistency
Use consistency in commands. Failure to be consistent will prevent the dog from learning the appropriate cues. Always use the same command when requesting a dog behave in a certain way. Give the dog the command once, not twice or three times. You do not need to repeat the command. Give it once, and if the dog fails to obey then correct. The dog should not optionally obey commands. If you give your dog a command make sure they follow it, or correct them immediately. Use verbal cues to make the dog understand. When correcting bad behavior, make sure the dog knows you are unhappy with their behavior. Be loud and let the anger be evident in your voice. When giving a command, do it authoritatively. When praising your dog, let the happiness come through.Be consistent with your expectations. For example when toilet training your puppy you should always take him to the same spot in the garden so that he eventually recognizes that this is the spot he should use to relieve himself. He will also recognize that this "surface" is an okay surface to soil. Consistently reward the puppy when he sits but never reward him when he jumps up on your legs. Otherwise your visitors will struggle every time they come to visit. Practice
Practice frequently, and in different places so that your dog learns that commands always apply, regardless of location or distractions. Practice, every day, several times a day. Just like when you learn something, frequent practice for short periods are much better than infrequent long study sessions. Correction
It is important to consistently correct bad behavior. To stop any undesired behavior that the dog has learned use your voice. One of the most crucial dog training tips is to never use physical punishment and never reprimand your dog for not performing correctly. Submissive urination: Some pets will squat and urinate as they are greeted by friends and family. Never scold them for this. The problem is typically due to nervousness or excitement, and scolding will make the problem worse. If your puppy does this, instruct people not to be overly excited and not to pet the puppy when greeted. Also, do not bend over the puppy as this triggers the puppy to signal submission to you by urinating. If problems persist, you should consult your local animal trainer or vet. Always end training on a good note and Finish the training with an obedient dog. This will make training more fun for both you and your dog, and it will reinforce that good behavior is rewarded. In addition to training your puppy at home consider enrolling in a local puppy obedience class. Puppy School is an excellent inclusion to a training schedule. It helps with initial training and will help socialize new puppies. About the Author
Francesca Black works in marketing for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net leading portals for pet management.
It is amazingly important to be consistent and repetitious with the training. Failure to be repetitious will prevent the dog from remembering the lessons. Always give the commands the same way, and do it often until it has been learned and remembered. Once a pup has mastered a command reinforce the command by using it consistently and repetitiously. Consistency
Use consistency in commands. Failure to be consistent will prevent the dog from learning the appropriate cues. Always use the same command when requesting a dog behave in a certain way. Give the dog the command once, not twice or three times. You do not need to repeat the command. Give it once, and if the dog fails to obey then correct. The dog should not optionally obey commands. If you give your dog a command make sure they follow it, or correct them immediately. Use verbal cues to make the dog understand. When correcting bad behavior, make sure the dog knows you are unhappy with their behavior. Be loud and let the anger be evident in your voice. When giving a command, do it authoritatively. When praising your dog, let the happiness come through.Be consistent with your expectations. For example when toilet training your puppy you should always take him to the same spot in the garden so that he eventually recognizes that this is the spot he should use to relieve himself. He will also recognize that this "surface" is an okay surface to soil. Consistently reward the puppy when he sits but never reward him when he jumps up on your legs. Otherwise your visitors will struggle every time they come to visit. Practice
Practice frequently, and in different places so that your dog learns that commands always apply, regardless of location or distractions. Practice, every day, several times a day. Just like when you learn something, frequent practice for short periods are much better than infrequent long study sessions. Correction
It is important to consistently correct bad behavior. To stop any undesired behavior that the dog has learned use your voice. One of the most crucial dog training tips is to never use physical punishment and never reprimand your dog for not performing correctly. Submissive urination: Some pets will squat and urinate as they are greeted by friends and family. Never scold them for this. The problem is typically due to nervousness or excitement, and scolding will make the problem worse. If your puppy does this, instruct people not to be overly excited and not to pet the puppy when greeted. Also, do not bend over the puppy as this triggers the puppy to signal submission to you by urinating. If problems persist, you should consult your local animal trainer or vet. Always end training on a good note and Finish the training with an obedient dog. This will make training more fun for both you and your dog, and it will reinforce that good behavior is rewarded. In addition to training your puppy at home consider enrolling in a local puppy obedience class. Puppy School is an excellent inclusion to a training schedule. It helps with initial training and will help socialize new puppies. About the Author
Francesca Black works in marketing for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net leading portals for pet management.
Easy Dog Training Tips
Here are tips that one should keep in mind to train his dog more easily.
Digging Behavior
Dogs, as social beings, consider digging as their outlet when they are lonely. Nutrient deficiency may also cause this digging. Also known as pica, they sometimes eat the dirt they dig to supplement their health. Spending more time with your dog and giving him a health check will keep his digging behavior at bay.
Potty Training
For dog potty training, a reward-based method will prove to be a more rewarding endeavor. Giving your dog a bit of dog food when it performs a good potty behavior will make it easier for it to remember the good thing that it did.
Repeat and Repeat
Considerable repetitions will give your dog ample time to grasp the command. Consistency is the name of the game. After doing enough repetitions, not helping him with the routine will test if the dog really got it. Three successful attempts in a row is a fine gauge in defining if it's just a fluke or if the dog has actually understood the drill.
Direct and Correct
Communicate to the dog how the drill should be. Be clear on what you want the dog to do. Just commanding the dog without correcting him if he did it wrong is not advisable.
Timing is Gold
Timing means that you should consider the age of the dog when considering how to deal with him. It is best to train dogs while they are still puppies. Always remember that "old dogs can't learn new tricks" saying.
Be More Stubborn Than the Dog
Establishing rapport to the dog must always be in this order: You as the alpha dog (authoritative) and him as the submissive being. Show any sign of fear when he snaps back, and you damage that rapport. Don't let the dog not complete the exercise. This will teach the dog to just hold out long enough for you give in to his preferences.
Be A Good Actor
Provide your puppy with an outlet for his chewing urges. Also, you may practice yelping loudly when your pup starts to chew on you. After yelping, fold your arms and for 10 minutes consider ignoring him. This response is the thing that happens when a pup becomes too rough on other puppies. But depending on your puppy's personality, he may react otherwise, such as biting more. In this case, use a more aggressive approach.
About the Author
Visit http://www.dog-training.usdsavers.com for more information on obedience training for dogs.
Delectable Recipes for Dogs
Apple Cinnamon Doggie Cookies
Basic Dog Treats
Beefy Dog Bone Biscuits
Canine Cookies
Carob Doggie Treats
Carob Doggy Cookies
Cheddar Dog Biscuits
Cheesy Hound Rounds
Chicken Chips
Chicken-beef Crunchers For Doggies
Dog Biscuits Deluxe
Doggie Biscuits
Doggie Dessert
Doggie Goodies
Doggie Ice Cream
Doggy Biscuits In A Jar
Doggy Or Kitty Biscuits
Doggy Yummy Treats
Frosty Paws Ice Cream
Good Doggy Biscuits
Great Dane-ish
Happy Trail Dog Biscuits
Liver Cookies
Liver Diamonds
Liver Treats For Dogs
Magic Meatballs
Microwave Dog Biscuits
Munchy Pup Cakes
Muttrecal For Overweight Dogs
Nice Spice Dog Biscuits
Nutty Buddy Dog Food
Original Vanilla Bones
Parsley Biscuits
Pavlov's Beagle Biscotti
Pavlov's Beggin' Bones
Peanut Butter Treats
Peanut-butter Treats For Dogs And People
Poochie Pleasin' Pretzels
Pumpkin Patch Dog Biscuits
Pupsicles
Rover Rewards
Simple Dog Biscuits
Snerdlee, Dweezel, Hennesey And Barkley's Favorite Cookies
Tail Wagging Dog Biscuits
Veggie Dog Bones
Dog Gifts for Dog Lovers
Dog are often more than just pets -- they are frequently considered to be an important family member. Celebrate your love for dogs with unique dog gifts. Dogs, aptly known as man's best friend, are creatures of comfort. They often boast qualities we look for in our closest two-legged friends, from loyalty to dogged determination. While there is a distinct difference between "small dog" people and "large dog" people, both tend to be drawn to their breed preference with a ferocity and loyalty that can be respected and appreciated. In order to commemorate and celebrate your four-legged friend, you can order specialized gifts that can often be customized with your pet's name, or simply illustrate your love for a specific dog breed. There are a number of dog-themed gift websites that will help you in your search for the perfect gift...
Dog Pound
Dog Pound contains more than 2500 gift items, branded with dog breeds, unique dog photos, and dog designs. All products can be customized with the name of your four-legged friend. Dog breed branded gifts include: t-shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, sneakers, mouse pads, binders, invitations, greeting cards, postcards, magnets, buttons, keychains, stickers, baseball caps, posters, prints, ties, stamps, skateboards, aprons, photo prints, mugs, posters, and tote bags. The website contains more than 35 designs of dog breeds including: Basset Hounds, Beagles, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Bichon Frise, Boxers, Bull Dogs, Chihuahua, Collies, Corgis, Dalmatians, Huskies, German Shepherds, Mastiffs, Newfoundlands, Retrievers, Setters, Schnauzers, Rottweilers, Shar Pei, Spaniels, St Bernards, Spaniels, Terriers, and more. Dog Pound is a great place to find the perfect gift for the dog lover in your life.
Dog Pound - http://www.dog-pound.net
Trendy Puppy
Trendy puppy is a dog boutique that has accessories for tea-cup and small dogs. Trendy Puppy specializes in gifts for toy dogs, and their product line includes small dog collars, harnesses, clothes, and carriers.
Trendy Puppy - http://www.trendypuppy.com
In The Company Of Dogs
In The Company Of Dogs is a site that carries gifts and gear for dogs, and the people who share their lives.
In The Company Of Dogs - http://www.inthecompanyofdogs.com
Dog Lover Gift Baskets
Dog Lover Gift Baskets sells pet gift baskets with dog-themed gifts and accessories for dog lovers and their four-legged friends.
Dog Lover Gift Baskets - http://www.doglovergiftbaskets.com
Next Day Pets
Next Day Pets sells pet care items and things for pampering pets. Next Day Pets also maintains a web-based community for pet lovers.
Next Day Pets - http://petsupplies.nextdaypets.com/dog-supplies/for-the-owner/dog-gifts
Dog Decor
Dog Decor has dog home decor items for puppy lovers. With over 10,000 dog-related products, items are grouped by dog breed or by gift type, making it easy to find what you are a looking for.
Dog Decor - http://www.dogdecor.com
DogShoppe
DogShoppe carries quality dog gifts, depicting images of 130 different dog breeds. DogShoppe offers one of the largest selection of dog breed flags around -- with over 2000 dog flags, you are sure to find one you like. Shop for the dog lover in you, or perhaps a unique gift for a special dog lover in your life!
Dog Shoppe - http://www.dogshoppe.net
What better way to show a dog lover that you care than with a dog-themed gift?
About the Author
Tatiana Dalton is a creative personality who provides educational and creative content to Need Gift Idea http://www.need-gift-idea.com and she also provides creative to http://www.greeting-card-templates.com
How to Teach Dogs the Down Command
Teaching the down command can be a dawnting task if you don't use the proper techniques. The method that I've used to quickly train my dog involves three steps. First you must make sure that your dog understands what it must do when it is given the "down" command. Second, you must be certain that you have practiced the down command 3X a day for 5min. each time for a period of 1 week.. The last step is to use a technique I learned from Winnifred Strickland to teach your dog the down command by signal rather than by a verbal command.
Without further adieu, here's my three step plan. First find a secluded location where there are no distractions. Put your dog's joke collar and leash on and use a little bit of kibble as enticement for the next three days. Now, take one kibble in you hand, bring it up close to your dogs mouth, move you hand down to the ground as you dog tries to nibble at it and say the command "down". You will need to repeat this process 3x/day for 5min. for the next three days.
From day 4-7 repeat your training again in a secluded area where there are no distractions for your dog. Except, now, in step two, do not use food as an enticement. This time take the right front paw of you dog and stretch it forward. At the same time, grab the dog's choke collar and gently push your dog over to its side as you say the command "down".
Now, you're ready for the third phase of your training session. As before, set up an environment where your dog won't be distracted. Put the collar and leash back on, stand next to your dog, and say the command "down" and see if you dog will respond. If your dog responds, then great, you're done. However, most dog's won't respond to your command because the down command is putting them in a submissive position and they prefer not to be told what to do. At this point you know that your dog understands what is expected of it and it is still refusing to obey.
In order to complete the third phase of your dog's training, stand in front of your dog with your leash at hand and say the command "down". When your dog refuses to obey, gently tap the tip of its nose with the palm of your fingers as your point to the ground. You dog must be able to see you point to the ground. ONLY repeat this procedure once or twice per session because you don't want to give your dog the impression that you're hitting it. Repeat this procedure for the next 3 days. On the 4th day, follow the same procedure except with one variation. This time simply hold the palm of your hand over your dog's head, look into its eyes, and see if it obeys your command. If your dog does not respond, again tap its nose gently with the palm of your fingers and say the command "down". The key to the last technique is to be GENTLE and not use a lot of force when tapping the tip of your dog's nose. Within a matter of a few days, your dog will respond to you command and "down" with your signal rather than with your verbal command.
Armen T. Ghazarians offers advice and articles for all those interested in training their dogs like the professionals. His website http://www.newdogtrainingsecrets.com offers information regarding many aspects of professional dog training for anyone who is not a professional dog trainer.
Making Dog Training More Effective With Training Equipment
by Marc Lindsay When you first get a new dog it may seem a little overwhelming the amount of things you have to buy. You will have to buy food, a bed, bowls and toys to mention just a few and it is also a very sensible idea to get some dog training equipment. While it is possible to use ordinary items this may not be the case in some circumstances. For instance, it will certainly be necessary to get a case if you intend to crate train your dog and you may want to purchase a clicker or a noisy chain. If you are training a hunting dog then you will want more specific dog training equipment to help with the process of training.A clicker is used to help with positive reinforcement. Every time you praise your dog you click the clicker and give him a treat and so he recognizes the noise to mean he has done well and is being rewarded. On the other hand a noisy chain is used to throw at the feet of your dog as negative reinforcement when he has done something wrong. The noise of the chain hitting the floor is irritating to the dog and will certainly get his attention. You should never use the chain to reprimand the dog directly and it should only be used to make the loud noise.There are other more unusual training aids. You can get remote spray collars that work like ordinary collars but have a small water spray attached. When your dog misbehaves you can click the button and the water will spray into his face.This will invariably stop him in his tracks and after using this a couple of times it is very unlikely he will do the same thing again for fear of getting water sprayed in his face. Walking big dogs can be a real challenge. Specialist collars can help. Harnesses give you much more control over a boisterous dog that usually has the run of you when out on walks and the choker chain works by tightening around the dog's neck but quickly loosening again when the tension on the lead loosens.Electric collars give out a small electrical shock to your dog although this form of punishment is best for hunting dogs and teaching them not to approach certain harmful animals like snakes. This dog training equipment is all fairly inexpensive and will make your life a lot easier when first training your dog. About the Author
Dog Obedience Training and Puppy Training product reviews so you know you are only teaching your dog the very best techniques
Dog Obedience Training and Puppy Training product reviews so you know you are only teaching your dog the very best techniques
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