Mica and Pochita, my two yellow Labs !!!!!

Is your dog scared of going out for a walk? Is he frightened of the leash? Have you pulled or dragged your pet while on the leash? 

If you answer yes, to the questions above, then there is an easy solution. 

First quit pulling and/ or dragging your pooch . If you keep on doing this, he´ll only continue fearing the leash and YOU.

Dogs respond WAY BETTER, if you use POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT.

After following this first tip, you should consider leaving your pet´s leash next to his food bowl ( every single day, and at all hours if possible). This way he won´t think of the leash as a threat anymore, because he´ll associate it with something good ( e.g. food, drinking water).

Next thing you want to do, is to pet your dog with his leash wrapped around your hand for about 5 minutes. This will make your dog feel that the leash is NOT a bad thing since it has a connection with your hand petting him.

Please follow these tips, be patient, and NEVER get angry at your pet. You´ll see results after a few days.

Don´t forget to read my older post on dog walks for more info.

If you need even more tips, please ask your vet, or do an Internet search

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The ASPCA  does a wonderful job helping animals who have suffered abuse. They take these poor being out of the streets and provide them food, shelter, and vet care until a loving family adopts them. THEY NEED YOUR HELP TO KEEP UP THEIR GOOD WORK

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Does your dog pee on your carpet? Leaves you a number two gift on the floor? Is your pet tearing your furniture apart?Dogs do their shananigans for many reasons such as:1) mark territory, 2)get your attention( so you´ll spend time with him/ her playing, you take him to the park to pee, poop or just to walk, you give him food and water,and so on. Remember pets LOVE their owners and like to please you ).

There are more reasons, but you get the point.

If you answer yes to any of the questions above, well you´re not alone. Many dog owners go through the same situation. But what to do about it?

First, you must remember that ONLY possitive reinforcement works on dogs. What do I mean by possitive reinforcement?

PRAISE, PRAISE whenever he pees or poops in the park, your backyard, or any other place where dogs are allowed, pet him and say things like good dog. Also GIVING YOUR PET A DOG TREAT WORKS.

So NEVER hit him with a magazine, newspaper or any other object. ( Remember that it doesn´t work, and you´ll only be hurting your pet).

What does work is to: a)  Speak to your pet in a FIRM tone of voice( you DON´T have to yell), and b) IGNORE him/ her for a few minutes and he´ll understand what he did wrong.

Want to protect your possesions? Then buy one of those dog gates/ barriers that you can find at any large pet store.furniture, so he can´t pee there. Another thing you can do is to buy sturdy plastic covers for your furniture. Also is good, to put the stuff you want to protect  inside drawers, on high shelves, in a closet or any other storage room you may have.

Please ALWAYS ASK YOUR VET, buy a book written by a vet or visit websites with free vet tips.

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So why do dogs eat grass? This is actually a good question, and there aren´t many answers out there.

But  vets seem to agree that grass is NOT bad for your dog.

Having said that, grass seems to help dogs when they are having a stomach problem.

When https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Donation2?df_id=9346&9346.donation=form1&s_src=dtsad&s_subsrc=toby" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">dogs eat grass, it helps them throw up whatever its making them feel bad.

It is also stated by some experts that dogs were scavengers before we humans adopt them as pets. So, whenever wild dogs could not find meat in ancient times, they´ll eat fruits and veggies ( and yes, you guess it, grass).

Dogs are still scavengers, so if  after eating whats on their bowl,  they still feel hungry they will bite on anything they can find around the house.

Like I said on previous posts always ask your vet. I´m not a vet and I´m not an expert. I´m just a dog owner who knows a few tips, because I like to read about dogs from vets.

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Have you ever wonder why some dogs point their tails up high? Well, this is a sign of dominance and its a way of telling other dogs ¨don´t bother me, I´m the leader of the pack¨

What about dogs with their tails hidden between their legs? It just means that these dogs are submissive to other dogs, or are scared.

I think tail wagging needs no explanation, it´s just a friendly way of saying to dogs and anybody else ¨ I´m your pal, and I´m happy to be with you¨

The tail serves other purposes in a dog, but as a general rule respect all animals and never hurt them. If you feel you´re dealing with an angry dog walk away. If it´s a stray dog, call a NO KILL SHELTER that can rescue him/her. HELP PETS, NEVER ABUSE THEM. All animals were put on this Earth for us to be their protectors, they can feel pain, sadness, etc just like any of us.

If you need more info ask your vet,  read a book by an expert, or do an Internet search

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With Halloween just around the corner,  here a few tips to make trick or treating safe for your dog as well.

First, you need to remember that dogs are not allowed to eat lollipops, chocolate and any other type of sugary treats.

They have a different metabolism than ours, and they can get ill.

Another thing you need to do is to walk your dog on a leash, if you want your pet to go with you.

There are people out there that are afraid of  dogs, and having your pooch on a leash will get you out of trouble( don´t use those retractable leashes, because they don´t let you control your pet properly).

Never let your dog go outside with children or teens ( even if they´re your kids, or anybody else you know ).

Your pet needs to be walked by a responsible adult.

If you´re leaving your pet at home, don´t forget to put water and dry dog food on his bowls ( this way he won´t feel hungry when you´re for the evening). Lock  the main and back doors of your house, so your pet won´t get out.

Hope these tips helped. Happy Halloween.

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Below is a partial list of the human foods dogs can eat in small quantities. It is  better to give your dog only dry balanced food recommended by a vet.

Beef, cooked without any seasonings or spices( specially no garlic and no onions)

Carrots( cooked )

Peas ( cooked)

Rice ( cooked without seasonings.  White rice only)

Natural plain low fat yogurt ( give only a tablepoon two to three times a week to adult dogs)

Broccoli ( cooked)

Bread , give a small bread once in a while ( not white bread)

Coliflower (cooked)

Turkey  and chicken (cooked, without skin or fat)

If you do an internet search, you´ll find that these foods are good for dogs, but given in small quantities. Always consult with a vet before feeding your dog any of these human foods

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You should look for dry dog foods that have more meat proteins like beef, chicken, lamb and turkey . But don´t feed your dog fish proteins. Don´t buy dry dog foods that have many fillers such as corn, and flour. Ideally a good dry dog food should have 18% meat protein for an adult dog. And always try to stay away from dry dog foods that have chemicals and artificial flavors added to the formula.

You should always keep a bowl with plenty of fresh clean water, next to your dog´s feeding bowl. That way he won´t be thirsty. Dog´s need to drink fresh clean water daily.

I´m not a vet, I just know a few tips about dogs

Always ask your vet for the right dry dog food for your pet.

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Here´s a partial list of the HUMAN FOODS you should NEVER feed your dog. Dog´s have a different meatabolism than ours and can´t tolerate many human foods. Check tem out:

Chocolate

Ice cream

Garlic

Onions

Grapes

Raisins

Bones from fish, poultry or any other animal

Raw eggs

Alcohol

Mushrooms

Fish

Table scraps

Foods loaded with sugar

Nuts

Milk

Avocado

If you need a bigger list of the human foods that are bad for dogs, ask your vet, buy a book written by a vet or do an internet search.

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If you want  to protect your dog´s digestive system, you should consider giving him a tablespoon of natural plain low fat yogurt

2 to 3 times a week.

Plain yogurt has good bacteria that helps regulate your dog´s digestive system. It is better if you give your dog low fat natural plain yogurt, because dog´s have a liver that´s more delicate than ours.

If you do an internet search, or buy a book written by a vet, youll find out that plain natural low fat yogurt is good for your dog.

Always ask your vet before giving your dog any natural cures, I´m NOT a vet just a guy that knows a few tips.

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