Dog Training Tips

(These tips were sent in by the public. Dog Breed Info cannot guarantee all tips will be a success and is not responsible for anything that may result from one of these tips. Please use your own discretion).

1. Using metal water dishes outside in winter may be a risk, because your pet's tongue could stick to the frozen metal. In the summer medal bowls can get very hot, and burn your dog.

2. If you have a puppy that pees on your carpet. After soaking up most of the mess with paper towel, sprinkle a generous amount of bicarbontae of soda (baking soda) over the area and leave it to absorb both the traces of urine and the odor.

3. If your dog runs away from you and you finally catch up to it, no matter how angry you are at the dog, do not yell or smack it or your dog will never come to you when called for fear of being punished.

4. Do not leave your dog unattended on a choke chain. The chain could get caught and strangle the dog.

5. Do not leave your dog in the car unattended on hot days. Even with the windows open, temperatures in cars WILL reach deadly levels. It only takes 5 minutes! If you see a dog locked in a very hot car do something to try and help it before it's too late.

6. Do not make your dog walk on extremely hot or cold asphalt, cement, etc... the pads of their paws are not made out of steel. If it is too hot for you to walk barefoot, then chances are that it is too hot for your dog, also.

7. To keep your dog busy, buy toys with little holes in them (such as a Kong), put both big and small pieces of kibble in the toy and give it to your dog. This will keep him busy for quite awhile presuming he has a few small ones that he gets out quickly. You can also wedge dog biscuits in the holes with a smear of peanut butter.

8. When your dog is teething, instead of have him chewing on couches, walls etc. Buy a few (cheap) wash clothes. Soak the wash cloth and put it ion the freezer. When fully frozen give it to the dog to chew, it will thaw out so have another one ready in the freezer. (be careful when doing this with very small dogs, as they may get a chill. I have heard of small dogs getting too cold too quickly when chewing on ice.)

9. For teething puppies mix chicken or beef broth (look for low fat, low sodium brands) with 1 ½ cup of water. Pour them into ice cube trays to made broth ice cubes. They are tasty treats on hot days. (be careful when doing this with very small dogs, as they may get a chill. I have heard of small dogs getting too cold too quickly when chewing on ice.)

10. Do not leave your pet in an area with dangling phone cords, drape cords or other items that they may strangle on. Be aware of electric cords that may be chewed by the pet.

11. I have a dog who loved to dig. When I'd fill the hole and re-seed, he'd just dig it up again. One day I was watching him wander around the yard, and I noticed he took extra care not to step in his droppings. So, the next time I filled up a hole, I buried a little dung under, and left some dung on top. He avoided the freshly-seeded grass, and his droppings made excellent fertilizer. This won't work for all dogs... I also have another dog who loves to dig. This trick does not work on her, as she does not care where she steps.
Please Note: the feces of dogs or any other meat-eating animal are NOT SAFE to use as fertilizer on plants that will be eaten by people, such as veggies, fruits, or herbs. The feces can spread disease, even if it comes from a healthy dog.

12. Is your dog digging? Try putting cayenne pepper in the holes - they don't like the sensation when they go back to dig again.

13. Dog urination burns your lawn? Try giving them some tomato juice every day (either in a bowl or on their food) and it should solve the problem.

14. After soaking up the majority of urine or picking up the poop baby wipes do a great job and pick up all smells with no stains left behind. Adopted from http://www.dogbreedinfo.com

Coping With Stress in Stressful Times

Stress free living seems impossible in a world of duties, obligations, and responsibilities. Add to that catastrophes and threats without and within our country. The stress level is determined by a person’s reaction to a situation and it increases when he or she cannot decide what to do or how to respond. Stress steals the joy of today and affects others with harsh words and hurt feelings.

When the mind is stressed the body suffers. Heart and respiratory problems, migraines, allergies, tense muscles, depression, and many other diseases are stress related.

An accumulation of life’s daily little things can also bring it on. I’ve heard it said, “It’s the little things that bother us, and put us on the rack; you can sit upon a mountain, but you can’t sit on a tack.”

So how do we react in stressful times? In coping with difficult circumstances we do have a choice. Making the right choice results in better health for daily living. I’ve found the following concepts have helped me and I hope they will help you:

  • Focus on one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.

  • Know when to say, “No.” Over commitment means more stress.

  • Stop comparing yourself to others. You are a unique creation in your own right.

  • Do the best you can and stop there. Perfectionists are never satisfied.

  • Set reasonable goals. So a goal wasn’t met today? It’s no big deal.

  • Do some kind of exercise.

  • Forgive others and get on with life.

  • Do a kind deed for someone. The blessing always returns.

  • Say, “I love you,” often. A hug and kiss mends all hurts.

  • Take a break. Sit on the porch swing and do nothing but swing. Take a walk with your dog.

  • Watch a favorite TV show. Read a book.

  • Be content with what you have.

  • Let peace be the judge in your heart.

  • Make a new friend.

  • Overcome fear with faith.

  • Give the other person the benefit of the doubt. You haven’t walked in his or her shoes.

  • Remove all negative speech. It’s a good way to cancel the “downers.”

  • Realize each day is a gift. Make the most of it. That makes “life delicious.”

  • Give plenty of sincere compliments.

  • Last of all, remember you have a choice how you cope with stress!
    · Adopted from http://www.happiness.com/