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Play is one of the best forms of exercise for a puppy. Fifteen minutes of vigorous play can be equivalent to an hour’s walk. Many owners do not realize that games are also good vocabulary builders. When it’s all part of a game that he enjoys, your puppy will very quickly learn the meaning of many words long before he is ready for formal training.

Playing with your puppy provides an excellent opportunity to observe his actions and reactions and to become acquainted with his innate character. Games develop alertness and intelligence and can also satisfy instincts for hunting, retrieving, and tracking. Terriers like to dig, wrestle, and fight, generally going for their mock adversary’s throat. Greyhounds chase, corgis nip heels, and many working dogs prefer practical exercises to playful games.

The earliest games of very young puppies are based on fighting, boxing, wrestling, biting, chasing, and tug of war. At 8 or 9 weeks, they develop an interest in retrieving - ball games, even all by themselves. Between 8 and 12 weeks, they enjoy playing with people as much as, or more than, with their littermates.

Your dogs playtime should be unrestricted pleasure, but for safety reasons, you need to find an enclosed area. Even a very intelligent dog, carried away by the excitement of his game will chase a ball right under the wheels of a passing car if that is where the ball rolls. If you cannot find a safe outdoor space, play with your dog only in your own home. He will enjoy almost as much.

One of the best indoor games is find the object. The object which is hidden while the dog is told to SIT, STAY should be a toy or glove or some other small article that bears a scent the dog knows well. If you guide your dog verbally, he will learn many words: SIT, STAY, NOW, SEEK THE BALL, NO, NOT THERE, THAT’S RIGHT! and GOOD DOG!

The resources of your playground, your own ingenuity and your dog’s will suggest many simple, harmless games, such as:

- Retrieving sticks and chew toys, all dogs enjoy this, and your dog will soon learn to watch your throwing motion in order to get a head start in the right direction.
- Playing ball, you roll it or toss it, but be sure to buy a ball that is right for your dog’s size.
- Playing tag is a favorite game puppies love to play with each other, but it is not a good game for adult dogs. They can become overexcited and bring out the attacking instinct. It is just as bad to chase your dog. He should be trained to come to you, (you are the leader), not to run away from you. Let your dog play tag with other friendly dogs, or run after a ball, but not after you.
- Wrestling is another early form of puppy play but should be avoided in older dogs, as it brings out his aggression. Resist your own impulse to get down on all fours and behave like a puppy. You are the pack leader and there are lots of games you can play together and still maintain your standing in your dogs eyes.

Finally, do not think there must be something wrong with your dog when he loses interest in games and playthings, as overexcitement can lead to fatigue. Follow active playtime with the opportunity for a drink, food, and rest, (you may need them too). Do not expect him to get the same pleasure you do from watching television. He may be intrigued at first, but he soon loses interest. Most adult dogs get the greatest pleasure simply from following you around, keeping you company, or lying quietly at your feet.

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest designer pet carriers, dog accessories, fancy dog collars , and more for their best friend. Feel free to check out the site at www.joncopets.com

Submitted with Article Distributor.

House Training Your Dog

The absolute first thing you must train your dog to do is is housebreaking No, no, you don’t teach your dog how to break into your house when you forget your keys. Housebreaking means he must learn where and when he may do his business. Besides being substantially advantageous to the hygiene of your household, dogs benefit from having rules and a routine - as pack animals, they look for duties issued by the pack leader and naturally enjoy keeping schedules. Here are the steps to housebreaking your dog

Dog House Training 1 - The best age to begin housebreaking your puppy is between 8 and 12 weeks old.

Dog House Training 2 - Experts suggest incorporating a crate in a young dog’s training process. (To housebreak an older dog, skip this section.) A crate usually resembles a cage, with a locking door and see-through bars, and should be big enough for the dog to move around in. While it sounds like a miniature jail cell, crates should not be used to punish your puppy. The idea is to make the crate into a doggy bedroom - someplace where your puppy can play and sleep. He should never be confined in his crate for more than two hours at a time.

Dog House Training 3 - Because dogs, thank goodness, don’t believe in eliminating by their sleeping areas, your puppy will not relieve himself in the crate unless you’ve cruelly locked him in there for longer than he was able to hold it in. Three-month old puppies generally need to eliminate every three hours, so lead your puppy to a designated outdoor bathroom spot often.

Dog House Training 4 - Try to always leave the house through the same door - the door you’d like your dog to scratch at to signal his need to go out in the future.

Dog House Training 5 - Try to take your dog out at around the same times each day. A routine will eventually be established, and your dog will soon know to hold it in until you take him out.

Dog House Training 6 - If your not-yet-housebroken dog is used to roaming freely around the house, look for clues that tell you he needs to go. Your dog may suddenly put his nose down and sniff the ground intently. He may begin to circle an area. Or, he may stare at the door with an intense look on his face. Signs like these tell you to drop what you’re doing and get that dog out of the house. If you catch your dog doing his business inside (and only if you catch him - not after you discover he’s already committed the crime), rush over and stop him by grasping his collar, pulling up on it, and saying, “NO” in a deep, stern voice. Then take him outside to let him finish up and praise him with pats on the head or a pleasantly chirped, “Good Fido!” when he does. (Note Don’t say “Fido” if your dog’s name is “Rex.”)

To continue reading go now to

http://www.dogownersguide.org/House-Training-Your-Dog.html

To find out more about dog training visit our site at dog training product to read even more articles on dog care and dog training

Vehicles: With the possible exception of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a side car, I’ve seen practically every type of vehicle used for taking the family pooch on a road trip.

Below I review three of the best:

1.) Tom Rose of High Ridge, Missouri, had a Ford van he converted into a dog-friendly transport vehicle. By enclosing the back area, installing custom upholstery and a special air conditioning vent, he created an area in the back of the van where his dogs could ride in their crates and still stay cool.

The best thing about this set up was that on hot summer days, he could leave the diesel engine running (and the air conditioning too) and leave the dogs in the van for an hour or two, without the threat of overheating.

2.) If you’re travelling in an area with less extreme weather (like Los Angeles)… a pick up truck with a shell on the back is extremely convenient. I’ve installed sliding windows on mine, and put in hardware mesh so that the dogs cannot jump out, and nobody can get in. A light colored, fiberglass shell with cross-ventilating windows will keep the temperature in the back of the truck about equal to the outside ambient temperature in the shade.

If you don’t like to keep your dog in a crate, you can purchase a rubber bed liner that will make it comfortable for your dog to lay on. These usually run about $50, and can be purchased at the same places that install camper shells.

3.) A convertible Jeep. For obvious reasons, the Jeep Wrangler (designed originally for military use) is easy to clean after long trips, and the convertible nature of this vehicle allows you to leave your dog in the back while refueling or running into a gas station rest room, without worrying about your dog over-heating.

Products you can use to help keep dog mess in your vehicle to a minimum I came across this web site by a company called, Black Armor. Their web site is: http://www.black-armor.com/

You’ll find a number of products designed to protect the interior of your Car, Truck, or Sport Utility Vehicle from spills, stains, as well as premature wear. Many of these products:

- install and remove easily
- are unaffected by gasoline or oil
- clean and wipe easily
- are made of a tough, durable material that is non-skid to minimize the possibility of your dog getting tossed around.
- are guaranteed for a lifetime
- are made in the U.S.A.

You’ll also find that most are custom fit to the exact dimensions of your vehicle.

A gear bag to keep water, training equipment, and other dog related stuff is essential.

A Dog’s Life Web Site ( at http://www.dogs-life.com/travel.htm ) sells a nice product called the “Rollover Travel Pack & Bed For Dogs”. The pack is described as:

“- Perfect for on-the-go dogs and their owners, the ROLLOVER® Travel Pack & Bed for dogs has a snap-on shoulder strap and built-in handle for easy carrying. The reinforced nylon pack-cloth construction will hold up over the long haul.

- Unbuckle the compact unit, and it unrolls to rugged storage pockets for everything your traveling dog will need– including dog food, water bottle, dog bowl and other necessities. Dogs can easily get dehydrated when traveling. Now the dogs water and bowl can always be in easy reach. And the insulating cushions inside the product keep your dogs cold water bottle cold longer, even on hot, sunny days.

- Fully opened, the ROLLOVER Travel Pack & Bed for dogs becomes a cushioned, fleece-topped travel dog bed with a water-resistant base for indoor & outdoor use. The thick polyester cushions also provide superior insulating qualities to keep dogs comfy, no matter what your destination.

- Now you’ve got a convenient way to help your dog feel “at home” with familiar things they can call their own.

- And at the end of the journey, the ROLLOVER Travel Pack & Bed for dogs is completely machine washable and dryable for easy care. Unlike other dog beds, the entire bed gets cleaned, not just the cover.

- Available in Small, Medium, Large and X-Large– comfortably sized to fit most dog breeds.”

(Check out their web site… they include a picture!)

Don’t forget to include a first aid kit for your dog, too!

Here’s a cool product for anyone who does a lot of outdoor camping/travelling with their dog: A first aid kit designed for both you AND your dog!

Called, “America’s first pet owner and pet first aid kit!” This don’t-leave-home-without-it product costs $32.95 and includes:

1 Blue clean-up mitt

1 First aid scissors, blunt tips

1 First aid forceps

1 Sterile eye wash (.5 oz)

2 Triple antibiotic ointment (1/32 oz)

2 After bite wipes (insect)

1 Adhesive tape (1 x 1 yd)

6 Gauze pads (2 x 2)

1 Self adherent bandage (3 x 5)

5 Cotton balls

4 Cotton swabs (3″)

1 Instant cold pack

1 Styptic pencil

1 Pair Latex gloves

1 Animal First Aid Guide

1 Human First Aid Guide

Seems like a good investment, to me! The web site URL is: http://commerce.friendlyproducts.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/onlinestore/pussnpooch.htm?L+friendly+voot6234+930023203

Additional Resources:

Travel Dog.com - http://www.traveldog.com/TD1999/resource/resour~1.htm

This site has a bunch of good resources you should read before embarking on your trip, including articles on choosing a kennel, travelling by car, and staying at a hotel with your pet. The site also has a number of resources for finding dog friendly beaches, camp grounds, events, kennels, parks, pet sitters, and pet transportation.

If you’re looking to purchase a wire cage for travelling with your pet, Foster’s and Smith have a variety for sale, and their return policy (if you don’t like it) is excellent!

If you’re looking to purchase a plastic crate, you can also find them at:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/fsstore/dir2.icl?SECID=6&SUBSECID=17&ORDERIDENTIFIER=ID9300203301401A7C02

Bringing a crate with you is practically a necessity if you’re going to be on a long road trip.

That’s all for now, folks!
Adam

Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider’s Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History.” Get a free copy of his report “Games To Play With Your Dog” when you sign up for his free weekly dog training tips e-zine at: www.dogproblems.com