Teaching Your Dog to Shake Hands

image credit: Petwiki

Even a young pup can learn to "shake hands" since it takes no special strength or skill. It's natural for any dog to lift a paw in greeting or to attract attention. The aim is to make him put out one paw once you tell him to do so.

Now we will stress the importance of the Sit and the Sit-Stay exercises. When your puppy hasn't learned these, teach them first. You'll have to use them constantly. In the Sit, of course, the dog sits alongside you facing straight ahead, while in the Sit-Stay he sits and stays seated as you walk away from him.

Order the leashed pup to Sit-Stay, as you stand facing him. Now stand quite close and a little to one side. Lean toward him. This would make him draw back and raise one foot. If he doesn't raise his foot, tap it softly. Whichever paw he raises as you lean over him, take that paw in your hand and shake it gently as you say "Shake hands!"

 

There appears to be right-handed and left-handed dogs, so at the beginning you never know which "hand" you are going to shake. Take the one extended, then later you can teach the pup to shake first with one and then the other. After you shake the first, say "Now the other one!" If he still offers the same paw, just nudge the other one and he would give it to you. Remember the phrase "Good Rover" as you grant him a tidbit. As this trick is mastered—it won't take long—stand far from the dog instead of near him, and lastly, do it without the leash.

 

By TipWriter 

Swimming Activity for Dogs

image via Wikipedia

Swimming is a most gratifying exercise. But not all dogs, are fond of swimming by nature, but some can be instructed.

Get the pet into shallow water by floating a ball. When you, too, are in the water, he would wade in to get it, and might swim when he reaches out beyond his depth. The dog’s swimming stroke is just like his walking movement—that’s why it’s also known as a dog paddle. He doesn’t have to learn either stroke or timing, but he should have to hold his body fairly upright and his chin above the waterline. If your dog does not begin swimming, do not pressure him; let him fool around the shallow water to get the feel of it. You will be able to guide him beyond his depth later, though with your hand under his chest.

Next, take him out into deeper water, readily turning him toward shore before he starts out to swim. He will go on swimming using paddling strokes till he reaches the bank and clambers up.

When you get your dog ready to swim, make sure there is a graded exit, meaning, a slight rise or bank up which he can scramble. A dog can’t pull himself up out of a straight-sided pool. Unwatched and unaided, he can readily drown in this manner. Even when he tries and fails by his own efforts, he may be so scared or exhausted that he will reject entering the water again. When a dog learns to enjoy the water, he will join in by himself, especially when chasing a stick or ball.

When your dog has finished swimming, dry him well using towels or an electric hair dryer. Be particular about his ears; dry them fully. If he was swimming in salt water, rinse off his coat with fresh water. Salt water (together with sand) dries out the hair, often chafes the skin, and causes itching and scratching.  

© 2011 TW

Training Your Dog to Stop Chasing Cars

Car chasing by dogs is a common problem in most communities. This bad habit must be broken before the dog is harmed or causes an accident.

Cars on the road aren’t the only danger; many pets have been gravely injured in their own driveways when the family car was being backed up. A dog must be instructed, therefore, to allow wide berth to any moving vehicle.

Training can be started out in the home driveway when it is long enough, or on the street during little or no traffic. Have one member of the family get the dog into the yard, or on the sidewalk, on a moderately long leash. As the car is driven carefully down the road, have somebody sitting opposite the driver prepared to shoot a spray from a water pistol or plant mister onto the dog’s face as he comes near the car and you order aggressively and immediately “No!” This has a frightening impact upon most dogs and will deter them. The use of your own car is best since being familiar with it, the dog runs up to it awaiting a ride. Restricted by the leash, he gets near enough to be squirted, but not near enough to risk injury. Occasionally this is all that’s needed to teach him to keep his distance from moving wheels.

If, nevertheless, the dog turns into a confirmed auto chaser, stronger measures might be called for. Have a friend drive a car up and down a quiet street. He would know what you are doing and will thence be on guard to prevent wounding the dog. Snap on a long leash and walk the dog along the side of the road, allowing the leash out to full length as he lunges. As he approaches the wheels, jerk him off his feet so sharply that he tumbles over, and command “No!” This may have to be repeated numerous times, and though it seems kind of severe punishment, some dogs require it for their own safety.

© 2011 TW