Firstly, let me tell you what natural pet care is all about. It involves treating and preventing your pet's health Problems in the most natural demeanour practicable. In other words, it's not almost treating diseases, but preventing them by strengthening the immunity mechanism of your pet. Now, let us have a look at some of the most common misapprehensions about holistic pet care.

Misconception 1 - Natural medicines are not as useful as conventional medications.Herbal and homeopathic medicines can be really effective. Medical research behind conventional products are generally better documented than holistic approaches, however the role of natural products and anti0oxidants particularly, have just shown to be beneficial to humans and pets. While natural products can't replace conventional medications altogether, they're certainly a good selection for people who are looking for a efficient and safe way to treat their pet's health Problems.

Misconception 2 - Natural medications aren't safe for pets.It is quite ironic that plenty of folk are convinced that natural pet care is not safe for their pets. Do you know why? The great majority of people who choose natural cures do so because they have less or no side-effects vs. Many prescription drugs available on the current market. Since the majority of the ingredients in these natural cures are completely organic, the prospects of allergic reactions or other such side effects are lower.

Misconception 3 - Natural medicines are too pricey.Many owners provide hearty dose of natural treatments every day as a way of avoiding more expensive illnesses. A month's supply of these natural additions costs slightly under $50.or less than $2 a day. While $50 is a lot of money, they can aid in avoiding expensive issues. These products aren't only safe, and cheap.

Misconception 4 - Herbal remedies are sometimes manufactured by quacks with fake degrees and aren't accepted by the FDA. There are a number of top of the range herbal dietary additions for pets on the market today. They're accepted by the FDA and are terribly safe. But this does not necessarily mean that there aren't any fake herbal products on the market . Just like every other field today, natural pet care has its own share of fake experts too. To avoid such substandard products, you have to go for a good natural cure which is made under the observation of a certified pharmacist and meets the rules set by the DSHEA ( Dietary Supplement Health Education Act ).

I'm hoping the article explained your doubts on natural pet care. Consider the advantages and the disadvantages of treating your pets naturally and make a good decision today. Click here : holistic pet care and organic dog food fore more data.
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This is an admirable trend and one that should be encouraged, but it does raise some problems. Chief of these is that many of the dogs come with established behaviors and habits. Some are just difficult or stubborn, some have anxiety issues, others are outright aggressive.

Unfortunately, this often leads to the dog being returned to the shelter. A great pity because, with a method and a bit of application, most problem behaviors can, in fact, be corrected.

Before you even start thinking about training though, there are two misconceptions you need to clear up. The first is that you should pity the dog.

It's a sad reflection on our society that many of these dogs have been beaten, mistreated and abused, but unfortunately you can't change that. What you can do is provide love, care and affection. You can show them that not all humans are like those that have hurt them. But pity plays no role in this.

Dogs are quite willing to forgive and forget, so focus your energy instead on creating a stable environment, and providing consistent leadership and positive training.

The other misconception is that negative training methods are needed to control "difficult" dogs. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Most of these methods, which include things like shock collars and choke chains, have been proven to be ineffective for dog training, and no reputable dog trainer uses them.

When using these methods on an aggressive dog, or one that may have been previously abused, you have no idea how the dog will respond. He may well attack you. Or you may make the problem worse, or trigger other behavioral problems. So never use negative training methods on a dog.

What approach should you take? Start with the basics, crate training, potty training if required and then some obedience work. Keep it positive and reward based with lots of praise and treats, and remember that dogs can learn at any age.

Be patient and diligent and remember that training an older dog, with established behavioral patterns, is different to training a pliable puppy.

Also bear in mind that not all dogs are as easy to train as others. Many factors come into play, such as breed, age and state of health. With an adopted dog there is also the issue of an unknown past life which may have left the dog traumatized and fearful.

Proceed slowly with patience and persistence and you will succeed. If you doubt that, look up Frank Inn on Wikipedia. This famous Hollywood dog trainer found almost all of his canine movie stars at dog shelters.

To find out more about dog training, dog walking, dog health and other interesting dog advice check out dogsanddogtraining.com

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Regular monthly heartworm treatment eliminates the larvae inside the bloodstream. This medication must be given each and every month. If the method isn't implemented, it's possible for the pet dog to be afflicted. An ongoing legal action against a heartworm treatment product is responsible for growing worries amidst pet owners. On the other hand, heartworm resistance is actually not established. It is more probable the medication dosage of regular monthly treatment methods are inadequate when it comes to regions of the globe wherein the mosquito population is actually growing or perhaps the pet owners didn't dispense the medication dosage appropriately.

Research shows that fifty percent of owners that give their own pet dogs regular monthly canine heartworm medication don't provide the medication as recommended. This will likely be the reason for a large number of pet dogs which are afflicted with heartworms although the pet dogs are provided the regular monthly heartworm treatment. Vets and research workers have examined the life cycle of heartworms and really feel passionately that the heartworm drugs can't induce heartworm resistance. It's considered that the majority of afflicted pet dogs have been afflicted mainly because the treatment wasn't used appropriately.

The truth is more and more pet dogs have become afflicted with heartworms and a lot of these pet dogs received the regular monthly heartworm protective. Many times, the dog owner just didn't stick to the correct timetable or even didn't guarantee the pet dog consumed the complete medication dosage. Moreover, a good number of instances have been in locations like the Gulf Coast in which the mosquito population has gone up substantially over the last ten years. If heartworm resistance is definitely developing, it has definitely not yet been detected. Additional scientific studies are necessary to decide if heartworm resistance is the reason for growing heartworm infections.

It is necessary for pet owners to guarantee the regular monthly protective medication is given each and every month. Moreover, it is vital for pet owners to be sure his or her pet dog takes in the complete medication dosage. At present, the heartworm prevention medication failure rate is under one out of one million. Whilst you could have worries regarding heartworm resistance, you need to continue to treat the dog by using a regular heartworm protection schedule. Meanwhile, research in to if any kind of heartworm level of resistance has developed will continue in the Veterinarian and wider research community.

This authors website http://heartwormtreatment-fordogs.com is packed with information regarding all aspects of heartworm disease and treatment. To get evaluations of particular heartworm prevention treatments, for instance Tri Heart, please be sure to use the website link provided to visit the site.

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The crate is just a way of recreating what wild dogs have always done - seek out a warm, secure den in which to curl up.

Start crate training from the very first night you bring your puppy home. By this time, you should have already bought the crate. Buy one that is suitable for your dog's fully-grown size, but make sure that is has a panel that allows you to adjust the space as the pup grows. Start by setting the panel so the dog has enough space to turn around, but not much else.

Put in a soft towel, rather than a blanket, for the puppy to sleep on. If the pup then ‘has an accident’ in the crate, the towel will absorb any messes.If you got your pup from a breeder, ask if he has a strip of bedding which has her mother's scent on it. The scent will help to pup relax and settle in quicker.

When placing the crate, put it in an area that get's lots of human traffic. Dogs love interaction with others, so don't make the mistake of isolating your puppy.

In the early weeks, put the crate in your bedroom at night. Expect a fuss in the beginning. Remember, she's only a baby. She will be confused and frightened by her new surrounds, and most likely missing her canine family.

Don't feel you have to respond to every whimper though. Do this and she'll soon figure out how to get you to come running.

Before you know it she'll be quite happy to sleep in her crate. As she settles into the household you can start thinking about moving her out of your bedroom at night. She won't like this at first and won't be afraid to let you know it, but hang tough and she'll soon accept the new situation.

Before too long she'll learn to love the crate and will go there of her own accord.

Another benefit of crate training is that it makes potty training so much easier. Dogs are hygienic animals. They will not ‘go’ in their sleeping area. So crate training teaches your puppy to 'hold it in', from an early age.

Remember that your pup will not have the bladder control of an adult dog, so keep her stays in the crate short - no more than an hour at a time.

When she starts barking and whining, take her outdoors immediately. Praise her when she does her business outdoors and she'll virtually house train herself.

To learn more about crate training puppies, facts about dogs, dog health and other interesting dog advice check out www.dogsanddogtraining.com

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Unfortunately, many dog owners never take the trouble to provide their dogs with mental stimulation. A pity really, because this can be achieved with not much work, and just a little bit of thought.

And you'll end up with a happier, calmer, more fulfilled dog.

Read on to discover 7 really simple activities that will work your dog's little grey cells.

1. Doggy IQ Test: Enter "canine iq" into Google and you'll get a list of tests that are specifically designed to check how intelligent your dog is. Don't worry too much about the results, the important thing is that the activities will get your dog thinking.

2. Problem Solving for Pooches: Use your creativity to give your dog some simple problems to solve. Dogs are great at working things out, so he'll love it. A few examples? Hide an object and let him track it down, or place a treat under an overturned food bowl, and see if he can get to it.

3. Basic Training: Training is a must for all dogs but an added benefit is that training forces the dog to think. It requires a considerable amount of focus to understand commands and know how to respond.

4. Teach Your Dog Tricks: Basic obedience training is always the priority, but once your dog has that down, you can go on to teach him any number of cool tricks.

Now, obviously some breeds are better at this than others. Hounds in particular are known for their obstinacy, and short attention spans when training.But if your dog is reasonably bright, and you are prepared to put in the time, you can teach any number of "movie-type" stunts and tricks.

5. Give Your Dog A Job To Do: For a dog in the wild, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Domesticated dog's know this instinctively, and are quite prepared to work for what they want. Don't give your dog any freebies, make him work for what he wants, even if it's just something simple, like sitting so that you can put his leash on for a walk.

6. What's Your Dog's Day Job? Just about every breed of dog was bred with a particular job in mind. They still have the ingrained traits needed to do those jobs, so use this to your advantage.Just watch your Border Collie hard at work trying to herd your kids, or your Lab racing to retrieve a ball and you'll know what I mean. Look for ways to get your dog working these natural instincts.

7. Sporting Dogs: Basic exercise may exercise more brawn than brain, but there are exercises that work both. These include activities like agility, fly-ball and coursing.These events offer a great opportunity to give your dog both a mental and physical workout. Dogs of all breeds seem to love taking part and their human companions can have a real blast too.

Dogs are intelligent responsive animals who enjoy the challenge of learning new things. Try the exercises above with your dog. He'll love you for it.

To find out more about dog obedience training, dog care, dog training tips and other interesting dog advice drop in at dogsanddogtraining.com

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Dermatitis

This is the most common issue encountered by virtually any family dog who's not offered a flea protection treatment and who becomes plagued with fleas. Lots of pet dogs will be hypersensitive to the spit of fleas. This saliva is left on the dog's skin after the dog has been bitten. Common indicators to look for are usually constant licking of sore locations and constant scratching also. The constant scratching along with licking may cause open wounds that can get infected. To find out more about heartworm and flea prevention for dogs, the link given can take you to a very helpful article on the subject.

In serious allergic reaction your pet dog may experience loss of hair. This hypersensitivity is certainly unpleasant for dogs plus in numerous instances can be very painful. If your dog suffers from these problems, you might wish to go to your vet at the earliest opportunity. Your veterinarian will prescribe a good antibiotic and skin cream. In addition, the vet will recommend a solution for effective flea protection and control.

Anaemia

Although fleas are very small, they have got an insatiable hunger for blood. If a dog carries a substantial flea infestation, it could cause the dog to become anemic. Most dogs that spend a significant amount of time outside are given to infestation and the resulting anemia. Sadly, this kind of anemia isn't only common, it's also difficult to identify. Numerous pet dogs will get weakened and sluggish. In numerous instances, vets will find the anemia via blood tests. If your dog is suffering from this, prescribing heartworm medicines including a flea treatment and protection element will certainly take care of the problem.

Tapeworm Infestation

Fleas are hosts to numerous enteric parasites. While some of these parasites don't affect pet dogs, one of the most common enteric parasites they carry within their bodies will be tapeworms. Any time a dog has fleas, the dog is going to scratch and lick to ease the itchiness. As soon as the dog eats the fleas, the tapeworm eggs will hatch out within the dog's intestines. The tapeworms will attach on the intestinal tract and will eventually reproduce by way of laying eggs.

These eggs will be discharged while the dog has bowel motions. This is a continuous process unless of course the dog is medicated for tapeworms. The first indication of tapeworms is small, off-white eggs that look similar to spaghetti. Pet dogs contaminated with tapeworms may appear weakened or exhausted. In addition, tapeworms may cause the dog to be sick frequently.

It's important to take care of your dog using a flea protection and control product if he has an infestation, nevertheless, it's also essential to deal with the house to get rid of all these parasites. Your veterinarian will recommend house treatment products which are nontoxic for humans and pets. In addition, you'll wish to clean all of the dog bedding and it may be beneficial to get in touch with a pests control expert to deal with the external backyard area.

The author of this content invites everyone to discover more info on dog health problems and treatment options. If you would like to get more information about tick control, and plenty of additional dog health themes, please be sure to use the weblink offered to take a look at her website right now.

You can avoid the expense of conventional fence with an electronic dog fencing or cat fencing system which will keep your dog or cat safe and secure in your yard. It might be that you live in a neighborhood that doesn't allow traditional fencing to be erected. Considering the alternatives, electronic fencing or dog fencing is very reasonably priced, provides safety for your pets and doesn't hinder your view. Depending on the particular system, you have the flexibility to provide acres of containment area..

There are essentially two types of electronic dog fence, one utilizes an underground wire system, often referred to as underground fence, while the other is a more portable wireless fence system. Both work on a similar principle in that they both send out a signal to a receiver collar that the dog or cat wears. When your pet gets too close to the boundary, the receiver collar gives the pet a safe and effective correction, thus keeping the dog or cat safe in the yard. It is recommended that you spend the necessary time training your dog or cat to its new boundaries and training flags included with most systems will aid in this process. The flags are used to mark out the path of the boundary so you know where it is and to aid training. Anyway, this article will describe both systems.

Of the two systems the wired or underground fence is the less expensive and this system uses a wire which is usually buried around the property at a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Sod staples are available for the underground fence if you would prefer to run the wire above ground and avoid the need bury the wire. The wire starts and finishes at a transmitter which needs to be placed in a shed or garage, or any other place that protects it from the elements. The transmitter will require a power source. Depending on the particular model these systems can provide containment for a small yard up to a large property of 100 acres. Consider the expense of installing a traditional fence for the same area! After the fence has been installed, a receiver collar worn by your dog will pick up the signal transmitted through the wire and if the dog comes to close to the perimeter he will receive a correction which will keep him in the yard.

The second option is the so-called wireless fence system. Not having wire to run makes this system much easier to install. Plug this system in, set the boundary range and you're ready to start training. It is also much more flexible as it allows you to change the range as you need to. It is slightly more expensive than the hard- wired system, but its portability means you could take it along with your dog on a camping vacation, or wherever you may be traveling. If you have a larger piece of property, additional transmitters can be purchased to increase the containment area.
Basically, how this system works is it will cover a radial area of say 30 feet up to 3/4 of an acre depending on the particular unit you purchase. The transmitters signal to the collar grows weaker as the dog approaches the boundary limit until such time that the collar activates and delivers a static correction bring the dog back within the boundary keeping him safe.

No matter which system you decide upon, underground fence or wireless fence for your pet fencing needs, you can rest assured that the system will deliver a low-cost efficient and effective option to conventional fencing and keep your pets safe and sound on your property.

For a great selection in the leading brands of both underground fence and wireless fence systems visit us at Underground Fence Company today!

Dog training techniques are really not that hard to understand. A few basic principles is all you need to convey. Communicating effectively with your dog is very important. Patience is also a virtue but must be used. Each time you try a new technique, it more than likely will not work initially. If after 10 times it doesn't work, you need to try again. Your dog will figure it out. The following are some tips to help make training your dog as painless as possible.

Dog training should probably begin with something simple. You might want to try leash training. Your dog should know how to walk on a leash, at least in a proper way. Dogs should never pull you. Only walk with you. To prevent your dog from pulling you along, using a Martingale collar, which has an extra loop, will tighten should they pull away at any time. It is important that you teach your dog that you need to walk at a certain tempo. If the dog begins to pull you, stop walking. Don't resume walking until there's some slack in the leash. This is not the "heel" command which pertains to keeping your dog at your side at all times. As long as your dog is not pulling the leash, you will have accomplished this specific training.

Handling an aggressive dog can be challenging. It takes a little bit of skill and to do something, you need to get control. Aggressive behaviors can be diminished in your dog. Here's what you need to do. Avoid roughhousing, tug-of-war or other types of play that are likely to bring out the dog's aggressive tendencies. Your dog could possibly become more docile through more social interaction with humans and dogs. Docile behavior in your dog should be rewarded every chance that you get. Finally, try to remain as calm as possible yourself, and avoid yelling at your dog. The reason this works is that dogs emulate those around them.

It is trusted what you've been reading to date concerning dog training, as well as also the particular details to do with dog care, is helpful to you. Please do keep reading even more for extra details about this subject.

Although it was once considered acceptable to hit dogs, such as with a rolled up newspaper, this is something almost all modern experts on dog behavior would tell you not to do. You don't want your dog to be afraid of you. Never yell at your dog. Always maintain your composure and discipline your dog in an efficient and useful manner. The best dog trainers are in control of their own emotions, and are therefore able to get the best response out of their dogs. It is a proven fact that dogs, that are afraid, will respond. However, aggressive behavior may also arise. The trick is to be primarily focused upon positive reinforcement techniques. If the dog gets out of hand, confinement and words are then to be used.

Hopefully, you have found some interesting techniques used if you are thinking about training your dog on your own. It is important to consider how much time you have available to train your dog and use techniques that you know will work. Training your dog with basic techniques will later lead to more advanced ones. Enjoy training your dog today!

But lurking in those woods lies a hidden danger. No, I’m not talking about bears, or wolves, I’m talking about dog ticks!

These gruesome little critters are arachnids, like spiders. But unlike spiders, they're not hunters, they're parasites who feast on the blood of an unwitting host. For whatever reason they seem to have a particular liking for dogs, and if your dog spends time in open fields or woodlands, he's likely to attract these freeloaders.

These little suckers are pretty clever too. They climb onto a long stalk of grass and wait for a likely host to come by. Then they hop on, hide themselves under the animal's fur, sink their teeth in, and start feeding.

They even provide their own anesthetic, a numbing agent injected into the wound, so the dog doesn't feel a thing, while they drain up to 100 times their own body weight in blood from the wound.It's therefore very important to check your dog for ticks. In fact, this should be part of your grooming regime.

You'll be looking for one of two kinds of ticks. The first type is round, hard bodied, brown in color, and looks a bit like a small spider. The other somewhat resembles a leech, it is greyish, and may be flaccid or distended depending on the amount of blood it has consumed.

Ticks are a serious health threat to your dog's health and, if found, must be removed immediately. They spread some very nasty diseases like Lyme disease and are also known to attack humans. Speaking as someone who has suffered a tick bite, i can assure you it is not something you want to experience.But how do you go about removing dog ticks? There are a number of myths about this, the most common of which include burning with a match or cigarette, or using petroleum jelly or alcohol. None of these methods are effective.

The right tool for the job is a fine-pointed pair of tweezers. Position the tweezers around the tick's head, as close to the dog's skin as you possibly can. Now, grasp the head and pull back gently, giving a slight twist of the wrist as you do. Keep it slow and steady, because you don't want the head to break off and remain in the wound and become infected.You should also use a hydrocortisone spray on the bite spot to relieve any irritation.

Once the tick is removed place it in a bowl with an undiluted household bleach or ammonia based cleaner. Just flushing it down to toilet won’t kill it, and it may go on to infect another person or animal.

If your dog spends a lot of time in open fields or woodland you should consider using a vet approved preventative like Frontline Plus. This will kill ticks already on the dog and prevent new ones from attaching.

Discover more about dog ticks, dog care, puppy care and other useful dog info at dogsanddogtraining.com

Puppy dog gates constructed for houses arrive in all styles and measurements. The gates might be freestanding to wall mounted, once and for all connected or with a strain machine. Though they can be known as pet gates, they can continue to keep dogs out miles better than cats. Cats can only jump about them. That doesn't instantly imply that canines are dumb, it is simply that they can be taught to comply far better than pussies.

Seeking for the cheapest pup gates for the home would perhaps not be as basic as on may well feel. You need to have to fantasize about them things before earning your get. The truly first factor is the scale of the dog. Smaller gates, those built from a selection of plastic materials and works by employing pressure tensions for mounting can be employed for smaller sized breeds. For bigger breeds nevertheless you wish to use a more significant and heavier gate. The larger gates are designed of good quality wood or metal, and are anchored to the walls. More substantial pets are heavier and stress gates may give in if they lean on them.

You need to think about the selling price and capacities incorporated when buying reasonable dog gates for the dwelling. Naturally, heavier gates are heading to a little lots more, thanks to the way they're constructed. Some of the attributes contain the ability to open the gates with no wish to eliminate them. These extra traits may expense a little bit extra. You need to have an appearance for a gate that is in a position to take care of the occupation you've got to have and is also reasonable.

There are numerous pet shops that offer you dog gates, these gates may possibly be extra costly thanks to the additional cost of operations. There are a few sites that present every kind of pet materials, together with these gates. The price ranges of these gates differ according to web site, they variety from fifty USD up to well into the hundreds. To get the best worth for your money, you have to have to go to several websites and appraise charges.

Some Internet web-sites could present rebates. These pet gates may be the matching ones supplied at a more serious total price from leading brands. It is basically doable they are getting promoted at a reduce price for the explanation that of overstocking or the design could by this time have been abandoned. These are even now name new and might nonetheless have their warranty.

Finding reasonable dog gates for the property is basic if you get a bit of time to investigation. Click here : pet gates and buy pet door for more data.

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This is a brief slideshow That I produced regarding Immiticide and its use with regards to heartworm treatment. As you can discover, it is critical that pet dogs suffering from mature worms can get this therapy so that they can get better.

On my own web site, Heartworm Treatment For Dogs, I have been sent several messages by pet owners whose pet dogs have screened positive for heartworm and which require life-saving therapy. One dog owner noted he was required to wait 2 months until his own pet could have the Immiticide injections because supplies needed to be procured out of Europe. You can view a copy of the document by Meriel, the makers for Immiticide that they have provided vets in connection with the latest shortage through this website link, Meriel letter (pdf file can be obtained from the FDA website)

This is a really critical state of affairs and also one that has occurred in the past; and so it's not a new phenomenon and there's a bit of fury as well as stress among pet owners that this scenario could possibly have actually been permitted to happen once again.

Worried pet owners have their canines put on a waiting list to get therapy, prolonging the pain connected with what is already an incredibly traumatic time. Vets do have a protocol intended for maintaining canines for the duration of this waiting period of time and this entails treating them with medicines ordinarily used for heartworm prevention to wipe out juvenile larvae and also to avoid the scenario from getting a whole lot worse. Nonetheless, this does not come without having its risks and there is definitely too little details about if this existing shortage will finish and also what, if anything, is being done to stop this from re-occurring going forward.

Guidance in the meantime is to ensure if your dog has screened positive for heartworm that you just make sure a veterinarian monitors his problem closely whilst he's on preventative drugs and waiting around for therapy with Immiticide once supplies become available. You must additionally avoid your pet having any kind of strenuous physical exercise whilst you are waiting for him to get heartworm therapy.

If the pet is waiting for heartworm treatment and you have recently been impacted by this immiticide shortage and want more information on this subject and everything related to heartworm therapy and heartworm treatment for dogs I highly recommend you make use of the link to pay a visit to my internet site.

Unfortunately, there's no quick and easy reference book available for learning dog language. That doesn't mean it can't be done though. Just follow the guidelines below and you'll be up to speed in no time.

Here are the most important things you'll need to watch for in your dog's body language.

Standing Still - When a dog suddenly stops moving and stands very still, he's indicating to you that he wants to be left alone. He may also do this if he's standing guard over some or other possession. You may also see this behavior if a dog is given a treat while there are other dogs around.

Showing the Teeth - Dogs don't just attack out of the blue, they normally give a warning first. Flashing the teeth may be first warning that a dog is about to attack. Your best bet when this happens is to stand down.

Growling – Along with flashing the teeth, the dog often will start growling. If this doesn’t get the necessary response the dog may well attack.Many people scold or punish the dog for growling or showing its teeth. This is dangerous because if the dog is not allowed to give a warning he may escalate straight to an attack.

Raising the Hackles - When a dog is frightened, you'll often see him raise the hackles on the ridge of his back. This has the effect of making the dog look bigger, in the hope of chasing any intruder away. A fearful dog is often the most likely to attack, so be very wary of a dog with his hackles raised.

Tucking the tail between the legs - A classic sign of fear or timidity, but can also mean the dog is anxious. This may have any number of causes, the owner leaving the house for instance, or the dog being introduced to a stranger.

Putting the head down - Depending on the context this could be a attempt by a submissive dog to avoid eye contact. Or it could be a playful gesture.

Raising a Paw - This is a friendly gesture meaning, "let's be friends".

Wagging the tail - The tail is one of the dog's most important communication devices, and the one that is most often misinterpreted. A common belief is that a wagging tail suggests happiness, but this is only true if the tail is being wagged loosely.If the tail is rigid and flicking slightly from side to side it means the dog is bothered by your presence. If the tail is held between the legs and wagging slightly it can mean insecurity or fear.

Dogs rely greatly on body language and gestures for communication. A dog may learn to obey voice commands, but in their world body language will always mean more.

Learn to understand this unique language and you'll understand your dog so much better.

Visit dogsanddogtraining.com to discovermore about dog training tips, dog care, dog breeds a-z and other useful dog information.

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It therefore makes sense to be aware of your body language when you interact with your dog. Your dog is much more likely to obey if you approach him in a calm, self-confident manner.

Body posture is very important in all this. When you stand straight and upright you exert control, when you stoop forward your dog sees it as an invitation to approach. So if you're playing with your dog and he begins to get a bit too boisterous, standing up straight will normally bring him under control.

Another important point, is your position relative to the dog. This is particularly relevant when you are walking. Allowing the dog to walk in front of you puts him in the leadership position, and he is more inclined to pull, and to become aggressive. Walk him next to you and he will immediately calm down.

Pay attention also to your dog's tone of voice, which has many nuances and inflections. For example, a high pitched, rapid bark may indicate excitement while a short flat bark is calling your attention to something. A growl may be a warning, but with a different inflection it is an invitation to play.

In the same way, your dog can read a lot from the sound of your voice. A confident voice tone will quickly get his attention and force him to look at you. Think of commands as short, sharp barks. The dog may not understand the words, but he knows they are important because of your tone.

Other tones of voice are useful too, for example a soft, loving voice conveys much the same to your dog as it would to a human and should be used for giving praise and affection. An if you want your dog to join you in a game, a high-pitched tone will soon get him worked up.

Something to avoid though is yelling, which your dog will interpret as aggressive barking. This is counter productive and will only succeed in making the dog afraid of you, so don't do it.

Bear in mind that tone of voice is more important to your dog that the words you use. When you first begin to teach a voice command the words will actually mean nothing, but tone will still convey your intention until he begins to associate the word with the action.

One last thing about giving commands, dogs are intimidated by staring and regard it as a threat, so don't stare directly at your dog. Rather tilt your head slightly upward or to the side.

There's a lot more about dog training tips, dog care, dog obedience training and other interesting dog info at http://www.dogsanddogtraining.com

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