The Key to Training Your Pet Is Consistency!

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The Key to Training Your Pet Is Consistency!

Dog training classes are designed for dogs of various ages. If you adopt an adult dog, obviously, you do not need puppy training, but you will need some basic training, such as socialization and housebreaking.

One of the first steps to choosing a training class is to know what you want from your dog. Do you want your dog to learn basic commands such as “sit”, “stay”, and “come”? If so, then you can enroll him or her in a broad-based training program so that you and your dog can learn together. Often the reason dogs do not seem to “get” commands is because the owners do not know how to train their dogs, so training classes is for both the owner and the dog.

Leash training is very popular because many pet owners simply do not understand the entire concept. Often owners become frustrated when their dogs seem “wild” on the leash, but it is actually the owner’s fault because they are sending mixed messages by allowing the dog to pull or giving too much slack in the leach when walking. Therefore, just like all pet training, it is to teach the owner first what to do, and then relay that message to the dog.

Your dog is like a sponge and will learn just about any command you give him or her if you do three things:

1.Start slowly - do not expect your dog to instinctively know what you want the first time you attempt the training, keep it short and sweet

2.Reward and praise is crucial so that your dog understands that when they “sit” they will be rewarded

3.Be consistent. Dog’s learn by repetition, therefore, if you are inconsistent with the training, you cannot blame the dog for not learning

Keep in mind that different breeds do tend to pick up commands and training faster than others do. However, this is no different from people, some people are great in math while others excel in English. It is the same concept with dogs, you will soon learn where your dog’s strength lays and you can build on that. Some dogs are naturally agile, so you can incorporate some agility training, which is excellent exercise for your dog and helps to keep the dog focused and attentive. Other dogs are excellent at catching flying objects, such as a Frisbee or a ball.

Many people assume if they spend a lot of money on the “perfect” breed the dog will somehow be better trained “automatically” than a mixed breed, but this is fallacy because a mixed breed that has been properly trained can in fact, be better behaved than an expensive breed with no training. Therefore, you need to have a chance to tour the dog training company’s facility and find out all you can about them. They should offer puppy-training classes, basic obedience, advanced training, and behavior problem solving training.

When you choose a pet training program, choose professionals that understand the canine and the various breeds, so that you can get your puppy or dog off to a great start. Your dog sees you as the leader, so you have to be a strong leader and someone that your dog will happily follow and trust.

Sign up for Dog Training services from Alpha Paws.

Allison’s Top 10 Tips for Taking Better Photos of Your Dogs

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‏Hi there! I’m Allison, a professional pet photographer here in San Diego! I own Allison Shamrell Pet Photography, and I’ve been specializing in working with pets (especially dogs) for over four years… so I’ve learned a few tricks along the way! I’d love to share a few of them with you, just in case you’d like to improve your snapshots of your own pets.

  1. Get on their level!
    ‏Whether you have a dachshund or a great dane, your dog’s perspective is totally different than yours. And a new point of view can make a huge difference in your portraits! So get on the ground - even try laying down - and see the world from your dog’s eyes. I guarantee it’ll get your creative juices flowing!
  2. Look for the light.
    ‏Have you ever tried to photograph your dog indoors, at nighttime? (Especially if your dog is black?) Good luck with that! The best place to photograph fast-moving subjects like dogs is outdoors, in large patches of sunlight or shade. If you need to stay inside, make sure all the windows & blinds are open. The more light, the better!
  3. Make it fun for your dog!
    ‏Don’t make camera time an obedience test. You want your dog to associate the camera with positive emotions - that way the smiles and happy faces will come much more naturally - so bring treats and make it a game! Let him run around the yard in-between poses, and incorporate plenty of playtime. He’ll get excited every time you bring out the camera!
  4. Tucker him out first!
    ‏I hear it all the time: “My dog never sits still long enough for me to take a picture!” Well, how does your dog act after a trip to the beach, or a run with you? I bet they’re tired, even ready to take a nap - so it might be the perfect time to break out the camera! I always recommend that my clients take their dogs for a walk before our session, to get a bit of energy out first. Then, dogs are much more willing to sit & smile for the camera!
  5. Look for the details.
    ‏Does your dog have a unique spotted tail? Big paws? One lopsided ear? A cute butt? A beautiful portrait doesn’t have to include the dog’s whole body; get creative and look for the details that make your dog special. You can even zoom in & look for interesting patterns in your dog’s fur. Macro photography can produce beautiful results!
  6. Know your camera.
    ‏Are you working with an iPhone or a DSLR? Knowing your camera’s strengths and limitations is absolutely fundamental, because the more manual controls you have, the more creative you can get. If you’re able, try experimenting with different shutter speeds and apertures; you’ll notice a big difference the more you play around!
  7. Take plenty of photos.
    ‏There’s a saying in the action sports photography world: “Shoot 100 photos, and you’ll get 1 keeper.” It’s true for pets, too! Don’t get discouraged if your first few photos aren’t frame-worthy. I’m not advocating quantity over quality, but I don’t want you to expect a prize-winning photo if you only take three shots. Plus, digital memory is cheap - so snap away!
  8. ‏Ask for help.
    ‏Will a family member join you & help out? It’s handy to have a leash-holder, treat-dispenser and command-giver on your side. (Hint: is there someone in your family that your dog listens to best? Bring that person along!) Or grab a friend, and exchange photo sessions with each others’ pets!
  9. ‏Keep the background simple.
    ‏You want to show off your dog’s beauty & personality, right? Keep in mind that a busy, distracting background will take away from your dog being the focus of the photo. Plus, if you try to photograph him/her somewhere public like a local park, there’s a good chance that plenty of other dogs & people will be around, not only cluttering your background but distracting your dog from focusing on you! I think every dog looks great in green grass; your backyard (however simple it may be) is a great place to get started!
  10. Take your time.
    ‏My entry-level session is an hour long, because it simply takes time for all the elements of light, composition and the dog’s position & expression to come together all at once. Expect to spend at least 10-15 minutes with your dog, playing and taking photos, if you really want to walk away with a new favorite image. And this rule especially applies to taking photos of multiple dogs; that’s not easy to do! Plus, your dog can pick up on your stress level… so relax, slow down, and enjoy the time you’re spending together!

‏I hope these tips were helpful to you! Thanks for reading, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions about pet photography!

‏-Allison

Allison Shamrell Pet Photography
619.357.6624
[email protected]
www.allisonshamrell.com

Pet health check tips

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Pet health check tips

 

 

Your pets are important members of your family, so it’s important to take proper care of them to make sure they stay fit, healthy and happy throughout their lives. Caring for animals doesn’t have to be daunting or expensive when you keep up with regular health checks to make sure your pet is fit and well throughout the year.

While home check-ups are not recommended as an alternative to seeking professional advice from vets if something does arise, they can be highly effective in staving off illness and identifying any potential problems before they have a chance to develop. There are some health checks you can make part of your weekly routine, such as checking under the animal’s fur for any lumps or scabs, inside their ears, and monitoring their eating and drinking habits.

Fighting fleas and other infections can be a little more trying, and should only be carried out at home if you’re confident in your ability to administer flea products correctly. You should never use products intended for dogs on cats, or the other way around, as this can prove extremely hazardous to your animal’s health, and many cats in particular die each year after improper application of insecticides.

You won’t be able to take care of everything at home, of course, and keeping up to date with visits to the vet to get your pet immunised against common diseases could help avoid more serious problems further down the line. Comparing pet insurance quotes is always an option for owners looking to find the best cover or the cheapest deals to protect their animals, and avoid having to pay the full cost for vet fees.

Getting your animal spayed or neutered is another important decision that you’ll have to make when they’re young, especially if you have a cat that you allow to roam free in the streets. Spaying isn’t only useful for avoiding unwanted litters of pups and kittens, but can also reduce your animal’s risk of developing illnesses such as breast cancer, not to mention preventing many aggressive tendencies in males.

For all the wonders that modern medicine can achieve for your pet, the most important things you can do for your animals are to make sure they eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise. Taking your dogs for walks helps to channel their aggressive behaviour, and even cats should be encouraged to move around with planned exercise regimes if you feel they’ve slipped into bad habits.