An active dog needs lots of exercise!

Choosing the right dog for your lifestyle is very important.  Don’t make the mistake of deciding to get an active dog like a border collie if you live in a tiny city apartment.

Making the wrong choice will result in both of you being miserable.  Many canines are turned into shelters every year, simply because their owners chose the wrong dog.

Can You Offer Your Dog an Active Lifestyle?

Many people mistakenly think that getting a dog will force them to get out and get some exercise, since a dog needs to be walked twice a day.  Unfortunately, it takes a lot more than adopting a dog to change ingrained habits.

Usually what happens is that the daily walks only last a week or two at most.  Then the dog is stuck in the house all the time with no outlet for all that energy.  When an active dog is alone and bored, he’ll find something to do.  And the chances are excellent that you (and your neighbors) won’t like his choice of activity.

Do Your Homework Before Bringing A Dog Home

Think about how much space you have.  Consider your personality, and your activity level.  Do you enjoy getting out for a brisk walk every day?  In this case, having a canine companion to share your daily walks is a great idea.

But if you rank exercise right up there with getting a root canal, you might want to rethink the idea of getting a dog.  Dogs are high-maintenance creatures.  They’re social animals that needs lots of time and attention.  If you don’t have the time, or are unwilling to spend what little time you have training a dog, then it’s best to wait until you do have the time and inclination.

Choose The Right Breed

Take stock of yourself before choosing a dog.  I live in a dog-loving town, so I see many dogs when I out on my daily walks.  When a dog and his or her owner are well-matched, it’s a great thing to see.  But when they’re not, it’s pretty sad.

An older owner with a large, rambunctious, high-energy dog is not usually a good mix.  The owner can barely hold onto the dog’s leash as he’s dragging her around behind him.  She’s unable to control him, and it’s obvious that he’s not been subjected to much training.  She’s not going to be taking him for many walks, which will just make the situation worse, as he’ll have fewer and fewer opportunities to burn off all that energy.

Don’t put yourself into this kind of situation.  It rarely ends well, and it’s the dog who gets the short end of the stick.

Size Matters

Larger dogs tend to be more active animals.  Working or hunting dogs in particular don’t make great house pets, simply because they need something to do.  They’ve been bred to do certain jobs, and they’re not happy to lie around all day.  Irish setters, beagles, dobermans, greyhounds, German shepherds, and border collies need lots of exercise every day.

Some large dogs are pretty lethargic.  St. Bernards and bull mastiffs have low-key, laid back personalities, in contrast to the working breeds.

Smaller dogs, including chihuahuas, poodles, and pekinese, are better suited for living in small spaces like apartments.  They do tend to be higher-strung though, which leads to a lot of jumping around.  But once they’ve used up their energy, they’re content to curl up and go to sleep.

Dogs And People Go Together

Spending lots of time with your dog has benefits for both of you.  A daily walk , run, or bike ride is great exercise for both of you.   And exercising with your dog every day allows you to take advantage of  dog training opportunities.  Your pet learns how to walk on a leash.  He also learns how to behave around other people and other dogs.

You want to tire him out.  A dog that gets plenty of exercise will spend more time sleeping, not getting into trouble.

Dogs are wonderful friends and companions.  Taking the time to choose the right dog will allow both of you to enjoy each other’s company more and more over the years.

Related articles

• 10 Dog Exercises That You’ll Enjoy, Too (everydayhealth.com)
• Best Companion Dogs for Apartment Dwellers (brighthub.com)

Puppy socialization is an important part of training your puppy.

Part of training a new puppy is taking the time to get him used to being around new people, places, and animals.  We’ve all seen shy dogs who are scared of their own shadows.

Puppy socialization is an important tool for preventing this dog behavior problem.  Since a fearful dog is much more likely to bite a someone or attack another animal, it’s important not to neglect socializing him.

Prevent this problem with these five puppy training tips.  Time spent now will help your new friend to grow up to be a happy, friendly pet.

1.  Don’t Bring Him Home Too Soon

Avoid the temptation of bringing that little ball of fluff home as soon as he hits six weeks of age.  Puppies learn manners from their mom and from their litter mates.  A couple of extra weeks spent learning how to be a dog can make all the difference in your pet’s behavior as he grows up.

2.  Stay In Control When Introducing Him To New Situations

You need to show your puppy that you’re the one in charge, especially when meeting someone new.  If someone gets close enough to make your puppy hide behind you and  growl,  nicely ask that person to back off.  This teaches your pup that you are the pack protector, so that he doesn’t try to take on that role.

3.  Ask Permission Before Letting Your New Puppy Greet Someone

Walking with your pup on a leash is a great way for  him to experience new people and new places.  Most people love puppies, and are more than happy to stop and pet one.  But remember that everyone loves dogs, so don’t allow your pup to just run up to somebody and jump on him.

This is also a great training opportunity for teaching him the sit-stay command, as well.  He doesn’t greet anyone until you release him.

Watch out for small children.  A small child may squeal or chase your pup, which may terrify him.  Always be in control of the situation.

4.  Don’t Soothe Him Or Coddle Him When He’s Scared

All you’re doing is reinforcing his fear.  Talking to him soothingly or holding him makes him think there’s something to be scared of.   If a little kid’s bothering him,  make the kid stop.   Your pup needs to know that, as the alpha dog, you will protect him.

5.  What Signals Are You Sending?

Your companion is watching how you react to every situation, and he takes his cues from you.  If you tense up whenever another person or dog approaches, he’ll tense up as well.  Instead, show him how much you enjoy meeting new people, going new places, and doing new things.

Puppy training is going on all the time, whether you realize it or not.  Be sure you’re teaching him good habits, not bad ones.

Dog socialization is important to prevent fear aggression

Do you want to know a simple way to prevent aggressive dog behavior?  Learn what dog socialization is.  Some dog owners have never heard of this, but it’s a very easy way to prevent many dog behavior problems in the future.

What Is Dog Socialization?

It’s a fancy name for getting your dog used to meeting new people and new animals.  It also includes taking your dog just about everywhere with you so that going someplace new is fun, not scary.

We’ve all seen dogs that are scared of strangers.  And a scared dog can very quickly become an aggressive dog.  Don’t neglect to socialize your dog.   It’s easy, and it’s probably the most fun you can have while training your dog.

There are two types of fear aggression:  aggression towards strangers, and aggression towards other animals.  The first can lead to your dog attacking people he doesn’t know, and the second is a major cause of dog fights.

Fear Aggression Towards Strangers

A puppy that’s scared of new people has an excellent change of become a fear aggressive dog as he grows up.  He needs to be exposed to lots of new people and places, especially between the ages of three and twelve weeks.  Otherwise he may be very suspicious around someone he doesn’t know.

A dog should be happy to meet new people.  On my daily walks, I meet many dogs.  Most come bounding up to say hi, and are overjoyed to see me, even though they’ve never met me before.  These are the dogs I enjoy meeting.

The dogs I’m not too crazy about, though, are the ones who sit and stare at me.  Sometimes they even back away, while barking at me.  These are the ones that I’m glad are on a leash!  If your canine companion is shy and mistrustful around new people, you really need to work on dog socialization.

Dog Aggression Towards Dogs

If a dog doesn’t learn how to behave around other dogs when he’s a puppy, it can lead to dog aggression problems later in life.  This is sometimes seen in dogs who were taken away from their litter mates too early.  And it’s seen a lot in smaller breeds whose owners spoil them.

It’s important to watch your own cues, too.  It’s very easy to tell your dog you’re uneasy around strange dogs, especially if you tighten the leash and pull him closer to you every time you meet another canine.  You’re unwittingly teaching your dog that other dogs are a threat.

The result?  Your pet gets tense if another dog approaches.  He want to keep the other dog away, so he barks and growls at him.  If he gets too close, your dog may attack him, especially if you’ve pulled the leash tight.

What does the leash have to do with it?  Your dog can’t run away, which is what he really wants to do.  So the only option he has left is to defend himself.  Plus, pulling back on his leash makes him pull away from you and lean on his front feet.  This may threaten the other dog, causing a dog fight.  And all you were doing was trying to defuse the situation!

Prevent Dog Aggression Problems By Socializing Your Dog

Take your pup to as many different places as you can.  A daily walk is a great way for him to get out and about, meeting new people and new dogs in your neighborhood.  If you live near a dog park, this is an ideal way to get him used to meeting and greeting other canines.

And watch your own behavior, too.  It’s very easy to communicate your own unease to your pet.

Related articles

• Stop Dog Fights Before They Start (dogleadermysteries.com)