Train the Dog Blog

It isn’t that you will no longer need a dog leash when you buy a dog harness. You actually use it along with the leash. It seems like many dog owners are most comfortable with the leash attached to their canine’s collar. But you have probably never realized how uncomfortable a leash can be when you pull on it and it digs painfully into your dog’s throat. You could compare it to someone pulling hard on a cord tied around your own leg. You know that would not feel very good, don’t you? So consider how your dog feels when you pull on the leash around his neck. It digs uncomfortably into a tender area. And as painful as it can be, it can also be bad for your dog’s health.

A harness, on the other hand, is wrapped around your pet’s chest and front legs. It is made of either a nylon webbing or leather and is clipped between your pet’s shoulder blades. The leash is attached to the dog harness, instead of the collar, so the strain produced by pulling spreads all throughout your dog’s body instead of centering it on its throat.

When you are training your dog in desirable behavior, it has been recommended by experts and trainers to make use of the harness.

A dog harness offers a way to train your dog in a much more humane manner that is harmless to your pet. Even though it is far more gentle, you can still maintain control by tugging on the harness, saving the strain on the neck. By taking control of his center of gravity, you will yield a far more effective response. The feeling of a leash pulling at the neck tends to make most dogs resist and stand their ground. This leads to a stubborn stance and a reluctance to follow. By controlling a larger portion of his body, he has little choice but to move in the direction of your choice. This isn’t to say that it will erase any urges to be stubborn, because it can still happen. However, if he so chooses to go into the stubborn mode you will have an easier time persuading him without it becoming a battle.

The question remains whether you should still leave his collar on. And the answer is yes. Remember that your dog’s ID tag is suspended from his collar. In case of emergencies these tags, which also should have owner information on them, are crucial. So the solution is to leave the collar on and simply attach the leash to the harness.

If you’ve just picked up your family’s new furry addition and want to find out the right way to care for your puppy, then check out Puppy Pet Supplies for helpful tips and advice on puppy training, and so much more! Plus, discover the four essential puppy supplies you need to have for your puppy’s arrival!

Believe it or not, a leading cause of your pup’s allergic reactions is very likely the puppy food he is eating. It can be tricky to tell the difference from one allergy to the next, so people who own a pouch may not know a food allergy when they see it. Food allergies can present themselves at any stage, however, meaning your dog could actually not show any symptoms for a long time (even years), or the may happen within just a few short days. Basically, your pup could be eating a food he is actually allergic to, he’s just not showing any reactions yet. Symptoms of allergies can take time to present themselves, because sometimes allergens need to build up first. Statistics state nearly 70 percent of all food allergies are the result of giving your young dog the same puppy food for over two years.

Okay, one of the best ways we can take very good care of our canine friends is to LEARN the signs of food allergies.

* Development of Skin Problems The very first sign of a allergy is when you see your dog excessively scratch or lick himself. This means that his skin is itchy. You may also see him rub his face on the floor, carpets, and other inanimate objects just to relieve his discomfort. Excessive scratching, and even biting, can lead to skin being even more irritated (red patches, scaly skin). Your puppy may even suffer from hair loss.

* One more sign is trouble digesting food. Frequent flatulence, abnormally runny excrement, and vomiting are common symptoms that often accompany a food allergy.

* Breathing problems is another. Your pup may have trouble breathing (a common allergic reaction). He may begin to sneeze, cough, or wheeze more often.

Here are some tips on how you can avoid these allergies:

* Stop feeding your pouch the puppy food he is eating and eliminate the allergy. What you’ll need to do is – one puppy food component at a time – slowly give your pup each ingredient. By doing so, you can determine the exact ingredient that is causing the food allergy in your dog. Then, you can find a puppy food that does not have that ingredient. After consulting your vet, this process is done over a period of 12 weeks.

* You can also feed your young canine a hypo-allergenic puppy food with more pure and healthy ingredients like vegetables, potatoes, rice, duck, and lamb.

* Build up an immunity. Just like in humans, there are injections that can be given to dogs, too, that will introduce small doses of allergens over a period of time. These allergens actually boost your dog’s antibodies, thereby building up his tolerance to allergies.

* You can give him medications. Also like people, your pouch can take antihistamines to alleviate allergy symptoms. For the right drugs to use and proper dosage, check with your vet first.

* Blood and skin testing are also possibilities. Veterinarians with dermatological expertise perform these. The results from these tests are very reliable, and will show you exactly which puppy food ingredients need to be eliminated from your dog’s diet.

If you’ve just picked up your family’s new furry addition and want to find out the right way to care for your puppy, then check out Puppy Pet Supplies for helpful tips and advice on puppy training, and so much more! Plus, discover the four essential puppy supplies you need to have for your puppy’s arrival!

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