Pets Smile Plus

Some 5000 years ago (recent studies say about 100.000 years ago, but who’s counting) a smart - and hungry - African Wildcat somewhere in (what was then) Upper Egypt made a clever observation. “These strange and mysterious bipeds seem to be very fond of grain”, he thought. “Biped collects lots of grain and keeps it in big baskets. Big baskets of grain attract lots of yummy mice! Biped doesn’t seem to like mice in his grain! I think I’ll adopt one of these strange bipeds and live in his house and EAT HIS MICE FOR HIM!”

And thus a mutually beneficial relationship between smart African cats and strange Egyptian bipeds began! And history was made.

Life in Egypt was good and the African cats enjoyed their newly discovered coexistence with human beings; the Egyptians liked cats, the pharaoh LOVED cats and there was plenty of food around, but still… So after having lived the good life in Egypt for about a thousand years or so, cats - being curious animals! - started wondering: “What is outside this country. Are we missing out on something?!”

One cat thought: “I would like to sit outside a temple with one paw raised, beckoning people to enter that holy place. That would be neat! My skills and talents would totally fit that job description”. The cat told this to a Mediterranean merchant, who was in Egypt on a business trip, and the merchant said: “I know of such a place. I’ll take you there”. And the merchant brought the cat to Japan, where the cat found a nice-looking five stories pagoda temple with a beautiful garden.

The cat positioned himself outside the temple and raised his paw in a friendly manor to beckon passers-by to enter the temple, for that was now his job! The Japanese people had never seen anything like it, but they liked what they saw and they said: “This little animal has an air of holy mystery about him, this animal will bring us luck! We shall call this animal Maneki Neko and we shall make lots of little porcelain Maneki Neko figurines that we shall sell to tourist and make lots of money! …in about 4000 years.”

A couple of elderly cats were so tired of the never-ending African heat and drought and told another visiting trader (in town to buy small pyramid replicas for his novelty shop in London), that they would like to go to a cooler and wetter climate. The trader, of course, brought them back to England. The English being… well, ENGLISH, said: “I say! What positively lovely little creatures. We shall take them in, feed them and breed them and have magnificent CAT SHOWS!” The whole cat show thing came much later of course (in 1871 to be precise), but, believe me, the idea was born the second the very first Englishman (or it might… it PROBABLY was an EnglishWOMAN) laid eyes on those cats.

But England wasn’t the only European country where the Egyptian cats set paw. Around 2000 B.C. the cats of Egypt started a very successful worldwide marketing campaign, promoting their exceptional mouse and rat hunting skills. And it paid off! Soon cats were being invited to every European country, the Middle East and Asia, where they lived well and in harmony with the human bipeds for many, many years. But then something happened:

ENTER THE DARK AGES! …in the history of cats. Right after the end of the middle ages - beginning around 1550 and lasting about a century - the Christian church decided that cats were the source of all evil. Cats had always been associated with gods; in Egypt it was Bast, goddess of life and family and in the northern part of Europe it was Freya, who was always surrounded by cats. But these were not Christian gods, so cats now became “animala non grata”. This was probably when the saying “curiosity killed the cat” entered the English vocabulary; “They wanted to see the world, and look where it got them!” Yes, curiosity did kill a lot of cats during these terrible times. Cats were hunted down, burned, drowned and hanged. And people who had the audacity to so much as look kindly at a cat, were deemed witches. And they were killed as well. This was NOT a good time to be a “crazy cat lady” in Europe!

During this time cats were also being blamed for spreading the plaque, when in fact it was the disease-carrying rats that managed to kill off almost half the European human population by spreading plagues and other epidemics. And as the humans had so efficiently killed off most of their cats, there were practically none left to kill the rats! That’ll teach them to treat cats so disrespectfully!!!

But eventually things got better. The Europeans came to their long lost senses and realized that cats were actually good to have around! Less rats, no more plague and soon the former so beautiful and harmonic cat-human relationship made its come-back. And when the first European settlers came to America in 1600-something, they brought cats with them to THE NEW WORLD. Good thinking! Their cats kept their homes, farmhouses, henhouses, outhouses and doghouses rat and mice free. Well, maybe not doghouses!

Yes, the human bipeds truly rediscovered the value of cats. They took cats into their homes again and this time into their hearts as well. The cat became more than a useful little mousetrap, it became a PET.

And so cats - being cats - now started to claim their INDOOR territory; the couch, the best arm chair, the dining table, the bed, the lingerie drawer… in short: THE WHOLE HOUSE. And finally things were as they should be between cat and man.

5000 years ago the Egyptians worshipped cats and showed their admiration and respect by mummifying them after death and depicting them on vases, amulets, rings and inside tombs! Today we pay homage to cats by putting pictures of cats on coffee mugs, napkins, sofa pillows, mousepads, clocks, refrigerator magnets and t-shirts! And in a thousand years from now, I’m sure there will be an enormous image of a cat on our first spaceship to Mars.

Martine Carlsen was 6 years ago adopted by two silver-gray Abyssinian cats, Sonny and Cher, and if you ask them, this article would or could never have been written without their help and inside knowledge. Martine Carlsen works as a web designer and spends most of her spare time working on her website, cats-on-tshirts.com cats-on-tshirts.com

If you’ve ever owned a puppy you know they go through many puppy stages on their way to adulthood. Their bodies grow very quickly and their mental state is constantly changing as they grow and interact with the world.

Some puppy stages are difficult to deal with, while others are a joy. It’s important to know the different stages so you’ll know what to expect from your little ball of fur.

The first stage is from birth to 3 weeks old. They’re still in the litter and are just figuring out their basic bodily functions. They are best left alone with their mother and littermates during this stage.

From 3 to 6 weeks of age they are on par with human toddlers in their development. They venture out from the litter and do some exploring. They learn how to tussle with their littermates. They learn about different body postures and signals through play and experimentation. They learn about biting and being bitten…what hurts and what’s fun.

They will also be taught basic manners from their mother. They will learn to be submissive and take direction from her. For example the mother may want to be left alone, she may nip or growl at the pup to get her point across. The puppy will react to this lesson quickly.

If this puppy stage is interrupted it will be harder to train the puppy. The socialization and learning that goes on here is very important and can’t be replaced by people. If interrupted the dog will be prone to biting and hard to discipline.

The 7 to 12 week period is one of the most important puppy stages. This is when the puppies’ brain is fully developed. This is the stage that a puppy should be going home with his new master. Lots of learning occurs in this stage. Most importantly they will learn how to interact with you and your family.

Keep in mind the puppy will learn behavior whether or not you teach him; so it’s best that you do the teaching. For instance when he meets new people he needs to know how to react. If he runs up and jumps on them and isn’t shown that this is not the way to greet people then he will continue to do so throughout his life.

He will also need to be exposed to other dogs (ask your vet about vaccinations first). Basically, your puppy should be exposed and become used to as much of the world as is possible during this stage. The more you direct him in how to react to different experiences the better off he, and you, will be.

At 12 to 16 weeks the puppy will start to challenge you more. Depending on the individual puppy this may be a big challenge or just a “how much can I get away with” challenge. This puppy stage is all about who’s in command…who’s the alpha pack leader. It’s because of this that serious training should be started.

During this stage your pup may try to bite, or growl at you. Both of these are challenges to your dominance and should be dealt with by a harsh “no” command and a cessation of whatever it was you were doing with your dog. Roughhouse play should be avoided during this stage, as the puppy won’t perceive it as a game but as a power struggle.

At 4- 8 months of age your puppy will go through the most dangerous of the puppy stages: the independent stage. He will be unreliable and may not listen to your commands. He’ll want to wander and will do so if given half a chance.

It’s important during this stage to keep close tabs on your puppy. Even if you are confident in your puppies’ coming on command abilities. He may ignore all his training and take off. Always be sure to have him leashed when not in a confined area.

Another frustrating activity during this stage is chewing anything and everything. He is teething and won’t be able to help himself. It is your responsibility to provide him with safe and acceptable chew toys. Avoid furry toys, they’ll be destroyed quickly and may cause problems if ingested.

At some point during the 4 month to 2 year old stage your dog will go through adolescence. During this time they’ll grow by leaps and bounds. They’ll be gangly and awkward just like their human counterpart.

During this stage the dog may go through a shyness or fear stage. Things that never bothered it before may become scary to the dog. Don’t worry, this will pass. It may be frustrating but don’t force the dog to do things they don’t want to do. Doing so will only make matters worse.

For more information on puppy stages and virtually all aspects of dog training please visit my site dog-training-is-easy.com/index.html dog-training-is-easy.com/index.html

dog-training-is-easy.com/puppy-stages.html dog-training-is-easy.com/puppy-stages.html

The American Bulldog is known for many of its defined traits, and is almost as close to an American symbol as one can get, apart only from the bald eagle. American Bulldog training can be a very fun and entertaining experience, but still needs to be handled properly it the training is to be successful. Too often I see such smart and beautiful American Bulldogs that are just out of control and unhappy. On my professional guarantee, if you acquire the right knowledge and how to apply it when training you’re Bulldog, these problems will not haunt you, and the rewards of a wonderful American Bulldog will follow.

The American Bulldog is an extremely athletic, powerful, and muscular animal. This is a wonderful trait, but not a trait that every owner can handle. This means that this animal requires very frequent exercise and almost constant stimulation. This doesn’t mean that you have to run 12 miles with you’re Bulldog and have him/her pull a sled, but it does mean that if you’re not someone who is frequently active and don’t take you’re American Bulldog along for the ride, you’ll end up with an unhappy pet that can lead to bigger problems down the road. Again, you don’t need extreme conditions to stimulate you’re Bulldog, but specialized knowledge is required to properly train and stimulate them.

American Bulldogs are happy, friendly and devoted pets that get along great with children, even those that are brought into the family later on in a Bulldogs life. However, because of they’re size and love for constant stimulation, they are either best suited for older children (rather then babies or infants) or should be watched when around infants. The fear in this is not because of a possible attack or bite (this doesn’t occur with Bulldogs) but because of their size and weight they could unintentionally role over or sit on an infant. However, believe it or not, you can actually train and American Bulldog to understand the difference between adult and infant with the right training, thus making him/her extra gentle around smaller children.

The American Bulldog does thankfully get along with other household pets, but only it they grow up with them in the same environment. It should be said however that the American Bulldog does not get along very well with smaller pets such as cats, rabbits, gerbils etc. This is simply because of their natural extinct to gather or work. This natural instinct however can surprisingly be subdued and with the right American Bulldog training, can be cured over time.

The American Bulldog is a very loyal animal and because of its natural guarding instincts can be wary, reserved and on occasion aggressive towards strangers it does not know. It is very important that you PROPERLY socialize this breed from an early age so that these problems do not occur. However, the American Bulldog requires that it be socialized in a very proper and specific manner, so make sure you acquire the needed knowledge.

All in all, the bulldog makes for an excellent pet and animal, but just like any other breed of dog requires training knowledge that is specifically tailored towards this breed. American Bulldog training does not have to be a chore, and while it can sometimes be extensive, it can also be a lot of fun for both you and your pet. The rewards of getting it “right” with this breed are extensive, so take the time and put in the effort to gain the needed knowledge to properly train this breed.

I can guarantee without a shadow of a doubt that you’ll have trouble with you’re American Bulldog if you do not acquire the specialized knowledge to properly undergo American Bulldog training. Don’t ruin the chance of receiving the reward of such a wonderful dog, train them right from the get go! squidoo.com/americanbulldogtraining/ squidoo.com/americanbulldogtraining/

The Border Collie is a highly intelligent dog that regularly wins awards for obedience. She needs lots of open space to exercise. She is a working sheep herding dog and she is the happiest with a job to do. She will get too bored and possibly destructive just sitting around a house alone. She is considered to be one of the most intelligent dogs.

Approximate Adult Size

The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Border Collie is 19 to 22 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 30 to 45 pound. The females range from 18 to 21 inches to the withers and 27 to 42 pounds.

Special Health Considerations

Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Border Collie is no exception. Some of the medical problems you might encounter are Progressive Retinal Atrophy (inherited disease of the retina that can cause vision loss and blindness), Canine Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (inherited neurological disorder that can lead to progressive degeneration of brain and eye cells and can cause severe impairment and early death), canine hipand elbow dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), Collie Eye Anomaly, epilepsy and flea allergies.

This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list. She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

Grooming

The Border Collie has a medium length double water resistant coat that needs to be brushed every few days, daily if possible. She should be bathed rarely as this strips her coat of its protective oils. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat and also help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with your pet.
Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

Life Span

The Border Collie can live between 12 and 15 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

History

The Border Collie originated in Scotland and England. The American Kennel Association first registered Border Collies in 1995.

Some Registries

Border Collie Society of America Inc.
UKC United Kennel Club
NKC National Kennel Club
CKC Continental Kennel Club
APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
AKC American Kennel Club
FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
KCGB Kennel Club of Great Britain
ANKC Australian National Kennel Club
ACR American Canine Registry

Litter Size

4 to 8 Border Collie puppies

Category

Herding.

Terms To Describe

Loyal, intelligent, faithful, obedient

SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

Good watch dog.
Has lots of energy.
High intelligence.
Wants to please.
Trains quickly.
Usually along with other dogs but possibly not other small pets.
OK with older children.
Can tolerate cold.
Good with the Frisbee.

SPECIAL BAD POINTS

Poor guard dog.
Can get bored and destructive if left alone for long periods of time.
Needs room to run, not for an apartment.
Possibly not good with very young children.
One person dog.
May nip at joggers, bicycles and other moving people and objects.
Needs to be socialized early for shyness.

Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

Mitch Endick is a short article writer for the popular pet site: petpages.com petpages.com. He provides informative advice on all pets including dogs, puppies, cats, fish, reptiles, birds, ferrets, rabbits, mice and even pet bugs. Petpages.com also has an extensive pet classified ads section.

The dogs that comprise the terrier group are mostly small to medium sized dogs, with high intelligence and personality. Uniformly cute puppies, these dogs are often adopted by owners with no thought of the traits inherent in most terrier breeds.

These canine breeds were developed to hunt and kill vermin such as rats and other small animals. They may have wire, smooth or soft coats and the coat type determines the amount of grooming necessary. When raising a terrier pup it is advisable to regularly handle its ears, tail, and paw and to look into it’s mouth and eyes - this will avoid problems at the vet and in administering any treatment that might be required for an injury.

Though small in stature, most terriers are not well suited to smaller living areas such as apartments. These are high energy dogs that often need a considerably higher level of daily than many of the larger breeds. They require brisk walks and play time or space to run off their energy. Without exercise, they may develop undesirable and destructive habits. Some breeds also have a tendency to bark and yap excessively.

The strong personalities of this group of canines can pose training problems for inexperienced owners. A Jack Russell Terrier may know exactly what you want him to do - and decide not to do it. Obedience training require both calm patience, knowledge of training procedures, and the ability to convince the dog you are leader of his pack.

Training methods must be consistent day after day. A lapse in requiring your dog to obey your obedience commands may require as much effort and time to correct as to teach the command initially.

The joy of these small breeds is in their excitement and happy personalities. They are funny, curious, loving and loyal - always ready for a walk, a ride, an adventure. With proper training and adequate exercise, the terrier group makes wonderful companions.

Free Report - BEST DOGS FOR CHLDREN - by dog size and child’s age group. Get it - along with information about dog breeds, training and care - at My-Dogs-Rule.com My-Dogs-Rule.com

Battling with pet odors is a common problem for pet owners. Whether it is the lingering smell of a litter box or a canine in need of a bath, our pets definitely add to the complex menagerie of household odors. Getting rid of pet odors is an ongoing challenge but before you move Fluffy or Fido outside here is another solution to the problem: a catalytic fragrance lamp.

Catalytic fragrance lamps are decorative home accents that are effective at getting rid of various odors, including pet odor. The term fragrance lamp is actually a bit misleading. The catalytic technology behind the lamps was developed as a means of purifying the air in hospitals and mortuaries. The fragrance component is a relatively recent addition. Today’s catalytic lamps can be used with or without fragrance but still provide the same air-purifying result.

How They Work

Catalytic lamps work differently than a regular oil lamp. They use a special wick with a ceramic stone burner attached to the top and do not require a constant burning flame to operate. After heating the burner for a few minutes the flame is extinguished and the burner continues to feed off of the alcohol based fuel through the wick. The heat generated from the ceramic stone causes the perfume to be released into the air. The catalytic combustion of the alcohol creates ozone which interacts with impurities to reduce bacteria and odors. Research has shown that burning a lamp for about 45 minutes can reduce micro-organisms by 69% or more. Bacterial reducing benefits continue for several hours thereafter.

Stylish and Convenient

Catalytic fragrance lamps come in a wide variety of styles, from traditional to contemporary, suitable for any type of home décor. Styles include hand blown glass, ceramic, crystal, and metal fragrance lamps. Perfumed lamp fuel is available in various aroma blends – floral, spicy, woody, forest-like, and herbal – but the lamp can also be used with an odor-free neutralizer that simply gets rid of odors and bacteria. And, the whole process is quiet and unobtrusive, no humming noises or strong smelling cleaners. Simply start the lamp and no one will ever know that the attractive crystal object on your table is the solution to your pet odor problems.

Jemetha Clark

thefifthsense.com thefifthsense.com

These 2 Scrumptiously Yummy, Doggy Delicious Dog Treat Recipes will have you dog breaking down your kitchen door to get more. You better leave your dog outside otherwise he will go wild when you cook these dog treats.

Dog Treat Recipes 1

Delicious Doggy Dip

Ingredients

- 3tbsp Peanut Butter

- 2tbsp Honey

- 1 very ripe banana (or if you want you can use a jar of baby food fruit. Any

flavour your dog likes will be fine)

- 450grams or 16 ounces of vanilla yogurt

- 1tbsp whole wheat flour

Directions

1. Mix the peanut butter, honey and fruit together until well blended.

2. In a separate bowl, combine the yogurt and flour and mix well.

3. Add the fruit to the yogurt and blend together.

4. Keep cold in your refrigerator.

You can use this dip to coat or dip

biscuits and treats. Allow treats to chill in refrigerator until this coating

is set and firm. This will help prevent big messes!

*******************************

Dog Treat Recipe 2

Brilliant Bacon Bites

Ingredients

- 3cups whole wheat flour

- ½ cup milk

- 1 egg

- ¼ cup bacon fat (or vegetable oil)

- 1tsp garlic powder

- 3-4 slices bacon, crumbled up

- ½ cup cold water

Directions

1. Mix ingredients together thoroughly.

2. Roll out on a floured surface to ½ - ¼” thickness.

3. Bake for 35-40 mins in a 162°C or 325°F

Remember to let cool.

Justin Bryce is the Proprietor of dogtreatrecipes.com.au dogtreatrecipes.com.au
Stop by for dogtreatrecipes.com.au over 400 dog treat recipes and fantastic dog health and care tips plus way’s to spoil your dog.

If you are a pet owner, It is now more important than ever to
be certain you are feeding your animal a premium dog food
or a holistic, premium cat food. When I first heard about the horrors of the rendering plants,
I thought it was an exaggeration. But upon hearing the recent news of the dog and cat food recalls
I see that what I heard may have been just the tip of the iceberg.
At the time of this writing, there are some 53 dog products which have been recalled and another
42 cat products. And this list is likely to grow.
If your dog or cat has eaten any of the food listed on this rather extensive recall list and they are showing signs of illness, be sure to contact your vet right away,
because with treatment it may not be too late.

The FDA states that contaminated dog food that was sold in twenty-three states has already killed nearly two dozen dogs in the country and sickened some eighteen others.
The final tally will almost certainly be higher, unfortunately.
CBS News has reported on it’s website that some of the dog food may contained aflatoxin.
This is basically a chemical which comes from a fungus sometimes found on corn or other crops, and may cause severe liver damage in some instances.
What are the symptoms to look for in your pet? Keep an eye out for general sluggishness or lethargy, diminished appetite and in extreme instances heavy vomiting, fever and jaundice.

According to an article on USA today’s website by journalist Liz Szabo entitled Pet food recall affects 90 brands’, Laurie Miller, who is a veterinarian at the Hope Center for Advanced Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Virginia., states that she has received many phone calls regarding the recall and that she now is treating a two year-old

German shepherd who developed diarrhea and vomiting after eating a particular type of Iams dog food which is included in the recall.
Most of the products listed are marketed around the country by retailers like Wal-Mart, Kroger, Safeway and PetSmart, to name a few. In fact, consumers kept a phone line (866-895-2708) set up by Menu Foods busy all weekend.
A big part of the problem seems to be that many of these mainstream type brands are owned by the same parent corporation.
The pet food in question has not only been widely distributed in the United States but also in Canada and Mexico, according to Mathew Verrinder, an Associated Press journalist, as reported in Yahoo news.

How can you make sure that your dog or cat is eating Healthy, safe food? I would choose a true premium dog or cat food. Not just the “natural” version of the mainstream brand found in your local grocery store.

Ryan Joseph is a writer/researcher. More info. about premium Dog Food at premium4pets.com premium4pets.com

According to my research aaronsfreebies.com/dogfood.html Premium Dog food from Life’s Abundance may very well be the best choice in this regard. This food is formulated by renowned holistic
veterinarian Dr. Jane Bicks. This Premium Dog Food does NOT contain corn, wheat, dairy, by-products, artificial colors or flavors found in most mainstream brands.

Wouldn’t it be great to own your very own pug puppy one day? Having it look up at you with its big puppy dog eyes and its cute black, scrunchy nose. Before you decide to go out and buy your pup, there are a few things you need to know first.

Facial Structure

When choosing a pug puppy you have to look for certain features in their faces. The first feature you need to look at is they’re ears. They have to be small but not too small. If they are too small you can usually tell as their ears generally not suit their face. If they are too big then this is also a bad thing. Same with this you can usually tell just by looking at them. The second facial feature you need to look at when buying a pug puppy is their nose. The nose you will be looking for can’t be pushed into the pup’s face too much as this will result in certain breathing complications later on down the track. This usually reduces a pugs lifespan by 2-3 years in most cases. The last thing you need to look at is the amount of wrinkles on their face. In the case of show dogs, more is better, however the more wrinkles on a pugs face again usually promotes breathing complications in the future.

Personality Of Each Pug Puppy

This is perhaps the biggest area needed to be discussed when it comes to buying the right pug puppy. What makes a good personality for each individual case. Firstly if you are planning on showing your pug, you are best off looking for a puppy that is not to outrageous as this will mean he/she will be harder to train for the ring. Judges are looking for well behaved pugs that respond to human commands at will. A pug with a naturally outgoing personality will not be able to control itself in the ring. You are better off choosing a pup that is more willing to listen to you. For example when you ask it to come, it comes. Simple as that.

If however, you are not planning on showing your dog in the ring and you would like like to have a pug that is friendly and outgoing, then I would suggest looking for the puppies that are always full of energy. They may not listen to your every command, but I assure you they will be a lot of fun to play with. I would probably recommend this type of pug puppy for a family with younger children. They will have a great time growing up together playing in the backyard.

Dane Stanton is the owner of PugTrainingReview.com which is an extensive review of the top Pug training courses on the internet. Find which course is best for you and your Pug! PugTrainingReview.com PugTrainingReview.com

Most dog owners can attest to the frustration, embarrassment and even danger when their dog decides to activate its selective hearing practices and ignores your command to ‘come’. Here are some tips to teach your dog the rules.

Let’s start with a few ground rules. When training a dog, it is easy to develop a ’sergeant major’ tone, however, it is important to keep the training process fun and interesting. Keep your voice relaxed and use a ‘happy’ tone. Always praise your dog with cuddles and treats when it successfully completes the command.

Never call your dog to you to punish it and never chase after the dog. When playing with your dog, play games where the dog chases after you. If you develop a game where you chase the dog, it will have a natural tendency to run away from you!

Another important rule is to avoid repeating the command. Your dog should be taught to come on just one word, not 20! Repeating a command is an unpleasant vocal exercise (and an embarrassing one) for the owner, and it will also confuse the dog.

You can begin training this command as soon as the puppy is brought home. A puppy will usually want to stay close to its owner and you can apply the command when the puppy is naturally coming to you.

To extend the training, start in the backyard or a small enclosed area. Fit your puppy with a harness and attach the lead to it. Have treats on hand. Let the dog wander away, then call its name and say “Come”.

Only say the command once and if the dog does not return immediately begin to pull in the lead. When the dog is in front of you, give it a treat and lots of praise. Never pull on a lead that is attached to a collar. A dog will naturally resist this type of pressure and dig in its heels leading to a negative experience for the animal.

Once the dog has returned successfully several times, remove the lead and try again. If the dog does not come immediately, throw the lead towards the dog to get its attention (but don’t aim to hit the dog). The lead will land near the dog and will snap the animal to attention. Once you have the dog’s attention, repeat the command once. While throwing the lead is not a standard training procedure, it has worked well for many people. Some say that it tells your dog that your arm is actually longer than it looks!

Practice this command on a daily basis until the dog is happy to always return to you. Thereafter, practice on a weekly or fortnightly basis in five-minute sessions. If your dog has ignored the command at the park, practice the command as soon as you get home using the lead and treats.

You can also teach this command with a physical stance whereby both your hands are stretched out either side from your body. This is useful for when your dog is a longer distance away from you.

Finally, avoid getting angry at your animal. A dog is usually so intrigued with the environment and is naturally stimulated and more interested in the butterflies, birds, smells and other animals. Using positive re-enforcement in a controlled environment along with a happy manner will quickly remind the dog that a recall is a fun thing to do.

For lots of easy to read articles, full of useful information that is sure to help you out with your pet or pets, go to p-e-t-s.info P-E-T-S.info. While you are there sign up for the p-e-t-s.info PET NEWS email newsletter - it is FREE and packed with handy tips for pet owners.