Treat Your Boxer Dog Right

By Shareen Aguilar

While keeping a dog for a pet is such a great idea; do not just jump in to action. There are many important points which you need to remember first-hand before you decide on adopting and keeping a dog for a pet.

If you think and know that you are not knowledgeable enough about dogs or boxer dogs in particular; think twice before getting one. The number of battered and mistreated dogs are currently high that it is not just enough to adopt a boxer pup just because you feel like doing so. These animals have feelings and needs and it is your sole responsibility to provide for them.

The availability of the abundant sources about boxer dogs are everywhere around us. We can't just say we don't know anything about this or that or we don't have time to look for it when in fact, searching for just the simplest write-up about boxer breeds are the least that we can do to educate ourselves about this brilliant breed.

When you get to know boxers, you will have so many things to be thankful for as this breed is the on top-of-the-line type. They know how to become extra caring and playful. They will guard you with their lives and will even babysit your children when you want them to. But for this note, you have to make sure that your boxer dog is already trained before you leave him around your child/children. Though boxer dogs are very athletic in built, this doesn't mean that they do not have a soft side. Boxer dogs can become the most playful pet you can ever own and this proves so because their athletic build requires constant moving around which just fits their playful nature.

Most important of all, make sure that you know how to handle your boxer dog's health problems. They have several genetic problems that can occur if they are not provided with proper nutrition, shelter and exercise. Be knowledgeable enough so you can help in preventing these genetic health problem to surface. An example is that boxer dogs are not good in handling extreme temperatures. Whenever its too hot or cold, make sure you can adjust their surroundings to what can be comfortable for them.

What boxer dogs need most is your love and care for them. When they know that you are a friend, they can become your best friend in return.

Click Boxer Dogs to find out more about making your Boxer happy, healthy and obedient.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shareen_Aguilar

Top 10 Dog Halloween Costumes

By Phil Sikes

At Halloween, kids aren't the only ones who get to dress up and enjoy treats. Hundreds of dog lovers get their pets into the act with dog Halloween costumes. The following are the top 10 costumes for dogs this Halloween.

1. Jailbird
The jailbird outfit with the classic black & white stripes will bring a smile to any dog lover's face. Make sure you get a funny hat to complete the look.

2. Angel
How cute would your little pooch be with a halo and a pair of silk wings? After all, aren't they all little angels?

3. Devil
Okay, maybe they're not all little angels. The bright red color of most devil costume is really eye-catching. Add a red cape or bow tie and a pair of horns and you've got the perfect little devil.

4. Superman
Or should that be Superdog? Put him in the red & blue tights with the big "S" on the chest and you'll have a dog of steel. Top it off with red boots or footies.

5. Bride & Groom
If you've got two dogs, bride and groom costumes are a great way to include them both. The groom costume is especially effective with a breed such as the Bulldog, which often looks a little unsettled anyway.

6. Pirate
Pirate costumes are popular right now with the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and your dog can help you complete your outfit. A bandana and an eye patch will give your dog the necessary look, and he can replace the parrot as your trusty sidekick.

7. Clown
If you're lucky enough to have a dog that will accept a clown nose for more than two seconds, this is the perfect costume for you. Even without the nose, you can get a pretty good looking clown with a crazy wig and some bright, colorful duds.

8. King or Queen
Your dog probably already gets treated like royalty, so why not complete the effect? Velvet robes, crowns and jewel-studded collars will make your pet into a regal figure.

9. Animals
Maybe your dog would like to spend a day in your cat's shoes? Why not try dressing him up as a different animal even - pigs, cows, bunny rabbits and frogs are just a few of your options.

10. Flowers
If your dog is willing to put up with a hat for the night, there are lots of cute flower costumes you can get. Even if they won't go for the hat, you can get some costumes that have neck pieces made to look like petals or leaves.

Whatever costume you decide on, just make sure you try it on a few times before Halloween night so your dog gets used to it. The last thing you want is having the costume torn up when he's thrashing around trying to get out of it!

Are you looking for ideas for dog Halloween costumes? Check out the Get In Costume website for lots of fun & creative costume ideas. Plus, get a free copy of my special report "The Family Guide To Halloween Safety" at http://www.getincostume.com

My Spoiled Dog and Spoiled Rugs

By Jan Gamm

Two thirds of the floors in my house are covered in ceramic tiles. The rest is carpeted. Tell me, why is it that my dog has to vomit on the carpet? I have actually observed him, in his nauseous quest for somewhere to throw up, search through the house for a convenient rug, then chuck up all over it, rather than stay where he was and be sick onto the tiles, which are oh so much easier to clean.

Dogs are strange creatures, I have decided. Our pooch is particularly spoiled, as we rescued him from an unhappy life and we believe we should somehow atone for his early misery. As a result he has grown in dignity and craftiness. He can hear a treat packet being opened from fifty yards, and he knows by instinct when his bath is being planned and manages to escape capture indefinitely.

There is one corner of our garden which is thickly covered with a bush giving out sticky burr-like woody beads, and these little beads can entwine themselves into our dog’s long fur and resist all efforts to extract them. He makes a bee line for this bush every time he goes out, in spite of going through numerous painful sessions of burr extractions from his face, legs and undercarriage. I am now certain he does it for attention, as he knows if he is covered in sticky burrs, then someone must remove them.

The latest foible of this spoilt mutt is to refuse to eat his dinner unless my husband and I are sitting next to him. This sounds little enough to do for him after his early traumas, but in fact it can be very inconvenient to give up that particular ten minutes of the day, especially as it coincides with the preparation time of our own meal. All the same, we do sit there like two idiots, totally in the control of this small furry despot.

Someone suggested to me we need to take him to obedience classes, but I really think that what we need is a doggie psychiatrist. Or perhaps just a psychiatrist.

Jan Gamm writes reflections on life with an emphasis on world travel. She has lived in many countries and traveled extensively in the Far East, the Middle East, America, South America and throughout the South Pacific. She writes for fun and for money whenever she can manage it.

Simple Techniques To Teach Your Dog To Walk Politely By Your Side

By Eric Letendre

A lot of people have problems with their dogs pulling on leash. Pulling starts from a very young age. Learning what triggers the pulling and how to change it can make leash walking with your dog more enjoyable and fun.

Dogs naturally pull on leash for several reasons. First, it works, period! Your dog learns at a very early age that if they hit the end of the leash and start leaning and pulling, they will make forward progress. The dog is trying to close the distance between themselves and whatever they are looking at - and the leash is restricting that.

Since most dogs can cover distance a lot quicker than humans can, they will pull to the point of gasping for breath. Second, dogs have what is called opposition reflex. As soon as they feel pressure on their necks or chests they reflexively lean into it. So, given this information, it is vital to begin anti-pulling exercises at a very young age.

To begin, you must be able to stand still with your dog on leash without him pulling and straining at the end of it. Have some treats ready to reward your dog when the leash becomes slack. Put the loop of the leash on your thumb and hold the remainder of the leash in your free hand.

As your dog pulls and the leash becomes tight, pull your dog back into you while giving him a verbal correction. Some dogs will run and hit the end of the leash again. You must persevere and pull your dog back into you with a verbal correction as many times as it takes.

Sooner or later he will give up and stay near you with the loose leash. At this moment, heavily reward your dog with food, praise, and pats. Once he is standing consistently with you on a loose leash you can begin your walk.

When you begin your walk, start with the leash hanging loose. As you take a few steps forward, your dog will most likely run ahead and hit the end of the leash. As soon as he takes off and the leash becomes tight, immediately change directions and make a full turn. Your dog will have no choice but to follow suit.

As your dog catches up to you, be ready to heavily reinforce him. Proceed forward and be prepared to turn around again. Try to focus on the times when your dog is walking next to you and the leash is loose rather than on times when the leash is tight.

If you allow your dog to make forward progress when the leash is tight, then you are training your dog to pull. Your dog needs to learn that there will be no forward progress made when the leash is tight. In fact, they will lose distance by making the turn.

Another exercise to try is the red light/green light game. Begin walking forward with your dog.
When he hits the end of the leash and begins pulling, immediately put on the brakes. Your dog will most likely fight this and start bucking, but it is important to remain rigid and become a statue.

Do not look at your dog, talk to your dog, or move forward again. You will probably need to put the red light on often in the beginning, but with repetition and consistency, your dog will begin to see the picture; leash is tight no distance is covered, leash is loose forward progress is made. Yippee!

Yet another exercise is to form circles. Begin walking forward with your dog on a loose leash. If your dog runs forward and hits the end of the leash, pull him back in close to your body and spin in a circle once or twice.

Stop and begin to walk forward again. This will momentarily disorient your dog long enough for you to make several steps with a loose leash. At this point you can heavily reward him with a few special treats coupled with heavy praise. Remember that the key to training is information and communication from you.

There are hand and arm saving pieces of equipment on the market for adult dogs with extreme pulling habits. Gentle Leader Head Collars or Haltis are great tools to use until your dog is trained. However, dogs do not generalize well, and if you use a special collar to walk your dog, once you take the collar off the no-pull effect will not filter over. The best prevention is to train your dog on his flat buckle collar and reinforce loose leash walking. Good Luck!

Eric Letendre, author of The Amazing Dog Training Man, invites you to visit http://www.amazingdogtrainingman.com for free dog training video clips, tips, articles, and advice. Free Newsletter.