Golden Retrievers In Obedience Trials
Golden Retrievers are one of the most trainable breeds out there. They are extremely intelligent, athletic, and eager to please the handler. This is why Goldens excel at obedience trials, and have numerous times been champions of the American Kennel Club’s official obedience trials.
Obedience competition is a fun way to bond with your dog, as well as add some useful commands and tricks to your handling. Every owner should start with basic obedience commands, such as “sit”, “stay”, “lie down”, “come”, and “release”. If you are experienced with training dogs, these early commands can be taught at home, so long as the environment is structured and training is regular and strict. If you are new to obedience training, it is best to enroll your dog in a class with a certified trainer to learn the most effective methods of getting your dog to learn and obey commands.
There are several types of obedience trials you can enter your Golden Retriever into. The largest and most renowned obedience trial is hosted by the AKC, which allows any AKC-recognized breed to compete in the same competition. There are also various retriever clubs and, more specifically, Golden Retriever clubs, that host obedience competition, as well. The largest club for Goldens is the Golden Retriever Club of America, and they have many local branches. Finding one close to you should be easy.
Obedience trials include a large battery of commands and tricks, which get more difficult and are judged on a stricter set of rules as you progress through the three levels of competition: novice, open, and utility.
The novice level is as it sounds. It is for entry-level competition, though the battery of tasks that must be performed are no laughing matter. Commands include healing on the leash, walking the figure eight on the leash, heeling off the leash, recall (the typical owner’s “come” command), standing still (as if for an examination by a show judge or veterinarian), and staying seated or in a lying down position for an extended period of time.
The open level is the intermediate level of competition, including several of the novice tasks that are performed on the leash being performed without a lead at all. Other commands include dropping on recall, retrieving, retrieving over a jump, the broad jump, and the extended sitting and lying down exercises for a longer period than the novice category.
The most advanced level of obedience trials is the utility competition. Among previously included tasks, utility requires that a dog responds to hand signals alone (as opposed to vocal commands), the ability to find their handler’s scent (usually achieved by placing a belonging of the handler’s in a collection of other items), directed retrieval (where the dog fetches something specific the handler has asked for), standing still after the owner has walked away, and directed jumping, in which the handler indicates which obstacle the dog will jump over before returning immediately to the handler.
Obedience trials can sound tricky and difficult at first, but if you love to spend time with your dog, it is a fantastic way to bond and teach new and useful commands to your pet.
This article was written by John Jackson and has been contributed by http://www.greatdogsite.com. For more information on the Golden Retriever, please visit our page http://www.greatdogsite.com/breeds/details/Golden_Retriever/.
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All Dog Foods Are Not The Same
Introduction
Your dog’s health and wellbeing is important to you and your family. Not to mention keeping down the cost of veterinarian bills! So you need to carefully consider the food that you give your dog. People sometimes just pick the first dog food bag they see at the store. It’s easy to overlook the importance of dog food but it is essential to pick the right one for your dog.
To keep your dog healthy he needs plenty of fresh water and should be fed good quality dog food in amounts just right to meet his energy requirements. Always follow the guidelines on the dog food package for recommended feeding amounts.
Picking a dog food
The first challenge in choosing a dog food is picking one that has overall quality. The term that comes up a lot about dog food is human grade. Human grade implies that the dog food is good enough for us to eat. Many commercial dog foods are made from materials unusable or less desirable for human consumption. Often the meat that is used in dog food is of a quality considered unfit for humans to eat.
Major dog food companies try to provide balanced proportions of vitamins and minerals for maximum benefit to your dog. Although you may see that many brands of dog food have almost identical labels, a reputable dog food company will provide an explanation for each supplement and how it benefits your dog.
Always read the label to see what proteins, vitamins and minerals are being provided to your dog. Try not to use store brand dog food they may short change your dog on much needed nutrition.
Studies have shown that the primary ingredient in dog food should be meat-based protein, not corn meal, flour or corn gluten meal. According to reviews a better quality dog food results in a healthier coat, fewer digestive problems and firmer stools. Pet-nutrition experts agree that the best dog food is made from human-grade ingredients like meat, whole grains and vegetables. Premium dog food is so important because good nutrition is essential for a long, healthy life.
Types of dog food
There are many varieties of dog food to choose from. The three most popular types of dog foods are dry, semi-moist and canned products. Check the color of your dog food. Usually dog food made from natural ingredients will have soft earth tones and contain no preservatives, artificial colors and flavors.
Raw dog food is becoming more popular. More and more veterinarians recommend feeding your dog with raw dog food. They feel that this is the best choice and is the healthiest food for your dog. After all, you’ve never seen your dog enjoy commercial dog food the way he enjoys a good meaty bone.
Raw food advocates concede the diet costs more than traditional dog food, but they argue it’s worth it. You may find that locating free natural home made dog food recipes is not easy. Try making a mixture of ground turkey, rice and carrot as your own dog food. Your dog will thank you for it.
If you decide to go the commercial route, try and choose a good premium dog food since it contains more energy and protein than an economy brand. Unfortunately not all dog food brands contain high quality and natural ingredients, so always check the label. It is best if you seek advice from your veterinarian before deciding on which dog food to feed your dog or puppy. He will know your dog’s dietary needs and you will find that veterinary offices and feed stores often carry excellent and natural dog food.
All Natural Dog Food
Many natural dog foods contain only fresh, natural and wholesome ingredients for your dog. Not only are the protein ingredients digestible, but the carbohydrates in the dog food are digestible. Natural dog food has 100% nutritional value which is important for healthy strong dogs. Chicken, egg and fish are examples of protein that is provided in natural dog food. There are also ingredients in natural dog food that really help the health of your dog’s skin and also your dog’s coat. One of the main draw backs of natural dog food is that it has a shorter shelf life and may spoil before it is used.
Dried Dog Food
A good high quality dry dog food will work out to be more economical than the generic brands even though they cost more per pound. A vast majority of dog owners go for dry dog food for its convenience and ease of storage. The cheaper dry dog foods are made from soybean, corn or rice, while many premium dry dog foods are made with all-natural, human-grade ingredients.
Vegetarian dog foods
There are dog foods specially formulated for dogs that are allergic to wheat, corn, and/or chicken. There are also vegetarian dog foods marketed to owners who do not want their dogs to consume meat products. Most vegetarian dog foods use soy as a protein source. If your dog has allergies consult your vet before putting him on a specialized diet.
Conclusion
Overall it’s usually best to let dogs enjoy dog food and not our food, even though they may prefer what we’re eating! Of course you can feed your dog treats from time to time, every dog needs some TLC from time to time!
David Amos is a dog lover and long time dog owner. For more information about dog food click Dog Food and for more about dog care and keeping your dog happy and healthy click Top Dogs Online
Training a Golden Retriever Puppy – Basic Training Information You Should Know
Is your new golden retriever driving you crazy? Do you find yourself wondering what he will do next? I know how frustrating it can be to come home wondering if the inside of your home looks like a tornado went through it. Its a good thing they are so cute!
The good news is that training a golden retriever puppy, is something that you can easily do in your own home. Believe it or not, golden retrievers have a very strong desire to please you, and love to be praised in return. So, when training a golden retriever puppy, you will want to praise him a lot when he does something good, such as come when hes called. If you do this, you will find that he will want to please you so he will continue to do things that you praise him for. Remember, you should scold him when he does something wrong to. Just a stern “no” is all you need. It may take a few times, but your puppy will begin to understand that is not what you want him to do, and will not do it. You can also give your puppy a small treat when he dose something good, but try not to over feed him as golden retrievers are prone to obesity and heart disease
A good tip to follow when training a golden retriever puppy, is to keep them active. Retrievers are a very intelligent breed, and they love to be active. If you keep them active, you will notice that they will be more attentive when you are training them. They also love water, and swimming is great for a puppy, as it helps build strong muscles without stressing the bones which are fragile in puppys. The great thing about training is your dog will be very obedient, and you will be proud to show him off. If you are interested in training a golden retriever puppy and would like more information check out http://www.squidoo.com/trainingagoldenretrieverpuppy
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The Golden Retriever’s Grooming Needs
Despite their beautiful, medium-long coats, Golden Retrievers actually do not require extensive grooming. Their coats do not matt easily and they do not need to be bathed as frequently as other breeds of dog – unless, of course, they roll in the garbage! They are known to be heavy shedders so frequent brushing is a must.
The Golden Retriever’s coat varies from white-blond to reddish-blond and is usually shiny and soft. Regular brushing will help keep the coat’s sheen at its best and will also help stimulate the flow of blood to the skin. Brushing can be done as little as once weekly and as often as daily; your dog will enjoy the experience. If you pay attention to your dog’s coat, you will get a feel for specifically how often he or she needs to be brushed.
Dry bathing regularly will help keep your Golden Retriever’s coat healthy and clean. Normal baths should be saved for dealing with messes such as mud, or given every three or four months. Water bathing can strip essential oils from your dog’s coat and lead to dry or irritated skin. Show Goldens are usually blow-dried with a brush so that their coat is silky and straight, but this is not necessary for casual grooming or for the household pet.
Other than brushing and dry bathing, there is very little that needs to be done to keep your Golden Retriever’s coat in tip top shape. However, you will need to perform the occasional trim. The hair on your dog’s ears will usually grow very quickly. For his or her comfort and for aesthetic reasons, it is a good idea to trim this hair every so often. Thinning shears or a texturizer (available at
most pet or beauty supply stores) are ideal for this task, as they only trim a reasonable amount of hair, allowing your dog’s floppy ears to stay furry, but not overgrown.
The soft, fluffy fur behind this breed’s legs can also use a trim from time to time. This hair is of a different texture and is prone to catching debris and brambles, which can be uncomfortable and lead to matting or skin irritation. Show dogs will need to be trimmed more precisely, but the home groomer can take the same thinning shears to this hair quite easily themselves.
The Golden Retriever’s tail fur grows extremely quickly, as well, and can get quite long. This hair is similar in texture to the hair on the back of the legs and is also likely to pick up dirt, leaves, and other debris. Keeping this hair brushed and trimmed can help you avoid other problems down the road as well as keep your house a bit cleaner.
All in all, grooming a Golden Retriever is remarkably easy for a dog with such a long, thick coat! Just a couple of brushings a week should keep your Retriever’s coat in proper condition; healthy, shiny and thick. I think that most Retriever owners will find their Retriever will love brushing and view it as their pampering time.
This article was written by John Jackson and has been contributed by http://www.greatdogsite.com. For more information on the Golden Retriever, please visit our page http://www.greatdogsite.com/breeds/details/Golden_Retriever/.
How to Introduce Two Dogs
Human beings are bound by certain social rules and etiquettes. Dogs are too, however, their rules are entirely different from our rules. For example, it is rare that one person meets another person and within seconds begins a violent fight. This behavior, however, is very common with our canine friends. Introducing two dogs in public is an art and an exercise in training and control. You must be prepared if you are going to avoid not only dog fights, but if you are to steer clear of dog illnesses and other problems when introducing two dogs.
When I have my dogs in public the first rule I live by is ‘assume the worst’. What I mean by this is that I assume that most other dogs out there are ill-behaved and not dog friendly. I know this sounds extreme and perhaps rude but honestly, am I that far off? If you assume this position you will be correct a majority of the time. Most dogs in public are poorly trained and poorly socialized and shouldn’t be counted on to automatically get along with your dog.
So how do you go about introducing two dogs with such assumptions? The short answer is, I don’t. When I am in public, generally speaking, I keep my dogs separate from other dogs I encounter. Do I know if the approaching dog is current with his shots, do I know if the other dog is dog aggressive? The answer is no. Why would I introduce my dog into such an unknown situation where he could get injured from a fight or sick from an illness?
The next assumption I typically make is ‘assume the other dog owner knows nothing about dogs’. When I approach another dog owner on the street or in a park I often find that they are eager to have their dog meet both my dog and me. I often hear comforting words such as, “Oh, he’s fine with other dogs,” or, “It’s ok, he’s friendly.” Well the truth is that maybe their dog has been friendly with a few dogs but who is to say that their dog will be friendly with my dog? I was once walking with a client and their dog down a path in the woods when along came a beautiful Airedale Terrier. As we approached the owner of the terrier called out, “He’s friendly!” following which the dog immediately proceeded to lunge at the leash while barking quite aggressively, obviously looking for a fight. Both I and my client’s dog barely missed being bit as the other owner was nearly pulled over. Ever since this experience, and many similar ones, I have realized that I can’t trust the judgment of other dog owners.
As a result of this style of thinking I religiously avoid dog parks. They are the bane of the dog world and should be avoided at all costs. They are a recipe for disease and fighting. You would be wise to avoid these settings.
Am I being too much of an extremist? No, I don’t think so. In doing this I am almost guaranteeing a safe outing everywhere I go. You may be asking, “But what about socialization? Shouldn’t my dog learn to get along with other dogs?” The answer is yes, but only under controlled settings.
I am very careful about the children that my young daughter meets. I try to avoid having her meet kids who are bullies or sick. Why wouldn’t I do the same for my dog? Whenever I allow my dogs to meet new dogs I do so only when the situation is controlled.
So what is a controlled situation? It could be a variety of settings, but typically a controlled situation is one where I am familiar with the other dog owner, familiar with the other dog and feel that said owner can control said dog. A controlled situation finds both dogs on leash and under control. When introducing two dogs I am always confident that I can control my dog so I need to make sure I partner up with someone else who can also control their dog. With all of these ducks in a row I am ready to introduce my dog to the other dog.
As I said, both dogs are on leash so the first step is allowing the other dogs to be near each other to see initial reactions. I will have my dog about 10 feet from the other dog. If either of the two begins to show aggression I know that maybe this is not a potential friendship. If they are okay at this distance I proceed. One dog remains stationary, preferably in the ‘sit’ command, while the other dog is walked by at a distance of 5-6 feet. The moving dog is then asked to sit while the other walks 5-6 away. Everybody still okay? Good, let’s keep going. Now I put my dog in the heel position on my left hand side while the other owner puts her dog on her left hand side. From here we walk past each other head on. By walking head on with our dogs on our left hand sides and under control the dogs are still separated by our bodies and still haven’t come in contact with each other. At this point, however, each dog has seen the other from a variety of angles and from a variety of potentially threatening and non-threatening positions. If they are still okay you can keep going. Obviously if they have shown aggression at any point you should stop the session.
The next step is the actual introduction. Each owner should approach the other, each dog should be preferably in the heel position. At about 3-4 feet from each other the owners should have their dogs sit by their sides. If everyone is still all right the owners should release the dogs from the sit position and slowly allow the dogs to start sniffing. After a few seconds each owner leads his or her dog away from each other and walks in the opposite direction. Do a U-turn and return to each others proximity. Come back to a halt again 3-4 feet away from each other and repeat the process. Do this several times, each time allowing the dogs to sniff each other for a bit longer period. At this stage it is important to look for tell-tale signs. If the hair on the back of one dog goes straight up lead that dog away and go even slower with the introductions. Watch for other signs such as the lips being lifted, growling, or other very tense behavior.
It is important to keep your dogs on leash. If a fight were to break out both owners could immediately drag each dog apart from each other. If when you introduce two dogs like this and everyone is still okay you can gradually give the dogs more and more freedom and allow them to play even more.
As with all dog training, use common sense. Watch for signs in your dog. Introducing two dogs can be fun, but you must always exercise caution.
Ty Brown is a leading dog training authority with numerous radio and television appearances to his credit. Visit www.dogbehavioronline.com to view free articles and for more puppy resources and check out his dog training business.
Good Dog Training Collars Can Make Difference
Dog training collars are obviously necessary and very effective tools in dog training. The dog’s collar is the point of physical control that the trainer uses to make contact with the dog. There are many different training methods and styles used by professional trainers and as a result there are many different types of training collars. A quick check of on line pet supply retailers will find even more collars available in the market. You will find that each one has its own unique set of features that makes them ideal for specific types of training.
The standard variety, like leather or strong nylon is most advisable when simply training a dog to do basic stuff such as sit, jump, or stay. This is dependent of course on the size of the dog. Nylon collars are ideal for smaller dogs. Leather collars are ideal for bigger dog breeds. Nowadays, those who want to train their pet dogs for simple everyday commands even have the option to choose embellished collars. But for dog training, high quality collars should be given more preference.
Basic choke collars are one of the best dog training collars around. Choke collars give the trainer instant correction and control by tightening the collar around the dog’s neck. During the training session when the dog is behaving in the proper manner, or obedient in following commands, the collar stays loose and comfortable around the dog’s neck. In the event however that the dog starts misbehaving or commits a training mistake, the trainer can easily tighten the collar as a way of correction. This technique communicates to the dog the proper response to a command.
Prong collars, or pinch collars are another widely used dog training collars by professional trainers. This kind of collar has dulled tips on the collar surface touching the dog’s neck. Like the choke collar, the trainer can control the tightening and loosening of the collar. As a way of correction, the trainer will pull the collar and the blunted tips will tighten around the dog’s neck, without piercing his skin. It is important however to maintain caution in using these collars. There is a thin line between constructive correction and animal abuse. This type of collar should really be left to the professional trainer or handler.
Electronic and citronella training collars are very popular with many dog trainers. They are especially useful in correcting dog behavior when the dog is not on a lead. It is also very effective in aversion training like that used to train hunting dogs to avoid rattlesnakes and porcupines. The remote controls on this type of collar has the ability to make corrections from as far away as one mile. Correction is accomplished through either electronic stimulation or a spray of citronella once the command is given via the remote control. These collars also have a tone feature where the handler can communicate with the dog by sending a set of tone commands to either approve of a behavior or to warn the dog to correct its behavior prior to receiving stimulation.
No matter what training methods are employed by the trainer a quality dog training collar will be required to achieve the training goals. Wisdom and discernment should always be used when using any training collar. Failure to do so may result in unwanted behaviors or even physical damage to the dog’s health.
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The Golden Retriever — Versatile and Devoted Companion
The Golden Retriever is one of the most versatile dog breeds known to man. Their intelligence and versatility sees them employed in a variety of roles including illegal drug detection, search and rescue, as hunting dog, as guide dog for the blind, as therapy dog, and as a service dog for the disabled. Its friendly, eager-to-please and patient demeanor has made it one of the most popular family dogs in the world. The Golden Retriever has an endless number of positive attributes when being considered as a family pet. They are also very competitive in agility and other performance events.
Golden Retriever puppy are known to be very playful and very friendly and making it the best choice for kids of all ages. While young children should always be supervised when playing with any dog, the Golden Retriever is remarkably accepting of children’s sudden and often random movements or behaviors. Friendly with everyone, including other dogs, the Golden Retriever has very little, if any, guarding instincts. They are a fairly robust and healthy dog breed that can be expected to live for 10 to 14 years.
This is a large breed of dogs. Male Goldens are fairly large and stand 23 to 24 inches tall at shoulder height and weigh from 65 to 75 pounds. Females are smaller and stand 21.5 to 22.5 inches tall at shoulder height and weigh from 55 to 65 pounds. He has a double coat â?? the outer coat is water-repellent and the undercoat is dense and soft in texture. The coat varies from white-blond to reddish-blond and is usually shiny and soft. The double-coat sheds seasonally and needs regular brushing. Brushing will help him maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats and help you keep a closer eye on his health and strengthen your emotional bond with him.
Golden Retrievers are particularly valued for their high level of sociability towards people, calmness, and willingness to learn. The Golden Retriever puppies are particularly easy to train. They are very sensitive to harsh treatment, so excessive strictness is not recommended. They learn very quickly and enjoy pleasing their masters, so obedience training can be fun. They can learn many tricks and will remember what they are taught for the rest of their lives. They have been known to suffer from separation anxiety and can become very lonely if left alone for extended periods of time.
They are not a dog that barks all the time, but do bark when startled making them poor guard dogs. Although they are more than likely to defend their loved ones in a life-threatening situation, they are not by nature suspicious of strangers or protective, which also makes them unsuited to any sort of guard work. They tend to bark as a form of greeting. They exude charm and confidence. They are sweet, eager to please, and devoted family companions. They need interaction and stimulation. The stimulation is good for your bonding, as well as incorporating the dog into your family. Golden Retriever can be the best addition into the family if you have the time to spend with this devoted companion.
For more information about Golden Retriever puppy,please visit : http://www.pets4you.com .