Teach Your Dog To Behave

Dog Training, Tips, Tricks, and Plenty of Good Advice

Some Cute Dog Quotes

  • The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. ~Anonymous
  • Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful. ~Ann Landers
  • If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. ~Will Rogers
  • There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. ~Ben Williams
  • A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. ~Josh Billings
  • The average dog is a nicer person than the average person. ~Andy Rooney
  • We give dogs time we can spare, space we ca! n spa r e and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It’s the best deal man has ever made. ~M. Acklam
  • Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate. ~Sigmund Freud
  • I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult. ~Rita Rudner
  • A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down. ~Robert Benchley
  • Anybody who doesn’t know what soap tastes like never washed a dog. ~Franklin P. Jones
  • If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons. ~James Thurber
  • If your dog is fat, you aren’t getting enough exercise. (OOPS!! I was wondering about that!) ~Unknown
  • My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That’s almost $21.00 in dog money. ~Joe Weinstein
  • Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul — chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we’re the greatest hunters on earth! ~Anne Tyler
  • Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. ~Robert A. Heinlein
  • If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man. ~Mark Twain
  • You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘Wow, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!’ ~Dave Barry
  • Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras
  • If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them. ~Phil Pastoret
  • My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am. ~Unknown

A Horoscope For Your Dog?

Here’s something fun for all of you astrology buffs!

Dogs have feelings too, and are perhaps more in tune with the natural forces than humans. So why shouldn’t the potent influence of the celestial forces have just as much impact on their furry little lives? Most of the symbols of astrology are based on animals anyway. If you need proof, just watch your dog’s behavior around the full moon. They often feel it even more than humans. Using the time-tested principles of astrology, we hope our dogscopes will bring you and your furry friend even closer together.

  • Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

This feisty firedog gives new literal meaning to the saying “crash and burn.” Here’s a Personality Snapshot:

The Aries dog wants to be the first dog to do everything.
The Aries dog is both macho and heroic.
The Aries dog hates to be kept waiting.
The Aries dog wants it his way and right away.
The Aries dog has a lot of chutzpah.
The Aries dog jumps in face first.

  • Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20)

Your Taurus teddy bear likes to move in the slow lane, is a good listener and will never let you down. Here’s a Personality Snapshot:

Taurus lives for the good life.
Taurus is the supreme listener and will never get tired of listening to the same stories over and over again.
Taurus is the guru of patience.
Taurus knows that good food comes to those who wait.
Taurus will never let you down.
Taurus is the consummate couch potato.
Taurus cannot be bullied into changing his position on things.
Taurus loves steady routine.
Taurus knows there is nothing worth rushing for.
Taurus needs a slow tempo and a large dog bowl.

  • Gemini (May 21 – Jun 21)

The Gemini pup is the Paris Hilton of the dog world — the ultimate trendsetter, wants to be in the know and is eternally youthful. Here’s a Personality Snapshot:

The Gemini dog wants to run around town with you.
The Gemini dog needs to be in the know.
The Gemini dog wants you to be their twin.
The Gemini dog loves newspapers, magazines, and TV.
The Gemini dog is eternally youthful.
The Gemini dog likes to play games with you and trick you.
The Gemini dog is the ultimate trendsetter of the zoo-diac.

  • Cancer (Jun 22 – Jul 22)

There’s no place like home for this sensitive pup and being “mommied” is what this cuddle bug needs most. Here’s a Personality Snapshot:

Cancer dogs need to be cuddled.
Cancer dogs need to be mommied.
Cancer doggies say “home is where the heart is.”
Cancers dogs need home-cooked food.
Cancer dogs need you to remember their birthday and your anniversary.
Cancer dogs have memories like an elephant-they never forget.
Cancer dogs are extremely sensitive to harsh words-so speak sweetly and softly.
Cancer dogs don’t always like other dogs unless they’re equally as sensitive.

  • Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

If anyone should be dripping with diamonds, it’s your super-glam furry Goddess. Leo dogs live for the limelight and a 5-star lifestyle. Here’s a Personality Snapshot:

The Leo dog needs an audience.
The Leo dog lives for the limelight.
The Leo dog loves affection, attention, praise and a big fan club.
The Leo dog needs to live a 5-star lifestyle like the royalty she is.
The Leo dog needs to be adored.
The Leo dog needs to rule your world.

  • Virgo (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

A clean environment and a simple life is all that the Virgo dog needs to stay happy. Here’s a Personality Snapshot:

The Virgo dog needs a clean dog dish.
The Virgo dog wants the vitamin supplements.
The Virgo dog loves a minimalist environment to keep his mind uncluttered.
The Virgo dog wants a simple life.
The Virgo dog loves order and routine.
The Virgo dog likes things pristine.
The Virgo dog worries when things get chaotic.

  • Libra (Sept 23 – Oct 22)

This partner-oriented pooch is the most optimistic of all the signs — everything is beautiful, peaceful and balanced. Here’s a Personality Snapshot:

The Libra dog loves to have an equal partner to do everything with.
The Libra dog has an innate sense of fair play.
The Libra dog loves all things beautiful.
The Libra dog needs the scales to be perfectly balanced.
The Libra dog needs social events with beautiful pooches and people.
The Libra dog needs peace at any price. The Libra dog is all sweetness and light.
The Libra dog needs attention.
The Libra dog needs to please others.
The Libra dog needs charm.

  • Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

This dog is intense! Scorpio pups like high intensity, loyalty and can see right through your every motive. Here’s a Personality Snapshot:

The Scorpio dog demands loyalty.
The Scorpio dog is all or nothing.
The Scorpio dog sees right through your every motive.
The Scorpio dog wants all the dirt.
The Scorpio dog needs you to go to hell and back to prove your love.
The Scorpio dog needs lots of reassurance that you’re eternally devoted.
The Scorpio dog needs the intensity level turned up.

  • Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Fun-loving, goofy, clumsy and adventurous are just a few of the terms used to describe this free-spirit! Here’s a Personality Snapshot:

The Sagittarius dog needs the open air convertible rides.
The Sagittarius dog needs constant excitement and greener pastures.
The Sagittarius dog needs to bark it like it is.
The Sagittarius dog needs positivity and joy.
The Sagittarius dog needs the carnival and the parades.
The Sagittarius dog needs rainbows to chase and dreams to dream.
The Sagittarius dog needs to travel long distances.
The Sagittarius dog needs freedom.
The Sagittarius dog loves to explore, know and understand.

  • Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

What some consider to be the corporate fat cat of the canine world, this dog needs your respect, to be in control, to feel accomplished and plenty of money in the bank. Here’s a Personality Snapshot:

The Capricorn dog needs to feel very accomplished.
The Capricorn dog needs to feel in control.
The Capricorn dog needs a sense of status.
The Capricorn dog needs a fat bank account.
The Capricorn dog needs security and simplicity.
The Capricorn dog needs to feel like the head honcho.
The Capricorn dog needs respect.

  • Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

This dog will definitely shake up your life with an eccentric, erratic and high-strung personality. Here’s a Personality Snapshot:

The Aquarius dog needs to shake up the status quo.
The Aquarius dog wants a wild troupe of doggie and people friends.
The Aquarius dog needs dreams and goals to chase.
The Aquarius dog likes to experiment and come up with new crazy inventions.
The Aquarius dog likes to shock your socks off.
The Aquarius dog wants freedom at all cost.
The Aquarius dog loves surprises.

  • Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

The dreamer of the zodiacs, this pooch often lives in fantasy land, thriving on chaos and living in a very imaginative world. Here’s a Personality Snapshot:

The Pisces dog loves to escape reality.
The Pisces dog could sleep for 3 days straight.
The Pisces dog lives in their own fairy tale world.
The Pisces dog thrives in chaos.
The Pisces dog is here to give unconditional love and compassion.
The Pisces dog is a psychic sponge and will absorb all the energy in the home.
The Pisces dog takes on all of your mannerisms.
The Pisces dog empathizes with everyone.
The Pisces dog wants to merge with everyone and everything. All is one.

* Note: Is your dog’s birthday a mystery? If you adopted your dog or just aren’t sure which sign to use, try the month your beloved first woofed her way into your life.

Cabin Fever

Not all dogs get out and enjoy winter weather like this guy! So, we thought it might be good to post the following article about cabin fever:

Going inside – and staying there – provides physical protection from the elements, but also opens the door to a mental hazard: boredom. A bored dog can wreak considerable havoc on his household in the form of excessive barking, hyperactivity, and destructiveness. Worse still, if the dog’s efforts to relieve his boredom prompt him to partake of poisonous plants or other toxic substances, he’ll need immediate veterinary attention, and you are likely to face a significant bill.

To prevent such occurrences, be sure to dog-proof your home; in other words, put any toxic, hazardous, or other forbidden items beyond your dog’s reach. Then, find ways to provide your dog with plenty of indoor physical and mental exercise. Here are some activities that you and your dog can do together indoors to help the two of you stay sane:

  • Fetch:

A rousing game of fetch – particularly if it requires your dog to go up and down some stairs a few times – can give him a good physical work out.

  • Tug-of-war:

As long as you are not having aggression problems with your dog, a good tug session can siphon off considerable excess canine energy. Rules of the game: The person needs to start the game, the person needs to end the game, and most of the time the person needs to win the game.

  • Hide the toy:

To give your dog a mental workout, try hiding a toy or treat and then directing him to find it. Hold the item for him to see, then place him in another room so he can’t see where you hide the object. Once you’ve hidden the toy, allow him to come out and look for it. When teaching this game, put the toy or treat in plain sight, gradually increase the difficulty until your dog understands how to look for it.

Source: The Family Dog

Dressing Your Dog For The Weather

Getting a sweater and booties to protect your dog from the elements is one thing. Actually getting your dog to wear that sweater and booties is quite another. If you’re determined to outfit your canine companion in winter garb, keep the following tips in mind.

Measure Up: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when choosing what size sweater and boots to buy for your dog. If his measurements place him between two sizes, opt for the larger size.

Prepare Ahead Of Time: Don’t wait until the first snowfall to acquaint your dog with a new sweater and footwear. Instead, introduce him to such garb well before the forecast is white. That way, your dog is more likely to don his winter gear calmly by the time you really need to use it.

Take it slowly: Don’t expect your dog to accept either a sweater or booties immediately. Take the time to introduce these items to him slowly. If you’re trying to acquaint him with a sweater, start by putting just his head through it. After he’s done that successfully and easily several times, put one leg through. Once he’s accepted putting his head and one leg through the sweater, do the other leg.

Treat him right: A dog might learn the art of getting dressed for winter a lot faster if you offer some tasty treats as an incentive. For example, encourage your dog to put his head through the sweater in order to gain the treat that you’re holding on the other side of the garment. Once he’s got the sweater on over his head, take the sweater off, and repeat a few more times. To persuade him to give booties a try, give him a treat as soon as you’ve successfully placed one bootie on. The idea is to help your dog associate these garments with good things – in this case, treats.

Source: Susan McCullough

Healthy Dog Treats

  • 2 cups whole-wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornmeal
  • 1/4 cup sunflower kernels, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients, adding more milk if needed to make dough firm. Roll out onto a floured surface to a 1/2-inch thickness. Use any shape cookie cutter to cut out biscuits, but bone shapes are fun!

Bake on ungreased baking sheet at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until lightly toasted. To make biscuits harder, leave in oven with the heat turned off for an hour or more.

Found at: Free Pet Projects

Chompin’ Chicken Bites

  • ½ pound ground chicken
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped tarragon

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a non-stick skillet, cook chicken until done; crumble into small pieces and set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, combine flour and cornmeal. In a small bowl, combine chicken broth, vegetable oil, egg, and tarragon; beat until well combined.

Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients to form a soft dough. Knead chicken into dough. Working with ½ of the dough at a time, press dough into a rectangle and roll out onto parchment paper to ¼-inch thickness. Using a pizza cutter, cut into 1-inch squares.

Move parchment to a baking sheet and bake 20 to 23 minutes or until firm and dry. Cool on baking sheet; break squares apart. Repeat with remaining dough.

Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week or in freezer up to 3 months.

Yield: about 15½ dozen bites

Found at Free Pet Projects

Tuna Melt Squares for Dogs and Cats

  • 1 (6 ounce) can tuna, in oil
  • ¼ cup cottage cheese
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine tuna and cottage cheese; beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add flour and stir until well combined. (Dough will be sticky.)

Use greased hands to pat dough into a lightly greased 8-inch square pan. Sprinkle cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese on top. Bake 35 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Cool and cut into 1-inch squares. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week or in freezer up to 3 months.

Yield: forty-nine 1-inch squares

Found at Free Pet Projects

Minty Fresh Dog Biscuits

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh mint
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, stir together flours, parsley, and mint. In a small bowl, combine water, vegetable oil, and honey. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients; mix well to form a soft dough.

Working with 1/2 of the dough at a time, roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out dough with cookie cutters, using desired shapes.

Transfer to a lightly greased baking sheet and bake 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer biscuits to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 2 weeks or in freezer up to 3 months.

Yields:

  • 2 dozen small biscuits
  • 4 dozen large biscuits

Found at Free Pet Projects

Fetch ’Em Peanut Butter Balls

  • 1 cup coarsely crushed rice cereal
  • ¼ cup smooth peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon honey or molasses
  • 2 tablespoons wheat germ

Instructions:

In a small bowl, combine cereal, peanut butter, and honey or molasses; stir until mixture forms a ball.

Scoop out teaspoonfuls of mixture and roll into 1-inch balls.(Balls can be rolled smaller or larger to suit the size of your dog.) Roll balls in wheat germ to cover.

Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

Yield: sixteen 1-inch balls

Found at Free Pet Projects

Cheesy Thumbprint Cookies For Dogs

  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornmeal
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
  • 6 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 egg
  • 3 (1 ounce) mozzarella cheese sticks

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine wheat flour, cornmeal, and Parmesan cheese. In a small bowl, combine water, olive oil, and egg; beat until well combined. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients; mix until smooth.

Using a tablespoon, scoop out dough and roll into balls. Place balls onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Using your thumb, press a slight indention into center of each cookie. Cut cheese sticks into 6 pieces and place into centers of cookies.

Bake for 20 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned on bottom. Store cookies in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in freezer for up to 3 months.

Yield: about 1-½ dozen cookies

Found at Free Pet Projects

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Adorable Cuteness

Be Merry


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