DESIGNER PUPPYS: Everything you wanted to know about raising designer or mixed breed dogs,
featuring The BOYZ: Prince Alvin His Cuteness (on left) and Sir Simon The Sad, Cockapoo pups.

Friday, April 2, 2010

How To Handle The Barking Dog Problem

Yes, I am the picture of cuteness, but I like to bark - a lot!

As usual, Secrets To Dog Training has an answer to a common dog behavior issue. Like most dogs, Alvin barks at strangers. Lately, his barking has become obsessive. So, I turned to Secrets To Dog Training for a way to handle the situation.

Here's a summary of how the dog training "bible" can help you with a problem such as excessive barking. This is a testimonial from a recent Secrets To Dog Training newsletter:
I wanted to send you a testimonial on how wonderful your book was, and how much it helped my little Sydney, who is a year and a half old yorkie. Thank you for your help! Sydney is my one and a half year old yorkie who was having problems barking whenever anyone came to the door, we passed by anyone on our walks, and anytime she heard something outside.

I tried your techniques with the squirt gun and what a difference it has made. Everytime I hold the water gun now, she knows that she should be quiet. I had to learn that I needed to become the alpha with her and not let her run the household. She is a very pampered princess, but now Sydney knows who is the boss. Your books are a great refresher to read and each time I find new information. Thank you for your help!

-- Mara Giampaola (New York, USA)

Monday, March 22, 2010

Your Dog's Real Age: True or False? Dogs Age 7 Years for Each Calendar Year

Okay, so yeah - it's false.

But did you know how rapidly a dog "ages" in the first few years?

Check out this chart . . . (Click the pic to make it bigger)


Read the full article at Dogster.com.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Designer Puppy Breeders - What the GOOD Designer Puppy Breeders Do After You Buy a Pup

The Boyz After a Recent Grooming Session


We got Simon from a GOOD designer puppy breeder in PA. Just about the time Simon was 8 months old (a few weeks ago), we got a call from the breeder.

Why? She was doing the "good" breeder thing (see Designer Puppy Breeders - the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly) - checking to see if he has any physical or behavioral issues.

There were a bunch of questions about his health and disposition and a few comments about the importance of gene testing. Turns out Simon's daddy is responsible for that laid-back attitude.

How many "pure-bred" dog breeders make these types of calls?