If you have a dog that you take out in the field, either for hunting or training purposes, you know the worry of losing your dog and not being able to find them for hours. GPS tracking collars can help solve this problem. There are few things as stressful to a dog owner as not being able to keep track of their animal, but from the viewpoint of practicality, there is one way to keep a hunting dog on a long enough leash. Even more so if your dog is supposed to be tracking prey.
The Concept
Using the same system found in hand-held GPS systems such as cell phones and Tom Tom, a GPS tracking collar will help you maintain contact with your pet. When you place a GPS collar on your dog, you keep hold of the remote. This remote bounces a signal off a satellite orbiting the Earth miles above your head and then sends a signal down to locate the collar. That signal returns through the satellite to the unit in your hand and lets you know in which direction your dog has moved.
As long as you remain in line of sight of your dog, most systems will work for about 10-12 miles. Once you get into the brush and woods, seven miles seems to be the maximum range. That is generally enough for most hunting situations. The real advantage is that you don’t actually have to be within voice distance to find your animal in order to pinpoint their location.
Advantages
One of the greatest advantages, beyond being able to find your dog, is that many systems are complex enough to let you have some idea of what your dog is doing. Movement, barking, and remaining in the same place all give you feedback on how the tracking is going. If you have a dog barking and remaining at one place for a while, you can pretty much be sure that the prey has been treed.
An additional perk of many systems is that you can get several collars connected to one receiver. For those who hunt with a pack of dogs, this is a real advantage. You can switch back and forth through the different dogs and track them as they move.
Antennas are available in either a low profile nub or a standard upright style. For dogs that are going to spend a lot of time in deep brush, the low profile option, while generally a bit more expensive, is well worth it as there is a significantly lower chance of the antenna getting caught up in the brush. You can also opt for a harness mount rather than a traditional collar to make sure that the dog doesn’t shake it off and lose the collar.
Considerations
When purchasing a GPS tracking collar, consider battery life and weight as well as price. You don’t want the unit pooping out on you while out on a day’s hunt. The unit itself should be light enough that it doesn’t place any strain on your dog while it runs and tracks. Each year, newer units are coming out that are smaller and lighter while extending battery life. Comparison shopping will ensure you the best price for you new collar.
There is a lot of information online about every type of dog fence imaginable. But electric dog fence reviews seem to focus more upon the moral side of the equation than the functional side. An electric dog fence uses a transmitter and receiver to help train your dog and keep them within a preset boundary. If you are considering using an electric fence, then honest information is what you crave. Pair an electric fence with a great dog door and you and your dog will have the freedom you both need.
Pros
An electric fence for dogs isn’t the same thing you see outside a prison. These fences are created by burying a wire a few inches below ground level and using the wire to transmit a radio signal to a special receiver on your dog’s collar. The largest advantage cited by homeowners is that they have no worries of their yard being covered or aesthetically ruined by the placement of a permanent fencing structure.
If you live in a neighborhood that has specific covenants, the electric fence may be the only acceptable and affordable choice. It is low maintenance and generally invisible. The only way someone else can see it is if they were around when you trained your dog with the flags or if they are close enough to your home to see the connection site for the wire’s ends.
Electric dog fences are effective in training dogs to remain within a certain boundary because they feed directly into the reward system, if the training is done properly. Since most dogs are very eager to please their owners, training is quick and with occasional refreshers, consistent.
Cons
Opponents cite the use of an electric shock as cruelty. If you agree with that viewpoint, you don’t need to read any further. The shock is fairly mild, and any good trainer using this system will let you feel the intensity for yourself.
There is no guarantee that a particularly distracted dog will be able to stay within the boundaries of the fence. Additionally, this kind of fencing can’t keep others off your property and away from your dog. Kids can stand just beyond the wire and tease or harass your pet if they are in the yard, and your pet has little protection.
The fence depends upon your vigilance in maintaining fully charged collars and a system that is working. In a power outage, there is no way for the transmitter to produce either the warning sound or the shock that reminds your dog where to remain.
General Information
All the fences work on the same principle. The transmitting wire carries the signal around the perimeter you have set. When your dog approaches the perimeter wearing the receiver, he will first get a warning then a shock. Look for a system that meets your specific needs.
Some people need a unit for multiple dogs, others for elevated transmitter wires. Dog size matters very much when purchasing the collar, because you don’t want to shock a small dog too strongly, but neither do you want a collar that has no effect on your bigger dog.
You can find many different collar types and set up directions online. Figure out which is best for you and your pet and give it a try if you find it appealing.
If you want to purchase and install your own invisible dog fence, you have many options. There are fences available in stores, online, and through dealers. The most economical way to get a fence, though, is to buy your components online and put the unit in yourself.
The mechanics of installing an electric dog fence are simple enough that most people can manage the process over a weekend. The key component–and this can’t be stated clearly enough–is taking the time to train your dog properly after you have activated the unit.
Buying the Gear
Before you purchase your kit, measure off the area you want fenced. You don’t have to fence your whole yard unless you want your pet to roam the entire area. Some owners keep their pets confined to the back yard or a portion of the total area. The amount of wire required is makes the perimeter of the fence.
Pick a kit that has enough wire, includes flags, a transmitter, receiver and training manual, and directions for installation. If you need a second receiver, get it at the same time, that way you increase your odds of getting a compatible unit. Make sure that the kit you are getting is appropriate for your animal. The receivers deliver a small shock to your pet if they get too close to the wire, so size really matters. A shock that will annoy a lab is quite different from one that will affect a toy poodle.
Installing the Fence
The first thing you want to do is locate the outlet where you will plug in the transmitter. If it is in your garage, you may need to drill a small hole through the wall to allow the ends of the transmitting wire to enter the house. Starting about 6-12 inches from the house wall, you will dig a 3-inch trench around the border that you set for your dog. Place the wire within the trench, leaving enough at the ends to reach the transmitter, and cover the wire.
Install the wires in the transmitter as directed by the instructions and turn on the unit. Take a receiver in your hand and walk the perimeter of the invisible fence. Place a flag at intervals around the perimeter each time you get close enough to the wire that it causes the receiver to make its warning sound. This will provide a visual aid for your dog when you are training him to stay within the boundaries of the fence.
Training
This is truly the most important part of the whole exercise. Each manual will have slightly different directions, but the basics are as follows. Put a long leash on your pet, and apply the receiver to their collar, with the prongs covered. Take your dog around the yard and let them approach the flags. Each time the warning noise sounds pull them sharply back towards the middle of the yard.
After doing this daily for a week, uncover the prongs and let your dog experience the shock if they pass the flag line. As soon as they return to the correct boundaries, praise them enthusiastically. Continue training until they no longer approach the flags on the leash. You can then start letting them off leash while supervised and slowly start removing flags.
Every year when my family and I go trick or treating, we always see pets in costumes. No matter the size dog or if it is a boy or girl. There are plenty of boutiques to buy certain costumes but you can also be creative and make your own. I wouldn’t recommend trying to dye your white cat or dog with koolaid. (It doesnt come off and you might have a purple cat walking around your house for a few weeks!)
This type of costume can be bought or you can get really creative and make it yourself. It is just adorable for little girl dogs.
This is a classic! Dressing up a wiener dog as a hot dog for Halloween is a classic.
Each year you can change your dogs costume. Try making our own or even buying one. It is fun for the family and funny watching the dog. For more ideas on dog costumes visit http://www.itchmo.com/top-ten-halloween-pet-costumes-3098.
Do you want your dog to be the loud one on the block? Take into consideration when your dog is being loud it might not bother you as bad as it does your neighbors. Or maybe it doesn’t bother your neighbors, but it bothers the new born baby they have asleep upstairs. Having a dog that is protective is very different from having a dog barks at a bug on the wall. Follow these easy step on how to stop your dog from being the nuisance in the neighborhood.
Step 1: Have realistic expectations. Keep in mind that it is in your dog’s nature to bark (sometimes). Some dogs are bred for protection purposes and bark if they feel threatened or if they think their owner is threatened. Other dogs are bred to bark as a signal that they’ve found something, such as beagles and retrievers. Some barking is meant to communicate a need to you, such as the need to go outside or the need to eat. When working to quiet your barking dog, just remember that there are some circumstances when a bark should be tolerated.
Step 2: Try to determine the cause of the bark. Many dogs bark because they are bored, isolated or frustrated. (Steps 3and 4 will cover these issues.) Some dogs bark because they want their owners to play with them. In this situation, you need to ignore the bark, as giving in to her will only reward the barking. If your dog barks when she sees the neighbor’s cat or hears another dog in a nearby yard, try to limit the exposure she has to the instances that instigate the barking.
Step 3: Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. As mentioned in step 2, many dogs bark out of boredom or as a release of energy. If you schedule regular exercise into her routine, your dog will less likely feel the need to bark as a way to release pent up energy. Plan on taking her on walks, runs or just play fetch in the yard when you get home in the evenings.
Step 4: Help your dog deal with separation anxiety. If your dog barks only when left alone, it’s likely she’s suffering from separation anxiety. If possible, practice leaving her for shorter periods of time and let her get used to being alone. Always leave some chew toys or treats that will keep her entertained or engaged in your absence. You could hire a dog walker to visit her during long days or you can coordinate with another dog owner to have dog “play dates” during the week so she has a companion when you’re gone. You might even consider getting another pet to keep her company!
Step 5: Try corrective measures. If you’re able to catch your dog in the act of barking, you can try some negative reinforcement. You can spray her with water in a spray bottle, shake coins in a can (they don’t like the loud noise) or grab and close her muzzle when she barks. Some people have tried barking collars as well, which release a sound, scent or shock when the dog barks.
Step 6: Teach her to bark! This step might sound crazy but if you teach your dog to bark on demand, it’s likely she’ll learn there are appropriate and inappropriate times for this behavior. Use a command word, such as “speak” or “bark” and reward her praise, affection and treats each time she barks on demand.
Hopefully the steps above have been helpful in teaching you some tools to quiet your barking dog. As with all behaviors we wish to correct, it takes time and consistency before we see the fruits of our labor. Find the solution that works for you and keep working at it until your dog meets your expectations.
This article was posted by an author at discount pet mall. A store for great products like dog kennels, hidden fences, and wood houses.
Hey, put sarcasm aside. Never mind the peanut butter, the hot dog pieces, the fancy butters, or anything else the local yuppie pet store is trying to sell you. Dogs will take pills with nothing more than your patience and their innate desire to please their master.
Here we go:
Step 1 - Foreplay: Shake the bottle to bring the dogs over. They may think they want to be looking out the front window or scratching themselves, but any pill bottle shaken with gusto will bring the most stubborn dog running.
Step 2 - Submission: When we give dogs pig ears or rawhides, we always make them sit before partaking in their tasty treat; their pill can be no different. It’s all in the showmanship.
Step 3 – Swallow, swallow, swallow: They won’t take it all down at first. Stick it in their mouth, massage the neck, extend the snout and make eye contact. You know they want to please. Make it easy for them, and take the tension out of the room.
Step 4 – Mutual respect: You won’t want to go through this song and dance for long. Dogs need to understand that their masters have their best interest in mind when medicating them. Slowly take away the massaging of the neck, but never take away the praise. They deserve the praise. Would you rather go through the song and dance of the peanut butter flavor façade, or do you want a mutually respectful relationship?
Step 5 – Experimentation: If you have two dogs, then play them off each other. The first one to sit gets the treat first. A little competition makes everyone happy. They will learn to love each other and cooperatively learn to love anything that comes from the guy with the treats.
Step 6 – Keep it interesting: Dogs will tire of the same old routine. Take it outside, do it in front of the house, or in front of a window. If the “treat” stays exciting, then that medicine will go down smooth for years to come. Who wants to live in their dog’s world? Should we be the ones jumping through hoops or should we show our dogs that our way is the path to happiness? Take our pills, fetch our slippers, shake our hands, and submit to our desires. Is it really a dog’s world? I don’t think so.
This article was posted by a site carrying: invisible fence, bark collars, and dog door.
Dogs love to chew on things; it’s programmed into their DNA. This can sometimes be frustrating to their owners; however, given the proper outlet chewing can promote good dental health while keeping your pet entertained and mentally stimulated. As your dog chews the treat rubs off additional plaque build up which can decrease bacteria in the mouth that can lead to infection. Chewing also gives your dog something to do. In the wild dogs chew on the flesh and bones of their prey making meal time quite the event. When in the home a chew toy provides an adequate substitute and will keep your dog from using the legs of your couch as toys. While there are many chew toys for dogs on the market, rawhide chews continue to be among the most popular.
Rawhide is the inner hide of any cleft-hoofed bovine livestock and is typically made from the skin of cows raised for human food consumption. The cow’s skin is separated and the hard outer hide is made into leather shoes, garments or upholstery. The inner layer is then processed and made into a variety of shapes for dog toys and chews. As the rawhide is stretched and dried the collagen fibers within the skin harden thus resulting in a tougher chew. As your dog begins to chew on the treat the saliva moistens the fibers and the chew becomes more pliable.
When giving your dog rawhide there are several things to consider about the rawhide itself. Look for rawhide made in America. Rawhide made in other countries often contains more preservatives due to lack of refrigerated transport methods. Rawhides made in America are also made from the same cows used for human food consumption so they were raised with strict Food and Drug Administration requirements in place. You should also avoid smoked or basted rawhide as the barbequed appearance is partly created through food coloring or dye. While your dog will love the chew, your carpets or upholstery will take on the dye as your dog’s saliva moistens the chew.
The next thing to consider is the caloric content of the chew. Make sure to account for the calories your dog consumes through treats and chews. If you administer the treats frequently make sure to slightly reduce the quantity of food given for the day or week. Rawhides are typically 80-85% protein, 10-12% fiber and moisture and 1-2% fat. While one or two hours of chewing per day is sufficient the size of the toy and veracity of your dogs chewing may result in very different caloric intake. Check the packaging to estimate how many calories are in each chew and adjust accordingly. If your dog does not finish a rawhide chew within one week it is best to toss the remaining toy. Dirt and bacteria can accumulate on a chew over time and it is better to be safe than sorry.
Rawhide chews come in a variety of shapes and sizes including straight cylinders, knotted ends, traditional bone shapes, wrapped layers and twisted or braided sticks. When selecting a chew consider the size and chewing strength of your dog. Large dos should not be given small rawhide chews, especially those with a knotted end. Large dogs can chew those ends off easily and sometimes swallow them resulting in a choking hazard for your dog. You might want to consider wrapped or compressed rawhide for powerful chewers as these treats tend to last longer. Smaller dogs enjoy the smaller knotted varieties because it gives them something to hold onto.
Regardless of the type of rawhide you chose there are some things that you should do to ensure your dog’s safety. Take your dog to the Veterinarian to make sure your dog does not have any gastrointestinal problems that might be aggravated by rawhide chews. Next, always supervise your dog when he is chewing his rawhide. When pieces or splinters break off simply remove the choking hazard and discard it. If your dog seems to have an adverse reaction, limit his rawhide consumption or use as an occasional treat. Some dogs have a sensitive stomach and might enjoy a different chew variety. Whether you give rawhides or substitutes, always make sure that your dog has an acceptable and entertaining chewing alternative to your furniture, shoes and remote controls!
Article submitted by pet super store a site with dog training collars, dog tracking collar and hidden fences.
Have a cute pup that needs some Halloween dressing up? Here are a few costume ideas that are fun, safe, and completely non-humiliating for your doggie. These are listed in no particular order:
1. Underdog
Who says dogs can’t be superheroes too? This one is a simple classic for your valiant pet. All this costume consists of is a red Underdog shirt with a white “U” on it and a shiny blue cape. this is simple, safe for your dog, and he most likely won’t go crazy trying to take it off.
2. Hot Dog (mustard and ketchup)
Though this may be cheesy and somewhat cliche, guess what? This is an especially adorable costume if you have a dachshund, for obvious reasons. It is possible to buy either a ketchup or mustard outfit, so this should be the only decision you need to make as far as this costume is concerned (or your pet, that is).
3. Football Player
Football season is the same season as Halloween; so why can’t the two be joined? Ladies, it may be a good way to get hubby involved in Fido’s Halloween game of dress-up, especially if you let him pick the team your dog represents. The only real setback for this uniform is that it is elaborate; however, in return for your pains, your pet may just be deemed MVPet of the Halloween team.
4. Dogzilla
This is a relatively simple costume to buy for your pet. A big plus for this outfit is that it generally comes in one piece; allowing for some wiggle room. Also, your dog should be very comfortable in this one piece.
5. “Watchdog”
Again, a little cliche, but hey, this one is probably the simplest of the bunch. A superb option for this costume is that it may be worn as either a full-body outfit or merely as a collar if Fido is a fidgety pup.
6. Bumble Bee
This costume is a little more elaborate than some of the other outfits, so this is recommended for a calm or reserved pet. This little Bumble Bee costume usually includes a cap, a full-body outfit and wings, which are sometimes attached to the back of the shirt.
7. Classic Pumpkin
The only thing I have to say about this costume is that your dog will be picked as the most precious pumpkin puppy in the patch.
8. Angel Wings (for the rowdy pet)
This one is simple: only saintly white angel wings tied or wrapped around your pet’s torso is all you need.
9. Doggie Skeleton
The dog skeleton is most likely the best show of the Halloween spirit. What makes this costume unique is that these bones are canine, which adds a creative twist to this Halloween brew.
10. King of Canines
The royal canine costume is ideal for your top dog. Simple or elaborate, let it be a royal decision. All this entails is a royal robe or cape and a crown; you may want to pass on the scepter.
Have a fun and safe Halloween with your pup!
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