Dog Training Uncovered

Training your dog is no easy task; any pet owner can tell you that. While many dogs are very eager to please their owners, the bottom line is that they really don’t always understand what it is that you are saying and they have very, very short attention spans. These factors can make things difficult for even the most patient of owners, but before you are tempted to throw in the towel, let us consider some simple and basic dog training aids that you can use to help you along the way.

One of the best dog training aids that you can employ is to emphasize rewarding your dog for what he or she does right rather than simply punishing your dog when he or she does something wrong. Dogs crave attention and approval from their owners and will do just about anything to get it. If you want your dog to learn potty training, reward her when she goes in the right spot in the yard just as much as you scold her for going anywhere else. Many people neglect to include this positive reinforcement as part of their dog training aids arsenal, but that approval and affection can go a long way toward getting your dog to do what you want her to do!

Are there any training aids that we can purchase in order to help us with our dogs behaviour? Yes there are a number, and a visit to your local pet store will be quite an eye opener. Some of course are much better than others, as you would expect. Take for example dog leads. Nowadays, the experts tell us that choke chains and collars are not a good idea because they are of little benefit when training, but, a good study lead and collar on the other hand can work wonders when trying to get your dog to obey an instruction. Muzzles are another aid, not something that I like, but some people say that it help control a dogs barking both indoors and out.

Another weapon in your arsenal of dog traing aids is the good old fashioned grooming brush. Most dogs just love the time when they are groomed, and they also love having a toy to play with. Give them a chewy top and you will keep them happy for hours, and they won’t be looking to chew the furniture or get up to mischief. Another basic aid is you, yes, your playing with your dog is not only great fun for both of you, but it will make sure that he or she has little energy left to get into trouble. It does not cost anything to play, so make sure you do.

A final word to say about bathing your dog. They can be trained from an early age to enjoy this providing you use the right equipment. The shampoo that you use needs to be dog shampoo, not human shampoo, and a conditioner is helpful in order to making the combing activity easier later. Have a good size towel handy, and if necessary a leash in order to restrain them. You can make this an enjoyable activity for both of you providing as I said earlier, you start at an early age.

The Donut Dog Bed Style

One of the more traditional, classic styles is the donut dog bed. This bed isn’t the latest and greatest in fashion, and there are many designer beds out there that may seem better. However, the classic design of this dog bed is that it has consistently shown itself to be both comfortable for dogs and nice to look at for owners.

One thing everyone really likes about donut dog beds is that you can quickly take them apart. The bed includes two parts: a cushioned ring that is made out of very soft, comfortable material, and a sturdy base that is padded very well. This design gives your dog something to rest its head on and keeps him from using pillows off of your sofa or even your bed.

The removable cushion on the bottom is often very soft in a donut dog bed and your furry friend will enjoy sleeping on its warm softness. If you are planning on traveling and your dog will be sleeping in the car while you drive then it is a good idea to go ahead and remove the larger ring and just use the bottom cushion to give you more room in the vehicle while providing the best comfort for your companion.

Another great use for this pad is for those times that you have to put your dog in a crate. Crates tend to not be padded at all, so placing the bottom part of your donut dog bed inside the crate adds a lot of comfort to it. Once you return home or can let your dog out of the crate, it doesn’t take much to reattach the top ring and recreate your dog’s favorite napping spot. This ability is one of the best features of the donut dog bed and essentially gives you two beds in one.

When looking into what type of bed you are planning on purchasing for your dog, you should know that donut dog beds are extremely durable. These pads have been made in a way that allows them to be disassembled and washed repeatedly. So, even if there are accidents, you can rest assured in knowing that your canine ’s favorite sleeping spot can easily be cleaned.

The cushion in a donut dog bed may be made out of a variety of different materials, including wool, flannel, leather, and microfiber. Deciding on which fabric to get is pretty easy-just take a look at what you need. A puppy or active dog may need a durable bed made from wool, while an older dog may appreciate the comfort that microfiber entails. Find the bed that’s best suited to your dog.

There are also a range of sizes offered for those interested in purchasing a donut dog bed. This form of bed can be ordered to fit anything from a Chihuahua to a Great Dane. However, if you are purchasing the item for a larger breed puppy, be sure to calculate the animal ’s full grown size as they could outgrow their bed in just a few short months if it is too small.

Since the design of the donut dog bed is so popular, there is also a wide range of fabric patterns that you can select from. While color and design are not the most important trait of choosing the perfect sleeping arrangements for your canine friend, it can be a fun element to find something that perfectly matches your dog ’s attitude. Or, if you plan to put the fixture in a decorated room, you might find something to match that decor.

With all of these great features, it’s obvious why the donut dog bed has scored so highly with owners and their pets. It’s a very comfortable, sturdy, and even flexible style of dog bed that has many different uses. While other dog beds can provide some of these features, there’s nothing like a donut dog bed when you want a classic sleeping space for your dog.

Do you need a dog?

Once in the street you have seen it. Alternatively, you were on a visit at friends and saw it. The colleague has brought photos and you saw it. In general, it is not important where and under what circumstances it has happened. It is not important, what dog you saw. Important is, that you had the idea "Should I have a dog?"And you start to think, what exactly will be changed in your life after appearance of a dog. It turns out, that when you have a dog you get more negative things than positive ones.The dog takes away a lot of free time (which you could spend for yourself). You have to get up early and run out in the street at any weather. Then you have to wash its paws pulling and pushing your dog to bathroom (some dogs do not like it) and then catch the wet pat if it managed to escape from your hands. After catching, washing and drying the dog you have to feed it. If the dog eats the fodder, it is not difficult, but what if it likes natural feed.When you leave, you should hide all your things beyond the reach of the dog, because many of them staying alone and longing for the owner begin to chew all his stuff.Some dogs crush apartments. However, having returned, you cannot even swear as it was made of melancholy and love to you (is it possible to abuse for love?). Moreover, it was so long ago, that the dog has already forgotten and does not connect punishment with such trifle as the spoiled door or the wallpaper removed from walls, and connects it only with the arrival of the owner. Hence, punishment is not only senseless, but also harmful! While working, you will think what exactly will be rotten, chewed, crippled and slavered today and up to what degree it will be done. What will your neighbours tell you? Many dogs accompany the melancholy with howling. Not all neighbors adore your dog just as you and they do not consider that â€this terrible howl” œthis terrible howl” is music. You have to walk a lot with your dog because it was alone at homeIt is your problem if you still did not eat and drink! After walking couple of hours (in spite of what the weather is outdoor) you have to repeat a trick with washing and drying dog's paws, clean your apartment and then you can start to cook a supper not for yourself or your family but for the dog! You should feed your dog first because it has the regimen and the breaking of this regimen will cost you more expensively, than the disturbing of your own one. However, from the dominance point of view, you should take into account that your dog must eat after you. In the evening you must take care of your dog's hair (longhaired dogs should be scratched, sleek-haired dogs should be cleaned with a rubber mitten, wire-haired dogs should be trimmed, bare dogs should be smeared with creams). However, you may not do this, if you like to wash your apartment from dog'™s paws, clean your apartment and then you can start to cook a supper not for yourself or your family but for the dog! You should feed your dog first because it has the regimen and the breaking of this regimen will cost you more expensively, than the disturbing of your own one. However, from the dominance point of view, you should take into account that your dog must eat after you. In the evening you must take care of your dog’s hair (longhaired dogs shouldYou have to spend a lot of money. Forages, ammunition, toys, vitamins, vermifugal drugs and vaccines - all this costs much more expensively, than the similar goods for people. Then services of the ringmaster, groomer and veterinarian go. If you got the exhibition specimen, if you are lucky and your dog wins, you will receive nice ribbon and if not, you will get handshake of the expert and a piece of paper with the description. To tell the truth, nowadays valuable prizes are given on the large international exhibitions, but not everyone can get them, and participation, preparation and travel will cost you such sum that it would be easier to purchase these prizes in a shop. If you decide that your dog must have posterity, you will have to spend large amount of money. You should not expect that having sold pups, you would suddenly grow rich. First, you should find, who will by it. To make money on dogs it is necessary to be serious professional (not only in cynology, but also in business) or to have luck, which extremely seldom happens! What will you do if the dog is ill? There is nothing to speak about. Do you still want to get a dog?Dog is a source of mud and illnesses. The mud falls of a dog'™s paws, a spit runs of a mouth, and finally its hair comes out. Dogs have the habit to defecate in apartment up to the certain age, and some of them keep this "nice" habit during all the life. Besides, the dog (in most cases) eats not so accurately, and on eaten wipes a muzzle using you and your furniture. Dogs periodically pick different rubbish in the street that is why the dog smells like rubbish. Do not forget that after picking the rubbish the dog will feel sick at home. Have I still not convinced you?The dog has ability to spoil your mutual relations with other people. You will quarrel with parents (which are not pleased, that you pay less attention to them, than before appearance of a dog). Your relations with neighbors will be spoiled as the dog barks when you are at home, howls when you are not present, missing you, it also defecates near the house, frightens small children and old men with its awful outward. If you will get a serious dog, you may quarrel with the dear person if your dog does not like him or her. However, it is possible to a meet a dog lover and then to combine appointments with the dog walks. Your friends will stop visiting you because of its hair, mud and a dribbling head on the knees when your friend eats. You cannot take the dog with you since mud, hair and spittle in apartments of friends will please them even less, than in your apartment.Have you changed your mind? Do you consider, what all this is a trifle comparing with an adoring dog view? Then you really need the dog and it is not clear how you lived without it until now! If you can live without a dog - do not have it! Well, and if you cannot… I congratulate you, you have become one of us!

Top Reasons to Training Dog Trick

Sit! Roll over! Jump! Teaching your dog tricks might not be the easiest thing in the world, but it's highly beneficial to you and your dog. Teaching your dog tricks can help strengthen your relationship with your beloved pet in many ways. Below are some great reasons why you should start teaching your dog tricks.1. Make everyone safe- While learning to teach your dog tricks, you learn many training techniques which can also be used to gain control over your dog. Teaching him basic tricks like sit and stay can also be used in life situations like crossing the street or entering a store.2. Give Your Dog Something to Do- It doesn't take long before your dog gets bored and decides to take on a new hobby of chewing anything in sight, including your brand new sofa. Teaching your dog tricks will keep him focused on the task at hand, and will entertain him for hours!3. Help Keep Your Dog's Mind Sharp- Training your dog will keep his mind active and responsive. As dogs get older they become less physically active, but learning tricks will keep his mind active and alert. 4. Help Create a Better Bond between You and Your Dog- Your dog will look up to you as being the pack leader, and will listen to you instead of trying to get your attention in destructive ways. Best of all, once your dog learns tricks you two become a team when training or performing.5. Show Off- You can show off your dog if you teach it some cool tricks, and your dog will get people's attention. Dogs love attention and they love being in the spotlight so they will like performing in front of your friends and family. Of course, you will also get the recognition of being a star trainer.6. Make Vet Check Ups Easier- Both the veterinarian and you hate it when your dog can't control itself during a check up. If you teach it to be calm during the check up, it will make both of your lives easier, and you won't control itself during a check up. If you7. Gives Your Dog a Hobby- We all have hobbies we like to do such as watching TV or playing games, but dogs also need things to do. Training dog tricks is great to do on rainy days when you can't take him for a walk.If these reasons have inspired you to teach your dog tricks, then you've come to the right place. Dog Trick Academy and our community is devoted to help teach your dog tricks, we keep it fun and entertaining!

Rollerblading With Your Dog

Rollerblading with your dog? Seems somewhat dangerous? Well, actually it is. Rollerblading with your dog takes coordination, talent, confidence and it is essential you understand your dogs obedience level. You need to have control over your rollerblading skills as well as have control over your dog. Many are thinking thats absurd, but it is possible and is a lot of fun for you and for your dog as well. Rollerblading is not for everyone, therefore, its advised to have mastered the skill before taking your dog out.

You must consider your skill level before incorporating your dog into the mix. Several things to ask yourself : Are you able to stop quickly? Are you able to react and maneuver? Can you multitask (roll while changing leash hand to hand, then stop quickly so your dog can go potty)? Do you have hand eye coordination? Are you able to move around your dog when he runs in front of you and or scares easily from approaching cars and or other animals? Can you run in grass if you need to react quickly?

There are many circumstances to consider when rollerblading with your dog. The most important is to be confident and have control. Be aware of your dogs strength and conditioning as you dont want to run him into the ground.

The following guidelines should be considered when rollerblading with your dog :

? Keep in mind weather conditions as early or late hours are typically best for your dog (dogs perspire through their feet; if the ground is hot, he wont be able to cool down).
? Fresh water and bowl for you and your dog is essential.
? Protective equipment is always recommended for you.
? Dont forget the Poop bags.
? A leash long enough to manipulate is essential as you will need to pull in and let loose at various times.
? Its best for your dog to run on grass
? Utilize a harness.
? Keep your dogs nails trimmed short.
? Talk to your dog and offer praise

Rollerblading with your dog can be enjoyable for you and your dog. Be flexible, yet have control over your dog. Watch for hazards, such as other animals, vehicles, children, etc that could get in the way of your rollerblading experience. Have fun and happy exercising.

Jewelry for Dog Lovers, Don't Get Bitten

There is no doubt about it; dog lovers do love their dogs. After all they are man's best friend. Last year alone, in 2008, dog owners spent a whopping 85 billion dollars on their furry little friends. Many of these folks love to show off their love for the breed of their choice. Some of the most requested trinkets for dog lovers are earrings. These are usually miniature dogs made of some type of material hanging from shepherds hook earrings. Another popular item is a single dog hanging from a chain in the form of a necklace. Then, for the younger set, a charm bracelet, your favorite breed in the form of a charm to be added to the charm bracelet.

There are many companies out in the marketplace that make this type of jewelry that resembles the various breeds of dogs. There are some in 14k or 18k gold, some in stainless steel, some in sterling silver, and some in a variety of carved gemstones. These products are sold as dog earrings, dog necklaces, and even charms for dog charm bracelets. The biggest problem with most of these products is that they lack the likeness of the dog they attempt to portray. They look like a solid mass of some type of metal or gemstone. The only one who knows what it is is the person wearing it, and that is only because they know what it is supposed to be. To most, it resembles just a clump of metal.

The dog jewelry that is widely available on the web today is probably the best selection of its kind available anywhere. With prices that range from a few dollars up to several hundred dollars, how does one decide on the best value, quality, and likeness? Certainly budget limitations come into play as well. What about workmanship? It can be confusing to say the least and difficult to evaluate a product online. Pictures of the product are important but could be misleading in one way or another.

Warranties and company guarantees are very helpful indicators of the quality of the products. Companies that offer complete satisfaction or a full refund are usually a pretty good bet. This indicates the confidence of a company in the product that they sell. The customer's satisfaction should be the company's primary objective. If the company does not have a complete satisfaction warranty, purchasing from them is probably a mistake. When you decide to buy dog jewelry, don't get bitten, buy from someone who has a no questions asked return policy.

Dog Aggression and Dog Biting

Most dog owners will be able to tell you that dealing with an aggressive dog that bites is not an easy task. Having a cruel dog can be a never ending nightmare. You will probably have the feeling that you are continually waiting for something to go wrong. This can be you dog breaking loose and biting someone, or just being aggressive toward your family members. This article will give you some information on how to deal with dog biting.

Luckily you do not have to be fearful all the time and expect your canine friend to bite people that can possibly result in lawsuits. With some tolerance from your side and a lot of training, you will be able to turn your dog into a dog that should ultimately be your best friend.

You will possibly want to know what the most efficient ways is to control dog aggression and dog biting from your dog. To start with, it is vital for you to realize that angry dog conduct cannot be narrowed down to specific dog breeds. Although pit bulls frequently get some very negative comments, there can also be very mean dogs in the some of the kind and calmer breeds. Examples of these dogs are Labradors or Collies. With the inappropriate handling or abandonment from humans, even the sweetest dogs with the best natures can turn into a very aggressive dog. Similar to people, you will also get out with dogs that what you put in. You should therefore make sure that you at all times treat your dog with love and respect, regardless of the breed.

Should your dog be a very nervous dog, it is especially important that you watch them closely, especially when they are in the vicinity of children. Dogs usually have scraps in order to establish their dominance. They can therefore easily see the behavior of your child as being a challenge or a threat. You should try and teach your children to keep calm around your canine friend. In addition, you should also make your child aware that playing games such as tug-of-war can result in your puppy being aggressive or biting.

It is also important that you should never take hold of your dog by its paws or tail, especially the back ones. Since a dog cannot observe what is going behind, their natural response is to protect themselves when in such a position.

Dog aggression and dog biting can be set off by keeping up direct eye contact, given that dogs will see this as a test to their supremacy. Common sense also states that you never make use of an attack command with your dog except if the situation actually calls for it.

By taking a little bit of extra care, you can prevent a calm dog from becoming mean or from infuriating a dog that has an inclination to act aggressively.

Dog beds

Dog beds come in all shapes, sizes and materials, so how do you pick the perfect bed? Of course, the bed should be the right size for your dog - big enough so he can stretch out and not hang over the sides but not too big that he feels lost in it. Good dog beds will also provide comfort, be easy to clean and resist dirt and moisture.
Pillow Beds
These beds come in many sizes shapes and colors and are like a giant pillow that your dog can sink in to. You can get them in faux suede or leather, nylon, denim, Berber and designer prints. If your pooch likes the outdoors, you can buy him a waterproof one! You can find any design or color to match your decor so why not buy multiple dog beds and have a soft spot for Fido in every room? Remember that the bed will need to be washed periodically so make sure to get one with a removable washable cover.
Nest Beds
Like the name, these beds create a nest around the dog. Made from stiff foam, they have sides that stick up to give your dog a secure feeling. Like the pillow bed, they come in all colors and sizes and usually have removable washable covers.
Orthopedic and Heated Dog Beds
If your dog is older or has joint problems (or maybe you just like to spoil him with creature comforts?), he may find comfort from an orthopedic dog bed. These beds are made from polyfoam which provides support for your dog. You can even buy a model that is sort of like a hammock and is designed to keep your dog off the cold floor, or one with a built in pillow! If your dog needs some extra heat, you can add a pet bed warmer that plugs in, or a heat pad that you warm in the microwave - it stays heated for 12 hours and requires no electricity thus eliminating potentially dangerous electrical cords. If it is the opposite you need, try the canine cooler thermoregulating dog bed which provides cold dry therapy for your dog.

Care Tips For Your Seasonal Pests

Ahhhhh, finally the warmer weather seems to have arrived. And, for most of us that means more time spent outdoors; which of course, means taking extra precautions to protect ourselves and our skin. But, what about our pets? It’s likely they’ll want to enjoy the longer days and the sun as well, and its up to us to protect them form season pests. Still, some suggest that it’s equally as important to protect them from harmful ingredients and chemicals found in many ointments and treatments. Here are some natural alternatives.

· Top of the line topical treatments: According to experts spraying on pest control is the most traditional approach to protecting our pups from outdoor seasonal pests. And, while they begin to work ASAP, dogs tend to get down and dirty when outside and the means that the natural treatments will rub off making more application a must.

They suggest mixing 50 percent apple cider vinegar and 50 percent warm water for a natural unapasteurized treatment that you can spay on your pet daily with special attention to the base of the tail and behind the ears.

The apple cider vinegar can also be administered orally, but use caution when it comes to pets with yeast allergy, since this method should be avoided with them. Vets that prefer a natural approach suggest adding unpasteurized apple cider vinegar to your pet’s food or drinking water, using one teaspoon for cats and small dogs (up to 14 pounds), two teaspoons for medium-size dogs (15 to 34 pounds) and one tablespoon for large dogs (35 to 84 pounds) They note that in addition to acting as a flea-repellent, apple cider vinegar can also improve digestion and relieve arthritis.

Another alternative to keeping cats flea-less is to thinly slice a lemon, including the peel and add it to a pint of water and bringing it to a boil. Allow the mix to sit overnight and apply to kitty’s fur in the morning. This treatment is safely administered once a month.

· Holistic Collars: This is for pups only. Experts suggest adding eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, rose geranium, or citronella essential oil to a sturdy and solid woven nylon collar, a bandanna, or a rope collar and placing it on your pet. They recommend using an eyedropper to put one drop of 100 percent pure essential oil to your pooch’s collar each week. And, if your pup is okay with the scent you can increase the “dosage” to two drops per week. This “remedy” will repel both ticks and fleas and should be replenished weekly. However, it is NOT recommended for cats, since the essential oils are toxic and lethal to them. Experts add that pregnant women should also avoid contact with undiluted essential oils.

· More all-natural strategies: Experts recommend brewer’s yeast and garlic for dogs. In fact, they note that you can safely give you dog up to two cloves of garlic daily. Also, little dogs are allowed one teaspoon of brewer’s yeast daily, while larger dogs, 50-pounds, plus, can consume one tablespoon each day. Experts suggest keeping these “delicacies” out of the reach of your pup. However, be prepared for an “unflattering” smell, since once the mixture is ingested it will be emitted from your pooch’s skin acting as a repellent for warm weather pests such as ticks and fleas. DO NOT give garlic to cats, it is toxic to them.

Dogs Heroes

SuperDogs: When a diphtheria epidemic broke out in Nome, Alaska in 1925, the life saving serum was some 600 miles away and a dangerous trek for anyone during winter. The whole town was on the brink of disaster. But a man named Leonhard Seppala assembled a team of 20 sled dogs and headed towards the desperate town with the serum. After a 300-mile trek, through a blinding blizzard, the mission was turned over to another team, who completed the heroic mission and saved the town.

The leader of the sled team was Balto, a great Alaskan Malamute. After the mission, Leonhard Seppala took a team of 40 dogs on a publicity tour throughout the mainland United States. The dogs ran in several dog races and, to the surprise of many who believed Huskies were rather slow dogs, faired fairly well. Balto became one of the most famous figures in the world, and single handedly caused an upsurge in the breed's popularity. Today, a statue of Balto sits in Central Park celebrating all the dogs involved.

Dog Heroes: This is just one example of heroism dogs have displayed throughout history. They are perhaps the first animals domesticated by humans, and have long lived by our side. Most dog owners attest to their loyalty, affection and faithfulness. Some dogs though, through self-sacrifice and valor have made names for themselves in our history books. Their very names suggest faithfulness and courage.

Last Days of Pompeii: One of the oldest examples is a dog Delta, who was found alongside the remains of a young boy in the ruins of Pompeii. The remains show clearly that Delta was trying to protect his master, a young boy named Serverinus, from the devastation caused by the volcano. A collar around Delta’s neck revealed that this was not the first time he had tried to save Severinus. Delta saved Severinus three times. Once he pulled the boy out of the ocean and saved him from drowning. Another time Delta fought off four robbers who assaulted Severinus. And finally, Delta protected the boy from an angry wolf they encountered at the sacred grove of Diana. His last act of heroism at Pompeii, however, was not enough. But, almost miraculously, Delta’s heroism is immortalized in the ruins of Pompeii.

Entire breeds are often associated with specific tasks. The Dalmatian is closely associated with firehouses, especially in the U.S. German Shepherds have old ties to law enforcement, and the St. Bernard, with whiskey barrel bouncing about its neck, is known for saving many a man, woman, and child lost in snowy mountains.

Lifeguards: The monks stationed at Great St. Bernard Pass near the Swiss-Italian border originally bred the massive St. Bernard. They hoped to create a breed capable of locating and saving lost travelers as they made their way through the dangerous mountain pass. And a fine job they did to. St. Bernards are capable of picking up a human scent from over 2 miles and can locate a body beneath ten feet of snow. Their most famous specimen was Barry, said to save over 40 lives. Renowned for his bravery and compassion, a statue of Barry stills stands at the Cimetière des Chiens pet cemetery in Paris, and his body is preserved at the Natural History Museum in Berne, Switzerland.

War Dog: In the U.S dogs are equally revered, especially in the military. A Pit Bull named Stubby once reached the rank of Sergeant for his heroic work during World War I. Sergeant Stubby served in some 17 battles during the war and became the most highly decorated dog in U.S. history. Another dog, a mixed breed named Chips, may be better known though. He served during the Second World War and was awarded both the Silver Star and Purple Heart, after serving in some 8 campaigns.

Mythical Creatures: A dog’s faithful nature is so renowned it has taken on a sort of mythical meaning in many cultures and traditions. The dog Shiro is considered a modern day Leander, believed by the Japanese to be the physical manifestation of unconditional and undying love. Shiro fell in love with a dog named Marilyn who lived on another Japanese Island. To see his beloved, Shiro, like the legendary Leander, swam across the straits every night; an event witnessed by many. The dog became renowned throughout Okinawa.

But their heroism and devotion are not a thing of the past, they continue today, as strong as ever. In 2001, Ruth Gay was saved by her dog Blue, who fought off a alligator (possibly 12 feet long) after she had fallen behind her house in Florida. In 1998, a woman was pulled from a car fire, started after an accident, by her Rottweiler Eve. And another dog, named Shelby, saved an entire family from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Dog intelligence

Dog intelligence is the ability of a dog to learn, think, and solve problems. Dog trainers, owners, and researchers have as much difficulty agreeing on a method for testing canine intelligence, as they do for human intelligence.

Certain breeds, like Border Collies, Poodles and Golden Retrievers, are generally easier to train than others. It is worth noting that these descriptions are relative to other dogs, not relative to the world at large. The ability to learn and obey commands is not the only possible measurement of intelligence.

Dogs are pack animals, meaning that they understand social structure and obligations and are capable of learning how to behave around other members of the pack. Adult canines train their young by correcting them when they behave in an unacceptable manner (biting too hard, eating out of turn, and so on) and reward them for acceptable behavior (by playing with them, feeding them, cleaning them, and so on).They are also den animals. This means that they can easily learn behavior related to keeping the den clean (such as housebreaking) and relaxing in an enclosed area (such as a crate during travel or for training).

Some breeds have been selectively bred for hundreds or thousands of years for the quality of learning quickly. That quality has been downplayed for other breeds in favor of other characteristics like the ability to track or hunt game, or to fight other animals. The capacity to learn basic obedience, however, and complicated behavior is inherent in all dogs. Owners must simply be more patient with some breeds than with others.

Nonetheless, inherited behavior is not necessarily an indicator of intelligence. For example, a sheep herding breed, like a Border Collie, would be expected to learn how to herd sheep very quickly and might even perform the job with little training. The same breed, however, would be a challenge to train how to point and retrieve game. Conversely, a Pointer often points to game instinctively and naturally retrieves game without damaging it, but most likely could not be taught to herd sheep.

The meaning of "intelligence" in general, not only in reference to dogs, is hard to define. Some tests measure problem-solving abilities and others test the ability to learn in comparison to others of the same age. Defining it for dogs is just as difficult. It is likely that dogs do not have the ability to premeditate an action to solve a problem. Some dogs may, however, have more drive to keep trying various things until they accidentally reach a solution and still others might have more ability to make the association between the "accident" and the result.

For example, the ability to learn quickly could be a sign of intelligence. Conversely it could be interpreted as a sign of blind subservience and a desire to please. In contrast, some dogs who do not learn very quickly may have other talents. An example is breeds that are not particularly interested in pleasing their owners, such as Siberian Huskies. Huskies are often fascinated with the myriad of possibilities for escaping from yards, catching small animals, and often figuring out on their own numerous inventive ways of doing both.

Assistance dogs, are also required to be obedient at all times. This means they must learn a tremendous number of commands, understand how to act in a large variety of situations, and recognize threats to their human companion, some of which they might never before have encountered.

Many owners of livestock guardian breeds believe that breeds like the Great Pyrenees or the Kuvasz are not easily trained because their stubborn nature prevents them from seeing the point of such commands as “sit” or “down”. Hounds may also suffer from this type of ranking as well as several other ranks in the bottom tier of "The Intelligence of Dogs" list (such as Beagles, Bloodhounds, and Basset Hounds). These dogs are bred to have more of a "pack" mentality with other dogs and less reliance on a master's direct commands. While they may not have the same kind of intelligence as a Border Collie, they were not bred to learn and obey commands quickly, but to think for themselves while trailing game.

Certain intelligence tests involve the
dog's ability to recognize and respond to a
large vocabulary of commands. Other
tests involve their desire or ability to respond to different situations. Just as
with humans, there is a wide variety of interpretations as to what makes a dog "intelligent".

Various studies have attempted to confirm the intelligence of dogs in a rigorous manner. A recent example is animal psychologist Juliane Kaminski's paper in Science that demonstrated that Rico, a Border Collie, could learn over 200 words. Rico could remember the names of several items for up to four weeks after its last exposure (Kaminski eliminated the Clever Hans effect using strict protocols). Rico was also able to interpret phrases such as "fetch the sock" in terms of its component words (rather than considering its utterance to be a single word). Rico could also give the sock to a specified person.

Short History of Guide Dogs

The topic of the article was the work being done in Potsdam, Germany of training dog guides for blind war veterans. A native of Philadelphia, Eustis was then living in Switzerland where she was conducting research in experimental techniques for training German Shepards to be working dogs.
Eustis' article was widely read, but it made a special impression on Morris Frank of Nashville, Tennessee. Frank suffered blindness as a result of two accidents. Self-reliant by nature, he found his dependence on others maddening. The independence described in the Post article sounded to Frank like the deliverance he had long desired. So he wrote a letter to Eustis with a proposition: if she would train a dog for him, he would in turn help other blind people learn to use guide dogs as well. Eustis answered that if Frank could make it to Switzerland to meet her they had a deal.
Frank did make the long trek to Switzerland. After completing his training there, he returned to the US with his new guide dog, Buddy, as well as $10,000 to found a new training school in Nashville. The campus was later moved to Frank and Eustis were not the first to attempt starting a guide dog school in America, but they were the first to succeed. At the end of the first year alone, 17 people had completed training at the Seeing Eye, as it was called, and found freedom through guide dogs. The name came from Eustis' Evening Post article and from Proverbs 20,12: "The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both" (RSV CE).