Why does my buddy eat grass

Our newest addition to the pack, little Cody the Beagle, was eating grass earlier today. All of the reasons that dogs eat grass do not seem to be fully understood. A quick Google Search on "dogs eating grass" or something similar will yield many speculations however, I have found little in the way of empirical scientific fact.

All of our happy little pack here (pictured in their den at bedtime) do, from time to time, eat grass.  I am not a Veterinarian, Doctor, or Biologist (nor do I play one on T.V.) so my knowledge is a little limited but here is what I do understand:

Dogs are not strict carnivores. They are, like us, omnivores. This means they need meat and plant matter in their diets. Modern dog foods provide this pretty well. However, sometimes a dog will nibble on grass for the plant material (roughage, etc.). Grass is pretty plentiful outside and is easy for the dog to reach so, the dog may eat grass to provide needed plant material in his diet. However, I do not think this is why our pack eats grass from time to time.

Sometimes when dogs are bored outside, they will eat grass. This is generally more of a grazing than a nibbling. Our pack usually has plenty of interesting things to do when they are outside so this is not why they occasionally nibble on grass. I would certainly discourage this sort of grass eating. It would be much better to provide something else to occupy the dogs time and perhaps even exercise their mind. If you need help with this, please contact me and I will be happy to offer suggestions and work with you and your little guy or girl.

I really believe that the reason our pack members occasionally eat a little grass is to help them with upset stomach. There are usually other symptoms as well that lead me to this conclusion. Typically there will be other signs of stomach distress. Copper, for instance will sometimes loose interest in food or treats before he eats grass. This is a definite sign that his tummy hurts. He never turns down food unless his stomach is upset. Cody has been a little less active today and seems not to feel as good as normal. He also has vomited at least once today after eating grass. He is using the grass to help induce vomiting. I tend to think this is instinctual. However, I really have nothing scientific to back this up it is simply a hunch.

Again, I am no expert here. This is simply my opinion based upon many years of observing the members of my pack.

Till Next Time

-William-

William Moore
William Moore Canine Training
fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com
678-702-4791

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Dog Training Techniques

Dog training can be very intimidating to someone that has never done it before. There is a lot of information out there and sorting through it all can seem difficult. These are just some tips to help you start out with dog training the right way.

If your dog possesses specific triggers associated to bad behavior, try to keep him busy while the temptation passes. For instance, if your dog reacts negatively to other dogs, you need to keep his focus on you as you come into contact with them. This will help him correlate the relationship between that stimuli and the positive things that come from it.

 Give your puppy his own toys that he can chew to remove pain due to teething, and keep him away from chewing other items. You need to replace that with a designated chew toy. Puppies sometimes chew objects while going through their teething phase. A wet cloth that has been frozen is perfect for them during this time.

 Use the dogs name often when training to ensure that you have their attention. By using his name all the time in the first month of having our dog, he should associate his name with focusing on you. Choose a short name that is easily recognizable from other words.

 Communication is one of the essential aspects of training your dog. Clear commands and consistency are necessary when you work with your dog. Your verbal commands and body language, along with the rewards you give out, should all be consistent. Pay attention to any cues that your dog gives you, as well. By watching and understanding the way your dog communicates, you can discover if your dog is getting fatigued, restless, or is happy.

 Anxious dogs are prone to chewing on things they shouldnt. If you give the dog a chew toy and put him in the safety of a dog crate, he can occupy himself while youre not at the house.

 Get your dog used to the things they will encounter when going for a vet visit. Touch your dog gently down the sides of his body and tell him he is being good when he does not react. You will want to get him ready to tolerate the doctor touching his mouth and paws. Your friends may be able to help you out, too.

 Get your dog used to the things they will encounter when going for a vet visit. Practice gently moving your hands all over your dogs body and reward him for staying calm. You also need to get him ready to have his paws held and looked at, as well as his teeth examined. Ask your friends to help out, as well.

 Make sure that the only items your dog can reach are chew toys that are specifically made for dogs. You need to replace that with a designated chew toy. Chew toys are essential for puppies who are experiencing pain from teething. A great alternative is a frozen wash cloth.

 Understand when you cant handle your dog on your own, and use that knowledge to know when you need to call in a professional to help you. It may be necessary to seek professional assistance if your dog training is not proceeding as you expected it to. Your trainer will pinpoint the problem areas and point you in the right direction.

 Using wee-wee pads is actually counter productive when you are potty training your new puppy. The problem with the wee-wee pads is that they leak and leave enzymes from urine and feces behind. Potty pads can also mislead your dog into thinking that similarly shaped items throughout your home, like rugs, are appropriate places to go. The best option is to toilet train your dog outdoors.

 Have fun with your dog each day when training. A sense of play brings you and your dog together. This bond makes the dog more responsive to your commands and training him easier. Having fun with your dog during training is one thing, but playing and having fun with your dog outside of training is also necessary.

 To have success in dog training, you need to be able to control it with commands. You have to show your dog that you are in control or he will not obey or respect you. When walking with your dog, always walk first, never let your dog lead, as this is the leadership position.

 It is vital to train your dog when its still a puppy. Younger dogs learn more quickly and easier than older canines. Beginning your dogs training when he is still young will help him to be a well-behaved dog as he ages.

 To house train your dog, you should make sure that your dog follows a regular feeding and elimination schedule. This can train your dog to whine or come get you when he feels the urge, so you can let him out and prevent him from doing his business inside. Having a set schedule will teach your dog how to wait until he can go outside for the next potty break.

 If dogs have similar personalities, you may be able to train them simultaneously. If your dogs fight or goof off instead of paying attention, it may be wise to do a bit of one-on-one training before training them together.

 If you want to get rid of inappropriate chewing behaviors, you need to set up the dogs environment so that he will have fewer temptations. Additionally, make sure there is nothing that can pose as a threat to your chewing canine. Any objects which your dog could choke on or become entangled in should be kept out of reach.

 As with most things, and this goes with dog training as well, dont ever give up. Dogs need consistent reinforcement in what you have taught them so they remember the good behaviors and dont revert back to their old, disobedient ways they had before training. Training never ends. It is an important part of taking care of your dog.

 Do not tie a couple of dogs closely together. The dogs could get wrapped up and they may be injured. If one dog happens to be much larger than the other, the small dog could get tangled to the point that it could choke to death.

 You can prevent your dog from destroying your home by keeping it outdoors when you are away from the house. When this isnt possible, you want to provide things that both appeal to your dog and that are okay for the dog to chew on. Establishing acceptable chews toys is also about keeping those things you do not want your dog to chew up behind closed doors or well out out of reach.

 It is not uncommon for dog owners to express surprise at the simplicity of weaving dog training efforts into daily life, and how fast they achieve great outcomes. So if you are looking to change any of your dogs wayward ways, try some of our tips for quick success!.

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Dog Training Tips from Yogadog Dog Training!

The structure of anything solid, comes from a strong foundation. It seems simple, but gets complicated...especially when you talk about dog training. We tend to look at trained behaviors as being separate and taught separately. However, when a dog lacks basic foundation behaviors, it is hard to teach it to do what we want it to do, like function calmly and properly in social situations. The most basic foundation behavior is one that people often fail to reinforce. We call our pets, or whistle to them and they come to us, or look at us in response. This is the most important tool that we can exercise with our pet, yet we often take it for granted. Every time your dog comes to you or looks toward you, it is a strengthening of the bond you share, a strengthening of the foundation of your relationship. Unfortunately, unintentionally people will sometimes poison this bond. If you interrupt your dogs (unwanted) behavior, perhaps calling the dog out of a potentially dangerous situation, then reprimand the dog for the event...this is poisoning the command. Humans expect dogs to understand what they are upset about; which is the outburst or the disobedience. However, the dog is probably connecting the reprimand to the action of coming when called. Because the dog often looks sheepish, we assume it understands and feels guilty about what it has done, but more than likely what we are perceiving is fear. The dog is actually coming to fear us and learning that it cant trust us as good leaders. Each time we punish a dog by calling it to get it to come, or to get its attention and then reprimand it, we destroy the bond we have formed with it. We are in essence destroying the very foundation we strive to build.

Coming when called, or solid recall, is the most important foundation behavior that we as dog owners and handlers can work on. Most situations can be prevented or avoided by calling the animal out of it. A strong recall can save your dogs life! Most people that have problems controlling their dogs also have problems getting their dog to come. This reasons to say, that they might also have weak foundations on which they base the rest of their training. The way to begin properly training your dog is to first figure out how to get its attention. (I wont say undivided attention, because dogs will always have distractions that they find hard to resist). Nonetheless, at least knowing how to get your dogs attention will aid you in being able to keep its attention long enough and often enough to teach it the skills it needs to be a great companion and pet. All dogs have different distractions, drives and motivations. In the beginning you should practice all recalls without distractions and find out what is most likely to draw your dog to you. Is it food, is it toys that make squeaky noises, is it fun gestures or a game of chase? Dogs are simple...they will almost always give their attention and be drawn to the biggest distraction. The trick to teaching good recall is to make ourself as alluring as possible and practice it whenever possible. Often people call their dogs in a stern voice and expect them to obey. For the most part, they will come when called in this manner...unless there is something they like better or something distracting them that lures them away. We need to teach our dogs to choose us over their distractions. Through repetition and positive reinforcement the dog will learn to always choose you as the most interesting and consistent source of reward. Strong recall takes a lot of work, but it is the most important thing you can teach your dog.

The easiest attention getting exercise is rewarding any and all voluntary attention. If your dog looks at you, engage it, give it a treat or praise. If it comes up to you or returns its attention to you...make a huge deal out of it. This is reinforcing good behavior. Sure it is not something that we commanded, but it is still an excellent foundation behavior that if gone unnoticed, will not strengthen. If you reward it, your dog will likely offer it more often and automatically. If your dog offers you its attention, then you will not have to worry about trying to get it! If you want your dog to come or do something other than what it is engaging in, you will already have done the ground work...with very little effort. In fact in this exercise the dog does most of the work for you. I think the reason this practice often goes unnoticed is because it is so simple it seems silly. Another reason people dont reward their dogs freely is that they dont want to spoil the dog or give it too much food. If you dont want your dog to gain weight from "excessive treating", then cut back on its daily meals. Eventually, you can find other things to give your dog as rewards. Food is simply something they relate to and instinctively strive to earn access to. If you dont want your dog to get spoilt, dont reward anything other than good behavior! If you want a dog that comes to you when called and is very interested in what you are doing or wanting it to do, make yourself the most delicious or interesting thing in the room or the situation. The easiest way to do this is through a reward system, treat training or praise. Getting a dogs attention is easy...make it fun! Ironically, making it fun for your pet, also makes it a lot more pleasant for you. Coming when called and recalls can be turned into attention games that are easy to do and will most likely lead to faster success for you and your dog.

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Progress report on our foster dog Penny the tiny Beagle

 I am not sure if you can tell in these pictures but, little Penny is making great progress! She is filling out. I really do think she is putting on weight though I have not weighed her. Believe it or not there is no scale in the Dog Trainer Shack, not even a bathroom scale. I suppose, at some point we should get one but it is not exactly a high priority in our lives right now.

She is eating like a little horse! As is typical with Beagles, she loves food. She is led by her little nose!

 As I mentioned in a previous post, I have been using Nutri-Cal in an attempt to put some weight on this little girl and I think it is working.

She is the first dog that I have ever seen that does not like Nutri-Cal right out of the tube. I take two small treats and make her a Nutri-Cal sandwich with them. She loves that! I have been doing this two or three times a day.

As you can see in the picture, she loves her new foster brothers, Copper and Cody, here they are relaxing in the back yard at the Dog Training Shack.

The Lovely Shane recently took her on a little trip to her parents house. She did this to see how well little Penny would get along with her parents toy poodle (Benny). We were also curious how well Penny would do around our grandson.

The Lovely Shane reports that Penny did great with the grandyoungun (for those of you who do not live in the south, that means grandchild). However, Penny was very vocal around Benny. She did not really like him getting in her face and barking. I suppose I would have been vocal too in her position.  However, this indicates that Penny may not be great around toy breeds. I think they probably make her anxious and nervous. This is something that may get better with time and more (slow and controlled) socialization with toy dogs.

Penny seems to be very willing to learn. Here is a video that I made of me and the Beagles. We were working on waiting at the door. Penny saw Copper and Cody working on that behavior and she joined in the fun. She did very well for a first attempt. Then we came in the house and the Beagle boys and I were working on "leave it" and Penny joined in with us again. For the first attempt, she did great!

Penny does still need some work on behavioral stuff though. It is all fairly minor things such as, she likes to jump on you for attention, we are working on this.  She also likes to nudge you with her nose when she wants to be petted. I discourage this behavior because, I should be the one who pets her, not the other way around. But, as I wrote, all this is minor. She is overall, a very sweet and fairly polite and well behaved little girl!

Penny is scheduled to be at Petco in Peachtree City  this Saturday. She will be there from around 11 till around 4. If you are interested, please stop by the Bully Wag table and see her. 

She will also probably make an appearance at a fund raiser for Bully Wag in Newnan on Friday. I will post updates here as we get closer to Friday.

If you would like more information on Penny or on adding an adopted dog to your pack, please contact me at anytime!

Also, if you have recently added a new member to your pack, I will be happy to help you with your in an effort to make your new little guy or girl a polite and well behaved dog.

Please also contact me with any questions/concerns. As always, my goal is to help you train a polite and well behaved dog!

Till next time

-William-

William Moore

William Moore Canine Training

fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com

678-702-4791

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Dog behavior at lonely

Many dogs experience separation anxiety when left alone. They will often whine, bark, cry, howl, chew, dig, scratch at the door, soil the house or destroy your home and yard.

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Working With Your Dog Suggestions To Generate A Properly Behaved Family pet

When you choose your dog from an pet rescue, its actions may be quite a bit more subdued on the shelter than it will be once it settles in your home. With a few basic education, you are able to instruct your puppy to behave much better faster.

When you have become your dog or puppy and you have kennel trained them it is recommended to try not to place them inside for more than several or several time at a time except if its immediately or its only a after-in-some time factor. If you need to keep these things within the crate for prolonged time periods, a dog almost certainly wasnt the best choice for you personally.

When it is time and energy to leash train your new dog or pup, you have to let him know that you will be manager. Consequence does only make him afraid of you and it doesnt really correct the behavior. One thing you should do, is create a simple leash to ensure that he needs to keep appropriate on your side. Usually do not allow him to lead you. You happen to be innovator, not him.

People who own dogs will find fantastic importance in getting affectionate in the direction of their domestic pets. Beneficial encouragement has been shown to be effective better inside a coaching condition than negativity. Puppies are social creatures and really like praise. Your time and effort will help a lot toward increasing upcoming exercise sessions also.

Ensure your pet dogs are energetic and getting plenty of workouts. Dullness usually befalls an inactive canine, or he may find themselves within a "mutt rut" with a dull and listless routine. Dogs without having excitement will be more difficult to teach than energetic canines. Should your pet is in shape and content, he will be more inclined to heed your instructions. You and the pet can work or go walking collectively day-to-day.

Create a normal agenda for your puppy. Make certain his foods are concurrently every day, and move him morning and night time. Make an effort to take him out for bathroom pauses by using a steady program. Pet dogs have a tendency to prosper if they have a timetable that they can follow.

You may need to try diverse pleasures up until you determine what works for your dog. There are a variety of several puppy snacks on the market, but your canine has their own preferences and tastes the same as everyone else. In case a distinct handle doesnt manage to buy your puppy determined, consider something different.

Be sure to get everyone involved with instruction. Should you be the sole member of the family dealing with Fidos habits, then your other members of the family are providing him merged signals. Consistency is important in puppy training. Also ensure that many people are using the same key words and advantages so the actions will probably be reinforced effectively. Off of and down are two various things to some canine, so be sure you arent perplexing him.

When you find yourself instruction your puppy, tend not to perform repeatedly commands over and over to find the dog to obey. As opposed to training your pet dog to do whatever you say, reproducing exactly the same order whenever your puppy doesnt listen closely offers them an attitude of indifference. Give your instructions completely, as soon as, and require your pet do whatever you say.

If your or else nicely-behaved and housebroken puppy starts off exhibiting poor actions, including peeing inside your home, take it to some veterinary clinic to rule out any medical problems. Many medical problems could cause your dog to behave out. Dont penalize your sick and tired pet for showing you that it must be unwell assist it.

Make certain youre not strengthening an unwanted behavior. You dont would like to give your dog snacks or unique focus while in training if theyre not performing the process correctly. If you, then theyll think youre happy and then do issues the way in which theyre performing them, and they wont boost.

Patience is the best virtue in puppy training. Staying individual will assist all functions to avoid disappointment. Take into account that your pet strives to impress you, nevertheless, it can do not understand your words, thus it needs time because of it to understand everything you anticipate.

In case your pet seems stressed out or gets anxious if you are intending to leave the house, your puppy might have problems with divorce stress and anxiety. To help you your pet dog browse through the time, abandon a thing that has your scent on it, such as a well used piece of clothes. This could signify your puppy will not likely miss you a lot.

A great dog training tip is to be familiar with the entire body language you utilize. Canines seriously consider our system words and its important that you are delivering the correct concept. Speaking a lot of may also confound puppies, so its advisable to be succinct as to what youre trying to say.

Train your puppy the "Let it rest!" command. This demand is vital in everyday scenarios. Apply it when your puppy attempts to pick up meals off a kitchen table or try to eat rabbit stools when you find yourself out for any go walking. To obtain the dog to adhere to your demand, hold a pleasure in your hands (have one out of the other hands, also). Carry your hands wide open, and once he applies to the treat, close up your hand while you repeat the control "Leave it!" Then provide him another treat, and throw away the main one you informed him to depart. Continue this move once or twice, and then he will learn to "Let it sit!" whenever you explain to him to.

Can be your dog receiving almost all their essential nutrition? Like youngsters, pet dogs can get actually hyperactive and unable to concentration when their nutrition will not be approximately spec. You will find area of expertise meals designed for personal breeds of dogs. You can attempt one of these brilliant when your dogs electricity looks lower. Also, talk to your veterinary to ensure that your puppy is to get the appropriate healthy content.

Numerous owners are amazed at how basic puppy training may be put into their daily life and exactly how quickly they can see outcomes. In case you are sensing some stress and stress along with your canine good friend, give these helpful hints a possibility.

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Increase Your Partnership With The Dog

You might have go through each of the publications and noticed all the suggest that pet owners and personal trainers have given, but you would like to bust away from the worn out older ways of training your dog. This post offers a summary of new and interesting methods to coach your dog that you may possibly not have access to observed well before.

The diet plan you will be feeding your pet dog should go with their requirements and process level. The dietary plan that suits a functioning pet is not the same as those of a pet dog that lounges in your home for hours on end. Engage with your veterinary clinic about what is right for your pup and dont neglect their needs changes since they age.

Make to provide instruction to the pet continuously. Most dogs will not likely grab a new command with only a couple of attempts. It is sometimes valuable to focus on 1 or 2 commands a day to ensure by your sessions you happen to be reproducing adequate times to solve the directions solidly inside your dogs storage.

Your friends and relations, generally, will not be dog coaches. Whilst these about you may have assistance and thoughts on how you must deal with your dogs coaching, it does not always mean they may be proper. This input may be effectively-that means, nevertheless, it is possible to overlook nearly all of it if you have used time to do your research.

Do not forget that at times perseverance is key, dont grow to be discouraged should your dog doesnt capture on immediately. It will be great if every single dog could recognize every single demand but you need to keep in mind they cant. Just attempt to make sure you are mindful of your dogs emotions so when they actually do stick to your control reward them so they understand what they do was right.

You should ensure to enjoy your personal dish initially well before serving your puppy. This reveals your puppy you are head of your package helping determine your dominance. Your dog will be more likely to follow your other commands if they is aware that you are currently the supervisor since you eat first.

Consider transferring your speech down or up in a particular approach linked to individual directions, to help your puppy remember them greater. Pet dogs are amazing at being familiar with pitch distinctions, more than learning the noises in the phrases. So if you alter your sound a bit when you say a specific order, your pet will be more very likely to remember what to do.

Start off your puppy education with one thing that can be feasible for him to find out. This will likely work as a basis for even more instruction and also assist you to see fast achievement. You will observe a lot more outcomes when you are training by doing this.

Have flexibility when coaching your pet dog. Be prepared to fluctuate or modify a schedule if it isnt doing work. You might need to attempt different areas or days of working day. You might need to change the duration of your coaching routine if it is too long a program, or short.

Give your dog love each and every time you can see him. This is especially essential if you are distressed with his habits. When you reprimand him you could perform opposite of what you want to do. He might become not as likely to respond to your education. Be wonderful, even though he just managed an issue that enables you to produced.

You should train your pet to stop when you provide them with their command. Use beneficial encouragement to motivate excellent actions. When you say "no", your pet dog fails to realize how to respond. All dogs are not the same and may reply to distinct instruction.

When toilet training your new dog, always keep him over a strict serving routine. Supply meals two times a day, simultaneously daily, and get your pup out to remove soon after doing the food. Youthful puppies often need to use the lavatory rapidly right after a meal. Supplying your dog the opportunity go outdoors will receive him with a routine and assistance to protect against mishaps.

One suggestion to remember when instruction your pet, will be certain to never ever self-control your pet for poor behavior as he is ill. This will likely only confuse your dog and might lead to him not to answer discipline down the road. Samples of this would be, in case your canine vomits or defecates in a fashion that is not common to his regular actions.

Instruct a puppy the "Let it rest!" demand. This demand is very important in day-to-day circumstances. Apply it when your pet tries to seize food off a desk or eat rabbit poop when you are out to get a go walking. To have the pet to go by your command, hold a reward with your fingers (have one in the other hand, also). Carry your hand open, and when he goes for the take care of, close up your hands as you may say the command "Let it rest!" Then provide him the other treat, and throw away the main one you told him to depart. Continue this phase a few times, and then he will become familiar with to "Let it rest!" when you tell him to.

In conclusion, you would like new ways to coach your pet dog,, in an effort to crack from the traditional methods everyone utilizes. Your pet is exclusive and tend to be you. Provided that you adhere to these new techniques as suggested, you could find that these concepts will bring you accomplishment in a whole new way.

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