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Dogs love to chase vehicles. Unfortunately, doing so often leads to their injury or death. In some cases, they chase an automobile until it stops, at which point they run into its back end, and damage their spine. In other cases, the canine is hit by another car.

Another problem is that drivers who see dogs lunging into the street are likely to brake quickly, or swerve into oncoming traffic. This poses a serious danger to other drivers and pedestrians.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the reasons canines chase vehicles. If you’re able to pinpoint the trigger, you’ll be more effective in curbing the tendency. We’ll then offer a few suggestions for discouraging the behavior in your pooch.

Understanding Why Dogs Chase Cars

Your dog is a natural predator, even if he doesn’t seem so. This can manifest in different ways. For example, if given the opportunity, he’ll stalk and chase small rodents. If he happens to corner one, he’ll rarely follow through in harming it. The reason? Because stalking his prey is a game for him. He has no intention of harming or killing the rodent.

The same is true when your canine chases people riding bicycles, kids on skateboards, or even other pets. It is the mark of a normal, happy, and well-balanced pooch socializing with others.

There are a few breeds that have a stronger predatorial sense than most. For them, the act of stalking and catching their prey is not a game. If they catch their prey, there is a good chance they will kill it. While this level of stalking is rarely directed toward vehicles, it is possible. It is also difficult to control.

Even though chasing cars comes naturally to a dog, the tendency can be discouraged before it becomes a problem. The key is addressing the behavior as early as possible.

Preventing The Problem Before It Starts

When your canine first shows signs of interest in passing vehicles, immediately call his name to capture his attention. Once he looks at you, and keeps his eyes on you, praise him and give him a treat. This trains him to understand that ignoring traffic and giving you his attention when you call results in a positive outcome. This will prove invaluable if you accidentally release his leash while traffic is passing nearby.

A lot of owners assume that because their pets only chase vehicles while behind a fence, the behavior poses no danger. In reality, it does since the tendency reinforces itself. Eventually, your dog may jump into the fence out of excitement, harming himself in the process. Thus, you should take the time to curb the behavior.

Curbing An Existing Tendency To Chase

If your canine has already developed a habit of chasing cars, you’ll need to first test his ability to come when you call him. This is critical. Everything revolves around his perception that you are the priority. Start by testing him in a quiet environment with no distractions.

After he consistently responds to your commands, take him to a park or similar setting that offers distractions without the danger of traffic. This will teach him to ignore other things, and focus his attention on you.

Next, test his ability to focus near semi-busy streets. Make sure you keep a tight hold on his leash to prevent him from bolting into traffic. Many dogs will respond consistently to their owners at home or at a park, but will lose their focus when presented with the opportunity to chase a car. Be wary.

Many canines have been injured or killed as the result of chasing vehicles. Train your dog to ignore traffic, and listen to your voice. It may one day save his life.

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categories: dogs, dog, pets, canine, dog training, dog care

Of all dog behavioral issues, aggression is the one that most frustrates owners. It is very common, though canines display signs for very different reasons. Many owners observe hostile behavior in their pets, but are unaware regarding its trigger. Consequently, they are uncertain about how to respond.

First, it’s important to realize that aggressive behavior is natural to dogs. Though most are domesticated, they remain pack animals, and perceive the world around them accordingly.

Second, in order to properly address hostility in your canine, you must first be able to identify the different types of aggression. Once you can determine the trigger, you’ll be better prepared to “cure” the problem.

With this in mind, we’ll provide a brief overview of the most common reasons dogs become antagonistic. The following descriptions will offer a springboard from which you can remedy the problem.

Protect Family

As pack animals, canines have traditionally protected those within their group from assailants. If an intruder threatens one member, the others will respond quickly to protect him or her.

In your home, your dog considers you and your family to be members of his “pack.” If he feels you, your family, or other pets under your roof are threatened by a perceived attacker, he will behave aggressively to warn the attacker away. The problem is, many canines become overly-protective, and consider any person outside their “pack” to represent a potential threat.

Protect Home

Similar to guarding their families, dogs also guard their territories. If an intruder approaches their den, they will respond with hostility to discourage that person or animal from coming closer.

Your canine considers your home to be his den, and will respond aggressively to any person or animal he feels to be a threat. Here, too, he may become overly-protective of his home. If he does, he will treat everybody aggressively, even those you consider friends. Interestingly, this type of aggression is very rare in puppies since they have not yet learned to protect their “dens.”

Stemming From Fear

Canines react to elements that frighten them in the same way as humans: they retreat. However, if retreat is not an option, they will fight. In the wild, if a pair of wolves approach a dog, the dog will initially seek a path that provides him an escape route. If, however, such a path is unavailable, he will turn to face the wolves, despite his fear.

Fear aggression is dangerous. If a person unwittingly corners a canine, that person risks being bitten. Thus, always provide an unfamiliar dog a route through which he can escape.

Guard Possessions

Dogs are hardwired to protect their possessions. While this trait stems from the need to fight for food outside the human-canine relationship, it has carried over to today’s pets. For example, when a person or animal approaches a dog’s food bowl, he may bare his teeth and growl to communicate his ownership.

Within your home, your canine may express possessive behavior over his food, toys, and even the area in which he likes to rest. This may become a problem if visitors – either people or animals – stumble upon your pet’s possessions without realizing they have done so.

Hierarchical Order

Dogs have always functioned within groups according to their understanding of their pack’s hierarchy. As long as they know – and accept – those ranked above and below them, there is minimal conflict. Conflict arises when there is a bid for authority within the group.

This latter problem occasionally happens between canines and their owners, families, and other pets. The dog will compete for authority, and act aggressively when others confront him.

Canine aggression can only be addressed successfully after the behavior’s trigger has been identified. If you’re having difficulty doing so, consider working with your veterinarian or a professional trainer.

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categories: dogs, dog, pets, canine, dog training, dog care

If you are like me, you love your pet and want the very best for them. We provide them with wonderful homes, groom them well and feed them with what we think are the best dog food in the market today. Well, the home and grooming is great; but did you know that homemade food may be a better alternative to most of the goods you see on grocery aisles? That’s right; give the best by giving homemade pet food to your beloved pet.

One thing you have to remember with homemade dog food is that this is not derived from the leftover table scraps of your previous dinner. Some people think that the pieces left on the plates like seed, inedible stems and the like can be fed to the pet– this is not so. Unless your meals comprise of healthy and low sodium sources, it is best to serve your dog a well made food plan you have prepared specially for him.

You will need to remember to stay away from certain food when feeding your canine namely: chocolates, lunch meat and ham, sauces, cheese and spicy food. This will mess up your dog’s digestive system, and in some cases, even prove to be fatal. Include instead grains like rice, barley, oatmeal and buckwheat in the diet. Put in pieces of savory meat and other protein rich sources of food. Ensure that they are all thoroughly cooked and sufficiently cut up.

You can also take in fresh fruits and vegetables in his diet plan. Finely chop or mash the pieces of vegetables you are adding into the mix. Try giving broccoli, carrots, seaweed and bananas together with the starched ingredients. The nutrients it will give will benefit him greatly. Aside from the great homemade pet food, consider also giving your pet special canine supplements to fill in his other nutritional requirements. Always advise your veterinarian before changing anything.

It is generally recommended that dog owners should not supply their pet homemade and processed fare together. If the canine has always had a particular brand of pet food but you want to veer him towards the healthier homemade alternative; make the transition slowly. Start giving him little prepared snacks in between his regular meals. If there is no unexplainable adverse physical reaction that the pet is giving off, you can introduce the new menu by stages. Gradually reduce the dog food given and increase the amount of the fresh food in his meals.

The great thing about this is that you do not have to prepare their food daily. In fact, take the healthy leftovers of the dinner the past week and you will have several days worth of tasty dog meals you can supply your pet with. It is good to change it up frequently not only to keep him interested, but also to lower the risk of getting food allergy – a likelihood when the animal is given the same kinds of food too much.

Not only is serving homemade dog food more beneficial to your pet; it is more economical for you as well. The savings you incurred can be added to your doggie fund wherein you can dip into for treats and other enjoyable activities. If a satisfied and healthy pet is your goal, then start whipping out those yummy dog recipes and get going!

Geraldine Dimarco kright nows what she’s talking about when it comes to the advantages of homemade pet food, being an experienced pet owner herself. Discover the most comprehensive articles on Homemade Dog Food when you visit this website right now!

Have you ever experienced the warm and loving relationship you’ve always wanted to have with your dog? You can always make a positive go at it with delicious homemade dog biscuits you can make anytime you want. If you think this sounds way too complicated, read on to find the excellent and easy to do dog food recipes any canine would give their right paw for.

Do you know that dogs just absolutely love the taste of sweet peanut butter treats? It’s not that difficult. Simply combine 1/2 cup of all purpose flour with 1/2 cup whole wheat flour. In a separate bowl, mix together 1 cup milk, 2 Tbsp honey, 2 Tbsp oil with 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter. Fold in the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. When the batter is blended well enough, take spoonfuls of this and lay it on a cookie sheet. Bake these treats in a 350 F temperature for 20 minutes or until done and you have yourself yummy peanut butter tasties.

How about making a batch of delicious oatmeal snacks? Take a bowl and combine half a cup of whole wheat flour, a teaspoon of baking soda, 3 cups of oatmeal and 2 Tbsp of honey. Add 2 egg yolks and a cup of ice water. Make sure that the resulting mixture is smooth and lump free. After baking for 15 minutes in 350 F, let cool in the wire rack and cut up in cookie sized snackables for your pet.

Do you have perhaps a more mature dog with a weaker set of teeth on them? This doesn’t mean they can’t have tasty treats. Here is a recipe for chewy cookies perfect for these wizened fellows. Blend cup dry milk powder, cup wheat germ with 2 1/2 oz jars of baby food (chicken or beef flavored is fine). Roll out to make little balls and spread onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 F for 15 minutes.

Liver sounds less than appetizing for us but actually, this is a great treat to give to canines. Not only is it cost efficient, it is fairly easy to make. Chop and mash 1 lb of liver and combine it with 2 cups of cornmeal, 1 cup of flour and 1/3 teaspoon of salt. Spread this onto a grease lined tray and bake at 350 F for 20 minutes. When done, cool in a wire rack before cutting in cubes and storing for your dogs quick noshes.

If you are knowledgeable about baking, be creative and throw in ingredients you think will fare well with your pet. Apple, carrots and parsley are terrific items that are tasty and healthy at the same time. As you create your own dog food recipes, look up the food that will prove to be hazardous to canines such as chocolates, onion, grapes and most nuts.

Putting together amazing homemade dog biscuits wasn’t too difficult now was it? All it takes is a teachable owner with a great love for his pet. Now that you have read and are armed with these delicious doggie treats, commence the baking! Never was there a man’s best friend luckier than your Fido today.

Geraldine Dimarco is a writer of a number of dog food recipes that many pet owners cannot live without. Discover the tastiest Homemade Dog Biscuits when you click on this website now.