GoGoKitty’s Dog Secrets

You have finally brought your new puppy or dog home and are now finding that he is not the quiet, placid little pet you thought he would be. You are now finding that he rarely sits still, is barking excessively and is chewing away at your expensive furniture. If you are experiencing this, then it is probable that your puppy or dog is hyperactive.

What is important to know is whether your puppy or dog is just being over energetic or is suffering from a condition called true hyperactivity. True Hyperactivity is a medical condition, fairly uncommon, which sees the dog exhibit frantic behaviors such as restlessness, panting, chasing his tail, and collapsing with exhaustion. If you think that your puppy or dog is suffering from true hyperactivity then it is advisable to seek the advice of your vet.

What you may need to consider is that your puppy or dog may be hyperactive because that is simply the way it has been bred. For example, Pointers which are herding dogs and Collies which are hunting dogs were bred to have lots of energy in order to carry out their work. This is why it is crucial to understand the nature and characteristics of different breeds before choosing the dog that suits you lifestyle.

Consistent training is the only way to train your hyperactive dog or puppy. In this article I have given some ideas on how to achieve this.

An over energetic dog requires plenty of excercise to wear him out. This can be done by walking your dog for at least half and hour twice a day and playing games such as fetch, find and frisbee. This is not only exercise for your dog but also a great way to keep you fit and healthy.

If your puppy or dog is barking excessively and inappropriately then it is important to command them to stop in a stern voice. If he carries on barking then pull him away from what he is barking at, e.g. the door, and give a correction such as a sharp tug on his collar. If your puppy or dog is outside and does not stop barking, you should command him to stop through the door and not open it if you are not ready to let him in. If he does not stop then you could try and kick the bottom of your door from the inside. The idea is that the loud noise from the kick will startle your puppy or dog enough to stop barking.

To stop your puppy or dog from chewing your house to bits, it is a good idea to place your valuables out of reach. Then choose a few sturdy toys for your dog to play with. In order for your dog to have positive associations with these toys, play regularly with these toys with your dog and he will then be more likely to play with them when left alone.

Using a crate is a good idea when during those times when you are not interacting with your puppy or dog. The use of the crate will act like a tranquillizer as dogs like the comfort of a confined and defined space.

After all the hard work you are putting in training your puppy or dog, it is very important to give positive feedback for wanted behavior and negative feedback for unwanted behavior. Hopefully you can now start to use these techniques in order to train your hyperactive puppy or dog.

Visit my Training Your Dog website to read more about training your hyperactive puppy or dog and about how to solve other problems such as biting dogs.

Rescue groups or organizations are volunteer groups dedicated to pet adoption. These groups or organizations take the unwanted, abandoned, abused and stray animals and attempt to locate life long homes for these animals. Rescue groups may also take the animals themselves and care for them, providing them training, medical care and taking care of the behavioural problems until they get a suitable home for them.

Pet adoption from rescue groups is a great way of providing a loving home for pets that may not have any owners or any loving and caring experience. Rescue animals just need a little bit more of guidance and stable environment.

Rescue animals, most of the time, have spent time in a family environment.  So some of the rescue animals have already gone some obedience training and already housebroken. Although there is still some rescue animals, due to owner’s neglect haven’t gone any training at all. Rescue groups make sure that animals have been housebroken or trained before being put up for adoption.

Also, rescue organizations are including temperament testing in their processes before accepting a pet into their programs. Foster families or soon-to-be-parents of the rescued animals have the opportunity to continue in observing the behaviour of animals before being available for adoption. By this procedure, the soon-to-be-pet parents can make an firm decision with respect to their ablity to handle the attitude and behaviour of that animal.

In terms of medical care, rescue animals if already old enough, may have already been neutered and received vaccinations. Rescue pets have already undergone physical examination. If there are some health issues, they have been treated while in foster care. Health problems are being taken care of prior to adoption.

There is very strong bond between rescue animals and their owners. It is commonly noticed and shared that rescue animals are eager to please their new owners. They are usually eager to be part of a loving family where they know they are safe and secure.

Animals that have experienced abuse and neglect when shown or treated with kindness become devoted, loving and loyal companions. Skittish and timid animals become more confident eventually becoming more affectionate and outgoing. There are experiences from rescued puppies to wanting to be in their new owner’s lap and following them at all times.

Rescue organizations are very keen of placing their animals in suitable homes that will be their life long or “forever” home. Pet parents looking to adopt pets go through a procedure of selection which will ensure that the pet is fit for the type of family that is willing to adopt it. If ever the family encounters a problem that cannot be given a solution, most rescue groups have a return clause written in their adoption contract.

But generally, adult pets that you can get from the rescue groups are better adapting to their new family especially kids. Housebroken and adult pets are more mellow and more patient with children. 

Adopting a pet is a good value that can be though to our children. Especially since everything can be bought, adopting provides a great opportunity to teach our children compassion, caring , second chances and responsibility. 

If pet parents are interested getting purebred dogs, there are purebred rescue groups. These rescue organizations are voluntarily run by people having deep knowledge of a specific breed. Adopting fees vary depending on the veterinary and medical costs that have been spent while they are in foster care. Follow-up counselling available too in an event of post adoption problems. 

Rescue groups and organizations provide the opportunity for animals to be relocated in much secure and safe homes. Pet adoption is a great and humane thing to do.