Staffordshire Bull Terrier Blog

By: Richard Cussons

Most people, especially longtime border collie owners, can attest that border collie training can be challenging at times considering this breed’s level of intelligence. Being often cited as the most intelligent breed, it is indeed no joke teaching them behaviors or tricks you want them to master. You need to keep yourself well-aware of what is effective method and what is not. You also need to provide up-to-date and appropriate lessons to keep them from getting bored since this breed tends to get bored with repetitive and less challenging training sessions.

While you diligently go on with your border collie training, be it to do livestock or dog sport, it is important that you take necessary measures to keep him safe from possible dangers.

When it comes to getting a dog breed such as this, you need to put the kids into consideration. We all know that most kids are playful and often consider household pets as their playmates. Some experts discourage families with young children from having this breed. However, if you need to get this breed for some reason, teaching your kids how to treat the four-legged friend in a proper way can keep everybody, even the dogs safe. Border collie training isn’t just for border collies alone. You, your kids and other members of the family should play their roles well for the safety of everybody.

When taking your dog out for the first-time, like when you are working on ignoring distractions, make sure that he is on leash in case he gets distracted by something and decided to run after it. Lucky if the area you’re at is free from passing vehicles, but if you’re somewhere near a road, the risk of him getting hit by a passing vehicle is greater. One rule of thumb when taking your dog out, never let him off leash if he is not reliably trained with basic obedience such as sit, stay, down and others. You can easily keep your pet from running further down the road when he knows how to respond to commands such as stop and come.

Emergency does not happen in public places only. Even at the comfort of your home, emergency can occur whether you like it or not. While your ongoing border collie training lesson is about chewing or digging, better make sure that all things dangerous or toxic to him should be kept out of his reach. Insecticide, detergent and even human medication aren’t always safe for animals. The same with plants such as poinsettia, morning glory or onion. Though you have managed to train him to respond to “drop it”, it’ll be a little less useful when he has already ingested enough amount to poison him. Ensure his safety by keeping things out of his reach.

Though many people are saying that border collie training is challenging, you can get through it safely and successfully as long as you have determination, knowledge and love for this active bundle of joy.

By Vanessa Ann Lea

People are more opt to adopt a puppy then an older dog. People believe that puppies would be easier to adapt and bond with a new family because they are so young. Unfortunately, puppies come with a lot of responsibility because like children, they are a handful and if they are not taught where there place is the household is early on; they can completely take it over and rule your family.

For a lot of people, adopting an older dog feels like a burden. Older dogs may have health issues or behavioral issues that his new owners are not aware of. It’s hard to know what kind of situation this poor animal as come from and whether or not they might be able to bond with him. An older dog will most likely already be housebroken and will generally be much calmer than a new puppy.

Dogs that have been abused or neglected sometimes have a very tough time with trust. They will need plenty of patience and love in order to learn to become trustful again. Most of the time, dogs are capable of adapting well in new situations and will come to trust a loving owner quickly. They may always have minor little issues like separation anxiety or a fear of an object, perhaps one that was used to discipline him, but over time these should minimize.

Older dogs require less of your attention as they seem to be able to entertain themselves with less activity. They are usually calmer and less aggressive as well and a more tolerant personality. The majority of senior dogs are good with older people and children although there are some breeds that do not age gracefully and become grumpy in their old age.

When you adopt an older senior dog, you are giving that dog another chance for a good life and seem to sense the wonderful opportunity they are given. They will more than likely be a better pet because of it.

When you adopt an older dog, you are helping out a population of homeless dogs that otherwise will never be adopted and will die too soon as the result of euthanasia or illness from a broken heart.

By Chris Pine

New Mexico is sometimes called the “land of enchantment”, and Albuquerque is its biggest city. It is also a great place to walk your dog. Albuquerque is extremely friendly to dog owners and provides many excellent places for you to take your puppy for a walk.

One of the great things about Albuquerque is that there are free poop bags all over the city and in nearly every park. This has the benefit of saving money for dog owners, and it also keeps the parks quite clean. The sign on the dispensers suggest that you take only one bag at a time, but you might want to take a couple bags depending on the habits of your own particular dog. You shouldn’t take many more than this, however, since you want to make sure that all the other dog owners also have equal access to the bags.

So where are the best places in Albuquerque to take your dog for a walk? Here are a couple recommendations:

1. Roosevelt Park

This is a beautiful park that was named after Franklin Roosevelt. It was built during the New Deal time period. Under the New Deal, money was allocated to city projects all over the country to put men to work. This is a full-dedicated dog park, so you can let your dog run free and play with other dogs. There is also a full Frisbee-golf course here so you can hang out for hours while your dog plays. If you’d like to walk or run with your dog, then there is a wide sidewalk that circles the entire park and requires about 20 minutes to walk all the way around. This park is located right next to the biggest hospital in the city (Presbyterian Hospital) about halfway between the University and Downtown areas of the city.

2. Other Parks

Although Roosevelt Park is the biggest and best, Albuquerque has at least 11 dog parks in total, including: Coronado Park, Los Altos Park, Montessa Park, North Domingo Baca, Rio Grande Triangle Park, Santa Fe Village Dog Park, Tom Bolack Urban Forest Park, Tower Pond Park, USS Bullhead Park, and Westgate Community Park. If you can’t make it to Roosevelt Park because it is too far away from your home, you might try one of these.

With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, Albuquerque is one of the best cities in which to get outside and play with your dog. I hope this article has given you some ideas about where you can take your little furry friend for a fun relaxing day. Make sure to read the rules and regulations that are posted at each park.

By Kathy Davison

The amazing skills of shepherds and their dogs during televised sheepdog trials have fascinated large audiences. There seems to be an uncanny, almost telepathic relationship between man and animal. But, although the performances are truly remarkable, they are easy enough to explain in terms of canine hunting behaviour. The working sheepdog is simply drawing on instincts inherited from its wolf ancestry and modifying its ancient hunting pattern to suit the needs of the shepherd. This becomes clearer by looking briefly at the way a wolf-pack behaves when it is stalking.

To be encircled by a pack of wolves is a memorable experience. Even with a well-fed pack you have known since they were cubs, there is an eerie sensation as the animals fan out around you. You know what it must feel like to be a hunted deer about to die. In the same moment you understand in a flash what a sheepdog is doing when it is herding a flock of sheep. As it runs this way and that, it is trying to act like a one-dog wolf-pack. The odds are heavily stacked against it. Instead of one prey and a whole group of predators, there is one lone predator and a whole group of prey. The poor sheepdog must do the work of ten wolves, and it is little wonder that these amazing dogs die much younger than other breeds, so exhausted are they by their absorbing work.

The reason why sheepdogs push themselves to the limits is that as soon as they have crouched down in one place, eying the sheep with a fixed expression, they notice that, to their lupine horror, there is no wolf to the left of them and no wolf to the right either. They alone constitute the primeval encirclement. So they scurry this way and that, running and crouching, running and crouching, trying to be a whole circle of wolves all at once. The wolf instincts inside them will settle for nothing less.

The hunting strategy they are acting out is based on four inborn ‘instructions’. The first says: when you have singled out a prey, you will approach it to approximately the same distance as your pack-mates. The second says: you will position yourself equidistant from the wolf on your left and the one on your right. Put together, these two rules automatically produce a circle of wolves around the prey. If you have ever watched a pack forming a circle around your own body, you will see how these two rules interact. When the group first sights you and advances, it may be quite tightly clustered together. Then, as it approaches, each wolf moves apart from its nearest companions and continues to spread out, but keeping a set distance from you. Encirclement, which looks so elegant and complex, is therefore really quite a simple manoeuvre. The sheepdog, as it dashes from one position to another around a flock of sheep, sets its own ‘key distance’ from the flock and then proceeds to fill the different stations Qf its missing pack-mates, one after the other.

A third feature of hunting by a wolf-pack is the ambush element. One particular wolf may take off on its own, separate from the encircling pack, and hide from the prey. Lying still on the ground, it waits as the rest of the group slowly drive the nearly encircled victim towards it. This ambush refinement is also part of the sheepdog’s strategy. Sometimes it will run and lie, as if hidden, low on the ground, fixating upon the flock of sheep. At this moment it is the ambusher, but when the flock starts to move, it must then become the whole encircling group again.

A final and crucially important aspect of wolf-hunting is the role of the dominant member of the pack. This ‘top wolf’ is the one that initiates the various moves and decides on the selection of a particular prey. The other wolves pay great attention to its behaviour and follow its lead. This avoids disagreements which would completely destroy the efficiency of the hunt. For the sheepdog, the shepherd is the ‘top wolf’, and his commands are therefore readily accepted at moments where decisions have to be made as to how to manipulate the flock of sheep.

By Karl Greskee

Is Rover exhibiting bad manners and behavior problems? Then it is time to find a dog obedience school for him. Even if your pup is not having any issues, this type of training program can still be a benefit. Man’s best friend loves to learn and taking classes with him can be fun and rewarding for you both.

The goal of a good dog obedience school is to improve the lines of communication between the canine and the owner. The program teaches you to rely on your dogs signals to understand what the dog’s need are. Classes will teach your pup to watch for your signals so she can understand what you would like her to do. You want to be able to trust that your pup will listen to you in any situation or environment, both for her safety and the safety of others. Classes will help you accomplish this goal.

Typically, it is recommended to start your canine off in puppy classes, sometimes called puppy kindergarten. Puppies are easy to train and when you start teaching them young, they quickly learn to watch you and listen to your commands. Classes get them off to the best possible start. Maybe you have adopted an older doggie though. No worries, you CAN teach old dogs new tricks! Classes will help you correct behavior problems such as jumping, digging and chewing. Your best friend will also learn good manners.

There are various training techniques, and the style used by the dog obedience school down the road may be different from the one that is two blocks over. Ask questions before you sign up for classes. Some schools use traditional training. This means using physical corrections to teach. Often times, pinch collars or choke chains will be used in traditional style training to correct a dog’s behavior. If this is something that you are not comfortable with, keep reading as you do have more options.

Clicker training is a non-physical from of training often used by a dog obedience school. These classes will implement a tool called a clicker. The clicker uses positive reinforcement to help your pup learn. When they exhibit good behavior, then they hear a click (which they come to learn means “good girl” or “good boy”) and the click is then followed by a treat or reward of some type.

Sometimes a dog obedience school will employ a combination of different styles of training techniques. Only you can decide what is right for you and your pup. Be sure to ask questions regarding the methods used to find out if this will be the type of class you desire. Find out what you need to bring to class. Does the trainer provide treats or should you bring your own? Will you be working with your dog on or off leash? If the answer is on, what length leash will you need? Will a simple buckle collar be sufficient? Will you be in a private training session or will this be a ‘class’ with other dogs? Know what answers you are looking for before you start calling around. When you find a trainer that can answer these questions and you feel confident it will be a good fit, schedule your sessions!

Dog obedience school information can be found all over the internet. Dog obedience schools are important for owners who don’t have the time to go through the lengthy process of training their dog.

By Danny Taylor

Once you get your new family member home, pay close attention to its personality. Is he quiet or rambunctious, reserved or aggressive? These factors will indicate how effective training will be, and is the precursor to the basics of dog training.

Use your pups name constantly, and pay attention to the tone of your voice, for it is this tone that they listen for, and will associate it with your moods. At feeding time, call his name and say “come”. This is the first command a dog should learn, and it should be associated with a pleasant activity.

All beginner dog training courses insist that this command be learned above all others. It will ensure that your dog will obey in other situations that may arise, such as breaking a collar unexpectedly while out for a walk when traffic is present.

Always praise your pup when it follows your commands. This reinforces positive behavior and he will continue to look for your approval. A treat doesn’t hurt either, as most dogs are food motivated.

House breaking can be difficult, especially when there are areas in the home a previous pet has used for a toilet. The odor may not be evident to you, but your pup will smell it and think it is the place to go.

Dogs are pretty clean by nature and most will instinctively know that their home is not to be used as a toilet, but a puppy must be taught this basic rule. Be consistent and patient.

If you catch him defecating in this area, say “shame” in a scolding tone and bring him outside as quickly as possible. He will feel bad when hearing this tone, and soon learn to avoid this area. Give high praises when they defecate outside.

In using basic puppy training, never scold when you have not caught them in the act of undesirable activities, as this only confuses them. Use the word “shame” when discovering the evidence, but do not look at the dog.

He will soon associate the word “shame” with your disapproving tone. If you never catch them in the act, they may never realize what they have done is undesirable.

If your pup refuses to come when commanded, avoid chasing him, as he will think it is merely a game and run away each time. Instead, call his name and run the other way when he looks at you. He will chase you down and soon learn this command is for him to come to you.

The basics of dog training can be a fun experience for the whole family. If everyone works together, uses consistency, lots of praise and love, you will soon have a loyal, obedient member of the family.

Danny Taylor of DogTraining-User-Reviews.com, specializes in helping new pooch owners get the info that they need to help train their new best friend. Danny, a professional dog trainer himself, leads his team of dog obedience trainers to constantly review new training methods, and programs in the market and make sure you get the best value products that work for you.

By Bronwen Shannon

What is a Training Crate?

Training crates are specially designed indoor dog kennels that have a door that can be closed and latched if you need to. This training crate is where your dog will learn go to always feel safe and secure. This special haven will be complete with a bed, familiar toys and maybe even a comfort blanket. Crate training dogs at any age is an important part of dog training. The younger your dog the better. Puppy crate training is your first step towards creating a great dog/owner relationship.

To begin with however, you need to train your puppy or dog to accept and love it. Crate dog training takes patience and commitment on your part.

Crate Training Tips

Type and size: The first step is to choose the type and size of crate that is suitable for your dog. Crates come in all sizes. If you have a puppy, you need to consider how big he will grow and make sure you factor this is. If you condition your puppy to love a smaller crate, when he outgrows it he may not be so happy to go into a new strange one, even if it is a larger one.

Height — allow for your dog to be able to stand, turn around and have room above his head (a couple of inches is enough).

Materials — either a plastic cage or a wire cage is suitable as long as you have plenty of bedding and comfort for your dog. Both types will need a secure door (a wire door is recommended) and a latch that cannot come open if the dog pushes at it. Plastic crates are excellent if you do a lot of traveling.

Position — Most dogs like to be able to see around them and feel part of the family so this is where wire cages are excellent. Your dog can view the goings on of the family yet be restricted if you need to have your own time and space. As well, if you are going out, it is a great way to ensure your puppy doesn’t create havoc or damage throughout your house when you are gone.

Six Safety Tips To Consider When Dog Crate Training:

1. Remove the collar and any leash.This is an important safety issue when you place your dog in the crate. It is very easy for dogs, especially puppies to have their collars snag and they can choke.
2. Choose suitable Toys. Be very wary of toys with stuffing or foam because puppies like to chew and rip things apart – this could then become another choking peril.
3. Bedding – Avoid wicker baskets. Puppies just love to bite into this and chew it apart. The small pieces of wicker could easily become lodged in the throats and cause considerable damage. Choose instead a dog mattress (specially made to withstand any tugging or pulling) or even a dog canvas bed that is raised slightly above the floor of the crate.
4. Timing – When you are busy around the house, cooking or tending children your puppy can create an unwanted distraction. This is the time to give him some crate time – safer for both of you.
5. Never use the crate as punishment. You need you puppy to always associate the crate with positive times. If he needs time out lock him in the laundry.
6. Don’t use the crate if you are going to be gone for more than a few hours. Your puppy will need to go to the toilet and won’t like to soil his bedding area.

How to Crate Train:

Your puppy will respond positively to his crate if you give him treats or toys. Initially place the treat close to the entrance of the crate and as your puppy becomes more familiar with the crate move the treat or toy inside. When he does go into the crate (this can take a few days), be sure to give him an added treat and praise him.

Don’t shut the door on him until you feel he is totally comfortable with the crate and the surroundings. Then shut it only for a short period of time. This becomes longer and longer until he is comfortable and happy to stay there without making a fuss.

Any dog training takes time and patience and the crate dog training is no different. Above all, be patient and you will be rewarded with a happy and content dog.

Hi I’m Bronwen Shannon and I am an avid dog enthusiast and I have been training dogs for over 30 years. Whether you are a new puppy owner or have an older dog, I feel absolutely positive you will find something here of interest. Most of all, I hope we can share a fantastic and exciting mutual interest.

by Danny Taylor

This article will give you some dog leash training tips to make it both relaxing and fun for both of you. Any successful method of teaching a dog will reinforce your relationship with your pet as well as train.

The leash/collar method is the most popular, as there are thousands of dogs who are city dwellers, and maintaining control over your pet is vital in this type of setting, as unexpected situations can arise at any time.

The type of breed you own will determine its unique personality and which style of training will work the best to achieve your desired results, but leash training a dog for the most part has proven successful in all breeds.

Before beginning this type of method, keep in mind that the leash is a tool and is not to be used forcefully against the dog. It is there to guide and correct your pet while training. Once he learns your commands it will take very little effort to control his movements.

Your dog must first trust and accept you as his leader before any training will be successful. If there are control issues, these must first be corrected or your efforts will fail and professional help should be sought.

When leash training a dog, various degrees of force are necessary, depending on the situation and correction needed. To stop dog pulling leash, tug quickly and forcefully while sternly saying “no”.

When he attempts to deviate from your course, gently tug him back into place and praise him when he obeys. This type of training teaches the canine a particular movement desired by the handler.

When you have the ability to place your pet into a position he does not wish to take, and be able to do so with very little effort, your dog is fully trained. Once this is achieved, your canine will obey you even when the leash is not present.

Off leash training will be the next step, where your body is the tool, and your hands and eye contact will guide the dog. It is amazing to see what a dog can learn, when you take the time and effort into training.

Canines used as “working” dogs such as police, rescue and personal aids all undergo extensive leash training and are valuable assets to any community. Once your furry friend has been properly taught he will be just as valuable to you, whether in the ring or out for a casual walk around town.

Danny Taylor of DogTraining-User-Reviews.com, specializes in helping new pooch owners get the info that they need to help train their new best friend. Danny, a professional dog trainer himself, leads his team of dog obedience trainers to constantly review new training methods, and programs in the market and make sure you get the best value products that work for you.

By Caroline Sanchez

Poop. Or, if you’d rather put it more delicately, you can say your dog has coprophagia –the technical term, derived from the Greek copro (feces) and phagy (eat). It’s another one of the those things our dogs can do to thoroughly disgust and baffle us, not to mention mortify and confound us in front of others.

Once upon a time, and even sometimes today, complaining or explaining that your dog practices coprophagy brought advice to the effect that there was something inadequate in his diet. Now we know that’s rarely the case. There are several suspected culprits for the behavior, and like most everything, it’s unlikely that there is any one universal cause.

One basic fact of life to understand is that, among all their wonderful, brilliant, fabulous, endearing, charming and supremely lovable qualities, we have to acknowledge that dogs are, as someone succinctly described them, “buzzards with fur.” Dogs are scavengers, most even more than they are predators. “Opportunistic eaters” is the more socially acceptable way to describe the lifestyle, but it all comes out to the same thing. Dogs will eat just about anything that tastes good (to them) or has any nutritional value whatsoever. Dogs are geared for survival under harsh conditions. Roadkill, fresh or aged, is a delicacy. They’ll happily clean out the trash for you after you’ve dumped the unidentified globs from the bowels of the refrigerator, and many, if you’d let them, would relieve you of cat box cleaning duty, although to be fair, kitty roca is fairly high in undigested nutrients and raiding the litterbox usually has the bonus of irritating the cat’s territorial sensibilities. If you live on or near a cattle farm, well, just try to keep a dog from following a nursing calf around — especially one with scours.

A theory gaining respect as we understand more about the ethology of dogs is that it is a survival instinct left over from their prehistoric ancestors, using any available food source when life was lean. This is particularly interesting as increased reported incidences of coprophagy appear to come with the winter months, often in types that still possess more of their natural drives. The logic of the theory is hard to dispute. It also explains the difficulty most dog owners have in stopping the habit. Of course, the winter coprophagy could also be a result of the irresistible nature of frozen poopsicles to dogs and their penchant for tossing them around and getting our attention before devouring the delicacies.

While there are physiological problems that can contribute to the problem, some pancreatic and intestinal disorders, as well as severe parasitic infections that are causing malnutrition, those incidences are rarely the cause and are fairly easily ruled out with a trip to the vet.

Fear or stress can cause stool eating, especially in a kennel situation or with a dog that has been dealt with harshly when being house trained. Dogs that are under pressure and feeling anxious may police their areas, removing as many signs of their presence as possible, or where house training was traumatic, they may have come to the conclusion that any feces anywhere is going to get them in trouble again, so they consume the evidence.

Puppies can develop the habit while they’re in the exploring phase, having to taste everything they come across. Once they’ve discovered something they like, it tends to stick in their menu, unfortunately.

Even though dietary deficiency is unlikely to be the real culprit, it’s always a good start to examine what you’re feeding your dog and make sure you’re getting him what he needs.

After that, the obvious solution is to keep the dog’s surroundings free of temptation. That can be easier said than done, as we all know, particularly if other animals have access to the same area. If it’s just a matter of picking up after your dog, it’s fairly simple to scoop it up right after he’s dropped it. An enclosed litter box for the cat or even one of those self-cleaning ones can eliminate that source.

There are products that can be added to food that reportedly make stool unappetizing to dogs. They’re meant to be given to any animals whose feces is on the menu. Like anything else, different products work for different dogs and some dogs will eat anything, no matter how bad it supposedly tastes.

For the incorrigible poop eater, wearing a wire muzzle when out in places where there’s an available source might be necessary. A dog can drink, pant, bark and do most necessary activities while wearing a properly fitted one, just not eat or bite. The most important thing to remember, though, is to never leave a dog wearing a muzzle unsupervised.

By Gardner Wilkinson

With the big buggy eyes of French and English Bulldogs, it’s hard for us humans to resist them. But there are many problems that can come along with that cute face, if not taken care of properly. Because of the buggy eyes of French Bulldog puppies and English Bulldog puppies, they are more susceptible to eye infections and eye problems than other breeds. Knowing what these problems are, how to recognize them and being informed of the treatment process will make you a better Bulldog owner.

Cherry Eye

Many dogs, not just your English Bulldog puppy or French Bulldog puppy, can come down with a condition called Cherry Eye. Dogs have three eye lids – the upper lid, lower lid and third eye lid. There is a gland under the third eye lid that is responsible for producing tears and keeps the eye hydrated. Cherry Eye occurs when this gland becomes inflamed and protrudes from the eye. With the gland exposed, it is highly susceptible to infection and trauma from the pup rubbing and scratching at it.

Prompt treatment is necessary to keep this from happening. There are ointments and steroid drops that can be applied but are sometimes not effective. If the gland is too swollen, surgery may be needed which requires suturing the gland back to its original position. Dogs that have this surgery are more likely to develop dry eye in the future. Once your dog has had Cherry Eye, he is more likely to get it again. It is not know what causes Cherry Eye but many think it is because of the connective tissues in the eye. When these tissues become weak, the gland can then become swollen. There is not much to do to prevent this from happening in your English Bulldog puppy but knowing what it is and how to treat it is the most important step.

Corneal Ulcers

English Bulldog puppies and French Bulldog puppies are susceptible to corneal ulcers because of their buggy eyes. Since the eyes stick out further than other breeds, their eyes can easily be scratched by claws, twigs, etc. Most scratches on the cornea heal on their own within a few days. Deeper scratches may take weeks to heal. These scratches are itchy and sore which causes your pup to paw and rub his eyes, making the problem worse. Excessive rubbing and scratching of the eye can cause an ulcer which, if ruptured, can cause blindness. If you notice your pup squinting or rubbing his eye frequently, take him to your vet to ensure there is not a more serious issue going on, such as a corneal ulcer.

Dry Eyes

Dry Eyes is essentially the same in dogs as it is in humans – tears are not being produced enough to hydrate the eye. It causes itchiness, burning and irritation. Your dog will commonly squint and rub at his eyes which can cause corneal ulcers. If the condition is caught early enough, you vet may be able to recommend a treatment to get the eyes to produce tears again on its own. If not, your pup may be on artificial tears for the rest of his life.

Offering beautiful home raised english bulldog puppies. We have a wide range of puppies that have been carefully selected from professional breeders across the US.