Pet Addicted: 12.12

How did you train your dog to be a Therapy Dog?

Q. Do any of you have a Therapy Dog? If so how did you train it? With a clicker or without? I am asking because I think my dog would make an excellent one; although he needs some more training.
Thanks in advance
Thanks for your help everyone.

A. Once you have your basic obedience down, try for the CGC. Then after your dog is a year old, contact one of the therapy dog registries and see what additional qualifications they require.

Therapy Dogs International
Therapy Dogs Incorporated
The Delta Society

These are 3 of the premier registries for therapy dogs in the US.

How do you train your dog to do agility?

Q. Is it difficult?
It is a papillon. My friend wants to try agility since the dog is smart and athletic.

A. It's really to involved to get into here. What I would suggest is locating a good aglity class and you'll be looking for is a good Foundation or Beginner 1 class.

Make sure you and your friend sit in on a class and watch before joining. Make sure you like the way the instructor interacts with the student and the dog. The the people look like their having fun? How about the dogs? The jumps should be on the ground, A-Frame, dogwalks and see-saw should be at the lowest possible height.

Any dog can do agility, it's not breed specific.

You can find agility clubs thru these websites:
http://www.cleanrun.com
http://www.nadac.com
http://www.usdaa.com
http://www.akc.org
http://www.ukcodogs.com
http://www.docna.com
http://www.k9cpe.com

How do you train your dog not to attack other dogs?

Q. I set up a play date for my lab puppy and just as the other dog got near her she started to bark viciously and growl. I tried to gain control of her but her nails scratched me up really bad.It is the same with walking her,she is fine walking until another dog passes by she'll get really mean and growl and bark.What do I do?

A. Your dog needs to know who is in control. Try getting your puppies' attention by hitting its body, of course not hard but hard enough that your dogs attention is at you. If that doesn't work grab and hold your dog towards the ground. The hold should be firm and place one of your hands on the neck or collar. If your dog tries to move just hold it there longer and repeatly say "NO".

Does anyone knows where can I get free dog/cat food printed coupons?

Q. I realized that some people sell them on Ebay, but where did they get that for free?

A. Lots of patients will get you the coupons you need. Buying them is the quick way. Some websites that offer coupons also offer pet food coupons, so check those, and also ask for samples as the samples nearly always come with coupons.

does anyone know of any websites where i can get coupons on cat food in the USA cat food they sell at walmart?

Q. my moms out of work for a month for back problems she messed her back up lifting patients shes a nurse and on short term dissability and we have 4 stray cats we fed regularly along with 2 dogs

A. http://www.thecouponclippers.com/coupons/home.php?bid=1&partner=24houredeals has 99 different coupons when i search for "cat"

The are a clipping service and provide the coupons out of the paper. Many printable coupons are not accepted at grocery stores. Call your stores first before you print them and go. It would be embarasing and make me angry if I counted on coupons that were rejected at the check out isle.

Are there any cat food coupons out there?

Q. I'm looking for Fancy Feast coupons ...or if you know of a store that has this food (cans only) on sale!

It's expensive to take care of a cat ...but we love her! :)

A. Walmart has decent prices on fancy feast in cans, or shoprite.

Does anybody have pet insurance for their Dog/other animals ?

Q. What did you pay for it ?
Any additional info is appreciated.

A. I have pet insurance for my 3 year old beagle mix. It's about $100 per year. I have the cheaper plan with VPI, and it doesn't cover routine stuff or spaying/neutering. Still, it's really cheap and they do reimburse you for vet expenses related to accidents, illnesses or injuries. My dog ate some chicken wings once and the insurance reimbursed me for the x-rays and stuff. I really like it because I know my dog will always have the care he needs even if I don't have money. I just have it in case of emergencies, which is what it's really good for.

My dog just got hit can i ever get pet insurance?

Q. He had his leg broken pretty bad. Im paying big. I want to know if its to late to get pet insurance for him for the future.

A. Hi Rena

First, a disclaimer: I work for Embrace Pet Insurance in Cleveland, Ohio.

You can get pet insurance for your dog even though he was hit by a car. The pet insurance only covers stuff that hasn't happened yet so unfortunately your broken leg would not be covered, it is a pre-existing condition.

Typically in cases like this treatment related to your dog's broken leg would not be covered for a certain amount of time, usually the first year of a new policy. However if everything resolves satisfactorily then coverage would be re-instated for that broken leg in the second policy term (i.e. when your policy renews).

Not every pet insurance plan does things this way so be sure and check with each company to clarify.

So it is not too late to get him pet insurance for the future but you will have to bear the cost of treating his current broken leg.

I hope this helps,

Alex
Embrace Pet Insurance
http://www.EmbracePetInsurance.com

Does anyone know of any good pet insurance for multiple dogs?

Q. I have five Chihuahuas, that I want to get health insurance for. Do you know of any, that are reasonable, and cover everything! Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

A. u can buy insuran for your pet at the uni asia,ok?

At what age should I start taking my border Collie puppy to dog training?

A. As soon as he's old enough. First step is puppy manners class. After that, obedience. From there, you decide what types of things you want to do. Obedience, agility, flyball, herding, tricks, etc.

Groundwork training should be done from the second he's able to move around. A proper breeder would have been laying groundwork and you would have experience to continue it until he can get to puppy classes. If you don't have experience with what you should be teaching a puppy or a dog, then this is not the breed of dog for you.

What age to take a puppy/dog for obedience training?

Q. I have a Great Dane puppy. Of course I want the best training possible for her. Especially since she will become a huge size. The local Petsmart has a great reputable program and I was wondering at what age I should begin this?

A. Puppy kindergarten classes are now taking puppies after they've had their 2nd shots. Puppies at this age learn very quickly and this is the vital age where they need socializing.

I've taken my older Belgian at 3 months and my current Belgian shepherd puppy who's now 3 months just started classes. (Not Petsmart classes!)

Is professional puppy/dog training worth it at like Petsmart?

Q. Also, what's the best age of the puppy to take them to a professional trainer?

I'm talking about puppy training in a class with other dogs and their owners of course.

A. Professional training is a must! The more resources you have to help teach your dog how to behave in the human world, the more successful your relationship with your dog will be. So many dogs are discarded due to simple problems that could be fixed with basic training.

I would choose a trainer first, and a location second. You can go to the best facility, but if you get stuck with a lousy trainer you will set yourself, and your dog, up for failure. Places like Petsmart do hire good trainers, and more formal schools do hire bad ones.

The best time to start a class is 11-12 weeks. Puppies go through a fear stage around 9 weeks old and are usually out of it by 11 weeks. During this stage, puppies are more unsure of the world, and even minor bad experiences can result in a lifetime of problems. After 11 weeks, puppies are more equipped to handle the unknown, and are ready for school.

I would visit a location or two that is affordable and close to home. Then talk to all the trainers who work there and choose the one you like best.

My dog just got hit can i ever get pet insurance?

Q. He had his leg broken pretty bad. Im paying big. I want to know if its to late to get pet insurance for him for the future.

Does anyone know of any good pet insurance for multiple dogs?

Q. I have five Chihuahuas, that I want to get health insurance for. Do you know of any, that are reasonable, and cover everything! Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

A. u can buy insuran for your pet at the uni asia,ok?

What kind of pet insurance should I get for my dog?

Q. I just got a Pomeranian hes just a little pup 9 weeks old. I want to take it to the vet this week and I wanted to know what the most affordable insurance there is? What does it cover? (shoots, checkups)

A. One suggestion I have for you is to get a free quote from all the top websites. A good quote and compare site is here: http://www.trupanionpetinsurance.com/why_choose_trupanion_pet_health_insurance/quote-and-compare-companies_comparison-charts.aspx

Not all insurance companies cover routine care like shots and checkups, however if you want that included in your plan, it will make your premiums more expensive and in some cases you end up paying more through the insurance than if you were to pay for shots out of pocket.

Typically, you want insurance that is going to cover your pet's veterinary bills in case of accidents or illnesses. I would recommend checking out Trupanion Pet Insurance. They are affordable and don't have any annual limits so if your pup has a lot of bills all in one year, you can be sure it would all be covered.

Read up on some reviews and look around at the quotes and what each company covers to see what you're in for. Good luck!

What is the best pet insurance for your dog?

Q. I have a 5 month old female pomeranian and her DR. said that her knee caps are out of place and will need surgery in the near future to fix them. What is the best insurance to use ?

A. This will be tricky because now that it has been diagnosed, it is considered a pre-existing condition which no one will cover. If your vet says it is a genetic problem, look into Embrace pet insurance. They are the only company I know of that will cover genetic breed related diseases.
http://www.embracepetinsurance.com/default.aspx?partner=endai

If her knee caps are really bad, it is important to fix them soon. Otherwise, her legs may grow crooked and predispose her to ACL tears and hip problems.

Which is the best pet insurance for dog in California?

Q. Hi:
I was wondering which pet insurance is the best and most reliable for my 1 years old mini schnauzer?(I do not want to spend too much, but still need the basic stuff such as vaccine...etc) In addition, I am planning to buy another one, so will there be any discount for 2 dogs in the same plan?
thanks for answer me.
I am using Banfield right now, but I do not think it is worth it to get what I paid.

A. If need more helpful information on pet insurance you should visit http://buy-pet-insurance.com

What is the best pet insurance for my dog?

Q. She is a 8 month old Shitzu and we want to get her insurance. We live in San Diego, California
Also, is insurance recommended?

A. I have VPI Pet Insurance, and it is great. I paid $300 for the year (slightly more if you pay monthly), and it has almost paid itself off and I purchased it mid-March.

They have a vaccination reimbursement that goes along with the insurance, so depending on how expensive your vet is, you will get a portion of the cost of all needed vaccinations, as well as spay/nueter procedure, microchip, fecal exam, and flea and heartworm meds.

The only thing that isn't good about it, and I think all pet insurance works this way, you have to pay up front, but you get your reimbursment check within 30 days.

Does anybody have pet insurance for their Dog/other animals ?

Q. What did you pay for it ?
Any additional info is appreciated.

My dog just got hit can i ever get pet insurance?

Q. He had his leg broken pretty bad. Im paying big. I want to know if its to late to get pet insurance for him for the future.

What kind of pet insurance should I get for my dog?

How to train your dog to stack when saying which paw to move?

Q. I have a little pug named Minnie and I am wanting to train her to wear when I say one she will move her front right foot and then when I say 2 she will move her left front foot, then when I say 3 she will move her right back foot, then when I say 4 she will move her left back foot. Do you have any suggestions on how to do this? Or any websites?

A. I'm not sure, but i'm guessing it would be something along the lines of teaching "paw" for the front 2, then going on from there. Maybe touching the leg to make it lift, the rewarding with a treat?

How do you train your dog on Harvest Moon Sunshine Islands?

Q. How do you train your dog on Harvest Moon Ds Sunshine Islands?
And any other tips/help/cheats for the game would really help!

A. The only way to "train" your dog is by throwing discs with him. Go into the pet stable and against the back wall should be a little table with throwing discs on it. Just click that to practice for the dog festival that is all you can do with your dog.

How did you train your dog to use a doggy door?

Q. We just bought & installed a doggy door for our two dogs. Both are over 2 years old, so this will be a new thing for them!! How did you train your dog to use a doggy door?

A. Sometimes, just encouraging the dog isn't enough. Some dogs belive the door is a wall, or are afraid of it. Tape it securely in the open position. Or fasten it in some other manner, just make sure it won't fall on your dogs when they go through. Once they go through it often, lower it about a quarter of the way. If this scares them at first, put a treat on the other side. Then lower it completely. If they don't go through and treats don't work, just show them it opens when they want to get through. this, combined with what you did before, will get most dogs to use the door.

What is a reasonable time to get your dog trained in basic commands?

Q. All dogs need training, but how long is too long when taking the time to train your dog? Does this include or not include proofing? If a dog gets trained and proofed in the end, is the person a good trainer regardless of how long it took to get there? I am talking about basic obedience commands like: sit, lay, stay, walking nicely on a leash, heel, leave/take it, come.

Also, how do you feel about the "watch me" command?
I use the "watch me" command, because I pair commands w/ hand signals. I found he understands what I want better pairing the two up.

A. The short answer is..... as long as it takes. 'Watch me' is a great one to teach. Ideally you should incorporate training in to play sessions, much more fun for both of you. Lots of short session all day. Check out http://doglifetraining.com that site has great advice on basic lifestyle skills and how to teach them, helped me put lots of things in perspective.

How much does Petco's Basic Dog Training Class cost?

Q. We just adopted a 5 month old lab mix from an animal shelter and would like to bring her to training classes. Anyone know for about how much the basic training classes at Petco cost?

(I know they vary store to store, but I'm just looking for approximately how much the classes usually run for.)

A. Mine cost 155 dollars. I live in Massachusetts.

Just a warning, classes at Petco do NOT work. I also took my 6 month old lab mix which I got from a shelter, it's a low budget class, not taken very seriously by staffers. I'm sure they vary but if I were you I'd invest the extra 50-60 dollars in getting a reputable trainer at a reputable business. I enrolled my dog in puppy classes with a place voted Best of Boston for 5 straight years and what surprised me was the price was 240.00 the class was much more professional, they provided clickers to train with, online videos, handouts, and lots of patience and a much better work space. If I were you I'd research another place first! I hope this helps... good luck and congrats with your new dog!

Does anybody know what are the basic questions one is given for a dog training interview?

Q. It's for PetSmart,I'm going to apply to be a dog trainer so I figured you guys could help. Thanks!

A. I would figure they would ask you about your dog training experience and why you feel you are qualified.

What kind of pet insurance should I get for my dog?

About how much does it cost to get pet insurance on a dog?

Q. Its a 1yr old Australian Shepherd.

A. It's not cheap, but it also depends on the breed (which you have established) and your city and state. Here are some web sites that can help you out:

http://www.petcareinsurance.com/
http://www.sheltercare.com/
http://www.veridiancu.org/insurance/pet_insurance.asp

Need help with choosing the right Pet Insurance for my dogs?

Q. I have two dogs. One just turned 1yr in June, and the other will be 1yr in September. I want to get pet insurance for them, but I don't know which insurance company is the best one to choose. I've heard that some company's will give you some type of discount if you have more than one dog. I've also heard that some pet insurance company's only cover a few things for a high price.

Just need someone to point me in the right direction.

Thanks

A. Here are the important factors you need to consider when looking for pet insurance:

A) What medical conditions are covered?

The pet insurance plan you select should cover both accidents and illness.

The illness part of the coverage must include: (these are common ailments in veterinary
medicine)

1) Coverage for Cancer

3) Coverage for Chronic Disease
Chronic diseases are illnesses that have long duration and generally slow progression. Chronic diseases are usually not curable. Examples include: cancer, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and chronic liver disease.

3) Continual Coverage for Chronic Disease
If you do not get this coverage, the chronic disease will only be covered in the policy year it was diagnosed, after that, you will have to pay for any continuing medications or diagnostic monitoring yourself. Treatment for most Chronic diseases will last beyond the first year of diagnosis.

4) Coverage for Hereditary & Congenital Diseases

5) Coverage for Diseases that are Common to your Pet's Breed

B) What medical conditions are excluded. Read the company's terms and conditions very closely as there can be some very surprising exclusions?

C) What is the maximum payout limit structure, amount and limits. The maximum payout limit is the maximum amount the insurance company will reimburse you. This payout limit can be annually, lifetime or for each incident. You want the maximum payout limit you pick to be able to cover the "worst case scenario costs" for your geographic location.

You also want to make sure that there are no monetary limits on the 5 illness components discussed above. Some companies will put a limit on the amount of your maximum payout you can receive for chronic conditions, hereditary/congenital diseases, etc. These limits are usually not enough to cover most conditions in geographic locations with medium to high "worst case scenario costs".

A three great places to do your research are :

1) http://www.petinsurancereview.com - a list of customer reviews
2) http://www.pet-insurance-university.com - a site I created that compares the pros and cons of each company and discusses the information above in more detail.
3) http://www.petinsuranceguideus.com - a site created by another vet who is also committed to helping pet owners make educated decisions regarding pet insurance.

I hope this helps you.

How to train your dog to stop biting other dogs?

Q. My 1 yr old Chihuahua is very fearful of other dogs and will snap at them if they get close. She barks and growls a ton when it comes to dogs. But with humans its another thing; she is very submissive to humans and licks/plays with humans. I'm so confused because its like a light switch when it comes to other dogs. When they approach her she snaps at them and runs. I need help or some tips on what I should do. I want to take her to dog parks and walk her more but its getting difficult. Thanks!

A. Chihuahuas are not known to be the calmest and easy going dogs as it is. They have what I call "the napoleon syndrome". They are tiny and they don't realize it and are naturally very nervous dogs. If he/she is biting other dogs its probably out of fear not aggression. Try her with dogs her size first and make sure they aren't young crazy hyper pups either. Being as tiny as he/she is,one day she's gonna snap at the wrong doggie and you'll find yourself standing there wondering "hey,where'd my dog go??" Goodluck.

How did you train your dog to be a Therapy Dog?

How do you train your dog to do agility?

Q. Is it difficult?
It is a papillon. My friend wants to try agility since the dog is smart and athletic.

How do I train my dog basic skills?

Q. I have an Alaskan Husky, and he's about 7 months old, but I have problems with him about staying put. I don't know how to train him because it seems hard to get him to pay attention. I've ran out of ways, and perhaps there are better techniques... please help!

A. Well, right now he's still a puppy, which means he'll be hyperactive and have a tough time paying attention. Still, if you're consistent, he should start picking up your commands after a while.

I like training by positive reinforcement. This means rewarding him for good behaviour. Be careful with punishment. Never whack your dog, especially with your hand, or he will become afraid of your hands.

It looks like you're training your dog to stay. I trained my dogs by keeping a treat in my hand, commanding the dog to stay and then moving away. Once I called her, she was allowed to come. If she came early, she didn't get the treat. If she waited until I called her, she got a treat.

What are the basic commands for training a dog, in French?

Q. What are these commands in French?

Come
Sit
Stay
Heel

anything else you may think is relevent
Best answerer gets 10 points.
Thank you!

A. come= Vien(vee-en) or ici (ee-see)
sit = Assis (a-see)
Stay= Reste (rest-e)
Heel= Rester au pied (res-tay o Pee-ay)
hope that helps a little!

How to train my dog basic tricks?

Q. Shes a 1 yr and almost 2month old shih tzu girl. Shes fixed.

When we got her all we taught her was sit, come, stay (still needs a bit of work) and we potty trained her.

Heres what i want to teach her:
Lie down
Rollover
Shake
Stop

How can i teach her these at her age? (she is kinda stubborn too, as most shih tzus are) The summer is here so this is the time im gonna train her some more. Btw i do have treats.

A. if you want her to lay, she has to be able to sit (which she can)
you have her sit, then put a treat by her, when she's interested, lure it away from her, while having your had on her back so she doesn't get up. then she'll go into a laying position.

when you've got lay down, you can teach roll over. to have her do that you want her to lay down, then lure the treat in one way and she'll follow it with her nose.

shake is easy. you just pick up his paw and say shake, every once in a while, and she'll get the idea, you don't need treats for that. i don't know how to get them to stop though!

also, you can teach her to jump through a hula hoop by having her walk through it luring her with a treat , then eventually pick it up off the ground more. don't get frusterated, it takes a while for them to do that!

hope this helps!

What is the safest, all-natural, biodegradeable, flushable cat litter?

Q. I'm adopting a kitten this weekend, so i went and bought all my cat supplies tonight and was looking for the safest, all natural, bio/earth friendly, flushable litter i could find, and i found Swheat Scoop Cat litter. When I got home, I googled it, and stumbled upon some reviews on it... they were very mixed... some people said it was great, some said it was awful and recommended "Worlds Best Cat Litter"

So let me know what you think/recommend.

A. I really like World's Best Cat Litter.

However, depending on the area where you live, you have to be careful about flushing cat litter. Recently, Worlds Best Cat Litter (always advertised as flushable) has sent out releases to businesses that carry it (at least in California) that it SHOULD NOT be flushed anymore. Sea Lions and other sea life off the coast are becoming affected with feline parasites and spreading them around.

The oceanlife are not able to handle some parasites, and it is becoming a very big problem. So, I would not advise you to flush any pet waste if you live near any coastlines....

Can cats have an allergic reaction to natural litter? ?

Q. I switched my cats litter to a natural litter. It's supposed to be better for the cat and eliminate odor better. It did get rid of the smell but my cat has been licking her legs like crazy. I didn't think this natural alternative would cause that but it's the only thing I can figure.

I gave her a bath, checked for fleas, she's clean. Her food is the same and I don't think there are any other new stressors in the home.

A. The fact that something is 'natural' doesn't mean it can't provoke an allergic reaction. Since that is the only thing that has changed, then I would go back to her old litter, or try a different one.

What (brand) cat litter has 100% natural clay?

Q. Cat owners! I need your help real quick, can you go see your kitty litter and see if your kitty litter has no ingredient BUT only 100& natural clay. i don't want any other ingredients such as oils, baking soda, or any other things they put into it. thank you so much =)

pps. i dont own a cat but i need the litter for other purposes.

A. PETCO Fresh Scent Clay Cat Litter or Johnny Cat Formula.

Why does my cat groom itself after I pet it?

Q. Have a pet formerly stray cat whenever I pet behind its ears, upper back or its forearms as soon as I move away it begins grooming/licking as if I've just soiled it with dirty human germs. Why?

A. There are a couple of theories about this. They're opposing theories: either your cat wants to get rid of your smell, or your cat wants to taste your scent because he's enjoying your company. Either way, it's normal behaviour for a cat. One of mine does it and the other one doesn't. Some cats do it in combination with biting. I've attached a link to an interesting page on it.

Why does my cat groom himself after I pet him while he's sleeping?

Q. I pet my cat while he's sleeping because he's so cute and soft!

He always wakes up and starts grooming himself immediately after, though.

WHY?!

A. Vanity......

My cats hair seems to hurt her when you pet her back, I have tried cleaning and grooming, she is in discomfort

Q. she originally started biting/nibling if you scratched her back, seemed okay but strange, now she actually will turn and bite, I have kids who like petting the cat but are afraid of her. occasionally she has dandriff, but my other cat does not, she is healthy.

A. I have a cat who does not like to be petted on the back. It might just be a personal preference of your cat. Mine will do the same thing. Try to just pet him on the head.

What (brand) cat litter has 100% natural clay?

A. PETCO Fresh Scent Clay Cat Litter or Johnny Cat Formula.

Do cats have to be trained to use a litter box or is it natural for them to just use it ?

A. It's natural for cats to use some kind of "movable material" for their bathrooms; however, this can mean just about anything - piles of dirty clothes, the dirt in flower pots..

That's why the litter box should be made available to them from almost the time they're born, so they develop the sense that the litter box is the ONLY place to do their business.

What kind of food and litter does your cat use? My kitty uses fresh step and eats purina cat chow Naturals.?

A. My cat loves felix pouches and won't touch cheap kitty food and he has a small amount of dry food out for him to nibble at once he has eaten his breakfast.

As for kitty litter we usually buy the pets at home 30ltr bag of wood pellets he has been using this litter since his was born and being our first cat we want to do things right and haven't changed it (the type not he actual litter in his tray!)

Who's been giving me thumbs down I'm only saying what I give my cat.

Pet Addicted

How did you train your dog to be a Therapy Dog?

Does anyone knows where can I get free dog/cat food printed coupons?

Does anybody have pet insurance for their Dog/other animals ?

At what age should I start taking my border Collie puppy to dog training?

My dog just got hit can i ever get pet insurance?

What is the best pet insurance for your dog?

Does anybody have pet insurance for their Dog/other animals ?

How to train your dog to stack when saying which paw to move?

What is a reasonable time to get your dog trained in basic commands?

What kind of pet insurance should I get for my dog?

How to train your dog to stop biting other dogs?

How do I train my dog basic skills?

What is the safest, all-natural, biodegradeable, flushable cat litter?

Why does my cat groom itself after I pet it?

What (brand) cat litter has 100% natural clay?

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