Interesting Old Dog Tricks: For Dog Owners Looking For Fun & Laughter
Interesting Old Dog Tricks: For Dog Owners Looking For Fun & Laughter
The teaching and training of dog tricks while not a necessary part of a dog's education, is an achievement that offer dog owners and his friends a great deal of amusement and adds materially to the value of a dog.Training your dog tricks can be difficult and frustrating if you cannot achieve the results you want. However, unlike house and potty training which are vital education for any dog, I feel that the end-results is not the most significant element in trick training, to me the most important part is that both of you enjoy the training process and have fun along the way.Listed in this article are 3 interesting dog tricks that you can teach your dog:Dead DogPlace a dog on his back or side or in any position you may select, threaten him with your forefinger and say "dead" or any word that you may select to associate with this trick, use both hands to help him stay in that position when you first begin training. Praise him and offer treats if he can stay in position.With regular practice, he should be able to stay in the position in which you have placed him, it is only a question of practice when you can call to him and say "dead," and he will lie down and stretch out in the position that you have accustomed him to taking.SneezingWith careful and patient training, most dogs can be taught to sneeze. This is accomplished by tickling the nose - with a feather. At first he will snap at it, and under normal circumstances, most dogs will start to sneeze; he will not like the feather very well and in course of time his imagination will foreshadow its effects and he will begin to sneeze as soon as it is pointed in close proximity to his nose. When he sneezes, use a command like "Sneeze", to associate with this trick. As usual, praise and treat when he gets it right.By repeating this operation at odd times the dog can be taught to sneeze very creditably when you point your finger at his nose and give him the word "Sneeze," and finally will do so simply at command.This trick can be fun and entertaining but not easily achievable especially with dominant dogs. If your dog get irritated and turn aggressive toward you when you tickle his nose, you should stop training immediately.Bringing His TailDuring play, dogs frequently grasp their tails in their mouths. If you haven't notice, if you take hold of your dog tail while playing with him, he will probably seize your hand, but if you skillfully slip his tail in his mouth he will grab it ? Interesting!These facts suggested the trick of "Bringing his tail." It is a rather difficult feat to accomplish, but it is possible for any amateur to teach it to his dog providing the dog has a long enough tail and the trainer sufficient patience - Sorry to dog owners with short tails!Anyway, this trick is very amusing, for when the dog has his tail in his mouth he can only advance crab-fashion or sideways, with a tendency to go around in a circle without making much advance.The first step in teaching this trick is to praise the dog when he first gets his tail in his mouth, and after he has held it for a few moments bid him to let go and reward him.Should he give up his hold before you order him to do so, speak sharply to him and begin all over again. When he learns to hold his tail until ordered to relinquish it the first part of the trick has been taught, and you can begin to teach him to bring it to you. To do this, step back a few feet from the dog in the direction he can most easily advance, and call him.If he releases his hold of his tail to come to you, ignore him and replace the tail in his mouth again, but when he comes without letting go he should be rewarded gradually increase the distance you require him to carry his tail, but this task is so difficult that he should not be asked to go more than ten or twelve feet.In beginning the trick, when you place his tail in his mouth say "Bring me your tail," so as to accustom him to the command. In time you will not have to place his tail in his mouth, but merely hold it for him to grasp, and after still further practice he will seize it at the word without your assisting him.Enjoy training your dog new tricks, and most importantly enjoy the process and have a great deal of fun and laughter!About the Author:Moses
Chia is a dog lover and owner of
DogsObedienceTraining.com ? The dog training resource site for a happier and
healthier dog.You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content
and live link intact.
SoulCollage – Combining Collage Fun with Spiritual Practice
SoulCollage - Combining Collage Fun with Spiritual Practice
SoulCollage? is a unique blend of spiritual practice and the fun of collage. Using our intuition and imagination, we create a deck of collaged cards where each card reflects a different aspect of who we are. The cards are then used to assist us to access our own deep wisdom and help us answer our life's questions. You don't need to be an artist to do SoulCollage?; all you need is a willingness to go within.This delightful, introspective craft is also:
total creative fun and enjoyment,a healing process that takes us on an inward journey of discovery and delight,a way to heal our inner separations,a way to connect with other individuals who enjoy collage and a spiritual path, and
a powerful tool for self-reflection.
SoulCollage? is a creative process wherein we make something unique, something that never existed before. It is an imaginative process that takes us to those "inner worlds" we seldom take the time to explore. And it is an intuitive process that encourages us to activate our innate intuition as we spend time listening to our deepest self.The creative craft of SoulCollage? attracts both professional and nonprofessional artists as well as those of us who would never call ourselves an "artist" in a million years. So even if you don't think of yourself as an artist, that's okay.
When you are immersed in the process of creating your cards, you are an artist and it won't be long before you are more comfortable defining a part of yourself in this way.When making and interpreting your SoulCollage? cards, you are released from the expectation of being "good" or creating something that someone will want to buy or hang in their gallery, because that is not its purpose. The purpose of each card is for you and you alone! It doesn't really matter if your friends and family understand (or even like) your cards. What matters is that you understand them and like them, because each one expresses a unique part of your being.Seena Frost, M.Div., M.A., created the process of SoulCollage? during the 1980's while working with clients in her psychotherapy practice. The materials used are few and simple: mat board, scissors, glue, and magazines.Each of us is on our own spiritual life journey and we can make the journey smoother and more joyful by practicing SoulCollage.Anne Marie Bennett is a freelance writer and self-taught artist who enjoys playing with mixed-media collage, and all forms of color and words. She has a BS degree in Education from Southern Connecticut State University and has taught children, teens and adults throughout the East Coast. She is a breast cancer survivor and feels closest to her own soul when she is writing, creating art, teaching, and sharing the gift of SoulCollage
Dog Supplies: Whats Needed Versus What Might Be Fun to Have
Dog Supplies: Whats Needed Versus What Might Be Fun to Have
Buying a new dog is more than simply finding the cutest puppy in the store and buying a bag of dog food. Acquiring a new canine is nearly as important as adopting a child. They need constant attention and love and buying the proper supplies can be as confusing as deciding what kind of dog to get in the first place. So I'm here to help you.When you first walk into a pet store you will be bombarded by everything from designer clothes to dog food, and the salesmen are rarely any help. They're goal is to sell you everything you lay your eyes on. But in reality there are really only a few basic things you need to make your new family member comfortable and you a happy dog owner.First and foremost, buy a book about your breed. All breeds are very different and have different needs and personality quirks. But at the same time, don't think of the book as the end all and be all of how your dog is supposed to behave. Like people, dogs each have their own personalities. The book is there simply to give you guidance.Second, get a good collar. Make sure you can stick at least two fingers between the dog's skin and the collar. Also make sure you get a collar that allows plenty of room for growth. Some breeds grow very fast and you don't want to be replacing the collar every two weeks during your puppy's first year. Also, get a good training collar. These come in many, many sizes and types. The two most popular types are called the choke chain and the German pinch collar. But don't let the names scare you. These two training collars are the best for teaching your dog to heal and to walk on the end of a leash without jerking your arm out of the socket.Both collars have their pros and cons. The choke chain is easy to use and doesn't "look" cruel. But you have to replace it as the dog gets bigger and depending on the breed, this can get very expensive. The German choke chain "looks" evil but as the dog grows bigger you can simply add additional links. But the biggest thing to remember with both collars is to "never" use the collar as your dog's everyday collar. Dog owner's can grow very lazy when using these collars and forget to check them. It's not uncommon for an owner to forget to check the collar and end up having to cut the collar off because the dog grew so big the collar would no longer fit over its head. Choke chains and German pinch collars are to be used for training purposes only.The other supplies needed for happy dogs are simple:* A weighted food and water bowl. Dogs, especially puppies, seem to have a fondness for playing in their dinner as much as eating it.* A well made crate or dog house, depending on whether or not the dog will be an inside or outside dog; at least three leashes of varying lengths, used for training and walking purposes. The book you get will explain how the different sized leashes are used in training.* Chew toys, chew toys, chew toys. Dogs, especially puppies, need to exercise their gums regularly and unless you plan on replacing your furniture, your expensive crown molding and your slippers on a regular basis, get your new friend a wide selection of chew toys.* And finally, DOG FOOD! Despite what some animal rights groups would have you believe, dogs are carnivores. They eat meat. So check the ingredients. If corn and other types of vegetables is the first ingredient listed, your new four-legged friend is not getting what he needs. Look for chicken or beef to be listed as the first ingredient.A few more supplies you will need as the dog gets older, but aren't necessarily mandatory when you first get your puppy include; a good brush, ID tag and dog treats. Treats are better utilized as just that ? treats. Instead of using treats as a training aid, substitute your dog's favorite toy. Trust me, after about a month you will discover what his favorite toy is.And now for the supplies that might be fun to have. Squeaky toys are very cute in the store and your dog will love them. But they will get very old very quickly. Imagine this scenario. You've just walked in the front door from a long day at work. You sit down to watch TV and decompress and from the other side of the room you hear, "Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak." That will get old very quickly.And even though they're cute, please save your dog's dignity and avoid buying any clothes, designer or otherwise, for Fido. Have you ever really looked at a dog's face when he's wearing clothes? He's embarrassed. A good rule of thumb to use is this ? if you wouldn't be seen in public wearing it, don't make your dog wear it. Have fun with your new family member.You may republish this article with full credit to the author and the 2 URL's hyperlinked.Allen Shaw is a successful author who provides pet tips and information for dog supplies and pet supplies. "I am the news director at USA News Network and have been working as freelance writer for 2 years. I've been published in a few magazines, newspapers and websites and my specialty up to this point has been movie and music reviews."