An Introduction to Dog Beds
An Introduction to Dog Beds
Some people are so attached to their pets that they wouldn't dream of asking them to simply curl up on the floor to go to sleep. Pet owners, especially dog owners, have created an industry for dog beds that rivals the bedding industry for humans in both creativity and profit margins.Just as dogs come in a variety of sizes -- from toy Chihuahuas that fit in the palm of your hand to Great Danes who are large enough to command most of the back of that family SUV -- so do dog beds. The very first designs for dog beds stressed comfort and ease of cleaning for the small, medium, large and extra large pooch in your life. Today there is a dizzying array of options for dog beds. There are dog beds designed to look like real beds so the lucky canine doesn't feel left out, dog beds designed to look like real furniture, and dog beds for that aging canine, designed to accommodate his creaking bones and stiff joints. There are dog beds made out of fabrics designed to blend in with the d
Introduction To House Training
Introduction To House Training
The information in this article is based on the successful crate training method. Crate training is not cruel. I repeat: Crate training is not cruel. If used correctly, it uses the dog's natural den instinct to your own advantage by encouraging the dog not to pee or poop where it sleeps. Dogs are naturally clean animals and will avoid going to the bathroom where they sleep. But you need to keep the following points in mind to be successful.Establish A Regular Eating RoutineAs I'm fond of saying, 'what goes in must come out'. To help you figure out the best times to get your dog to go to the bathroom it's important to feed your dog at the same times every day. This is the ideal time to practice your house training lessons. For your dog's comfort it's also a good idea to feed your dog in the same place every day, a place that they will identify as their eating spot. With your puppy, there's a very short time between eating and eliminating. Figure around 15 - 20 minutes. When feeding your dog, give her 15-20 minutes and then pick up the uneaten portion (if any). This will also teach your dog to eat when fed. Again, these rules can be relaxed once your dog is house trained but for now it's key to establish a routine.Until your dog is house trained, also avoid treats and in-between meal snacks. The whole idea is to feed your dog, observe them constantly for the 15 -20 minutes after they eat and then bring them to the place where you want them to do their business. Do it like clockwork and you'll be putting your puppy in a position to succeed. This is all about setting expectations and teaching your eager learner to do what you want. And when they do, praise them wildly. Make it seem like that little pee or poop that they did is the greatest and most magnificent thing you've ever seen in your entire life. Your friends and neighbors may think you're crazy, but I can't stress enough the power of praise. It's what your puppy craves. Give it to her in generous amounts.How Old Should Your Puppy Be?How old should your puppy be before you begin house training? Start as early as you can but don't expect results until the pup is about 14 weeks old. Before 14 weeks your pup cannot physically hold it in. Then why start early you may ask? Well, even though your pup may not be physically able to hold it in, she'll at least begin learning what's expected of her. Consider any training before 14 weeks to be 'pre-school'. When her physical abilities catch up with what you taught her, it will make it that much easier to put the lessons into practice.Size MattersIf you're considering crate training your dog as a means of house training, keep in mind that the size of crate you choose is very important. A good rule of thumb about size is: the crate should only be big enough for the dog to comfortably stand up and turn around in. You don't want the crate so big that the dog will mess at one end and sleep at the other. For large-sized breeds that will continue to grow substantially, you may need to buy a larger size later on if you intend for your dog to continue using the crate after it is house trained. And the most important rule of all: NEVER, under any circumstances, use the crate as a form of punishment. The crate should be a place where your dog wants to go, to sleep and get away from the bustle and activity in your home. You never want them to associate it with being punished.Happy House Training!About The Authorcopyright
Introduction to Lake Fly Fishing Techniques
Introduction to Lake Fly Fishing Techniques
Often lake fish will gather in schools and cruise around looking for
food, but often it is the small fish that rise to take surface insects
while the bigger ones feed in deeper water.Where the fish areFish in lakes aren't much different than fish in rivers. Their
concerns are still protection from predators and finding food. Lake
fly fishing techniques involved finding the areas where both these
concerns are met.Remember that lake water is generally deeper than rivers water, so
bottom structures may not be visible. Try fishing where a stream
enters the lake. Insects are often carried into the lake here and
the fish will be waiting for them.Structure in lakes includes piers and boat ramps, weeded areas
and deadfalls. Fish are likely to be hanging around man-made structures
that have been sunken into the waters. Lake fish like to hang around
drop off areas. Here they can munch on food that has fallen into the
water and dart back into the depths when spooked. Warm water fish
gather around natural springs and weeds also.Dry flies and lake fishingLake fly fishing techniques usually involved fishing deep. It takes
energy for a fish to take insects from the surface and there has to
be a darned good reason for a bigger fish to do so. A big hatch
might entice a large fish from the depths to feed, but you are more
likely to catch smaller fish when using dry flies on lakes.Wet flies and lake fishingIf a fish expends more energy than he receives in searching for food,
he will not survive long. Lake fishing techniques include knowing
how an aggressively feeding fish will behave. He will check out
the feeding zones, feed, then return to safe water to rest until
it is feeding time again. If you are looking for large lake fish,
you need to get your hook down where they are holding.The larger the fish, the more energy it takes for him to feed,
therefore the offering needs to be worthwhile. A big juicy-looking
streamer hanging right in front of his nose will often tempt a fish.The advantage of fishing wets over dries in lakes is that you can
vary the depth and the retrieve until you find the combination
that the fish cannot resist. Keep a close eye on your line because
often the take is subtle. Using a strike indicator is helpful here.Often a sinking line or sink tip can give you a big advantage when
fly fishing a lake. You have a much greater chance for success if
you can get your fly to the fish.About the Author: Dale East is a long time outdoorsman and fly fisher and publisher of Fly Fishing Wyoming