No dog owner likes to think about putting a muzzle on their dog but depending on the type of dog you own and where you live, using a dog muzzle may be a necessary part of your pet-owning life.  Breed specific legislation (or “BSL”) in a number of provinces and states across North America mandates certain breeds, or dogs bearing the appearance of a banned breed, are required to wear a muzzle when off private property or out of a secured pen.  BSL aside, individual dogs known to act in a threatening manner toward strangers or other animals can greatly benefit from wearing a muzzle, and with careful selection and appropriate training, it doesn’t have to be the distasteful experience most pet owners associate with dog muzzles.

Choosing the Right Dog Muzzle

One of the many challenges as a new dog owner is becoming aware of your dog's behaviors and learning to thwart the bad ones, such as chewing on furniture. Not only does this have the potential to ruin the furniture, it is also indicative that the dog needs more positive stimulation. Dogs require an abundance of attention, and when left alone, they tend to become lonely and bored. Also, many dogs love to engage in tasks. They want to feel needed and useful. When a dog chews the furniture, it is showing signs of boredom, loneliness, or efforts to accomplish something. The dog may not realize at first that chewing the furniture is bad idea. Nevertheless, a dog owner can stop a dog from chewing on the furniture by correcting the dog with positive reinforcement, offering adequate exercise and

Whether you decide to adopt a puppy or a more mature dog, how to combine playtime with dog-obedience training requires planning. Working together toward a successful balance of the two can be a rewarding experience for both you and your dog. Remember, dogs are eager to learn. Sometimes they might appear to be uncooperative, but dogs will always learn something when playtime is combined with planned obedience training.

Any tips for how to combine playtime with dog-obedience training should always stress the importance of rewarding good behavior either with a treat, verbal praise, or playing a game the dog enjoys. Most dog-training experts, and the American Humane Society, agree that positive reinforcement techniques are always favored over “punishment” or “yelling”

Dogs like to chase. It is instinctive and it fills a natural canine drive. It is also dangerous. Learning how to stop your dog from chasing cats can be a critical step in keeping all your pets safe and secure. There are two separate tasks in this training area: home and away. The first is often a necessary step for achieving the second.

How to stop your dog from chasing cats in your home

One of the best ways to stop your dog from chasing cats that live in the same home is by starting young. Puppies can be socialized properly to cats when they are between 3.5 and 12 weeks of age. This is referred to in Scott and Fuller's study in Dog Behavior: The Genetic Basis. Creatures that dogs are introduced to in the first 3- to 12-week period of life, and which they are thereafter