Eating is one of the most primal activities for dogs. They love it Nolan Patrick Jersey Womens , and they have respect for whoever gives them food (the leader in the pack). You can use your "power" of being pack leader to enhance your dog training efforts -- every day.
The following suggestions will help you establish your role as pack leader and reinforce dog obedience, deferment to your leadership, dog training techniques, and overall attitude and disposition (yours and your dogs).
1. CONSISTENCY
A good habit to have in feeding your dog is consistency. Dogs love routine and food is a very important subject to them.
For example, feed your dog at approximately the same time(s) each day (some modification is fine for weekly schedule changes.) If feeding two times a day Justin Braun Jersey Authentic , pick two windows of time that you can be consistent with, for example, between 7:00 and 8:00 am and then again between 5:00 and 6:00 pm.
Having a window of time helps prevent anxiety in a dog expecting to be fed at a specific time each day (5:15 pm -- yes, dogs can zero in on a specific time of day like 5:15).
This is a very real concern for dogs and some dogs can fall apart emotionally and physically if they are expecting food at that time and don't get it. Ever hear of the dog that is panting and spastic and throwing up or having diarrhea? This dog is anxious. Setting a window of time and sticking to it will help your dog remain calm. Practice the same routine every day.
2. NO RUNNING BUFFET
A big mistake is to offer up the running buffet, where food is available around the clock. This is actually a pretty common feeding program in many homes because it's simple for the humans -- add food as needed.
So why not do this? Because it leads to an obese Brian Elliott Jersey Authentic , lazy dog who doesn't listen to your commands, respect your leadership position or adhere to rules you've set forth in your dog training.
3. MEALTIME IS DOG TRAINING TIME
Wonderful things happen at mealtime -- for you and Fido. You get the opportunity to have your dog perform (reinforcing all that dog training you've done) for his meal. This could be sit, down, come, place.
So what James Van Riemsdyk Jersey Authentic , you say? Well, this is the easiest way you have of getting your dog's affirmation of you being the leader and reinforcing dog training. If you aren't the leader, guess who is. It will be the demanding, obnoxious dog bossing you around for a meal.
What exactly does it look like? Hold the food bowl in your hand. Your dog may be spastic, jumping Scott Laughton Jersey Authentic , yipping, and pawing at you for the food. This is another dog training opportunity for you -- teaching him to be calmer at mealtimes.
State your command once and wait (good to start with a sit, which is usually the easiest). Your dog sits and the bowl of food goes to the floor with praise for a good sit and a release "OK" that they can move to get the food.
When your dog complies with your command, he has just deferred to your leadership in the pack. (When beginning this program, you may need to help your dog with completing his command and praise warmly and then give food.)
Once your dog has the program down Tyler Pitlick Jersey Authentic , you can introduce other feeders such as spouse, responsible children, etc to gently let your four-footed family member know her position in the pack.
CONCLUSION
By changing your dog's feeding routine, you change so much more. You get to reinforce all the dog training and dog obedience you've worked so hard on -- and it feels effortless. You get increased respect from your dog for providing the important commodity of food and for being a consistent provider. The more you establish yourself as leader of the pack, the more your dog will want to please you and dog training will be a snap.
Save Money on Home Heating with Fireplace Covers Home Repair Articles | March 4 Sean Couturier Jersey Authentic , 2010 Your fireplace is great. But when you are not using it you notice a chilly draft flowing from the fireplace into the room. Get fireplace covers.
This article will look into the world of energy saving fireplace covers and doors. You love nothing better than using it on those cool evenings, where the flames are both warming and comforting. But when you are not using it you notice a chilly draft flowing from the fireplace into the room. You checked the damper and done everything you know how but the room is still too cool. But what can you do? The best solution is to buy fireplace covers.
What is a Fireplace Cover?
Covers come in various sizes, styles and materials, but overall their main function is to block or close off the firebox (the main area where the flames are located) from the rest of the room or from outside elements.
Covers basically come in main designs, hard or soft. Soft covers are more flexible and inexpensive while hard ones while more expensive Kevin Hayes Jersey Authentic , often work better as far as blocking drafts. Under the ?hard? category are airtight glass doors made from special high temperature glass that performs a similar function.
Why Buy Indoor Covers?
The main reason is fuel costs. Covers save you money. It?s a fact of physics that hot air raises, and in the average home with a fireplace, you can lose as much as 30% of your home heat through your unprotected fireplace.
Another plus of such a tool, especially with outdoor fireplace covers is that they will protect your fireplace interior from dust,? dirt and debris? that can be blown into the firebox Travis Konecny Jersey Authentic , causing a messy clean-up every time you want to use the fireplace.