Rebellious Dogs

The following is a guest post by Ellie Smith. I hope you find it informative and helpful when training your pooch.


A dog has a unique character and will make its own decision to whether it sits in the middle of the road or urinates on the neighbours flower arrangement. However when a dog simply doesn't understand an order or a clear command, teaching is usually the missing tool.

Your dog sees himself as superior in the pack resulting in having less respect to follow your orders. Apart from producing frustration for everyone, disobedience can be risky if you find yourself in a tricky situation like having to pay a large excess on pet insurance if your dog has caused a serious car accident.

Problems may get worse over time and you could find that this could be prevented if you gain back your respect and show that you are the alpha in the pack. The dog needs to understand he/she is beneath you in the hierarchy. It is not just about rewarding with pet supplies to overcome bad behaviour.

The key vital tips to gain a more obedient dog

• Never allow the dog to hop out of the car first. Always make the dog wait until your "release" command.

• Never allow the dog to eat before the rest of the family

• Restrict access within the house, enabling the dog to roam certain areas only.

• 'Keep beds off limits'

• The dog needs regular 'fresh air'

• Talk to your dog with a lower, deeper tone of accent

Restricting right to use within the house is another good way of reasserting yourself as leader as it demonstrates the house is yours, and the dog is simply a guest. Keep certain parts off limits such as beds, various items of furniture and even send the dog outside for an hour or two occasionally.

Remember you set the rules and decide on the routine such as when the walks take place and when it is suitable for play time. An omega dog would never be able to initial play with the alpha pack member, so if the dog starts to pester you for fun and attention, ignore it. This is dominant behaviour.

For the same reason you should never rush over to your dog for cuddles and play when you arrive home as this indicates he has control over you. Instead do something else for 10 minutes or so, then go over and say hello. Monitoring how much attention you give out at one time can also prevent separation anxiety which can build up if you are out of the house too long.

A gentle training program should be implemented alongside the tasks outlined above. Just a few minutes a day at first with gradually increasing to around 15 a day until your dog is trustworthy and obedient. Use your voice effectively, keeping it light and cheerful for praise and harsher for giving commands. Instead of using "No" as a command, use "Oi" instead as it is easier for a dog to hear. It is vital that when training you don't repeat a command but can always enforce it when the dog disobeys, for example keep your dog on a long lead when you go walking so you can enforce commands such as "come" and "stay". You should only concentrate on one new command per week. Once you start your dog's training, you will need to practice the new command for at least fifteen minutes every day.

With consistency and patience there is no reason that the status quo won't return to the household with your dog following your orders and commands with ease. There may be frustration and annoyance along the way, but it will be worth it when you achieve a happy medium and avoid any nasty accidents or unnecessary stress.

Most dogs provide companionship and loyalty for as long as they live providing you give them the right attention and care. Simple ideas such as tasty rewards and long grooming session can be a benefit to achieving this.

Many Canine owners have found that the way you groom your dog has had an effect on its behaviour. Brushing the fur away from you can act as a relaxing massage that helps the dog to settle down and remain composed. This obviously helps when trying to get your dog to a level where it can listen and absorb your commands.

Believe it or not dogs actually feel more confident when they have been brushed and will mostly enjoy a good pamper. A glossy coat also looks better than a mattered coat.

The Financial Reality of Owning a Cat or Dog

So you want a pet?

They're warm, they're fuzzy, and they love your attention, but that love can cost a pretty penny when you add up the costs of pet ownership. People often adopt pets spontaneously, forgetting that there are myriad expenses. When you care for an animal you are also responsible for keeping it healthy. Parents often think getting a pet for their children will help teach the child responsible ownership, but the responsibility extends further than walks, pets, and bowls of food and water.

The costs of pet ownership:

There are many expenses associated with cats and dogs. To name a few basic costs: food, spay and neutering fees, vaccination fees, and veterinary check-ups. These fees are simply maintenance costs, just like we have for ourselves. While humans may have the freedom to choose not to take proper care of ourselves, taking care of an animal is important because the animal doesn't have the ability to seek the care that it needs without its owners help.

Below is breakdown of average cat and dog expenses. Take a look and make sure you are one hundred percent capable of paying these expenses before adopting a pet.

Average feline expenses:

• Food can range from $5 per month to $30 per month depending upon what type of cat food you purchase. Not all foods are created equal. Many cat owners are concerned about the ingredients (most advise that the first ingredient should not be corn), the nutrients, and the factory processing standards. The basic cat food is dry and can be purchased at your local supermarket. Cats also love canned food, and this can add an extra 10-50 cents per day to the overall food costs.

• Cat Litter is necessary for all indoor cats, and even for indoor-outdoor cats. Like cat food, litter costs vary depending on the quality of absorbent material. Most basic litters use clay, but more environmentally conscious litter is made from recycled cardboard or plant materials. Litter ranges from $10 per month to $40 per month.

• Spay and neuter fees range from veterinary services, but can cost anywhere from $25 (for low-income programs) to $100. Unless you are planning to breed cats, spay and neuter is important to keep them from impregnating the neighbors' cat. And, trust me: you don't want to deal with a female cat in heat.

• Vaccinations are required to have your cat spayed or neutered, and they're absolutely necessary for cats that will be outdoors. There are several different vaccinations, and the cost is highest during the kitten's first year. Year 1: $70-$150, Year 2 and beyond: $20-$50.

• Veterinary visits generally cost $30-100 depending on the type of visit. But if your cat is seriously hurt you can expect costs ranging from $300-$3000. A cat should, after their first year, have regular yearly checkups.

• Grooming spa packages generally include bathing, blow-dry, brush, nail-clipping, and ear cleaning. This can run anywhere from $50-$150 depending on the type of package you purchase. You can add value options like getting a summer clipping for your long haired friend.

Average canine expenses:

• Food can cost anywhere from $15-$50 per month on dog food. This will not only vary by dog food quality and brand, but also on the size of your dog. A small Pomeranian won't eat much, but a King Sheppard will consume about a pound of dry food per day. The best dog foods will have a meat as their first ingredient. Most dogs also need a canned meat to supplement the dry food.

• Spay and neuter fees for dogs can depend on the dog's size and weight. It can run anywhere from $35-$300 to have your canine spayed. Unless you plan to breed your dog, spaying and neutering may save many euthanizations.

• Vaccinations for dogs is very similar to cats. The first year is most expensive and will require many trips to the vet. The first year will cost anywhere from $70-150 with boosters year two at $30-70 and then every three years or so for around $30-70.

• Veterinary Visits can cost anywhere from $30-100 for a checkup, and more for illnesses. Surgeries can run from $300-$3000. A dog should visit the vet for at least an annual check up to make sure they don't have heart worm or any other terminal illnesses.

• Grooming fees for dogs will vary widely depending on the dog's size and hair type. The basic grooming will be a bath, dry, nail trim, and ear cleaning and can cost anywhere from $50-$200. There are extra fees for unmanageable pets.

Once again, while it is fantastic that you wish to adopt, for the pet's safety, please make sure that you can afford all of the fees!

Sarah Snow is a guest blogger for My Dog Ate My Blog and a writer on online schools for Guide to Online Schools.