Keep Your Yard Stylish Even Down to the Dog House!
Many people don’t like adding dog houses or cat houses to their yard because so many of them are plastic, ugly, and cheesy-looking, making it stand out as an eyesore in the middle of the yard. However, having a dog house for your best friend doesn’t have to mean that you give up the sleek, stylish yard design that you’ve worked so hard on. What are the options for dog houses that will maintain the design aspects of your yard while still being functional as a shelter and home for your dog?
Instead of shopping for plastic dog houses that are less than aesthetically pleasing and won’t last long, try looking at sturdier options that provide a sound structure as well as a pretty presence. An insulated cedar wood dog house can be the answer to all these aspects of design, beauty, and functionality. How does this sort of dog house meet all of your style and functional needs?
Your dog will not enjoy the changes in weather, especially if you live somewhere with extremely hot summers or harsh, cold winters, unless he has a space that offers him ultimate protection from these elements. What this means is that the simple plastic dog houses you can buy for cheap at the local super-center are insufficient for the protection of your pet. There are plenty of options for dog houses, including an insulated cedar dog house that is ideal for protecting your puppy. Much like the insulation in your own abode, the material holds out the heat in the summer while holding in the heat in the winter.
Of course, just as important is the element of design, which is easily met with an insulated cedar dog house. The cedar is a beautiful wood that can be left untreated (and still be weather resistant due to its natural oil production) or stained or painted to match your home or other elements in the yard. As a versatile material, the cedar can be blended into just about any design theme you can imagine. The ability to paint it if desired can also assist you in meeting any requirements placed by a homeowners’ association that demands such décor match your own house.
When it comes to offering your dog comfort that doesn’t interfere with your yard designs, you should really consider purchasing an insulated cedar dog house, which not only protects your dog and offers him a comfortable space of his own but also can be transformed to whatever style fits into your lawn design.
Teaching the "Come" command.
The come command is a very useful and very important skill. If your dog turns away from what it's doing and returns to you, then you have a wonderful companion. As with all training, you should begin in a quiet location with few distractions, then increase the distractions as the new exercises become more familiar to your dog.
It is essential to reward your dog as soon as he shows the correct behaviour. He will not remember what he's just done if you leave wait to long.
This exercise is best carried out with two people. One person should hold the dog's collar, the other should show him and let him smell his treat. Then close your hand over the treat and back away from your dog while your companion holds his collar. If your dog already knows how to sit and stay, then use this command while you back away from him to about a ten foot distance. Now stop and call your pet's name followed by the word "come". You must be consistent, always use the same word in the same tone of voice. Later, if you want friends or family to use your dog's commands, you must teach them how to say them and use them correctly. Inconsistency will confuse your dog and undermine your training techniques.
Once you have called your dog's name and the word "come" your companion should let go of the collar and your dog will almost certainly come to you. Give him his treat and praise him enthusiastically. Repeat the exercise many times, increasing the distance between you and your dog and even going out of his sight. Soon he will have learned the exercise and associate "come" with a nice treat and praise.
The next part of the training is to take your dog outside to a quiet location. Your companion should hold your dog on it's leash and run over to you with the dog when you give the "come" command. After your pet has mastered this exercise you can try it with the leash off.
As with all training exercises, the key to success is repetition, patience, consistency and positive association. Your dog will be a happier, healthier, safer dog for accomplishing this simple task in a variety of environments with differing degrees of distraction until it is an automatic response.
About The Author: Gladys is the author of hundreds of articles on pets and pet related topics. She writes exclusively for Pet Super Store. For more information on training tools such as shock collars, electric dog fences, and dog beds please visit our site.
|