Posts Tagged ‘dog care’
Sunday, July 26th, 2009
First things first- as we always advise, if you are not comfortable cutting your dog’s hair then please have a professional do it instead. However, it is easier than you think and if you do learn how to do it yourself, you can save a lot of money especially if your dog has long hair and needs regular grooming. Here are our tips for cutting your dog’s hair. You (and your dog) will be used to it in no time:
- Before you start, brush your dog’s hair to remove any tangles. This will make the whole process go smoothly.
- Make sure that the pair of scissors you are using is sharp. A blunt pair can be frustrating and a waste of time for both you and your pet.
- If your dog is small enough, put him or her on top of a table. This will give you a better view and keeping them at an elevation will prevent them from moving around. Just ensure that the table has strong enough foundations to carry the weight of your dog. We don’t want any accidents, especially when there are scissors and clippers involved!
- Before you start cutting, decide on an overall length and be consistent as you cut all throughout. Having an uneven coat is not a matter of life and death, but you want your dog to be presentable, don’t you?
- Start with just one area of your dog’s body and see how it goes before proceeding to the other areas. You don’t want to be cutting all over the place especially when it’s your first time trimming your dog’s hair.
- Always cut at an angle. This will ensure that you don’t cut the hair too short and it looks better as it grows too as opposed to a blunt cut.
- Finally, after you’ve trimmed your dog’s hair, give him or her a bath to get rid of excess hair! That’s pretty much it. See, we told you it’d be easy!
Tags: caring for your dog's hair, cutting your dog's hair, dog, dog care, dog grooming, dog hair, dog hair cut, dog hair trim, dog hygiene, dogs, how to cut your dog's hair, how to trim your dog's hair, trimming your dog's hair
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
We (and many dog lovers, we’re sure) think that the best way to treat your dog is to really have him or her reside in your own home with you. Not only does it keep them safe from the elements, it also allows them to have a lot of bonding time with you and the other members of your household, thereby really letting them feel that they are not just a pet, but also a valuable part of the family. That said, we understand, that sometimes it is just not practical or feasible to keep your dog indoors with you at all times. If you have no choice but to let your dog live in a doghouse, the next best thing you can do for them is to ensure that they are safe, comfortable, and content even when they have to sleep outside. Here are our tips to help you get the best doghouse for your precious pet:
- Firstly, make sure that the yard in which the doghouse is located is secure and properly fenced in. Make sure the fence is high enough so your dog can’t just jump out of it and so that other dogs from the neighborhood won’t get into your yard either.
- The most important consideration when looking for a doghouse is the climate of the area you live in. If you live in a place with notorious winters, get a doghouse that is waterproof. A heating pad will make your pet a lot more comfy too on those cold, cold nights. Conversely, if you live somewhere really warm, make sure that the dog house is positioned in a shaded area of the yard and that your dog has enough water at all times. If you really want to go all out, you can even get your pet an air-conditioned doghouse!
- You should also carefully choose the size of your pet’s doghouse. It should be big enough for your dog to turn around and stretch in, but it should also be snug enough to keep him warm on colder days and nights.
- The safety of your dog is of utmost importance, so also make sure that the doghouse does not have any sharp edges where your dog can severely injure himself.
- It is also important to think about the material of the doghouse you will be buying for your pet. Plastic and metal ones are easier to clean than wooden ones. Moreover, plastic doghouses are also a lot lighter and thus easier to move should you decide to relocate the doghouse to a different part of the yard.
- Finally, you should do all you can to make your pet feel that even when he is not sleeping under the same roof as you, he is still very much loved. You can make the dog house a more welcoming place for your dog by associating it with things he or she likes. For example, you can start feeding your dog in the doghouse. You can also put his or her favorite toys in there so it becomes a fun, enjoyable place. Remember, your pet should not only see the doghouse as a piece of shelter but also as a home!
Tags: air-conditioned doghouse, best kind of doghouse, best material for doghouse, correct size of doghouse, dog, dog care, dog house, doghouse, dogs, heated doghouse, how to buy the best doghouse, how to choose the best doghouse, ideal size of doghouse, things to consider when buying a doghouse, tips on choosing the best doghouse
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Thursday, July 2nd, 2009
As a responsible pet owner, there are a few things that you have to do in order to keep your dog clean and healthy. Some of these things may be inconvenient for you and uncomfortable for your dog, but that doesn’t mean you can just skip it altogether. One of these such things, along with clipping your dog’s nails (See our article on that here), is cleaning your dog’s ears. It can be dangerous if not done right, so here are our tips on how to clean your dog’s ears:
- Firstly, like we always say, if you are not confident that you have enough patience or skill to do it, then it might be best to let a grooming professional or a vet do it. Still, there is no reason why you can’t do it yourself. Just keep these tips in mind.
- When cleaning your dog’s ears, make sure that you are using a solution that is made specifically for that purpose. From experience, I’ve also found that cotton pads work best because they are thinner and easier to manage than cotton balls.
- When you are about to clean your dog’s ears, also ensure that you have allotted a lot of time for it. Do not do it when you have to rush somewhere. You should be able to take your time and do the process calmly.
- Another important tip is to have your dog lie in a position that is comfortable for him or her. Having his or her ears cleaned is uncomfortable enough, so make sure that the rest of his body is. My dog, for one, prefers to lie on her side.
- When cleaning your pet’s ears, do not go right in the canal. Set the cotton pad and dog ear cleaning solution aside. The first thing you must do is to massage your dog’s ears. Most dogs will enjoy it and it gets them used to having their ears touched.
- Once your dog looks sufficiently comfortable, then you can start with the actual cleaning. Put some cleaning solution on the pad and start with the other parts of your dog’s ear, working slowly down. The further down you go, the more sensitive they will be so you have to be extremely gentle as you are doing it.
- Even as you are going further down, you should only be dealing with the outer ear area. Do not try going down your dog’s ear canal. This type of cleaning should only be done by a professional.
- When you are applying the cleaning solution on the cotton pad, make sure that it is just moist and not soaking wet. It would be quite uncomfortable for your dog to have the solution constantly dripping in his ear. This could lead to an ear infection later on. As you are cleaning your dog’s ears, he or she will most likely be shaking his or her head every once in a while to get rid of the excess moisture. It’s important that you allow your dog to do this to prevent future ear infections.
- Speaking of ear infections, please take note that the tips we have outlined here are not to be followed if your dog has one. You should not attempt to clean your dog’s ears if he has an infection. In this case, consult a professional. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Tags: advice on cleaning your dog's ears, cleaning your dog's ears, dog, dog care, dog ear cleaning solution, dog ear infection, dog grooming, dog health, dog hygiene, dogs, how to clean your dog's ears, tips on cleaning your dog's ears
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Wednesday, July 1st, 2009
Does your pet have arthritis?
Arthritis is an extremely painful joint condition affecting nearly 1.3 million humans every year, and the same condition commonly affects almost one in every four dogs as they age. If you cannot bear to see a family member or a loved one in pain due to arthritis then imagine the pain faced by a pet which cannot even understand the reason for arthritic pain.
What is arthritis and how often does it affect dogs?
Arthritis is a term used to describe abnormal changes in a joint. Each joint in the body has a protective pad of cartilage inside it which prevents the hard bones from rubbing against each other. The pad acts like a cushion to lessen the impact created during movement and it also serves as a lubricating pillow to allow easy movement. Inflammatory diseases, joint injuries, stress on joints, infections etc. can all attack and irreparably damage the cartilage pad inside the joint. When the damaged cartilage can no longer protect the bones, they start grinding against each other, causing pain and swellings. Each joint is also guarded by a joint capsule to protect the cartilage and the bones. However, with increasing friction between the bones of the joint, the capsule thickens and becomes less elastic. The thicker the joint capsule becomes the more effort is required to carry out any type of motion, thus leading to more injury and pain. In an effort to decrease the pain, pets try to limit the amount of movement of the joint. But more problems arise as reduced activity causes weight gain, thereby increasing the weight that the painful joint has to bear. It’s a vicious cycle of injury which has no permanent treatment.
However, it’s not as hopeless as it sounds. Modern medicine has improved by leaps and bounds in the last few years and there are now ways to enable your pet to lead a comfortable life even if he has arthritis. Just make sure you get them checked by a vet at least twice a year. The sooner you diagnose your pet as having arthritis, the sooner you will be able to help alleviate his pain.
Be a caring and observant owner, and watch out for these symptoms:
1. Increased weight gain- If your pet is in pain from arthritis, they will start to decrease their movement to control the pain from sore joints. The first sign most pet owners notice is an increased amount of weight gain, more sleep periods and a sudden decrease in alertness.
2. Slowing down- As your pet dog gets older, there will be a normal amount of slowing down in activities and enthusiasm level. Arthritis brings subtle changes, like a hesitation in climbing stairs, an increased reluctance for movement in cold or rainy weather, stiffness while getting up or lying down, hesitation about jumping up or down from high areas, etc. If your pet looks reluctant to greet you when you come home or does not like to perform an energetic action then there’s a chance your pet could have joint disease. All of these signs can indicate painful joints.
Making It Easier on Your Pet
Controlling weight- Exercising your dog is not easy, but the following simple and fun appliances can get your dog to lose weight while still keeping his arthritis under control.
• Lift-N-Aid is a really cool harness that pet owners can use to lift the weight of the dog’s body off his hip joints and limbs.
• Tread-a-Stair- These steps are designed to help a pet up and down raised surfaces without exerting his joints.
• Pet Ramp and Cargo step are the same as the Tread-a-stair but they are designed for heavier and bigger dogs.
• Aqua Paws Underwater Treadmill System is a great device which helps your dog exercise while also reducing the friction on painful joints. It’s a little expensive for personal home use, but some animal physiotherapy centers carry them.
Slip-free Flooring- Smooth tile floors are a little rough on the joints of arthritic dogs. Try placing soft carpeting or throw rugs in the areas frequented by your pet. Remember to put an anti-slip padding under each rug to prevent injuries and fractures.
Soft bedding- This is one of the best ways that you can support your pet’s arthritic joints. Use a soft foam mattress or even a waterbed or a hammock to make lying down and getting up as comfortable as possible.
Massage- Gentle massaging of your pets arthritic joints can increase their feeling of well-being . It also helps to soothe the pain of sore joints and improves blood circulation in these areas. You can either learn to do this yourself or call in a professional who can do it more efficiently for a fee.
The only way you can alleviate your pet’s health problems is by paying close attention to them especially as they get older. One rule of thumb is that the older your pet gets, the more frequently you should have them checked by a veterinarian. Don’t wait for symptoms to crop up; a biannual check-up for older dogs is necessary as they are more likely to suffer from arthritis.
Tags: alleviating pain from arthritis, aqua paws underwater treadmill system, cargo step, definition of arthritis, dog, dog arthritis, dog care, dog health, dog massage, dogs, improving your pet's condition, lift-n-aid, pet arthritis, pet care, pet health, pet massage, pet ramp, reducing pain from arthritis, soothing pain from arthritis, symptoms, tread-a-stair, treatment of arthritis
Posted in Natural Dog Health | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
We love our pets and care for them a lot. We get them the best in food, toys and bedding to show our love for them. And yet even as we try to do right by them, we realize that there are still some areas in which we can still use some improvement. One example is dental care. According to the American Veterinary Dental Association at least 80% of all household pets develop serious dental problems by the time they are three years old! This is a very high percentage considering the fact that most household pets have owners who are genuinely looking out for their well-being.
But the statistics have little to do with how much we care and more to do with how little we might actually know. The fact is that pet owners are probably not aware of the proper ways to care for the dental health of their pets or how to prevent common dental problems. Actually taking care of your pet’s oral hygiene is relatively simple. Just be guided by these simple tips:
Home Care for Healthy Teeth
1. Follow a good tooth brushing routine to ensure that your pet’s teeth are regularly cleaned and well-maintained. Try to brush your pet’s teeth at least three times a week. Use soft toothbrushes with tasty toothpaste to make it a fun experience both for you and your pet. Do not use human toothpastes; specially formulated pet toothpastes are available in the market. If you are finding it difficult to make your pet behave while brushing his teeth, try using finger toothbrushes which work just as well. These toothbrushes resemble gloves which can be worn over fingers. They are smaller and much easier to use inside a pet’s mouth.
2. Feed your pet a good dry pet food diet- The dry kibble formulated for dogs keeps teeth cleaner and healthier. Even if you are feeding your pet canned food, make sure that you feed him dry treats afterwards.
3. Select the right toys- Find pet toys which are specifically made for dogs. Do not let your dog chew on something which may be too hard for him. A fractured tooth can be really painful for your pet, plus it could potentially be really expensive for you to get it treated! Nylon bones, rubber toys and lots of other alternatives are available in the market and are designed for dogs to chew on. The right toys could also be great for massaging your pet’s gums while also rubbing off the plaque.
4. Breath fresheners- Dogs can have smelly breath even when they don’t have any dental problems. In addition to cleaning his teeth, use a breath-freshener, which contains chlorhexidine solutions to clean out the bacteria in his mouth.
5. Home oral exams- carry out a thorough check-up of your pet’s mouth at least once a week to make sure that there are no hidden problems. Warning signs of serious dental problems are foul breath, bleeding and swollen gums, discolored and missing teeth, unexplained bumps and lumps, tartar or hard yellow deposits around the gums and teeth, and bleeding and pus when you press down on the teeth and the gums.
6. Regular vet visits- Regardless of how committed you are to your pet’s oral hygiene, it’s always helpful to seek professional opinion. Get a vet to check your dog’s teeth and gums at least two times a year. If you have a good cleaning and tooth brushing routine in place, the vet should not have too much left to do. A trained vet can also catch hidden problems early on. Early detection also means early treatment.
Tags: caring for your dog's gums, caring for your dog's teeth, caring for your pet's gums, caring for your pet's teeth, dental care, dental health, dental problems, dental toys, dog, dog care, dog health, dog hygiene, dog toothbrush, dog toothpaste, dogs, dry kibble, dry pet food diet, gum care, healthy teeth for your dogs, home dental care, home oral exam, pet, pet care, pet health, pets, teeth brushing, teeth brushing routine, teeth care, tips for teeth brushing, tooth brush, tooth brushing routine, tooth care
Posted in Natural Dog Health | 1 Comment »
Monday, June 22nd, 2009
Cutting your dog’s nails is probably the one part of your dog’s grooming routine that you often overlook. It’s such a struggle to get your dog to stay put while you cut his nails that most of the time, you just don’t bother with it anymore. However, clipping your dog’s nails is more important than you think. Not only does it prevent your dog from hurting you and your family when he only means to scratch playfully, but it can also save your dog from a lot of potential pain. Long nails can lead to a nail bed infection and ingrown nails. Trust me, you’ll find that the hassle you are putting up with now is well worth it. And besides, clipping your dog’s nails isn’t all that difficult. You only need to know how.
- As with most things, you should clip your dog’s nails regularly from when he is a pup. If you do it as early in his lifetime as possible, you will grow up with a dog who is used to it and will consider it as part of his regular grooming schedule.
- Dogs usually hate getting their nails clipped because they are uncomfortable with having their paws touched. Before you cut your dog’s nails, why don’t you try and teach him to relax as you hold his paws? Once he gets used to this, try gently squeezing his paws and nails one at a time. Reward him after so he won’t mind the next time you do it. Also use a lot of positive reinforcement. Tell him, “Good dog” as you keep on stroking his paws.
- To avoid hurting your dog while you clip his nails, you should also learn what each nail is made of. Each nail consists of a hard outer cover, which is what you clip off, and the quick, which is the soft inner part comprised of blood vessels and nerve endings. If you are not careful and cut into the quick, you will be subjecting your dog to a lot of pain and bleeding. As a general rule, it is better to clip off a little bit of the tips at a time.
- Some dogs have light-colored nails, which makes it easier to detect where the outer cover ends and where the quick starts. The pinkish part should indicate where the quick is. However, most dogs will have black nails, which make this more difficult. One way to detect the quick is to look out for a dark area in the middle of a newly clipped part. But again, it is important to cut off a little bit at the tip at a time to ensure that there are no accidents.
- But what to do if there has indeed been an accident and you’ve clipped off too much thereby hurting the quick? Well, firstly do not panic at the sight of blood. Most of the time it’s really not as big a deal as most people make it out to be. Just calm down your dog, soothe his nerves with kind words and a treat or two, and hold a tissue against his paw until it stops bleeding. The bleeding should last for about 5-7 minutes. If it persists for longer than this, then take your dog to see a vet.
- One last word about clipping your dog’s nails- If you’ve tried the abovementioned steps and are still uncomfortable and unsuccessful at clipping your dog’s nails, then don’t force the issue. Take your dog to a professional groomer instead. There’s no shame in it! With some pet owners, this is just a better – and also, safer – option!
Tags: clip dog's nails, clipping dog's nails, components of a dog's nail, cut dog's nails, cutting dog's nails, dog, dog care, dog grooming, dog health, dogs, how to clip your dog's nails, outer cover, parts of a dog's nail, quick, techniques for how to clip your dog's nails, what does a dog's nail consist of, what is a dog's nail made of
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009
Almost all dogs go through a shedding cycle, which is perfectly normal especially during warmer months. They shed off their winter coat and grow a thinner coat for higher temperatures. Your dog’s shedding cycle could be very inconvenient. You soon find yourself rolling around their shedded fur on your bed and on your couch. You wake up with their fur sticking to the sides of your mouth or end up going to work with hair (that’s not yours) all over your work clothes. How do you deal with it?
- Firstly, there is no way to prevent or stop it completely. Shedding is going to be a regular occurrence in your pet’s life so for the most part, you just have to deal with it. Make your lint brush your best friend
- Secondly, although all dogs shed you have to be observant and find out if your dog is shedding as much as he usually does or if he is shedding more than usual. If it is the latter, it might be a good idea to take him to the vet. Excess shedding can be symptoms of skin parasites, allergies, or malnutrition.
- To minimize the chances of your dog leaving excess hair around the house, groom him regularly. Do it at least once a week and make it a routine for both your dog and you.
- Find the right brush for your dog. Different brushes work for different dogs. For example, a fine comb will work well with short hair, while brushes with long bristles and wide-toothed combs are best for thicker coats.
Shedding is unavoidable, but these tips ought to lessen the inconvenience and help you better deal with your dog’s shedding cycle.
Tags: correct grooming brush for your dog, dealing with your dog's shedding, dog, dog care, dog grooming, dog health, dog shedding, dog's shedding cycle, dogs, excess shedding, excessive shedding, how to deal with your dog shedding, regular grooming, right comb for your dog, right grooming brush for your dog, shedding fur
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Saturday, June 20th, 2009
Dogs can be very sneaky especially when it comes to food. You may be at the table having a nice, quiet dinner when suddenly he jumps up from the floor, pounces on your plate, runs off and eats the chicken bones he has stolen. Although usually chewing on bones is good for them, chicken bones are an exception. They are potentially dangerous because they are very brittle, may splinter off and damage your dog’s intestines and internal organs. If your dog has eaten some chicken bones, here are some tips that will hopefully help you deal with the situation:
1. As with all emergency cases, do not panic. The first thing to do is to find out whether the chicken bones were raw or cooked. Raw chicken bones are not as brittle as cooked ones and in most cases, raw chicken bones should give you no cause to worry.
2. If, however, your dog has eaten cooked chicken bones, what you should do first is observe his behavior. Does he seem to be in pain? Is he choking? If yes, immediately call a veterinarian.
3. If your dog seems fine, it still won’t hurt to observe extra caution. Many vets will advise you to feed him canned pumpkin. This stuffs them up and induces vomiting, which will hopefully get rid of the bone. Also look at his stool and see if the bone is there or if there is any sign of blood. Blood will probably mean that he has hurt his stomach. Take him to a vet immediately if this is the case.
Tags: bloody stool, canned pumpkin for chicken bones, cooked chicken bones, danger of chicken bones, dog, dog and chicken bones, dog care, dog health, dogs, induce vomiting, raw chicken bones, what to do if you dog eats chicken bones
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Saturday, June 20th, 2009
We have two dogs in our house- a German Shepherd and a Dachshund. Whenever there is a thunderstorm, our German Shepherd is perfectly calm and going about her usual business, while our Dachshund becomes absolutely terrified, hiding and cowering under our bed. Our Dachshund also reacts similarly to other loud noises such as fireworks and the sound of a vacuum cleaner running. One explanation offered for why some dogs are afraid of these sounds is because they have extremely sensitive ears that are easily affected by extremes- both by high-pitched and low-pitched sounds. Here are a few tips to help your pet deal with this anxiety:
1. One way is to distract your dog from the fearful sound by playing music or turning up the volume on the TV. He can then turn his attention towards a sound that may be louder but less threatening to him.
2. Another way is by providing your dog with a safe hiding place that can muffle the sound. Perhaps you can keep him company in the powder room or in another equally enclosed space.
3. One effective way is by turning a usually terrifying experience into an enjoyable one. Whenever there is thunder, give your dog his favorite treat or play toy. This way, he will start associating the sound of thunder to something fun!
4. If none of these tips help, you can try a process called desensitization. The key is to expose your dog’s ears to lower quantities of the sound that he is afraid of. You can use a recording of thunder and play it in the house, initially starting with a lower volume and gradually progressing to a higher volume once your dog has gotten used to it. This should allow him to get accustomed to the sound. Anything that is more familiar becomes less scary
We hope these tips will help you and your dog the next time a thunderstorm comes your way!
Tags: assuaging your dog's fears, calming your dog's fears, dealign with your dog's fears, desensitization, dog, dog anxiety, dog care, dog fears, dog's fear of fireworks, dog's fear of thunder, dogs, sensitive ears
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Friday, June 19th, 2009
When it comes to training their precious pooches, most dog owners are well-meaning and want nothing but the best for their pets. Sometimes though, however hard they may try, pet owners end up committing a few blunders in the training process, thus not producing their desired training results. Here are five of the most common dog training mistakes. Always keep them in mind when training your dog:
1. Unreasonable expectations- Training is a learning process, not a one-time deal. You cannot expect your dog to learn how to sit within one training session. Some dogs learn quicker than others and you should not hold it against your pet if it takes him longer to learn. Always avoid comparisons. It is unfair to expect your pet to jump as high as your neighbor’s dog or to be able to do impressive tricks like the dogs you see on youtube and on TV. This is not to say that they’re not capable of these things, but bear in mind that these so-called wonder dogs you may be comparing your dog to have probably undergone a whole lot of training and are rarely born that way!
2. Impatience- When training, you have to arm yourself with a lot of time and more importantly, a lot of patience. Initially, your dog will be unable to understand words and is only capable of understanding emotions. It will be able to tell if you are getting irritated. You have to remember that, when communicating with your pet, what you say is not as important as how you say it. For example, if you are trying to teach your dog to sit, say the command in a stern but gentle and happy voice. If you say it with an angry, annoyed tone, your pet will think of “Sit” as an unpleasant word and will not be as willing to follow your command. And it goes without saying that you should NEVER lay a hand on your pet no matter how much they may be displeasing you in the training process. If you find that you have very little patience to do the training, it might be best to seek the help of a professional dog trainer.
3. Failure to reward- When your dog has successfully achieved a command, make sure you reward them immediately after. If you wait until later to reward them they will not know what it is that they did right. Positive reinforcement in the form of verbal affirmation or a treat can go a long way. Conversely, make sure you do not punish your dog unknowingly. What do we mean by this? After training your dog, avoid having him do unpleasant things. For example, if you decide to clean his ears after a training session, he is going to equate training with that unpleasant activity and will not look forward to training in the future.
4. Being inconsistent- Dogs are not like humans in that they do not have as good a grasp of language as we do. Thus, it’s important to be consistent with the commands you choose to give. Call your dog by only one name when training him. You can’t say, “Fido, Sit” one minute and then “Doggy, Sit” the next.
5. Not following through- Your dog learns by repetition. They may have already learned a command after a 3-day training session but if you stop the training for a week after that, you cannot expect your dog to retain the information he learned several days ago. It is better to spend fewer hours a day on training but to do it as regularly as possible.
Avoid these common mistakes and your dog should be sitting, rolling over, and fetching in no time!
Tags: common training mistakes, dog care, dog training, dog training blunders, dog training inconsistencies, dogs, errors in dog training, training consistency, training mistakes to avoid, training no-no's, training process
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