Oral disease is one of the most prevalent medical issues suffered by pets throughout the country. For this reason, we’ll take a closer look at common dental problems experienced by dogs and the steps you can take to prevent them. We’ll explain why regular trips to your veterinarian are critical and describe how to care for your canine’s teeth at home.

Common Types Of Dental Problems

While cavities are rare among canines, plaque buildup is common. It typically forms as the result of small bits of food that accumulate between the teeth and gum line. If the food is allowed to remain there for prolonged periods, plaque will eventually form.

Over time, minerals in your canine’s saliva will transform the plaque into tartar. Tartar is a bigger problem because it is much more difficult to remove. Moreover, unlike plaque, tartar causes inflammation to the gums, a condition known as gingivitis.

If your dog develops gingivitis, you’ll noticed the gum line next to his teeth becoming red. You’ll also notice that his breath is bad. If the tartar is allowed to remain, it will continue to build underneath your pooch’s gums. Small spaces will eventually form between the gum line and teeth, which promote the growth of bacteria. This is the onset of periodontitis; it cannot be reversed. Your dog will likely begin to develop abscesses, infection, and other problems, including lost teeth.

It’s worth noting the factors that contribute to periodontal disease. First, some breeds are more susceptible to developing the problem than others. Second, genetics play a role. Third, your canine’s diet, age, and the dental care you provide for him at home also have a significant influence. Many owners would be surprised to learn that even the manner in which they groom their dogs can promote the accumulation of tartar.

Regular Trips To The Veterinarian

Proper dental care for your pooch should involve a two-pronged approach. You should make regular appointments with his veterinarian while also providing ongoing care at home.

The veterinarian will perform oral exams and cleanings, when necessary. The oral exams can help the vet identify problems before they worsen. For example, he or she can examine your pooch’s teeth and gum line for evidence of plaque and tartar. If gingivitis or periodontitis has already formed, the veterinarian can take the appropriate steps to resolve the issue.

Dental cleanings should be done on a regular basis for your dog. While it’s important to do them at home, the veterinarian will have the necessary tools to remove tartar buildup (brushing is insufficient). He or she will also have access to scalers that are necessary to remove tartar from beneath the gums. Once the tartar has been removed, your dog’s teeth should be polished.

Caring For Your Dog’s Teeth At Home

Home dental care for your canine involves two important tasks: brushing and examining. Ideally, brushing should be done each day, but even three or four times each week is valuable. It helps to remove food particles that become trapped between your dog’s teeth and gums. That prevents their setting the stage for plaque buildup.

You should examine your canine’s teeth once a week. Check for signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease. Look for redness along the gum line. Check for bad breath. Take note of any tenderness your canine displays when you touch his mouth. If you notice signs of dental problems, make an appointment with the veterinarian.

Your dog relies upon you to help keep his teeth and gums in good condition. The more you and your veterinarian do to prevent dental problems from developing, the happier and healthier he’ll be.

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It’s important to realize the right treats can prove instrumental in motivating a specific behavioral response from your dog. Moreover, they’ll help ensure your pooch remains engaged during your training sessions, and healthy over the long run. On the other hand, the wrong treats can have the opposite effect, especially when given in excess.

Below, we’ll provide an overview of the different types of treats you can offer your canine. You’ll discover that some work better than others, depending on the circumstances and your goals.

Crunchy Versus Soft Treats

Some are hard and crunchy; others are soft and pliable. Treats of both varieties are available in different flavors and sizes. Generally, smaller is better because they are less likely to become stuck in your dog’s throat.

When you’re training your pooch, it’s a good idea to use softer treats. The hard and crunchy variety tends to break apart, which will distract your canine while he tries to clean up the pieces. Any distraction is an obstacle during training.

Treats That Taste Like People Food

There are many dog treats that are formulated to taste like foods normally eaten by people. For example, some taste like liver while others are reminiscent of seafood and various meats. While these morsels are effective for training purposes, a lot of owners mistakenly believe they are always preferred by canines. In reality, it depends on the dog. Some canines will enjoy them; some won’t. The only way to know whether your pooch likes these types of treats is to offer them and note his reaction.

Good For Oral Health

Some dog treats are designed to promote good oral health. They require a lot of chewing, which helps to keep your pooch’s teeth and gums clean. The problem is, if they’re swallowed, the wrong size can cause choking or problems in your canine’s GI tract.

If you’re going to give him treats that are meant to promote dental health, make sure they are the right size for him. Then, avoid letting him chew them unsupervised.

Table Scraps And Other People Food

First, some types of table scraps can be beneficial to your canine. For example, small pieces of lean meats and seafood carry nutritional value. The danger is that there are plenty of foods that can make your dog sick. Grapes, chocolate, onions, and macadamia nuts are all potentially harmful to your pooch. Plus, veterinarians suggest the quickest path to canine obesity is through table scraps because there are far more calories contained in them than in treats.

The takeaway with table scraps is this: they can be good for your dog’s health. However, owners can do plenty of harm if they’re unaware regarding the types of foods their canines should avoid.

An Indispensable Training Tool

One of the most compelling reasons to provide your dog with treats is to influence his behavior in a way that conforms with your wishes. In fact, most professional trainers extol the benefits of using food as a positive reinforcement tool.

When you purchase treats for your pooch, make sure they have similar ingredients to those you’ll find in commercial dog foods. Commercial brands are already formulated to deliver the vitamins and nutrients your canine needs. Don’t make the common mistake of providing him with certain treats just because the flavors appeal to you. Your pooch is bound to have different tastes. Let him decide the flavors he enjoys.

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Once you make the decision to adopt a canine, you’ll need to consider several factors that will influence the relationship you share with each other. This article will explore your new pooch’s role, your living space, lifestyle, and willingness to accommodate his grooming needs. We’ll also take a look at the decision to adopt a puppy versus adopting an adult dog – there are advantages and drawbacks to both circumstances that may be less than obvious.

Determining The Role Of Your Pooch

For most people, canines serve as four-legged companions. They are welcome friends on walks, car rides, or simply while passing time at home. But, the role of your pooch may extend much further. For example, you may want him to offer protection (or, the appearance of it) at home while you are away. You might want him to serve as a playmate for your son or daughter. Many people adopt dogs to function as hunting companions.

The role you wish your future dog to fill should influence the type you adopt. If you want a protector that has a physically aggressive appearance, a Rottweiler may be more appropriate than a Terrier. For a child’s playmate, a Labrador Retriever may be ideal. Knowing the role makes it far easier to choose a breed.

Do You Have Sufficient Space?

Your living space should play a key role in deciding the breed and type of canine to adopt. Most four-legged companions are domestic pets, which means they will spend a majority of their time indoors.

The size of a breed is an obvious issue. If you live within a 500 sq. ft. apartment, a St. Bernard will be a less than ideal choice. At the same time, some breeds are more active than others. A Jack Russell Terrier may be small enough for a cramped living space, but the breed is known to be extremely active. They need plenty of room in order to roam.

Research the level of activity characterized by specific breeds online. Also, consider asking a veterinarian to offer suggestions based on your living space.

Leading An Active Lifestyle

Because some breeds are more active than others, you should consider your own lifestyle when choosing from among them. For example, an Irish Wolfhound may need several walks each day while a St. Bernard will probably be content to lay around the house. If you intend to take your dog on jogs, you’ll want to adopt a pet that can keep up. If you hike on a regular basis, you’ll want a canine that can tag along and carry a few items for you.

Understanding Grooming Needs

The longer a canine’s hair, the more grooming he’ll need. This is especially true if he spends a lot of time outdoors. Long hair picks up burrs, twigs, leaves, and similar items. If you’re willing to spend a significant amount of time grooming your pooch, longer hair may be less an issue. For example, an Afghan Hound might be fine. Otherwise, a shorter-haired canine (e.g. a German Shepherd ) may be a better fit.

Adopting A Puppy Versus An Adult Dog

Most people who want to adopt a dog instinctively think of adopting a puppy. Puppies are a good choice for some owners and a poor one for others. It’s difficult to identify a pup’s personality because it evolves as he develops. On the other hand, the owner will play a bigger role in shaping the puppy’s behaviors. Ultimately, making the decision between adopting a pup and a mature dog should include training issues, veterinary care, and the predictability of factors like temperament.

Bringing a new dog into your home is an exciting adventure that promises to blossom into a rewarding relationship. But, take the time to consider the above suggestions in order to make the choice that best fits your life.

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With this in mind, we’ll take a look at four blunders dog owners make. These gaffes can have a lasting effect on the relationship you share with your pooch.

Tip 1 – Neglecting Proper Nutrition

Proper nutrition for your canine is important to maintain his health over the long run. Besides an ample and ever-present supply of water, he needs food that contains the right blend of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. The food you purchase for him should have a healthy supply of fats and proteins. He also needs carbohydrates for energy.

Ask your veterinarian for nutritional recommendations given your pooch’s size, weight, and normal activity level. By providing him with the right nutrition, you’ll help him keep diseases, joint problems, and even obesity, at bay.

Tip 2 – Neglecting Veterinary Care

Annual examinations by a veterinarian are critical to your canine’s health. The vet can identify potential problems early so they can be addressed before they worsen. For example, if your pooch develops glaucoma, he must receive treatment within a couple of days (and even within hours) to avoid permanently losing his vision.

From arthritis and respiratory problems, to skin conditions and kidney infections, the veterinarian is trained to recognize early warning signs. The sooner conditions can be diagnosed and treated, the less likely they’ll have a permanent effect on your dog’s health.

Tip 3 – Not Enrolling Into Professional Training Classes

Many owners take it upon themselves to train their canines. If your pooch is mild-mannered and was socialized as a puppy, you may be able to train him on your own. Otherwise, consider enrolling him into professional obedience classes. Not only will the trainer help prevent bad habits from forming, but the classes will give your canine a chance to socialize with other pets and their owners. That’s important to help him become a more pleasant companion.

Tip 4 – Punishing Rather Than Praising

Despite their love for their dogs, many people react negatively to their canines’ bad behavior rather than praising their good behavior. For example, if a puppy defecates on the carpet, his owner might punish him by yelling and rubbing his nose in the mess. Punishment rarely yields a sociable, pleasant pooch. Instead, it trains a dog to fear the person who is delivering the punishment.

Use praise to encourage acceptable behavior in your pooch. Not only will he do everything he can to please you, but praise will dramatically improve the relationship and bond you share with each other.

Owning a dog is a deeply rewarding experience that will last for years. Avoid the four mistakes above and you’ll be more likely to raise a canine companion who is healthy, happy, and loyal.

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The challenge is finding the right professional trainer for your dog. Experience and skill sets vary wildly. Moreover, the approach taken by some trainers is opposite the approach taken by others. This article will provide a helpful overview for choosing the right trainer and training classes for your pooch.

The Value Of Reputation

One of the best places to start your search is at your veterinarian’s office. First, your vet can likely offer a few recommendations based on his or her personal experience with multiple instructors. Professional reputation is important. Second, many of the people who visit your veterinarian’s office can direct you to their own dogs’ trainers. They’ll also be able to offer useful insight regarding certain individuals and their respective approaches.

You should also check with nearby animal shelters. Many of them will maintain a short list of training classes for visitors who wish to enroll their canines after adopting them. Any instructor included on that list will likely have met a certain standard of professionalism.

Identifying The Trainer’s Skill Set

Take the time to observe a few classes before enrolling your canine. Note how the instructor interacts with the pets in his or her care. Watch how he or she interacts with the other owners. Also, pay attention to the mannerisms of the dogs when they arrive at the sessions. Do they seem excited to be there or are they reserved? Their behavior might provide insight into the instructor’s ability or willingness to connect with them.

At some point, you’ll need to ask a few direct questions of the trainer. Ask whether he or she is affiliated with any professional training associations. Find out about the person’s education and experience in the field. Has he or she trained other canines to do what you would like your own dog to do? A professional instructor should be willing to answer your questions openly and clarify any concerns you might have about the training classes.

Strategy And Style

Even though most professional dog trainers avoid using punishment as a method for curbing unacceptable behaviors, some continue to do so. They’ll hit, slap, or choke canines to discourage specific actions. This is a bad training strategy and reveals a poor understanding of the triggers that motivate dogs.

Instructors should use positive reinforcement to encourage appropriate behaviors. If your pooch does something that is unacceptable, rewards and attention should be withheld. Punishment should not have a place.

Also, try to determine whether other owners are having fun during the training sessions. That suggests the trainer enjoys working with canines and encourages the participation of their owners.

Match The Classes To Your Pooch

There are several types of dog training classes and each one is designed to meet different goals. For example, some sessions are specifically designed to teach socialization skills to puppies. Others are meant to teach basic commands and promote overall obedience. Some classes focus on specific areas, such as agility, search and rescue, and field work. This is the reason it’s important to identify your goals before enrolling your pooch.

Professional dog trainers can play a significant role in the development of your canine into a pleasant, loyal, and obedient companion. They can help shape him into a pet that you and your family will look forward to seeing every day. Use the suggestions above to choose an instructor who has the skills, style, and approach that match your expectations.

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Oscar is the popular name for the cichlid known as Astronotus ocellatus. In addition to the name Oscar, this species is also known as the Velvet cichlid or the Marble cichlid. Current variations of this species include: tiger oscar, red oscar, red tiger oscar, marbled oscar and several new veil tailed varieties. Astronotus ocellatus is not an extremely sensitive fish, so it can be kept even by less experienced aquarists. The keeper must provide an aquarium that is large enough however. 75 to 100 gallon aquariums are considered minimum. Keep in mind, that in the wild, it is not uncommon for an Oscar fish to grow larger than 12 inches long. When Oscars are kept in home aquariums they normally won’t get quite that large.

Oscars are large carnivores and they are known to be happy eaters even in captivity. Your Oscar will do best on a varied diet consisting of fish and insects. Feeder fish, crickets, worms, adult brine shrimp and krill are all suitable food types. It is easy to train your Oscar fish into accepting prepared food, such as pellets and flakes. A high quality prepared food suitable for large cichlids is recommended. A prepared food can provide a good base, but you should not keep your Oscar fish on flakes or pellets alone. Supplementing prepared food with some of the food types described above is always advisable. Since small fish will be viewed as food, they are not suitable tank mates for your Oscar. Oscars are not very aggressive towards fish that are too large to be considered food, and you can house your Oscar with other large and non-aggressive fish species that like the same water conditions. Some species that come to mind: Tin Foil Barbs, Red Bellied Pacus, larger varieties of Cat Fish and maybe some similar sized Jack Dempsey’s. As with most large fish, and actually all large cichilds, keeping your aquarium well decorated and well planted will be next to impossible. As Oscars grow larger, they will tear things up, so you may find yourself decorating your tank with a lot of rocks and overturned clay flower pots.

Oscar cichlids are relatively hardy fish, and will tolerate most water conditions as long as you avoid the extremes. If you want your Oscars to thrive, and possibly spawn in your aquarium, you should strive to provide them with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0 and water that is soft or just barely hard. A water temperature in the 72-80 degree Fahrenheit range is recommended. The Oscar is a South American cichlid, from the Amazon River and its tributaries in Brazil and Paraguay.

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Below, we’ll explore some of the biggest advantages to crating your dog, so you’ll fully appreciate the value it offers. We’ll then take a look at the mistakes owners make that often create an aversion in their canines. Lastly, you’ll learn about the signs that suggest crate aversion and how to work with your pooch to create a positive association.

Advantages Of Crating

There are several benefits to making a crate available to your pooch while he is still a puppy. In fact, the earlier you introduce him to it, the sooner he’ll grow comfortable with his new home.

Most owners realize that crating is an effective housetraining strategy for pups. Unfortunately, they often toss the pen out after their pooches have been housebroken, depriving them of their own personal den to which they can retreat. A crate provides a sense of security. It becomes your dog’s refuge in the same way a child can retreat to his or her bedroom.

Crates are also valuable for providing safety for your canine while you travel. It prevents him from wandering and finding trouble.

Another benefit is especially relevant if your pooch suffers from mild separation anxiety. In your absence, he can seek comfort in his “den” while waiting for you to return home.

Mistakes Owners Make When Crating Their Pooch

Sadly, many dogs are never given an opportunity to create a positive connection with their pens. Instead, they learn to loathe them. Sometimes, this is due to poor decisions made by their owners; other times, the aversion results from their owners’ honest mistakes.

For example, a lot of owners will place their canines in their crates as a form of punishment. Doing so trains dogs to associate their metal pens with a prison. That makes it nearly impossible for them to look forward to spending time inside.

Or, an owner might place his pooch in his crate and forget about doing so. Left within for too long a period, the dog might begin to form a negative association – often to the point of not wanting to return.

Another common mistake is to buy too small a crate. If your canine feels cramped and uncomfortable inside, he’s unlikely to look forward to spending time there.

Warning Signs Of Aversion

If your dog does not like being in his pen, he’ll make his feelings known very clearly. For example, as you attempt to put him inside, he’ll bark and even bite in order to avoid being imprisoned. Once you close the door, he might scratch to try to escape. If your pooch is especially anxious about being crated, he might start to bite the door.

All of these are strong signs of aversion to crating. Building a positive association for your dog requires a slow, methodical approach and plenty of patience.

How To Create A Positive Association

First, place comfortable bedding inside your canine’s pen for him to rest upon. Also, consider putting a towel or small covering on top of the crate to make it seem more like a den.

Second, because your dog is already averse to being crated, you’ll need to take small steps toward making him comfortable with it. Begin serving his meals next to the opening; eventually, move his meals inside and leave the door open. Place a few toys on the bedding and hide some of his favorite treats in the corners.

Third, begin to acclimate him to being confined within his crate by closing the door for short periods (start with a few minutes). Then, gradually increase the amount of time he is confined within.

Crating your canine is a valuable training tool and provides him a place of his own to which he can retreat. Use the suggestions above to encourage your dog to form a positive association with it.

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Although becomes difficult to maintain a completely pet-hair free zone on a daily basis. If you find yourself short on funds, but desperate for inexpensive ideas for removing those pesky pet hairs, then try these three pet hair removal tactics:

Duct Tape
Duct tape is known for being the king of all tapes and nearly every household has a roll of this type of tape. The secret to the magic of duct tape is its extreme stickiness. The adhesive side of duct tape is known to be strong enough to fix broken furniture temporarily, repair tears in upholstery until it can be mended, and much more. Now you can put your duct tape to use in help with pet hair removal.

While many pet owners use a lint roller, a roll with sticky adhesive on the outside used for clothing, it sometimes is just not sticky enough. Sometimes several sheets of lint roller adhesive sheets are need to remove pet hair from the smallest areas. Duct tape becomes a clear alternative that in the long run might be cheaper than purchasing lint rollers and lint roller refills.

Simply wrap the duct tape around your palm, with its extreme sticky side exposed, and pat along the areas that require pet hair removal. If you want to cover a larger areas, then consider cutting longer strips of duct tape on sticking the tape directly onto the surface of the area where the pet hair is to be removed, firmly press onto the tape, and rip off!

Liquid Fabric Softener & Water Solution
If you have liquid fabric softener, water, and a spray bottle, then you are halfway to eliminating pet hairs from your home! Mix a solution of fabric softener diluted with water and place into a clean spray bottle. Make sure that you label the spray bottle so that when you are organizing your cleaning supplies, you will know what type of solution is in the bottle.

With the solution in hand, lightly mist areas where there is a lot of pet hair, do not drench the area, a light mist that will only take a couple of minutes to dry is sufficient. The mixture of liquid fabric softener and water is almost like a magic solution that loosen pet hair in carpet and upholstery. Now wait a few minutes, make sure that they area is dry, and vacuum over the area. The solution will likely have loosened up plenty of pet hair to really make it easier to vacuum.

Rubber Gloves
Rubber gloves, either kitchen gloves or gardening gloves, can work against the battle of pet hair removal. Put on a clean rubber glove, perhaps you may label to glove for pet hair removal for the future, and rub around the area where there is excessive pet hairs. The static from the rubber gloves with work to clump the loose pet hair together, creating little pet hair balls that you can pick up and throw away.

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Walking

You can teach your pup to walk on a loose lead using two positive reward training methods.

?Try this retraining exercise if you have a dog that tries to pull your arm out of its socket. When the lead goes stiff, stop in your tracks. Wait for the lead to go slack, call the dogs name and click and treat as he comes to you. You may find it takes an hour to walk down the garden path to the front gate. The dog will get to understand that a loose lead is more rewarding than a tight lead fairly quickly.

?holding a few small tasty treats in one hand, the leash and the clicker in the other hand we are going to lure the dog to walk close to us. The hand with the food should be the hand nearest the dog. So, dog on the left, food in the left hand. Working the dog on both sides has huge advantages if you wish to participate in the fun sport of dog agility and I recommend you work this exercise with the dog on either side as long as you remember that the food treats must be on the same side as the dog.

Start with the dog sitting or standing in front of you. Get the dog focused on the treats in your left hand and start walking backwards. Make a click and slip one of the treats out of your fingers so the dog can take it every three paces. Make certain the dog is staying with you and is following the hand with the food treat.

With the dog following the food in your hand, make a quick 180 degree turn so that the dog is now on your left, snuffling at the food still in your left hand, and you are walking forwards. You still need to click and treat every three paces. The walking backwards is slowly faded out at the start until you can start with the dog sitting or standing at your side.

You can now take more steps before you click and treat the dog. Over a period of time you will stop using food in the hand but will have the dog following a clenched fist that smells like it may have food in it. When the dog stays by your side you can click and treat when you come to a stop and you introduce the sit command as you come to a stop.

Click and treat only if your dog sits as you come to a stop. You may need to take one or two steps after you give the sit command. Watch the dog and if you see he has heard and sits, then you need to stop immediately as well.

Stays

Part and parcel of any dog obedience course is the sit and the drop stay, and is fairly simple to teach the pup. You start with the dog sitting next to you on your left. Place your right hand across your body and right in front of the dogs face, say the word ?STAY? firmly and, stepping off on the right foot, take a step around and in front of your dog.You should now be about about 1 meter away and facing the dog with your right hand in the dogs face.

You stay in front of the dog for the count of 5 and then step back and around to the dogs side. Click and treat if the dog?s rear did not move. Repeat this exercise several times and again do not over do it. Train in several short sessions ? usually about 10 minutes is adequate.

Extend the time you are standing in front of the dog but do not extend the distance at the same time. When you are able to stand in front of the dog for say 20 seconds, step out 2 meters, but drop the time count to 5. Build the time slowly up to 20secs and then step out to 5 meters but go back to a counting up to 5. Then go back to 2 meters for 10 seconds, and so on.

You can develop the sit stay and the down stay in the same way. If at any time the dog moves, take a quick break and then restart at a shorter distance for 5 seconds and rebuild your time and distance.

RECALL

Have you taught your dog its name? If you have already taught your dog its name then the informal recall has already been instilled into your dog. Your dog must come to you when you call its name. We now need to proof the recall with distractions.

Take a b reak between teaching the stays and this exercise.You must not do this exercise immediately after working the stay exercise as you will be confusing the dog ? one minute he is expected to stay put, the next you are telling him it is ok to move towards you. The idea is to teach the dog that the word ?stay? means wait until I come back to you and your stay for a recall command is ?wait?, which means wait until I call you.

The recall is started with the dog in either a sit or stand next to you. I personally do not mind but if you are working towards wanting a champion obedience trial dog then you will want to choose the position required in trialling situations ? this is most usually sitting.

With the dog next to you, give him the ?Wait? command and step around in front of the dog and take a step backwards. Keep your hand out in front of the dog. This will be about one meter in front of the dog, and you will be facing the dog.

Before you call the dog, ensure he is looking at you. Call his name and add the word come ? ?Rover come? and slap the front of your thighs with your hands. Do not attempt to train the recall if the dog is distracted by a squirrel or the neighbours cat.

You can use a tug toy if you have a good tugging dog. Iinstead of slapping your thighs,you wave the tug toy and get him charging towards you and reward him with a tug game.

Once again, you need no use short training sessions, repeating this exercise several times. Do not let the dog get bored. Six 10 minute seasons in a day is infinitely better than 60 minutes once a day.

You must extend the time and distance for this exercise the same way as for the stay.

If you find the dog is slow in coming into you, when you call his name, immediately spin on your heels and run in the opposite direction calling excitedly. Click and treat as the dog gets to you and use the tug toy if necessary.

The dog may run past you. If he does, turn 180 degrees and run in the other direction. Watch over your shoulder and as the dog gets close, spin around and encourage the dog to come right to your legs and have him sit in front of you.

As your dog begins to understand the exercise, you can start extending the distance and get further away from him. Try to resist crouching down when you call your dog. Rather make yourself as tall as you can when you call him in. Crouching makes you look smaller and less interesting to the dog.

If you have already read my other article on the basics, then you now have now taught basic dog obedience exercises that will have your dog sitting, dropping, walking on a loose lead, staying where you put him, and running to you fast when you do a recall.

You need to keep repeating these exercises continuously and consistently. The more you do, the greater will be the dogs understanding, and the stronger the behaviour will be.

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Shift the furniture and give the home a new look. Planning and shifting the furniture around and giving home a makeover can be a fun thing to do! It will get the whole family involved in planning and working on the stuff. The creative ideas would be mixed with confusion and random change of plans! It will involve some physical labor too and as a result you get a free home makeover! Try it out!

Plant some garden flowers together: Give the gardener a break and get some stuff done together with the family for a change! Gardening can be fun and every member of the family can contribute to this. Even the toddlers can sit back and enjoy the gardening flowers with you! Just get the gardening equipments in place and decide what exactly you would like to plant and where.

Make a funny family video and put it up on YouTube: This is easy! Just take out your video camera and record the family members doing their usual activities. Irritate them a bit and provoke them to say silly stuff. Edit the video later with them, and add funny speech bubbles, one liner comments and background music. Share it with all family friends and relatives and request them to comment on it! Hopefully they will contribute and you guys can have a group chat about the whole video too. It can keep you amused for days. You may even win a few bucks on America’s Funniest Home Videos!

Dig out the old family albums and share the memories: Checking out the old family albums together can be another great family fun activity, especially on the lazy relaxed days! Just get together and flip through the pictures. Your parents will probably have a lot to say about their marriage and the old friends in the pictures, or about your old childhood habits. Share the laugh and watch time fly!

Plan a garage sale: If you haven’t tried this one yet, you are surely missing out on some great family fun! Clear out the rubbish from your home, the basement, the attic, etc, and earn money out of it too! Hosting a garage sale is a whole lot of fun, and most of you can join in and contribute to it!

Party together with the money you make out of it, or purchase a family asset, like a new garden swing, or a television set, etc.

Make sure that you get the whole family involved in the fun that you plan to have. Schedule the plan for such a day when you know that every member of the family would be free and at home. Preparing well for family fun, can make it a lot more enjoyable!

Anita is a freelance writer for online publications and writes for family enjoyment and child education. If you truly want to have some fun and laughter, go to this Kid-Friendly Website A top line resource on clean humor for young families with lots of things for kids to get involved with.

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