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Adrena Wilhelm from Canine Companions for Independence shows you how you can teach your dog to speak and be quiet on command. She also provides effective techniques for teaching your dog to not bark when the doorbell rings and when other dogs are near.
Hi. I'm Adrena Wilhelm from Canine Companions for Independence on behalf of IAMS. Today, we're going to learn how to teach your dog to stop barking. It may sound nonsensical. But to stop your dog from barking, first, teach him to bark on command. Give your dog the command to speak. Have someone immediately make a noise, such as knocking on the door that is sure to make your dog bark. Let him bark two or three times. Then, stick a tasty treat in front of his nose. When he stops barking to sniff the treat, praise him and give him the treat. Repeat until he starts barking as soon as you say speak. Once your dog can reliably bark on command, move on to the quiet command. Teach your dog that barking is OK until told to be quiet. Simultaneously, hold a treat in front of your dog's nose. Most dogs get quiet immediately because they can't sniff and lick the treat while barking at the same time. Praise your dog continuously during his quiet time with petting and words of encouragement. When your dog makes a mistake and barks, and he will, reprimand him immediately. Never strike your dog, but do something that will catch his attention, such as clapping loudly. As soon as your dog stops barking, you must instantly reward him. If you're still having trouble, then you may need to spend some time working with your dog on specific barking situations. Here are a few of the more common ones. If your dog is in his crate or confined to a room behind a baby gate or other barrier, he may bark because he wants to be with you. But if that's not always possible, then you'll need to train him to stay quiet. Next time, he's barking uncontrollably in his more confined space, try this. Start by turning your back and ignoring him. Whenever he stops barking, turn and praise him. Give him a treat and make a game of it. As he catches on that being quiet gets him a treat, lengthen the amount of time that he must remain quiet before being rewarded. Dogs that are afraid of other dogs will often bark at them. Have a friend with a dog stand out of sight far enough away that you know your dog won't bark at the other dog. As soon as the friend and dog come into view, start feeding your dog lots of treats. Keep feeding treats until the friend and dog are out of sight. Ask your friend and her dog to gradually walk closer. Don't try to progress too quickly. It may take days or weeks before your dog can pay attention to you and the treats without barking at the other dog. When the doorbell rings, your dog alerts you to the presence of an intruder by barking wildly. Once you've taught your dog the quiet command in a calm environment, practice in increasingly distracting situations. Teach your dog to react to the doorbell by going to a special place and laying quietly while the intruder comes into the house. Start by tossing a treat on his mat and telling him go to your place. Have him go to his place before you give him the treat. When he's reliably going to his mat to earn a treat, up the ante by opening the door while he's on his mat. If he gets up, close the door immediately. Repeat until he stays on the mat while the door is open. Then, increase the difficulty by having someone ring the doorbell while your dog is on his mat. Reward him if he stays in his place. Try these techniques to stop your dog from barking. All of them can be successful, but don't expect miracles overnight. The longer your dog has been practicing the barking behavior, the longer it will take for him to change his ways. Let's recap. First, teach your dog to speak or bark on command. Once he has that down, teach him to be quiet on command. Use treats and praise to help get the desired outcome. And lastly, be patient and consistent in training. Don't expect overnight changes. I'm Adrena Wilhelm on behalf of IAMS. To join the IAMS community for more information and offers, check out the website.
Rabies is one of the most serious health risks every pet parent must be aware of. In puppies primarily, this disease can manifest itself in particularly severe forms and often goes undiagnosed until it has already progressed to its later stages. Understanding the signs and symptoms of rabies in puppies can help you act as quickly as possible if your beloved pup ever becomes infected with this potentially fatal virus. Please continue reading to learn more about what rabies is, how it presents itself on a physical level, and which treatments may help save the lives of affected puppies.
Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system of animals, including humans. It is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite or scratch. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle spasms, and paralysis. If left untreated, it can lead to coma and death. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent rabies.
Puppies can contract rabies just like any other animal, but they are generally not at high risk for it unless they are exposed to a rabid animal or live in an area where rabies is prevalent.
It is important to be aware of the signs of rabies in puppies so that you can take the necessary steps to protect your furry friend from this lethal virus. Some of the most common symptoms of rabies in puppies include:
These behavioural changes are often the first sign that rabies may be present in a puppy. Caregivers should watch for any aggressive behaviours or if their normally outgoing puppy appears withdrawn or unusually timid.
Suppose a puppy begins to lose its appetite or has trouble drinking water. In that case, this can indicate that it is infected with rabies.
Rabies can make a puppy appear disoriented and cause them to stumble when they walk.
A puppy infected with rabies may have difficulty controlling its muscles and suffer from paralysis in some areas of the body.
This is one of the more noticeable signs of rabies in puppies and is caused by the virus paralyzing the muscles controlling swallowing.
Puppies infected with rabies may make different sounds when barking or growling, such as a higher-pitched tone or a more strained voice quality.
Puppies with rabies may be overly fearful of water, even if they usually enjoy swimming or walking by the river.
Rabies can cause violent tremors and seizures, which can indicate the virus.
A puppy infected with rabies may have difficulty breathing as well as experience a choking sensation.
Rabies is a fatal virus that can cause the nervous system's deterioration, leading to death in some cases.
Pet owners must be aware of these signs of rabies in puppies, so they can seek immediate medical attention if their pet shows any of the symptoms listed above.
Several factors can contribute to rabies in puppies, such as:
Rabies is a viral infection that can be transmitted through the bite of an infected animal such as a bat, raccoon, skunk, or fox. Scratches from an infected animal too can cause rabies.
Rabies can also be transmitted through contact with an infected animal's saliva such as through a lick from an infected animal.
Occasionally, rabies can be transmitted from an infected mother to her puppies before or during birth.
Puppies that have not been vaccinated against rabies are at higher risk of contracting the disease.
Poorly maintained or unsanitary living conditions can increase the risk of puppies contracting rabies.
It is essential to get your puppy vaccinated against rabies as soon as possible. This disease can be fatal if not treated promptly and can also be transmitted to humans.
To prevent rabies, your puppy should receive a series of vaccinations at the following ages:
It is also important to keep your puppy up to date on all other vaccinations, including those for distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis.
Before vaccinating your puppy, check with your veterinarian to determine the best vaccination schedule. Your veterinarian will also be able to provide you with more information on the risks and benefits of vaccination.
While vaccination is the ultimate prevention for your puppy, here are a few additional steps you can take to keep rabies at bay:
Rabies can be transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals. Therefore, it is important to keep puppies away from wild animals, especially stray dogs and cats.
This will help prevent them from coming into contact with wild animals and other dogs infected with rabies.
Symptoms of rabies in puppies include lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, and changes in behaviour. If any of these symptoms are observed, it is crucial to contact a veterinarian immediately for further evaluation and treatment.
This will prevent them from coming into contact with wild animals and other dogs infected with rabies. If you must take puppies outside, supervise them closely and keep them on a leash.
Although rare, the possibility is real. To protect against this potentially fatal virus and quell any worries you may have, get your furry friend vaccinated with a rabies shot as soon as possible! If you are still concerned about their health after the vaccine, don't hesitate to consult a trusted veterinarian for advice.
