Normal dog training requires patience that is greater nowhere else but childrearing. Training rescued dogs takes even more.

Though sterilizing dogs – spaying (removing female organs) and neutering (removing male organs) – has been common practice for decades, birth rates continue to outpace ownership. Add to that a percentage who are lost or wander away and the problem grows larger.

The inevitable result is a large number of dogs who often end in facilities where they’re either adopted or terminated.
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Whether through an intention to breed or other motive, many individuals leave their companions intact (spay or neuter procedure). Left with a full complement of nature’s hormones, these dogs can react differently than their surgically altered counterparts.

Male dogs with the normal amounts of testosterone tend to seek alpha (leader) status, and when exposed to a female in heat will often ignore commands. Licking behavior increases, the male will gently head butt a female in the neck, and eventually try to mount.

Separated from the female, they’ll exhibit rapid breathing and pacing, often going without eating for two days or more. They’ll often even refuse water after hours of not drinking.
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Nothing is more essential for good dog training than good dog health. And the foundation of good health is a good diet.

Depending on your budget you may or may not be able to feed your dog a larger proportion of fresh meat, but at least be prepared to spend enough for a good dry food. Here are a few things to look for…

All dog foods are labeled with the ingredients in order by proportion. That is, the material that forms the largest percentage is listed first, followed by the second and then others.
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Descendants from wolf packs, dogs seek a natural hierarchy in which some are dominant (alphas) and others tend to follow. Struggles start in young pups to sort out who is which early on, in some cases three weeks after birth.

Apart from human society, wild dogs will fight – sometimes to the death – to maintain or achieve the alpha status. Losers are occasionally expelled from the pack entirely.

But in any human-dog pair the human has to take the leader role. The alternative is property destruction, human frustration and usually a maladjusted dog. Naturally, that’s sometimes easier said than done.
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There is a large variety of dog breeds to choose from when getting a new family dog. Some important factors to consider before picking a breed are your lifestyle, your interests, and your present living environment. Are any big changes coming up such as a baby or a big move? You should also consider the difference between raising a dog from puppy hood and getting a dog as an adult.

There are things to consider when picking either a male or female dog that will depend upon your preferences. Also do you want a family pet or a show dog? The size of dog is also another big consideration – small dogs do not necessary require a big space but they do need more exercise than bigger breeds.
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An average-sized Golden Retriever can untie a knot in a rawhide bone in minutes. If only they’d stick to those most times it ends up your furniture, shoes and everything else they can get their teeth into!

The tendency to chew will vary from one breed – and one individual – to another. But most dogs will chew on objects in and around the house. Keeping them focused on objects intended for them is a continuing challenge.

Younger dogs, puppies in particular, will usually have a greater tendency to chew and less discrimination about what they choose. But even young puppies can be discouraged from grabbing things the owner would prefer to keep whole.
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