TheRider'sPets

4 Reasons Your Dog Isn't Listening to You

TheRider'sReins April 29, 2019 0

1. Your commands are Confusing your Dog

Different types of breeds take to commands differently. If you have been using different commands for the same wanted behaviour you are just making things harder. Before training your dog you need to plan which command you are going to use.

For example, will you use 'stay' or 'wait' OR use both of them for different reasons? I use 'wait' for waiting for food, waiting to cross a road etc. I use 'stay' for my dog to stay in place for a longer period of time.

Another important thing to consider is if you will use hand signals. I use my finger to point at my dog then point up to ask for sit. I use the same but point downwards to lie down. This is a good idea for in situations that your dog can't hear you or in case you use confusing commands.

2. Your approach is all wrong

There is a certain way to get a dog to listen to your every command and I see sooooooo many people who get this wrong. I know that when your dog isn't listening you feel like shouting and using strong body language but you will make it worse.

If your dog won't come to you, the best thing to do is to tell ask your dog once in a happy voice and then walk away or sit down.

Your dog will never want to listen to a negative person and he definitely won't want to come back to his angry owner.

3. Your dog is a slow learner

Sometimes your dog may just need extra time to learn a command. Certain breeds are slower to learn (like my mum's chihuahua!), some are just stubborn (my Bullmastiff Hugo!) and others are quick to learn (collies, spaniels etc).

hopefully, you will have already done your research on the breed of dog that you wanted and this is one of the things you need to think about. Do you mind a dog that takes long to train and is stubborn or do you want an easy dog to train?

4. He has learnt from other dogs

If your dog is around other dogs often enough he may pick up their bad habits. For example, if one dog starts chasing a cat they all will. I have noticed that a dog will copy how others act so if one doesn't come back to his owner, yours might try to copy.

It is best to try to avoid badly behaved dogs or try to find well-trained dogs for company and play time. Remember that dogs who don't listen their owners can be rude and mean to your dog too.

*Disclaimer*

I am not any type of animal expert but instead only an animal lover who wants to share her tips. Please consult relevant animal specialists and do not only take my advice.

The Rider's Pets

Dog Training Read more

How to Set Up A Humane Guinea Pig Cage

TheRider'sReins April 15, 2019 0

Size and Location

Firstly, you need to decide where you are going to keep your guinea pig and in what type of cage. You can either use a hutch or a small garden shed outside with a run OR keep them indoors.
If you choose to keep your pet indoors, they will need out of their cage for a lot of the day. I like to go between letting them run around the room where they can jump in and out of their cage and letting them outside in a run (depending on the weather).

There are so many different types of Guinea pig cages but they should have at least 10.5 Square feet (with lots of time outside the cage) for two guinea pigs.

Basics

Firstly, you need a water bottle, I prefer glass to plastic bottles and I also have one for each guinea pig in the cage. You will also need a hayrack. Me being a horse owner, guinea pigs are supposed to be eating from the ground (like horses). This means hayracks that are high up (like haynets for horses) isn't natural and I have found that hay got into my guinea pig's eyes so try to find one that is close to the floor, like a roller.
Lastly, are the food bowls. I like to have at least one for the Nuggets and one for the veg.

Extra

Toys -

You should get your guinea pig lots of toys to keep them from getting bored. There are lots of types of toys like wooden chew toys, hanging toys and foraging, boredom breakers.

Blankets + Beds

I like to buy lots of fleece blankets ao I can alternate them while I wash others. I also like the small guinea pigs beds to put into a corner. Another option is to place some tunnels in the cage.

Litter Tray -

If your guinea pig is litter trained or you want to litter train then you will need a litter tray, I like the corner ones because it takes up less room. You will also need a guinea pig safe litter like wooden pellets. You can then choose to use the fleece blankets over shavings for the bedding.