The English Bulldog Puppy Blog

Dog training whistles have evolved from our need to train dogs and make them listen to our commands. It is not a practical solution to whistle commands to our pets in the mainstream community. Neighbors will eventually complain from annoyance of constant whistling. It is also futile in some areas having high traffic and loud noises. Francis Galton invented the dog whistle in the 1880s. It was named Galton’s whistles considered to be an excellent tool to catch your dog’s attention.

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Your choice of dog whistle is a wide array from plastic types to the metal dog whistles. The basis of your dog whistles depends on the breed of your dog and how energetic your dog is. There is a combination type of two whistles into one having dual frequencies. It produces different dog whistles sounds.

For those of you who would like to understand how dog whistles work, take a look at the underlying mechanism on dog training whistles.

Pet Parade’s Dog Tweeter Training Aid, all breed, all size dogs

How dog whistles work

The concept of dog training whistles is based on the ability of dogs to hear higher frequency of sounds than man can. The optimum frequency range for humans is around 2000 Hz with a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz. Dogs, on the other hand, can hear frequencies higher than 20,000 Hz. In fact, they can hear a minimum frequency of 8,000 Hz up to 48,000 Hz. Dogs are anatomically gifted than human when it comes to how their inner ear vibrates or resonates to the high frequency sound waves.

A dog whistle frequency is more optimized to produce sounds above 20,000 Hz to be easily heard by dogs even in noisy settings. These silent whistles (to man’s ears) are designed in such a way that when air is forced down the cylinder and out of the hole with the sharp edge in between, a transmission of high frequency sound is produced.

The length of the cylinder greatly affects the pitch of the whistle. The shorter cylinders produce a higher pitch while longer cylinders yield lower pitch. Ideally, most dog whistles are one inch or less.

Training the Dog

We know for a fact that dogs can hear higher frequencies, which make dog, whistles a great tool for training. However, there are no magical spells to lure your dog to respond to whistle commands. Chances are, your dog will ignore the sounds of dog whistles when it is busy roaming the garden or merely not paying attention.

It is generally observed that dogs respond to the voice commands of a dog trainer. It is then easier to train your pet when given verbal commands of a dog trainer. Similar to verbal commands, these whistle commands heavily rely on sound cues to train dogs.

1. Pick up a set of whistle commands as cues.

For example, two short toots means ’stop’ while long toot could be associated with the command ’sit’.

2. Give the verbal command followed by the whistle sound that the dog learns to associate the command with it.

To help the dog learn, pair up the whistle command with a voice command.

The idea is to incorporate it for all the other commands. You should keep it simple to make it easier for the dog to remember all the commands. Additionally, there are many types of whistles that produce various tones associated with a particular command.

The dog whistles have the advantage of providing consistency than human voice commands. Dog whistles are excellent tools for clicker training. The choices of dog whistles are abundant. There are different types of dog whistles are available to suit the deaf and the older dogs with hearing loss. A friendly reminder to all pet owners who plan to use dog whistles. Be careful as how often you blow the dog whistles. These whistles can cause damage to your hearing, which is more adept to lower sound frequencies.

written by: Toni S.

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Learn from this free instructional video how to train your dog to back up.

Train a Dog to Back Up with Body Language — powered by eHow.com

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The thought of your playful and friendly bulldog waiting for you at home is one endearing pet to go home to. The sight of your lovely but chewed furniture, however, is not what you want to see when you get home. Find ways on how to teach your dog that there’s more to life than just chewing your furniture.

photo courtesy of Dr. Julie & William Wickel

Ways to stop your dog chewing your furniture:

1. Determine the root of your dog’s habit of chewing on furniture. The reasons may be from teething, curiosity, boredom or a behavioral disorder. Your veterinarian or behavioral specialist will be glad to assist and discuss these options with you.

2. Provide a teething ring or a frozen washcloth for your dog to chew.

3. Keep your dog close and monitor it closely. Use a baby gate to keep him in the same room as you. You can also crate train your puppy and put him in the crate with toys for short periods in times you can supervise it.

4. Divert your puppy’s attention to something more suitable and less damaging, such as dog toy, when you catch your dog red-handedly chewing. Alternate toys of soft and hard textures available to avoid boredom.

5. Set time as a “me and my puppy” bonding moments. The much needed interaction can easily redirect your dog’s energy to worthwhile training such as learning tricks, obedience training workouts, and engaging in outdoor adventures.

6. Make it a point to raise your dog as a physically active pet. You will have fun during these times, and lose weight too! Chances are, your dog will be too tired to even think of chewing the furniture.

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The task of training your dog how to fetch can be easy as 1-2-3. All you to do is to know ways and tips on how to teach your dog.

Tips to remember

1. A dog that retrieves is likely to get more exercise than a dog that doesn’t.

2. You will have an easier time when you use a retriever. You can just stand in one spot and throw the ball for your dog.

3. Most dogs love to chase after the ball and bring towards the owner. When the dog gets close enough he/she starts to play keep away. You can get your dog to give you the ball by having two tennis balls with you.

4. Always make sure to have two balls with you.

5. Get your dog interested in the second ball when they come back to you.

6. The better you are at acting like you’re having a great time with the second ball, the faster your dog will drop the ball he/she has.

7. Don’t throw your ball until your dog has dropped the ball he/she has.

8. End the retrieving game before your dog gets bored with it. In this way the next time you play fetch, your dog will be very excited about it.

Steps on how to train your dog how to fetch

1. Throw the first ball and let your dog go after it. When your dog starts to come towards you, ask your dog to “drop it.”

2. If your dog does not drop the ball, stop paying any attention to your dog and take out the second ball.

3. Start to have fun or act like having fun with the second ball. Toss it up in the air. Show your dog that you’re having a great time with the second ball. Keep doing this until your dog looks at you. If you’ve done this step correctly, your dog will drop the ball that he/she has and look up at the one you have.

4. As soon as your dog drops his/her ball, show the ball you’re holding to your dog. As soon as your dog focuses on the ball that you’re holding, throw it.

5. Repeat the process when your dog comes back to you. Within a short period of time, you’ll have your dog retrieving for you.

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The key to understanding your dog is to also learn how to read your dog’s body language. In this way, you can assess her attitude thus you predict your dog’s next move. Dogs are non-verbal so body language is the best way you can talk to them. Vocalization in forms of barking, howling and whining, takes second place to a canine body language. You are sure to spend some time observing dog once you learn these basic types of dog body language. The advantages of understanding dog language will protect you and your dog form dangerous situations. It will also aid in training or determining common behavior problems.

Confident dog

This is shown when your dog stands straight and tall with her head held high, ears perked up, and eyes bright. You can see its mouth slightly open but relaxed. Her tail may sway gently, curl loosely or hang in a relaxed position. Your dog is friendly, at ease and non-threatening with her surroundings.

Happy dog

A happy dog is basically the same as a confident dog. The dog will usually wag its tail rapidly. Expect your dog to jump and run around with glee. A playful dog will show the “play bow” where its front legs are stretched forward, head straight ahead, rear end up in the air and wiggling. Take this as a positive sign to play.

Anxious dog

The anxious dog may act similarly submissive. It often holds its ears partially back with its neck stretched out. It stands in a very tense posture and sometimes shudders. Often, an anxious dog slightly whimpers or moans. See its tail set low and may be tucked. An anxious dog may overreact to stimulus and can become fearful or even aggressive. If you are familiar with your dog, try to divert its attention to something more pleasant. However, be cautious when you try to soothe your dog. Do not provoke her or try to soothe it.

Submissive dog

A submissive dog is meek, gentle and non-threatening. Your dog holds its head down, ears down flat and averts its eyes. Its tail is not tucked but is low and may sway slightly. Your pet may roll on its back and expose its belly. You might see your dog doing the submissive pose when you just got home. A submissive dog may also nuzzle or lick the other dog or person to manifest passive intent. Sometimes, your dog will sniff the ground or otherwise divert her attention to show that it does not want to cause any trouble.

Fearful dog

The fearful dog combines submissive and anxious attitudes but with more extreme signals. Your dog stands tense, yet very low to the ground. Its ears are flat back while its eyes are narrowed and averted. The tail is between her legs. A fearful dog typically trembles and often whines or growls. Your dog might even bear its teeth in defense. Just like scared man who feels very threatened, your dog may also urinate or defecate. A fearful dog can become aggressive at the moment it senses a threat. Do not try to reassure the anxious dog. Instead, remove yourself from the situation calmly. Be confident and strong when you do steer your dog away. Do not comfort or punish your dog. Dogs are territorial so move her to a less threatening, more familiar location.

Anxious dog

The anxious dog may act somewhat submissive, but often holds her ears partially back and her neck stretched out. She stands in a very tense posture and sometimes shudders. Often, an anxious dog slightly whimpers or moans. Her tail is low and may be tucked. An anxious dog may overreact to stimulus and can become fearful or even aggressive. If you are familiar with the dog, you may try to divert her attention to something more pleasant. However, be cautious – do not provoke her or try to soothe her.

Aggressive dog

An aggressive dog goes far beyond the word “dominant”. All feet are firmly planted on the ground in a territorial manner. When an unwelcomed visitor advances to its territory, your dog may lunge forward. The ears of the dog are pinned back, head is straight ahead, eyes are narrowed but piercing, tail is straight and full. Your dog bears her teeth, snaps her jaw and growls or barks threateningly. The hairs along her back stand on edge. Instincts will tell you to get away carefully when you see a dog showing these signs. Do not run. Do not make eye contact with the dog. Do not show fear. Slowly back away to your safety. If your own dog becomes aggressive to the point of harming other people, seek the assistance of a professional dog trainer (try Dog Whisperer) to learn the proper way to correct the behavior. Dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior should never be used for breeding.

Dominant dog

A dominant dog will try to assert herself over other dogs and sometimes people. Your dog stands tall and confident and may lean a bit forward. Its eyes are wide open and makes direct eye contact with the other dog or person. See its ears up and alert complete with the hair on its back standing on edge. Its demeanor appears less friendly and possibly threatening. You may also hear lowly growl. If the behavior is directed at dog that submits then there is little concern. If the other dog, however, tries to be dominant, a fight may ensue. A dog that directs dominant behavior towards people can pose a serious threat. Do not make eye contact and slowly try to leave. If your dog regularly exhibits this behavior towards people, you need to modify your dog’s behavior.

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Don’t let your bulldog develop ear infections.  The anatomy of their ears is conducive for infections.  The best way to avoid ear infections is to regularly clean your bulldog’s ears.  Find out how by watching the video below.

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The natural way that dogs communicate is by barking, whining, and howling. Dogs express what they want to say to humans. We also want our dogs to bark as a warning of a potential danger or protect us form harm. These forms of canine expression can become a problem when it becomes excessive. The effective solution is to let your dog understand when to bark and when to be quiet. It’s our job to teach this important thought to our dogs. The minute you notice that your dog has a barking problem then start working on this problem before it is too late. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to correct the behavior. It is a good idea to train your dog with Speak/Quiet commands. I know that it is easier said than done. This is possible with dedication and consistency. Don’t lose hope. Your dog can learn to how to bark on command and be quiet at the same time.

The reason why dogs bark

First of all, you can target the problem by knowing why dogs bark. Dogs will bark for a variety of reasons. They just don’t bark in order to annoy you and your neighbors. In fact, other breeds of dog bark more than the others and actually bred to be barkers. Some breed like the Basenji does not bark at all but vocalize in other ways. If you listen close enough, you will eventually learn the meaning behind the different barks of your dog. Thus, the crucial step to make toward correcting the barking behavior of your dog is to understand the reason why. Here are reasons why dogs bark:

Warning/Alert

It is pretty common to hear a dog bark when someone is at the door or when strangers pass the car or house. Most dogs bark when they sense some type of threat more like announcing, “You can’t go near here or else I’ll bite you.” The sound of this bark is sharp, loud and authoritative. You can train this dog instinct to help protect your family and home.

Anxiety

Dogs cope well when they express an anxious bark. It is an of self-soothing for many dogs. It is often high-pitched and sometimes accompanied by whining. This type of barking is common when dogs experience separation anxiety.

Excitement/Playfulness

This kind of barking is very common in young dogs or puppies. You hear a playful bark when, of course, they interact and socialize with people or other dogs. The sound of this bark sounds upbeat and musical. Some dogs make an excited bark when they know they’re going to get a treat or out for a ride or walk.

Seeking attention

You know what this bark means when you hear it. It as if your dog says “Hey! Hey! Look! Here I am!” This tone is similar to the tone of a whining child.

Boredom

The bark of a bored dog is the same to a dog that barks just to hear its own voice. It may sound annoying to you but is also sad to hear. Dogs that are bored often make this sound to release excess energy or just utter sense of loneliness. A walk or playing time may be just what your dog needs to beat boredom.

Responding to other dogs

You might have seen your dog do this. When one dog down the street starts to bark then one by one the other dogs in the neighborhood joins in the barking session.

Put a stop to excessive barking

By know why your dog barks excessively, you can now start to control the behavior. The best way to prevent excessive barking is to try to get rid of the possible source of the behavior. You should be certain not to encourage your dog to bark when not needed. You can also give her activities to divert her energy besides barking.

• Make sure your dog gets enough exercise so there is no excess energy to use just to bark.

• Don’t leave your dog alone in long periods of time as much as possible.

• Never encourage your dog to bark when you comfort, pet, or feed it when it barks for attention or out of anxiety.

• Don’t shout at your dog to stop it from barking. It can cause your dog to bark even more.

• Avoid using shock collars as punishment. Only are they painful and unkind, your dog will learn how to test the shock collar and eventually work their way around them.

• Get her attention with a clap or whistle. At the moment she is quiet, redirect her attention to something more productive and rewarding such as toys or treats.

• When you get your dog’s attention, practice basic commands such as sit and down in order to shift its focus.

• Do not ever let your dog bark constantly outside. You can hardly train her to stop barking by yelling at your dog across the yard. It is a sure and quick way to turn neighbors into enemies and the local police to pay you a visit.

• Train your dog to learn how to speak and be quiet.

• Consult your veterinarian or trainer if you continue to have barking issues no matter how hard you try to manage the problem.

• Consider the idea of a “De-barking” surgery with your vet.

De-Barking Surgery

“Debarking,” or cordectomy, is an elective surgical procedure that involves partial removal of a dog’s vocal cords. It does not remove your dog’s ability to bark rather it makes it sound more quiet and raspy. In this dog lover’s opinion, debarking surgery is unnecessary and unfair to the dog. Most often cases, barking problems indicate an underlying issue that is usually behavioral. Surgery may eliminate the noise away, but the anxiety, fear or similar problem remains. Why not spend your time and money on training and/or visiting a veterinary behaviorist rather than debarking your dog? Surgery and anesthesia always are risky. You should carefully think any procedure a hundred times. If you want to debark your dog purely for human convenience and does not medically benefit your pet then this solution should be avoided.

When other dogs bark in excess

The sound of dogs barking is considered to be a type of noise pollution. It can turn into a nuisance then a nightmare most especially when you try to sleep or sleep. You can politely approach your neighbor to discuss the matter or write a civil yet direct letter. You may try kindly suggesting a local dog trainer or behaviorist. Many people prefer to contact the neighborhood association to act as a moderator. As a last resort, you may need to call the police. Be mindful, however, that this last resort can be damaging to your relationship with your neighbors. On the other hand, you may let the barking issue slip after a certain amount of sleep deprivation.

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Every time I see dogs in seclusion whether outdoors or indoors, it pains my heart to see it bark at all who happens to pass by. It is as if it barks to someone or anyone to get attention and actually spend time with it.

The reality of having to work to earn a living is a must especially if you want to make ends meet, including your dog’s needs. But, a little time alone or make that quality time alone with your dog goes a long way to make your pet feel special and appreciated. Go through simple ways to have a time to bond with your pet dog without exerting very much effort or spending more time.

Take your dog along

Why not let your dog tag along when you are out doing errands like picking kids up from school? It is a hassle-free way to shower your dog with attention and stimulation. If you are one of those owners whose lives rotate around home, sending or picking up kids from school, at soccer games, then allowing your dog to participate in these activities can meet much of her social needs.

Sleep with your dog.

Experts agree that having your dog sleep in your bedroom does not necessarily mean to let it sleep on your bed. Your dear pet can sleep on the floor or another mini sofa in your room. It is a great way to spend extended time with your best friend with no additional effort on your part.

Find common hobbies you both like to do.

There are some activities that seem to be more fun when done with a buddy. Yes, your buddy can be your dog. Try doing mutually enjoyable physical activities that you both love. Add in some cuddle time during these activities too. It never hurts to express how much you love your pet.

Multitasking

Are you busy making lunch or dinner while your dog hangs around? Use this opportunity to train your dog how to sit-stay and down-stay commands.

Delegating

If you don’t live alone, other family members can take turns helping out on dog care. For example, if you are living with children then designate them to be walkers, exercisers and players of your household pet. It spreads the interactions over more people.

Who wants a grumpy, lonely dog for company? Spend a little extra time with your dog to make it a happy member of your home. Every dog requires training, exercise, and quality one-on-one time with people each and every day. A little creativity on your part can help meet most of your dog’s social needs without putting a dent in your schedule.

written by Toni S.

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Food poisoning for dogs can come in tempting packages be it during Christmas time, Valentines’ day or any special occasions where chocolates abound. You may want to keep your stash of good ol chocolates away from your pet dog. Read on to know how Marji almost lost her life over eaten dark chocolates under their Christmas tree.

Marji, a four-year-old apricot Miniature Poodle, was a healthy and happy dog ever since its owners first met her as a puppy. Poodles are considered some of the most intelligent canines, and little Marji was no exception. When the holidays came around, her owner thought nothing of stashing presents under the Christmas tree, including a small gift from her neighbor. Debbie went to work one morning and left Marji loose in the house as usual. But when she got home, Debbie sensed something strange: no greeting at the door.

Worried, she went looking for her dog and discovered chewed-up wrapping paper on the floor and an open gold box. It was the gift their neighbor left – a 1-lb. box of fancy chocolates, and one-half of them were missing. Debbie found Marji standing up in her crate, looking shaky and restless. The ten-pound poodle had consumed nearly half a pound of rich, mixed chocolates, and the amount she consumed was dangerous. Chocolate contains a lethal ingredient called theobromine, and the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains.

Marji’s doctor got the panicked call that night and advised Debbie to bring Marji in immediately. Debbie wasn’t sure when the chocolates were eaten, but since Marji was already exhibiting nervous symptoms, we could deduce that the theobromines had already entered the dog’s system. Her vet also knew that they would have to get her to vomit any residual chocolate and give her activated charcoal to help neutralize what was in her intestines. The vet also had to control any seizures, monitor her heart, start IV fluid therapy and observe the poodle for at least 24 hours until the symptoms subsided.

Luckily, Marji was treated in time. She went back to her owners the next evening, and they now keep unknown gifts in a place inaccessible to Marji. Chocolate toxicity is one of the most common poisonings during the holiday season. All dog owners should be careful what you put under the tree this year.

Thanks to Dr. Foster Smith for the news.

Read the article “Foods that poison your English bulldog”.

Things to do when your dog eats chocolate:
Call your veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately. Make sure you know the approximate amount of chocolate, the type, and how long ago your pet consumed it. If the chocolate has been ingested within a short period of time, your veterinarian may have you induce your pet to vomit. The effects of chocolate toxicity may not be apparent right away, but it is best to call your veterinarian right away.

Theobromine in chocolate affects four areas of the pet’s body:
• Increases the rate and force of contractions of the heart
• Acts as a diuretic, causing the pet to lose body fluids
• Causes vomiting and diarrhea
• Causes convulsions, seizures, and even death

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