Greyhounds in the racing industry start out their lives on breeding farms, where the animals are over bred for the purposes of “natural selection”. What this means is that dogs considered unfit are killed, while those considered race-worthy are then put into training in preparation for their futures on the dog racing circuit.

And bleak futures they are. The dogs will spend their racing careers penned up in cages at dog tracks or in kennels, exposed to all kinds of weather conditions. The stresses associated with their oppressed lives combined with the intensity of greyhound racing leaves many dogs suffering from chronic injuries and illnesses, and many – maybe most – of the dogs end their racing careers as sick and broken creatures. But the end of their racing days does not bring relief in many cases. Frequently these dogs are killed, while the lucky ones may end up unwanted in an animal shelter. In some instances, these dogs have even been sold to laboratories for use in medical research. Racing dogs are commodities to their owners, and concern for their welfare basically ends after their relatively brief careers as racers are over (and they have made their owners lots of money). Mind you, the dog racing industry denies this reality, claiming that their dogs are well cared for and that most are adopted out to good homes after they are retired from competition. But this is an industry that is determined to do everything it can to keep its dirty little secrets hidden from public scrutiny.

Wait; Don’t Leave! It Gets Better!
Thankfully, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Adverse publicity has damaged the dog racing industry greatly, and there are now only ten states left that still have tracks in operation. Best of all, an enormous number of greyhound rescue and adoption organizations have now come into existence, as the plight of these fragile and gentle creatures has come into the public eye. Greyhounds are being rescued and placed in good homes by the thousands in every state. The organizers of these rescue groups are the ones responsible for the encouraging adoption rates trumpeted by the dog racing industry, which deserves little credit for any of the progress that has been made.

If you have been thinking about adopting a dog, then you should seriously consider a greyhound. These dogs are very sweet natured, and they are especially good with children because they will simply leave rather than attack if they feel threatened or stressed in any way. Greyhounds do indeed love to run, and if you have a yard or there is a park nearby, they will love to be there where they can be free to run around in circles for their own entertainment, not for someone else’s. Finding a greyhound rescue and adoption group in the US is not hard; simply look on the Internet and you are sure to find contact information for an organization operating in your state or area. Be prepared to answer some questions, however, as these organizations care a lot for their canine charges, and they will not adopt one out to just anyone. They want to make sure these kind and gentle creatures end up not just in any homes, but in great forever homes.

Ultimately, the end of the plight faced by racing greyhounds can only come about if the dog racing industry is rendered extinct once and for all. This is up to you – if there is a racing track in your state or city, use your power as a voter and a citizen to let your elected officials and the local media know that you do not approve of this operation, and let them know the sad truth about what goes on inside this industry. All dogs are wonderful, we know this, but Greyhounds are quite a unique breed. They are sweet and special creatures deserving of loving homes, but it would be so much better if they could find them before they have been subjected to exploitation and abuse.

Now mutts and pure breads, puppies and old yellers alike have extensive, intricate, expressive wardrobes available to them, and vicariously available to their owners.

It is more common for female dogs to be dressed up by their owners than males. This might be because doggie dresses are easier to make than doggie pants, but more likely it has to do with the fact that girls who loved dressing up their dolls have grown to become women who love dressing up their dogs. It is rather rare to see a man dressing up his pooch in anything other than his favorite sports’ team’s jersey. It provides a way for the fashion conscious person to expand the display of her (or his) tastes and talents to another living thing.

Sweaters
Not all clothing for your doggie is so gender specific or fashion forward. In fact, the most common piece of clothing worn by most dogs is a sweater. It is for the most part, besides its color, a unisex, versatile garment. It is also probably the most comfortable and non-invasive for your dog. These sweaters are available woven, knit, hooded, buttoned, Velcro-ed, zippered, and pretty much any other way that human sweaters are available.

With the holidays fast approaching, dog sweaters can be themed, appropriate for the time of year, or they can have hints about the dog’s personality on them. For example, you can buy a sweater that says “Spoiled Princess” in glittery pink cursive or a classy number with “Man’s Best Friend” printed in hunter green block letters. Perhaps these say as much about your own personality as they do your dog’s.

Of course doggie Sweaters also serve a practical purpose. They keep your dog warm in the winter, catch fur being shed all year long, and give you a spot of color to look for if your dog gets off the leash in the dog park. The sweater is the most forgivable of the fashion offenses committed against dogs by their owners.

Booties
Booties are another common, and sometimes practical incarnation of dog clothing. Snow booties are available to strap to your dog’s feet in the winter months. Available are climbing booties, if you and your four legged one love hiking as they can protect his or her feet against thistles or jagged rocks. Other booties available for dogs are converse style tennis shoes and ugg-style dog boots called ‘pawgglies’.

Accessories
There are also doggie accessories to consider for your dog. The possibly practical of which include something called “doggles” and doggy collar fanny packs. Doggles are dog goggles and are great for dogs who frequently ride in motorcycles, or stick their heads out car windows to protect their eyes. For the dog who lives to do something or perhaps as part of your training of him or her, dog fanny packs are little bags that strap to or are part of the dog’s collar or around his or her chest. You can keep everything from a few treats, his or her water (only on the around the chest version of course) to a poop baggy in it.

Other dog accessories are things like belts, purses, jewelry and fancy collars. These range from the outlandish to the genuinely adorable to the completely indulgent. You can buy diamond-studded collars for your dog that probably costs more than your house. And believe it or not, Gucci bags are available for your pooch. Conversely, rhinestones make a wonderful alternative to Elizabeth Taylor’s best friend and perhaps Gucci is being rather indulgent offering a pooch version of their famous couch bags.

Before you dive into the art of dog dressing, be sure to note and be sensitive to your dog’s feelings on the matter. Some dogs hate dressing up. They are uncomfortable in any kind of clothing, and it makes them unhappy. If this is the case, don’t force your poor canine friend into doing what he or she doesn’t want to. He or she will become cranky, maybe even nippy, and it will be no one’s fault but your own.

You panic. Your eyes begin to water, your chest seizes, lungs unable to hold air with breath coming in short, tight bursts. Every muscle in your body tenses with your fight or flight response kicking in and you run! Not far from your car, you lock yourself in safely, tears streaming down your cheeks, stomach in knots, breathing is painful and you look outside… and watch full of despair, yet unable to act, as your baby girl simply sits, alone, in her stroller. If this sounds outrageous, it might surprise you to know it is a true story and one with a happy ending. The terrified mother’s mother-in-law was also accompanying them, so baby was safe. For an even happier ending, the young mother was able to overcome her massive phobia of dogs in only eight sessions, a very quick turnaround.

Phobias are anxiety attacks, often brought about by a trigger phrase or visual stimuli, like seeing a dog, which is not based in reality and has very little to do with logical reaction and everything to do with how your brain interprets events or possible events. Usually caused by some past traumatic event, like being attacked by a dog when a toddler, these fears get carried with you and rarely fade away without help. Anyone who does not have cynophobia would have noticed the friendly demeanor of the dog, known there was no danger and walked on by with little more than a smile in its direction. Indeed some may have stopped, pet the friendly dog and played catch for a moment with his owner.

Understand that irrational fear is just that – irrational. It does not go away by just telling yourself that you are being silly. It does not go away by facing dogs head on, it goes away with a bit of help once the brain has been re-taught to assess the situation. This is often called cognitive therapy and it works quite well. There are other methods, too, but cognitive therapy is quick and usually easy.

It begins with logically showing the ridiculousness of the expected outcome, not the fear itself, as it is far from funny. If the fear is that the dog will attack, maim and kill, then that is what the brain is absolutely convinced will happen. But what of those times when the sufferer has seen a dog and nothing happened? Had s/he seen a dog before? The answer of course is yes, and yet s/he is still alive. Ah, says the anxious victim, but that is because I ran and locked myself in a car. At this point, it is up to the counselor to expose the fear, argue otherwise and offer control of the situation by supplying the sufferer with alternative thoughts, positive ones, to replace the negative and also teach some coping mechanisms, like deep breathing and exercises to release tension.

Eventually, the cynophobe is reintroduced to dogs and, now understanding the fear and having devices with which to cope, a new dimension to life is found. This explanation was slightly over simplified, but not by much. With the correct help, the fear can be combated more easily than ever expected, increasing quality of life and empowering the anxiety sufferer to conquer their fear forever.

To give this story an even happier ending: the woman went on to one day own dogs of her own!

Bullmastiffs, known also as the Gamekeeper’s Night Dog, a title held in England where the breed began, are massive but gentle beasts, known for alertness and impressive endurance. In the past, they were used to help keep poachers off the grounds, and still might maintain the instinct to overpower an intruder, knocking them to the ground and holding them at bay, all without using the teeth. Chuckles is devoted, a natural guard of the home, and will not back down if threatened, making him an excellent family member. They are a cross between the English Mastiff and the Old English Bulldog.

Appearance
A healthy male mastiff will weight anywhere from 110-130 pounds, while a female ranges between 100-120 pounds. Not a small animal! Their colors are described as red, fawn, and brindle. They have black muzzles, and sometimes they might bear a patch of white on their broad chests. They stand anywhere from 24-27 inches, depending on the sex and individual dog characteristics. Their lovely fur coats are short, dense, and thick. They will need minor grooming and nails should be kept trimmed.

Health Issues to Know
As many dogs do, Bullmastiffs have a share of known health issues that any should be aware of, especially a new owner. Chuckles may not have the longest lifespan in the canine universe, but the decade he’ll give you will be the most memorable. In that time, he may suffer from a few ailments that will need care.
• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Lymphoma cancer
• Bloat/ Gastric Dilation and Volvulus

Not to say Chuckles will have all or any of these, but they run in the breed. Dysplasia is very common in larger dog breeds, characterized by a deformation in the hip socket which can cause severe crippling lameness and intense arthritis of the joints in its most profound forms. Bloat most commonly occurs within a few hours of eating, followed by excessive physical activity, though the exact cause is unknown. This is not okay! Immediate medical attention will be required if Chuckles is to survive. This condition occurs in any dog breed, but especially in large, barrel-chested canines.

Personality and Temperament
Now that you’ve been thoroughly frightened, the good points are here, the reasons for taking Chuckles home and making him part of the family. First, you should know he drools. Bucket loads, every day. When he shakes his head, foam will fly, so designated slobber rags are a must, and in every room, and for every visitor, just to be polite. Not necessarily a good point, per se, but not without its own unique charm.

They are great with children, and very tolerant of tugs and pulls, though a Bullmastiff and small child should never be left together unattended, wholly due to the vast size of the dog. While Chuckles won’t mean to hurt baby Chloe, it’s hard to control the rate that whip-like tail is wagging at, especially when he’s happy. Speaking of which, happy is what he will usually be; happy, cheerful, and overjoyed to be in the presence of his favorite humans. Bullmastiffs are sensitive dogs, and usually a stern voice is all that is needed for discipline, while they’ll do anything for a treat and praise. DO have Chuckles attend obedience school; he’ll feel better and you’ll feel better, and you won’t have a 125 pound ballistic missile loose, untrained, in your home. Chuckles is not an outside dog; his short nose doesn’t allow for heat and his short coat doesn’t allow for cold. He must be socialized with humans or behavioral problems follow, so don’t buy one and put him in back with only a pat on the head here and there. It doesn’t fly with Chuckles.

Also take the time to socialize Chuckles at an early age with humans outside the family and other animals. More than likely, Chuckles will not like other male Bullmastiffs very much, and he may be aloof to strangers, but he will love you with every ounce of saliva in his bulky body. Chuckles is not one to need tons of exercise like some other breeds, and a good 30 minute walk a day will suffice. Due to weaker knees, walks are better than runs for a Bully, but he should walk at the side or behind, not forward on the lead, for instinct reasons. They tend to be stubborn and like to think for themselves.

Bullmastiffs are amazing pets, and they will give you everything they have to make you happy and keep you safe. They are very interested in your welfare and want only your love. A tireless dog, Bullmastiffs will always keep your best interest ahead of their own, like the staunchest of friends they are.

Moving to a Nearby Location

If you’re just jumping to a new house within the same town or one that is nearby, you can rest a bit easier. Cats can be moved in this fashion easier because you won’t be traveling far and your cat won’t have enough time to wind itself up into complete distraction. However, if your cat is sensitive and hates traveling, then you should be ready to soothe your cat throughout the trip and have gentle food and water at the end of the trip since the usual foods can cause stomach problems. If possible, move your cat first and have someone stay with him while he explores the empty house and gets his scent on everything; if not, move your cat last and let it settle in one room with the door closed while all of the moving is happening. Always make sure to take time out to spend with Sir Anthony. Reassure him, pet it, let him sniff everything, and don’t pester him to eat or play. If nothing else, your cat might be upset with you for a while and want to sulk before forgiving you! Princes don’t like to be unsettled and they’ll let you know if they’re made uncomfortable in the slightest fashion.

Moving a Distance

If you’re going farther away, then you have a new set of problems on your hand, but they can be remedied. Always make sure your cat is in a carrier for the duration of the trip and that Anthony is in the front seat if possible so that he can be petted and has a hand to sniff every so often. Keep cats and children apart as the shrill voices and yelling will upset your pet even more. Drive carefully and as smoothly as possible; too much bumping and jostling will upset your cat. Remember, he’s already annoyed with you and feeling out of sorts. Best not to make things worse, which will only lengthen the time he’s angry at you. Finally, don’t worry about feeding him until you stop and even then, your cat may not want to eat much. This is normal and your cat will go back to eating when you’re in the new destination.

Once you’re in the new home, give your cat his own room and leave him with a buddy in there while the rest of the moving is going on. Don’t let your cat wander while the movers are doing their thing or he might get stepped on or even escape. Cats can take a few weeks to get acclimated to a new place, so don’t be surprised if you have an invisible cat on your hands for a while.

Cats and Hotels

This is a tricky one. If you’re moving a great distance, you’ll have to figure out what to do when it comes time to sleep. Some motels and hotels are cat friendly, some are with limits and some are flat out opposed to the idea. Try your very best to get a motel that is cat friendly; explain your situation and tell them that you’ll clean up any messes your cat makes. It’s likely that your cat will crawl in a corner and glare at you all night, but make sure to cover your bases. Offer food and put out a small litter box for your cat in a place that will be easy to clean (or with bags underneath it) and make sure your cat won’t attack the furniture.

If at all possible, plan out your moving trip with the motels planned in advance so you know which ones are pet friendly and which ones aren’t. This will cut down on a great deal of stress when it comes to travel day.

Cats may be sensitive to their environment, but they are also adaptable animals and when a move is carefully managed, they’ll settle into their homes like they never had one before it. Be understanding, caring, and patient, and your cat will come around to the new home before you know it.

And then you discover that you are pregnant. You are again filled with joy and love. You slowly get bigger and anticipate the arrival of the new baby. You move furniture and buy baby items, you paint the nursery and decorate it perfectly, and finally you go to the hospital and bring home your brand new baby. You are so excited and can’t wait to enjoy every day with this new little bundle.

“Um…..what is that? It’s so little…and smells REALLY funny!” Max is a little confused. He has never been around children before and does not really know what to think. You have to introduce him to your new baby with confidence and soothing words. Max is loving and affectionate, but his whole world consists of his mother and his father. You. Suddenly there is a new person in his life that is nothing like the two people that he is used to. It is your job as a good puppy parent to make sure he understands that this new baby is a brand new, but vital, part of the family circle.

“Mom! I wanna play!!! Put that down and come play with me!!! We haven’t played in SO long!” Max is used to being the center of attention in your home. Bringing a new baby home will change all of that for him and it is something he will have to get used to. Because you are his parent and you love him, you want him to be well adjusted and to love the baby as much as he loves you. The last thing you want him to feel is neglected. Make sure that you spend time with him whenever you can. Include him in your time with your new baby when it is possible. If you are sitting on the floor dangling toys over your child’s head, make sure that your furry child knows he can come and lay beside you and get some attention, too.

“NEW TOYS!!!! WHOO HOO! I wanna chew em, I wanna chew em, I wanna chew em!!!” Puppies love to play and chew. Whether Max is playing with his own toys or he has gotten hold of the cord to your brand new digital camera, he will toss it and throw it and gnaw on it until it has become just a few tiny little pieces of material. While you are used to disciplining him over playing with your belongings, your first instinct may be to overreact if you catch him playing with one of the new baby’s toys. Max is your child and feels that the things in the house are his, so it is logical he will want to play with these new toys. You need to be a fair and reasonable puppy parent in this instance. Try to keep the baby’s items up where Max can’t reach them. Because these kinds of things always end up on the floor, no matter how hard to try to keep them up, simply admonish Max and let him know that those things are not his. Repetition and consistency are the key to showing Max what he can and cannot play with.

Your new child is a very important member of your family, but so is the furry one you already have. In order to ensure that every single member of your family, whether two or four legged, knows how essential they are, you have to take the time to show them. Make sure Max knows that he has not been replaced…his family has simply grown.

Your drill should include clear instructions that even your 5-year old can understand, as well as a list of important numbers that are at the eye-level of your youngest, with photos beside the name if he or she can’t read.

At minimum this phone list should include:
• Your Vet’s
• Your neighbor’s
• Mom and Dad’s mobile and work

Below are some tips of what do if these common situations occur:

Your Dog Is Stung
A small population of dogs and cats is allergic to bee stings. It’s approximately the same percentage of humans for whom a bee sting can be deadly.

If you notice redness and that’s all, the immune system will eventually work the histamine out of his or her system. If you notice redness accompanied by swelling, check with your Vet and administer 2-3 CCs of children’s Tylenol.

If you notice excess swelling and labored breathing, call your Vet immediately. Your dog or cat may be having an anaphylactic reaction. This is as rare in dogs as it in humans and is extremely life threatening and means requires medical attention.

The problem with anaphylaxis is that you don’t know your pet or human for that matter, suffers this until it happens. Immediately take your dog or cat to the nearest animal hospital. The tricky thing about anaphylaxis is that the first time is serious; the second or third time is often deadly. It’s important to follow your Vet’s sound medical advice on what to do in the event of a future bee sting.

Your Dog Is Bitten By A Rattle Snake
Unlike a bee sting, the venom in a rattler is deadly to everyone. Carry your pet, do not allow him or her to walk as this allows the venom to spread more rapidly. Time is of the essence, as such, you have little time to spare to get him or her to the Vet.

Your Dog Is Hit By A Car
Car accidents are tricky because your dog or cat may get up and walk and appear to be fine. However, he or she may have internal bleeding and could be dead within hours of the impact. Your Vet is where your dog needs to be in this instance, especially if your animal is non-responsive.

Death By Chocolate
There should never be an instance where your dog eats chocolate by mistake. You may be lucky the first time and all that happens is that your dog has a seizure. However, chocolate, even in small doses can kill your dog. Never leave chocolate lying around. This means, no chocolate bars, no ice cream, cocoa powder, nothing. The first time you see this seizure is memorable and will stay with you for a very long time and will serve as a deterrent to ensure that your pet never eats chocolate again.

Doctor Jan Bellows.

Everyone knows that dogs are intelligent animals. It is one of the primary reasons that human beings choose dogs over a variety of other animals. Rabbits, for example, will never have the cognitive abilities as dogs, and so fewer people are going to choose them as pets.

But what is dog intelligence really? The animal behavior community does not yet have a good answer for this question, because people have differing opinions of what constitutes true “intelligence.”

Possible Examples of Dog Intelligence
• Trainability
Perhaps the most common concept of “Dog intelligence” is how easy the dog is to train. “Smarter” dogs in this case would be dogs that can learn a number of tricks quickly and easily. This makes a lot of sense. A dog that struggles to learn a trick may not have the intelligence necessary to learn the trick easily. Some dogs have the ability to learn a trick in as little as 2 or 3 tries. Other dogs can have weeks of training and still struggle with it.
• General Learning
The problem with trainability as the sole indicator of intelligence is that it assumes that smart dogs learn tricks. But some dogs that may not pick up tricks very easily may pick up on other things. For example, a dog may learn how to judge smells. The dog may also be able to pick up on smaller behaviors, such as if you have a tendency for your nose to twitch right before you are about to let out a loud sneeze, your dog may already have associated your nose twitching with intelligence. There is no way to know how much your dog has truly learned.
• Problem Solving
Your dog’s ability to learn is not the only way to judge your dog’s intelligence. Another aspect of intelligence is your dog’s ability to solve problems. If you put a treat underneath a bowl, does your dog know to flip the bowl to get the treat? Or does your dog believe that the treat has suddenly disappeared? What about if a ball is stuck under a chair – does your dog keep trying to bite it to no avail, or are they willing to use their paws to get it unstuck? The ability to problem solve is not present in all dogs, with some breeds showing far stronger abilities than others. These should clearly be considered in dog intelligence.

What is Correct?

It will never be possible to judge your dog’s general learning ability. Chances are, however, that a dog that is able to be easily trained has strong general learning skills, as the two are related even if they are not identical. In addition, trainability should not be considered the sole measure of intelligence because some dogs are naturally independent. Shiba Inus are known to be fairly intelligent dogs (by most standards) but are notoriously unwilling to be ordered around. As a result, using a dog’s ability to be trained as the indicator of intelligence is not going to be entirely accurate. If you’re looking for dogs for sale, keep this in mind!

True dog intelligence is likely a combination of your dog’s ability to be trained with your dog’s problem solving skills, with the latter holding slightly more weight. Problem solving is an ability that many dogs do not possess, and if your dog can also be trained easily, it is safe to assume that your dog is quite intelligent. If your dog is not easily trained and does not seem to possess very strong problem solving skills, chances are high that although your dog is likely smart by your own standards, compared to other dogs it is most likely they fall short.

There are several different types of dog beds available. Depending on how much you want to pamper your pet, you have a lot of choices in the types of beds you can supply for your pet.

Types of Dog Beds
1. Basic Mat
The most common type of dog bed is the basic mat. Rectangular in shape, these mats are not the most comfortable beds in the world, and they rarely hold up well to chewing, but they are a better option that sleeping on the floor and can be warmer for your pet’s skin.
2. Plush Dog Beds
One of the simplest, yet most comfortable type of dog bed available is the plush dog bed. These beds are usually round in shape and loaded with soft, gentle material that your dog will love. These are easily the softest types of dog beds available, but though they are generally fairly simple in design they can cost as much as $200.
3. Donut Dog Beds
Another type of dog bed is the donut dog bed. Donut dog beds are, as the name implies, made with more of a donut shape. They are also filled with soft material that is perfect for your dog’s skin and comfort, but they are designed with enclosures that provide the dog with a specific place to curl up and sleep rather than having it sprawl out all over the bed.
4. Orthopedic Dog Beds
Orthopedic dog beds resemble the basic dog mat in shape, but they are designed in a way that is far more comfortable to dogs that have serious joint or bone health issues. In many ways they closely resemble a “Memory Foam Mattress” in that they are thick and designed to gentle sink without putting the dog in an uncomfortable position.
5. Fancy Shaped Dog Beds
There are a variety of dog beds available that are designed to with fancy shapes that resemble human furniture. Many of these beds are designed like couches, while some are designed more like chairs or love seats. Your dog probably does not care that its bed is that well designed, but it is fun to have these types of beds in the house and they are surprisingly priced around the same as some of the plush beds.
6. Raised Dog Beds
Another type of dog bed is a “Raised Bed.” These beds are designed to look like bunk beds, except without a bottom bunk and often with easy to use stairs leading to the top. Dogs are known to be more comfortable in high places, and raised dog beds also keep dirt and hair off the carpet. They may not be comfortable for all dogs, however.
7. Heating/Cooling Beds
The last type of dog beds are beds with their own heating/cooling features. These beds are designed like flat beds/orthopedic beds, but contain little machines that cool or heat the dog (depending on the type of bed). They are useful for climates that have harsh winter and summer weather conditions.
Overall, dog beds come in all shapes and sizes. Your dog will be pleased with even the simplest of dog mats, but splurging on a nice dog bed may be more comfortable for your pet and more fun to have in your home.

• Make sure it is a name that you will stick with – Changing your dog’s name can lead to a great deal of confusion and frustration that will make it hard for your dog to understand commands, and make it difficult for your dog to recognize that the word you are saying is meant to be a way to call your dog.

• If the dog already has a name, keep it – If you get a pet that has had a previous owner, keep your pet’s original name. The dog likely knows (or has an idea of) its name, and trying to change its name all over again is once again going to lead to more confusion, which will make it especially difficult to help your dog feel comfortable in its new home.

• Don’t give your dog a long name – You want to have only one name for your dog. A long name may appear fun and cute in the beginning, but chances are you are going to want to shorten your dog’s name in the long run and give your dog a nickname to save time, and that nickname is going to cause further name confusion. If you like a nickname, name your dog the nickname. There is no reason to give your dog a name that it is not going to use.

• Choose a name you like to say – It sounds silly, but your dog will pick up on the emotion you have behind speaking the name, so you want to be fond of the name throughout your dog’s life. If you name your dog after an ex-partner, chances are you are not going to say the name with the love and affection necessary to properly train the dog.

• Your dog’s name should be two syllables – Research has shown that two syllable dog names are the best for your dog’s learning. Names like “Spike” – one syllable names – sound more like commands than names. Notice that all commands are designed with a single syllable (“Sit,” “Stay,” “Down,”). That is because single syllables resemble barking – the way that dogs give commands in the wild. Your dog’s name is not a command, therefore a two syllable name is far more effective for dog training.

Teaching Your Dog its Name

Many dogs do not actually know their names. Instead, they respond to inflections in their owner’s voice that occur when the owner says their dog’s name. However, dogs do have the ability to learn their names, provided they are taught correctly by their owners.
To teach your dog it’s name, the first thing you want to do is say the dog’s name and giving the dog a treat over and over and over again. This will get your dog responding to you calling its name. Then, every time you train your dog, use its name before the command. For example “Fido, Sit!” instead of simply “Sit!”
Over time your dog will learn that “Fido” is its name, and designed to call your dog’s attention, while the following word is the command, if any. A dog that understands its name has an easier time learning tricks, will respond to commands more easily, and will do a better job listening to guests and strangers. As long as you choose a multi-syllable (preferably 2) name that you enjoy saying and will never change, your dog will learn its name in no time.