Training a puppy to accept a collar and leash is probably the single most important thing that you can work on when you start his training. Puppy leash training can begin almost as soon as you get him settled in his new home.

When you train your puppy to become used to a collar and leash, you are establishing the idea that you are in control. This is a really important point for your dog to understand if your training is going to be successful.

Once your pet learns to accept his collar and lead you can move onto many other areas of training with a greater chance of success. Here's what to do.

It's important that the collar fits properly. Too loose and he'll back his way out of it. Too tight and he won't be comfortable. Try adjusting it so you can slip two fingers easily between his neck and the collar.

At first when you put his collar on he'll need lots of affection and attention to stop him from thinking about the strange thing around his neck. It will take some time for him to get used to it. After he is used to the feel of the collar you will be able to move onto the next step in your training of your puppy. Leash training becomes much easier if you give him time to just get used to wearing his new collar before trying any other training.

The next step is to attach a short, very lightweight leash to his collar. The leash should not be longer than about three feet. Allow him to just drag it around for short periods of time. The idea is for him to get used to the feel of having something attached to his collar.

Keep a close eye on your puppy while he is wandering around with his lead attached. If he happens to get stuck while you are not around, he may become agitated and frightened. You want him to see how it feels to be restricted for a brief period of time, but you don't want him to become upset when it happens. Quickly free the lead when it gets stuck.

Within a few days he will have become accustomed to the feel of the leash. Once this happens, attach the other end of the leash to yourself rather than letting it drag loosely. As your puppy explores, he will get stuck as before. The difference is that this time, you will not go to him to free-up the leash.

Instead try to help him get rid of his distress by crouching down and calling his name. Entice him to get himself unstuck and to come to you by offering some toy or treat. Give him his treat and lots of praise when he does come to you. Be sure to continue with this every day for short periods. After a few successes each day, remove the leash from his collar, but leave his collar on at all times.

When he routinely returns to you when called, your puppy leash training has been a success. You can now move onto the rest of the training program knowing that it will be much easier.

Training can be stressful for both you and your dog. To ease the stress for your dog, a warm cozy bed is a must. A cozy cave dog bed is the ultimate in luxury for your hard working pet. To keep his bed fresh and clean washable dog beds are ideal.

by Tyler Elliot

The Vizsla is a breed of dog that originated from Hungary and is widely known today as an outstanding sporting dog and a reliable companion. Eighth century paintings of the Magyar tribe of Hungary suggest that the Vizsla has been around during these times serving as a companion dog to the tribe hunters. Centuries later, this dog is still being adored by legions of enthusiasts around the globe as an excellent hunting dog.

The Vizsla is a distinguished hunter and has been accompanying legions of hunters during hunting trips for centuries. These fanciers discovered that not only does this breed have a great skill in smelling but in retrieving and pointing as well. So together with the fact that it is the smallest breed of its type, the Vizsla is being recognized as the smallest of all all-round pointer breeds.

In terms of body build, the Vizsla is robust, light and lean with defined musculature; and stately in posture and bearing. However, this breed is often mistaken for a Weimaraner, Redbone Coonhound or Rhodesian Ridgeback since they all seem to share similar body build and coat colors. So in order to point out the real Vizsla, remember that it must possess a nose that is of reddish shade, which blends with the coat color.

The nails and eyes of the Vizsla also uniquely combine with its coat color. According to the breed standard, the Vizsla's coat should be colored in solid gold-rust; however, there are some that are colored in solid rust. Copper, brown, gold and dark sandy gold are also acceptable colors of the Vizsla.

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the coat of the Vizsla "should be short, smooth, dense and close-lying, without woolly undercoat". The lack of an undercoat also makes this dog susceptible to cold and thus it shouldnt be left hanging out in the open for too long. This condition also suggests that the Vizsla is less of a threat to people who are allergic to dog hair.

The Vizsla also gives off a distinct "smell" that's easily recognizable by humans and that it is a self-cleaning dog that's why bathing is only required as once in a while. Additionally, the breed standard requires this dog's tail to be docked by 2/3 of its original length for safety issues. If left undocked, this breed's tail tends to split and bleed, eventually leading to a more painful amputation later in life.

The Vizsla is also a very energetic, gentle, loving, and sensitive dog. It is a loyal companion and it infinitely craves for attention and affection from the master. Because of this, this breed is called the "Velcro dog".

Although sweet and gentle, it should not be provoked too because it has a tendency to fight back and be protective of the people it loves. This dog is highly intelligent and very easy to train but should not be corrected using hurtful words or forceful physical reinforcements as it is easily damaged emotionally. Moreover, it is also an avid swimmer and in fact would swim at a pool whenever it chances upon one; and because of this, it makes a superb retriever not only in land but also in water.

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by Chuck Berry

It was the German breeders who started the development of the skillful and quick gundog German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP). From the crossings of the old Spanish Pointer, Hounds of St. Hubert, Foxhound, the English Pointer and some other unidentified hounds, the GSP came in to the canine world for the hunters to enjoy today. Because of this ancestry, the GSP became faster, more skillful and more excellent in the hunting category.

The GSP can practically perform all the roles of an excellent gundog. It can perform tasks of a pointer, a retriever, upland bird dog and water dog. As a good hunting companion, the GSP should manifest keen intelligence, boldness, obedience and quickness and a lack of these characteristic implicates improper training from the owner.

Ranked as 17th in Stanley Cohen's The Intelligence of Dogs, the GSP is unarguably one of the best dogs to rely on. The GSP has such a high hunting instinct that it should be trained early on to avoid other animals that are not considered preys. If not, it will come home bearing a dead cat, bird or rat in its mouth as a trophy of its own hunting expedition.

Many hunters today still utilize the skills of the GSP because it is unarguably excellent in hunting. Hunters love it that the GSP is very dependable, hardy, full of energy and intelligent during these times. One should realize that a properly trained GSP never suggests a disposition of fear, shyness, over submissiveness, lack of docility or aggression.

The GSP may be everything you could ask for in a gundog but when it comes to being a family-oriented creature, this breed tops the list too. When not hunting, the GSP is a very loving, protective, loyal and amiable dog. It especially loves to play with children and loves to interact with humans and other canine contemporaries.

The body of the GSP manifests a powerful and agile capability because of its streamlined and lean physique. Its uniquely built hind legs are so powerful it allows him to turn quickly and rapidly. It has floppy and moderately long ears and a snout that is broad and powerful that allows him to carry heavy game.

Generally, the tails of the GSPs are docked at a length that is enough for the dogs to wag and move their tails although in some countries docking is prohibited. The coat of the GSP is very short, flat and double coated. The undercoat is dense and the outer coat is stiff making the GSP water and temperature resistant.

The common colors of this breed are dark brown, chocolate or chestnut (liver), black and white. Some GSPs may come in these colors solidly but generally, GSPs come in these colors but with speckles or patches of other colors such as white or liver all over their bodies. Interestingly, this color formation of the GSP allows it to camouflage against trees and bushes during winter season.

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