Training a dog can be very difficult, especially if you have never done it before. Unfortunately, a lot of people will give up after they fall at the first hurdle. If you are going to train a dog then you need to be prepared to have a lot of patience. This is one of the most important things to remember. Without patience you are going to get nowhere with your dog. The worrying thing these days is that there are a lot of people who use different things to train their dogs that are completely unethical. This is why we at PetInsuranceIreland.com have written this quick guide to ethical methods of training your pet dog.

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is so important when training a dog. If you are trying to teach your dog to do something and you sigh or frown when they have done it wrong then they will pick up on the fact that you are not happy with what they have done. This will not encourage them in any way, it will leave them feeling dejected and like they have failed to please you. The best thing is to encourage your dog and praise them all of the time when you are training them. Try not to show them that they have done it wrong, but rather encourage them to keep trying.

Treats are a great way of training your dog. However, it is not good to give your dog too many treats. Instead of using dog treats or bits of meat, why not use their favourite toy? Nearly all dogs love to play fetch with their favourite toys. Every time they correctly follow the command that you have given them, you can throw their toy for them. This will keep them happy and teach them that learning new things can be fun. You should always try and turn it into a game, as this will make them eager to learn more.

Clicker Training

Something else that you could look into is clicker training. A lot of professional dog trainers actually use this method. It doesn’t harm the dog in anyway at all. Basically, a dog clicker is a little box. When you press it, it makes a loud clicking noise. If you are teaching your dog something then you need to press the clicker every time they follow your command and then give them a treat. After a while, your dog will associate the sound of the clicker with a treat. This is a great method as there is no negativity when they are trying to learn new tricks.

The most important thing that you can remember is that negativity is not going to help your dog learn anything. Most dogs are incredibly loyal to their owners, and all they want to do is please you. However, you have to remember that dogs are not going to instantly understand what you are asking of them. Being angry or upset because they will not do what they are told is not going to help them in anyway, it will put them off. Being happy and smiley will help them. Before you know it you will have an extremely happy and obedient dog.

Article by PetInsuranceIreland.com. Compare and review pet insurance deals in Ireland.

Freddy - Photo by Louwuselchen, Ireland

If you have a dog then you will of course want to do everything that you can to keep them fit, healthy, and happy.

Here are five simple tips that will help you to ensure that your four legged friend will stay healthy.

1. Keep On Track of Their Vaccinations, Worming, and Flea Treatment

This is possibly the most important thing to remember when you first  get a dog. As a puppy you will need to take your dog to the vets so that they can get their vaccinations. These vaccinations will protect your dog against a whole host of illnesses and diseases such as kennel cough and many  more. However, many people get the first set of jabs and then don’t go back. This is not a good idea as your dog will need boosters over time to ensure that they are still protected. Worming is another important part of keeping your dog healthy, as is flea treatment. These two things should also be done regularly.

2. Ensure That They Are Walked Regularly

Walking your dog is especially important. A lot of people think that letting the dog run around the garden or yard is giving them adequate exercise, but it really isn’t. Not only this, but how would you feel if you were stuck in the same place all the time? This is why they need to be walked at least twice a day. It will keep them active and happy. It also gives them a chance to interact with other dogs who may be out walking which they will really enjoy.

3. Don’t Feed Your Dog Junk Food!

This is probably one of the worst things that you can do with your dog, but unfortunately, a lot of dog owners do it. Although it may seem unfair not to give your dog bits of food that you are eating, you are doing them a favour in the long run. Certain foods are actually poisonous to dogs, and human food certainly is not good for them. If you want to give your dog snacks then you should purchase some proper dog treats. They will love the taste, and you don’t have to worry about making them unhealthy.

4. Don’t Let Them Play With Sticks

Although it is well known that dogs like to carry sticks around and play fetch, a lot of vets will advise against letting your dog get a hold of sticks and pieces of wood. The reason for this is that the wood can actually splinter and get stuck in their throat or tongue. Of course, this poses a great risk for infection. This is why you should ensure that you keep your dog away from things like this. Get them safe dog toys that they can play with instead.

5. Interaction Is Key

If you are going to get a dog then you have to be prepared to dedicate the time to interacting with them. They are just like us; they get bored too. Buy them interactive toys that they have to work for to get the treats. These will keep them busy for ages, and it also stimulates their brain and keeps it healthy. Talk to your dog and play with them as much as you possibly can. This way they will not only feel loved and wanted, but they will also get excited every time that you come home because they know that it is playtime!

Article by Pet Insurance Ireland.

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Photo: Freddy by Louwuselchen, Ireland.

If you visited the St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin this year you may have spotted an array of giant dogs and monsters, as captured in this wonderful photo by Michela Orlandi.

The dogs featured as part of a theme inspired by Roddy Doyle’s new story “Brilliant“, in which two Dublin kids overhear their parents talking darkly of Ireland’s fate.

The children take the comment of a “black dog of depression” literally, which inspires them to enlist a legion of followers to help them find the black dog and reclaim the city’s lost funny bone.

Brilliant was commissioned especially for the St Patrick’s day parade to mark Dublin as a UNESCO City of Literature.

Here is a quick extract from Brilliant:

A city is made of bricks and cement, and bricks and cement can’t be depressed.

-I’ve never been depressed a day in me life, said a brick on the second floor of Arnott’s.

-Me neither, said a bag of cement on the back of a truck on Bachelor’s Walk. –Although I wouldn’t mind a drop of water.

Dublin was made of bricks and cement, tar and, eh –

Glass.

Glass. So Dublin wasn’t depressed. It was the people who lived in Dublin

who were depressed. Although most of them didn’t know it.

You can read the whole book free of charge on Roddy Doyle’s website here (pdf).

Fantastic. Or should we say: Brilliant.

Article by PetInsuranceIreland.com.

"Lucy on the Beach" - Photo by Blue Sky 4691

An interesting article in the Irish Times today by Rosita Boland brings up the point of just how hard it is to find dog friendly accommodation in Ireland.

I think this quote sums up just how fantastically wrong it can get:

I arrived to find the “pet-friendly” accommodation for my dog consisted of a wooden garden hut full of uncovered saws and building tools with a door that wouldn’t close, next to the main Sligo-Donegal road.

I had to go looking for a piece of wood to jam up against the door and spent much of the night fretting the dog would get out.

Oh dear!

It is fair to say that anyone who has travelled with a dog will agree that it adds another level of difficulty to finding a suitable hotel or B & B.

Features to look for in a dog friendly hotel / B&B

Are you travelling for business or leisure?

Business

Dog walking and a concierge services are a great luxury.

If you think you are going to be busy for long periods you may want to look into dog kennel services.

Leisure

If you are staying for leisure some of the things you might want to consider are:

Location! – You will of course want to find somewhere that has great places to walk your dog. Many pet friendly hotels/B&Bs have pre-planned dog walks you can go on.

Dog friendly rooms. Can you keep your pet in your room? Are there water and food facilities? Litter trays?

A dog hotel in Tokyo - Photo by monika.monika

Finding pet friendly accommodation in Ireland

A great website we found that is made for the purpose of finding dog friendly accommodation in Ireland is StayDoggy.com.

StayDoggy.com – “Ireland’s only dog friendly accommodation website” — at the time of writing lists almost 60 dog friendly hotels and B & Bs in Ireland.

Here are some popular dog friendly hotels in Ireland:

Cork

Castle Hotel – The Castle Hotel in Cork aim to provide a dog walking, concierge and grooming service, dog friendly rooms with water and food.

Website: http://www.castlehotel.ie/dog-friendly

Donegal

Harvey’s Point – Provide pet friendly rooms and a beautiful pet friendly location on the shores of Lough Eske.

Website: http://www.harveyspoint.com/bedrooms/default.asp?id=182

Help us make this page better!

Do you know a pet friendly hotel that you would recommend? Get in touch! We would love to list it here.

This article was written by PetInsuranceIreland.com. Compare and review the best pet insurance deals in Ireland.

SuperDog! - Photo by Barnacles Hostels

Happy St Patrick’s Day to you and your pet

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