Dogs haven't always barked. We have bred the "barking gene" into our dogs over the past few thousand years.

When humans domesticated the dog, we found that the dogs keen sense of smell and sound helped with warning us of danger. So we encouraged the barking and over time, it was a natural part of a dog's life.

Dogs bark for many reasons. They bark as a warning, when they are excited, when they want attention and to communicate. If you want to curb some of your dog's excessive barking, you must first figure out why he is barking.

Don't reward the barking behavior with attention if you want to discourage the barking. A good way of breaking the barking cycle is to wait for your dog to quiet down and then give him the attention he wants. Don't reinforce the barking, reinforce the quiet!

If your dog barks when someone walks by your house or comes to your door, try to distract him. Call him to you and if he is quiet for a minute or two, reward him with a treat. Take the time to figure out why your dog barks. Give him the attention he craves and try to break the barking cycle. In the end, everyone wins.

Related posts:

1. Buddy's Dog Joke: Basic Rules for Dogs Who Have a Yard To Protect My dog joke for you today is really more of...
2. Dog Tip: Decrease the dirt your dogs track in Keep your floors clean when you have dogs To help...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Dear Joey,
We just got a new puppy. When should I let him around other animals?
No Name Left

Dear No Name,

My Momma wrote an article about this so I'm including it below. It should answer your questions about puppy socialization.

Puppy's First Socialization Experience

Do you want your pup to grow into a friendly canine companion?

Knowing when to socialize your puppy is the first step!

The biggest mistake which most inexperienced dog owners make is that they wait too long before socializing their puppy. You may feel, as do many new puppy parents that your furry friend is too small, too scared or too fragile to be socialized with other dogs.

However, the truth of the matter is, puppies should be socialized as soon as they are healthy enough to do so. Meaning, after your pooch has had his shots and been completely dewormed he should be introduced to as many different dogs as possible. Knowing when to socialize your puppy is vital and will ensure that they’re not afraid, aggressive or timid in the future.

In addition to knowing when to socialize your puppy it is also important to know where. One of the best places to start socializing your little guy is in a puppy playgroup or off-leash dog park. This is the ideal place for two main reasons. For one, the other dogs are for the most part going to be friendly and inviting to your puppy. If they were not well trained and properly socialized themselves, they would not be partaking in a dog playtime. Secondly, an off-leash area will allow for your puppy to observe, as well as encounter different instinctual behaviors, such as rough wrestling, barking, playful growling and games of chase.

Watching other dogs interact and play can also be beneficial to you, the new puppy owners. When socializing your puppy it is extremely important for the owners to stand back and let the puppy fend for itself. Chances are, your pup will be welcomed with a lengthy sniff or maybe a nose-nudge or two, but then the other dogs will soon realize that he is much too small to play or run and the introduction will come to an end.

Knowing when to socialize your puppy can be hard, and you’re not alone if you feel hesitant to introduce your small pup to the big world. But it is important to remember that a when a puppy is properly socialized, he has more of a chance of growing into a friendly, gentle and self assured dog.
—

Related posts:

1. 7 Tips to Housebreaking your Puppy What do you do when that cute little fur ball...
2. Ask Joey: My 2 puppies are trouble! My Puppies Are Trouble! Dear Joey,    My husband and...
3. 5 Tips for Helping your Blind Dog Hi, Joey here. No question this week but I do...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Hi, Joey here. No question this week but I do have an article I want to share with you. As an "elderly" gentleman, I am having some trouble losing my hearing and eyesight. So I asked Momma to write an article about how pet parents can help their dogs who are blind.

5 Tips for Helping your Blind Dog

Often as our canine companions age, their eyesight diminishes. Sometimes it can happen at any age due to illness or injury. Just as newly blind people adjust, dogs can too. There are things we can do to help them in their transition.

1 -Have strangers speak to him and avoid physical contact until your dog is comfortable with them and approaches them.  Sudden touches from people who's voices and smell are unfamiliar, can be very frightening to a dog who can not see.

2 -Keep him safe by putting up fences and barriers around dangers such as stairs, pools, ponds, and balconies. This is vital for a dog who's vision has diminished.

3 -Keep him on a leash and close to you in public. You don't want to take the chance of him wandering off and losing you or becoming startled and running out in traffic.

4 -Keep furniture in the same place and don't move things around as it will confuse him. He will become accustomed to where everything is and become quite adept at finding his way around the house.

5 -Keep his personal items (food and water bowls, bed and toys) close together. The fewer areas he has to wander around to find things, the better. It will be less confusing and more comforting.

Bonus Tip-Help him develop his other senses by talking to him and petting him often, give him squeeky toys and scented toys, give him things that are fun to chew on. By stimulating his other senses, you will help him to develop them faster and make his adjustment much easier.

Related posts:

1. 7 Tips to Housebreaking your Puppy What do you do when that cute little fur ball...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Dear Joey,

I'm in 5th grade and my sister Cara is in 7th. We finally got a dog from the dog pound after begging for one forever. Today while playing with Pebbles, She started shaking really bad and foaming at the mouth. After a few minutes, she stopped.

My sister saw it too and said she has Epilepsy. She says she knows cos a kid in her class has it and acts the same way. She said not to tell my parents cos they might make us take the Pebble back to the pound. What should I do?

Randy E.

Dear Randy,

Epilepsy in dogs is something I am quite familiar with since I have it myself! The symptoms you describe do sound like Epilepsy but to be sure, Pebbles really needs to be checked out by a veterinarian.  It is really important for he to be seen by a doctor so they can figure out what is causing her seizures and help her to control them.

If it is Epilepsy, it may or may not need medication, depending on how often she has the seizures and how severe they are.  Really bad seizures can cause brain damage.

I am lucky in that my sezures only happen 3-4 times a year so I don't need to be on medication. My momma's friend has a little Beagle named Livvie who has to have medicine every day or she will have a seizure.

Here's a good article Momma found about Epilepsy in dogs: http://www.dogpro.com/canine-epilepsy.html

So please tell your parents so they can take Pebbles to a vet to get checked out.  Let them know how much you and your sister love Pebbles and how she needs your family's help now.  Good Luck!

Related posts:

1. Ask Joey: My 2 puppies are trouble! My Puppies Are Trouble! Dear Joey,    My husband and...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

My Puppies Are Trouble!

Dear Joey,

   My husband and I just adopted 2 adorable puppies from the pound. They were litter mates and seem very close to eachother. They don't listen to us at all. Our biggest problem is trying to potty train them. Whenever we take them outside, all they want to do is play with each other instead of "doing their business." Any suggestions?

Millie C.

Moyock, NC

Dear Millie,

  Hey you don't live too far away from us!  Your puppies have bonded with each other instead of you. It's only natural since they have known each other since they were born and have been together through the scary time of being separated from their mother and getting put in a cage at the pound.

  You want them to bond with you! First of all, I suggest you and your husband each take a puppy through a puppy obedience training class. Also, both of you should try to spend some time every day alone with each puppy. Play with them, take them for a walk, cuddle with them, just do it without the other puppy present. This will give them a chance to bond with you.

  As for the potty training, take each puppy out by themselves. Take them to the spot (away from where they may hear or see the other puppy) you want them to pee and poop. Tell them to "go potty" or whatever keyword you use. Then stand quietly while they sniff around and look for the perfect spot. After they do their business, praise them, play with them for a few minutes and then take them inside and repeat the process with the other puppy. After both have pottied, bring them both outside and let them play together, and better still, try to engage them into playing with you. Throw a ball for them maybe.

  Yes, this may sound like alot of work but once they are house trained, you can try taking them both out at the same time again and see how they do together. Eventually, they should be fine together and it will be much easier.

  Good luck and keep us posted!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

 Dog Hair Everywhere!

Dear Joey,

We own 2 big, hairy dogs and the fur in our house is getting uncontrollable. It seems to be everywhere! On our furniture, all over our floors and even on our clothes. I cant even have a meal without finding a dog hair in it! Gross. We bathe the dogs often. Should we be doing something else?

Elisa

Dear Elisa,

Bathing isn't really going to control the hair. There are other things you can do to help. You didn't say what kind of coats your dogs have. Are they short hair or long hair? Curly or smooth coat?

The very basics are to brush your dog everyday. A dog comb can take the burrs and tangles out.

If your dog has a short coat, you can "pet" him with a grooming or shedding glove.

If your dog's coat is longer, I suggest a Shedding Tool. Two good brands are FURminator and FurBuster.

If your dog has a very thick, dense undercoat, you should get an undercoat rake.

Now of course, you don't have to get all of these things. Just get what's best for the type of coat your dog has. Consistency is the key. You have to groom your dog every day to keep the hair at a manageable level.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Ask Joey-How many dogs is too many? Mr. Bean's Holiday release

Dear Joey,

   How many dogs are too many? My family has always had one or two dogs but ever since my 2 brothers and I have moved  out, my mother has been collecting dogs. She is up to 8. Do you think she may have a problem?

Richard R.

Dear Richard,

    Some people keep a large number of dogs and do just fine. But then there are some who become hoarders. They can't stop adopting dogs.

   Your mom may be suffering from "Empty Nest Syndrome" since all her human kids have left home. That is probably what triggered this. Is your dad still around? What does he think about all these dogs?

   I would be concerned about the dogs too. Have they been spayed and neutered? Are they receiving the medical care, food, grooming, love and attention they need? Is your mother able to still keep the house relatively sanitary?

   Something else to be aware of is that most areas have a limit on the number of dogs that you can own. In our area it's 6 dogs.

   Try to talk to your mom about all of this and share your concerns. You may need to enlist the aid of your brothers, father or other family members. If all this fails, discuss the situation with your mom's doctor.

   Good luck and keep us updated.

• download greatest hits 1969 1971 vol1 led zeppelin

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Lumpy Dog

Dear Joey,

• Ong bak 2 trailer

• Hollow Man ipod

I'm a little worried. My dog is 10 years old and I'm starting to feel lumps on her. They don't seem to bother her but they sure bother me. I'm worried she may have cancer. Should I take her to the vet?

Sharon in Wy District 9 full movie

Dear Sharon,

I can't tell you with 100 % assurance that it isn't cancer but it probably isn't. Older dogs tend to get fatty tumors (hey I have lots of them myself). They aren't dangerous and they aren't painful. Usually the only time for medical intervention with them is when they are in an odd spot that is uncomfortable for the dog.

Cleaner

You didn't say whether the lumps are soft and squishy which is another sign it is a fatty tumor or hard. If it's hard, it may be a cyst. A cyst can easily be removed and may or may not be cancerous. So if it does feel hard, you should get it checked out by your dog's vet. If not, just mention the lumps to your vet at your dog's next appointment.

Fantastic Four movie

Bill Bailey: Part Troll move

Dana Carvey: Squatting Monkeys Tell No Lies move

• Alvin and the Chipmunks download

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Hey Guys!

Joey here and I have run out of questions! If you have any dog related question for a future "Ask Joey" post, please send it to me! Just type it into the box below and hit submit. Or leave it in the comments.

America's Sweethearts dvdrip Maurice download

[contact-form]

Mallrats hd

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Wet Dog Noses and Why Dogs Pant

Hi Joey,

• Tirante el Blanco download

   I'm 8 years old and my mom and I like to read your blog, specially on Mondays when you write. I don't have a problem. I was just wondering. Why do dogs pant? And why do they have wet noses?

Thanks,

Brandon R.

The Big Bounce movie Dear Brandon,

   Thanks Dude! So glad you like my column. And I'm glad you don't have any dog problems.

The Best Man dvdrip

  Ok, to answer your questions. Dogs pant because that is their way of keeping cool. Humans sweat as a way to keeping cool but dogs cannot sweat. So we were made to pant instead.

Castle in the Desert psp   As for wet noses, we have glands inside our noses that keep them wet. It's believed it helps us to smell better. Some people believe if a dog's nose is dry, than he must not be healthy. But that may or may not be true. If it's dry occasionally, then he's probably healthy. Also when a dog is sleeping, his nose gets dry so it may take a while to get moist again after waking. If the nose is constantly dry for several days, you may want to be on the look out to see if your dog is feeling ok. Call your vet if you think he may be getting sick.

Til next week,

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.