Training for Dogs that Door Dart

Does your Dog Door Dart?

If you have ever tried to leave your house only to have your dog leaping at the opportunity to escape, then you may be wondering how to stop this behavior.

You probably know that chasing your pup isn't the best solution ... but what should you do if your companion does sneak out?

This common issue is better known as ‘door darting’ and it can make any pet parent feel discouraged, especially if you've got a repeat offender.

Unfortunately, if your dog does successfully fly the coop, multiple safety issues can also arise.

The good news is that Dr. Sarah offers effective tips for addressing this problem in this episode of Pet Talk. Her step-by-step guidance will also teach you some commands to use so you can safely keep your companion inside despite any tempting doors being opened.

(This video is provided in the February 2013 Edition of the Life's Abundance Newsletter. Dr. Sarah is the staff veternarian.)

Thank you for reading and watching the information contained in this blog post. If you are the owner of a new large breed puppy you might be interested in a new puppy food developed exclusively for large breed puppies.  Life's Abundance Pet Food for Large Breed Puppies.


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Portly Pets

Portly Pets a Problem for Many Owners
Daily Inter Lake, Saturday, September 17, 2011

It's not just two legged animals that are having a problem with obesity.  According to recent reports, pets are heavier than ever.

A 2009 national survey of veterinarians by the Association for the Prevention of Pet Obesity found 45 percent of dogs and 58 percent of cats were overweight or obese.

Inactivity, too many snacks and poor diets are to blame for both pet and human obesity issues.  The health implication can be severe for everyone involved.

Overweight animals can have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, be at risk for heart attack or stroke, be at risk for skeletal problems, such as hip dysplasia, and low self-esteem, among other things.

The good news is some the same methods humans use to lose weight could be effective for pets, too.

1. Choose foods that list meat (protein) first.  Too many pet foods have replaced the majority of protein with high-carbohydrate ingredients such as corn and wheat.
2. Watch portion sizes.  Use the portion suggestions on the food as a guideline for feeding a pet.
3. Consider smaller, more frequent meals.  Instead of one large meal, feed a dog or cat three small meals a day.
4. Cut out nutritionally poor treats.  Replace fatty dog bones with crunch carrots or broccoli for better health.
5. Get moving.  Walking a pet is good for everyone involved.  Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of activity a day.  This will also improve joint flexibility.

Pets don't raid the refrigerator at night and often rely on their owners for exercise and care.  Poor habits on the part of pet owners could spell trouble for pets in terms of weight gain.

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Information about Lifes Abundance Weight Loss Dog Food
Information about Lifes Abundance Healthy Dog Treats
For Human Weight Loss visit the ShapeWay Diet Plan

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Training Treats

Tasty Rewards
Wholesome and Healthy
No Chemical Preservatives

Good behavior should be rewarded, but often training treats are empty-calorie treats with no nutritive value and include undesirable ingredients. The folks at Lifes Abundance believe that you should only feed treats that can help to support overall health.


Tasty Rewards are wholesome nutritional training treats made from New Zealand-raised chicken and venison.

They’re loaded with proteins, minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids. And, like all of the Lifes Abundance  foods, supplements and treats, you’ll find no added chemical preservatives or artificial coloring.

With Tasty Rewards Training Treats, discipline can be delicious!  There is no junk found in these treats.  You can be assured that you are training with one of the best canine training treats on the market. 

Click the following for information about where to purchase: 

Tasty Rewards Training Treats

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Bad Behavior or Serious Medical Issue

Doggie Dunce Caps: Bad Behavior or Serious Medical Issue
from Pet Talk by Dr. Sarah, Lifes Abundance August NewsLetter
Click Here to subscribe to Dr. Sarah's Pet Talk and Lifes Abundance Newsletter.  It's Free!

Have you ever found freshly dug holes in your backyard? Or bits of your favorite chair strewn across your den? Are you the proud parent of a canine that greets your guests by repeatedly jumping on them? Does your furry friend beg at the table, bark incessantly or strategically deposit her poo next to the dining room table? Simply put, if your dog could star in a film entitled “Dogs Gone Wild”, then you share a common complaint among dog lovers worldwide: frustrating behavioral problems.

There is one thing that unites all behavioral problems - they are undesirable to the pet parent. Behavioral problems are the most common complaint received by veterinarians at annual exam time. Whatever the complaint - whether it’s barking, chewing, digging, chasing, biting or aggression - many dogs exhibit problem behaviors. If you’re wondering what could cause these ongoing stresses in your relationship with your canine, you’re not alone.

There are many possible reasons why a dog exhibits bad manners. The easiest and most common explanation is a lack of proper training. Much to the chagrin of some new pet parents, dogs are not born fully trained – it’s up to us to teach them the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Other contributing factors of bad behavior are loneliness and boredom, which is especially common in young dogs of active breeds. Destructive behaviors like hole digging and fence chewing are often physical expressions of cries for attention.

You might be surprised to learn that medical conditions can be at the root of bad behavior. For example, aggressive outbursts might be the result of a serious and painful hip, a broken toe nail or even an infected ear. If your dog has ever snapped at you while you were petting her back or neck, a bulging disc or a pinched nerve might be the culprit. These conditions are extremely painful, and dogs are predisposed to bite when experiencing this level of pain. In fact, aggression and biting are common indicators that your dog is in pain.

In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah discusses common medical causes of unacceptable behaviors, what you can do about it, and the kind of training veterinarians recommend.

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Click the following for more information about  Life's Abundance Dog Food

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