How to teach your dog to stop barking: balancing nuisance barking with natural instincts

Most dog owners love dogs, for their amusing, loyal, comforting and fun loving ways. However, most people who own dogs also expect a certain level of protection, guarding against intruders and providing an extra measure of safety for the household. It's a dog's nature to bark, to alert you when someone's about or when they feel their territory is being invaded.

It's also true that some dogs can get carried away with the sound of their own bark, thus creating a nuisance for you and your neighbors and so diluting their effectiveness as protector of the home. Nuisance barking must be curbed. The question becomes how to teach your dog to stop barking inappropriately, but not entirely.

When you see that your dog's barking has stepped over into the nuisance category, don't let this behavior slide. You want to find out why your dog's barking and creating a nuisance. Dogs typically start barking excessively out of sheer boredom. Dogs are social animals and if they feel ignored. Left to their own devices without sufficient attention from the family members, they often start barking for no apparent reason – they're looking for attention. If this is the case, there may be no need to teach your dog to stop barking. Just be sure to spend more time with him, playing, talking him for long walks, grooming him and with lavishing him with plenty of petting.

Another boredom factor that leads to nuisance barking is a lack of dog toys. If your dog is grown, get him a big, juicy bone from the butchers. Visit the pet store and ask the staff for suggestions on popular dog toys. Get a Frisbee and see if a game of Frisbee doesn't tone down the nuisance barking.

Give these treatments at least a couple of weeks to begin to see a decrease in barking episodes. If the behavior persists, you may want to keep a log for a week or so, taking note of what sets off unwarranted barking. Dogs often bark when another dog in the neighborhood barks, setting off a round of barking. This is also normal dog behavior, which can be useful as the dog version of a neighborhood watch program. If you see that the barking is random, you need to teach your dog to stop barking for no reason except his whim.

One strategy that can work is the old hand on the muzzle approach. Gently place your hands on his muzzle, closing his jaws, accompanied by a quite, “Shhh! No!” A bandanna or that familiar folded up newspaper can also be used to wrap around his muzzle for a moment, to quiet the barking.

If none of these methods to teach your dog to stop barking works, give your vet a call and ask for his advice.

While your main objective is to get your dog to stop barking inappropriately, you also want to have him alert you when intruders may be present. Teaching your dog to stop barking involves some finesse, leaving his protective guard dog behaviors intact.

Seven natural remedies for arthritis that reduce pain and inflammation, while improving your overall health!

Tens of millions of people in the U.S. suffer from arthritis. This disease comes in two basic categories. Osteoarthritis is a condition described as a simple wearing out of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition which affects the immune system.

Osteoarthritis is a good news, bad news condition. While it typically gets worse with time, it does not progress as rapidly or painfully as rheumatoid arthritis. Currently, there are no pharmaceutical treatments. All your doctor can do is prescribe a pain killer. On the other hand, there are medications available for rheumatoid arthritis that can slow progress of the disease, as well as pain killers to ease those painful joints.

In both cases, conventional medicine does not offer much, besides some relief of pain. However, you can make use of time-tested natural remedies for arthritis that can actually improve your condition and reduce the need for pain medications. It's also easy to integrate these foods and herbs into your daily routine.

Bing cherries are a terrific anti-inflammatory. Fresh cherries in season work best, but canned cherries will still offer significant help.

Capsaicin creams are one of the most useful of the natural remedies for arthritis when used as a topical on the affected areas. During cold and damp weather, you'll find substantial relief from pain and inflammation. The effect can be enhanced by wearing nylon gloves and socks, which help hold the heat.

Turmeric, taken in capsules or prepared in curry dishes is a marvelous addition to your natural remedies for arthritis, that is found to be as effective as cortisone in alleviating symptoms of both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Additional benefits include improvements in digestion, reduction of cholesterol and lowers blood sugar, a boon for diabetics.

Alfalfa is another inexpensive and time tested of the natural remedies for arthritis. The best form is the dried powdered leaves. You can buy this at health food stores in capsules. Alfalfa is packed with nutrients and is good for respiratory problems too.

Next in our lineup of natural remedies for arthritis is the Omega-3 fatty acids, a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, found in fish. Sardines, salmon, tuna and herring contain high quantities of the Omega-3's. Alternatively, you can take gel caps from the health food store. As a bonus, taking this supplement reduces your risk of heart problems, reduces bad cholesterol while raising the good cholesterol.

One especially tasty spice in your repertoire of natural remedies for arthritis is ginger. Ginger is anti-inflammatory. Make a habit of drinking ginger tea three times a day. Ginger is also beneficial to your heart health.

You've probably heard of Evening Primrose oil, but did you know that this plant oil is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory agents discovered to date? Several double-blind studies have demonstrated that the pain experienced by arthritis sufferers was typically reduced by 50%!

If you put all of these natural remedies for arthritis to work for you, you'll be feeling better soon. Always discuss using any of these with your physician. Good luck!