Jake's Pets

What Dog Breed is Right for You?

2010-10-10T13:49:00.003+02:00

Pets can be a wonderful addition to a family, as long as you find the right fit. Dogs come in many breeds, and all have their charms as well as their drawbacks. Finding out which dog breed is a right fit for your family and its lifestyle is very important. The wrong dog can create tension, destruction and eventually end up in a shelter, which are already overcrowded as it is.

First, you should consider whether or not you want a purebred, or mixed breed animal. Families should be encouraged to check their local animal shelters for a mixed breed dog to adopt, before they shell out large amounts of money for a purebred dog. Adopting from a shelter will save the life of a dog that would otherwise end up euthanized.

Second, consider the size of your home and the amount of energy that you have to spend with a dog. Large breed puppies can be very exuberant and are occasionally very clumsy. Improperly trained, these puppies can also be very damaging to your home, so you might want to consider crating.

Next, how social is your family? If you are always coming and going then you will need a dog that does not mind a little alone time. Remember though, dogs, no matter how independent, they do need some interaction or they will develop behavioral issues. If you do not have any time at all to spare, skip the dog.

After figuring out the basic size and social needs of a potential dog, you will need to figure out the general temperament of the breed as well as their individual needs. Some dogs need minimal grooming for instance, while others need to see the doggy beautician more often than a pageant contestant. If girly frou-frou is not for you, skip the poodles, the Afghans and the other high maintenance puppy dogs. Some are shedders, but that can be minimized with frequent brushing. (Some dogs will actually let you run the upholstery attachment of your vacuum over them, but many will not.) Energetic families need energetic doggies, and laid-back people need laid-back pups. Make sure that the dog you are looking at will be happy in your home. Read up on the breed you are interested in and rate the level of potential fit. This is a long-term commitment we are talking about so don't just fall for the first pair of big brown eyes that bat at you.

Finally, remember, no one dog is always going to be the perfect representative of their breed all of the time. Do not get stuck on the accepted stereotype of the breed, and never get a pet sight unseen. Interact with your potential puppy and spend some real time with him. Make sure that all family members get a chance to meet the dog, and vice versa. Hopefully it is a tail wagging, love at first sight connection for everybody.

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Do Cats Get Jealous?

2009-07-09T14:03:00.001+02:00

Cats can get jealous of other cats, dogs, or people. The behavior they exhibit can very a lot but most of the time, they will hiss, swat, bite, or scratch. Sometimes they can even become very vocal. While sometimes people label this behavior as jealousy, sometimes they are actually exhibiting dominant behavior.

A cat might view another pet or person as a rival for your affection. In order to maintain your affection they feel like they need to keep the offending pet or person away from you. Will a cat ever get over these feelings of jealousy? Well, that depends on how you handle the cat.

Eventually they will get used to this new pet and in most cases at least tolerate their existence in the house. If they do not come around to behaving in a more civilized manner you can punish them when they act up. Ways that you could punish your cat include, ignoring them for a while after they act up, or putting them in a different room for a time out.

No matter what manner you choose to use to discipline your cat, make sure you do it right away so the cat associates the punishment with the behavior. If you wait to long to correct your cat's behavior they will not learn as quickly or not at all.

So if you are wondering if cats get jealous, yes they can. How long they act that way depends a lot on how you handle the situation, and how quickly.

Whatever the cause of your cat's bad behavior, the important thing is to correct it quickly. To learn how to do this correctly, visit: Solutions To Cat Behavior Problems

Find Exotic Pets Online

2009-06-26T23:19:00.001+02:00

Recent years have seen an increasing trend regarding the popularity of exotic pets online. Since most people are not free to travel the world in search of the perfect exotic pet, it will be beneficial for you to learn just how to find exotic pets on the internet. Fortunately, finding exotic pets online is not nearly as difficult as some people would make it out to be. However, it is not quite so simple as performing a Google search for "exotic pets online" either.

Unlike common domestic animals, there are often a great number of restrictions regarding the importing, sales and even in some instances, the ability to own exotic pets. Some animals that were previously considered to be exotic are not quite so mysterious, exotic or anything other than just another animal anymore.

Ostriches are just one example of how the situation has changed. While these magnificent birds used to be considered exotic pets to some, they are now commonly raised and often raised much the same as any ordinary livestock. Far from being an exotic pet anymore, they are now a regular food source and an industry rather than simply pets.

It should be noted that most exotic pets will not fall into this category very often or anytime soon. When most people think about exotic pets, they are usually referring to reptiles of one form or another, talking, colorful and exotic birds, and a relatively few more species which are more likely to be welcomed into a home as a conversation starter or a fascination with nature and the extremes among living species.

Whatever reasons you may personally have for wanting to find an exotic pet, you may have noticed that available selections are often very limited in any local exotic pet shops. Searching for exotic pets online will definitely give you a wider selection. There are also additional benefits to searching for exotic pets online that you should take into consideration as well.

Many of the more exotic pets are more expensive and sometimes difficult to come by. There are many unscrupulous exotic pet dealers both online and in the real world. Searching for your exotic pets online will allow you to learn as much about the exotic pet dealers as it will about the animals themselves. Finding a reputable dealer is every bit as important as finding the perfect exotic pet.

Because they are exotic, these pets are often very expensive. Another consideration is that exotic pets available online and in the real world have special requirements. It may b easy for you to see why it is so important to find out as much as you can about the dealer and the animal itself. Most people don't want to spend a large amount of money on exotic pets that may or may not have had adequate medical care, lack the proper documentation and may result in a financial loss and perhaps a broken heart due to the loss of a pet.

Before you go searching for the perfect pet or try to find a pet online gather as much information as you can to determine if an exotic pet will fit in your lifestyle. In this way, you can be certain that you get the pet that is right for you and one that you will have for a lifetime.

CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065

For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com

Research over 430 pet breed profiles http://www.findapetonline.com/breeds.html

What Type of Hamster is Best For You?

2009-06-25T23:03:00.000+02:00

Hamsters belong to the Cricetinae subfamily of the rodent family. They have been on this planet for more than 11 million years and originate from Central Europe, Asia and North Africa. Scientists have identified 18 different species, although only 5 types are typically seen as pets (the other 13 types live in the wild).

Syrian hamsters (also known as golden hamsters, but they actually come in many different colors) are the largest and most common of the pet hamsters. These hamsters do best when they are housed alone, since they are known to fight with each other. Because of their larger size, they can tolerate more handling than the other types.

Chinese hamsters look more like their rat cousins that the other types of hamsters, because they have long, thin bodies and longish tails. It is best to house them separately due to their territorial natures, and to separate the males and females unless you are deliberately breeding them.

Roborovski hamsters are dwarf-sized with a short tail. They are the smallest of the pet hamsters and can live together in the same cage, as long as the colonies are the same sex. Do not mix males and females in the same living space. These hamsters can easily over breed, and will eat their young if their living quarters become overcrowded. Because of their small size, agility and speed they are hard to catch if they escape. For this reason, they are not recommended as pets for small children. But they do like to be active, so they need lots of tubes and toys to keep them occupied, and they are fun to watch as they play among their toys.

Dwarf Campbell Russian hamsters are the most common of the dwarf hamsters. They are social enough to be housed together in pair of the same sex (unless you are purposely breeding them). Unlike the other breeds, the males will help the females raise their young. But he will also quickly breed again with the female after she has given birth, so it's wise to separate them after she have given birth.

Winter white Russian dwarf hamsters are also known as Siberian hamsters. Their grey coats turn white during the short days of the winter months. They make better pets for older kids than for young ones because they don't like to be held and are likely to bite if they are picked up.

Emily Brock is a hamster enthusiast and author. She owns and maintains Hamster Life Answers.

The Best Way to Get Rid of Fleas - Instantly - Must Read Info For Those Who Want to Kill These Pests

2009-06-25T12:57:00.001+02:00

When you´re thinking of the best way to get rid of fleas from your house, you should be thinking of a permanent solution. One which removes fleas from your house now and forever.

The first place to start is with any pets you may have. Most likely it was Fido or Kitty Cat that brought the pesky little things into your house in the first place. You now need to completely eliminate fleas from him with a good flea shampoo and dip, and from his environment, with a top quality flea spray. Only then can you think of the rest of the house.

When your pet, and all his or her things, is completely devoid of fleas you can move on to the rest of the house. Now common places fleas like to live are in carpets, on rugs, in the crevices of sofas, under the floor boards. All really hard to reach places. You´ll need a very fine, almost talc-like, anti flea powder to dust everywhere in your home the fleas might be. By everywhere, I do mean everywhere. You can´t let any of them stick around to re-infest your house, or you´ll have to start all over again. Get the flea powder behind the drinks cabinet, right into the carpet etc.

If you follow these steps then you will have a flea free house quicker than you can say, ¨Flea be gone!¨ It is, of course, important to use only natural products in your removal of fleas. You do not want to get rid of the fleas but leave yourself something worse, so always ensure any product you use is non-toxic.

The best way to get rid of fleas is to use the best products. For the best natural package of flea removing powders and sprays, go to http://www.ridoffleas.net

Cats Are Very Lovable Creatures

2009-06-19T13:19:00.000+02:00

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"Who would believe such pleasure from a wee ball o' fur?"- An Irish saying about cats, perhaps best describes what pleasure-giving creatures cats can be.

Jean Burden, beautifully defines the feline beauty. "A dog, I have always said, is prose; a cat is a poem." Cats for many people, are really very lovable - remember 'Snowbell' - the cat of "Stuart Little".

Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to many ailments. Cat grooming is a very important part of keeping a cat as a healthy pet. Cat supplies can be defined as important things that can be purchased for cat grooming, and maintaining general good cat health.

Cat supplies is a general term that covers a variety of important cat care products. These topics could be used when undertaking an online Internet search for good value cat supply products for your pets - cat-grooming supplies, cat pet supplies, cat training supplies and discount cat supplies.

Cat Grooming:

Cat grooming is in fact a long program of cat health care that covers the entire life span a cat. It includes feline care, feline health care, feline diabetes care etc. It also includes practices like kitten care, giving a hygiene bath, general cleaning, combing, brushing, checking ears, paws, teeth and underside, nail trimming, removing cat fleas and insects and fixing regular meetings with a professional veterinary. Cat owners should follow a regular schedule of grooming sessions.

Like children, infant cats, known as kittens, require some extra special attention. A kitten is delicate and should be handled with care. It also needs to be groomed properly, fed carefully, and bedded properly.

Cat Grooming Supplies:

Cat grooming supplies play a key role in the process of maintaining a happy and healthy cat. Supplies for your pet may include a special cat home or house, cat doors, cat furniture, cat carrier, cat beds, heated cat beds, cat toys, cat collars, designer cat collars, jeweled or jingling cat collars, cat odor removers, cat clothes, special cat jewelry, cat food, cat tonics & supplements and cat medication.

Cat Beds:

A cat bed is a bed specially designed for the sleeping comfort of a cat. It should be the most pleasurable place for a cat where it retires to take sweet dreams. Good cat beds are actually quite important for maintaining good cat health. An improper sleep may very much affect the general health of your cat - thus the masters of cats should be very careful when buying cat beds. A cat bed and cat bedding should include a cat bed mattress, cat bed sheet, cat pillows, cat throw pillows, cat blankets and cat quilt or duvets.

Cat beds are available in numerous styles and include designer cat beds, heated cat beds, luxury cat beds, wicker cat beds, leather cat beds, etc.

There are number of designer cat pet beds available on the market for purchase, both in physical pet stores, and also online. Many pet bed manufacturers now sell their cat beds online, through their official company websites.

Paul MacIver writes articles about pets and Pet Health. Visit Ultimate Pet Supplies to read more about cats and kittens, pet products and supplies.

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Why Cats Flip For Catnip

2009-06-18T16:31:00.001+02:00

If you've ever watched as a cat "flipped" over fresh catnip perhaps you've been struck with the question; "what causes Catnip to affect cats that way?" Catnip is indeed an unusual phenomenon among cats, it has the ability to alter your cat's behavior like nothing else can. So what exactly is the reason for what scientists have coined as "the Catnip effect"?

Unfortunately for such inquisitive minds the exact reason of why Catnip affects cats
in such a manner remains mostly a mystery. There is however much that we do
know about Catnip and cats even if we don't have the ultimate answer of exactly
"why?" yet answered.

The Science Stuff

Catnip is scientifically classified as Nepeta cataria and is a perennial herb from
the
mint family and is in fact also referred to as "Catmint". It is a plant indigenous to
Europe but has been exported and is now found all over including the United States
and Canada.

The active ingredient in Catnip is an oil; Nepetalactone, which is found in the leaves
of the plant. This is the reason you are able to find Catnip in a bottle or spray form
in some pet stores.

Other Uses For Catnip

Catnip is not only good to stimulate activity in cats, it can also be used by
humans
as an herb for a medicinal tea which may soothe toothaches, help against coughs,
and may also perform as a sleep aid. Furthermore, Catnip can be used as an herb
on salads or other foods as has been the case for centuries in France. Lately Catnip
has also been garnering favor as a natural insect repellant rivaling the effectiveness
of many store bought varieties of repellant.

Catnip and Kitty

Catnip affects approximately half of all cats. What determines whether or not
a cat
will react to Catnip is a genome that is inherited (or not inherited as the case may
be) at birth. Kittens, regardless of whether or not they carry this genome, do not
react to Catnip until reaching about 3 or 4 months of age and becoming sexually
mature. Older cats are also more likely to have a diminished or non-existing
reaction to Catnip, which leads scientists to believe that the Catnip effect is based at
least partially on sexuality and that the reaction may be something like an
aphrodisiac. Further adding to this belief is the similarity of a sexual pheromone
found in the urine of the male cat to nepetalactone (the active product in Catnip).

Cats that can be traced to regions where Catnip is not indigenous appear to be
unaffected by Catnip. The domesticated housecat is not the only cat that may be
affected by Catnip. Larger cats can also be affected by the Catnip effect, felines
such as the bobcat, lynx, tiger and even lion are known to react much the same way
the common housecat would. It is interesting to note that while Catnip can act as a
stimulant when a cat sniffs it, it can conversely act as a relaxant if ingested.
Therefore, you may see a different, nearly opposite result depending on whether
your cat chooses to eat the Catnip you provide for him/her or merely sniffs it (the
latter being the more typical behavior).

How to Use Catnip With Your Cat

Catnip can prove to be a very useful tool for a few common problems with
your cat.
If you are lucky enough to have a cat that does react favorably to Catnip then here
are a couple of ideas for you and your furry little friend.

Catnip and Lazy Cats:

Catnip can be used to get a lazy cat off his or her butt. Some cats are
notoriously
lazy, choosing to sleep much of their day away in a nice golden patch of sunlight on
the living room carpet, only waking up to eat and gather some necessary attention
from their indulgent owners. If this sounds like your cat, you may soon see (if you
haven't already) that your cat is becoming more and more round. This is generally
not a good thing. Catnip may be able to help. Presenting catnip to your cat
encourages activity (of course provided the cat sniffs rather than eats the herb).

Many adult cats will respond to Catnip in a manner that resembles their childlike
kitten hyperactivity, jumping, playing and running around as if it was given an
injection of kitty adrenaline, which in essence, is the case. The effect of Catnip on a
cat can last somewhere between two and fifteen minutes. If the latter is the case,
then this is a decent amount of exercise and will help keep your cat a little more
svelte than without a Catnip treatment. Furthermore, if you leave the Catnip out for
a few hours then your cat may return to the herb later (an hour or two after the
effect has worn off) and again react in an energetic fashion. So in this sense you
may consider Catnip sort of like a kitty energy drink.

Catnip and Cats That Scratch Furniture:

If you have a cat that seems bent on the destruction of your furniture then
Catnip
may again be able to come to the rescue. Cats can be frustratingly picky about just
about anything under the sun including where they want to sharpen their furniture
destroying claws. It is not uncommon for a cat to damage or destroy a piece of
furniture just because the owners finally gave up on trying to redirect their cat to
the unused cat scratching post that set them back anywhere up to a hundred dollars
and more. A good way to attempt to change this frustrating and expensive behavior
is to rub some Catnip or Catnip oil on a scratching post that you are attempting to
get the cat to use. Introduce your cat to the newly "Catnipped" scratching post and
see how he/she reacts. If all goes well, your cat will sniff and inspect the post and
then begin clawing at it. After a few times (you may have to re-Catnip the post)
hopefully kitty will be trained to use the post rather than the sofa.

Using Catnip with Multiple Cats

If you've never used Catnip before and you have more than one cat it is
advisable to
try it out individually on each cat before introducing it to all of your cats at the same
time. The reason is because Catnip affects some cats in a negative manner causing
the cat in question to become aggressive rather than merely playful. Introducing it
to your cats individually enables you to control the situation and keep a cat that may
react aggressively isolated from your other cats. This of course means avoiding a
possible catfight that could result in broken furniture, hurt kitties (possibly
requiring a vet visit), annoyed neighbors (and probably owners), or a combination of
all of the above.

Growing and Keeping Catnip

Growing your own Catnip can be rewarding as it can save you money, give you
the
satisfaction of doing something yourself and ensuring that you always get fresh,
high-quality Catnip for your cat. A word of caution however; the exact kitty
reaction you want to grow your own Catnip is something to be wary of. If you plan
on growing your Catnip out of doors and other cats can access your Catnip garden
then be prepared for unwelcome feline visitors. This may not be a problem for you
personally, but cats are by nature territorial and if you have a cat that lives alone
without the company of other cats this could prove to be an area of stress for your
cat. Even if you keep your cat inside at all times, your cat may get agitated if he/she
looks out the window to see another cat frolicking in territory your cat considers his
or her own. If you choose to grow your Catnip indoors, be careful to keep it out of
reach of kitty. Otherwise you'll likely have Fluffy jumping up on furniture even to
the most out of the way place to get access to the tempting herb. Cats are great
jumpers and not really known for respecting precious household knick-knacks. So
if you do decide to grow it indoors for a cat that reacts to Catnip, be careful to grow
it in a place that your cat won't be able to access it. A room that you always keep
closed to the cat is probably the best solution for indoor grown Catnip.

If you do find that your cat reacts positively to Catnip you should be sure to use it
sparingly so as not to dull the effect which can be the result of overexposure. A
good rule of thumb is to not treat your kitty more than once a week on average to
Catnip.

Given all the positive effects that Catnip may have on your cat you owe it to yourself
(and naturally your fluffy little ball of affection) to see how he/she reacts to this
strange and well known herb. It will provide enjoyment and exercise for your cat
and most likely an entertaining show for yourself as well. It's a win win situation.

Why Does My Pet Eat Grass?

2009-03-12T14:46:00.001+01:00

Are you concerned when your dog or cat eats grass, then throws up afterwards? You'll probably feel relieved to know that pets eat grass because their bodies need it.

Dogs and cats have been eating grass for a long time. In fact, grass is so popular among dogs that one species, dog grass, is named after them. Dog grass is also known as couch grass and quackweed, and it grows in all but the southern-most states.

You can think of grass as an herbal medicine. It acts as an internal cleanser, expelling excess mucus, bile, and other impurities. It also cleanses the bowels and expels worms. Cereal grasses contain enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Grass also contains chlorophyll, which was used for relieving pain, treating infections, ulcers, skin diseases, and anemia prior to the use of antibiotics.

Some pet owners grow grass specifically to give to their pets to prevent or treat diarrhea, anemia, cataracts, fleas, tumors excessive shedding, and other pet health problems. Pets that are fed grass on a regular basis are less likely to crave outdoor grass. So, if you don't feel comfortable with your pet eating the grass in your lawn, you may want to grow your own grass for them to eat.

Try growing rye or barley sprouts. These sprouts are preferred over wheat grass because some animals are sensitive to wheat.

Follow these instructions to grow rye or barley grass. Soak one cup organically grown grain in one quart water for 8 to 10 hours. Then drain the container and leave it on its side in a warm place, away from direct sunlight. A tiny white rootlet will sprout from each grain within 24 to 48 hours. Caution: If you don't see these rootlets, your grain isn't viable and should be thrown away.

Next, spread the sprouting grain on one inch of moist potting soil or top soil in a plastic garden tray. For drainage create a one inch channel around the soil.

For two days, cover the tray. Then uncover it, and water thoroughly. Place the tray in direct sunlight or under grow lights. Keep the soil moist by watering when needed.

When the grass is 6-8" tall, cut it with scissors or a sharp knife. Place grasses in a ziploc bag, along with a damp paper towel. Be sure to expel air from the bag before sealing. Then store the grass in the refrigerator.

When feeding the grass to your pet, cut or mince it into tiny pieces, or place a small amount in a blender or food processor with other foods. To be sure your cat or dog will accept the grass, begin feeding just a fraction of a teaspoon. Increase the amount gradually to approximately one tablespoon per 50 lbs. of body weight.

Once your pet is given the amount of grass his body needs, you probably won't be seeing him eating the grass in your lawn. And you can feel relieved knowing that you're feeding him something that he craves and that his body needs.

Deena Caruso, author, teacher, & distributor of natural pet products Helps pet owners create healthy, happy pets. To receive FREE "Pet Pointers" Newsletter, go to: http://www.healthyfoodforpets.com

deecaruso@cox.net Ph: 760/758-7963, 877/877-0665

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deena_Caruso

Pets In Rental Property Survey Results

2008-07-25T19:53:00.000+02:00

75% of dogs are banned from private rental properties.

75% is an alarming statistic says Dogs Trust. It could not come at a worse time as the country faces the threat of recession. With increasing numbers forced to downsize or rent property there is a real risk that thousands of pets may be abandoned or handed over to rehoming organisations, says the charity. Several Dogs Trust rehoming centres report an increase in calls from owners requesting help with vets bills or rehoming their pet due to financial difficulties.

The Survey results

The June survey contacted 1,400 pet owners nationwide:

78% of pet owners experienced difficulties finding privately rented accommodation that allowed pets

54% did not find anywhere that allowed pets so..

..14% kept their pet without landlord's knowledge or consent

..11.4% rented an unsuitable property in order to keep their pet

..8.5% rehomed their pet to friends, family or a rescue centre

..8.2% bought property, did not move or are still looking

..0.4% had their pet euthanised

47% of landlords gave tenants no reason why pets were banned

The UK's least pet-friendly landlords live in the West Midlands – 83% of pet owners had difficulty finding accommodation

Northern Ireland has the most pet-friendly landlords – but 66% of owners still have problems finding rented accommodation

65% of cats are banned and 10% of private landlords ban fish

Dogs Trust Chief Executive Clarissa Baldwin explained:

"Pet owners who need to rent privately are being forced to live in unsuitable properties, or rent with their pets without consent from their landlord.

"We are consulting with the Association of Residential Lettings Agencies (ARLA), other professional housing bodies and letting agents to develop Lets with Pets, a UK-wide campaign encouraging landlords to accept pet-owning tenants and help owners find the elusive pet-accepting landlord."

On its website the charity has published five key tips for finding pet-friendly accommodation, see www.dogstrust.org.uk.

Basic Dog Training:

2008-02-15T18:29:00.003+01:00

There are as many areas in which to train as there are methods. Most often certain methods, or combinations of methods are applied to any area of training. Obedience, herding, agility, tracking, retrieving, hunting, guard, and schutzhund are common areas of dog training.

Teaching a dog basic obedience commands (part of obedience training)
Teaching a dog to perform tricks casually or for circus acts
Teaching a guide dog to lead the blind
Teaching a rescue dog to find victims of a disaster
Teaching a hunting dog to perform its instinctive behaviors at appropriate times

As pack animals, wild dogs have natural instincts that favor cooperation with their fellow dogs. These instincts have been refined and exaggerated through years of selective breeding by humans, and are manifested in the domestic dog’s adeptness at correctly interpreting and responding to signals given by a human handler. The handler is simply whoever is working with a dog at the time.

Most dogs, no matter their eventual advanced training or intended purpose, live with people and therefore must behave in a way that makes them pleasant to be around, keeps them safe, and provides for the safety of other people and pets. Dogs do not figure out basic obedience on their own; they must be trained.

The hardest part of training is communicating with the dog in a humane way that he understands. However, the underlying principle of all communication is simple: reward desired behavior while ignoring or correcting undesired behavior.

Basic pet obedience training usually consists of 5 behaviors:

Down
Stay
Recall ("come" or "here")
Close (or loose-leash walking)
The recall command is arguably the most important of all training commands. It is critical to never punish a dog if they respond to a recall. Punishing a dog upon recall quickly teaches the dog that if he returns he will be punished. If the dog requires a correction, the handler should go to the dog - the dog should not be asked to come and then punished. The dog will attribute the punishment to whatever behavior he was doing directly before receiving it, and if that behavior was responding (correctly) to a recall, then the handler has just inadvertently taught the dog to run away from the recall command.

"Corrections" should never include harmful physical force or violence. Using force while training is controversial and should not be taken lightly, because even if it ends the behavior, when applied inappropriately with some dogs it may lead to a loss of drive (enthusiasm for the given task), stress, and in extreme cases even aggression. It is up to the handler to decide what amount of force (if any) is appropriate. However, the standard used by most trainers is the minimum amount necessary to inhibit the unwanted behavior. A common technique is to quickly jerk an attached collar and "lead" (another term for a leash, usually short, 4' is good) as a consequence for ignoring a command. (i.e., Sparky is jumping up on a guest, say "off" if he's already jumped up, or if you see he's thinking about it say, "down" and if the command is ignored then "correct" Sparky by "snapping" the lead to make his collar rattle.) A common alternative to physical corrections is a time-out from a preferred location or activity. (i.e., Sparky jumps up on a guest and is immediately given a 5-minute time-out in a separate room - away from the guests he wants to interact with.)

More information on Dog Training can be found Here!