Abstract:
A dog training device for use with a kennel can comprise a reflective surface manufactured from a plastic material and a supporting frame adapted to detachably attach to an exterior surface of a side wall of the kennel. The supporting frame can be configured to support the reflective surface so that said reflective surface faces the kennel. A device for covering a top wall of a kennel can comprise a flat sheet made of a durable sheet material and a peripheral ridge overhanging onto the top of a side wall of the kennel.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/921,015 entitled “Dog training methods and apparatus” filed on behalf of Carl, Lisa M., on Mar. 30, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The training of dogs is a considerably difficult and time-consuming undertaking. To that end, there are several existing problems relating to the care and training of dogs. 
         [0003]    For example, it is known that dogs are voracious eaters and will literally consume all food put in front of them, without interruption, in a hurried manner when the food is presented to them. Resulting digestive problems have been noted as a result of rapid gulping of food. For example, possible consequences of such habits include Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), gastritis, bloating, ulcers or other digestive-related disorder that could lead to injury or in some instance, require surgery. Therefore, there is a need to provide a system or apparatus that is designed to slow the consumption rate of pet feeding. 
         [0004]    Another problem more closely associated with dog training is that of reliably and effectively diverting the dog&#39;s attention when needed, for example, when the dog is barking, or other unwanted activity, as needed, and to train the dog such that such activity does not occur or the occurrences of such activity is minimized. 
         [0005]    Another problem relates to kenneling of the dogs. First, kenneling is often a traumatic experience for a dog, for example, that is accustomed to being around people or other dogs and is kenneled for the first time. The dog may experience separation anxiety, especially when left alone for long periods of time. There is a need to cure or minimize this problem. 
         [0006]    Second, kennels are cage-like enclosures and therefore comprise a plurality of interstices through which items can either inadvertently or otherwise drop onto the interior and into contact with the dog. Moreover, the issue of kennels brings up a separate problem relating to the storage and more effective use thereof. That is to say, kennels, being cage-like in their appearance and relatively large and bulky, are not very well suited for use in homes and other structures or in areas in which space may be a premium. As a result, there are also needs relating to protecting the dog within the kennel, as well as being able to efficiently utilize kennels within an area. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Therefore and according to one variation there is provided a training device for use by canines. The training device includes a tray member having a substantially flat planar supporting surface that is placed within a support frame. The support frame provides a base that stably supports the tray member, whose supporting surface is preferably elevated in relation to a ground surface, wherein the dog can more easily reach the food without having to bend or reach therefor. Moreover, food being disposed onto the raised tray reduces the incidence of gulping and therefore slows or reduces consumption rate. 
         [0008]    According to one version, the support frame can be adjustably raised and lowered to different settings depending, for example, on the breed of dog. Alternatively, the frame can include pivoting elements to permit convenient storage thereof. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect, there is provided a dog training device, said training device including an enclosed canister having an interior. A quantity of particulate or other material is disposed within the interior of the canister wherein agitation of the canister produces a loud and recognizable audible sound. 
         [0010]    In one version, the canister is made from aluminum or other metal although plastic or other durable materials could be used. The canister is preferably entirely enclosed or can be resealed at one end wherein the contained material can include beads, stones or other loose particulates of common or varying types. 
         [0011]    According to another variation, there is provided a cover for enclosing a portion of a kennel, said cover being defined by a continuous section of material that is placed in overlaying relation relative to a top portion of a kennel. 
         [0012]    According to yet another variation, there is provided a device to prevent separation anxiety for a kenneled dog, the device comprising a frame that is connected to a side wall of the kennel frame and supporting a reflective or mirrored surface, said surface facing inwardly toward the interior of the kennel. The latter device reduces separation anxiety and calms the dog, keeping the dog occupied while reducing anxiety levels. This further minimizes the probability that the dog will act out by destroying valuable objects. 
         [0013]    One advantage of the present invention is that aggressive dogs can be more effectively and efficiently trained, for example, by means of visual and aural stimulation from the above noted rattling device and kept from jumping or other unruly behavior. 
         [0014]    Another advantage of the present invention is that dogs can be kenneled more effectively and with fewer hardships on the animal. 
         [0015]    Yet still another advantage of the present invention is a reduction in gulping when a dog is consuming food, thereby reducing or at least minimizing the incidence of digestive disorders. The device also minimizes stress to the neck and back areas, while teaching slower eating habits. 
         [0016]    These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a device that is made in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a dog kennel, including a device that is made in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a partial view of the kennel of  FIG. 2 , including a that is device made in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a device made in accordance that is with a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The following discussion relates to various devices used for dogs for the training of same and to assist in the training of dogs. It will be readily apparent that numerous variations and modifications are possible and that the following embodiments are merely exemplary in nature. In addition and throughout the discussion, several terms are used to provide a convenient frame of reference with regard to the accompanying drawings, such as “above”, “below”, “top”, “bottom” and the like. These terms, however, are not intended to be specifically limiting as to the invention, unless specifically indicated. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a device  10  made in accordance with a first embodiment. The device  10  includes a tray member  12  that is fitted within a support frame  16 . The support frame  16 , according to this specific embodiment, consists of a set of tubular frame members  20 , each frame member being defined by a pair of spaced vertical legs  24  and a horizontal connecting portion  28 , defining a substantially inverted U-shaped configuration. The support frame according to this embodiment is made from stainless steel although other structural materials could easily be substituted. A pair of lateral supports  32  span each of the vertical legs  24  at an intermediate height thereof, the tray member  12  further including a pair of upper lateral supports  36 . The upper lateral supports  36  and the horizontal connecting portions  28  of the support frame  16  combine to form a peripheral border for the tray member  12 , wherein the latter is defined herein by a planar substantially flat sheet-like supporting surface  40  that is surrounded by a set of vertically extending side walls  44 . The tray member  12  is fabricated from stainless steel according to this embodiment, although other durable non-corrodible materials could also be used. Alternatively, each of or both of the support frame  16  and the tray member  12  could also be manufactured or molded from a durable plastic material, such as, for example, a high density polyethylene. 
         [0023]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , a top flange  48  extends from the top of each vertically extending side wall  44  of the tray member  12 , each flange extending substantially perpendicular in relation to the side wall and outwardly relative to the planar supporting surface  40 . Each of the top flanges  48  are supported or seated upon the upper lateral supports  36  and the connecting horizontal sections  28  of the support frame  16  and thereby allow removable attachment of the tray member  12  from the herein described device  10 , such as for cleaning or other purposes. 
         [0024]    The vertical height of the planar supporting surface  40  of the supported tray member  12  according to this embodiment is approximately 8 inches above the ground surface  11 , although this parameter can be suitably altered. In another version, the vertical legs  24  of the support frame  16  can be selectively adjusted, for example, using slots (not shown) in order to permit the tray member  12  to selectively assume different heights depending, for example, on the breed of dog, for example, between about 24-30 inches for larger dogs and between about 6-10 inches for small dogs. According to yet another embodiment, the vertical legs  24  can be pivotally mounted to permit storage of the device, when not in use. 
         [0025]    In use, a quantity of food (not shown) is placed onto the planar supporting surface  40  of the tray member  12 , as supported within the support frame  16 , the latter serving as a stable base. As noted previously, the supporting surface  40  and therefore the food disposed thereupon is elevated with respect to a ground surface  11  in order to permit a dog (not shown) to eat therefrom without having the dog bend or extend downwardly, such as in the instance of a typical dog dish (not shown). As a result of the increased height, the dog is less likely to take in air along with food while eating. In addition and by having food dispersed onto the sheet-like tray member  12 , as opposed to a bowl, a dog is forced to utilize a larger surface area to effectively “chase” the food and as a result the consumption rate of food and the tendency to gulp is further minimized. In addition, the height of the tray member  12  further reduces stress to the neck and back areas. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a separate variation is herein described with regard to a dog kennel. A typical square or rectangular dog kennel  50  is shown that is defined by a mesh-like cage including a set of side walls  54 , a top wall  62  and a bottom wall or surface  66 , respectively, therein defining an enclosure. Each of the side walls  54 , door  58  and the top wall  62  minimally are made from a galvanized steel or other similar material wherein a door  58  is further provided in one of the sidewalls  54  to permit ingress and egress relative to the enclosure. Specific details relating to kennel construction, per se’, are known in the field such as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,940, and do not form an essential part of the present invention. Moreover and though a square or rectangular shaped kennel is illustrated herein other shapes are known to which the present invention is equally applicable. 
         [0027]    According to this embodiment, a cover or canopy  70  is provided for covering the top wall  62  of the kennel  50  such as an acrylic or a high density polyethylene, this cover being preferably made from a solid durable plastic molded material although other materials, such as plywood, stainless steel or galvanized sheet metal, can be alternatively be used. The top cover  70  is a continuous flat section that is sized to cover the expanse of the top wall  62  of the kennel  50 , the cover further including a peripheral ridge or edge  74  that is configured to slightly overhang onto each or some of the top of the side walls  54  of the kennel  50  in order to provide positive engagement therewith. 
         [0028]    The top cover  70 , when attached to a kennel  50 , provides a stable working surface for the kennel  50 , whether the kennel is in use or is in storage. For example, a dog (not shown) could be groomed on top of the cover  70  or the cover could be used as a working surface or permit items to be stored thereupon, without fear of having items slip into the interstices of the kennel  50 . The top cover  70 , when attached to a kennel  50 , also prevents the items placed or inadvertently dropped on top of the kennel from falling into the kennel, and thus improves the safety and security of the kenneled dog. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 3  and according to another variant of the invention, at least one of the side walls  54  of the kennel  50  can support a device  80  attached thereto. The device  80  is defined by a frame  82  that supports a reflective or mirrored surface  84 . The device  80  is attached to the exterior of the side wall  54  of the kennel  50  and more specifically to the outside of a horizontally extending portion of steel wire mesh used therein, using a set of clips and fasteners  87 ,  88 , or other suitable hooking or securing means, wherein the reflective surface  84 , once mounted, is oriented inwardly (i.e., toward the inside of the kennel  50 ) when the device is attached to the outside of the kennel frame. Preferably, the mirrored surface  84  is made from pleixmirror and not glass in order to eliminate any risk of injury to the dog caused by broken glass. The exterior of the frame according to this embodiment further includes a rubberized coating or layer to prevent the occurrence of sharp edges. The mesh-like structure of the kennel  50  permits the dog to see its reflection  89  in the mirrored surface  84  and consequently be calmed, for example, by believing another dog is present. As such, separation anxiety or other similar afflictions can be quelled, thereby calming the dog while in the kennel, such as at night or during storms, for example, and reducing anxiety levels. Attaching the reflective surface  84  to the outside of a kennel side wall improves the safety and security for both the dog trainer and the kenneled dog. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 4  and according to yet another embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a training device  90  including a portable (e.g. hand-held) canister  94  or similar enclosed container that can be hand-held. The container  90  can be made from any durable material, such as aluminum or plastic. According to this specific embodiment, the container  94  is cylindrical in shape and is defined by at least a partially hollow interior  98 . A quantity of particulate material  100 , such as stones, marbles, or other material, is added to the interior  98  of the container, wherein the material will cause a loud audible sound when the container  94  is agitated or shaken by a user. It will be readily apparent that the container can assume a variety of shapes. The container  90  can include a lid, enabling the device to be reopened for purposes of adding or removing material, if needed. 
         [0031]    In use, this training device  90  can be shaken or otherwise agitated, in order to create a loud audible sound. Over time, a dog (not shown) becomes accustomed to the sound that is made by the herein described training device  80 , as well as visually to the device itself as it is being used. The sound emanating from the device  90  will divert the dog&#39;s attention, for example, from barking, from running towards a door to entering persons, from running out of the house or an area, such as into a street, or from other forms of unwanted or undesired activity. The device is particularly effective with aggressive dogs, but can be used for training in general. 
         [0032]    While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred mode as illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.