How to Teach a Come Back Command

>> 2/28/09

One of the most important commands for a well behaved dog. You definitely don't want to be hollering at your dog to come back to you and have them suddenly acquired selective hearing. It is very important to be able to effectively recall your dog at any time.

Obeying the recall command is essential for the safety of your dog



Technorati Tags: recall command dog training videos

Stop your Puppy Biting

>> 2/27/09

Biting, or mouthing as its called, is a natural thing for a puppy, not so for a grown dog. It's how they explore their world and how they decide what's good and what's not. When we were babies we chewed our fingers and teething rings, we were finding out about the things that we holding in our hands. As well as easing our gums from teething pain. It is the same for your puppy.

Puppy's will often nip at things, including hands and anything that's dangling, this isn't necessarily malicious, its perfectly normal and doesn't mean that you have a problem puppy. Mind you you probably won't want your puppy to nip because although it is natural and normal if its left unchecked it could turn into something bigger. If he bites young Tommy's fingers or a visitors leg you in trouble. So showing him its not an acceptable thing to do is a good idea.

When your puppy nips or bites give him a firm sharp NO And stare him in the eye. Don't stare for too long, just a second or two, you don't want to unnerve him. Then turn your back and ignore him for a while, until he does it again, then repeat the procedure. Make the No loud and say it in an angry voice.

Smacking him could make him aggressive toward you and others so please don't do it. He'll learn faster not to bite if you get cross with him.

Some people accuse puppy's and dogs of biting when they are not actually biting, for instance when we hold out a treat for him he might sometimes snatch at it to get it quicker and accidentally nip your fingers. Although this isn't aggressive biting it still hurts and needs to be stopped, if a child were to give the dog a treat and was bitten, I don't think the child will care that it was unintentional because it will hurt all the same.

Continue Reading...

How to Train Your Dog Using Positive Reinforcement

>> 2/26/09

Positive reinforcement is a training method in which a reinforcement is given directly after a behavior is completed in efforts to increase the probability of that behavior’s occurrence. This method of training was pioneered by B.F. Skinner and is a form of operant conditioning because it seeks to influence voluntary or, operant behavior. If all of this sounds complicated think of it in terms of consequences for bad behavior and rewards for good behavior. In terms of positive reinforcement the reward for the completion of the desired behavior becomes what is known as the reinforcer. You might be thinking to yourself, that’s great, but what does this have to do with training my dog. The answer is simple; train him by using rewards or praise when he does the right thing and not by punishment when he doesn’t.

The first step is to find out what motivates your dog. Most people use treats as enforcers when using positive reinforcement training; however, some dogs respond just as well to praise, toys or physical affection. If you decide to use food then it is best to use small nibbles of soft food like bits of hot dog or cheese. These treats are especially enticing and do not take a long time to eat so Rover will be ready for his next treat. Once you have chosen the reward, come up with a list of commands for your dog and use them every time. Commands should be no more than two words in length if possible. Sit, stay, down, come and leave it are some of the most basic. With these two basics you are ready to begin.

Start by having your dog complete a simple behavior like sit. As soon as hit sits say good sit as you give him a treat. If your dog will not sit than put the treat in front of his nose and raise your hand upwards. He will instinctively angle for the treat resulting in a somewhat seated position. As soon as he does this give him a treat as you say good sit. This is known as shaping. He may not necessarily be completing the command all the way, but you can shape his behavior by giving treats the moment he gets close to performing the command correctly. Consistently using the same commands with praise and a treat the moment the command is achieved will cause your dog to associate the two and begin to perform the commands more quickly in anticipation of the treat.

Continue Reading...

How To Stop Your Dog And Its Chewing Problems

>> 2/24/09

These days you find that many dog owners are taking their dogs or puppies to a dog training school. In these dog training classes, many new things are learnt and many of the aspects are successfully overcome. Unfortunately, one of the aspects that do not go with the classes is chewing.

The reason why it is usually quite difficult to get over the chewing problem in dog training classes, is that the dogs usually do not find themselves anything to chew on or to destroy during the classes. So, if you belong to the group of dog owners who has been to the dog training classes, and are still looking for something to help you deal with the chewing problem, then please go on reading.

These types of dog trainings can be useful for dogs that are both young and old. Many people believe that this type of dog training is mostly meant for puppies. However, many a time it has been observed that older dogs might also need this type of training since they enjoy chewing away, when their owners are not around!

To begin with, you must first understand that all dogs tend to chew, since they need to chew. So firstly, you need to ensure that you have a number of things that are acceptable for your dog to chew on. Now by keeping all the chewing toys for your dog in one place, you may begin your dog training program.

This would help your dog recognize this area as his spot for chewing on the toys. Therefore doing this is absolutely essential for your dog training to work. You may even have a special "toy box" for keeping these toys for your dog.

Continue Reading...

Teach Your Big Dog to Recognize Her Name With These Dog Obedience Training Tips

>> 2/21/09

Teach your big dog to respond to his name in this free online dog obedience training video for pet owners.



Technorati Tags: teach your dog dog training videos

Dog Training Courses for the Best Dog

>> 2/20/09

If you're like most people, while growing up, your pets were a combination of your best friend and wild beast. Now that you're a little older and are looking to get your own kids their first pet you want to make sure you have a more civilized creature. The couch getting chewed up isn't quite as funny anymore, now that you know how much it cost. To help protect both your sanity and your home you should look into a good dog training course. There are all kinds of courses available, but how do you know you will get your money's worth?

Ignore the people who try to tell you that a dog doesn't need training. Chances are if they even have pets, the animals have dominion over the home. You have to think about your children's safety. And trained dogs are typically less likely to last out than untrained ones. Besides, what fun are you, or the kids, going to have walking a dog that wants to pull you all over the place. You chose a dog because you wanted a fun companion for the kids, not a weapon of home destruction.

What's your learning style? Do you learn best by reading, by seeing something done or through verbal instructions? Knowing the answer to this question will help you to narrow down your search considerably and make the process easier for you and the animal. If you are uncomfortable your dog WILL pick up on this, delaying the process.

Continue Reading...

Demystifying the Modern Myths and Misconceptions About Electronic Training Collars

>> 2/19/09

Electric dog fences, bark collars, and dog training collars have become a popular method for pet owners to control the behaviors they find undesirable in their pet. With prices of these training systems becoming more affordable and pet owners finding them to be safe and effective, product sales have dramatically increased. As the widespread availability and increased sales of these electronic training collars grow, so do the many myths and misconceptions about them. These myths are often based on misinformation or ignorance of the facts. Unfortunately, many people believe these rumors and miss the opportunity of using a valuable dog training tool.

Myth #1: Electronic training collars are not safe

One of the most common questions asked by pet owners is "Will this hurt my dog." When used correctly, Absolutely Not! Today's electric dog fence collars, bark collars and dog training collars are more humane because they only emit a very mild electric stimulation. The "shock" produced by these electronic training collars is not painful, physically jarring or harmful and is nowhere near the level of intensity that some people think. In fact, the electric stimulation is actually a static correction similar to what happens when you rub your feet on the carpet and then touch something. The response is usually surprising and uncomfortable but, by no means, painful or harmful.

The following chart compares the energy discharge of electronic training collars with many common items. The energy output is measured in Kilovolts: 1- Electronic containment system such as an electric fence at its lowest level = .9 kilovolts 2- Remote training collar at low level = 1 kilovolt 3- Bark control collar at low level = 2 kilovolts 4- Nylon carpet at 50 relative humidity = 9 kilovolts 8- Abdominal energizer (ab stimulus machine) = 18 kilovolts 9- Cattle prod = 27 kilovolts 10-Defibrillator = 75 kilovolts 11-Stun gun = 625 kilovolts

Continue Reading...

Training a Puppy to Know his Name

>> 2/18/09

You've chosen a name for your puppy and you use it everyday but he doesn't seem to respond to it. That could be because you might not have taught him his name. He won't respond until he knows that that name is his and its him your talking to.

Training a puppy to know his name is not hard to do and once he knows it you can attract his attention in a flash. This is really useful when you teach other commands because you will get his undivided attention just by calling out his name. But he has to really know his name first.

Start by standing in front of him and say his name, just once, use your normal talking voice don't shout at him, at the same time show him you have a treat for him.

Once you have his attention, by this I mean he should be looking at you or at least at the treat, give him the tidbit and tell him “Good Boy” . Do this several times a day and for as long as it takes, it could take a few days or even weeks it all depends on how much time and effort you put into it. But repeat until you can call his name and he responds straight away.

Some times you might have to turn his head toward you to get him to look at you, that's OK to do. Also try to hold your dogs attention for a second or two, with the treat in front of his face, before giving it to him this will help to teach him patience, but don't hold it too close you don't want him snatching it out of your hand.

Continue Reading...

Dog Training Techniques - Earn Your Pet's Trust

>> 2/17/09

When you try to housebreak your dog or control their aggressive traits, you need to consider different dog training techniques. Breaking the dog’s will down to do what is asked of it is one thing, but doing it in a way where the dog responds properly, lovingly, and understands that you are doing what you can as the owner to teach it how to act around others and not to abuse it is a difficult task. Picking the right technique is important for both you and your dog in order to have the best growth experience.

Some dog training techniques involve teaching your pet commands. This can prove to be vital in order for you to be able to communicate with your dog. There may be a problem though, perhaps your dog is old and already has other commands he acknowledges, or there is a communication problem between you and the dog. He may simply not know what you want of him, because you aren’t expressing it properly or he simply doesn’t know what you’re asking of him. Overcoming those issues is key, because without communication you cannot train the dog how to obey your commands and expect them to respond accordingly.

Other dog training techniques involve trust. You must show your dog there is trust in your relationship, and that it is an important part of your life. However, you must command the same trust in return, and having your dog express that is important. Doing what you ask simply because he is afraid of you is not the right way to treat your dog, nor is abusing him because he isn’t applying the commands you expect him to or learning the training you are trying to teach him. Trusting each other is important; otherwise you will only be teaching him fear.

A lot of different dog training techniques work together. If you can command respect from your dog and he understands that you want him to stop growling at the neighbor when he goes to get the mail, then you can also train your dog how to be potty trained, when to accept it is time to go for a walk, and how to act in public. Daniel Stevens’ book, Secrets to Dog Training, can show you the best way to train your dog and understand all these issues. Check out our website and see for yourself so you can understand your dog best.Visit www.K9stayfetch.com to learn more.

Dog Training Techniques - Earn Your Pet's Trust by RONALD STEVENS

Technorati Tags: dog training

How To Train Your Dog With A Clicker

>> 2/16/09

If you are looking to sequence your dog you might believe using the 'clicker schooling' fashion, which has recently become popular with dog trainers all over the country. In this mode the teacher has to make using of a clicker, a tiny forced box with a metal close which makes a distinctive click sound once the button has been pressed. The education route is regular and is in many conduct matching to the positive exercise means. Here is what you have to do. Decide the certain deeds which you want to lecture or underline your dog to do. Several behaviors/actions come openly to the dog like session, drinking, eminence, barking etc. and these penury just to be reinforced so that your dog knows when you want him to do what. Various other actions like acting deceased, shaking hands, rolling over etc. do not come purely to the dog and want to be qualified. Clicker education could be worn to do both.

Clicker guidance factory according to the basic principles of operant conditioning, by associating the sound of the clicker with a food thing which the dog particularly likes. Now all you have to do use the clicker to direct the dog to do something, the dog, given that he associates the sound of the clicker with the food, immediately obliges and the training is full.

Let us take an example to illustrate the structure better, reason you want to educate your dog to sit, you put a cookie on your dog's nose playfully and then move it upwards, the dog will clearly chase the transfer of the biscuit with its nose and will then naturally rest its latter on the base, thus putting himself in a sitting status. Now time your clicking to be so accurate as to appear right as the dog seats himself, now give him the biscuit and praise him. Continue liability this for sometime plow the dog begins to haunt the clicking with the food until the click makes him sit without you luring him with treats. Now school him another conduct, but reminisce to nail the clicking cue only once the animal himself offers you the conduct otherwise the clicking will not be linked to anything in the dog's journey and he will be bemused regarding what it means.

Continue Reading...

How to Get Your Dog to Heel

>> 2/15/09

These are some great ways to finish off walking your dog - the military finish, the sit command and more!



"Now, that you have got your dog walking at your left side in the heel position. Whenever you stop, you can just add the sit command, this is all heeling is and yes it can be taught just that easily. There are two other parts to heeling that I want to discuss, the finishes. Finishes mean your dog moves into the heel position when you say a specific word. There are two different finishes, the military finish and the around, the back finish..."

Technorati Tags: dog commands heel

Some Common Mistakes in Training Your Dog

>> 2/14/09

Some Common Mistakes in Training Your Dog By John Savage

Expecting your dog to learn what it is that you want them to do is not always that easy. If you expect them to get it right after just one or two sessions of training, then you may be expecting too much.

And you may be in for a big shock when you discover that training can often take much longer than you expect it to. Much of the reason for this is often because of mistakes which the owner, not the dog, makes.

For one thing, it's good to remember that training your dog should be a positive experience for you and your dog. It's too easy for owners to get caught up in every little "mistake" that a dog makes and concentrates on punishing these mistakes rather than concentrating on rewarding a dog when she obeys or does something right

And remember that dogs love to get the attention and approval of their owners, and will do almost anything to get it, so when they do something right them praise them, and praise them, and they will soon make getting that thing right the norm.

Another common mistake that you may be making when training your dog is thinking that you dog understands a word you're saying! Too many owners fail to realize that dogs have no memory and no grasp of language except to associate a few words with certain actions.

Continue Reading...

3 Easy Dog Tricks to Teach Your New Dog

>> 2/13/09

Before you embark on a mission to teach your dog tricks, you will need to lay in a large supply of dog treats. Aside from the dog treats you will need a quiet place to train. Remember to keep the sessions short (no more than 15 to 20 minutes) and entertaining. Make it fun for both of you. When your dog gets something right, make sure to praise him lavishly and reward him with a treat.

Give me your paw. First make your dog sit. As you say give me your paw, grab your dogs paw into your hand. Praise him and give him a treat. Repeat this process a few times. After each time wait a little longer to grab your dog's paw. You should notice that your dog is bringing up his paw as you are saying the word paw. Dogs pick this up rather quickly. After a few sessions he should have it down pat.

The high five. Like many dog tricks the high five is a succession of a trick learned earlier(such as the paw trick). Grasp a dog treat in your hand and slowly raise you hand somewhat higher than in the give me your paw trick. Your dog will respond in the same manner as with the paw trick. As he extends his paw upwards say "high five" then praise him and give 'em a treat. After mastering the give me your paw trick, this one will be a breeze for him to learn. After a few times he will give you a high five with just a hand gesture rather than with your voice and a treat.

Training your dog to jump through a hoop. When you start training your dog to do this one, be careful not to hold the hoop too high (about 6" ) so your dog doesn't injure himself. Here we go...Face your dog, with the hoop above the ground in front of him--while he is in the seated position. Next, while holding a treat with the other hand get your dog's attention (Your dog must be disciplined enough to stay seated during this process.) Once you are in position, give your dog the "o.k." to pursue the treat. At first he will probably try to go under or around the hoop. If he does, start again. Do not give him the treat. The dog wants the treat so he will learn that the only way to get it is by going through the hoop. When he does go through the hoop, say "HOOP." After a few training sessions your dog should be able to perform each of these dog tricks on command. Enjoy!

Resource: We offer a wide range of puppy and dog training resources and tips on our website. If you would like more information come by and visit us at http://www.my-doberman.com/dog-training.html

Technorati Tags: dog training dog tricks

5 Phases to Crate Train for Dog Behavior Modification

>> 2/12/09

Crate training a pet is inherent for dog behavior modification ...So, you must first appreciate the function of the crate. The purpose of the crate IS NOT for discipline. If you suitably crate train a pet, he will feel it as his "sanctuary" and will be happy to spend time there when required.

1. The first item you want to do when you crate train a pet is set the crate in an area of your home where the family spends a lot of time, such as the living room. Make sure you put a cozy blanket or towel in the crate.

2. Afterward, guide your dog beside the crate and speak to him in a joyful tone of voice. Make sure the door to the crate is accessible. For dog behavior modification, encourage your dog to enter the crate with food snacks near it and right inside the crate (around the door) and lastly all the way inside the crate. Do not strong arm your dog inside the crate. If he doesn't desire to go...it is okay. Continue to throw treats inside the crate until the dog walks calmly completely in to the crate to get the goodies. If food doesn't do the job, try using a cherished toy. Utilize your body to close the opening, after your dog goes in the crate.

3. Repeat number 2, instead of obstructing the door with your body, fasten the door to the crate.

4. Fix a appetizing chew toy (by filling it with peanut butter or cream cheese), escort your pet into the crate. While he is in the crate, supply him the chew toy and shut the door. While your pet is absorbed in chewing, get up and ramble around the house, occasionally going outside. Release your pet from the crate before he finishes chewing (or before he wakes if he's been dozing off) but just if he is unexcited.

5. Praise your pet once he is in the crate, but don't applaud him as he is coming out of his crate. This teaches him that being in the crate is favorable and pleasant, while coming out is indistinguishable. Also, don't make a huge display while showing him in or fetching him out, thus he will identify it as no huge deal.

Dog behavior modification originates with you, the loyal pet owner. Crate training is just one stage of thousands to keep your dog happy and healthy.

About the Author:

M.B. Bryce has owned dogs for over three decades. They are a firm believer in obedient dogs and support a positive method to training. Stop by 5 Easy Steps to Crate Training for your FREE 6 day MINI COURSE on Dog Behavior Modification.

Technorati Tags: Crate training

How to Get Your Dog to Sit

>> 2/10/09

"Learn to command your dog into a sitting position. Do not use your hands to press down on your dog's spine!"



"When you say sit, your dog should immediately move into a sitting position. Take a hold of your dog's collar with one hand and with the other hand or arm depending on the size of your dog, scoop in an upward motion behind the back legs of your dog. This will move your dog into the sit position. Say the sit command while you are doing the motion. As soon as your dog is in the sit position. Use your verbal praise, you can also do tactile or food treats. I prefer the scoop technique because it's a more gentle and effective way to get your dog into the sit position. The dog is unable to offer resistance, which is helpful when you have a dominant or particularly boisterous dog. This is a great command when you want your dog to sit by your side or just sit in one spot for a while..."

Technorati Tags: command teach your dog dog commands

Some Easy Tips for Dog Behaviour Training

Many puppy owners will tell you that if they could accomplish one thing in their life, it would be some high-quality dog behavior training! Puppies seem to have a mind of their own and while they are certainly trainable, some seem as if they are purposely doing everything they can to drive their owner absolutely insane with their behavior. It's a good thing they're cute, isn't it? But in all seriousness, dog behavior training doesn't need to be as difficult as some people make it out to be, if you know how to do it right. If you're in the middle of trying to accomplish some dog behavior training and are ready for some quick tips and hints, keep reading.

Tip #1 - Reward, reward, reward.

Far too many dog owners concentrate only on punishing their pet when it comes to dog behavior training. The real key to getting your puppy or dog to do what you want is to consistently reward his behavior when he does it. This is important for example during potty training. Simply chastising him when he messes in the house is not enough. When you get him outside to take care of business, be sure to immediately pet him and give him positive attention when he's done. This way he associated going potty in the right place with his owner's approval. Dogs crave that approval more than anything, so it's important to use that consistently during dog behavior training.

Tip #2 - One step at a time.

It's a common occurrence among new dog owners to completely overwhelm their dog with all the tricks they want them to perform. It's something like playing with a new toy - you just want to go through all the features and options right away. For dog behavior training you need to slow yourself down and concentrate on one thing at a time. Teach him how to sit and practice this for at least two weeks before you introduce another command. Continue to practice the sitting while you do the next one, but let the next command sink in for a good two weeks before you move on to a third. Remember, dog behavior training can be a bit overwhelming for the dogs and the owners so trying to accomplish everything at once is just going to be too much for the dog and for you. So slow down and be patient, with the dog and with yourself.

Tip #3 - Have fun!

Once dog behavior training becomes irritating or overwhelming, it's time to step back a bit. Be patient with the dog and remind yourself of all the reasons you got him. While not always fun and enjoyable, dog behavior training shouldn't be devastating to you or the dog either. So if you find yourself resenting your dog or thinking that perhaps you've made a mistake, take a deep breath, and then take yourself and the dog out for a long walk - and have some fun along the way!

Before you do anything else make sure you visit John's Dog Training website.

Technorati Tags: puppies dog training

A Dog Training - What Does Damage and What Helps

>> 2/9/09

You have a new addition to the family, and you want to know what is the best route to take when dog training . Obviously, you want the dog to listen to what you ask of him, but you also want your dog to know how to handle himself around the house without your constant commanding and overseeing. Proper dog training is important for you to learn and for your dog to undergo. Otherwise you may end up wasting time and ruining the relationship you and your dog have. Building that relationship is just as important when training your dog.

Dog training isn’t easy. You have to first be positive, reinforcing and rewarding all the good things you want your dog to do. Praising your dog when they do something you want is important, but make sure you both have fun at the same time. Bring firm and friendly is also important, because you need to show your dog that you are in control. A deeper, sterner command should be made when you want your dog to stay, but a happier tone can be used if you want the dog to come. Instilling positive emotions is important but letting the dog know authority is also important.

A dog training technique you may feel is good but is frowned upon is punishment. Sometimes the urge to put your dog’s nose in his mess when he had an accident is strong, but all that will do is show your dog fear. Negative reinforcement doesn’t train your dog to listen. Patience is key, and sometimes when your dog does have an accident or barks when you ask him not to, it can wear thin. But being there for your dog and learning and expressing patience is as important to training the dog as teaching him commands.

For aggressive dogs, you will find that dog training is important. Sometimes it will be tough, and the more aggressive the dog the more difficulty you may encounter. The end result will, however, be beneficial to you and your dog when the relationship is strong and he listens to your commands. Controlling that anger or keeping your dog from acting out is key, and proper dog training can bring out the best in both of you. Check out our website for Daniel Stevens’ book,Secrets to Dog Training, to learn the secrets of taking your new dog and making him feel like home while building a loving relationship at home. To learn more visit www.K9stayfetch.com

Technorati Tags: dog training

Dog Training; Know The Different Types

>> 2/8/09

This article is written so that you might know and understand all about the different ways to train your dog.

Every dog owner must take up dog training to know and handle a dog better. Appreciating a well-mannered dog is something that all can do, training is what makes things difficult. Now, there are many kinds of dog training available but not all will suit your dog.

Most dog owners and also people in general are unaware of the various kinds of dog trainings provided. The types of dog training change with the varying stages of development in the dog.

Perhaps your dog has already had some training, then again maybe they have not had any at all. This must be taken into account when you look into your dogs training needs.

The basic level of training, the first level, is for beginners - puppies, and those older dogs who are being introduced into training for the first time. As the name implies, your dog will learn the basic things such as when to sit, or when to stay, and when to come when called. Its quite elementary, but vital.

The next level is the intermediate level. This level of dog training is not for puppies, but for those adult dogs that have undertaken the basics either formally or at home by their own owners. This intermediate type of training trains a dog to heel, walk properly on a leash, fetch something and return. It also revises the basics of sitting, staying and coming etc.

Continue Reading...

Dog Training: Do You Know Cross Contextualization?

>> 2/7/09

There are uncountable terms that you will have to master in the course of training your dog. This will help you, not only to understand your dog but it will also help you arrive at some measure of success. One of such terms you must acquaint yourself with is cross contextualization. Remember, your dog is a social animal and is likely to be in many places where you expect it to respond to your commands easily and quickly.

What is cross contextualization? It simply refers to the process of retraining your dog using the same commands in another setting or context. Firstly, you started training your dog at home in the backyard or in the park. This made your dog to respond to your commands in that particular area or spot. But when you become confident of the dog's ability to respond swiftly to your commands, you thought that it would repeat the same anywhere you take it.

As an instance, you may be shocked when you take your dog to a public park and command it to sit but it could not respond. The crisis is that it has become familiar with the training at home and could not come to grasp with the new environment. In other words, your dog has not acclimatized to the new setting and therefore need you to do some retraining for it to respond to your commands.

Continue Reading...

How to Train a Dog to Fetch

>> 2/6/09

Having a dog can be a fun and rewarding experience. There are many fun activities you can do with your dog to grow upon the enjoyment that you both have. One of the most popular games to play with a dog is fetch. This simple game of retrieving a ball or some other item can lead to hours of fun. There is one catch to this simple game, you have to train your dog to be able to fetch. Do not worry; this is not as hard as it may seem at first glance. With a little persistence and work on your part, your dog will be playing fetch before you know it.

THE FOUNDATION

Your dog will naturally be drawn to running after a ball that is thrown. This is a natural instinct that you have probably seen many times in your dog. This is one of the most elementary things that your dog needs to be able to do to play fetch. If you have never seen your dog do this, grab a ball and throw it to see if he runs after it. Most dogs will run after the ball, grab it, and then start towards you. The reason that this is not fetching a ball is that they usually stop and start playing with the ball. Once your comfortable with this, you can move onto the training aspect of getting your dog to fetch.

TRAINING

You will need to have two balls to make this training work. It is important that your dog is interested in these balls. There are dogs that will chase any ball that you throw. There are other dogs that are picky in what they chase. Know which group that your dog falls into.

Continue Reading...

5 Tips on Housebreaking Your New Puppy

>> 2/5/09

Puppies can be a lot of fun, they're cute and cuddly and positively adorable. However, a new puppy can also require a lot of work, particularly if you are keeping it in the house. Housetraining a puppy requires patience and consistency, much like toilet training a toddler does. The end result, a dog that is free to enjoy life as a house pet and one that will let you know when he or she needs to go outside, is well worth the initial effort.

1. Be persistent. Right from the start, you need to make sure you teach your puppy the rules. And the number one rule is not to do his business in the house. Obviously, a new puppy won't really get this at first, so you'll need to be very persistent to reach your goal of having a housebroken puppy. Training your dog to go outside is going to take some time and you'll be cleaning up some messes, so be prepared

2. If you don't see it, don't punish it. It's going to happen. You'll walk into the room and find a puddle or a nice little pile of doggy doo waiting for you. This is NOT the time to express your displeasure with your puppy. He won't understand since the act has been done and he doesn't know what you're upset about. The only time you should punish your puppy for making a mess indoors (and by punish, I mean scolding and perhaps shutting up in his box) is when you actually see it happen. Act immediately, or the entire thing will have vanished from the puppy's mind and you won't be doing any good at all.

3. Follow a routine. Dog training mostly relies on consistency in order to work. If your puppy knows what to expect, he will be better able to do as you want him to. At first, you'll need to tailor your timing to the puppy. Most puppies need to head outside right after a meal, so make it routine to do that. As your dog gets older, you'll be able to lessen the number of trips outdoors and your dog will learn to hold it or let you know if there is a need to be filled.

Continue Reading...

5 Surefire Ways To Get Your Dog To Behave

>> 2/4/09

"MY DOG won't come when I call him." "My dog barks so much that the neighbors are complaining." "My dog is always jumping on me and on my visitors." In all such cases, frustrated pet owners are asking, "What can I do?"

The answer is probably to give your dog basic obedience training - teaching it to respond to simple commands. Of course, it is best to begin while your dog is still a puppy. But even older dogs can learn. One professional dog trainer said: "The minimum age of dogs that we receive for training is four months, and the maximum is five years. But I have taught basic obedience to dogs that are even ten years old."

Dogs are intelligent. They have been trained to sniff out drugs and explosives, assist the handicapped, and perform search-and-rescue missions. But how can you train your dog to obey you?

Genetic Makeup

First, you need to know about the genetic makeup of your dog. Like wolves, dogs are hierarchy conscious. They instinctively gravitate toward living in a pack under a leader, or alpha dog. Your family is your dog's pack, and it needs to understand that you are the leader.

In a wolf pack, the leader chooses the warmest, most elevated spot to sleep. It also eats before the others. So if your dog is allowed to sleep on your bed or get on the furniture, it may conclude that it is the leader. The same might happen if it is fed tidbits from the table at mealtime.

Continue Reading...

Why Dog Training Is so Important

Dog training helps dogs to fit into their family home in a much better way. Dogs feel much more comfortable with a stable structure to their family life. Because they are descended from wolves, dogs have the same pack mentality as their ancient wolf cousins. They look up to a leader to guide them. Believe it or not, most people also live their family lives under such conditions. This is why dogs and humans are so well suited to live and get on together.

All types of dogs are suitable for dog training. Different breeds are more suited to different types of training. And different breeds fit in well in different types of households. Most people would not like to have a fierce Rottweiler around, but some people do. Some prefer poodles or Pomeranians. Different breeds of dogs are better able to become guide dogs and hearing dogs. While other dogs make good guard dogs. But almost any type of dog can be trained to fit into a loving family home.

Dogs can be amazingly helpful in our working lives as well as our family homes. Already mentioned are the wonderful guide dogs for the blind, but now we even help dogs who help hearing-impaired people. They can hear a door bell, or a telephone ring, or more importantly, a smoke alarm and they can alert their owners to the sounds. Dogs have been known to be able to reach people after an avalanche and bring much needed supplies.

Continue Reading...

Dog Training - Teaching Your Dog to Heel Off Leash

>> 2/3/09

Carla Nammack-Wenger shows you how to teach your dog an off leash heel.



"Carla Nammack-Wenger is the owner of Country Club Kennels & Training located in Fauquier County, Virginia. Carla has been training dogs of all breeds and temperaments since 1991. Carla has spent years studying dogs and dog behavior. She is well known for her gentle yet effective training techniques and has acquired a reputation for being able to help dogs who have been deemed “beyond help”."

Technorati Tags:

Introducing Your Dog To A Remote Training Collar

>> 2/2/09

Introducing your k9 to a training collar necessitates patience, time and perseverance in order to be successful. You should also acquaint yourself with relevant information on how this electronic training device works. Take note that different remote training collar designs have different levels of stimulation such as low, medium and high, and each of them is intended for specific dog breeds, ages and sizes.

Among the primary benefits of using a remote trainer in dog training is that you’ll be able to send immediate signals to your dog even from a distance to tackle his unwanted behaviors such as nuisance barking, jumping, chewing and many others. Electronic bark control collar, in particular, can be programmed to release harmless vibration to deter a dog from excessive barking.

Below are some simple tips to help you in introducing the remote training collar to your dog:

Before anything else, make sure that the collar perfect fits around your dog’s neck. Don’t choose a product that’s too loose or tight. It should not rub against your dog’s skin for it can cause irritation and discomfort.

Continue Reading...

Guide to Housebreaking Your Puppy

>> 2/1/09

Keeping your house spic and span with an untrained puppy is virtually impossible. If not properly trained both you and your puppy will not be happy. Housebreaking your puppy is the first training you should do. Start off with a schedule and be consistent. As creatures of habit, it is in their nature to keep schedules as pack animals.

Puppies Age To Start Housebreaking

It is best to start housebreaking your puppy when he/she reaches 8 to 12 weeks of age.

Crate Help

If you are going to use crate training to help you along, when choosing your crate it should be large enough for the puppy to move around in.

In order to housebreak your puppy, keep in mind that puppy's 3 to 8 weeks have to relieve themselves every 3 hours so be sure to take them outside within that time period. If you leave your puppy in the crate for longer amounts of time he will not be able to hold it. Never, ever use the crate as punishment you do not want your puppy to associate the crate as a bad thing.

Routines Are Important For Your Puppy

Continue Reading...

Friends

Blog Syndication

Followers

  © Blogger templates Palm by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP