Teaching dogs some tricks in between doing the training exercises your instructor is teaching you in your dog obedience training course makes training fun for the dog.
In my courses, I teach tricks that allow students to interact with their dogs on a more personal basis. Some of these exercises also help the dog build muscle. They may also reinforce the click and treat training method.
The beg is a very good exercise for strengthening a dogs back muscles - and it looks cute as well. Bigger dogs will have a degree of difficulty with this as they need to lift and support far more weight than smaller dogs.
Terriers and mini poodles are great begging dogs - almost do it as though it was genetically designed for them. Who hasn't seen a little dog sitting up, begging and waving his front feet up and down?
The Beg is a very easy trick to teach. For this trick we make use of the click and treat method.
You start with the dog sitting next to you. With a tasty treat in one hand and the clicker in the other hand, lift the treat up from just in front of his nose, straight up, slowly, so that he cannot quite reach the treat. The dog will try and get up but if you take the treat away he will sit again. Restart at the nose and slowly lift the treat.
Watch the dog's feet carefully. If the dog lifts one front foot, click and treat this. Next time he lifts one foot, wait to see if he lifts the second front foot, even if it is just a centimetre, click and treat.
If the dog keeps trying to get up on all fours, move him back into a corner so when he sits, his behind is tight in the corner. Now, as you lift the food he should find it easier to keep his bum firmly down whilst coming up off his front feet.
The two walls will help the dog balance as he comes up off his feet. As soon as the dog has learnt how to balance by himself, move him away from the corner and try the exercise again.
You should have a dog sitting up and begging after two short sessions. Do not overdo this exercise as it is a strain on back muscles, particularly with a dog that is less than 12 months old, and for those larger dogs that will need to build up their muscles to be able to hold their weight.
When you are getting a nice strong beg, you can teach the dog to extend upwards by going into a stand on just his back legs. This is an excellent exercise for strengthening the dog's ham string muscles. An agility dog has to have strong ham string muscles.
Now that you have the dog doing a simple trick, you can enjoy some fun interaction in between doing your normal dog obedience training exercises.
About the Author:
Nev Allen is a dog trainer with 30 years of experience and he is now sharing this experience to help you make your puppy a good, happy and well trained obedient dog. http://www.dogobediencetrainingblogs.com Visit my blog for more detailed dog obedience training and clicker training articles.
Keyword tags: dog obedience training,dog obedience,click and treat,click,obedience training,tricks,beg,the beg
Monday, January 25, 2010
Dog Obedience Training the Beg Trick
Posted by 3dogs at 7:59 AM 0 comments
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Dog Training Builds Mutual Trust Between Owner and Pet
Many people who get a dog do a poor job of researching how much responsibility is involved in owning a pet. This is especially true of people who neglect dog training.
There's a wealth of information about dog training, but experts say that one of the best reasons to train a dog properly is to establish a relationship of mutual trust. Unlike other kinds of pets, dogs are social animals that have been bred through centuries to serve and be close to their human owners. Dogs by their nature are pack animals that look to a leader to know how to behave, and a human who doesn't establish this kind of relationship really fails to take good care of his or her dog.
Good dog training also should train the owner as well. Pet owners should know the proper commands to keep their animals under control, so that they can have confidence in how their pets will behave around people and other animals. This is especially important in situations where some kind of danger or hazard suddenly appears.
Unfortunately for dogs, humans for centuries had an attitude that it was necessary to "break a dog's spirit" in order to train them properly. This attitude resulted from humans' sense that they had to dominate their animals in order to control them properly. Thankfully over the last century or so, animal experts have learned much about the natural instincts and behaviors of dogs so that dog training has advance from this earlier, more cruel attitude.
The best thing a dog owner can do for his or her pet is to start their dog on obedience training as early as possible. The age to start obedience training may vary with the puppy's personality. Just like human beings, some pups are mature enough at 10 weeks to start training, while others may not be ready until 12 or 15 weeks. If an owner finds after a couple of weeks' classes that his or her puppy isn't responding, it's probably best to suspend obedience training and start again in another month or so.
Dog training for obedience involves the owner and puppy learning a series of basic commands. Among these are "sit, " "stay, " "down, " "come, " "heel, " "drop it" and "leave it." In most cases, these commands are taught with the use of food rewards such as dog food, tiny dog biscuits or small pieces of appropriate human food such as string cheese or baked or boiled chicken. Each of these commands is intended to teach a certain posture to the dog that the owner can use to control its behavior.
Among the basic obedience commands, "stay" and "heel" may be the most difficult for puppies to learn. Puppies are naturally full of energy and playfulness and they want nothing more than to explore. Owners who find it hard to channel all that puppy energy must develop the patience to keep practicing all obedience commands until their dogs can do them well instantly.
One thing that is never, never, never appropriate in dog training is to strike, hit or physically abuse a dog in any way. Dogs, especially puppies, quickly become devoted to their owners and physical abuse will destroy that relationship. Always train a dog with firmness, but with patience and lots of love.
About the Author:
Dogs can become more loyal, obedient, and affectionate towards their owners through vigorous puppy training. Enroll your canine companion in some dog training Kelowna today! http://www.barkbusters.ca/
Keyword tags: dog training, dog owners, dogs, obedience commands, pet training, dog owners, pet owners, canines
Posted by 3dogs at 2:39 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Clarifying Falsehoods About Having Your Pooch Spayed Or Neutered
Animals shelters are struggling under the weight of overcapacity. According to the Humane Society, up to 8 million dogs and cats are brought to shelters each year. Half of them are euthanized because a home cannot be found for them. This is one of the most compelling reasons to have your pooch spayed or neutered. Doing so can save the lives of unborn litters.
There are several misconceptions that pet owners have about spaying and neutering. These fallacies discourage them from having the procedure performed on their canines. Below, we'll sweep away the most common myths and provide much-needed clarity about a largely misunderstood operation.
"Spaying And Neutering Cause Weight Gain"
While a slight amount of postoperative weight gain is normal, it should not be a concern. In most cases, the foods and meals provided by owners, and a lack of daily exercise, are far more likely to contribute to canine obesity. As long as you feed your dog the right foods and provide an outlet for daily activity, he'll keep the pounds off.
"Spaying And Neutering Reduces Protective Traits"
Some owners believe that having their canine spayed or neutered reduces his (or her) protective tendencies at home. They fear that the procedure will make their pooch less inclined to warn away intruders. In reality, while most dogs become less aggressive after the operation, the effect does not impact their willingness to guard their owner's home. Protecting their home, owner, and family is instinctive and has little to do with hormones.
"Spaying And Neutering Are Too Expensive"
Price is subjective, of course. That said, having your pooch spayed or neutered usually costs less than $100, and can be done at clinics in nearly every city. Moreover, many veterinarians will accept pets on a limited-income basis. If the owner is unable to pay for the procedure, the veterinarian will often be happy to reduce his or her normal rate. They do this because they realize the operation plays an important role in solving problems related to pet overpopulation.
"My Canine Will Feel Lose His Sexual Identify"
Male dogs do not perceive their identity in the context of their sexual organs. Instead, they do so by instinct. This is the reason over 30% of male canines who have been neutered continue to engage in humping. It is a part of their basic nature.
"It Will Be Easy To Place The Litter"
Many owners are under the impression that they will be able to find homes for their female dog's litter. This is rarely as easy as it seems. In many cases, the people who adopt one of the littermates end up giving it away or abandoning it to a shelter. That puts the puppies at risk of being euthanized. Remember, you cannot control the decisions made by other people.
It is important to spay or neuter your dog if you do not intend to breed him - or in the case of a female, to produce a litter. The procedure is inexpensive and will prevent your canine from adding to the pet overpopulation problem. Plus, spayed and neutered pets tend to live healthier and happier lives than their "intact" counterparts.
About the Author:
Find quality dog treats at a discount price at http://www.bestbullysticks.com
Keyword tags: dogs,dog training,dog health, canine, dog ownership,dog tips
Posted by 3dogs at 11:54 AM 0 comments
3 Reasons You Should Socialize Your Canine As Early As Possible
Dogs learn behaviors at an early age. By the time they're a few weeks old, they begin learning how to interact with others. During their first several weeks prior to being adopted, puppies primarily interact with their mother and littermates. By the seventh or eighth week, pups are adopted into new homes where they are surrounded by those who are unfamiliar to them. It is during this time that new behaviors are learned and strengthened. It is also when socialization can have the greatest impact on their development.
In this article, we'll provide three reasons you should socialize your dog while he is still a puppy. We'll also describe how you can "cure" timidity if you notice it has taken root.
Reason 1 - Prevent Future Behavioral Problems
When canines display aggressive behavior toward other people and animals, it is often due to their not having been socialized as a pup. The same is true for extreme shyness. It takes root and becomes stronger over time, unless you proactively desensitize your pooch to the triggers which prompt his shyness or aggression.
These types of behaviors can be a nuisance to owners. For example, your canine might hide in another room of your home when you have visitors. Or, he might react aggressively toward other pets when you take him for a walk. By socializing him early, you can prevent such behavior from festering.
Reason 2 - Familiarity With People
As an owner, you want your pooch to be comfortable with people who come to your home, or those you meet outside your home. If he's comfortable with them, he'll be less likely to threaten a physical confrontation. Plus, a greater sense of comfort around people not only makes your dog a far more engaging companion, but strengthens the bond you share together. This familiarity comes directly from early socialization. And the earlier you start, the more quickly he'll become acclimated to people.
Reason 3 - Comfort Among Other Animals
Pack animals are accustomed to protecting their territory from perceived threats. If your canine is naturally distrustful of others, he might react poorly when exposed to them. For example, if he never learned to socialize with other dogs, he might behave aggressively toward them while visiting a dog park. This can lead to a confrontation with disastrous consequences.
Handling Early Timidity Toward Others
If your pooch has already developed a sense of timidity, you'll need to slowly and carefully desensitize him. Tell strangers (including children) to approach him slowly rather than running up to him. Otherwise, he may become fearful with the sudden movements and go into defensive mode. Also, the person who is unfamiliar to your canine should avoid looking directly in his eyes. That might be misinterpreted as a threat.
Lastly, have the person sit down on the floor while holding a treat and facing away from your dog. That will encourage your pooch to come for the treat, giving him a higher level of comfort with that person.
Early socialization is important for all canines. It can help prevent behavioral problems while making dogs more comfortable around those who are unfamiliar to them. You'll find that it turns your pooch into a lovable, trusting, and reliable companion.
About the Author:
Find quality dog treats at a discount price at http://www.bestbullysticks.com
Keyword tags: dogs,dog training,dog health, canine, dog ownership,dog behavior,dog tips
Posted by 3dogs at 11:47 AM 0 comments
What Factors Contribute to Dog Obesity?
While there are medical conditions that can increase the likelihood that your canine will gain weight, most problems related to obesity are caused by owners. Dogs are similar to people. If they intake more calories than they burn on a regular basis, they will put on extra pounds. Unfortunately, excess weight can put stress on the joints while exacerbating existing health conditions.
Below, we'll take a look at the most common factors that play a role in canine obesity. We'll explore how the availability of food, lack of sufficient exercise, genetic predisposition, and a thyroid problem can each contribute to your pooch's expanding body.
Too Much Food
Every dog is different. Some will eat as much food as is placed in front of them and then start looking for more. Others will eat throughout the day, coming back to their bowl only when they're hungry. Some will only eat certain types of foods while others will consume practically anything.
The problem is that many owners fail to tailor their pooch's meal plan to accommodate their tendencies. For example, a lot of people will follow a "free choice" plan where they make food available to their canines at all times. For many pets, this is a recipe for obesity; they will eat as much as possible.
Another common problem is that owners often prepare meals that are far too big. Even if the food is not always available, meals that are larger than necessary can contribute to your pooch's weight gain. This is especially true if he leads a sedentary lifestyle.
Lack Of Exercise
The more active your dog is on a daily basis, the more calories he'll burn. The more calories he burns, the more food he can eat without gaining weight. Plus, canines that enjoy daily exercise are less likely to become bored or stressed during the day. Both mental states encourage excess eating.
It's In The Genes
Some breeds are predisposed to weight gain. For example, owners of Beagles and Cocker Spaniels often find that their pooches put on extra pounds more easily than similarly-sized dogs from other breeds. This is not to suggest that owners of these breeds (along with Labrador Retrievers and Collies) should relent and allow their canines to gain weight. On the contrary, they should take extra precautions to help keep the pounds off.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which your pooch's thyroid produces fewer thyroid hormones. This hormone plays a role in regulating your dog's metabolism; a decline in its production can lower his metabolic rate. As a result, he'll need less nourishment to maintain his energy. In some cases, pets become obese when they develop hypothyroidism and continue eating the same amount of food each day.
Canine obesity becomes more problematic as your pooch ages. It's more difficult to shed the excess pounds and the extra weight will take a greater toll on his body. If you suspect your dog is obese, ask your veterinarian to recommend a weight reduction diet that provides for his nutritional and energy needs.
About the Author:
find quality dog treats at discount prices at http://www.bestbullysticks.com
Keyword tags: dogs,dog training,dog health, dog obesity, dog ownership,canine health
Posted by 3dogs at 11:41 AM 0 comments
Using Treats to Train Your Dog
Most professional dog trainers agree that training yields the best results when using positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors. Your pet will learn to respond to your commands more easily if you provide treats and praise than if you punish him for failing to do so. The challenge is providing these rewards in a way that is consistent and easy for him to interpret.
This article will offer a set of best practices for giving your pooch treats as a behavioral motivator. You'll learn how to encourage his compliance with your commands and eventually wean him from food so he'll respond without it. We'll also provide a few helpful hints for choosing the right type of rewards.
Tips For Using Treats For The Best Results
Small pieces of food are the most effective way to shape your dog's behavior. But, for them to be effective, he must understand that he will receive them if he complies with your wishes. Be clear about your intentions. For example, if you're training him to sit at your command, show him the food morsel before telling him to "sit!" If he responds successfully, give him the treat immediately so he'll make the connection between compliance and reward.
Also, experiment with different types of foods to determine which are his favorites. He's more likely to respond if he knows he'll receive something he enjoys. Pieces of cheese and chicken are usually popular with canines. That said, your pooch may have unique tastes.
In order to keep his attention, make sure the pieces you give him are small; he should be able to swallow it quickly. That way, he'll willingly respond in order to receive more.
Weaning With Praise
Many owners fail to wean their canines off food items while training them. This creates an expectation for treats that can become difficult to break. Eventually, your dog might become less willing to respond to you if he believes he will not receive his favorite indulgence for doing so.
The solution is to limit treats to the initial stage of training. Once your canine has learned the behavior you expect from him, slowly begin to replace food with praise and physical attention. He'll learn that while
he cannot expect to receive his favorite food each time he responds, he will receive your attention. And that's nearly as good.
Choosing The Right Rewards
The right type of food rewards can play a significant role in their effectiveness. First, try to avoid giving your dog treats with a high-sugar or high-fat content. Provide something nutritious, such as chicken or beef. Second, use items that are soft rather than hard and crumbly. If you give your pooch something that breaks apart on the ground, you'll lose his attention as he scurries to vacuum up the pieces. Third, as noted earlier, experiment to find which treats your canine prefers. The more irresistible they are to him, the longer you'll hold his attention.
Food treats will always be the best strategy for shaping or influencing your dog's behavior. The key is to give him what he likes, be consistent, and slowly wean him by replacing the edible items with praise. He'll
gradually rely less on the treats and look forward to earning your attention.
About the Author:
Get your quality discount dog treats from http://www.bestbullysticks.com
Keyword tags: dogs,dog training,dog treats,dog owners,train dogs
Posted by 3dogs at 11:36 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
How to Train an Older Dog or a New Puppy
If you are a dog owner, you have probably come across all sorts of information on training and containing dogs, from welcoming a new puppy to dealing with an annoying barking dog and anything else in between. This article will give you brief information on how to welcome and treat a new puppy in your home.
Housebreaking a puppy
There is a firm belief among many dog owners that the best way to housebreak a puppy by "rubbing their nose in". This method never works. As a matter of fact, it humiliates the dog and can worsen the relationship between it and the family.
To housebreak a dog successfully and effectively, it is best to have a designated area for this. Visit this spot frequently and reward the puppy every time there is progress. Eventually, the dog will learn what is expected of it and will never look back.
To teach the dog to understand what you say, use a certain keyword every time you bring the dog to the housebreaking area. In time, the dog will associate that keyword with what is expected of it. In case of an accident indoors, you should immediately bring the dog to the selected spot and use the keyword. However, since this may take some time, you will need to be patient and persistent.
Training a dog to stop barking
One of the most complicated and time consuming dog training practices is training a dog to stop barking. Many owners fail in this course because they fail to address the root cause of the barking. The most important thing in this case is to never reward a dog for barking or bribe it with food to stop barking. Doing this will only encourage and even reinforce the barking. Another thing never to do is yelling at it whenever it starts barking. The dog may understand that there is no problem with barking because the owner too is barking back.
The barking problem can be handled by introducing proper socialization etiquette, giving the dog the right amount of attention at the right time and instilling a bit of obedience in its behavior. This issue has a lot of information that shows you how to deal with it, depending on the cause of the barking. However, whichever way you choose to use, patience is a virtue here because this process takes time. However long it takes, never resort to using cruel and harmful methods like dog collars.
Dog digging problem
Digging is an activity that many dogs enjoy, especially the Labrador Retrievers. Dogs dig for a variety of reasons including boredom, shelter, need for cooling or warmth or boredom. Although you may find this unacceptable, the dog may not see anything wrong with it.
You can designate a certain area for your dog to dig if you have a big yard. To stop it completely, you should spray the dog with a hose every time it starts digging and shout a certain keyword like "NO". Another common method is burying an inflated balloon where the dog likes to dig. Whenever it starts, the balloon will explode, startling the dog. Eventually, it will learn to stop digging.
About the Author:
My name is Kausar Khan and I run a very successful Internet business out of my home. I have been doing this business full time since 2003. Please do visit my websites http://trainingdog.in and http://supernichearticles.com/blog/category/dog-training/ for more information.
Keyword tags: dog training,training dogs,dog aggressive training,dog obedience training,dog training tips
Posted by 3dogs at 12:21 PM 0 comments
How to Start Training Your Dog to Obey
The cornerstone of good behavior in any dog is a good obedience training program. It is true to say that there are never bad dogs; the dog owners are the uneducated trainers. All dogs are always trying to please their master but the poorly trained or untrained dogs have no proper ways to do that and resort to the ways that they consider best. A well trained dog is healthier and happier, and so will be its owner. If you are planning to train your dog yourself, here are a number of guidelines that will assist you conduct an effective obedience training program.
Dog obedience training equipments
An effective dog obedience program does not demand a lot of equipments or supplies. However, a few equipments are necessary to make the exercise easy and smooth. The two necessary equipments are a dog collar and a dog leash. Choose the most appropriate, easy to use and comfortable equipments to ease the training process.
Getting started with the training
Choose the most appropriate and practical training technique prior to starting the training exercise. There is a wide variety of training techniques available but dogs respond more to positive reinforcement training like treats and training. The "clicker training" is the most common reinforcement training that uses a conditioned reinforcement.
Dog obedience training sessions
Success always comes in small steps, never in a bulk. Dog obedience training sessions should last between 10 and 15 minutes 2 to 3 times a day. This is more suitable for puppies because their attention spans are very short. Having longer training sessions will bore the dog and make it distaste the training sessions.
Start by training the dog basic commands like "sit" then "lie". These are the easiest commands to learn. Once they grasp these commands, move forward to other commands like "stay" and "come. Once the dog has mastered the obedience basics, you may then train it fun tricks and other advanced commands.
Troubleshooting during dog training
Training a dog takes time and the process has its hurdles and frustrations along the way. The most common problems to obedience training is obedience problems like aggression and display of defiance. The best way to correct such behavior is by interrupting it and shifting the dog's attention to positive things. You should also practice rewarding the dog when it masters a command to reinforce its dedication and skill.
During training, always keep your demeanor confident and cool and be clear in every command you give. Positive reinforcement always works well with dogs and you must never get angry or punish a dog under circumstances it finds unclear to avoid causing confusion. Hold the dog's attention with enthusiasm and treats during training but you should also know when the dog is getting bored or tired.
Training resources
If you are not very confident of training your dog, you should study how to do it using the many online resources including eBooks, animations and videos. If after this you still cannot do it or have no time to do it, you should consider hiring a professional dog trainer to do it.
About the Author:
My name is Kausar Khan and I run a very successful Internet business out of my home. I have been doing this business full time since 2003. Please do visit my websites http://trainingdog.in and http://supernichearticles.com/blog/category/dog-training/ for more information.
Keyword tags: dog training,training dogs,dog aggressive training,dog obedience training,dog training tips
Posted by 3dogs at 12:18 PM 0 comments
Dog Training Tips That Will Save You Grief and Time
Dog owners have many methods of training their dogs to choose from today. A number of these methods use only positive reinforcement; others utilize positive and negative reinforcement while others use incentives like treats. The difference in dog training techniques mainly lies in the specific procedures and commands that the dog is being trained. The most appropriate training technique for a dog depends on the dog owner's or the trainer's preference and the desired end result.
No matter the training method, these tips will substantially assist you understand and choose the best training technique for your dog.
Dog training Tip 1
Start the training when the dog is still as young as possible. However, it is not practical to train a dog younger than 49 days.
Dog training Tip 2
At the beginning, the training sessions should not last over 15 minutes. At advanced stages, dog training may go on for up to several hours but a beginner dog has a short attention and interest span. Even after the dog is accustomed to the training, obedience training should not last over twenty minutes. If you suspect that the dog is losing interest, end the session.
Dog training Tip 3
End all dog training sessions on a positive note. It will not go well if you end the session with a bad note, like after you just disciplined the dog. If necessary, create a positive situation just before you end the training session.
Dog training Tip 4
Schedule the dog training sessions at a certain time of the day. After awhile, the dog will learn the timing and will even show excitement when it is almost time for the next training.
Dog training Tip 5
Use light weight leashes or leads that are about six feet long for all training sessions. Using heavy leather leashes are heavy and very distractive.
Dog training Tip 6
Consistency in the command you use to train the dog is very important. The dog gets accustomed with certain words that it takes as keywords. For instance, if you train the dog to understand "sit" to sit and "Dowd" to lie down, it would be very confusing to it to tell it to "Sit Down". Try as much as you can to avoid using negatives. The best example is telling the dog "Don't Sit". It will just grasp the word "Sit" and do what it understands by it. Other phrases that should not be used are phrases like "Please sit", "come and sit", "Sit boy" etc.
Dog training Tip 7
Play the dog's favorite game for at least 5 minutes after the training to make the dog excited about the training. This will boost a positive experience and make it look forward to training sessions.
Dog training Tip 8
Use the same volume and tone in instructing the dog. You can make a special "command tone" so that the dog can have an easy time understanding the commands each time. However, after the training, practicing with different tones, volume or even by different people will assist reinforce the commands.
About the Author:
My name is Kausar Khan and I run a very successful Internet business out of my home. I have been doing this business full time since 2003. Please do visit my websites http://trainingdog.in and http://supernichearticles.com/blog/category/dog-training/ for more information.
Keyword tags: dog training,training dogs,dog aggressive training,dog obedience training,dog training tips
Posted by 3dogs at 12:10 PM 0 comments
Dog Training That Turn Savages to Performers
Dogs are very popular pets all over the world, no wonder they are referred to as man's best friend. They have very many characteristics including the fact that almost everyone can find a type of dog to adore. However, no matter the type of dog that a dog owner prefers, the first important step in peaceful and fun coexistence is having a smooth relationship with the family. The second step is training the dog. A dog which is not trained can be very disruptive and even destructive in a family.
A dog will be an obedient and loyal companion once it is trained. What can be more beautiful than a dog that will follow you diligently to the park on the leash, does not jump or bark at visitors or even leave its droppings at the doorstep? A well trained dog should have proper etiquette when there are visitors around, takes instructions, knows what to do and when to do it, and best of all, does what it is told to do. Since dogs are pack animals, they always look up to a leader. It is vital to make the dog understand that you are the leader of the pack and not it your leader.
Before starting any other training, the first two things a dog must learn are housebreak and obedience training. Housebreak is teaching a dog where to relieve itself to avoid leaving its poop all over the house or other unacceptable paces. Obedience training is important to instill respect and chain of command to the dog. You can train a dog to be obedient from the time it is 49 days old. Once they have mastered these two, you may now go ahead and teach it basic tricks and any other fun training.
One thing you will learn fast is that dogs will always be trying to please their masters and will appreciate little treats and recognition whenever they do something right. The most common tricks you can teach your dog include "Sit", "Lie", "Shake", "Fetch" and "Play dead". With time, you can introduce it to complex play games like catch the Frisbee, flip a treat from the nose to the mouth and chase a tennis ball.
During training, it may be necessary to punish a dog. However, there are some very bad punishment methods that you must never use. Here is a list of safe punishments that you can administer to a dog within 10 seconds of it committing a crime. Delaying a punishment will cause confusion because the dog will not understand all the cruelty and will not associate it with the wrong doing.
1) Deny it treats these are treats that it normally gets for good behavior
2) Time out from an activity
3) Take away its toys For a short period of time
4) Ignoring the dog and isolating it from the family members as well.
Dogs are very friendly creatures but the main problem now is that there are very many of them now, with more being born every day. To train the dog properly, it requires proper treatment, positive reinforcement and hygienic environments.
About the Author:
My name is Kausar Khan and I run a very successful Internet business out of my home. I have been doing this business full time since 2003. Please do visit my websites http://trainingdog.in and http://supernichearticles.com/blog/category/dog-training/ for more information.
Keyword tags: dog training,training dogs,dog aggressive training,dog obedience training,dog training tips
Posted by 3dogs at 12:04 PM 0 comments
Dog Obedience Training Tips
The key to having a dog pet that is enjoyable and fun is proper dog training. Most people think that dog training is teaching it how to do dumb tricks and competition exercises. Dog obedience training is teaching a dog to understand and do what it is told to do. The most critical aspect in nurturing a dog-human relationship is training a dog to be obedient. Training a dog to conduct itself in an acceptable manner both at home and outside is also the best way to detect, prevent and get rid of any behavioral problems that most dog owners face. Make your doggy happy and well balanced socially by following these simple Dog obedience training tips.
Tip 1: Set the training rules and make sure that you repeat them frequent and long enough for the dog to comprehend. The greatest characteristic of a dog trainer is repetition. You should therefore not tell him a rule only once and expect him to grasp it automatically.
Tip 2: You are the boss at all times and you must make sure that the dog knows that. By nature, a dog will try to train you to accept its behavior and communication, the key to successfully train a dog is making it understand that it is the students and you the trainer not the other way round.
Tip 3: Give clear and consistent communication signs throughout its training. Make it clear which of its behaviors are acceptable and which are not tolerable. Doing this will set very distinct guidelines for him.
Tip 4: Constantly evaluate your progress to make sure that you are impacting positively on the dog's obedience. If you find some stubbornness, investigate and find the root cause of it and the proper way to handle it.
Tip 5: Reward the dog only at the right times during the training. If you reward the dog at the wrong time, it will understand the actions preceding the reward as the acceptable conduct which is not the case. If a dog takes an instruction and learns something new, you can choose to reward him either by playing with it its favorite game or giving it something it likes.
Tip 6: There should be only one trainer at a time during a training period. Having more than one trainer at a time will send confusing instructions and lessons to the dog. However, after the training session, different people can test the dog's grasp.
Tip 7: Patience when training a dog is a very vital virtue. If you are training a dog and it doesn't seem to respond, do not get angry or try underhand shortcut tactics because his will only worsen the situation. All dogs can learn it is just that each dog, just like humans, have different ways to understand things.
There are different flavors of dog obedience programs, ranging from basic "Sit" and "fetch" instructions to complex dog show behavior training. Dog obedience is not a science that should be left exclusively to the professionals. Follow these simple dog obedience training tips to train your dog well and not only will it strengthen your relationship, it will also be a lot of fun spending time with it.
About the Author:
My name is Kausar Khan and I run a very successful Internet business out of my home. I have been doing this business full time since 2003. Please do visit my websites http://trainingdog.in and http://supernichearticles.com/blog/category/dog-training/ for more information.
Keyword tags: dog training,training dogs,dog aggressive training,dog obedience training,dog training tips
Posted by 3dogs at 11:57 AM 0 comments
Why Dogs Fight
There are many reasons why dogs fight. Some are possessive over food, attention, toys, or territory, others may fight when restraint on a leash and cannot move freely, others fight out of fear of being attacked. Understanding why your dog wants to fight is the best way to learn how to change and prevent this behavior.
Fighting when Anxious
The most common reason that a dog will fight is out of fear. A dog that has not been properly socialized, or has been mistreated may be fearful and fight when put in a new situation or confronted by what they perceive as a threat.
If your dog is not fighting with other dogs or showing aggression to people when at home, but becomes overly aggressive when out in public chances are that he lacks the socialization skills to be able to function without fear in new situations. The best way to resolve this issue is to take steps to socialize your dog.
Socializing your dog slowly is the best way to start overcoming his fear. Begin by taking him on rides in the car. Try to pass places such as parks and dog walks where he can view a variety of dogs and people from the security of the car. Then slowly introduce him to places. When introducing him to a new place look for sign of anxiety such as trying to huddle close to you, putting his tail between his legs and whining. If any of these behaviors are present immediately remove him from the situation and try again the next time, until he begins to get used to the new area and the situation.
You can also jump start your dogs socialization by enrolling him in obedience classes. Make sure to call the instructor in advance and advise them of your dog's particular problem. They may offer suggestions to lessen the stress your dog will face attending class and suggest things you can do to ensure your dogs and the other dogs' safety.
Possessiveness and Territorial Behavior
Fighting over possessions for your attention usually occurs between two dogs in the same household. Dogs form their own hierarchy and one dog will establish dominance over another. If you as the owner interfere with this arrangement you can throw both the dominant dog and the passive one into a state of confusion that may actually lead to fights between the two dogs. Allow the hierarchy to work itself out whenever possible without your interference. If the dominant dog still wants to fight to protect his toys or food, then feed both dogs in a separate area and make sure they each have their own toys.
There are several other situations which can lead to dog fighting. However, in each and every case the best way to prevent and change your dogs behavior is to remove him from the situation, get expert advice on behavior modification techniques and consistently follow those techniques while slowly reintroducing your dog to those situations.
With a lot of hard work, time and attention you can alleviate the cause of your dog's distress and thus help him to be in better control of his anxiety which will reduce his tendency to fight.
About the Author:
This article was written by Kelly Marshall of http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/ Oh My Dog Supplies - the leading online dog supplies store featuring http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/pet-gates/ sturdy indoor pet gates at great prices everyday.
Keyword tags: dog fights,why dogs fight,dog behavior,dog psychology,dogs
Posted by 3dogs at 10:31 AM 0 comments
Different Types of Aggression in Dogs
No one likes an aggressive dog; they are a threat to themselves to others and even to their owner. A dog with unchecked aggressive tendencies will more than likely eventually bite and could hurt someone seriously. In order to successfully change a dogs aggressive behavior you have to know it's cause before you can attempt to dispel the behavior. Here is a look at 6 of the most common kinds of aggression and how best to deal with them.
Maternal Aggression
Maternal aggression is caused when a dog who is about to deliver or has recently given birth feels the need to protect her pups from what she perceives as a threat. The best course of action in this case is to give the female dog and her litter plenty of room and then not breed the female again, as maternally aggressive dogs tend to not lose that trait.
Pain Induced Aggression
If your dog has never shown any signs of aggression and then suddenly starts displaying aggressive tendencies, he may have some medical problem that is causing him pain and causing him to react aggressively. A complete vet check up and treatment will cure this type of aggression and give you back the loving pooch you once had.
Dominance Aggression
A dog that thinks he is king of castle and begins growling and snarling at family members is a real danger. This occurs when the owner did not assert his authority when the dog was a puppy. The best thing to do is to enroll your dog in an obedience training class that uses strong behavior modification techniques.
Inter-dog aggression
When you have two dogs who are in the same household it is only natural that one will assert dominance over the other. In most cases, this dominance will be worked out between the two dogs with no injury to either if you refrain from interfering. Unless there is a real fear of one or other dog suffering serious injury, leave them to settle the matter themselves.
Fear Aggression
When a dog is introduced to new situations that cause them to become anxious and fearful they become aggressive as a means of protecting themselves. The best course of action to take when a dog is being aggressive due to fear is to immediately remove him from the situation and begin a slow program of socialization which will help reduce his anxiety.
Punishment Aggression
Dogs who are mistreated enough, reach a point where they will fight back rather than take any more abuse. Once they have reached this point placing them in situations similar to those where the abuse took place or any sudden movement that makes the dog perceive the threat of abuse will cause him to act aggressively. If you should happen to adopt a dog who is suffering from punishment aggression, you are going to need to tread carefully to establish trust and show your dog he is safe. If the aggression is extreme you may have to reconsider returning the dog for your families safety.
Knowing why your dog is acting aggressively will help you to formulate a plan to change his behavior.
About the Author:
This article was written by Kelly Marshall of http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com - the best place for dog beds, featuring free shipping on all orthopedic beds everyday.
Keyword tags: dog aggression,dog behavior,dog psychology,dog obedience,dog training
Posted by 3dogs at 9:53 AM 0 comments
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Dog Obedience Training Stop Dogs Barking
One of the most prevalent reasons for neighbour disputes is because of having a noisy dog, constantly barking, right across your dividing fence and having the neighbour refusing to take the dog to dog obedience training to fix the problem.
Ask me, I know. Some people just do not want to know that their dog is causing a problem.
In my case, my neighbour's dog was a dog that fired up when he heard us open the front door of our house at 6am and then, thereafter, anybody walking on our gravel driveway set him off again. He could not see us, just hearing us was enough.
If you do not have a dog that has gone through a full obedience training course, the chances are you may well have a dog that barks uncontrollably.
Dogs bark for lots of reasons:
To warn strangers
To say hello
To say P**** off
To talk to his neighbours and the moon
Just because he can
Because he is bored
Because he is excited
Because he is lonely
To protect his bone
A dog that is lonely, bored or stressed is most likely to become a problem barker, so the first thing you need to establish is why is the dog barking.
Stressed dogs are usually suffering from separation anxiety. You need to desensitise the dog to your leaving him alone. Very often this dog will start barking as soon as you close the door on your way out.
You need to count to 10 and then open the door and go up to the dog, talk to him calmly, pat him, maybe give him a quick tug game, and then leave the room again. Count to 10 and repeat.
You can extend the time out of the room fairly quickly but be aware that if the dog starts barking, you have left the room for too long and need to go back a few steps.
Once the dog is not barking immediately after you leave the room, I would start ping ponging the time I am away from the dog.
What I mean by this is I would leave the dog for 10 seconds, and the next time 30 seconds, then back to 10 seconds. The next maybe 2 minutes, then 5 minutes and back to 10 seconds. This would leave the dog not knowing how long you are going to be a way but starting to understand that you do always come back.
A dog that is barking because he is bored or lonely needs to have some serious exercise just before being left alone. If you have access to a swimming pool or a spot in a river, lake or beach, then a 10 minute swim is equivalent to a 10 kilometre walk.
A dog, properly obedience trained, will retrieve a ball for you. If you have a nearby field where you can throw the ball, using a "Chuckit" or a tennis racket for 10 minutes will give your pooch plenty of exercise.
If you can throw the ball up hill, this will increase the level of effort the dog has to put into the session.
A physically exhausted dog is going to go to sleep for quite some time as soon as he gets back home.
When he does eventually wake up, he must then have some interesting toys to engage his attention until the urge to have another snooze comes along.
Kongs filled with peanut butter, holy rollers with a ball or pill bottle with a marble in it inside, a tugger tied to a tree or anything else your dog finds it fun to interact with are perfect.
About the Author:
Nev Allen is a dog trainer with 30 years of experience and he is now sharing this experience to help you make your puppy a good, happy and well trained obedient dog. Visit my blog for more detailed dog obedience training and clicker training articles. http:www.dogobediencetrainingblogs.com
Keyword tags: dog obedience training,dogs barking,obedience training,dog obedience,click and treat,barking
Posted by 3dogs at 6:43 PM 0 comments
Dog Obedience Training Clicker Training
The world of dog training for obedience has changed remarkably with the introduction of Clicker Training. This is a system of dog obedience training where a click marks a desired action and the dog is immediately rewarded with a treat.
Clicker training, or the Positive Reward training method, is relatively new within the animal training world, and particularly in the obedience training of dogs, but has very quickly taken over from the harsh, negative method of choke chain training.
The system can be, and is, utilized to train any animal to do almost anything. Chickens have been taught to weave through a series of vertical poles set in a straight line (in dog agility, these are known as weave poles). Dolphins, orcas and seals have been taught their respective tricks with this system.
Spy organizations have taught crows to carry tiny microphones and deposit them outside suspect windows.
Horses and elephants have been taught to play football and kittens have been taught to stop attacking ankles.
Based on the idea that an action rewarded will be repeated, the sound of the click tells the animal that it has done the correct action and will get a reward, which is delivered within a few seconds.
The training system requires the trainer to break the desired end result into small steps. Each step taken towards reaching the end goal is repeated until the animal freely offers the level achieved, he is then asked to progress to the next level until the final objective is achieved.
So, for example if you wish to teach your dog to lie on a particular position in the house, and on a particular dog bed, then you would start with the bed placed in an area where the dog feels safe and happy.
This is a shaping exercise and as you know, with shaping, you do not give the dog any verbal cues until you know he fully understands the exercise.
Have a bowl of tasty treats close at hand and a clicker in one hand. You wait for the dog to look at the bed and immediately click and reward. Keep this going for a few clicks then hold the click and treat until the dog takes a step towards the bed. Click and treat and repeat again.
Each step towards getting the dog to step onto the bed is thus broken down into small steps. You can now build on getting the dog to lie down.
Once this is achieved and the dog goes straight to the bed and lies down, take the bed to where you want the dog to always go and lie and restart the training from step one. It will go a lot quicker this second time.
As soon as the dog is going to his bed and lieing down you can start bringing in your verbal cue and send the dog to his bed.
A dog worked through an obedience training course using this system produces an animal that has been taught to think for itself and if he is shown you have a treat in your hand, but you do not give him a specific command, he will roll through all that he has learnt until you get the action you want and reward him.
About the Author:
Nev Allen is a dog trainer with 30 years of experience and he is now sharing this experience to help you make your puppy a good, happy and well trained obedient dog. Visit my blog for more detailed dog obedience training and clicker training articles.
http:www.dogobediencetrainingblogs.com
Keyword tags: dog obedience training,obedience,click and treat,clicker training,dog training,positive reward,click
Posted by 3dogs at 6:21 PM 0 comments
Beagle Dog Training - How to Train Your Beagle to Lay Down
Beagles are fantastic dogs to have as companions, but you must remember not to overlook the fact that beagles require a very specific training and environment to fulfil their full potential.
If you train your beagle with patience and perseverance you will ultimately have a very obedient dog, one that will do almost anything on command. This is a very special skill to have, especially if you have a beagle. This is due to the fact that these dogs are hunting dogs and will usually go wherever their noses tell them to, rather than where their master tells them to.
A great way to start your beagle dog training would be to teach him the "lay down" command.
So what is the "lay down" command?
The lay down command is simply getting your beagle to lay down on its tummy on YOUR command. On top of this, the beagle must not move until you release the command for it to do so.
That makes sense! But how does the "lay down" command work? You can find the instructions to this question below.
Training Instructions:
1. Begin by having your beagle in a sitting position and make sure to gain its attention. This can be achieved by the simple calling of his name.
2. You then make it known that it is time to do a training exercise by holding some kind of treat or toy above your head so it is clearly visible. Make sure your beagle stays in a sitting position and does not come towards you. Remember, we need to maintain them focused on the task at hand.
3. Now you can begin to hold the treat closer to your beagles chest. Really emphasize on maintaining the focus on you and not the treat. If you see that your beagle does not pay attention to you, then snap your fingers and say "eyes here", once the beagle looks at you, you can then reward him until he can do this consistently.
4. Next, bring the treat from your beagles chest directly down between his paws. While doing this, make sure you say "down", once he has laid down, give your beagle the treat and pet him as well. You should do this several times until it becomes second nature.
5. Lastly, start moving away from your beagle and make sure he does not suddenly pop up. If he does so, no rewards are given. On the other hand, if your beagle stays in the lay down position until your release the command, then you can reward him with the treat.
Following these instructions will allow you to form a much closer and obedient relationship with your beagle. Training does not have to be so challenging, so long as you are able to listen to your beagle and make sure to constantly reinforce when your commands have been met, versus when those are ignored.
If you do this you and your beagle will be doing much better in no time.
About the Author:
Need more beagle dog training information? If so, go to - http://www.squidoo.com/beagle-dog-training today and receive your FREE Secrets to Dog Training 6 Day Training Course Guide.
Keyword tags: beagle dog training,training your beagle,beagle training,dog training
Posted by 3dogs at 10:15 AM 0 comments