If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, there is a good chance that it will see many visitors, strangers, or other animals. When your dog sees any of these, it will start to bark repeatedly, annoying you or the people in the homes around you. The dog will only stop after whatever it sees is out of its sight and away from your yard.

To understand how you must stop your dog from barking, you must know why dogs bark at these things. Some people think that it is its nature and a dog is supposed to bark to defend its territory from anything or anyone that approaches. Others think that a dog barks because it is scared and fears whatever it sees, such as someone who is not its owner. If you have a home with thick windows, the barking may not annoy you as much, but it will make everyone else angry. Strong windows or not, if your dog barks repeatedly, especially during the night, it needs some obedience training. To stop the barking, teach you dog some easy phrases such as "its ok" or "no, stop barking" and reward it with a treat. It is not going to be easy and your dog it not going to stop barking overnight, but if you keep at it, it will understand. If you do not want to spend time training your dog, you can simply build a fence in the yard. The fence has to be high enough so that your dog cannot see beyond it and when it is built, the only thing your will bark at will be squirrels and your visitors.

Speaking of visitors, if you dogs barks constantly when someone enters your home, you can use the same method, obedience training. Training your dog to behave around guests is a bit different depending on whether the person visits you regularly or not. For example, someone you have hired will only visit you a few times until the job is done. If your dog barks at this person when inside the house, just move the dog into another room until the person is gone. A friend that visits you will require a different approach; you start by allowing your friend and your dog to become friends. Have your friend visit you daily so that your dog becomes comfortable and over time it will stop barking. The most difficult method is anytime your relatives visit you and stay with you for a few days. If your dog normally stays indoors all the time, you will not want to put it outdoors if it does not have a doghouse. With relatives around, you are not going to have any free rooms to send your dog to and even if you do, the dog will have to come out at some point. To stop your dog from barking at your relatives, bring him into the room with everyone and calm him down. You can do this by taking your dog to its favorite spot and then give it a treat. Stay by the dog to help it feel secure, because remember, it's barking in fear. After an a while, it will stop barking and then you can focus on spending time with your family.

A barking dog can get annoying, however, there is a benefit; a barking dog will always alert you when someone is in or near your yard. Sure, sometimes it will bark at another dog or a squirrel; however, many times it will be someone in your driveway. You will also know when someone is heading towards your door before the person knocks.

If your dog barks all the time, you can train it to stop on command or build a fence to block its view if it barks outdoors. When guests arrive, if it is someone you hired, move the dog until the person is gone, for relatives and friends, make the dog comfortable with them. Training takes time, but once you have a dog that stops barking on command, everyone will be happy.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dog Training

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

Labels: Dog Training

You can go through your dog training activities in a breeze if you are equipped with all the right stuff. Among the basic items that you will need in training your dog are a 6-foot leather leash, a slip or choke collar, a 15-foot line, cotton rope or webbing, bait pouches, a crate or exercise pen, baby gates, motivational toys and grooming tools.

Leashes or Leads

There is a wide variety of leashes available in the market today. Leashes can be made from a number of different materials and may come in different sizes and widths. Among the most common materials used for leashes are leather, nylon and chain.

For maximum comfort for both you and your dog, it would be advisable to choose a 6-foot leash made from good quality leather and use it during your dog training sessions. Among the many advantages of using leather leashes are the following:

.It can provide more comfort for you and your dog during trainings. Unlike nylon leads, good quality leather does not cut or burn your skin. And unlike chain leashes, leather leads do not produce earsplitting noises.

.It is lightweight and is therefore easier to carry.

.Leather leashes last a lot longer. They can even last for several years!

Collars

Using slip or training collars can be a logical choice when you are trying to train your dog. These collars tighten as the dog pulls and loosen as he/she relaxes giving your dog the appropriate signals whenever he/she is making a mistake. However, collars should never be used to punish or choke your dog. When buying a collar, make sure you pick one that fits your dog properly. Collars that are either too small or too large can be dangerous and extremely irritating to your dog.

Dogs who do not respond to slip collars would do better with a halter. A halter fits over the dog's head and muzzle while allowing him/her to pant and to drink. You can easily control the direction of the dog's head and his entire body as well by using a halter.

The 15-Foot Line

A 15-foot line is like a long leash that enables you to control your dog even at a distance. You can easily grab it at different places to show your dog who the boss is and as such, can be a very good dog training device.

Bait Pouches

Having dog treats in your pockets can be one of the worst inconveniences you can encounter during your dog training sessions. When the treats are scattered on your pockets, you might fumble for a while just to find where they are. As a result, there will be a delay between the time your dog performs something worthy of a treat and the actual time when the treat is given. You may not promptly give your dog the reward he or she deserves and hence, defeating the purpose of the activity altogether.

To solve this, consider purchasing or making your own bait pouches. These bait pouches can be made up from any ordinary canvas tool pouches and tied around your waist during your dog training activities. This will make access to the goodies a lot easier and your dog wouldn't have to wait around indefinitely as you fumble for the doggie treats they just earned!

A final word of advice - do not trust every word your friendly salesman has to say. All of these items were designed to make your dog training efforts incredibly easy but with the popularity of these products in the market, a lot of manufacturers are out there to make a buck or two from unsuspecting dog owners! Know what really works and what doesn't. You need to know which of these gears deliver on their promises and which ones were designed specifically to make a profit. It would be best to do your research extensively and seek advice from credible sources to know more about these things.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Dog Training

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

Labels: Dog Training

To be able to conduct your own dog obedience training , you must know a few things. These are essential to the success of your dog training . Without these, the training may not be as effective as it could be. Ask any expert dog trainer and they will probably agree with this list.

1.How To Use Positive Reinforcement

You must know when it is time to reward your dog , and when not to. Dog obedience training requires that your dog is being rewarded for doing the right things.

2.What To Do When Your Dog Is Unhappy

Dogs can get angry at times. You do not want this is interfere with the training . It is important to know how to calm or cheer up your dog .

3. How To Control Your Dog

You own the dog, not the other way around. Many dog owners forget this and just give in whenever their dog is disobedient. Do not let his happen. This will keep your dog obedient.

4. When To Correct Your Dog

Sometimes a dog just needs to be a dog. Other times they need to be corrected or punished. There is a certain way to correct your dog while retaining its trust.

5. When To Begin Training

Sometimes it just is not the right time to start dog training. You must know when both you and your dog are ready to go. Dog obedience training cannot be initiated whenever the owner feels like it.

6.When To Give Your Dog A Break

Do not push your dog too hard. It will tire out and may doing what it is told. This will hinder any sort of training. Your dog will not be obedient if it does not even have the energy to do so.

7. How To Praise Your Dog

You need to know how to make your dog feel good about itself. Just like with positive reinforcement, dog obedience training requires that you praise your dog when it deserves praise.

Get more Information On Sit Stay Fetch Dog Obedience Training. For A Dog Obedience Training Guide Visit: www.TeachThatDog.com

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Labels: Dog Training

Nothing will be more important to your dog training success than keeping a good log. It will be your reference for years to come. This log will prove invaluable in providing you with short cuts and reference material. If kept right, it can cut weeks off your training time. The big three ring five subject binders with the pocket folders in them seem to work the best. Get one binder for each dog you train. Make headings on the pocket folders. Some suggestions - yard work, live bird training, gun training and retrieval. Then put the appropriate information in that section of the notebook.

Keep expense information in the folders. It can come in handy to know what you have spent on each dog. Yes, dog training does cost money. The receipts in the folders can help you find places you may be able to cut costs. If you are doing this for a living, the receipts will be handy for tax purposes. You need to keep several small pads that will fit in your pocket. Put the name of each dog on the front if you are training more than one. As the day’s events unfold make notes in the pad. Transfer these notes into your log binder at the end of the day. Keep this log in a safe place. As the years go by, you will see how valuable it is.

When you are out in the field jot down everything you think is important and then some. Did the dog do good or bad on this part of his training? Did you, as a dog trainer, do good or bad? Keep track of not only the dogs’ performance, but the trainers as well. Was there something that upset your dog during the day? If mistakes were made, what can you do next time to correct them? You are probably thinking, “I am trying to train a dog here. I do not have time to write all this down”. There should be breaks in any dog training session. Use this time to write your notes. Develop a kind of short hand for certain phrases. It is really easier than you think.

The day is done the dog taken care of and put in the kennel. Now is the time to transfer your notes to your big log. Don’t say, “Oh, I can do that tomorrow”. While it is still fresh in your mind is the time for updates. You will be surprised what you will forget overnight. That shorthand might not make as much sense tomorrow. You may even remember a few things you did not jot down.

If you have a computer, and everyone seems to these days, copy your loose-leaf log into Word or Notepad and save a copy to a disk for backup. It cannot be stressed enough how important this log will be to your dog training efforts. It contains what worked and what did not. It will make starting a new dog and new dog training session that much easier.

You will, over time, develop your own style and methods for keeping this log. This article just provides you with the idea and basics. Nothing is too silly or trivial to include in your log. Things that seem trivial may prove important in the end. Good luck and may all your dog-training efforts produce champions.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dog Training

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Labels: Dog Training

A dog training method called clicker training has become popular over the last several years. Clicker training differs in several ways from standard dog training. Dogs are not deprived of food. Food is only used for primary reinforcement. Punishment and negative reinforcement are avoided as much as possible in clicker training. Also, the training sessions are brief. The practice sessions should last less than five minutes each. Clicker trainers feel that dogs will learn more over several short sessions than over one long session that might get tedious and cause the dog to lose interest. Studies have also shown that establishing reliable behaviors with clicker training requires significantly less time than with standard dog training. Another difference is the use of a clicker as a behavior marker.

The click trainer clicks when the dog performs a certain action such as sitting. After the click, the trainer gives the dog a reward. Eventually, the dog will associate the click with the reward. The reward can be food such as hot dogs or roast beef, petting, playing with a tennis ball, or anything else your dog may enjoy. If you want to use a food reward, you must make sure that you use small pieces of food because you do not want your dog to be preoccupied with eating and forget about the clicker dog training. Also make sure that your dog's meals do not precede a clicker training session otherwise the food rewards will not work. It is important to remember that you must click during and not after the desired action. When the reward is given is not crucial.

A click is more powerful for training than a spoken word because it is a unique sound that signifies that a reward is coming. It can provide a precisely timed signal to mark good behavior at the exact moment that it occurs. This will allow the dog to know exactly what it was doing. Words can be spoken in different ways and express different emotions each time but the sound of a click never varies. Dogs and other pets have problems telling the differences among the many words that they hear everyday but they do not have problems determining the meaning of a click.

If you want to train your dog to come running to you when called, do not wait until the dog is actually running to you before you click and reward the dog. You should click and reward the dog even if it only takes a few steps in your direction. After the dog has demonstrated that it can repeatedly perform this action, you can try to coax your dog into walking a little closer to you before you click and reward it. You should allow your dog to do everything on its own without pushing or pulling it. You can also use click dog training to cure your dog of inappropriate behavior. Instead of berating your dog when it does something inappropriate such as relieving itself on your carpet, you can click and reward the dog when it acts appropriately.

When your dog reaches a point where it will spontaneously show you the behavior that earns it a click and a reward, the clicker trainer should teach the dog a cue. The cue can be a hand signal or a word. To teach the dog the cue, the trainer will say or signal the cue before the dog repeats the behavior. If the behavior occurs during or after the cue, then a click and reward is given. If the dog does the behavior without the cue, no click is given. If the dog does not perform the behavior after the cue is given, then maybe the reward needs to be changed or the cue needs to be relearned in an environment with less distractions. Also, while clicker dog training, do not verbally or physically abuse the dog even if it is not performing as it should. This may cause the dog to lose confidence in you and the clicker training.

The clicker and rewards can be put away once the behavior follows the cue on a consistent basis. The behavior can be maintained by replacing the expensive rewards with a less costly reward such as a pat on the head. Only bring out the clicker and rewards to train your dog to learn a new behavior or relearn an old behavior.

Since clicker training does not rely on punishment or negative reinforcement to get results, it is the only method of dog training that can be safely and effectively used with puppies that are weeks old. At this point, clicker training is not a universally practiced dog training method but more trainers are using clicker training to teach basic obedience and other classes.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dog Training

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Labels: Dog Training

So, Santa brought a puppy for Christmas. As the holiday season winds to a close, it is time to start seriously considering dog training for that little, lovable bundle of fur. Without proper dog training, your lives are about to take a turn for the worse.

There are a few things you need to understand about dog training. Training your new puppy is going to take time, effort and lots of energy. Training a dog is not easy! It takes commitment. Just visit your local dog shelter to see how lacking that level of commitment is in today's society. Many of the dogs who end up at the shelter have "behavioral problems" that are simply due to a lack of proper training.

Remember, when you decided to buy that puppy, you took on a responsibility. Yes, pets are fun, but above all, owning a dog is a responsibility, even if you bought the dog for your kids. You, as the adult in your home, are ultimately responsible for the well being of that dog. And proper dog training ensures a proper emotional and physical well being!

The fist step to dog training is patience. Your dog does not think like you do. You have to teach him what you expect him to do. Consistency goes hand in hand with patience. If you tell your dog to do something, follow through and make sure he does it.

Yelling is never a good dog training technique. Dogs have excellent hearing and yelling only works to heighten any strained energy in the situation. You need to speak in a clear, concise manner, but yelling will not help you.

Make it easy for your dog to do what you want him to do and difficult for him to do what you do not want him to do. For example, if you want him to drink from his water dish, but not from the toilet, keep the toilet lid closed and the water dish in plain site. This seems obvious, but owners often overlook it.

You must ensure that your dog gets daily exercise. This means you need to walk or play with your dog, every single day. This teaches your dog that you are fun and also that he needs to always obey you. Remember, the more time you spend with your dog in a leadership role, the more quickly your dog will realize that he is not the boss of your home.

Remember that dogs read body language faster than they read vocal language. In dog training, have a hand signal that shows your dog what to do, or shows your displeasure. Do not hit your dog, but use your body and hands to insist upon obedience. For example, a firm hold on your dog is a good training technique. It shows your dog that you are the dominant one in the home.

If you need help with dog training, get it! Remember, it is your responsibility and there are classes all over the country to help you train your dog to be the fun, loving companion you have always wanted in your home!

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Dog Training

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

Labels: Dog Training

Make your life and that of your dog a more pleasant journey together by taking time to train them to be good citizens in their environment. You don’t feel up to the task or don’t have time for trial and error? You are not alone. But you want a good mannered dog, so the next step is to find help in the form of a dog trainer. But how do you make sure that you are selecting the right trainer?

Your puppy begins to learn from birth…first from her mother and litter mates then from the breeder (if you have selected a breeder carefully the pup will have invaluable training before she is in your hands) and finally, in short sessions, from you from the moment you bring her home. But when should the formal training begin?

One of the first things to consider is at what age do you begin formal training? A puppy can begin a puppy training class between 9-12 weeks old. This is optimal time to socialize a pup. Prior to classes she should have her first series of vaccinations and Bordatella (kennel cough vaccination) and a negative stool sample. Check with the trainer for additional requirements. You will need vet confirmation. (If the trainer doesn’t ask for it from you, he didn’t ask for it from the other owners. Do you want to expose your dog to those possibilities? This might not be the best choice of trainers.) Also, a trainer will most likely want the puppy to be used to a collar and leash. However this may be something that he is going to teach.

How do you find a trainer? You want to select one who has a good reputation. Fist, ask your vet for recommendations. With any trainer you are considering, talk with people who have actually had pets in the class. A reputable trainer should be able to put you in touch with them. Of course the yellow pages will list people, but check them out thoroughly. Calling one’s self a dog trainer doesn’t necessarily mean that one is well trained.

Determine how long the trainer has been doing this business. Is he a member of any dog training associations? Is he qualified as an evaluator in the American Kennel Club Good Citizen Program? What training does the trainer have? Can the trainer communicate well with you and teach you what you need to know to maintain or extend the training?

You will want to observe a potential trainer in action. One thing to watch for is physical contact. There is no room for negative contact, i.e. hitting or spanking. The result will be a dog that either cowers away from you or becomes aggressive. A dog’s way of saying “stop that” will be to take the hitting hand in her mouth…then she is tagged a vicious dog. The cycle will have begun. How does the trainer discipline the dog? Remember, disapproval of an action should come as the action is happening, not after the fact. Discipline to a dog is denial of attention or denial of reward. Distraction from the poor behavior and guidance into a positive action for which she can receive praise is much more desirable and effective. Corporal punishment has no place in a good trainer’s repertoire. Avoid any trainer who uses negative physical force as a training method.

Watch for positive touching; as a means of reassurance, or to reinforce approval. This is one sign of a good trainer who understands dog behavior. Listen to the tone of voice the trainer uses; is it firm but not harsh and demeaning?

Remember, giving your dog to someone to “fix” is not the solution for good training. You need to be part of the training process. You need to continue to interact with the dog in the home environment and the trainer should be guiding you in that activity.

You may want to go beyond this initial training, perhaps, into a more specialized training such as rescue work or pet therapy. To do this, be sure you know exactly what it is you are expecting from the training and that you have discussed it with the trainer to be certain this is in his area of expertise. If it is not, ask for recommendations for a trainer in that area.

Some types of classes offered are:

1) Puppy Training (up to 5 months old): This may include socialization, walking on a leash without pulling, housetraining, barking abatement…

2) Basic Obedience (at least 5 months old): This is a continuation of puppy training plus common commands such as heel, sit, stay, come, etc. To graduate from basic obedience a dog must pass the 10-item test of the American Kennel Club Good Citizen Program.

3) Advanced Obedience: Do you wish to show your dog in competition? You should definitely continue to the advanced obedience. This doesn’t mean that you should not consider this class even if you do not plan on showing. The additional training will simply result in a nicer, well-behaved companion.

4) Conformation: This is for the dog that is going to be presented in the show ring. It addresses looks and movement in the ring while showing.

5) Agility classes: This can be for fun or for show. The dog loves it and you both get exercise! You don’t want that much exercise? Find a handler. (Wouldn’t this be a great positive activity for a young teenager?)

6) Therapy Dog Training: Dogs are trained and evaluated to provide comfort and companionship to shut-ins. This is a very rewarding activity for you and your dog. (Also, another great activity in which to involve children.)

7) Sport and field dog training usually focuses on a specific kind of activity, such as retrieving or pointing. There are some breeds for which this kind of activity is natural and just needs the proper training. Even if you are not a hunter, the field trials may fantastic fun for the dog!

8) Search and Rescue: If you are interested in this type of training, join an SAR group. They train the dog.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Dog Training

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

Labels: Dog Training

Many rural developments are springing up, developments, which are governed by "home owners' associations". Sometimes these groups insist on a ban of regular fencing because it will mar the beauty of their development. In such cases, some dog owners consider the installation of an invisible fence. Invisible fences consist of underground wires, which will carry a current when a dog wears a collar. The collar will buzz the animal when it gets too close to the fence. The theory is that this will stop the dog and deter him from going further. Sometimes this is effective and sometimes not.

There are certain details, which a property owner should consider before installation of an invisible fence. For one thing, dogs who are long coated may need to have the coat around the neck area shaved so that the electric current can make enough contact with the skin for the dog to feel it. Also, dogs whose bodies are so constructed that they have loose folds of skin (called dewlap) beneath the chin may also have fewer nerve cells in that region and may be less affected by the electrical current. For another thing, there are dogs who are completely unaffected, in other words, they could care less. They may get the shock but it does not matter to them because whatever it is that they want on the other side of the fence motivates them more than the shock deters them. Unless such a dog is trained to respect the boundaries through some other manner, the invisible fence will not matter.

The age at which the dog is introduced to the fence is important. Animal behaviorists recognize that puppies have definite "fear stages" which will occur during certain periods. Usually for most puppies, this is around the eighth week and again around the eighth month of their lives. This theory has been well researched and documented. When a puppy is introduced to the electric or invisible fence, the owner needs to be aware of the puppy's fear stages and whether or not the dog is psychologically ready to accept such a shock. If the puppy is in a fear stage and the breed of the dog is also a breed, which can be quite timid the invisible fence can do more damage than good, traumatizing the puppy so much that he doesn't even want to be outdoors at all. Also, puppies who are naturally quite timid and submissive in their behavior, regardless of their breed, can react in much the same way. When the electric collar is on the puppy, owners must be aware that they should be present to watch for such adverse reactions and step in with positive reinforcement when the dog is stopping before it approaches the "zapping zone" of the electrical current.

There is another side of the picture to consider also. Invisible fences only work for the animal who is wearing the collar. Property owners with such fences often overlook the fact that their yards have no protection against possible predators or such dangers as packs of wild dogs, who have no barrier to cross to enter their property. Small dogs have been known to be attacked by predators who would not have been able to enter the premises if there had been a normal fence preventing their entrance.

In any case, people who are using invisible fences for the containment of their dog need to realize that using such a fence requires some vigilance and some training of the dog or it may not serve its purpose.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dog Training

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

Labels: Dog Training

Command words:

Make your command words have meaning. Dogs have the ability to learn a lot of language. It is important to know that when you begin your obedience program you save certain command words to be used only when the dog is on leash and when you are planning on backing up the command should it fail. The reason being is that you want these words to have a lot of meaning to your dog. If you tell your dog to come while they are off-leash somewhere (before they have been off-leash trained) and they do not come you have just destroyed the meaning of that word to your dog because they know you cannot catch them. You can of course use these command words off-leash after you have completed the obedience program and have a dog that is off-leash trained. But when your dog is just now learning the words they have to have a serious meaning to them.

Bottom line is that if you want your dog to listen to that command you would have had to very consistently made that command have meaning. In order for that command to have meaning you begin to use that word only when they are on-leash and you are doing a training session and teaching them in that moment. Use another word to call your dog to you should you find yourself in the early stages of training and your dog is off-leash but not yet trained well. For example, say something like: "hey pup" to get your dog to come rather then use the word "come" because we are saving that word for use only when we have our dog on-leash to back up the word should they not come. That way, whenever they hear the word "come" they know that that is a serious word that they ALWAYS have to come for, no exceptions.

When we use our command words only for the times that we are going to make sure that command is completed then we have now made those words have a lot of meaning to our dogs.

Commands where you say dogs name first. You always want to say your dogs name to gain their attention onto you before saying the following Commands: (because here you are asking them to do something so you want to gain their attention and keep their name positive)

1. "Sit"

2. "Down" (this is for laying down, not for jumping on you)

3. "Stay"

4. "Come"

For example if your dogs name is Fido, you would say, "Fido, Sit".

Commands you do not say the dogs name first DO NOT say the dogs name when disciplining or trying to stop a behavior because you do not want the dog to associate their name in a negative way:

5. For example...say "Quiet!" When trying to stop barking but do not say name first.

6. Say "Off"! When dog is jumping on you.

7. "Leave it"- use this command for things you NEVER want your dog to take in its mouth.

Adding words to the "No" command.

It is a good idea to add words to your 'no' commands so that you are not only saying the word no. Examples: "No Bite" "No Chew" "No Sniff"

Other Commands:

"Give"- say this command when you want your dog to drop something from their mouth and give to you.

"Release"- this command is used when you are telling your dog it is ok to end their obedience and they can be free until you ask them for something again. This is a very important command because it distinguishes between when they are to be serious and listening to your commands and when the lesson has ended. (I have a whole article on this for you to read on my website: www.webdogtrainer.com)

Dogs can learn many words so keep them challenged by adding more and more. You can give all your dogs' toys, balls, bones, etc. names. When giving your dog the item, make sure you use a name to describe it every time so they can learn it. For example: "Find your chew bone!" "Go get your duck". "Get your ball". "Find your Kong".

Have fun with your dog and teach them lots of language!

Julie Bjelland Lokhandwala is founder of webDogTrainer, LLC. and has created the interactive Online Dog Training Guide and Consultation http://www.webdogtrainer.com

You can ask Julie any dog question!

"Julie had an immediately calming effect on us as dog owners. She can explain the canine perspective and how we as humans can interact with our dog in a positive way, even when disciplining. Julie was super patient with all of our questions and even fielded our email questions after training ended," said Sina and Ed of Fremont, California.

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Labels: Dog Training

Dogs are man’s best friends. When you ultimately made that big decision to own a dog, you expected it to provide you companionship, be a pleasure to show off to your friends and just plainly be a joy to own. So off you go to the pet shop, choose a dog that catches your attention and bring him (or her) home.

But then, the horror begins. The dog you brought home seems to be anything but the adorable creature you expected it to be. His (or her) behavior is terribly unpredictable and can even be downright embarrassing at times. The dog you brought home to provide you companionship just sits around at the corner of your home, seemingly bored at the things happening around him (or her).

So you read all the books and even went to a dog training class to teach your dog a thing or two about obedience, but you still get no good results. This may lead you to think there is something inherently wrong with your dog. Is he (or she) just plain lazy, hardheaded or a little bit slow in the head?

Have you considered its lineage? Some breeds of dogs are simply not born to be followers; making them naturally hard to train.

Have you taken an honest look at your self and your training style? Are you observing the proper dog training techniques? It would be a good idea to make sure that you do, to make both of your lives easier and to make your dog training sessions an enjoyable and fruitful experience for both of you. To help you make your training sessions easier, here is a list of the most commonly committed dog training mistakes. Please avoid them at all costs.

•Not giving enough rewards during the training - Providing treats is one indispensable part of dog training. It gives your dog enough motivation to continue following your commands satisfactorily. However, some dog owners shun this idea. They simply do not want to provide treats during their dog training sessions because they feel that they would not retain authority if ever they do so. They believe that it is the dog’s role to follow their commands and giving them treats would be like bribing them.

•Being too controlling - Some owners simply have a “control” problem and can be quite overbearing, nagging and perfectionist during their dog training sessions. If you happen to be one of these control freaks and you own a hard-to-train dog, you can expect to be in for a very hard time!

•Being a training fanatic - Training your dogs too often, or repeating the same exercises over and over again, may bore him (or her). This is especially true when you own an independent dog, one that was simply not bred to obey his master’s commands. Among these are dogs that belong to the non-sporting, terrier and hound breeds.

•Not giving attention to the dog’s emotions - Some owners neglect to give enough attention to their dog’s feelings during their training sessions. This can be a major problem indeed! Especially during training, it is important to consider how your dog is feeling to get the most out of your efforts. So whenever you observe his (or her) reluctance in doing the exercises, if you notice excessive yawning or that your dog simply refuses to look at you, it may be best to stop and let it loose for a while. Your dog might already be tired or bored from all that physical exertion!

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Dog Training

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Labels: Dog Training

I had to train my chocolate lab because he is allowed to walk freely with me on my neighborhood walks. I decided to try shock collars. I started out with an inexpensive model that had a range of about 300 feet and had seven levels of sensitivity.

The literature that came with the product describes the shock that is delivered as something like static electricity. I accidentally shocked myself one day and that is exactly what it is. The sensation you feel is just like the static electricity you get on a cold dry day. It is mildly unpleasant as you know if you have experience touching someone and receiving the shock from static electricity.

I used this to train my dog to listen to me when I gave a command and it made the training much easier. I have since graduated to a model that had 15 levels of stimulation as well as a tone which only the dog can hear and delivers no stimulation. You can also set the tone to sound when you deliver the stimulation so the dog with the shock collar anticipates the stimulation when you use the tone only feature.

I have two labs and whenever we go on our walks they are free to roam but the dog training shock collars bring them back quickly if they venture to far or other people or animals are approaching. Most of the time I don't even deliver any stimulation and just use the tone. Actually just putting the collar on turned off is very effective in a lot of cases especially if there are no other dogs to chase. The dogs are well trained now and the only reason I even use the collar is just in case the cat or squirrel runs by.

If you want to know more about training your dog or if you want to find a good source of dog training shock collars and other training advice, visit my web page. It is filled with articles and advice on dogs. The links to pet supplies is just to the left of Finn's picture. Have a good day! I am a Board Certified Ophthalmologist who has been in practice for 30 years. You are welcome to visit my website. If you have any problems finding what you are looking for, please use my Site Search.

http://www.eyedoctornewsletter.com/dogtraining

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Labels: Dog Training

When training a dog for a true trailing dog to be used in the area of search and rescue there must be a definite understanding that you are NOT training for an A.K.C. title. Often the attainment of an A.K.C. title has nothing to do with following human scent nearly as often as it has to do with following the requirements that the handler sets up for the dog. Also, the motivation usually is pieces of hot dog which are laid on the track by the person who "sets" or "lays" the track.

A person training a dog for trailing must learn first the theory of scent and skin rafts; that a human being will constantly drop skin cells and that these cells form a "raft" which will drift with the wind and fall to the ground as the person moves. It is this trail of skin cells, which the trailing dog must be trained to follow. How and where the skin cells land on the surrounding vegetation or surface will determine how and where the trailing dog will locate the scent. The length of time that the scent may be picked up by the dog will depend on the quality of the training and the natural abilities of the dog, along with the effects of weather on the trail. The other requirement for successfully training a trailing dog is that the handler motivates the dog so that he will not deviate from the trail under any circumstance.

A person training a dog for a tracking title is not concerned with the life and death scenario of a true search "mission" but rather is concerned with the attainment of a title, which can only be earned by following a prescribed "track" which has been laid in a specific manner for the dog. Training for this title often involves the use of hot dog pieces laid in the track of the human, thus encouraging the dog to follow the exact foot impressions on the ground.

A person who is training a dog for certification as a "trailing dog" in the search and rescue area recognizes that the dog MUST be motivated to follow the trail of the rafts of skin to the source. The use of food, if used at all, must be limited to a reward after the trail is correctly followed. The major emphasis on training the trailing dog must be one of setting up many many different scenarios and using many different "victims", all the while recognizing that the task of the handler is to learn to recognize how the dog is reading the trail and to train the dog to identify the trail correctly through scent discrimination.

The best motivation is without a doubt the strong desire to find a human and the old standby from the beginning for this type of motivation is the "puppy runaway" which has been the basis for the training of search dogs for many many years. The difference between training an area wilderness search dog and a scent discrimination trailing dog is simply that the dog's exposure to air scenting is limited as much as possible during his early training. The human's task is to learn to "read" the dog and also to discover how the wind carries and distributes the skin cells and lastly but most importantly to motivate the dog throughout the training to want to follow the trail to its source.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dog Training

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Labels: Dog Training

I can feel your frustration! Your dog does his business on your new carpet. He rips your unread newspaper apart and then uses it as padding for his nap. You're outside with your dog. It's time to go in so you call to him and he just stands there with that 'you talking to me' look! You're afraid to be in public with him because you can't trust him around people. Oh yea, I can feel your frustration with these problems and more.

I then came across this great dog and puppy training book SitStayFetcth. I was very impressed with the quantity and quality of the training methods in the book. Cutting-edge methods which are actually easy to learn and in short time you'll be training your dog like the professional trainers do. No more ripped newspapers and he'll come when you call him, and you'll be comfortable in public with him, etc. Plenty of photos to help you with these methods. There are also videos available.

So what's your dog's problem? Too aggressive? Disobedient? It doesn't matter what the problem is or what kind of dog you have or its age. You don't need to go to a professional dog trainer and spend a lot of money if you don't want to because you will learn all of the secrets that they use. Fix any dog behavior problem yourself with these easy to learn methods.

What also impressed me about this book is all the information they give you besides the dog and puppy training methods. They go beyond the training knowing that besides you wanting an obedient dog you also want a healthy and happy dog. You and your dog will have fun together while teaching him tricks like rolling over, crawling, shake hands, and even climb a ladder, etc. You'll know about all of the illness concerns of dogs and also what you must know before you choose a Vet. Homemade recipes you can use for a healthier dog. No need to buy separate books-you get it all here.

You even get personal help by email for any problem with your dog and through the member's forum, not to mention the large list of bonus books you get. They truly over-deliver on what you get for the small price. You can try it out with a FREE 6 day mini-course of selected training methods. That sure helped me make up my mind.

This review can't possibly give you all of the numerous benefits that are in the book but after checking out other books, I found this book to be the best and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

For more information please visit some of my sites dog training tips and dog training help

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Labels: Dog Training

Easily learn to train your dog at home even if you know how important dog training is to your dog, you may not always feel like it is practical. The first part of dog training is to teach your dog to sit. The next part of dog training is to teach your dog to stay. The world of pet training is diverse and complex, and many different training methods exist. My am is to point you in the right direction and avoid my mistakes in dog training.

The key to any goal is to just get started. Even if you’re wrong at least you’re starting to do something. Start out by keeping eye contact with the dog. Start a feeding and exercise schedule, and stick with it. If you are an inexperienced dog trainer, dog obedience may be a good start for you. I just didn’t have the schedule that allowed me to get dog training in. You can then go a step further and use hand signals to act as the commands. Keep looking and trying different dog training techniques until you find the one that works. The important part is just start something!

Pet education may be used to carry out many of your dog's fundamental needs like exercise and social interaction. Crate training is an important aspect in dog training. Crate training your dog is a crucial part of dog guidance and should be done with patience and care. Crate training a dog can be one of the most beneficial aspects of successful instruction. The crate should become a comfort zone, and should be used consistently when leaving or sleeping.

Dog training is the process of teaching a dog to exhibit certain desired behaviors in specific circumstances. Dog education is very important for many reasons. Proper dog training is one of the most important aspects of owning a well adjusted pet. The goal of dog training is to empower the owner with the skills. Good dog training will lead towards teamwork with their dog to resolve any current behavioral issues that exist today and the knowledge of what to do for any future challenges that may arise. Pet training is not a regulated industry and it's difficult to know which dog trainer to choose. I failed miserably at finding the correct dog training techniques. See what turned me to the dark side of dog training manuals. I give “no holds bared” review that you should read before you spend one dime on dog education.

Demosthenes Damon is an article writer and dog lover. To learn more about his the reviews of dog training products please visit http://www.dogbookdoubter.com/ or click Dog Training

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Labels: Dog Training

There are so many different things that everyone should know, when it comes to dog training and actually doing something that works. Many people tend to have so many misconceptions about dog training and it is a great deal of the reason as to why so many dogs run around untrained and misbehaving for their owners. One mistake that is constantly made by dog owners is, punishing the dog in order to teach them. This will only get you so far and for the most part you will just be talking to yourself because you will not get the response from your dog that you had hoped for. The only way to get a dog to listen to your commands or to pay any attention to you at all is to get to know your dog and show them that they can trust in you right from the start.

Many owners think that spanking their or yelling at their dog is the only way to ever get them to listen and this just could not be more incorrect. Rewards, praise and the right kind of dog training, for whatever it is that you are trying to teach them, is the best way to get the results that you had been hoping for and really the only way, other than just hiring a professional dog trainer to take over the training of your dog.

The dog owners out there that are just doing things all wrong are usually the ones that just end up giving up on the entire thought of trying to actually train them, which is not going to get them anywhere. The best thing that you could do, as the dog owner, would be to really consider picking up some dog training books for yourself because in these types of books you will be able to find out about all different types of dog training techniques and what works, as well as what does not work for any dog out there. The amount of knowledge that you will gain from reading over these types of books should be enough to make it possible for you to learn how to train them properly and the techniques should end up working.

Another important thing to keep in mind when trying to get into dog training any dog is to never, under any circumstances, ever over train your dog. Spend just a limited amount of time in each day, working on some of the different dog training techniques that you have learned from doing the research and then just leave it at that, until the next day anyway. If you try and do too many different things with your dog, all in one day, your chances of it actually being a success are just very, very small. Just try and stick to a routine, just like you would with children, this is truly the best way to become successful at dog training any dog out there, no matter what the situation is.

Professional engineer in the IT industry

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Labels: Dog Training

You just got a new puppy and now comes the fun part - the training. Don't get nervous. It isn't all that bad. As a matter of fact training your new puppy can be quite fun. You can either do it yourself or find a professional dog trainer to help you with the process. Just be sure they use humane training methods that are not harmful to the dog. With so many people claiming to be experts in the field of professional dog training, however, trying to find one who's qualified can be a tricky task.

Dog training class is supposed to be fun. Think of it as a social activity helping to shape your dog into a well-behaved, safe, and valued member of the family. It's also another reasons why it is so important to find a dog trainer and training class environment which fits your budget and needs. For more information on choosing this subject, follow some of these steps to finding a one that works for you as well as your dog:

* Look online for training methods and trainers and familiarize yourself with all the different kinds. What types of training are there and what will work best for you and your dog? Be sure you are comfortable with the methods you plan on going with. Outside of class, you'll be required to practice the training methods with your dog and if you're not comfortable with them, you won't do it. So needless to say, research is important.

* It's ok to ask your dog trainer where they learned how to train dogs and how long. Did they go to school for it or is it something they learned on their own? There is nothing wrong with hiring trainer new to the field provided they have the right certification for it. Sometimes hiring an experienced trainer isn't an automatic good decision. Most of these dog trainers have never updated their training methods and these poor techniques become ingrained as they are repeated over many years.

* The trainer you decide to work with should have one or more certifications or at least a few different professional affiliations. It doesn't mean that you can't hire someone if they don't but it is recommended as a sign of their professionalism. You want a trainer that has spent the time and put forth the hard work to thought enough of his reputation to get their credentials. It shows that they have a set of standards they live by. Some of the more common affiliations you should keep an eye out for are a membership in the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Certified Pet Dog Trainer from CCPDT, National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors, or International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

* If you know anyone who uses a one now, ask them who they would recommend or see if their trainer could. There is nothing that says trust more than an endorsement from clients or others in the same field. It shows that someone is established, and is a known quantity in his profession.

* If you know of a trainer who teaches group classes, see about stopping by without your dog to observe a class or two. You may get a good feel for how that trainer uses their methods.

For further stories like this be sure to check the countless cheap magazines available for purchase at Magsforless at www.magsforless.com. They sell over 75 different magazine subscriptions with hundreds of other subjects to choose from.

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Labels: Dog Training

So you're bringing a new canine companion into your home, and you want everything to be ready for his arrival. If you're planning on training your dog (and you should definitely plan on it!), you'll need to add some extremely important items to your new dog or puppy checklist. What follows are several training equipment checklists, broken into two categories for your convenience, with advice on what to get and why.

For Housebreaking/Crate Training

The crate:

Mountable water dish:

Washable bedding

Chew toys:

Carpet/Wood-Safe Cleaning Products:

A Baby Gate:

For Basic Obedience Training

A Training Lead:

A comfortable, quality collar:

If you can teach yourself how to properly use one, a "slip collar" can be a valuable asset in training sessions. If you don't take the time to talk to a trainer or read a book on dog training, however, it can be the exact opposite of an asset. If you do decide to use a slip collar, make sure you purchase one where the metal links are set very close together so as to avoid pinching. Also make sure that it is never left on the dog outside of training sessions, and don't allow children or inexperienced dog handlers to work with the dog while he is wearing the slip collar. For most dogs learning their basic obedience, a regular nylon or leather collar will work just fine. As with the leash, make sure the collar is of quality construction, and make sure it fits. It should be tight enough to stay around the dog's neck and not slip up over his head when tugged on, but loose enough for you to fit two fingers beneath.

Healthy, bite-sized treats:

Since you'll probably be dispensing a number of treats during training sessions, try to get treats that are as healthy as possible and either come in or can be torn into bite-sized pieces. A perennial favorite for dog trainers everywhere are liver treats and "dog jerky," both of which are available at most pet stores.

A quiet place:

A quiet place will be one of your biggest assets in training your dog. Be it a spare bedroom, your backyard, or an empty plot of land, make sure your dog's "classroom" is guaranteed to be free from distractions and that people know not to bother you when you are working with the dog in your chosen area. The fewer furnishings, external noises, and interesting smells, the better!

While this list may be nowhere near comprehensive, we're confident we've covered all the basic materials you'll need to help your dog become an upstanding canine citizen and impressively well-mannered member of the family. Enjoy this exciting new journey you're about to embark upon!

While you may choose for your dog's training lead and his regular leash to be the same thing, you need to make sure that the lead you use for obedience training meets some basic criteria. For starters, the lead should be 6 feet long and made of a sturdy, but lightweight material. A flat leather leash works best, but a good quality nylon lead should work fine, too. Just avoid using a chain leash (far too heavy and noisy), a leash so cheap the stitching looks as though it will unravel with the slightest tug, or a a retractable leash that can be difficult to maneuver during training sessions and might intimidate the dog. Make sure that the leash will be comfortable to hold for long periods of time and that the handle end is solidly constructed.

While your dog is being housebroken, you'll need a way to confine him in an easy-to-clean area such as the kitchen or a room with a hardwood or tile floor. An adjustable baby gate is one of the best ways to do this. They're relatively cheap, easy to set up and take down, and they're a great way to keep your dog confined to a single area without making him feel as though he's missing out on all the action. Despite your best efforts, your dog will, at some point, have an accident in the house. Your best defense against stains and odors is to clean the area immediately. For both hard surfaces and carpeting, use paper towels or highly absorbent bath towels to thoroughly soak up as much of the urine as you can. For feces, simply scoop it up in a paper towel and toss it, then use clear water to rinse the spot, soaking up the water with a clean towel.

If there's still a spot, use a stain and odor remover formulated especially for pet problems (can be found at any pet supply store). When housebreaking a puppy, it's always a good rule of thumb to carry a roll of paper towels wherever you go, especially as very young puppies are often unable to hold their bladders when they're excited or frightened. Don't worry, though. Dog urine is an overall odorless liquid. Soaking it up and rinsing the area with clear water almost always proves effective, and you need not worry about using any harsher, more specialized products.Provide plenty of safe, sturdy chew toys to keep your dog entertained while he is crated. Avoid any toys that have plastic eyeballs or noses that could be torn off and swallowed, and avoid toys that have internal squeakers or filled toys like Beanie Babies.

If you're not looking for a mess, steer clear of fluff-filled stuffed animals Some good, no-fuss choices for the crated dog are rawhide bones, rubber Kong toys, and rope chews. Kongs, especially, come in a variety of sizes and have a hollow core that can be stuffed with peanut butter or treats that will keep your pet occupied for hours.: Don't overload the crate with bedding, but make sure that there's enough soft, comfortable material in the bottom of the crate to ward off drafts and keep your dog's bones and joints from getting sore. A good idea is to line the bottom of the crate with newspaper and then place the bedding on top of the paper. That way, if there is an accident (either spilled water or urination), you won't have to deal with a sloshy crate bottom. Of course, make sure that the bedding will stand up to many washings-old bath towels work great, as do sheepskin pads made specifically for crates. If the crate you buy does not come with one, you'll need to get a small water dish that can be mounted to the interior of the crate, either on the wire (for a collapsible metal crate) or on the door (for an "airline kennel").

The water dish will not always be in the crate, but it should be available if your dog is to be crated for more than two or three hours at a time.Choose either a metal collapsible crate (make sure it has a solid, removable "pan" for a bottom or a sturdy plastic "airline kennel." If you're getting a puppy, make sure that the crate is large enough for him to grow into somewhat, but know that you may eventually have to replace the crate once your puppy has reached his full adult size. The crate should be large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around in, but no larger. This is because you'll need the entire crate to act as a bed for the dog, as dogs instinctively shy away from soiling their sleeping space. Treating a crate solely as a sleeping space will automatically help train your dog to "hold it."

About The Author: Barry S. Mcgee is a pet enthusiast. His site at: http://www.squidoo.com/puppyanddogtraining covers all areas of dog training.

For answers to all your puppy and dog training questions, please visit: http://www.squidoo.com/puppyanddogtraining

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Labels: Dog Training

Training Dog Collars are have long been known to be one of the most effective ways to train your dog; which makes it the top contender for anyone wanting to have their pet trained. Training collars offer anyone a humane pet friendly method of training their dogs. They come in a variety of and sizes and types and are relatively inexpensive.

Dog Collar Training?

Pet Training is an ongoing process like building a fire. It has to be done the right way and with a little bit of care and patience. Training collars can be uses as an aid to add reinforcement to training commands, signals and obedience. They also help dogs to change their undesirable natural behavior and to learn to perform to what their owner's expect.

If you are looking to self-train your dog the proper way, then training collars are the perfect tools for coaching a variety of training methods. The can be used for basic obedience training, advanced training, and even sport dog training.

Side-Bar => Training should be both motivational and balanced in order for your dog to learn the optimal.

Buying Training Collars

A proper collar fit is one of the many insider secrets professional dog trainers keep behind their closed doors. When considering buying a training collar, try finding one which fits your dog's neck snuggly. The more expensive and branded training collars are usually covered by a one to two-year manufacturer's warranty.

Dog training collars are a great investment to have if you plan to save money by self-training your dog. Collars make sure that your unruly and unpredictable dog is kept under control for the future.

Training dog collars are simple, easy to use and aids maximum productivity from minimum effort. Training your dog will ultimately make both your "best friend" and you more contented. A little elbow greases and patience often results with vivid rewards as time goes by. So give it a try and Start your Dog Collar Training Today!

Jeremy C.W write information articles for websites such as DogCrateTraining.net and DogNpuppies.com. For more Training Dog Collars Articles, please visit TrainingDogCollars.com for your dose of Dog Collar Secrets Today!

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Labels: Dog Training

When it comes to dog training there are two differing sides of opinion when it comes to dogs and their digging habits. Firstly, many dog trainers think that a dog is a dog, and we should permit him to express his true canine nature by allowing him free reign over the yard and flowerbeds. The other dog training experts feel that a flowerbed is a flowerbed, and no dog should even think about expression his dogginess if such an expression comes at the price of a ruined flowerbed.

Most leading training experts favor the middle ground. Although many dogs do love to dig, and it is healthy for them to be permitted to dig once in a while, there's a difference between allowing your dog to express their inner puppy, and allowing him to run rampant in the backyard. No dog training professional would agree that a dog should have to come at the price of a garden, and vice versa. When if comes to dog training, flowers and dogs can coexist peacefully if you train your dog correctly. If your dog's developed a taste for digging, it will just take a bit of time, and some ingenuity, on your part to resolve the dog training problem satisfactorily.

To start with, if you have yet to adopt a dog and your concern for the fate of your garden is purely hypothetical, consider the breed of dog that you would like. If you've got your eye on a specific mixed-breed dog, what aspect of his mixed dog heritage seems to be the most prominent?

Dog breed often plays a significant role in any given dog's personal opinion of digging as a rewarding and valuable dog pastime - many terriers and Nordic breeds in particular (Huskies, Malamutes, some members of the Spitz family for example) seem to particularly enjoy digging.

Every dog training expert will, of course, say that when you get right down to the sum and substance, every dog is first and foremost an individual, and there's no real way to predict whether or not your chosen four legged friend is going to be a burrower or not. However, if you're trying to reduce the likelihood of an involuntarily-landscaped garden as much as possible, It is suggested you stay away from all breeds of terrier (and for those that did not know, the name means 'go to earth', after all!) and the Nordic breeds.

Why do dogs dig?

Dog training professionals often agree on the following reasons, and they are in no particular order, as to why a dog will dig:

* General Lack of exercise. Digging is a good way for a hyped-up, under-exercised dog to burn off some of their nervous energy.

* Boredom. Bored dogs will find a 'job' to do, something rewarding and interesting, to help the time pass by.

* Digging is often the ideal solution for a bored dog: it gives him a sense of purpose, and distracts him from an otherwise-empty day.

* The need for broader horizons. Some dogs are just escape artists by nature - no matter how much exercise and attention they get, it's nearly impossible to confine them to an area. For a Doggy-Houdini, it's not the digging itself that is the reward, it is the wonderful unknown that exists beyond the boundaries they were confined to and dogs love to explore a world of unfamiliar scents.

* Separation anxiety. Often when a dog is seriously pining for your company, digging under those confining walls represents the most direct path to you. Separation anxiety is an unpleasant psychological issue relatively common among dogs - but because it's so complex, we won't be dealing with it in this article but keep an eye out because I will be writing about that in detail in another article.

Dog training experts agree that most of the reasons contributing to your dog's desire to dig suggest their own solutions. If your dog's not getting enough exercise (generally speaking, at least forty-five minutes worth of vigorous walking per day), take him for more walks it will help you and your dog stay fit and healthy. If your dog is bored, give him some interesting and durable toys and chews to play with during your absence, and wear him out before you leave so he spends most of the day napping. As for an escape-artist dog, they might need to be crated, or at least kept inside the house where he's less likely to be able to break out of his or her confines.

For those dogs who just like to dig as a pastime in itself, though, here are a few basic dog training tips for controlling inappropriate excavation as much as is reasonably possible:

* Restrict your dog's access to the area concerned. This is the most effective thing you can do: if he's never in the yard without active supervision, there's no opportunity for digging his own personal tunneling system.

* Use a natural deterrent. Almost all dogs will shy back, horrified, from the prospect of digging anywhere that there's dog poop. Even the ones who like to eat poop (a condition known as coprophagia) generally won't dig anywhere near it as it offends their basic natural, fastidious dislike of soiling their coat and paws.

* Use nature's own protection. If the continued digging is bothering you because it's upsetting the more delicate blooms in your garden, plant hardier blossoms: preferably, those with deep roots and thorny defenses. Roses are ideal and a natural deterrent.

* A more time-consuming, but super-effective way of dog training is to roll up the first inch or two of turf in your yard, and lay down chicken-wire underneath it. Your dog won't know it is there until he's had a few tries at digging, but once he's convinced himself that it's pointless (which won't take long), he'll never dig in that yard again. As we say, time consuming but very, very effective.

Accept your dog's need for an outlet, give him a place to dig

If your dog is set on tunneling your yard into a pot marked, grassless lunar landscape, but you're equally determined to prevent this from happening at all costs, take a moment to consider before embarking on a grueling and time-consuming preventative strategy.

Setting yourself the goal of eradicating all digging behavior, period, is pretty unrealistic. It is not fair on you (since, really, you're setting yourself up for failure), and it's not really fair on your poor dog either. If he's a natural-born digging machine, it's just part of his personality, and he needs at least some opportunity to express that in some form.

But a lawn and a dog don't have to be mutually exclusive. The most humane and understanding thing for you to do in this case is simply to redirect his digging energy where you can live with it and he can love you for it.

The simplest dog training solution in this case is allocating him an area where he's allowed to dig as much as he pleases. Once this zone's been established, you can make it understood that there is to be absolutely no digging in the rest of the garden, and you can enforce your rules with a clear conscience. As set these boundaries you know your dog now has his own little corner of the world to turn upside down and inside out as he chooses and all parties are happy.

But what if you don't have a "spare corner" of the backyard for your little digger to call his own? What if the whole thing, grass, flowerbeds, and gravel path, is just too dear to your heart? This is ok, there is a solution to this as well. You can invest in a sandbox, which you can place anywhere in the garden.

You can even make one yourself (the deeper, the better, obviously). Fill it with a mixture of sand and earth, and put some leaves or grass on top if you like for effect and get your dog interested in it by having a scratch around yourself, until he gets the idea.

Ensuring the boundaries are clear

One great dog training tip is to make it clear to him that the sandbox is OK but that everywhere else is a no-dig zone, spend a little time supervising him. When he starts to dig in the box (you can encourage this by shallowly burying a few choice marrowbones in there), praise him energetically - and if he starts digging anywhere else, correct him straight away with an extended finger or hand command and state a firm "No!" or "ahh-ah-ahhhh".

Then, redirect him immediately to the sandbox, and dole out vociferous praise when digging recommences.

To really clarify the lesson, give him a treat when digging gets underway in the sandbox - the close proximity between the correction (for digging out of the sandbox) and praise/reward (for digging in the sandbox) will ensure that your point strikes home and you will have dog training success.

If you like this article, you will find much more useful dog training information on our website Dog Training Success where you will find useful tips, tricks and an amazing guide that will help you train your four legged friend with immediate results. No matter what your dogs problem there is a solution and this fantastic training guide will show you how to handle each and every situation in detail. Can you afford not to find our more? Click Here Now

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Labels: Dog Training

One interest I always had was training dogs with or without behavioural problems. When I was a baby in arms my family always had a relatively large dog. Maybe it just seemed like that because I was so small back then. Sometimes our dogs had behavioural problems such as excessive barking, jumping up and running wild. The first I remember was Floss, a sheepdog who was a really exciting fellow indeed. He was predominantly white with some black and tan highlights thrown in for distraction.

Anyway when I was eleven years old and was on summer vacation from school the whole family went to my Mother's home place in rural Ireland for a the summer months. One day while on my regular rounds around the local town visiting cousins friends and acquaintances didn't I hear the barking of what I discovered to be a lovely dog. He was an Irish red setter. Wow, I thought, I would love that fine looking dog. His name was Bruno and was owned by the local police sergeant. To my utter surprise it turned out that sergeant Lowery was willing to sell the barking dog and within thirty minutes of spotting the lovely dog I had arranged to buy him for six pounds. My first ever serious purchase. Wow, I was delighted.

I now had to run home to tell my parents whom to my dismay seemed to take the news as though I was always as entitled as the next to conduct such negotiations without question. I was concerned that they would be concerned as regards strange dog's behavioral problems. But no there was no such concern. I do seem to remember having to arrange an advance on my pocket money or some such issue. But it was sure worth it to have such a fine dog, and all the family seemed very happy with the new addition to the household. I remember wondering how the dog knew that he was mine. He took to me so well and also I to him. I was the master and he was my new companion. I surely was proud.

I remember even my Father deciding that he better bring the dog home to Dublin ahead of the rest of us just to settle him in at home before we all returned for the new school term. Of course it was just that Dad wanted to be first to sport the new great dog around the parish in view of all the jealous locals. Dad was proud of the new addition too. That was easy to tell. By the time I got home to Dublin that September Dad had changed the dogs name from Bruno to Bran, saying that that was a more fitting name for a mature looking dog. I think my Dad didn't like the dog's name to remind him of the like named pipe tobacco regularly advertised on TV. He was always very anti smoking.

Anyway no sooner did I settle back to city life then I started to train Bran to my liking. Sit, lie down, stay, fetch, heel and sit up were the commands that I centered on. Bran was more than happy to oblige. He was so happy to be told what I wanted him to do and also he was happier to understand each different order. Eventually he literally went on the jumping through hoola hoops. I know that is not what the inventor intended for his novel product but I found a new purpose for it.

Of course I took to dog training my dogs like a duck to water. Since those days I have always had one or more dogs. Since then I can list an Irish Red Setter, a Doberman, an Afghan Hound and also, what is now my favourite breed of all, a number of German Shepard dogs. German Shepards are so keen to learn to please their master by obeying their every command. Actually nearly every breed of dog is that way inclined, if treated well by responsible owners.

Dogs can start of by having behavioral problems. But if such behavioral problems are caught early by understanding masters and owners, then there is no problem in the long run. I really enjoyed training my dogs to behave in an ideal manner and advice on such matters is always an advantage. A properly behaved and responsive dog is worth its weight in gold. A properly trained dog is a great personal asset as regards companionship and security. And remember that owning a dog is a very real responsibility.

Mort O Kelly, Dublin, Ireland has had experience in training his own dogs for more than thirty years. Why not go and check out Mort's dog's website at: http://woofwoofblog.com

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Labels: Dog Training