By Emma Everson

It is always better to opt to train your dog personally, though there is nothing wrong with hiring a professional dog trainer to handle the task. Here are some strategies to get you started on the right path. Body and Hand control can be of great value to use body and hand movements as signals, but you must be conscious of their useful application.

You can later minimise these signals or cut them out when no longer needed. A lot of repetitions and praising your dog each time he does it right will reap results. Use of Food as Reward should never be used in place of other forms of reward or encouragement, but rather to back up or reinforce encouragement and praise.

A dog is used to being allowed outside when he whines at the door, but is suddenly no longer allowed out when he whines. Dog training can be quite a challenge, but if you follow the tips here, the task will be much easier. If he does something you like and you know he loves a belly rub, then fuss over him while you rub his belly, telling him that good dogs get their bellies rubbed.

“positive”, “negative”, “reinforcement” and “punishment” are technical terms that scientists use when discussing Operant Conditioning.

“Positive” means to add something. We add the reward, or add the punishment. By contrast, “Negative” means to take something away. We take away the reward, or take away the unpleasant stimulus.

“Reinforcement” is when we increase or maintain behavior. The behavior happens more often, more intensely, for longer periods, or it continues to happen without reducing in frequency, intensity or duration. By contrast, “Punishment” is when we decrease or eliminate behavior using consequence. We reduce the frequency, intensity or duration of the behavior.

For a greater insight into training your dog why not take a look at "How To Train Your Dog In One Evening".

My name is Emma Everson and I specialize in providing dog training solutions. I have been training dogs for 20 years and have researched extensively in all areas of dog behavior. How To Train Your Dog In One Evening is an outstanding collection of dog training secrets for training your dog quickly, it has entries from experts who collectively have 80 years experience, from Police dog handlers and show dog trainers to veterinary technicians.

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Labels: Dog Training

By Pam Mitchell

I have had many dogs in my life time and one thing I can day is true is that a dog that is not trained is hard to keep. It is extremely frustrating when you own a dog and they are not well behaved, they are not house trained and they don;t know any tricks. You can't let them inside because they will make a mess by getting into everything and anything they can get into and they will defecate on your floor.

When I was young my parents never had the time to train our dogs. My siblings and I weren't quite sure how to train our dogs. We taught them a few basic tricks that they would perform once in a while if they felt like they wanted a treat, but that was the extent of their performance. We weren't quite sure how to house train our dogs so they stayed outside most of the time. The outside made them a little more wild than if they would have been kept inside. They started running away for a few days once in a while. Eventually they would run away for longer and longer periods of time and eventually they ran away and never came back. This is the reason why I decided to train the dog I have now.

Dog training is truly fantastic. It's amazing that you can get a puppy that doesn't have any behaviour training and "relieves" themself anywhere they want to having a dog that is so well behaved that not only can they do tricks, but they can make your life easier. For example if I want to sit down and relax after a hard day and I can't find the remote, I trained my dog so that he will bring me the remote if I am to lazy to find it. It also feels good having a dog that doesn't run up to people, bark and scare them when we go on walks.

I highly recommend taking the time to train your dog. With all the online books about dog training, it's really not that difficult and does not take a lot of time and effort. Plus it is great having a dog that knows how to behave themselves and can come inside your house without you having to worry.

For a review on the same ebook (electronic book) I used to train my dog go to http://trainapup.blogspot.com

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

Labels: Dog Behavior, Dog Training, Dog Trix

By Jim McKiel

In this article we will discuss behavioral training for the newest member of your family.

Obedience training was discussed in an earlier article titled "Obedience Training for Your New Puppy". It has been shown that obedience training is very important for a puppy and behavioral training is just as important. In some puppy/dog training camps, behavioral training is considered to be training a puppy/dog to be "good" or "well behaved". In other training camps, behavioral training is considered to be "correcting a puppy/dogs bad behavior". For the sake of arguments, we will describe behavioral training in this article as training a puppy or dog to be well behaved as in house training and good manners when around people and other animals.

One of the very first training sessions will be house training. You want your puppy to do his business outside. If you are committed to this training, you can have a puppy housebroken in as little as three weeks. There may be a mistake now and again but the main process will be complete and the puppy will be going outside to do his business in the yard. A crate for the puppy to sleep in will aid in his house training and also protect him/her when you are unable to closely observe the puppy. Put your puppy on a feeding schedule and make sure you take them outside as soon as they are finished eating. Talk to them and praise them when they relieve themselves outside. If they do have an accident inside, tell them "no" sternly and take them outside immediately. Do not punish them for any accidents inside but praise them abundantly when they relieve themselves outside. Make sure you regulate their food and water before bedtime and take them outside before putting them in the crate for the night. Be consistent and determined in your training and it will pay off.

Training your dog not to jump up on people is a must. Teach them the correct way to greet people when they are small so you don't have a 90 pound dog jumping up on grandmother or anyone else who visits your home. Many people are frightened of large dogs because a large dog can cause injury if they jump up on people. One way to train a puppy not to jump up on people is to keep the puppy on a leash when someone comes to your house. Step on the leash so the puppy can't jump up as you open the door or greet the visitors. Command the puppy to sit (they can't do much else with you standing on the leash) and when he/she does reward them with a treat or pat on the head. Have a friend or relative practice with you and the puppy until they realize that if they sit when someone arrives, they will be rewarded. If he/she does try to jump up on the visitor, reprimand in a stern loud voice and start over. Never hit the puppy or yell at him/her.

Do not let your puppy or dog on the couch or bed unless you plan to let them on the furniture at all times. An animal doesn't understand that they can sleep on the bed or couch only on certain days or certain times. It is very unfair to them to let them do something on one day but refuse them the same privilege on another day. Make up your mind what the rules are before enforcing them with your puppy or dog. It is much easier to train a little bundle of fur not to get on the furniture then a big 120 pound Rottweiler who happens to like sleeping on your bed or couch. Consistency is the key.

Behavioral training will be an on going process just like obedience training. Yes, your puppy will learn the basics and yes they will still remember these as adult dogs but there may be new situations which the animal faces and new rules for the animal to learn. Also, the obedience training the puppy/dog receives will cross over to behavioral training. Sometimes the difference in the training is miniscule. You can not have a well behaved dog that is not obedient and an obedient dog will be well behaved.

Jim McKiel lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife Doris and their pet family members Buddy and Buster. They have devoted their lives to the betterment of pet ownership. For more information, visit LargeBreedFamilyDogs

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

Labels: Dog Behavior, Dog Training

By Carol Matthews

Best selling author Lisa Scottoline has four Golden Retrievers and one Welsh Corgi. She writes about them like this, "When you have a house full of Goldens, you think to yourself, You know, we need a dog". And which dog causes all the trouble in her home? The Corgi. Which dog literally ate part of her finger? The Corgi. Which dog is on doggy Prozac? The Corgi.

This shows the big contrast between Golden Retriever temperaments and the temperaments of most other dog breeds. Although every dog is an individual, for the most part Golden Retrievers are calm, trainable and submissive. However, they need proper nutrition, grooming and exercise to get this good-natured and stay this good-natured. Golden Retrievers aren't the perfect dogs, but for many they are worth their weight in gold for their personalities. If you are ever saddled with a Golden Retriever, you could do a lot worse.

There are some negatives to living with Golden Retrievers that you should prepare yourself for. These will be mild for some people and calamities for others. Golden Retrievers need daily grooming, or they get matted. They shed more than other breeds. It has been said they have more of a doggy odor than other breeds. They also were bred to be Retrievers (hence the name), which means they have a compulsion to pick things up in their mouths and carry them to your home. This can mean they find a big dead rat and carry in into your living room, fully expecting to be showered with praise.

Golden Retrievers, because of their popularity, have been victims of their own success. Some unscrupulous breeders more concerned about how many puppies they can sell as opposed to how healthy the puppies are have over bred them. There is an effort of Golden Retriever breeders to try and reverse health problems that can be passed on through genes. Just to be on the safe side, expect your Golden Retriever to have skin problems, hip dysplasia, eye problems and heart problems.

You can greatly help your Golden Retriever's behavior, trainability and health by getting your dog spayed or neutered. The dog will already be neutered if you adopt from a Golden Retriever rescue center. Neutering makes the dog more relaxed, more willing to accept people as the ones in charge and less likely to run away in search of love. Neutered dogs also tend to live longer and get less cancer.

Golden Retrievers are prone to some health conditions, so you should be prepared for such a possibility. They are often prone to eye problems, hip dysplasia, heart conditions and itchy skin problems. However, a Golden Retriever will usually not be so terrified of going to the vet like other dogs. There is a big effort by responsible Golden Retriever breeders to weed out all unhealthy Golden Retrievers from the breeding population. On average, Golden Retrievers live to be between ten and twelve years old.

A dog-lover and professional breeder, Carol Matthews has extensive experience in raising and caring for the dogs. The Golden Retriever is the perfect combination of action with beauty. It is widely accepted for its intelligence, obedience, golden shade and liveliness. This article offers all the basic the Golden Retriever information including its history.

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

Labels: Dog Behavior, Dog Training

By Craig Thornburrow

Sometimes it becomes necessary to implement a bark collar into your dog's training. "Man's best friend" can become the biggest sore spot in your life if you cannot get your dog to realize that it is not necessary to bark constantly. The reasons that dogs continually bark can vary, for example some dogs are just nervous ticks so they bark at anything and everything. Other dogs maybe a "Type A" dominant dog and attempting to set its boundaries. No matter what the reason for your dog's barking you know that you just want it to cease, now.

Implementing a bark collar for your dog's training maybe just the solution you need. This is especially true if you have tried other training methods to no avail. It is unfortunate but collars used to control barking have over the years gotten a bad rap. There is a misconception that these collars actually harm the dog physically or psychologically. When you use these collars properly nothing can be further from the truth. There will be no adverse impact on your dog. In fact the opposite is true.

When a dog's barking becomes a nuisance everyone around the dog begins to yell at the dog. Yelling and screaming at the dog won't actually solve the problem but you will feel a little better for a few minutes. The dog however will be impacted by the constant barrage of yelling. You will begin to see your dog cower each time you raise your voice. Some dogs will just lower their heads and walk away none of which is good for your dog's mental well being.

With a collar you can teach your dog when it is not appropriate to bark. For example when you are out taking the dog for a walk you can put the collar on. This way your dog will quit barking at every car that passes by. The collar works this way. When your dog begins to bark the vibrations from his vocal cords will trigger the mechanism in the collar and it will correct the dog with either an electric stimulus or a spray. So you have two types of bark collars to choice from.

Some owners prefer the spray type of collar to the electric stimulus. With the spray type of collar the dog will receive a corrective burst of bad smelling spray to their snout when they bark. The spray is harmless to both humans and dogs however to dogs it is a very unpleasant smell. The dog will eventually connect the idea that when they bark they get the spray and will begin to bark less.

No matter which one you decide to use make sure you read and understand the instructions for the collar before you being your training sessions. Following the directions will insure that your dog will learn when it is appropriate to bark and when it is not. Implementing a bark collar can help you break the bad habits your dog has formed in regards to its barking.

Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on bark collars and bark control collars at http://www.barkcollarsfordogs.com

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

Labels: Dog Training

By Nicholas Hunt

A good dog training program is something that all dog owners should look into. Not only will this help your dog be able to obey better but it will also strengthen the bond with your dog. However, this does not have to be done by a professional as there really is nobody better equipped to train your dog than you, yourself.

Whenever you are working with a dog training program, you need to remember that you are the one that is in control. However, you do not want to come across as being too forceful either. The goal here is to be both friendly and assertive at the same time.

So, how do you train your dog to obey you? Of course, you do not want to just start yelling commands at your dog. Instead, you are going to need to have a good game plan. Part of this has to do with ensuring that your dog is in the right mindset before you even get started. As such, you should not try to train your dog right after he has eaten and you may wish to take him for a quick walk before you get started. Another thing that it is good to do before training him is to take a little time to play with him so that he will feel relaxed and comfortable with you. All of this will help to eliminate distractions and help you get down to business.

Whenever you are training your dog and he does something right, make sure that you have a treat available to give to him. This helps your dog to know when he has done something right. On the other hand, do not get upset when he occasionally runs off during a training session - this is normal. Simply call him back and get back on task right away. It is also normal for him to seem absolutely clueless at times. Herein you simply need to find a better way in which to communicate with him, even if this means showing him what you want him to do.

Training your own dog is a rewarding experience that has huge benefits. In the end, you will be happy that you have made this decision.

Nicholas writes on pet insurance, and his site offers advice on such topics as insurance for aged pets, horse insurance, and buying pet insurance online.

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

Labels: Dog Training

By Finley Zhang

Puppies are cute but can also be painful to play with. When puppies get too excited as you play with them they are prone to nip. This is at the least annoying and at the most can do real harm to young children who may be playing with the new pup.

That's not the only problem from their teeth. When you are not keeping an eye on them they are testing out those powerful teeth on everything in your home. Veterinarians have found all sorts of things in the bellies of puppies after they got into a chewing frenzy. From drywall to clothing and even pieces of doors, puppies have no discretion when it comes to what they should be chewing on. Not only can this make a mess of your home, but it can also be dangerous to their bodies as they are taking in foreign substances that can make them sick.

When they are puppies, these are annoying habits, but as they grow up, it will only get worse, unless you stop it. So, how do you stop the chewing and nipping habits?

First you have to understand puppies. Just like small children, puppies use their mouths to get to know the world around them. They like to chew and nip at things. It is instinctual.

So, the first way to break this habit is by giving them things that are acceptable to chew on. From day one you need to teach your puppy what items are okay to chew on, and which ones are not. While many people like to punish their puppies for doing the wrong thing, this is not the best way to train them what you would like them to do. Instead the better way is to encourage them to chew on toys they should be chewing on. When you catch them doing something they should not you can point and tell them 'no' sternly, then show them what is acceptable to chew on. Once they start chewing on their toys, praise the behavior and play with them so they know this is the right thing to do.

When it comes to nipping, usually it is hands that are nipped by puppies. This may well be because you are moving your hands around in play and they see this is as natural response to the action in front of them. One of the obvious answers to the situation is to make sure your hand isn't where they can bite it. That means using toys that do not involve your hands being close to the puppy mouth. Instead of tug of war games, teach them fetching games where your hand is nowhere near the toy when they grab a hold of it.

If the puppy is nipping, it is time to correct the behavior. You need to firmly tell the pup 'no' and then pull your hand away. Sometimes a pup will come forward and try to nip again. At this point you have a few options. The first is to say 'no' again and walk away from the puppy, and isolate him for a minute or two (no longer). Puppies don't like to be alone and this will be something they do not want repeated. The other option is to tell the puppy 'no' and then hold their mouth closed for a few seconds. Most puppies will whimper and may back away once you let loose. Again, it will be an action they don't want. Other puppies like the challenge and may try to nip again. This is when you need to switch to the isolation response. Another option is to make the puppy not like the taste of nipping. There are many bitter tasting training liquids at pet stores. You can put some of this on your hands and when the puppy starts nipping, he will get a bitter aftertaste, and realize the results are not what he had hoped.

When working with puppies and chewing and nipping habits remember it is a puppy you are working with. Just like a small child it may take them a while for him understand the rules and get them right. It is important to be persistent but also patient.

Finley Zhang is a dog lover, and he enjoys sharing information and knowledge about dog. He is owner of YummyHealthyDogFood, It has helped dog owners increase dog's lifespan by sharing dog food recipes, dog care, and dog health tips. Access the tips now by visiting http://www.YummyHealthyDogFood.com/blog

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Labels: Dog Training

By Karel Micek

Start training labrador puppy. Behavioral problems left unattended are very bad for yours dog's mental development, confidence and relationship with you and other people.

Is your labrador puppy ignoring your commands?

Are you calling to your labrador to come, and he/she ignores you?

What to avoid when training labrador puppy:

1. Never chase after a dog that won't come

2. Never call your labrador to you to reprimand them.

3. Never call your dog over for something they clearly do not enjoy (getting their nails clipped, taking a bath)

* In the short term it stresses out the canine.

* In the long term this technique establishes a relationship based on fear and threats rather than a healthy serving of respect.

Your little labrador disobeys commands because:

1. He does not understand you

If your tone contradicts your command you may not be giving your dog a clear idea of what you want him to do.

You are asking a lab puppy to do something rather then telling.

Make sure your commands are simple enough.

It is always better to pair hand signals with your verbal commands.

2. Your lab is ignoring you

If your dog is posturing confidently and does not appear stressed then it is more likely that he has opted not to listen. This suggest dominance issue.

What you can do when training labrador puppy:

1. Use a positive, happy, even excited tone of voice.

2. Try squatting down when calling. Open your arms as if to suggest an embrace or praise when they arrive.

3. If you can try walking the opposite way. This forces your dog to make a decision: Stay and get left or go home with you and get dinner.

4. Praise your puppy whenever they come, no matter how long it takes.

Benefits:

* The real benefit of not having to deal with obedience issues is the fact that you can put all of your energy into making your relationship a fulfilling one.

* Dog training is very important for your labrador puppy and for your stress levels.

Be patient.

Start training labrador puppy as soon as possible. It will help to create relationship with your lab.

http://www.squidoo.com/TrainingLabPuppy

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

Karel Micek - EzineArticles Expert Author

Labels: Dog Training

By Andrei A Smith

Want to know the do's and don'ts of crate training your dog? This article will acquaint you with the most effective ways and methods to assist your dog to his new crate.

DO's

• Slowly get your pup used to his new crate. Don't push or force him to go inside the crate, instead praise him or give some treats or toys.

• It is fine to get a larger crate if you are not sure which one is the right size. If it is too big for your puppies, you can use divider panel to minimize the space.

• It is advisable to use soft pet bed to cover the surface so your dog will feel more comfortable and your dog will keep coming back to his crate. You may also use crate wear accessories to keep your pet warm and comfy.

• If your pet is out of his cage, find time to supervise him. Supervision will correct your pet's bad behavior like excessive barking, chewing and eliminating anywhere he wants to.

• Be patient while giving your pet a time to adjust. You must give an enough time for him to get used to the new crate when there is a change to a pet's habit, At first you may find your pet is nervous in entering but this is normal, day after day you will see some improvements.

DON'Ts

• Leave your dog particularly the puppies in his home all day. No dogs can hold their bowels and bladders over a long period of time. Maintain a regular schedule every few hours for your pet to eliminate. A six week old puppy can hold his bladder about 4 hours.

• Letting your pet go around your house unsupervised. If you see your pet feeling awkward to go inside or outside of the crate, gently guide him.

• Forcefully put your pet inside the crate as a punishment. The crate is made to be your pet's secured home and not to be associated with punishment.

• Put your pet inside the crate when he has diarrhea and is vomiting. If your pet is sick, the surface of the crate might have some remains of bacteria or worms. Try to adjust on the foods he eats and give him a balance diet. Crate him again when he backs to normal condition.

The author is a pet lover connected to a company that provides safe and effective dog crates, dog houses and dog agility equipment at affordable rates.

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

Labels: Dog Training

By Eric Gehler

Crate training your dog is one of the most important parts of creating a healthy relationship between you and your canine. Crate training teaches young dogs how to hold it in, so that they need less frequent bathroom breaks. Also, crate training is useful because if your dog displays any bad behaviors when you leave your home for short periods of time (like excessive chewing, ripping up carpet, or "going" on your furniture), a dog that likes its crate can be placed inside the crate when you leaving so it feels safe while you are gone.

How to Crate Train

Choose a crate that is not too much larger than your dog, because you do not want your dog to be able to wander around in the crate (dogs will not pee where they sleep, but with enough room, your dog can go in a corner and sleep on the opposite end - so smaller is better). Crate training involves a significant amount of time and effort, but properly crate training your dog can be accomplished in these simple steps.

1) Slowly introduce your dog to the crate - Place the crate in a social area of the house, like the living room or dining room.

2) Try to talk your dog near crate, using a kind, helpful tone so that your dog feels safe around the crate. The crate door should be open all the way so that it does not accidentally swing into your dog's face.

3) Use treats and toys to convince your dog to enter the crate - depending on how frightening the dog finds the crate, this may be a difficult task, but throwing a few treats in there and rewarding the dog with kindness whenever it moves further inside is the best way to teach your dog that the crate is safe and harmless. Do not lock the crate behind your dog. These exercises are only meant to introduce your dog to the crate.

4) Place food near the crate during meals - Once your dog has been inside the crate, putting food in or near the crate will help make the crate a positive experience for the dog. Each time you feed it, you can put the meal a little further back in his crate until eventually the puppy is fully inside the crate just to eat its food.

5) After the dog has been inside the crate a few times while eating, it is okay to close the door behind it. The first time you do this, you should open the door right after your dog finishes eating, in order to avoid any added pressure. But later, as your dog becomes more used to the door being closed on it, you can keep the door closed for longer. If your dog whines, do not remove it from the crate. Always wait until your dog has stopped whining before you let it out of the crate, otherwise your dog will think that whining is the only way for it to leave, and will continue to do so.

6) Once your dog has been inside the crate a few times without too much anxiety, it is time to try to start putting the dog in the crate for short periods of time while you are home. Throw a treat in there, possibly use a command, like "Crate," and close the door behind it. Leave your dog in there for no more than 30 minutes at first, but as you continue this process on different days, you can increase the amount of time by a little bit each trial.

a. Once you are going to leave your dog in the crate for more than a few hours, it is important your dog gets a walk first in order to not become anxious due to having too much energy.

b. After any crate trip, it is a vital to take your dog out for a walk and try to get it to use the bathroom. Eventually, your dog will learn that the crate is a place for sitting, sleeping and resting and only afterwards does it get to go to the bathroom.

c. If your dog ever has an accident in its crate, it can cause serious problems with crate training. Don't crate train if your dog has not gone to the bathroom for a long time. And, if your dog does have an accident, it is vital that you clean the crate out thoroughly in order to remove any trace of the smell. Dogs like to go to the bathroom in places they can smell that they've been previously.

Once you have completed all of these steps, your dog will be able to stay in the crate for long periods of time, and you can use the create as a way to teach your dog to hold its urine until you have taken it outside and given it the opportunity to go to the bathroom. This is key not only to teaching your dog to go outside the house, but also to be more comfortable when you are absent.

Healthy Dogs enjoy Dog Treats and Bully Sticks

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

Eric Gehler - EzineArticles Expert Author

Labels: Dog Training

By Jim Olio

For a complete manual on training your dog as well as free dog training tips, the Sit Stay Fetch product is outstanding. As a dog owner, I have always wanted to learn more about the different methods and approaches used by professional dog trainers.. This is a complete guide which covers the basic and more advanced techniques.

This manual is just full of excellent information. How to choose the right dog for your family, where to find him or her, how to get your home ready for this new family member, how to deal with behavior problems, how to house train your new friend, what are the health issues that you need to be concerned about, and what are some advanced tricks that we can work on ? All of the above are covered in good detail, to help you make the right choices and decisions.

In addition to the contents listed above, there is also a pretty impressive section on dog whispering, which " in case you have not heard of it already " is a method of dog training based on a philosophy of clear communication and mutual respect. Its been popularized in recent years by Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer), and is becoming increasingly well-known as an alternative and humane method for disciplining and training your dog. SitStayFetch has dedicated an entire section to dog whispering: Daniel Stevens explains the background of the technique, how to utilize voice and body language to your best advantage, and how to use the technique to calmly, assertively, and effectively correct and train your dog. Step-by-set instructions are included for the common commands (sit, down, come, stay, quiet, etc).

Four bonus books are included in the package. Some of the information provided covers topics such as how to resolve aggressive behavior, how to groom your dog, what about dental care, help with house training, and using your dog for security.

There is such a wealth of knowledge provided with this package, that even an experienced dog handler will be impressed. You are even provided with an email address to receive free additional instruction or guidance and tips, if needed.

Many the methods provide a basic conventional approach to dog training while others will require more effort from both you and your dog in order to achieve some rather dramatic changes, as is the case with dog whispering. Because there is so much to choose from, you are free to select the best solution or approach for both you and your favorite pet.

If you thinking about getting a new dog, or if you just want to have more fun and enjoyment for both you and your best friend, look no further. This book with all its info and step by step guides will provide an interesting development exercise. I have been able to learn things that a lifetime around dogs could never teach me. Highly Recommended.

Sit Stay Fetch is available at our blog http://www.WhizDogs.com/blog and take advantage of the lowest prices at our Dog Training Store at WhizDogs.com/store

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Labels: Dog Training

By Ben Sinclair

As a puppy owner one of your most important tasks is to teach your puppy not to use the home as a toilet. And believe me, house training puppies can be quite a challenge. Here are the keys to success.

Accept that owning a puppy is a major responsibility. Yes, they are cute and cuddly and fun to play with but you have to be a teacher too.

It takes time, patience and a consistent approach to potty train a child. Well, the same holds true when it comes to puppy toilet training. This is especially true for younger puppies as they will not have control of their urinary and bowel functions.

Your puppy should have its own personal space. The crate, also known as a cage, kennel or den, must be big enough for the puppy to easily stand up and turn around in. I hate the word cage as it makes it sound like a punishment cell and that is most definitely not its purpose. A puppy should be able to go to its crate whenever it wants during the day.

You have to consciously watch your puppy to learn its body language. This will give you clues as to when it needs to go to the toilet.

You have to praise your puppy every time it does the toilet outside. The tone of your voice should be really enthusiastic but keep it soft not loud.

But the top key to house training puppies is ROUTINE. That means within a 5-15 minute window the following happens at the same time EVERY day

* taken outside first thing in the morning;
* feeding time;
* taken outside 10-20 minutes after eating; and
* taken out last thing at night before bedtime.

Make sure you get puppy toilet training right. It is essential to a strong, happy relationship between you and your dog.

Discover the easiest and most reliable method for house training puppies. Whatever the age. Whatever the breed.

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

Labels: Dog Training

By Pam Phipps

It used to be the only dog training aids you had available would be to either take your dog to a training site and with gas prices these days who needs the extra added cost. You could also pay to have a dog trainer come to your home but the cost for these types of lessons can be very expensive.

As with anything else the Internet has made available tons of dog training aids. Every year more and more top trainers around the world are putting together dog training aids in the form of down-loadable ebooks, audio and video training lessons. These dog training aids allow you access to some of the best trainers at only a fraction of the cost and in many opinions a better format because you are training your dog.

It serves to build a better relationship with your pet when you are the one providing the training rather than a stranger who is going to spend time training once a week or so and then be gone.

With these new dog training aids you can take the time to go over the training and then work with your dog as much as needed to ensure it is being effective. Using a trainer at your home you always have the worry of cost and if something is taking longer than normal then it is costing you more money.

Many of the new online dog training aids also come with access to member forum areas, question/answer session with top trainers and access to support if you are experiencing problems with the lessons. In most cases you have the same or more support than you would using a local dog trainer.

Trainers like Dove Cresswell who has spend years training dogs and other animals for the movies and television are creating outstanding dog training aids. You can choose a complete course or there are specific types of training for obedience, house breaking, chewing / biting, etc.

If you would like to get more information about some of the top online dog training aids you can visit a review of the top programs provided by onlinemoneytruth at the link below.

Dog Training Aids Reviewed

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Labels: Dog Training

By Blake Mead

The jumps used for flyball are very basic structures. Flyball jumps can be bought from several online sources or can be easily made with very few tools and minimal material.

The only material you need to make your own set of flyball jumps is a single 4 foot by 8 foot sheet of 1/2" plywood. No glue, nails, or any other fasteners are required!

Each flyball lane requires a set of four jumps. Each jump consists of two uprights and a set of jump boards that fit in between the uprights.

The uprights can be any color. They must be at least 24 inches high, but no more that 36 inches high. A slot must be cut in the center of each upright to accommodate the jump boards. The slot should be slightly wider than the jump board material (1/2") and should start at 4 inches from the base and go up to a height of 16.5 inches above the base.

The jumps must be 24 inches between uprights, so the jump boards should be cut about 32 inches to span the uprights and provide some stability to both sides of the jump.

The base board is the first jump board placed between the uprights. The base board is always the minimum jump height of 8 inches high. A 4 inch slot needs to be cut about 3.5 inches from either end of the base board. This slot will allow the base board to fit securely on the uprights to form a sturdy base for the jump.

The remaining jump boards need to be cut to 1 inch high by 32 inches long, 2 inches by 32 inches, and 4 inches by 32 inches. Various combinations of these jump boards will be used to make up the total jump height needed for each jump. And while the uprights can be any color, the rules say that the jump boards must all be white.

Once you have enough uprights and jump boards for four complete jumps, you're ready to set up a flyball lane.

Listen to your dog! Go to http://www.fly-ball.com for more info on flyball training and equipment.

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Labels: Dog Training

By William McRand

Well trained dogs are more likely to stay around home and with the same owner. Stay at home dogs don't get in to the pound, they are happy at home with their master. Most dogs in shelters has not had any training.

Start training your dog as soon as posible. It is never too soon to start training a puppy, however give your puppy as much freedom as possible until he is about 4 to 6 months of age. Always keep a lead and collar on your puppy in public places where there is danger. In many countries it is against the law to allow a dog to run free, so be careful if that applies to your country.

Training your dog helps to teach them boundaries, thus making them more comfortable around people. Whether you train your dog yourself or find a professional, teaching your dog commands and socializing it is important. Areas to cover in training include:

Some dog training tips:

This first one is easy. You just start by saying "sit" every time the puppy sits itself. He learns to associate the word sit with the action. This is a tip you can use in all training. Sit down on the floor so you get to the same level as the dog. You are less threatening when you sit. More important is that you are close to the dog so you can reward him faster.

Teaching a Puppy to Heel

You will need to Walk at a steady pace with your puppy with a good fitting collar and lead. keep him on your left side, keep saying the command HEEL. every time you say HEEL, slap your thigh or the side of your leg. If your pup trys to pull away or gets distracted, just keep walking, he'll soon get the message and follow along. If you don't stop, he'll have to follow. As he follows you after a distraction, pat him a little saying good dog or good boy or girl.

Teaching a Puppy to Sit

It's time to teach your dog to sit. while walking your pup stop and transfer the lead to your right side. Pull up on the collar and press down on his back end with your left hand. He will have no choice but to sit. While lifting with the collar takes weight off his front legs the motion causes the pup to want to sit, especially with your hand pressing him down. While telling him to sit as you press down. Repeat this several times, praising him each time he sits. Now walk further along and repeat this exercise several more times in a 10 minute walk.

Leash walking

Leash walking at a steady pace, you can start this training as soon as you get your new dog. This is
important, especially to build up a tolerance to stay in a kennel environment for several hours.
There are many benefits to having a well trained dog. But it doesn't necessarily mean the dog will not develop behavioral problems down the road, like separation anxiety. Simply put a well trained dog is a joy to be around and strengthens the human-animal bond.

William McRand Author: Freelance Writer specializing in Internet marketing, Self help, Blogging, and online income. If you found his articles helpful, read his Blog which is loaded with more useful content on this, and related topics. http://mcranddogtraining.blogspot.com/

http://mcranddogtraining.blogspot.com/

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Labels: Dog Training

By Suzanne Harris

The way you train "Off" is a perfect example of the positive reinforcement mantra: Any behavior will increase with reinforcement, and any behavior will decrease without reinforcement. "Off" is a lot of fun to teach your pup, and it's very helpful in many situations.

Some people use the phrase "Leave it" instead of "Off", but it means the same thing. Use "Leave it" if you prefer. Either way, "Off" will get your dog to

* stop jumping on people
* get off the couch
* stay away from that chicken wing on the sidewalk
* wait to grab something until you give the OK

If you're training a young pup, you'll be amazed at how quickly he learns "Off". As a matter of fact, most pups under 5 months pick it up in less than 10 minutes. That's not to say they will respond to it in all of the various situations listed above in that short time. But if you practice the following exercise in a wide variety of situations, locations, and distraction levels, your pup will master even these in a matter of 3-4 days.

Dogs older than 6-7 months often take a little longer to get it, but don't give up particularly in your first few trials. If you, the human, are patient and follow these instructions exactly, you'll see the same wonderful results even with your older dog.

"Off" means "Don't touch that thing you're thinking about touching." We will also simultaneously be teaching him "Take it", which means "OK, now you can touch it".

Step 1: The "Off" and "Take It" Exercise

Put about 10 pea-sized soft pieces of food in your hand. Any meat will do, or soft cat or dog treats cut into pea-sized pieces. Crunchy kibble pieces take too long to chew for this exercise.

Sit on the floor or crouch down to your dog's nose level. Hold your pup back from you with your non-food hand, and hold your food hand out 1-2 feet in front of his face at his nose level or below his nose level.

Now once and only once, command "Off" as you open your food hand and let go of your pup.

When your puppy lunges for your food hand (very likely), simply close your hand. Do not repeat the word "Off" or say anything else, and do not move your hand around. Your pup will likely chew on your food hand for a few minutes, trying to get at the food.

Simply wait silently until he gets distracted or bored or for any other reason stops touching your hand for an instant.

The instant he stops touching your food hand, quickly say "Take it" and deliver one piece of food to his mouth with your non-food hand.

Repeat this exercise 10 times until your hand is empty. You are allowed to command "Off" only once during each trial, so for 10 exercises, you'll say "Off" a total of 10 times. Just remember not to speak at all after you have commanded "Off" the first time until he moves away and you say "Take it."

Your pup will chew and paw at your hand for shorter periods each time before he chooses to move his face away from your hand, allowing you to say "Take it" and give him a treat. This shows that he is learning that moving away from your hand is the fastest way to get a treat.

Over the 2-3 days, practice a set of about 10 trials (as described above) several times daily, each time in a different room in the house or better yet outside in a low distraction area. Each trial, add tiny (1/2 second to 1 second) increments of time to the time between his moving away response and your "Take it" food delivery. By the second day you should also be withholding your "Take it" delivery until he has moved at least 5 inches from your hand.

Note: Some pups will sit when you say "Off". This is OK for the first day or two, but we don't want him to think that "Off" is just another word for "Sit". After the first day or two, try to train him out of his sit response by delivering the Take It treat just before he sits.

He may also be sitting because you're holding the food too high. Your food hand must be at his nose level or below nose level.

Never give your pup a piece of the food while he is touching your hand, nor before you have said "Take it". You may deliver the food to his mouth only while he is not touching your hand.

Step 2: Adding Distance and Time to "Off"

When he can hold his "Off" for at least 5 full seconds in several different locations inside and outside, alter the exercise in the following way: Command "Off" as usual and wait for him to move away. Now wordlessly open your food hand without saying anything.

If he holds his "Off" while your hand is open for 2 seconds, say "Take it" and deliver several treats one at a time, praising throughout because he just accomplished something big: Learning that no matter what's in front of his nose, "Off" means "Off" until you say "Take it." Gradually add more time and hand distance to each trial.

If he does not hold his "Off" for 2 seconds while your hand is open, it's because most pups think that when you open your hand, that's the same as you saying "Take it". It is not. So if you open your food hand and he lunges for the food before 2 seconds have passed, quickly and wordlessly close your hand before he gets to your hand and wait again for him to back off. Once again, open your hand and wait without saying anything. If he lunges again, quickly close your hand again. Do not let him reach the food! This may go on for a while - you open your hand, he lunges, you close your hand and wait, he backs off, you open, he lunges, you wait, etc.

After a while, a light bulb will go off in his head and he'll figure out that he must hold his "Off" until you say "Take it" even though there is an open hand of food in front of him. When this happens, he'll hold his "Off" for the 2 seconds, and you may say "Take it" and deliver several treats one at a time to reward this wonderful accomplishment!

"Off" Generalization

The goal with "Off" is to get him to back off no matter what the item is and no matter where he is. Once he can hold a solid "Off" for 10+ seconds with your hand 10+ inches away at or below nose level in a wide variety of locations inside and out, you'll start to lower your food hand toward the floor, 1 inch per trial, until he can hold a solid 10 second "Off" with your open food hand on the floor.

When he's mastered that, it's time to try "Off" with food on the floor that you are not holding. This starts out the same way as before but now you simply put the treat on the floor instead of holding your hand open. The first few times you try this, don't stand up. Remember to practice this in a wide variety of locations inside and out before you move to the level of standing up which food on the floor. It's also a good idea to vary the distance between your dog and the food each time.

If he lunges for the food while it's on the floor, hurl your entire body on top of the food to prevent him from getting it. Yes, I'm joking here but don't let him get to that food before you can clamp your hand or foot down on top of it! We can't have him learning that he's faster than you are, can we?

Add distance from the food and add time from the food. Whenever you feel your pup has accomplished a very difficult feat, don't hesitate to reward him amply with several treats delivered one at a time with great praise and fanfare - he deserves it!

When Can I Use "Off" for Jumping, Couches, and Chicken Wings?

Once you've accomplished a 5 foot "Off" for 20 seconds, his response should be reflexive and you have earned the right to use the "Off" command for jumping, couches and chicken wings on the sidewalk. Congratulations!

"Off" is also excellent preparation for "Stay", which is also trained by showing your dog that the profit arrives when he displays self-control. As a matter of fact, I've trained many dogs the "Stay" by simply combining a strong "Off" response with the command "Off-Stay" and gradually fading out the word "Off", but that's the subject of another article, here or at http://www.dogdaysUSA.com.

For more great dog and puppy obedience articles, go to http://www.dogdaysUSA.com

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

Labels: Dog Behavior, Dog Training

By Richard Cussons

Who wouldn't be tempted to cuddle a well-groomed and clean Labrador Retriever? They are every dog owners pride. But every dog owner should always remember that grooming and cleaning is not merely to make your Labrador Retriever look good. Grooming and cleaning is important in maintaining the general health condition of your dog.

Bathing is one of the many responsibilities of a dog owner. However, bathing your dog too often is not good for his skin. The frequency of the bath depends on your dog's breed and his type of activities. As for the Labrador Retriever, give him a bath when he is really dirty especially if he has stayed out and worked a lot. You can also use your nose to tell if your dog needs a bath. Bathing him too often than needed will strip the skin's natural protective oil resulting to dry, itchy skin and will irritate the skin further when scratched.

If the weather is good and warm, you can bath your dog outside. Make sure to choose a place that will not turn into mud when it gets wet. If you think that bathing outside seems unappealing to your dog, wash him inside and try to use warm water. But before the bath begins, prepare everything- shampoo or conditioner, towel, comb and even dog treats or toys. Remember to use a shampoo specially formulated to work on problems such as fleas and ticks, dry itchy skin, doggy odor, abnormal shedding and others.

Start bathing your dog from the head and work towards the tail. Wash his face with wash cloth. Avoid pouring lots of water in his face to prevent it from getting inside the ears. You may also want to place cotton balls inside his ears to make sure water cannot enter. Water in the ears is not good for dogs and can cause health problems such as ear infection.

Thoroughly wet your dog with water using a pitcher or a spray nozzle. If you are using spray nozzle, make sure that the spray is not too strong. Avoid spraying directly into your dog's face or genital. Apply dog shampoo and work from the head to the tail. Remember to read and understand the product labels carefully. While shampooing, pay particular attention to parts like rectum, between the toes, behind the ears and under the chin.

After shampoo, rinse your dog thoroughly to prevent shampoo residue that may possibly cause skin irritations. Dry your dog's coat using towel. But be careful not to rub because coats of some breeds tangle easily.

Some dog owners think that bathing a dog is so difficult, but with the right knowledge and technique, bathing a dog is not a challenge anymore.

Richard Cussons writes articles about Labrador Retriever and other dog breeds. Discover Labrador dog training tips at labradorsavvy.com.

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Labels: Dog Behavior, Dog Care, Dog Training

By Hans Lynch

As the name implies, hip dysplasia is an ailment affecting the hip joints in dogs. It is commonly found among large breed dogs and sometimes in smaller breeds. It is readily seen in breeds that are pure more than in mixed breeds. Breeds such as the Great Dane, Labrador and Golden Retrievers seem to have a noticeable occurrence while the incidence is negligible in the Borzois and Greyhounds. Please note that there are other breeds not mentioned here that also suffer from it.

Up till now, not much is known about the ailment. One of the most important keys to understanding hip dysplasia is the hip joint. Hip dysplasia is caused by the malformation of the hip in dogs. This usually occurs at a young age when they are still growing and the bones are just getting formed. The hip joint which is a ball and socket joint thus grows crookedly causing the right and left hind legs to become affected. This usually happens as a result of the muscles, ligaments and connective tissues surrounding and supporting the hip joint becoming lax.

This is not to say that affected dogs are born that way. No; most times, they are normal when given birth to. But as they grow, the muscles and supporting tissues form abnormally. The major cause has been attributed to genetic factors mostly. The thing with hip dysplasia is that instead of the bones growing towards each other, they grow apart as the ligament and capsule holding the bones together become strained and stretched. This goes on to add more problems to the joint as the two bones -pelvis and femur- get separated from each other. Thus, creating a subluxation, the bones are no longer in alignment and put pressure on or otherwise irritate nerves, which is actually what is responsible for the symptoms and evident signs associated with the ailment.

So what are the signs and symptoms evident in dogs when they are suffering from hip dysplasia?

Dogs suffering from hip dysplasia are usually labeled as osteoathritic, or a joint disease that affects the cartilage. They feel pain after exercise and during the usual day's activities. They tend to stop walking. Their hind legs tend to be stiff during and after exercising. They also find it hard to stand on their hind feet in the morning. When they run, it is evident that they try to avoid putting any pressure at all on their rear legs. If it gets too painful -like it would with time- most dogs just reduce the activity rate and they will find it hard to stand up without any form of help.

What can be done to prevent it?

In most genetically influenced cases, nothing can be done. But it can be managed and discouraged if the dog isn't allowed to become overweight. This coupled with reduced high protein and calorie meals should help out significantly. There are a few products on the market today that are specifically designed to help dogs with hip issues, including hip dysplasia. At the high end there are dog wheelchairs, and somewhere in the middle of the price range is the Helping Hands from Mikki. It allows you to hold up your dog's hind legs giving taking some or even most of the weight off of the hind legs, while still giving them the exercise that they need.

Hans is the owner of http://www.lucysdoghouse.net and is a life long dog owner. Lucy's Dog House offers has dog shoes and much more to make your dog's life happier and healthier. At Lucy's Dog House, a percentage of all sales goes to support Great Dane Rescues.

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Labels: Dog Training

By Garnett Johnston

Dog training aids involve more than just a simple collar and leash and over the years have seen good improvements in the range and availability of these training tools. If you are taking on the task of training your own dog then there are several advantages you can benefit from by using good dog training aids to assist you in achieving the goals of your training with your dog.

An obvious case of where this is true is whilst teaching your dog to fetch. It simply can't be done without having something to be thrown, collected by the dog and brought back to you. Typically a stick is a good choice, but if you are in a park and there are dozens of similar sticks then your dog may become confused and you won't have the same success.

An alternative to the stick would be something like a training dumb-bell. These can be thrown a good distance without much effort. They are bright and easy to retrieve - even when your dog doesn't and many of these float on water if you are using it on a pond or lake. These are also easy and comfortable for your dog to pick up whereas I have seen sticks cause damage to a dogs mouth and gums over time.

Teaching your dog to heel can be aided by the use of a dog training line. This is essentially a long leash that can be used to indicate, by tugging, that you wish the dog to return to you when you issue the heel command. These training methods do not do away with the need for voice commands but instead make it easier for your dog to understand the desired response you are looking for when you do call to him.

Other training aids can include collars that discourage barking. These collars emit a pungent spray when your dog barks. The smell is not liked by the dog and over time the dog will realise that not barking prevents the release of the spray. The collar can be removed and hopefully the dog will not bark just as often as before.

If you are training your dog for more sporting activities then the use of whistles can be effective. Here you will typically issue a command to the dog like heel or sit and then back this up with a whistle command. The dog will eventually associate the whistle with the desired response. The trainer or owner can now issue the same command to the dog but over a larger distance. This technique is also used extensively by sheep farmers or herding dog owners for the same reason.

Training your own dog can provide lots of rewards and satisfaction, however it does take considerable patience. Good dog training aids can help reduce the amount of time required to reinforce the training and provide positive results. Remember to reward your dog when you see them showing the right response regardless of what training aid is being used.

The author runs a free dog training information site where you can pick up lots of hints and tips on training your dog. There are also some useful free dog training videos that can make the whole process of training your dog much easier to understand. For more advice on dogs please visit http://www.dogtraininghut.com. Training your own dog can be a rewarding and satisfying experience and will help you bond more closely with your dog.

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Labels: Dog Training

By Edward Linton

The German Shepherd, also known as Alsatian, is a very intelligent dog with a very noble look, he has elegant flowing lines and intelligent expression. He is an active dog and an obedient worker. He has all the qualities to make him what is considered to be the ideal dog. He has a very good nature and is a natural sportsman, being nimble and fast he makes a fantastic pet or work dog. They enjoy being around people and other animals. German Shepherds are well suited to obedience training.

The Alsatian is most often black with tan but can also have variations of coat color including all black. There are three varieties of coat, rough coated (short), long rough coated and long haired.

As a working dog German Shepherds are suited to various jobs, some of the more obvious are police and guard dog, in this role they can be used to apprehend criminals, sniff out drugs and explosives and find lost people. They are also used by rescue associations to find people trapped in collapsed building or buried alive in disaster zones. German Shepherds can also be used as guide or help dogs due to their high level of intelligence they are ideally suited to the task.

In the case of the German Shepherd its history is not very old, in fact the dogs you see now have only been around since the end of the 19th century, which came about from a breeding amalgamation between various Shepherding dogs by Capt Max von Stephanitz who is classed the father of the breed.

There are lots of famous German Shepherds in the history vaults, this is due to the popularity of the breed and the versatile and intelligence of the animal. Some have even become movie stars such as The Littlest Hobo and Rin Tin Tin who made 26 movies and at his peak was receiving 10,000 fan letters a week. Others just have famous owners such as Clipper who was president Kennedy’s dog. Over the years German Shepherds have rescued and saved hundreds of lives either by being trained to or just because they love their owners.

The German Shepherd will live for approximately 10 to 12 years and will need lots of exercise, including a large play area or garden. You will have to give extensive training in the early years, but with its high ability to learn good training is essential. They will also shed hair all the time and seasonally it will shed heavily. Brushing twice weekly is recommended but if hair is a problem in the home daily brushing is recommended. Bathing should happen rarely and at the most only twice a year to avoid removal of essential skin oils. Watch out for hip problems as this is an area where German Shepherds are prone to having problems.

Above all if you decide to have a German Shepherd as a pet or working dog you will have a animal which is intelligent, loving, loyal and will give you lots of enjoyment.

If you would like more information, tips and secrets on training German Shepherd dogs check out http://www.usfreeads.com/741051-cls.html

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Labels: Dog Training