Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Help For Dog Separation Anxiety And Excitable Urination

By Martie O'Dell

No one is sure why some dogs suffer from separation anxiety and others don't but, separation anxiety can become a real problem for both you and your dog especially if that problem is compounded by excitable urination upon your return.



The first step in dealing with separation anxiety in your dog is knowing what is occurring when you are gone. If your dog is howling, barking or continually whining when he is left alone, he tends to be destructive when you are gone but not destructive when you are close by then he probably suffers from separation anxiety. In the simplest terms this means that when left alone your pet becomes lonely, miserable and even fearful. This is made worse in some dogs when you come home. They are so glad to see you that they get so excited that they lose control of their bladder leaving a smelly puddle on your floor. They can't help this type of urination it is simply their body's response to this extreme excitement.

You can solve both problems with some simple training of your dog. To begin helping your dog overcome his separation anxiety start by sitting in a room with him quietly while he plays with some of his favorite toys. Once he has gotten used to playing while you sit quietly get up and leave the room for just a minute and then return and once again sit quietly. Continue doing this, extending the time you are gone until you can leave the room for a half an hour or more without the dog feeling uncomfortable.

The next step is to start making short trips out of doors. If your dog barks or howls remain outside until he has quieted and then return and again sit quietly in a chair. Eventually, you can increase your time out of door and then even leave the property without causing any anxiety in your dog.

No Fan Fair

One of the important things to remember is that dogs are sensitive to the feelings and actions of their owners. If you make a big production of your leaving and returning, your dog will see these actions as an important event in which he should feel anxious or excited. If you handle your going and comings with matter of factness your dog will attach less importance to these events as well.

By training your dog to accept your goings and comings as a natural order of things, the problem of excitable urination will most often resolve itself. If you leave and then return without paying any special attention to your dog on your arrival he will accept your return with calmness over time and the problem will simply cease to exist.

However, make sure that you do give your dog the attention he needs and craves at other times, spending quality time with him during the course of the day will teach him that you value his companionship and he will be less likely to suffer when he is not the center of attention or when he is left alone.

Making sure your dog has fresh water and food and plenty of toys to play with will also help to keep him engaged and entertained while you are gone.

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Monday, August 30, 2010

Dog Obedience Training Made Simple

By Louis Rosenthal

Dog training fundamentals can be summarized by three things - your dog's attention span, understanding of your dog and consistency in its training.

A consistently trained dog would normally show you respect. Establish a list of rules your dog would need to follow. Once you've made these rules, practice what you preach - reward your dog for a job well done, punish your dog if he or she may misbehave or disobey the rules. If you aren't consistent, a dog wouldn't respect you. Dog training can be much easier if you are consistent and, subsequently respected by your pet.

Next, your dog needs to consistently focus on you as the trainer without minding other distractions. If a dog isn't focused, he or she would routinely ignore, not understand, or refuse to understand your commands. Here are a few quick examples on how you can encourage your dog to pay attention to you. Most dogs understand that they have a name, so call your dog by its name and have it look at you when you say "Watch". Don't be surprised if after a few drills, your dog will be "watching" whenever you ask him or her to. Once you and your dog perfect the "Watch" command, your next lesson would be on how to give your dog a longer attention span. As a follow-up to the "Watch" command, give the command after you hold a doggy treat with your teeth in front of your dog. Develop your dog's ability to pay attention by standing in position for a few seconds, then praising. This exercise can be repeated until your dog is able to hold its attention on you for a minute or more. It's not that hard to develop a good attention span in your pet dog.

Effective dog obedience training can truly be achieved if you know how your dog thinks. A dog's focus is usually limited to a short period of time. This attention span usually lasts no more than twenty minutes, and once the twenty minutes is up, dogs usually become listless and unfocused. Try limiting your dog's training schedule to twenty to thirty minutes. A fun training session could lead to your dog developing better attention span. Let's face it, dogs do not normally enjoy training - you will need to make them enjoy it somehow. Your dog needs to appreciate training and why you are doing it for him or her. You can never have enough treats as a prize for successfully obeyed commands - and you should also sound like you mean it when you give praise. Dogs train better when they actually look forward to training.

These are among the simplest techniques you can use, but there are more ways to improve your dog's training than what can be contained in this short piece. Training doesn't have to be drudgery for doggy - he or she can enjoy the training and the time you spend together, show respect for you as the owner, and make you look like a good and responsible owner in your neighborhood.

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Sunday, August 29, 2010

Basics Of Dog Training

By Stan Masket

Dog Training Basics

There is never a perfect age to train your dog, but there can be a perfect time - right now! All dogs of any age can be trained no matter what the kind of behavior results or difficulty you are looking to overcome for from your pet. The longer you put off training, the harder it will become for your pet to adapt to that learned behavior. The majority of people try their hand at training their dog on their own, it can be a wise choice to seek out a professional dog trainer in your area in order help guide you, and help reach the results you are looking for.

Finding a dog trainer can be an extensive search depending on what types of problems you want to avoid with your pet. Common dog behavior problems are easily helped with training. Potty training, eliminating aggressive behavior, barking or just leash training can all be helped by the use of a professional dog trainer.

No matter if this is your first pet or one of many, each dog is different and no personality is the same and may require additional help from an outside source. Seeking out a dog trainer is not an admission of being an inadequate owner, but rather an owner that is serious about having a well-behaved dog that is desirable to be around. Working with a trainer will keep you on coarse and make the job easier.

When using the services of a local dog trainer you too can become informed about the benefits of having a structured regime for your pet. Not only will your pet become well behaved, but also it will be a joy to have around and spend more time with at home, out in public or with other dogs. There is less anxiety for both owner and pet when a dog knows its boundaries and limitations of what is expected on a daily basis.

Potty training can happen fast or slow depending on how you wish to approach it. Pro trainers help with assistance, knowledge and encouragement. Often, the more time you spend one-on-one with your pet for potty training, the easier it will be for both of you and the desired results will come faster.

The more training you put into your dog the more enjoyment you will get out of it. Using the skills from a local dog trainer can help the process so that you do not become easily frustrated with your new dog before they are fully trained.

There are no rules about what training will work best for you and your pet. There are lots of resources available to you. The benefits of training are that there are many different methods used by local dog trainers, and you are free to choose which ones will work for you and your pet.

There are no rules about what training will work best for you and your pet. There are lots of resources available to you. The benefits of training are that there are many different methods used by local dog trainers, and you are free to choose which ones will work for you and your pet.

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Saturday, August 28, 2010

Friendly Potty Training Your New Pet

By Blake Hirt

New puppies are very exciting at first, but soon everyone must put a hand in to help with puppy potty training. Being consistent and patient will get the job done quicker. Make sure everyone in the house knows the schedule and the work will be easier.

Don't try to potty train too early. Any time less than 1 month old is just wasting your time. Plan to have some routines and safe places for the puppy to go.

Stick to dry food, one that makes the stool consistent. Good quality dry food will help him develop good eating habits. This positively affect how solid his stools are, his potty schedule and him ability to control when he has the urge.

Try to lead him to the designated place where he can do his thing. Show how he should position himself properly. If he poops outside of the area, clean the mess immediately and mask the odor. Try to let him have some fun. Praise him if he does it right. Reinforce the idea regularly.

Again a schedule is most important at this stage. Taking your puppy out to potty too much will wear you down, i.e. every halve hour is too much. Plan around dinner and other activities that you don't want to interrupt. Having a few other house members chip in also lowers the burden of getting the training done quickly and consistently. You and your puppy should get into a rhythm that both of you start feeling comfortable with. Consistence is the key. All dogs love to hear the praise of their owners.

Don't get exasperated by trying to stick to a strict schedule. This is training and there will be accidents. The idea is to have a consistent schedule as much as possible so your puppy will learn his potty training as quick as possible.

Some times your dog will refuse to go outside. Keep at it though, and try to figure out the problem. The first step is for your dog to know the potty is outside not inside. There are many books and articles online that discuss this. Stick with positive reinforcements and you will have your pup trained in no time. After potty training is completed than work on other skills, don't do to much at one time.

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Friday, August 27, 2010

Basic Dog Training

By Stan Masket

Dog Training Basics

There is never a perfect age to train your dog, but there can be a perfect time - right now! All dogs of any age can be trained no matter what the kind of behavior results or difficulty you are looking to overcome for from your pet. The longer you put off training, the harder it will become for your pet to adapt to that learned behavior. The majority of people try their hand at training their dog on their own, it can be a wise choice to seek out a professional dog trainer in your area in order help guide you, and help reach the results you are looking for.

Finding a dog trainer can be an extensive search depending on what types of problems you want to avoid with your pet. Common dog behavior problems are easily helped with training. Potty training, eliminating aggressive behavior, barking or just leash training can all be helped by the use of a professional dog trainer.

No matter if this is your first pet or one of many, each dog is different and no personality is the same and may require additional help from an outside source. Seeking out a dog trainer is not an admission of being an inadequate owner, but rather an owner that is serious about having a well-behaved dog that is desirable to be around. Working with a trainer will keep you on coarse and make the job easier.

When using the services of a local dog trainer you too can become informed about the benefits of having a structured regime for your pet. Not only will your pet become well behaved, but also it will be a joy to have around and spend more time with at home, out in public or with other dogs. There is less anxiety for both owner and pet when a dog knows its boundaries and limitations of what is expected on a daily basis.

Potty training your pet can happen in a variety of ways depending on how you wish to approach it personally. Often the more time you spend one-on-one with your pet for potty training, the easier it will be for both of you and the desired results will come faster.

Just like any part of dog training, the more effort you put into potty training the more you will get back from your pet. Using the skills from a local dog trainer can help the process so that you do not become easily frustrated with your new dog before they are fully trained.

There are so many different ways to train your dog you may want to experiment. Some professional dog trainer programs use a clicker in order to get an animal to generate a desired behavior. You may find that this type of training works well for your pet and you can continue the use of a clicker as time goes on to help train them in different areas as well. The only way to see if this type of dog training will work for your pet is to try it for yourself.

There are no set rules that if a clicker does not work for you that there are no other options for your pet. The benefits of training are that there are many different methods used by local dog trainers, and you are free to choose which ones will work for you and your pet.

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Thursday, August 26, 2010

Achieve Dog Behavior Control With These Simple Steps

By Suzanna Hardaway

You'll find currently millions of dog owners all around the world and most folks take pleasure in the companionship they offer. For partners who are not able to have any kids or another child, having a puppy can really feel like having a kid that you get pleasure from taking care of. The trouble with this is that dogs are typically offered by puppy mills that are concerned with the bottom line and making profits off of each puppy.

Because of this, they will tend to focus on the potential to sell the puppy to the consumer without educating them that dogs take plenty of care and energy. In order to correctly care for a puppy you may have to put in dedication, time, effort and hard work. You may also wish to find out about dog behavior control as a way to reduce the stress within the household.

Dogs are much like humans and you'll be able to read exactly what they are feeling soon after investing some time together with them. If the puppy is experiencing sudden bursts of energy and barking at company, he may possibly only be going through nervous energy. When you discover this happening you should take the dog for a walk at once and attempt to invest some time together with him or her. Around 30 minutes ought to be a reasonable measure of time to enable some connecting while the dog is working off some steam. You ought to understand that what may seem to be completely natural to a dog is often undesirable behavior to a human. It'll take some effort to teach your dog what is acceptable behavior.

Set up a regimen for dog behavior control by taking the puppy out for the exact same walk each day. Humans base their activities from habit and so do dogs. Keep this in mind and walk the puppy in the same time and by way of the exact same path every day. When the dog has learned exactly what to count on it will decrease the amount of anxiety which is felt when you're unavailable.

Going to the bathroom in the home may perhaps seem like the puppy is doing something wrong. You need to recognize that this really is a call from nature. The dog doesn't know it is unacceptable before you show him exactly where he will need to do his business. Take the puppy for far more regular walks and use encouragement before heading back home.

In case you notice that the puppy is nipping at visitors playfully, you need to invest in having the puppy properly trained. Canines nip each other in play and will probably do the exact same thing with people if they are not trained otherwise. Selecting a skilled expert is really worth the dollars invested due to the results. You will not only have a much better trained dog but will probably also learn how it is possible to better handle your dog and just how to provide them the proper behavior cues.

Obedience is one of the most crucial milestones in any relationship between dog owner and pet. Dog behavior control is possible using the help of a qualified expert and you will typically discover nearby dog training classes that will save you cash.

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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Let Your Beloved Pet Learn How To Interact With Visitors

By Alex Playah

Another important factor to training your dog that people often tend to undermine the importance of is socializing them from a young age. It's just as important as house training your dog and providing him with general K9 training from day one.

What does socializing to a puppy mean exactly? It could mean several things, so you will find a few ideas on the subject below. Let's take a look at a few of the key concepts to keep in mind here, all of which should help you out.

First thing is to take your dog around other pets and people. Start with a park or maybe even a dog walk. This will help him get used to different sounds and new people.

If you take your dog around other dogs at a dog walk, he will get used to other dogs and learn how to behave around them. This is one of the best settings you can expose your pet to.

Show him that it is okay to allow people to pet him by them doing so. He will become more at ease and learn how to behave during visits around others.

Show him how to get used to the people that will be around more often, like family and friends. The more he gets to know them the less he will bark when they come over, and he eventually wont bark at all once he gets to know them.

Your dog can be more socialized by enrolling him in puppy training class also since he will be around other dogs.

It's important to begin the puppy training right away so that he has a long healthy and happy life with you. Remember training as important as exercise, feeding, love and attention.

If you need advice for dog training, you get this from books, other dog owners or K9 training school. Consistency is key with training your pet and be sure to add a little socializing in there as well.

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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Proper Dog Training

By Harry Rovers

Dog training centers on obedience and instilling loyalty. Services such disable aid, military and livestock management all employ trained dogs. Dog training is intense and requires a lot of patience but is mandatory. There are many benefits when owning a trained dog. Trained pets tend to be friendly and are welcoming of strangers to a certain degree. A trained dog will rarely show any uncalled aggressiveness. Another term for Dog training is referred to as obedience training. While instilling discipline in your dog it can also be entertaining and rewarding. Over the course of the training the pet will recognize the trainer as a master and will generally be well behaved around the owner.

There are multiple types of training. Some training schemes revolve around using toys, treats and affection as rewards. When a dog has completed a task it is rewarded. If it is unable to carry out the task it is made clear it will not receive a reward. Many trainers use clickers and verbal commands to communicate with their pets. It is vitally important to be clear and strict when issuing commands.

Teaching your dog tricks is entertaining for both the owner and dog. Giving the dog a treat for tricks is common and helps keep it from getting bored. Punishment can be done by removing a toy or ignoring the dog. Verbal and physical acts of punishment are considered excessive and are frowned upon.

If an owner is using these means to teach a dog it can react with over aggressive behavior and may become violent. Rewarding a dog can be done by giving it treats and toys while an incorrect behavior will result in the loss of reward. For exercise and other physical training sessions collars and harnesses can be used. These allow the owners to restrict the pet's movements. Choke collars tighten when force is used and helps stop a dog.

Vets and pet stores have many training groups which allow dogs of all age to participate. These centers are ideal for puppies and young dogs. These groups also promote social interaction between dogs. Playing with other dogs of similar ages helps build social interactions. Training such as this promotes friendly behavior.

Dog training is essential and helps develop a deep relationship between owner and pet. The training causes the dog to understand its master's needs and helps build trust. It is also important to not be excessive and to always be tolerant.


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Monday, August 23, 2010

7 Reasons You Need To Know More About The Causes Of Dog Barking.

By Dr. Tom Rhudy

What do you really know about "the causes of dog barking"? Dog barking is important for a large segment of the population - some deal with it on a full-time basis. The majority of people give it little thought. Usually they simply attempt to stop the behavior without really looking at why it occurs. They see it as just part of the scenery, nothing important. Still in other cases they might not care. It's not their problem. Let someone else deal with it.

So what exactly is the truth here? Precisely what exactly is the truth behind the causes of dog barking? Why really should any person care?

Let's take a take a look at seven Reasons why you may possibly want to learn a lot more about the causes of dog barking.

First, it may simply be that your dog is bored. In fact, this is the most frequent cause of dog barking. Fine, I fully grasp your objection that this goes to "cause" of dog barking, but does not help me know how to "stop" dog barking. As we will discuss in this article, the key is to learn how to control, not stop, that irritating behavior in your dog. And I agree, you've a really valid point. But look at it this way, when engaging in some dog training techniques it is important to realize why the dog reacts to a particular stimulus in a certain way. It is also important to realize that if boredom is the cause, exercise is often the remedy. If you're currently exercising your dog, perhaps you should simply increase the amount of exercise that your dog is able to obtain. Moreover, have you thought about this? The fact that as you increase your dog's level of exercise, you not only decrease the amount of barking, but you also are likely to improve your dog's overall health.

Second, another very common cause is anxiety. The reason for that is certainly that your dog feels abandoned upon your departure. It is important that you teach your dog how to deal with those times when you and your dog have to be separated. It is also important that your dog realize that this time may be actually calming for it. Yes, this may be a very tedious process, but it is certainly well worth your efforts.

Third, another frequent reason for this behavior is that the dog is attempting to warn you of some impending danger or threat. Remember, this is from the dog's perspective, not necessarily yours. In fact, many of these threats and fears that your dog perceives might be nothing more than thunder, wind blowing, etc.

Fourth, your dog may engage in this behavior simply because the dog is seeking attention. If it is obvious that your dog is barking simply to gain your attention, you should never respond to that behavior. If you do so, this will merely reinforce it.

Fifth, your dog may engage in this behavior simply because it is frightened or startled. In some instances, a dog will bark simply because it is confused at what is happening in its environment. Many dogs, like people, seek security. When your dog is confused, it feels insecure and frightened. If this occurs, the dog is very likely to begin barking.

Sixth, it may simply be a display of playfulness. It is not uncommon for dogs that want to play to begin barking to express their excitement. If so, this is a completely natural behavior. This is certainly not a behavior that should be punished or discouraged. (This naturally assumes that the dog is not becoming overly aggressive when at play.)

Seventh, dog barking may be a means of the dog simply attempting to communicate something. Dogs certainly bark to communicate with each other. In many instances, the dog is merely attempting to establish its presence around other dogs. Once again, this is a normal behavior, but should not be allowed to continue for protracted intervals!

After you've seen all of the factors and had an opportunity to evaluate them, it's up to you to choose whether or not the case for understanding a lot more about the causes of dog barking is really a compelling one or not.

Just maintain an open mind and look at the reasons. Perhaps you really ought to know more about the causes of your dog barking. This is the first step in controlling this behavior!

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Sunday, August 22, 2010

Crate Training Dogs Is A Good Way To Housebreak Dogs

By Tim Bell

Bringing home a new puppy can both be exciting and a lot of work. No one wants a dog who goes to the bathroom around the house. A good way to housebreak your dog is through the method of Crate Training Dogs. This is a technique recommended by many professionals. It is easy to do, but one must be consistent and not give up on their dog.

Dogs will naturally keep their home dry, it is a natural thing for them to do. Puppies and adult dogs will not soil their special home, thus making it easy to housebreak them.

Crates can be used to travel in, a place to put your dog if you have to leave for a couple of hours, or a place for an airplane ride. It is good to get your dog used to a crate so he can be put there on occasion.

If you feel a punishment is needed for a dog, do not put it in the crate. The dog needs to know that it is his safe place to be and not a bad place where he gets locked up.

Pets need to learn the rules of the house, just like people do. Chewing on things that are not for dogs is a very important lesson to be taught. It takes time to learn this lesson so a crate or cage will help them to learn. Remember that time and patience is very important, and this could take more time than you expect, depending on the dog.

When choosing a crate, their are lots of choices. The plastic ones are nice and usually have a locking door and a feeding dish. Fabric cages are pretty good but owners need to stay with their pet. Metal cages collapse making it easy to pack in a car, and does not take up much space. A dog needs to be able to turn around and stand up in the cage, to be the right size.

Toys and some food are a great way to get the puppy or dog interested in the crate. Training is simply done by luring the dog into the cage and providing food and water to encourage him to stay there. Put some food on the outside and slowly dribble it into the end of the cage. The dog will soon find out this is a great place to live.

Some dogs will whine because they do not want to be in the crate. After the whining stops the dog can be let out. It is important to not let the dog have his own way. Be sure there is plenty of food and water in it.

People work and are gone most of the day, if this is your situation, find an alternative to the crate. A dog should not be kept in the crate all day. He is going to get crated at night so he needs freedom during the day.

Dogs crying at night is not uncommon, he is in a new place and needs to adjust. Puppies have to be taken out at night, and you will need to decide if a dog just wants out or has to go to the bathroom. Keeping the cage near you at night will help the dog to not feel so lonely.

Taking your pet out regularly will help him learn. After you feed him, when he wakes up, and before he goes to bed should all be times to go outside. Pick a spot for him to use and he will go there again. Exercise your dog to keep him healthy and happy.

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Saturday, August 21, 2010

Prescription For Dog Grooming And Puppy Care: Dog Training

By Dr. Nortey Omaboe

For dog owners, it seems that dog obedience training simply can't be ignored: even when it comes to dog grooming.

Let's assume for a moment that a professional dog groomer wouldn't mind being scratched, bitten, or outright mauled by your dog, who will dependably freak out at the sight of a nail trimmer or clipper. Let's assume for another moment that your dog groomer has to use restraints, muzzles, and other implements with which to control your maniacal hound.

If your conscience isn't ruffled by the thought of your dog and your dog's groomer being traumatized for the sake of health and beauty, let's assume for one last moment that you might one day have to take over your dog's grooming. Has her dog training program prepared the both of you for an hour in the canine home salon? If the answer is no, here are a few reasons to start that dog obedience training program today:

Bath time can be a bad time. Dogs work hard to create their obnoxious odors. They'll travel to far corners of your property just to get a good roll with a dead squirrel. When you bathe them, you're erasing their most recent travel tales. Not to mention the water; oh, the water. When a dog obedience training program effectively trains your dog to sit and stay, bath time will be more doable, without the literal hair, soap, and squirrel scented tsunami.

One nip of the quick can send a dog running from the nail clippers. To avoid making that mistake, it's important to own a dog who knows how to sit still or lie down during his pedicure. Brawling with your dog, just to get a shot at a single nail, often ends with blood and a dog who's tainted against grooming.

Ear Cleaning: Training a dog to sit still while you shoot cold liquid into her ears is no easy task, unless she already understands the sit and stay commands. Dog obedience training will make this task go more quickly, and with less wrestling, chasing, and head locking.

Brushing teeth isn't too bad, as long as you train your dog that puppy biting is not the speediest route to that yummy poultry flavored concoction known as toothpaste.

Coat care means daily brushing; but coat care without dog training means chases around the property, with you wielding a brush and some choice words. Mats can be detrimental to the health of long haired dogs, so training puppy at an early age to sit, get down, and stay still for this grooming essential is elementary.

Your dog's hairstyle is his signature, and if you're setting out to fashion the Maltese mullet, Poodle pompadour, or Bichon buzz, you'd be wise to establish whether or not your dog can stay put for the length of time your creation will require. If not, you'll subject him to nicks, cuts, abrasions, and lots of laughs from other dogs.

Removing foreign objects and substances from your dog's paws, mouth, or coat requires scissors, tweezers, and other aids, and might not be possible without the established usage of dog training tips. A dog should be introduced to these implements during puppy training, and should know how to sit and stay, or roll over, until the briar, thorn, or chewing gum is removed.

Positive dog obedience schools and dog obedience training programs can help to shape your dog into the beauty salon diva that you know she can be. She'll be confident, fearless in the face of grooming gizmos, and will view grooming as quality time with you.

As students in dog obedience schools, puppies are often subjected to gentle ear pulling, toe prodding, and mouth opening, to condition them to the fussing that comes with grooming. This is a valuable practice, and when combined with positive dog obedience training techniques, will equate to a dog who sees grooming as a social encounter, not a close encounter of the third kind.

Get to know the toothbrush, bathtub, and nail clipper with your puppy, as part of his dog obedience training system. This, along with dog obedience training techniques like the ones used by a top dog trainer, will mold a dog who not only acts like an angel, but looks a lot like one, too.

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Friday, August 20, 2010

Some Great Dog Training Tips

By Kausar Khan

To most of the people around the world, animals play more important role in their lives than the human beings. They dedicate all their love and care to their adorable pets which fill up the empty space of their hearts and never make them feel the solitude. A dog is regarded as the most loyal pet, which understands and obeys his master more than any other animal. Having an obedient and loving dog is not a matter of luck only. In fact, it all depends on the way you train him and make him understand your love and desire, which forces him to repay you with his care and obedience.

No doubt, that keeping a dog in a house is really a big deal. It's not possible to escape from the problems that your dog creates for you. So, this training will help to you establish an understanding environment for your dog. These tips are essential to follow because your pet needs to practice the rules and regulations of your place and it is not possible for him to work on your commands unless he is taught in a very effective manner. So, this article will definitely help you to establish an understanding and loving relation between you and your adorable pet friend.

Initially, it's you who gives the start to this training by converting your unnecessary strict and harsh behavior with your dog. Keep this thing in mind, that the animal which you have decided to keep with you only understands the language and actions of love. Yelling and beating on his bad habits would instead encourage him towards crossing limits. Then, the next thing is to create a proper time table for his activities. For this, you'll have to understand his nature, likes and dislikes, so that you can provide him the desirable environment. There should be fixed timings for eating, outing, sleeping, housebreaking etc to turn him into an obedient and disciplined pet.

Useful and note worthy tip is to let your dog walk by himself. You better make him habitual of walking on a leash rather than carrying him in your arms. Dog socialization can also help you improve the behavior of your pet. He should be trained of not baking and throwing negative impact on the strangers. In addition to that, digging problem, poop eating, separation anxiety and dog food aggression etc are the most common problems that occur with almost every pet dog. To solve this issue, hesitate your pet by splashing water on him or make unpleasant voice.

Your pet has to be familiar with basic commands like STAY, SIT, STOP, etc to follow your instructions smartly. If your dog shows you any kind of positive attitude towards your commands and demands, then this is the right time to encourage him by pleasing them with treats and their favorite eatables, so that they show the same behavior for the lure of their favorite treats. Your dog should be well informed and trained about the housebreaking requirements. So the dog training behind your door step is not as complicated as it sounds. What you need is consistency, patience, hard work and kindness. Good luck!

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Thursday, August 19, 2010

How To Prevent Your Dog Or Puppy From Embarrassing You In Public

By Adriana Noton

The biggest and best way to help with How to prevent your dog or puppy from embarrassing you in public is through obedience classes and basic training, although there are several different ways an individual could learn how to prevent a puppy or dog from doing things they shouldn't.

If you have a puppy, beginning obedience training classes as soon as they are part of your family is recommended. The sooner they realize that you are the leader of the pack and that they need to listen to what you are saying and commanding them to do, the better it will be for both you and the puppy.

Just as children need love, attention and boundaries, so do puppies; they need to know they are loved and cared for as well as where their boundaries are. Training a puppy can be rewarding and frustrating at the same time but well worth the efforts when they begin to grow into well behaved dogs.

A good dog or puppy full of energy could be most embarrassing when someone comes to your house for a visit and the animal bounds around the corner and jumps up on the guest, practically knocking them to the ground. What is more difficult is if the person visiting does not particularly care for dogs.

One of the best ways to help keep your dog or puppy from playfully attacking family members such as grandma or other visitors is to help them learn simple command such as sit, stay or down and stay. Then you could place them in the sit stay position or down stay before opening the door for your guest. A well trained dog or puppy will stay on command until you tell them 'release' no matter what is going on around them. This is the beauty of good training and will help cut down or eliminate the embarrassing moments.

Schools for dogs and puppies are wonderful places for your pets to learn the good behavior they need and to control their excess energy some have. Depending on the dog's breed and the amount of effort an owner puts out, this will determine when a dog or puppy 'clicks' with their training and masters the correct commands for stay, heel and sit.

One of the more important commands a puppy should learn is 'leave it'. This command is very helpful when taking a puppy or dog on a walk and they want to sniff or investigate everything or anything along the way. For example if there is something on the sidewalk, a discarded cigarette or a sandwich wrapper, a dog's natural curiosity and hunger will send them barreling towards the item, but if they know the command 'don't touch' they will continue on with their walking and leave the item alone, not giving it a second thought. There is another time in which the 'no' command would be necessary and that is when the dog or puppy would come face to face with another dog. This is because proper dog welcoming is to sniff the rear and not lick the face. Some dogs are sensitive to other dogs getting in their face.

There are many different exercises a dog owner and their puppy will participate in at dog school and one that helps with the embarrassing jumping on strangers or visitors is the 'meet and greet' exercise. These workouts has the class split up into two groups, on either side of the arena, and then walk towards each other with their dogs at heel position. Once they are about a foot away from each other, the handler puts their dog or puppy on a sit stay and proceeds to greet the other dog handler with a handshake. The dogs are to remain sitting without jumping or moving. Another part of the exercise is for each handler to wave their arm over the top of the dog and pat the other person on the shoulder.

Although fulfilling and fun, learning How to prevent your dog or puppy from embarassing you will take time and a lot of effort on the part of the owner in addition to a lot of patience. Practice is another big commitment a dog owner must resign themselves to if they want a well behaved pooch they are not embarrassed to take out in public or have people over to their house.

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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

What To Do When Your Dog Begs For Table Scraps

By Terry Dean

Like most people, canines love food. They're willing to sacrifice their dignity in order to obtain it. If food is not given freely, but instead eaten in front of them, they will beg. Some will do so relentlessly.

A begging dog can be particularly frustrating for his owner. He'll sit and stare longingly at his owner's plate, hoping to receive a tasty morsel, regardless of size. Unfortunately, many people acquiesce under the pressure, and give their pets table scraps just to send them away. This is a bad idea for a number of reasons.

Below, we'll explain the side effects table scraps can have on your canine; you'll learn the reasons you should avoid providing them. We'll also describe a few methods you can use to discourage the behavior, so you and your family can eat in peace.

Reasons To Avoid Feeding Your Pet Table Scraps

Commercial brands of dog food are specially formulated with the nutrients your pet needs to stay healthy. The vitamins and minerals contained in these brands are necessary for whatever stage of development your canine is in. Table scraps rarely provide the same level of nutrition. Instead, they usually deliver excess calories, which are likely to cause weight problems for your pet. And that leads to avoidable health issues.

Another reason to avoid giving your dog table scraps is because doing so can lead to digestive problems. Even though your pet will eat anything placed in front of him, his body may be unable to tolerate some types of food.

Also, given a steady diet of people food, your canine may eventually become fussy with his own meals. He'll essentially acquire a taste for the foods you feed your family. And that's when his begging will begin to take on a new level of urgency.

Preventing Access To Your Table

This method removes your pet's opportunity to beg. You can use a couple of different approaches depending on whether you would like your canine to remain in the room in which you're eating, or to stay out.

If you'd like his company in the room, place a lead and collar on him, and secure him to a nearby chair or other piece of furniture. He should be kept far enough away from the table to minimize the temptation to beg. Consider providing a chew toy to give him something to do while you and your family eat.

You can also bar him from the room, which can be done easily with a baby gate. Confine your dog to a room elsewhere in your home, so he's unable to watch you eat through the gate. This will prevent him from whining to gain your attention.

Sending Him Elsewhere

This method requires more time and patience since there is training involved. The goal is to give your canine something to do elsewhere in your home without confining him to that particular space. You'll need to train him to stay in his space while you and your family enjoy meals.

At first, your dog will be tempted to abandon his designated spot, and come looking for table scraps. Over time, however, you can teach him to remain there, thereby preventing him from begging.

This method has the added benefit of being helpful in other circumstances. For example, suppose you're entertaining guests, and would like to prevent your canine from bothering them. Simply instruct him to go to his designated space while your guests are visiting. As long as he has a few toys to occupy his attention, he'll be fine.

When your dog begs, he does so because he has an expectation his begging will produce results. This is the reason owners who have given in to their canines in the past find it difficult to curb the behavior. But it's never too late. Use the methods above to turn your begging pooch into a patient, pleasant companion.

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Monday, August 16, 2010

Shock Collars Are Safe Training Tools For Your Beloved Pet

By Ben Haynes

You may be creeped out by pet shock collars, but believe it or not, these tools really are safe. They are also effective as a way of training a pet. If you are trying to impact your pet's worst behaviors, you may want to consider it.

There are some points to take into account before using a shock collar.

The shock collar works by administering a small electric jolt to an animal's neck whenever it senses a high rate of vibration from the animal's vocal chords. The level and intensity of the shock is minimal and only meant to dissuade a continued behavior.

People compare the feeling of the shock to the shock one gets from static electricity or from a small battery. It is fairly uncomfortable, but advocates insist it isn't actually painful and it is very short term.

You should make sure you know your pet's neck size before you purchase a shock collar. Use a measuring tape or cloth measurer to get a measure. If you don't have those, you can use a simple piece of string or ribbon. Wrap the string around the animal's neck and then mark where the two sides meet. Then measure that length against a ruler.

When you receive your new collar, you should be able to set its level. Collars are capable of administering a range of shock levels; you should begin with the lowest level of electricity. If your pet doesn't respond to that level, you can increase it until it reaches a functional level.

Don't use the collar forever. Once your pet has modified its behavior to the point that you desire, you can curtail the use of the shock collar.

Your pet will always associate the target bad behaviors with the unpleasantness of the shock collar. If the animal backtracks into bad behavior, you can reinstate the use of the collar as long as necessary.

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Sunday, August 15, 2010

How To Train Your Dog Effectively

By Kausar Khan

Pets are a great thing with which your home looks lively and enthusiastic. When we talk about pets we definitely consider the dogs. Well the dogs are the best pets in the whole world because of which they are also known as men's bet friend. Most people live alone and many times they fell lonely but a pet dog will fill all spaces of your life. It is considered true that most people face problems when they pet a dog very first time. But if you train your dog with and with strictness you can easily control him and live the life with him happily.

Dogs and puppies behave like small babies and kids, so they should also be loved and protected just like them. Toys are a great thing to play with for both kids and dogs. Toys are very helpful for training the dogs. The chewing habit of dogs is very common and usual habit which is seen in almost all dogs. You can provide your dog some chewing toys in order to play with them and chew them as well. These toys will definitely help you to save your furniture and dogs will also be secured and will not hurt themselves.

Dogs are lively and enthusiastic and they should be taken out of the home. It is advised that when your dog is growing you should take him for outing everyday or once every two days. You can take your dog to the nearest garden where he can play with children and with other dogs. In this way most dogs learn some basic skills and develop good skills and respect for others. When dogs interact with other people and dogs they increase good behavior and the aggressive behavior decreases.

Many dogs which we see everyday possess aggressive behavior and attack different people suddenly. This is because the master have no control no the dog. It is advised to declare all sorts of boundaries to the dog in the very beginning and the dog should know that he has to follow as you are the master. Mostly aggressive behavior is seen because of this reason and this is also the common reason for the bad relation between the dog and the owner. This training decrease the aggressiveness of the dog and most dogs eliminate the aggressive behavior.

Well there are many and different ways of dog training and you can choose all simultaneously because training trains the dog different thing and make him a good and lovely pet. Crate training is one of the most popular dog training and it is also one of the toughest for both dog and for the master. Well these are some really effective dog training ways which are very useful and true for all types of dogs.

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Saturday, August 14, 2010

House Training Your Puppy--Essential Tips To Trouble Free Success

By Corson Strand

Who else wants to know the secret to housetraining your puppy? The secret is that there really is no big secret. Here is how it works: You need patience, you must be persistent, and you must be firm but gentle. Housetraining your puppy properly will set the stage for an unbreakable, loving bond with your puppy.

Chances are that the idea of potty training a new puppy brings to mind vivid images of indescribable mess. Many people cringe at the mere mention of the words, "housebreaking" and "potty training." True, some mess is unavoidable, but housetraining your puppy does not have to be a nightmare of pooh but can, in fact, be pleasurable learning experience for both you and your pet.

How long does it take to before you have a potty discipline puppy? Experts say--and my own experience confirms this--that you should see consistent results in two to three weeks. However, professionals also warn that it may take two to three months without the dog eliminating before the job is truly accomplished.

The real secret to housebreaking puppies is routine. That is, the persistent and consistent application of an established, rote procedure. What many people do not realize is that routine makes dogs feel secure. The more your dog understands the daily routine, the more confident it will be because it will be able to predict the routine.

The essential, fundamental elements of house breaking your puppy include: setting a routine that you never vary; taking your puppy outdoors every one or two hours; setting a feeding schedule that you also never vary; taking your pet outside ten to 15 minutes after its meals; showing approval when it goes outside and especially on command; and never showing disapproval and/or anger when accidents happen inside. And one last side tip--be sure to clean as well as possible all areas inside where the puppy makes a mess. If you don't clean, then the puppy may continue using those spots to eliminate.

I think you will find that these steps are essential not only for housetraining but for other basic puppy training. Follow the tips outlined in this article and you will soon find that you have a happily housebroken pet, and the stage set for successful, future dog training.

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Friday, August 13, 2010

Dog Training Methods Make Food Guarding A Thing Of The Past

By Dr. Nortey Omaboe

Food has been made an integral part of dog obedience training because it appeals to a dog's survival instinct; it's an effective motivator. But when that food becomes a mechanism for aggression, causing a dog to guard his meals with violent means, that dog's food instinct has overcome his enjoyment of that dog training motivator.

Historically, food guarding was necessary for survival of wolf individuals in the wild. When a carcass was carried back to the pack, the wolves that fought for the right to eat earned the best, and the most, meat. Defending this right sprung from the fact that most wolves only got to eat every few days, so the opportunity to eat didn't arise often, and had to be seized. Today, there's an unlimited supply of kibble, but your dog might not grasp that concept without a little help.

This instinct sometimes carries over into modern day mealtimes. A submissive dog might guard his food from more dominant ones, or he might eat it hurriedly, to prevent his food from being stolen. Or, a dominant dog might guard his food from other dogs who could, at any moment, pounce in an attempt to usurp food power.

Just because a dog behavior is natural, doesn't mean that it belongs in modern day society. The best way to deal with this particular behavior is to properly train your dog and stop it from developing. These dog training techniques can help to keep food guarding habits from forming:

When training puppy, feed him only a few pieces of food at once, picking up the bowl frequently and adding more food to it.

Stroke your puppy while he's eating.

Hold the food bowl in your hands while she's eating.

Train your puppy or dog to sit before filling his bowl, and then ask him to sit again, halfway through eating. Keep an extra tasty treat handy for this exercise, like a piece of chicken or steak.

While he's eating, command your puppy to stop eating and to sit. Put a piece of meat into his dry food and dig your fingers into the food, stirring it around. Now, allow him to finish.

Take the food bowl partway through her meal. Put her favorite meat treat into the bowl. Replace the bowl and allow her to finish eating.

Ask children and other family members, along with visitors, to try these dog training techniques, too.

All of these dog training tips train your dog to understand that you have no interest in stealing his food, that mealtime can be relaxing and fun, and that it can include bonuses if he's calm and compliant. Employ clicker training elements with these exercises for even quicker success.

If your dog has already developed a habit of lip curling, guttural growling, dog barking, the showing of teeth, fixed eyes, and gluttonous eating, do not attempt the above dog training techniques; you could be bitten. These dog training tips are only meant for preventing food guarding.

It's no longer necessary for your dog to guard, or fight for, her meal. Unlike her ancestors, she's privy to an endless supply of food. When she fully grasps this concept, mealtime will be safe and pleasant.

Your dog's development as a domestic pet has transferred the responsibility of survival from her to you. She can trust that you have her best interest in mind, and that dog obedience training, in and out of the bowl, is her ticket to a long and well fed existence.

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Thursday, August 12, 2010

How To Discourage Your Canine From Chasing Automobiles

By Robert Linstrong

Dogs love to chase vehicles. Unfortunately, doing so often leads to their injury or death. In some cases, they chase an automobile until it stops, at which point they run into its back end, and damage their spine. In other cases, the canine is hit by another car.

Another problem is that drivers who see dogs lunging into the street are likely to brake quickly, or swerve into oncoming traffic. This poses a serious danger to other drivers and pedestrians.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at the reasons canines chase vehicles. If you're able to pinpoint the trigger, you'll be more effective in curbing the tendency. We'll then offer a few suggestions for discouraging the behavior in your pooch.

Understanding Why Dogs Chase Cars

Your dog is a natural predator, even if he doesn't seem so. This can manifest in different ways. For example, if given the opportunity, he'll stalk and chase small rodents. If he happens to corner one, he'll rarely follow through in harming it. The reason? Because stalking his prey is a game for him. He has no intention of harming or killing the rodent.

The same is true when your canine chases people riding bicycles, kids on skateboards, or even other pets. It is the mark of a normal, happy, and well-balanced pooch socializing with others.

There are a few breeds that have a stronger predatorial sense than most. For them, the act of stalking and catching their prey is not a game. If they catch their prey, there is a good chance they will kill it. While this level of stalking is rarely directed toward vehicles, it is possible. It is also difficult to control.

Even though chasing cars comes naturally to a dog, the tendency can be discouraged before it becomes a problem. The key is addressing the behavior as early as possible.

Preventing The Problem Before It Starts

When your canine first shows signs of interest in passing vehicles, immediately call his name to capture his attention. Once he looks at you, and keeps his eyes on you, praise him and give him a treat. This trains him to understand that ignoring traffic and giving you his attention when you call results in a positive outcome. This will prove invaluable if you accidentally release his leash while traffic is passing nearby.

A lot of owners assume that because their pets only chase vehicles while behind a fence, the behavior poses no danger. In reality, it does since the tendency reinforces itself. Eventually, your dog may jump into the fence out of excitement, harming himself in the process. Thus, you should take the time to curb the behavior.

Curbing An Existing Tendency To Chase

If your canine has already developed a habit of chasing cars, you'll need to first test his ability to come when you call him. This is critical. Everything revolves around his perception that you are the priority. Start by testing him in a quiet environment with no distractions.

After he consistently responds to your commands, take him to a park or similar setting that offers distractions without the danger of traffic. This will teach him to ignore other things, and focus his attention on you.

Next, test his ability to focus near semi-busy streets. Make sure you keep a tight hold on his leash to prevent him from bolting into traffic. Many dogs will respond consistently to their owners at home or at a park, but will lose their focus when presented with the opportunity to chase a car. Be wary.

Many canines have been injured or killed as the result of chasing vehicles. Train your dog to ignore traffic, and listen to your voice. It may one day save his life.

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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Identifying Different Types Of Canine Aggression

By Robert Linstrong

Of all dog behavioral issues, aggression is the one that most frustrates owners. It is very common, though canines display signs for very different reasons. Many owners observe hostile behavior in their pets, but are unaware regarding its trigger. Consequently, they are uncertain about how to respond.

First, it's important to realize that aggressive behavior is natural to dogs. Though most are domesticated, they remain pack animals, and perceive the world around them accordingly.

Second, in order to properly address hostility in your canine, you must first be able to identify the different types of aggression. Once you can determine the trigger, you'll be better prepared to "cure" the problem.

With this in mind, we'll provide a brief overview of the most common reasons dogs become antagonistic. The following descriptions will offer a springboard from which you can remedy the problem.

Protect Family

As pack animals, canines have traditionally protected those within their group from assailants. If an intruder threatens one member, the others will respond quickly to protect him or her.

In your home, your dog considers you and your family to be members of his "pack." If he feels you, your family, or other pets under your roof are threatened by a perceived attacker, he will behave aggressively to warn the attacker away. The problem is, many canines become overly-protective, and consider any person outside their "pack" to represent a potential threat.

Protect Home

Similar to guarding their families, dogs also guard their territories. If an intruder approaches their den, they will respond with hostility to discourage that person or animal from coming closer.

Your canine considers your home to be his den, and will respond aggressively to any person or animal he feels to be a threat. Here, too, he may become overly-protective of his home. If he does, he will treat everybody aggressively, even those you consider friends. Interestingly, this type of aggression is very rare in puppies since they have not yet learned to protect their "dens."

Stemming From Fear

Canines react to elements that frighten them in the same way as humans: they retreat. However, if retreat is not an option, they will fight. In the wild, if a pair of wolves approach a dog, the dog will initially seek a path that provides him an escape route. If, however, such a path is unavailable, he will turn to face the wolves, despite his fear.

Fear aggression is dangerous. If a person unwittingly corners a canine, that person risks being bitten. Thus, always provide an unfamiliar dog a route through which he can escape.

Guard Possessions

Dogs are hardwired to protect their possessions. While this trait stems from the need to fight for food outside the human-canine relationship, it has carried over to today's pets. For example, when a person or animal approaches a dog's food bowl, he may bare his teeth and growl to communicate his ownership.

Within your home, your canine may express possessive behavior over his food, toys, and even the area in which he likes to rest. This may become a problem if visitors - either people or animals - stumble upon your pet's possessions without realizing they have done so.

Hierarchical Order

Dogs have always functioned within groups according to their understanding of their pack's hierarchy. As long as they know - and accept - those ranked above and below them, there is minimal conflict. Conflict arises when there is a bid for authority within the group.

This latter problem occasionally happens between canines and their owners, families, and other pets. The dog will compete for authority, and act aggressively when others confront him.

Canine aggression can only be addressed successfully after the behavior's trigger has been identified. If you're having difficulty doing so, consider working with your veterinarian or a professional trainer.

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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The Easiest Dog Training Tricks For Your Pet

By Sharon Taylor

So you have decided on a new puppy for your family, well one of the first things you should do, besides naming him is to start him on a training schedule. Puppies tend to learn much faster than older adult dogs do when it comes to dog training tricks. This is why it is important to start them out as early as you can. But do not believe the old adage of you cannot teach an old dog new tricks because you really can it just takes a little longer.

The sit command is one you will use not only for the purpose of sitting but also as the first step in the other two tricks we have listed below. This is a trick which will help you keep him still and calm in situations which may prove dangerous to him or you. It will also help with minor annoyances such as greeting everyone with paws on the shoulders if he is tall enough, licking, jumping in the lap etc..

The easiest way to do this is to get his favorite treats he loves, hold it above his head. Once he settles down a bit and plops his rear on the ground or the floor then immediately say the word "sit" and follow it with good dog then proceed to give him his treat and a pat on the head. Keep on working with him on a continuous basis in this manner and he will be sitting on command in no time.

The next command you should teach your pet is the one to lie down. This is something especially important if they will be traveling by care with you or other members of your family for long or even short distances. This command will keep them from moving around inside the car itself which could be hazardous to you as well as other drivers on the road.

Still using the treat method of training tell him to sit and then take the treat pulling it away from him across the ground or surface he is sitting on until he is in the lying down position. Then tell him the lie down command, give him the treat and give him praise for a job well done.

One of the harder of these commands for your puppy to learn is that of the stay command. This is a very important thing for them to adhere too for their well being and your peace of mind. This stay command will keep them firmly where they sit down until you tell them it is okay to move. Great for if a door gets opened, you walk to the curb to get your paper or even walking over to a neighbors home. Your puppy will sit right there until your return. Tell him the command of sit with treat above his eyes then move slightly away from him while keeping the treat in his view say, stay, stay and if he does not move then he gets the treat. It takes much practice for this one but is well worth it in the long run.

Training your puppy or adult dog should be done at the same intervals each day as they get used to having routine within their lives as we do also. Their focus is not very long standing so knowing this you should always time training sessions for about 20-30 minutes at the most. They will become unfocused and lose interest after too much time if you do not.

There are books as well as training videos and more available online or even at pet supermarkets to help you teach your pet even more fantastic tricks and to answer all your questions regarding your specific dog breeds behaviors, health concerns and more. They even have training tools if you want to implement those as well.

Important behavior problems which need to be controlled and fixed with these and more dog training tricks include pawing, playful biting, jumping up and chasing other animals or children even in a play like manner. Start with the basic three commands listed here and then move on to harder and more advanced things from there. It takes some time to teach them all the things you want to but in the end it is well worth it when you look into the eyes of a healthy, happy and well-mannered puppy or adult dog.

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Monday, August 9, 2010

Teaching Your Puppy To Come--A Short, Quick Guide

By Corson Strand

In day to day basic puppy training, when teaching your puppy to come or to obey any command, only give the command when you are able to enforce it. You must always be in a situation where you get compliance. For that reason, you do not want to use the command without good cause or in any other circumstance where you do not intend to get the desired outcome. When teaching "come," only give the command when you intend the dog to come to you. That means it should stop whatever else it is doing and come to you.

To offer a somewhat humorous example of why this is important, I often take my dogs along for rides when I go out in the car. I Have a Forrester, so there is plenty of room in the back. The dogs have come to enjoy car rides and are always on the lookout for an occasion to hop in the car. Well, I accidentally got into the habit of saying "all right" before putting them into the car. Now, as a result, if I should say, "all right" in some other context, they immediately jump up and run to the door expecting a car ride. This is hardly a serious situation, but I have had to unteach them that "all right" means a ride in the car.

With particular respect to the "come" command, it is important to not give your dog the choice of not coming. Thus, a very basic way of starting out is to always have your dog on a leash. I recommend a leash of at least 3 or 4 feet. Attach the leash to the dog's collar and position him (or her) at one end and you at the other. I also advise that you do not use a choke or pinch collar for this. Say the command, "come" in a firm, civil voice and then very gently tug the leash so as to encourage the dog to approach you. It is important to use only the minimum force necessary. After the dog comes to you, give it lots of praise and a small, tasty treat.

The next caution we want to suggest is that you never use the "come" command and then scold or rebuke your dog. You do not want your puppy to associate the command, "come" with negative experience. And that's true even if you need to isolate your dog for something necessary such as bathing. If your dog does not enjoy it, and you train that command, it will suspect something bad as a result of compliance.

In situations where you discover your dog behaving badly, your first impulse may be to say "come" in a somewhat angry voice to get it to stop misbehaving. If possible, take positive, corrective action, but do not associate "come" with the correction. It is difficult to always remember exactly what to do in stressful situations, but as much as possible, create in your puppy's mind only positive associations with your command words.

Another effective tip is to always take advantage of times when the puppy happens to be moving toward you. You can leverage this to your training advantage by saying, "come" and then letting the puppy do what it is doing naturally. And of course you give it lots praise. A trick that can work with a young puppy (6 to 8 weeks) is to put it on a leash with plenty of slack. Toll a toy a small distance away and let the puppy run to get it. When the puppy has the toy, tell it to "come" and then gently tug it in your direction, and reward it with generous praise and occasionally with a treat. This is almost as easy as it sounds, and your dog will love learning how to please you!

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Sunday, August 8, 2010

Training Your Dog: The Professional Approach

By Bob McKinney

You have a new member to you family, he's furry and has four legs and loves you for no other reason than for being you. Sometimes though, a new puppy can make your neighbors hate you, your yard a mess, your home a mess and wedded bliss well something other than bliss. So to save yourself hours of doggy induce drama as well as keeping your pup happy as well dog training is essential. Combining the knowledge of the experts with the right attitude will help you turn your tailed tear away into a model doggy citizen. The following four tips have been tried and tested by the professionals.

Who Is The Boss?

In nature dogs are pack animals that follow the pack leader who makes all the decisions for the good of the pack. To stop confusion and back-biting within the pack there is only ever one pack leader at a time. What you need to make your dog realize that you are the alpha male. To help you live up to your new role as pack leader you should take your dog for regular walks when you get home from work and complete obedience courses with him. Controlling the amount of food and when your dog gets it is another way of asserting your pack leader status over your dog. Teaching your dog that you will only feed him twice a day will help to show him that you are the boss.

Don't Change

If your dog doesn't learn a command experts say that it isn't his fault, professionals agree that in most cases it's the owner that is at fault when a dog doesn't understand what you want him to do. Everything in the dog world is either black or white where humans see a whole swathe of grays. People know that "Come" and "C'mon" have become synonymous, dogs on the other hand don't know that they mean the same thing so saying "C'mon" in place of "Come" will only succeed in confusing the dog. To limit the confusion to a bare minimum it is vital that you use the same tone of voice and the same words when teaching your dog a new command.

Obedience Comes from Respect

To build a happy relationship with your dog you must share a feeling of mutual respect between the you. This can be attained easily, as your dog will respect your position of alpha male of the pack you must respect his needs. Respect is not something that you will find by intimidating your dog or cramming treats down it's throat. With proper praise and correction your dog will grow to respect you as an alpha male instead of fearing you as a bad owner or acting badly because you treat him too much, training your dog is about doing what is right and not what is easy.

Only When The Time Is Right

Time factors in to every part of your furry friends training schedule. Over the course of your dogs life he will have picked up habits that will make it harder for you to train him than when he is a puppy that hasn't had time to learn the habits. Mistakes tend to happen when you try and train your dog over a long and drawn out training session. To help keep you dog focused on the task at hand you it is recommended that you keep your trains sessions at around the 15 minute mark to increase that chance that your dog will stay focused. When you take on the role as pack leader timing is essential as well. In a natural dog pack the alpha male will eat first so mimicking this behavior in your own home be feeding your dog after you've finished eating is a great way of reminding him of who is the top dog.

Where as dog training has to be done, it doesn't have to be looked at as work. So that training you dog doesn't become a chore is it important to make sure that you find a trainer that makes things easy and enjoyable for both of you.

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Saturday, August 7, 2010

Common Dog Crates For Your Canine

By Tim Bell

Dogs are wonderful to have. They are great companions, good protectors and some can even assist the disabled. It is common for people to have a dog as a house pet. With a dog in the house it is important to train him to attain an orderly household. Dog crates great tools to use in the house training process. They are multi-purpose; they can be a play pen for puppies, a safe way to transport your pet, and it gives your dog a home away from home setting.

It is crucial to choose the right crate for your dog. If it is any bigger, the dog will defecate in the empty corner. The key points in buying a crate are to get the right size and should be comfortable for your dog to lay and stand inside it. One way to get the right size for your kennel is to take measurements. First, determine the height by taking the measurement from the shoulder of your pet down to the floor. The second is to take the length by measuring head to the base of the tail. Once you get the measurements, add three inches to both height and length, then, you will have the minimum dimensions of the kennel that you should buy. If you have a puppy, think about buying a wire crate that has a divider. This will make the crate adjustable to the size of the puppy and you can continue to adjust it as he grows.

Kennels come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. You can even have a uniquely designed crate depending on your taste and your canine companions' needs. When you walk in a pet store, you will find that there are, typically, 3 common types of crates to choose from. These are wire, plastic and metal crates.

Wire crates are very sturdy. They are low maintenance and provide excellent ventilation. Most of these crates are corrosion-resistant, they come with a sliding pan, and easy to fold so it is effortless to keep and store.

When traveling with your pet dog, airlines approve plastic dog crates. Plastic crates works for everything; it is lightweight and is easy to assemble. Usually, its ventilation is situated at the side panels which give your dog a good airflow. Some dogs can be frightened by the panel's enclosed sides. If you suspect that your dog is claustrophobic, you should test this kennel with your dog first before purchasing. But for most dogs, they find this crate to be cozy and comfortable enough as a pet bed.

Metal or aluminum crates are heavy duty. They are perfect for big, heavy canines. They come in collapsible varieties; most of these crates are pre-assembled and easy to clean. Although, they are slightly heavier than most crates, they are useful for traveling. Be sure you purchase the one with proper ventilation. Some aluminum crates are airline approved. Check on further airline guidelines before purchasing.

Nowadays, there are so many designer crates that come in conventional, contemporary, and sleek designs. Because of fashion and trends, kennels are now evolving from furniture pieces to carriers. They are skillfully made to combine in to your favorite living room.

Whatever the design and purpose, it is important that these dog crates should provide a safe place for your pet to nap or relax. The secure your pet feels, the happier he will be and every dog owner knows that there is no price to that!

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Friday, August 6, 2010

Dog Training Methods Especially For You

By Kausar Khan

Are you a dog owner? Alternatively want your dog to behave well? Then, you need to learn some dog training methods for that purpose. Do you want your dog to make himself safe? Then teach him some skills, which help him survive. Do you want your dog to be accepted by everyone at your home? Then teach him some skills, which help him in becoming a good family member. Are there any specialized dog training methods? Yes, for purposes like survival, assisting disabled person, hunting, bomb sniffing, and entertainment as well. Are there only specialized dog training methods for all dogs? No, every owner must fulfill the basic dog training methods.

The most basic dog training of all is to toilet train your dog. This training needs to be implemented as soon as your dog is brought home, or you have given your dog a name which you could use for his attention while training. The training is necessary and its reason is simple and understandable by its name. Another of the basic dog training is obedience training. You can start to this training with the simple commands of 'sit' or 'stand' for preparing them for further advanced training. As because of this basic training you will be able to easily train your dog for advanced training.

Moving on from the basic dog trainings, specific breed dogs are also trained in military to become bomb sniffing dogs, which are a type of specialized dog trainings. Herding, hunting, or dog fashion show, are as well some purposes for which dogs are trained. For entertainment dogs are trained to perform tricks, which is a very popular training. Dogs can also be trained to swim for survival. Another specific training of the dog is to help people with disabilities. Through effective dog training methods, all these training can be implemented, which will help you and your dog to do these training easily without imposing any harm.

To train your dog fast and easily, rewarding him or boosting him with positive words are the best ways. The main principle behind this dog training method is to provide him a treat of his favorite food so that the dog associates the given task with something pleasant afterward. However, the timings here are necessary so that the associating of the reward is done with the right task. A routine is also necessary to be maintained in your dog training methods as it will help you in training your dog faster, and he will learn it as long as he is in a habitual procedure of it.

How can you make your dog training easy and effective? You can do that by being consistent in your commands and being the lone person training your dog. When can you let other family members handle the training? They can handle it when your dog has learned the basic commands. Most importantly, enjoy your training. What if you find training your dog challenging? Don't punish your dog, hurt your dog, just be patient. What will be the result of this patience? The result of your patience will be revealed when your dog becomes well behaved and a happy family member of your family.

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Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Can You Stop Dog Barking?

By Colleen Tess

Why is it that dogs bark when they don't in the wild. Wolves don't bark as it is not in their nature. So one reason dogs bark is that we have domesticated them to do so. We developed herding dogs to scare off predators and notify their masters that there is danger around them.

Due to our domestication of our dogs, the dogs bark to get attention. They also bark to show their excitement. Repeated behavior is caused by reinforcement with training and lifestyle. So teaching dogs to communicate is dependent on the reward given. If you reward your dog when it barks it will continue to do so. It is important to figure out what your dog is trying to tell you before you reward your dog and then act appropriately at the time of the barking.

If your dog is excessively barking, try to figure out what he is trying to say. If it is to get attention, your or others, the way to break this habit is to wait for him to be quiet before you give him the attention your dog wants. By acknowledging the barking when your dog is barking you will reinforce the barking. If you wait he will change his habit.

Some dogs are extremely territorial. They will bark at not only a person approaching, but someone they see walking across the street or on the next block. The best way to stop this is to distract him when he starts to bark. Catch his attention with a treat or by playing. Every time the bark cycle is broken, it sends the message that quiet will get the most reward.

Ultimately it is important to learn why your dog is barking. Once you know what your dog is barking about, then you can redirect, refocus or reward your dog for his barking. It's up to you to take the appropriate action depending on the situation.

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