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Posts Tagged ‘dog behavior’

Dog obedience training is not just for pure bred show dogs, or those dogs used for services like police work, public service and military missions. Obedience training should be applied to all dogs. It is surprising that so many owners of mixed-breed dogs feel that their dog isn’t good enough or acceptable for formal obedience training. While it is true that many Specialty-Breed Dog Clubs and All-Breed Dog Clubs do discriminate and refuse to allow enrollment of mixed-breed dogs, dog clubs are simply just one place where dogs can receive formal obedience training.

The online search engines and yellow pages can assist you in finding dog training classes in your location. With the exception of some dog clubs, your mixed breed pooch is welcome. The mixed breed dog learns just as well as a dog with papers.

Price of dog training is another area that has stopped so many people. Without actually doing any checking they assume the price will be costly. The simple fact is formal dog obedience training classes are inexpensive.

There is a very inexpensive, easy to follow training program. You can learn from a professional at home. Daniel Stevens is the trainer and his program has excellent rave reviews. There are many Secrets to Dog Training Reviews and all agree the program is worth the small outlay.

If a person loves their family dog, the tuition for formal dog obedience training must be considered as the soundest investment that could possibly be made. In less than ten weeks, working with your dog just fifteen minutes a day, your family dog will know and respond to words very quickly.

It will come immediately when called instead of running in another direction, or worse, ignoring you. It will sit when told, instead of jumping up on people. It will walk at your side instead of pulling you down the sidewalk. It will lie down where and when you tell it to and it will stay exactly where you told it to stay. No longer would your dog have bad dog behavior.

Many people unfortunately, who own watchdogs for example, are forced to confine them to back rooms when they have visitors, simply because there dogs have had no formal dog obedience training. They fail to realize that a watchdog confined to a back room is about as effective as a car without a key.

An obediently trained dog knows the difference between no and okay. Not only can this training elevate the status of your family dog, it also instills in it the soundness of character that you never knew possible. An obediently trained dog is not ‘just a dog,’ but a welcome addition to any household.

When you get a puppy, you might not think immediately about dog training, but you should. Having a well trained dog can mean the difference between a alm and settled household and a chaotic one.

Dog behavior is directly impacted by how much training he has. He needs to have structure and limits in his life. If you don’t provide this, he will, and that can create significant behavior problems in your dog.

Why Train Your Dog?

No matter your dog’s breed, he is descended from wolves and it is his instinct to be part of a pack. In the dog pack, there is a hierarchy, with clear dominant roles and submissive roles. If you don’t become the leader of the pack, your dog will make himself that leader. That’s not good and creates all kinds of dog problems.

Training reinforces and establishes the hierarchy concept for a dog. It teaches him that someone in the household is in control and that he must submit to that person.

Although some people say they prefer to not provide any dog obedience training, that’s a mistake. Puppy training – it’s best to start them young – can do much for your young dog, and will only help him as he gets older.

Where to Get Training?

You have a few choices:

1. You can hire a professional trainer to come to your house
2. You can attend dog obedience training classes
3. You can buy an online ebook and CD or DVD (the cheapest and preferred option)

Whatever you do, it’s important that your dog’s first (and future) experience with training is successful.

Dog House Training.

When most of us think about dog training, we think first and foremost about dog obedience training. Dog obedience training is really about the basics of training and includes learning commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “heel.”

Even if your dog only learns the most basic of dog training commands, his knowledge of just a few basic commands is immensely useful to you as the dog sowner.

A dog that’s received some dog obedience training is also much more pleasant to strangers and other dogs. You can control his behavior when necessary and he will also develop the inner discipline that will help him make right decisions even when you’re not around.

Dog House Training

Dog house training is something you can do yourself. You don’t need the experts for this, though a little advice from a dog training expert certainly can’t hurt.

Your dog must be house trained in order to ensure that he can understand the basics of his needs. That is, he should understand, through some consistent dog house training efforts on your part, that there are certain needs he has that must be met appropriately.

If you have never done any puppy training before with potty issues, you might look in the following places:

* Books, online ebooks and CD or DVD
* You Tube videos
* Friends with more experience than you
* Dog training experts

Crate Training

The concept of crate training is lost on many dog owners, but it’s a concept and a behavior that should be encouraged.

Crate training dogs gives them a sense of safety and security. While initially, many dog owners will use crate training as a puppy training method, the older dog benefits greatly from using a crate as well.

Crate training can be used to reinforce house training, or it can be used as a tool to teach a dog to sleep in a particular place at night, to keep the dog away from strangers, or transport the dog in the car.

There are so many essential uses for crate training, in fact, that dogs suffer from not having this kind of dog obedience training in their lives.

Basic Dog Obedience Training

Dog training tips run the gamut from “be sure you use a firm voice” to “let your dog lead the way.” The reality is what works for you might not work for someone else and a different dog might respond differently to training.

Find your own path with your new dog. Keeping in mind that:

* He needs structure and discipline and dog obedience training gives him that
* He will respond to firm direction from you that’s given lovingly and consistently
* Both you and he will be happier in your relationship if your dog has even the most basic understanding of dog obedience training.

Dog training is an essential part of owning a dog. It’s worth whatever effort you are willing to give it.

A dog makes a great companion and kids enjoy having a four legged friend. Most families will welcome a good natured dog. Controlling your dogs chewing is important to gaining the most enjoyment from your pet. 

A chewing dog requires the consideration of a number of aspects. The most effective way to stop your dog from chewing is to look at the dog’s environment. Does your dog seem bored or under stress? Could it be teething? Excessive chewing may be a symptom of such issues. Read my Puppy and Dog Training Online review to explore how to control dog chewing.

Here are some steps that you will need to remember in order to stop your dog from chewing:

Your dog looks to you for direction and don’t forget that you are in control of your dog’s behavior. Your dog needs to know this. You are the leader of the pack and your dog doesn’t mind being at the bottom of the pack.

First question, what is your dog chewing? If your dog is chewing anything in your home like shoes, clothes, etc your dog thinks it is allowed to. A young pup without maturity or self control can be helped by the removal of tempting items to chew. {Sometimes spraying an object with an unpleasant taste will stop your dog from chewing it}. This will be remembered by the dog and will act as a deterrent in preventing future chewing episodes.

So why is your dog chewing? Could it be that your puppy is teething? Gum pain will be helped by something to chew. Dogs are able to tell the difference between things they have permission to chew and objects they are not. Frozen dog chews, puppy teething rings or a hard rubber ball will all help painful gums.

Next, is your dog chewing because it’s bored or stressed? Your new family member is going to need a fair bit of stimulation to keep it entertained. You might try some dog toys that require persistence or effort to master if you ned to be out of the house all day. Your dog may be stressed because you are away all day. You could try leaving without your dog knowing, to reduce the separation anxiety. It is best to make sure you include your pet in activities when you are at home and ensure they are not ignored. Your dog may try to attract your attention in a way that is unacceptable if it is bored.

We are going to explore some of the basics of dog pyschology. When you understand why your dog thinks and behaves the way he does, it can go a long way to helping in the process of training your dog.

Understanding why a dog behaves and acts the way he does is called dog pyschology. The way the dog-a descendant of the wolf- has adapted to human social organization is truly fascinating.

Dogs have learned to live with and obey humans through successful training. A dog learns that when he behaves well, he will be rewarded and this is one facet of creating a trusting bond and relationship between you and your dog.

To better understand dog psychology it is important to understand how wolves live.In the wild wolves live in packs of two or more.The males and females of the wolf pack use a strictly defined dictatorship system.

The biggest male in the pack is almost always the “alpha leader.”All of the other wolves in the pack folllow the alpha leader eagerly and with the utmost respect.

With a similar social organization and instinctive mental or psychological structure, wolves were able to adapt domestically with man thousands of years ago. Wolves divide duties like feeding:one wolf tracks, one stands guard, and one makes the attack.The alpha leader allows the other members of the pack to finish his “leftovers” when he has fed first and is satisfied.

As part of your household your dog views the members of the family as the pack.To figure out who the alpha leader is and exactly how he fits into this new system, your dog will be watching everyone closely.

He will be watching for clues such as the physical size of each family member as well as the tone of voice that each person speaks with.The way everyone interacts with one another is another clue your dog will watch for throughout the day.

Someone in the household, either yourself or another responsible adult in the household, will have to establish themself as the alpha leader.The sooner this is established, the fewer behavioral problems you will see.

You must also have a clear understanding that your dog is at the bottom of your family’s hierarchal system.

If your dog sees that no hierarchal system is in place, he will create one and put himself in charge. This is when a lot of dogs can become overly dominant and destructive. Your dog should understand that he is subordinate to everyone-including children.

Because of their small size and their dependency on adults, it is sometimes difficult for a dog to understand that he is lower ranked than children. Dogs can sometimes become very aggressive towards children for this reason and might even bite on occasion.

You can help your dog realize that his position is subordinate to every other family member through disciplined training.Good quality dog training resources can help you with this process.

Remember, training does take time and effort, but it is definately worth it!

All the best with the process of training your dog.

Darcy Austin is editor in chief of Dog Obedience University, a comprehensive resource on dog obedience training.

To be able to control you dogs barking you must first understand why it is barking. Your dog communicates through barking and you will develop an understanding of your dogs barking over time. Sometimes you will want your dog to bark, when something is wrong or your dog needs to go to the toilet, for example. Don’t forget, there is good barking and bad barking!. As a dog owner, you are responsible for teaching your dog about barking and making sure you don’t become one of those annoying neighbours. Remember, you are the boss and your dog will follow your instruction about what to do and what not to do.

For more ideas for your training check out these reviews of the best dog training packages available today. Go to Best Dog Training Guides now.

Is your dog feeling bored, anxious or lonely?

The most common cause of unwanted barking is a dog who feel lonely or anxious. Does your dog spend the major part of every day alone? To accomodate being left alone so long you will need to make sure your dog is getting one to one and a half hours of exercise per day, depending on breed. A good walk before work is recommended. If you find this difficult think about hiring someone to do the walking for you. Your dog will appreciate this attention. There are many dog toys available for you to try. Dogs love balls and perhaps you could even leave your dog a bone to chew on. A great way for your dog to rediscover toys is to rotate them.

Spending too much time alone is a common cause of barking. . Spend a lot of time with your dog playing and showing it affection. Dogs thrive on this. Find activities that include your dog, when at home. Dogs exhibit happiness if they are loved. A dog that gets plenty of attention is also less likely to exibit other difficult behaviors and you won’t need to Stop Your Dog Chewing.

Is it playtime for your dog?

If your dog is barking so that you will play with it, do not give in to this demand. Reinforcing a bad habit will be the result, if you do. A relationship built on mutual respect does not tolerate this sort of harassment. Ignore this type of behavior if you want your dog to stop demanding your attention in this way. Moving away and turning your back towards your dog is a way to demonstrate this effectively. This will confuse your dog at first. Since the barking behavior has worked in the past your dog may thinking that if it barks for just a little longer you will give in. Don’t Succumb! Be strong. You will probably have to endure worse barking before the barking improves. When your dog has realized the barking isn’t working remember to praise it. Let your dog know how pleased you are, with positive reinforcement. It won’t take long for your dog to re learn this behaviour, if you are consistent.

Effective dog training requires consistency. Dogs respond positively to knowing who the boss is. Your leadership is necessary for your dog to respect you and become well adjusted, well behaved and happy. A dog does not necessarily have to be quiet to be well behaved. Your dog will learn from your clear instruction about the right times to bark.

To find out more about keeping your barking dog quiet visit Dog Barking Problems.

There is a lot work to looking after a dog or puppy and he or she will take up a lot of time, you must be prepared to clean up dog poo every day, until your dog is house trained, or when you take him for a walk.

Training a dog can be hard, especially if you aren’t used to dog training. Simple acts can produce the best and quickest results. You have to understand how a dog would live if he were living in a dog pack. There is always a leader of the pack the alpha male, and you will have to become the alpha, so your dog will know you are in charge and will obey and follow you.

Don’t let any of this put you off, a dog is a wonderful companion and will give you lots of love, with the added bonus if needed, of protecting you. Remember they need plenty of love, attention, and petting as well, so enjoy your best friend.

The following tips will help you look after your dog properly and have a good relationship

Dog problems

Dogs like to dig, they like to bury bones, not good if you are a keen gardener. Being social animals dogs tend to dig when they are lonely. Spending more time with him or her should help if this becomes a problem. Sometimes when they dig they eat the soil, this can be because they are lacking in vitamins and nutrients. Check you pet’s health with a vet and if there is nothing wrong, buy a good dog vitamin pill, and this should help keep that digging at bay.

Potty Training

The best way to deal with doggie potty trainig, is to reward your puppy when he or she gets it right. It is important that you never rub his nose in it when he has an accident or hit him, he will know from your face and tone of your voice that he has got it wrong. If the occasional whoopsie does happen, remember urine stains do wash out and it isn’t the end of the world.

Discover the answers to your dog health and dog problems

Understanding Your Dog’s Behavioral Problems

Dogs exhibit many behaviors that leave their owners scratching their heads in confusion. Whether it’s barking, digging, nipping, or a number of other annoying activities, canines do things that seem odd to us. However, by understanding why they do such things, owners can learn to modify such behaviors.

Below, we’ll discuss several behavioral problems that can frustrate owners, their guests, and their neighbors. Here we will explain some of the factors that lead to your dogs behavior issues and steps to correct them.

Chewing

Dogs chew for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, they’re anxious. Other times – especially in the case of puppies – they chew because they’re teething. Still other times, they simply become bored or restless. They do it to work off excess energy.

If your canine limits her chewing to a chew toy, or Bully Sticks there’s little harm in it. If no chew toys are present, everything in the house is a potential chew toy, including shoes, furniture etc. When you physically see your dog chewing on inappropriate objects, may sure you inform them. Take away (or remove her from) the item on which she’s chewing and give her a Odorless Bully Stick in its place.

Excessive Barking

First, it’s important to realize that your dog barks as a way of communicating. While it can become frustrating if she does so excessively, owners should understand that there may be a valid reason for the behavior.

That said, canines often bark excessively for a number of reasons that are inappropriate. For example, they may be bored or excited. There barking may be because their are other pets in their surroundings. Many times, your dog just wants to attract your attention.

To discourage  the excessive barking, make sure your dog receives plenty of exercise and attention each day. It the dog is bored and lonely the behavior issues can increase. Also, avoid encouraging her barking by giving her attention when she does it. Instead a Loud clap from your hands will inform your dog that their actions and behavior is unacceptable.

Begging

Dogs love food, even if they’re not hungry. Given the opportunity, they’ll continue eating as long as someone gives them something to eat. The problem is that owners encourage begging each time they provide a taste from the dinner table. Remember, your pooch learns by repetition. When it comes to food, she learns quickly. If she receives something when she begs, she’ll naturally (and quickly) begin to believe that begging is appropriate.

You can discourage begging by keeping her in another room while you and your family eat meals.

The Value Of Obedience Classes

Most behavioral issues can be curbed by enrolling your dog into obedience classes. If you do so when she’s a puppy, the training is more likely to “stick.” If you enroll her as an adult, the training will be effective, but she’ll probably need periodic classes as a reminder of what constitutes appropriate conduct. In the end, a well-trained, well-behaved dog makes a more pleasant companion.

Dogs cannot be bad; it is the handler who is poor. It is frustrating when a dog simply jumps on your clean clothes as you are taking a walk down the road. This can also happen when the dog next door leaves his tell tale marks on your front yard. These dogs are only as irritating as the children who have not learnt any lessons in life; and you call them bad dogs?

What can you say about pets and kids who belong to homes where the adults are not responsible themselves? Ask any smart owner and he would tell you that it is wise to take the help of a dog trainer to learn the handling methods without dampening his natural spirits. To get to know a good trainer approach your vet or pet store; these trainers often hold private lessons with the pet and the owner but it is just as easy to solve your pet behavior problem by attending any online course on pet management or get some ideas and help from a dog training book or from online dog training tips. This training could teach owners how to be in command of their pets.

There is a saying amongst trainers however that it is far easier to train dogs than the people that own them! When you want the dog to be leash trained, make them practice in a small area away from other distractions. Owner and other residents get irritated when these animals bark even if it is a typical occurrence. Remember when they bark, they are trying to communicate, so if you shout or punish on them for this, it will only result in puzzling the poor creature.

So why does a dog bark?
Well, just like a young child or baby, it needs attention, food or something to drink. A Dog barking can be good burglar alarm and training them to stop isn’t always a good idea. Remember not to promote barking when he is a puppy and then get all worked up when he continues to bark even more as he gets bigger. Any trainer can teach you skills on how to get the desired conduct from your puppy using the carrot as opposed to the stick.

How do you make your new puppy stop the undesired behavior?
You need to know how to reward your pet so they get the correct message and repeat the desired behavior or cease the less desirable traits. Remember that you can not coach a dog to adapt to certain behaviors which are not part of his genetic make-up. The best option for getting certain specific behavior is to acquire your pet from a breed which displays those traits.

When does a dog become good?
Well, when you train them with patience, resolve and of course, a great deal of affection.

Patience and dedication are a must when training a dog. A rescued dog will require double the patience and dedication to achieve the desired results. It’s a lot of work, but in the end it will be worth the effort.

Unplanned litters continue to be common even though the practice of spaying and neutering has been around for decades. The result is that the number of puppies born far outnumber the number of available homes. And if you combine this with dogs that are lost or have runaway, the animal shelters are spilling over. The sad truth is that a large number of these dogs end up euthanized.

For a some lucky dogs, there is a second chance. They are either found on the street or adopted from a shelter and brought home to compassionate and caring family willing to give them a better life. But to the inexperienced dog owner it can be a mystery as to how best to proceed.

By the time dogs find their way to a shelter they are usually in poor shape. It is not uncommon for them to be victims of neglect, abuse of even terrible living conditions. Other times, for a number of different reasons, these dogs were released into the wild to fend for themselves.

In nature a dog is a pack animal. Because of this dogs that are in the wild usually do not do well in isolation. A domesticated dog that has been released into the wild and no longer has human or animal interaction do poorly. Dogs such as these can still learn to be less fearful with proper training.

The first thing you should do after you have rescued a dog is to get a full health examination. A dog will not be able to respond positively to any training if it is in pain or sick. It’s crucial to give them enough time regain their health.

If possible try to get any information regarding the dog’s history. Your training efforts will be helped if you have information on the dog’s past abuse or medical history.

Slow and steady is the order of the day when establishing trust with the dog. Try to avoid imposing yourself on the dog. They will need to learn that they can trust you before they seek you out. A suggestion would be to work on trust with a treat. Try stepping back a bit after putting a treat on the floor. Avoid direct eye contact. When the dog takes the treat, praise him enthusiastically.

It is not uncommon for some rescue animals to initially seek out physical contact . Some can take weeks or more. But once you have established it, try to roll the dog over onto his back and place your hand on their chest. You can expect that the dog will either resist if they tend to be aggressive or a fearful dog will accept. Neither aggression nor fear is good. Forcing an aggressive dog into a submissive position is done under normal training. This technique typically does not work for rescued dogs. Establishing trust will take time. In the fearful case, the rehabilitation will be easier and you can calm the dog by providing a belly rub and speaking softly so that he learns that being on his back does not mean punishment.

In the case of a rescued dog training can be slow and difficult. A rescued dog is often a mix, older and has a stubborn temperament which adds to the challenge of training. You can do it . Your perseverance will pay off.

Don’t feel sorry for the dog. It can make the training even more difficult. You will want to be loving and caring when appropriate but still be in control. Be a pack leader and let the dog know that you are in charge.

Your rescued dog will reward you with unconditional love.

Stefan Hyross writes for the site All About Dogs ‘N Puppies. Read about dog behavior problems and learn how to correct them. Also visit the site for tips on puppy
potty training and other lessons for dogs.

puppy training

Television can bring to light many different types of careers. One of these is being a certified dog trainer. This is an ideal career is a person loves to work around animals. It may not be a traditional job in an office but it is a career in which someone is doing what they love. The trainer is instrumental in teaching both the dog and owner how to bond and interact with each other. It is very satisfying to know that your knowledge and skill is being passed on to other dog lovers.

Becoming a certified dog trainer begins with a love of animals. It requires patience and a desire to interact with the animal. Dog obedience training takes knowledge and a compassionate nature in order for there to be success. Most people do not turn to a certified dog trainer until there is an obvious sign of dog aggression and then the battle begins. Dog training starts when the animal first comes home and continues throughout the life-time of the canine.

Not all dogs are alike. Different breeds will require you to know how they interact with other dogs and humans. It is for this reason that basic classes in dog breeds, aggression level and physiology are studied in order to know what to expect. The basic coursework prepares you for understanding the psychological and physical aspects each different dog will require.

Once the basics of dog behavior are down, then begin the specialized coursework designed to train a dog through a variety of methods. The instruction will teach how to use a variety of instruction in order to train the dog such as through a clicker or through positive reinforcement. Other steps include teaching safety to the owners as well as the dog. It is also important to learn how to deal with dogs that are more difficult to deal with due to a past history of violence or dog fighting.

Once the coursework is complete, the certified dog trainer is ready to begin. There are a variety of places to work such as pet supply stores, kennels or even opening up a business. One great example of a certified dog trainer is Cesar Millan who works with troubled dogs and their owners on his hit television show ‘The Dog Whisperer’ airing on cable.

If you find yourself longing for more freedom and becoming tired of simply punching a clock, consider a different line of work. There is always a need a certified dog trainer somewhere and you might find yourself looking forward to going into work each day.