Dog Training

Dogs, just like humans, display a wide range of tolerance for others. Some are immediately friendly with every new dog, mouse or bird. Others are forever unfriendly to even the opposite sex of their own breed. Considering that dogs are by nature territorial, the diversity is odd, but there it is.

Naturally, animal lovers like to have more than one dog around and sometimes several breeds and other pets. Guaranteeing that furniture stays intact and bodies unscathed can be somewhat of a challenge. And don’t forget about your neighbor’s pets or nearby critters that wander into your dog’s territory where your yard, not to mention your sanity, can be at a very real risk.

The initial step is to begin the process of socializing your dog as early as feasible. Just like young children, puppies are much more accepting of strangers. Since they haven’t yet distinguished between friend and enemy, everything is a new experience to be explored rather than alarmed by or chased.

If you just have one dog, expose the puppy early on to other dogs and people. Get them comfortable with being touched, especially between the toes, in the ears and near the eyes. Along with impact on interaction with animals, that will make visits to the vet and outings a lot easier.

Dogs, typically, sniff everything. When they’re about to interact with another, manage them until you are confident they won’t chase or fight, and only then let them explore the other dog, cat or animal.

If the dog displays a tendency to jump or bite, put up with it to the point someone is going to get injured. It’s normal for dogs to rough house, knock one another over and even lightly bite legs and necks. Stay nearby and be prepared to grab them, if necessary. Leather gloves may be useful during these first attempts.

If your dog continually barks, distract them with a treat, a toy or a sharp command. If they still refuse to stop pulling or barking after a few attempts at control, try another day. What works will differ widely depending on the individual dog and some will simply never put up with others (just like some humans we all know). You’ll figure out over time what works and what doesn’t as you observe your dog interacting with others.

It might be necessary to put the dog on its back, then hold it down with a firm hand on the chest. In more difficult cases a bark or shout into the face of the dog is helpful. Yes, you will look like a nut to others, but this technique is even employed by the Monks of New Skeet. The brothers of this upper New York State religious order are world-renown for their German Shepherd raising practices.

Rescued or animal shelter dogs usually need extra patience when socializing. These animals have often been abused by people or injured by other dogs. Those experiences naturally many times lead to aggression or fear. Remarkable transformations can take place even in these dogs, however. After continual exposure they often learn to at least tolerate other people and animals.

Start socializing early, expose for short intervals increasing to longer ones, repeat as needed. In each instance, be prepared to physically and mentally control the dog.

Jane Saeman
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-training-socializing-your-dog-136896.html

We have a Yorkshire terrier and he was very hard to potty train, when we get our next dog, I want to do it right or better. Do you have any ideas that were successful in potty training your dog?

The best thing you can do to "potty" train your dog is to be consistent. Take him/her out at the same time(s) everyday. If they are a young puppy, this may also mean after mid-night outings. (Our dog associates going out by my saying "Hurry up") hence the 3am outings.

Usually a puppy can hold it’s bladder approx. 1/2 hour for every month in age until they reach 10 – 12 months. Then their bladder should be fully developed. ex. if your dog is 3 months old, they maybe able to hold themselves for about 90 minutes.

They will also give signs. They really don’t want to go inside the "cave", and they will let you know they want out. They may start digging in a spot, prancing around, going towards the door. You need to pay attention and learn their individual behavior.

Other Key times to let your dog out:
After they eat,
After they wake up.
As soon as you come home.
After you play with them.

I would by-pass the whole "paper training first" thing. You will eventually have to train them to go outside anyway. Plus they may associate going to the bathroom in the spot where the paper was even though the paper is gone.

If they do have an "Accident" it is usually not the dogs fault, but yours. You can’t really get mad at them. Rub their nose in it does nothing but confuse them.
If you do catch them midstream get them out the door, and praise them for being outside.

If they do have an accident Natures Miracle is a great product for clean up.

The good news is that you can house train a dog (an adult dog that is) fairly quickly…faster than puppies anyway…the bad news is, you’ve got to be consistent and actually do the work because your dog won’t have a clue what to do.

So how do you get started?…I thought you’d never ask.

1. Set Up “His Space”

Create an area where you can confine your pooch…you’ll use it for those times when you’re away or when you don’t want to be keeping a close eye on him…make sure a large part of that space is covered with newspapers too (about 3 sheets thick).

When (not if) he uses the papers, clean up the mess and replace the papers as soon as you can…but place one of the soiled papers right in the middle of the new batch…this will help build the “here is where I go” idea in his brain. Over time (maybe days, maybe weeks) his “aim” will improve and you’ll be able to reduce the papered area to maybe just a single sheet.

2. Create a Feeding & Watering Routine

Your best partner in house training your buddy will be setting up and sticking to a feeding and watering schedule…feed and water him at the same times every day no exceptions…no snacks in between; no special treats (until he’s trained)…in this way his body will automatically respond to the schedule and be predictable…this will help you immensely with your house training.

3. Observe, Observe, Observe

Keep an eye on him at all times (when he’s not in “his space”)…now that he’s on a schedule, you’ll find out that Fido will need to “go” shortly after each feeding session, and perhaps shortly after each watering session and maybe a few more unpredictable times…watch him closely and learn what his body language is when he needs to relieve himself…is he suddenly restless; is he sniffing around; is he (and wouldn’t this be great?) scratching at the door?

4. Do Your Leg Work

When he “shows the signs,” put him on a leash and get your legs workings…take him outside to the place you want him to use. Make sure this is the same place every time…don’t confuse him by switching it around on him.

Be patient and while he’s sniffing around, repeat a command he can associate with this behavior in the future…use something like “go, go, go” or “time to go boy,” etc…then when he finally “goes,” make sure to give him a lot of praise and strokes…you want him to associate that praise with his actions so his little doggie brain will remember “Go Outside = Good Stuff”

5. Correcting Mistakes

If he goes “where no dog has gone before,” immediately, make eye contact with him and correct him with a firm “No” then lead him to the place you want him to use (either outside or to his “papers”)

But you must remember (and never forget) you can only correct him if you catch him in the act…if it’s any later, even just seconds later, your correction won’t work; he won’t make the connection you want…in fact, it will have a negative impact…so, if you miss your chance, you’ll just have to be more vigilant and catch him the next time.

But once the deed is done, clean up the mess completely and remove the odor completely too, because it will be the smell that brings him back to that spot for a return visit.

6. Keep Your Attitude Positive

Keep in mind that house training any dog takes time…it could take weeks…some dogs will be able to control themselves sooner than others and some will learn what you want from them sooner than others. If you want to be successful in the shortest amount of time, it’s up to you to maintain the right attitude and be persistent and consistent so your buddy has the best chance to learn.

I hope this helps…thanks for reading.

Did you know that to house train a dog is just the first training step you’ll take with your pooch? Need help taking the next steps? Then check out  The-Dog-Zone.net.

Michael Royce
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/house-train-a-dog-quick-help-68743.html

What Causes Chewing in Dogs? What should you do if the dog chews the things in your home?

For dogs, chewing is a natural and normal animal behavior. You should not let you dog chew up all your belongings: your furniture, your shoes, your stuffed animals, or your remote controls. I once had the pleasure of knowing a naughty dog that chewed a hole so massive in his house that he managed to escape the home. This dog also consumed a computer mouse, and several remote controls.

As pet owners, we must educate ourselves on why puppies chew things.
In order to suppress the discomfort of teething, the puppies begin to put anything and everything in their mouths, just like a baby when they begin to teethe. Fully grown dogs generally chew when they’re bored or upset by an owner’s absence. Many pooches chew things because they are playing or because they find an item tasty. But generally, for most adult dogs, chewing is merely a bad habit.

Now let’s discuss each of these destructive behaviors more thoroughly.

? Teething
? Mouthing
? Boredom
? Fear
? Play
? Attention Seeking
? Just tastes Good

Teething – Teething is a stage of your puppy’s development. For human children, there are a number of topical gels that can be applied to the gums in order to reduce some of the pain caused by teething. Sometimes vets will prescribe a topical gel for teething in puppies as well. You should help a puppy get through the teething stage because this stage isn’t permanent. One tip is to find toys, usually made from hard rubber or plastic, that are designed specially with teething puppies in mind. In addition, you can try giving the puppy ice cubes, or a knotted wash cloth that has been chilled in the freezer. When the puppy shows signs of discomfort due to teething, give him the frozen wash cloth to play with, as it may help soothe him. Typically, the frozen cloth technique works best with very small or young dogs. You want your dog to understand what belongs to him and what belongs to you. I like to hand a frozen bagel to a teething puppy. That way he gets to gnaw on it, and eventually he can eat it as well. I prefer to use the smaller bagels, which can be bought in a large bag. This appears to work effectively.

Mouthing – Puppies as young as 8 weeks can already possess very pointy teeth. They have a tendency to nip if they’re playing and jumping around. Biting should be discouraged by the pet’s owners. That’s a standard means of canine communication. Some dog owners play too rough with their dogs, and then the dog may gently bite back. However, this is not good behavior to teach a young pup, and it should not be practiced.

Boredom – When left alone for extended periods, your dog may become bored and will chew your belongings. Chewing will keep a dog from feeling bored and alone. The most effective approach to curing this is to walk or run with your dog more frequently. You have to be aware that while some dogs become more relaxed and sleepy by going for a walk, others get all hyped up instead. A great way to relax with your dog is take a little stroll with your pet first, and then spend some quite time together. It will result in a bonding process and will make your relationship stronger. I recommend frozen bagels or frozen pizza dough as chew toy alternatives.

Fear – Occasionally, dogs may chew because they’re frightened. For instance, lots of dogs are frightened by thunder. Your dog may also bark and chew on the window frames, etc. when a strange dog is seen walking by outside. This is a result of territorial anxiety. The “down and stay” command is a great way to end unneeded defensive behaviors in your dog. Communicating this way when your dog is behaving well will make it more effective when he’s engaged in undesirable conduct. Pull your dog from the window and command “down stay”. Sitting with your dog will encourage him to relax. That generally gives them a breather to collect themselves.

Play – Some dogs bite or chew while playing, this means that your dog needs more training to eliminate these harmful behaviors. Different dogs have different energy levels. High energy dogs generally require both training and a rigorous program of exercise. Structured play time is very important for dog. This includes games such as jumping or fetch. During his other activities, both indoors and outdoors, you should practice the “down stay” command frequently.

Attention Seekers – Some dogs are natural born attention seekers and need extra attention from their owners. To attract attention, dogs may bark, steal, chew, twirl around, even limp. A dog chews things because it desires attention. A dog even views negative attention from it’s owners as attention, and will continue this undesirable behavior. Ignore the negative behavior, and then the dog’s desire to chew your things should go away.

Just Tastes Good – We all know if something is tasty for a dog, then the dog will want to eat it. Sometimes dogs find items very palatable. When something is palatable to a dog, the dog likes the feeling of chewing or holding that item in its mouth. Dogs enjoy chewing on furniture, stuffed animals, and other items. The most effective approach is to put such items away while your pet is going through this phase.

Chewing may not be an issue if your beloved dog is healthy, exercises and plays frequently, and has plenty of room to roam and explore. If your dog continues to chew, then maybe frozen bagels will terminate your pet’s desire to chew.

Annette Masse
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/what-causes-chewing-in-dogs-is-your-dog-chewing-up-your-house-513169.html

The variety of dog species is so great that sometimes it’s better not to think of them all as part of the same species at all.

Biologists do because they can interbreed. Dog owners have different purposes, so it can be better to emphasize the differences over the similarities.

A Jack Russell terrier looks, thinks and behaves much differently from a Great Dane.

The latter are generally very calm. A Golden Retriever is a very different animal than a Collie. Golden Retrievers are fun loving, but excitable.

A German Shepherd and a Chihuahua have little more in common than the name ‘dog’.

As a result of these differences, training should be tailored to the breed you’re attempting to train. Patience is required for training all dogs, but more is required for some than for others.

German Shepherds are intelligent and take to obedience commands readily and with pleasure. Jack Russell’s are also very smart, but much more willful and will require a different technique.

With terriers, for example, distraction techniques are very handy. Terriers are high energy, highly active dogs. They have evolved to spot movement in an instant and go after the animal producing it.

Keeping them focused is a real challenge, so make sure at all times that their eyes are on you. Use treats, toys or other objects and wiggle them to see that the terrier’s eyes are on you.

Collies are equally trainable, but much more mellow. They’re extremely loyal and protective, which is great. But it presents its own kind of challenges.

A collie will spontaneously bark and chase any stranger who appears to threaten the family. That can be desirable for a watch dog guarding the house at night.

But it can be annoying if carried out every time a child walks by along the sidewalk during the afternoon.

Bark collars are sometimes necessary under these circumstances, but remove the collar when the sun goes down. That way the dog may only associate the discouragement with daylight and still continue to function as a watch dog when it counts.

Dalmatians make for excellent companions, but they are ultra-energetic and very strong.

That can be a troublesome combination for one that spends all its time in a small backyard with no one to play with. If you plan on owning one of these excellent dogs, be prepared to spend time working off some of that excess vitality.

Dalmatians need a large area so they can run at top speed – the only speed they know.

They’ll work best with someone who can toss a ball far away, and has the presence to command them. They can be extremely loyal, but they need a strong hand.

Being the alpha dog when faced with a Dalmatian requires a forceful owner.

Tailor your training regimen to the actual nature of your dog, including both those aspects derived from the breed and the unique characteristics of your specific dog. Just like humans, dogs are individuals.

Article Submissions
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/tailor-your-dog-training-for-the-different-types-of-breed-107126.html

The variety of dog species is so great that sometimes it’s better not to think of them all as part of the same species at all.

Biologists do because they can interbreed. Dog owners have different purposes, so it can be better to emphasize the differences over the similarities.

A Jack Russell terrier looks, thinks and behaves much differently from a Great Dane.

The latter are generally very calm. A Golden Retriever is a very different animal than a Collie. Golden Retrievers are fun loving, but excitable.

A German Shepherd and a Chihuahua have little more in common than the name ‘dog’.

As a result of these differences, training should be tailored to the breed you’re attempting to train. Patience is required for training all dogs, but more is required for some than for others.

German Shepherds are intelligent and take to obedience commands readily and with pleasure. Jack Russell’s are also very smart, but much more willful and will require a different technique.

With terriers, for example, distraction techniques are very handy. Terriers are high energy, highly active dogs. They have evolved to spot movement in an instant and go after the animal producing it.

Keeping them focused is a real challenge, so make sure at all times that their eyes are on you. Use treats, toys or other objects and wiggle them to see that the terrier’s eyes are on you.

Collies are equally trainable, but much more mellow. They’re extremely loyal and protective, which is great. But it presents its own kind of challenges.

A collie will spontaneously bark and chase any stranger who appears to threaten the family. That can be desirable for a watch dog guarding the house at night.

But it can be annoying if carried out every time a child walks by along the sidewalk during the afternoon.

Bark collars are sometimes necessary under these circumstances, but remove the collar when the sun goes down. That way the dog may only associate the discouragement with daylight and still continue to function as a watch dog when it counts.

Dalmatians make for excellent companions, but they are ultra-energetic and very strong.

That can be a troublesome combination for one that spends all its time in a small backyard with no one to play with. If you plan on owning one of these excellent dogs, be prepared to spend time working off some of that excess vitality.

Dalmatians need a large area so they can run at top speed – the only speed they know.

They’ll work best with someone who can toss a ball far away, and has the presence to command them. They can be extremely loyal, but they need a strong hand.

Being the alpha dog when faced with a Dalmatian requires a forceful owner.

Tailor your training regimen to the actual nature of your dog, including both those aspects derived from the breed and the unique characteristics of your specific dog. Just like humans, dogs are individuals.

Article Submissions
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/tailor-your-dog-training-for-the-different-types-of-breed-107126.html

my family and i are thinking of getting a house dog and was wanted some good tips onhouse training before we get it

Positive reinforcement in conjunction with crate training is the best way to house break a new puppy. The dog will need to be taken out often in the beginning ( hourly for a 10 wk old, plus 15 mins. after eating, drinking, or playing) When the pup eliminates outside, praise and reward him. The puppy will begin to associate reward with positive behavior. As the pup gets a bit older and muscle control further develops, he can be taken out less often. Never hit or yell, expect an accident or two, and be patient and consistant. Here is some info about crate training as well.

http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html

I don’t suppose you are aware of this, but a certain London University recently conducted a poll to discover how many groups of dogs there are, and which groups really needed training. The survey cost over £7,000. Would you like to know what the results were. These were the groups that needed training.

Wild Dogs
Guard Dogs
Guide Dogs
Domestic Pet Dogs.

Wow, and you know what. Apart from wild dogs ,which included foxes and wolves. all groups would benefit from proper training. That’s not much of a revelation is it. So my view was, ‘What a waste of tax-payers money to tell us the obvious.’

Now, I’ve just returned from a quick trip stateside, but while in New York ,what a wonderful place. I spent a happy couple of hours wandering around Central Park.

Well, I don’t know whether it is the Park Police, the average New Yorker’s pride, or the hefty fines that can get slapped on you, but I didn’t see any poop lying around, and children and dogs played quite happily side by side with no screams from the dogs either.

The point is, if dogs are properly trained, a whole new experience can be gained by both dogs and owners alike. Forgetting guard dogs and guide dogs, who get trained to work, unless you train a domestic pet dog, how does it know what is expected of it.

It is perfectly natural for a dog to chew, bark, scratch, poop, and run around. So when it gets bawled at by its owner for doing what comes naturally to it, the result is, one neurotic dog, who behaves even more erratically. The same thing could be said for young children, and when you see screaming tantrums in shops with kids hurling themselves on the floor in anger, why is this. It’s because they haven’t been trained in the basics. Exactly the same goes for dogs.

Only with dogs, it can get worse. They can attack people, bite, and generally cause nuisances to themselves as well as the general public.

So, how do you avoid your dog declining into such a mental state.
Simple, you make sure its is properly trained.

But it doesn’t stop there. There’s no point getting your dog trained, if you don’t get involved yourself. Getting your dog trained is a two way street. Nowadays too many dog owners are sending their animals off for training, thinking that’s it. Like, sending the laundry out. They get back a fully trained, well mannered citizen who is a pleasure to be around. But what then. They don’t know how to handle the dog so the well mannered dog is then confronted with a whole new set of commands to live with. Result, one very confused dog.

Training a dog is an important decision for both you and the dog, and unless you accept that, not only are you wasting your time and money, you will achieve nothing, nada, zilch.

So what do you do.

If you can possibly avoid it, don’t try the so-called easy way out, by sending the dog off to be trained.

No, unless you, the dog’s main ‘master’ is aware what training the dog has had, what commands they respond to and how to give them, you are lost. You must be willing to work along the lines the specialist has recommended, in order to achieve that wonderful experience, where your dog knows, probably before you do, what is expected of him. It’s consistency that brings results so unless you carry on with the dog exactly as the trainer did you are wasting your money. It’s as important, if not more important, to train the owner as well as the dog.

Try training the dog yourself. Get a book, go to puppy classes and try the experience out for yourself. It can be great fun and a learning experience for you both.

With a well trained dog, and an understanding and well trained owner, all of a sudden, life takes on a new dimension. The mental state of both of you is immediately more relaxed, more fulfilled and straight away, taking your dog for a walk becomes that perfect blend of healthy exercise, understanding, and a time to be at peace with the world.

Remember. There is no such thing as a bad dog, there’s only a bad owner.

Debbie Boffa
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-regain-sanity-in-the-dog-house-for-dogs-and-their-owners-53968.html

What happened when one day you bought a puppy and this cute dog suddenly start biting and chewing everything in the house, from socks, toilet papers, carpets, etc… and there is nothing wrong with his health?

It is very important that dog training is conducted at an earliest stage possible while they are still puppies but when you just got your new dog, here are some ways to puppy proof your home as an emergency and short term solution that you can use immediately to reduce the damage.

It’s perfectly natural for puppies to want to explore their surroundings.

They know the world around them through their noses and mouths, which is why many puppies can be seen smelling or chewing on just about everything they encounter.

The fastest way to prevent this destructive behavior for your Puppie is this Puppie Proof Your Home instead of reprimanding her as she is not trained yet.

What does “Puppie Proof” your home mean:

1.Temporarily take up any throw rugs.

2. Place all plants, poisonous substances, household cleaners, trash receptacles, paper products (such as tissue and toilet paper), shoes, and any small chewable objects out of reach.

3. Either remove, cover or tape down all accessible electrical wires.

4. Remove or secure heavy objects which could fall or be pulled down and cause injury to the puppy.

5. Confine her to just a specific location of course with a few toys to play with. Too much toys is also not good and may cause her to confuse between what belongs to her and what belongs to you

6. Apply bitter apple spray to some things which is very hard for you to move like furniture legs and etc.

That’s it some of the ways to puppy proof your home.

Last Note, it is good for your puppy to have a lot of outdoor exercise and for a much better and fruitful relationship with you, it is good to let your puppy goes through dog training session.

Puppy proofing your home should not become an excuse for you for not training your pets, but instead puppy proofing will give you some breathing space to create a dog training routine while preventing the puppy from his own destructive behavior.

So with that say, training is probably your must solution to providing long term solution to your dog behavior problem and in the long run will create a more meaningful relationship for both the dog and its owner.

Leo Enoch
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-training-is-a-must-after-puppy-proofing-your-home-108007.html

Obedience training your dog is one of the best things you can do for the relationship between you and your puppy. Obedience training needs to be looked at as a foundation to problem solving, and will teach you how to resolve most issues with your pet. Communication can be increased through obedience training, and enhanced communication is a necessary step towards having your dog abide by what you want.

Although dogs are social animals, we must remember that they are animals and will behave like such without proper guidance and training. They are capable of destroying your possessions, using your house as their bathroom, and ruining your garden. However, they are also capable of great love and compassion when directed and guided properly. All dogs have natural characteristics and behaviors that aren’t necessarily accepted in human society. The key here is to teach our four legged friends to redirect their natural behaviors to a socially more accepted manner. Obedience training a dog is an excellent step in the right direction, and also allows owners to establish the proper social hierarchy.

You are the alpha in the house, and this needs to be understood by both parties. By behaving properly and obeying simple commands, your dog is showing respect towards you. There is no need to use extreme measures to be viewed as the alpha in the relationship. Too often new owners are overly harsh with their canine and this can have serious consequences in the future with your pet. Just simple consistent obedience training will often get the job done.

Chad McAdam
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/obedience-training-your-dog-the-key-considerations-and-advantages-of-obedience-training-a-dog-748574.html