How to Train Your Dog - Tips & Advice
>>> Dog Days: How Training Benefits Both Pet Owners And Pets
Welcome! Whether you are a new pet owner or you have had a pet in your home for some time, you know how delightful, and frustrating, owning a pet can be.
The joy of bringing a new puppy or dog into your household can be insurmountable. After all, there is no relationship quite like the one that is developed between you and your dog.
A dog can provide unconditional love, hours of entertainment, and genuine friendship. Or, a dog can provide unconditional messes, hours of destruction, and a genuine nuisance!
How do you ensure that your dog behaves in the manner of the first scenario described above? If you are thinking that the answer is "breed" you are partially correct. Indeed, breed does play a role in a dog's behavior. But an even greater factor in the dog's behavior is based on the training he receives. Good dog training resources can go a long way toward helping.
The Benefits of Training
If you are like most people, you are extremely busy. Some days, there just doesn't seem like enough hours to take care of yourself, let alone a dog! But, the time that you spend training your dog will reward you and your relationship for many, many years to come.
There are five main benefits of training:
- It builds a relationship.
- It corrects behavioral problems.
- It stimulates intellect.
- It encourages inclusion.
- It saves time.
Let's explore each benefit in further detail.
- Training Builds a Relationship.
There is no better way to create a bond with your dog than through the process of training. You may think that training begins at the time you decide to try new tricks, but it actually begins at the very moment you acquire your dog.
Your dog is constantly watching you and learning from your actions. He learns from the way you react to his actions. He looks to you for guidance, for food, for warmth, for comfort, and for playtime. - Training Corrects Behavioral Problems.
Barking at anyone who passes by the front window, chewing up your favorite pillows, digging through your freshly planted garden, bolting out of an open door...do any of these actions look familiar to you?
When you have developed a trusting bond with your dog, you can teach him how to correct these behavioral problems. He will learn by your reactions whether or not his actions are acceptable to you. No doubt, he will test his limits! - Training Stimulates Intellect.
Yes, it is true that dogs are very curious creatures. With exposure to so many unusual smells, sights, and sounds, dogs can't help but want to explore. It's in their nature!
Most dogs have the capacity to be very intelligent. But, they need to be stimulated first, and then they will be motivated to learn. Training is a huge benefit for stimulating your dog's intellect. - Training Encourages Inclusion.
The sense of "inclusion" is very important to a dog's security. From the earliest days of being a part of a litter, your dog feels comfortable being a part of the pack. That includes the pack of your household.
You may be the primary dog trainer, but everyone in your family or household should take the time to train your dog. When he receives this undivided attention from everyone, he feels like part of the pack. - Training Saves Time.
Another huge benefit of training your dog is that it saves you time. Taking the time to train your dog now, will actually save you time in the long run. For example, if you take the time to train your dog to behave properly inside the house, you will actually be saving time cleaning up mischievous messes that he could create in the future-if he didn't have the training.
Good Luck!
>>> How To Train A Dog To Stop Pulling
How to train a dog to stop pulling on the leash is probably the most common dilemma that faces dog owners. It all seems innocent enough while the dog is young but, as he gets older, larger and stronger, the question of how to train a dog to stop pulling becomes increasingly more pressing. In search of answers, dog owners turn to books, neighbors, their veterinarians or anyone else they think may be able to help them solve what has now become an almost intolerable situation. However, it seems everywhere they turn, they get conflicting answers.
Some people resort to taking their dogs for walks at odd hours in order to avoid the embarrassment of their dog's behavior. Others shorten their dog's walk to the bare minimum. It's better to be dragged 50 yards than a mile and a half. For many, the result of an unruly dog is an ever-increasing sense of frustration and disappointment. At the very least, dog pulling problems limit your dog's freedom, happiness and ability to socialize with others in a productive way.
How does it work?
If your dog pulling on the leash ceases to be fun to him, he will stop pulling. It's really as simple as that. If your dog gets a bump on the head when he runs into a wall, he'll learn that running into the wall doesn't feel good and learn to avoid it. The question is, how to make pulling uncomfortable to your dog without being abusive or losing his trust in the process. The answer is, with a balanced combination of consequences and rewards.
Think about teaching your dog to heel as if you were teaching him to respect a perimeter. After all, it is a perimeter you're teaching him isn't it? What you're really demonstrating to him is that after he hears you say the word heel, he can't go too far ahead, too far to the side or too far behind you right? If your dog learns that by breaching the perimeter you have set for him, he will be less comfortable than if he respects it, he will choose to stay within the perimeter. In theory, it's really very simple. However, as with most theories in life, the difficulty is in the application.
How To Train A Dog To Stop Pulling
The best way to start the process of teaching a dog to stop pulling on the leash is first, to get his attention. Essentially, this is a loose heeling exercise. The objective is to get your dog to start paying attention to where you are and which direction you're walking. If every time your dog surges out ahead of you, you turn and walk in the other direction, he will learn to look at you.
The main focus point for this exercise is to turn and walk in the other direction before the leash gets tight. If your dog hits the end of the leash before you make your turn, you won't correct him, you'll simply pull him around the turn.
It's important your dog gets a mild jolt when he hits the end of the leash in order to motivate him to make different choices. It is also very important to note that at no time should you get emotionally invested in the consequences your dog receives. In other words, you should never correct your dog out of anger. Never yell or move in a frustrated or angry manner. The corrections your dog receives during this process should be presented to your dog as if you just have a nervous twitch in your arms every time he makes a mistake. Act as surprised as the dog when he gets corrected and immediately encourage him back toward your left leg where he'll receive praise and be comfortable.
Start off by taking your dog outside on a leash and a collar. Start walking in any given direction. When your dog gets out in front of you, turn and walk in the opposite direction. Remember, it is critical that you make your turn before the leash gets tight. You need slack in the leash in order to achieve a proper correction. Without the jolt, the correction will hold no deterrent value and your dog will have no reason to pay attention. Every time you change your direction and your dog surges out in front of you, make the turn and walk in the other direction.
Keep in mind, if your dog is out in front of you, he can't see where you are going. If every time he gets distracted and surges ahead, you turn and walk the other way, he will quickly learn to pay attention to where you're going. This process can be as short as a few minutes or as long as an hour depending on your dog and how properly you're making your turns. What you're really doing here is showing your dog that walking without pulling is a more important choice than he previously thought. All your dog really needs to understand is that it makes him happier to pay attention and walk without pulling on the leash.
If done properly, your dog can learn to walk calmly by your side without any tension on the leash in less than an hour. The key to success is to your leash handling and your ability to teach your dog a new behavior without becoming frustrated.
In conclusion, the question of how to train a dog to stop pulling is really a relatively simple one. Make pulling on the leash unpleasant without connecting your emotions to the consequence your dog experiences and you're there.
>>> Dog Barking - Stop The Madness
Dog barking problems cause serious disruption in the lives of dog owners every day. If you have a dog barking day and night, it's bound to drive you crazy, your neighbors crazy and maybe even attract the attention of the local authorities. However, solving a dog barking problem is not as difficult as you may think if you have the right approach.
Let's face it, dogs bark sometimes. But, what is considered excessive? What your neighbor considers excessive may be completely different than what your local ordinances suggest. Many city ordinances define excessive barking as a dog who barks for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time without a break. If your dog is barking because someone is knocking at the door but, he only barks for a minute or two, most local ordinances would not consider that excessive barking.
On the other hand, if your dog is barking for one hour solid every day after you leave the house, you're probably going to have problems with your neighbors as well as the local authorities. If indeed your dog is barking excessively, you have to stop the madness and give your neighbors a break from the incessant noise.
Three things you have to do to stop the madness:
1. Determine whether or not your dog is barking excessively
2. Stop excessive barking when you're home to supervise
3. Put an end to barking when you're not home to supervise
Let's look at point number one. Before you take off your slippers, grab your car keys and race to your local pet store to buy an electric bark collar, you need to find out if your dog is really causing a ruckus. Maybe your neighbor decided to complain about your dog because he's still a bit ticked off about that time you trimmed his Podocorpus trees because they were breaking your roof tiles.
The one-touch solution to determining whether your dog is really putting a wrinkle in your neighbors skivvies is a digital recorder. All you have to do is push the record button on a digital recorder when you leave the house and you'll be able to find out if your dog is really stirrin' the neighbors soup or not. If your dog's really barking a blue streak, you know that it's not just the Podocorpus tree incident that spurred your neighbor on.
Now, for point number two. If your dog's drowning out your favorite Willy Nelson CD with his barking when you're sitting in the living room, you probably ought to introduce him to the world of consequence and reward.
Maybe your dog barks when he sees the kids playing in the back yard. Maybe he starts to go crazy when he looks out the front window and sees people walking down the street. Put your dog on a leash and a collar and create a situation that will motivate your dog to start barking. Have the kids play in the yard or put him on a leash and a collar and stand by the front window until someone walks by. When he starts barking, give him a jerk with the leash and say "NO". It's absolutely critical to NEVER connect your emotions to the consequence. Never get angry, hit, yell or grab your dog. Just give him a jerk with the leash and the collar and associate the consequence with the word "NO". Before you can butter your toast, your dog will start thinking through his emotions and making better choices.
Now on to point number three. Dogs can be sneaky just like us. They've been developing strategies for hunting, mating and playing for thousands of years. Well, your dog is going to get to the point where he won't bark while your home but, as soon as you leave the house, he's going to light up like the sky on the 4th of July because he knows there's no consequence when you're gone.
Here's what to do. Take your leash with you and leave the house. If your dog starts barking immediately when you shut the door, head straight back in the house, say "No", connect the leash to your dog's collar and correct him. Don't get emotional about it, just do your job and offer a consequence for his poor choice. After the correction, leave the house again and wait outside. The second your dog starts to bark, enter the house, say "No", connect he leash and correct your dog again.
When you repeat this process, you'll discover that your dog waits longer and longer before he starts barking. Before you know it, your dog will realize that adapting to the new environment gratifies him more than bucking the system.
Remember, if your dog usually starts barking as soon as you shut the door, but after five repetitions of returning and correcting, your dog is quiet for 5 minutes straight, you absolutely have to take the opportunity to walk back in the house and praise him like it's the best thing that's happened since pastor Rollins gave up chewing tobacco during the Sunday morning service.
In conclusion, if you're sure your dog is bending your neighbor's ear, you have to change his environment to one that is conducive to good choice making. Dogs have learned through a system of consequence and reward to thousands of years and they're not going to learn any differently today. They don't run into fire, trees or a David Hasselhoff concert because they know that if they do, they'll pay a price too steep for comfort.
>>> Dog Obedience - What They Don't Want You To Know
Dog obedience instructors want you to believe they are the holders of the key to knowledge. What a load of rubbish! In reality, dog obedience is simply learning a few physical skills, paying attention and using common sense.There are no ninja tactics, no magical clickers and no secret, dog obedience shroud guarded by temple warriors in the Himalayan mountains. Dog obedience is a skill almost any dog owner can learn well enough to solve their dog behavior problems.
For the sake of brevity, we're going to break dog training down into its three most basic components and then briefly describe each. These are the three hurdles you need to overcome when you train a dog.
Physical
Mental
Emotional
Now, let's have a look at each one.
Physical hurdles - OK, think about the laws of physics. If you weigh 85 pounds and your dog is a 200 pound Great Dane who likes to pull, "Houston, we have a problem." You better start thinking about equipment alternatives and learning proper technique. You can do amazing things if you learn proper leash handling techniques. Even a small man can lift more weight than a big man if he has good technique.
Mental hurdles - You need to pay attention and observe your dog. Anticipating your dog's next move is critically important when training your dog. If your head is somewhere on the far side of the moon, your dog is going to have a distinct advantage over you. Watch your dog and learn his strategies so you can solve problems before they're big problems. Accept the fact that training your dog will require a certain level of attentiveness, so you need to step up to the plate and pay attention to what's going on.
Emotional hurdles - The laws of nature that have skillfully molded the evolution of dogs don't care about your social or political beliefs, your viewpoint on religion or how you feel about vegetables. They rely on forces greater than the sum of all our ideas about who we are, what we want or what we want to be.
Let's say you have an untrained dog who likes to run off and not come back to you when he's called. If you feel sorry for him and take him off the leash knowing that he could be killed by a car, you're not doing him or society and favors. You need to be emotionally strong and accept certain truths about your dog and dog obedience.
In conclusion, if you simply learn how to handle your leash, pay attention to your dog and learn his strategies by observing him and accept the fact that you will have to submit to the forces of nature and evolution, you will be able to manage many of the most difficult dog obedience problems.
>>> The Difference between the Down and Off Commands
Learning commands can be an excellent way for your dog to behave better and have a more enjoyable interaction with you and your family. While commands can be beneficial, many people have a tendency to confuse two particular commands. Those commands are 'down' and 'off.' Learning to use these commands appropriately can make a big difference in how well your dog responds in certain situations.
The Down Command
Now that your dog knows the "sit" command, the down command will be a snap! Start by luring your dog into the "sit" position. Hold a treat in your right hand between your thumb and index finger, with your palm facing down towards the floor. Your hand will be in front of your dog's nose.
Lower your hand slowly to the floor behind your dog's right paw and then back towards his buttocks. When you lower the food on at an angle to the floor, keep it close to your dog's body. Your dog will follow the lure and he will lie down on his hip. (This is called a "relaxed down" which is a safe and stable position for the dog's body.)
Once he is lowered all the way to the floor, give him the treat. Repeat this several times until you are confident that he will go down every time.
Once he does, start adding his name and the command, such as "Rover down." Once he is lying down, reward him with the treat and give him words of praise such as "Yes, Rover, good boy!"
Repeat this exercise several times at different locations throughout the house and in the backyard. Make sure there are plenty of distractions around so you can work on his concentration too.
Once he has mastered the "down" command, put him on the leash and practice it while walking for the best benefits.
The "Off" Command
The "off" command differs from the "down" command in that you use "off" when you want your dog to get off of a person or piece of furniture. Be sure to keep this in mind when you are trying to determine which command is best in certain situations.
This command is especially useful for when you or visitors walk through the front door. Your dog may get so excited that he stands on his two hind legs, with his two front legs up on you or the visitor.
To practice this command, have a treat in your right hand and hold it up high and close to your body. Your dog will try to reach up for it, so move your right arm with the treat to the right and down.
When your dog has all four legs on the ground, verbally praise him and give him the treat. Once you are confident that he will get down every time, start saying "Rover, off" right before he is down. Then praise him and give him a treat to encourage correct behavior.
Repeat this exercise several times at different locations throughout the house, especially at all of the doors, where this behavior will most likely happen.
Keep in mind that using the down and off commands appropriately and in the right circumstances can make a big difference in how your dog responds. Need help with applying the down and off commands? Good quality dog training resources can make the process much easier.
>>> What you Need to Know about Training Equipment
One of the most common questions that many people have about the training process is the best type of equipment to be used.
This is certainly understandable as a major component in successful training is the equipment that you use. There are many types of collars, leashes, muzzles, and crates. Use the information below to help you gain an understanding of their uses, then determine the type that you think will be most beneficial and comfortable for your dog.
Collars
There are a variety of different collars available. Choose the one that is most appropriate for your dog and his needs.
Flat or Buckle Collar
This type of collar is fit around the dog's neck. These are available in a variety of materials such as nylon, leather, and cloth.
This collar is good for basic restraint for dogs that do not pull forcefully on a leash when walking. If he pulls too hard on the leash, he will choke or gag against the force of the collar. If you need to train your dog not to pull on a leach, this is probably not your best collar.
Halter or Head Collar
This type of collar is fitted on the dog's muzzle and neck. It basically serves the same purpose as a halter on a horse, meaning when his head goes in one direction, his body will follow in the same direction.
The head collar does not use very much force so there is very little pain for the dog, yet there is a maximum amount of control so the dog will move in the direction you want him to.
A head collar can be somewhat uncomfortable for a dog to wear. Some dogs don't accept a head collar, even when he has been wearing it for several weeks. For example, they may stand still and refuse movement, or they may try to remove it with their paws or other objects.
Martingale
This is a slip collar that looks like a typical collar yet it can only be tightened to a certain point. This way, the dog will be comfortable, but it will also give the owner a fair amount of control. This is a very easy collar to fit. It can either be slid over the dog's head, or it can snap around the dog's neck.
An advantage to a Martingale collar is that it can not be easily removed from the dog's neck-even if he is pulling backwards. It has a restricted range of tightness that prevents the dog from choking. However, the Martingale does not work effectively if the dog is a consistent puller.
Choke Collar
A choke collar is a training collar that should only be used for extreme cases of aggressive training. This collar tightens around the dog's neck when it is jerked. The tension is released when you let up. A choke collar can be very dangerous if it is not used properly. If you choose to use this type of collar in training, it is essential that you know how to use it and that you use it with the utmost care. If you don't, you could traumatize and hurt your dog.
Harnesses
A harness is a device that wraps to the dog's body, with the leash attached at the top of the dog's back at the shoulder blades. This is different than a collar because a collar only controls a dog at the neck or head. A harness distributes the dog's pulling force evenly across his chest and shoulders, which can actually allow the dog to pull even harder.
There are several styles of harnesses to choose from, so pick the one that is most comfortable to the dog. The regular harnesses are usually pain-free for the dog and are useful for dogs that have had previous neck injuries.
Hopefully this has provided you with some of the information that you need to understand the equipment that can be used in the training process. Through good quality dog training resources, you will be able to gain the information you need to make the training process much easier for both you and your dog.
>>> Dog Training - Setting Limits For Your Dog
In dog training, If you don't set limits with your dog, he will pay for your lack of leadership with a loss of freedom and you will pay with frustration. The very heart of dog training is setting limits in order that you and your dog can live a free, safe and happy lives together. However, if your approach to dog training lacks emotional equilibrium, your dog will suffer for your imbalance.
At that critical moment when you walk into the bedroom and find your best pair of shoes laying on the floor, still hot with your dog's saliva, what do you do? Do you think to yourself; he'll never understand what I'm correcting him for since I didn't actually catch him in the act? Or do you think yelling at him will do the trick? Maybe you lose control of your emotions, roll up the nearest newspaper and start hitting him with it. The question is, how do you know when to correct your dog? And if you do have to correct, what form of correction should be used? Think about it this way. You only correct your dog when he breaks the rules you have established. At first, the corrections should be light. After several repetitions, if he still defies you or escalates his behavior, you start escalating the intensity of the corrections with each repetition.
It is important to remember that you and only you decide which behaviors are appropriate and which ones are not appropriate in your house and environment. In your house, it may be perfectly acceptable for your dog to jump up on the bed without being invited first. On the other hand, your next door neighbor may have a completely different set of rules for his dog.
Dog training consists of two basic phases:
Making the association
Repetition
In order to train a dog properly, you have to be fair. Your dog has to learn that he can trust you and that you're not going to go crazy if he makes a mistake he didn't know was wrong. So before you apply consequences to actions, it's only fair to give your dog the heads-up on what the rules are. Therefore, training a dog properly involves teaching him right from wrong, then repeating it over and over until he understands that the best course of action is the one you have directed him toward.
The emotional hurdle
One of the reasons it is so difficult to maintain emotional equilibrium, is because living with a dog involves emotion. However, if you get angry and lose control every time your dog does something wrong, you will never end up with a balanced, stable dog. When emotion is high, rationale is low. Losing your composure with your dog is not going to accomplish anything productive. Keep in mind, it will only take a second to make the mistake in the first place, but it will take infinitely longer to repair the damage done. Because of the emotions involved with training a dog and the consequences of making bad decisions regarding your dog's correction, it is critical you control your emotions throughout the training process.
The two primary questions
The question of how to set limits is really a question of whether to praise or correct your dog at any given moment. Knowing how and when to correct and praise is absolutely critical in molding a well trained, balanced dog. For example, if you correct your dog for making a mistake motivated out of fear, you will most certainly make him even more fearful. On the other hand, if you praise your dog for being sneaky or stubborn, he is likely to get more sneaky and stubborn.
In order to determine whether or not to correct your dog for something, ask yourself two questions: Is your dog doing something you don't want him to do? And does your dog intellectually understand what you expect of him? If you have made the proper associations with your dog and he still makes the wrong choice, he gets a correction. It's very black and white. If he makes the right choice, he gets praised and if he makes the wrong choice, he gets corrected. However, just because your dog makes a poor choice does not mean you should apply a hard correction. Small mistake, small correction. Big mistake, big correction. Big mistakes are behaviors that destroy or endanger. Destroying your property or endangering himself or others by running away or being aggressive are examples of big mistakes.
Let's look at a hypothetical scenario. You are standing in the kitchen making a sandwich and you tell your dog to leave the kitchen by saying "away" and he ignores you. The first thing you need to do is to ask yourself the two primary questions. Is my dog doing something I don't want him to do? And secondly, does my dog understand what I'm asking him to do? In other words, have I made the proper association between the word "away" and leaving the kitchen. If the answer to those two questions is yes, it is time to correct your dog with a leash and a collar. Now that you have made the decision to correct, you have to calmly get the leash, put it on your dog and gently correct him out of the kitchen. At first, the correction should be very light. Your goal is to modify your dog's behavior without correcting him any harder than is absolutely necessary. Once he is out of the kitchen, you should praise him. If your dog turns and immediately walks back in the kitchen after correcting him the first time, calmly attach the leash and correct him out of the kitchen again while you repeat the command "away". Once he is out of the kitchen, praise him again. This process should repeat itself until your dog decides to respect your request.
If this process results in your dog up getting a couple firm corrections, it will have been his choice not yours. You began by making the association with him and correcting him very mildly, but he decided that it wasn't enough to make him change his choice. Apparently, his drive to stay in the kitchen and watch you make your sandwich exceeded the deterrent value of the lighter, initial corrections. As you gradually escalated the deterrent value of the corrections, the extent of his stubbornness became clear. Only when the severity of the correction reached a point he was no longer willing to tolerate, did he begin to comply with your request. However, The choice about many times the exercise was repeated was ultimately his.
It is no different than teaching your dog to sit on command. You make the association so he knows what you want him to do, then allow him to make the choice between praise or correction.
In conclusion, you asked yourself the two primary questions, found the answers to be yes, and proceeded down the road of escalating correction until your dog changed his choice. It is important to note that if your dog would have respected your simple wishes after only one light correction, he would never have been corrected any harder than that. This is the process that will teach your dog accountability. Through this process of correction and praise, your dog will not only learn that outright defiance will get him nowhere but also, that he ultimately determines his own destiny. If he decides to tolerate the little inconveniences in life and make the right choices, there will be no unpleasant consequences.
>>> Training Dogs & The Barn Door
Training dogs is like shutting the barn door before the horse runs out into farmer Wilkins' freshly planted field. The point of training dogs isn't to prove to God and his neighbors that you're the master of time, space and dimension when it comes to your four-legged buddy. It's to give your dog freedom while keeping bad things from happening to him.
Training dogs is an occupation that allows me to meet a lot of dog owners. I met a lady the other day that got me thinking about insurance. She was talking about how much it costs to take her dog to the vet and that she was thinking about getting pet insurance for the little guy.
You know, insurance or the thinking behind it isn't exactly a new idea. The first insurance company was started in 1667 in England just a year after the great fire of London destroyed over 13,000 homes.
The reason people buy insurance is in anticipation of having to pay big bucks after something bad happens. You can insure just about anything these days from your life or your car to insuring against vampire bites and alien abduction. So it's not surprising that you can buy pet insurance too. So, if your little poochy gets hit by a car, you won't have to borrow money from uncle Vernon.
But, it seems a little funny and a little selfish to be thinking about your wallet when you should be thinking about your dog. Letting something bad happen then trying to fix it is like closing the barn door after the horse runs out.
It's not that we don't think about avoiding problems before they happen. We lock our doors at night, use our seat belts and turn the volume down on the TV set before William Shatner sings. So, why can't we do the same thing with our dogs? Why can't we prevent our dog from getting hit by the car instead of fixing it cheaper after it happens?
Doesn't it sound a bit more humane and a bit more logical to keep your dog from running into the road in the first place? Well, training dogs does just that. Training dogs is the best insurance you can buy for your little poochy. It will keep your little buddy safe, give him the freedom he wants and deserves and improve your relationship all at the same time.
So, just like a biker wears a helmet, a baby wears a diaper or a farmer spreads compost, think about keeping bad things from happening instead of waiting for them to happen then trying to save money fixing them. You ask just about anyone who loves their dog and they'll tell you that if their dog got hit by a car, they'd pay whatever they had to to get him fixed up. Then why wouldn't you pay to make sure your dog never gets hurt in the first place?
So, get your boots on, put on your raincoat and head out to the barn to shut the door before it's too late.
>>> Dog Problems or Environmental Problems?
Dog problems are often equaled by those of the owner. When people have dog problems, they often think it's the dog and not them causing the problems. But, dog problems can't exist in an environment not conducive to survival. You're experiencing dog problems because the environment in which your dog lives, isn't conducive to good choice making.
Think about it this way: When your dog is playing with another dog in a wooded area, does he play around the trees, or does he run into a tree every ten steps? Your dog avoids the trees yet, he's not afraid of playing around them. That's because your dog knows that as long as he doesn't run into one of them, he'll be alright.
When you plant behavioral "trees" in your dog's environment, he will learn the avoid the trees you have planted and be directed to the paths you have created between the trees. It's up to you where you plant the supposed trees. You may not want your dog on your sofa so, you decide to offer an unemotional consequence for jumping on the sofa. The consequence is an unemotional leash correction. In effect, you are planting a behavioral tree in your dog's environment. If every time your dog tries to run through one of the behavioral trees, he bumps his head, he'll learn very quickly to avoid them.
But, this is where people get hung up: They think that because there is a physical consequence that it must have been administered in a harsh, aggressive way. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Your anger toward him for hitting the tree isn't really the part of the equation that is gong to teach him not to run into trees. I think the rather sizable pot knot on the top of his head will be his best teacher and his best friend. Because the experience will be added to his data base and he will learn to avoid having the same experience or worse, again. But, if you think that the way to address your dog's bad behavior is to offer consequence and no reward, you're wrong. You absolutely must make sure that your dogs happiness and sense of security improves with his choices. Every time your dog's choices begin to improve, so should his happiness and sense of security and well being.
The problem is that people think it's necessary to get emotionally involved with the consequence when in fact it's absolutely counter productive. Why get angry? If you accept the fact that your dog adapt to the environment he lives in, then you will be on the way to a better understanding of your dog.
Put simply, you need to make the things you don't like, unpleasant for your dog and the things you do like, really pleasant to him. After he repeats the action several times, he will begin to notice an environmental pattern emerge. He will notice that the environment is dictating that he gravitates toward the pleasant behavior and move away from the unpleasant behavior.
The trick is in how to create the perfect environment. Many people try to over complicate the process of resolving dog problems, but it doesn't have to be like pulling teeth. If you know how to approach the problem, you can solve many in minutes.
>>> Dog Training Advice-What or Who Do I Believe?
Dog training advice is as common as bad behavior these days. It seems that your neighbor, your uncle and even the guy from work wants to give you advice about how to train a dog. Dog training advice ranges from the "totally absurd" to the, "almost believable". But before listening to half baked dog training advice, think about nature.
No matter how important we think we are, we are always subjects of nature. The forces of evolution and nature have shaped your dog into what he is today. A balanced environment full of attracting and repelling forces and experiences. You know, balance.
There are two basic philosophical positions on the subject of how to train a dog.
Train through the use of only "positive" motivation.
Train by using consequence and intimidation as the primary motivational factors.
If you try to train your dog by following a training regimen as imbalanced as either of the two preceding options, you'll never get even close to reaching your potential with your dog. Reaching your potential would mean that first and foremost, your dog will have to trust you. Trust the fact that you will protect him and take care of him but that you will also enforce limits if necessary.
What Do You Believe? Believe in balance. Understand and accept that any imbalanced environment will result in imbalance.
Believe in your dog's ability to adapt. Hypothetical situation: Your dog used to run circles around the back yard but, you built a new tool shed along the fence line. After the tool shed is in place, will your dog continue to run the same path even though he'll run headfirst into the shed? No, he won't. He'll adapt immediately and change his path based on the new environmental obstacle. In other words, when you change an environmental variable, you also change your dog's choices.
Believe in your leash. Leash training is not nearly as important for your dog as it is for you. Your dog will get used to the leash in no time but it will take you infinitely longer to learn how to use it properly.
Who Do You Believe? Believe a craftsman. Take medical advice from your veterinarian and take training and behavioral advice from an experienced trainer. It's important to remember that skill is not dictated by the number of years you have been doing something. People speak English all their lives yet even at the age of 50, can't utter a well constructed sentence.
So, before you believe that the dog trainer you're talking to is actually a craftsman, ask for a demonstration of what he or she can do. If the dog trainer is good, they won't hesitate to demonstrate their abilities.
So if your uncle Bernie or your neighbor Jim gives you advice on how to teach your dog to stop pulling on the leash, smile, be polite and try to change the subject. They may be the nicest uncles and neighbors imaginable but they're not dog trainers and they're certainly not craftsmen in the field.
In short, you should believe in a system that mirrors nature and a trainer who knows how to create it. A balanced dog obedience training system and a balanced trainer are the two key elements to getting the dog of your dreams. So if you're having difficulty training your puppy to walk nicely on the leash, ask a professional about solutions. A skilled trainer can stop pulling on the leash in a matter of minutes.
>>> Dog Training Techniques - Which Ones Work?
Dog training techniques are as controversial as abortion, Palestine and Bill O'Reilly. But, which dog training techniques can you trust to get you out of the dog house? It will help if you think about dog training techniques as being in one of two categories: balanced and imbalanced.
The discussion about which dog training technique to use when training a dog is one that resembles a discussion between two arch enemies. Each one seems absolutely certain of their position and is more than ready to vilify the other if they don't share their views on dog training. But, if you look at dog training techniques and methods and evaluate their worth and effectiveness based on whether the approach is balanced, it's a lot easier to weed out the garbage.
For the most part, trainers and their methods fall into two main categories. Those who do not use a physical consequence as a deterrent and those who do. There are many variations in the methods used by different trainers however, almost all trainers fall into one category or the other. Some dog trainers use food as a reward and never allow the dog to experience a negative consequence for a poor choice. Other trainers afford the dog the opportunity to experience a consequence for making poor choices.
The Use Of Food:
Using food is great in the sense that you will probably have a very happy dog on your hands when he realizes that the training comes with an all-you-can-eat buffet. However, using food to train your dog has some pitfalls we think you should be aware of.
Food is great if you just want to impress your guests with a couple silly pet tricks but, in the real world, your dog will probably be much more interested in chasing the cat than hanging around to get your silly, dry biscuit. So, if you are using food as the primary or sole motivator, you're in for some disappointment when it comes time for your dog to perform in the real world.
Strictly Positive Reinforcement:
It is not difficult to find trainers who will tell you they use a kinder, gentler method than those used by consequence and reward trainers. They will tell you that your dog will be emotionally destroyed by the use of correction as a deterrent. Their goal is to sell you on their loving approach to dog training. They would have you believe that their method is much better than those old, barbaric correction methods.
If you try to train your dog with a method of training that is as imbalanced as this, you will be in for some serious disappointments. Sure, it sounds like a great idea; training your dog and never having to correct him for making a poor choice. Never having to do the very thing you like doing the least. However, no matter how distasteful the concept of physical consequence is to you, it is necessary if you want a really good dog. You cannot consistently praise a dog when he does something right and never give him a consequence for doing something wrong, and expect him to turn out balanced.
Consequence And Reward:
In some cases, dog training methods that involve physical consequence as a deterrent cause additional problems. Not by virtue of the fact that the dog received a physical consequence for his poor choice, but because the training was too harsh, improper, or the balance between consequence and reward was not achieved. A bad trainer can destroy any good training system. It is far from true that methods using consequence as a deterrent will result in a fearful dog. It all depends on the skill of the trainer, the manner in which the dog is corrected and the balance between consequence and reward.
Dog training techniques and methods that use a healthy balance between consequence and reward are without doubt, the most effective, healthy training techniques you can use. It is important to remember that consequence in NEVER connected to emotion while reward is always given with sincerity and love.
>>> Stop Puppy Biting & The Five Simple Rules
The reason you should stop puppy biting is to avoid more serious problems in the future. If you don't stop puppy biting from developing and becoming a habit, you might be very sorry later on. However, it's not difficult to stop puppy biting from developing into something more destructive or dangerous. You just need to follow a few basic steps in order to teach your puppy how to use his mouth and teeth appropriately.
1. Show your puppy what he can and what he can't bite on.
2. Use repetition to condition your puppy to make good choices.
3. Spend plenty of time interacting with your puppy while he's on the leash.
4. Offer a fair consequence for every inappropriate choice.
5. Offer sincere praise for every appropriate choice.
Point 1: Make the associations with your dog regarding what he can and cannot bite and chew on. Every time your puppy uses his mouth on one of his approved toys, you should take the time to physically praise him. On the other hand, when your puppy uses his mouth on an inappropriate object, there should be a consequence. The same idea as if your puppy tried to chew on a rose bush. He would learn very quickly that rose thorns are not good things to chew on.
Point 2: Repeat the consequences and rewards until your dog becomes conditioned to make new and better choices. If biting your hands proves to be consistently uncomfortable, your puppy will quickly adopt a new and more desirable behavior.
Point 3: Spend time in the house and outside interacting (not necessarily training) with your dog while he's on the leash. In the beginning, you will need to be in a position to offer both immediate consequences and rewards for your puppy's behavior. The leash will allow to quickly eliminate biting by allowing you to offer a consequence for every infraction.
Point 4: Offering a consequence in the form of a small jerk with the leash and a collar, will allow you to discourage potentially destructive behaviors. Never connect your emotions to a consequence and always connect your emotions to your reward.
Point 5: You absolutely must offer your puppy sincere praise when he makes a good choice. If you see your puppy start to open his mouth to bite your finger but, stops short and decides to take his toy instead, recognize his choice and praise him sincerely.
Right now, some of you may not see the problem with your puppy biting your clothing, fingers and whatever else he can get his mouth around but, your puppy won't be a puppy forever. You need to stop puppy biting before your puppy isn't a puppy any more. He's going to get bigger and more mature which means his motives for using his mouth may change into something less innocent as he gets older.
If you simply make these five rules part of your daily routine with your puppy, you will avoid all the negative consequences that may follow. Unless you are a police officer or your dog is professionally protection trained, nothing positive ever comes from allowing your puppy to bite on hands or clothing.
Training Puppies-5 Critical Leash Training Tips
Training puppies is easy. In fact, the theory behind training puppies is exactly the same as the theory behind training dogs in general. A dog is a dog. But, there are some things every puppy owner should know when training puppies to be good housemates and good citizens.
1. Allow your puppy to drag the leash around the house while directly supervised.
2. Make sure your dog's collar fits properly.
3. Don't allow your puppy to chew on the leash.
4. Use the leash inside your house before going outside.
5. Be steadfast, yet calm, encouraging and loving.
Point 1: Training puppies to accept the collar and leash should start by allowing your puppy to drag the leash around the house. It's important to remember that you should never allow your puppy to drag the leash around unless you are watching him every second.
Point 2: If your puppy's collar is too big, he can slip out of it. If the collar is too small, it could cause discomfort or injury. Your puppy's collar should be adjusted loose on the neck but small enough that your puppy can't slip out of it.
Point 3: Puppies use their mouths to explore the world around them. But, allowing your puppy to chew on the leash or take it in his mouth is generally not recommended. If you allow your puppy to chew on your leash, he may weaken it causing it to break in a critical situation.
Point 4: Not only should you let your puppy drag the leash around the house when he's directly supervised but, you should actually take him for walks inside the house as well. Let him get used to the feeling of moving and walking on the leash in a secure environment.
Point 5: Some puppies fight the collar and leash in the beginning. Puppies will refuse to walk, try to back out of the collar, bolt to the end of the leash as well as using many other strategies to avoid being restricted by a leash. You must be steadfast when teaching your puppy to walk outside on a leash and collar. He may strongly resist walking with you but, you must slowly and gently demonstrate that he must move forward with you.
Just remember that when training puppies to get used to the collar and leash, you have to start small and work your way up. Start by allowing your puppy to get used to the feel of the collar around his neck and the weight of the leash. Let him drag the leash around the house while you watch him to make sure the leash doesn't get caught up on something and hurt your puppy. When he's comfortable with the leash and collar, it's time to go outside and introduce him to the world.
Of course, training puppies also means that when you exit one phase, you enter another. Now that your dog is comfortable with the collar and the leash, you may find that he's a little too comfortable and that he's pulling you everywhere.
>>> Understanding your Dog's Psychology to Understand your Dog Better
Taking the time to understand your dog's psyche a bit better will prove to be quite helpful in understanding your dog and in applying it when you train your dog.
The Basics of Dog Psychology
Dog psychology is learning to understand why a dog behaves and acts in the way that he does. It is truly fascinating to think about how the dog-a descendant of the wolf-has adapted itself to the human social organization.
Dogs have learned to live with and obey humans through successful training. When you and your dog build a trusting bond, there is a cooperation that is established: the dog behaves well and he will be rewarded.
A Wolf Descendant
To better understand dog psychology it is important to understand how wolves live. Wolves live in the wild in packs of two or more. They use a strictly defined dictatorship system of males and females.
The leader or "alpha leader" of this system is almost always the biggest male in the pack. All of the other wolves in the pack follow the alpha leader eagerly and with the utmost respect.
Wolf Instincts
Wolves were able to adapt domestically with man thousands of years ago because of the similar social organization and instinctive mental or psychological structure. Wolves are accustomed to dividing duties, particularly when it comes to feeding: one determines the track, one stands on guard, one makes the attack, etc. The alpha leader is always the first to feed and when he is satisfied, he allows the other members of the pack to finish his "leftovers."
Part of the Pack - The Hierarchal System
When you introduce a dog to your household, he sees the family as a pack and all the members contribute to the hierarchal system. Your dog will be watching everyone closely until he can figure out who the alpha leader is and exactly where he fits into this new system.
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. He will also notice how everyone interacts with one another throughout the day.
Establishing the Alpha Role
It is essential to establish yourself (or else another responsible adult in your household) as the alpha leader. The sooner this is established, the fewer behavioral problems you will see.
You need to not only establish yourself or someone else as the alpha, but 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. It needs to be very obvious to your dog that he is subordinate to everyone-including children.
It is sometimes difficult for a dog to understand that he is lower ranked than children, because of their small size and their dependency on adults. For this reason, dogs can sometimes become very aggressive towards children, and they might even bite on occasion.
Through disciplined training, you can help your dog realize that his position is subordinate to every other family member. Good quality dog training resources can help you with this process.
SOURCES:
PUPPY DOGS INFO - Dog Breeds, Training, Care & History
THE K9 LIFELINE - Canine Training Help and Videos