Hi there. I apologize for making you wait 2 weeks for this post but I had a family crisis. Anyway its over now so let's get to it.
You cannot reach your training goals overnight. You will need to continue working with your dog for the rest of his life. This takes patience, time & lots of effort. If you slack off & don't work with him, he will revert to misbehaving just to get the attention he once had. We all need something to occupy our minds & look forward to. Your dog is no different.
The first part of house training is to develop a feeding schedule. For example breakfast at 6:30 a.m. & dinner at 6:00 p.m. The dog's food should be left available for no more than 15 minutes. Whatever is left over can be saved for the next feeding time. This has several purposes. First of all, it teaches your dog to eat immediately, thus reducing a mess if he plays with the food. Secondly, it puts him on a regular diet, maintaining his weight at proper levels. Lastly, & of utmost importance, it allows you to schedule a proper relief time. You will know when he must relieve himself, causing fewer accidents in the home.
The fastest means of house training is to crate train him. The crate has many uses. It is a place for him when you are sleeping or not at home, & it his very own room to retreat to when he doesn't want to socialize or becomes tired. In short, a crate becomes his den.
When purchasing a crate, make sure to buy one that will fit your dog. He should be able to stand to his full height, turn around inside & be able to stretch out.
Crate training should be fun for your dog. He should never have to be forced into the enclosure. In fact, he will go inside willingly if you follow these simple steps. Place his bed & toys in the crate, & leave it open so that he can investigate it. If he goes inside, praise him & give him a special treat. If he is afraid to go inside, place a treat near the opening & allow him to take it. Praise him when he sniffs & eventually takes the food. When he is no longer afraid of approaching the crate, throw a piece of food a little further inside. Gradually increase the distance he must go to retrieve his treat. Begin giving a command when you throw the treat into the crate, such as "Inside" or "Kennel". When he readily enters the crate on command, close the door briefly, say 10 seconds. Praise him & push treats inside, so that he has positive associations with the closed doors.
Gradually increase the time he he remains inside with the door closed. When he is able to remain comfortably inside for half an hour, leave the room briefly. Do not return if he cries. If he is silent for a few seconds, return & praise him, then let him out & repeat the procedures later.
Before leaving him in the crate for a full night (no more than 4 to 6 hours at a stretch), make sure he has relieved himself outside.
Derek
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Hi folks. Today I'd like to talk about training older dogs.
Whilst older dogs might think they know everything & have achieved a high status in your household, they can still learn to become obedient & develop good house manners. They are never too old to learn.
When setting a goal for the training of your older dog you should keep in mind that perfection may be out of reach & you should strive for simple obedience from your companion & friend. All dogs can learn the basics: heel, sit, lie down, stay & come. Most can learn to perform these basics surrounded by distractions. Those worked consistently for a long period of time can even learn to listen without a leash when let loose in a quiet area. These are realistic goals.
Every dog can learn the terms for proper manners. "Quiet." "Drop it." "No bark." "No sniff." and just plain "No." It is best to keep all vocabulary as simple as possible to reduce confusion.
Maybe you got your dog from a shelter or a rescue group. When you take him home he won't understand your house rules.
This type of dog requires special training. You must be patient and consistent, but this does not mean that you should allow his past to influence your demands. He still needs to learn his place in your family pack, as well as acceptable behavior patterns.
Once he begins to regain his health and learns to trust you it is time to consult with a professional trainer. It would be best to begin the training one-on-one, for he may become frightened or anxious when confronted with many other people and lunging dogs.
Any dog can be rehabilitated through proper care and training regardless of his past. It will take a lot of work, but the rewards are great. You will have saved a life and formed a relationship unlike any other.
That's it for today. I'll be continuing on the same topic on my next post. 'Till then, bye.
Derek
Whilst older dogs might think they know everything & have achieved a high status in your household, they can still learn to become obedient & develop good house manners. They are never too old to learn.
When setting a goal for the training of your older dog you should keep in mind that perfection may be out of reach & you should strive for simple obedience from your companion & friend. All dogs can learn the basics: heel, sit, lie down, stay & come. Most can learn to perform these basics surrounded by distractions. Those worked consistently for a long period of time can even learn to listen without a leash when let loose in a quiet area. These are realistic goals.
Every dog can learn the terms for proper manners. "Quiet." "Drop it." "No bark." "No sniff." and just plain "No." It is best to keep all vocabulary as simple as possible to reduce confusion.
Maybe you got your dog from a shelter or a rescue group. When you take him home he won't understand your house rules.
This type of dog requires special training. You must be patient and consistent, but this does not mean that you should allow his past to influence your demands. He still needs to learn his place in your family pack, as well as acceptable behavior patterns.
Once he begins to regain his health and learns to trust you it is time to consult with a professional trainer. It would be best to begin the training one-on-one, for he may become frightened or anxious when confronted with many other people and lunging dogs.
Any dog can be rehabilitated through proper care and training regardless of his past. It will take a lot of work, but the rewards are great. You will have saved a life and formed a relationship unlike any other.
That's it for today. I'll be continuing on the same topic on my next post. 'Till then, bye.
Derek
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Dog Parks-12 Tips On How To Keep Them Safe For You & Your Dog
Ever notice how happy your dog gets when you drive into the dog park? You can almost feel his excitement just knowing he will not only spend time with you but he gets to play with other dogs. After all, you're his best friend and you only want the best for him, right? But sometimes things can get a little out of hand. You not only have to watch your dog, but you must play a little defense sometimes to protect your dog as well as you. Let's look at some tips on how to keep you and your dog safe.
1. Have all your dog's vaccinations up-to-date at all times.
2. Make sure to leash your dog immediately if he starts to get aggressive.
3. Dog parks are not for digging. This could lead to hazards like trips and falls for another pooch or their owner. If you see him digging a hole, make sure to fill it immediately.
4. If your female is in heat, please do not bring her to the park.
5. If you walk dogs for others, please don't bring more to the park than you can handle. Many things could get out of hand for you.
6. If you do not see a sign that says, "Off-Leash" area, you must be sure to keep the leash ON.
7. Make sure your canine friend has some training and will come to you when he is called. This is for his safety as well as others.
8. Some dogs just naturally play a little rough while others (including their owners) get very intimidated by this. Keep a good eye on your pet so he doesn't harass other pets or their owners.
9. Even if you have Fido in an "Off-Leash" area, keep his leash handy. You never know whether or not you will need it.
10. Your dog should always be where you can see him and close enough to be within voice range. Never expect someone else to keep an eye on your pet.
11. Please respect all the rules in the park.
12. ALWAYS clean up after your dog... NO EXCEPTIONS!
Remember, good dog park etiquette is always the best way to go. We all want to keep these parks running and if everyone pitches in to help, we will have them for a long time.
I sincerely hope this article was helpful to you. If you would like more information on any dog needs whether it's natural/organic nutrition, dog training, tuff dog toys, dog gifts, allergy kits, flea control and more, please visit http://www.TailWaggingSolutions.blogspot.com While you are there you can enjoy reading "Just For Doggie Laughs" and "Putter's Doggie Tips for the Week". Here's to loving your dog.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Benson
1. Have all your dog's vaccinations up-to-date at all times.
2. Make sure to leash your dog immediately if he starts to get aggressive.
3. Dog parks are not for digging. This could lead to hazards like trips and falls for another pooch or their owner. If you see him digging a hole, make sure to fill it immediately.
4. If your female is in heat, please do not bring her to the park.
5. If you walk dogs for others, please don't bring more to the park than you can handle. Many things could get out of hand for you.
6. If you do not see a sign that says, "Off-Leash" area, you must be sure to keep the leash ON.
7. Make sure your canine friend has some training and will come to you when he is called. This is for his safety as well as others.
8. Some dogs just naturally play a little rough while others (including their owners) get very intimidated by this. Keep a good eye on your pet so he doesn't harass other pets or their owners.
9. Even if you have Fido in an "Off-Leash" area, keep his leash handy. You never know whether or not you will need it.
10. Your dog should always be where you can see him and close enough to be within voice range. Never expect someone else to keep an eye on your pet.
11. Please respect all the rules in the park.
12. ALWAYS clean up after your dog... NO EXCEPTIONS!
Remember, good dog park etiquette is always the best way to go. We all want to keep these parks running and if everyone pitches in to help, we will have them for a long time.
I sincerely hope this article was helpful to you. If you would like more information on any dog needs whether it's natural/organic nutrition, dog training, tuff dog toys, dog gifts, allergy kits, flea control and more, please visit http://www.TailWaggingSolutions.blogspot.com While you are there you can enjoy reading "Just For Doggie Laughs" and "Putter's Doggie Tips for the Week". Here's to loving your dog.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Benson
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Obedience Training is Necessary
Obedience Training is a very important exercise for both you and your pet. It not only gives the pet owner peace of mind, but also helps to establish a strong bond between you and your pet.
Training your dog can be a very challenging job to say the least. We all want one of those exceptionally well behaved dogs that seem to understand every word that comes out of their master's mouths. They never misbehave, they never ignore their master's wishes, such as calling them away from another dog at the park, and they often know a whole heap of cool fun tricks.
Dogs are wild animals. Well, at least their ancestors were. What many of us don't realize when we introduce a dog into the family, be it a puppy or older dog, is that to the dog we are introducing them not into a family, but into a pack. Think about this for a second because once you understand this and what the implications are that are associated, this is the cornerstone towards improving obedience in a dog.
Packs have a hierarchy. Take for example an average family. One or two parents and two children. The dog will immediately learn its position in the pack and act accordingly. The real key to having a great loving obedient companion who is loyal is to make the dog understand its position within the household (pack).
The dog cannot be seen as the protector (alpha male) otherwise it will be aggressive and potentially dangerous. Make sure the children are always seen to first so the dog is under no illusions that it is more important than the children.
Our dogs are a great source of undivided love and affection. You, I, and every dog lover knows well the parental relationship forged between dog owner and pet. But as much as you love your dog... you know he is only a few minutes away from messing up.... Make no mistake about it. Your domestic dog is closer to being a wild pack animal than you think! He operates through dog instinctive behavior, and he's looking to you to be his "Pack Leader."
Still having some problems after dog obedience school? Understandably, because dog obedience training will not work on a psychological or behavioral problem. You will just end up with a dog who sits, stays, fetches, comes ... and is still doing all the natural things puppies and young dogs do, that drive you nuts!
It is best to do dog obedience training after you and your dog have had a chance to bond. Obedience training doesn't solve all behavior problems, but it is the foundation for solving just about any problem.
Training a dog to obey your commands can be an ongoing and lengthy process depending on the dog, the methods used, and the skill and understanding of both the pet and its owner.
With time, dogs have become an important part of human households, where they are seldom treated as working mates. Unlike people of the 18th century, dog owners of today consider their pets as one of their family members and go out of their way to provide the latter with the best of training, diet, grooming and care.
Your dog provides you with love and companionship, but chances are he also provides you with some unpleasant surprises from time to time-a mess on the carpet or a slobbery pair of slippers, for example. While dogs seem to offer their people love and friendship almost immediately, learning how to live by the rules of a human household does not always come so easily
Solving your dog's behavior problems may take a renewed commitment on your part, but it can be done. And it's worth it. After all, research shows that most dogs and cats are relinquished to animal shelters-or otherwise given up-because of common behavior problems their families didn't know how to solve.
If you are reading this article, you are undoubtedly a pet lover as is the author. He has found a site that I’m sure all dog owners/lovers will enjoy very much. The address is http://rabdogobediencetraining.blogspot.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Buford
Training your dog can be a very challenging job to say the least. We all want one of those exceptionally well behaved dogs that seem to understand every word that comes out of their master's mouths. They never misbehave, they never ignore their master's wishes, such as calling them away from another dog at the park, and they often know a whole heap of cool fun tricks.
Dogs are wild animals. Well, at least their ancestors were. What many of us don't realize when we introduce a dog into the family, be it a puppy or older dog, is that to the dog we are introducing them not into a family, but into a pack. Think about this for a second because once you understand this and what the implications are that are associated, this is the cornerstone towards improving obedience in a dog.
Packs have a hierarchy. Take for example an average family. One or two parents and two children. The dog will immediately learn its position in the pack and act accordingly. The real key to having a great loving obedient companion who is loyal is to make the dog understand its position within the household (pack).
The dog cannot be seen as the protector (alpha male) otherwise it will be aggressive and potentially dangerous. Make sure the children are always seen to first so the dog is under no illusions that it is more important than the children.
Our dogs are a great source of undivided love and affection. You, I, and every dog lover knows well the parental relationship forged between dog owner and pet. But as much as you love your dog... you know he is only a few minutes away from messing up.... Make no mistake about it. Your domestic dog is closer to being a wild pack animal than you think! He operates through dog instinctive behavior, and he's looking to you to be his "Pack Leader."
Still having some problems after dog obedience school? Understandably, because dog obedience training will not work on a psychological or behavioral problem. You will just end up with a dog who sits, stays, fetches, comes ... and is still doing all the natural things puppies and young dogs do, that drive you nuts!
It is best to do dog obedience training after you and your dog have had a chance to bond. Obedience training doesn't solve all behavior problems, but it is the foundation for solving just about any problem.
Training a dog to obey your commands can be an ongoing and lengthy process depending on the dog, the methods used, and the skill and understanding of both the pet and its owner.
With time, dogs have become an important part of human households, where they are seldom treated as working mates. Unlike people of the 18th century, dog owners of today consider their pets as one of their family members and go out of their way to provide the latter with the best of training, diet, grooming and care.
Your dog provides you with love and companionship, but chances are he also provides you with some unpleasant surprises from time to time-a mess on the carpet or a slobbery pair of slippers, for example. While dogs seem to offer their people love and friendship almost immediately, learning how to live by the rules of a human household does not always come so easily
Solving your dog's behavior problems may take a renewed commitment on your part, but it can be done. And it's worth it. After all, research shows that most dogs and cats are relinquished to animal shelters-or otherwise given up-because of common behavior problems their families didn't know how to solve.
If you are reading this article, you are undoubtedly a pet lover as is the author. He has found a site that I’m sure all dog owners/lovers will enjoy very much. The address is http://rabdogobediencetraining.blogspot.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Buford
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