DogTrainster.Com

Article Source: burnsidenews.com

Caring for your new dog: a guide for adopters

Obedience Training

After veterinarian care, obedience should be your next priority. Obedience training has come a long way in the last 10 years.

First and foremost, training should never hurt or frighten your dog. A dog that’s trained using harsh methods will develop an array of behaviour problems and insecurities while learning you can’t always be trusted. This will be detrimental in the development of your relationship.

Professional obedience instructors who teach using positive reinforcement methods have the skills to help you and your new companion learn how to interact while developing a trusting relationship that will make your dog a favourite of family members, friends and neighbours.

Dogs are as individual as humans. Your obedience instructor should work with your family to develop a curriculum that will work best for you and your dog.

Most owners find the use of food and praise to be the easiest way to start. However, as you and your dog get to know one another, your dog may be more motivated to work for a variety of rewards such as playing or being patted.

Obedience classes can vary greatly from larger class sizes with multiple instructors, to smaller more intimate groups or personal one-on-one instruction in a class-type setting or in your own home. Many factors will determine which obedience classes are right for you, including location, time, cost and the personality of you and your dog.

• Larger class sizes with multiple instructors: These classes are made up of larger groups of dogs and handlers and should have multiple instructors. A good ratio is one instructor for every three to five dog/handler teams. These classes are great for a person who hopes to allow their dog off-leash at dog parks or similar situations and gain a reliable recall (“come”) command. The larger class sizes simulate life-like scenarios where your dog will learn to avoid distractions and focus on you. Also, having multiple instructors to work with provides a wider variety of skills and knowledge at your fingertips.

• Smaller class sizes with one or two instructors: These classes still give you the benefits of training your dog around other dogs (one of the biggest distractions for most), but on a smaller scale. This can make it easier for handlers and dogs that are easily distracted, or for anxious dogs.

• One-on-one training: Whether it’s in a classroom or in your own home, receiving individual instruction gives you and your dog undivided attention and can really catapult your training. This type of training is great for owners who may be feeling a little unsure or need help correcting specific behaviours.

Crate Training

Crate training has many benefits when used appropriately. A dog “crate” is the general term for referring to a rectangular enclosure. Crates can be constructed of wire, metal, molded plastic or a combination of these materials. Be sure the crate is of adequate size. Most people with puppies will opt to buy a crate that will accommodate the dog when it is full grown, but can be partitioned off to help with house training when they’re young. A dog should be able to stand up straight, turn around and stretch out in their crate. A dog that’s properly crate trained will enjoy their crate throughout their lives and will use it for refuge from a busy household.

Crate training has several benefits, including:

• puppies and dogs that are being house trained to eliminate (urinate and defecate) outside are less likely to eliminate in their crate, unless left for inappropriate amounts of time or before the dog has had a chance to eliminate outside.

• dogs that damage household items during times they can’t be directly supervised cannot practice these behaviours in a crate.

• in cases of travel or illness, crates can be a necessity. A dog that has been trained to be comfortable in a crate is at an advantage in these situations.

• for dogs involved in dog sport functions such as agility and flyball, crates provide a much-needed resting spot during break times.

The crate’s location needs to be somewhere inside the house where the dog is comfortable. The location should be in a quiet space close to family areas, but just outside heavy traffic zones. Make it clear to all children living or visiting the house that the crate is not a “playpen” for them. However, you should get your dog used to people reaching in and out of the crate to avoid your dog guarding his crate.

While puppies (eight to 16 weeks) will normally adjust more quickly to crating since they are being introduced to this new world only a small portion at a time, crate training adult dogs should start in smaller steps.

If possible, have your crate purchased and set-up prior to bringing your new dog home for the first time. Secure the door open, so it can’t accidentally shut and frighten the dog. Encourage the dog to explore the crate by placing treats or toys in the crate and rewarding the dog with praise every time they go in the crate.

Feed the dog all their meals in the crate and start closing and latching the door, working up the time until their meal is done. Slowly increase the time they spend in the crate, perhaps during your suppertime or while going out to run errands.

A crate should never be used for punishment. It’s not recommended that any dog spend more than six consecutive hours at a time in a crate.

As many dogs mature or settle into family routines, regular crating may become unnecessary. If you think your dog is a good candidate for having unsupervised household access, start in with small steps. Leave your dog with limited access in the house while you do some activity close at hand, but out of the dog’s sight. Leave the dog for no more than a few minutes at a time, gradually increasing your absence to half days then full days when necessary.

House Training

Most adult dogs will catch on to the idea of house training with relative ease. Remember, human babies are usually not introduced to the idea of using a toilet until they are at least two-years-old. Furthermore, most human babies are not reliably toilet trained until they are around four-years-old. Even then, accidents will happen.

The age of your dog and any possible medical issues they may have will also affect your house training. Situations such as stress, change in diet, intestinal upset, intestinal parasites and urinary tract infections can make house training difficult to impossible. It’s important to talk to your veterinarian if you have these concerns.

When dealing with a puppy or a young dog, a good rule of thumb is to relate their age (in months) to the number of hours they’re physically capable of controlling their bladders and bowels. A puppy at two months should be capable of controlling their bladder for about two hours. A four-month old puppy can manage about four hours. If you have adopted a puppy or a young dog, there will be some time before you may be able to manage a full night’s sleep.

Just like every other aspect of your dog’s life, consistency is key when it comes to house training. The more consistent your feeding and walking schedule, as well as crate training (see Crate Training section for more information), the more successful you will be in house training your new dog.

• Designating a relief spot: When designating a relief spot, certain factors should be considered. Will this area be easily accessible all year round, including during the winter months? What about garden areas and walk ways? Once you have designated a relief spot take your dog on-leash to the designated toilet area. Stand quietly, so that the dog can sniff around. Most people may instruct, “Go do your business” or “potty time,” but do not repeat this request and distract the dog. Do not praise the dog during their search. If after about five minutes your dog hasn’t gone to the bathroom, return them to the house, keeping a close eye on them for about half an hour, then try again. Once your dog has completed their business outside, praise and make a fuss about how smart they are and, of course, don’t forget a treat!

• Good Morning!: When people wake up in the morning, their first stop is usually the bathroom. If another family member already has the bathroom occupied, we know how uncomfortable it can be to wait. Your dog will appreciate access to relieve himself as much as you do in the morning. Take your dog out to use the bathroom as soon as you can after you wake up.

• Scheduling: Create a schedule that’s practical for you to maintain. If you can’t stick to your schedule, you can’t expect the dog to adhere to it. Try to feed your new dog one to two hours before you have to leave them. This should provide your dog enough time to digest their breakfast and ensure they have an opportunity to use the bathroom before you leave for work.

Schedule your dog’s bedtime and waking-up time. Adhere to these times as closely as possible. If you have a puppy or young dog and will be away from your home for more than a few hours, you’ll need to arrange to have somebody come in to take the dog out to their designated relief spot.

Keep track of your dog’s routine. Some dogs will “potty” two or three times per outing in the morning, but only twice per outing in the evening. Even if the weather is foul, do not let your dog know that you don’t want to be going outside with them. By teaching your dog that even in bad weather going outside is “the thing to do,” they will be more willing to convey their needs to you.

• Supervision in the house: Any mistakes your dog makes while you’re at home are due to your inattention. You should always know where your dog is and what they’re doing. If you realize it’s almost time for a potty break, don’t delay by thinking “after I finish the laundry.” After the laundry may be too late and you’ll have missed an opportunity to positively reinforce your dog’s bathroom habits.

By observing your dog you will quickly learn to tell the difference between a dog exploring his new home and his searching for a location to relieve himself. If you can’t supervise the dog for a period of time, put the dog in a confined area such as a crate or room where you are. Have the dog on their leash if it will help. When you’re relaxing, watching TV, reading or on the computer, have your dog with you as well. Try giving your dog some of their toys to play with.

Article Source: examiner.com
Article by: Jeff Millman

I am constantly amazed at how many new dog walking services pop up all over Chicago. I would imagine this is consistent with other big cities. With downsizing and people’s desires to run their own business, dog walking is often a natural fit for the dog lovers of the world.

But, like any other business, there are better options than others. How do you sift through all of the dog walkers to choose the best one for your dog?

Here are some questions and strategies that I recommend that you take into account when making a decision.

I always recommend meeting the dog walker that your service will be sending. I spoke with one of my clients that did not hire a service because the walker did not even pet the dog during the interview. Not a good way to endear yourself to a dog guardian!

How long have you been in business?
Everyone has to start somewhere, but this is an important question. If has been a really short amount of time, you can press more and ask what their last job was, why they got into this business, etc. I would be cautious of someone that doesn’t seem really committed. You don’t want to be left high and dry by someone that changes their mind and chooses another line of work.

How many clients do you have?
This will help you determine how successful they are and also how busy. If they are a one-person operation and have an usually high number of clients, that probably means they are stretched really thin and probably do pack walks. (See below).

Will you work with puppies that are not housetrained?
Some services will not take on the added responsibility of potential clean-ups and multiple walks necessary for young puppies.

How many dogs do you walk at once?
There are many dog walkers that do pack walks. I would never hire a dog walker that walks more than 2 or 3 dogs at the most. I would prefer that they just walk my dogs alone. For even the most skilled walker, it is difficult to walk a lot of dogs. What if dogs get into a fight? Do you want multiple dogs tromping through your house while they are picked up? I also worry about dogs urinating on each other when there are many dogs on one walk.

Do you do training on walks?
I would not expect dog walkers to do a lot of training, but it is nice to know what they are willing to work on.

Do you leave notes after walks?
This should be basic. The notes should be the potty report and if anything unusual happened on the walk. Some dog walkers send text messages or even call after walks.

Has a dog ever been injured in your care? What happened and what did you do?
It is good to know what your walker will do if a bad situation arises.

For larger services, I recommend asking if you will get the same dog walker every day.
Consistency is nice for you and your dog. You will also be giving keys and possibly alarm codes to a stranger. It is nice to know that there won’t be a new person each week.

Do you offer vacation care?
You might choose a service that also offers vacation care to have consistency for your dog when you travel.

Do you offer package discounts?
Some dog walking services offer cheaper rates if you pay by the week or the month.

What is the cancellation policy?
It is important to know what happens if you will be charged for cancellations.

What do you do if my dog barks, becomes aggressive or jumps on people on walks?
This will clue you in on their thoughts on punishment. They should only use humane, gentle methods. No choke chains, prong collars, spray bottles, knees in the chest, etc.

Article Source: pittsburghlive.com
Article by: John Ross

It’s easier to convince a puppy or a young dog that you are pack leader while he or she initially is seeking a position in the pack. It will be harder after the dog has assumed the pack-leader role.

This problem can be avoided if you make an effort to learn proper techniques to gain leadership. If you are incapable or unwilling to provide the leadership that a dog needs, do yourself and your dog a favor — find him a good home. Yes, it’s that important.

However, don’t be intimidated. Becoming pack leader is not such a daunting task.

You do not need to be mean or cruel to your dog in order to achieve a pack leader status. If you treat a dog abusively, he or she will learn only to fear and distrust you. You simply need to learn to be firm and consistent, as well as loving and fair, and your dog will accept you as pack leader.

Canine pack leaders are consistent, and they maintain their leadership position. Pack followers know what to expect from the pack leader. If you are inconsistent, it is a sign of weakness to your dog. If you show weakness, your dog will test you.

Obedience training capitalizes on a dog’s pack-leader instincts, but it is not brute force and dominance. You need to be gentle and assertive.

Canine pack leaders show affection toward their followers. They play with subordinates. They share food with and groom subordinates. They even sleep close to them.

This is why it is important to pet, praise and show affection to your dog. Along with teaching your dog that he or she must obey you, you also must show what we humans call love. Let your dog know that obedient behavior pleases you.

Praising your dog positively reinforces behavior that you want your dog to repeat. Positive reinforcement is an essential part of successful dog training.

How many humans can be pack leader in a family?

Dog often do not respond to everyone in the family in the same way. The person who spends the most time training and exercising the dog will get the best results. Young children often cannot convince most dogs that they are a more dominant member of the pack than the dog is. School-age children or teens also should not be given the primary responsibility of training the family’s dog. This is a job for adults in the family. If older children are interested, they should help under the guidance of an adult.

If you, as the dog’s trainer, make an effort to be consistent with your dog’s training, your dog will learn to follow direction from you. He or she might not pay very much attention to commands from other family members.

And the good news is that when your dog is trained properly, no one can undo the training that you have achieved. No one can undo your pack leadership role,

Your dog never will “resent” you for being pack leader. In fact, he or she will love and respect you more. In the wild, the pack leader is the most respected member of the pack.

Training through a canine point of view will strengthen the bond between you and your dog. Dogs are happier and more secure when they are treated like canines. I’ve observed that the most confused and unhappy dogs are those that are trained from an anthropomorphic (humanized) point of view. And their owners are the most frustrated people who have ever owned a dog.

Don’t forget the other components to success: exercise and socialization. Dogs that receive adequate daily exercise are mentally balanced creatures who can maintain emotional control. A dog that is out of emotional control cannot learn to behave properly. Socialization is imperative if a dog is going to be a secure, confident canine citizen.

Enjoy training your dog. Be confident, gentle, calm and assertive. Think pack leader.