DogTrainster.Com

Article Source: examiner.com
Article by: Penny Eims

Puppies are cuddly, adorable and oh so much fun! But, they are also A LOT of work. Are you really ready to be committed to the needs of a new puppy? Ready for the training (potty, crate and obedience)?? Committed to raising a puppy that will be a wonderful dog?

Being prepared means more than having a collar, leash, crate and bowls. New owners need to consider all aspects before diving into the puppy process. These sweet babies need an owner who is dedicated to starting things off on the right foot. Teaching good manners (no biting, chewing, jumping), working on potty training and crate training from day one, and looking ahead to the needs of an adolescent and adult dog.

Puppy ownership is DOG ownership and the faint of heart should not jump in on a whim (especially if motivated by the pleading of their children) especially if they aren’t willing to see ownership through the lifetime of the dog. Nothing is worse than bringing a puppy home and then turning your back on your responsibilities after several weeks or months because it’s just “too hard”.  Worse yet, making it through the cute puppy months and rehoming (or taking to a shelter) when the sweet puppy breath smell has faded and the gangly pup or rambunctioius adolescent dog’s sweet looks have faded and it’s harder to find them a quality home.

So, what should you expect with a new baby? Expect to get up during the night to attend to potty needs (probably every 2-3 hrs for a 8-12 wk old pup), expect to keep the puppy on a lead during this time or resign yourself to cleaning up random messes if you don’t make it outside in time (it takes up to 6 months to fully potty train a puppy due to their bladder size), expect to listen to crying when the puppy is away from you. Dogs are pack animals and want to be WITH their people, so if you are away from them, most likely they will cry. There will be an acclimation period as your puppy learns to use his/her crate.

Be committed to finding a puppy training class to start your dog off on the right foot for learning good obedience and manners. Studies show that puppies’ brains are 80% developed by the young age of 16 wks. So, you need to start early! Be committed to socializing your puppy to avoid fear issues in the months to come.

If this is your first puppy (dog) ever, expect to adjust your schedule. If you are used to taking off for extended weekends or even long nights out on the town, you should realize that a puppy (soon to be a dog) has needs that must be considered first.  If you take the step to adopt, or buy, a puppy, don’t resent that puppy when you are inconvenienced down the road.

On the upside, puppies are beyond adorable. Puppies are snuggly, fun and unconditionally loving. Puppies are a great tool to teach responsibility to children and a wonderful way to share your love. Just remember that it’s not a commitment to take on lightly.

Article Source: newschannel5.com
Article by: Darcy Lockman

When friends and neighbors Evelyn Pang and Hilary Louie of San Francisco were 9, a dog training class was offered in their apartment building. Though neither girl had a pup of her own, both loved dogs, so they signed up for the class. Five years and many classes later, the two high school sophomores co-authored Good Dog! Kids Teach Kids About Dog Behavior and Training (Dogwise Publishing 2008).

Inspired by the belief that kids learn best from other kids, Pang and Louie wrote and illustrated their book, which incorporates expert advice on teaching kids how to read doggie body language, how to be safe around dogs and how to train Rover to do cool tricks. Says Louie: “Kids need to understand and train their dogs so that neither ends up getting hurt.” Below, the young authors share their five favorite tips for kids who live with, or around, dogs.

Tip No. 1: Know your dog’s signals

Dogs are playful, peaceful creatures. When a canine feels threatened, it will display “calming signals.” These are visual cues that communicate to nearby dogs or people that the dog doesn’t want to fight. “The fur on the back of its neck will stand up. Its tail may go down, or its head will lower,” explains Pang. When this happens, Louie advises walking away, if you are the one scaring the dog. If a nearby dog or other animal is scaring your furry friend, you should simply remove your dog from the frightening situation.

Tip No. 2: Know your own signals

If a strange dog comes running toward you, Pang and Louie advise keeping yourself safe in the following way: be a tree. “Stand still, put your arms by your sides, and your head down. Look at your toes and don’t move,” says Pang. “The dog will think you’re boring, and it will go away.” Running from a dog will signal that you’re up for a game of chase, and looking the dog in the eye may make it feel afraid, which can lead to a fight that both you and the dog don’t want.

Tip No. 3: Be consistent during training

Pang and Louie advocate clicker training, which involves reinforcing desirable dog behavior with the sound of a clicker, followed by a treat. The dog learns to associate the click with the reward and comes to understand that that the click is a compliment. But this only works if the trainer is consistent. “You have to click on time, and every time,” stresses Louie. “You have to pay attention at all times during clicker training, or your dog will think you’ve lost interest, and (the activity) won’t be fun anymore.”

Tip No. 4: Treat, don’t trick, during training sessions

Dogs in training need rewards in order to learn. What they do not need is for you to yell, or worse. “Don’t punish your dog,” emphasizes Pang. “You are its teacher, and if the dog messes up, it’s sort of like it’s your own fault. It’s your responsibility to teach them.” If things get heated, or you start to feel frustrated, take a break! You can always go back to it later or another day.

Tip No. 5: Have fun!

Pang and Louie agree that training is a game, and games should be enjoyable. “If you’re not positive, you’ll get impatient. If you’re not having fun, it’s not a game anymore,” says Louie. The girls believe that training also promotes bonding between humans and canines. It’s the best time to create feelings of closeness between people and their pets. “Your dog will feel your love during training,” says Pang. It should be like hanging out with a friend. You’re doing something together and learning together.

About the author: Darcy Lockman is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in the New York Times and Rolling Stone. She lives in Brooklyn, with the prettiest pug dog in the five boroughs.

Article Source: examiner.com
Article by: Keith Smith

It seems everywhere I go these days all I hear about is how you must physically dominate a dog to make him behave. I see these very common training practices of yanking dogs around on a choke chain and calling it training. These same people call the choke chain a “training collar”. I have a challenge for these people. Grab a friend and have them put a “training collar” on you. Now ask them to attach a lead and give a nice firm yank. Do you still believe it is a “training collar”?

Next ask them to yank on the lead every time you say “training collar”. I bet after a few times you stop saying those words. And not because you like your friend but because you are afraid to feel that dreadful yank again. You may even attain enlightenment and begin calling it for what it actually is, a choke chain! Choke chains are dangerous!

Choke chains, shock collars and other professed training tools are merely used as shortcuts by people who have yet to genuinely and compassionately comprehend the intricate workings of dog behavior.

Another thorn in my side are the people who believe that pretending to be Hulk Hogan and pinning a dog to the ground or using similar physical practices somehow makes them respect you. It will certainly make the dog fear you. Fear is not respect! In case you did not read that right, fear is not respect! Respect is a dog looking intently into your eyes, tail wagging and ear’s perky thinking with reserved anticipation “what should I do now”.

The goal in training is to develop the relationship using trust and motivation, not fear and desperation!
“Dog people are wonderful people,” Cherry said. “They will help new dog owners get off to a good start and advance in their training.”

She also stressed the importance of exercising dogs.

“A 30-minute brisk walk every day is good for the person and good for the dog,” Cherry said. “Knowing my dogs need a walk encourages me to get up every morning and get some exercise with them.”

Cherry assures puppy owners that if they spend time with their puppies, take their puppies to obedience classes and do the homework, they’ll have a good dog by age 2.

“Good behavior kind of clicks when a dog is 2. The dog settles down, and some of the puppy problems stop. If you can make it until the dog is 2, you’ll have a good dog for the rest of his life.”

Article Source: edmondsun.com
Article by: Kathy Toppins

EDMOND —  In the past few weeks, cute puppy faces have nuzzled visitors through kennel doors at the Edmond Animal Shelter. All the puppies that have been available will grow into big dogs. Two of the puppies, possibly Anatolian Shepherd and Great Pyrenees mixes, are now in foster care and may be seen by appointment. They may eventually weigh 100 to 125 pounds.

Shelter employees take time to educate visitors interested in adopting the puppies about their breed traits and need for training. Anyone who adopts a puppy, especially one that will grow into a large, herding dog, will need to begin obedience training right away.

“A cute face will get a puppy a home. Training will allow the puppy to keep its home,” said Lynn Cherry, a German Shepherd owner and co-founder of Paws for Life Inc.

Early training is especially important for puppies that are growing quickly.

“You need to start training when the puppy is 6 weeks old,” Cherry said. “Puppies at 6 weeks can learn ‘sit’ and ‘down.’ If you haven’t started training by 3 or 4 months, you’re behind. You can pick up and maneuver a large-breed dog for only about four months. By the time a dog is a year old, he’ll be at his full weight,” Cherry said.

Training is easy. “It’s really just repetition with a dog. If you spend 15 minutes a day training your dog, you can have a great dog,” Cherry said. “There’s nothing harsh or mean about asking a dog to listen and mind. We all have to do that. It’s not fun to have a dog that jumps on you, your friends and your furniture. It is fun to have a best friend dog you can take anywhere because he’s obedient and trained.”

Cherry recommends connecting with other owners of large-breed dogs.

“Dog people are wonderful people,” Cherry said. “They will help new dog owners get off to a good start and advance in their training.”

She also stressed the importance of exercising dogs.

“A 30-minute brisk walk every day is good for the person and good for the dog,” Cherry said. “Knowing my dogs need a walk encourages me to get up every morning and get some exercise with them.”

Cherry assures puppy owners that if they spend time with their puppies, take their puppies to obedience classes and do the homework, they’ll have a good dog by age 2.

“Good behavior kind of clicks when a dog is 2. The dog settles down, and some of the puppy problems stop. If you can make it until the dog is 2, you’ll have a good dog for the rest of his life.”

Article Source: denver.yourhub.com
Article by: Robert Forto, PhD

One of the most common questions asked to us by our clients at Denver Dog Works is, “will my dog remember we when I pick him up?” Of course we all love our pets and most of us will go to the ends of the earth for them and the thought of leaving them in a strange place brings up connotations of horror. But let me assure you that is not the case. Denver Dog Works, and all reputable boarding kennels/training schools, treat your beloved pet as if they were their own.

“I just can’t be away from my dog…”

I like to tell clients its separation anxiety. No, not from the dog but you!Many clients are concerned that their dogs will not remember them or will become overwhelmed by home sickness, this is never the case. Children often spend more waking hours with their teachers than with their parents yet they never forget where home is. During training your dog is well cared for, very active, and enjoy the training experience. After all, every breed of dog exists today has been selectively bred because they serve a purpose in the service of man. They all have jobs. Today dogs that are not trained develop behavior problems. The reason is most often because they need some discipline, education and purpose in life. Obedience replaces that feeling with a feeling of value and purpose. As for you, rather than dwell on how much you will miss your beloved companion for a few weeks, consider the years of pleasure you and your dog will gain through professional obedience training. There are few things in this world as impressive as a well trained dog working in harmony with their owner.

“I am afraid my dog will only listen to you when he comes home.”

Well, that is a very valid concern. For most trainers there is only one person working with your dog. And when your dog returns he only listens to that person, or at least a person with that skill level (something we see all the time, a dog that has been trained somewhere else doesn’t work for the owner, but works like a well trained dog for us). What happens is the dog gets used to being trained with a certain tone, cadence, and quality, so when you say the same things the dog doesn’t recognize it.
We at Denver Dog Works get around that by having at least 2-3 different experienced trainers a day work with your dog. And to help even more we also use our newer staff members help in training so that they don’t sound “perfect” when giving commands. This makes it easy for you because the dog is used to hearing the same words, said MANY different ways. So all you have to do is build some respect, and you’re good to go!

Then there is the question about Respect that we often hear: “What is ‘Respect’ in dog training, and why is it important?”

Respect is the bond between you and your dog that says to your dog that when something else better is going on, and you say something, he should listen. Think about if your dog has his head in the trashcan, and you tell him to stop. If he stops, every time you say it, then that is respect. If he does not, then we can help with that with a few basic techniques.

Follow-up Classes are So Important: “Why do I have to follow up with class?”

During the week(s) of training at Denver Dog Works, your dog is introduced to many new behaviors and skills. And when you get him home he will happily show you these commands when asked. But, it’s like any new habit or resolution it’s still fragile. So, if you do not follow up with more training the behaviors will begin to break down.
So, just at the point when fragile behaviors start to waver, you start class. And during that class experience your dog gets the needed repetition and work to cement those behaviors.

So can you be away from your dog for training?

Well, that is definitely one of the hardest parts of boot-camp (ok, its like the hardest part). But, think about it this way, if you are considering boot-camp, or the more intensive board and train, that means you have a special circumstance already that you need help with.
If you do not get help now, will it weaken your relationship in the future? Also, if you consider the time you’ll spend with your dog during his life, then a week or more to make your relationship better is not that bad.
But, if you just can’t stand to be away, Denver Dog Works does have our Intensive Day training program. It works as well, but takes longer to produce the results you want since he does not stay with us.

When you do finally get your furry friend home follow these simple steps to make his return most enjoyable:

Your pet will undoubtedly be happy to see you when you pick him up. Following a few simple steps will help ease the transition back to home life.

• Overexcitement may make a dog pant a lot and act thirsty. He is probably not really thirsty and had plenty of water available at the training facility. Give him a few ice cubes to tide him over until he settles down.

• Food: ditto. Be aware that excessive drinking and eating may lead to digestive upsets and bloating. Do not feed your pet for at least three hours after coming home from the pet care facility and then limit the food and water you provide until he has settled back into home life.

• Walk your pet upon arrival or allow access to a yard area. Excitement may also cause a change in urination or bowel movements outside his normal schedule.

• Give your pet some personalized attention - some play time or sitting and petting or brushing him will help him get through the excitement stage and calm down.

• A stay at a pet care facility can be very exciting and some dogs charge around barking at other dogs and having a wonderful time. These dogs often leave the facility exhausted but happy, and sleep a lot for the first couple of days they are home.

• Re-establish home patterns by following a normal schedule. Pets love following a schedule - it makes them feel safe and secure and remember to follow the rules your trainer has given you. Training starts the minute you get your dog home or bad habits will re-surface, Quickly!