DogTrainster.Com

Article Source: examiner.com
Article by: Carla Kinney

Are you skeptical about taking your dog to social gatherings because you’re afraid he may attack other pets or people? Does your dog show an aversion to small children? Does he jump on guests when they visit your home? When you take your dog for walks, does he pull you down the street instead of walking at a leisurely gait beside you? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, you may want to start thinking about obedience training for your dog.

When it comes to dogs, most people choose to overlook their dog’s bad manners. They are willing to accept their dog as he is and they assume that his behavior is just a part of who he is, but there is much more to it than that. Like children, dogs sometimes need to be taught how to behave and if you allow your dog to get away with misbehaving, he will take it for granted that it is okay to misbehave not only at home with you, but out at social gatherings as well.

Introducing your dog to new environments, people, and other pets should be a pleasurable experience for both of you and not one that you should have to approach with trepidation and foreboding. You should be confident about introducing your dog without having to apologize for his behavior. Enrolling your dog into a good obedience school now will alleviate any insecurities you might have when presenting him to others later.

Most people think that obedience schools are too expensive and out of the way, but a simple internet search can put you in contact with several inexpensive obedience schools and most of these schools have certified trainers who are willing to come to your home to teach your dog how to behave on his own familiar territory. You will have the satisfaction of watching your dog learn right from your home and you will also have the opportunity to take part in his training.

Lets face it, you’re already spending money for quality food, top veterinarians, and professional grooming for your dog. Why not invest a little money to see that he is properly trained as well? A well trained dog is an asset to a household and to a relationship. Obedience training for your dog can be a lot of fun for him and it is also a learning experience. You might be surprised at how much you and your dog can get out of an obedience school. It is definitely something worth looking into because in the long run, it will prove to be a rewarding experience for both of you.

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: EzineArticles.com
By Rikard Ingvarsson

To acquire a puppy is a joyous as well as memorable event as the puppies are the cutest friends and companions of humans, but puppy and dog training requires knowledge and expertise.

Supple fleece, puppy kisses and the cutest faces in the world, all these good things mix together to create a sensitively charged experience. The moment a puppy enters your custody; motherly instincts begin to develop in you, and before long you will accept the puppy a member of your family. It is really a very tender feeling to have a pup at home. It also mixes up with everybody nicely.

Love and softness are the most vital ingredients as you raise your puppy, but only love is not enough to train your puppy. If you feel and wish to train your puppy in a better manner you must take proper initiatives to do so. Initially you may practice a few days of bliss with the new member of your family but soon after the first date has ended you will understand that your ideal puppy is far from faultless. Almost all the puppies come with in-born faults. They defecate indoors, chew almost everything, use their teeth as playful weapons and cry loudly when they are left alone. The puppies are almost like little children and they also have the tendencies to disobey you and your instructions.

Therefore it is very much essential for you to make proper and immediate arrangements to start training your pup. As said earlier, the pups are like little children and they have the tendencies of testing boundaries, avoiding rules and do whatever they like to do. Therefore they need guidance for adopting correct habits.

Training is training, and it should be done in the true meaning of the term. Your idea of training the dog must be to develop good eating habits as well as behavioral habits in him. It means that you should adopt an appropriate training style that will treat your puppy as you want him to be.

Before you start thinking of training your puppy, decide what exactly you are looking for in your puppy. It is important that you seriously think and decide what you want the end results to be. As far as the present status of training methodology is concerned, many suitable methods are available for your dog to get train in. You should look for the correct trainer or training school only after you do your thinking part.

It is always advisable to train your dog by yourself. You must take care of the following things before you start the training process:

Do not get aggressive in your behavior even if your pup is not able to perform according to your commands.

Do speak in a consistent manner and don’t use harsh voice while giving commands.

Speak continuously with your dog and repeat words you like him to understand and follow. So you should utter words like ‘Stand up’, ‘Sit’, ‘Come’, ‘Go’ etc and also show him the possible response which he could show to these words.

Don’t forget to reward him if he follows you correctly. If he is not able to follow one command properly, do not repeat it right then.

Take your dog for a walk and let him develop the habit defecating outside. In a few days, your pup shows the correct response to your commands and makes you a proud owner.

Save yourself a lot of time as a dog owner and train your dog to be obedient. It gets so much easier for both you and your dog when you have trained your dog´s obedience.

Article Source: examiner.com
By Jeff Millman

There are five ways of using positive reinforcement to train a dog to do behaviors.

1.    Reward Acceptable Behavior
Dogs do what works to benefit them. We can use this to our advantage by paying attention to what they are doing and give them what they want BEFORE they make a mistake.  A good example is if you are working on teaching your dog not to jump, make sure you talk to her and let her know “Good girl!” and give her a reward when you walk into a room and she does not jump on you.

2.    Ignore Inappropriate Behavior
An example of this is begging at the table. If a dog gets rewarded for begging, she will do it again and again. If you stop rewarding this behavior, she will try something else. The first time she tries something appropriate such as lying down, give her a treat. Hopefully she will think, “How did I get that treat? Maybe it was that lying down thing. I will try that again!” Then, you make sure to catch her doing it right the next time and reward her again. Eventually, she should come over to the table and lie down because that is what has worked for her in the past.

3.    No Reward Mark
This is a signal to your dog that she is doing something wrong. Dogs do not come from the litter with an understanding of our language. We have to teach them through the consistent use of associations and consequences. (Eh! Eh!) or another No Reward Mark (NRM) should be used to tell your dog “wrong answer!.” You can then wait for the appropriate response and reward that to clearly communicate which behavior results in a reward and which behavior gets nothing.

4.    Timeouts
This is probably the most powerful positive reinforcement teaching method for most dogs. You give a dog three chances to get it right and then you remove her from the action for a short amount of time. An example of this is jumping on people. The first time she jumps you take the attention away from her because that is what she wants and we don’t want her to be rewarded for inappropriate behavior. You do this by turning your back and saying (Eh! Eh!) Then, when she is on the ground, you say “Good girl!” and pet her. If she sits, that is even better and you give her a treat. The second time she jumps on you do the same thing. The third time, say “Timeout” without anger or yelling and take her to a different area of the house or a crate.

Put her in there for 10 seconds up to a minute at the most and leave the area so she can’t see you. Then, come back and say, “Ok, let’s try again.” She comes out of the area and as she is doing anything that is appropriate praise her “Thanks for not jumping, it is such a good decision to stay on the ground!” If she jumps, however, she does not get three chances, she immediately gets another timeout.

What you are doing is communicating to her using timing and consistency is that her behavior has consequences. She can be with you if she does not jump, but jumping is not appropriate. Incidentally, if she is timed out for jumping and comes out of the cage and nips, barks or other inappropriate behavior that you are currently working on, you can instantly time out again.

Another method of timing out is by looping a 6-foot leash over a doorknob and attaching her collar to the leash and waking away. For jumping, you might walk a few feet away and then turn around “Good! You are not jumping!” If you walk closer and she jumps again, you would say “Eh! Eh!” and walk away again. The message is very clear. She jumps on you and it ends all her chances for interactions. She stays on the ground and she has a chance for rewards, pets and fun.

5.    Withold or Remove Reward
You can practice this strategy during mealtimes. Have your dog sit and put the food bowl down slowly in front of her. Talk to her the whole time: “Good girl!” as soon as she stands up and breaks the sit, you say (Eh! Eh!) and remove the food bowl. You are teaching her that her behavior has consequences. Then put the food bowl down again. If she isn’t able to hold her sit or makes a mistake 3 times in a row for any behavior, we need to make it easier. In this case, put the food bowl down faster when she is sitting and then say “OK” which means she can eat. Make it harder each day by putting it down slower and having her wait longer and longer before she can eat.

All of these strategies can be used together. For instance, to teach a dog not to jump on guests, you can ignore jumping and reward anything but jumping. But, you can also time a dog out for jumping if ignoring the bad behavior did not work. Sometimes it takes different strategies to get the point across clearly to a dog what behaviors work and what behaviors do not.

Article Source: columbiatribune.com

By SUSAN HATFIELD

Almost every dog has an irksome habit. You could have the greatest dog in the world, but there is that one little thing that just drives you nuts.

They aren’t necessarily big things - Cooper, our golden retriever, follows me from room to room never letting me out of his sight, and it makes me nuts. Sadie, our wilderness search and rescue dog, hardly ever minds or listens to me as she is totally devoted to my husband, John, and I’m just an annoyance that lives in the same house. Kirby, our little Westie, snores like a lion, and I have to constantly wake him up during the night, which interrupts my sleep.

I love them all dearly, but these little quirks drive me crazy.

After doing some reading, I found an article that listed the three most annoying dog behaviors. The first was drinking from the toilet. Dogs like fresh, cool water, and most times they find just that in the toilet. Obviously the easiest way to correct this problem is to close the lid on the toilet. Make sure your dog has fresh water at all times if this behavior bothers you.

The second most annoying behavior was jumping on guests. This can be corrected through appropriate training techniques. You can begin training immediately regarding this behavior whether it’s a puppy or an adult dog. For an age-appropriate dog, you can teach them to sit when company enters the room, or you can keep your pet on a leash, which provides more control. With consistent training and positive reinforcement, your dog will learn not to jump on guests.

The third most annoying behavior is licking. This one does drive me nuts. This can be a way to show affection but can easily become an annoyance.

You need to correct this starting immediately if you have a puppy. You can use the “no” command and give the dog other outlets for expressing their affection. When Cooper first came into our program he started licking, but with consistent training we have pretty much overcome this issue.

If you have any of these issues or other behaviors that concern you, consult with your veterinarian. They should be able to give you some good advice or refer to you an experienced animal behavioralist.

Just a quick comment before I sign off: We are embarking on our fifth year of writing our “Happy Tails Tips” in the Tribune. Columbia and the surrounding communities continue to let us know how much they appreciate our column. Many individuals who live outside Columbia read our column online. A sampling of comments: “Keep up the good work.” “I regularly read your column in the Tribune and love the kindly advice you give.” “Thanks for the Sunday articles that I never fail to read. I hope it hits home with some of the readers and in time will make a difference.” “Love your articles in the Tribune.”

We appreciate the Tribune’s support over the years and for allowing us to inform the public on responsible pet ownership and animal welfare issues.

Thanks!

Article Source: petslobby.com

Training aggressive dog is a thorny issue and has gotten many dog owners vexed over it. Dog aggression can be a serious problem as there are laws and by-laws in different states that demand the punishment of dog owners in the form of court charges. At the same time, should your dog happen to attack and injure anyone, your poor dog would be put down. That said, with proper dog aggression training, the aggression in dogs can be curbed so that they do not turn on strangers and your closed ones. Are you ready to start learning some training aggressive dog tips?

Training aggressive dog first requires some basic understanding of why dogs become aggressive. There could be several reasons that accounts for your dog’s aggressive behavior. He/she are territorial animals and may feel that their territories are compromised. Maybe they feel threatened by some changes in the environment. Such aggression normally finds its root in the lack of security and confidence. In such instances, simple dog obedience training would not curb aggressive dog behavior.

Training aggressive dog seriously and properly with special aggressive dog training will however solve the problem. Aggressive dog behavior includes barking and lunging at others also. Such behaviors are symptoms of dog aggression behavior. It is therefore important to arrest such aggressive dog behavior early before it balloons into something more serious.

Your dog vet may put forward some suggestions on how to seek a qualified aggressive dog trainer who are experienced in dealing and dog aggression trainer. Training aggressive dog is a special skill set and would thus set you back by a substantial sum of money. However, the results would be good and you can put your worries to rest. Do not just approach any normal dog obedience school as most would not accept your dog if he/she has aggressive behavior since the dog training classes are quite large and there are other pet dogs around. Rather, send your dog to special dog obedience training school that knows exactly how to handle and train aggressive dogs. The local directory and yellow pages are great places to start looking.

One more thing you need to pay attention to is the training techniques and methodology they adopt in training aggressive dog. How they train aggressive dogs is important as some dog training schools are known to use obsolete methods which could be harmful to your dog. As time goes by, accumulated experience and knowledge sharing has taken the area of training aggressive dogs to a more advanced level. So it is worth the effort to be extra careful. After all, the truth is it is hard to train an aggressive dog but with the right techniques; it becomes less of a pain.

Ultimately, what really matters is your favorite pet stops its aggressive behaviors and starts to be a loving companion. You can then enjoy the best moments together and not be in constant fear that your dog would bite you, others or other dogs. Training aggressive dog is so essential in order to make this a reality.

Article Source: ezinearticles.com

By Mike H Lowe

If you have heard the fact over and over again that a dog is just a dog and there usually is no stopping you dogs instincts to dig then you may have been misled. There are several step that one can take when trying to stop their dog from digging up their backyards and flower beds. Here are some facts that you may find interesting about you dog and his or her digging habit.

One fact of a dog’s life is that they do love to dig. Some dogs start digging at a very young age and these are usually the harder cases. But a lot of dogs start digging at a very older age and this can be for a variety of reason, this problem can usually be solved easily.

Another fact is that specific breeds of dogs tend to dig more than others. For example dogs like malamutes and huskies usually love to dig more than other dogs do. With these dogs more extreme measure are usually needed in order to stop their digging habit.

So how do you formulate a program to stop your dog from digging? Well the first thing that someone doing this must realize is what could be causing your dog to dig in the first place? There is a variety of reason from anxiety, boredom, or even lack of exercise. With all of these reasons there is obviously various measures that one can take to correct their dogs digging problem.

Some of the thing you can do to correct your dog digging problem are things like supervising your dog in his favorite spots to dig for long periods of time, this will change the situation for the dog mentally. Next you can use the natural surrounds, for example using physical barriers to block your dog favorite digging spots for a few weeks. This will also change you dogs digging mentality.

But if any of the above are applied what you must follow up with is a plan. If you deprive your dog of one thing reward him or her with something that isn’t considered bad behavior like a free walk in the park or just some more opportunity to be active.

There are many things you can do to train your dog, it’s just up to you to learn the proper steps and to take action in implementing them.

Article Source : positivedogtrainingtechniques.com

By Lee Dobbins

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) revealed that more than 4.7 million people a year are bitten by dogs. These high incidents of dog bites result to various medical bills, law suits, and sometimes euthanasia for the dog. These cases might be avoidable if dog owners take safety precautions such as training their dogs not to bite.

There are common techniques that have been proven to be effective in suppressing biting behavior of dogs. However, the degree of difficulty of dog training varies with the breed of dog, age and individual temperament.

The younger the dog, the easier the training will be. Because mouthing, nibbling, and nipping come naturally to a puppy, an owner must be firm to stop this behavior when it starts. Even though it may begin as a cute nuisance, it can turn into a bad habit if not contained from the get-go.

You can start giving verbal commands to your dog when he is four weeks and older. When the puppy tries to bite, a gentle but firm “No!’ followed by a slight squeeze of the muzzle will train him not to bite anymore.

Be careful that you don’t squeeze in a way that causes the dog to bite its tongue. Also be careful not to squeeze hard or too high up on the muzzle. Sensitive and delicate odor receptors of the dog are situated high up inside the nose.

Squeezine your dogs muzzle will help him associate the verbal command with the discomfort of the squeeze. Since most dogs are uncomfortable with having their muzzles squeezed, this will help him think twice about biting.

Another dog training technique that might help eliminate biting is to socialize your dog since dogs that are not used to people or other dogs do tend to bite. You want to socialize your dog eat an early age to develop his calmness and confidence. Your dog will be more friendly to your guests, other animals and even strangers if socialized properly.

While still young, socialize your dog with other dogs preferably those that are non-aggressive. Being exposed to other dog breeds will help him cope up with territorial behavior.

While it is natural for a dog to nip and bite, the know enough not to do this too hard to their littermates. They will nip each other while playing, but they learn early on not to press too hard. This natural instinct can be used in training dogs not to bite by teaching them to extend the scope of the pack to include family members, frequent visitors and other pets.

When introducing your pet to an animal from outside the home, be sure to keep both animals at a distance from each other. Allow the animals to approach one other at a slow pace while they take in their smells and act out other normal behavior.

Put your dog at ease by having the dog sit and stroke its back. Check your dog for signs of aggression like body tension, snarling, and erect ears. After stroking your dog touch the other animal to convey the smell of your pet to that animal. After checking to make sure there are no signs of aggression and the other dog got a scent of your dog then allow them to interact.

Many dogs can be trained to curb thier urge to bite by the time they are four and a half months old, but it may take your dog longer than that. It varies by breed, and each individual dog within a breed is different. And you know that saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”? It’s not exactly true, but training an older dog to stop biting is much more difficult than it is to teach a puppy.

While most dogs can be trained not to bite, there are some that still bite despite being trained. Pet owners should also be trained how to handle their dogs properly. If your dog still bites, make sure it cannot interact with other people or be expose to other animals.

Persistent long term use of these dog training techniques will likely result in a more stable and fun pet, not to mention that it could prevent an unwanted situation where your dog could get hurt or hurt someone else.
By Lee Dobbins

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) revealed that more than 4.7 million people a year are bitten by dogs. These high incidents of dog bites result to various medical bills, law suits, and sometimes euthanasia for the dog. These cases might be avoidable if dog owners take safety precautions such as training their dogs not to bite.

There are common techniques that have been proven to be effective in suppressing biting behavior of dogs. However, the degree of difficulty of dog training varies with the breed of dog, age and individual temperament.

The younger the dog, the easier the training will be. Because mouthing, nibbling, and nipping come naturally to a puppy, an owner must be firm to stop this behavior when it starts. Even though it may begin as a cute nuisance, it can turn into a bad habit if not contained from the get-go.

You can start giving verbal commands to your dog when he is four weeks and older. When the puppy tries to bite, a gentle but firm “No!’ followed by a slight squeeze of the muzzle will train him not to bite anymore.

Be careful that you don’t squeeze in a way that causes the dog to bite its tongue. Also be careful not to squeeze hard or too high up on the muzzle. Sensitive and delicate odor receptors of the dog are situated high up inside the nose.

Squeezine your dogs muzzle will help him associate the verbal command with the discomfort of the squeeze. Since most dogs are uncomfortable with having their muzzles squeezed, this will help him think twice about biting.

Another dog training technique that might help eliminate biting is to socialize your dog since dogs that are not used to people or other dogs do tend to bite. You want to socialize your dog eat an early age to develop his calmness and confidence. Your dog will be more friendly to your guests, other animals and even strangers if socialized properly.

While still young, socialize your dog with other dogs preferably those that are non-aggressive. Being exposed to other dog breeds will help him cope up with territorial behavior.

While it is natural for a dog to nip and bite, the know enough not to do this too hard to their littermates. They will nip each other while playing, but they learn early on not to press too hard. This natural instinct can be used in training dogs not to bite by teaching them to extend the scope of the pack to include family members, frequent visitors and other pets.

When introducing your pet to an animal from outside the home, be sure to keep both animals at a distance from each other. Allow the animals to approach one other at a slow pace while they take in their smells and act out other normal behavior.

Put your dog at ease by having the dog sit and stroke its back. Check your dog for signs of aggression like body tension, snarling, and erect ears. After stroking your dog touch the other animal to convey the smell of your pet to that animal. After checking to make sure there are no signs of aggression and the other dog got a scent of your dog then allow them to interact.

Many dogs can be trained to curb thier urge to bite by the time they are four and a half months old, but it may take your dog longer than that. It varies by breed, and each individual dog within a breed is different. And you know that saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”? It’s not exactly true, but training an older dog to stop biting is much more difficult than it is to teach a puppy.

While most dogs can be trained not to bite, there are some that still bite despite being trained. Pet owners should also be trained how to handle their dogs properly. If your dog still bites, make sure it cannot interact with other people or be expose to other animals.

Persistent long term use of these dog training techniques will likely result in a more stable and fun pet, not to mention that it could prevent an unwanted situation where your dog could get hurt or hurt someone else.
By Lee Dobbins

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) revealed that more than 4.7 million people a year are bitten by dogs. These high incidents of dog bites result to various medical bills, law suits, and sometimes euthanasia for the dog. These cases might be avoidable if dog owners take safety precautions such as training their dogs not to bite.

There are common techniques that have been proven to be effective in suppressing biting behavior of dogs. However, the degree of difficulty of dog training varies with the breed of dog, age and individual temperament.

The younger the dog, the easier the training will be. Because mouthing, nibbling, and nipping come naturally to a puppy, an owner must be firm to stop this behavior when it starts. Even though it may begin as a cute nuisance, it can turn into a bad habit if not contained from the get-go.

You can start giving verbal commands to your dog when he is four weeks and older. When the puppy tries to bite, a gentle but firm “No!’ followed by a slight squeeze of the muzzle will train him not to bite anymore.

Be careful that you don’t squeeze in a way that causes the dog to bite its tongue. Also be careful not to squeeze hard or too high up on the muzzle. Sensitive and delicate odor receptors of the dog are situated high up inside the nose.

Squeezine your dogs muzzle will help him associate the verbal command with the discomfort of the squeeze. Since most dogs are uncomfortable with having their muzzles squeezed, this will help him think twice about biting.

Another dog training technique that might help eliminate biting is to socialize your dog since dogs that are not used to people or other dogs do tend to bite. You want to socialize your dog eat an early age to develop his calmness and confidence. Your dog will be more friendly to your guests, other animals and even strangers if socialized properly.

While still young, socialize your dog with other dogs preferably those that are non-aggressive. Being exposed to other dog breeds will help him cope up with territorial behavior.

While it is natural for a dog to nip and bite, the know enough not to do this too hard to their littermates. They will nip each other while playing, but they learn early on not to press too hard. This natural instinct can be used in training dogs not to bite by teaching them to extend the scope of the pack to include family members, frequent visitors and other pets.

When introducing your pet to an animal from outside the home, be sure to keep both animals at a distance from each other. Allow the animals to approach one other at a slow pace while they take in their smells and act out other normal behavior.

Put your dog at ease by having the dog sit and stroke its back. Check your dog for signs of aggression like body tension, snarling, and erect ears. After stroking your dog touch the other animal to convey the smell of your pet to that animal. After checking to make sure there are no signs of aggression and the other dog got a scent of your dog then allow them to interact.

Many dogs can be trained to curb thier urge to bite by the time they are four and a half months old, but it may take your dog longer than that. It varies by breed, and each individual dog within a breed is different. And you know that saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”? It’s not exactly true, but training an older dog to stop biting is much more difficult than it is to teach a puppy.

While most dogs can be trained not to bite, there are some that still bite despite being trained. Pet owners should also be trained how to handle their dogs properly. If your dog still bites, make sure it cannot interact with other people or be expose to other animals.

Persistent long term use of these dog training techniques will likely result in a more stable and fun pet, not to mention that it could prevent an unwanted situation where your dog could get hurt or hurt someone else.

Source from: examiner.com

By Jeff Millman

Do you want to prevent destruction, prevent separation anxiety, housetrain your puppy faster, train your dog faster and lessen overall frustration? Use a crate!

There are so many statements, misconceptions and questions about crate training that I hear all the time that I wanted to help clear up some of the confusion.

“I feel guilty about using the crate, it looks like doggy jail.”
One of the important strategies for acclimating a puppy to your environment is teaching her to be comfortable with your schedule. If you are able to be with your puppy 24 hours per day and are never going to leave your puppy alone then don’t worry about using a crate. But, this is not realistic. The crate provides a safe, humane place to keep your puppy safe and prevent some of the big issues like separation anxiety and destruction. Learn how to prevent separation anxiety.

“Since I am at work all day, I never use the crate when I am home because I want to be with my puppy.”
Puppies need to learn how to be in the crate in any situation they might be exposed to. What happens if you never teach your puppy to be in the crate when you are home and then have a few guests over for dinner? If your puppy is not comfortable in the crate your only options are to keep her out for the entire time or have a puppy barking and disrupting everyone the entire evening if she isn’t comfortable in the crate or another room. This may not be a problem when puppies are young and sleep a lot, but flash forward to an older puppy that is running around, chewing and getting into mischief when you want to visit with your guests.

As long as you are actively training and exercising your puppy when she is out of the crate, there is a good chance she will be tired and sleeping in the crate when she is in there. All dogs need the appropriate physical and mental exercise and the crate should not be used in lieu of providing your puppy with her needs. Read about how much exercise to give to a dog. A rough rule of thumb for 7-12 week old puppies is to provide 60 minutes of training and exercise after going potty and then using the crate for 2-3 hours. Puppies can generally hold their bladders one hour per month of age, so you can adjust these numbers based on your puppy’s age. If you play and train your puppy for a period after going potty and then use the crate until the next potty break, this ensures that you are using the crate sufficiently. As your puppy gets older, she might be out of the crate for 2 hours and then in the crate for 2-3 hours. Eventually as her bladder gets stronger you can adjust these numbers accordingly. Want to know how to transition a puppy out of a crate? Read how old a puppy should be before he gets run of the house.

“I never use the crate as a punishment; I don’t want my puppy to have a bad association.”
This is a very common statement I hear, and there is no basis to this. A timeout is used to teach a dog that the behavior that she did resulted in her getting taken away from where she wants to be. If you put her in the crate for a timeout, do so for a short period of time immediately following the inappropriate behavior, such as jumping on you, biting, or chewing on furniture. Then, take her out after 5-30 seconds as long as she is calm and then reward her for anything but the offending behavior. If she performs the inappropriate behavior again say, “Timeout” and repeat. As long as you make sure to reward good behavior and use a timeout for inappropriate behavior, she will learn not to do the inappropriate behavior because it doesn’t benefit her. She won’t hate the crate itself, she will not like the fact that she was put in there and taken away from all the fun. That is an important distinction. The only caveat to this rule is that dogs that already have separation anxiety often do not like being in crates and can have a panic attack. These dogs are not good candidates for using this timeout strategy. Learn about timeouts and teaching a dog to stop certain behaviors.

Other Crate Tips

* For housetraining, the crate should be just big enough so your puppy can walk in, stretch and lay down
* Move the crate around your house, if possible, to provide different scenery for your puppy. This will help her get accustomed to being at different houses and being kenneled when you are away.
* Do not take your puppy out of the crate if she is scratching, whining, barking, digging or jumping on the side of the crate. You don’t want your puppy to think these behaviors get rewarded or she might do these behaviors for extended periods of time when alone and possibly acquire separation anxiety.
* Use stuffed Kongs or other stuffed toys to keep your puppy occupied and happy in the crate.
* Be cautious of bones, toys or rawhides that can be choking hazards. I never recommend leaving anything besides Kongs in crates to avoid choking risks.

Source from: examiner.com

By Jeff Millman

There are certain topics in dog training that come up at least once per day. I find myself saying “Change the pattern, change the behavior” in many situations and I realized that this is a powerful concept that you might find useful when working with your dog.

My dog training philosophy is based on changing a dog’s behavior, and not focusing on what the dog might be thinking. Many people fall into the trap of making assumptions about why the dog performed a certain behavior and then run the risk of basing their training strategies on murky hypotheses. Examples of murky hypotheses include:

* “My dog jumped on me because he was being dominant.”
* “My dog urinated on my bed because she was being spiteful.”
* “My dog bit me because he is trying to take charge.”

I get many questions about why dogs do things and I often say, “I don’t know, but I do know that your dog did the behavior. That we can all agree upon, so let’s start there.” Once you move past the “why” and focus on changing behavior, your world may very well open up to a whole new way of looking at animal behavior. Keep in mind that this is not limited to dogs. You can use these strategies on any animal, including the two-legged variety that roam freely around the streets.

Behaviors can be innate (hardwired) such as breathing, yawning or blinking, or they can be learned such as sitting for a treat or responding to one’s name. Often dog behavior problems such as jumping are rooted in learned behaviors over time. How does a dog learn? A dog, like any animal learns through repetition. A situation presents itself, the dog responds in a certain manner and there is a consequence to his actions. If he enjoys the consequence, then the motivation kicks in and he wants to do that again!

Examples of learned behaviors include:

* Dog puts paws on person’s leg, dog gets petted
* Dog barks at person, person moves away
* Puppy grabs sock and runs, person chases, dog has fun

In each of the previous examples, the dog interacted with the environment in a certain way and, in turn, the environment responded in a certain way.

* In the first example, the dog put paws on the person’s leg and he got petted. What happens if he is never, ever, ever allowed to put his paws on the person’s leg? He doesn’t have an opportunity to learn that this might result in getting petted.
* In the second example, what if the dog was kept at a distance where he never felt like barking and never learns that barking causes a person to move away?
* In the third example, what happens if  the puppy is never left alone near socks and never learns that grabbing a sock might result in a fantastic game of chase?

I can tell you with certainty what would happen. The dog would never have a chance to decide if the consequence of his actions are enjoyable and these behaviors would not become strong, well-rehearsed “habits”.

So, how do you use this information with your dog?

Stop behavior patterns quickly when you see them developing. Make sure that you think about what you do not want your dog to do. If you don’t want your dog to dig holes in your nice garden, watch him like a hawk and prevent him from ever learning that digging holes is fun. Stop him as quickly as possible when it does occur, and redirect his behavior into a more acceptable behavior such as playing fetch or playing tug. If you can’t watch him, bring him inside.

Manage your dog’s access to the environment. Don’t be an absentee trainer. If you can’t watch your dog, manage him in a crate or dog-proofed area so he doesn’t learn that the couch tastes yummy, or it is fun to bark out of the window all day long and build barrier frustration in the process.

Change the chain of events.
For a dog that jumps on guests, the current chain of events might look like this:

* Dog sees person
* Dog runs towards person
* Dog puts paws on person’s legs
* Dog play bites hands of person

My recommended chain events looks like this:

* Dog sees person
* Dog doesn’t jump
* Dog sits to get petted

How to you change the pattern? First of all you need to stop the undesired chain of events from “going down the wrong path”. In this example, the situation degrades when the dog starts running towards the person, so that is where the focus should be placed. To prevent this from happening, the easiest thing to do is to have the dog on leash and prevent the dog from learning that he can run to the person and then jump and then get petted.

Friendly guests can derail great training by petting a dog for jumping. So, you need to take charge and make sure your dog never learns to do this behavior.

Do this:

* Have your dog on leash
* AS SOON as he sees your guest say, “Yes” or ‘click’ if you are using a clicker and give him a treat
* Move him a bit farther away if he is too interested in the events in front of him and continue the exercise
* As his interest moves from the events in front of him to getting a tasty treat, you can try and drop the leash (it is still attached to his collar) and continue working
* If that is too much for him, pick up the leash and try again
* At this point you can also ask for a “Sit” and reward that by giving a treat and also allowing your guest to come closer for petting
* If your dog jumps at this point, move him away and continue the exercise
* You can also redirect his attention by tossing his favorite toy down the hallway as soon as he sees your guests so he chases the toy instead of jumping on your guests

If you focus on stopping the chain of events before your dog starts the inappropriate behavior, you can change an infinite amount of behaviors including barking, digging, destruction, and even aggression.