DogTrainster.Com

Article Source: star-telegram.com

By Karen Deer

How smart is your dog? If you think it’s just a matter of Fido’s natural aptitude, think again. A lot depends on you. How well a dog learns to do what’s expected of her — one common way of defining “intelligence” — is actually as much a function of time, patience, practice and environment as it is of canine I.Q., says Debra Horwitz, a veterinarian and board certified animal behaviorist from Creve Coeur, Mo.

If a dog is physically and neurologically healthy, it can learn new tasks at any age, Horwitz said.

But to bolster your dog’s “intelligence,” start training at a young age. Horwitz firmly believes that every dog has the ability to become more intelligent with proper training and positive reinforcement.

And she should know. Horwitz spends much of her time training pet owners to retrain their four-legged friends to correct behavior problems. We visited with her recently as she worked with Neela, a 1-year-old Siberian husky, and Baley, a 20-month-old Labrador mix, to measure their “intelligence.” After a few minutes of get-acquainted licking, slobbering and sniffing, they got down to business.

The first test, a smart walking technique, required learning to walk on a Gentle Leader head collar. Instead of a traditional collar around the dog’s neck, the Gentle Leader has a nylon loop around the dog’s muzzle and behind its ears. (In canine families, applying pressure on the muzzle is a gesture of dominance — mothers do it to calm rambunctious pups — prompting a submissive response.)

Baley, who was focused on the test, passed with flying colors. He went from pulling and darting on his leash to walking calmly with only a little instruction.

But Neela just wasn’t into it. She didn’t want to go for a walk, not even for a treat.

That doesn’t mean that Neela isn’t as smart as Baley, Horwitz said. It just means that Neela wasn’t quite comfortable with the environment.

Dogs are like humans, Horwitz says. Some will never gain their highest potential of intelligence, just like humans. “You don’t [need] a pure bred to have a smart dog,” she said. Plenty of mutts have plenty of smarts.

Of course, some dogs have been bred over centuries for their talents in specific areas. For example, the border collie is a breed classified as intelligent for work. But because of its excitability and need for a job to do, the border collie wouldn’t be considered “intelligent” in a home environment that didn’t offer plenty of running-around time.

‘Dull’ isn’t stupid

Research shows that professional dog trainers and judges have found that even the “duller” breeds are capable of achieving high marks when it comes to learning. But findings also suggest that some brighter dogs show no interest in learning what we want them to.

Instead of thinking of your dog as “smart” or “dumb,” try to understand what your dog likes to do, and why she might not understand the lessons you’re trying to teach.

Try teaching tricks during quiet, calm times.

Altering your training technique may yield amazing benefits. For dogs that like to jump up and down, for example, try teaching them to “dance.” This channels their energy in a more appropriate way.

Personality and temperament have a huge effect on how well a dog adapts to training. A shy dog may find strong physical techniques overwhelming and be intimidated. A quick, energetic dog may find too much repetition boring and lose interest. Training techniques that focus on positive reinforcement as well as different ways to teach the same task will usually bring out the best in any dog, Horwitz said. Punitive training methods are less effective, and produce frightened, unhappy — and unpredictable — animals.

When you are clear in the response that you want, you are more likely to get it from your pet, she said.

In the end, Baley and Neela aren’t all that different from us. Some days, we’re up for a challenge.

And some days we just don’t feel like learning a thing.

Article Source: articlecat.com

By: Bob Evanston

Humans and dogs have a long history of happy co-existence. For many people, as the old saying goes, their dog is indeed their best friend. Dogs can serve many roles -family member, guardian, jogging buddy, worker and countless others.

Sometimes, however, the canine-human relationship is not completely harmonious. Unfortunately, dogs can inspire irritation and even fear in people. What does a dog owner do when faced with an aggressive or downright vicious animal that he or she cannot seem to control?

Aggression is the most serious problem faced by dog owners. It can take many forms. Your dog may have a problem with other dogs, with children or with just certain people or in certain environments. So, first of all, you should narrow it down and pinpoint the exact issue.

The first step to take is to have a veterinarian you trust examine your dog, to make sure there is not a physical problem that is the cause of disruptive behavior. You should also try to control your dog’s environment as much as possible, avoiding whatever tends to provoke problematic behavior.

In other words, do not tempt fate. If your dog tends to fight with other dogs, until you can get a handle on the situation, you really need to isolate your dog from other dogs. The same, of course, is true for dogs who are aggressive towards people. If necessary, use a muzzle. Be sure to warn people not to approach a potentially dangerous dog. You do not want to deal with lawsuits, or other repercussions of your dog attacking someone, whether human or another animal.

There are rare cases when the only choice is to give up the dog. This may be, for example, when you have a young child in your household or in those unfortunate cases when you have a truly vicious dog who is beyond help. But in most cases, behavioral problems, including aggression, can be corrected. One of the first remedies you can try is exercise. If a dog has too much unused energy, it can become aggressive.

A note about exercise –playing with your dog is great, but make sure you don’t play too roughly and unknowingly encourage aggression. For many dogs, it’s fine to play rough, but if your dog has an issue with aggression, you should not be playing in ways that foster this.

Sometimes the problem is isolation. Dogs are social animals who do not like to be left alone for long periods. Tying a dog to a stake in the ground all day is not going to make him/her happy, and in some cases it may cause behavior problems. If you are away from your dog for long periods, try to make an arrangement so the dog isn’t alone all the time. At the very least, make sure the animal has some room to move around.

These are fairly basic suggestions and will often not be enough to solve the problem. The fact is, if you have an aggressive dog, or one with other serious behavioral problems, you are going to have to take some action. This means either hiring a professional dog trainer or taking some time to learn how to train your dog yourself. The first solution can be expensive, the second requires a commitment in time, as well as patience.

The issue of an aggressive dog is serious and cannot be overlooked. Fortunately, most dogs can be cured of aggression and almost any other behavioral problem. Some dogs, just like some humans, need extra help in getting past whatever problems they may have acquired.

Article Source: articlesfactory.com

By Daniel Waser

Dog training is the responsibility that YOU signed on for when you brought your dog through your front door for the first time. The whole dog training experience can be pleasant for BOTH you and your dog. Dog training does not have to be hard or frustrating. It is therefore vital that you adopt the ideas from the dog training tips that strive towards long term success, and not temporary satisfaction.

When dog training we must respect, understand, and use the rules Mother Nature has imposed upon the system we experience as a developing individual. Using only proven methods that are psychologically sound for DOGS during dog training is so important because it makes the process natural, with quick results and eliminates subtle dog training mistakes that very often sabotage all your efforts. By applying gentle and proven dog training principles you can easily prevent behavior problems and promote a loving, cooperative bond between you and your dog. Whether this is your first dog or one-hundredth, dog training will prove to be an invaluable resource in the education of your new canine companion.

Use The Right Body Language So Your Dog UnderstandsDogs are highly intelligent animals and many dog owners do not give them enough credit when it comes to the way they can read and understand our body language. The body language that we display has a major impact on how well a dog will obey our commands and listen to us. You can also quickly stop your dog from displaying an improper behavior if you are using the correct form of body language.

An overexcited dog who likes to jump on every guest that comes to your door. We all go through this with our puppy or adult dog at some point in time and let’s use that as our example. As soon as the guests arrive your dog is overwhelmed with excitement and happiness about who is at the door and whether or not they are going to play with him.

What do they smell like? Do they want to play? Do they have dog treats? How about I just jump all over them and see? If we were to decipher his emotional behavior, this is exactly what your dog is thinking.

And meanwhile, to get your dog to stop being so excited and jumping on everyone, you are giving every command possible. One thing that makes him more excited is, when you try shouting. Maybe you try to shout even louder or you try giving harsh and loud “Off” commands but that it’s not working too.  Eventually, you are getting so stressed with trying to pull your dog off that and yelling it turns into one big chaotic party.

And yes, the term “party” is a great way to explain it because to your dog you are just joining in on the fun and excitement that he is feeling. Can you see now how your body language and the way you are communicating with her voice comes across to your dog? You are only adding to the situation as opposed to changing our dog’s behavior.

Communicate better with your dog by using the following body language tipsIn the above example of the overexcited dog who can’t seem to stop jumping all over the house guests, you understand now that your body language and excitability only made your dog feel more enthused about what it is he was doing. Therefore, regardless of what action you are trying to communicate with your dog you must take a different approach to the situation. A few basic body language tips that you can use are below:

1. Do not chase him around the house, when you’re angry at your puppy or adult dog.  You may be upset with them, but to your dog, he thinks you’re playing a game and he will run around forever.

2. Display a very bold and upright body position, when you give your dog a command.  Stand up, chest forward, and head back. Your dog will have more respect and a slight bit of intimidation, which can help with training him.

3. Do not add to the problem by getting feisty if your dog is extremely excited. Instead, move slowly and talk in a soothing tone of voice.  Display the same behavior you wish him to use.  Doing so will calm him down and it will be much easier to change his behavior.

Article Source: articlebiz.com

By: Scott Williams

As we all know,training dogs has never been easy. If not for the tools that we use in dog training we may have gone nowhere and probably rats became man’s best friend. As a dog lover, I actually shudder at the thought. And if that were the case, then there would never have been a domesticated dog and they would all be in the wilderness living like wolves. Thank God for the training tools.

One of these tools happens to be the Dog Training Treats, also known as doggie treats but for this purpose, are to be used as a training tool. Using dog training treats is also known as the reward method in dog training. Training treats are very effective in the learning phase of the training.

A pat on the head may be sufficient for some dogs who has shown good behavior, other dogs may need a little incentive to consistently respond to our commands. Treats thus become an excellent way to reinforce desired behavior if they are used properly.

Using dog training treats is one of the most positive and encouraging ways to train your dog to behave in an acceptable manner. This is a better alternative to other training methods that use violence and physical punishment. The dog training treats method is used together with a lot of praising for something the dog has learned and done well.

Using training treats also gives your dog something to look forward to during these training sessions. They are always happy to receive these treats from you and they don’t even know it’s a learning process.

It is important to note that in using training treats the reward must be given to the dog immediately. Otherwise the dog might believe that it is being rewarded for another thing that he has done rather than the behavior that we want rewarded.

Consistency should also be practiced by the owner and all members of the family that interact with the dog. The same commands should be used by all so as not to cause the dog some confusion. It also means that we should reward the desired behavior and not the unwanted ones.

For the dog training treats to be fully effective, always use treats that your dog really likes. Something enticing and irresistible to him. It should be small and soft, something that he could gulp down immediately. Something from your refrigerator can be used as treats like small pieces of hotdog, cheese, cooked chicken and beef have proven effective. While others prefer to purchase small soft commercial dog treats that are readily available.

Most dogs prefer the food treats but some of them respond to toy treats rather than the former. In the same way, give your dog their favorite toy every time he has done good in the training process.

There are two ways in using training treats. First as a reward for a desired behavior, and second as a motivator, in the class of the carrot and stick method, to induce a certain behavior.

Using training treats is an enjoyable learning experience for the dog and his owner/trainer. But full knowledge of using training treats is essential. If used in an improper way, the dog might develop some unwanted traits like always expecting treats before doing something desirable or even begging.

Dog Training Treats is an important tool in training. It also strengthens the bond between the owner and pet more than any other training method because it is not based on fear. Trust and respect grows between them and the experience is something that cannot be forgotten easily. Training treats make the training process fun for both dog and owner simply because the dog gets a reward and the owner gets so much satisfaction in getting the desired behavior from the pet.

As pet lovers, we all know that, that feeling is priceless.

Article Source: articlebiz.com

By: Kristi Carter

It is terrible that there is still the belief that puppies must feel pain, discomfort, or fear in order to learn good behavior. It is not uncommon for an owner to smack, hit or even kick their dogs in order to try and get the dog to understand something. In fact, many people believe this is the way to teach their dogs tricks and good behavior. It is not. Because people hear and see these falsities, they continue to punish their animals in this way; even between 5 and 16 weeks. Even some who call themselves professionals still believe and practice these abusive techniques. This is absolutely a barbaric thought process and the only thing accomplished is a loss of trust between you and your dog.

In 1998 a case was brought to light in Animal Behavior Consultant Newsletter, describing the ‘professionalism’ of an obedience instructor. She was attempting to correct a puppy who nipped, and she stuck her fingers into the pup’s throat to touch the gag reflex. After doing this, she took the puppy in her hands and shook it. The puppy then fell down and remained still. Upon taking the puppy to a veterinary hospital, the instructor and the owners learned that the puppy had died.

Unfortunately, this kind of practice is all too commonly suggested in popular training books. The problem is that by the time an owner gets to a puppy to punish it in this way, the puppy has no idea what behavior has brought on the abuse. If the punishment was for using the bathroom on the floor, half the time the dog has moved on to something else. If he is now chewing on his toy and is being spanked for peeing on the floor, he is not going to realize what he is being punished for. While the puppy’s owner should be a consistent and trustworthy owner, it seems unpredictable to the puppy.

One example is when the owner comes home and the puppy is torn between excitement and displaying shamed actions. Most people realize and appreciate that their puppy is happy to see them instead of quickly reacting to a pair of shoes that have been chewed up. The result of physical punishment often means the puppy will not come to the owner when the owner calls. This makes sense. If you were being called to someone and didn’t know if you were going to be hit or petted, wouldn’t you hesitate as well? When puppies know that their owner will not hit them, but instead pet and provide pleasure, they are less likely to exhibit hand shyness, aggression, or submissive urination.

When puppies are trained with a positive reinforcement method, they are healthier and more stable than those who are punished. This is true especially in puppies who are excitable. Outlining the positive and getting rid of the negative in puppy training will require a person with patience and self-control. However, the benefits are most definitely worth it, especially when training. Puppies are more responsive and learn faster. When a veterinarian explains this kind of thing to their clients, they can get rid of the false thinking that has been widely spread about punishment and puppies.

Article Source: articlebiz.com

By: Bravo Seo

Probably one of the biggest concern in looking for the perfect way to train your dog is to inquire in an institution that can be able to provide you with the most up-to-date, integrated and common sense approach to dog training. California has many dog training schools featuring a variety of approaches and philosophies.

Dog training is one of the most important aspects of owning a pet dog and dog training obedience is something that owners can do for their dogs or puppies by themselves. The most necessary factor in instructing your dog is through effective communication. The trainer should clearly what does he want to transpire to his pet dog. Simple lessons like telling your pet dog to “stay,” to “sit” and to “off.” Remember that almost all dog breeds can be trained, only if you are armed with the right knowledge in dog training. A good reason for obedience training is the establishment of a foundation wherein the owner and his dog can learn to effectively relate to one another. The first thing obedience training does is to create a common language for the owner and the dog. This, in turn, lets your dog know the proper response – or behaviors - that you expect in place of socially maladaptive behavior. This process can also be effectively called as dog behavior training.

To properly train your dogs for obedience, you can try the following training styles. The main types of training are leash/collar training and reward training, whereas the leash and collar training considered a hard training and traditional style developed from military dog training and reward training to be the soft training style which dogs are rewarded using food for every job well-done.

There are some basic dog training ideas that may come handy to every trainer. Training your dog requires a good deal of persistence to be both an enjoyable and successful for you and your four legged friend. Including in the list is giving your dog small jobs like sitting for dinner, lying down before doors, or teaching your pooch down/stay sessions for five to twenty minutes at a time teaches your dog control and gives him something to do when around other people or things that would otherwise distract and putting away dogs and puppies on your beds and furniture to give them a sense of limit. Ensure that training your dog is never too stressful or tiring for either of you, and it will always be easier and more effective training your dog if he is happy and contented.

If you have an aggressive dog, don’t minimize the seriousness of the situation. Standard training techniques will probably prove ineffective with an aggressive dog. One-on-one help with a professional trainer may be required to see results with aggressive dog training. 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. It is hard to train an aggressive dog but with the right techniques; it becomes less of a pain.

Article Source : DogTrainster.com - Ultimate Resource and Tips for Dog Training

by Joanne Kok

When it comes to dog training, many owners EXPECT their dogs to obey their commands in any and every circumstances, this is one-way communication. This perception should change if dog owners want their training sessions with their dogs to be successful.

There are three main ways to verbally communicate with your dog when training and each has its own tone. Always command your dog first; if it responds correctly then praise it. If it does not respond correctly then correct it; however you have to be sure that your dog knows the exercise. Always finish with praise when you are satisfied with your dog’s performance.

Be consistent in your commands and praise, you do not want to end up confusing your dog.

You have to remember that you have to practice TWO-WAY communication when it comes to dog training. Bear in mind that your dog has a mind of its own too. You can know what your dog is thinking or feeling by reading it’s expression and body language.

From our perspective, we are communicating to our dog what behaviors are correct, preferred or desired in what circumstances and which are unwanted behaviors. From our dog’s perspective, their owners must learn what motivates them if the optimum result is desired. Your dog can signal that it is confused, happy, unsure, excited and nervous.

Dogs communicate through their body, vocalization and scent.

Start observing your dog’s body language, look at its tail, eyes, ears, mouth, legs, etc. What it is trying to tell you? Not all dogs that wag their tail are friendly. Sometimes a dog may be wagging its tail, but also is barking at the same time. You have to learn to read these signals as a whole not only a part of the body language.

Barking comes naturally for a dog as a form of communication. They bark for many reasons and the different pitch signifies the different message it carries. Other forms of vocal communication are growling, howling, whining and whimpering.

Dogs use scent communication because the dog’s scent of smell is so sharp, odors can be used to give a dog a lot of information. Sniffing is a major part of greeting behavior between dogs and provides information about the dog’s sex, emotional state, age and possibly social status.

It is important to consider the emotional state of your dog in directing the training because if your dog is distracted or stressed, the training will not be effective as your dog will not learn efficiently.