May 07 2009

Obedience Training for Dogs – Are You the Alpha Dog?

by Jim Navary

One of life’s genuine joys is the companionship of a dog. However, if your dog exhibits major behavior problems, that joy may be compromised. Destroying household items, piddling on the carpet, excessive barking, aggression, and other unacceptable behaviors can usually be eliminated through effective obedience training.

Dogs are most content when they know their place in the “pecking order” of the pack.

If the dog’s perception is that you are not a strong leader, he will most likely assume the role of “alpha” dog. Bad behavior will worsen since, as the pack leader, he will believe that he can do as he pleases without regard to your wishes.

Until you establish yourself as the alpha member of the pack your efforts to teach proper behavior to your pooch are destined to fail. By providing high quality obedience training you will teach your dog that you are the leader and that he must follow comply with your wishes.

When you begin obedience training try to make the activity fun for your dog. Be sure to reward your dog when follows your commands. Rewards can take the form of yummy treats, petting, giving him a favorite toy to play with or vigorous praise.

Never punish your dog when conducting obedience training. If he associates obedience training sessions with punishment he will do everything he can to avoid it. When you need to correct a behavior problem, try to make it a penalty instead of a punishment. A penalty can be anything from a “time out” (stopping an activity that he enjoys), a quick tug on his leash, or simply ignoring him for a few moments.

Remember that rewards are usually much more effective than penalties. Try to discover what your dog really enjoys and use it as positive reinforcement when training. The old belief that you can use either a carrot or a stick to train an animal should be entirely forgotten. Instead, try of use a variety of “carrots” to convince your dog that obedience is a good thing, and just throw away the stick.

You may find it helpful to study the tactics used by professional dog trainers if you are not sure about which techniques are best. There are several very high quality guide books and training courses available online that you may want to consider using in your quest for an obedient best friend.

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Apr 28 2009

The Importance of Dog Training Basics

by Brad Davenport

Training your dog is very worthwhile for both you and your dog. Before you start training, there are some dog training basics that you need to know in order to make training easier and more pleasant for you as well as your dog.

The first thing you must remember is that you are the boss. Dogs are pack animals by nature and will adhere to the ‘leader’ of that pack. To train your dog properly, you first need to establish that you are the leader early in your relationship.

Some breeds of dog are much more forceful in their need to be the leader, however, you must not let that happen. If you allow him to dictate what happens in your relationship, you are in line for a negative relationship and nothing but problems. To be in control does not mean that you have to be unkind to your dog, in an abusive way. Absolutely the contrary, yes your dog may be scared of you, but he does not respect your authority.

Consistency is key when it comes to dog training basics. Set aside some time each day to work on training your dog. It is important to note that training can be started at any age. If you have an older pet, it is not too late.

Start training the basics. For many dogs, the sit command is a great place to start. Work on this command each day until your dog has it down perfectly before you move on to the next command.

When teaching your dog commands use the same word for each command, for instance if you start off with ‘sit’, don’t change it to ‘sit down’ after a few lessons. Positive reinforcement is necessary when your dog does as you command. He is looking to please you so don’t disappoint him, when he does something right always be sure to praise. Do not get angry and shout because you will confuse and scare him.

Dogs are not like humans, they forget easily sometimes, so even though you might take a day or so off from training, any interaction with him will always need you to maintain that control. You cannot mentally have a day off and expect your dog to understand what is happening.

Going through dog training basics with your dog will take consistency, persistence, and a lot of patience. Your efforts will be rewarded when you have a well behaved dog who has a stronger bond with you.

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Apr 18 2009

Can A Dog Really Be Bad?

by Daniel Waser

When a dog is termed as bad by the owner, usually it is they who are the cause. The feeling is very irritating when a dog jumps on you and puts paw prints over everything you’re wearing. The dog next door might also prefer to leave his calling cards on your front yard.

These are bad dogs? Perhaps, but they are only as bad as the kids next door who have never been given a good upbringing. What else other than bad behavior can you expect from animals and kids when the concerned adults have no idea what they are supposed to do? Sensible owners take the help of dog trainers who teaches them proper handling methods without breaking the natural spirit.

You need to ask at the vet’s office or local pet stores for names of trainers who hold private or group sessions with the pet and owner; or you could instantly access an online course and nip any behavioral problems in the bud right away.

This training program includes lessons where owners are taught how to control their pets. At times, trainers will admit it’s easier to train the dog than the owner! Dogs that must be leash trained for walking in public or at the park need practice; this begins around the yard or in a smaller location.

One of the behavioral traits is barking; however, this will often annoy almost anyone that can hear it. Shouting or punishing your pet for engaging in this normal communication is counterproductive – as well as confusing to the animal.

When a dog needs something to eat or drink, even to be played with, they will begin to bark. Completely suppressing a dog from barking will not help to prevent a burglar from trying to enter your property! Remember not to promote barking when he is a puppy and then get all worked up when he continues to bark even more as he gets bigger.

You could learn from your trainer how to reinforce certain behaviors in a puppy, which you desire, by giving them the occasional gift for being good. You could start rewarding and motivating your puppy so he will continue with the good behavior; most animals will normally stop doing things for which they get reprimanded.

There are many behaviors which are part of the breed of the dog so it is important to remember that you can teach your pet to go against these. In case you are particular about teaching your pet some specific behavioral skills, you should choose one from the breed which would provide you with the type of traits you are searching for. Good dog behavior can be the result of patience, determination and the love you give to the animal.

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Apr 17 2009

Is There Any Such Thing As A Naturally Bad Dog?

by Daniel Waser

When a dog is termed as bad by the owner, usually it is they who are the cause. The feeling is very irritating when a dog jumps on you and puts paw prints over everything you’re wearing. The dog next door might also prefer to leave his calling cards on your front yard.

These are bad dogs? Perhaps, but they are only as bad as the kids next door who have never been given a good upbringing. What else other than bad behavior can you expect from animals and kids when the concerned adults have no idea what they are supposed to do? Sensible owners take the help of dog trainers who teaches them proper handling methods without breaking the natural spirit.

To get to know a good trainer approach your vet or pet store; these trainers often hold private lessons with the pet and the owner but it is just as easy to solve your pet behavior problem by attending any online course on pet management.

This training could teach owners how to be in command of their pets. Trainers have been heard to comment that dogs are easer to train to be obedient than their handlers. You want to leash train your dog before you take him out in a park or public but before you do this you must get them accustomed to it first.

Barking is a behavior which is extremely annoying to both owners and neighbors. If you shout or punish your pet for barking it does not serve any purpose – on the contrary it leaves the animal confused. Often, dogs bark because they lack attention or need food and water.

When a dog needs attention, something to eat or drink, it will resort to barking. The noise of a dog barking can alarm the owners of a burglar intrusion so attempting to stop him from doing this may work against you. It is not a good idea having your puppy bark, even during play if you are likely too shout at him when he barks as an adult.

Any trainer can teach you skills on how to get the desired conduct from your puppy using the carrot as opposed to the stick. How do you make your puppy stop the undesired behavior? Well, simply learn to reward him when he does something which is ‘desired’ behavior.

There are many behaviors which are part of the breed of the dog so it is important to remember that you can teach your pet to go against these. In case you are particular about teaching your pet some specific behavioral skills, you should choose one from the breed which would provide you with the type of traits you are searching for. Good dog behavior can be the result of patience, determination and the love you give to the animal.

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Feb 24 2009

Learn Positive Reinforcement and Train Your Dog More Effectively

by Danah Reed

Having a well trained dog is an excellent addition to your family and will give you much pleasure. The first thing is to establish rules and make sure they are always clear to your dog. But apart from teaching your dog what to do and what not, the way you go about it is important to ensure a long and healthy relationship with your pet.

Shouting and yelling at your dog might get the instant result of your dog obeying you, but seeing that dogs are very intelligent and sensitive, this way of “training” them will only make them afraid of you. As a caregiver you are the person they should be able to trust in, in order to have a loving relationship with your companion.

So negative attitudes will make your dog afraid and shy, but doing the complete opposite, training your dog with positive reinforcement will not only speed up the training process but it will also make it so much easier and pleasant. Once your dog is encouraged in a positive way, it will try and start pleasing you and work hard at doing anything you ask of him.

Training your dog with positive reinforcement means that instead of punishing your dog when he does something wrong, you shower your dog with love and affection when he does something right.

Dogs perceive the lack of attention as a punishment in itself so whenever something does go wrong, just dont react to it. During training there are a lot of things that could go wrong, so instead of yelling or punishing your dog, you just dont pay attention to that mistake.

But when you see your dog go to the bathroom where hes supposed to, then shower him with love and affection. He will soon learn that doing his business outside pleases you and he will go out of his way to make it outside whenever possible.

When training your dog using the positive reinforcement technique, make sure you set your dog up to succeed and not fail.

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