Jan 19 2012

Once You Begin Training A Dog, Crate Training Provides The Best Results

Once you get your dog, you’ll want to be certain that you do a few crucial things. First off, you need to be sure to socialize your puppy. You also want to perform basic training, and introduce you new dog to his new home. One of the other important facets to consider is a crate, a very important tool to training a dog.

Using a crate is one of the best ways you can introduce your new dog to his newfound home. This is because crate training teaches your dog by using his very own instincts. You’ll accomplish a lot more doing this than if you had forced your dog against his instinct.

When you commit to training a dog, you’ll need to commit to regular training times. Making a schedule and a routine will go far to teach your dog the timing of his bathroom breaks, for one thing.

When using the crate training for your dog, you want to praise your puppy every time he uses the potty at the right time and place. This gives your dog an understanding that they’ve done well, and this will motivate them to keep up the good work.

Crate training grants your pet a well-defined space when they are alone. You’ll need to crate them when you are stepping out for any real length of time, or while you sleep. When you can watch your dog – upon your return from work, for example – you’ll take your dog to the potty first thing.

Leaving your pet in his crate for too long will cause them to use the bathroom while in there. Of course they can’t hold it forever, so only use the crate as a tool. Don’t use it to abuse or neglect your dog. If you leave them locked up inside for an unusual amount of time, you’ll wind up making things worse.

Training will also teach you to remain cool and calm, and will require that you knit together praises and soothing words with the crate and good behavior. You can also use treats or a toy as a reward for when your dog uses the bathroom correctly. This will connect a good feeling for your pup with good behavior, in this case, using the potty properly.

You’ll really have to be patient with your puppy as there will be quite a number of accidents to start things off, it takes a while to learn. Be sure when you do punish your dog that you don’t do it too severly – just be firm and let them realize it was a bad thing to do. You don’t want to generate anxiety in your dog, but respect from your pet. Using a crate is a very effective means to explore positive ways of training a dog.

We have written a number of articles on Advanced Dog Training Tips, and have them all posted at http://www.dogtrainingnow.org where you can find them and also a Free Special Report.

May 08 2009

Dog Obedience Training – Who’s the Alpha Dog of Your Pack?

by Jim Navary

The companionship of a dog can truly be one of life’s under appreciated joys. However, that joy can be seriously diminished if your dog exhibits excessive behavior problems. Aggression, inappropriate barking, jumping up on you or visitors, destroying household items and other unacceptable behavior can usually be eliminated through effective obedience training.

Since dogs are, by nature, pack animals, the are most content when they are assured of their place in the social hierarchy.

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.

Unless you impress upon your dog that you are the “alpha dog”, your efforts to teach appropriate behavior will most likely fail. However, effective obedience training will teach your pooch that YOU are the leader of the pack and that he is expected to 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 he does well. Rewards can take the form of tasty treats, petting, giving him a favorite toy 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.

When training your dog, remember that rewards are much more effective than penalties. Discover the things that he truly enjoys and make maximum use of it during training sessions. The old adage about training an animal with either a carrot or a stick is not valid. Just throw away the stick and concentrate on providing your dog with a variety of “carrots” that he enjoys.

Professional dog trainers use a wide variety of training techniques. If you are not sure about specific tactics to use, you may benefit from their advice. There are several wonderful guide books and training courses available online that you may find quite helpful in your quest for a well behaved best friend.

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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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