Showing posts with label deaf dog training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label deaf dog training. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Questions about building a quail pen?

Hello all. Im considering building a quail pen so that I may keep quail for dog training. I was wondering whether or not it was a good idea to build the pen without a floor, so that the quail can be on the ground. My only concern with this would be fire ants. Ive heard that fire ants can be a problem for quail, especially when they are nesting. Should I raise it off the ground and use wire mesh for flooring, or will they be ok on the ground?

Dog Training Supplies - Dog Collars



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I am going to say it depends on the size of the pen. It is is large enough then you really don't need a floor. If your going to build a small pen however, I would make it raised with a wire mesh bottom, and have an area that has plywood for their feet. I have a friend that keeps his in a chicken pen. His has a top on it about 7 feet up. It's big enough for us to walk in, but his quail are not hard to capture, rather tame in fact. They come a runnin' when he brings his feed bucket. So, I don't know if this type behavior is something your looking for to train your dogs or not.

One time, a few of them got loose, and as I was walking up to the porch, they blasted out from under a shrub, and scared the §h!T out of me, but he shook his bucket a few times, and they followed him right back in the pen. I have no idea how they got out, but I guess the made a hole somewhere.

Dog Training Collars and Harnesses - Making the Proper Selection is Essential to Training Success


  • If the pen is large enough I don't see fire-ants being a real problem as long as roosts are provided for the birds to get out of harms way. Another way to keep ants at bay is to spray Tempo around the pen every month or so. It kills insects that crawl across the area it is sprayed and lasts for months even after a rain.

    I would however put a mesh floor in and secure it to the side mesh. The reason behind this is raccoons can reak havoc on penned birds, and are masters of getting into anything. Many of the lodges I have guided for can attest to this. In one instance I can remember a raccoon tearing a cloth mesh next to a support pole and shimmying down the pole. The hole was not visible from the ground. Chukars continued to be eaten for weeks until one day I caught the little monster in the act.

  • Build a fully enclosed wire frame with a box for shelter and roost with rat wire smaller than a weasel. Weasels will kill them all. We had a weasel kill all of ours. Also a fully enclosed pen will prevent digging coons and foxes and other critters. Put a lid with hinges on the box for cleaning and straw. You could bury the wire deep down with concrete I guess.....but,weasels are tunneling bastards. A good dog in the area to bark may keep some animals away....as long as its not a bird dog........LOL........
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Saturday, October 6, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training?

Well I Think i trained my Dog well, what you guys think?http://www.bigpawsonly.com/dog-images/poop-scoop.jpg

Online Dog Training - Train Your Dog Using Your Computer - Seriously!



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Will he come over and do my yard next?

Dog Training Supplies - Dog Collars


  • hahaha. That's hilarious.

  • Whats your address, i have a staffy and a rotty i need to send to u for training..... ;)

  • WTFCk! how did you do that? seriously haha i really want to know. its so cute

  • My dog is a step ahead... he can make it disappear.
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Friday, September 28, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training...tips, help?

I'm at a terrible place with my dad and his dog. Jack is a Blue Heeler pup about 8 months old. He is completely wild. He grabs people's shirt tails and walks underfoot. He almost caused my great-aunt to trip and fall. My dad is a terrible pet owner. He expects poor Jack to just know what to do. I've tried explaining to him that until Jack is trained, he will always be hard to control. My dad won't put any time into him and is ready to sell him for being stupid. I know that would probably be best but it breaks my heart. Does anyone know how I can teach Jack a few manners and maybe a cool trick so at least my dad will see he is a smart guy and just needs some time spent on him? I've never trained a dog and I only have an afternoon or 2 a week that I can spend with him because I live so far away. Any help would be appreciated.

How To Use Dog Training Collars



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Hannibal: You obviously don't know what you're talking about. You won't get anything from beating a dog except either 1. a freakishly terrified dog or 2. a couple missing fingers on your part.

As for Jack, I don't think he's going to be happy at all if your dad isn't willing to take care of him and patiently train him. Your dad has to understand that a dog, every dog, needs lots of tender loving care, and that they aren't "things," like pieces of furry furniture that sit around and look cute. You sound like a really caring person, so if you can, could you take Jack to your place? Jack is a baby, so of course he'll walk underfoot, he wants attention and love, and he loves your people enough to follow them around.

Sorry, ealier I mentioned to do the Alpha roll. I did some research on it, and I found out that you SHOULDN'T do the alpha roll because it's actually something dominant dogs would do when they're about to kill the pinned dog. >.<
Keeping him from grabbing people's coat tails:
Well, this applies to any "bad" behavior. He does't know better, so all you have to do is say "No!" when he bites. If the noise doesn't startle him into letting go, follow up with a sharp tap to the nose (not enough to hurt him - don't ever hurt your dog). Moment he lets go, he should get a "good boy!" and a treat. If nothing else, offer him a treat when he's biting, while saying "Let go!" and AFTER he lets go and goes after the treat, give it to him and praise him.

Tricks:
How to shake hands/paws
1. Put a treat in your hand, close it, and offer it to your dog in a fist while saying "Paw," "Shake," or whatever you like. You could even say "POO!" and it'd still work, because of course, Jack wouldn't know what "poo" means until you teach it to him ;)
2. Jack will most likely try to get at it by pawing at your fist. When his paw goes on top of your fist, open it and let him have the treat along with a "Good boy, Jack!"
3. Repeat. Keep saying "Paw/Shake" when you show him the fist, and make sure to open the moment his paw ends up on yours. My dog learned in less than 10 minutes :) Eventually, Jack will put his paw in your open hand when he hears "Paw/Shake"

How to Sit (the most basic, you can use this when he's biting/underfoot)
1. Get a treat and hold it up to his face, let him know you have something yummy.
2. Making sure his eyes are on your hand, while repeating "Sit," slowly move the treat just above him, moving toward his tail so that his head keeps moving up and back.
3. If he jumps, pull the treat away. Try again until your dog ends up sitting on his rump from leaning back so much. Give it to him the moment his butt touches the floor.
---OR----
1. Get a treat, and tell him "Sit." He won't get the picture. So gently nudge his butt to the floor while repeating "sit." Remember to be gentle. As usual, the moment his rump hits the floor, give the treat and repeat :)

Leave It (very important, especially if he's after something he shouldn't be after)
1. Drop something yummy on the floor. Jack'll run toward it, trying to get it, but don't let him. Place your foot directly over it while saying "Leave it", and keep it there, even if he paws at it (which he probably will the first time you do this).
2. Repeating "Leave it," keep waiting until your dog gives up and 1. either backs away or 2. sits (only works after you teach him to sit) As soon as you know he's given up, lift away your foot, pick up the treat, and give it to him with praise.
3. As soon as he learns to leave the food alone when you tell him to leave it, try casually throwing a piece of extra good food (say, a piece of chicken, or a carrot stick if he likes veggies - they're good for his eyes) and say, "Leave it" without your foot there. If he bolts for it, start over from Step 1 until he learns not to move. If he sits, give it to him with lots of praise. Works like a charm, my dog learned in 20 minutes, and now he leaves food on the floor when I acidentally spill it, and he even drops things he already has in his mouth (like socks) when I say "Leave it!"If you possibly can, please take Jack home to wherever you live. Training needs constant reinforcement, something 1-2 visits a week can't fulfill. That'd be best for you, Jack, and your dad. You never know who your dad might sell Jack to; they might turn out to be even worse pet owners. Good luck, and thanks for caring so much about Jack :)

Please let me know how things turn out! If you can, please email me at minimozart_816@yahoo.com and keep me updated. It'd totally make my day if this turns out to be a happy ending for you guys. I can tell you how to teach Jack to heel, stand, "down" (for when he's jumping all over you), lay down, and "quiet" (if he tends to bark a lot, this will come in handy) if you want! :D

Dog Training Collars Are Not All Alike


  • Just like a child, a dog doesn't "just know what to do." Training a dog is a process. You can't just show him once and expect him to get it. You need to work with the dog several times a day in short spurts until he does what you want him to.

  • time , treats , and patience

  • Unfortunately, training a dog is something that's an on-going process. You need to work with a dog consistently. Jack needs basic manners by the sounds of it, and that's something that you need to teach every day, all day long. He's probably not getting anywhere near enough exercise for his breed, either, is he? Blue heelers don't make the best pets as it is - they NEED a job to do or they get bored and destructive.

    Perhaps it would be the best thing for Jack if your dad were to find him a home where he'd get what he needs, with someone who is able and willing to put the time into him that he needs.

  • alot of great answers, He is a working dog, since he is on a farm he will be a happy dog, I am not concerned, If you only have two weeks, what I would be working on is STAY, DOWN, and HEEL. that's all. That is enough to keep a dog safe, and manageable.
    My dog took alot more !!! whew. Thank goodness I am patient. I had to teach him not to bite, or be aggressive. I think I was blessed with a canine with A.D.D.

    Edit: (just reading these answers)never put your hand on his chest..lol
    (wow) use your foot (with shoes on mind you) he will snap, he'll be mad for a while, but your the boss, not him. If you put your hand down you will show fear, after a few scars you'll not like it anymore. I have scars on my hand from my dog, trust me, use your shoes.

    Edit: don't ever teach a big dog to shake, I have gotten bruised repeatedly since my dog has become 200 pounds and wants to shake while I'm not looking.
    so sorry I disagree, but I would never ever give my dog a treat the same hour he chews on someones coat........to bad for him !! treats??? hek no
    everything else I read is great !!!!

  • Oh my gosh, I feel SO sorry for that dog and the people who have to put up with it. You're right, the dog doesn't know how he's supposed to act, no one has given him any instruction. I can't right it all in an e-mail. I watch The Dog Whisperer on the national geographic channel. I have the videos from the shows and the training videos. This guy is amazing! I'm going to incorporate his behavioral trianing with basic training. What that dog needs is a combination between behavioral training and basic dog training. If you can start by leash training him, and always keep the dog beside or behind you (teaches him you are the leader) that is the very first step. Once the dog is warn out from a good LONG walk, then the training begins. These dogs need to excersize, which it sounds like he does, and they need instruction. When the dog is calm, you can start teaching him to sit and lay down and stuff using a treat as a reward. I wouldn't use a treat as a reward at first unless he is still really high strung. Only when the dog is calm and obedient can you give him praise. I think the best idea is to get him leash trained and then take him to obedience class and don't let him get away with anything. That teaches him that you are the leader and 98 percent of dogs are totally good with that structure. I wish I could borrow him for two weeks, I think I could turn him around. Problem is, your Dad won't take the leader position and it won't do any good. Actually, I'll be looking for a dog as soon as the run is built. I'm probably too far away to take him for a while and adopt him out. I'd love to do it though.

  • blue heelers are really smart dogs, i had one a few years ago (found her as a stray) and she was such a wonderful girl. She was always trying to nip at the feet (not in a hurtful way) of our other animals, i guess that was her herding instinct. is there any way you can get a professional trainer? if not, i would practice walking him on a leash first, get him used to that. then to sit. i watch animal planet a lot and there's a couple good dog training shows on it. keep him on a leash while you're working with him. i would suggest even getting a dog training video, if i can think of the name of this woman trainer (on animal planet) i'll edit this, i know she must have videos out and she's really good. heelers are great dogs, i hope your dad will give jack a chance. *edit.. here is the link to that trainers web site, i hope it helps you!
    http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/…

  • get a leach. now what you do is you go with the dog and let him walk with you beside you not in front or in back. and make him walk right pay attention. when he is good give him treat. when hes not yell at him abit. show him you are not happy it will get him upset and he'll do better but use treat to accomplish what you want. show him you are top dog not him and you are in charge. that is how its done. if he starts getting to much make him lay on his side and put him on his side holding him down. that should show your dominance. teach him to sit and give him treat. its easy just keep doing this till he has it down take care.

  • In the course of a veterinary examination, your veterinarian will determine if there is a medical reason underlying your dog's aggressiveness. For instance, a dog with neck pain may show aggression when pulled by the collar.

    Once medical causes have been ruled out, your veterinarian will refer you to a behaviorist. At the behaviorist's, you'll be asked to answer many detailed questions regarding your dog's behavior. The session may last a couple of hours. An accurate description of your dog's behavior is necessary. Keeping a journal is helpful. You should note:

    # What elicits the aggression
    # How often it occurs
    # To whom it is directed
    # The specific behaviors
    # The dog's postures at the time

    Videotaping your dog's behavior is helpful for the behaviorist, but don't get hurt while making the video. Answers to the many questions asked can lead the behaviorist to establish the cause of the aggression, and then outline an individualized approach to its treatment. The behaviorist will also provide a professional opinion of the risk involved.

    Aggression is influenced by several factors, including: genetic predisposition, early experience, maturation, sex, age, size, hormonal status, physiological state and external stimuli. Behaviorists use a classification system based on patterns of behavior and the circumstances in which they occur. This is done to determine the dog's motivation and the cause of the behavior. The classification is as follows:

    # Dominance-related aggression is one of the most common types of canine aggression that behaviorists treat. The aggressive acts are directed toward one or several family members or other household pets. Dogs are pack animals, and they relate to humans as members of their own species and pack members.

    # Territorial aggression is directed toward approaching animals or people outside of the pack in defense of a dog's area (home, room or yard), owner or fellow pack member.

    # Inter-male aggression between adult males usually involves territorial or dominance disputes. Inter-female aggression occurs most frequently between adult females living in the same household.

    # Predatory aggression is directed toward anything that the dog considers prey, usually other species, but sometimes any quick-moving stimulus, like a car or bike.

    # Pain-induced aggression is caused by a person or animal that causes pain. It often occurs when a person attempts to touch a painful area or when injections are given.

    # Fear-induced aggression occurs when people or animals approach a fearful dog. This is common when the dog cannot escape, and is sometimes seen when an owner uses severe punishment. Active, unpredictable children may also stimulate this type of aggression.

    # Maternal aggression is directed toward anyone that approaches a ***** with puppies or in false pregnancy.

    # Redirected aggression occurs when a dog that is aggressively motivated redirects the aggression from the source to another. For example, a dog that is barking at the door may redirect his aggression onto an owner that is pulling him back. Dominant dogs often redirect onto subordinates.

    Treatment

    Treating aggressive behavior may involve a combination of behavior modification techniques (habituation, counterconditioning and desensitization), drug therapy, surgery (such as neutering/spaying), avoidance and management (such as leash or head halter). Each case is unique, and the success of treatment varies depending on the diagnosis and in accord with your capability, motivation and schedule.

    Even with successful treatment, however, there is no guarantee that the aggressive behavior won't return. In most cases, the frequency and severity of aggressive behavior can be reduced but the aggressive behavior cannot be eliminated completely. The best that may be hoped for is to reduce the probability of aggression. You must weigh the risks of keeping an aggressive dog against the benefits.

    Home Care

    If your dog is unpredictable, consider using a comfortable basket-style muzzle until you can get professional help. Until you receive professional help, avoid all interactions that trigger your dog's aggression. Do not attempt physical punishment. This can increase the intensity of your dog's aggression and may result in serious injury. Avoiding problems may involve:

    # Keeping your dog confined in a separate room when visitors or children are present
    # Housing or feeding your dogs separately if they are fighting with each other
    # Removing objects like bones or rawhides that your dog may be guarding

    Do not allow children to have unsupervised access to your dog. Children should be taught to avoid interacting with dogs that are eating, chewing on a bone, or resting. They should not be allowed to tease or hurt dogs.

    Keep your dog on a leash at all times. In the home, you may want to attach a thin nylon leash on a buckle collar, which your dog can drag comfortably. This will give you safer control over him. Indoor leashes can be attached to head collars for even greater control. If your dogs are fighting, do not get in the middle. Interrupt the aggression using water, a loud noise, blanket or spray.

  • beat the dog...
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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Serious LIFE or DEATH situation for my dog! Its very long.. but PLEASE help!?

I have a rescued Pitbull mix named Ozzy. Whenever we rescued him the shelter told us he was not abused....lie. He was afraid of EVERYTHING. Whenever we got him he would hid under a table and just shake, the adoption was very stressful for him.
Well to get to the point we have had him for about 3 years now and he has settled in and can be aggressive when he sees someone outside our fence of if someone knocks on the door. But that's not really the problem, the problem is he has turned some of that aggression on to my little brother who is only 10.
This just started about a month ago, the first two times Ozzy was laying on my parents bed(he sleeps there too) and my mom was sitting on it too reading a book and my little brother walked in and the first time he put his arms around Ozzy and startled him so he bit him once and the second time he just leaned over Ozzy and he nipped at him once.
Well we all believed it was just Ozzy being territorial and so we just shrugged it off.
Well two days ago my little brother and Ozzy were in the living room and my brother accidentally stepped on his paw. My dog then yelped and proceeded to attack him. Everyone but my dad(who was sleeping because he works nights) was gone. But my brothers scream woke up my dad and the site of our dog attacking my brother scared my dad so bad that he said that if he had a gun he would have shot my dog! My brothers arm was bleeding a little bit and you could tell that Ozzy had bit from above my brothers wrist to just below his shoulder.

After that happened my parents had a talk and said that we were getting rid of him. I love my dog so much and I started to cry and so did my brother because he thought it was his fault. They decided to give him one more chance and making sure that my brother is not alone with him anymore but if it happens again they are putting him down. I don't know what to do!
We believe Ozzy is only biting my brother because he sees him lower in the "pack" than he is. I told my parents that it isn't Ozzy's fault that it is ours because he is not an aggressive dog so we never tried to really train him and the fact that he was abused and is a pitbull mix definitely doesn't help.
Please if anything happens again they are going to put him down! He is my best friend I would be completely changed for life if this happens to him!!
I'm not asking, I am begging for any advice you can give me and also I would like to have estimations on how much a personal trainer or a dog training class would cost. If it helps any I live in Southeast Missouri and there is a Petco here.
The shelter told us Ozzy was 1-2 years old when we adopted him, once again we think it was a lie because his head and chin is starting to go gray, so he isn't a puppy. We think he is about 6 or 7 years old.

PLEASE HELP OZZY! Here are two pictures of him so you can see what type of dog he is and just in case it might help any.
http://s707.photobucket.com/albums/ww77/…

http://s707.photobucket.com/albums/ww77/…
Thank you in advance and no ignorant people please! Also sorry it's so long!

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This has NOTHING to do with pack structure. I can see why the dog bit in both cases. That doesn't EXCUSE it. It sounds like fear biting. Do NOT take him to training classes at PetCo. You need to find a trainer in your area here:

www.apdt.com

You need to go with a CERTIFIED positive reinforcement trainer. If you go with someone like Cesar Milan who has NO training and uses fear based methods that were proven dangerous and ineffective in the 70s, this will get worse and end up with someone getting really hurt. Right now, you don't want training. You want a certified trainer and behaviorist coming into your home and doing an evaluation there. This will run anywhere from $80-150. When they do the evaluation, they will give you advice on whether this is workable or whether the dog needs to be humanely euthanized for the safety of everyone involved. They will also instruct you on how to deal with it if they think that it is workable. Likely, it will only take one visit and then consults over the phone (which are free).

Please do not rehome this dog. You can be legally liable if it attacks someone in the new home. If your parents decide the cost of bringing someone in for a consult isn't worth it, I beg you to take the dog to the vet and humanely euthanize it. If you take it back to the shelter, they will kill it because it bites. Even if you withheld that information from them and they put it up for adoption, no one wants pit bulls these days least of all a middle-aged one. He won't make it out and the stress will be too much for him.

EDITED TO ADD: You might want to start with a vet check. When a dog starts reacting like this out of the blue, sometimes it is medical.
He is a gorgeous dog, but I'm curious where the shelter saw the pit bull in him. At our shelter, we would have labeled him a shepherd mix. As a pit bull owner for 38 years, I don't see American Pit Bull Terrier in this dog from the pictures. The coat is wrong, the head isn't the right shape. I would have labeled him shepherd mix or just mixed breed.
Where are my other pit bull experts to help me out on this?

Tested Dog Training Tips - The Way to Hone a Dog's Behavior


  • Get in a professional trainer or rehome gim but dont put a good healthy dog down

  • maybe call the dog whisperer. that may help. or put him down. :(

  • Poor Pooch!
    You can help him by looking into dog therapy.
    Do you have a pool? Do an of your neighbors have pools?
    A lake?
    Anything
    Get your dog in there, this is good cuz the dog will beable to move around freely. He will gain confidence and feel more comfortable with you.

  • Three years is plenty enough time for a dog to have established territories and boundaries. There is no way that I would keep a dog that still bites children and is aggressive after three years.

    Not necessarily saying he is a bad or dangerous dog. But your family clearly does not have the means or the desire to train him and care for him properly.

    He is not the dog for your family, and you are not the family for him. That's all that matters.

  • Your dog, more than likely, was not abused. He simply has an unsound, fearful temperament which has led him to being fear aggressive.

    Petco is not going to have a trainer suitable for what you need. Please find a behavioral consultant to assist you.

  • He needs training for a trainer. At least have him evaluated. Good luck.

  • Get him into training immediatly. This is no joke this can get serious and after even one bite you should have talked with your vet about any health problems or local trainers available. A pit bull is serious buisness and nobdoy would like to see him put down or had to be taken away from you.

  • That's a tough situation. I'm only answering because i recently saw a show about an agressive dog that only targeted one family member that was trained to become lower in "rank" in the family. One thing they did was have the person eat his meals while the dog watched and made it look as if the person was eating from the dogs bowl. They'd only feed the dog after that person and rest of the family was finished eating to show that the family viewed that person above the dog. Also you will have to stop letting the dog on couches beds etc. That's really important. Show the dog that your family values your brother more than him. But i'm no expert, i'm sorry for your situation. Also he should be nuetered if he isn't already. But i'm guessing he is since you adopted him

  • Oh, poor puppy! I read the first few parts of the question, I think that's all I needed.
    Make sure he is up-to-date on all his shots first so no one gets hurt. MAKE SURE TO KEEP THE PAPERS! Every good training place will need them.
    Then (lol at me if you want) take him to Petsmart. I wouldn't let him see another dog, a fight would be bad. Or don't take him yet. Sign him up for training. My puppy Saint Bernard who is wild and lived on the streets for awhile, we took him to Petsmart training, and now he is a tame house dog :) The people at Petsmart are actually great trainers.

    You can sign him up for the cheaper group training, Most people don't show up anyways. And it would teach him to be more sociable.

    You just need to be firm that YOUR FAMILY is the pack leader. The simplest things--going first out the door for a walk, etc all help.

    By the way, do you walk him? All dogs need exercise, especially a Pit bull!! Dogs normally react badly to no physical activity. My chihuahua is extremely neurotic because we can't walk him.

  • Please....Please...PLEASE. Get a trainer. I work for a dog trainer and it can be corrected. No dog is ever beyond help and most problems can be corrected. Whatever happened in his life planted this in him. We have lots of pitbulls and a 130lb rotti that come here. With some training you just may be able to correct this. It will take some time and patience and work on all parts. I dont believe in giving up untill all methods are exhausted. If you need me to help you locate a trainer...Ill be more than happy.

  • i have no answer but i have contacted Cesar Millan (AKA The dog whisperer) to get into contact with you because i'd hate for a dog to be put down.
    Hopefully he should get in touch with you before anything bad happens to ozzy.

    Good luck. THIS IS NO JOKE!!!

  • First of all, I am not seeing Pit in your dog. Second, you need to take him to the vet for a full check up. Make sure there is nothing physical going on because a sudden change in behavior can often be caused by a physical problem the owners are not seeing.

    Second, you need to hire a good behaviorist/trainer to come to your home.

    Third, if this dog was seriously human aggressive your brother would be much worse than he is.

    It is highly important to get your dog vet checked then if things are fine, get that trainer.

  • First, Ozzy is a beautiful dog. Dogs can get gray around the muzzle, so there is no reason to think he couldn't be a younger guy (I don't think the shelter lied to you). Not seeing the "pit" either.

    This is a tough situation, and it will take everyone in your household to work the problem. If everyone is on board, whatever you decide should help (maybe not cure) the problem.

    Vet check would be in order (thyroid test is a good place to start).

    Get a behaviorist. Training is good, but does not really help with this issue. Here is a behaviorist search ---> http://www.iaabc.org/suchen/

    ~~~
    The 2 incidents as I read them--
    The first time, your brother went and put his arms around Ozzy, right. Most dogs dislike hugs (some really dislike it). It could be a case of Ozzy was asleep, then the next thing he knows someone is holding him, can be a bit disturbing for a dog.

    The second time he stepped on his paw. Well, if you step on my feet, my first instinct will be to push you off. I am sure your Dad was startled to be awake to those noises. Gut reactions take over....

    ~~
    You might look at this site. Debbie Jacobs works with fearful dogs. She has been working (with success) with her dog Sunny. There is some great info here, you should read it. --->http://www.fearfuldogs.com/

    You sound pretty young. I would recommend some books on dog behavior and dog training. Amazon will usually have some used books pretty cheap.

    CANINE BODY LANGUAGE - A PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDE
    by Brenda Aloff

    Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training
    by Karen Pryor

    The Other End of the Leash
    by Patricia McConnell

    ~~~~~
    If you can't work with Ozzy, you might call the shelter and explain your problem, but be aware that most shelters will not adopt out a dog with human aggression issues.
    If worse comes to worse, you might try some pit bull rescues.

    Good Luck

  • Dogs become aggressive out of frustration and dominance.

  • Since it is a pit bull it was probably used for dog fights. The best thing to do is to put him on a leash, and let him and your brother interact, but if anything starts to happen then pull him away. Or you could get a muzzle. Plus, when dogs start to get older they get really cranky and mean. That's why when dogs get older they sometimes have to be put to sleep.
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Thursday, September 6, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Positive (clicker) training vs. traditional methods, has anyone "gone back" to traditional methods?

I have always trained my dogs using traditional methods--Koehler, Strickland, Bauer, etc.

I've been happy with the results and so have my dogs. But I like to read up and be continually learning new and better methods of dog training.

So I've been reading about clicker training. Lots of people talk about how they went from the "old evil methods" to wonderful new clicker training and how they'll never go back again.

I find it hard to believe that clicker training can be used for EVERYTHING, and several "traditional trainers" I've spoken with agree.

However, one thing makes me wonder if I should throw off traditional methods altogether and just clicker train: There are many people who go from traditional methods to clicker training and proclaim it the better method. I have never heard of anyone who seriously tried clicker training and went back to traditional methods. This indicates to me that all those who try clicker training decide it's a better method.

Dog Training Clicker - Why Use a Clicker?



Recommended Answer:
This may not be enough experience for you -- but I worked with the clicker for awhile, and even taught a couple of clicker-based classes.

Frankly, I think it's useful for teaching tricks, but have no practical use for it. The old "treats to teach, corrections to proof" methods, and marking with my voice works best for me.

I would never have tried to use clicker training to get a dog through a CD just to try to prove to myself that it worked.

Schutzhund Dog Training Is Not So Difficult - Read These Top Tips


  • I found clicker or strictly positive training very limiting. For just O/B work I suppose it would suffice, but there isn't a field trial or stock dog out there that was successfully trained that way.

    My other experence with 'positive reenforsement' is that it is very easy to fall into a pattern of nagging, which is very detramental to a dogs training attitude.

    In the end I found that there is a heck of a lot more to Pavlov than just ringing a bell to get a cookie.

  • Yes. Although I wouldn't say I "went back".

    Clicker training is a tool... and like most tools it has places where it works and places where it doesn't. I use a variant of it (marker words/sounds instead of a clicker) with most dogs I train (or with the people I train to train their dogs).

    In my experience, probably 75-80% of dogs can be totally trained using "clicker" or operant reward based methods of training. Another 10-15% require a mixture of methods.

    And then there is the 5-10% of dogs who frankly couldn't give a &%$# about the reward, your clicker/marker and who think that you just might be lunch. Clicker training doesn't work with them... and 90% of the time other methods do... leaving a very small percentage of dogs that "untrainable" (which is far lower percentage than the number of humans that are!).

  • These are the people who I would've expected to answer your question and give you a good answer.

    In addition, Greekman may chime in as well. I don't know if he's actually used Clicker training himself, but he's extremely knowledgeable and his opinion is respected and will mesh with the 3 answers you got here.

    I'll star for him to see if he will answer...

  • You have 3 excellent answers here, very well said by all of them. I started training using the Koehler method or variants there of and have continued that way for 28 years. I have found that reward and compulsion work best for most dogs and see no reason to try and mess or change a method that has produced outstanding results.
    Clicker training is a marketing scheme and has found a warm spot in the hearts of many of the younger, more kinder, more tree hugging members of our society, but, it has failed miserably to deliver the type of results that I demand from my dogs.
    There has never been a serious dog trained in serious work like sport of police work using a clicker, nor will there ever be.
    There has never been a dog that went on to compete at a National level that was trained with a clicker.
    All dogs, regardless of training, need proofing and proofing demands compulsion.
    No, clicker training is just a fad that will be replaced by the next thing and the next thing after that, but, real dog training will always stay the way it is, result producing!!
    Hope I helped!!!

  • I'm not a professional, but I pay one and have many friends that are. So I don't have much in the way of credentials but I'll give it a go...

    I don't care for "clicker training" in the sense of positive ONLY training. I think it's not only stupid but dangerous. Mother dogs give corrections, other dogs give corrections. One of the few points I agree with from Ceasar Milan is that dogs will correct other dogs and will not tolerate bad behavior.

    Clickers are great for marking good behavior, to let them know that whatever they did at that exact moment was right. I just don't think it should end there. I agree with Loki's "treats to teach, correct to proof" phrase. When a dog KNOWS a command, sit for example, if they know what that word means and either don't do it or take their sweet time. They're disrespecting you. No dog should be allowed to disrespect ANY human.

    I don't even have a problem with positive reenforcement. I DO have issue with positive ONLY training. If a dog takes off after a cat, no treat in the world is going to stop that dog from chasing that cat unless they know there will be consequences for ignoring the recall command, or for going after the cat in the first place... 2 ESSENTIAL commands, leave it and come... but I feel that a dog should be rewarded for coming back to you when you call. I start using a long line to teach it and then an e-collar (on vibrate or stim). Not that everyone needs to use this, but if my dogs don't have 100% recall it's 99.9%...

    No is a correction. For some dogs that is all it takes. That is the main thing to keep in mind when using any type of correction. Do what works for the dog. Some dogs need a gentle correction (just a NO) or they will shut down, some dogs need a hard correction or they will take over and dominate you. In both situations, it's hard to get back to the beginning point if you screw up and frighten the dog or lose it's respect. You HAVE to know your dog. It's an integral part of training and pet ownership for that matter. You need to know what your dog can handle and what they need.

    I personally have my own theory about correction and I'm no professional and it's only my opinion but.... Dogs have been bred to be with humans for hundreds of thousands of years. The "no correction" trend only came in recently. Dogs have never been trained this way before and if traditional methods are wrong (which they aren't) then we wouldn't still have dogs with us today. I think that a dog needs to respect you and is generally a happier animal for having someone boss them around, they are pack animals and most dogs are not of the temperament to try and be boss in the "pack". They are more comfortable underneath a human, who is not only their boss and leader but protector. In my case, before I got into traditional obedience my first dobie girl Amara was an EXTREMELY low confidence dog. She was soooo timid and such a wuss, her nickname at the park was "killer" because was such a joke. When we got into obedience and I started making her behave and respect me. Her confidence grew. I think it was because she was afraid that I wasn't strong enough to back her up if she got into trouble. I honestly believe that my dogs are happier and better adjusted for corrections. APPROPRIATE corrections, individual to the dog. My male is a lot harder when it comes to corrections than my girl, while he gets the stim, she always gets the vibrate.... He actually listens better, but isn't as sensitive to any stimulus as she is. I'm not hateful to my dogs and they are not scared of me. I love it when people tell me how cruel I am for using e-collars. They've never been at my house when I unplug them! If they were so bad, my dogs DEFINITELY wouldn't get excited that they're about to go play or work.I think the best way of training is a mix of treats for teaching a behavior and corrections when a dog knows the behavior and doesn't follow through. It has to be tailored to the individual dog and that is the owner/trainers responsibility of creating the perfect equilibrium... but in my mind that's part of owning a dog anyway.

    All those that answered before me are well respected on YA and know what they're talking about, they've all had LOTS more of experience than I have and (dont take this the wrong way guys!) most of them have been working with dogs longer than I have been alive. I've learned a lot speaking with them and reading their posts and a few of them have helped me with my own dogs issues (online at that) and what they said was absolutely correct and made a huge difference in my dogs. I would take serious note of what they have to say as I've yet to see anything I disagree with.

  • Hmm interesting replies.

    Obviously no one here has attended the Clicker Expo...
    http://www.clickertraining.com/clickerex…

    I saw some dogs there, top obedience dogs, who were entirely clicker trained. Not only that, they use all shaping. No luring.

    I was amazed. I know I am not yet skilled enough to do that, but I refuse to use compulsion training on my dogs, obedience or otherwise. I am training for obedience competition now and we'll see how it goes when we compete.

    Oh, and at the Clicker Expo, there was a great deal of talk from people who are bringing clicker training to police dogs and guide dogs and search and rescue. I can't wait to see it!

  • Why would ask someone who DOESN'T use the method about the method's limitations? Ask someone like Susan Garrett who has succeeded at elite levels in multiple canine sports using clicker training what she perceives the limitations to be. She'll give you an honest answer, because she has used the method with hundreds of dogs and seen where it works best and where it doesn't. (Just e-mail her.)

    There have been people who tried the method, didn't like it for themselves and their dogs, and went back. There have been people who use it for some things and not for others. There have been people who switched completely. I don't, personally, know anyone who became proficient with the method who went back. However, proficiency requires a LOT of work.

    Clicker training is simple in concept, but not easy. It takes a LOT of skill and knowledge to become proficient with it. If someone is proficient with traditional training, there may be no need or desire to switch methods. That isn't a failing of the method. If you're happy with method A, why switch?

    I do have to say, though, the person who said that there haven't been clicker-trained dogs in police work is incorrect. The Seattle PD had several clicker trained police dogs, and their trainer still gives seminars all over the world on the subject. A friend of mine clicker trained dogs for the Department of Defense back in the mid-80s! He has also clicker trained dogs for ring sport and mondio-ring in Europe.

    There have been clicker trained OTCh dogs. There has been a clicker trained Service Dog of the Year, and a LOT of service dog orgs use clicker training. Clicker trained dogs have been all over the elite levels of agility competition and canine freestyle for years. Clicker trained dogs have been used to detect trip wires and mines in war zones. There have been clicker trained Master Hunters.

    Those are all elite levels, and they've all been accomplished already. There's no reason in the world to debate whether it's possible, because it's been done. Clicker training can be used for whatever the trainer needs it for IF the trainer has the skill and knowledge to do so.

    Is clicker training therefore perfect and right for every trainer? Nope. Just like traditional training isn't. Try it. If you like it, learn more. If you don't, don't.
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Thursday, August 2, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog Themed License Plates?

[reposted, gave MamaBas BA on the last one]

In Alaska we can have 6 (six) characters for our personalized license plates.

XXX XXX

A lot of people at my dog training classes have personalized plates such as:

4MYK9
SHELTI
SHLTES
ROTTY
LABS
MUTTZI want a breed one, but I have Australian Shepherds, and I cant think of a way to fit that in as a dog plate- I dont want people to think Aussie as in Australian!

I am up for any dog ideas, either for Aussies, dog showing, etc.

My only ideas so far are:
OZZYK9
SHWDOG:)
star!
do it!

Secrets to Dog Training to Stop Your Dog's Behavior Problems



Recommended Answer:
How about AUSHEP? AUSIK9?

Is My Jack Russell Suitable For Schutzhund Dog Training?


  • Which color? If it's a blue merle, that could make an interesting plate
    BLUDOG
    MERLE
    BLUOZZ
    MRLOZZ
    MERLK9
    If it's red
    REDOZZ
    For show dog
    TOPDOG
    SHOWOZ
    Your dog's name could play into it, also, but I don't know that. And consider AUS instead of OZZ for any of the possible plates.

  • ya say Aus insted of Ozz cause Ozz is like Ozzy Ozborn

    AUSSHP
    AUS4LF (aussie 4 life)
    ILYAUS (i love you aussies)
    AUSLUV
    OUTBDG (outback dog)
    LUVAUS
    SHWAUS
    DOGSHW
    LUVDOG
    AUSDOG

  • AUSIES, AH-CS, AUSSYS, AUSHEP, AUZIES, AHCEES,HEELRS, BLU HLR, RED HLR

  • AUSHEP, ASHEPS, BST DOG, GR8 DOG, DWN UND, RED MRL, BLU MRL, SHO DOG, BLU RBN

  • OZ SHEP
    HERD DG
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Saturday, July 21, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Should I take a job as a dog trainer at Petco? Or keep my Union job?

I was bored one day and filled out the online application, after one of the stores trainers recommended I do while I was toy shopping one day. Two days later I've got an interview. I have a good job now, some would say really good, I know I was lucky to get it. Railroad job..its union w/ full benefits & a pension & I make about 25$/hr with lots over over & even double time. But I HATE...HHHAAATTTEE my job. The only thing that gets me through the days is I look forward to coming home and playing w/ my pup & I've become the local 'dog' guy. Every weekend I help 1-2 people with training their dogs & I have a backyard agility course me and a few people (I've trained) run our dogs through...and it seems like working with dogs for a living would be the best thing ever. Heck, I do it for fun & free on my weekends.

Now I realize Petco isn't the gold standard of dog training, but I figured its a good place to get my feet wet and get some experience on a professional level. I'd taken my pup there for puppy classes because it was cheap and I just wanted to practice w/ distractions ... I've taught dogs agility and dealt with behavioral problems...I didn't need someone to show me 'sit', but it was good socialization in a learning setting I thought. Anywho, I befriended the girl teaching & am all but guaranteed the job if I want it.

Does anyone know what they make? Is it based on commission in anyway for selling training lessons? Someone said you might have to work on the floor or register too, is that true? The girl I know also works in the grooming department washing dogs (she's not trained to cut dogs hair), & that seems the ultimate to me, but is that normal? Does anyone know a better way to break into the dog training world? People who I've helped for free tell me I should have charged (...though they weren't offering $$) & some have suggested I just make a web page or hang fliers...but I don't know if I'd feel right acting like I knew it all...I figured a year or two at Petco and at least I'd have someone to fall back on (the other trainers there) for the beginning of this...its easy to tell someone you can't help when they aren't paying you anyways.

Anyone worked there....taken classes there from a new trainer...quit a good job because you thought you'd be happier at another one??

Dog Training Bumpers and Dummies



Recommended Answer:
Do NOT quit your great job!!!! You won't make enough at Petco to pay your rent! If you want to help people train dogs join your local AKC Dog Obedience Club. There members volunteer & teach classes to the public. Much better quality of training classes & more credible if you are looking to gain real experience. At your local AKC club you will also meet other "dog" people who share your interests.

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf…

Surely there is something else you can do with that Engineering degree to make a good living. Dogs & dog training can always be a hobby. It's VERY hard to make a living as a dog trainer......VERY hard.

I train Obedience & Rally with 3 different AKC Obedience judges & I train Agility with an International Champion handler who is also an Agility judge. Just sayin'.

I teach Obedience, Rally Obedience & Agility classes at my local AKC Dog Obedience Club. I also teach & judge 4H kids all over the state Obedience, Rally & Agility. I donate my time & train dogs in Aussie Rescue & Border Collie Rescue. And I'm training & seriously competing with my own 3 dogs right now & building up experience & credentials with the goal of becoming an AKC Agility judge.
I understand what you are talking about. I've been a Critical Care nurse for 34 yrs & I am so burned out, I'm crispy. I'd kill to be able to make a living doing what I love, training dogs & judging Agility. But I talk to some of the most qualified trainers I know & they are all having a hard time making a living teaching classes & giving seminars. Some even have boarding kennels to boot, still hard. The ones that are doing OK do a large volume of beginning puppy classes & Novice classes. And they can hardly take a weekend off to show their own dogs. Just not for me right now. I cut my work hours back, live simple & do more of what I love, compete with my own dogs. I'm not saying don't follow your dream. I'm just saying really think long & hard. Maybe teach some classes & train on the side. Or cutback your work hours & take a part-time job training. Just in this depressed economy, don't give up a good paying job with benefits without extremely careful consideration. ;)

Choosing an Online Dog Training Program


  • I'd keep the union job. Unless you don't mind a 50% cut in pay.There's
    10 million out of work people who would love to have that union job.

  • While normally I would say work at a job you like - you are insane to give up that job with that kind of money & benefits. One of the worst things about grooming/training is they rarely give any benefits except for the crappy big boxes is the only way they can get employees. You would be lucky to make half of the money & zero benefits at any decent place worth saying you work there. I know a number of folks who have or are currently working for railroad & no way would they give up their job esp. now. Grooming & training typically pay by commission & most folks are cutting way back on these things. When you can get a decent amount in pension then quit & work with pets all you want.

  • You couldn't pay me enough to take a class from a so-called trainer at Petco/PetsMart. I took one of my dogs, just out of curiosity, to see what the trainers were like. Talk about people who know nothing. I use to be an obedience trainer for a well known obedience club, so I do know that I'm talking about.

    Don't quit your day club. Unless you are an AKC obedience judge, with credentials, forget it! Petco will hire anyone with half a brain.

  • ROTFLMAO.................are you certifiable????
    Minimum wage drone,scamming the boobs into imagining they're "training" their poor defenseless beasts???
    You gotta be nutz!!!

  • When I worked at petco, the dog trainers were not regular employees. They were payed based on the number of people that signed up for the class. The classes were something like $99 for four weeks, but I can't remember for sure. You will have to work out the specifics with the manager of the store.

    It sounds like since you already have a good reputation, you could teach private lessons as well. Petco would give you some steady work and something to put on your resume.
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Friday, July 20, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Doberman for a first dog?

I've never had a dog before, and I want a doberman pinscher from a real breeder, not a pet store. I didn't just wake up this morning and decide I wanted a doberman. I've done plenty of homework. I want a dog that will be loving with my parents and nieces, and when I have children, to love them as a part of the family. I've read several dog training books, and even Cesar Milan's be the pack leader. I also found classes at the YMCA that offer puppy training and socialization for 8 weeks, followed by advanced dog training for 7 weeks. I also will be taking my puppy to my sister-in-law's daycare and let him play with the children (under supervision of course) just to get him socialized. I have an average size house and a small yard, but I enjoy running and will take my dog with me when he's old enough. Do you think a Doberman will be a good first time dog for me?

Dog Training vs Horse Training



Recommended Answer:
A well breed Dobermann is *not* the breed for the weak willed or novice handler, as they very much have a mind of their own & need to be able to respect their handler/pack.

Dobes are an incredibly loyal, faithful and devoted dog, valued for their physical and mental ability. The Dobermann needs mental stimulation as much as physical exercise. They thrive on being worked and mentally stimulated, and *will not* be satisfied being house-bound 23 hours a day with *one hours run around the park*.

Dobes love to work, they need mental as well as physical exercise, so if you want a breed to walk around the park for an hour after work, a Dobe isn't the breed for you.

When they are fully grown, Dobes require a minimum of 1½ hours hard walking/ free running each day.

Dobes are a very sensitive breed, and being over harsh or shouting too loudly will never be forgiven. However, you do need to let your Dobe know his or her place in the pack, and that is at the bottom of it!

As with all dogs, a combination of love and discipline is important, and there is a very fine line between being too hard and too soft. Hard handling can make for a shy, cautious animal which is as much of a danger as an over-confident dog. It is finding the right balance that determines how successful you would be in owning this breed.

I would not reccomend a Dobermann for a novice dog owner. That said, if you decide to proceed, as a first time Dobe owner, it would be perhaps wiser to have a b*tch. You would enjoy all the characteristics of the breed, without so much of the territorial, aggressive behaviour that is associated with adolescent male Dobermanns.

Basic Obedience Training - Secret of Having a Well-Behaved Dog - Training Tips For Different Dogs


  • go for it!
    you sound like you've done your homework and are ready for the responsibility of caring for, exercising and training a dog.
    obedience classes are a lot of fun but be commited, but it sounds like u will be.
    make sure your puppy gets all his shots before you bring him to the day care centre though.
    have fun!

  • You sound like a perfecyt dog owner you defintly are ready but make sure you dont feed him to much or it result in bloat!

  • to tell you the truth i think any dog will be good for you because you have your research all done and i think you should get your dog today

  • Find a reputable breeder and discuss it with them, arrange to visit with them and ask if you can spend time with their dogs to make sure you are 100% about having a pup from one them. Any reputable breeder would make time for someone who shows that much interest in their dogs.

  • You seem to have done much thinking about getting a doberman. Have you read that they bond quite strongly with one person? Since you are young, you are looking at a future with a spouse and children. Dobermans aren't the type of dog to welcome competition for the attention that at the present you will give the dog, but later you will give to a spouse and children. If you get one now, I'm afraid that you will have to re-home it later, so I would recommend that you consider another breed. By the way, not many parents of children attending daycare are going to appreciate you bringing your doberman there for socialization. Maybe when it is weeks old, but when it gets a little bigger you will begin getting "looks" from everyone that you go around. Many people are afraid of this breed and you will find out just how prejudiced people can be against certain breeds. I should know, I have a Rottweiler and deal with prejudice everytime we leave the house. She is a wonderful dog, but of course they are just going by her looks, not her personality.

  • Absolutely! You sound like you have really done your research and Dobermans are amazing dogs. I grew up in a family that always had Dobermans, we had no issues at all with this breed. Ours were well socialized from puppyhood and grew up to be well adjusted, loving dogs. The nice thing about this breed is that they are incredibly smart and learn quickly during training. The key is to train them properly, and you sound like you are definitely prepared and on the right track with that! Just make sure to pick out a good, reputable breeder - one that has good, solid history with the breed and no issues with genetic defects are obvious key things to look for. Good luck!!

  • Susan B, where do you get the idea that they bond with only 1 person? Do you have any experience with a Dobe? Anyway, to the poster, you sound like you are on the right track. Do your research for a good breeder, who preferably shows her dogs. Therefore you will be able to get a pup whose parents have also been genetically health tested and one that has a nice show crop, if you live in the US. They are a Velcro dog that loves to be with people. (not just one person) I use to show and breed Dobes, and have owned 8, both male and female, over the last 25 years. We got our first Dobe when our sons were 3&6 years old. (They are now 28 & 31) We never had a problem with our Dobes bonding with anyone, kids of all ages, grandpa & grandma, neighbors, and other pets. It sounds like you are doing your homework. Good job, and I hope you find the companion of your dreams.

  • I have never owned a dog before and I began my research about a year ago. I decided the Doberman was perfect for my life and I am also a huge Milan fan. I live in Canada and I had a breeder tell me that there is a difference in "wiring" between a working and non-working line of Doberman. Make sure you ask your breeder about his dogs temperments and what they are best 'wired' to do. My breeder and the book Brains & Beauty by Joanna Walker will tell you there is a difference between European and American bloodlines. For a companion pet I have been told it is the American bloodline that would be best for me.

  • they are good dogs.

  • extremely aggressive and not able to be trusted. I would go with a lab. they love everyone and love to go jogging. they sound great for you. do some more research. good luck
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Saturday, May 5, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Who has trouble concentrating on the dog whisperer's expert dog training techniques..?

because you just keep thinking, "God, he's hot." I mean I start to watch the show to learn. But I always get distracted by Cesar Millan's drop dead gorgeous looks. Who else has this problem.

Show Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
LOL! I've only been watching the show for the past week or two to get an idea of his training methods (since everyone's talking about him)...but I know what you mean...

I like it when he wears the turtlenecks...you can tell he's cut under those long sleeves!

Top 10 Successful Dog Training Tips


  • Wow... okay... XDDD I'm a huge Cesar fan. I always use his techniques with my puppy, and my pup is very well behaved. But um.... no, I've never gotten distracted by that.... Never even thought of it.... Until my friend mentioned it the other day.... XDDD
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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Is this a good dog training game?

This is the game for my training command "stay". I say stay several times while throwing the ball and if they move i put my voice louder stay and my chihuahuas stay!Now they're starting to stay without needing me to raise my voice(not screaming at them). So should i continue?The distraction seems to be increasing there endurance when my mom comes from work. Then i say "go" when they're done with their job.

Puppy Dog Training For Obedience - How To Train Your Dog Puppy Properly



Recommended Answer:
It is good you are working with your dogs.

What is not good is repeating commands. You need to teach your dogs that when you say "stay" they do it until you release them. If you repeat the command you teach them that they can ignore your commands.

A good book to read that will help you be a better dog handler is "the other end of the leash"

Dog Training Leash - A Basic Method You Need To Have


  • Like the other person said, you shouldn't repeat your command, other than that it's a good way to train. Just say stay once, and if they get up, make a sound to correct them, calmly put them back in a sit, and say stay again then (but just once). They should learn that you're going to say it once, and they have to hold the stay until you release them. I say "okay" as my release, but "go" works, too.
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Monday, April 23, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Hiding a small dog/training to use litter box?

I am taking my dog from my mom's house but my current apartment has a very strict no pet policy. I don't move until the end of July so I have to "hide" her until then. She is very small, weighing only 4 pounds, but she tends to bark at anything and everything when I take her outside. She also has to go outside about once an hour. I think it's going to be impossible to keep her hidden for almost 2 months. Is it possible to train her to use a litter box? I think that is going to be my only way to avoid a hefty fee. She is 5 years old so she is completely potty trained. Any suggestions/ideas?

Secrets to Dog Training Review - Is it Really the Best Dog Training Program?



Recommended Answer:
Suggestions?

Don't do it. You WILL get caught, plus the fact it's cruel- would you like to be kept in an apartment with no exercise for two months?

It's two months (well, less than that)- just keep the dog at your mum's house until you move. You WILL get caught, you WILL incur a fine, and you may even be chucked out before you intend to move.

Dog Training Fundamentals


  • don't leave the food/water down all day long. feed her in the morning and when she walks away, pick it up. feed her again at dinner time and do the same, pick it up when she walks away. pick the water up about 2 hours before bed time. Might want to ask mom to hang on to her until you move. Never tried the litter box myself.
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Thursday, April 12, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training...Taking food off plate, biting the wall, chewing on things, jumping, playing hard.?

These are Shelby's faults. Shes a very good puppy but she is known for doing all of these things in one single day.
If you leave your food unattended she WILL eat it. She actually found a few screws under the paint and started knawing at the wall and there is actually a pretty decent sized paintless drywall area on the wall, and she loves chewing on things. She plays hard with my first dog, Peggy the Puggle. Peggy is getting old (6-9, dont know cause we adopted her) and Shelby is still a puppy and twice Peggy's size and Peggy doesn't like to play fight but Shelby does.
Shelby is a Black Labrador/Blue Nose Pitbull mix. Very active. Very loving. 6-8 Months.
My mom, dad, and even me have considered giving her up to an animal shelter. But I cant just give her away I love her very much and am willing to train her out of her bad behavior. She used to pee and poop on the tile floor but thats over and done with. How can I burn her energy down also? And any tips on how you trained your dog with some of the misbehavior that my dog has?

Aggressive Dog Training Made Easy



Recommended Answer:
she is a Labrador they are nuts and need so much ENERGY what you are saying there was my puppy two Weeks ago and omg i though i was going mad
she ate my wallpaper my shoes
took food out of my hand when i was eating it
then i had to get harder with her she loves to learn so for 15 min's twice i day we have a training session
and she get told no with me stood over her i do smack her or punish her i just stand above her and say no
to her it is very intimidating
i also make sure i play with her for 3 hours a day a hour in the Morning that i have to get up eve earlier for
and hour at lunch
then at tea time
and my children also play with her in my yard for up to 2 hour and she can still keep going
but slowly she is stopping all them bad things half the time as she is so busy playing she don't want to do it

maybe that you puppy is board

Three Common Dog Training Methods to Avoid


  • This is the best training site on the web and you should be able to find help here;
    http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com
    click on "articles" next to the picture
    Here is a training site that can help with behvavior problems;
    http://www.dog-obedience-training-review…
    scroll down and click on dog behavior

  • running around the block is not enough. She's bored and that's probably why she's behaving bad. My 8 month old gets like that if i can't get him out on his runs. I take him for 2 runs a day for at least 30 min. It's not all running but walks too or i take him to my parents farm and let him run free and when he gets home he is wore out and goes to bed.

  • Shelby needs lots of exercise every day (2x half an hour or 1.5 miles minimum) and obedience training classes with a handler that knows what to do when she is doing these things.

  • The shelter is not the answer.take Shelby for long walks a few times a day or take her to the park a couple times a day and let her run.When Shelby is chewing up stuff replace it with one of her chew toys as for the wall there are some sprays that you can buy that dogs don't like the taste of pick some up you can use it on funiture too.Then theres cennal training for when your not home.Thats what I have done with my two dog and they love going night night in there cennals it's there own space and it keeps them safe.

  • yes there is a reason she does these things and once you find out what it is then you will be able to train her. Punish her not by beating her but by saying no and point to the plate or wall then lock her in somewhere for a hour or two don't give her any love or don't give her attention and make her sit. but reward her for doing good things so she can know how it feels after she do something she's suppose to do.
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Thursday, April 5, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training: Where did you take your dog for obedience classes?

I'm a DIY kinda person, so course I trained my own dog through the help of many books, movies, videos and advice from other people. He's very obedient and well mannered, BUT am I missing out by NOT taking him to a formal obedience class? He's good with other dogs besides the occasional bark at dogs jumping at him and some larger breeds we cross paths with.

I have him signed up in a couple weeks at a local kennel club obedience class. I know more information won't hurt but will it be beneficial enough? I've just seen too many people take their dog to obedience class without seeing any results, so I'm a bit weary at giving my money to just anyone. This place should be pretty good since they're a kennel club. Any advice or personal experiences.

It costs $100 which is a lower affordable price compared to the average $189 of other places. The local petsmart charges I think $129 and it's not good. Is it worth it?

Thanks.

Dog Training - Enjoyable Dog Obedience Training Techniques



Recommended Answer:
Being as I taught classes for 30 years, my opinion is probably biased.
BUT, I will say this, it only takes me about one heartbeat to spot the differences between a dog that has been through those classes and one that has not. Those differences are not so much the training, they are the socialization. Most of the time dogs that have not been to those classes act as if they had never been let out of a closet before when out in public.

Effective Communication in Dog Training


  • It's not worth it. It's really not. I've never taken any of my amstaffs to obedience classes. They are well trained and well socialized. Just keep your dog out in public as much as you can because that's all obedience classes are really about. I've done it myself for 20 years, no problems.

  • I have never taken a dog to classes, but I have look into them. Look at your towns local pet store or buy a tape online or at a superstore. Also, it more depends on the size and type. I have a Bernese Mountain Dog and he just turn 1 and he looks like a full grown golden retriever. Petsmart isn't really the best, but it's a start. You can buy some books on how to train your dog. We have a 6 pound Chiwawa Papion that likes to pee on everything! We got some books and they work!

  • Of course it's worth it. Obedience training doesn't stop when your dog is trained. You do this for life. And it is a fun way for you to spend time with your dog and keep the bond strong and your dog exercised. You will also form some friendships and bonds with other dog owners in class.
    You will find that there are many different kinds of classes available to sign your dog up for, that are not so much basic, but other things. You could learn tracking, or agility, or get a CGC badge for your dog. There are plenty of offerings out there.

  • I too like to train my own dog, but I'm also willing to learn new techniques that might better than mine. It's also great for socializing them with other dogs and people and having to be around distractions. For example we're outside in a fenced in area behind my dog's vet place and there's cars going by, other dogs...So it really helps with teaching them to focus on you and no one else. I've seen results since my dog has gone to obedience class but a lot of people won't practice at home, that's probably why you see no results. They think that one lesson a week is enough and it isn't.

    I don't know that the place has a name, my mom signed up for it, but its on Long Island and she's a trainer and assistant at my dog's vets office. 100 dollars sounds really good, but I'd search around to see what others have thought of that place. I wouldn't go to petsmart personally. Also look for a positive reinforcement trainer.

  • Even though I've been training dogs for 30 years (mine and other people's), I prefer to take my dogs to classes to train them in an environment with lots of distractions, to keep me "honest" (not slacking off in my training), for another pair of eyes to see if I'm doing something wrong (we all fall into bad habits), and for socialization. I even might learn something new.

    A good club/school will be happy to let you watch a class before signing up. Look for a trainer that's experienced with different breeds and who has proven their ability to train by earning titles on their dogs.

    If you go to an obedience trial and talk to the competitors, they should be able to give you a good idea of who the good instructors are in your area.

  • If you've seen people take their dogs to obedience classes without seeing any results, its for one of two reasons. Either the people didn't do anything they were told to do to train their dogs or they went someplace like Petsmart where the "trainers" don't know what they're doing.

    Classes are hugely beneficial because a dog can't be called trained until he'll work with the distractions of all those other dogs and people and activity and noise. Dogs need to be proofed. And a good trainer has a whole repertoire of methods and uses whatever works with each dog.

    My dogs are training for competition obedience and rally and I'm really picky when it comes to instructors. I always watch a class before I'll commit my dogs to any trainer to be sure I agree with how they do things and that they have the skills needed.

  • As a professional trainer, I'm biased but I think training is absolutely worth it. But are the big box store training programs worth it, absolutely not. Most of those trainers have not been through the kind of training a true professional has been through. Never hire a trainer without seeing a dog they've personally trained. If their dog can't hold a command with distractions around, they won't be able to teach you or your dog much!
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Thursday, March 1, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training: clicker or my voice?

should i use a clicker for teaching the dogs tricks? or should i use my voice? also, can i stop using the clicker after the dog learns the trick?

Dog Treats for Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
1. Clicker or voice? Yes.

Look, it's not about a clicker. It's about a marker--something that explicitly, clearly MARKS at an exact point in time that the dog unequivocally associates with "you done good." About 99% of humans are incapable of EXACTLY matching their voice every time. They say "yes" but it's in a slightly higher pitch. Or louder. Or more drawn out. It's different in some way. But I use a clicker. And I use my voice. And other trainers have used a key-light (for a deaf deaf) and another used a thumbs up sign. SeaWorld trainers use whistles (since the click doesn't carry underwater). It's all the same--it's about a "marker". It's not that a clicker is magic, you need to "load" the clicker (so the dog associates the click with a reward and thus the click means "you done good" and you need to get the timing down PERFECTLY. Ditto with your voice. Or whatever you use to mark with. The reason that clickers work so well with dogs is that the clicker doesn't get louder or longer, it doesn't change smell, it only makes one sound. But humans change their expression, we focus on something different, we give off pheramones, we get louder or softer. And the dog gets a mess of signals in there, only one of which is the "yes" that we say. So it tends to get lost in the mess of other messages. Because dogs are more visual and olfactory based when it comes to humans--our voice commands and language comes in a distant third in their perceptual focus.

2. Read up on operant conditioning and behavior shaping and you'll find out all the answers to this issue as well as how to train your dog. But in the meantime, of course you can stop using the clicker, just like you can stop rewarding or stop using your voice.

Example: when I was training my dog to heel and not pull on the leash when walking, we'd walk 5 steps, I'd click and treat and praise. We stopped clicking at 5 steps and moved it to 8, then 10, then 15, then 20, then clicked when he stayed focused on me during the walk instead of going for the squirrel. And variable reinforcement also applies--research shows that you get a better response if you don't treat every time.

For more details, check out Shirley Chong's website (www.shirleychong.com) or read Karen Pryor's book on operant conditioning (Don't Shoot the Dog). Or google "behavior shaping" for dogs.

Four Dog Training Tools That You Must Use


  • it doesnt matter what method of reward you use its the timing, it has to be perfect for the dog to learn what they are doing is the right way. after the trick is learned you can stop using the clicker.

  • I use my voice for commands done very close because I can give her a treat straight away but if Im doing target practise where she has to go and touch an object I use a clicker to pin point the behaviour at the right time so she knows
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Saturday, February 18, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog Training Question?

My dog gets scared of me when I tell him to "Come". He comes when I say here boy but is still timid sometimes. If I step up to him while he is scared he pees. What can I do to help him not be scared and follow orders?

Dog Training with Hand Signals - Hand Signals Help With Obedience Training Your Dog



Recommended Answer:
Stop scaring him. Something about coming to you has caused him to be fearful. Visit this website to learn more about fearful dogs and how to successfully manage their behavior without scaring them more. The website has a wealth of information, additional links and recommended reading for any dog owner.
Good luck.

Helpful Tips on Dog Training


  • your want him to follow orders? he's going to be scare of you.
    First of all when you call your dog you are never suppose to be mad at them. People would tell their dog to come to them so they can yell at them for peeing in the house or messing with the garbage cans etc. So the dog think that come means something negative and therefore scare him to death and he pees.
    Another reason for the dog's fear could be he was previously abused or mistreated by someone else that made him scare
    To change that...use a different command...you said here boy works well so use that...when he comes to you give him a treat. Start with something tempting like hot dog or steak...real meat so when he comes to you, it's a reward not a punishment. You have to build his trust. When he consistantly coming to you everytime you call me, you can start down grading the treat to dog treats like pupperoni. Eventually you should be able to call him "here boy" n he should come to you just with your praise. Also praise him when he start coming toward you so he knows that it's ok to go to you and that you are glad to see him. Use a happy voice also work well. Never ever yell at him after you ask him to come to you.
    You should never ever punish your dog. Correct him and show him what should be done instead. There are alot of article online. try this one, they got lots of good tips
    http://www.animalbehavior.net/

  • Maybe the way your speaking to him he is scared of who knows, but his peeing is a sign of submission..
    I would get your dog to training classes where you BOTH can learn how to train and for you BOTH to be albe to work together as a team in obedience... Good Luck..

  • u need to use a happy voice and get low and say here boy as well as use treats for a while so he knows hes not in trouble. if he is adopted this could be because of his nelegent or abusive past. if not he may just not like the tone you are using. use a happy tone and a treat and he will come!! good luck!

  • Get to doggie classes, and start praising him when he comes to you. Your dog should be obedient, not a robot that follows orders.

  • Don't sound angry when you are calling him. No matter how annoyed you are getting because he isn't listening don't raise our voice, that will only make him not want to come more.
    Also, never tell you're dog to come and then punish him for something he did. If the puppy did something wrong, go get him and bring him to his mess. This way he won't associate come with "O crap I did something wrong"

    Have you had him since he was a baby, or did someone else own him first? If he was previously someone else's dog who knows what they did to him.

    If it continues you can always consult a professional trainer.

    Good Luck!

  • Do you hit him or yell at him? His urinating when you approach is a sign of submission.

    I worry that if you are too stern with this dog you will see fear aggression problems later.

    both of you should go to obedience classes. You can learn how to best speak to your dog and coax him to do what you want, and he can learn some self assurance.

    Hitting a dog only teaches the dog that you can inflict pain. It doesn't teach them to obey.

  • Have you ever corrected him after he came to you? For example, you saw him chewing the couch, you called him, them yelled at him for chewing the couch. Because if you ever did that it will really have a knock on effect to an instant recall.
    The dog dosn't understand that you correct him for doing something bad, he thinks you correct him for coming to you.

    NEVER call a dog and then correct him.
    Never take for granted your dog coming to you.

    You need to have an instant recall. You can achieve this by putting a long line on your dog and letting it drag (or long thin rope if you don't have a long line for dog purposes). First in the house but also on walks when he's usualy off leash.

    Pick up the end of the line, call him, then give a sharp tug on the line (always call him first).
    Do this numerous times, he will eventually try to beat you to it, and come before he gets tugged. Its very effective.
    You may need to use a prong collar for this if he's a hard dog.
    Every time he comes to you prase him greatly and try to sound very excited like you just won a great prize. Give him a food treat that he loves like pieces of chicken. If he dosn't come the first time, say no and tug again. Make sure you give a tug that the dog can feel. You can make them gentler as he gets it.

    Thats just the basic run over on it.

    Email me if you need more info.
    Good luck!

  • You want your dog's recall (come/here) to be THE MOST WONDERFULL THING in the world for him! Make the word itself easy to hear, come works best, as in Rover, come!
    Cut up some hot dogs into small bits. Put a baggie full in your pocket. Put a 6 foot or longer leash on your dog and let him relax and walk around, Say his name and the command while you hold out a piece of hot dog close enough for him to smell.
    When he gets with in reach give the HD and praise him in a happy voice, GOOD COME! GOOD DOG! Tell him what he's doing right.
    Practice this for 5 or ten minutes at a time. Keep some treats with you, just tiny bits, so, when you are in the same area, you can call the dog and reward him.
    After about a week of a few 5 min. sessions daily you should be able to cut out 1/2 to 2/3 of the treats and just praise.
    Continue to practice even after the dog is reliably coming when you call in a happy manner.
    Also, if the dog doesn't respond, or runs off, never ever give "the command" then scold the dog. If you have to go get him just don't say or do anything, no praise, no scolding, put him on leash, get the hot dogs out and remind him, coming when called is THE BEST THING EVER! (Wag, wag, pant pant!)

  • everytime he does come to you PRAISE him..make it a GOOD thing every single time he comes. If he has been treated poorly in the past or you have called him to you for punishment...that is probably the reason he is afraid. Approaching an already afraid dog can cause them to release urine because this is a submissive behavior and your dog probably sees you walking toward him as intimidating.

    Coming on command is a GOOD thing and he needs to know that. It is also possible that your dog is a very submissive type. Submissive dogs are known to be scared to confidently walk up to people and even the most gentle command can scare them...watch him if this is the case...sometimes they can also be prone to fear biting.

    Another good idea would be to enroll him in an obedience class where both you and he can go to socialize and learn to interact with one another. He will gain confidence with this and will benefit from having a "job."

  • lol omg my dog does the same thing. hes juss intemidated by u be very loving and caring. he can either be that or juss excited.

  • This is a common occurrence! Many dogs do not come on command because the word itself is negative to them! They have been told "come" when their owner is angry at them, or they have been playing with a bug in the yard and their owner called them. Why would they want to?

    You have to start by calling your dog by name, "_______,come"- with your dog next to you and you have a treat in your hand. Hold your hand down palm out and treat in curled up in the fingers, and wiggle the treat in your hand. Every time your dog comes praise and reward! Do not try distance until your dog loves coming to you. You have to sound better than any thing else in the universe. IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR YOUR DOG TO COME, YOU MUST PRAISE THEM! Their concept of come and ours is not the same!

    My dog sometimes still takes her time coming to me when we go out the front door to go to work, she loves to go over and check out the bird feeder and see if the cat has been around. I praise her every time she looks my way and say, "Good come!"

    Just remember to make "come" a wonderful fun reward and your dog will respond!

  • Hi, I just started a website where I offer a FREE 6 Day Dog Training Course that will solve all your Dog's Behavior Problems!

    The jam-packed course was developed by a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and normally sells for $59.97, however I am giving it away for a limited time ABSOLUTELY FREE!

    Head on over right now to http://www.6DayCourse.com to get your FREE 6 Day Dog Training Course...

    Good Luck, I know you will love it!

  • FOLLOW ORDERS?!?!!!!!!!!!

    Maby he is scared cause you hit him when he is bad!???

    if not, IDK, but BE NICE TO HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Pit bull dog training!!!!?

I just got the cutest dog.. and he's a pit bull. His name is Kuma and he is about 5 months. When I first got him, he was rowdy and crazy. I expected that. I now have him able to sit, lay down, go away, stay, and come. To my surprise, he learns everything I teach him in only a matter of hours!
Well, here's the problem. We have two older dogs that are not trained. They'll listen to us, but they don't do things on command. For example, they'll get out of the kitchen when we tell them to... and they'll wait for us to eat before they do and won't bolt through the front door, but they're lazy and do not "sit" when told or anything like that. The only times Kuma doesn't listen to me is when the other dogs are around. I'm afraid he is learning their bad behavior and finds that more interesting than listening to me.
He also refuses to listen after a little while. I do 15 minute trainingwith him daily and he does great... but I also incooperate that throughout the day. I make him sit before I feed him... or stay when I am getting the mail, etc. Sometimes, not always, he'll straight up ignore me! He'll sit there and just stare like he doesn't know what I'm saying.
At first, I thought this was because I suddenly stopped using treats for his training although he still listens sometimes. But even with the treats, he'll ignore me when it's convienient for him... and even smells the treats and acts as if he doesn't like them. He'll just leave them sitting on the floor sometimes!!! Just recently, he started peeing in my roomates bed. CONSTANLY. One pee after a
This has only happened a few times.... and overall, he's a great dog and listens. However, because he is a pit bull, I find it extremely important that he be trained to do as he's told exactly when he's told to do it.
A few proffesional trainers I've asked have just told me he is trying to find his place in the pack... but that that would require pro assistance. Money is an issue, but if that's the answer, I'll have to look into it. Please help! Thank you! Oh.. also, I have had him for about 2 weeks but he is aprox. 5 months old. Thanks!

Dog Training Aids - Get The Right Tools For The Job



Recommended Answer:
This has nothing to do with him finding his place in the pack. If you are going to speak with trainers find a certified one who knows what they are talking about (http://www.adpt.com).

First of all, the peeing on the roommates bed - when you wash the comforter, you need to throw a neutralizer in (Nature's Miracle) so that the scent comes out completely. Is he neutered? If not, have that done next week. He's a pit bull and we fix them for FREE all across this country because we don't want them bred (we're killing too many every week - entire litters of puppies - in the shelters). Close your roommates door so he doesn't have access to that room when you can't watch him.

When you take a well trained dog and put them in a kennel run with dogs who are ill behaved, they don't pick up on the good behavior. The well trained dog picks up on the bad behavior. It's not surprising that he is looking around and seeing the other dogs not having to work for their food and thinking "wait a minute, they don't have to sit, why should I? they get it anyways." You need to spend a few minutes a day training them separately. It's not too late for them to learn! As for his attention span, remember that he is still a puppy. It's like ADHD. They have trouble focusing for long periods of time and get distracted easily. Sitting at the mailbox may be hard if there is a squirrel across the street that catches his attention. Just be consistent. That really is the key especially with the attention lapses. Try not to get frustrated because they pick up on that, which then makes it harder for them. For us, it was easier to train the puppy when she was hungry and a bit of the energy was worn off (a game of fetch first or a quick, brisk half hour walk).

Your pup is very lucky to have you. I'm impressed with what you have accomplished already. I don't like the advice you've been given by the trainers you have spoken with so I don't think classes with them are necessary. You are doing well on your own. Consistency and patience are keys. Training needs to be fun, but it's hard for puppies to focus all the time. Keep at it and eventually you will get that sit at the mailbox every time despite the distractions. A few basic commands for other dogs will help your pup as well. He is going to learn by watching their behavior too.

Here is another link with more training commands if you are interested in continuing with your pups training:
http://www.ddfl.org/beh-commands.htm

There are two Training at Home links. We take our dogs to classes because we get a lot out of them, but they are expensive. My dad has always trained his dogs at home without a problem. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being such a responsible owner! Good dogs don't just happen. They have good owners like you who put the time and training into them. You rock!ETA: You don't need to put as much training into your older dogs as you are putting into him. That might overwhelm you and it sounds like they are well behaved. Just teach them both the "sit" command so that they are working for their dinner as well. This should be sufficient enough. He will see that they are sitting for food and will do the same when they are all together.

ETA: Ugh. You don't EVER train three dogs simultaneously. You ALWAYS train SEPERATELY. They aren't going to focus and listen to you if you have all three of them together. That is ridiculous. Training is done one on one. Just make an extra five to ten minutes a day for the other two. If you are only teaching them a command or two, they should pick it up by next week and be working for their food.

There is no reason to be punishing your dogs because they aren't doing anything wrong. You reward good behavior and ignore the bad behavior. Basic stuff, which you already have down.

Dog Training Fundamentals - 5 Key Dog Behaviour Factors That Affect Training


  • You have to be the PACK leader. Seems you're have problems with all of them. CAll the Dog Whisperer, sounds like a great TV segment.

    Good luck

  • You should try and work on the older dogs first, then work on the pit when the others aren't around.

  • Professional assistance is the only thing that will make you sure he will obey your command and in the end - it will definitely be worth the money. You should really try to find the money. He is likely to find his place just like the other dogs.

  • I'm no expert, but I would say he's ignoring you simply because he can't be bothered to listen. If he's obeying you, say, 90% of the time though, I would consider that normal.

    And of course he's not going to listen when the other dogs are around...he wants to do what they do, and if they're not listening, neither will he. My dog always wants to do what her best friends do, even if it's naughty. Luckily, all five of them listen to me (mostly). I wouldn't ever walk them all by myself, but I'm comfortable with my authority at the house.

    If he's not neutered, I would get him neutered right away. It could remedy the issue of him peeing (or marking) in your roommates bed.

    Realize that you have gotten really far with him in such a short amount of time, but that he's still a baby and it'll take a while. Heck, he's still trying to get used to the routine at your house!

  • you have to show all your dogs that you are the pack leader...train all of them at the same time so if the older dogs listen the pit bull will follow on what they are doing...take control..discipline them(but not to mean or rough)...train all dogs at the same time like every other day or when you want to..hope this works out for you

  • maybe he is bothered by the other dogs........ maybe u should start training him better with the peeing on ur roommates bed. [or u should start to train the other dogs......but other than that....that's i have in mind. just keep trying to make him stop or start maybe to find the lowest training school for ur dog also.
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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training schools?

I think I've decided that I want to become a dog trainer, and I'm trying to find a school around the Nebraska area, but I can't seem to find anything, i would love to travel somewhere else for the few weeks that you have to go through training, but I don't know if that would be possible. If i could, i would be interested in looking somewhere in San Diego, CA or New York City. If anyone has any information, that would be great! I appreciate it!!

The Worth of Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
There are no "dog trainer' schools. People who train do not have to be registered or certified. You just learn how to train by doing it or by spending time with someone who trains.

Basics of Dog Training


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    Tuesday, December 6, 2011

    Dog Health Questions: How much do dog training lessons at PETCO usually cost?

    My dog's (he's a Beagle) about 8 months, and he's pretty much crazy. he cant control himself, always pulls the leash, still goes all over the place, eats just about everything he can find, and goes absolutely WILD whenever we have a guest over.

    I know Beagles are hunting dogs and hound dogs, so their really outgoing and stuff, but this is extreme, and my dog is driving my whole family insane.

    My parents actually want to send him away now.
    I absolutely NEED to find a place to get him lessons

    So, can somebody tell me
    Are PETCO dog training lessons worth it?
    Should i take the class or private lessons?
    How much do they cost?

    Any help would be appreciated! :)

    The Dog Training Things You Should Do and the Ones You Shouldn't



    Recommended Answer:
    If Petco seems a little steep (looked into the myself, an hundred bucks per dog, yeah I couldn't afford it either), talk to your vet and see if your town offers any thing.

    My city has monthly basic obedience training that it sponsor. It was way cheaper. If that's not the case, check with the local humane society or shelters for their suggestions or if they offer classes as well.

    Digging a little and picking up a phone usually supplies results. And once you've taken the classes, be sure to keep reinforcing and practicing, even as your dog gets older. They tend to "forget" some times if you don't keep it up.

    7 Top Dog Training Tips


    • Instead of wonderful petco, i would look into some sort of ttraining through you're community. petco IS amazing, but not so much for training. Beagles are so cute, too! My neighbor has one and its so small cute and hyper! Hes about 3years old now and still hasnt lost that cute puppy look.

    • PetCo might work but the most successful trainers are the ones who have degrees from the Tom Rose School of Dog Training, but the price can be hefty from these trainers but its worth it cause your dog will be perfect afterwards

    • Watch Cesar Milan and use his techniques. HE knows what he is talking about.

    • if your family doesn't even follow what books and videos say, then the best trainer in the world won't help you. These aren't places or people that reprogram your dog like a computer. They teach you what you can do at home to change your dogs behavior. If the lessons aren't followed through with, then the dog won't learn anything. I'm sorry to say, but with the exception of yourself, you family doesn't sound mature or responsible enough to have a dog.

    • http://pc-safe.info/html/Home_Family/Dog…
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