Dog Health Questions: Question @ putting a dog down..........?

We have a 2-year old, fixed, male full-bred pit bull. We got from a friend when he was 6 months old. The former owner and the dog have an avid hatred for each other, so I am unsure of his history.

He has shown aggressive tendnencies in the past, but seems to be getting much worse. He has not bitten anyone, but he has jumped into the face of 2 men and head-butted them.

He is starting unprovoked fights with our other dogs. (the pit bull is a house dog, the other dogs are hunting dogs in kennels in the back yard) He is getting hurt from these fights through the fence, and so are the other dogs - if they choose to fight back.

A month or so ago he growled at our 10-year old son because he grabbed his collar to lead him outside. Nearly everyone we know is afraid of him. He is muzzled in public as he does not like most children and there are 2 I know he would hurt if he got the chance. He got out of our front door and chased one a few weeks ago and luckily I realized he was out and called the dog before he did damage. Although he has not bitten anyone, yet, I am getting more afraid to take a chance with the dog.

I have tried Cesar's methods; gotten him a puppy to play with and drain his energy (she is a mixed breed, calm, likes people/children, etc.). They get along fine and I give the pitbull extra attention to make up for what I spend on the puppy. But he seems to be getting worse and last night jumped into the face of my brother-in-law whom he has known for the last 1 1/2 years.

I've bought, read and tried lots of dog-training books. He is well-trained otherwise (on leash - walks great, does not mark his territory, etc.) but is afraid of car rides for some reason.

We are at our wits end and are concerned for the safety of our child, his friends, our friends and neighbors and neighbor's children. Has anyone been in this difficult situation and how did you handle it? Thank you in advance for taking the time to respond.

Are Electronic Shock Collars Great Dog Training Devices?

Recommended Answer:
What HORRIFIES me is that people are actually here telling you to watch a goddamned *movie* or call some guy from TV to help you "fix" your dog!!

Unbefreakinlievable!!

You need to contact an honest to god, serious behaviorist/trainer to evaluate this dog. Ask you vet for references. You have every right to be concerned about the safety of your child, and the people in your neighborhood. This dog sounds mentally unstable, and is certainly a liability. Unpredictable, unstable dogs do not need to exist.

ADD: h.dwire, you need to get *your* facts straight...bull terriers (APBTs included) were never "bred to be nanny dogs" - they were working farm dogs, used to kill vermin and control livestock...this eventually led to bull baiting and dog fighting. What the dog has *always* been bred for is to be easily handled by people despite its strength.

The fact that they were good with children (which, I think, is actually attributed SPECIFICALLY to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, not the APBT) was a by-product of stable breeding for other functions.

Dog Training Basics - Some Tips to Help You Start Training Your Dogs

• you may think its diffucult now, how will you feel after he bites one of your children in the face? or worse!.I think its time to do the right, humane thing. good luck . you could face charges if he does attack someone. by the way . These dogs were bred and first used in battle and for guarding, but they also served utilitarian purposes, such as farm work. Specifically, these dogs accompanied farmers into the fields to assist with bringing bulls in for breeding, castration, not nannys, though they were used to protect children as well as the entire family.


• Put him down before he bites your child or another.
  
  Ceasar's method is a load of crap, I wouldn't listen to that man if my life depended on it.
  
  Fact is, human aggression.. especially child aggression should not be tolerated. The dog needs to be put down for his own good and for your child and others that visit.
  
  Trust me, i've had to do it myself with my APBT and it hurts bad. But it's a decision that needs to be made before something tragic happens.
  
  Add***
  Tucker... that dog can never go to a house where they will not be children around. Kids are everywhere and they are too young to understand not to go up to a dog. That is not a risk anyone should take, there are no childless homes or areas.


• This dog is a HUGE liability.
  
  If you want to keep him you need to hire an actual behaviorist to evaluate him and make recommendations. This can't be done from reading Cesar Milans books.
  
  This dog is not rehome-able because of his aggression. If you find that you can't work with him, the best thing may be to put him down. You need to think of your children. And really what is the dog's quality of life being secluded and muzzled all the time?
  
  ADD: Thanks for the thumb down Carol! But this is a serious situation. If the owner can not control the dog and it's aggression, it needs to be put down. Her children come first. And this dog would be put down if brought to a shelter. An aggressive pit is not going to find a new home.


• If this dog attacks someone, you're liable, how would you feel if this dog actually killed another dog or a child? If you can't work with him, your only option is euthanasia, he's your responsiblilty.


• Do yourself and the rest of the world a favor and either HIRE a professional behaviorist with experience in aggression to help you sort out this dog or euthanize him. Reading books and watching tv is "ok" for the average dog with few or no behavioral problems, but it is NOT adequate for a dog with serious behavioral problems as your dog seems to have.
  
  There is a good possibility that a professional behaviorist who uses positive methods (aggressive/aversive training methods such as many that Cesar Milan uses have been proven in several independent studies to actually INCREASE aggression issues in aggressive dogs) can help you make this dog safer. But it will require dedication and commitment and a LOT of work on your part and you will never be able to "let your guard down" around him (in other words, you are going to have to constantly monitor both the dog and the environment for signs of aggression triggers and stay on top of managing his environment). If you can not or are not willing to do this, then it would be best for all if you had the dog euthanized. Even with professional training, there is still a possibility that the behaviorist may tell you that the best option for this dog is euthanasia.


• unless you are willing to put out the $$$ for a very good certifierd behaver expert (NOT just a pet trainer like Ceser) you need to put him down
  the behavor expert may even have same suggestion - its rare but some dogs are not sane


• Unfortunately if the dog is already doing this and not getting better but is getting worse, then I would have to say that it would be best to put him down. I worked as a vet surgery tech and have seen many cases and when a dog starts showing a bad temperament he will never change for the good. For the safety of you children and others I would put him down. You don't want a lawsuit or even worse, him to kill. It may seem cruel but unfortunately this is the only way especially since you have already tried other things. I am sorry that I have to be the bearer of bad news but it is really for the best. It really isn't even because he is a pit either. I have a friend that has 2 pits and they are wonderful, actually I have even seen this temperament in golden retrievers who are known to be "man's best friend".


• I would say for the safety of my children, I would put him down. This dog was raised with fear and abuse instead of possitive rewards. I dont think you will ever be able to break the dog now. He is acting this way cause as a pup he was abused. You cant blame the dog but blame his first owner. This dog would be better off in doggie heaven.


• First take the dog to the vet for a thorough check up to rule out any underlying medical reason for his aggressive behaviour.
  
  If the dog is healthy, then he may be a genetically unstable poorly bred human-aggressive dog. While it may be possible to control his behaviour & environment you will not be able to change his temperament.
  
  Before deciding whether or not to humanely euthanize the dog, you may want to find a professional dog trainer to assess him & advise you on the best course of action.
  
  Growling at a child is unacceptable behaviour and does need to be addressed.


• You said you've tried "Cesar's methods" but have you tried an actual trainer? One that specializes in aggressive dogs? Personally I'm not a fan of Cesar or his methods and if improperly used (as with all training methods) they can make things much worse. Please get this dog evaluated by a professional before you make the decision to end his life.


• Dangerous dogs require killing.....no matter what breed or lack thereof.
  It is *not* "well-trained" at all.
  Why do people continue to waste oxygen on dangerous animals when there are millions of SANE good dogs out there?


• CAROL: Get your head out your ***. The dog has problems and telling someone with serious problems to go to a guy's website who is a **TV ENTERTAINER** is load of crap. You have to be realistic sometimes, there are some dogs in the world that are just genetically unstable. How can she be doing wrong if she has the balls to come on here and atleast ADMIT there's a problem with the dog ? Sometime's we have to admit there are some dogs that are mentally unstable..STOP **BLAMING** A KID FOR BAD GENETICS!!!!!
  
  As far as im concerned, unless you want to spend thousands of dollars **TRYING** to fix the problem, it's best you put him down. The dog has already shown aggressive tendancies in the past. Keeping him around is only giving him a matter of time before he attacks some person or worse your son. Why take the risks of someone being bitten because you were negligent of keeping him and knowing his aggression could get worse?
  
  I've seen people end up in court rooms with dogs that had aggression issues and continued to harbor the dogs with either love or pretending it wasn't an issue. It doesn't turn out well for the owners of the dog..
  
  EDIT: Aw, You said it yourself. The **PARENTS** of this dog was not HUMAN FRIENDLY!!! The end result.. HUMAN AGGRESSIVE TEMPERMENT DUE TO **BAD** BREEDING PRACTICES!!
  
  Put down the dog. He is mentally stable.. This is exactly what im talking about when I say morons have ruined the breed by **CREATING** ill-bred and unstable freaks that should've put down!!!!


• Carol, you have some serious delusions going on. Living with dogs is not always sunshine and rainbows and you can't always simply train something out of a dog. How dare YOU blame a child you don't even know for the behavior of this dog. If it was the kid's problem, he'd only have a problem with kids - possibly even only THAT kid. He seems to have a problem with just about every human around AND is unpredictable. You go ahead and keep a human aggressive, unpredictable dog alive - let us know how many stitches you end up with.
  
  You ESPECIALLY cannot train something out of a dog using a TV entertainer's methods. Cesar Milan may have some good theories, but most are crap and the ones that ARE good have been touted by trainers long before him. He is NOT AT ALL the be all end all of dog training. A dog that is genetically predisposed (see, we can say that because she admits the parents were that way as well) to human aggression should NOT be allowed to live. It's not fair ot the humans who have to worry about his behavior all the time and, quite frankly, that dog likely is quite miserable and stressed in his life. It would be kinder to humanely euthanize him than to keep him around just because that's a hard decision.
  
  I have nothing against pitties (I love them) and asker, I'm so sorry that you have to make this decision - I know you've already made it and I absolutely support it. You're doing the best thing for your family, friends, neighbors and that dog. The poor guy will be much better off when he's at peace. And when the pain subsides, go find a dog at a shelter who needs love. There are too many wonderful dogs out there for people to have to deal with ones that can't be fixed.


• watch marley and me


• You would be committing an egregious wrong if you put down a dog just because YOU don't know how to correct the dog's behavior.
  
  I also strongly suspect your 10-year-old son has something to do with this. I would put forth the opinion that when you are not around, or are not looking - the kid torments the dog.
  
  Your sentence "he growled at our 10-year-old son because he grabbed his collar to lead him outside" told me a great deal.
  
  I urge you, from the bottom of my heart, to go to the Dog Whisperer website and see if you can't actually contact someone in Cesar's organization about this. It is possible they will be willing to help you adopt out this poor creature. As I'm sure you know, Cesar has a soft spot for powerful dogs like Rotties and Pit Bulls.
  
  http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/
  
  ************************
  I am HORRIFIED at the people on this site actually telling you to kill that dog.
  
  Don't you DARE murder a dog just because YOU failed.


• I would give him to someone that doesn't have a child. I love dogs...but they are dogs. Kids are our number 1.
  
  ADD***
  I think that I agree with Mrs N....why take the risk at all?


• Have you enlisted the help of a professional trainer? Or dog boot camp? The dog sounds like he's not too far from biting someone. In which case they more then likely will put him to sleep and you could face a lawsuit or hefty fines. If the dog means a lot to you and your family i've heard some great stories come out of dog boot camps. But i'm sure those are on the pricey side. If you are honestly concerned for the safety of your child i would really consider euthanasia. It's a rotten choice but if the dog will bite a family member, it would bite anyone. Unfortunately i don't think it would be morally right to even try to rehome this dog.
  
  Add: Originally Pitts were bred to fight other dogs in the pit. If one EVER showed human agression the dog would be shot. These dogs are strong and powerful animals. Human agression should not be tolerated. Especially when it's against it's own humans.


• Ok first of all, you do not need to put the dog down. The dog has issues with males. But you can fix that. If the dog is trained otherwise, use that training. As soon as the aggression starts, punish him. Give him a time out in a designated area. Wait for him to calm down, and then let him out. If the aggression starts again, he gets another time out. Every time he is gentle, praise him. This will take a lot of time and patience to get him over this aggression, but it is possible. As for your son, and really any one else that takes the dog out, don't grab at an aggressive dog especially from behind. If the dog cant see you, he doesn't know what you are doing and will be startled. When the dog already has aggressive tendencies you are just asking him to bite you. Another thing to do if you are outside your home and don't have a time out area is to turn your dog away from the person he is being aggressive towards. Get right in the middle of your dog and the person, correct him, and turn him away. Keep him on a leash at all times while outside. Just lead him with the leash away from the problem. Eventually he will learn that the behavior is unacceptable. And always remember not to praise him during the aggressive behavior. Correct him with whatever word you have chosen to use ( no, stop, cut, leave it......) and either walk away with him or take him to the time out area. Do not use any other words than the corrective word. A lot of people will say "its ok, your ok....." to their dog, that is actually reinforcement for them to continue their behavior. Patting or touching the dog in anyway is also reinforcing the negative behavior. Correct him right at the moment he does something wrong.
  
  And a great way to get him over the fear of car rides, is to just let him get in and out of the car without going anywhere. This worked great for my dog, who was terrified of car rides when we rescued him. He had traveled from the south after being abandoned by his owner, to come to the SPCA here in the northeast, and refused to get in my car. I just sat in the driveway and let him get used to the outside of the car, and then opened the door, sat in the car with him, opened the other door and let him get out. It took a few times before I could start the car and drive around for a few minutes and then come back. Eventually he got the idea that car rides didn't have to be bad. He wasn't going to be abandoned and it didn't always end with a trip to the scary vet. Now he loves the car, and tries to jump in it every time I open the door..even if we aren't going anywhere!
  
  Good luck with your training, and if you need more ideas let me know.
  
  add: Actually to the person that posted that pits were breed to fight, get your "facts" straight. They were originally breed to be nannies for children. People later on then started with the dog fights because of their size and strength. These dogs are actually very nurturing and gentle dogs.

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Dog Health Questions: Need help training my dogs?

I've got one of those Chihuahuas that looks like a pomeranian (five years old), and I just got a Cockerspaniel/Chihuahua/Poodle mix thing (five months old). The five year old dog sometimes bites outsiders (mainly kids), the little one still needs to learn to go outside to the bathroom and he chews up wires or whatever he finds. They both bark a lot and we've gotten a complaint about that. There's other things, but these are the main problems. What is a really good dog training program I can use? I found one at www.thedogtrainingsecret.com it seems good, but it seems a little too good too trust. Is this a good program, or is there a better, yet affordable one?

Electronic Dog Training Collar

Recommended Answer:
I wouldn't bother with any gimmicky sites like that.

For the biting, first of all, you need to manage the situations better. Perhaps a little dog like him can't inflict much damage, but still, you need to be doing everything in your power to prevent bites. By now, I assume you have some idea of what triggers him to bite, right? A kid reaching for him, for example. So, prevent those situations. If you're having company and you think it'll be too stressful for him, then put him in another room with a bone to chew on. If there's a kid visiting you, then keep them separated. Make it very clear to all guests what things set the dog off. The dog is your responsibility, so you have to step up and take control; it must suck to be so stressed that he feels that he needs to snap, and I'm sure you don't want him to have to feel so anxious/fearful. Also, on the subject of telling all guests to behave certain ways, you should also instruct them to use calming signals around the dog:
http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.ph…

Secondly, you can work to desensitize him to the triggers. With consistent counter-conditioning, you might even be able to teach him to enjoy them. Basically, pair the scary things with good consequences, like super-delicious treats (liver, steak, chicken, hot dog, cheese, etc.). Take very small, manageable baby steps so that success is ensured, and do not increase the difficulty until the current step is mastered. Learn more about desensitizing and counter-conditioning:
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/2327
(Yeah, you have to sign up to read the article. It's free and quick to do; you don't have to pay or anything.)

For the puppy who still has accidents, that can only be your fault. I know that might sound harsh, but it's really up to the owner to housebreak the puppy. It's a pain, but it requires ruthless consistency and effort. Follow this procedure perfectly, and you'll be successful:
http://dogstardaily.com/training/errorle…

For the puppy's chewing problem, again, first of all: management. Get wire covers; you can buy them at a commercial pet store or a home improvement store. (I prefer the ones from pet stores 'cause they tend to be easier to work with, 'cause they're not wicked rigid sheathes like the ones I've gotten from a home improvement store.) If he chews on anything else, like shoes or pencils or remotes, then put them away! Keep them out of his reach. If he chews on furniture, don't leave him out unsupervised, and try spraying stuff like wood with a product like Bitter Yuck spray.

Then, you should also teach him the "leave it" command:
http://www.mastiffonlinecommunity.net/vi…

Make sure he has plenty of good things on which to chew, too. He should have a variety of toys: bones, squeaky toys, rubber toys, stuffed toys, rope toys, whatever. If he does but gets bored of them, then rotate them so that they don't get boring. For instance, if he only gets a certain toy one or two days of the week, he's much more likely to pay attention to them then, right? You should also make it clear to him that he's doing the right thing whenever he's chewing on his toys. Pet him! Praise him! Give him a treat! Play with him! Don't focus on the bad stuff and forget about the good stuff. Reward him for doing things right.

As for the barking, why are they barking? If they're honestly just plain yappy, try teaching them to be quiet on command:
http://www.dogskool.com/web/news/summer2…
http://www.findoutaboutdogs.com/Stop_Dog…

If they're doing something productive, then chances are they won't be barking. Keep them busy and focused on stuff other than barking. If they're busy chewing on Nylabones or eating from stuffed Kongs, they're going to be too busy to bark.

Make sure you're exercising both of them thoroughly. A tired dog is a good dog. If they're properly tired out, they'll be much less likely to be barking just to hear themselves bark.

Good luck.

Dog Training - How to Potty Train Your Dog & End Your Frustration - It is Easier Than You Think

• Well your first issue is that these dogs are extremely difficult to train. Most chihuahuas are never trained to properly defecate outside. Potty pads might be an idea. As far as biting children and strangers and even the barking.. that has a lot to do with socialization. Perhaps you could bring them to a dog park.. let them get some exercise and socialize with other people and dogs. Also contact your local vet for good training.


• The Toy Poodle is a very intelligent dog that is usually fairly easy to train. The most important thing you can do is to understand this dog's personality. They love people, and are generally very perky and happy. But they can become timid and even nervous if you do not properly socialize them. It is also very important that you establish yourself very early in the relationship as the "pack leader."
  1.
  1
  
  Begin by establishing yourself, and the rest of your family members, as the "pack leaders." Every dog, even the little ones, will make an effort to take over the household once they come in. This is very simple: You make the decisions. You decide when he eats, where he sleeps, even when he gets love and affection. Yes, he is adorable. But do not let that cuteness manipulate you. When he jumps all over you demanding attention, teach him to become calm before he gets it. Crate-train him, which will also help with housebreaking, if needed. Always be sure you are the first one who goes out the door when you go for walks. Dogs will follow the leader.
  2.
  2
  
  Start socializing your dog. The socialization process simply means that you take her into different environments, and get her used to meeting people and other dogs on a regular basis. She may be shy at first, but with your words of encouragement and praise, the timid attitude is usually something that dissipates rather quickly. You must get your dog comfortable with you, and with various surroundings, before you can begin to train her.
  3.
  3
  
  Find a slip chain collar that fits your dog, and begin using this in the training process. It should be snug enough so that it will not snag on things and get pulled off, but loose enough so you can fit about two fingers between the collar and your dog's neck. Understand that these collars do not hurt your dog, they just give you the control you need so you can contain him and make sure he does not get away from you and get into a dangerous situation.
  4.
  4
  
  Begin by teaching your poodle to walk nicely on a leash. Let her walk ahead of you a bit on the long lead. As she begins to pull, pop the leash firmly (using the slip chain collar) to get her attention, and say the word "easy" loudly and firmly, then change your direction. The idea is to get her to stop, look at you and then change direction with you. Be sure and praise her when she does this. This command also works to teach her to walk slowly alongside you without pulling. Just use the same technique, but without changing your direction.
  5.
  5
  
  Use treats to teach him the basic commands. Sliced hot dogs are inexpensive, and all dogs like them. Slice them into very small pieces to train your poodle, and put them in a pack that is around your waist for easy access. Have him sit for you, and reward him when he is sitting calmly, close to you and looking up into your eyes. This is called "focused attention." Keep repeating the "sit" command until he does this correctly without you having to push his back end down.
  6.
  6
  
  Teach her the "down" command when she is in the sitting position. Step to the side to give her room, then take your hand (with a piece of hot dog) and basically guide her down to the ground with a sweeping motion while you say "Down." She should follow the hot dog with her nose as you stretch your hand down to the ground and out in front of her. Push down between her shoulder blades to help her down. Then reward her by dropping the treat between her two front legs. This will take a lot of repetition, but she will get it if you are consistent. This command comes with an "automatic stay," so she should stay in the down position until you release her with the command "OK!" Keep repeating the word "down" while she is in the position, so she will know you want her to stay until released. When you say "OK!" it should be in a very upbeat, happy voice.you can go to the source for more information on Poodle Care,Poodle Grooming,Poodle Training and Poodle Picture


• If a dog bites into an electrical cord they may just receive a minor jolt. However, it could also result in burns, electrocution, cardiac and respiratory arrest, and even death. Additionally, dogs do not want to be bad and it is their nature to attempt to please their owners. Regrettably, dogs do not always understand what actually pleases their owners, and they try to get your attention any way they can. This is usually a good thing, however, some attention is negative. All day, all your dog wants to do is please you. If you give him something to do, he will be much happier and less likely to chew on things you don't want to be chewed upon. In regards to cats and kittens, every cat has their own personality. Every cat has their own quirks and attributes that makes them distinctive. Some cats have an inclination to chew wires and thin cords-particularly cords that run to modern electronic equipment. So please be careful of what your pups are chewing on!

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training?

his 3 month and i don't want too much from him only like simple tricks like playing fetch he goes for the ball he bites it but he doesn't bring it back?

Buying An Electronic Dog Training Collar Doesn't Have To Be Shocking

Recommended Answer:
Roll the ball just a few inches away from you. When he bites it, say "release" while you take the ball. Say "Good BOYYYY!!!"

Treat immediately with a very special training treat reserved for this.

Repeat.

Gradually increase distance.

Speed of reward and consistency are key.

Don't train for more than a couple of minutes, just a few times a day. You don't want him to get bored.

Dog Training: It's Not Just For Adults Anymore

• practice with him..
  like throw it and then take him with you.. and then give him a treat it's step by step.


• Sorry, but before you do that, you should teach him the basics. Lik sit stay and come. 10 minutes a day is all you need, but you need to be consistent. Once you have him sitting and coming, then you can play with him. He will naturally chase and return. As he gets older, he will return better, but start with the basics. And make it fun for him. Praise him like crazy when he does what you ask.


• well you have to encourage him to bring it back like wave something about in your hand and when he comes back take it straight out of his mouth and give him lots and lots of praise and them give him it back the reason for this is that he knows if he gives it to you he will get it back and you will not steal it from him so he will willingly give it to you. You can give him the occasional treat as well, but not all of the time because that will only teach him to listen to you if you have treats and not to if you don't. Good luck with that.


• Tie a thirty foot clothesline, a long rope that's not big around, to his collar, take him out in the yard where there's nothing to get caught on, and teach him to always come when you call. Call him, then gently pull him to you if he doesn't come on his own. Then praise him. Then he'll come when he has a ball too.


• Definatly take him to puppy preschool, it's good for him to socialize with other dogs, but be sure to practice with him at home or it is a waste of money.


• 1. Remember that *you* are the boss; you are his pack leader. You don't say what breed of dog you have, but this is esp important if you have a large breed dog. He is "oh so cute" now at 3 months, but he may grow up to be huge.
  If you are the alpha/pack leader (dogs are pack animals), you eat first; you go thru the door first; you sleep in the bed & he sleeps on the floor.
  
  2. Puppy kindergarten! There is a dog-training course near you for puppies; it's well worth the $.
  
  3. Be patient. At 3 months, he has the attention span of a gnat. Do your training as you are doing it, but for very short intervals. Offer treats (small pieces of hotdog are always winners) after a success.
  
  4. Probably the most important command you can teach him is "Come!" Think of where you might be ... near a busy road? & he runs off? "Come!" is *very* important. Get yourself a long long rope or lead (they make 50-footers) & pull him toward you as you tell him to "come!" This should be a command you only say once. (not "oh, come on, puppy, come here, come here to me,....come on, let's go....")
  
  5. Praise, praise, praise him. Catch him doing something right & let him know he is a goooooooooood boyyyyyyyy! He'll pick it up.


• Keep on trying, use positive re-inforcement (every time he does something good, tell him GOOD BOY and give him a treat immediately). Most of it has to do with timing; if you see him sitting, tell him "sit" then "good boy". Eventually he will catch on. Also, the best thing you can do is enroll him in obedience courses. Some trainers start off by giving puppy kindergarten classes which are a great start, you can probably start training with the trainer at 5 months. Start with the basics before you go on to playing fetch. Teach him to "come" first, so that that way once he chases the call you can tell him to "come" and eventually he will learn how to fetch.


• As for the playing fetch, the best way is to always have an extra toy ready to throw, in your hand. When he goes to get the first one, and begins to come back to you, show him the second toy. Then throw it. He will drop the first one, to get the second. This usually works.
  When your puppy is so small, he will be "turned on" by treats. You can teach simple tricks, such as sitting, backing up, lying down , purely with the use of treats. Prepare treats that will be SMALL so as not to get him too fat. The best treats are usually hot dogs which have been "nuked" in the microwave till they are crispy. Cut them in small pieces first, then "nuke" them.
  Place a bowl of these treats on the table where you can easily reach them. Call your puppy to you. Offer him a treat. Do NOT allow him to jump on you for the treat, bump him back with your knee if he does, then give him the treat in the open palm of your hand. Do this one or two times, until he realizes you have treats in your opened up hand. Close your hand, then allow him to nuzzle at your hand, as soon as he backs off, even for a second, open your hand and give him the treat. This is teaching him that YOU control when he gets the treat.
  For teaching the sit, now he knows you have treats. You close them up into your fist (the treats) and you "lure " him into the sit, by holding your closed hand just over his nose, and putting it up over the top of his head, he will be forced to look up, which will make him sit down, especially if you move your hand over the top of his head towards his back. In no time at all, he will "sit" to get his treat. then you can pair this up with words/commands.
  It is the same for the"down", you will lure him with a treat. After he is sitting, put your closed fist, with treat inside, in front of his nose, drop your hand SLOWLY straight down between his front legs, and draw your hand out (think of the letter "L") ..he will lower his nose, and as he "follows" your hand out he will gradually lie down.
  
  These things do work best with YOUNG puppies.

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Dog Health Questions: Can a maltese sense my anger if its a service dog im supposed to get one but i don't know if i can?

can you tell me if i can get a maltese service dog training to help with anger?

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Recommended Answer:
It seems that you are confusing a "service dog" with an "emotional support dog". A "service dog" is for those who have a disability, and while anger can be a serious issue, it is not a disability requiring mitigation by a service dog. What you may be looking for is an "emotional support dog", one who would live with you (even in "no pet" housing) but you would not have public access with it.

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• Any dog can sense your anger....even if it is not a service dog..and I think they use other dogs...not maltese's.


• I've never heard of a maltese being used for a service animal except for mental disorders and for calming reasons but hey dogs can do a lot for people so perhaps.


• All service dogs are suppose remain calm under pressure (physical or emotional). There are also therapy dogs (which is different than a service dog) that might meet that need better. I have never heard of getting a service dog that helps with anger issues. I guess I'd need to know a bit more about your situation to give a better answer.


• I don't think maltese are service dogs, and service dogs are certainly trained before you get them.
  
  Dogs can sense your moods and if you are not stable and reasonably calm, you will have a very distressed, anxious dog. Please sort out your own issues before getting any dog.

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Dog Health Questions: Do dog trainers get bit or attacked often?

I love dogs of all sizes and have a boxer myself. I read alot about dogs and know quite a bit about different breeds. A friend suggested I go into Dog training. Most dogs don't bother me at all but I must admit I have come accross some that have been a bit intimidating and was actually bit in the buttocks by a dog when I was a teenager. I was wondering if trainers actually do get bit often?

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Recommended Answer:
I would imagine that inexperienced trainers may, yes, often be attacked. Experienced or very well-taught trainers? Not really.

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• We try not to and most don't. If you have a lot of experience with dogs you get so you can "read" them. Also you learn how to approach a strange dog without intimidating them. As a trainer, I never had a dog go for me. As a groomer, that is a different story. We have to do things to dogs that they find unpleasant or possibly painful (e.g., accidentally clipping a nail too short) and some defend themselves with their teeth. That isn't the case for a trainer.


• *stares at big fat bandage from chihuahua*
  
  Trust me, it's a wonderful job, but you will get hurt. It's rare that it will be serious. It also depends on what type of training you do. Puppy preschool? Just pinpricks. But if you specialize in aggressive dogs, you have to be prepared.


• it depends on wat kind of dog. with bigger and more aggressive dogs we have hand and arm protection


• not really good trainers know how 2 defuse the situation and how 2 con front a dog its all about the dogs body lang is the tail wagging and btw legs head down the 1 thing i have come 2 learn is never stare a dog down that intimation as Well as never-let a dog get above ur higher than u and they now have cd cause that then makes control a lot-of trailer's use clicker as a distraction will admit i was bitten on the hand by 1 of our Shep's over 15 yrs ago but it was my fault we took her camping with us and she loved the water so we took her down 2 the water 2 cool off and i was splashing-water at her and she would bite at it well i got 2 close with my hand and i got bit the bite went all the way threw my palm Shep's have a powerful bite 1500pdspersqinch where as a rotty and dobbie are not as powerful with there bites but it was my fault i just went and put a bandage on it thabk good ness good Ness no aeks 2 heal up but i look at it it was my fault cause er2 we did not or having 2 go 2 the er or doc cause under law dog bites have 2 be reported it took a loved water and i knew that but i chalked it-up asa of well but if that's what u want 2 do just remember never stare a dog down that's threating 2 them in fact with the 1 mastiff i have here now all i have 2 do is point 4 him 2 go some where else another tip dogs only can relate 2 1 word like sit or come/ stay but if u put sit down that 2 words good luck i hope u find ur calling and remember if not the breed a lot of times its the-owners lack of attention there are-no bad dogs just bad owner's so please let me know which direction u choose 2 go and good luck i hope my answer helped out a bit lynnet :) :)

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Dog Health Questions: What type of dog business should I have?-read-?

I need some money, so I decided to start my own business but I need help. First idea was to make dog clothes and accessories. I would like to do that but it seems kind of hard to make dog clothes so does anyone have any other ideas? I will not do a dog walking service. Maybe dog training but i don't think so. I am more of a crafty person. Any ideas?

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Recommended Answer:
I have a friend who makes dog clothes

she doesnt make much income off it. There's lots of people who make dog clothes out there, but in this economy people are looking for something cheap and functional.. accessories and dresses just dont cut it.

If you have a wider range of products to offer.. clothes, collars and leashes, treats, toys, etc.. you may do abit better.

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• if you want it to be around animals the making clothes is really good. depending on how old you are you can get into a grommers or get a co-op for a groomers. but a co-op isnt going to give you money. you dont want dog walking so you could try dog sitting... offer to go to peoples houses or the dogs can come to you , only in your neighboor hood. you can whatch the dogs and/or other animals for 12 hours a day or only to go walk them for a half hour or even play with them 4 hours of your day something like that. you said you are crafty why dont you make animal toys!! just make ideas at first like a stuffed mouse, you would be able to stuff stuffing in it. hope this helps the slightist bit.


• CLOTHES? Pathetic. Do something USEFUL. Don't market to the MORONS who think their pwetty wittle doggies are so "naked" and "cold".


• what about dog collars/leashes?
  and if you live ina cold area then dog cloths might not be a bad idea

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training classes?

I am going to take all your advices and enroll my dog in doggy obedience classes. do any of you live in Miami that may be able to refer me to a trainer? Do you think the group classes will work for her? I know the one-on-ones would be more effective but they are kind of pricey, The group classes are more in my price range. Any suggestions?

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Recommended Answer:
Well i dont live in Miama but i hope this link will give u sufficient knowledge regarding dog training

http://www.reviewlocator.com/reviews/sec…

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• im srry i do not live in miami but i do know that there are doggie training classes at petco


• Have you looked at a PetSmart or anything like that? They are relatively inexpensive compared to private trainers. Just talk to the trainer before putting your money down to be sure that you click with them and are comfortable with the knowledge they have.


• Here is a link to choosing a good dog trainer from the Humane Society.
  http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/dog_ca…
  
  Also, you may want to continue working with your pup on your own after classes.
  Sue Ailsby has an awesome free online training program that teaches you and your dog all the things he needs to be a good community member.
  http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/Le…
  
  I worked Jessie up to level 5 and she has many great behaviors! Can take her anywhere. Even if you just aim for level 3, you'll have a nice companion with basic skills at home.


• Secrets To Dog Training
  
  http://ponyurl.com/ktx6g7

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Dog Health Questions: Help needed with dog training - American Eskimo?

Here's my problem -

Snowball is 10 months old. She's an angel to us. We have 4 kids 12, 10, 5, and 6 months. She has never harmed them. Aside from chewing up everything - (ANOTHER trait I'd like to fix) she is perfect. BUT.. she will BARK VICIOUSLY, BARE TEETH, SNARL, GROWL and even NIP at the ankles of people who come onto our property. When we try to calm her, she just runs away. If she isn't on a leash, she will make a big circle around us and dive in for their ankles again. It's really scary to see. She recently bit one boy who came into our yard after his dog.

Is this typical behavior for Eskies? How can I break her of it? If we can't break her of attacking other people, I will have to surrender her or have her put down. I can't have her attacking people who walk into our yard.

Any help will be appreciated.

Do a Good Job of Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
"when we try to calm her" - I can't tell for certain what you are doing here, but if it's along the lines of "that's okay, take it easy", etc. YOU are doing the wrong thing. "If she isn't on a leash". This is very simple. She shouldn't be OFF leash if she's going to do this.

It's impossible to diagnose this without seeing the dog. Can't tell if the problem is people aggression, fear aggression or territorial aggression. All of these are different issues and all are handled in different ways.

The dog needs to be trained that this is unacceptable. Punishing the dog is not training. You and your dog need to go to someone who has resolved these types of issues.

Talk to your vet. Find an obedience club. Either one should be able to give you a reference to someone who can help you with the problem.

In the meantime, this dog should NEVER be allowed into an area where strangers are going to be accessible to her. Always on leash. NO ONE goes into the backyard while this dog is out, other than the family.

组合链接

• One word, TRAINING!!
  
  She's already established dominance, at a tender age of 10 months. This needs to be handles asap. I'm not sure just how far her aggression will go, but before you surrender her, please invest in training.
  
  I completely appreciate your need for safety and applaud you for inquiring BEFORE the dog gets out of control. Definitely try training first.
  
  G'luck


• i had the same breed good to my 3kids but with other kids he didn't like them at all one girl came to close and the dog bit the kid so we got rid of the dog. last thing i want is to get charged. hope u have better luck


• American Eskimo's are beautiful little dogs, but they weren't bred to be fuzzy little sweethearts. While you definitely need a trainer, sooner rather than later, a few tips now would be: this girl should NEVER be off leash at this point. There are 2 reasons for this. First, at 10 months, she already bit someone. Second, you need to start getting her under control. You cannot control her while she is off leash at this point. If she is on leash and starts exhibiting this behavior, tell her "no" and give her a correction with the leash. You don't want to yank her off her feet, just give it a little pop. If she persists, repeat the correction. If she still continues with the bad behavior, take her into the house, preferably into a crate for 15-20 minutes (a crate is also the way to stop the chewing at this age. She needs to chew to help her adult teeth form stong attachments to her jaws, but she also needs to learn what she can and can't chew). One thing you don't want to do is try to calm her. To her, that's just you saying "Good girl! Keep it up!", because a calming tone sounds like praise. Snowball really needs a trainer, so find a good one. This advice is just meant to help you keep the problem from getting worse until you do. She needs basic obedience in addition to work on reducing the territorial aggression. Unfortunately, since you unwittingly reinforced it, it will take some work to correct, but you sound like a dedicated owner, and I'm sure you can turn this behavior around!


• No personal experience with the breed- but you need to take her for training. Sounds as if you have a full plate, but some obedience classes will allow the 12 year old to participate as long as there is a parent present. You need to get the aggression under control ASAP. Until you have better control of the dog, she should be leashed or crated, especially when other children are present.


• I have an Eskie she is 1 year old. She is a wonderful pet. Yes, Eskies can tend to be nipppy, with some obedience training and consistency on the part of the handlers (family members) she will be fine. As far as chewing yep my "Misty" loves to chew also! I provide her with durable chew bones and she is happy for hours! No rubber one's though, they did not hold up well and can cause a tummy ache. When she was a puppy whenever she would try to chew shoes ect I would firmly let her know this was a no and gave her the chew toy. She no longer chews furniture or shoes. One more thing that helped us tremendously is the show "The Dog Whisperer" on National Geographic. Cesar Milan is amazing with dogs, no problem behavior is too difficult to rehabilitate with him! very insightful show for all dog owners. Good Luck! Long Live the Eskies they are a special breed!
  
  Check out Cesar's website:http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/


• We have had 3 Eskies, one of whom just passed away 6 months ago. We now have two including a 1 1/2 year old girl.
  
  Eskies come with all sort of quirks and training as soon as possible is your answer. If you do have to get rid of her please visit
  http://www.heartbandits.com/pages/chapte…
  and contact your closest Eskie Rescue.
  
  Please do not surrender her to a dog pound. If you have to surrender her then do it to an Eskie Rescue that will see she gets a new home. If there is no rescue in your state contact the one closest to you. Our little girl started in Ga, and when through TN on her way to IL before we got her and brought her to Ohio.
  
  But training should be your first avenue of help.
  
  They don't call Esies "Heart Bandits" for nothing, give her a chance, please.
  
  Chic K

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Dog Health Questions: How do I start my own service dog training business?

I mean Legally what stuff would I have to deal with (licences, certificates etc)
I want to train them and sell/place them myself.
Its ok if u cant answer, its kinda hard to

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Recommended Answer:
There are no national regulations on service dog trainers, so whatever you need will depend on your state's laws and regulations. Your state's attorney general's office would know. If your state has a human rights commission they would know too. Your state's secretary of state is probably the one you'll have to go through for any licenses.

When in doubt about state government, you can always contact your state representative, even by email. They keep a well staffed office to help their constituents (people from their home district whom they serve), and that includes helping them find what they need from the government.

The governor's office has a similar staff. Seriously. They're experts at sending you to the right source of information about anything related to state government.

Links for all of these offices can be found on your state's homepage.

I work with a group who collect and organize various laws related to service dogs and share them with others in a database. The database we use is undergoing a huge overhaul, but the basic resources are still available online, free to anyone (no ads, no registration, nothin'). Some of those resources include information on how to contact state government, for each state in the U.S. so you can go there, click on your state, and get started that way. Findlaw.com has something similar, but is not focused on service dogs. Ours is located at http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content…

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Dog Health Questions: Would training for service dog be tax deductible?

Hello my wife is deaf and partially blind we are forking out almost 5k on service dog training. Does anyone know or can reference anywhere I can find out if this would be tax deductible? Also does anyone know if Hearing aides are tax deductible?

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Recommended Answer:
From the IRS website:

"The cost of items such as false teeth, prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, laser eye surgery, hearing aids, crutches, wheelchairs, and guide dogs for the blind or deaf are deductible medical expenses."

By extension, the cost of training should also be deductible.

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• The dog I would not be sure as you need to ask a practicing accountant but I would suspect that may be a strong maybe, The hearing aid yes as this is a medical expense, I believe the dog would fall under this category as well, however there is a limitation on this deduction so again speak with a practicing professional. If you are paying that much in taxes it would be worth the consultation cost.


• Yes in both cases, but only if you itemize, and only for the portion of the expense than exceeds 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.

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