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

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Dog Health Questions: What other breeds do people suggest for me?

i am going to be going into a dog training college, and i want a versatile dog who would be good at agility and a fine enough build for doing certain dog tricks, also friendly with all people. i was thinking either a border collie or Australian shepherd. any other suggestions?

Show Dog Training - Be A Winner!



Recommended Answer:
Dobie, Standard Poodle, Shepherd/Collie Mixes.

But you know what is best for you? One that you and the dog CLICK. Doesn't matter how the dog is built or what breeding it has if you two don't click it won't work.

Dobies are finely built, highly intelligent, absolutely docile with everyone (unless you train it to be otherwise), great agility like a deer, but they don't do temperature extremes. They shed very little if you feed them correctly. They travel well.

Standard Poodles are also highly intelligent agile and shed very little. They too are docile unless trained otherwise. They travel well. Not near as 'nervous' as their smaller cousins.

Shep/Collie and/or Lab/Collie mixes are best for the same reasons as the above two. Don't cross lab/shep or you're bound to get bad hips every time.

CLICK CLICK CLICK
It's the heart connection that makes it all work to the level of champion or top sales dog. A dog will sell your training abilities far quicker and more surely than all your well-meaning talk.

Happy clicking. :)

7 Top Dog Training Tips


  • Honestly, I do not know but my shih tzu, Mitzy and Dane are very agility!

  • Golden retriever or if you want to go smaller a papillion. Just some suggestions, but I think an Australian Shepherd is great for what you are looking for.

    good luck!

  • I would suggest German wirehair pointers. They are highly intelligent, great for all sports, and are super loyal. I have two, and I couldn't be happier with them. My dad hunts with them, my younger sister and I compete with them in agility, obedience, showmanship, freestyle, etc. I got my dog from a humane society. She is a such a sweet dog. They love other animals, and children, and they love to cuddle. Even our 9 year old gwp still thinks shes a puppy and tries to climb into your lap!! And unlike other dogs (pit bulls, poodles, etc.) their eyes have character. They aren't just black eyes that stare at you, you literly can see a personality behind those eyes. I swear my dog understands everything I say to her. My dog many times, has mastered a trick in 10 to 15 minutes!! I kid you not!!! This breed is amazing. They hardly require grooming, a bike ride will satisfy them, and most of all you loving affection. Hope this helps, and good luck!!

  • german shepherd got mines yesterday. so obedient. follows u.

  • Brittany Spaniels are excellent agility dogs and are very friendly.
    But are not for the first time dog owner, and require training like any breed.
    My suggestion is to lots of research , a brittany or cocker spaniel may be just be for you.

  • I would suggest going with the Australian Shepard. I just had a pure bred Merle Blue Australian Shepard. Not only was she incredibly beautiful, but she was so smart. Perfect dog for what your looking for. They are such sweethearts with such a high amount of energy. They thrive on human interaction and are great with other animals as well.

  • I think maybe a German Shepard. They are good with people, easy to train, and very obedient.

  • I would suggest American Pitbulls because they are actually very kind and gentle dogs and very smart as well!! Or either a labrador. From my experience, these 2 breeds fit what you are seeking out for.

  • Well, this may seem silly, but I suggest a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. They shed, but have high energy (enough to compete in agility), have a sturdy build (these little guys are tough! They herd cattle), are way smarter than you think, totally obediant, and are so sweet with other dogs and people. If not a Corgi, then definatley go with the Australian Shepherd.

    http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/australiansh…
    http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/pembrokecorg…
    Be sure to scroll down and view the photo galleries. Cute/fun/possibly helpful stuff.

  • Standard poodle. They are athletic, great retrievers, fun-loving and GREAT trick dogs. No one is afraid of a poodle.

    BCs and Aussies are not all friendly with people - be careful when you choose. They can be quite aloof, especially the ones more suited to work.

  • 1. If you want a versatile dog and you intend to compete in agility, than you probably can't go wrong with a border collie or aussie shepherd. Both are smart dogs and superb at agility (generally speaking of course--all dogs are individuals).

    2. Friendly with all people....hmm....I've seen some border collies who's stare is off-putting or threatening to other dogs so when you say "friendly" I don't know if that means to other dogs as well. And of course both border collies and aussie shepherds require a tremendous amount of work--they're working breeds.

    3. A lot of the other breeds that have been suggested here (labs, goldens, GSD's, etc.) really aren't outstanding agility breeds if you're interested in pursuing that sport strongly.

    4. One breed you might want to consider that has both agility ability AND is outstanding at tricks would be a rat terrier. Very smart dog, very hardy and if you got a standard it would max out at 24-26 pounds, a decker would max out at 45 pounds (so compatable size-wise with a border collie). I think a rat terrier is probably better at tricks than aussies or border collies (but the aussies and borders are better agility b/c they have better endurance--all things being equal). Rat terriers are more mellow than most terriers, short-haired and easy to care for, good indoor dogs but enjoy a lot of physical activity (runs, walks, hiking in the woods).

    5. The data that I've seen from the FCI agility nationals indicates that the most popular breeds are (looking only at large and medium sized dogs): border collies, belgian malinois, pyrenean sheepdogs, shelties and english cocker spaniels. I'm surprised that aussie shepherds aren't more prevalent but that may change soon. In any case, the pyrenean sheepdog (like the BC) is a working breed meant for herding but in a smaller package. Very bright and quick with a good work rate. I don't have any personal experience with a malinois so I can't say what that breed is like for tricks or agility. And although shelties are good at agility, I think that their tendency to bark and sometime frantic nature doesn't make them appear to be friendly to some people initially.

    By the way, I've included a URL for a website you've got to visit if you're serious about dog tricks. Silvia Trkman from Slovenia is one of the top agility competitors in the world. She's a big believer in constantly teaching your dog tricks to bond the relationship, engage them and also prepare them for performance. She's got some videos of her tricks on her website--just amazing stuff. And she has 3 different breeds of dogs that she uses (her best, La, is a pyrenean sheepdog).

  • Have you done research on the Lab

  • brittany spaniels are great agility dogs they are easy to trai nbut the need a plenty of exercise i wanted ot get one but i can he will be most of the time ohme alone with my other dog( skye terrier) but instead or brittany im thinking about eskie or papilon

  • i would suggest a standard poodle, fits the criteria and they are known for their jumping or a weimaraner also good choice
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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Dog Health Questions: How do i break my dog of her aggression towards other dogs?

I live in an apartment complex and have recently adopted a small chihuahua beagle mix. She is a little over a year old and we got her from a local animal shelter. The first week we got her we got her fixed so that isnt an issue.

When I take her for her walks she tends to pull of the leash but only until she gets to her usual potty area. After she goes to the bathroom she's usually fine, unless she sees another dog. Then she goes crazy. She barks nonstop and pulls on the leash. Her tail is up but she is aggressively trying to get to the other dog.

Once while we were on a walk, she found a way to get her collar off of her and run directly towards a man walking a full grown boxer who is about twice her size. She tried to get the other dog but the man was able to pull her away. She is great when new people come into the apartment as well as little kids. She isnt aggressive towards them at all. But if she sees another dog out outside the window she goes crazy.

We've had her now for about a month and want to break her of this habit. Come spring time i would love to take her to the dog park and go jogging with her but cant because of her behavior. I need help. I dont want to get a personal dog trainer because they are expensive, the local Petsmart has a dog training class but i dont know if this is what she needs, and i dont have any friends with a dog who is friendly towards other dogs. Im afraid that if i take her to the training classes at Petsmart she will misbehave so badly that we wont be able to stay in the class.

Does anybody have any suggestion on ths topic? Any advice is appreciated.

Successful Dog Training Tricks



Recommended Answer:
Most behaviorists use desensitization to treat dog-dog aggression. Using plenty of positive reinforcement, you'll gradually decrease the physical distance between your dog and other dogs without raising his anxiety level. This takes a great deal of time and patience--often several months to a year--but ultimately your dog will associate the approach of other canines with good things (praise, treats, attention). Get guidance from a behaviorist before beginning desensitization.

Here's more info.
http://dogtime.com/aggression-toward-dog…

Dog Training Technique - Correcting Dog Behavior


  • 1. Use a friend for proper training.
    2. Make sure not to abuse dog.
    3. Yank on leash when he barks so throat is closed.They'll learn this better if you say "no barking"!

  • Hi...

    Sometimes dogs aren't properly socialized as puppies, so they have an episode when they seen another dog. I think they simply don't know how to respond or act to other dogs. And on leash, it can seem worse. This is true even of socialized dogs on leashes... they have this "thing" about other dogs, whether it's just to say "Hey there's another dog, i want to go see it NOW!" or "hey there's another dog and i hate it".... all dogs are different.

    I think that, your dog might need to learn a couple new commands, other than the usual, "come", "sit", etc. but i think it's a good idea for your dog to know these before learning anything new.

    My dog used to bark endlessly at other dogs, whether we were outside, or inside the house. So i taught her a couple of very useful commands over the last year and a half... it took time and patience, but "leave it" and "wait" have been two of the best things that ever happened to me and my dog.

    If i think she's going to get all riled up when we see another dog outside, i tell her to sit, and then to leave it. This is convenient around the house, too - for example, if i think she is going to get into the garbage can as she approaches it, i just say "leave it" and she does.

    I also taught her to wait, so if we are going to go outside, for example, i will tell her to wait as i go out the door first. She stays there until i give her the ok to go through the door.

    All of these things take time, effort and patience.

    You can find a lot of good information about dog training online,and a lot of different techniques. Reading about training can give you good ideas, and you can use the approach which suits you best.

    Do a search for Teaching a Dog to Leave It and also Teaching a dog to Wait, if you're interested.

    I'd also suggest taking your dog to a local dog park to get her acquainted with other dogs. You can keep her on the leash and let her observe the other dogs. Remember, if she first acts up, she can't stay in a state of excitement forever. Getting her to socialize with other dogs might take time.

    all the best! I'm sure you will succeed.

  • If your dog shows any willingness to bite another dog, don't hesitate to contact a professional. It's best to admit that you need help with your dog than to have him put down for mauling another person's pet.

    1)Gather everything you need and find a large, open space, preferably fenced in, that does not often have any other dogs in it.
    2)Instead of socializing with a strange dog, you should socialized with a friend instead.
    3)If you have a large breed, then you might want a choke chain. Some people may not be fond of it, but it's definitely effective for full control. But make sure it is on properly, you don't want to choke your dog. In addition, you may consider a Halti or a Gentle Leader. These use instinctual pressure points that trigger submission to control your dog. Please contact a professional to learn to use either of these tools properly - it is easy to hurt or even kill your dog with improperly used training tools.
    4)When you meet up with a friend and your dog starts growling (at a distance) then correct your dog. As soon as your dog stops growling, reward him.
    5)Walk up to your friend, with the dogs on the outside and you and your friend between them. If your dog continues growling, turn around and walk away. Make your dog sit with his back to the other dog until he calms down.
    6)If you have a muzzle on the dog and are confident that you can do so, get your dog into a sit and let the other dog sniff your dog's rear. Do not let your dog get up and turn around; try to keep his attention on you.
    7)If your dog is ready to lunge at the other dog, then stop and turn around. Get your dog to sit and wait for him to calm down. Take him for a short walk and try again.
    8)If your dog doesn't calm down, go back home and call a professional. They may be willing to give you advice for free, or offer a lower-cost training course to help you get your dog used to other dogs.
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Saturday, August 4, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Do you think it is wrong to give a service dog license to anyone?

in my city any dog can become a service dog with just a doctors letter saying you need a service animal. the dog doesn't have to have any service dog training or any training at all its optional. that how my dog was licensed and because i don't look disabled or the dog doesn't have thing like a vest saying service animal just a tag saying" California assistant animal" people give me angry looks in the store thinking i am doing something wrong when i tell it is a service animal they don't believe me. im surprised most people think that all dogs should have extensive training to be service animals. do you think it is wrong that the city does this?

What to Look For in the Best Dog Training Program



Recommended Answer:
I don't know why our county does it, either, but it is Federally Mandated that a service dog is trained to do tasks which mitigate the person's substantial limitations. Let's look at that wording.

Substantial Limitation means if you're using your dog for some psychiatric thing, and it's not debilitating (such as schizophrenia), then you are illegally misusing the dog and people like me who come along, tag or no tag, and who challenge you on it, will see you lose in court and fined and/or jailed.

It is unlawful, no matter what the county animal shelter gave you, no matter what the sherrif's office gave you, no matter what your county allowed...it is ILLEGAL to misuse your dog.

Your dog isn't trained to do tasks and that means it is sidestepping federal laws. Federal laws. Federal!

Federal outweighs ALL state and local agency laws.

Federal laws state that service animals may only be used for severe disabilities.

It further states that all service animals may only be used if they are trained to do tasks.

Those tasks must mitigate the person's uncurable, unchanging and lifelong disability.

I see more small dog users abusing this law than any other. Last night, in Wal Mart, I got my next case to deal with.

This lady comes in with her chihuahua cross in a stroller. She tells the lady at the counter it's a service animal. Who is serving who?!

Those dogs are not service animals, no matter what your county says and everytime someone misuses one, someone with a valid disability and a trained dog (he does over 55 commands to assist me) comes in behind those idiots and we have the hardest time because untrained dogs pee, they poop, they bite and do bad things in stores and those of us who come along behind them have to take the flack for those dogs.

It is a haineous misuse of the laws to allow tagging of dogs based on doctor's notes, when the people are not disabled enough to have one.

Disabled enough, according to the US Dept. Of Justice means severely disabled.

For instance, a person was found not to be disabled who had emphasema because as soon as she had oxygen, it brought her O2 levels up to normal values. She no longer could use her dog, based on that.

Another case at the USDOJ - The person claimed Bi-Polar disorder, and was found not severely disabled enough to have the dog (in fact, there are hundreds of cases just like this being seen), and another point in question...the person had a seizure disorder. The dog wasn't trained to do any tasks, and his seizures were weekly. Sorry. Not enough to have a dog according to the DOJ. They had to get rid of their dogs and some of them were fined major fines.

If I challenged someone who I saw with a service animal, who was telling people they use it for mental illness, I will usually win.

Good luck...you asked an honest question, wanting an honest answer and there is one.

Misusing a service dog, knowing what you know now, is illegal and it is wrong and it makes the lives of those who use them validly that much harder to follow in your footsteps.

Dog Training Tips That Work Best For Smart Dogs


  • If people only realized that just about any dog wold make a good service dog. If they have a loving nurturing environment most dogs do just that anyway whether their owners have disabilities or not. It's their nature to please their owners. I really don't see anybody better to teach your service dog what you need from him than you.

    The centers that do undertake these training exercises are still important as they oversee the selection process ensuring the best traits required for specific needs and then train in those specifics in an attempt to have a number of service dogs available at any given time. But if you already have a dog or went out and got you own and trained it yourself - you should be not only handed your service dog license you should be congratulated.

  • In order for a dog to be a service animal, it needs to have SOME kind of training to assist you... it could just be something as simple as the dog alerts you to health issues.. or if you suffer social anxieties, the dog may whine and act as if it needs to go out, so you have a reason to excuse yourself from a social situation.

    What good does a letter from a Dr do if the dog is not trained to serve your need? It does not need extensive training from a trainer, there are people who do train their own dogs, but the dog should be trained to do something.
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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Dog Health Questions: How to get my dog to be nice to strangers?

I have a 5 year old Lab mixed with Pitbull and he is very un sociable. I have tried to get many people around him to make him aquainted with strangers but as he has grown up, he takes very unkindly to poeple he doesnt know that well. If someone walks down the road, he will automatically run to the door and bark with his hair raised on his back and if anyone comes over i have to put him in his crate for fear he might bite someone since has bitten my uncle one time. I dont know what to do about it, many people suggest to take him to a dog training place but i dont even know if that is safe because how he acts. Does anyone have any ideas?

Four Dog Training Tools That You Must Use



Recommended Answer:
Socialisation classes - try contacting local trainers for one-on-one attention rather than school-based courses. They'll be used to dealing with dogs and owners who need help working together and will know how to handle the situation.

7 Types of Dog Training


  • maybe if your dog sees that you are comfortable around them, he will be too.

  • look in the phone book and start calling trainers. tell them your problem, and see if they can help you.

  • get a cattle prod

  • jst trust the trainers and bring him to a training place...they are trained professionals...they are used to dogs like that

  • Call the dog training school, and see what they say. They may have smaller groups with only a few dogs at one time, or even private lessons.

    Definitely, dog training would help and you would need to practice what they teach you, as often as they say is necessary. A 5 year old misbehaving dog needs regular training time.

  • You have a very unpredictable animal there and at 5 you will have problems get him and yourself along to dog classes if he or you don't take to that re home him somewhere where he will meet very few people. If he has bitten once he could do it again.

  • At his age, breaking him of that may be a little hard to do. Would you consider putting a mesh muzzle on him? It will not hurt him at all, and he will still be able to drink water while wearing it. There are times when I myself have to do that with my dog.... she's a pitt bull/boxer mix. A training place may help him some. Good luck with him!!

  • what you can try is distraction training. get an aluminum can and put some rocks in it or a spray bottle with some water in it. In stead of the crate try a dog bed. Ever time someone comes over make him lay down on the bed and reward him with a treat or with his favorit toy for staying on his bed. If he runs out side and start to bark shake the can or spray him with some water. The key is not to let him see the object. when he turns to focus on what is happening reward him again and praise him for not paying attention to the person outside or to your guest. Keep this up for a couple of weeks and your dog will be much happier. Another great idea is to teach your dog that you are the boss and that he dosen't have to protect you, that your going to protect him... Good luck.

  • that is kind of strange, but does show poor training in your part (sorry) other than going to a trainer I dont have any sujestions on how to train him, but you are right wiht his personality...we had a rotti who was fine with strangers, but because of his breed and the way people react to it, we had a kid thing you put across a door frame, to keep the kid out or in, i cant remember what they are called. We put the blocker in front of my parents room which is a good size and he can see into the living room and at who ever is over, than after a few minutes he would normally just go to sleep. But wen we found our small dog (terrier mix 25 lbs.) we would put her in there too just as a standerd, she is nice to everybody!, but it kept everyone safer, and she would jump over the blocker thing (its about 2.5 feet tall) so that didnt work out very well!

    If you can put your dog in the backyard when someone comes over that would help a lot!

    Does he know you are the 'boss'? if he starts to do something and you say no will he stop? if not hes the boss! he has you wiped! thats likely your problem, you should be able to say NO when he starts going crazy and he stops!

    GOOD LUCK!!!!

  • You should find a trainer to help you with your dog. But basically you want to change how your dog feels about people. Fear is often shown by aggression. Punishment rarely gives long term reliable success to this kind of behavior. There are also some good books you could read.

    Click To Calm
    Feisty Fido
    Control Unleashed

    http://www.fearfuldogs.com/books.html

    Learn about triggers, thresholds, counter conditioning and desensitization. You do not want to put this dog in situations in which it can practice the inappropriate behavior.
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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Proffesional dog trainers?

Looking for professional trainers or companies for Police dog training in France and Germany

Dog Training For Dog Problems



Recommended Answer:
This one is very reputable:
http://www.txdogtrainingcenter.com/
This one does well in trials:
http://www.worldclassgsd.com/dog_trainin…
I don't know the training philosophy of either of these, but their dogs are titled all over the world.

Dog Training Success - 10 Don'ts to Avoid in Order to Achieve Successful Dog Training


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    Thursday, June 14, 2012

    Dog Health Questions: I need instructions for a dog?

    I need instructions for a dog training collar. Its an off brand I think the brand is Trainer and its a 4 in 1 shock collar I can't get it to work I remember from when I first got it you have to put in the batteries and when it vinrates push a button to sync it up but I had to put in new batteries and I can't find the instructions please help me! I know someone out there knows!!! I'm desperate

    Dog Training - How to Train Your Dog Effectively



    Recommended Answer:
    good im glad its not working why shock your dog....would you like it if someone shocked you every time you made a mistake....

    i know i sound mean but its mean to do to your dog...sorry

    3 Secrets to Dog Training - Immediate Results


    • I love a bargain as much as anyone and I used to love all the cheap stuff I could find on eBay, but nowadays it seems so hard to find anything cheap over there and just when we're all finding it tougher to just pay our bills. I don't give up so I was looking for someplace online where I could still find myself a bargain... and by accident I came across this site I never heard of before where you get rock bottom prices from police impounded stuff, I mean I was worried about scams but this stuff is actually real and I got some real cheap stuff there... it's become my new eBay lol! Go to WinItems.com

    • get a professional trainer to help train dog

    • It might be best to find the products website and see if you can download new directions. If you can't find directions, it would be better to buy a new collar that is easier to operate. I have one for my dog and I shopped around a lot to find one that was easy to use and within my budget. The one I have is a simple collar with one remote to operate, so it was easy to use and my dog learned to listen to commands because it also had a beeper button that you pushed before doing a small shock. My dog learned that if I called him and didn't respond, he heard the beep and would turn around and come right back because he knew a shock was coming next. The Sportsmans Guide has a lot of nice shock collars, that is where I purchased mine from several years ago. I am sure my dog wasn't too happy about the collar, but he listens now and is very well behaved; he was too smart for his own good. Hope this helps.
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    Thursday, April 26, 2012

    Dog Health Questions: My 11 year old daughter (soon to be 12) has an upcoming birthday party. Any dog related ideas?

    My 11 year old daughter (soon to be 12) has an upcoming birthday party. She loves dogs and I was hoping to find an establishment that would allow my daughter to spend time with dogs for a day, for example, dog training etc....
    Any ideas would be much appreciated as I only have until September to organize a special day for her.

    Dog Training - A Systematic Approach



    Recommended Answer:
    Talk with your local animal shelter. They would probably love to have a volunteer come in and work with the animals for a day. It will show her the importance of volunteer work as well as let her spend time with the dogs. It may become something she wants to do more and more, and they could always use the help. Let her know that you can't take them all home though. Lol

    Edit: Oops sounds like we all got the same idea at the same time.

    Dog Training Aids - The Leading Dog Training Methods Revealed


    • Well, you could go volunteer with her at a rescue center. It'll be free, you get to hang around dogs, walk them, play with them and they'll really appriciate her being there because it's good for the dogs and you.

      If you're having a party party with lots of kids, I'd just keep it to a party because too many kids around ANY dogs, not just rescue dogs, could be stressful for them.

      I think you should throw a party with an adoption theme! Buy some little dog teddies of different types and have cheap collars with tags ready with the kids' names on, then give them the collars and let them 'adopt' a dog with an official certificate and everything. It'd be really sweet and I bet they'd have a blast!

    • how about contacting a local agility club to see if you and she could sit in on a club practice or competition?

      you could tell them how much she loves dogs, and maybe someone has an older, trained dog that they would allow her to handle? 12 is not too young for a kid to put a dog through its paces for a little while, i let my 7 year old handle my dogs (under my close supervision!) for practice.

      a lot of agility clubs have events monthly, and usually practice weekly. look on the internet for clubs near you! maybe when she gets older, she could get a rescue dog, and join the club! (with your help, Mom!)

    • to be honest im afraid she would probly enjoy it but its not enough just seeing a dog for a day, ask her wat her favorite dog is have her sow a picture of it on the internet, then YOU do some research on the dog. then what i would do is actualy get her a dog i think shed be able to take care of it as 12 is pretty mature enough to take care of it. so if u do decide to get it go the day of her birthday and say u forgot to buy something, u actualy go and get a doggy for her since its birthday shed be like what did u buy and ud say ur present a dog! happy birthday, but if u cant id let her spend time with some dogs and get her 2nd or 3rd favorite thing

    • Fior my friends 12th birthday (or 11 i cant remember) she had a dog party and ebery1 invited there dogs and we went to the park and there was relays like we would run up and have to eat jello out of a bowl without our hands and do thing like that. It was rilly fun. Its a good idea. Come up with fun relays for everyone to do and you will all have a blast! hope this helped!

    • I'm sure the local Humane Society would LOVE for her to come by for the day (week, or year) to take care of the dogs! Second option would be to call your vet and ask if she can shadow the vet. I'm not sure if they let someone that age do this but it wouldn't hurt to ask.

    • I would just get her a dog for her birthday, that would be much better. The best breed for a beginning dog owner would be a lab or golden retriever with the proper training, I don't reccommend a small dog for your first dog, a great dane would be nice too.

    • if she loves dogs as much as me she could help out at a shelter and help give them a bath or walk them or just spend the dsay with them i did that for a week and still want to but i live to far away to go everyday. hope i helped.

    • A dog obstacle training course would be way cool, and perhaps your daughter could even partake. You should be able to find one close to you, either @Yellow Book.com, or just enter "dog obstacle course/(your zip here)" in your search engine...

    • How about a painting or a print onto canvas of her dog??
      http://www.paintyourlife.com
      http://www.printyourcanvas.com

      I had a print of my sons dog in Avatar Style, he loved it!

      Good luck

      Brian

    • some puppy plates and balloons and a cake with a puppy face on it

    • As much as i love dogs if i was 12 i would be proper disappointed if my birthday present was to work somewhere. As much as i agree shelters need support, and it's important to learn about the welfare of dogs, they can be very upsetting places and you run the risk of setting her up for disappointment when she thinks she's gonna get to adopt one and that's not your intention.

      A day at a training Centre would be quite cool though, learning about the dogs and training. Personally i think that would be the better option for a more 'fun' birthday as she could watch some show dogs in action.

      However, anything you do with dogs i think would get her hopes highly up that you're gonna buy her a dog and end up over all an upset. I don't know, that's just how i think i would feel at 12 if my parents did that to me, but i don't know your situation.

    • Take her to the pet store (which mostly has dogs) and then maybe you can buy her one as a birthday gift,
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    Friday, April 13, 2012

    Dog Health Questions: Dog training Help!!!?

    Yesterday i got a 3 month old welsh corgi.... We need help potty training her. The problem is is when she squats we pick her up and put her outside but she won't pee. She just begins playing in the grass. Then we let her inside and she begins sniffing around and starts to squat again!!! We know that she is trying to pee but she won't... She pees in her cage though... WE NEED HELP!!!!!!!

    Dog Training Part I



    Recommended Answer:
    You need to be patient. Keep in mind that this position is a very vulnerable one for a dog and they are not apt to do it if they are not extremely comfortable and secure in their surroundings. She will need more than just one day to feel that secure outside in a new place... many sights, smells and sounds that even you probably don't notice since you are already used to it!

    If you can keep bringing her to the same place in the outside and make sure it is a location that allows her to "hide", you will probably have more luck. I would also suggest that you give her say 10-15mintues to go outside. If she does not, bring her back in. When she starts to sniff, bring her back outside again and again, give her the 15 minute rule. Eventually, she will have to go... then -reward, praise excessively without scaring.

    Dog Training With A Clicker


    • Have a pocket of treats handy with you and try playing, getting her running around when she is outside. In PK classes you can have a virtual "potty party" when puppies are playing and then squat on a dime because they've been so busy and intent on playing they forget about everything else until it's too late. When she goes have a party telling her how absolutely great she is and utilize those treats.

      Make sure the crate is small enough so she doesn't have extra elbow room and take any padding out that soaks up urine. Chances are you're already doing those things, but throwing it out there just in case. Good luck.

    • When you catch her and take her outside don't bring her in until she has peed. Also when you take her out is it in the grass? It could be that she doesn't like to pee in the grass you may want to try a gravel or paved area. If she will go there then slowly work her into peeing in the grass.
    Read More...

    Tuesday, February 21, 2012

    Dog Health Questions: What do you look for when choosing a dog trainer?

    Do you prefer:

    A positive trainer who uses postive motivation and clickers

    A trainer who was a military/police dog trainer

    A trainer who promises fast results using methods that include a choke chain or electric collar

    A trainer who belongs to a reputable dog training association

    Dog Training - A Systematic Approach



    Recommended Answer:
    A positive trainer who uses positive motivation and clickers - Yes.

    A trainer who was a military/police dog trainer - Doesn't matter.

    A trainer who promises fast results using methods that include a choke chain or electric collars - Never.

    A trainer who belongs to a reputable dog training association - Yes.

    Mainly, a trainer who I trust and can work with.

    Dog Training Aids - The Leading Dog Training Methods Revealed


    • That is a strange question. A trainer who belongs to a reputable dog training association of course. Training is a matter of stimulus response and reasonable care. Clicker response depends on the dog to hear the clicker. Doesn't always happen!!

      Been here 2, and military/police dog trainers don't always include the family as an important ingredient.

      People who have worked with people AND dogs understand far beyond the trick/fast training methods.
      If you want it to last a life time it takes that long to train the dog.

      Honestly, Dog training for a family takes as much FAMILY training as it takes DOG training. Quick simple fixes are just simple.

      You get what you pay for and much of the expense is time, quality TIME spent with your dog

    • What am I training my dog for? Obedience? Agility? Shutzhund? Flyball? Rally O? Conformation? Am I a kid or an adult? Am I in the country or the city? There are so many factors that depend on the situation that it is not an answer given easily with such a broad question. It also depends on the dog and their ability/willingness to learn. Having a Basset Hound learn Shutzhund simply won't work due to the dog's body type no matter how many times you zap it with a collar. But with lots and lots and *lots* of repetition, you could probably get an obedience title on it. If you know what personality/trainability your dog has, you'll be able to find the right trainer. I believe in "combined training". Using whatever method works best with the least amount of stress for the dog AND for you.

    • I'd have to say, one who can "walk the walk".

      Anyone can belong to an association...means nothing. Anyone can pay to go get certified....means nothing. Most police/military are trained handlers....not trainers. A variety of methods is absolute when training dogs....anyone who limits themselves by saying "I only use positive methods"....or "I use clicker"...."I only use a halty" are people with very limited experience, or have only dealt with simple dogs.

      So, I Guess that leaves experience, accomplishments and references.

    • Clickers for me are a no no - I only use hand signals and a simple good dog or pat on the chest

      Military/police dog trainer are a no no - they think they know everything

      ~Anyone who offers a fast result is a fool because every dog is different...e-collars should be last resort, choke chains are fine if you are shown how to use it properly

      ~ When I was looking for trainers I looked for someone that was more interested in teaching me to teach my dog, if they do the teaching of the dog then the dog will listen to them (the trainer) not you (the owner)

      OK let me add I have trainers for ODB, Pulling, Personal Protection Sports & Comformation

    • I prefer a down to earth trainer that understand the differences in every dog and has different ways to train based on the dog itself. There is not carbon copy way for every dog. Just like people every dog is different and learns in different ways. Other than that if I get along with the trainer it is a total plus as well.

    • do not get your dog trained otherwise it will not listen to you in the future because you didnt train it

      TRAIN IT YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

    • A trainer who belongs to a reputable dog training association (for sure)

    • Military/Police are the WORST azzholes :)
      Just my 2 cent worth :)))

    • None of the above.
    Read More...

    Saturday, December 17, 2011

    Dog Health Questions: Dog training pad is not working?

    so i have a 3 month old shih tzu and she sleeps alone downstairs in a gated area. I put a training pad just in case she really needs to go during the night. but the pad does not seem to attract her. i put them everywhere but she ended up peeing in the only little spot that wasnt covered. help?

    and an extra question. Many nights and recently every night, she wakes up around 1 ish and cries for hours! i dont know what to do.

    Dog Training Fundamentals



    Recommended Answer:
    okay for the peeing part put a pee pad in a litter box and put fake grass on it then she will be used to peeing in that spot dogs like to mark territory you will have to change out lots of pads to keep her peeing there! if you keep doing that for about 7 days then she will be used to it and you can take away the litter box and fake grass.
    the whining part is probably and obviously because she is either lonely or has to pee that may be the reason she may think the pee pads are carpeting and thinks she will be in trouble. and she may need to have a toy with her that she has really bonded with.

    ********Hope this helps!******** i really do actually im not just sayin that.

    Which Dog Training Collar Should You Choose?


    • Start crate training. She has too much room in her gated area, and wittles there because of that room. Get a crate that is just big enough for her to turn around and lay down in...no larger. I never believe in wee wee pad training....its not a good idea to encourage a pup to wittle anywhere in your house if your ultimate goal is to have her toilet outside. Also, limit liquids after 6pm and don't crate her for the night until its time for you to go to bed. If she wakes at 1am and cries take her outside to do her business and then right back to the crate. She may be trying to tell you she has to go to the bathroom. If the crying continues, let it....eventually your dog will understand that its time to sleep. They feel secure in a crate. Hope this helps.

    • I have a 4 month old shitzu too.
      What I did was everytime he had to use the bathroom,
      I took him to the mat instead of outside & when he used the mat I praised him (give him a treat, or a belly rub). He eventually got used to it.

      She wakes up & cries is probably cause she is lonely & wants someone to play with her, or has to pee.
      My puppy sits by the door & cries when he has to go, or when no one plays him, he cries & grabs a toy out of his toy box & sits on us.

    • omg u should not let her rome around in an eara put her in a crate and dont use pads.ok this is wat u do u feed her once in the morning and 1 at night.u out the food down for 10 min.becuz if u leave it down she will have to go to the bathroom and wait about 20 min to 1hr and take her out and every 1 hr to 2 hr take her out no matter wat and that should help some of the whining problems

    • okay you have to discipline and train her..
      when she pees on the floor then give her a stern straightfoward mad look and abrubtly say NO! and then show her the peepee pad and say yes pee goes here.
      keep reinforcing, it will take a lil time thats what my dog did, and aw really? then maybe she gets hungry, you should try letting her sleep with you somoetimes, like get a nice basket bed and put it on the floor but thats just an option.

    • it could be that she has too big of an area to roam. i'd get a good crate and put her there. normally dogs wont soil the areas they sleep/live in. maybe at 1am she needs to go out. i'd let her out as close to 1am as possible before you go to bed and make sure she goes. feed her earlier in the evening too.

    • you need to tell her no, i have to doggie one was a puppy when we got him, his a mix , and his one part of your doggie. and for him, you need to show him where to go.. alot. besides that, they also think its cute. probably. so you have to show here where to go alot, if she goes in the wrong spot.

      and as for the last one, she could be hunry or lonly. my puppy used to do taht around 3 in the moring and he would just cry. its because they usally are missing you, because your not with them.. there kind like kids you know? ^^

    • She's whining because she has to go to the bathroom. Get up and take her outside. When she goes bring her back in. ditch the training pads and the gated area and get her a crate and start crate training her. There is NO point in teaching her to go on them.

    • Chances are she needs to go outside to potty at night. Or she is very Lonely, or both.

      Question for you? Why is your Shih-tzu so far away from you at night?
      These are little Chinese dogs that where bred to be always in the company of Emporers of China. Try getting a crate for her and put it beside you bed at night so she feels close to you.

      "Temperament"

      The Shih Tzu is a friendly lap dog that at one time was bred to be a companion dog for Chinese royalty. Some say living in the imperial palace gave the Shih Tzu an arrogant quality, although they also display qualities of devotion and adaptability. They are not afraid to stand up for themselves. They tend to be sweet, playful, and trusting as well. It ranks 70th in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs, considered one of the lowest degree of working/obedience intelligence (trainability). They don't need as much exercise as larger dog breeds, but do suffer from the same difficulties as most small breed dogs due to having a smaller bladder.

      Right Breed for You?
      As the sole purpose of the Shih Tzu is companion and house pet, he should be lively, alert, friendly and trusting towards all. He requires minimal exercise, but his long, luxurious coat needs daily brushing and maintenance.

      You should read this site as it may contain a lot of answers for you and your shih tzu:

      http://www.allshihtzu.com/"A Look Back"

      Cherished by Chinese royals as prized house pets for over a thousand years, it is believed to have descended from crossing the Lhasa Apso or Tibetan mountain dog and Pekingese. The Shih Tzu was the house pet for most of the Ming Dynasty and was discovered by soldiers in England during World War II.

    • I'll just tell you now, potty "training" pads are crap. They only ever confuse the dog and they do not help in potty training. So get rid of them. They tell the dog that it can pee in the house and not just on the pads, but anywhere.

      Start by putting her on a schedule. Take her out to where she is supposed to pee, whether that means taking her out on a walk or taking her to the backyard in the place you want her to potty every hour or so and immediately after she eats.Start getting her used to it. At night, instead of putting ten potty pads down just for her to pee in an unprotected spot and still leave you with a mess, set a couple alarms to get up and actually take her out. I also recommend putting her in a crate during the night so that she is not free to move around during the night.

      I know it's probably annoying, but you obviously wanted to puppy so you must do what is needed to properly house train her. Plus, this technique will train her much quicker than what you are doing now, so you won't have to do it for months and months on end.

      During the day, while you are around, always keep an eye on her. If she makes any movements that might mean she has to potty, take her out. When she pees outside, praise her and make it seem like the best thing in the world.

      About her crying, well she's a baby. She's all alone in a dark house by herself. She's scared and lonely. Also, I bet this is about the time that she gets up to pee. After she pees, she doesn't go back to sleep immediately and realizes she's alone. Maybe try taking her crate up into your room and let her sleep in there with you. It may also make getting up to take her out easier.
    Read More...

    Monday, November 14, 2011

    Dog Health Questions: I need to come up with at least 10 questions to ask to my mentor about dog training?

    does anyone please have so suggestions. Thanks by the way....

    Choosing an Online Dog Training Program



    Recommended Answer:
    The first question I would ask is about your profile picture?
    How can this person be a mentor and you not have questions for him? What is he mentoring?

    Dog Training - Beyond Conditioning


    • Is this like someone who is going to help you train your dog? If so:
      -What experience has he/she had with dogs?
      -How long has he/she been working with dogs?
      -Any useful tips that he/she would have for you?
    Read More...

    Wednesday, November 2, 2011

    Dog Health Questions: Can US military girls do dog training?

    I love dogs and I'm joining the military. and I know theres this military K9 job...Can girls do that sort of stuff, training the dogs?

    Dog House Training - Complete Dog Training Tips and Tricks For Training Your Dog in Your Home



    Recommended Answer:
    of course. the only things closed off are the front line combat and special forces.

    The Three Dog Training Mistakes You Should Avoid


    • heres a good blog for dog training :

      www.free-dog-training-tips.com
    Read More...

    Tuesday, October 4, 2011

    Dog Health Questions: Dog care and Dog training (tricks) Tips?

    I need dog care and Dog training tips!! Just dogs in general

    Old Fashioned Dog Training



    Recommended Answer:
    Obedience training is the foundation for establishing a better relationship between you and your dog. Obedience training helps establish the owner in the role of "pack leader". Obedience will lay down clear behavior guidelines that your dog can follow. A well-behaved, obedient dog is more than just a pet of pride. The difference lies largely in the training, and good training can save a dog's life.

    These articles will give you tips about how to best train your dog.

    Dog Training - http://www.dog-pound.net/dog-training.ht…

    Dog Obedience - http://www.dog-pound.net/dog-obedience.h…

    Repetition, consistency, practice and correction are what it takes to train a dog to be happy and responsive. If you follow these simple steps you will find that your puppy can grow into an obedient well-adjusted dog.

    Repitition and Consistency in Dog Training - http://www.dog-pound.net/repetition-cons…

    Dog Training Command - Communicating With Your Dog


    • You may train any dog, or cat by using treats. But make sure the word you are using, as in "sit" or "lay" only one person should try to teach the animal till it is comfortable with doing this command. If you have too many people trying to teach the dog, it may become confused. But what kind of tricks do you plan on teaching??
      like i said, simple commands
      you can also work up to harder commands too. and try to do tricks often to keep the trick your dog has just learned fresh.
      anything is possible with some treats, because every dog and cat needs a motivation.

    • To take care of a dog, first you need to know what specific dog you want to know about, because different dogs need different care, as for dog tricks, you need to be persistent do not say "bad" or be harsh when the dog doesn't get it right the first time, use a kind but firm voice you don't want to scare the dog but show it that you are the boss. never shout at the dog instead correct him/her. Let me know what kind of dog and i will give you care tips.

    • Tricks are both enjoyable and extremely useful.

      Here's more info.
      http://lnk.nu/dogtime.com/swu.htm

    • For teaching an animal tricks, I prefer not to use treats, but to use lots of praise, since sometimes treats aren't readily available, but praise is always available. I learned this from my husband, who teaches obedience classes for dogs. The trick is to make sure when your dog does something wrong, you correct it quickly. You also praise it as soon as it does something right. Once in a while you can use treats, but it's better to get your dog to respond without treats. As for dog care, take it to the vet for all of it's shots and medication as needed. Flea, heartworm, vaccinations..etc. Try not to give it table food. Some people give their dogs chicken, which is ok, but for me, I stick to dog food that has been formulated especially for dogs. Make sure your dog gets the proper amount of exercise. Give your dog lots of care and attention and most of all, LOVE!

    • I Strongly suggest using a whistle (either a metal one of just use your mouth) for your attention command and your come command.

      reason- I take my two Red Healers to the dog park a lot. while at the park there are many owners that scream "come" or the dogs name over and over again.. I use the my mouth to whistle and the tone can carry over the barking and yelling of the environment. also nine times out of ten you are the only one who will be whistling..

      good luck. and have fun... tranning is SO worth it, just to see the look on other peoples faces when they see an obedient dog and an awesome owner.
    Read More...

    Thursday, August 25, 2011

    Dog Health Questions: Does anyone know of a good dog training school?

    I need a good dog training school thats in San jose and teaches:
    obedience
    Tricks,
    Manners
    games
    and doin their business on a puppy/ dog pad..

    Helpful Dog Training Tips



    Recommended Answer:
    look in the yellow pages for the closest American Kennel Club. They offer the classes you want and it's been my experience that they are the cheapest by far and often the best because the people that teach the classes are people who show dogs in obedience, agility, conformation, etc. I've attended mine here locally 3 times with my pups and they were fantastic.

    Any dog is accepted...doesn't have to be a show dog.

    How to Explore the Numerous Advantages of Online Dog Training


    • Smith & Wesson University

    • i think that they do that sort of thing at Petsmart
    Read More...

    Tuesday, August 23, 2011

    Dog Health Questions: Need help with Fitting and using a martingale dog training collar!?

    I have a martingale dog training collar for my dog, I got the right size and all, but I am not sure where it is to sit on the dogs neck and that kind of stuff so any help would be appreciated.

    Show Dog Training



    Recommended Answer:
    FIT:
    as close to the ears as U can get it.
    high and snug!!

    the collar slips over the dog's head, then is adjusted to fit -
    use the sliding-figure-8 to fit the collar.
    U are adjusting the collar so that there's MORE doubled-over collar,
    and LESS single-thickness collar.
    when properly fitted, the fabric-loop is FLAT,
    and the collar is HIGH and SNUG.

    no more than a Pinky-Tip (to first-joint) should slip between dog and collar,
    once it's fitted; U want it to STAY up there,
    not slither down the dog's neck toward their chest/shoulders.

    once the collar is snug, slide the fabric-loop to the back,
    so it's centered at the top of the dog's neck.
    now clip the leash on the metal D-ring.

    when the dog (or U) put tension on the leash,
    the fabric-loop closes, tightening the collar.
    however, since the loop can only close to half its size,
    there's no danger of 'strangling' or choking the dog.

    that's why a martingale is AKA a 'limited-slip' collar.

    a choke or slip-collar closes to INFINITY:
    they can easily shut-off the airway,
    especially if U are so foolish as to imitate Cesar Millan,
    and HANG a dog
    (suspend them by their collar, with feet off the ground).

    HANGING a dog is DANGEROUS!!
    lifting a dog's feet off the ground and shutting off their airway can cause death, brain-damage, epilepsy, and other serious injury.

    martingales are safer than choke-chains or slip-collars;
    they are far less-likely to injure the dog's trachea or cervical vertebrae.
    However, U still cannot safely HANG or SUSPEND a dog,
    even with a martingale!

    please make collar-corrections short and firm:
    a quick tug, then let the leash droop slightly.
    U want to get the dog into apropos position,
    then REWARD them with that easy-loose leash.
    a constant tension on the leash is counter-productive:
    it teaches the dog that walking is 'tug-of-war'.

    walking should be BRISk, focused, and point to point,
    Vs sauntering, meandering, and goal-less.

    aim for a nearby object, go there; as U approach it,
    pick another, and repeat.
    dogs use the direction of our gaze to figure out where we are headed,
    so by looking toward our goal,
    we help the dog to understand where we (dog and human) are going.

    happy training!

    A Long Tradition of Dog Training


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