Dog Health Questions: My dog jumps and play bites?

He gets really excited when my nieces come to visit because they play fetch with him and pet him a lot. The problem is he jumps on them and makes them fall. The last incident was when the girls were playing in the yard and he got really excited, jumped on the youngest one (she's 3), made her fall back, and then pulled on her arm.

Ive been trying to get in contact with dog trainers in my area but can't seem to find any available( I live in a small town). Ive been reading a lot of dog training books and looking for tips online, but nothing seems to work. Ive tried putting my knee up when he jumps and telling him off, Ive tried spraying him with water( but he loves water), Ive tried holding his paws, and pushing him off and saying "off". Ive also tried ignoring him when he jumps but he just keeps jumping and bites to get my attention.

What other things could I try to stop his jumping on people? Please help!

About My Dog:
Labrador Retriever
1 year old
Adopted from a shelter
Has been with me for 2 months
60 pounds, neutered

Dog Training Fundamentals

Recommended Answer:
Well, he sounds very enthusiastic. If you ever come home and he jumps off you, push him down and say off (like you have) and then give him a treat. If you say off and he jumps off, make a big deal about it and give him a treat. My dog has the same problem, and I'm working on it, too.

Service Dog Training: Training Your Dog To Perform Human Tasks

• Of course your dog is crazy, he's a puppy!
  What worked with my dog is being constant, and training the dog before playing. If you play with the dog before you try to train it, it will want to go back to training and won't listen to you.
  Have the little kids sit with the dog and gently pet it, no playing, so it learns to be gentle.
  Be assertive.


• hes still a puppy. but this might be a good idea. use a leash, just keep him on a leash when they are over and you try to keep him foucused on you, but if he makes action towards them tell him no and take him away but bring him back and hopefully soon he'll stop jumping.


• Well his jumping up is anxious behaviour...and possibly now a habit, if he jumps on you when you are sitting down, standt up immediately, say nothing, don't look at him, if he jumps at you when you are standing walk into him again say nothing, don't look, as soon as all his feet are on the floor praise him........you really do need to get your timing right with this one, only praise when all feet are on the floor, he may immediately you praise jump up you again, so do exactly the same thing. If he continues to do it or bites/mouths, the easiest thing is to leave the room ( it is often the dog who is put out but it will happen quicker if you do it) you only need to be out a couple of minutes and when you return do and say nothing and carry on as before, if he does it again, do the same.............he is a working dog, he will get the message, although you may have to go out a number of times in a very short space of time before he does, just be consistant, calm and patient..........I promise if you do it will work.
  
  As for other people, put him on a lead, so you have control, so you can stop him jumping up, if he does it in the house with visitors then have his lead trailing at all times, so you can quickly put your foot on it without shouting and fussing and making the situation very exciting, (excitement is weak energy)
  
  He really shouldn't be out in the garden playing with children who will run around and scream and excite him more, they become toys to him and he has not training and no respect.............he is an accident waiting to happen untrained. If the children want to be with him, they need to learn it is quiet time, they don't run around, maybe with your help they have him lying down so he can be groomed.....NO exciting games.
  
  You need to then teach him to sit on command, so when he sees someone the first thing he does is sit, which you can praise (quietly) and possibly treat.


• When he jumps up do not do the knee thing b/c when you put your knee up to him you are touching him giving him attention. When he jumps up make a loud noise to startle him (you can hide a can of change behind you and when he does jump shake it out of his site) then turn around and walk away until he has settled down. When he has settled down then go and pet him. This shows him that when he is being excited he doesn't get attention and he instead needs to be calm.
  When the girls come over tell them not to pet him right away until he is calm and sitting. Always supervise the dog and them together. Never leave them alone with the dog around.
  Make sure you give him lots of exercise b/c he is young and getting all the excess energy out will help him to calm down. Play ball with him in the yard and frisbee too.
  good luck and i hope you the best of years with your dog.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training/obedience ...How can i train my dog to...?

Well i have a almost two year old dog
He is a golden retriever / Labrador retriever mix
Well i just recently started to take him the a Dog Park.
When i go there i see dogs that play catch and run around and all...
______________________________________…
What i want to do is teach him how to play catch too.... :P
If it throw the ball (including at home , he'll go get it sometimes)
oonce he does get it he won't come near me.
He'll keep the ball in his mouth and run away from me, even if i call him.
______________________________________…
He is trained, understands basic commands such as:
sit,stay,lay down, go ,come walk, etc....

Electronic Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
Start working with a clicker and a treat.. without a ball first.. click treat when he looks at you click treat.. do this 10-20 times.. then when he starts to walk off.. click the clicker and when he comes to you treat him again... do this for a bit.. now.. add in the ball throw it... and when he picks it up.. click and when he comes treat him

Dog Training Mistakes You Should Never Do

• Have you tried teaching him "drop" or "give"? Do that at home and it will work at the park.


• Treats! get him to release then treat over and over til he has it


• I actually don't think you need to train him to 'bring it back' you just need to do exercises to work on his respect. do that and when you call him, it should be automatic.
  
  you can do things like:
  
  No rewarding with treats, rub under his chin to make him feel proud.
  
  2. no table scraps (if its just for him, ok, or homemade dog food, but nothing while your eating)
  
  3. no leaving dog food out all day long. feed him only at his meal times.
  
  4. walks are important, and by this, I mean the time actually spent on the leash walking (biking or roller blading is also ok) do this for at least an hour each day. this is because the walk is psychological as well as physical. make sure he doesn't pull (if he does, correct him by pulling back and maintaining confident energy, shoulders up) and make sure he only walks behind or beside you, never in front. go up and down steps a few times, you should make it to the end first.
  
  5. do a 'door' exercise. what I do with my dog is I will 'claim' the door, tell her SHH if she gets up to rush by me. she sits back down and I open the door and step through. leaving the door wide open I turn around and look at her. she must wait until I pat my leg (indicating her to join me)
  
  build the respect, and hopefully your dog will start bringing the ball back.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training help !!?

I have a 2 year old German Shepherd that I love very much. She's well behaved for the most part except when she's in our yard she tends to bark and go after dogs that are walking along the side walk. She's never bitten anyone or any dog but it's quite and embarrassment to have to yell after her to come and she doesn't listen. We have an electric fence but she runs right through the shock like it doesn't bother her at all. I hate to have to keep her chained up all the time because she's a big dog and loves running around. Please help on some ideas on how I can train her to stay in the yard.

The Three Dog Training Mistakes You Should Avoid

Recommended Answer:
sorry for my english..
I think you have to associate the others dogs with a positive thing.
as soon as an other dog comes, you call you re dog and you give him food, but if he comes after the other dog is gone away you don t give him anything..

Effective Dog Training For Obedience

• Training CLasses or private lessons with dog trainer
  You could start with the e-classes for DogTrainersWorkshop.com

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training question?

now i know keep your dog on a leash and have a fenced yard....but realisticly i would like to be able to teach my dog to stay by me when we are outside....if your just going to tell me to keep her on a leash dont wast your time....i know people have dogs that they take with them and they stay with them....i would like anyone who has done this to give me some insite as to how they've done it...

obviousely she will not be alone outside and im not going to run around with her off the leash for long periods if i can't watch he....

Dog Training Leash - A Basic Method You Need To Have

Recommended Answer:
this is what i did,,i had my gf put a leash on and i would walk her outside,,then i would leave her alone and tell her to stay,,,if she didnt stay i would spank her,,,lol

Dog Training - A Vital Component of Your Dog's Life

• let him go outside, then when he goes to far call him back


• Basic obedience classes would be a good start; you need to learn how to teach her to stay and also to work with her on recall.


• If you aren't in a fenced area, it's not a good idea.. You never know what might come up or come along, and sometimes things are just way too tempting, and worth the risk of trouble.. I wouldn't do it.. I don't trust others, and you never know what might happen...


• Whether you can teach your dog to stay with you off-leash has a lot to do with the dog, and how much time you spend training it. The first thing you would have to do, is to train the dog to walk with you on the leash. Walk it every day. Teach the dog that if it strays too far forward from you, it will feel a tug, that will bring it back to you. Walk the dog, then after a little bit ask it to sit. When you ask it to sit, gently pull up on the leash and use your other hand to push the butt down. Praise it for sitting. Then resume walking, saying, "Heel". Sometimes having treats in your pocket helps, and you can offer a treat occassionally, but praise should be the primary reinforcement. When you are in your yard, or another area, put a long rope on your dog, perhaps 10 or 12 feet long. This way if your dog strays too far, you can simply step on the rope, and the dog cannot go any further. This teaches the dog that it cannot and should not wander too far from you. After awhile the dog will learn how far it can go, and to return to you. Teach it to come, by using a six foot leash. Make your dog sit and stay. Then walk about 5 or 6 feet away, wait and then stoop down a little and say, "Come". Praise your dog profusely, and make it sit, right away. Always keep the treats in your pocket at first, because if your dog knows it can get a treat when it comes to you, it will find that a very pleasurable thing. If your dog does something wrong and you call it to come to you, you must not scold it, as it will associate coming to you upon command, with negative discipline, but the treats in your pocket will always be a good reinforcement, and it must always be praised for coming to you on your command: "Good dog, come".


• Depending on your dogs dominance level she may be tryying lead you around. A good obedient dog will follow you were ever you go because you control the food time, play time, and sleep time. First fix the dominance, then if the dog is "sniffing" its way away from you try teathering the dog to your waist. Take a tie out cord wrap it around your waist and then attach the dog with collar to the end of it. The dog will eventually figure out whereever you go he/she has too also. This will establish you as the leader of the pack and help with any dominance issues. Good Luck


• Hi ,
  Well i found this really helpful guide ,its a really professional training called sit stay fetch , it teaches you how to train your dog by yourself , check it out at http://www.dogobediencetraining.co.nr , its a easy step by step videos and book
  Hope this helps you with your dog
  Good luck

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Dog Health Questions: Where else beside petsmart and petco can you get a job as a dog trainer?

the only dog training jobs I can find are petsmart and petco. Are there any other places that offer jobs to dog trainers? you can include other pet stores that offer dog training jobs except the aforementioned ones. (10pts for best answer)

Dog Training Online - Inside Secrets of Professional Dog Trainers Revealed

Recommended Answer:
There are privately owned ones that you could call. You would have to look the numbers for them up in the phone book or the web. Petsmart or petco trainers might also have an idea were you could go. You might also ask the trainers as well.

Dog Behaviour Training - Take Dog Training Classes

• I don't recommend training for work at petco or petsmart. Sorry if I'm insulting any of you, but the depth of training and experience you need won't be given to an employee they are training.
  
  It is possible for someone trained outside of these companies to be teaching, but not likely.
  
  There are a number of expensive locations that you can take classes from throughout the U.S. at private schools. Did I say expensive?
  
  Since the first things a dog needs to do is learn basic obedience, I'd recommend contacting clubs in your area. There are clubs that are strictly interested in competing in obedience. They would be a good source of information for training in your area.
  
  People that have trained their dogs to earn championships in obedience are more likely to be great sources of information. You'll have little information about the quality of an instructor in a school you attend.
  
  These people in clubs can also suggest other people you can speak with, and/or schools you might attend if you really believe you must attend a school.
  
  For example, I train for hunt tests. Two of the best professional trainers in my region never went to school. They had the opportunity to train under knowledgable people.


• :) I worked for PetSmart as a trainer, and then when I left I did open up my own training business. I have been dropping off my letter, with my business cards at the vets and groomers in the area. I am trying to get a place to do group classes. The parks will be way too hot to do them. It's after 11p now and still 90 out. I went to the animal shelter and its a city thing, so I didn't have any luck there. I know people from the rescue groups, so that will bring me in business too. I have two vets who recommend clients to me. It's going to be basically word of mouth. I don't want to get myself into a situation of going to someone's house that I don't know. Too many weird people out there.


• I know that our local SPCA uses dog trainers and provides classes at their location. I don't know if the trainers are voluteer or paid positions though.


• ~open own buisness. Word of mouth. Or find a reputiable trainer in your area and become an appriantce.


• opening your own business is going to probalby be the easiest thing... cuz they are almost all privatly owned!!


• try spac

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Dog Health Questions: Michael Vick Training Video?

Did Michael Vick ever put out a fighting-dog training video? I need to get my neighbours dog into top shape by this weekend.

The Three Dog Training Mistakes You Should Avoid

Recommended Answer:
oooohhhhh....your so going to get flagged for this question.

Dog Training and the Dog-Human Bond

• Sick! Or better yet, let's sic the dogs onto you.

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Dog Health Questions: Help with dog training plz?

I have a 6 month old puppy who me n my boyfriend r trying to train n we need him 2 at least learn the basics so he doesn't hurt anybody or anything. Plz help if you can on how we can train him.

Dog Training Techniques - The Fundamentals

Recommended Answer:
Obedience Class.

Go to your local Trainer and contact them on an Obedience Level 1 Class. It will teach you the basics and teaches your dog how to behave.

Dog Training - How to Housebreak an Adopted Dog

• Go buy some books on dog training, or sign him up for training. I prefer training classes because it gives the dog owner more structure and usually has far better results. I prefer classes that do not use treats as the reinforcer. Downside to training is the cost. But you will be less likely to get rid of your dog for basic training issues.


• If you are looking to save some money since obedience class can be costly, there are a lot of great resources online and offline as well. There are a host of DVDs, ebooks, and hard copy books that can help you and your boyfriend train your dog at home. The trick is finding the good ones. I recommend checking out reviews online for which books or DVDs work well. For example, Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer guy, has been highly rated and acclaimed. My in-laws have used his techniques and their boxer is very well trained. So he is a pretty reliable source for home training. Hope this helps.


• I would suggest you go to obedience classes. I prefer a positive approach to training, such as clicker training. Here is a video that might be helpful:
  
  http://www.puppiesanddogsinfo.com/episod…
  
  http://www.puppiesanddogsinfo.com/episod…


• Enroll him in an obedience class, it's one of the best ways to teach puppy's the basics because they are around other dogs so they have more temptation.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training issues?

I have a pomeranian/toy american eskimo puppy( he is almost 2yr old). Anyways when I let him outside he will urinate in about 5-6 different spots. A short while after letting him in, he will head straight for the dining room table and urinate on the same chair/table leg each time. He does not empty a full bladder or anything like that. It is just a small bit. Could he have troubles emptying his bladder? How do I break him of this? Also is there something that I can use to treat that spot to ensure that he will stop doing it? Any help or advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

Dog Training Plays Key Role in Dog Grooming and Puppy Care

Recommended Answer:
He's marking his territory. It helps if you get him neutered. You can use Nature's Miracle to clean the chair leg. There is some stuff you can get that will make the dog want to pee only in a certain area of the yard. I'd do that, but when he comes in the house and tries to pee on the chair leg, you're going to have to be very stern and consistent in telling him no. You have to treat it like potty training and be adamant that he not pee inside. You could try putting some pennies in a can and shaking it near him when he tries to pee inside. It will scare him and most dogs don't like it.

Top Three Problems Solved by a Secret to Dog Training

• no, i dont think your dog is having trouble emptying its bladder; my guess is that your dog is trying to mark his territory. you could try putting him on leash and restricting the area he has available. i know that most petstores sell stuff to make the grass green again and also to remove the scent, so then your dog won't be able to smell the urine. if the problem persists, it may be wise to take him to the vet.
  
  i know my dog used to do that as a puppy, but stopped as he grew older. Hope this helps!


• neuter the dog.
  
  spray the chair leg with a mixture of white vinegar and water
  
  try a belly band. That's basically a band that cvers your dog's privates when you don't want him to pee...you can find them on ebay.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog service trainer schools in new york?

I have always loved dogs and enjoy helping others so I am very interested in becoming a dog serive trainer, though I have no experience with dog training. Does anyone know of any dog service trainer schools in New York? Thanks!

Agility Dog Training, Key to a Great Sport

Recommended Answer:
Check Cornell. Also if you have a land grant university like Pen State.

Whet you might need to do is pick up a general psychology degree and then apprentice yourself to a service dog school.

Dog Training Schools - What a Typical Course Covers

• As Mike said, try on this link: http://www.doggroomerdirectory.com/newyo… and if you don't find anything, check in news or yellow pages

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Dog Health Questions: Need Dog training tips please.?

So we adopted an adorable little terrier mix about a month ago. For the most part every thing has been great but i could use a little advise. He is very intelligent and does some baside commands like sit, down, stay, come, shake and rollover. He does them excellently when i am in a quit room with him but when we are outside or there are new people around its like he has no attention span at all, he barley even responds to his name when he is distracted, also when he is out in the yard and i try to get him inside and say come he wont come he just starts running when i come near him, trying to play a game. how can i get him to be more obedient when he is outside, playing, or around new people- distracted. He also has some seperation anxiety. He really hates being lest alone and will bark for a while when we leave him in the kitchen alone. I have tried basically evrything- left radio on, left things with my scent for him and he gets plenty of excersise so thats not really the issue. He is fine when we leave him home alone, but when we leave him in a room alone and he knows were in the house he barks for a while, He is crate trained and i have tried leaving him in the crate when we leave the room but is doesnt seem to work. He is great around other dogs and people and only nips when i comb his tail or rear end. He is about 8 months old and i think he is a yorkipoo, or maybe a wirehaired dachsund mix or affen pincher or maybe a cair terrier mix, he is a little black scrappy 7 pound dog. He is also very skinny for his sixe and could put on a couple pounds. I give him two meals a day- solid gold food mixed with some organic wet food we make. I usuually only leave out the food for about an hour but he barley ever eats all of it. Is there a food that will help him put on weight, maybe white bread or rice or something? so basically 3 issues- 1) when distracted doesnt listen to commands like come and sit etc.. 2) Separation Anxiety when left in a room alone 3) Somewhat under weight. Thanks for your help

Secrets to German Shepherd Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
1) The Terrier breeds are well known for their "selective hearing" and stubborn ways! You are right that he thinks he's playing a game when you try to call him inside and then chase after him, because to him that is EXACTLY what he thinks is happening. You need to make coming inside seem better than staying outside. Start putting him on a leash when you take him out, stay outside for a short time, and then when you're ready to bring him in use an "excited" voice and say "let's go inside!" Lead him inside and then reward him with his favorite treat once you get inside the door. Do this for several days, every time you bring him in. Then, when you're ready to let him out on his own again repeat the same thing...call him with your "excited" voice, squeek a toy, do whatever it takes to get his attention and then offer him whatever his favorite treat is. If you reserve those specific treats only for the times you call him to come in, then hopefully he will realize that the only way he's going to get one is if he comes in without a fight.

2) When he barks from the other room, do you go to him or call out to him? If you do, or if you ever have, even once, then you are rewarding/have rewarded a negative behavior. If he knows that barking or whining will get your attention then he will keep doing it until he gets what he wants. How long have you left him to bark/whine? Sometimes you have to leave them there for a while to let them figure out that no matter how much noise they make, you aren't going to pay them any attention. It sounds mean, I know, but it's the only way you're going to be able to teach him. Find some type of chew-treat that he likes (bully sticks work great) to chew while he's in the other room, and ONLY give it to him during those times. If he associates being left alone with something he likes (the chew-treat) then he won't mind being left alone so much. And when you let him out don't say anything to him, just open the door and let him walk out. If you get him excited or make a big deal out of letting him out then that's what he will want...the "attention" he gets when he gets let out.

3) I feed my puppy Hills Science Diet Puppy food (dry and canned) and she gained healthy weight without getting overweight. It's very important that you feed a puppy food that is formulated specifically for puppies because they require extra protein for growth. Feeding your puppy food you make at home doesn't ensure that he is getting all the nutrients he needs. If your concern is that the food be organic, there are plenty of dog food manufacturers that make organic food. A lot of people say that you should feed your puppy scheduled meals rather than free feeding (leaving food out all day) but if you're concerned that your puppy isn't eating enough it won't hurt him to just leave it out. All dogs are different, and your dog may prefer to nibble throughout the day rather than scarfing down a whole meal just once or twice a day.

Hope some of this helps! Good luck!

Dog Training: Pro Versus Self-Trained, Which is Best

• To overcome distractions outside, you're going to have to reward him with some really great treats: tunafish, hotdogs, etc.
  
  The dog won't understand why it can't be in the same room as you. No dog can understand this. As you trust the dog more, you can let it have the run of your home while you're there. Eventually it will curl up in its crate. Try covering its crate with a towel, so it's more of a den.
  
  What does the vet say about his weight? A dog should know how much is enough, unless it's overeating.


• To sharpen his obedience skills, enroll in an obedience class and he will have to work around other dogs and people. Ask your vet's office, local rescue organizations and dog clubs for referrals to good trainers.
  Meals should not be an hour long. Choose a quality food and structure his mealtimes like this:
  Feeding Commercial Dog Food
  Choose a high quality food by going to a pet supply or feed store and reading the labels. Remember “high five” or “give me five” as you read. The first five ingredients should be meats and vegetables and grains (unless your dog is itchy or chews himself, then go to a grain-free food). The very first ingredient is a meat. A second meat in the top five is very good.
  Not in the top five ingredients is any by-product, corn, wheat, or soy. A by-product is usually very low quality, such as chicken by-products are the feet, beak, and feathers. Not much nutrition there! Corn, wheat, and soy are cheap fillers and not easily metabolized by the dog.
  Use the package feeding guidelines to measure the daily amount of food for your dog's weight. Divide that measured amount into separate meals. Puppies up to 10 or 12 weeks need four meals per day. Older puppies need three meals per day until they are adolescents and stop growing taller. Then the adult dogs can be fed in two meals per day for life.
  At each meal, put the measured amount of food in his dish and add a spoonful or two of warm water to enhance the aroma. Call the dog over and let him eat. In fifteen minutes or when he has cleaned the dish, whichever comes first, take up the dish. He gets no other treats or snacks until the next meal. Training treats can be pieces of his regular kibble.
  This should create a healthy, eager eater.


• All dogs are brilliant performers at home. When you know that he understands the commands at home, take him into another room and get him to strut his stuff again. Hopefully you have a safe fenced garden/yard for a repeat performance, nevertheless you must train him for several weeks before he will work without distractions. After a few weeks, look for a safe fenced area away from home, however if there are other dogs around don't expect him to obey. Wait until there are no other dogs or detraction's around until you do any training away from home. This is a slow process and it will eventually work.
  
  If you want him to be quiet when you leave him in the kitchen, pretend that you are going out. When you are actually leaving him, don't let him see you leave and don't give him the run of the house. If he is allowed to run free, he will feel obliged to guard every room in the house and this will concern him.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training help?

i just got this new pomeranian
its a puppy right now and its a girl
any tips on how to train her to go outside whenever it has to 'go'
wat dog food should i use
just give me any useful puppy tips
please and thank you

Competition Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
When she gos potty be sure to tell her go potty each time. But if its inside then tell her no and make her watch you clean it up, all wile giving her a mean look. If she dose anything wrong tell her no and never let her get away with anything. Don't be afraid to tell her No, its discipline and all dogs need good discipline. And love her when she is good or just not bad. But don't love her when she is sad or scared, she will think that its a reword and that being sad is good. This is the way all dogs think. And the best food is puppy chow brand, its best to get the kind specific to your dogs size. See how much food your dog eats in 15min. This is how much food she will need every day. And take that amount and split it in half and feed it to her tow times a day. Never Ever let your dog eat people food! Some of our food is bad for dogs and once she gets some she will never get enough. Its like a drug to dogs. And be sure you are the pack leader and she is not. Never let her lead you, you lead her. Especially on walks and most dogs need an hour a walk a day, at the least 45min. If you let her own the house then you won't have any control over her in the house. And I recommend the dog whisperer on the national geographic chanel.

5 Advisory Tips For Good Dog Training

• You could use puppy pads for the potty training, or you could just take her outside every few hours and praise her when she "goes". When she starts to go in the house, pick her up and scold her and then take her outside so she learns that going inside is bad.
  As for the food, Puppy Chow or any other special puppy food for little dogs will do. Adult food could be bad for her stomache and teeth.


• Go here!
  http://www.avalonpom.com/PupCareSheet.ht…
  
  It should help you with your Pomeranian puppy problem!
  (Wow that was a mouthful)

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Dog Health Questions: DS: Shy dog training suggestions?

The last 2 weeks I've been conditioning my 2 yr old dog to like being petted by strangers. We had awesome progress and he looked quite content. Today however he reverted back to being really shy again when two stranger tried to pet him. It was a little discouraging. I've had him since 8 weeks of age and he's just recently(2 months ago) started being this shy and fearful. He actually loves kids though and has no problem being petted by them. I aim for him to be petted by 2-3 new people per day for his conditioning and he gets handling exercises by me in the house at least twice a day. Anybody have experience or have success stories on training their shy dog to love being petted by friendly strangers?

Dog Training - Beyond Conditioning

Recommended Answer:
although with my own dogs i do the same as nikko, for your purposes i must agree with miss manners.
help to alleviate your dog's stress by doing tricks for the people who would like to pet him. then you or they can give him a biscuit once he's earned it, and that may help him to feel more comfortable.

because you didn't let anyone pet him when he was a pup, he became fearful. it's important when raising a pup to know when and when not to let people pet the dog.
if it starts to become fearful of strangers, it's important to immediately make strangers look very non threatening to the dog.
the aim when not letting people pet the pup isn't to make the pup shy or fearful, but to make it ignore people.

what i've always done is let random people pet the pup until about 4 months of age. then the puppy really learns that people are not scary, and i can introduce my training with the pup ("mommy is WAY more fun than that guy!!!") at which point i stop letting people pet the pup.
if the pup starts acting fearful or nervous, i go back to square one, and drop treats next to people, let the pup investigate the people, and have them pat him again.

it's not advisable to disallow people from petting your dog unless you really know what to look for in terms of confidence. also, having a pup with good, solid nerves really makes a huge difference. "not interesting" and "scary" are two different things

Types of Dog Training Programs: The Best (and Worst)

• For a dog that is up for adoption, learning to tolerate strangers is a must, because it will be a stranger who takes the dog home.
  
  So....with my shy foster dogs, I take along treats, and have passing strangers give treats to the dog.
  Most dogs soon start looking at strangers as potential treat dispensers, rather than something scary. :o)
  
  Also, encourage people to pet your dog on the side of the face or under the chin, instead of the top of the head. That is less intimidating.


• I for one never ever let a stranger pet my dog..they can look but don't touch..The dogs is wary of strangers and should be as not all are good people,so be careful who you let your dog become friends with..as he gets older he will get better but he is still a pup..
  ADD>>> then try this,have a stranger approach with a treat and a friendly voice,hand held out but palm up and call the dog to them..This should have your dog feel less threatened and more calm and trusting.You may have to start with an adult that has met him a few times to understand it's ok than move onto someone he has'nt met yet..Make sure the stranger and yourself gives him much praise after the necounter.Try taking him into an open area leashed when trining so he gets use to people being around and make him more comfortable..


• How are you conditioning him to like it? Just making sure he gets exposure (other people pet him) isn't sufficient, and may actually backfire. Other people petting him needs to be kept low key, he shouldn't be pressured or even coaxed into it, and all contacts or near-contacts should involve some great treats, or a play session if he likes that better than treats.
  
  Think of it this way- if you didn't like or were fearful of snakes, would being made (its not your choice!) to see or touch 2-3 snakes every day help you "get over it" or would you now dislike them just as much, or maybe even more? And maybe make you distrustful of whoever it was making you do that?
  
  http://www.fearfuldogs.com/guidelines.ht…
  
  http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/product…

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Dog Health Questions: Dog Training HELP!!!!!?

I'm 15 and my grandmother agreed to house one of her friend's pitbul puppies. The dog(Stella) is almost an adult know, she has to be atleast 8-12 months old. Now my grandparents cant go out and play with Stella and give her the attention she needs. The stella doesnt have too many visiters. The owner gave her a little basic training but she hasnt really been socialized. I love this dog and i hate to see her go, so ive agreed to go to my grandmother's house and help to train, walk, feed and all around care for Stella. I havent trained a dog before and i know that Stella isnt the right breed of dog to start with. But if I dont then who will?..... I was hoping you guys had some suggestions that will help the process be as smooth as possible for both Stella and I. All your help and advice is greatly apreciated. Thank you all so much in advance! I hope to here from you soon

Dog Training Career: Doing It and Loving It

Recommended Answer:
I don't have the time to give you as detailed an answer as you need. I suggest that you go out & buy some dog training books & DVDs. Also, watch "It's me Or The Dog" on Animal Planet and "The Dog Whisperer" on National Geographic Channel (be careful on following some of Cesar's techniques, tho!) You might also see if your local Petsmart or Petco will allow you to enroll a Pit Bull in any of their training classes.

Some Less Obvious Benefits of Dog Training - Help For Owners of Older Dogs

• We have now special institutions who train dogs as long as you are there support their needs like foods. Maybe you could entrust your dog to them!


• Dogs are very much like children, they respond well to positive praise, rather than shouting and frustration. This is why positive dog training has proved to be so successful.
  
  When you are training your new dog, or even if you are training an older dog, you need to make sure that every single time that the dog does what you require him or her to do, you need to praise him. Also ensure that anyone else who has a part in your positive dog training uses the same methods as you do. There is no reason why the whole family cannot help in training your dog.
  
  Each dog will have their own favorite type of praise, some prefer lots of pats and fuss, others prefer some doggy treats, and others like to have a game with their favorite toy. Most dogs like a mixture of all three!
  So if you are trying to train your dog to sit, then you will say his name (this part is very important, as it lets your dog know that you are talking to him), and say the command 'sit' loudly and clearly. While you say the word push down on his back end to force him to sit, and when he does make sure that you praise him up. Dogs love the attention we give them, and if they think they are pleasing us, they will want to do it all the more.
  
  Repeat a couple of times, and you will soon find that your dog begins to associate the word 'sit' with sitting down, and in no time at all he will be sitting all on his own at your command.
  
  Some people worry that giving their dogs too many treats is not good for them, but you only need to give treats while they are learning the command, once they have fully mastered it, the treats can drop off.
  
  Make sure that you keep the training session fairly short, as even fully grown dogs will not really take anything in after a while. Puppies need to have plenty of rest and sleep. Once the training is over then spend some time playing with your dog, he will really enjoy this and begin to look forward to your playtime once his training is over.If you have a protection dog that is not house trained, then the first thing that you need to do is to make sure that there are no medical conditions that could be causing the problem. Some of the more common medical reasons that could stop your dog from being properly housetrained are diabetes, intestinal parasites, uti's (urinary tract infections), or hormonal incontinence. Pop your dog to your veterinarian for a check over, and if anything medical is found, once it has been treated you will be ready to start housebreaking an protection dog.First stage is to make sure that you clean and treat your home so that no odors remain – some odors only dogs can smell, especially from previous accidents, so this needs to be thorough. If any of the smells are still there then your dog will want to go in the same place.Then you need to work out the area you do want your dog to use. Once an hour in the daytime take your dog to this spot to do his business. Sometimes housebreaking an protection dog can be really easy as they could have been trained previously and just got into bad habits. If your dog has never been housetrained in the past it will take a lot longer to accomplish, and need quite a bit of effort and time from you.Once your dog begins to perform in the area you have picked, make sure that you give him plenty of praise and rewards. The rewards can vary from treats, to walks, to extra playtime and the type of reward you give will depend largely on what your dog likes best.
  
  Don't make the mistake of punishing him if he makes a mistake, as this will put the whole thing back, and it could cause harm to your dog's personality.
  Housebreaking an protection dog can be done, it just takes patience, time and supervision
  
  hope this helps!good luck :)


• Nothing wrong with starting with a pitty. They can be great dogs.
  
  Now very few people are successful training on their own the first time. You need a training class. See if there is a 4-H (call your county extention agent) A lot of people think 4-H is just for really rural areas, but that's not the case. Many 4-H clubs have dog training, and its FREE!
  
  If you can't find a 4-H, look on the AKC site (www.akc.org) and find training clubs. The clubs are way less expensive that private trainers and you learn how to train your dog. Look for group classes.


• Pit Bulls are not for the casual dog owner, but I am glad to see you help out a do who no one else will. Just stick with the basics. Make sure you Grand Parents get a good quality food, not the stuff from the grocery store. Do things like make the dog sit and lay down before you let her have food. The dog needs exercise every day if possible, so learn how to walk a dog properly. It appears the dog gets enough affection from the Grand Parents, but try to find people to pet the dog if you feel it is safe. You really should contact a dog trainer for assistance as pit bulls can present many problems when training. Check out websites like Cesar and Victoria for more information as well as pit bull forums. Maybe contact a pit bull rescue for some assistance. They may be happy to send a volunteer to your house to show you some basics. This will keep the dog out of a shelter. Good Luck!!!


• Yes, Pitbulls have a bad wrap...but I know many people who have the nicest dogs in the world and they are pitbulls! So as long as she is not animal or people aggressive I think it should be fairly(you will hit a few bumps in the road) easy! If I were you I would start working with her I somewhere fairly small(if possible a fenced in area...if you dont have somewhere that is fenced in get a longer leash) For the first coupld of weeks just start with basic commands such as come, heal, sit, down, leave it(food, something on the ground, ect) and front(the dog is suppose to break from whatever it is doing, come to you and sit right in front of you) are some basic ones my dog knows. This will take time and patience AND some really good treats which will keep your dogs interest(switch it up...cut up some turkey, hotdog, ect and change from time to time so the dog will keep coming back...but you dont always have to give a treat....praise will work just as well sometimes) AND you dont want the dog to ALWAYS associate treats just because once you take them away and not give them as often it could result negatively. Once you feel Stella is listening to you well enough to have her trust invite some friends along with you...to socialize Stella. You go and get Stella and put her on leash and have your friends in the yard with a treat...let the dog go up to your friends, have them pet her a little and then give her the treat...then to just let her do her thing.
  As for taking her on walks I would suggest getting a collar like this one(I am about a 120lbs and I have a Rottweiler mix whose around 70lbs...if I dont use this she will pull me over)
  http://www.petedge.com/product/Training-…
  I know many people dont like these collars but you have a very strong dog on your hands and you are quite young...so I would assume that she would be able to pull you very easily. How this collar works first of ONLY put this collar on when outside...and make sure it comes off when you get in the house(It can easily get caught on things) Just remember this is not as harch of a collar as you think it is...it is merly used for corrections...such as if your dog is pulling first give a warning such as "Stella, Heal" if she does not give a quick tug, then release...your dog will quickly learn that she needs to focus on you while on a walk as well!
  Also another suggestion...see if there are any dog training classes that are in your area in which you would be able to attend with your dog or atleast go an watch to see how they teach and what they recommend doing/trying!

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training, confused Lab?

Well, A Week Before we moved we had this Lab show up at our doorstep.
We Spent That Week Looking for Her owner, But No Luck. when We Moved We Couldn't Leave Her Alone So We Packed her Up And brought Her Along and Are In The Process Of Spoiling Her (In a good way)
Now heres were the problem comes in..sorta..
When She showed up apparently she had known the command sit.
Well im going trough agility and tricks training with her.
Every-time I Try To Teach her A trick, I can Spend 2 Days Trying To Teach her The command Limp. (holding her paw and pulling her gently forward until she 'hops' on 3 legs like a limp, giving her the command and then rewarding her.) This has worked on other dogs but with her when i go to give her the command with out showing her I get her to walk then say limp and she sits, she thinks every command means fr her to sit.
Is she confused, maybe from a rough past? Im not sure..shes a labrador..any advice? (Oh yeah her rewards are little pea sized hot dog bits. and a verbal praise and pat on the head=] )

Dog Training - A Fun Activity

Recommended Answer:
I think that it's not so much that she thinks all commands mean "sit", as much as when she doesn't understand what to do, she sits down, thinking that's a good thing. It probably stemmed from you praising her a lot when she initially showed up on your doorstep and you asked her to sit and she did.

Now, when you are teaching her a different command, if she sits, just say "No", and repeat the name of the command and show her again what to do. When she does what you want, say "Good command name" (e.g., "Good Limp"). I have found that following "Good" with the command name works really well, rather than just saying "Good girl" each time.

By the way, awesome job in adopting this lab who showed up on your doorstep. Taking her into your home and heart was really a wonderful thing!

Take care, and all the best.

Dog Training And Electronic Shock Collars

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Dog Health Questions: What are some IMPORTENT THINGS about dog training?

I WILL NOT smack,Yell,feed human food besides carrotts,name some more?

Understanding the Differences Between Various Dog Training Courses

Recommended Answer:
I do positive training.
If my dog does something I like or want him to do, I would praise him, give him a treat, or anything he likes.
When he does something I don't like, such as snapping at guest in my home, I would simiply remove him from the room into a different one and leave. I would wait until he is calm again and bring him back out.
If I repeat this, he should stop snapping at my guest because dogs want to be with you, not locked away in a different room.
Positive training is the best because it's non-violent and increases a dog's confidence.

Dog Training Aids - Best Tips for Using Crates

• Don't let the dog leave the door way before you when going for a walk.
  Make sure the dog "heals" to you when you go for a walk until released. Don't give the dog "free access" to the house (crate train)
  Feed the dog after all humans have eaten.
  Don't let the dog on furniture unless you invite it first.
  Allot of stuff depends on if you have a "dominant breed". You may have to be very strict about stuff if it is. A good book is "The Idiot's Guide to Dog Training"


• That depends what you're trying to teach your dog. If you want it to do its business outside you should walk it regularly and take it outside every time it eats. If you want to do basic commands you will need some dog treats or chicken. For the command sit push your dogs bottom down while saying the command. Do it a few times each day till your dog getss the idea. If you have a friend with a trained dog or someone you know ask them to come over with their dog and help. It'll be much easier for you dog to do it if it has someone else to look from.


• I like to think of it as a Parent to a child. (meaning- I am not a Pack leader/alpha, I do not use aversive's or harm them physically.)
  
  You set rules (NILIF).
  You show them what behaviors are rewarded (training).
  You show compassion.
  You have patience.
  You make sure to socialize.
  You give them plenty of exercise, Mental & Physical.
  You Play with them.
  You are consistent (for puppies schedules are especially important.).


• --- do NOT treat your dog like a person or a baby or a kid- that's the worst thing you can do for them
  --- when they are nervous or something, don't pet them, it only makes it worse (trust me- i've been around dogs all my life and i've worked at a vet's office)
  --- try to stay calm if something 'nerve wracking' happens, the dog feeds off of you
  --- when teaching them to talk on a leash, don't have the leash taunt, they'll learn that leashes mean something bad, and they'll associate a taunt leash with something bad
  --- be VERY VERY patient
  --- you'll have to be the dominant one, not the dog, so don't let the dog get away with everything, you need to start that (being dominant) the day the dog comes into the house, no matter the dog's age
  --- ALWAYS remain calm
  --- once you've taught your dog how to do something, like sit, always go back and do that command, they'll forget about it if your not consistent
  --- when training, start with the basics- like to sit, lay down, then move to stay and gradually increase the distance (in the house) then work outside with the basics- everything builds on everything else
  --- when your dog is eating, get them used to you being near them- i can stick my hands in their dog food and they'll just stop eating and when they have a bone i can put my hand right by their jaw and they'll stop (it's all about being the dominant one)


• Tell him wat you want him to do, like say if it is sit, then you say sit, and if he doesnt do it, push is butty down softly and say this is "sit" and keep doing it over and over, and when he gets it right, give him a treat. :)
  Or a she, IDK!! :)


• well sometimes physical punishment is needed to establish dominance with your dog. Your dog is not a human so dont treat it like one, you need to show that you are in control....


• Always reward good behaviour
  Integrate the dog with other animals and humans for good social skills.
  Train to not pull on lead.


• CONSISTENCY, very very important. If one this not ok one day then ok the next, the dog will never get it.


• to be patient and consistent. Rome wasn't build in one day - or one month for that matter. :)

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Dog Health Questions: What is the point of a clicker in dog training?

Can anybody tell me?

Dog Training - You and Your Dog

Recommended Answer:
You can check out some clicker training basics at www.clickerleash.com on the "How it Works" page. There are video tutorials there that explain why you would want to clicker train and shows you how to apply it when training your dog the basics.

Animal Husbandry And Other Unnatural Acts: A Career in Dog Training

• To "bridge" a correct behaviour with a reward.
  The true magic is in the TIMING.


• I was told that a click is a lot faster to mark a good behavior than a spoken "good dog." So the dog gets praise as SOON as their butt touches the floor (when teaching "sit") instead of a second or two after.


• The click marks the exact second that the dog has done something correct. The click is also a consistent sound that is exactly the same regardless of the user's emotions at the time so it can be less confusing than a verbal reward marker which will change depending on what the trainer is feeling at the time or even the weather.


• it marks the EXACT moment that the dog performs the task desired.


• The clicker sound is a substitute for "yes" "thats right". It marks the exact second a dog did what you hoped for. It also tells him that he has earned a treat. Petfinder.com has videos on training.


• Think of a "click" from a clicker the same thing as a "mark." It indicates the exact and precise moment that the animal is doing something correct. The benefit of a clicker is that they are faster and much more precise than a human voice or a reward. Following the clicker is a reward most commonly food. The use of a clicker is three step instead of two step, which is what most people think of in dog training.
  
  So say, you tell you dog "sit." He sits and you give him a reward, whatever that is. In clicker training, you tell the dog "sit", you click when the dog sits and then you reward. There is an extra step in there.
  
  Most commonly clicker training is used in the beginning of teaching something new to an animal. This helps the animal to understand exactly what you are trying to teach them. Eventually you fade out the clicker once the animal understand the new word, then you just use the reward, and then that becomes random. When you are teaching something new again, back comes the clicker, and then that fades out once the animal knows it and then the reward, and then the reward becomes random.


• One click marks a good behavior. Good timing is the key.

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Dog Health Questions: What Dog Training/Competitions can a Goldendoodle be entered in?

I was told that UKC Obedience is the only one that Goldendoodle's can enter in. However, I don't see that breed as a choice on their website!

Search And Rescue Dog Training Advice

Recommended Answer:
There are agility, flyball and the like competitive events that are open to mixed breed dogs.

Dog Training And Electronic Shock Collars

• i'm not sure about showing if thats what you're looking for, but I know there are several agility competitions that any dog of any breed can join. one might be through AKC, but I'm not 100%.


• In order to enter in UKC or AKC events the dog MUST be a purebred. Golden Poodle mixes are NOT nor will they ever be purebred.


• That would be because you don't have a breed, you have a mutt.
  
  Any competition usually has a mutt section, divided by weight/size.


• I believe that ASCA (Australian Shepherd Club of America) opens its obedience trials to mixed breeds.
  
  There are also AMBOR (American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry) obedience trials:
  http://www.ambor.us/
  
  Mixes are also allowed in NADAC agility trials:
  http://www.nadac.com/


• That's because a Goldendoodle isn't purebred. It can be registered as an Ambor (American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry) and I think the fee is around $25-$35.
  
  I know the UKC has a website and I'm pretty sure the American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry (or Register) has one also. Try googling for more information.


• You are partly correct. The United Kennel Club and Australian Shepherd Club of America, welcomes mixbreeds in their agility and obedience programs.
  
  The reason your not seeing your "breed" is because Goldendoodles are not a breed, they are a mixbreed. So in UKC, your dog will be listed as an AMBOR (American Mix Breed Obedience Registry), which is the Parent Club for mixbreed dogs.
  
  With the UKC, you will need to send proof of spay/neuter in order to get your Mix an ILP # to compete in Obedience, Agility, Rally Obedience, Weight Pull or Dock Diving.
  
  With Australian Shepherd Club of Ameirca, they only register Aussies, but they do give Non-Aussies, including Mixbreeds a tracking number so you can enter the performance events: obedience, agility and tracking. With ASCA also, you dog will be listed as a MixBreed, not as a oodlesomething.
  
  AMBOR (American Mix Breed Obedience Registry) as I mentioned, is the Parent Club for Mixbreeds. They require that all dogs registered with them are spayed and neutered. They track your qualifying scores in the various venues that are open to mixbreeds and give out yearly awards for Top Ten.
  
  For agility, the venues that are open to mixbreeds are: United States Dog Agility (USDAA), NADAC, CPE, DOCNA. Since these are not breed registries, but agility registries, you can call your dog whatever you want.
  
  Lastly, for Rally Obedience, there APDT (Associate of Pet Dog Trainers), where you will also need to show proof of spay/neuter to register the dog. There's also UKC for Rally obedience.
  
  edit: Zuzia..you don't have a clue of what your talking about. You obviously have never been to a show or seen how these dogs are trained.
  
  My old beagle mix (who is passed on) used to smile when she was running. When she did obedience, her tail went a mile a minute, she absolutely loved working and was heartbroken when she had to retire.
  
  I currently train dachshunds, my boy has a wonderful work ethic, he loves agility. How do I know? By his body language, by the fact that he barks at me until it's our turn. Training has been nothing but a positive experience for him and highly rewarded with very tasty treats and his squeeky ball, so thus, he loves to learn.


• wrydachsie has some great info, so I won't repeat it :) except to say that you can register your mix with the UKC and participate in a lot more than traditional obedience. Take a look:
  http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/WebPa…


• I would not send you dog into competitions this is not a good life for a dog

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Dog Health Questions: What kind of collar does the Don Sullivan dog training technique use? Does this training method work?

I watched the infomercial and am considering purchasing the training DVD's and collar but want to make sure this works.

Dog Training Basics: 3 Golden Rules

Recommended Answer:
I have yet to see ANYTHING on an infomercial that works. I personally used a shock collar to train my 4 Rotties and if used properly and NOT ABUSED some people do because they are idiots, it works just fine. And works on the same concept. When a pup does wrong what does the mom do.....nips the pup on the neck. What does Cesar Millan do....acts like a mother biting on the neck. So the shock collar acts the same way, except with the bonus of it being surprised. The dog won't know it is coming so they tend to learn quicker not knowing it is coming. It is all a matter of timing no matter what training aid you use. If corrected at the right time, they would all work the same anyway. Most everything is just a gimmick anyway. Or a fancier version of something already on the market. All the Don Sullivan program is going to tell you is correct your dog at this moment, that moment, at this time...etc etc. So why spend the money on something that is common sense??? Correction is timing. plain and simple.

Rescue Dog Training

• The "Command Collar" link 1 bears a striking resemblance to a martingale collar Link 2. The circle can be either of chain or nylon.
  I prefer these collars for training as they are much more humane than choke chains or prong collars.
  I cannot say anything about his methods. I am unfamilier with him. Generally any training that uses positive renforcement gets my seal of approval (for what it's worth)

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