Dog Health Questions: Would a Old English Sheepdog be the right dog for us?

Here's what we can do (exercise etc.)
-2 miles walk a day, along with at least half an hour play session a night, probably more.
-He/she would never be left alone during the day or night, he would go to my dad's work which has a total of three people and plenty of space and fields
-We do have cats, and will raise correctly
-Socialise well with everyone and everything!!
-Do nice long walks at the weekend too
-We have three members of family alltogether
-we will do puppy/dog training classes, we've found some really good one's.
-we would like to rescue, but if we went to a breeder we know some very reputable ones.

I really like flyball and agility etc.

thanks everyone xx

Ages of us: two adults in 50's and a 15 year old, all my cousin's and family are all grown up to, so no young children xx

Thanks! Xxx

Online Dog Training and Puppy Training

Recommended Answer:
Seems like a great dog to have in the house for you guys. Biggest thing is exercise and they do shed quite a bit so grooming is definitelyyyyyyy required. I used to show a couple of them and I told myself I would never groom one again. Don't listen to the poodle person. Shaving a dog down is the worst thing you can do. Their coat helps insulate them in the summer and aids them to stay cool! If you shave a dog, you expose their skin to the sun and there are multiple problems that can occur there. You HAVE to make sure that this dog is disciplined as they sense very easily who is the leader and who is weak. They can be a very dominant breed but good luck!

Be a Responsible Dog Owner and Consider Using a Dog Training Collar!

• That sounds like a great plan, but you must remember that the Old English breed is a very high maintenance breed of dog. And unless you plan on shaving to skin the must be brushed thoroughly every day to prevent matting.
  Also you would want to send him/her to a groomer for proper grooming at least every 8-10 weeks to maintain coat condition.


• a golden retrever would be best. verry loving and loyal and also they are verry energetic they can be calm also

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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: Do you know where i can take my dog?

I have a 16 wk old pit bull puppy. And he is wild. Does anyone know where there is free dog training classes in SF bay area? not employed at this time, cant afford it! :( thanks..........

Learn More About Some Of The Best Ways To Begin Dog Training And More About What Not To Do

Recommended Answer:
Pit bulls are the best dogs ever. My pit bull did rather well in obedience training but you have to make sure to work with them a lot outside of the classes. As for free classes, I would look on craigslist, that is probably your best bet.

Electronic Dog Training Collar

• I don't know of any free ones. At the San Mateo SPCA they offer low cost training.
  
  http://www.peninsulahumanesociety.org/se…


• You really can train your dog yourself.
  
  Have you establish that you are the pack leader? The best way is to flip him onto his back pin him down and growl in his face. It scares the crap out of them, which is good because he needs to know you are in charge.
  
  Heres a pretty good link also http://www.dogproblems.com/public/depart…


• First of all do not worry, dogs at that age are perfectly normal to be wild. First of all it's only age thing, then you have to be firm and just firm with your dog. That means loads of conversation between you and your pet dog. If you do not communicate with a dog than the dog can't learn. Just be a leader and raise the dog properly and be firm.
  No need for training classes you can do it trust me just talk with your dog, and be firm NO means NO loud and rude NO. Ignore when you not in a mood to tolerate the bad behaviour from a dog and be firm.
  Some people say don't punish a dog don't be 2 firm, be as firm as you have to till he learn, also what works well is to built a small crate in your flat and limit him general area and he will find out quite soon that he is bad boy, and you will see how firm hand and crate can make an excellent pet, but you have to work with him. He is not human and he don't understand many things that humans do.


• I just got done taking a class with my puppies and it's easy. Buy a clicker ($2.00 max) and bag of treats. Self teach yourself..First do the sit command..everytime he/she sits on command, use the clicker and reward with a small treats. Keep doing constantly, once he/she mastered it, move to another commands....like stay. Hope this help!

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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: Has anyone watched the Cesar Milan dog training dvds-and if you have what did you think of them? Worth buying?

I saw this set of 3 Cesar Milan training videos and they looked good-was wondering if anyone could review them. Thank you!!

Dog Training Devices - How Using One Can Help Correct Stubborn Dog Training Problems

Recommended Answer:
You can train your dog using positive training techniques without resorting to force. I have a challenging cross breed terrier that we got from a rescue center as an adolescent. We got to the root causes of his behavior addressed those and then implemented a training routine.

I would personally recommend Dr Ian Dunbar, he is a vet and an extraordinary teacher. He teaches with a sense of humor as well which you will find you will need to keep you going at some points.

I have seen Casar Milan and he is undoubtedly very talented but I do not agree with some of his methods. In my opinion you should learn what you can from peoples teachings and disregard the things that you do not agree with. Take a look at Casar's website and subscribe to his newsletter and look up Dr Ian Dunbar on You Tube.

I would go with Dr Ian Dunbar but that is my personal preference.

Dog Training Basics - Avoid These Five Common Mistakes

• I don't like Cesar's training methods. I would never buy any of his books or videos.


• I don't have the training dvds but I have his show on DVD, it's amazing and you can learn a lot just from that so his training DVD's are probably amazing!


• I absolutely love Cesar!! & like him I understand dogs, therefore it easy for me to properly train them, I will definitely buy them.
  
  EDIT- I think those of you who dislike Cesar are just plain stupid or jealous one!! Understanding dogs & their behavior & body language is the key to training them...that goes with any animal...they can not speak our language, but we do of course have the ability to speak theirs!! His methods are actually quit simple & completely natural.
  
  You are all just haters in my eyes, who probably have horribly trained dogs. I hate critics & I think if you don't like the show then don't watch it....& don't tell someone else a bunch of B.S. because of your own opinions.


• I thnk Cesar Milan does a good job of explaining dog training. While I haven't seen the dvd's, I've seen his program on TV and agree with most of his solutions. However, mostly he deals with problems and not training from the start.
  
  If you are just looking for some basic obedience training, find a good dog training class in your area and sign up. They often adress some common behavioral issues.
  
  My own preference are the teachings of Dr. Ian Dunbar and Sirius Puppy Training. I've included a link below. There is also a section on solving some issues.


• Cesar Millan is a great dog trainer. His specialty is rehabilitating extreme "red zone" cases where dogs are very aggressive, dominant, etc... Cesar often rehabilitates dogs whose only other option would have been euthanasia.
  
  I think his books and DVD's are great. If you're getting a new pup or have an adult dog who needs some training, Cesar's tips can be very helpful. He has a very good understanding of dog psychology and pack dynamics.
  
  NOTE to those who dislike Cesar. If all you've seen is his tv show then all you've seen is how he works with extreme cases. These are dogs that other trainers gave up on - that other trainers said to euthanize. He uses a lot of positive reinforcement and emphasizes discipline (rules, boundaries, and limitations) NOT punishment. Dogs are pack animals who need rules. He also emphasizes properly exercising a dog. Bored, under-exercised dogs often get into trouble and become destructive.


• His training methods are outdated and barbaric. In his books he actually states he doesn't believe in obedience training. That is crazy! If you ask any real trainer they do not agree with his methods. The only thing I agree with is that exercise should come first and unexercised dogs act out.
  
  Take your dog to a real obedience class or check a book out from the library.
  
  Look into Victoria Stillwell if you want a TV celebrity. She uses positive reinforcement training methods.

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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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