Dog Health Questions: I want my dog to be a autism service dog?

I have a 3 year old autistic son. We are going to be getting a yellow lab for him when the dog turns 8 weeks old. We want to get the dog trained to be a autism service dog. We live in the state of maine, does anyone know how we would go about getting the dog the right training? Thanks :)

Abandoned Dogs Trained for the Hearing Impaired

Recommended Answer:
Go to CCI.org. Canine Companions for Independence gives service dogs free of charge and fully trained to those it need. It is possible to train your own but VERY VERY difficult for someone to do without professional help. CCI dogs are bred to be service dogs. They are AMAZING dogs. If you train your own, the soonest it would be ready would be at about 2 yrs old. CCI dogs are trained by professionals. There is usually a 6 month to a year waiting period, but the dog is free of charge. I HIGHLY suggest you look into CCI, training for a child with autism is VERY VERY difficult. I have autism. I am an adult, and CCI does not provide dogs to adults with autism, but they do for kids with autism. I really do highly suggest CCI. even with CCI dogs, only like 2 of 5 are service dog material. The pup you get may not be fit to be a service dog, no matter how young you begin training.

Choosing Between Dog Training Schools and Animal Behavior Specialists

• The very first step would be to have the dog pass a canine good citizen course. If the dog can't pass that then he/she won't be able to do any further training. Consult with the trainer that you plan to use about what else you'll have to do after passing the canine good citizen course to become a service dog. What will you be expecting the dog to do for/with your son?
  Most service dogs are bred to be service dogs and begin training from very early on based on what they will be expected to do. I have doubts that this is something you can do without being involved in some type of formal training.
  Also, it is important to know ahead of time, not all dogs have what it takes to be a service dog. The dog may be a good pet, but might not be able to pass the necessary courses.


• Are you ready to be handling the equivalent of TWO toddlers in public? A service dog is just about that, a helpful toddler, not a magic bullet.
  
  If you need a dog, go through a program. I've trained both of my own service dogs, and neither of them from a puppy. They were hand picked older dogs. I know you want the best for your son, but handling him and a puppy, before it's even old enough to begin training, will have you pulling your hair out and then some. A regular trainer won't cut it for this job either, and unless you're lucky enough to be in an area with a qualified service dog trainer, you won't get the help you need and end up with a washed out dog who will be nothing more than a pet.


• Yes, you can train a dog yourself, but he might be better off with a professionally trained dog from a program. If you haven't looked into them, check it out. Costs to the family vary widely, anywhere from completely free to 5 figures. Go to www.iaadp.org They list many programs. Many programs are nation wide serving people in every state.
  
  There are also private trainers that can help.


• As was suggested I would look into getting an older dog who has already been trained for this sort of thing as opposed to taking the risk on a pup who may not have the right temperament for the training.
  
  contact these guys - they are located here in Maine and have experience with training dogs for Autism service dogs and can help you in this process.


• These links might help:http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/fs…
  http://www.dogster.com/group/Service_dog…

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Should I get a dog...?

First off I want to say that I am and have always been a dog person. I grew up with dogs and have always had special relationships with them in my opinion. When I was only a few months old my parents took in a puppy for a friend. I grew up with her and when I lost her from cancer it felt like I lost a best friend. We got another puppy soon after that from the shelter and everything had been going great with that (potty trained in four days and I'm pretty proud of that haha) until it to succumbed to cancer (I know what a coincidence right.) It's been years since my dogs died and I haven't had one since. I miss the companionship and loyalty that a dog brings.

I'm now 16 almost 17 and am really thinking about getting another one (Sheltie in fact as that was what my last dogs were.) My mom (parents divorced) says she is thinking about it. This summer I can devote almost 100% of my time to a dog training it and being active with it. I'm an avid outdoors person so being active is not a problem at all. I have a part time job working about three hours three to four days a week so whenever I would be away it would be for short amounts of time. My mom is also willing to help out here and there with training and letting it out to go to the bathroom.

There's only one problem and that's me going to college in a little over a year. My plan would be to let my mom take care of it for the first year (I plan to go to college locally and would be able to come home during the weekends every once in a while.) After the first year I would move into my own house with some friends most likely and could take the dog back. I am very knowledgable about the care of dogs but I'm really torn as what to do. I'm sure most of you will say that I should wait until after college and I partially agree but I just don't know. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

P.S. sorry for the length.

Clicker Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
You sound like you're going to be a really sensitive and caring dog owner. You also sound like someone who benefits a lot from the companionship and loyalty, and dogs are great for that. However, the relationship does go both ways. It's not really fair to get a dog when you know for a fact that you're not going to be able to take care of her soon and will be leaving her in the care of your mother, who sounds like she will be a great caregiver, but who doesn't seem as enthusiastic about this as you. If you're not going to have the dog for the school year, is it really fair to give the dog one summer of undivided attention and then leave him or her alone for so long? Also, what if the house situation fell through (lots and lots of things change during college, including people and friendships) and you still couldn't take care of the dog during the school year? What's wrong with waiting until next summer when you'll probably have the same amount of time as this summer, and will have a better idea of whether or not the housing situation will work out?

It's also more likely in this situation that the sheltie would bond to your mother more than to you. She'll grow up as a puppy with your mother in that house, and then you'll be taking her away from that and expecting her to socialize with a bunch of people in a house. Shelties are known for being wary or even timid, and they're not good at learning to socialize if they don't learn it early on.

Just some thoughts. I LOVE SHELTIES, and I wish you all the best when you get one!

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

• I do think that you should either wait until you are done with college or just have it be your mothers dog and visit like you will visit her.
  
  Good luck!


• Do you HAVE to live on-campus your freshman year? If you're really REALLY serious about getting a dog, go to a community college your first 2 years so you can live at home. Or look for other housing with your friend(s) during that time. I know how you feel, I've always had a dog my whole life, but I once had to go a year without. It's a real downer :(


• If your mom doesn't have a problem with it I don't see why not. But I feel like over time the dog would become more of your moms dog and your relationship with dog would not be as strong and you would feel hurt and left out and the relationship wouldn't be like your other dogs. So maybe it's a good idea to wait a while

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: A question for teen dog owners?

I've always wanted a dog as a little kid, but it's never been the right time for one. Finally, it seems like the right time is not far away. For the past year I've been doing lots of research, I defiantly know which breed I want, how to train it, the right food, etc. I've read almost all dog training books in my library and would be enrolling the puppy in training classes as well.
The only problem is, in a matter of years, I'll be done high school. I'm not too sure what will happen from there, but I'm concerned that I won't be able to take the dog with me, etc. I'm not fully we're i'll be living in a matter of years, etc. Since i'll be doing the main caretaking of the dog, I wouldn't want to leave it with my mom.

So my question is, teen dog owners (and anyone who has been in this situation( who do the main care of the dog, what are you planning to do/did do when you graduate from high school?

How to Locate the Proper Dog Training Program For You and Your Dog

Recommended Answer:
If you don't know what you'll be doing, don't do it. You cannot just say "Oh well! I'll just leave it with a relative or friend." It is YOUR responsibility. Not anyone else's. My mom loves my dog, but when I was planning on going away, she told me that I would have to get rid of him because she works too much to take care of him (which is completely understandable for her & the dog).

Crate Training Your Dogs - Ultimate Dog Training Method

• I'm in college, and I decided to go to a community college, solely because of the fact that i couldn't leave my dog. My parents are very unreliable, and I could never forgive myself If something happened. If you truly want to enjoy college life, wait on the dog until after you graduate. Regardless, training a puppy is too time consuming to be done during your freshman semester, trust me.


• Ill tell you i had that concern but when you get the dog you will fall in love with it and not want to give him/her up. Its easier to give it to someone you see a lot or a relative so you can visit them.


• Almost all colleges don't let you have dogs in the dorms, which sucks. And you don't want to get one then leave him at home. You may want to 'foster' a dog. There are some programs where at a shelter when they are about to euthanize a dog you can bring it home and help it find a home and keep it a while, instead of being put down. But if you don't want to I can totally understand because you'll have to give it away, and because most shelter dogs are mutts and they may not have the kind of dog you are looking for.

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Dog training confusion?

i dont get it some pro trainers say make your dog submit to you if he bites you too rough and some say dont do that... some trainers say punishment doesnt work some say it does... some say time outs and such are not understood by dogs and some recommend it.... most trainers say use tone of voice... but guess what no matter what tone of voice i use my dog acts the same way.... jumping around excited biting... ive had many many dogs before and ive come to the conclusion that dogs are like people some are just not as smart as others...i just love them and dont want to be mean to them... treats and praise as positive reinforcement work for some things but how do you use positive reinforcement to eliminate biting and other behaviors where its hard to give positive reinforcement to fix

Know The Basics Of Dog Trainings

Recommended Answer:
There are conflicting messages because there are different schools of thought on this. On one end of the spectrum there is the "yank and crank" whose most famous advocate was a man by the last name Koeler, who founded the Koeler method. This is the school of thought saying that you use physical punishments of correction to show a dog how to behave. This can be produce fast results but the long-term drawback is that it will motivate a dog to not get corrected, not necessarily create a love of work. In extreme cases it can cause resentment from the dog which can lead to them turning on their own handler.

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum is the "happy feel good'' method. This is what is taught by the big box petfood warehouses like Petsmart, Petco, ect... This is where you only use positive reinforcement and only correct by firmly using the word "no" or some other command. This works well on a very small percentage of dogs that are very mentally soft. With dogs, if you have to use a word more than once, be it "no" or some other corrective word it begins to lose it's meaning. Ultimately if the dog learns that your worst doesn't have 'teeth' to back it up, they view you as weak and will not follow you. It is repetitively seen that dominant dogs often go into these obedience classes and come out just as dominant. They may learn how to do some tricks, but they do not learn to respect their master.

Somewhere in the middle is where the most successful trainers typically fall. These are those who train dogs for work; police, search & rescue, seeing eye, or herding. The school of thought here is that you initially teach a dog the meaning of words using motivational tools like treats or toys. Once the dogs knows what the command means and refuses, the dog is corrected, usually with a pincher, choker, or electronic collar. The dog learns several valuable lessons simultaneously; their handler is to be obeyed and respected, when their handler says something refusing will result in consequences but obedience will be rewarded. This is what creates the most motivated and joyfully working dogs.

Biting is one thing where you can not bribe a dog to stop, that will teach them to bite more. The dog must respect you and associate biting you with bad things. Pinch their muzzle after they bite and stair them directly in the eye and firmly say "NO BITE." When they look away let them go. If that doesn't work, grab them by the back of the neck and shake them saying "NO BITE." If that doesn't work hit them on the snout. Usually the second two aren't necessary for most dogs. For perticularly hard dogs like German Shepherd, Dobermans, or Malinois I would be shocked if the muzzle pinching alone works. With these kinds of dogs this is a very serious matter that may seem minor when they are puppies, but a 95lb German Shepherd could send you to the ER, this can be a life and death matter if it is not 'nipped' in the bud immediately. Do not play around with a dog biting or showing teeth and growling. If you think this method is extreme observe wolves, they offer the best insight as to how to lead a pack of dogs.

Electronic Dog Training Collar

• just like you came to the correct conclusion that some dogs are smarter than others, you will have to come to the same conclusions as to what training methods to take ... if you have a difficult dog this time around with training, do you live somewhere that you can take training classes ??? classes are great as the dogs are exposed to lots of other dogs in a controlled environment with hopefully a good trainer leading the class ... you have just figured out something important in life, there is no ONE thing that works for everyone and everything ... you have to see what works for you and your dog and come to conclusions that work for you ... have you tried exercising the dog to exhaustion a few times a week ??? that can really mellow out behaviour ... dogs with too much energy will find ways to get rid of that energy if you do not do it for them ...


• I personally like the removal technique I found it works for my dog. However all dogs are different.


• All dog training is a matter of opinion, based on the trainer's experiences, learning, training, and general attitude to dogs and even to life in general. That's why people have different methods to try to get to the same result.
  
  My Dachshund barks and barks and barks at people, and has run up to them to nip. As he's a small dog I haven't tried to teach him not to bark and bite at people. Instead I'm teaching him to obey commands to come to me and stay with me until I tell him he can leave - I also did this with my JRTx, who jumped up at strangers as he was just so happy to see people.
  
  So I can use rewards when they come to me, which will increase the likelihood they will come to me when I ask, which gives me the positive reinforcement. If they are walking or standing close to me, they can't be running off and jumping or biting, and the less they do that, the better.
  
  As my Dachshund learns that I can 'protect' him from people - ie when he is with me they don't try to touch him - his interest in chasing them away and biting their ankles decreases. My JRT I don't think will ever lose his desire to leap all over people, mainly because some people want him to do that by giving him biscuits but it's working for the Daxie.

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: How can I make the dog bath easier for him?

I know dogs don't like water but there must be some way to make it easier for them.
As dogs should he dislikes water and becomes extremely difficult. This is my first dog so I do not know very much on dog training (giving the dog a bath). So, if you guys have tips please help me.
Thanks:-)

Boxer Dog Training Tips and Ideas That Are Critical to Effective Instruction

Recommended Answer:
i just make sure that when i bath my dog i keep distracting her with lots of praise and treats. she likes swimming, buts she's not so keen on the shower head! ha ha bless, when you bath them they do shake a bit but he'll be ok as long as you keep the temperature right and don't spend too long in bathing them cos they get cold. make sure you have plenty of warm towels handy and for the first couple of times you might want to get someone to help you so the dog doesn't jump out of the bath and to keep feeding them treats!
hope that helps, he'll soon smell great again.

Dog Training Collar Aka Shock Collar Buyers' Guide

• The majority of dogs only need a bath once or twice a year, unless there is a medical condition, it's rolled in something, they are being shown, or are visiting nursing homes.
  
  A lot of people who give their dogs daily, weekly or monthly baths are on power trips. If you give your dog a daily brushing, odors will be minimized.
  
  However, if someone is bound and determined to give their dog a bath, at least make it easy on them by giving a waterless one. Here's the link:
  
  http://www.ehow.com/how_5071852_dry-sham…


• Lots of dogs like water, most don't like baths. Is your dog big or little?
  ,make sure that the water is warm enough, but not hot. wash his face with baby shampoo, and a washcloth to avoid getting stuff in his eyes/ ears. Don't stress, talk calmly and firmly, and praise allot, but not when he is doing the wrong things. Praise as soon as he does what you want. tell him no when he misbehaves. Ask a local groomer to let you help her for a while one day, she will teach you much in the art of bathing, lol. Mostly just stand firm.


• I feel for ya,my poms used to hate bathtime. Put your dog in the bath and the whole time your washing him talk soothingly. Tell him what a good boy he is and how brave he is being. Take him out give him a good towel drying. Then a treat. If he doesent like his bath he probably never will but at least this will make it a little easier on him.


• You didn't say how old the dog is. What kind of climate you're in either.
  
  If you're in a cold climate...ease him going into the water...actually, use the shower...
  
  warm climate ...bathe the dog outside and if you have a backyard...make it a play time...give him treats and his toys to fetch


• what i do is i have a treat with me and makes him try to get it make sure he or she can smell it and they will try to get it so the treat will take there mind off the bath. hoped this helped love chelsea and prescott


• If you're doing it outside, you use your leash to time him to something, and then use a scrub brush to wash him (so it is like you're petting him), and be as quick as possible.


• Best way would be to not bathe him.
  
  Why do you think he needs a bath?


• i never knew a dog who didn't like water.
  
  as for the baths,, put him in the tub, wash him, take him out. simple


• First, many dogs LOVE water! So remove that thought from your head. Yes, some like getting a bath better than others, just like people!
  
  Make it easier for yourself and it will be easier for the dog because you won't get upset, it will go more smooth and won't take as long. After the bath, make a big fuss about the drying off and playing with the doggie bath towel. Nearly every dog loves have the towel rubbed on them to get dry.
  
  Probably the easiest thing you can do if you don't have one already is get a hand held shower. They work just fine for everyday showering and are a huge help when giving a pet a bath. And they help a lot for just cleaning the tub and shower in general! You don't have to get an expensive one, but I wouldn't buy the cheapest one either. Don't waste your money on those things that slip over the faucet with a hose and a sprayer head and are made of rubber. They just blow/pop off and always at the worst time.
  
  Have all your supplies at the ready so you don't have to go looking for something in the middle of the bath. Be firm but speak in calm tones. Have the water gently warm and the water pressure in the middle range, not too hard but not too soft or it will take forever to rinse the shampoo out.
  
  Start at the back of the head with the water, wetting down the coat as you work back. I usually take an old washcloth that's damp and wash their faces, check the ears for dirt and so forth. When the coat is thoroughly wet, start shampooing at the back of the head and work all around the neck, making a collar of suds. This is especially important if fleas are an issue. The little buggers run for high ground (the head) and the suds collar will stop that. Just keep working your way back and down around the belly and all that.
  
  Then rinse well, massaging the coat around to make sure all the shampoo is rinsed out. Then take your hand and run it over the dog with a little down pressure to help squeeze the water out. Then start with the towels. A small dog you can wrap up, a big dog you'll need to rub and blot as best you can. If it's warmish, I just take my large dogs outside through the outside door in the bath and let them dry off in the grass. My toy dog loves being wrapped up and babied so that's what she gets.
  
  I give all three of mine a bath with minimal assistance; hubby has to help the big, old guy get in and out of the tub. He loves a bath, I think the warm water feels good to him. The middle dog hates it but knows she has to put up with it to get a goodie after. And the little one loves them too! She even holds her foot up so you wash it.
  
  If you approach the situation with negative thoughts and vibes they sense this. Best for you to be calm, firm and confident.

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Would you recommend watching a dog show?

on television for getting dog training advice?

If so, which show would you recommend?

And by dog show I mean like "It's Me or the Dog," "Good Dog U" etc.

Agility Dog Training Equipment

Recommended Answer:
Watch the "Dog Whisperer" with Cesar Milan,so you can find out how to act with and around your dog. After your dog respects you, then try "It's me or the Dog" with Victoria Stillwell for training advice. Those are the only two dog shows that I can say seem worth paying attention to. You have to figure out what works for you and your dog.

How to Incorporate Dog Training Into Dog Play and Exercise!

• Yes, I actually would recommend it because when I first got my dog I got a lot of little tips that worked really well from the shows. Especially "It's Me or the Dog." And instead of getting a trainer or going to obedience classes, it's free!!!!


• Hell no. Said shows are far to heavily edited to be of help and give people the false impression that they can train their dogs WITHOUT help when in many cases they should be working a a real trainer.
  
  Watch it for entertainment sure, but certainly not to learn anything.


• No, they are all actors, and the shows are edited. Call your dogs breeder and have them refer you to the local kennel club. Kennel clubs hold classes on a regular basis.


• I don't believe anything I watch on TV, training shows included. TV shows are edited and their primary goal is ratings, not informing.


• sure
  any of them
  get all the information you can


• No, I'd recommend classes with a trainer.

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Dog training treats..?

My puppy doesn't have a very large appetite i guess. Hw doesn't like any of the three very different treats we have bought him for training. Any ideas? Cheese, carrots, hot dogs????

The Basic Commands of Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
I use the Natural Balance logs for treats just cube them up small, I also use Solid Gold treats, or Wellness treats broken up.

Also once a pup has learned a behavior I would start "fading" the treats - ie the first two time a pup does a requested behavior treat and praise, the third time praise only, the fourth time treat and praise..end of session. Mix the order up so that the pup doesnt get wise to when treats appear. Ive been training agility with my dogs for over 12 years and nobody expects a treat each and every time but they do get verbal praise everytime they do a behavior correctly...even when Im running a course and the praise is a simple YES!!

The Smart Way To Dog Training

• They love Roast chicken pieces if you can be bothered and one of the best is cabana sausage or liver treats as usually they will take your arm off for these.You need to try everything you can to find the right one and you will give it time and patience.
  Personally l do not like many of the Commercial treats so resort to some of the above but each puppy and dog is different and one of my Show dogs is not a fantastic eater but loves human food like chicken or sausage or something r eally yummy.Try try try until you succeed!


• don't give dogs cheese. it isn't good for them- most dogs are lactose intolerant, and whether or not he has diarrhea, i'm willing to bet that he feels bloated after cheese! hot dogs have terrible things in them and aren't good for dogs OR people. plain boiled chicken pieces are a good treat though, and you can always use carrot or apple for a treat. i have a dog who goes nuts over sweet potatoes too.
  
  the best thing you can do is just take kibble out of his daily ration, and train him when he's hungry!


• see when i trained my pug when she was a puppy i never gave her treats because of the of the simple fact that if you do that to them they'll expect a treat every time and sooner or later it will get to the point to where i will stop buying it treats, so best treat is to love them scratch them rub there belly just simple physical attention you know they love


• You know, if he is not responding to the treats then I suggest using very small pieces of what he DOES respond to. By very small, a sliver is enough. As long as they get some kind of reward they are fine.
  
  So test him. If it is cheese, use cheese. Just be real stingy with it.


• I started out with treats but the truth is he will respond just as well with Love and Praise. Use his favorite TOY as a reward. Most people will reward their dog a treat after several tries and even if the dog does nothing to deserve it.


• cat treats work great
  
  all they need is a taste. not a whole hotdog. or even 1/8th of a hot dog.
  
  the smellier the better!
  
  I use those whisker lickin treats. the tender moments' ones
  any small, smelly treat will work


• Lots of dogs enjoy carrots, but I also cook up a batch of chicken (buy it when it's on sale) and freeze that in small batches. Then, I always have a healthy treat - which they LOVE - available.


• I've used cheese sticks and hot dogs to much success...but recently my dogs have fallen in love with the Wellness beef jerky treats, they just can't get enough! I'm ok with that too since they are all natural.


• i accually used her dogfood, feed her like half her breakfast, then use the other half as treats

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: How long do you have to keep a dog in crate training? Also will this prevent "excitement dribbles?

We rescued out adult aussie/husky mix, Remmy, from the pound last weedend and we soon figured out she wasn't potty trained yet. So, I read through my dog training book and searched on the internet, and came up with this "crate training method". My dad bought her a good sized crate and this is the first day of crate training.

What the book told us to do it keep her in the crate throughout the day, exept for letting her outside every hour. (I take her on a long walk everyday after school too) When she eliminates outside I praise her and give her a treat. Then I take her back in the crate. I've been keeping track of the times she's peed/pooped outside today and I will do this everyday this week until I can see a pattern and predict when she normally goes. If I keep this normal schedule up how long do you think this training will last until she has become potty trained?

Also, she has this problem whenever she gets excited (like when I wake her up in the morning or when I come home from school) a few drops of pee lands on the floor. Can potty training stop this too or is it a different problem?

Understanding the Differences Between Various Dog Training Courses

Recommended Answer:
Are you feeding her on a regular schedule as well? That's a necessity.

You don't have to crate her all the time. It's not supposed to be a prison. A crate is where she should hang out when no one's around to supervise (when you're at school and when you're sleeping), but under supervision there's no reason for her to be cooped up in there. Just keep walking her every hour, and watch out to make sure she doesn't try to go indoors.

The submissive urination is a separate problem.

Dog Training - Avoiding Common Mistakes During Dog Training Sessions

• The dribbling is submissiveness. This will resolve itself as the dog feels more comfortable at your home. Just ignore it. Making a big deal of it will just make it worse.
  
  I always let my rescues out of the crate for a while after they have gone outside. I only put them back in the crate when I can't watch them. If you look for the signs, you know when they have to go. Of course, watching for the signs means not watching anything else but them, no TV, no friends, no homework, you get the idea. This should only take a couple a weeks at most.


• Sounds lik you're doing just perfect with the potty training! She should catch on quite quickly since she's an older dog- and the fact that you're praising and giving a treat after she does is great. When she does go though- I'd suggest putting a command to it like "go potty" she'll start to associate the two quickly and after awhile you'll be able to use the command to TELL her to go when you want her to.
  
  Once the potty training is a little more solid, try having her drag a leash around instead of the crate or restricting her to a kitchen with a babygate so she's not going from the crate to a big open floor plan.
  
  The potty dribbles are another issue altogether. Its called submissive peeing, ad stems from some slight unconfidence- although probably not due to you. I write a dog blog @ www.shespeaksbark.blogspot.com if you go there use the search bar at the top and search for these 2 articles. "Dealing with submissive urination" and "giving confidence a boost" both have tips that will help you out with these issues. She should get over it as she begins to feel a part of the family. Good luck and congrats on your new pooch!


• Each puppy trains at their own pace, so do dogs. Limit the space she has in the house until she can behave in that room and graduate to more space, supervised of course. She should only have to be in the crate if you are not watching her, all other times she should be practicing how to be good in the house. Use a bell method so she will let you know when she needs to go. I use a crate* to potty train with, but only for potty training and then I break it down and store it. I put blankets and a small food and water dish in the crate. Dogs don't potty where they eat and sleep. When they are first little, I only expect them to hold their potty for 4 hours, and then 6 hours, then 8 hours and so on. So when they are first little, I set a timer or alarm clock to wake myself up at night to take them *out. I only allow my puppy in the bedroom* or the living room, only one room at a time. They have to graduate to more space. If I allow them to have full run of the house, it will overwhelm them. I take them out the same door each time. I tie a dinner bell to the door handle. Do not use a jingle bell as they could get their toe caught in it. So when they are little, I ring the bell for them, and then open the door to go *outside to potty. When they get bigger, I take their paw and whack the bell and open the door to go potty. Eventually getting to the place where the puppy will ring the bell and let me know when they need to go potty. Dogs want to please you, so it is your job to let them know what behaviors please you and what doesn't. So when my puppy goes potty, I give her a treat*, and clap, and make a fuss and praise her. So she learns that going potty outside makes me happy. If she has an accident, make a disgust sound like “tsst” and take her out right away. I never yell* or spank* my puppies. Take them out when they first wake up, after they eat or drink, before nap, finish romping, when their activities change, or when they are sniffing around. Some puppies go pee right away, but may not go poop until 10 minutes later, so wait for the poop. I have a little play time here, because sometimes I think they are done, and they are not. Puppies train at their own pace. While I may have a puppy that hasn't had an accident in several weeks, I don't let my guard down. I don't expect my puppies to be "fully potty trained" until one-year-old. If they have a setback, shake it off, and start over. I only have my puppies in the crate when I am not watching them. When I am sleeping, cooking, ironing, doing chores, basically when I am not watching her. All other times, she is out of the crate practicing being a "big girl." This is the time I train her how to behave in the house. So we are practicing "no barking", 'no biting", "no jumping", and "don't eat the furniture." I also have to practice "playing inside" so she doesn't knock over things. You must keep the puppy in sight when they are little because they don't know the difference between newspaper and carpet, and you don't want them sneaking off and getting into trouble. Some puppies can sleep through the night around 3-months-old, but their bladder is grown around 6-months-old.
  
  REVISIONS:
  *I use a CRATE to train with. It is the method I prefer, compared to other methods I have tried. I noticed that if they are in the crate, while I am doing chores, they are o.k., because the crate allows them to see me and be re-assured. The crate can also be a comfort when stored in the basement for dogs who live in areas where thunderstorms and tornados are an issue. . However, use the method that works best for you.....a laundry basket, a cardboard box, a woof-woof house, x-pen, child gates, whatever works for you.
  *OUTSIDE, pee pad, litter box, whichever method you are using. When the puppy is first little, keep the pee pad, litter box near the food and water dish, so the puppy can eat and drink, and then go potty. You can move it away as they get older. The pee pad has a scent that smells and initiates potty. Sometimes a pee pad makes a sound that scares some puppies, so you might want to use a litter box if that happens. The pee pad allows a puppy to walk around, but a litter box keeps the puppy in one place.
  *BEDROOMS, I use the bedroom and living room for training, because it works for me. Choose rooms that work for you, but watch for rooms that are damp, or drafty. While my puppies sleep in the bedroom during training, once they are trained, I let them sleep where they want to. They don't have to sleep in the bedroom forever.
  *TREATS. While I use treats for training, you don't have to. I like Charlee Bears for training (a little cracker for a little mouth,) I use them for training, but once they are trained, I cut back on them.
  *SOME PUPPIES will go potty in the same spot each time. Some puppies have to be told to go potty. A command like "go out" for pee, or "go finish" for poop, might work for you, keep saying “go finish” until the puppy poops. This is a good thing to train if you travel with your dogs. By using commands, the puppy won't get confused when you are visiting someone, on vacation with you, or when you get to a new home. The command will tell them what you want them to do in an unfamiliar place. You might also want to use a leash method, so the puppy doesn't sneak off, or for strange places.
  *YELLING. It is not a good idea to "yell" or "spank" your puppy and then take them outside when they have an accident. They may get confused and think that going outside is punishment. While you want to correct them, if you are extreme, they may not want to go outside again. Shake it off, and resume your schedule. You have to keep it real. Puppies train at their own pace, but a puppy can only hold their potty for a few hours. A guide would be 1 hour for each month of age, plus 1 hour, so a three-month-old puppy should only be expected to hold their potty for 4 hours at most.
  SOURCE: These tips, tricks, and ideas were contributed from many brilliant minds. Thanks for your help!

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: What are some excellent books you'd recommend on dog training?

or websites?

Is this book good?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592533256/ref=wl_it_dp/105-7259723-0589253?ie=UTF8&coliid=IEV0VKSEZU83L&colid=13DWKA5B2QPB8

Dog Training How Tos - Laying a Solid Foundation

Recommended Answer:
If you want to rule through force and fear, then yeah, go for the Dog Whisperer. If you prefer to have a good relationship with your dog and rule through mutual respect, I'd recommend something else.
I haven't read the book you show there, so I can't comment on that. A lot of dog training books that give step by step directions are the same, it's your overall philosophy that counts. Any book with step-by-step directions can be adapted to your personal philosophy, it's just ideas on how to get the dog to understand what you want. It's how you go about making them want to do what you want that matters.
Do you want to teach your dog that he gets rewarded for doing what you want, or that he gets punished for NOT doing what you want? There is a very real difference.

With that in mind, I'm not going to recommend any step-by-step books, but instead some books about the philosophy of training, how to understand your dog and help him better understand you, and how to maintain an excellent relationship with your dog.

Bones Would Rain From the Sky, by Suzanne Clothier. (Articles available on her website http://www.flyingdogpress.com )
The Other End of the Leash, by Patricia McConnell
How to Speak Dog, by Stanley Coren

Boxer Dog Training Tips and Ideas That Are Critical to Effective Instruction

• i don't remember the authors name, but there is a book that i have gotten at the county library that is titled family dog,it was a great help for me, there was several other titles by the same author.


• There's a totally awesome book out there called 'Purely Positive Training' by Sheila Booth that gives very detailed instructions for training. If more people bought and read this book, and then actually had the brains to apply what she says, there would be a lot less dogs labeled untrainable turned in to shelters to be killed. Give it a try.


• the book in your link is a fun book for trick training and focusing a high energy dog to some 'work'
  my personal favorite for training is the Monks of New Skete,,they train German Shepards but the methods are universal for all animals
  
  2nd would be something from Dog Whisperer,,,though i question the INSTANT effect tv provides,,in all my years of training and helping customers,,i realize, myself included, that we as humans put too much humanization on our pets and spoil them to destructive behavior
  ( note my 100lb dog lounges on the forbidden couch beside me)


• Forget books and watch the "Dog Whisperer" regularly on TV.


• The super simple guide to housetraining by Teoti Anderson
  
  The EVERYTHING puppy book by Carlo DeVito & Amy Ammen
  
  How dogs think by Immanuel Birmelin
  
  Dog Training Handbook by Stella Smyth & Sally Bergh-Roosethese are the books i've read on puppy training and they've helped a lot. anther great lady to check out is Victoria Stillwell, she's the host of "its me or the dog" on animal planet. You can find her here:
  
  http://www.victoriastilwell.com/


• "Do's and Don'ts of Dog-Raising" by Michael Vick


• Communicating with Your Dog: a Humane Approach to Dog Training by Ted Baer is a good starter book for first time owners. It's a good "first steps" type of book, though you'll want to supplement with other good books.


• I like Ceasar Milan "The dog whisper" I trained my dogs like he does before i heard of him he nakes alot of good points some dont like how he does things but people i know that had problem dogs and tried his book had better dogs after. Good luck

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Seeing Eye Dog Training?

I was wondering... Are seeing eye dogs trained for protection also?

Dog Training Books - Choosing the Best Dog Training Book

Recommended Answer:
no. my family raised seeing eye dogs as pups. at the first sign of aggression they are removed from the program

Hunting Dog Training and Snakes

• No, they are not!!


• Absolutely not!! NO they are not!

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Do you think Dog Training...?

Do you think dog training would be a part time job or a full time job?
How much would you get in 1year for basic, agility,...etc? How much for Full time?

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

Recommended Answer:
Dog training can be hard to get into. It takes years to be very good and to get a following.

MANY trainers donate their time to a local club and get nothing but a free class for it. It generally isn't a big money maker unless you have your own school, and to do that you will have to be well known.

If you want to get into it, start be training your own dogs, get titles, and spend time hanging around your local training clubs. If you are good at it, eventually they may want you to teach.

Dog Training - How To Train Your Dog In One Evening

• If you own your own facilities to do the training at, you could definately make a good living from it.


• Dog training can be either a part time or a full time job depending on how much time you want to put in it and how many clients you have. This will also determine the amount you will make full time or part time.


• It would depend on you, how much time you want to apply to it? How much experience do you have involing training, etc.


• As someone trying to get started as a trainer. Trust me KEEP YOUR DAY JOB!!! Start out part time and build a reputation, Hopefully a good one!! And then when you have more clients then you have time, you can think about going full time. It helps if you own a place to do the classes. If you plan on teaching competitive sports it helps to been actively competing while you are trying to get started.


• A lot depends upon that. Are you certified? Are you working on becoming certified? You have to build up clientel. At first it may be part time, but as word of mouth spreads, along with advertising, adds clients to your business, soon becoming a full time job. On how it will pay, I have no clue, but you can call other trainers around you as if you were a customer and get an idea of what they charge. That'll give you an idea on what to expect.


• Its a full time job to train a dog. In any area of training u want your dog to do.

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Has Anyone tried this Dog training Book yet?

Hi I saw this dog training book on the net and it sounded really good I was thinking of giving it a shot. Just wondering if anyone has tried it yet and have they had any success?

http://www.sitstayfetchebook.com

The Importance of Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
Yes I tried it, it is great!! Worked better than my dog trainer. You should check out my blog. I have a great story about how it worked for me on there.

Dog Obedience Schools: 4 Tips For Choosing The Right Dog Training Schools

• I don't know but I think these books are how women train men.


• Calpr may be right. Is there a difference between training a dog and training a man? Probably not. Anyway this is one of the best books on the net. If you are not yet sure about how to train your dog have a look at http://www.best-dog-training.com You will find lots of dog training articles, tips & tricks.
  
  Cheers

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Where can I find good dog training e-books?

I am a new dog owner. The name of my dog is "Tunnu" and he is not behaving very well as of now. He bites our bed sheets and tears them off .. will bark in the mid night to spoil our sleep. I am looking for some good dog training ebooks which can teach me how to make the dog understand my commands and other things like shake hand and jumps etc.

Any help will be appreciated.

Aggressive Dog Training Made Easy

Recommended Answer:
www.dogstardaily.com

6 Dog Training Tips For a Well Trained, Well Behaved Pet

• time and effort oh - and patience! our dog was naughty for 3-4 years -he still can be but has settled down a lot. Play with him during the day to wear him out. Is he barking during night for toilet? Has he got some toys? Carry treats in your pockets so you can give him one when he obeys. Training is the key word hey - like when you train yourself for something


• I would recommend doggy school. The have them at petsmart for little money. And they work. I have a pit who used to be very, shall we say, destructive, but school stopped that within 2 months.


• You could get a hard copy book - saves you printing it out yourself
  try this at Amazon
  http://www.amazon.com/Dog-Training-Advice-Tips-Essential/dp/1453637400


• I have been having problems with my terrier jumping on me all the time and a friend recommended "Secrets of Dog Training" course so I signed up. Hopefully I can get him to behave better after some dog training!


• http://www.leerburg.com
  
  They have a lot of e books available about real dog training.

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Are there any psychology journals on dog training?

I need a credible psychology journal about dog training. It has to be recent articles within the last 10 years.

Using Dog Training Collars to Train Your Dog

Recommended Answer:
Yes, but they are a little indirectly related as they are focused on animal behavior in general.
--------
Applied Animal Behaviour Science: An international journal reporting on the application of ethology to animals managed by humans.
Example Article you may like - "Behaviour of smaller and larger dogs: Effects of training methods, inconsistency of owner behaviour and level of engagement in activities with the dog" Volume 123, Issues 3-4, March 2010, Pages 131-142
---------
Animal Cognition: More of a scientific study of animal thoughts and behaviors.
Example Article: "Minding the gap: spatial perseveration error in dogs" Volume 1 / 1998 - Volume 13 / 2010
----------
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes

The Ultimate In Dog Training: Schutzhund Dog Training

Read More...