Dog Health Questions: What do I do about my odd dog?

Ok, I love my dog to death, but she does the silliest stuff. She is a border collie mixed with a lab. I have tried nearly everything (except dog training or Prozac). Everyday I come home and it something new that she has found to "play with", or to me, destroy. She covers what she has done with her blanket,and in the mist of all of her destruction are her toys.

Also, she is terrified of everything. Trash bags(although she has ripped one apart), any large box or object, any other person (mind you I got her at 1yr from another family), and multiple dogs coming towards her at any one time.

How do I get her to A. stop using my stuff as her newest conquest, and B. get used to other dogs and ppl.

My dad says we were made for each other, but some stuff is crazy.

P.S. She has a Kong that she is too lazy to play with, and she doesn't play fetch, or roll over (this too scares her), or any other normal dog stuff.

Dude help!

5 Dog Training Tips to Stop Barking

Recommended Answer:
Forget about the Prozac. She sound like a normal very intelligent Border Collie who is craving for some dog training. You cannot just have a Border Collie. They were created to work and do things and if you are not going to give her a job, she will find one by herself and then you give it a name - destruction.
Train her!

Dog Training Hand Signals - 2 Important Commands You Can Teach Today

• A. I think you shouldnt give her lots of toys to choose from, i read somewere it makes them more distructive. B. You should slowly introduce her 2 some who often visits you and some1 you know who has a dog, but one step at a time. I hope this helps


• She should be crated while nobody is home to supervise her. That's not only for your sanity, but also for the dog's health.
  
  As for getting used to others, you should enroll her in some puppy training.


• And why have you not tried training?
  http://www.akc.org/events/obedience/trai…


• Walk, walk, walk! All dogs need daily exercise. If they don't get it, they get bored, frustrated (you would be too coped up in a house all day) and therefore, destructive. Particularly breeders like borders. They are very high strung dogs by nature. If they don't have something to do they go bonkers. Walk her no less than half an hour a day with a pack on her back (doesn't matter what's in it) so she feels like she's doing a job. Remember, borders are working dogs. That's what they were bred to do. Walking her will also ease her into socialization not only with other dogs but with other people too. Also exercise will wear her out so she won't be so likely to destroy whatever she gets her teeth on.


• Take her for a run before work. She's bored out of her mind!
  
  Both of those breeds are highly active breeds. The BC is very, very intelligent too. She covers up her mistakes FGS!! That's highly intelligent.
  
  Does she have the BC focus? That great stare BCs have? Use it to train her.
  
  She needs to be socialized. Introduce her to dogs who are stable, serene that nothing phases or upsets, slowly at first. She needs to learn their body language so she will be comfortable around other dogs. Does she know 'that's ok' ? Use it when she meets a dog for the first time. As in, 'the situation is okay, don't worry'.
  Some dogs new to meeting any other dog will act defensive. Go slower with the intros. But don't quit. Most dogs do better off leash once they get the hang of reading other dog's body language.
  
  Her prior family probably didn't take her anywhere to meet and greet either.
  
  You have a dog that loves to learn. Learn how to train her then spend time daily teaching. 15 minutes at a time several times a day. All the time telling her how good she is when she does it right.
  
  She probably would be great at Agility. A sport where the fastest most accurate dog wins. Borders are superb at this game.
  
  When you are just around the house teach her words. Names, what you're doing. where your going. to bed, to the kitchen, away for a little while, to the front yard, to the back yard, to the garage, outside. Visitor's names. Teach her all the Obedience commands one at a time and how to do them.. Add hand signals to it. They are at their best learning and doing. You'll see a changed happy dog. Teach her throughout her life.....that will keep you busy later when you think you've run out of ideas.
  
  A lady at our city parks every day brings 4 Borders off leash. The new one drags a lead...it's in training.She speaks very softly or uses a slight hand signal. The new dog is 100% aware of every move her owner makes. If it doesn't understand exactly what she wants it watches the other BCs' reaction to the words.
  
  Tell your dog what a good dog she is when she does anything correctly whether you told her to or not. Don't be effusive. And what it is that she did right. Keep the words simple. Good sit, Good .......(name) then repeat it. Always use the same word for the same thing. She'll be sooooo proud.You'll be soooo surprised how fast she learns.
  And with an activity before you leave she'll be a little too tired to destroy.
  
  Dogs destroy when their bored.


• 1. usually my dogs rip things up when they are home alone if they have to go to the bathroom, or have to much energy. so, i would take more walks with your dog, or maybe you could ask someone in the neighborhood if they could come to you house and let the dog out. (I would give them a few bucks a week for doing it.)
  
  2. since she is scared of so many things, if the other family had kids, im sure the kids liked to tease the dog with things she s scared of. but im sure over time, that she will outgrow all of these fears.
  
  (hope i helped!!!)


• Welcome to the terrible twos of puppy land! It will get better, but it will take lots of work and patience on your part.
  1. You need to make her a puppy zone. Confine an area of the house where she is to be while you are not there. Give her only the things she needs and do not leave anything in the area that is "off limits" If you are able to crate train her it is a good option, it sounds mean, but after they are trained, you can let them earn privileges (ie.staying out of the crate while you are gone)
  
  http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.…2. when she "conquers" something off limits, verbally correct her. put the object close to her nose so she recognises it by smell and give her a firm and stern "NO" and never let her SEE you clean up her mess. If you have to put her in the bathroom while you do it.
  
  http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/behavior.h…
  
  3. As for her fear, it takes time. When I took my AB from my brother she was terrified of EVRYTHING Try sitting in the floor with her, being very relaxed and having say a trash bag hidden under your leg, while playing with her slowly pull out the trash bag. It may take MONTHS, my girl is still leary of certain things but she doesn't freak out anymore... I spent many hours sitting in the floor with her holding a broom etc..She is still not fond of the vaccuum, but she will tolerate the hairdryer now. 4. socialization: This is a slow progess also. If you have a friend with a dog that could visit that would be good. If not short walks to start would be good. If you could afford to take a class with the pup that would be good too. Some classes specialize in socialization.
  
  http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/Do…
  
  Best of luck to you.
  Just remember that it is going to take time and lots of patience.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are Electronic Shock Collars Great Dog Training Devices?

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

Unbefreakinlievable!!

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

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

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

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

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


• watch marley and me


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


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


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


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

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training?

What is the best way to train a puppy not to do his bussiness on the floor in the house and to go out side? Is there a website that has videos or articals that teach how to do this?

Top Dog Training Tips

Recommended Answer:
There are plenty of websites that offer excellent tips for house breaking along with ton's of books in your local pet store.

You have to let your puppy know what the outside is for by showing him. When you take him out first thing in the morning, be sure to take treats with you Leash him up and take him to the spot you want him to go (this should have been done the first day you brought him home before ever entering the house) walk him in circles using a command word, eventually they will associate this word with eliminating and will learn to go on command. Once he squats to pee, praise him really well saying "good potty" or "good pee pee" and give him a treat, he will understand that what he did pleased you so he'll want to do it again. Then keep circling again until he poops and repeat with the praising and treats. And stay outside until he does go, it might take 5 minutes it might take 30 minutes. Remember, you want your dog to suceed. Be patient and most of all be CONSISTENT, do it the same way EVERY time don't keep changing your methods it will screw him up, pick a method and stick with it.

When done bring inside and confine to either the kitchen or a crate. Make sure the area in the crate is big enough to turn around in but not big enough to be able to pee in. Dogs don't mess where they sleep so they learn to eventually hold it. But remember a puppy can only hold it for 1 hour for every month in age 4 months = 4 hours.

Puppies must be taken out immediately when they wake up, this means before your cup of coffee, immediately after playing and after napping and about 30 minutes after each meal. then 1-2 hours in between all that.

It's important that if he messes on the floor that you don't punish. They cannot associate the act of going with the mess they made. You punish they will think you are mad at the mess and so they will learn to hide the mess so you won't be mad. Just clean it up really well and ignore. If you catch them in the act of going, clap your hands and say OUTSIDE. Pick him up and take him immediately outside to finish, when he does praise him and reward with a treat. Soon he will learn what the outside is for.

Go to google and type in "housebreaking puppies" you'll get a lot of websites that will offer helpful tips, and the next time you are in PetSmart or Petco pick up a book on Housebreaking and crate training.

Good luck

Dog Training: What Is Dog Training?

• Crate training and do not let him roam the house unsupervised.


• Schedule his water and amount of it. Realize the size of his bladder and you should be fine. Any dog with this in mind should be house broken in 2 to 3 weeks.


• I've had the most success by using a crate to put the pup in whenever you can't be right there and when it is out of the crate be really vigilant for signs that it has to potty. I take mine outdoors as soon as I open the crate and bring them in when they have pottied after lavishly praising them and using words such as "good boy/girl..good potty" and "oh my, good peepee. Mine both understand the words for the function and now will pretty much go on command when taken out. They have also learned to tell me but that is different with each dog. One just stands and looks at me and the other whirls in circles in front of the door.


• When your dog pees gently spank her and put her outside again. If your dog is having trouble learning give her some pottie pads or newspaper. Go outside with her and if she goes give her a treat until she understands going outside is a good thing.


• You need to teach your puppy what is okay, and what isn't. The very best method of housebreaking is crate-training, it works with the pups natural instinct not to mess where they sleep, and cuts down on accidents in the house.
  
  It's important to balance crate time with supervised play times and lots of one on one attention. Try to limit the opportunities your puppy has to 'make mistakes'. Buy a good enzymatic cleaner (such as Nature's Miracle) to remove all traces of odor from any area where he has an 'accident'.
  
  Choose a crate that is just big enough for him to stand up, sit down, lie down and turn around without touching the sides. Anything bigger and he'll find room for a sleeping spot and a potty spot in his crate!
  
  You can find tons of free information on potty training, crate training and all other aspects of puppy care at the website below. Best of luck with your puppy!


• Who Else Wants To know everything you need to know about dog training Without reading pages of boring text? ***I'm going to show you how you can quickly and easily train your dog with ease in as little as the next two weeks! I know that sounds hard to believe...But it's 100% true. Please continue reading... This online dog training course will show you:How Your dog tugging on his leash can be conquered in one single step! The number one Dog Training secret revealed shows you how to get rid of your dog not obeying your commands! A simple Dog Training idea that you can start using tomorrow to teach your dog neat tricks! The biggest reason behind your dog having "accidents' in your house and what you can do to House Train/Potty Train! And much much more. This is a complete fun, effective guide to training your dog and achieving maximum results.Go ahead, try dog-training-online at risk-free for a full 8 weeks. If it doesn't pay for itself many times over, you can send an email receive a complete, no-questions-asked refund! http://www-marketingpros.com/online_dog_training

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Dog Health Questions: Civilian jobs for military dog handler in Texas?

I want to know if there are any serious jobs (not petsmart or it's competetors) that involve dog training outside of the military. I have 5 years of experience including 2 combat tours in Iraq. Does anyone know of a company that trains dogs for either security/law enforement or humanitarian purposes?

Dog Training Man's Best Friend

Recommended Answer:
Law enforcement and corrections are always begging for people like you. It is also a para-military environment that you will understand much better than a civilian entering the same field. Otherwise, private security doesn't pay jack unless you guard a nuke plant which is also para-military. Most private security firms will use you then lose you. Airport security pays well and needs dog handlers, but you will be working around some of the most incompetent people in the whole world. You probably already know that.

A Working Dog - Training

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training for rat terrier ?

How do I train my rat terrier now 2 yrs old that hates going outside when its cold to potty train on some place mat type in house easily????

Dog Training - A Systematic Approach

Recommended Answer:
teach it the command Potty or go potty. so that way when you say it, it knows what you want. find whatever you want to use for a pee pad inside and go outside and collect some of his previous business and bring it in and put it on the pad. the dog should make the connection. good luck. also, have you tried putting sweaters on in the cold?

Dog Training Tips That Work Best For Smart Dogs

• Ideally the training should have begun as a puppy, but better late than never...
  
  Socializing a puppy is similar to bringing home a new baby. A baby needs to be held, cuddled and loved, and so does your terrier! Hold and pet your puppy so that he knows that he is wanted and loved. Do not play with him constantly, though. Give him time to rest and sleep as well.
  
  Since he missed his early training you just have to start now and be consistent from this point forward. Set limits and make sure that your dog understands them, accepts them and sticks to them. Keep your rat terrier confined to a specific area. Use baby gates and barricades and he will quickly learn that he can enter certain areas of the house while others are forbidden territory. The best option is to get him a big crate and crate train him. The crate is a valuable tool for house-training the pup. Crate training revolves around the principle that canines do not like to soil their dens. Put him in the crate when you leave home, as he will be comfortable in his house and he will sleep until you return.
  
  Your consistency with Terrier training is the key to his understanding the house rules and the daily routine. Decide on the house rules, enforce them and make sure all family members stick to them.
  
  Your terrier must be taught to adopt proper toileting habits, if the two of you are going to happily share a clean home. Finally, teach your pet to travel in the car even if it is just to take him to the vet. Hope you put the above to work right away and eventually your dog will obey you and be pleasant as a pet.


• 1. I think you're opening Pandora's box by trying to train your rattie to pee on a place mat or pee pad or inside box. Dogs aren't so good at generalizing. To you, you're training your dog to use a peed pad. To your dog, it may be that the lesson is: peeing in the house is fine. Or using the carpet is fine. For every dog that adapts to pee pads or a place mat fine, I hear of 15 who end up with housebreaking issues.
  
  2. It's common for smaller, short-haired dogs to hate to go outside. My rat terrier initially wouldn't pee or poop outside when it snowed....because he'd learned to do it on grass. Only when I moved some snow so he could see the grass was under it did he start doing his business despite the snow.
  
  My advice:
  --get a coat for your dog and use it for when you go outside.
  --it's not fun but don't open the back door, push the dog outside and wait. Put on your park and gloves and go outside with your dog. Yeah, it's bitter in most places in the US. But if you have to, take a 5 minute walk with your dog. And keep doing it (ie: go out for 5 minutes a bit later, than 5 minutes again and so on) until you get success. And then act like you've struck gold--praise your dog, pet him/her and give treats.
  --try to do the bathroom breaks frequently, right after meals and also on a quasi schedule (so your dog gets conditioned "okay, 5 minutes after breakfast, my kidneys are letting go!").
  
  Worst case scenario: you live someplace like Eau Claire, Wisconsin where with windchill, it was -41 F. on Thursday. No short-coated dog like a rattie is going to handle that. In that case, get something like an abandoned drawer from a chest of drawers. Fill it with dirt and then plant grass. Grow the grass (sun lamps, water, fertilizer, decent temperature). And then store it in the garage and use that grass for your dog to pee and poop (and you'll have to clean up the poop of course).
  
  You'll also minimize the number and size of turds by any dog by feeding a higher quality food with a higher protein percentage.

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

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

Secrets of Dog Training Professionals - Why Use Food?

Recommended Answer:
I have a friend who makes dog clothes

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

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

Dog Training Fundamentals

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


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


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

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Dog Health Questions: How to stop a dog from barking HUMANELY? Training or high pitch noise collars?

My dog barks constantly and it has gotten to the point that when she barks my grandfather hits her- which I cannot stand. When I speak up I get called a "hippie" and blah blah blah. I refuse shock collars as they are extremely inhumane. They have a new collar that emits an ultra-sonic high pitched noise when ever the dog barks, which my grandmother wants me to get. I read thats it's vet approved- but also that other dogs barking makes it go off, or even air planes.
I thought about buying dog training lessons, but they're really expensive, and I'm pretty much broke, and don't start working again until school ends, and I don't think it can wait that long. The collar is $20, but I won't get it if it's inhumane. What do you think, training or collar?

Dog Training and Obedience

Recommended Answer:
Dogs who are socially isolated or confined for long periods without supervised exercise need some outlet for their pent-up energy. A dog who is left alone all day is likely to take up barking as a hobby because no one is there to control him. In no time at all, barking becomes an enjoyable habit. And for many dogs, once they start barking, they tend to continue barking for the sheer fun of it.

Your dog may be barking excessively because you unintentionally trained her to do so. Poochie speaks and you obey. "Woof" and you open the door to let puppy out. "Woof" and you open it again to let her in. "Woof" and she gets a treat, "woof" for a tummy-rub . . . you get the picture. Your dog has learned to get attention through barking. It is easy to fall into this trap because the very nature of barking gets your attention. For the same reason, it is easy to forget to praise and reward your dog when she is not barking.

The first step in obtaining peace and quiet is to realize that lots of barking is caused by the dog being lonely, bored, frustrated or frightened. These are all situations that you can help to alleviate. A well-exercised, happy dog is more likely to sleep all day while you are not home. Spend time playing with, training and exercising your dog.

Obedience training is great mental exercise. Thinking is a tiring activity for dogs, as it is for humans. Most dogs really enjoy a rapid paced, exciting "game" of Come here, sit, heel, sit, heel, down, stay . . . come here for hugs, a massage, a celebration of praise and treats. Don't allow training to be a boring, tedious routine.

If your dog lives in the back yard most of the time, she probably needs "social exercise." She needs walks around the neighborhood, so she can investigate all the sounds and smells that tantalize her while she is in the yard. Bring her into the house when you are home. She needs to feel that she is part of your family. Having a large yard is not equal to having a well exercised dog. You may see your dog dashing madly around your yard, but he is not exercising. He is doing the doggy equivalent of pacing, fidgeting, or other human forms of nervous activity. Provide your dog with fun things with which to occupy himself, such as a digging pit or special chew toys.

Dogs are social animals. They need friends and companionship. Take your dog to the same dog park daily or weekly and let her make doggy friends. Dogs romping around and playing together tire rapidly and will sleep happily while recovering from the good, hardy play session.

7 Important Dog Training Tips For You

• I have this same problem and after many different things I tried and hundreds of dollars spent I found something that works. :) its called the ultrasonic bark bird house its about $50 and I also give her a kong rubber round hallow toy and fill it with a little peanut butter and dog food and stick it in the Freezer it keeps her busy for hours and hours. She is Quiet as a mouse.


• Don't hit your dog. Don't give shock collars they are inhumane. What hurts your dog could hurt you. Don't do that ultra-sonic high pitched noise either. Although, you can't hear it. It kills your dogs ears. Whenever your dog is barking don't scream or yell, he is just going to think you are playing with him. Instead clap your hands or do something to distract him. When he stops barking praise him.


• First, hitting or yelling at a dog is abusive. And the dog will just misbehave more. It thinks you are barking with it, when you yell. So stay calm and say shhhhhh, place your hand gently around her muzzle, when she is quiet: Give her praise and a treat. But if you keep calm and say thank you-and give her a treat. She should learn. Get a training book.


• Training, your dog hasnt learned how to be disiplined, it is not the dogs fault.


• Surgically debarking the dog is much more humane than being hit, I would say.
  
  Is this something you have looked into?


• Bark collars only treat the symptom, they do not solve the actual problem.
  
  Excessive barking is caused by a lack of exercise and mental stimulation. Tired dogs do not bark excessively, they sleep. It's a simplistic way of thinking about it, but it's the truth. The reason people resort to bark collars instead of training is sheer laziness. It's easier to go out and buy a bark collar than to spend hours running around with your dog.
  
  Combine exercise with a "quiet" command. I use a clicker. When the dog barks, give the quiet command. When the barking ceases, click the clicker and give the dog a treat. He soon associates "quiet" with receiving a treat.
  
  Voila! Problem solved.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training classes?

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

Dog Training Book - Why Buy One? When Everything is Free Online!

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

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

Dog Behavior: Finding the Right Motivations for Your Dog Training Program

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


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


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


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

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Dog Health Questions: Looking for dog training that works! Any suggestions?

My two dogs are a bit unruly, but I don't have the money to spend on expensive training.

I've seen so many infomercials. The latest was this miracle dog collar that works within minutes by the Dogfather. Sounds like BS! Has anyone purchased it and does it work?

Dog Training Basics

Recommended Answer:
If you have a problem with your dog pulling I would defiantly try a Gun dog lead, if you have a big dog- this slips over your dogs neck then a figure of 8 over its nose.
Otherwise i would by a halti head collar or gentle leader, which may be better if you have a small dog. Both are quite reasonable in prices.
These work better as the dog can only pull you from a tiny part of their body, DO NOT by a chest harness as they have all that body behind them to pull you!

I would suggest that you take both your dogs to basic obedience classes just to gain some control!!

Dog Breed in Relation to Dog Training

• It IS BS.
  
  Obedience classes are pretty reasonable. Certainly better value than wasting your money buying gimmicks.


• The only truly effective training method is patience and consistency.Add:
  If you do a simple Google search or a search within Y!A, you'll find thousands of ways to train your dogs. Just type in what behavior you want them to learn then vio'ola.


• it is CRAP but you have the INTERNET use it google all the good trainers. I myself prefer Victoria Stilwell. Check her out she is good and her training tips are good.


• Yeah, had to use it with my dog, the plastic pinch collar? right? It would have worked for us if my husband was willing to participate but he thinks its okay to let the dog do what he wants (the reason why we had to get the collar in the first place).
  Anyways, I would go to petco or petsmart or such store to get ideas from their trainers first - they will talk to you for free. Then I would try using a choke chain - properly- before moving to the pinch collar.
  But a lot of us could help you out right here if you let us know what troubles you are having. Every dog is different so every method will affect each dog differently, although the type of breed helps with giving you an idea of its character and how it will respond.
  The Dogfather actually uses a choke chain in his video - doesn't even use the pinch collar that he advertises because he made the video first.


• that sounds like bs that is like putting a collar on your kid and saying don't get in the candy know be a good girl. How i got my dog to listen was give treats when a good girl and a hand when not.


• Google NILIF, it worked magnificently on my stubborn Maltese. As with any training it takes time and patience.

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Dog Health Questions: How old do you have to be to learn shultzen dog training. Are there better dogs than German shepherd dogs?

Where do you buy good German shepherd dogs for working and how much are they? Are there schools that let 15yr olds learn about training dogs or do you wait until you graduate?

Training Your Dog - Dog Training Tips and Advice

Recommended Answer:
That you have to ask proves that you are not yet a candidate.

The first step is to actually TRAIN a dog - of any breed - to a competitive level. Doesn't matter whether the competition is Agility or Companion Trials or Obedience Tests or Tracking - each has its peculiarities, but what they do is demonstrate whether you have the patience & consistency required, plus the observational ability required to interpret a dog's behaviour and know when to teach, when to command, when to distract.

For DogSport itself, the first step is obtain a calm, intelligent-trainable, agile pooch - weakness of character will eliminate it from the "courage" section, weakness of body will eliminate it form the physical section, weakness of intelligence/trainability will eliminate it from just about everything in the 3 sections. Basically, unless both its parents have Breed Survey Classification (BS.Cl.1 or 2 in English, KKl.I or II in German), a litter's chances of producing correct GSDs with HGH and SchutzHund potential are small.
The second step is to join a DogSport club and obtain BH (BegleiterHund) with your pet - see http://www.worldclassgsd.com/Schutzhund/…

Only after that - and after your dog's body has matured enough (usually 15-18 months old) will you be allowed to start on the advanced mental & physical activities - see http://germanshepherddog.com/schutzhund/… - but there are many confidence-building and reliability-improving activities that can be used before that.

Now wash your filthy mouth out with battery acid! As if there could POSSIBLY be a better dog than a GSD!
However, the GSD is not intended to be the best at much - being "The Best" requires exaggeration of particular shapes & qualities that suit that ONE thing. You don't expect to see a tennis champion being also a boxing champion and a weightlifting champion and a pole-vault champion. The GSD is intended to be a specialist at the boundary patrolling method of sheep tending, and one of the 3 or 4 best at just about everything else. Its only rival is the Belgian Shepherd Dog - not surprising, seeing as both breeds were developed at the same time (1891-1911) to perform the same tasks on opposite sides of the River Maas! Sadly, show-is-all and pet-is-all breeders have been focussing on ruining the GSD for much longer than they have been trying to ruin the BSD - especially in Britain, Canada, the USofA. But in both breeds you will find excellence and you will find unworthy crap.

To ask your GSD questions, join some of the 400+ YahooGroups dedicated to various aspects of living with GSDs. Each group's Home page tells you which aspects they like to discuss, and how active they are. Unlike YA, they are set up so that you can have an ongoing discussion with follow-up questions for clarification. Most allow you to include photos.
Les P, owner of GSD_Friendly: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/GSD_F…
"In GSDs" as of 1967

Overview of Dog Training

• It's schutzhund.
  
  And unless you can get work scooping poop at a working shepherd kennel, I doubt you'd ever get close to any dog of that caliber.
  
  But I don't mean to dampen your spirits - I'll star for Greekman, Curtis, Dutchman and others who have working dogs - maybe they have more info for you.
  
  Also, most often malinois are used, in addition to other belgian shepherds - they are often better bred than today's German shepherd, at least American-bred German shepherds.
  
  Hope this is helpful!


• I know eight year olds with trained Schutzhund dogs. It takes hundreds of hours and dollars to train a dog to such a high level. If you're dedicated then you CAN do it.
  
  If you're really interested then look up some local Schutzhund clubs and ask if you can go out and watch - they should say yes, but don't get discouraged if a few are rude to you. Keep calling around until you meet someone nice and friendly who is willing to


• This is why I am going in to Law Enforcement to work with working dogs..... My puppy is from working dog line her parents are from Germany.
  A well bred GSD will run you 700 to 1k+
  A trained police k9 will run you 5K+


• ohh u dont have to
  
  just get a dog and bamm ur all set to go

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Dog Health Questions: Dog TRAINING?

I want to train my yorkie agility and dog showing. Do any of you know how to do this? Website links will be helpful too.

What To Look For In Dog Training Ebooks

Recommended Answer:
First of all you will want to start by doing some basic obedience training. If you want to show your dog in obedience than this is a good place to start. After you have started some training and you have control of your dog and your dog is listening to you, start agility training. Agility training really helps to strengthen the human-dog bond. You may also want to look into rally-o which is a fun and more loose version of the standard obedience trials. If you want to do conformation showing, then you will want to learn how to stack your dog. You also need to do lots of handling with your dog so that your dog will stand nice and still for the judges.

I highly recommend you find a dog trainer in your area who trains and has shown dogs so that they can teach your how to stack your dog. Obedience classes and agility classes are also lots of fun for you and your dog and are usually offered at dog training schools. These are the best ways to start of in the dog world.

Good luck and have fun with your dog!

Using Body Language in Your Dog Training

• I haven't heard of yorkies doing agility, but I guess that doesn't mean they don't (I know Jack Russells can, so I guess they could too if you train them appropriately).
  
  Normally you need to join a local training club or find a reputable trainer in your area.
  
  I'll star in hopes our Y!A (dogs) training expert Greekman will see it.

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Dog Health Questions: What is the best dog training book to read for an apbt puppy?

i recently ordered pit bulls for dummies, and will soon acquire a copy of dog training for dummies.

the lady that lives downstairs from me gave me a book titled 'Smarter than you Think' and it tells you to throw things at your dog to teach it to come, and to stick a match in its butt to poop, and not trust dog food companies, and all this weird stuff, not too sure about that book.

any other suggestions? or tips?

Dog Training Courses - Which One is Right For You?

Recommended Answer:
When I had just got my APBT I went to my local library's site and in the keyword box i put Pit Bull and it came up with alot of good books that were really useful so try looking up your library. They have alot of info on APBTs. Good luck

Dog Training Tips - Basic Dog Training Courses

• I'd just go with the book you're getting; the DUmmy series has always helped me.
  
  Jeez, Smarter than you Think is full of lies!


• A realy good website that i use are great books and are a great help.
  http://www.pitbulltraininghandbook.com/
  
  http://www.pitbulllovers.com/health/


• I used "Off to a Good Start: A Manual for Raising Your New Puppy" by Mary Thompson and "I just got a puppy! What do I do?" by Mordecai Siegal and Matthew Margolis.
  You may want to check into a puppy class (good for socializing and teaching some basic commands). Check here to see if there is an instructor close to you. http://www.nadoi.org

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