Showing posts with label dog training in tampa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog training in tampa. Show all posts

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Dog Health Questions: My dog called a bad boy?

So I was in a new pet store today just checking things out and getting my toy poodle socialized. This was a small independent pet store so there were 7 cats here and there, 2 dogs, rabbits in crates, dog grooming in the back, so called "dog training" after store hours and lizards all ran by one person. It was more like a zoo/circus, just to give you guys an idea of the environment.

I was in line behind a guy who had a mastiff that looked under a year old maybe 90lbs that was easily the most excited animal in the store, (all other animals were laying on the ground sleeping or sitting) So when his dog sees my dog he comes over and starts sniffing my dog happily with his tail wagging, and I'm sure not knowing his own strength against a 10 lbs dog he pushes his muzzle under my dogs stomach and my dog hops around to avoid this overwhelming greeting, but when the mastiff continues to advance, my dog growls and gives a warning snap/bark. I then walk the opposite direction to give space and have my dog sit nicely by my side. The guy pulls his dog back and says something like "hey don't be a bad boy."

THEN the store owner says, "It wasn't your dog that was being bad." Maybe I'm being biased but 90lbs vs 10lbs and a warning communication signal equals a bad boy?? The same dog that just greeted 7 cats 2 bunnies, 4 dogs nicely is now a bad boy for being pushed over by a dog 10X it's size and weight?? I know the guys dog meant no harm, and my dog is not perfect....yet. BUT as a knowledgeable dog owner I would never call another dog a BAD boy because it was defending itself.

I don't allow my toy dog to be coddled or held when we're out socializing nor do I ever allow it to show aggressive behavior towards anything. If my dog reacts in a way I dislike, I immediately redirect and show him what to do instead without using negative verbal markers.

What do you guys think?

Dog Clicker Training Can Make Dog Training Easy



Recommended Answer:
I think the pet store owner was wrong. The big dog or pup was being too overzealous with a small dog and your dog gave a warning, did not attack or freak out, and you did the right thing by backing up, controlling your dog, and even the mastiff owner knew his dog was too pushy because he made the comment. I think that pet store owner either does not know much about dogs or is biased against little dogs. If that had of been me, when it was my turn to pay, I would have confronted the store owner for his ignorant comment. It is a store after all and he should not be insulting the clientele!

Dog Training Secrets


  • Is it really that big of a deal to you? Get over it.
    Sounds like you're doing fine.
    Can't please every body all of the time.

  • I think that you misunderstood the pet store owner, or maybe the pet store owner didn't see what happened. Either way your dog was just protecting itself.

    Keep up the good training! ;-D

  • I don't really get what you're trying to say here.

  • Your dog wasn't being bad. I run an animal rescue and we usually expect that when a young dog meets another dog, especially when they are bigger and more intimidating. Your dog was just telling the other dog to back off. That's the way most dogs would react. The other dog was just being a puppy, which is why they said that he wasn't being bad. It's not a big deal, but the owner shouldn't have called your dog bad.

  • I think you're being over-sensitive. You can't change the fools in the world and getting that upset about stupidity isn't going to help.

    My response to such an occasion? "I think perhaps your dog needs to learn some manners and not to overwhelm other dogs. My dog certainly doesn't need to tolerate your dog's overzealous rudeness, nor do I need to tolerate yours - I'd like to speak with your manager, or perhaps I should take my business elsewhere." But then again people don't call me "b*tch" for no reason.

  • They probably didn't see your little dog, they just herd growling. The man then told his dog not to bark back then there shop worker said it wasn't your dog being bad (because she/he only herd your dog growling) You and the man were only correcting your dogs, the shopkeeper shouldn't of said anything, the mastiff was not being bad he was saying hello, your dog wasn't bad either he was protecting himself.

  • First of all , all dogs should be leashed, and never mind what the guy said. Your dog was in no way at fault. No dog should be allowed to touch another dog with out the consent of the owner. The owner is responsible for his dog.
    Ignore the guy and he needs to mind his own business. You are doing everything correctly for your dog, and others should follow your actions.

  • Are you even sure the guy was even talking to your dog in the first place? you aren't even sure of what he said exactly so far all you know he was talking to his dog.
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Sunday, October 7, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Help with dog training?

I just bought two cavalier king charles puppies. One is 4 months old and the other is six months old. They are used to using the bathroom inside a cage. Everytime I take them outside, they just play, but once I put them back in the cage, they use the bathroom in their. Does anyone know what I can do to make them go outside instead of inside their cage?

Easy Steps to Boxer Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
Please ignore the advice to watch the so-called "Dog Whisperer." He'll tell you to throw them on their back when they pee in the crate.

Here are a couple ideas:

1. Crate them separately in two crates. Make sure the crates are not too big. The crate should be just large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around. Nothing more. A dog does NOT want to go to the bathroom where they sleep, so make sure they don't have enough room to do both.

2. Let them out of the crate, but keep them both on leashes that you hold onto all the time inside. Watch them carefully at all times. As soon as one starts to make like they're going to go to the bathroom, shout "NO" at it and then immediately bring them both outside and let the dog finish up out there. You MUST do this all the time until they start to indicate that they want to go out.

It's hard work to house train a puppy. Good luck!

From Simple Dogs to Guard Dogs - How Guard Dog Training is Done?


  • Their crate is way too big! They won't do that if there is only enough room to curl up and sleep. Buy smaller crates.

  • Put out a spread of newspapers. When they start going to the bathroom, pick them up and RUN to the newspapers. thats how i trained my dog. When they go to the bathroom by themselves, give them a treat and lots of praise.

  • Go out side with them and don't bring them in until they potty, the give them praise and treats. It may also help to remove the crate until the new behavior is learned.

  • Watch "Dog Whisper"

  • Thats terrible that they learned to go to the bathroom in their crate.But the way im training my 15 week old Boxer/Pitt pup is to walk him outside every 3 hours,just keep walking untill he goes,(I know its really teatious!!!)when he does i praise him and tell him good boy,and also give him treats,(puppies will do whatever you want if you have a treat in hand!lol)
    When your pups go to the bathroom inside,yell "NO!!!"real loud so they know they did wrong,Hitting and kicking dogs to train them does not work,it makes them more aggessive,and they will learn to bite hands that reach out to pet them,just so you know.
    So i hope this information helps you!!! Good luck with your new puppies!!! : )

  • Hi,

    Using a crate is the easiest method. In a nutshell, here are the basic steps:

    1. Take time off to housetrain your puppy.
    2. Start using a crate the day you bring her home.
    3. Take your puppy outside for a bathroom break every one to two hours during the day.
    4. Plan a middle-of-the-night potty run for young puppies.
    5. Shower her with treats and praise when she does a good job.
    6. Don't punish your pup for accidents you haven't seen.

    Check out this article for more helpful training tips:
    http://dogtime.com/housetraining-for-pup…

  • Use the following steps to successfully train your puppies to poo and pee outside:

    Step 1: Go outside with your dog on leash even if you have a fenced in yard. You need to be close to your dog when you are teaching this. Pick a word or words that you are going to use. I use "Get busy" for my dogs.

    Step 2: Observe your dog while you are outside with him. When he starts sniffing the ground start to say the words you are going to use. So if your dog is sniffing, showing signs that they are getting ready to go, start saying, "Get busy," "Get busy," over and over until your dog starts to go.

    Step 3: Once your dog starts to pee or poop, stop talking. If you start to clap your hands or start telling your dog how great they are, your dog may stop going. It's best to keep quiet until your dog stops.

    Step 4: As soon as your dog stops you can lay on the praise and give your dog a treat. It's important that you watch closely so you can immediately praise as soon as your dog is done. Any delay, and your dog may think he is getting a reward for a different behavior.

    Step 5: After a few weeks your dog will start to go when you say "Get busy." It is well worth the effort and you'll be glad you did when the temperature drops to below freezing or when you're standing outside during a down pour.

    Hope it helps!
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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Do you need a qualification to be a dog trainer?

what college teaches you to train dogs?
how much do dog trainers earn?
which pays more search and rescue dog training,guide dog or police dog training?what subjects do you need to get into these colleges?

The Shocking Truth About Electronic Dog Training Collars



Recommended Answer:
You can join the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and they will give you information and support on becoming a dog trainer. They also have a list where you can talk to other trainers and get their views on subjects. They have a yearly exam which entitles you to "CPDT" Certified Pet Dog Trainer.
http://www.apdt.com/
About the best school for dog training is Jean Donaldson's school in California
http://www.sfspca.org/academy/index.shtm…
This school features intensive training, and is very rigorous, and also very prestigous. You can virtually get a job anywhere once you've completed this training. Or you can open your own place.
As far as how much do dog trainers earn, that would depend on where you work. Pet stores such as Petco or Petsmart pay less than private places, but sometimes offer insurance. One of the best starts is to work with a local Vet and offer pet dog obedience training.
Seach and Rescue organizations usually are volunteer, although you may find a business that would employ you. That requires tracking training, which is very different from obedience training.
Good luck.

Choosing Dog Training Equipment


  • There isn't a dog training/showing college.
    Its a trick of the trade, more or less.

    I'd get into the breeding world FIRST by going to shows and talking to breeders and handlers, taking notes, learning about breeds. You can't know one thing about one breed and be a breeder. Its important you're well versed and knowledgeable about all breeds. Become an apprentice to someone who breeds the dogs you're interested in.
    You find a mentor, get ONE puppy from a championship line, and show your tails off. Win at least ten shows before considering breeding your precious dog, then find a female with championship lines and that has won several shows, buy her or get breeding permission from the owners, and go from there.

    Not everyone can, or should be allowed to breed. Its not a throw a dog in a ring and watch them mate "sport". You need years of training and education on animals. Many breeders have veterinary degrees, others are certified trainers.

    There are Hobby breeders, that don't breed for the showing or money, but for the fun of it. These aren't necessarily back yard or mill breeders, but they aren't exactly trustworthy sources for puppies or dogs.

  • Most dog trainers just proclaimed themselves to be one. There are no laws against it as it's considered a trade that can be learned on one's own. There are a few good schools, I've attended two myself. Also I'd suggest attending training seminars by respected trainers. Absorb what is useful, disregard that which goes against common sense.

  • You should be certified, certified trainers on average make 10-30,000 more than non certified, and if you have a degree for it, it triples what you can make!!! there are many colleges that offer onsite, and off site classes. You want to avoid the online only clases, there are many rip offs out that that teach you theory, but give you no hands on work. I went to Animal Behavior College, its a 2 year school first half is all written and book work, then you get a 28 week internship, and that is the best part- and thats where you can excel in the different types of training. dog trainers make their earnings on their own accord, you can own your own full time business or do it ont the side. lets just say the average price for a 7 week obedience class ( group form) is 70-100 dollars a person. you can charge triple that for private lessons... 60,000 is the average salary on charging the minumum for classes. you can double that once you have a reputation!
    have fun!

  • usually u get training for that by doing it. there are a few schools but u should choose what kind of training you want to do. do u want to use positive reinforcement (i recommend this type) , traditional methods, show dog training etc. there are alot of types. for most pets your going to either be positive reinforcement or traditional methods. positive rewards the dog when they do something right. traditional uses prong collars and choke chains to correct the dog when they arent doing the behavior that is desired. u will want to become a member of the association of pet dog trainers (apdt). this will give u credibility when trying to recruit clients. the more experience you have the more u can charge. most guide dogs and alot of rescue dogs are trained on a volunteer basis with the volunteer taking most of the monitary responsibilites. ur best bet would be to contact a trainer that uses methods u agree with and see what they did to become a dog trainer.

    hope i helped!
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Friday, September 14, 2012

Dog Health Questions: My 4 year old dog just started biting? how can I stop it? PLEASE HELP!!!!?

My dog is 4 years old. he is a beagle. he is excellent with my 2 yearold son and vice versa.
He still has accidents in the home. I took him to the doctor but it doesn''t seem to be an infection. psychological. This dog has never been beat or anything. He pees in the house regularily so we began to put him in a confined area instead of sleeping on his bed in the living room. we had too. Then he recently began sleeping on the couch when we are not home. he will not listen when I say "get down". Then I go to move him and he bit me. Just a nip but still an attempt. He does not come in when asked and will sit outside for hours. If you try to get him he will bite. He drew blood on my mother-in-law yesterday. I am scared for my son. is there anyway to fix this. He used to listen but now he doesn't , he constantly pisses in the house, rolls in poop, will eat all day long if he could, will NOT listen and now he is biting. This is all NEW behavior (except the peeing). Is there anything I can do. i CAN NOT have a biting dog around a 2 year old. I am starting dog training in september but will it help with biting?

Some Tips To Help You Through All Types Of Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
I don't know why he's behaved properly in the past, but his current actions SHOUT his claim that HE is Alpha Pack Leader, and as such, it IS his right to discipline you, and biting is how alpha dogs discipline the dogs under them.

You are NOT Alpha Pack Leader. As human family member, you MUST be the Pack Leader. He should not be allowed in the room with the couch when you are gone since he doesn't stay off the couch. Actually, he should never be allowed up on the couch.

The training is good, but you must start NOW to become Alpha Pack Leader so he doesn't bite and get thrown OUT of the training classes!

Visit the websites below - READ them thoroughly and learn how to become the Pack Leader. Failure is NOT an option. If you don't get him under control the SPCA will take him and put him down. -!-

How Dog Training Can Help You Find the Perfect Family Dog


  • hold his mouth shut i am being honest and it does work

  • Show him whos boss. If he bites hold his mouth shut and shout no, then dont give him good attention. Show him whats good and whats bad.

  • This is NOT new behaviour. This is a dog who has never been trained - he's not even housetrained and he's 4 years old! Very simply - this dog has no respect for you and thinks he's in charge. He should have been trained from the day he set foot in the door.

    He needs to be crate trained and housetrained just like you would with a 2 month old puppy unless you want to live with a dog peeing in the house until the day he dies.

    He needs the obedience classes, definitely to learn that he isn't the one running this household.

    And he needs some NILIF - nothing in life is free. That means he gets nothing, absolutely nothing, without obeying a command first. Before he gets his dinner, he has to sit and stay for a full minute. If he breaks the sit/stay, he doesn't get his dinner. He does it again. Before he gets let outside, he obeys another command. Before he gets a pet, he has to obey a command.

    He has to learn that he doesn't rule the world. He is not let on the couch. He can't get on the couch when you aren't home if he's in his crate. In short, this dog needs "tough love". He's out of control.

  • I am not sure if it will work, but maybe you could let the dog bit on something that tastes horrible. If it doesn't stop him from bitting, put fresh lemon juice (squeezed from a lemon) on things that he usually bites on. That would cure him.

  • Why does this dog, that has all of these problems running freely in your house when you are not home?
    He is not having accidents...he is marking his territory!!!

    Why is it people buy or get "WORKING" dogs and expect them to be house pets?
    First off you have a dog that has made himself right at home ruling YOUR roost!
    You need a crate..if you don't have one get one. He should not be allowed to run around your house like that esp. if he is showing aggression. You are doing nothing but helping him exert his control!
    I would also put him in it at night...no more free house period!
    Everytime this dog bites I would grab his snout and squeeze while giving the "no bite" command. If he continues to bite, add more pressure till he whines.
    As far as outside..put him on a leash whether your yard is fenced in or not. He should not have access to the whole yard if he cannot listen.
    Get a long lead, put it on him, take him outside, give him some slack and walk away from him a little bit then call him to you. If he does not listen snap the lead and call again. If he still does not listen real him in to you saying "come". Reward him when he gets to you, then do it all over again till he gets it on his own.
    If he bites you every time you get onto him about something invest in a e-collar...they work as long as used properly.
    You need to let this dog know that it is your home and you are the boss.
    You need to give him something to do...he is a working dog not a house dog. He has genetic hunting traits used to track down game...they are natural at this.
    You definitely need to get him into some kind of class for both of you to learn. Maybe you can enroll him in a agility or tracking class for beginners after you get his obedience training down without faults.
    He is bored and needs something to do!

  • put something horrid tasting on your hands like that spray on mouthwash and hell soon learn not to bite
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Friday, August 17, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Two very important Dog Training Questions.....please any advice?

Okay for the last few days when my husband leaves for work, my poodle starts barking and then goes and poops on the floor, same place same routine.

I don't get this because when my husband gets up he lets the dogs out and before he leaves he lets the dogs out and our poodle always poops outside, but he manages to squeeze one more out after my husband leaves and then runs and hides under the bed.

Now my poodle is two years old and potty trained, why the sudden change in behavior. (I've known poodles in the past to poop out of spite, it seems to be a poodle thing. I've never known a breed to do something like that other than the poodle)

Also we have a baby on the way so this behavior ofcourse we need to stop before we move into our new place (So exactly 4 weeks).

How can we go about correcting this?also both dogs, Poodle and Terrier mix. Don't sleep in their crates. Our terrier has a bed next to our bed and our poodle sleeps at the end of our bed. Both dogs have been doing this since they were each about 10 months old.

My husband feels with the new baby coming we should start crating them again at night. Atleast until the baby is older. The babys bed will be in our room at first and he thinks we should crate the dogs in the living room.

I feel kind of bad about it.

Is that the best decision? If so when do we go about starting this? When we move that way they think its just a new place thing?

(the dogs have been allowed on the furniture their whole lives by the way)

thanks

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Recommended Answer:
I don't believe any dog does this out of spite, though stress is a distinct possibility, and poodles are great at picking up vibes, realizing that something is different, but not knowing what.

First step would be to prevent this- don't allow him access to where he has been pooping when your husband is leaving, and make sure you have completely gotten rid of any scent. Since you're moving in 4 weeks, I'd just continue this through the moving period. You might want to crate him, or just gate him from the area.

Start developing a routine for after the baby comes home- even taking the dogs on a walk with a pram or carriage. You can play crying noises so the dogs are used to this strange new noise, though they may react to the actual baby even so. Some dogs become very insistent about crying babies- pawing and otherwise letting the adult humans know that the baby is in distress. And on a completely disgusting note, many dogs love the taste of dirty diapers, both on and off the kids, so keep the diaper genie or whatever behind a gate, figure out where that will be now, and if the dog starts paying attention to your baby's diaper, its probably time for a change! And you'll know that, because dogs and babies are NEVER to be left alone together unsupervised, and that includes up until the kid is 5 or 6 years old.

I do think that crating them at night would be a good idea, but I'd prefer to crate them closer to you, preferably in the same room if that is where they are used to sleeping. If not, is there a hallway? You could crate them in your room for right now until the move, then in a hallway or nearby room. This is also a time to brush up on their obedience and general behavior- before the baby comes home.

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  • It IS a good idea. And as far as the morning poop session...don't allow it to happen. Pick the dog up and put him in the crate...or take him outside. Just go back to "housebreaking 101".

  • It's a stress thing.

    Your husband needs to be calm when he's leaving and coming home, and not make a big fuss over the dogs at that time.

    The dog should be crated when he leaves, then taken outside immediately when you get up.

    He is stressed about your hubby leaving, and also about the changes taking place in the house (preparation for new baby, preparation for move).

    Crating when they can't be supervised around the baby is definitely a good idea.

  • Starting tonight, have the dogs start sleeping in crates in the living room, and get them used to being pets, not kids. This way, when the baby is born, they'll be used to being just pets, and there'll be no jealousy where the baby is concerned. The pets need to know they are NOT on equal footing with the baby. The baby comes first.

    Do it now, before you move, because moving is headache enough as it is. As for the dogs on the furniture, that's fine. It really has nothing to do with the situation at hand.

    Add: "What if I just crate him for 10 minutes for the accident. he already hates the crate still not sure why."

    That would be using the crate as punishment. Not a good idea. Start crating them at night, get them used to it, and you won't have to have that headache, on top of the zillion other headaches you'll have with being pregnant and moving.

    Add: You can report the person, but there's nothing stopping them from creating a new account and answering your questions again. Just ignore them. This is just the internet, anyway, so no need in getting upset over what some stranger over the internet says.

  • Ok. Lets be clear. Just to make sure you know, this is NOT a matter of bowel problems or actually having to go to the bathroom for your dog. This is severe separation anxiety issues. You husband could let the dog out all morning long, and that dog would still poop on the carpet because he's pissed.

    Also to be perfectly clear, this is NOT just a Poodle thing. Many dogs do this out of spite and it's not always an issue from the get-go. Yes, small dogs may have more of a tendency toward this type of behavior, but that's usually related to bladder control when excited. So don't blame it on the breed.

    Your Poodle is upset. Believe it or not, dogs are a lot more intuitive than you might realize. I'm sure they realize that there is something going on. You have a baby on the way AND your moving in 4 weeks!? That's a lot for any dog to handle. I'm sure the household is going through changes, routines may be slightly different, and even if not, dogs can simply play off of our emotions. If you have nervous or excited energy about these coming changes, it could easily make the dog nervous.

    Chances are, if you don't work on this (and work on it HARD) right now, it's going to get WAY out of hand when you throw a new baby and new house into the mix. That's going to be very difficult for an anxious dog to deal with.

    Here's some steps you can take to correct the problem. Keep in mind, this takes consistency and dedication. This isn't something you can fix overnight. Your dog is stressed so you're going to have to work extra hard to make her feel safe and trusting toward you and your husband.

    1.) It sounds like you're still home when the dog does this after your husband leaves? Do you just watch it happen? You need to just stop it from happening. All you'd have to do is completely distract the dog before your husband leaves and for a bit after. Take it for a walk, give it some treats, play...just don't let it obsess over your husband leaving and certainly do not allow it to bark and then even get over the spot where he normally poops*. Just grab him and put him outside if anything, but simply DON'T LET him keep doing the same thing. If he behaves, give him a treat or a special toy each time. Also, try to have your husband leave through different doors if possible. It may confuse the dog just enough that he doesn't think he's leaving.

    *If he does poop inside again, grab him before he can run upstairs, give him a stern "NO" and scoop up the poop. Take it and him outside and put the poop in the spot where he should be going outside.

    2.) Be sure you thoroughly spray the spot where he keeps going with some type of dog spray. NOT a deodorizer, something from your local pet store that actually deters dogs and keeps them away. If you want, you could even buy a cheap old throw rug, douse it in the "Dog Off" stuff and put it in that spot just to throw him off.

    3.) Whatever you do, don't yell at the dog for being upset. It will only make it worse. Yes, you can discipline him for pooping in the house, but when he is barking and upset, it's only going to make it worse for you to yell.

    4.) I know this sounds harsh too, but for the time being, you may want to try giving the dog something a while before your husband leaves. They sell over-the-counter calming herbs for dogs that are mild, or you could try Benadryl (ask your vet for the proper dosage). This may help break the habit and aid in the overall transition. They also sell what's called a D.A.P. diffuser or "dog appeasing pheromone diffuser." You can Google it, but basically what it is is an "air freshener" type thing that is supposedly the smell that mothers release to their puppies to calm them. You may try having that plugged in near the door.

    5.) Also, does he do this ONLY when your husband leaves for work? If so, practice having your husband leave little by little. Like start early on the weekend, go through the motions, but have your husband "leave" and then come right back in and give the dog a treat (assuming he hasn't already ****). Gradually increase the amount of time he does this until the dog doesn't always freak out.

    6.) Now this is important. You MUST keep the dogs routine as NORMAL as humanly possible! If you have a baby and move into a new house, the LAST thing you want to do is make the poor thing feel like he's being further punished by crating him at night. There is no reason to do this. Especially in the living room! The poor things would probably howl all night if not become destructive. DO NOT DO THAT! If you MUST, get the Poodle it's own bed next to your like the Terrier mix and let them both stay in the room. The more things you change for the dog, the harder it's going to be to keep it calm and well-behaved. The dogs are already going to feel jealous and neglected at first, so pushing them further away is the worst thing you can do. Introducing a new home and a new baby is going to be difficult. You have to treat the
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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Canine Good Citizen Test- Reaction to Another Dog Training?

"Test 8: Reaction to another dog-
This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler."- American Kennel Club

How can I train my Sixteen month old Wheaten Terrier puppy to practically ignore other dogs?! He loves other dogs and goes berserk trying to get to them so he can play. He become extremely alert and his tail goes over his back. How can I teach him to become less excited? (He's not aggressive at all, just excited.)

Dog Training DVD, A Great Investment in Your Dog



Recommended Answer:
Teach him sit/stay. Your dog should sit or stand quietly and patiently when you exchange pleasantries with someone else. I've seen a lot of people use the "leave it" command then a sit/stay when they get excited during this portion of the test.

Practice, practice, practice.

Successful Dog Training at Home - Having the Right Mindset


  • My best advice would be training.
    Take your dog for frequent walks around the neighbourhood where you might pass some other fellow dog-walkers.
    Reinforce each time he shows little to no interest with a treat. Try to distract him if he does get excited, get him to sit and wait.

    Also obedience classes work wonders as well. The one I enjoyed most practiced "polite" walking with dogs. (Bypassing people and dogs on walks)

  • sigh ....like any OTHER training!!!
    STOP it's unwanted action & reward correct behavior!!!!

  • LOTS of socialization. After being around all kinds of dogs for a certain amount of time, he'll stop noticing the other dogs as much. They'll just be the "norm" for him.

    Puppy classes are great as well, and the instructor can probably tell you how to further the training to make your puppy focus on you and be oblivious to the other dogs in the area.

  • Practice, practice, practice.

    He should be doing an automatic sit and stay when you stop for this exercise. He cannot be bothering the other dog if he is holding a stay.
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Sunday, August 5, 2012

Dog Health Questions: How can I prove more to my mom that I am responsible enough for a dog [not puppy]? She wants one too?

I have a job and am currently saving up for a dog fund (and an emergency fund), I've been researching for months about dog training, nutrition, everything there is to know about taking care of a dog and also the breed I am getting.
I have good grades, no trouble issues, clean room, used to volunteer for a dog shelter for awhile, I'm a "make a plan first" kind of person, and plenty of free time to take care of a dog. She already believes I can afford the dog however she still doubts that I'll take care of it 100% of the time.
My mom doesn't mind and would love to play with it [planning on a chihuahua] while I'm at school however she does not want to do the dirty work (walking, training, etc.) and I understand. She most likely will give in and trust that I won't be lazy as she isn't that stubborn.
But for now, how can I prove to her that I wont be lazy and slack off of my responsibilities?

The Evolution of Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
Do something that is extremely tough for you and that she knows is but never give up on it. Keep doing it for a month or so and see what she thinks about that dog you want to get.

Finding the Essential Dog Training Supplies


  • Go back and volunteer at the local shelter - walking the dogs, etc...

    Who will care for the dog once you're off to college? YOUR MOM WILL...so regardless of NOW, think of the future as well.

    Remember that the first year is pretty expensive - vaccines, spaying, etc...and the last years of a dogs life are expensive as well...good food, parasite preventative, training, vaccines, bloodwork, vet checkups, dental care, basic supplies - can all add up...having a dog is a huge responsibility.

    Be ready to give up ALOT OF STUFF for the dog!

  • Well, the thing is, no one ever really CAN take care of an animal 100% of the time, because lets face it- we're not superhuman- sometimes we're not home, we have work to do, or something else crops up.

    Don't promise your mom that having to do those things will NEVER happen, just make sure she knows that 9 out of 10 times, you'll be the one doing the 'dirty work'.

  • Make like a report about it and show like a peace of paper of responisibility idk and if u have a petland. go to there and bring ur mom show her the cute dogs, BUT DONT BUT THEM THERE, BUY THEM FORM A BREEDER!!!!!!!!!!!1111

  • Prove it to her by doing a responsible action. Like if you don't clean your room start cleaning it or if you don't do your chores do them without complaining,

  • Tell her that you will buy it and if you don't take full care of it then she can bring the dog back to the petstore or shelter.

  • maybe your mom wants a Nargle instead

  • I convined my parents too not sure how though...it mostly depends what kind of parents you have. I did the same thing you did though.

  • Have a huge party and say I was able to organize this I think I can handle a dog.

  • Just keep telling her. And do things around the house and in front of her to demonstrate to her how well you will do.
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Thursday, July 19, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Is this the dog i should get?

Okay i was wondering if a border collie would be a good dog for me to get? alright i live in a very rural area of southern indiana in the foot hills on 250 acres. I have 2 italian greyhounds and a golden retriever mix. My mom works at home so there would be some one there most of the time. we have 3 large lakes on my property. also if you know me you will know that before i get a dog i always do at least 5 months of research in both books and online! also i have more dog training and trick books than any child or adult i know! i have ducks that the border collie can herd as long as it doesn't hurt them. I do not live by any roads and do not have any neighbors so the dog would be able to run free without being restrained as do my other 3 dogs. i feed high quality origen dog food. I am willing to take this dog to the vet and dog classes( i have taken all of my previous dogs to dog classes). i have lots of time to spend with him besides when i go to school but then while i am gone my mom can play with him. keep in mind that although i am a kid i am highly intelligent and have had hands on dog training classes and used to have a border collie Shepherd mix but i had to get rid of her because when i got her we had to move unexpectedly and git rid of her and then i lived in the city and now i know that is not the place for a bc. i will play with her a lot and take it for walks around my property. also this dog will not be pent up in a crate all day like most dogs, this dog will be outdoors with my other dogs most of the day but she will be allowed inside whenever she wants and will be allowed to get fresh food and water. but she will be let in at night to keep her away from the wolves and cougars . also i promise that i will get this dog from a good breeder and not a pet store or a backyard breeder because i am strongly against that! i need to get a dog that is friendly to both people and dogs and that will be very playful and willing to learn! and i would love to have a dog that will actually catch the frisbees and balls and doesn't just retrieve them haha!!!thank you and please give me your advice and thinking because i value your opinion.

Dog Treats for Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
Border Collies are great, we used to have them as working dogs on our 300 acre farm in England. But they are highly intelligent with limitless stamina and are apt to roam, especially the males if not neutered. She could soon be exploring beyond your boundaries and night safety from wildlife may not be sufficient even though you have other dogs too. Perhaps you could join a local dog agility group?

Time-Tested Tips On Behavior Dog Training For Beginners


  • SOUNDS GREAT TO ME :D

  • Go for it! have fun with your new puppy its sounds like that is the kind of dog you should get have fun! :D

  • You sound dead set on a BC, no matter what people tell you, you are going to get one anyway. Get one from pet lines with a mellow temperament or adopt an adult with a set temperament that you like. And set aside at least 5hrs every single day to do an activity focusing only on the BC, the others can be included but it is for the BC. Make sure you give the dog direction even when you are not home, they need to be simulated and entertained.ex kong
    And take the warnings on dogbreedinfo seriously, because if your going through a breeder and getting a puppy you are probably going to experience some of those bad things. One way to eliminate that risk is to adopt or buy an older dog after you get to know him a little.

  • Same question THREE times! WHY? You shouldn't be doing any herding without training with a professional sheepdog trainer. My sheepdog trainer has a nice dog for sale, an 8 month old who has been started on sheep. I believe that he wants around $3500.00 for her. Respond to this e-mail and I will give you the info. You never teach a BC to fetch balls or frisbees, that is obsessive behavior and shouldn't be tolerated. My trainer charges $500.00 a month for in house training, and $50.00 and hour for lessons.

  • A Border Collie is fine, but you being a kid cannot legally purchase a dog, so your parents would have to do it. So long as your parents are fine with having another dog, then that's fine.
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Monday, June 4, 2012

Dog Health Questions: I got a new dog! training?

hey poeple.. i got a new puppy today.. its 2 months old... well..i named him whisky.on a suggestion of a friend

anyway..so.. i really wana know how how to train him... and teach him good manners..i know he is very small..

i was already feeling very bad for him that we took him away from his parents..

anyway.. but i have been showing him lot of love today... been cuddling him... and right now he is with me in my bed..sleeping...

is it alright for touching and cuddling him to much?

i dont know i dont want to spoil him..but i want to love him a lot aswell..

anyway..so do i do to train him... and also potty train him...???

Dog Training Videos - Learn by Watching



Recommended Answer:
You won't spoil him by cuddling and staying close to him whilst he adjusts to his new environment - in fact, you're doing exactly the right thing. The more you touch him, the more you are reassuring him that this is his new pack and you will take care of him.

Night times are an issue you will have to work out. Do you want him always on your bed? If so, then that's fine - make sure you have paper down in your room, or be alert to jump out of bed and take him to out to pee during the night (paper is probably wise anyhow!). If you don't want him to be sharing your bed forever, then you need to set the ground rules immediately - and put him in his bed or crate tonight, and be firm. Ignore whining and wails - only go to him if he gets in a complete state, then reassure him calmly, and leave again.

Potty training takes time - but the more consistent and alert you are, the quicker it will be. Most pups are trained somewhere between four and six months of age - bowel control comes first, followed by bladder control. Take him to the designated area after every meal, and every time he wakes up after a nap - and wait with him until he performs. Then praise. Keep a close eye on him indoors, and as soon as he starts sniffing and circling, take him outside. Accidents are very likely - but they are your fault, not his!!

Find a good local training school and take him along to puppy classes - the socialisation with other dogs will do him good, and the trainer will be able to show you the best way for you to train - it is as much about learning how to manage your behaviour as it is about him learning new skills - so for a first time owner - you can't beat training classes.

Good luck, have fun!

Successful Dog Training at Home - Having the Right Mindset


  • i got a puppy at 7 weeks old and now shes almost 10 weeks. She is a great dane/st bernard mix.

    I let her sleep in my bed with me but only during the day or when im awake so she isnt used to the bed being hers at ngiht because she is obviosuly going to be very large.

    at night she usually sleeps in a crate. if you crate train your puppy they will whine and cry for the first couple of nights, no doubt. but after she got used to it a little bit I let her sleep in her own little corner.

    peeing and pooping.

    -she usually whines now if she has to go.
    if your dog goes int he house, tell her NO and bring her right outside and stay out there for awhile with her or until she goes again.

    hope this helped

  • i got a teacup maltese about 3 months ago when he was 2 weeks and me and my sister had no idea wut to do but with the potty training...we got wee wee pads and put them next to his cage and if he did business anywhere but there our vet told us to take the dog to their business and put their face next to it...i know it sounds mean but 3 months later and chewy doesnt dare poop or pee anywhere but the pad...lol...good luck...and enjoy!!! :-D

  • 1)Crate Training. It may seem mean but it will provide a safe place for him if no one is able to supervise, help with house-breaking and accustom him to being crated in case he is boarded, groomed or has to go to the vet for anything serious.
    2) Do not teach or allow any behaviors that will not still be cute and harmless when he is an adult.
    3) Look into clicker training. It's very effective and helps build a bond especially with puppies.

    http://www.rewardingbehaviors.com/forum/…
    http://www.rewardingbehaviors.com/forum/…

  • I never crate trained a dog, so can not offer assistance there. I always potty train using the firm and consistant method. If you are home most of the day with him, this is possible. When he does wet on the floor, immediately tell him no show him by putting his nose down to it, then take him outside. He will begin to realize that you want him to do his business outside. Be very consitent. Puppys are like babies, they go often, so take him out often. He will prefer to go outside anyway, they just won't hold it long.

    Do not incourage any behavior now that you dont want later. Such as biting you. Teach him that you are off limits. Provide plenty of safe durable toys for him to chew on. Teach sitting and what not now. Find a treat that they love. Reward any good behavior very frequently at first, then slowly teach him to repeat the good behavior before rewarding him. The ultimate goal is for him to know that even without a treat, you ecpect him to mind you. Dogs are pack animals, and look to the leader for guidance and acceptable behavior. You must always be the leader, or you may eventually have discipline problems. Babies need to be cuddled, so right now cuddle all you want, just make sure that you want that behavior to possible continue with an older dog. Puppies that are cuddled from early on, usually tolerate, and some even want cuddling later on. But some as they get older see cuddling as you trying to dominate them, so take your cues from him on that.

    Be firm and consistent on training and correct bad behavior and things will work out great.

  • Congratulations!

    In the first week home, Whiskey will be very confused. Don't do anything you won't let him do later, such as sleep on your bed or jump on the couch. Also, he will cry at night, sometimes all night. When he cries, take him outside to pee/poop. If he goes, or doesn't after 10 minutes, bring him inside. If he still cries, shut your door and leave him alone. He will be very lonely and missing his mother/siblings.

    Feed Whiskey a premium dog food. Canidae and Timberwolf Organics are good foods that will make his fur shiny and smooth and his eyes clear. Your breeder should have given you a feeding schedule.

    If Whiskey does something bad, such as peeing on the floor, don't let it go. If you don't start disciplining him now, it will be harder for him to learn later.

    Cuddling is very good for puppies. Make sure that you touch his feet, nails and pads. This way he won't be angry when you have to cut his nails. However, make sure that he gets plenty of play time. Fence off your deck or part of your yard, and run around, chasing tennis balls or you.

    You should probably start puppy school now. Take him to puppy kindergarten. The instructors will teach you a lot of commands that will keep your dog safe and you happy.

    Last of all, NEVER HIT YOUR DOG!!! This will make him scared of you!! You want Whiskey to respect you and think that you are the boss, but not be frightened!!

    Have fun!

  • Congradulations on your new puppy, Whisky. Here are some potty training tips, use what helps and leave the rest.

    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 I use a word like "shame" and take her out right away. When correcting, I use a stern, firm voice, but I never yell* or spank* my puppies. Take them out when they first wake up, after they eat or drink, 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 the 6 to 8-month-old time frame, and depending on the puppy, 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. 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. While personally, the crate traumatizes me, (it looks like a doggie jail), my puppies do better in the crate. They like it, I guess for the den like feeling, but 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. It is a safe secure place for them. However, use the method that works best for you.....a laundry basket, a cardboard box, a woof-woof house, child gates......whatever works for you.

    *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. Although I use them to give pills too. I used different treats for different things. We use one bone at bedtime to let the dogs know it is time to go to bed. We use a big rawhide for when we go on long trips, so they have a bone to amuse them, and they will be expected to hold their potty. When they get the rawhide, they will not eat their food and water, until we get home from our trip. (dogs are funny) Do what works best for you.

    *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 #1, or "go finish" for #2 might work for you. 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.

    *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.

    *Sometimes it seems like you take your puppy out 5 million times a day. You can sit on a bench, or folding chair, or a 5 gallon bucket turned upside down to stay in the shade. I use an umbrella for shade too. You can always tape your favorite tv shows. In the winter I microwave a gel pack heating pad, (sold at walmart in the pharmacy, made by Kaz, I think.) I put the heating pad under my jacket so I won't freeze to death. In the summer, I freeze bottles of water, so we can grab one real fast on our way out the door. I have a mini back pack by the door I can just grab with doggie treats, a flash light, a rubber band for my hair when the wind is bad, etc. Do what works for you.

    *Time lines. Keep it real. Puppies train at their own pace, so while your last 2 dogs may have trained faster, this puppy might take longer. Training is all about routines, and repeating yourself. It is about rewarding good behaviors, and correcting bad ones. If you have a setback, shake it off, and keep going. Good luck.
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Sunday, May 6, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog Parks-- How to Find Directions to Get There.?

I've been looking for a dog park to take my dog in and I've found 1 location in Hoffman Estates from about 5 webpages, but the address is at an intersection. How am I suppose to use www.mapquest.com to find my intersection? I tried putting the intersection in, but it doesn't know it. No, I can't see an address with any numbers. How am I suppose to know how to get there? By the way, the address of it is Higgins and Wickham Roads. Name of the dog park: Cook County Dog Training Area. Thanks.

How to Train Your Dogs - Some Basics in Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
I can't find where the roads intersect, but it looks like Higgins is the main road. Call this humane society, since they have the park on their web page and see if you can get directions. That's what I had to do when I moved to Colorado Springs to find their dog park. Naperville Area Humane Society (630) 420-898

Aggressive Dog Training - Expert Advice


  • there is no way loser
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Sunday, April 22, 2012

Dog Health Questions: I need specific dog training help!?

I have 2male dogs: (A) 1 year and (B) 8 month old, I need help training them (my house doesnt show consistent obidence) I think ive established dominace (with lots of love and atention) they follow me everywhere, (A) has a playful jumping nibling habit, but his frist reaction is always a lite bit i worry he might become agressive one day, he also barks constantly when we ignor, say no or put him outside, he has also become slightly agressive jeulos with (B) when it comes to my affection. Hes pretty confused because my bros are too mean with him and my dad spoils him. (B) is more shy, he was isolated as a pup he but he is improving slowly althought he goes through trash like crazy! I want them to socialize them like brothers but my bros keep favouring (b) infornt of (a), I treat them equally always showing affection to them as a whole, but how can i reinforce them to be together and fix everything else ive mentioned? many thanks :)

Which One of These Four Dog Training Mistakes are You Making?



Recommended Answer:
Your household has to be consistent with the training you are doing with the dogs - even your brothers and your dad.

With dog A - do not allow the jumping or nipping even if it is playful. You have to establish what is acceptable and what is not - not gray areas. When dog A is getting a little too rough during play and starts to nip - The best thing to do is yell OUCH!!! in a high pitched voice, immediately get up and walk out of the room, giving dog A no attention. 30-60 seconds later, go back into the room and resume in play, but if this happens again - yelp and walk out.

Jumping? Turn your back to the dog and fold your arms - ignore your dog until they are sitting or all four paws are on the floor. Do not give him any attention until the jumping stops. Remember dogs jump for a number of reasons - play, attention, greeting, because you allow it.

When your dog is sitting nicely (instead of jumping) giving the reward of your praise and belly rubs.

Dog B - is just a puppy and is trying to find his place in the household. As for the trash digging - when you catch him in the trash - use a short, sharp noise "EH EH EH!" make it loud. It will instantly get his attention and time for you to redirect him. Put the lid on the trash or put it out of reach of dog B. After using the "EH EH EH" reward your dog for coming to you - treat him.

I would reccommend training classes - they provide good dog to dog socialization with unfamiliar dogs, not just everyday dog A. It is fun and will give your dogs something to focus on. But your family and household has to work together for the training to work. Patients and being consistent is Key.

Good Luck!

Dog Behavior Training - How Much Does Professional Dog Training Cost?


  • well it doesnt sound like anybody in the house has the dominance except the dogs you should walk them together make them eat together (b) needs to be better socialized take them to a obedience class

  • it's really tough training a dog, especially in your case, they're 'dogS'. anyway, try visiting www.dogtime.com for details on training.

    goodluck!

  • No dog is born with good manners. Pooping on the carpet, leaping enthusiastically onto guests, pulling so hard he practically yanks your arm out of the socket when on walks--that's all perfectly acceptable in the canine world. It's up to you to teach your dog to behave the way we humans want him to. Not training your dog and expecting him to be pleasant to live with is like never sending your child to school and expecting him to ace the SATs.

    here are some guidelines:
    http://dogtime.com/training.html

  • Firstly it doesn't sound like your dominant to me.

    Best advice is buy a good dog training book. That will have basic rules like dogs always eating after human, never give them scraps from the table etc etc. These rules are to show your dog they are at the bottom of the hierarchy. Love and attention although important does not establish pack leader. If anything your showing them they are in charge and that way you will never have full control of your dogs.

    Consistency is very important with dogs too. Bad behaved/aggressive dogs are usually confused about where they fit into the pack hierarchy so it's important to get all your family to follow the same rules. A book will explain all this far better than i can.

  • The beasts are completely spoiled & *UNTRAINED* because *you* are an ignorant incapable child

  • You really need training help. The worst thing for a dog, besides abuse is inconsistent handling and being a shy dog to start with and then having other people treat him in different ways does not help the dog learn what it is expected of him. This is not a dominance issue so stop worrying about it, start training, not managing. You have a dog that lacks confidence and if you learn how to help a dog build up its confidence many of the behavioral issues you're dealing with will decrease. You need to understand how dogs learn new behaviors. You should understand about counter conditioning, desensitization and classical conditioning. Find a class, read some books. This site has info to help.

    www.fearfuldogs.com
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Friday, April 13, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Emergency dog training tips?!!! please help!?

My family has fallen on some though times and with that being said a family member has been evicted and moving in with me along with her 3 young daughters and their chihuahua until they get their own place which shouldn't be long because she has a job. Just that her eviction is tomorrow and needs somewhere to stay in the mean time. Before I carry along, my question is about my 1 yr old pit bull. He is real sweet heart but he's just too excited for a lot of people's liking. He jumps (a lot) and at 80 pounds that's a very heavy jump. My aunt has a 3 year old daughter I am particularly stressing over. He pulls on the leash very forcefully so I cant take him on long walk and tire him out. Also, even though he is EXTREMELY friendly he is very dominant with other dogs. He doesn't know how to play well with other dogs but he doesn't come at them with bad aggression. My aunt is coming with her chihuahua as well (like i mentioned). I have taken him to dog runs before and i trust him with other dogs, however, i don't trust other dogs with him. A lot of dogs have not taken his forwardness so nicely and the chihuahua is very sweet but snappy! What are some ways I can help my dog?? I would like to know how to correctly train him. I don't want to take him to a shelter because when my aunts gone, so will he and if I had money to room him somewhere, I would. So please no fostering/shelter opinions. I understand this is no overnight remedy. I'm willing to work on it with my family to improve his behavior. Thanks!

Overview of Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
You need to drain his energy, plain and simple and socialize him more. He will calm down with long walks and lots of exercise. If he pulls, which 90% of pits do because the owners do not know enough to get that under control, you need to get an HALTI. It is not a muzzel, they can fully open their mouth it allows you to control from the head and gives you an advange, their neck is very strong and you will not get the same control with the collar. Every time he rebels because the the HALTI pull up and have him sit until he relaxes then walk again. If he pull to see another dog dont stop and walk forward pulling him. These are two ways for you to show you are the leader and and the boss. Trust me this worked with my 1 yr old HYPER Pit and my 120lb Rotti. If you have a treadmill use that, it will help alot too, its really easy to train. I have trained my 2 Rotti/Cane Corso crosses, my 4 year old lab and 4 month old English Bantam Bulldog. It is really hand for super cold weather or after a walk if they are still not tired. This would be handy for your guy. But stright up, he needs to be walked at LEAST 1 hour a day, at least. After that he will calm down, you also need to let him get used to other dogs and people so he cares less when meeting them. Dog park is always great for that he will get tired out and meet dogs and people all in one shot! Take him for a long walk and time how long it takes for him to calm down each time with visitors, youll see the time gets shorter each time. Lastly Chihuahuas think they are pitbulls. He wont have a problem telling your pit what he thinks. Just be there so your pit doesnt get too excieted and starts pawing at him to play. Like someone said in another reply walk them both for a long time before they meet and then walk them together. Dont stop to let them play make them walk together without any fuss, be determined and dont get fruastrated. Walk them together until they are dead tired. Then bring them to the house together but make sure they are tired. Then have them meet the kids. Teach the kids some commands and how to tell the dog no, this will give them power and the dog will look at them as leaders too. If you dont do anything it will go exactly how you are worried it will, your guy will be excieted and will jump all over everyone and everything. Then he will get locked up in a room while they are there and that is not fair to the dog.

Four Dog Training Tools That You Must Use


  • Your dog must be a mix, because a male PB is 35-60 pounds. I have to wonder why you've allowed such unacceptable behavior, letting your dog jump on people, and allowing him to pull on a leash? I suggest that you contact a trainer and get your dog under control. How about keeping them in separate rooms, or crating them? Should have been properly trained months ago.

  • Have you tried walking the dogs together? - maybe with the family member who is staying? - this can help dogs bond, don't let one walk in front of the other, but next to each other [but no in reaching distance so the other dog doesn't snap] also when you introduce them, if they haven't already, make sure it is on neutral territory [otherwise your dog might get territorial] also keep them both on their leader while introducing them and do a little research on noticing bad body language in dogs, try this site - http://qualityaussies.webs.com/thelangua…
    if you notice any bad behaviors or if one of the dogs looks like it might snap, a tug on the lead will stop it, also you could try shaking a bottle full of stones, the noise distracts the dog [doesn't hurt them] make sure you shake it loud enough.
    if they dogs sniff each other nicely, i recommend using a clicker. click it and give both dogs a treat (you and your aunt to your own dogs)
    this will take time, but it should work.

    and to help with jumping, if he jumps, turn your body away and arms up and shoulder height, with a stern no, this will also take time for your dog to learn not to jump.
    and tell your aunts children when they walk in to ignore the dog, [children can cause dogs to be more hyper, with their squeals when a dog is trying to play with them] and to ignore him until he calms down, then pat him nicely.

    Good luck! - i hope it works!

  • The new dog is small and could be kenneled and managed in the house without to much problem so really that is what I would do first. Your dog can also be kenneled in the house or placed in a bedroom behind a door. Next I would go out and walk the dogs together in a neutral place so they start to bond. I would also if I was you train your own dam dog, you basically are telling the world you have a pit bull that is poorly trained if at all. Look this breed all ready has enough problems and for you to not train one is just so irresponsible.

  • Start with the site below. You should separate the dogs--keep them in different rooms-- if there is any negative behavior.

    Train sit to begin for at least a week before adding another command. Down should be next. You should put your dog on a sit anytime he gets excited around the children and only allow them to be in the same room when they have adult supervision. (This is the only safe way to have young kids and dogs). Good luck.

  • Well, for one thing. Pure-bred apbt's do not get that big. #2. MALE pits make LOUSY house pets just for the reasons you mention. Thats why I always tell people who come on here asking which is better, males or females. Even neutered, the dog aggression does not go away in this breed. (That would be like expecting a pointer to stop pointing after being neutered.) He's only 1 year old which is still considered a pup. And believe me. It's going to get much-much worse. If the chi is an intact male. Its curtains. If you didn't establish yourself as above him in the pack early on when he was small, it will be very difficult now. He may learn to respect you, possibly even obey you. (somewhat.)Depends on his mental stability and his breeding. Good luck, I hope others on here have a more positive out look. But it will take TONS and TONS of training if this dog hasn't gotten too out of control yet. And you can't get that over the internet and without hands on approach.

  • OK, you need to set some ground rules. Its wise to acknowledge a big dog can do more damage than a little dog. And yes, chi's can provoke any dog - that still doesn't make it ok.

    Get a crate. Put it in your kitchen or a well travelled area of the house. Take turns putting each dog in their. Don't use it as a punishment, rather a "secure" place for one dog to observe the other.

    Get both dogs on lead in the house. Jumping can be prevented if the dog is leashed.

    Consider muzzles for both dogs - yes, that is likely not going to go over well.

    I honestly feel you have to be very firm about what they both do. No grey areas.

    Keep all dogs off the couch, and on the floor.

    I have 3 dogs - they have their own beds and they are on-lead in my livingroom because I dont want them playing in my house. In other words, I'm very firm about what they can do.

    With a tiny dog - the risks are greater -so if the Aunt cannot manage her Chi on lead - then agree to have one crated at a time and separate them outdoors.

    In other words, separate them indoors - separate them outdoors - use leashes and crates to manage it.

  • Have you ever watched the show (its me or the dog or dog whisperer) . the problems you have are very common and by changeing simple behaviors you may be able to fix the problems pretty simply. who knows maybe this overlode of people could be the best thing for him . day and night training. but it has to be a team effort tons of praise and hardwork .

    good luck.
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Monday, March 5, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Protection dog training?

I want to know more about schutzhund trainers, how do you become a trainer. Do they get good business and pay. Is it a fun job to be in.

Beyond Canine Basics - Advanced Dog Training Methods



Recommended Answer:
There are other Schutzhund people around here. I was a certified agitator at one time, but quit because I screwed up my back big time.

Most Schutzhund trainers are folks who have started in other dog venues and then gotten involved in Schutzhund work. In other words they are typically very advanced dog trainers.

Most of this is involved with club work. All of the folks are volunteers, ie. no pay. They do it because they enjoy it.

You shouldn't be viewing Schutzhund work as simply protection work. There are three components to Schutzhund, obedience tracking and protection work. To teach any of the three components you have to prove that you can not only teach your dog how to do the work, but also that you can teach other people how to teach their dogs how to do the work.

Most clubs that I have seen have people apprentice as an agitator for the protection work. For a variety of reasons you really need to know a lot about dog behavior to do this work. You can screw up the dog's training, or you can get hurt, if you do the wrong things.

There are people who do turn this into a business. Again it's something where you have to prove yourself. There are a lot of self-proclaimed experts out there, like anything else.

Dog Training Jobs - How to Become a Professional Dog Trainer


  • You should learn more about Schutzhund- I know people who like it- not lucrative though. Protection is only 1/3 of it, tracking and obedience are the other two parts. Most people I know who do schutzhund have had dogs (mainly gsd's) their whole lives. I find it too hard (not hard as in difficult- hard as in watching my dog get hit with a bat is too much for me) for my personal tastes. There are Schutzhund clubs in almost every major city. I'd start there, go to some field trials, get a feel for it, then start one of your own pups- one that has been volhard tested, and see how far you get....
    Good Luck....
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Friday, February 17, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training question... 4yr old mini aussie?

Ive been training my mini aussie in agility & obedience. She has major problems with the teater in agility and healing positions. She freezes up after learning something. How do I fix this?

Residential Dog Training Vs DIY Home Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
Do you mean she freezes up so that she doesn't want to run the teeter? Teeters are notorious for being one of the hardest obstacles to train - that and weaves, of course. Lorie of Abbadogs outlined how to train a teeter beautifully in her article: abbadogs.com

Simply: keep one end of the board propped up so that it won't teeter back and forth. Have your dog run the entire teeter. Click when your dog runs to the top of the teeter. Your dog should already have a good 2 on 2 off contact. Do some teeter bounce games. Eventually mold it all together. Your dog should be running the entire teeter confidently, stopping only to do the 2o2o. And if she's freezing up because you're moving too quickly or pushing her too much, take a step back or begin the next day. Take it nice and slow and it'll all mesh together in the end!

Dog Training is a Priority


  • If I'm understanding correctly,

    You teach your dog something new, she seems to be getting it, and then suddenly refuses to do it again in the session?

    When that happens its likely you've pushed far enough, and she says Hey I need some time to process this new stuff.

    Go back to something she knows well, praise her lavishly for doing it and end the session.

    The next day warm her up with some well known "easy stuff" and then start again with the thing she froze up on the day before. If she freezes again, give it another day or two, and then try again. You might just be amazed at the results.

  • "She freezes up after learning something."

    What exactly do you mean by this?It may be because you go too fast with new excesses. or may be it has not yet generalized the ones you refer to having a problem with.

    Success breeds success. make sure your setting the dog up for success when teaching and dog is learning. it builds confidence.
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Monday, January 30, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Problem with dog training?

I have a 4 month old chihuahua that I've had for about a month now. I've been trying to house train her but it's not going well. I take her outside every hour, and she usually pees, but she comes in the house and pees or poos very soon after. I don't know how to go about training her, and cleaning up her messes is getting hard because I'm 6 weeks pregnant and in the midst of morning sickness. I heave everytime I even see a mess she's made. If I used a dog trainer could they teach her how to go out side and alert me if she needs to? Do they teach housebreaking? I've never used one, how would it work and how much would I expect to pay?

A Working Dog - Training



Recommended Answer:
I just got a puppy too. ( minature pinture he's 3 and a 1/2 months)

Anywhoo, I got a dog trainer for this too, and she tought it like this...
So every time you see it going to the bathroom in the house clap your hand and say OUTSIDE POOP or OUTSIDE PEE in a very sturn voice. Than quickly scoop it up and take it outside to finish off.

Eventually it will learn and everytime it will need to go pee or poop it will scratch on the door to tell you it needs to go.

I know some people use newspaper but then you'r going through newspaper like crazy. And it looks very unsanitary in your home.. plus then once it learns how to go on the newspaper you have to put the newspaper outside and re-train it to go out there...hope that helps :)
good luck.

How Good Dog Training Makes For a Happy Dog


  • When my dog was a puppy, my mum put newspaper out and the my dog learnt to use the newspaper. I think we did this during the night to start with just while we were house training him but it worked and makes it much easier to clear up any mess. If you got a personal trianer or took your dog to a training class (thats what we did with ours) then they will teach your dog and help you house train him. Good Luck and congratulations on your pregnancy.

  • Chihuahua's are small dogs and she probably has a small bladder. Try taking her out every 30 minutes instead, and if you can't watch her, put her in her crate. Then you should take her out as soon as she is let out of her crate. Taking her to a puppy class could be beneficial to you both also. She needs to be socialized and the trainer would be able to give you tips. My trainer gave us great tips on housebreaking amongst other things.

  • Yes trainers work wonders. Most are about 3 weeks programs and they teach the dog to wait at the door when he or she need to use the restroom. They teach them that it is bad to use the restroom in the house. I would estimate on the cost of a trainer to be around $50-$100. You can go to Petsmart and they can get you a trainer there or tell you where to get one
    Hope this helps!

  • I would read up on crate training. I'm crate training my yorkie and it works really well. Here's what you need to do:
    -Buy a wire crate at a pet store and fill it with her favorite toys, blanket, etc (btw dogs will not potty where they sleep, this is why crating works so well!)
    -Have her in an area where you are usually hanging out so she doesnt' feel lonely, you want her to like the crate. When you put her in there, praise her, give her treats, etc.
    -She should sleep in the crate all night. Take her out first thing in the morning! She should be taken potty everytime she comes o ut of the crate before playing. You have to be consistant. If she has an accident in the house, take her out immediately and show her where she needs to go.
    I'm sure it's hard since you are in your first trimester! Good luck!

  • Wish i could personally train your dog! I love dogs and know alot about them. Usually girl dogs learn quicker so it shouldn't be too hard. Okay heres what you need to do.
    1. When she does have a accident in the house pick it up in a paper towel and put it outside where you want here to go.
    2. When ever you take her out take her to the spot that you put the poo.
    3. When she does go outside praise her and (make sure you have doggy treats) give her a treat. (like this--- "GOOD GIRL!" *trreat*---"GOOD GIRL!") I hope i helped! And congrats on your pregnancy!
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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Dog Health Questions: Dog training at Pet Smart?

Has anyone had their dog trained there or know anyone who has?
Is it worth the cost?

Top 6 Dog Training Mistakes - Are You Making These Mistakes When Dog Training?



Recommended Answer:
I went to school elsewhere to be a trainer and have been training for over 10 yrs. We got a PetSmart in and I work for them now something to do part time. You REALLY need to go and meet the trainers. You will know if you have a good one or not. The training is good and I do not approve of classes that have play time for the dogs. They don't need to play to get socialization. Some of the owners have no clue. Like when the pups are playing and biting each other. They are yelling at their dogs to stop. They don't understand it's puppy play even after you explain it to them over and over. So what if a fight would break out. I don't need some owners freezing up on me.

Socialization is getting them out of the home and exposed to different enviroments. Just being inside the store and around other dogs is socialization.

Yes the trainers are taught to teach the classes a certain way. We are to teach certain things during that week. There are some robot trainers who follow the book to a tee.
I don't.
We have fun and joke around during class. It is a good time for all. I go above and beyond what I am supposed to do.

PetSmart is not bad place to go you just have to find the right trainer. It is all about Positive Reinforcement and that is great.

We have a new manager so I will not be at PetSmart much longer She does not like me cause I speak my mind and I am not afraid of her like everyone else and she does not like my demo dogs. She is not a personable person, she is rude and uncaring even towards the customers.

So what am I getting at.... check out the enviroment and attitudes of the employees. Customers can feel the difference in the enviroment at our store now and comment on it.

What You Need to Know About Dog Training


  • Pet Smart dog trainers are all trained to give the same classes the exact same way.

    Each individual trainer may be different personality wise and may or may not like their job, just like anything else, you can find a bad one or you can find an excellent one.

    One thing you should be aware of - if your Pet Smart has a Vet's Office within the store, you could put your puppy at risk for Parvo and other possible contagious viruses. Most sick animals will have to walk the entire store to get to the Vet's Office. If they have an accident along the way and it's not cleaned correctly - your puppy can pick up that virus.

    I loved going to the dog club/kennel club for my dogs training - you don't have to be a member, and the dog will have to be at least 5 months old and have rabies and kennel cough vaccines before being allowed into the class. What was nice for me was the club had some property in the back of the building that was fenced in and the puppies could play together before class and rid themselves of their extra energy so class goes a bit smoother for you and your puppy.

    Also the dog club/kennel club has classes that not only are for puppies, but once you have passed through one class you can advance to another clear through agility training. I loved that idea. Gives the puppies alot more confidence and stability.

    I don't have anything against training at Pet Smart just use caution when you take your pets to one that has a Vet's office in the rear of the store.

    Training is always worth the money invested - you get not only some good tips but you also socialized you puppy at the same time - and the plus is the stronger bond and respect you get from your dog.

    Everyone will have a good and bad opinion of any training class, use your own judgement, you can talk to the trainer before you sign up and some places will even let you observe a/or several training sessions before you commit to one or another.

    Best of Luck with your Decision

  • hi, I'm a dog trainer by profession. i also was a manager at pet smart for a while here in north Carolina. while i was there, i started pet training classes(not from pet smart), once finished i became a pro trainer. to answer your question, no. not in my opion. the trainers there have had very little or no professional training. i had customers come to me all the time and tell me it did not work for there dog, and want there money back. i recommend looking on the Internet of phone book for a good trainer. the only thing to know is to ask for credentials. well hope this helps, brad

  • YOU have to find that out. every petsmart has individual trainers, and your particular petsmart may have terrible trainers, or incredible ones.
    the class we took was pretty good. i disagreed with the trainer on a few very minor points, but she used positive methods and was intelligent.

    i do prefer classes that encourage more socialization, though -- like ones that start with a few minutes of play. (hard to find those..)

  • NO!!! I watched a couple of their classes, they are a joke. Find a real trainer and take a class somewhere else. Ask around at your parks department, breeders, 4H groups, at a local dog show with obedience competitions, ask those people. The petsmart people that I saw were no good.

  • maybe you should get some early readings. and try to know other training centers that can offer you the same services.

    check out this link:
    http://dogtime.com/training-center.html
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Sunday, December 18, 2011

Dog Health Questions: Bird dog training: Is "whoa" the same as "stay"?

Why teach the dog "whoa"? isn't it like "stay"? to me "whoa" sounds very similar to "no", can "whoa" confuse the dog?

Dog Training - How NOT To Train Your Dog



Recommended Answer:
It completely depends on what you teach your dog.

Lots of people I know don't teach "stay" they teach "sit" which means sit down and don't move until I tell you. Whoa just means stop forward motion.

You can teach anything you want, and use any words you want.

There is much to be said anthropologically for why we use words like Whoa, but I'm not getting into that.

Border Collie Dogs Training - Getting Started


  • Dogs don't speak English, they have no idea what the words mean other than what you teach them to mean. My friend taught his dog to jump up when told "no" for a play he does, but when he wants the dog to stop he just says "Nuh uh".

  • whoa means stop thats how you get huskers to stop not stay if you walk away from it will follow you depending on how well you trained it dogs aren't stupid unlike trolls if you say whoa it will stop but it depends on how you train it if you trained it good it should stop if not it might stay ,run away etc

  • Your dog doesn't know what you are saying. All he knows is that you make a sound and he is supposed to perform a behavior.

  • Dogs do not speak English, so whatever word you teach them to mean an action is what they will obey.

    You can say "pink Elephants" for stay if you want to!

    Ö

  • For dogs, any word can mean anything. You are the one that teaches the behavior that goes along with the word.

  • Dogs don't speak human, no matter what language. A command means what behavior you have rewarded with it.

  • I think "whoa" means "Slow down"..Not sure though
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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Dog Health Questions: Looking for a job that will help me in my persute of obtaining my dog training certifcation?

In the Elk Grove CA area.

Dog Training Techniques - The Dog Whispering Technique Explained



Recommended Answer:
PetsMart and Petco both have great training programs. They offer paid training to their trainers and then once you pass their training program, you become a dog trainer within their stores.

Both of my step-daughters have done this and absolutely love it. They make pretty good money and get to do what they love!

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


  • YOU SHOULD PROBABLY GO TO YOUR LOCAL PET SUPERMARKET, PETSMART HAVE A DOG OBIEDENCE CLASSES THAT MAY NEED HELP OR YOU COULD POSSIBLY VOLUNTEER TO HELP. YOU MIGHT TRY TO TALK TO LOCAL VETS AND SEE IF THEY KNOW ANYONE IN THAT FIELD THAT MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU. OR GOOGLE IT. THATS JUST A START. GOOD LUCK.
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Monday, November 14, 2011

Dog Health Questions: How much does dog training at petsmart cost?

i have searched the pesmart website up and down but i cant find a price can you help?

Electronic Dog Training Collar



Recommended Answer:
Call up your local Petsmart. Here in NC it's $109 for an 8 week class. So it will probably somewhere around that in your area.

Dog Training Aids - Get The Right Tools For The Job


  • Where I live in Washington State it was $80 for an eight week class. This was for all classes Puppy, beginner, intermediate and advanced. Once you take a class keep your paper work because you can take that class again and again at no cost for the rest of the dogs life. I find that taking a class over is a good way to keep refreshed.

  • You will need to go to your local petsmart. They have flyers there.

    I live in the daytona beach area in FL and I htink the prices are $90 for each class except hte advanced training which is $109 for 8 weeks.

  • Each location is different.
    I suggest looking into a private trainer. PetSmart just wants your money, they don't care if your dog learns anything or not, and most of their trainers aren't very good.

  • The one where i live is aout $200 for about 10 sessions. Call petsmart and ask them what they charge.

  • ONE red cent is TOO MUCH!!!
    CRAP,taught by imbeciles!

  • you need to call & ask as each place is different
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Sunday, November 6, 2011

Dog Health Questions: Does anyone know anything about Don Sullivan's dog training?

I am concerned about how the collor works. They say it is not a shock collar but don't explain how it works. I don't want to cause my dog pain. Has anyone used it?

Dog Training Videos - Are They Really a Good Resource?



Recommended Answer:
I read some answers about this question in another post, and some people said that they don't think Don Sullivan's technique is a positive way. I don't know if this is true or not because I've only seen the commercial.

But this is how I feel about this.

I think Don uses techniques of teaching dogs that are very similar from how mother dogs teaches their puppies, or how wolves command their pack.

Yes, maybe its not all positive, but just as long as its not torture I would like to try this product myself.

Mother dogs uses some forceful and punishing techniques and so do wolf pack. The leader of wolf packs use don't only use positive ways of keeping his pack under control, so why should humans ONLY use positive.

I think if we teach our dogs the way mother dogs teach their puppies or how wolf leaders control their pack, it will be very successful. Again, wolf leaders dont torture their pack members, but they do use some forced ways of controlling their pack.

That's why wolf pack are so obedient of the leader. So why shouldn't humans teach their dog the same way. its not torture, its the same way dogs teach dogs.

to answer your collar question:

I think its a pinch collar from what i've heard. And again, mother dogs would bite on to their puppies to teach them, I think this is totally fine because this is how dogs teach dogs too.

But shock collars aren't how dogs teach dogs, so I oppose the shock collar strongly.

basically, I would teach my dog, like how a wolf leader would control his pack. And in the wild, dogs/wolves NEVER EVER teach by rewarding food.

Like in the commercial said, teaching your dog with food reward could make it only love your for food. Thats not how wolves do it. Wolves obey because of respect for their leader, NOT for the food.

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


  • It appears to be a plastic pinch collar from the pictures. They are mildly uncomfortable, but should only be used on a dog who pulls on lead badly. I used one on a foster dog who was nearly impossible to take for walks at the suggestion of my trainer. It really helped him understand what he was doing wrong. It is absolutely not needed for most dogs, and should be a last resort.
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