Dog Health Questions: Dog training.?

I have a 9 month old miniature poodle, I am training him myself, some time in the summer I want to find a group to do Pet Therapy with him. I know he's still a puppy so some tricks he may not be able to do. Here's what he knows already:
Sit
Down
Wait
Stay
Paw/Other paw
Come
Get it/Hold/Drop it
Leave it
Find
Heel
Walk (He stands on 2 feet and dances around)
Circle

What should I teach him now?

A Guide To Your Dog Training for Law Enforcement

Recommended Answer:
So, he does all of these things with at least 80% accuracy (i.e. first time cue) in a variety of settings with a variety of distractions and at various distances?
If not, that's definitely something you will want to work on - working with distractions and distance and in different settings is like learning it all over again.

All About The American School Of Dog Training

• Sounds great! Good job properly training your dog!
  
  I would recommend 'Place'. Buy a bath mat or small rug, lay it on the floor, and leash your dog. Say 'Place' and lead him to the rug, the give him a treat. Make him stay on place until you give him his release word. (I use 'Take a break!' )Eventually he will go to his 'place' on his own when you tell him to! This is great because if someone comes to the door and you don't want him to greet them immediately you can just make him go to his place and he will wait there until you give him his release word.


• Certification for pet therapy is done by the Delta Society.
  http://www.deltasociety.org/
  Tricks are nice, but the animal has to be socialized really well to do pet therapy. The training class I took with my poodle was very in depth and there was a manual we had to buy (not cheap). They need to be able to meet and greet, not jump up. Can't be afraid of different sights or sounds. Think wheelchairs, walkers, canes. Beeps from health care equipment... not be afraid of folks that have different body language (Down's Syndrome, MS, Parkinson's, mentally challenged)
  Dogs must be 12 months old to be certified by the Delta Society and must renew every 2 years.
  We got our Canine Good Citizen's first. It taught basic common politeness in everyday experiences and there was no age requirement. It is available all over the country and would be a good place to start. It's always good for a dog to have his CGC even if he isn't in pet therapy.


• Sounds like a GREAT job! Poodles are so smart! (I'm not biased or anything! LOL!)
  
  Some other things I've seen done that are really a big hit are:
  saying your prayers (have him put his paws up on a chair, and put his nose between his paws)
  Bang! (shoot him with your finger, and have him fall down and play dead)
  
  Therapy visits are a great way to bond with your dog! Just remember that it is mentally taxing on your dog, too!


• i know you will probably pick another best answer than me. but i have been training my dog to do pet therapy as well!!
  the training school my dog goes to, requires the dog get use to all people. meaning that get him to put his paw on your lap/someones lap, lay his head on their lap, etc. have him connect with people more. this will help alot. good luck!


• Actually, your puppy can learn a lot more1 There is a book "101 Dog Tricks" that I recommend. It has all sorts of tricks that your dog can learn and has wonderful visual aids for how to teach them and problem solving if your dog isn't getting it right.


• i would say that you taught him just about all the tricks that i heard of..... you could teach him how to fetch :)


• Calculus?

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Dog training please help?

i am trying to train my dog he doesn't bite but I want him to sit stay
follow me and not pull why i am walking him come when I call him
protect me stay around the yard don't go after other animals

Dog Training: 7 Reasons Why You Should Do It Yourself

Recommended Answer:
Free Dog training tips and tricks ebook.

Click on link and download. It's free!

Effective Communication in Dog Training

• Wow, you're kind of all over the place with what you want.
  
  Basic commands like sit, stay, and come are easy enough to teach using positive reinforcement and there are tons of books and web sites that can help with this.
  
  Not pulling on a leash can also be easily resolved. You can purchase a head halter or a harness that attaches in the front. Either of those will reduce pulling.
  
  Not going after other animals is something that you may have to resolve through management rather than modification. That means if you don't want your dog chasing other animals, don't let him.
  
  If you want your dog to stay in your yard, get a fence.
  
  The protection issue is something that you won't have much luck with. Labs aren't the right breed and at over 6 years old, it's a bit late to begin that kind of training.


• You can visit http://www.dogstraining.info .It provide you with the most popular and easiest dog training Guide


• At his age, retraining requires extreme patience and a professional.
  Contact the local kennel club for referral to an obedience trainer/school

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: How can I train my Pit Bull to be more friendly to other animals and people?

I have a 1 year old girl red nose pit and one of her pups both of them bark and act crazy if i try to take them take them for walks or if the neighbors dogs or people walk by. they both are very spoiled. I love them to death! Once they get to know like friends for example they r the sweetest dogs but if they dont know u they act mean. They have never bit anyone or anything like that. But i know they scare poeple and other animals when they act like that. I cant afford dog training classes for them right now. And, it upsets me when i met other full blooded pits and they are so freindly but, mine aren't to new people and animals. Please give me somes tips on training them be nicer to others.

Dog Training Leads And How To Start Dog Training Products Business?

Recommended Answer:
Sounds like she wasn't socialized with other dogs and humans enough as a puppy. Which of course now is a problem. Try taking her out in dog parks and attempt to socialize her there. All the luck to ya!

Dog Training - The Reward Way

• They need far more exercise and more socialization around other dogs and people.


• I have a poodle and he gets really agressive (who would have thought), and i calm him down by making him sit and slowly move my hand towards his nose to pet him. If he jumps or fidgets to make me hurry up, i start over. This teaches him to be patient and calm. Also, I don't play aggresive games with him as much. Games like tug-o-war, or razzle. Those games encouroage aggressivness. Barking is more difficult. For my dog(who happens to bark at everything that moves), when i have a visitor come over i say "oh, it's just alex! we like alex!" i try to sound high so he knows i am not scared or thretened. than i interact with my visitor by shaking hands, talking and hugging them wich means to the dog that this person is a friend to his owner. I know i am a terrible speller(i am only thirteen, it's not like im genious) one more thing, i would NEVER put a muzzle on your dog because that lower's their self esteem and makes them want to show how "manly" they are when you take it off by being agressive


• I am sorry, I am not a dog trainer or a dog behavioralist, so I can't help you. I just wanted to tell you that it is very important that you save up your money to get them some help. I own a pit bull, so I know that they are naturally sweet dogs. But when they become aggressive they become dangerous, because they are VERY strong dogs. I just wanted to make sure you don't wait on this, I don't want anything bad to happen. If they get away from you on accident they could cause harm. Good Luck, I hope you can get some help for your dogs!!
  
  I just want to add that my dog does not have a problem with aggression, but when we walked she used to be interested in playing with other dog's that passed by. I didn't like it, so I tried to correct it. I would follow the other posters Rena M's advice. I put a choke collar on her show dog style, high up on her neck. You will want to talk to a professional on how to properly place a choke collar. The first step was teaching her to heal. You have to be the pack leader. When you walk, walk confidently, look straight ahead, and know where you are going. When my dog got a step ahead of me, I gently but firmly jerked the leash and told her 'heal.' She would immediately return to my side. It took a little while, but it worked. THen, when we would pass by a dog, if she went toward the dog, again I would gently jerk the leash, and say 'heal.' During this whole time I remained confident and Knew where I was going. She followed. Now she just ignores other dogs when we pass. I also think reading Cesar Millan's book and professional help would help you a LOT! Good Luck!!!


• pits usually attack when theres two of them attacking .having one is best
  walk them around people.and speak to the people In a nice voice


• Make them walk on a heel accomplished by pulling up on a lead when they pull. Put a British slip lead on them dog show style. You have much more control over them.
  
  Sit them down with their rear facing the person/animal at which they barked. Then bring them to the people not them bringing you.


• you should get a training specializing in aggressiveness. if it persists,you should think about it from there but the first step is to get a trainer


• "They have never bit anyone or anything like that."
  
  Just give it time.
  
  I've never heard of a child being mauled by a Dalmatian or Labrador. Pit Bulls were bread to be viscous and to attack other animals. That's a fact!That's what that are good at.
  Your best bet is to keep them away from other animals and keep any children under close supervision.


• I don't really know what to tell you, they are crazy dogs. I've been around a lot of dogs in my life, Akita's Dobermans, Rottweilers, Labs,Great Danes, German Shepard's and Pit Bulls. The Pits have got to be the worst to work with. I would suggest you try to get a pro, I know you said money was tight, but I think it's best. Do you have liability insurance for them? Better to protect your own ***. I'm sorry but these are almost like the half wolves in my opinion. Best of luck.


• maybe u need cesar milan the dog whisper he is a miracle worker!!! but yeah try to socialize them withnon agressive dogs. if u dont socialize then they will never learn how to be nice and can build up all of this energy and attack. so try to prevent that and socialize. GOOD LUCK I HOPE UR PROBLEM IS RESOLVED- :)


• you won't find the answer here .. Pits are wonderfull dogs but they were bred for fighting even if yours weren't its in there nature . They can be gentle docile dogs but before they can be you need to know how to handle them and that won't happen in a Q and A web site .
  you have to learn to be the dominate one in your house they must respect you and obey you , there is nothing wrong with spoiling a pet but what is really going on is they learn that they can manipulate you by waggin a tail or sitting for you .. now put 2 dogs together and they turn into what they were before humans thought there so cute I want one .. they turn into pack animals and pack animals hunt and kill .. I'm not saying your dogs would do this but please don't take any chances , Pits already have a bad rap and it's mostly because of their owners go to the Link below and check some info there maybe you will find good info
  
  oh and by the way SILLY read some facts ...Pitt Bulls are known by many different names. Since the breed's conception, they have been known as: Bull and Terrier, Half-and-Half, Brindle Bull Dog, Pit Dog, Pit Bull, Yankee Terrier, American Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier..In the early part of the 19th century, the Bulldog was bred in England for the purpose of bull baiting. Bull baiting is a sport in which a tethered bull, brought to market for slaughter, would be attacked by bulldogs. The supposed purpose of the bull baiting was to help tenderize the meat of the bull prior to slaughter. Every class of person from commoners to royalty enjoyed this sport until mass public outcry finally forced Parliament to take a stand and ban the practice of bull baiting in 1835.
  With bull baiting banned, dog breeders turned their attention to dog fighting. These dogs were preferred because of their fierceness, courage, and tenacity. The dog breeders began with the Bull Dog, mixed in some terrier blood for gameness, and produced the Bull and Terrier, a dog that met all of their expectations. The Bull and Terrier was bred for aggression to other dogs, unrelenting bravery, a high pain threshold, a superior blood clotting ability to aid him when wounded, a willingness to fight to the end, and an unmatched affection for people. Dogfights were also very brutal on the dog as they sometimes were allowed to go until death.
  American Staffordshire Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier are wonderful family dogs, capable of anything their owner's demand of them.
  " Neglect and bad training" has been a cause for severe damage to the reputation of the breed and has resulted in the deaths and mutilations of many people. There is a growing movement around the world to improve the ownership of these dogs and to educate people as to the true value these creatures hold as companions to people.
  
  NOW YOU HAVE THE FACTS ......
  
  I have many friends with Pit's and it takes patience , knolledge , and understanding of this breed and dog's in general to have a good SAFE pet .
  Yes they are loyal to the hilt but also very protective and aside from everything else they are an animal and when all else fails that animal will fall back on its basic instinct and that is why YOU have to learn to be in charge . Then and only then can you teach them the things they need to know to be happy social pets .


• you should try having a friend with a large/medium sized dogs become acquanted with urs.....usually with one or more good dog friends the dogs will begin to be more friendly around new dogs/people.


• OKAY FOR ALL THOSE IGNORANT PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO HATE PIT BULLS and DON;T HAVE THEIR FACTS STRAIGHT....
  
  Pit Bulls are NOT naturally aggressive. They are bred to be human pleasers. Though they are strong it doesn't make them mean. Labs, Dalmations, Poodles etc HAVE mauled, attacked and bitten people MORE than Pit bulls and the like that are grouped in and mistaken for the breed.
  
  The first woman to receive a face transplant had to get her ENTIRE face replaced because her LABRADOR RETRIEVER (black) ate her face! NOT a pit, not a pressa canario, not mastiff - A LAB!!!
  
  .....You need to step up in your role as Alpha in your pack. Once you receive their respect they will listen to you and take direction to you. There are a lot of great ideas here and you need to listen and take notes. Use heel, sit, and downs. Patience and Consistancy. you NEED to get lessons. Save your money, or find homes that can afford these dogs BECAUSE pit bulls or lab it may get worse because w/o proper disciple you are encouraging the behavior. You don't need to beat, spank or flick your dog.
  
  Talk to some trainers for free, they will give you advice, they may even demonstrate for you FOR FREE. It never hurts to ask.
  
  Good Luck


• Hi there.
  I recently got one of my dogs a barking collar. It worked in a week! They run about $100-$150, but it's so worth it. People say that its a form of abuse, but I just think that people will be nicer to my pet, and she'll get more positive attention that way. Also, it sounds like your dogs may need to be really socialized. Bring them to a dog park or whatever it takes. You could also (instead of a barking collar) buy a shock collar (sounds so mean, but its about the same as a shock from a stove...I can handle that, we DID actually try it out before subjecting our pets). With the shock collar you'd be able to take your dog to an off leash park. If she did bite, be mean or play rough...give her a shock with the remote. Its classic operant conditioning! Famous people get away with doing it, so can you! I have a friend with a pit, and she's really nice!


• You need to find the funds for the trainer...much better to find funds than to have them hurt someone...
  You say that you have a 1 year old and a pup? Seems too young for her to have breed and if the 2 of them are together and this is happening it could very well be that Mom is acting out of protection for the pup...and that the pup is acting the way mom is...(learning by example)
  Try taking them for seperate walks...DO not speak to her in a "calming" voice when she is acting badly...To us humans we try to calm with our voice when someone is "upset..."shhh it's OK...." spoken sweetly..To a Dog? this is a reward for her bad action...YOU must use a stern voice and LOW...and say "pup..NO! BAD...." when she acts correctly? That is when you use the sweet voice as a reward...


• Bring them out,mix around with other dogs


• Maybe your dog is NOT a well-behaved dog.But whatever your reasons are,It is NOT your dog' fault.In fact,dogs are very very clever.They just need to be trained correctly.But, dog training method could not be expressed clearly just by single sentence.It requires some basic professional knowledges.Well, to gain those knowledges is not that difficult.SO you do NOT need those professional dog trainer and you do NOT need some 12–week dog obedience training plan where you do almost the same thing each week.Yourself can also become an excellent dog trainer in several hours.So If you want to learn what it really takes to transform your dog's behavior problems,understand and communicate with your dog now,you can visit the site listed below.It provide you with the most popular and easiest dog training Guide.There is the easiest method to make your dog to listen to you in the shortest period of time.
  
  Here: http://www.dogstraining.info
  
  GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR DOG!!!

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Dog training in Texas?

I need help! I have a 3 year old fixed male shih tzu who is having behavioral problems (going to the bathroom in the house.) He has always pooped occasionally in the house, but now it's a daily thing and he has started to potty as well. This morning I walked him around the complex 2 different times (within 20 minutes of each other) and he sniffed every tree and rock but didn't hike or anything. After walking back in the door I was frustrated and yelled "Why can't you pee???!" at the ceiling and he squatted and peed on the floor.

I am looking for some cheap potty/behavioral training in the Austin, TX area because my funds are kind of tight at the moment (moving into a new place in a month and everything is going to deposits and such.)

I have contemplated finding him another home because I do work long hours and currently it's just me and him (in a month I will have a roommate who can play with him and such while I'm gone.) I'm just not sure if I will be able to hand him over to someone else, or if he'd be able to handle leaving me because the breed is known to attach themselves to one person and if that person leaves then they will go into a depression. It sounds silly but it happened to my first shih tzu when I moved out of state for 2 years and my mom kept him for me.

I have no idea what to do or where to go since I am new to Austin. If anyone knows anything that can help that I would greatly appreciate it!

Dog Training Supplies - Dog Collars

Recommended Answer:
From what you say, this is a changed behaviour, he occasionally used to poop indoors, but now it has changed so that it happens daily and it has changed so that he both poop and pees. But a dog doesn't change behaviour like that, for no reason.
Since you're new to Austin, is it possible that the move and/or some other changes maybe have made him feel stressed?
If he is alone more now than before, when you're with him, how much do you activate him?

There could also be other reasons, but to use those as an example, if his changed behaviour comes from being stressed or needing more activation, to focus on housebreaking will not solve the problem, because to do that, you need to solve what causes the problem.In general, if the brain is tired, the dog is usually more contented, so for example when you go for a walk, change direction a little now and then, do a sit and stay, let him work to find some treats that you've "accidentally" dropped and/or find places where you can allow him to play off leash with other dogs etc.
At home, when you give him a new gnaw bone, hide it under a rug or behind a furniture and let him work a little to find it, before he can gnaw on it. Or hide a toy, so that he has to find it, for you to be able to play with him and the toy...

If you have a Kong, fill it with something edible, put it in the freezer and give it to him frozen. Some Kong stuffing "recipes" :
Carrot purée or yoghurt (natural or perhaps Greek), sometimes maybe mixed with liver pâté, meat broth, pieces of meat. Put one or more dog biscuits in it and fill out the gaps with pieces of processed cheese (Cheddar, Edam or Swiss cheese) or peanut butter. If you get any leftover cooked potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots or eggs, mash them (possibly add some marmite to make it more sticky) and fill the Kong, with or without adding any flavour.
More Kong stuffing "recipes" can be found here http://www.kongcompany.com/worlds_best.h… and through internet searches. Some dog trainers that I've found in Austin, Texas, that I would check up on, if I was looking for a trainer in your area :

http://www.buddyschance.com/GroupDogTrai…
http://www.taurusdogtraining.com/service…
http://www.lmccb.com/classes/index.htm
http://www.nicelytraineddog.com/service_…
http://trainmydogs.com/services.cfm
http://www.caninehilton.com/dogtraining.…


I recommend that you don't only look at their price when you're choosing trainer, because paying less is certainly no guarantee for that they offer just as good services, but on the other hand, to pay more is no guarantee for that they offer better quality either. So don't forget to look at what they really offer, what education their trainers have etc. If you want to find more dog trainers in your area, try searching for "Dog trainers in Austin, Texas", using Google maps http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=… .

Dog Training Tips

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Dog training question mouth baiting?

Does this really work?
I've seen people training their dogs in obedience and they hold the treats in their mouths so the dog pays attention to them?

3 Secrets to Dog Training - Immediate Results

Recommended Answer:
I'm a professional trainer and I have never seen this. Nor would I think it would work. Hold your treats in your hand so that you are able to treat your dog. Also, your dog should not need to see a treat in order to pay attention to you. That defeats the purpose of training.

The Three Dog Training Mistakes You Should Avoid

• People use this method to teach the dog to watch their faces rather than their legs during the heel exercises. In fact, I did this myself when I was training dogs for competitive obedience. Had dogs who would heel with their necks cranked at 90 degrees just to keep their eyes on my face. A dog watching your face has a much harder time being distracted by smells, sights, or sounds around them.
  
  A dog will watch whatever produces the treats - whether it's the pocket, the hand or the mouth.


• It's successfully used to hold a dog's attention during conformation showing. It can increase a dog's focus on your face instead of your hands/pocket if you spit treats or even take them out of your mouth instead of your pocket, but any kind of "baiting" or "bribing" by letting them see it dangling there is not appropriate for training - only for getting that expression while showing.
  
  I don't do it because I don't care if my dog looks at my face, my hands, or my body to pick up on the cues I am giving him... when heeling I would rather him watch my shoulders/hips as they cue when my gait is about to change or when I am about to turn much more than my face does. In agility, I want him watching my hands as I direct him, my face can't pull in in, push him out, steer him right and left, or get him to quickly change sides like a simple hand gesture can. When I did 4-H showmanship I would just make funny noises or talk to him to get the expression I wanted.
  
  So... that was a long answer to a short question: it can work for getting "expression" or teaching a "watch" command, but has little relevance for actual obedience, agility, or other training.


• Yes it does, I have seen it a million times and used it as well. With the right dog it works wonders if you need that focus.
  I have used the hot dog hanging out of my mouth, the ball under my chin, the ball under my armpit works the best for my needs as the dog looks up at me the entire time.
  If your dog is a chow hound, use it, make sure he sees you put it there first and when you reward, make sure it comes out of your mouth into his from your height, no stooping, and no hands.
  Hope I helped and that is a gorgeous looking dog in your avatar!!


• I have not seen that, no. I've seen professional handlers hold a treat right in front of the dog's mouth and even let them lick that treat they're holding to keep the dog's focus while the dog is stacked.
  
  When my dog is getting her nails clipped, I'll hold a treat right in front of her mouth and she'll lick it. But again, I'm just refocusing her away from the nail clipping.
  
  So I've only seen it done to distract the dog from something else going on.
  
  ETA: Sorry, I think I misunderstood your question totally. I thought you meant the treat was held in the DOG's mouth, not the trainer's mouth.
  
  Loki's got it. ;)


• All you "professional" trainers who've never seen, heard, or known of this mouth baiting probably also don't know about Westminster Kennel Club shows where most of the handlers/trainers use this method in the ring. It's been talked about during the telecast of most every show since at least 1992.


• Lots of trainers spit treats from their mouth to the dog. Yes, for highly food motivated dogs it works great. Plus, a little "smack of the lips" before spitting it out gives you some "cheating room". If your dog is a little distracted during an exercise, all you have to do is smack your lips, and he's glued to your face again.


• It gives you beautiful fronts and lots of focus.
  One of the first dogs I trained could catch, and almost all of her treats came from my mouth. She had perfectly straight fronts and she was always focused on me b/c she knew she had to watch for that treat to drop.
  
  Both of my current dogs are complete boneheads when it comes to catching anything and it will take them 5 minutes to find the treat after grabbing for it, missing, and it rolling away. I do a lot of holding treats behind my back and marking a "watch" rather than actually spitting treats, now. (though I do want to see if one of my dogs will eventually get the hang of it)
  
  Plus, then I get to snack on cheese and sausage while I train...lol.


• Depending on what the food is, yes, I hold it in my mouth. I do this because I want my dogs to watch my face. All the people that I know and train with do it. I've been doing this for close to 20years.
  
  When the dog is "right" and looking at us, with spit it at them for them to catch.


• Mouth baiting works really well but...it gets annoying! As Dutch said it does give you cheating room though! I prefer to keep a tug under my arm like Greek said, or keep bait in my fist clutched high on my chest. I haven't mouth baited a dog in 3 or 4 years.


• I have seen handlers in the dog shows do this. They said it is so that the dogs will be looking at their face instead of their hands.


• I don`t know, i guess if they like the kind of treat ur holding LOL! it depends if they r food-driven or not,,some hav no interest in treats..some like toys or praise.

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: How do i tell my new roommate to change her dog training techniques?

My new roomate has a 1 year old weimaraner and she doesn't know how to take care of it. She takes her dog for about a 10 minute walk a day and we don't have a yard. And anyone who knows anything about hunting dogs knows they need a lot of exercise. And when he does something wrong when she is gone she comes home and hits him pretty hard on the nose. My other roomates have picked up on this and have been hitting him on the nose as well, this is a technique that ALL dog training books say never to do. So basically i need to tell this girl i dont even know that she is seriously damaging her dog. How do i do this??

Dog Training Techniques - The Fundamentals

Recommended Answer:
Just tell her and say what you just say to us, how it needs a lot of exercise and how the way you do this hurts your dogs also mention the fact tha physically scolding a dog can lead to fear and aggression which could cause a lot of problems for her and her dogs. hope i help :)

She might get mad that a total stranger is correcting her but at least she'll learn and tell her the correct way of scolding a dog is a stern and low "No" kind of like a growl to a dog which is enough to show that what the dog did was wrong.

Dog Training Jobs - How to Become a Professional Dog Trainer

• You don't.
  Unless you are seeing what actually IS abuse by legal standards, the best course of action is for you to mind your own business.


• Buy her Cesar Millan's book The Dog Whisperer. You can go online to find it. Excellent dog rehabilitator and people trainer. This dog is going to backfire big time if something isn't done.


• They could also damage the dogs snout. You could also tell her that all she is doing is fear training the dog and thats not good either.


• Give her a book and maybe take the dog on 2 more walks yourself


• You explain to her (as you have to us) what you see and feel is wrong. Hitting a dog makes it either; become a bitter, possibly aggressive or vicious, or makes it fearful & hand-shy, which can also predispose it to bit (in fear).
  
  If you cannot correct the dog AS it is doing something wrong, you can't correct it later & have the dog have any IDEA what is going on. Dogs only live in the present and cannot associate a hit now with a former action on their part, at some prior point in the day. The dog is being taught to simply associate people coming home, to mean it will be HIT.

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Has anyone here taken a homestudy dog training course?

My granddaughter is interested in something called Animal Behavior College (or something like that). I have my doubts about homestudy anything, particularly something hands-on like training. BUT I'm trying to keep an open mind.

Dog Training Advice - How To Do Obedience Training For Your Dog

Recommended Answer:
I am a current student of ABC, and it is the best school I have ever been. While I do agree that an animal needs to be present to train, ABC does ask you work with your own dog or a friends to train. At step 10 you a required to do an externship at a local shelter with specific types of dogs altering their behavior. Also in step 10 requires a certified trainer to grade you in a group class setting, for me it is at a shelter with the staff. There the mentor grades and corrects what you are doing. Stages 1-9 are book work, but ABC does ask you have a practice dog to apply the knowledge you just learned.
I do get a lot of grief from people who say that this school is a spam and just want your money. People, especially old school dominate theory trainers, tell me I am way too young to have that much understanding in Canine Behavior. The truth is that this school is dedicated to practicing positive methods of dog training(scientifically proven methods btw), and teaches people in a step by step manor. Very simple, however people who are stuck in the dominate theory of dog training will find it a challenge. The key to passing and being a good dog trainer is to be open minded with the up to date training methods. In the past 5 years alone Canine Comprehension has sky rocketed, new improve teachings are out there.
In short here are facts about this school: Victoria Stillwell( animal planet's It's me or the dog) graduated from there, you have a program manager who grades and answers any questions you have,most up to date training technics, wonderful alumni program, and most success rate of people passing.
It is true you don't need education to be a dog trainer. However the best dog trainers do.
Also the have a vet assistant program that I will be enrolling in if you are interested.
* I am in no way a program manager for this school, I am a student and that is all.
please if you want to ask me more questions please e-mail me at dare2howl@yahoo.com, I would be happy to talk to you and answer any of your concerns about home studying. I tell you I was skeptical too. But this is the best choice I have ever made for myself.

Dog Training Methods

• Tell your granddaughter to volunteer at PAWS, Humane Society, SPCA, city and county pounds. Most will take her if she is at least 14 and will train her and of course only allow her to have hands on with select dogs. This is an excellent way for a young person to learn the reality of dog behavior and training. She will handle dogs (and cats) appropriate for her as determined by staff, witness all kinds of canine behavior in kenneled dogs and learn so much.
  
  She probably just wants a certificate to state she knows this but honestly the paper it's printed on is worth more than the course.


• I wouldn't trust any kind of animal behavior course that is online- there is too much that requires you be present with an animal in order to figure it out. Granted- some things ARE purely theory/intellectual- but there is a LOT of experience required in order to figure out how to put ALL that "theory" and "book learning" to the test.
  
  I wouldn't be surprised to find that your granddaughter learns that
  a) it requires finding a place to do on-site internships
  or
  b) that most places don't trust the "knowledge" she's got without some hands-on experience.
  
  That doesn't mean she can't learn from it or that its useless- but I don't know that I would pay a lot of money for it OR trust it without a really good recommendation that I trust.


• I also looked into that. Half of the reviews I researched said it was a huge scam and they basically got a bunch of scrap paper and had to observe petsmart trainers- basically they got nothing out of the school. Others enjoyed it and said it was a good experience.
  
  I decided not to go... for how much it cost, the risk was too high to be conned out of that amount of money. Instead, I'm going to an actual physical school. Besides, I did online high school for a year and it was HARD!
  
  But, y'know, do loads of background research on it and decide for yourself if it's something she would have a good experience with.

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: How do you properly measure a black lab for a martingale dog training collar?

where on the dog do you measure and does it matter on the kind of links on it like large or small?

Dog Treats for Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
Most of the pet store will let you bring your dog in, so take him with you and have one of the stores associates help measure your dog.

Effective Dog Training by Using Collar and Leash

• Sounds like you're looking at a prong collar, not a martingale.
  
  A prong collar, used correctly, can be a very useful training tool. However, I suggest that you have an experienced trainer show you how to fit it AND use it.


• I too think your looking for a prong collar like Bassetnut has said. You need a trainer to correctly show you how to fit it and use it.

Read More...