Showing posts with label dog training pads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog training pads. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Clicker dog training???

Does it work with very hyper dogs?
If so, How does it work?

How Good Dog Training Makes For a Happy Dog



Recommended Answer:
Wow - let's get this straight first off. Clicker training is the exact opposite of what the first two posters have said. You don't click and scold, you click and reward! It's a method of positive re-enforcement where you click at the exact moment the dog does something you want them to do, then follow that click up with a treat. In other words, it's a quick way of saying "Good dog."

Yes, it will work with hyper dogs. It worked fine with mine and she's pretty hyper! What you want to do is make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise - one to two walks a day at various speeds to drain some of that extra energy. You also want to keep training sessions to a minimum so your dog doesn't get bored.

Several five minute lessons a day should do the trick! Pick a behavior or two and work on those for about a week, then introduce NEW behaviors one at a time. Don't try to do them all at once or the poor dog will be confused. I would start with the basics: here's what we did in training classes (pretty much in this order:)

1) Sit and Down
2) Wait, Come and Stay
3) Take it, Drop it and Leave it.
4) Add distractions to all 4 commands (balls bouncing, people walking by, etc)
5) Add distance to all "stay" commands (start by simple pivot to face, then step back, then end of leash, then drop leash, then several steps back.)
6) Add distractions plus distance.
7) Stand
8) Heel
9) Touch

And so many more i can barely remember. The first few are the most important to learn as they are going to be used a lot. You're best bet is to enroll in any obedience program. I went through Petsmart, but you always take a gamble as you don't know if those trainers are good enough (mine were.)

You're also going to want to train your dog is different places - not just in your home or yard. Take him/her to the park, to stores like Petsmart, busy places, and so on so he/she learns to obey in every situation. Good luck!

Dog Training: To Have Or Not To Have A Trainer


  • If you can reinforce the understanding of "No" to your dog yes it can work.

  • Yeah its does work - When your dog does something bad - Click it and shout NO:).

  • i have a really hyper dog, no it didn't work for me, it's really hard to train hyper dogs i need help to. it doesnt take much for him to run around the room doing 4 r 5 laps at a time. i dont know where hr gets his energy from.

    good luck

  • Yes it works you click when they do something good and then reward them with a treat. Think of the click as like taking a photo of good behaviour. The dog soon learns the click means he is doing good.

  • omg those things worked amazing on my dog and he's like the most hyper thing in the world.

    u can even sign them up for clicker classes! heres a site about that: http://training.petsmart.com/classes_cli…


  • yes it does, it works with hungry dogs better though.

    you can start with clicking once and giving him a small tiny bit of food or treat. keep going until he gets all excited at the click. then you can start training him. everytime he does something that is desirable, click and reward him. like when he sits on his own, click it and treat him. after several tries, he'll realise that sitting makes you click and so he sits then you can add in the verbal or hand signal command. if he barks, keep quiet and wait for him to stop. the moment he's quiet, click and reward him. he'll soon realise that barking gets him nowhere while keeping quiet gets a click.

    yeah you get the idea? go on and he'll be inventing things just to get you clicking!

    oh yes, you should always exercise him before each training session. brisk walking with him carrying some weight on a doggy backpack for an hour each day will lower his energy level and it'll make him hungry. tired dogs are easier to train as compared to one that's bouncing all over the house

  • Yes they do work every time you click and they come reward them with a treat , it takes time but it is worth it .Don't be downhearted if some times the dog ignores you it gets better with time honest. I have been using one with my workmate (a shepherd) and he comes straight away because he knows he will get a treat and after a time he will come by clicking your fingers. He was a rescue dog and very hyper when i had him but loads of love and patience and now he is fantastic. He rewards me every day with his love
Read More...

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Dog Health Questions: My dog died.....is it my fault?

I couldnt keep my dog because of school, work and stress. I loved her very much, but on a few occasions I spanked her out of anger (when she ate my cell phone and pillows). After many dog training classes and a lot of money, I decided to give her to a family. They ended up not wanting her.

Long story short, I found someone else to take her (I didnt want to just surrender her to the humane association and never see her again. I selfishly wanted to stay in her life). Well, I found the perfect person for her, a retired man that lived near by. Well, she ended up jumping out of his car window, and she died when a car hit her.

I am so blaming myself right now......major guilt trip. I took stress out on her from my school/ job by yelling at her (and spanking her twice out of anger), the first family I found didnt want her, and now this.....any thoughts.

How do I live with this? I came from an abusive house-hold, and I fear I might end up like my parents.....I know it is a dog, but it was like being a parent, which I was not ready for. I enrolled in counseling after I spanked her and been reading anger management books....but can't get over the guilt of this tragedy.....help....does this make me a bad person?

Dog Training Aids - 8 Reasons You Should Cage Train Your Dog



Recommended Answer:
It is not your fault.

It wasn't right for you to get a dog when it sounds like you're very busy, but you tried to do the right thing. A lot of people would have just kept the dog and neglected her, you did the right thing when you realized that you couldn't care for her and tried to find her a better home.

What happened to her is very sad and unfortunate, but you won't get anywhere by blaming yourself.

We all take stress out on our dogs once in a while. We're busy or stressed out, and our pet wants something. Our pets don't understand that we're busy and can't spend our time on them, and they just want some attention. It's not right, but just like snapping at your friends and family sometimes--it's hard not to do.

You should definitely learn from this. When you buy a dog, you're accepting enormous responsibility. Your dog can't take him/herself for a walk, can't feed him/herself, etc.

You've made mistakes, but the fact that you are worried about it, and how you behaved after you realized that you can't care for your dog makes you a GOOD person. You made an initial wrong choice, but the right choices after that. I'm currently on my third dog (had dogs since I was 8, 24 now), and this is the first dog that I make a serious effort to treat right. I've always loved my dogs, but haven't always been able to do the right thing when stressed out or when the dog misbehaves. Sadly, it takes experience (or I suppose parents that know how to do it right AND know how to teach you to do the same). Learning to raise a dog right is like learning to get a relationship right--you'll fail a few times (or sometimes many times) before you learn to do things right.

It's good that you enrolled in counseling, that was the right choice too. If you're afraid that you may have anger or self-control problems, it's best to see a psychologist. You're being proactive about the problem rather than just hoping.

Like anyone, you've made mistakes, but you're not a bad person. Learn from your mistakes, and put your whole heart and soul into making the most of your therapy--it can help a lot if you work on it.

Control Your Aggressive Dog With These 4 Dog Training Tips


  • hun i am sorry to hear about the dog but she wasnt yours anymore..the other guy is responsible for his actions. dont make it hard on yourslef. at least you did your best.

    mourn her but dont get drpessed when u can handle a dog again get another one.

  • I'm sorry for your loss, but please don't blame yourself. I really think you done the best you can do. It was just her time to go. Don't blame yourself, good luck.

  • u should not have a dog if u cant handle ur stress that dog had no fault in ur school and work stress
    if u werent ready for it y get one

  • it's not your fault

    ps you should never have the window down so far the dog can get out

  • Of course you're not a bad person. You wanted the very best for your baby girl. Taking our frustrations out on the nearest person or animal is human nature, but how far it goes is within your hands. If you've learned from this incident, then you will know what to do next. Guilt and blame are things we feel whenever we lose any animals to rainbow bridge. We all feel those, you are not alone! Sadness is what really sets in first, then the guilt. All the shoulda, coulda, woulda thoughts don't do a bit of good for our sanity all it does is stress us out more. There is nothing you can do to bring her back. You put her in good hands, although he made a bad decision, therefore having nothing to do with you. Say to yourself I did the right thing for her, and then tell yourself you have done everything in your power to make the situation better. Don't babble over the petty things, thinking and rethinking about spanking her will only make you more upset. It's over. Don't dwell on negative, guilty feelings; they lead to inappropriate levels of shame and self-loathing. Recognize that nobody's perfect and we all make mistakes, and this is one you will not repeat. Engage in activities that are positive and affirming, and where you have opportunities to do good; allow yourself to see how the same mistake that made you feel guilty has now resulted in your being a better, more conscientious person.

  • If any of us reading what you wrote think we can throw stones at you because we have never made a mistake.....

    I carry guilt over how I treated some of my animals when I was very young, 30 years ago.

    The way I deal with it is to rescue/adopt and foster.

    The way you need to deal with it is a personal decision.

    I would suggest more counseling and find an 'out' for your guilt.

    I will not tell say you should not feel guilty. Just find a way to let it out.

  • You feel guilty for spanking your dog, but you didn't cause it's death. My brother had a dog I gave him for 6 years. He loved him to death. Last summer he took him up north on vacation. His dog was in the back seat and rolled his head up in the window when he stepped on the arm rest. My brother felt so bad. His wonderful dog died on his way to a vacation. I am sure you did what was write for your pet. And I am so sorry for your loss.

  • Hi

    Sounds like you have probably learned from your experiences. You will likely make a Great dog owner in the future, when the circumstances are right. Trying to do what you felt best for the dog, is a good attribute, but doing so to keep the dog in your life is selfish. The fact that the dog jumped out the window, is not your fault.

    In the meantime, perhaps you can help to educate others. Maybe even volunteer some of your time at a shelter. It's a learning experience.

    Best of luck,
    Rebel
Read More...

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Is it bad to leave dog food down all the time?

My dog doesn't always eat all his food but he comes back later to finish it. I watch dog training shows and apparently you should take their food up after just 30 minutes but my dog wouldn't have touched it. He's house trained so it doesn't matter about that and I do feed him at a routine time everyday but I don't know if I should be leaving it down for him to pick at it or not? He loses weight easily so I don't want to risk that.

Dog Training is a Priority



Recommended Answer:
i feed my dogs at a schedualed time and they eat all their food up right away. Some people like to allow their dogs to free feed. I would say that is your dog is the only dog in the house it is fine to leave it out and allow him to come back to it, especially if he has a hard time keeping his weight. Make sure that you are still measuring his daily food intake and that you are not laving it out to spoil. Kibble will not spoil if it is left in a bowl but a raw diet or canned food can if it gts warm. (so can kibble that is moistened)

Aggressive Dog Training - Expert Advice


  • It's not too bad but I wouldn't recommend it for the following reasons...
    -imbalanced diet
    -food may become bug infested
    -may get bad just sitting out all day
    -dog may have more poo than usual.

    What I did was take the food out and the whether the dog finishes it or not, I remove it and bring it back out at dinner time. Dogs eating whenever they want is like humans eating a big plate of food and they leave the plate and come back to eat some more and come back to eat some more which makes them snack on that one plate of food all day. My mom would give us food and whether we finished or not, she would put it in the microwave until next mealtime. For your dog, it helps you keep track of how much he eats and schedule his eating time.

  • Free feeding is okay in some instances, where a dog isn't a gobbler when it comes to food. Its okay if you leave one serving down, but don't constantly be filling the bowl up all day. But if you did decide to pick it up before your dog eats it, she will get hungry enough that the next day she would probably dive right in and eat it all.

  • my dog always has food available to her.i measure out w/a measuring cup and place it in a water bottle.1/8 cup of dry dog food(different brands/flavors)in a water bottle.my dog rarely ever over eats so it's not a major issue.her weight is monitored monthly.i also offer can food at least 2-3 times a day.

  • I dont and wouldnt do it for a number of reasons.

    what if he gets sick, you never know the last time he ate. And this can be many problems.
    What if you need to know how much he ate? you wont ever know the exact amount he eats a day.
    over feeding is a major issue as well.

    A dog will NOT starve themselves. It may take a few days for your dog to relize that food is only down for 15mins 2 times a day and thats it. But he will catch on soon enough. I hate the idea of free feeding.

  • You are taking a chance that ants or flies could get into the food. You could try feeding him twice a day. If that doesn't work, leave the food down, but make sure it is fresh and bug free.

  • it's not bad . but if you do leave food there then only put a little bit in at a time .

  • A lot of people will tell you it is wrong but I have free fed for many many years & all is fine (except I think I feed more birds than dogs).
Read More...

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Dog Health Questions: NEED TO TRAIN MY DOG - SIT MEANS SIT OR PETSMART?

I have a black lab that I rescued (found him in a bush). The vet says he is about 1 1/2 years old. I have had him for about 6 months now. I've taught him to sit, lay down and a couple of other basic tricks. My major problems that I am having is that he jumps on my house guests and when he plays with my little nieces (4& 6) he knocks them over (just playing). It is embarassing that I have to lock my dog in another room when my elderly neighbor comes over so he doesnt knock her down. My other problem is he continues to play bite even though he knows he is not supposed to, he also may possibly have seperation anxiety as he finds stuff on the counters to tear up when I leave (he has plenty of toys). I did the free demo at Sit Means Sit dog training and it seems to be amazing. The problem is, its $1000.00!!!!!, lifetime guaranteed, great perks....I could probably come up with the money if I really wanted to...OR Im thinking of just trying Petsmart training but Ive heard they are not that great. The dog is very smart and I know will train easily with professional guidance so I dont know if Petsmart is good enough to fix these issues or what.....Im willing to anything to fix him. Im getting ready to start a family & do NOT want to say goodbye to my dog =(

Dog Training Aids - Best Tips for Using Crates



Recommended Answer:
Get a book and try yourself, first! Dogs need guidance, they have no idea 'they are not supposed to'.

Read as much as you can first, or google dog training. There are some great ideas on line. Don't give up after the first day! Dog training requires lots of repetition and reinforcement.

If all else fails, try the PETSMART course. It may give you more confidence to train your dog.

Remember, be FIRM, don't shout! And be assertive. The dog takes its cue from you!

Know The Basics Of Dog Trainings


  • The PetSmart training thing does not train your dog they show you how to train them

  • I would say petsmart. That's where i took my dog. Works wounders

  • I don't know about Sit Means Sit, but I know that I have heard nothing but negative about petsmart training. The trainers are amateur at best and often don't understand dog behavior well enough to really help you with some issues like the behavior issues your describing. Also, I believe petsmart just offers obedience, right? And your dog doesn't seem to need that---youre dealing more with behavioral issues. I would suggest you try to find a different trainer in your area, one who has a good ammount of experience and really understands dog behavior. In the meantime, I have a few suggestions that might help you.

    My malamute used to jump too. For the dog, part of it is just being too excited but part of it can also be a dominance thing. When the dog jumps, it is invading your space and you are allowing it to do so. Most people will step back when the dog tries to jump on them, but that just shows the dog that he's in charge, not you, because he just succesfully pushed you back out of your space. Instead of stepping back, step forward, into the dogs jump and firmly tell him "no jumping". You might have to do this several times but when he does settle down, praise him and pet him or whatever. I understand that little kids probably aren't going to be able to do this as they're smaller and can easily get knocked over, but if you are consistent with the dog in doing this, he will learn that "no jumping" means no jumping. A professional trainer will probably have other ideas but this is what worked for me and my dog.

    When he tries to bite you, immediately correct him with "no!" or a sharp "ouch!" and get up, turn away from him, and ignore him. Don't look at him, don't talk to him, just walk away. Eventually he will learn that biting means he loses his friend and playmate and he will stop.

    I'm not sure what to tell you about destroying things on the counters when you're gone, but yes, it could be a sign of separation anxiety. Again, I would advise you to look for an experienced trainer who knows and understands dog behavior. Good luck.

  • Sit Means Sit uses some aversive training techniques. That rules them out in my books. ANY kind of positive punishment or negative reinforcement, including yelling, correcting, scolding or shock collars, have been shown to contribute to disobedience, aggressiveness, fear and separation anxiety. I know that Sit Means Sit is adament that the collars don't hurt the dog, that's not the point - it is still an aversive (it is not a positive experience).I'm not saying Sit Means Sit won't work, just that I wouldn't put my dog through that and risk a bad outcome.

    Don't have any experience with petsmart but from what I've heard the are just your run of the mill puppy class that can teach you how to train basics like 'sit' but nothing about getting your dog to behave in the real world.

    So, is there a different trainer in your area? One that only uses positive rewards? For an example of what you should be looking for, have a look at the website of the trainer I take my dog to: www.urbandogtraining.com.au

    Once you find one, test them on their methods: ask them how they would appoach the problem of a dog that jumps. If they start talking about corrections, or how you have to be alpha or dominant, or knee the dog in the chest, or telling the dog NO, look elsewhere. Such corrections and harsh training methods are outdated and abusive.

    Dogs can be trained using only positive rewards. My dog used to chase chickens, play bite, chew everything, jump on everybody, be fearful, not come when called, whine all the time, and pull on her lead. I never yelled at her, told her NO, scolded her, hit her, growled at her, or did anything 'dominant'. I followed the advice from my trainer, used only positive reinforcement, and now have a wonderfully behaved dog.

    For an example of what sort of methods you should be looking for:
    Jumping up on visitors/Playing roughly with kids:
    http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind…
    (Summary: Ask visitors to to talk/pat/treat your dog ONLY if his bum is on the floor - IGNORE the dog if not. Try to give a treat EVERY time his bum is on the floor.Step two is the best method but if you don't want to make your visitors do this, or when it's your elderly neighbour/little children, or when you don't have time, or when the dog is being really crazy you can use Time Out. Please note, if you've never left your puppy alone in a room before, the first time you Time him Out he's going to make a lot of noise. It is important not to let him out until he's quiet otherwise he's just learnt to making a fuss gets him out. Instead, wait for 30 seconds of quiet, then reward by letting him out. He will learn that he has to be quiet to get out, as long as you are consistent.)

    Biting:
    http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind…
    (Summary: 1. Teach bite inhibition
    When he bites you, he will bite with different strengths. You need to 'yelp' loudly (like a litter mate would) when he bites with the hardest strength, then immediately get up, walk away from him, and ignore him. 2. With some dogs, the yelp seems to make them more excited. With other dogs, even if you 'yelp' they don't care - they are off running to the next thing to explore. If your puppy is one of these, still use the above procedure, but when you 'yelp,' gently take your puppy by the collar and escort to a Time Out room.)

    Tearing up stuff when left alone:
    a. Puppy proof your home. The only things left on the floor should be essentials (eg. you can't move the couch up high)

    b. Toys. Instead you want at least 2-3 chew toys down per day and rotate them so your puppy doesn't tire of the same ones. EVERY time you see your puppy playing with his own toys, go over and give him a treat.

    c. Supervision. All puppies need ACTIVE, 100% supervision. While you are watching him, if he goes to chew something inappropriate (eg. the couch), clap your hands (not as a punishment, just to attempt to distract him), get a chew toy that's put up (eg. he hasn't played with it today) and go give it to him instead. You need to do this EVERY time, AS he goes to chew the inappropriate item. Remember, you are not punishing him chewing the couch, you are preventing him chewing the couch and as such, instilling the habit of chewing chew toys.

    d. If he gets an item he can pick up do not chase him, never force an item out of a dog's mouth either. Instead, go get a favourite toy, or a really yummy treat and trade your puppy for the item.
Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Does my dog just need to be trained?

I rescued a two year dachshuad from the pound a week ago. For the first five days he didn't pee in the house. Now in the past 24 hours he has peed in the house three times. It seems like he pees when I acknowledge him. He will be hanging out with my girlfriend and I come home and it seems he gets excited and pees. It seem like he knows he is doing something wrong when he does it because he runs to his crate right after and won't come out. Again he didn't do this the first 6 days we had him. Will dog training help a two year old dog? Any suggestions on home training? Does it sound like something may be wrong?

Secrets to Dog Training Review - A Review of the Best Dog Obedience Training Program



Recommended Answer:
When you first come home don't look at him or say anything, just take him outside. You just rescued him so who knows why but he has no control its a submissive pee. But handled gently he should stop. He is really glad to see you so don't be all excited when you first get home. He feels bad probably been punished for it, maybe why he was dumped at the rescue. So don't give up he can't help it but you can help him. I had a collie who did this I just said nothing and no eye contact when returning home we went outside then if he did pee it was no biggie, but I always did the no talk or eye contact. Good Luck and thank-you for rescuing!

Dog Training - 8 Ways to Cut Down on Behavior Problems


  • Training: I would respectfully suggest you read a couple of books and watch some videos on raising and training dogs. Also, I recommend two TV shows, "The Dog Whisperer" with Cesar Millan on the National Geographic Channel, and "It's Me or the Dog," with Victoria Stillwell, on Animal Planet. Both programs are very instructive and often deal with the issues you raise here. Good luck!

  • Many dogs can pee when they get excited. When you come home do not speak to him or acknowledge him until he settles down. Just walk in a sit down

  • oh my he is peeing in the house at 2 years umm... hes probablly just excited if you show him what he has done wrong and then let him outside to show him where he needs to use the restroom, then maybe he might be a little more trained, but then again you usually have to train dogs at a young age when they are a puppy so it might be a little harder. Unless he is scared of something then thats why.

  • You are probably showing excitement when you arrive home. When you show excitement, your dog gets overexcited and that's most likely why he is exhibiting this behavior. Everyday, when you arrive home, don't pay any attention to the dog and act calmly. See if that makes a difference.

    Just to let you know, many dogs do pee when they get overexcited. He does not have a problem, he is just getting too excited.
Read More...

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training??????????????????????…

i have a st. bernard and i ride on his back and my neighbor has a newfoundland and he wants to ride his dog. he asked me how i trained mine and i didn't i just got on his back one day and he just walked around as if he didn't care.so how would you train a dog to be ridden?

Proven Dog Training Methods



Recommended Answer:
U should get on the dogs back then put a treat in front of his head and continue this process until u dint need a treat any more make sure the dog does not have a sensitive back and is comfortable with u on his back.

Control Your Aggressive Dog With These 4 Dog Training Tips


  • Stop riding on your dog's back!!! It will cause him major back injuries. A dog can only carry 1/3 of their body weight... so if your St. Bernard weighs, 100 lbs, he can only carry 33 lbs. If you do not stop, you will cause your dog's back to become injured. If one of his discs ruptures or other back injuries result, it can cost thousands of dollars to fix and he will need several months of rehab and crate rest. Is it really worth putting him through months of pain for just a few minutes of you having fun?

  • OK, you want to ride your dog....well i say go for it, get on that *** and ride away, thats what i do, but normamly its not a dog, oh well, same principles

  • Dont take advantage of your dogs size. You may make it aggresive riding on its back like a horse or worse,injur it. Grow up and stop playing around on your dogs back!

  • You shouldn't attempt to "ride" your dog....it can hurt him, and im sure you wouldn't want that to happen.

  • dogs shouldn't really be ridden. it's bad for their backs.
Read More...

Friday, March 16, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training schools?

Does anyone know of a dog obedience school for small breeds or puppies in houston preferrably in the westchase area of town or sw.

Service Dog Training: Training Your Dog To Perform Human Tasks



Recommended Answer:
Petsmart is really expensive for their classes. I would suggest contacting your local obedience club and asking for suggestions of trainers. They'll guide you to people who they have used, know and trust. We found ours thru our local agility club and our trainer only charges $50 for a 6 week class... much cheaper than Petsmarts.

The Smart Way To Dog Training


  • do you have a Petsmart? they have training classes!

  • The best place to search for you would be:
    http://www.apdt.com/
    good luck!
Read More...

Monday, January 2, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Help with service dog training?

I have depression and panic attacks, and I know it's not a big deal to most people, but it is to me. Anyway, I have depression and panic attacks, and I'm going to Job Corps in about a month, I would like to have my dog trained to be my therapy dog, since I am going far from my therapist. I would like to train my dog to be my service dog and take her with me, since both my mother (who gets me through my panic attacks) and my therapist (who gets me through my depression) will be in Portland when I'm five hours away in Yachats. I would like to have my dog trained to get me through the things my mother and therapist get me through, and am in need of suggestions.

Finding Careers in Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
I really don't think there is a way to train your dog to respond to that. Instead of having it come to you, how about you go to your dog? When I go to stores I hold held my service dog. Be sure if you are to go into public places with it, to have the certification that the dog is a working animal, and have a red vest on it with words clearly seen "Service Dog" to prevent idiots from calling you a retard <3 {Past experience, made me want to cry >_>}

You should also have your service dog socialized, so when out and about with it {if you plan to be}, it won't want to go and say hi to everyone it meets. Unless of course you want it to, then there's no need to correct the behavior. Get it used to sliding doors and other things that may frighten the dog.

I recommend having a small dog that you can carry around, catches less attention therefore less panic attacks, and I find it easier to control the dog. I'm not saying having a big dog would be a huge mistake though =) If you have a panic attack and pass out it would be good for balance.

Remember to have a backup plan, such as comfort food, or anything comforting, like calling your mother/therapist. Because you can't always rely on the dog, just as you can't always rely on your mother/therapist.

Hope I helped~

Dog Training Has Many Benefits


  • First, there is a big difference between a Therapy dog and an assistance dog. Furthermore, depending on your state laws, dogs for depression and panic attacks are not considered assistance dogs. I have trained assistance dogs in North Dakota and Michigan. However, I have trained dogs for individuals in wheelchairs and mobility problems. I do know that some states are starting to allow the types of dogs you are talking about, while others are slow to allow it. I am currently training in England, and I do not have my normal references to the webpages for assistance dogs. However, I found one of my state reference pages by doing a search. I would suggest having a trainer that is familiar with assistance dog training evaluate your dog to see if it is a good candidate for assistance work. If you do not plan on taking it out in public, then nothing that I said applies. If you have any further questions please email me.

    P.S. Oh and just so you know on page 144 of the link below it states what a service dog for emotional support must do to be catergorized as a service dog.

  • First, you must have a disability that limits one or more of lifes major functions such as seeing, hearing, walking and mobility. Second, the dog must be specifically trained to alleviate the effects of the disability. Training can take up to three years for service dogs, depending on what tasks the dog needs to learn.
    From what you describe, you are talking about a companion dog, not a service dog.

  • wht type of dog do u have? if its hyper it might be hard 2 train. but, yeah consult a dog trainer.

    btw, i train service dogs! (when there puppies) w/ guide dogs 4 the blind:)

    good luck!

  • your dog cannot be trained to aid you with a panic attackyou need medical attention to say the leastdoesn't your dog just being present calm you down?

  • Consult with a professional dog trainer to guide you and inform you.

    Good Luck to you.

  • 1. There is a difference between a psychiatric service dog, an emotional support dog and a therapy dog.

    2. You will need a medical diagnosis of a disability combined with a prescription for what a service dog will assist you with if, indeed, it is a service dog you are looking for.

    Here are a couple of websites you should look through.

    http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content…
    http://www.psychdog.org/
    http://www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html

  • It takes a lot more than a month to train a service dog. It typically takes 18-24 months to fully train a service dog, with about six months of that working on public access skills. And of course you have to be disabled (about 3/4 of people with a diagnosed mental illness are not considered disabled by that illness). Your medical caregivers can help you determine whether you qualify as disabled.

    Honestly, I'm not sure this kind of drastic change is the best choice for you if you are unable to function without assistance.

    Contact Job Corp and ask if you'd be permitted to bring along a pet just to stay in your living quarters with you (not to take on the job, which as I mentioned would require a LOT of training). If you're disabled, tell them so and if your doctor agrees, offer a letter from your doctor stating the presence of your dog is necessary for your mental health.

    In all honesty,
    1. You can't get a service dog trained in a month. It just plain cannot be done.
    2. Because it's a job, not a public accommodation, you'd have to provide a lot of medical documentation proving disability and need for a dog, as well as proof of training if you claim her as a service dog.
    3. The stress of arguing this point if they don't agree to it off the bat is going to be very dangerous to the health of a person who is disabled by mental illness.

    If I were you, I'd look for a therapist in the new location if you are determined to go. Perhaps your current therapist can recommend one.

  • A therapy dog is a person's pet that is trained to visit other people in nursing homes, hospitals, schools, etc. to cheer them up. It is not a legal designation and no legal status or access comes with a dog being declared/certified a therapy dog.

    A service dog is a person's dog, not a pet, that is trained to do tasks that mitigate the person's disability and is trained to behave impeccably in public places to the point nobody realizes the dog is even there. What tasks one needs depends on their individual symptoms; for somebody with disabling panic/anxiety attacks where their attacks leave them not able to move through their environment or not knowing where they are, a task would be for the dog to guide the person out of the offending environment (such as out of a store and to the person's car) or to a safe place (such as a place the person can safely sit down). Things like the dog's presence for emotional support, cuddling, kissing, etc. are not legally tasks and do not make a pet a service dog, as legally a service dog must be trained to do something that mitigates the person's actual disability. (Carrying medications in a pack is not a task when a person can carry medications in their pocket, purse, or other bag - plus it is not something that is trained. Retrieving items when a person can get their own items without issues is not a task, as it does not mitigate the person's disability.)

    Like others have said, there is no way to train a dog to be a service dog in one month. It takes one and a half to two years to train a dog to be a service dog - and that is a dog that has the right temperament to be one. Not too many dogs have the right temperament to become service dogs; likely your pet cannot be a service dog.

    The bigger issue is if you even qualify for a service dog. Just having depression and panic attacks does not qualify you for a service dog. You must be actually disabled by them - have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as seeing, hearing, walking, caring for self, etc. If you are not disabled, you cannot have a service dog, as by law they are only for disabled individuals.

    Even if you did have a legal service dog, you still might not be able to use your dog at your job, depending on what the job is and other factors. Some people who are without a doubt disabled and have a legal service dog have problems getting their work to approve their service dog working for them there, problems which can last many months and take a huge physical and emotional toll on both the disabled person and the service dog.

    No matter what, I highly recommend that you find yourself a therapist in your new location - your current therapist may be able to recommend somebody who is there and you can give them permission to discuss your health issues with each other so everybody is on the same page and it won't feel like you are completely starting over again. It would also be good for you to make a few good friends who you can rely on when you need it like you have relied on your mother in the past (that is something you need to do no matter if you live near your mother or not).

    If your emotional illness is disabling, your doctor might prescribe you an emotional support animal. This is not a service dog - it is not trained to do tasks or to be in public beyond what a good pet is trained in - and you have no right to bring the dog in public places, but you would have the right to have the dog in no-pets-allowed housing with your doctor's letter. Your dog's presence at home (and pet-friendly places like pet stores, on walks, etc.) will help you emotionally.

    Good luck in your new endeavor! I hope you are able to adjust well, find a good therapist, and make some helpful friends.

  • Try Caesar Milan Inc. He helped someone in your exact situation, and is still regularly in touch with them
Read More...

Friday, December 30, 2011

Dog Health Questions: Dog training problem?

I got my dog about 2 months ago and she's about to turn one in May. The first owner did a horrible job training her but shes a very intelligent dog, took 2 minutes to learn how to sit, come, give give etc. However she tends to bite your fingers, toes, heels whenever they are moving. Usually your fingers dont even have to be moving and sh'ell attack them. She doesn't bite hard but as you probably understasnd, we don't want her going through her life biting. Any suggestions on training?No smartass comments please and try to avoid anything that has to do with physical abuse like hitting it.

The Benefits Of Dog Training Classes



Recommended Answer:
What your describing is called mouthing. Most dogs do this as pups but as you said the previous owner did a terrible job at training her. I always would just place my hand over the muzzle and gently close my hand and say in a low calm voice NO BITE. If the mouthing persisted then I would take the dog away from us and place it in another room where it could see us but just to let the dog know that unless it behaved it was not going to be with us. It's like a time out with dogs. It will take a bit longer for you to train her not to do this but persistence and patients are the key here. There is also a good dog trainer here tonight her name is liberty you can find her on the questions page she just posted about the food recall list. She will help you with this also. Probably better than me. :)

Hunting Dog Training Equipment


  • Keep a spray bottle filled with water nearby. When she goes to nip, give her a squirt and loudly say "no bite"!

  • Walk your dog to establish dominance. Never let them walk in front of you.

    Say "NO!" whenever the dog starts the unwanted behavior. Make the dog lay down each time and relax to establish dominance. Dogs only listen if they see you as the dominant one, or leader.

    Leaders don't need to scream or carry on either. Dogs see that as "crazy" behavior.

  • My Boston Terrier bites people on the face and ears when she is excited. I think she is trying to kiss personally. Anyway, I don't believe in hitting so when I fuss/raise my voice she stops. I think she has a case of "don't want to piss off mom, she has the food and the leash."

    So, try simply raising your voice in disapproval. Remember, you have to be consistent. That means Every Time she does it, you have to do the same thing. Good Luck!

  • The best way to train a dog not to mouth is "substitution". Wrap your thumb and index finger around the dog snout with only enough pressure to hold the mouth closed. Then tell the dog "no-bite" followed immediately with "here" as you hand the dog the toy that you remembered to have handy for the occasion.

  • I need to know what kind of dog she is. Can you please provide that information so I can answer properly. The breed or mix breed makes a difference when you talk about mouthing/nipping. If you can give me that information I can go about giving you the best advice

  • You can find answers to all your queries on dog training at below link.

  • House training is one of the first tasks that every new dog owner will undertake in the introduction of their puppy to its new home. There are three categories of house training types :
    a) Basic house training ; the establishment of an allowable toilet area for your pet.
    b) Submissive wetting ; urination occurring when greeting, disciplining or high excitement.
    c) Marking ; upon reaching puberty - some dogs (male or female) will mark their territory.
    House Training :
    House training should only take approximately two weeks to establish as a routine provided;
    a) you must be consistent and committed
    b) you are prepared to train your pet from the moment you take possession. Have a leash, collar, a designated area and are prepared to maintain a schedule.
    Retraining a dog that has already established bad habits can take six weeks or more.

    As soon as possible get your new puppy to the vet for a complete check-up. This will assure you that you have obtained a healthy pup and alert you to any medical complications that can make house training more difficult. Situations such as intestinal upset, intestinal parasites and urinary tract infections can make house training difficult to impossible.

    The designated toilet area can be as general as outside of the house or as specific as a particular corner of the backyard. You must have a specific plan as to what the designated area is going to be. You can not teach the dog what is acceptable if you are uncertain.

    Your attitude is one of the most important ingredients in house training your dog. Your puppy does not know what is wrong. If there is a mistake tell him "no" but do not discipline too severely. You only want him to know that you are displeased, you do not want the pup to feel that you are the source of pain. When the pup has done well, pat him, praise him, let the dog know that you are very pleased. The pup will want to do things that please you. House training can be a foundation for all future training. Affection and praise as a reward for proper response - "no" signaling displeasure and guidance to show the dog what you do want.

    Scheduling:
    1. Create a schedule that is practical for you to maintain. If you can not stick to your schedule - you can't expect the dog to adhere to it.
    2. Do not allow your dog to free feed until house training is well established. Be very careful of your dogs diet - avoid foods and/or snacks that can be upsetting to his digestive tract.
    3. Schedule your dog's bed time and waking-up time. Adhere to these times as closely as possible.
    4. Young pups will require frequent nap times, be sure that your schedule can accommodate the pup's naps. Remember that the pup will need to be taken outside after each nap.
    5. Emotional intensity - after intense emotional stimulation (badly scared, frightened, or a particularly rowdy play session) the pup may need to relieve himself.
    6. Within two to three days, most dogs will be able to "control themselves" for eight hours during the night. You must keep in mind that your daytime schedule will need to be somewhat flexible. By paying attention to your dog, you will learn his nap requirements. Your dog will learn "the routine" and you will both have a schedule that you can live with.

    Supervise in the House :
    1. By knowing where your dog is at all times, and what he is doing, you can avoid mistakes. When a pup stops playing and starts to look around for a "good spot", he needs to go out. By observing your dog you will quickly learn to tell the difference between the pup's exploring his new universe and his searching for a "good location".
    2. If the pup starts to make a mistake, firmly but quietly say "No" and take the dog straight to his toilet area. Do not yell at the dog. Do not chase the dog. At this point it is up to you to be observant of your dog. Any mistakes that are made are due to your not paying attention.
    3. If you can not supervise the dog for a period of time, put the dog in a confinement area (prepared with papers) or confine him to the room where you are.
    4. When you are relaxing (watching TV, reading or on computer), have the dog with you. Give the pup some of his toys to play with. Have the dog on his leash or confine him to the room where you are, so that he doesn't wander of and have an accident. Teach him that it can be enjoyable just being with you.

    When you can't be with your dog:
    1. Provide a small area confinement area (bathroom with all "chewable" items removed, fenced off area of the garage, or a crate).
    2. Do not leave food and water with the dog, or fill him with cookies or snacks before you leave. You should schedule the pup's breakfast to be at least 2 hours before your planned departure time. That way the pup can eat, digest his food and relieve himself prior to your departure.
    3. Ideally, if you are going to be gone for more than eight hours, someone should give the dog a drink and an opportunity to relieve himself.

    Taking the dog out (to the latrine) :
    1. Take your dog on leash to the designated toilet area. Stand quietly, so that the dog can find the right spot. Do not distract the dog. Do not praise the dog during his search. If after about 5 minutes your dog hasn't gone to the bathroom, return him to the house (keeping a close eye on him) for about 1/2 hour, then try again.
    2. As the dog starts to relieve himself; calmly praise him. Use a chosen word or phrase (good potty or wonderful potty). This phrase will only be used for praise in going potty.
    3. When the dog has finished relieving himself praise him more enthusiastically. Let him know that you are very proud of him.
    4. Remember your dog's routine. Some dogs will "potty" two or three times per outing in the morning, but only twice per outing in the evening. Urination is often followed by defecation, while other dogs will do the reverse.
    5. Even. if the weather is foul, do not let your dog know that you don't want to be going outside with him. By teaching your dog that even in bad weather going outside is "the thing to do", to please you, then he will be more willing to convey his needs to you.
    6. While you are learning your dog's "time table", take him out immediately after he wakes up, after he has eaten and after all play sessions.

    Catching the dog "in the act" :
    1. Without yelling, firmly say "No". If you still don't have the dog's attention, clap your hands.
    2. Get the dog outside, to the designated latrine area. If the dog relieves himself outside praise him. Proceed with the potty routine.
    3. Clean the mess with a deodorizing or odor killing cleanser. If the dog smells his own scent as having been used as a bathroom area, the dog will continue to use the area.
    If the cleanser is not able to eliminate enough of the scent so that the dog can not detect it, you can help mask the scent over with vanilla extract. Just one or two drops will make it impossible for the dog to smell any lingering odor.

    If you find a mess after the fact :
    1. Do not punish the dog.
    2. Accept the fact that you were not paying attention to the dog.
    3. Do not show the dog that you are upset. Calmly put the dog on his leash and bring him to the location of the accident. With the dog at your side, firmly scold the potty. Do not scold the dog.
    4. Blot up some urine, or pick up some stool with a piece of paper. Take the evidence and the dog to the latrine area. Place the paper on the ground and with the dog watching praise the potty for being in the "right" place. Temporarily leave the paper there. (Remove it when the dog isn't watching)
    5. Clean up the remaining mess in the house as outlined above.

  • Hi ,
    Well i found this really helpful guide ,its a really professional training called sit stay fetch , it teaches you how to train your dog by yourself , check it out at http://www.dogobediencetraining.co.nr , its a easy step by step book and videos. Hope this helps you with your dog
    Good luck

  • Hello leah,
    I have a dog that loves to bite my fingers and toes. My dog is small so when she starts that I just hold her mouth shut and look straight in her eyes and tell her "NO" it took a few times and she is much more considerate of my wishes. Also there is a lot of great information and articles for training dogs on
    samsdogtraining.com

    Best Wishes,
    Sam
Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Mega Time Dog Training Help !!!!!!!!!!1?

kay heres the deal i have had this dog for about 8 mouths now and she is not trained..... reason being i am a lazy dic .... anyway my mom and bro r sick of the dog pee and pooping everywhere, and said if i dont get her trained by september she is gone. Now I am welling to do anything to get my dog trained

Which Dog Training Collar Should You Choose?



Recommended Answer:
You have to put the dog in a crate when you are not watching it. Take it outside once an hour. Clean up old urine and feces stains with cleaners meant for taking out the odor so the dog will not go in the same spot. Once dogs get in the habit of peeing in the house, it is very hard to break them. However, dogs will not pee or poop in their bed, so that is why they need a crate to stay in when you are not there to watch them. If you can catch the dog in the act, you can immediately take it outside Always go to the same spot. This will take patience and consistency. Give the dog a chance!!!! Good luck.

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


  • Do research online about crate training and start doing it. It will be frustrating at first but if you stick to it your puppy and your family will be happier.

  • Crate training is the first thing you should start to get the dog house trained fast.
Read More...