Dog Health Questions: Dog not quite getting the difference between "Sit" and "Lay Down"?

When I ask Newman to "Sit", he sits. Good, right? But then once I reward him (getting sprayed in the face with the hose- yes, he LOVES it more than treats or praise) he goes and lays down. When I ask him to lay down, "Down", he will go right to laying down. Also good.

My concern is when I ask him to "Sit". He will sit, but then lays down after being rewarded. I'm assuming this is undesired. Do I wait until he has a perfect grasp of "Sit" before weaning him off of laying down afterward? Should I nip the behavior in the bud now, and if yes, how should I go about this?

Dog training is not my forte...

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Most people that train would recommend that as soon as he starts to lay down that you should pull straight up on the leash until he is back in position, or use the leash to make him stay in position, treat and then release him,you could also command, treat and then pull him into a stand instead of giving him a chance to chill. The idea is to have him hold position until released.
Now in your situation use the hose to spray him from underneath to keep him from laying down, LOL hell it sounded good when I thought of it.BTW what is your water bill? LMAO at Newman and you.

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• When you were teaching him sit and down did you make him sit then reward him and then make him go into the down position? I did when i first got my pup eventually he started cutting the sit out all together. So I just popped his leash on and every time he went to go into the down position i just corrected him. Now his sit/downs are good but could probably due with being a bit quicker.


• If you are only training for yourself and not competition, then unless it is a problem, ignore it. Down has always been difficult for my dog, and since I trained him for safety and convieniece, a sit or a down is just as good to keep him danger.


• try hand signals and wait a while before rewarding him. if you reward to fast he will think that when you say "sit" you mean to sit for 3 seconds or so, if that happens you might as well not train him at all.


• When he starts laying down, take the hose away and say "no sit" or "sit up". Then, reward again and repeat as needed.


• depends on what you want
  i just don't reward if they down unless i ask for it.


• I would nip in the bud. I'm not sure what method of correction you're using, but I use a tug upward on the leash with an "EHeheh!!" noise until he's sitting again. I'm a big proponent of "sit means sit, down means down, here means here, etc" school of thought. Now you're teaching him that sitting, then laying, is what you want. You want a sit when you say "sit." Being a little strct with what you ask makes the lines clear- he knows what you want, you get what you ask for.
  
  I use a prong, and Remi started doing the same- I'd gotten him in the habit of sitting, then asking for a 'down,' so he started going to sit, then straight to down. I then corrected with a leash pop and re-affirmed "sit" command. For us, it really has helped keep his focus on me when he's sitting (what I want), and made clear what I want from commands.
  
  hope that helps! good luck!

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Dog Health Questions: Neutered dog and behaviour problems.?

Hi all,

I have a chow chow male, he is just over 2 years old. in the last month or so he seems to have become some what, well not himself.

Levi has ALWAYS been a very wel behaved dog, did very well at dog training, is never aggressive, always listens, he is really a dream dog, until about a month ago.

He now does everything he never use to do. its not cause of him being bored or anything like that.

now, on tuesday he is being nutered, but what I want to know is, will he go back to himself, the well behaved Levi? or will I be stuck with a "monster"

Ok He is not a monster, his behaviours are....lol love him to death.

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I currently have 3 chow boys and one girl. My oldest boy is almost 2 years old.
He used to be very very sweet, loving, yada yada.
I find chows tend to change as they get older, My oldest, the girl changed dramatically. All she wants to do is run away, get to the post man, and certainly hates people walking past our house!
I find spaying a girl results in better behaviour than nutering a male, this is my personal opinion and may vary from dog to dog. I understand you wanting to nuet him due to not wanting puppies, as this is what happened to me, hence why we have 3 boys!

Also my oldest boy, 'simba' is VERY snappy and sometimes agressive towards the my oldest girl 'Narla' this is because chows are so dominent, they want to be put first, and if they dont, they will get so jealous. I find being more strict with males is essential, or they will end up running you riot!! He isnt a naughty dog i just suggest being more forward with him x

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• Neutering does sometimes help with behavior problems, but mostly it simply stops reproducing and usually marking too.
  You don't say what the behavior problems are, and sometimes aggressiveness is related to a thyroid problem that can develop at any age, and sometimes bad behavior is simply the dog trying to see how far you will let him go. These sites could help you;
  
  http://www.dog-obedience-training-review…
  http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com
  http://www.companionsforlife.net


• http://www.therio.org/displaycommon.cfm?…
  
  First, read this, learn, become educated and do not listen to the S/N police in here.
  Next, your dog matured and your training or lack thereof has caused it to be this way, NOT his testicles. Removing them will have 0 impact on his temperament, training, however, may change his attitude toward life, if done right. Hope I helped.


• Even when you neuter males, the behavioral problems may be fixed or may not be fixed. Depends on the dog. I am not a registered vet tech yet, but I do recommend you to talk to your Vet. Your veterinarian can answer your questions about neutering and spaying.
  
  Hope this helps!


• Neutering has no effect on his temperament. Just after the castration surgery he will be calmer because of the surgery, but don't count on it lasting. All he needs is training and corrections.


• CASTRATION IS *NOT* BRAIN SURGERY!
  TRAINING alters behavior,not scalpels!
  
  If you are incapable...or simply refuse to get after the monster,you WILL "be stuck".


• it may change him but theres no proven facts. He may stay the same, he could just be growing up
  
  Barbx


• As others have said, there's a very small chance that neutering will help with this problem. Neutering rarely effects behavior as many seem to think it will. It has a good number of health benefits, and may change his attitude a bit, but the only thing that will help his actual behavior, is training. Think of it as his "teenage" stage. Much like a human going through teenage years, he'll challenge his limits as much as possible. Pretty much ALL dogs go through this. I would suggest looking up the NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free, you can google it) training method. With this training method, he'll have to work for *everything*, including getting on the couch, his food, treats, going for walks, etc... and it'll help him learn that he doesn't get things when *he* wants them, instead he gets them when *you* feel he's deserved them. It basically helps re-establish *you* as the Alpha. Worked wonders for the dogs I've used it on. Here's a couple good starter websites:
  http://www.dogguide.net/nilif.php
  http://www.sspca.org/Dogs/TANSTAAFL.html
  
  I do suggest you do your own research on this training method as well. Keep in mind this is not an overnight fix, and will require a good amount of patience and consistency. NO training method will work overnight, but that's what it sounds like your dog needs: more or better training. Keep in mind that Chow Chows are considered a powerful breed for a reason. They're not like typical softer breeds, and can be *very* difficult for some owners, they're good at being hard headed, independent, and are very good at challenging your role as Alpha, like any other powerful breed.
  
  ETA: Even dogs that finished "top of the class" in training, will do this. That training can't stop once the classes are over, and it must continue throughout the dog's life, otherwise it will have been pointless, know what I mean? Neutering may help stop his escaping (he may be doing so because there might be a female in heat in the area) as it tends to make them less attracted to a female in heat, therefore they tend to not want to roam as much to find the female. As for the aggression, that sounds more like a dominance thing, which, again, will be fixed with training. Neutering rarely helps with aggression that I'm aware of (except in the case of a multi-dog home with intact males and females, and that's usually aggression between the males over the females, not between males and females).


• At 2 years old your dog is at the prime of doggie adolescence. This change in behavior is very common in many dogs, breed does not matter. However, my experience is the "gladiator" breeds seem to have this routinely. My dog is (half) gladiator..and did go through this same thing.
  Perfect dog until age 2. And my dog was previously neutered. Though the neutering will reduce the hormone levels, a dog still does fully mature sexually and physically at this time and the changes can cause behavioral changes. He will challenge you, and you just have to stay on it until he gets through.
  There are those people who do not believe that neutering changes anything..OK for them, I just happen to disagree. The hormone levels WILL drop and that will be helpful. But you do have to train, train , train at this time. Don't let your dog get away with any bad behaviors. Deal with them firmly, calmly. Most dogs will settle down within the next year.
  I personally felt my dog needed more than I was able to give at that time and I did go for private training...5 lessons and then group classes for life. I learned a lot...and was better able to handle his changes. And he did change over the course of the next 9 months...to the dog I knew he always was.
  Hang in there, do the neuter, cut back on the love and baby talk for a while and work his training. I bet you will be succesful! Good luck.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog Training?

I have a 5 month old beagle mix puppy. He is the cutest thing and is always very good when I am watching him - no accidents, etc. When my boyfriend watches him (we live together) he always goes to the bathroom in the house when I am not there. Any ideas why this is happening?? The puppy only goes potty in the house for my boyfriend, otherwise he is really good. Any info would be great! Thanks!

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Well, I hate to tell you but it sounds like your boy friend doesn't pay attention and get the puppy outside. If he is really good the rest of the time I would seriously suspect the b/f is at fault.

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• BF is not paying attention to the puppies needs.
  It is a "man thing" they do not pay as close attention to dogs as women do. Not all men but some are like this.
  My weim asks to go out but if you do not let her out she will pee on the floor by the door when she can no longer hold it.
  It only happens when husband is with dog. She asks I let her out she asks he watches TV.


• your bf problaly isn't paying attention to him


• bf may not understand the signs to look for when the pup has to go. Sniffing, etc - if he doesn't pick up on it and the puppy isn't solid enough to insist on going outside in an obvious way, the puppy thinks he's being ignored so uses wherever is available.


• Is your boyfriend yelling at him? Puppies will piddle when they are stressed out and they do not understand yelling or hitting. He needs to use a firm but loving voice and praise the puppy often when he's being a good boy. When the puppy pees outside for him for the first time, have him really praise him a lot and even reward him with a treat. I feel the puppy is afraid of your boyfriend. Good luck to you!


• you need to talk to your bf, and let him know the signs the puppy uses. Its important to do especially when their young, training is so important right now for the dog and for your carpet :)

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Dog Health Questions: Is there anything we can buy to stop them from peeing on the furniture and stairs?

i live with my grandparents and they didn't do very much dog training with their dog. now their dogs pee all over the house. is there anything we can buy to stop them from peeing on the furniture and stairs?

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You can use Nature's Miracle to clean up the mess. It's an enzymatic cleaner that will break down the urine and feces so there is no odor left. When you clean up with non-enzymatic products a slight odor is left behind that the dog can detect. Covering it with the perfumey smell of some cleaners won't fool the dog's nose.

There are products you can buy to keep dogs off lawns, but they will not work inside the home. So if you're looking for some sort of repellent to stop them from urinating it 1) isn't available and 2) wouldn't work anyway. You'd have to douse the whole house or they'd just move to an untreated area.

The only real solution is to re-house-train the dogs. The enzyme cleaning will assist with the retraining but cannot cure it by itself.

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Dog Health Questions: Does anyone know how to get Bloodhounds to stop digging holes?

I have two Bloodhounds. They are almost 3 years old. I do not have the money to take them to a dog training school. Any advice would be appreciated!

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Yea we were in that same boat with our Black Labs -- they just love to dig!! We had to sprinkle Cayenne Pepper in the places we didn't want them digging and just give up certain areas that were easily filled in -- kinda a doggie sandbox lol But the pepper works -- they don't like the smell or taste -- can buy it in bulk or cheap -- find a Hispanic market for lowest prices or some place like Costco. Can be generic doesn't have to be a name brand -- sprinkle liberally in areas where you don't want them.

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• it's in there nature


• I wish you the best of luck anything short of training will fail. Bloodhounds love to dig by nature.


• stop burying the dead bodies where they can smell them


• they are hole diggers by nature ,try to separate them and work with one 2 hours daily when walking and he try to dig say no with a loud voice if you succeed the other one will imitate him by nature good luck.


• Bloodhounds do love to dig, however there is one way that you may be able to stop it. If the dogs are digging repeatedly in the same places, you can try burying their own poopies in the places they've dug. When they dig there again, and encounter their poopies, they usually stop digging. It turns them off.


• If they are digging in a certaing area you can put down chicken wire on the ground. They don't like to dig through the wire and it does not hurt them.
  
  Dogs also dig when they are bored. Try to give them toys and things to do when they are outside.


• look blood hounds have a very good sense of smell matbe there is somthing under that ground that can make u rich

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Dog Health Questions: Have your brought your dog into stores in a enclosed stroller, did anyone complain? How...?

...about a restraunt?
The recent question about dog strollers made we wonder about this, does it seem to be ok to bring your dog into store if they are in a enclosed stroller? Some places seem to be fine if you hold your dog and only freak out if you put them down. Other places are total cool as you as you have your dogs trained not to do anything bad (i.e. mark!!!).

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Restaurants tend to be very strict about dogs except on outdoor patios. This is usually due to the fear that the health department could shut them down.

Chain stores usually give you a hard time because the "managers" have no authority and they are worried about their butts on the line.

I find small stores are usually fine with my puppy in my arms. I also get away in the nearby Lowes with my puppy riding in a shopping cart.

Dogster has a list of pet-friendly stores in your area.

K

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• No, it is not OK. A restaurant, in particular, could get in serious trouble for allowing a dog in due to health codes, no matter how it is constrained. Even in a stroller, a pet dog poses a distraction for legitimate service animals trying to work, and also can pose a danger to those who are allergic to dogs. Strollers are ridiculous as well- they serve no purpose unless a dog is disabled to the point it cannot get around under its own power. Dogs have legs for a reason, and even small dogs are very much capable of keeping up with their people.


• my gf likesto bring the dog around everywhere i have had some problems.
  
  when we go to grocery store they let us take her inside in a bag or stroller but not in your arms with no bag. this one store called Costco is so biased the front door man told us we cannot take her inside in the bag bt he let another couple take their dog without a bag at all so we complained. also we have been in their countless times with the dog. also gas stations let us in without the bag they dont mindpretty much you can/should be able to take your dog ANYWHERE EXCEPT resturants with a dog bag or stroller.
  
  ONLY dogallowed everywhere even resturants are service dogs my moms boss has one and takes their into them and the managers complain but my moms boss threatens them because it's a service dog


• i do not have a stroller but i do have a carrier and i have never in my dogs 12 years been asked to leave a store ... but i do respect and not take her in food stores or restaurants ... i also bring her in stores with me carrying her (if i don't have her carrier with me) or just walking, depends on the store ...


• ppl should not in anyway bring dogs other then service dogs into shops and especially not resturants. this is illegal and violates all kind of health codes so weither the place turns a blind eye or not does not make it right so dont do it.


• NO - don't risk it. Only service dogs are allowed in stores or restaurants. Even if the dog is in a stroller it will not be allowed in a store or restaurant. You will be asked to leave.


• no, my dog weighs 140 lbs. Trying to get that mammoth into a stroller would be cruel. Don't put you dog into a stroller unless you want some attention. Would you take your child into the store in a doghouse?


• Restaurants are a bit unsanitary for dogs to be in


• Yea, tried to get my German Shepherd Dog in didn't fly.


• There was one in my moms dr office. My mom thought it was a baby lol!

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training...female chihuahua?

Is it possible to train a 2 yr old female chihuahua to be nice. IE: not bite people who try to pet her, not bark at everyone, not run from you when you try to catch her...or is it too late?

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They have that 'small dog complex' which is hard to control. Just keep up consistent training.

Oh, and remember that negative reinforcement will continue unwarranted behavior.

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• Yeah ya see, remember that dogs live in the moment, so it's never to late to do anything with them, you first have to become a pack leader, once she trusts and respects you as her leader, then you can begin trying to train her..... i suspect right now she is the pack leader in your house......


• Nah, it's never too late to teach an old dog new tricks ;)
  
  And she's only 2 years old, so she's not that old yet. I would reccomend taking control of her (not using negative reinforcement) but by becomming in her eyes the 'pack leader'. You need to in a way stand up to her and show her who's boss.
  
  After she begins to respect you, and you're still having trouble training her, try enrolling her in obediance classes. She'll most likely improve soon.
  
  Good luck =)


• lol best of luck to you im trying to do the same thing to my 2 year old female chihuahua. shes very vicious and its tough to discipline her you cant feel bad for what you have to do but ya i dunno watch the dog whisperer show with cesar milan its on national geographic channel or you can rent/buy the dvds. good luck


• It's never to late to teach an old dog new tricks!
  
  Check out these websites and videos from Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer).


• Its never too late.. watch the dog whisper..he will tell you the same thing

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Dog Health Questions: Any ideas for high value treats during dog training class?

At home, I could use anything as a treat and my english bull terrier does great. When we go to class, however, he is more interested in the other dogs. For 2 of his previous classes he would only work for Wendy's chicken nuggets that i would chip into bits. By the end of the 2nd class, he lost interest in those. He is really dog driven. He loves other dogs. The club has so many dogs and you really cannot let them socialize and distract them from their work. You have to keep your own dog paying attention to you. I understand all this, but really need some ideas for a high value treat. i know I will have to have a variety to switch up on each day. I only use them for class so he is not bored by the time we get to class. Here is what i have tried: hot dog bits, string cheese bits, and chicken nuggets. I have also made tuna cookies, but the starch or flour in them didn't go so well with his tummy. Please help!! Thanks.

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Baked chicken, beef liver, pork liver. Hot dogs sprinkled with just a touch of garlic and then microwaved for a minute or two. You can also get a food tube and fill it with a canned dog or cat food.

Vary the treats you use for class, mix several together or at least switch them up every class.

And remember the stinkier the better.

*Out of what I mentioned above the pork liver is by far the stinkiest, open your windows when you bake that lol.

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• i just use her regular dog food
  with treats mixed in every so often
  have to work on keeping his attention


• I have found that Salmon Jerky keeps my dogs attention. Very smelly, but it keeps her occupied.


• To me bacon is best.
  A whole strip cooked but not crispy but a little floppy, they love that!


• In order for food to truly work, you need a hungry dog. So pick up all the food for 6-8 hours before class. Do not give any treats. The high value treats that I use in training include broiled steak fat; cheese in a can; dried hot dogs; little smokies; canned fish flavored cat food (dried in the oven); cheerios; chicken; liver; pieces of carrot; pieces of apple; and anything that I can get my dog to work for. Use very small treats and take a variety into each class. Remember the most important treat has to be you. This means that you must keep the dog's attention with more then just treats. Playing and physical interaction make you much more fun then the treats in your pocket or the other dogs in the room. It is good that you have found a real training class and not a dog socialization class. this training will give you a much better dog in the end. after all you want to dog to pay attention to you and not play with the other dogs.

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Dog Health Questions: Tips on dog training?

my dog will do dozens of tricks on command, she never jumps, she never bites, and she usually listens, but if there's a coyote outside or another dog or person and she isn't on a leash she will not come when called, she just keeps going. ive seen people like victoria stilwell and cesar millan get dogs to return in mid charge, how can i get my dog to that point? she's a 5 year old golden retriever-lab mix and it's not like she doesn't respect me, she just sees offleash as meaning free time, she knows heel but it doesn't matter what i say, once she decides to go after something it's done. she'd been hurt by other dogs before after running to greet them and i'm genuinly concerned that the next time she gets out im going to be taking her to the vet with serious wounds

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One of the easiest ways is to put her on a long line, like a washing line and let it trail, unclip her lead so she thinks she is free and tell her free, you need to practice this so do it in an area where she can't go too far and there are not any or many distractions and no trees or anything the line could get caught up on until you get your recall 100% , when she starts to go away from you say nothing, don't look at her, just go and stand on the line nearest to you, you now have control, that is when you call her, lift the line and gently pull her as you call her name as soon as she is near you, praise her and tell her free letting the line trail again, you need to do this numerous times, each time she comes back, lots of praise then free.............dogs will often not come back as you are stressed ( as they are running off) you are possibly chasing after them, so that makes them feel comfortable as you are keeping within their working distance..instead of running off the other way and they get told off when they eventually do come back or you get them, they are put on a lead and it is the end of their free time...........so all very logical in dogs eyes.
You will find very quickly you don't need to pull the line to you for her to come, however keep it on her as it is easier to get control once there is distraction, which is what you then want to practice...the same method with distraction and you will keep calmer as you know you can get control quickly...the key is not to speak until you are standing on the line....there are lots of other ways however this is simple and works well.

What you see on TV from these TV trainers is a tiny part of the training dogs need and what is done by trainers who work on the shows with the dogs and sort out the dogs issues ( and the peoples issues) before the film is spliced...so the 15 minutes of training they do looks impressive, however it is not the full story, it is TV, they do not show the amount of work required or the trainers that do that work.

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• I wouldn't let her off-leash, if I were you. Some dogs just cannot be off-leash, and unless you want to continue to put your dog at risk, I would suggest ensuring that she always has a leash on when there could potentially be "temptations" around.
  
  Victoria and Cesar are professional trainers, and I bet even THEY have come across dogs that cannot be controlled off-leash (even though they would never show that to the general public).

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training questions for my new puppy?

Okay I just got a new boxer/pitbull mix puppy who is 11 weeks old. "I adopted him". Hes a gret dog but I am having trouble trianing him so I have some questions.

1. When I am teaching him commands do I give him a treat after every attempt or only when he gets it right? "I am asking this because he seems to not do anything since he knows he will get the treat anyways.

2. When I hold him or make him sleep on my bed he whines. I read when he does that to just ignore him but is this true and what else should I do?

3. How do I establish that I am his owner? "I am the only male in the house and I am the one who feeds/walks him. I also do the thing where you roll him over and hold him with his stomach facing upwards to establish dominance. He has no problem with this. But what he does have a problem with is every stranger he meets he tries to tug his hardest on his leash to go home with them. What can I do to stop this?

4. When he gets older I want to enroll him in a class that teaches dogs to be personal protectors. Not attack dogs but where if they are confronted with their owners in danger they know how to react and can stop on command if needed. I know you will say any dog will do this but I have seen many dogs run away when confronted. And my dog is by no means aggressive. Taht is why I think he is a good canidate to train him this way. I live in a bad part of town and this would be a good idea when my mother is left home alone with him.

Any help is appreciated thank you for your time in helping me!

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Recommended Answer:
1. At first show the puppy the treat. Give the command. Help the puppy to do right, and then treat. Do not treat unless he performs. To do otherwise means that you are only feeding the puppy not training the puppy.

2. Whining might be a sign of nervousness. This can be cause from the "alpha roll" technique that you are using in question 3. Your puppy is learning that every time he is picked up, he is placed in an uncomfortable and scary position. Whining is also a sign of submissiveness. Stop the scary alpha roll and the whining will most likely get better.

3. Stop the dominance training. It is normal for young puppies to be friendly with every one at this age. In fact I'd be more concerned if he were nervous and shy around strangers. To train the puppy to properly approach strangers, teach him to sit before being petted. This helps keep him in control and polite.

4. Your best bet is to enroll him in a good quality obedience class first. Because of your dog's breeding you need to be more concerned that your dog be very well trained and outgoing. You do not want a n aggressive pit x boxer. It can very well get your dog dead. Most properly trained, good socialized dogs will automatically protect their owners especially a dog of your dog's breeding. You need to wait until your puppy is much older, usually around 2-3 years old before you expect this of him.

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• You should buy a basic obedience book. You have to show your dog first what to do before he will understand what you want. Like sit, never have a treat in your hand because the dog will just work for food, hold your hand like a fist but pretend you have a treat in your hand and slow move your hand over your dogs head and say sit. He's going to be curious and sit and then give him affection and praise and make a big deal about sitting. I'm not going to explain every basic commend because that would take a while.
  
  If your dog whines while going to bed yeah just ignore him and he'll learn that whining gets him no where. I would suggest create training.
  
  You have to be firm but caring at the same time. Don't give in to your dog ever. Also if he's "trying to go home" with people he probably want to sniff and say hello. Never pull your dog away from others or other dogs because he will get frustrated and this could lead to aggressive behavior.
  
  They don;t have classes for personal protectors. Its either an attack dog or a family dog. I recommend not doing this because most dogs who do undergo that kind of training turn against their owners, usually at an older age like 10 or so, but still it does damage making your dog an attacking machine.


• You should only give him treats when he gets it right. Don't ask him to do something more than once, because then he will think he can chose whether to listen the first time. Ask him to do something and wait for him to do it. Use hand signals, dogs respond much better to sign language that spoken word, try pointing to the ground when you want him to lay down; doing a stop motion with your hand when you want him to stay; etc. Give him a treat only when he responds. If you feed him, he knows you are his owner. You can further develop your relationship by playing games with him. It is a good sign that he is anxious to meet people, and you should socialize him with dogs and people as much as you can.


• a dog doesn't have to be taken to a class to protect its owner your dog knows who its master and family is so if he sees someone coming up to you and he has to sniff them before they come to you that's good but if something ever was to happen trust me he would do his best to try and stop the person before he got to his family
  
  and you can't just train your dog with treats you have to train them with praise because that will be why they want to please you so they can make you happy and they get to hear "good boy" and get pet belive it or not dogs are very very smart and they establish their master so in that case you do the training and let your family get involved if activitys with him so he know "this is my family you need to go through me before you go through them"


• When you are teaching him commands you need to show him what you're asking him to do.For example teaching him how to sit tell him "sit" then push on his butt until hes sitting down THEN give him the treat and reward him.He'll do it on his own eventually.Figure out the best place for him to sleep maybe he wants to sleep next to your bed or whatever it depends on the dog.And to show him you are his master before you feed him act like you're eating out of his food dish to show him you are the pack leader and you get to eat first and also take some food out of his dish and let him eat out of your hand this will teach not to bite the hand that feeds him .Now the #1 best thing for a dog is love and caring for them.If you take good care of him, love him he'll love you back and protect you :)

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Dog Health Questions: My dog is being hyper-active during Agility training. What should I do to calm him down?

I have an 8 1\2 months old Australian Shepherd, he is very friendly to everybody & to other dogs, trained & well-behaved at home. He usually gets 2 long walks and a play with his friends everyday. He is currently attending agility classes 2x a week and a basic obedience course (that makes him 3x a week at Dog School). On trainings, as soon as we enter the training ground, he starts to get wild, he barks a lot (w\c is unusual for him 'coz he' s so quiet at home) he jumps on me and is not following the "sit, stay & come" commands (stuff he knows already). I always end up having a short training time with him on the field 'coz of his behavior. But as soon as we are out of the training ground, he is back to his "well-behaved" attitude. I don't know what to do or what's wrong with him. Anybody, pls advice.

Abandoned Dogs Trained for the Hearing Impaired

Recommended Answer:
First, it's impossible for anyone to say for sure. That's because the appropriate tactics/approach depend upon WHY he's behaving this way. And there could be a couple of reasons why he's behaving this way:
--lack of focus
--fear/over-stimulation
--lots of drive
Depending upon which it is, the appropriate answer is different.

For lack of focus, check out the Deb Jones books and DVD's "In-focus." Do a lot of shadow handling and flatwork first. Expose him at a distance and work on focus/control. Don't do leadouts. Don't ask him to wait at the start line--walk on up and then GO!!!

For fear/over-stimulation, check out Leslie McDevitt's book "Control Unleashed." Do the Karen Overall relaxation protocol. Work on socializing with other dogs. I also wonder if the behavior is the same with the obedience class as it is with agility. Or if you train all 3 classes at the same location (and if not, if behavior is a bit different). The fear/over-stimulation issue, it could be a number of candidates that are pushing his button. And until you know which one, you don't know how to build up his tolerance for it so it no longer sets him off. I'd also video yourself--I found out that my nervous dog was losing it as a novice when my cues were late or confusing.

Lots of drive--don't use toys or tugging, rely on food (which tends to relax) during class. Don't try and run a full course--just run 2-3 obstacles, reward and end. Don't run him until he loses focus and control and zooms, run him and reward when he's still under control. Do use leadouts. Do cue early and clearly(a high drive dog can get frustrated and lose it when cues are late).

Second, I know you say some of the bad behavior happens as soon as you enter the school, before you even make a run. Well, he's associating whatever it is (the chance to do what he loves, exposure to what he fears, something that he loses focus on) with the school or on the grounds. Any chance of doing a private lesson on the grounds when no-one else is there? Take him there on lead and just practice heeling and focus?

Third, get the Susan Garrett DVD "Crate Games." Trying taking him to the grounds and just practice crating him, control and focus. Reward for good behavior in the crate, open it up but he has to stay, call him out and reward, send him back in, reward for good behavior.

Bird Dog Training - How Hunting Dogs Are Treated

• Work on his obedience while you are waiting your turn on the obstacles.
  
  He needs to learn that the commands apply there as well.


• Agility dogs do better when they have the basic obedience commands down pat before moving into serious agility work. It sounds as if your dog is associating the agility ring as playtime instead of work time. I recommend working more on the focus cue which is part of basic obedience training. Good luck. It will all come together with time and consistency. If you anticipate him misbehaving he can sense that tense energy and will misbehave.


• He's very excited - in agility you want them to be this way, though you also want them to obey commands! I would take some time during the week to bring him to the course and training fields and work with him. Like Spooky Basset said, he needs to learn that the commands are supposed to be okay even when at the training ground when he is excited.
  
  I would also try walking him once before the training - that may calm him just enough to get him to obey. My dog used to go nuts when going to her class and walks (plus more frequent visits) got her to calm down almost instantly. Maybe you could go early and work on commands before the class even starts?


• That is not at all uncommon and is something you WANT as it is good that he enjoys the training but YOU need to learn from the instructor how to direct this wonderful excitement and use it to get him to be a top agility dog! You need to learn how to direct his energy, not inhibit it!
  
  Think about this... in a competition situation he will be EXTREMELY excited -- if you train him while he is in this high excitement state, then in competition he will be marvelous. In schutzhund we actually work hard at getting a dog more and more excited so that the training is done and perfected while the dog is VERY excited (as it will be automatically in a trial situation) so that they know the commands and will follow them regardless of how excited they are. Same holds true in agility - as the dog competes he will automatically be extremely excited in a trial -- you will be way excited and this will pass to the dog so it is important that the dog learn to follow your cues while he is way excited.


• Hi there, i also have an aussie who LOVES agility but occasionally gets 'the zoomies' from the sheer excitement of it all. His previous agility trainer suggested the book Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt. The book has a definite 'agility' slant to it, and yet the information is useful even for those who don't do agility and want better behavioral skills from their offleash dog. Dogwise.com carries it. Another thing we would do, since it was practice not competition, was arrive early, and let my dog run around, sniff, and get comfortable being there before class, and that worked well.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog question help please :) about training?

is there any good websites for dog training?
and is there anyway i can make my dog stop barking ive tried choke collar and squeezing his noes i try not to be mean!

Dog Training Career - How to Become a Dog Trainer

Recommended Answer:
How can he learn if you don't show him what he should do INSTEAD of barking? When he's quiet, *always* reward him with petting, praise, treats and/or play. When he's barking, either ignore him or interrupt him. (Try to get him to obey a "sit" cue, for instance, or some other cue. Then you'll have his attention and can reward the heck out of him for obeying and being quiet.)

Do You Need Dog Training Tools When You Train Your Dog?

• Training a dog is all about repetition. When he barks if you stick to a simple solution for a little while they will get the hang of it. Below are some training websites:
  
  http://placervillevet.com/training_your_…
  
  http://www.iams.com/iams/pet-health/dogs…
  
  http://www.ehow.com/how_2311185_train-do…


• This site explains barking problems:
  http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pe…
  
  For training I would always suggest Positive Reinforcement:
  http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pe…
  
  This site is all about obedience training:
  http://www.dog-obedience-training-review…
  
  Good luck!


• At petsmart they gave me a pot lid and whenever my dog barks i just bang the lid on the ground and it makes a loud sharp noise and it makes my dog stop right away. probably cuz the loud noise scares the crap out of dogs but it shouldn't be harmful cuz petsmart recommended it


• Try here -- http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles…Don't use a choke collar or squeeze his nose -- neither of those things will teach him what you want.


• ignore him when he barks at you, praise him when he is quiet and calm

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Dog Health Questions: I really need some dog training advicee?

i got my dog at the crown point indiana shelter and we found a dog i want and we got her they said they found her runing lose some where she had to be someones dog at one time cause she was realy traind any way i came home one day from school and almost al my things where chewd how do i retrain her how not to chew cause she was a year old

Abused Dog Training - How to Train an Abused Dog

Recommended Answer:
You can give her lots of chew toys.
Or you can spray bitter apple on your things.

House-Training And Housebreaking a Dog - Training Guide

• Hi
  Dog out of control! been there and it is horrible when you have a dog that controls you. My dog used to bark all the time, would not do as he was told etc. It got to the point where he was skating on thin ice I decided to create a blog which is all about training puppies and dogs so that I could pass on the valuable resources that I found while searching the web. My site has links to the Dog Whisperer who was the answer to all my dogs bad behaviour problems.
  you should check this out, he is incredible. Now I have a well behaved, well balanced dog.


• The one thing I wanted to stop my dog doing was chewing! I'd get so annoyed when I go out and come back and something is destroyed. This drove me bananas.
  
  Anyway, I jumped at the chance to try the Professional Dog Training Guide out. I really didn't know what to expect, but I loved the authors other books, so I knew this would be good as well.
  
  Now I can't believe it. it is like we have a different dog. No more chewing.....


• Dear my friend, I would like to introduce you to the fully dog training course that can help you train your dog and keep it healthy. Please go and see it for yourself and you will not regret that you did.


• train just like a puppy
  crate when you can't supervise

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Dog Health Questions: What is BH and IPOI dog training?

Hi everyone, I am getting ready to get a new dog who's owner says he is bh and ipo1 trained. What does that mean? Help :)

Finding the Best Dog Training Supplies

Recommended Answer:

The most internationally well-known and popular dog sport for working and service breeds is Schutzhund, which was originally developed in Germany more than a hundred years ago. In the beginning, Schutzhund was designed as an examination to evaluate the German Shepherd Dog's temperament, trainability, and physical soundness for breeding purposes.

In German, the word "Schutz" means protect, and "Hund" means dog. Schutzhund is a very exciting and competitive sport.

The purpose of Schutzhund is to identify dogs that have or do not have the character traits such as:

Strong desire to work
Courage
Intelligence
Trainability
Strong bond to the handler
Perseverance
Protective Instinct

Schutzhund training tests these traits. It also tests physical traits such as strength, endurance, agility, and scenting ability.

Dogs must pass a temperament test called a B or BH (Begleithundprüfung, which translates as "traffic-sure companion dog test"). The B tests basic obedience and sureness around strange people, strange dogs, traffic, and loud noises. A dog that exhibits excessive fear, distractibility, or aggression cannot pass the B and so cannot go on to schutzhund.

In some countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands, Schutzhund is also called IPO or GHP, but they are basically the same program governed by different organizations.

Do's and Dont's of Dog Training

• I dont think you should be getting this dog - IPO is Schutzhund (protection sport) which is bitework, obedience and tracking. These dogs can be hard drive and need to work all the time especially if he has started already. Just to warn you this dog has been trained in bitework before and passed level 1 of 3.
  BH is the first step in IPO and is a temperament/obedience test.
  Also to let you know just because he has IPO1 does not mean he will make a good guard dog if that is what you want him for. Some IPO dogs can go one and become properly trained guard dogs but most cannot cope with the pressure.


• The BH is the first title in Schutzhund training, Begleithunde. It is loosely translated to traffic sure dog. An IPO is the same as a Sch title but given by a international working dog club, FCI. I have trained several dog in Personal Protection/Schutzhund and titled one to his BH. They were all very stable sound dogs of impeccable temperament but not all are. Instead of the footstep tracking Schutzhund requires I do more Search and Rescue type so did not compete for a Sch 1. It can be a great foundation on a sound dog with an intelliegent owner for more dog sports. Mine were also shown in AKC shows.


• It means the dog has sports training in him, that is it. In no way does this translate to real life protection or anything remotely close!
  Good luck!
  
  ADD: Whatever you do, don't listen to the guy below me, he has no idea what he is talking about. IPO is a sport, a game, I mentioned that in my post, not real life protection.
  If you have no idea what your dog will perceive as a threat, you have some real problems.


• LEASHEDFORLIFE.....BH is a BARK & HOLD???? What kinda crack are you smokin'????
  
  Loosely put into "layman's" terms, he's a companion dog that has demonstrated courage, obedience & tracking at a minimal level.
  
  IPO is basically schutzhund using international police rules.


• ffg


• BH is Bark + Hold -
  
  here's a vid-clip of IPO testing from Germany -
  http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-mwiMYTe…
  
  if U don't know what these rankings mean,
  Do NOT get this dog!
  
  a Schutzhund-trained dog in the care of a pet-owner who knows nothing about the training is a very, very bad idea.
  these dogs have been taught to do a full-force, full-mouth BITE -
  on cue, or on 'threat' - and what the DOG thinks is threatening, we cannot know.
  
  someone could be badly hurt - and Ur liability would be total.
  injuries, medical care, lost time + wages, emotional damage, etc.
  U could be sued, and be beankrupt by ONE bite.

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Dog Health Questions: Does anyone have any tips on dog training.?

I have recently bought a 10 month old Labrador cross Golden Retriever pup and likes to jump on everyone. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on getting her to stop it.

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

Recommended Answer:
Never knee a dog who jumps up, or grab their paws - some dogs simply don't get it, some think you are playing, some get angry, and either you or the dog could get hurt.

Turning away and folding your arms should work to a certain extent, if you do it consistently, calmly, and silently. You may need to leave the room altogether for a few seconds (if you've just come home, you may even need to go outside), then come back to give the dog another chance, repeatedly.

However, all of this is still reacting after-the-fact, which is always weaker than giving the dog something else to do. The dog has gotten a chance to practice the behavior, and get whatever pleasure it gives her, which reinforces the behavior, sometimes despite whatever you do.

She may also be begging for some consideration -- jumping up can be an appeasement behavior.

What works better is to give the dog some alternative behaviors, that you can ask her to do. The best "recipe" seems to be things that are contradictory to the unwanted behavior (like sitting instead of jumping), and/or that satisfy something the dog may be getting from the unwanted behavior (desire to touch you, interact with you)

1. If possible, manage the behavior, for now, by having your dog in an area of the house that is blocked off by a baby gate, so you can control her access to you.

As you approach where she is, ifs she jumps up on the gate or does anything else you don't like, silently turn around and start to leave again. Wait a few seconds, then give her another chance. Do some greeting over the gate, if possible, to give her some time to calm down a bit.

2. Spend time, several times a day, teaching alternative behaviors you *do* want to see. Both calm, "good dog" behaviors and cute tricks have value. Your dog should have a repertoire of behaviors you like, that she will do on cue. So, sit, down, stay, give paw, etc. are all good.

Nose targeting your palm -- touching it gently with her nose -- can be really useful; you can ask her for it, and hold your hand so she has to have "four on the floor" to do it.

Train these behaviors using a kind, reward-based method, at calm times when the dog is receptive and you don't really need them.

3. Practice the desired behaviors in lots of settings, still with very little temptation or distraction. Gradually build up the level of distractions.

4. Turn some of these behaviors into a greeting ritual. Sit, stay and/or nose targeting are useful -- maybe give paw, so she gets a chance to touch you with a paw, but on cue and in a controlled manner. You may even have jumping up on cue, but she has to wait to be asked!

Practice by putting her behind the gated area, going out and coming back in, over and over, asking for the desired behaviors as you approach and/or go through the gate. Work on this with all family members, and someone playing the part of a guest, as well.

Dog Training Books - Choosing the Best Dog Training Book

• When she jumps up on you up your knee up and it will get her in the chest and then tell her NO JUMPING Then tell her to sit and when she does , give her praise.


• When she jumps up on you, grab her paws/wrists in your hands gently but firmly. They don't like this much, so she will try to go back down. As soon as she pulls to go back down let her and say "off". When her front feet hit the ground click/praise/treat.


• To stop jumping - you and your family and guests will need to be consistent.
  
  As they come in, have them ignore her until she is calm. Put her in a sit / stay and if she's polite, then they can greet her. If she starts to jump, the person she's jumping on should say "no, no" and turn their back. When she backs down, tell her "good girl".


• Well, you should be signed up with a basic obedience class. For this specific behavior you can walk into her when she jumps as you ignore her. If you step back you've given her space, which makes her more powerful. If you reprimand her she gets attention and she may be so wanting that even negative attention is better than nothing. But, by looking past her, bumping her back (with your moving body) as she jumps up, and giving her no attention, she won't get anything to reinforce the behavior. Then walk back near her (she'll probably be sitting there with a confused expression) and if she does not immediately jump up then softly praise her for doing the right thing. It may take a few passes and bumps but she should come around.


• Just tell him/her to stop jumping or else you are going to not give it doggy biscuits?!?


• When she jumps up ay NO in a stern voice and turn your back to her. Do NOT knee her in the chest-you could cause her injury.
  Practice the sit command with treats and petting. She will soon get the idea that sitting gets her something, while jumping up does not.

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Dog Health Questions: Starting a dog training buisness?

if you needed your dog trained would you rather go to class or have someone come to your house. any input would be great. thank you

Dog Training Techniques - The Fundamentals

Recommended Answer:
Maybe the trainer is the one going to my house to teach my dog. Here's a site maybe you can give you an idea.

http://www.servicedfw.com/kb/?cmd=4&id=63

This site is under:https://www.servicedfw.com

The Significance of Dog Training Videos

• well going to someones house is cheaper cuz of gas but the car person pays for the car gas its a lose lose situation well make a class place so the owners dont feel unconferble with some stranger in the house.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog Training on a Cocker Spaniel Mix?

I have a Cocker Spaniel and a Daschund Mix together. Its about 4 years in human years... and he is a good dog. But I need help teaching him how to sit calmy, sit, lay down and etc... And every time I walk him, he is always racing... he will not walk.. he will pull and tug the leash..

I need help on training my dog onto being a good family dog, We got new infants in the apartment and Im not sure if hes going to scare the infants and bite them. I want espically him to learn how to Sit calmy and not run around the house. I tried like feeding him treats which bought from Pets Mart and i give him a treat when he does the correct thing I do...

Will appreciate if my question gets answered.

Dog Training - A Fun Activity

Recommended Answer:
i use to work at a petsmart and i work at a county shelter so i know all about dogs pullin and tuggin. your hearts in the right place with the treats... BUT sometimes people dont know when is the best time to give them and what not. try lessons @ a petsmart they do training w treats and their usuallllly pretty good. plus..... its a cocker! bit crazy breed and daschund are too. they just happy to be around people and running around. So GOOD LUCK!

Clicker Dog Training is Extremely Reliable and Can Be Done by Anyone

• If you can, enroll him into a training class at PetSmart or another pet store.
  If he pulls a lot while walking, the Gentle Leader or Halti are great devices. They work like a halter on a horse, they lead your dog by the nose instead of by the neck. That way, correction is easier and the pull is not so hard on you or the dog. Talk to someone at the pet store about fitting him for one. You need to exercise him if you want him to be calm. It sounds like he has too much energy. If you can't walk him for at least one hour every day, find someone who can, you may have to pay a small fee, but its worth the cost to have a calm dog.
  Ask the trainer at the pet store to show you how to teach some of the commands at home, using the lure method. It sounds like you are trying to work with him, just keep it up. If you have infants and are scared to have the pup around them, then keep them apart until you know he will follow your commands.

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Dog Health Questions: How can i start a little business..with dog training..without going through the government paper things?

I need to make some money..and i'm good at training dogs..so i want to train dogs for money right now [i'm 14 by the way] but i don't want to go through all the government papers..I want to just train doggies for now..you know? [how can i get noticed for doing this around the small town?]

Dog Training Goals

Recommended Answer:
brit,
first of all you are too young to legally handle some dogs, second you need insurance. You might be very good at training some dogs, but to be honest, most people will not hire you. Why not wait a year or two and get a job at petsmart or somewhere they have on site "dog training " classes where they have the insurance and facilites, then when you get good and you have referrals, you can start you own legal business and you will be old enough that your parents won't be liable in case something happens. Good luck, don't give up your dream, educate yourself and volunteer at shelters for experience, then you will be more likely to get hired either as a cashier first or maybe straight into training...

The Basic Commands of Dog Training

• well, it's more or less illegal to do it without the paperwork, sorry, but maybe you can start up a small thing just around your neighborhood with folks who know you. the thing is, if you get paid for something, you are supposed to report it. not everyone does. it's easier between friends to let it slide, if you're going to do it that way.


• Well, if you're looking to do this 'under the table', so to speak (that is, without claiming taxes on it), you can only really put up signs around the neighbourhood, and advertise in local newspapers and magazines. Unfortunately, I'll tell you right now that there aren't many people who will trust a 14 year old with training their dog, unless you can prove your results are positive. Otherwise, looks like you'll be flipping burgers or pumping gas for spare change!

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Dog Health Questions: Where do you buy your Dog training equipment?

I usually buy my stuff from leerburg.com. They have really good quality stuff but its a little expensive. Im looking for tugs, toys,balls, leashes and lines, training collars, etc.

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

Recommended Answer:
I buy my training equipment here (Collars, leashes, dumbells, scent articles)

http://www.jjdog.com/For cheap toys you can try

http://www.petedge.com

I buy my grooming tables, brushes and show supplies from them. I have been very happy with all their products.

Some Tips To Help You Through All Types Of Dog Training

• The best tugs, google "crash test toys" they will even custom make what you want and I have personally purchased hundreds of dollars of tugs from them.

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Dog Health Questions: How do I get into dog training as a profession?

I only got my first two dogs 6 months ago and have really enjoyed transforming them into generally good citizens and am even interested in perhaps making it a career. How do I go about becoming a professional dog trainer? And maybe even walking dogs?

Dog Training Problems - How to Eliminate Them and Get Good Results Training Your Dog

Recommended Answer:
The best way is to find a mentor. Take many classes not just in training theory but in husbandry also. Train many types of dogs with many types of personalities. Volunteer at a shelter and offer to train their dogs in house hold manners. Finally, part of training dogs is training people. After all these dogs have owners (hopefully) so will will need to learn to deal with human personalities as well Believe me that part can be hard.

Dog Training - Three Stages of Dog Training

• There are several courses you can do to become a trainer. Just be wary that there are already many out there in the world! To walk dogs, however, all you need to do is advertise on the streets (like flyer's and things) to say that you are a keen dog walker, and will walk dogs for a minimum charge of $20 (depending on the size of the dog)


• Becoming a professional trainer (are you wanting to train for show or just good behavior or discing? more info on that please for a better answer) takes time. There are alot of places on the internet that are online only, etc. I researched two college's and chose the one that let me do all of my book work, (learning breeds and natural traits, muscuoskeletal system, how their bodies work, when to start training for certain things because in the first year you don't want to do too much physical so they don't tear or strain a muscle that hasn't completely formed yet and can cause problems later on down the line. Research, research and then some more, while working with your dogs. Experience is the best teacher. After my book work I had months of training in a shelter with rescuing and rehabilitating them so they could be adopted out, and then my last semester was with a mentor in my area and that is when I took my dog and she graduated with me as a Certified Therapy Dog. The whole experience has been wonderful for me. But I would work with your own two and a lot of question asking. I hope you find a place you like. Kudo's to you!


• You can apply at petsmart. They might train you.


• Get experience! Find PROFFESIONAL, EXPERIENCED trainers in your area and ask for advice/shadowing opportunities. Dont go to your run of the mill petsmart trainer, that wont get you anywhere.
  
  I too am looking for a career in dog behavior, training, and nutrition. It all started when I got my shepherds. In the last couple of months, I have done private training through an experienced trainer who has 30+ years experience with shepherds and in rehab and schutzhund. Needless to say, I have learned a lot from him.
  
  I am currently going to school to get my associates degree as a vet tech. A vet tech degree can open MANY doors for you, as few degrees are actually companion animal specific, and few companion animal jobs require specific degrees. After I graduate, I plan on going on to get my bachelors degree in animal behavior. I would love to spend a few years doing field research on wolves. I believe their behavior and habits are a lot closer to dogs then most realize.
  
  Along the way, of course, I am looking for any job oppurtunities I can in the dog field. My trainer, for example, offers boarding as well, and he has hired all of his kennel techs as graduates from my school. Working under extremely experienced and knowledgable trainers is the fasted way to get your foot in the door. From there, do internships or paid assistant training jobs. Then work on doing full time trainer jobs.
  
  That is how I am looking at it. I'm sure there are many other ways. The key is experience and knowledge on dogs.EDIT: Just a clarification though, if you ever do become a trainer, be careful what you call yourself. You can not call yourself a behaviorist, for example, unless you actually have a degree in animal behavior. After I graduate my current school, I can be a trainer. After I get my bachelors degree in animal behavior, then I can call myself a behaviorist (and bring in the big bucks, lol)

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