Showing posts with label hands off dog training formula. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hands off dog training formula. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Help with my puppy training please?

years ago i had a dog from a puppy i took him to dog training etc , however he always managed to pull on the lead and will never walk beside us
he past away 2 years ago

we now have a gorgeous new puppy can you give me some advice on how to train her so she doesnt pull on the lead and so we can take her lead off without worrying of her running away
she will be with us on th 14th of august as she is still to young to be seperated from her mummy
she will be 9 weeks old then
so at what age is it best to start her training and how can i proceed thank you
need a serious answer

NO BAD COMMENTS OR YOU WILL BE REPORTED

Dog Training Clubs - A Great Way to Help Train and Socialize Your Dog



Recommended Answer:
yes...as others have said...training starts from day 1.
never allow a leash pull, get puppy used to wearing a harness or muzzle if required, the earlier you start, the more tolerant they will be when older.
i get my tips at http://pitbull-secrets.com

Dog Training Tips - Dog Distraction Training


  • Don't ever allow the puppy to pull on the lead ever. On the recall do not allow her a choice not to come. Start your training right away. Get her into an excellent puppy training (not socialization) class right away. Find an instructor that does competition training. They seem to be the best at training with motivational techniques and preventing bad habits. Who knows you might pick up a new hobby.

  • You can always start training on day one! It's never to early, the earlier the better because the dog may get some bad habits. And to get him to walk nicely is whenever he pulls, stop for a few seconds then start again, if he pulls again stop, and keep on doing that, because when your walking your dog it's a reward right? They enjoy going for walks, and if you keep on stopping then it's not much of a reward! Hope this helps!(:

    Take this quiz and see if you really know how to train a puppy : http://training.petsmart.com/quizzes_pet…

  • These work great! Its called a gentle lead. They prevent the dog from pulling, and trains them to walk next to you. I see a lot of clients use them.

    http://www.petedge.com/product/Training-…

    AND

    zhttp://www.petedge.com/product/Training-…

  • ..so if you dont like my comment, you'll report me? W.O.W O_ohttp://www.berkspets.com/article.aspx?id…

    here's a link for your peoblem

  • They are never to young to start learning.
    We walk our dog on a "Canny Collar" (basically a headcollar for dogs) which allows us to control his head. There are similar things which have an added harness.
    The stop/start on walks is great and you can always add in sit commands. Be sure to praise your dog when she walks to heel.
    You can hold a treat to your side to encourage her to stay close although my dogs tend to get too distracted by the food and don't walk nicely.
    As for the running away when off lead - train her to come back. When you are out on walks can you have her on an extendable lead? If so, use this to allow her "freedom" and then call her back. If she doesn't come back you still have control with the lead. Praise her when she does come back and keep at it regularly through your walks.
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Friday, September 28, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog Training Please Help!! :(?

I have two puppies and they are difficult to say the least. They are both about 2 1/2 or 3, and they have forgotten all of their obedience training. Basic things like Sit and Stay and the like. I'm going to try to re-train them and I wanted to know are they too old? Any training tips? And lately the dachshund has had a problem with biting? How do I work with that? She has been biting a lot and refusing to be collared or leashed or touched. Please Help! And no rude answers!

Need Help With Dog Training? Help is at Hand



Recommended Answer:
I know firsthand having dogs that will not obey is very upsetting. But there is hope! It will take lots of time and attention. I would suggest training each dog separately. With our three dogs, it's very difficult to try and train when they are all together. Many training videos and helpful tips are available on a site called Basic Dog Training. The address is http://www.basicdogtraining.info.

Hopefully you will start seeing good results soon and have more peace!

Regards,

Dog Training Tip - Leash-Collar Training


  • No dog is too old for training. It might just take some dogs a little longer.

    The best thing you can do is train them separately. It can get a little hectic trying to train them at the same time. Just make sure to be consistent and use positive reinforcement.

    As far as the biting from the Dachshund, be very careful. Do NOT try to grab her muzzle and use force to try and stop it; that will only cause your dog to fear you and you'll probably get bit and make the situation worse.
    Is there a particular thing that sets her off to bite? Best to try and figure out the reason before trying to fix the problem. You probably want to consult with a reputable trainer or behaviorist.

  • They are not too old. They will catch on quicker now than when they were pups.
    Google positive reinforcement training
    Use praise and rewards. No hitting.
    Teach the one who will not be collared or leashed a 100% reliable sit/stay and down/stay in various locations. Place the dog in a sit/stay or down/stay before attempting to collar or leash.
    Praise and reward when the dog is still and obedient.
    Enroll in an obedience class.
    Hire a private trainer to work with the biting problem.

  • Usually dog needs to be well trained and socialized to cultivate good habits in it. A dog can go through obedience training and not be obedient. If a dog is referred to as being obedience trained it should comply immediately with every command its handler gives. There are so many dog training clubs that are usually very sociable and get great enjoyment in training their pets.

  • I have to agree with Khayos, although at different points in puppies' lives, they will completely forget their training and you just have to retrain them.
    Puppies need to know much more than sit and stay. I would take professional classes and do some researching.
    On the dachshund, she might need some animal behaviorist work. Dachies can be very nippy.

  • they are def not too old. i taught my 14 year old dog to sit stay and lay down one day. like when you're teaching them to lay down sit on the ground and prop one leg up make them lay under it to get a treat. but i learned how to train mine from it's me or the dog on animal planet. haha kinda pathetic i know but it helped ALOT.

  • Get a professional trainer, take them to OB classes.

    You sound like you're in over your head. Dachshund are snarky dogs as well.

  • Are these puppies that are 2-1/2 to 3 months old, or adult dogs that are 2-1/2 to 3 years old?

    They aren't too old. If they are years old, enroll them in obedience school; you'll learn how to handle them and the dogs will bond with you more tightly.

    re biting:

    When she bites, take hold of her skull in both hands, holding her muzzle shut. Look down into her eyes and growl at her, in as low and forceful a voice as you can manage, "NO! NO TEETH!" Then push her away and turn your back on her. Refuse to acknowledge her for at least three minutes unless she jumps on you: if she jumps and puts her paws on you, turn around fast with both arms swung wide and high over your head, to make you look HUGE, and snap, "NO! BAD DOG." Then turn away again and continue to ignore her. When she comes up to you with her ears flattened and her tailtip wagging, then tell her she's wonderful and resume what you were doing before she started biting.

    Repeat as necessary. Make sure everyone in your household does this.

  • No they aren't to old to learn, no dog ever is.

    For doxie that's started biting, a vet check is order. She could have something going causing her pain.

    I'll give you this example. Man and his border collie went running every day, they both loved it. Eventually the collie started growling, biting and snapping at the guy every time he went to put the collar and leash on for run. Took the dog in for a vet check, turns out she had severe hip dysplasia and the running had become to painful for her. Putting the collar and leash on was the cue that she was going a very painful run, so she protested.

    That owner has now found other means of exercising his dog, she no longer bites when the collar and leash come out, and while he misses his running partner a bit, both parties a very happy again.

  • Firstly, if your dogs are together it's best to separate
    them, especially if your dachshund is biting your
    other dog.
    Dogs are never too old to learn anything. One reason
    for why they are hard to train could be because when
    they were younger they were never fully trained, and
    the training tactics used weren't used consistently.
    To try a dog you have to be consistent and VERY
    patient. It is best to train dogs while they are puppies
    because when they get older they (should) behave
    well around other dogs.
    Right now I am training my
    puppy to play nicely with the older dogs while he is
    a puppy because his antagonizing the other dogs does
    not annoy them as much as it would if he were a full
    grown dog trying to dominate the others. However,
    since your dogs are older it is best to train them
    separately.
    Your dog HAS to be leashed. Does she bite at you when you
    try to leash her? If you can't touch her w/o getting nipped at
    then you cannot keep her - this is dangerous. If she just skirms
    and runs away, be forceful, because training goes over well
    when you use a choke-chain and leash. You can use them to help
    train them to sit and stay and reward them with treats and praise
    when they behave well, but she has to be leashed, especially since
    most cities have leash laws.
    If your dog is biting you, pop her nose with a rolled newspaper
    or firmly squeeze his muzzle, and say "NO!" (don't use your
    hand because when you go to pet them they might think you're
    about to discipline them). If your dog lashes back at you with
    more force, go to your vet with the problem - you shouldn't keep
    a dog that is exhibiting this type of activity, because it could
    get worse. Honestly, older dogs CAN get "set in their ways". If your
    dogs have never been leashed or are not used to being touched
    and they threaten you with their teeth, then it is not best to try to
    train them.

  • Kudos to you for re-training them.

    For sit, take a very small treat (no bigger then a pea) and put it in your hand. hold it in front of their nose and slowly move your hand backwards and a little bit upwards. they should sit. Say sit, then give them the treat and say good boy/girl. Do this until they can sit without the hand signal. For stay, get them to sit. Then say stay and start walking backwards. Expect them to get up. When they do, go back to start and repeat the process. After you have walked back three steps say okay and give them a treat. (saying okay means they can move to come and get the treat.) Then praise them. For lie down, put your hand on the floor with the treat in your hand. Wait 'til they lie down. It's a lot like sit.

    For training tips: they say what makes people disappointed/angry is too-high expectations. So expect your dogs not to do it right until they actually do it right, if you know what I mean.

    As for the biting and such, I don't know how to correct it (because I've never had a problem with it) but I know it needs to be corrected asap. I also think I know why it's happening. Your dog feels threatened by something, and she's now trying to protect herself at all costs. Do you like to snuggle her? I know it sounds mean, but if you keep her close to you at all times she may feel like you're a dead goose hanging over her neck for lack of better words. If it continues, it could be a serious problem. We don't want to have Cesar or Victoria step in now would we. (;

    Good luck!
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Thursday, September 20, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog Section: I need help on ADULT dog socialization?

Okay,

So my dogs aren't that socialized around other dogs and in certain situations, and I'm trying to help fix it. I went to the library today and checked out lots of books on dog training and socialization. However, almost all of the books are just ranting on about "You need to socialize when your dog is a puppy" (which I already know) and they don't really explain HOW to do anything!

Here are the problems I need help fixing:

For Lily:
-Barks/Growls at other dogs, may occaisionally snap out of fear, which then becomes aggression.
-Is freaked by people wearing hats or large, dark cothing
-Startled in noisy situations

For Sophie:
-Barks/Growls at other dogs (when they are far away), becomes EXTREMELY nervous when they come near, and tries to run away and escape from them. Also, she once peed when a dog came up to her. (Sophie never shows any sign of aggression and has never once snapped at or nipped another dog)
-Scared in noisy situations, such as along a busy street (I live right next to a loud, busy street)

Are there any books that you thought were very helpful that you could reccomend for me to read? Or, do you have any sort of things I could do to fix these problems?

I can not get a professional trainer to come help because we are quite tight on money and it seems like all trainers are $1000 to come help!

Any suggestions/advice?

If you need anything else, ask.

Thank you!

Dog Training Career: Doing It and Loving It



Recommended Answer:
WOW you have your work cut out to you, and you are going to have major patience but it is fixable.
First I would work very hard on lead with sit, stay, heel etc. Use treats and lots of positive reinforcements just use your yard without any distractions. I always recommend a basic choke collar fit high on the neck right behind the ears for easy control and easy, safe corrections. A quick snap and release is all you need and the sound it makes kind of brings them back around.

You need both dogs to totally be fixed on you. The more they focus on your the less they will be distracted by the things that really bother them.

Once you have mastered this then slowly start adding some distractions. It would be great to enlist your friends with dogs that are reasonably calm. Keep them focused with treats and at the moment they start to break say a command like "ignore" use a quick sanp and release of the collar and treat as soon as they go back to looking at you.
This should help with both of their dog issues. Just remember the more they are fixed on you (and the treats) the less they think about the bad stuff.
The easiest was to help with the man issues is to have very calm male friends, come in your house, quietly sit down on the floor with a treat and let the dog come to them. Slowly you can add the hat.
Eventually you will be able to ween them of of the treats and just use the positive reinforcement.
It is hard to remember everything to type but maybe ai have helped a little:))

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/Do…

Dog Training: It's Not Just For Adults Anymore


  • if you want your dogs to start socializing start having them go for walks togather with other dogs this makes them feel like the other dog or dogs there walking with are part of there pack and they want be agressive towards them, if your dog is afraid to be neir another dog just have it walking close to it such as across the street every time you walk it have the dog get closer and closer soon it will get used to that dog being their, if your dog is afraid of hats you could try just setting a hat out on the floor and let it become comfortable with it.

  • Here are a few people I know that may help you with the books they have written:
    Patricia McConnell
    Brenda Aloff
    Suzanne Clothier
    William E Campbell

    And lots of treats. Dogs must smell it to believe it, just like humans must see it to believe it.

    I would go with cautious canine by patricia mcconnell based on what you wrote.

  • Perhaps this site will help you out:

    http://www.dogstardaily.com-train-aft has a FREE book you can download and read. Also at the top of the page they have a drop down on training and behavior. I'd suggested looking at the 'fear' and 'aggression' sections.

  • Lily's problem with black coats/hats is the easiest, either have a loan of one or get a second hand coat, and get a few different hats. Then you start to wear them around the house. When she is no longer bothered by you wearing it, then get guests to wear it at your house until she is happy with that. This is called desensitization, teaching her that there is nothing to fear.

    One problem you have is that much of your training will have to be done separately to begin with, so you will have to walk them separately. The below is also a desensitization program.
    Perpendicular Pooch Technique
    Your dog needs to learn a sequence of commands you expect it to follow, this starts at home.
    You must teach your dog to 'leave' a food treat (you can just drop it on the floor) & 'come' to you and to 'sit' still for 5 seconds, then make a fuss & allow the dog the treat. Repeat until your dog is perfect.
    1. Use a Halti or Gentle Leader, take your dog to a local park where there is a popular walking path.
    2.Choose a location where other dogs are unlikely to approach, approx 25 yards at right-angles from the walking path.
    3. Take your dog through the routine you taught it at home to make sure it is responding.
    4. As soon as a dog appears, tell your dog to 'leave' and turn and walk away from the path for five paces. Then tell your dog to sit. There are only two outcomes - the dog responds and sits - or it doesn't.
    If your dog responds then praise it liberally with pats, hugs and food and return to your starting point to repeat the process with the next dog.
    If it does not respond, issue another 'leave' command and continue to walk away from the walking path. Finish with a sit but this time tap your dog on its rump to ensure it gets the message. If your dog still does not respond, then you are too close to the path, leave the park and return another day and start at a greater distance.
    5. After a few days, if your dog always obeys then move to 20 yards.
    6. Continue until you are able to win the confrontations while walking along the path and are approaching other dogs head-to-head rather than at right angles.

    As soon as you have taught Lily leave, I would do obedience class with Lily. As she has more issues she would probably benefit from obedience classes, the trainer can give you advice when she sees the body language and your dog will learn to accept other dogs near her. The more a dog obeys you quickly, the more control you have over the dog. The main problem is neither of your dogs obeys you, and neither seem to trust you to protect them.

    Sophie would probably benefit from having a young pup over at your house for a very closely supervised visit. As she is so apprehensive of other dogs she should feel safe with a young pup (so long as she shows no aggression). she will feel safer at your house to start with. Also, on weekends take a book to a park and sit in a quiet corner and just read your book for a couple of hours, have sophie lay next to you, she can watch what is happening without being confronted. Remember dogs pick up cues from owners, so it is really important that you remain calm, if she shows any fear, tell her off, No, don't be silly. don't comfort her, if an owner comforts her dog then this confirms that there is something to fear. Ignore her fear as much as possible, just tell her off. when she sits quietly give her a treat, start when the dogs aren't around, the treat when they are approaching and going past. I would also spend time in your front yard so she gets more experience with noisy cars. You have lots of work ahead of you, especially with 2 dogs.

  • Have you tried Bark Busters?

    I have used them and they only cost me 400 for both of my dogs! Plus its a lifetime agreement that if you need them they will come back!

    Before I used them my dogs were very noisy in the house and outside. Now after training them with Bark busters They are not noisy in the house and not nosy outside or when your on the phone!

    You should also train them separate not toether because its too distracting!

  • I'm with Koter Boter. Barkbusters is a great professional trainer. I can give them a reference also.

    With all the problems you are having I think it is going to be overwhelming for you do to this on your own.

    The money will be well spent considering the stress you are going to put yourself through!
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Saturday, September 1, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog Training?

My fiance and I got a shih tzu. We got him when he was about 2 years old. He is house trained PERFECTLY! He hasn't had an accident in the house at all. However, he doesn't EVER come when he is called. Its like he is oblivious. Today, when someone was leaving, they were standing with the front door open and he ran out. It took us like 20 minutes to get him back because he just doesn't listen. Now to my question. Do any of you know how to train a dog that is already this old on how to come when he is called? We love him and want him to be safe and it is so dangerous when he runs out like that. Our yard doesn't have a fence so we leash walk him, but he gets out sometimes. How do you fix that?

The 5 Best Dog Training Tips For You and Your Dog



Recommended Answer:
Hey there. Yes - this is not only a frustrating problem (as you've discovered!) but also a scary one. Some time, your little one is going to want to venture out farther away and still not come back. Yikes.
Leslie Nelson has a great DVD and booklet out called "Really Reliable Recall" that you should get. It will help you to teach your dog that coming to you is the best thing in the world. Be sure that he absolutely cannot get out! Whatever way it is that he's accomplishing this, you need to stop it. It'd be awful to lose your little guy!
Good luck!

Would Purchasing a Dog Book Or Dog Training Book Be Useful?


  • Just call his ane constantly. Say "Name!" over and over. When he responds, give a treat. If he comes to you, give a treat, pet him, and praise him lavishly saying "Good come! Good come!" soon he will run up to you all the time becausehe knows that will get him a treat!

  • train him on a "long line" let him wander ,, then fire of the word "come" and give short quick pops on the line and reel him in and give a nice treat and lots of praise,,, repeat... you can also start in the house... when you see him running towards you ( or walking for that matter) label the action he is doing by saying "come" and give yummy treat.... when you are training a dog to come to the "come" command.. you must always always have treats on you...... have fun..your breed is not known for its trainability but i am sure it can be done.

  • Hopefully he's been neutered. It's pretty hard to train. I have Bloodhounds and the nose goes down and the ears shut off. If he's a door bolter, you'll need a kiddie gate. How about an X pen? Luckily you caught him. Mine can go over a mile in under five minutes with me in hot pursuit on a mt. bike. Mine can't be off leash ever, except in a fenced yard. Is there anyway you could fence in a small area?

  • While most of the advice given here is good and treats will work on some occasions, there are other occasions that treat will NOT work. There is always something out there more interesting then a treat to a dog. for that reason I am a BIG believer in corrections and proofing. The dog MUST know what will happen if he should fail to listen THE FIRST TIME. That is accomplished by physical corrections, not treats.
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Sunday, July 22, 2012

Dog Health Questions: What are the important things a dog trainer can teach their students?

I will be instructor for a Petco dog training class soon. I want my students to be informed about their dog's behavior, but only have an hour a week to do the informing. In your opinion, what are the most important things a person can learn from a dog training class?

For example, a big one for me is bite control. I find that many of the dogs we get at the shelter I volunteer for are put down for nipping (a bite that breaks the skin, if unprovoked, will result in the dog being euthanized).

Any other things I should touch upon in class?

Therapy Dog Training, Helping the Infirm



Recommended Answer:
I have a few things.

First, make it very clear to them that training does not start when they come to your class, and end when they leave it. Too many people think that a trainer will train their dog and no work is required on their part... make it clear that you are training THEM to train their dogs, not training their dogs for them.

I think "leave it" is an incredibly important command for a dog to learn... a command that can possibly be the difference between life and death for them.

CONSISTENCY is key.... owners MUST be consistent in training their dogs, or else the dogs cannot be blamed for being unruly or behaving in a way the owner doesn't like.

Discourage using puppy pads... they might be more convenient for the owner while their dog is a puppy, but it encourages going in the house and it is a very tough habit to break.

I will add more if I think of it.

Good Luck!

ADDED: Touching on another poster's comment -- Exercise is key. A dog not having enough exercise can be the cause of a lot of behavioral problems... a lack of exercise is also commonly diagnosed as a dog with separation anxiety. A tired dog is a good dog!!!

Dog House Training - Complete Dog Training Tips and Tricks For Training Your Dog in Your Home


  • how to read their dogs postures,,,, play bowing, aggression, etc. etc.

  • Exercise, discipline then affection. Seriously, if your not watching or reading Caesar Milan you are missing out on how to train your dog 101. He touches on all of the things you mentioned and the key is the walk and the discipline.

  • Teach the owners to do things with their dogs like look in their ears, mouth, play with their feet, etc. (Things they will have done at the vet office - this will make their yearly trips to the vet easier on the dog and the staff!) I don't know how often we hear at the office here - "He's a really good dog until we try to do something with him"!

  • Chewing
    House Training
    Seperation Anxiety
    Walking on Leash
    Heel
    Sit
    Come
    Stay
    The importance of proper socialization

  • Biggest thing:

    There is no one true way to train a dog. Just as all people are different and learn in different ways, so to are dogs different with different ways of learning.

    My personal favorite:

    A hungry dog is a dog who is looking for a way to earn some food.

  • The biggest thing I teach in my classes is just being the leader - the alpha, and not letting the dog get what they want. Bite control can be a part of this, but so is crying, barking, pawing, or nudging the person - anything to gain their control.

    We also talk about the positive effects of daily walks, getting the dog in the real world and not confined to their back yard, and proper socialization, even of older dogs.

    In our puppy class we cover common issues such as chewing and housebreaking, and will also touch on these in our basic obedience class if asked.

    While I don't believe in treat training, we stress continuously the use of praise, both verbal and physical (hand petting, etc.) and how the dog needs to know when you are happy with them.

    Obviously these are not covered all in one night. We teach a basic obedience exercise, and talk in between working with the dogs. We'll work for 10-15 minutes, then teach the lesson, then work another 10-15 minutes, then talk for 5 or so minutes to give the people a break. I also make it a point to ask the students if they have any questions or topics they'd like to hear about.

  • Is bite control something that will be relevant to the class you'll be running? Obviously it's an important issue, but most people who go to a family obedience class at Petco or Petsmart are just seeking the basics and many are novice dog owners. Novices would have a hard time dealing with an aggressive dog no matter what- unless they had a trainer help them out individually at home.

    I think the most important thing you can teach your students is a balance of persistence and patience. Too many people give up on training because they get frustrated when they think they're not making progress. The biggest deal breaker is when people get lazy. You have to (gently) hammer it into their heads that they actually have to take time out of their days to train their dogs! Just because they go to a one hour class every week doesn't mean their dogs will train themselves the rest of the time.

    On a lighter note, communicate how valuable learning the basics can be to future training and any potential behavioral problems that may arise. They may not mind if their recalls aren't so reliable when the dog is playing in the yard but what about when their dog gets loose and runs into the road? I'm sure they'd love to have a reliable recall before Spot turns into Splat.

  • I just completed pet smart obediance classes with my dogs and the most important thing she did was remind us that the training was more for us than the dog. Dogs naturally want to learn and be led and if we are not good leaders they wont listen.

  • Basic obedience meaning proper leash walking and sit and down and stay maybe leave it as well.
    These are great things for classes.
    You need to teach the person how to teach the dog.
    They need to learn that the dog will look to them for guidance when in situations where there are distractions.
    Teach them to be clam and firm and consistant.
    Bite control could be worked on in a class setting but many things need to be addressed one on one.

    Behavior issues sometimes are better worked one on one than in a class setting.
    I try to use classes for basic stuff and when I do behavior work I prefer not to do it in a class setting. I want to see first hand one one one with the dog in the home what is going on. And work on those things there in the home. These are areas where you are going to need to tweak what you do to and for the dog to each individuals tempermant.

  • I think the biggest thing is that dogs need exercise (not a big back yard). They need time with constructive work either walking or doing 'work' or doing something that employs their mind and body (like flyball, agility, etc). One of the biggest pitfalls with ownership is behavior problems and dogs who are tired are generally not causing problems! Also, remind owners that their dogs need a constructive environment that includes rules! I also like to remind people that if their dog is unsupervised (such as outside) it's more likely to be up to something destructive or disruptive (like barking) so keeping the dog inside and under control is a better choice if it's possible with their lifestyle.

  • Speaking from experience - I wish someone had taught me the valuable lesson of "even if your dog doesn't really like other animals or people it is really important to socialize him so he learns to" I rescued my dog and love him pieces - but he hates other animals and is not a friendly dog to other people (not biting just growling and snotty). He was very abused before I got him so I thought he would just outgrow it with love. Now I now I should have taught him better. Taught him everything else - sit, stay, tell me (speak), stay...all that good stuff. But that one thing I left out means no vacations with out him because I cant leave him with anyone, no doggie play dates, extra careful when walking and my FAVORITE is the stares like I am horrible from people when I tell them my lab isn't nice.

  • The first thing I teach my students is that the dog is not wrong, just not trained. I don't want them to think that there dog's are doing some thing "wrong" when in fact they dogs are just being normal, untrained dogs. It is the owners responsibility to train the behavior they want.
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Friday, June 22, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog sweaters, necessity or accessory?

I have a tiny 2-3 lb chihuahua. Does she actually need a sweater for when we go somewhere that's cold (like at her dog training classes where the a/c is low?) Or is it just to make her look cute?

Dog Training Advice - Top 5 Important Dog Training Advice And Tips For Your Dog Obedience Training



Recommended Answer:
The dog should be able to handle the AC just fine.

Dog sweaters and coats are for winter when it's really cold outside.

I don't recommend having the dog wear a sweater to training class, it's just going to be a distraction.
.

Guard Dog Training Tips & Tricks Revealed


  • For outdoor trips during cold weather, it probably would be a necessity for your dog. For air conditioning, probably not. Small, extremely short-haired dogs do get cold, but I don't think they really NEED a sweater unless it is below 60 degrees...and I'm willing to bet that your dog trainer doesn't keep her building that cold.

  • Some dogs NEED sweaters in the cold. Chi's i would say yes in most cases, Chinese Crested dog's, and other hairless breeds definitely. Would yours need one in a store? Probably not - i would bring her in to see how she does before committing to buying one. Unless you like her in them.

    Be warned that it IS easy for most dogs (yes, even the little ones) to overheat, so if she wears one check on her often to see how warm she is.

  • It's just to look cute.
    Fact is, most dogs -hate- sweaters, no matter how much people like to pretend that they don't. (I do say most, not all)
    However, if you own a "desert breed" like that, and live in a very cold area, then you might ask your vet, although I am pretty sure that it's still unnecessary.
    My mother had a chihuahua who lived outside, and he never got sick on us, despite the fact that our winters were often really bad.

  • I was told just because they have a fur coat, doesn't mean their warm. I have two beagles and our winters are getting colder now , so I have a jacket for each of them. Sure there are breeds that can survive the winter, but most of us dont have them. If your cold, their cold, if your hot their hot.

  • it's an accessory. YOur trying to apply human traits to a dog (wich is actually classified as a dissorder). It's jus mean to the dog and unnesesary. YOu should keep a dog like that inside not out when its cold.

  • i think it depends on the weather, like if its super cold, then do it. but if u think yur dog is ok, then its not neccecary. sometimes when people put clothes on dogs, they feel restricted, cuz they need to move.

  • For a dog that size I would say a necessity. Small dogs don't have as much muscle mass, fat, or hair to keep them warm. However, if you see a poodle with a sweater and a tutu, that's going overboard.

  • for my dog, its a necessity. I have a hairless Crested tho.

    Just depends on your dog, and how cold it gets. Your dog should be just as comfortable in her fur coat as you are in a tshirt tho.

  • For a tiny dog with not much fur you should put a sweater on it in the
    winter or just when its cold out. Or you can put it on for an acsesory
    if you want.
    To me necessity

  • Some of the shorter haired dogs need a sweater or coat in the winter when they go out to help keep them warm, but I wouldn't think in the summer that it would be necessary.

  • It depends where you live if its an extremely cold area its a necessity if it isnt it is a accessory

  • if you live where it snows and its below freezing then yes if you live where it dose not snow and stays above freezing then i don't think you need one

  • accessory .. Dogs survived well before ppl decided this woudl be a good way to make money

  • I put a sweater on Tiger when it is snowing outside.

  • I don't know what she need, because chihuahuas aren't dogs. When you are thinking that dogs are from wolves and you are seeing a chihuahua...
    They could be sweets but aren't dogs.
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Sunday, May 6, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training? pulling on lead help please?

I have a 3 year old staffie, i use an extendable lead that extends to 5 metres. When he is allowed to use it on the extend setting he is no problem, but when i set it so its about 1metre he pulls continuously how can i make him walk nicley when on a short lead??

Is My Jack Russell Suitable For Schutzhund Dog Training?



Recommended Answer:
First get a proper leash. Flexi's are okay except that many dogs learn to pull on them. So get a nice 4 to 6 foot fabric or leather leash. I do right turns, left turns, and about turns. Anytime I feel the leash start to get tight, I change direction very quickly. The dog then learns that he is attached to a human that might do something weird if he's not paying attention. Anytime the dog catches me, I praise and give the dog a high value treat. This exercise teaches the dog the importance of a loose leash and loose leash walking. If you want to teach heel you do this the same way only with a shorter leash and guide the dog to the left side. I also use this exercise to teach the come command only I let the dog get further out. Make sure that you make this a fun game with lots of praise, especially at first. Enrolling your dog in a good training class will also help.

A Beginner's Guide to Dog Training


  • get a gentle leader and training.

  • Two ideas my trainer told me to do for my dog. One, when he pulls you STOP and plant yourself where you are. Let him figure out that pulling gets him nowhere, and when he turns back to you, give him a treat and walk on. Stop every time he pulls. Two, turn on your heel and quickly walk in the other direction when he starts to pull. Once he realized that pulling gets him tugged in the other direction (the direction he doesn't want to go) he'll learn to stop.

    Both concepts worked with my dog, in combination with a Halti (Gentle Leader) head collar.

  • If I were you, I'd look up the man Cesar Millan. I'll explain a few of his techniques, but it's much easier to see him in action on his show The Dog Whisperer.

    It sounds like your dog thinks that he/she is the leader of the pack. What you need to let them know is that YOU are the leader of the pack and not them. Whenever your dog pulls on the leash, simply stop walking and make a SSS sound. It's like what a dominant dog would do in the wild; whenever someone disobeys in the back, the pack leader simply nips them. Making a small SSS sound or tapping them on the neck is a gentle way of saying "Hey, don't do that."

    During all of this, you have to make sure that you are the image of a pack leader. Walk upright and confidently. Your dog will sense this and will see you as the pack leader, therefore obeying you and not pulling when the lead is short.

    It takes awhile to sometimes get your dog to listen to you completely, but in my experiences, these techniques from Cesar Millan work wonders!

  • Both "Singleworker" and "Schnoodle" said it.
    Be consistently "non-predictable" so that your dog has to pay attention to you, which means he has to be right there with you, where you want him. Best done with a proper working lead (fabric, nylon or leather 6'). What you choose for a collar will factor in to the responsiveness of the dog. A buckle collar won't have as much "startle" impact (when you suddenly change direction) as a head halter of some kind...... or a nylon martingale.....which won't have as much impact as a nylon choke collar..... as a pinch collar. You get the idea.

    Praise, praise, praise when the dog does well.

    Flexi leads are okay for allowing a sense of "freedom" (occasionally) while on an outing. Best used in a sparsely populated area to avoid disaster associated with the Flexi (the dog can quickly get it entangled with something nearby: human, tree, bushes...etc. & they can cause terrible rope burns).

  • I agree with the first answer. I have a 1/2 Lab 1/2 GSD. She is pretty hiper and pulls like you wouldn't believe (strong). I used the Easy walk and this eliminated the pull. She walks at my side and it is gentle. Talk to your pet store about them. Petsmart has some good trainers and they were the ones that turned me into a believer with this one. Good luck.

  • i know exactly how you feel, i had an 8 stone german shepard who actually once dislocated my shoulder!!!
    first thing i did was a bought one of those harnesses that pulls him back from his shoulders as opposed to his neck. this worked great until i put him back in collars, when he started pulling again.
    so what worked best for me was that for every time he pulled on the lead, i would make it shorter and shorted, until eventually i was holding him by the collar, which he hated!!! and eventually he learnt that he isnt allowed to pull.
    the other thing i will ask though is do you let him off the lead at any point? if you are walking him solely on a lead then he will have lots of pent up energy that he really needs to release! make sure he has a reasonable amount of time running around without a lead.
    Good luck!
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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Dog Health Questions: What are some good dog training tips?

Ok so i have a male chihuahua and a female pug puppy who i have been trying to train and its not going so well

the chihuahua gets pretty mean at times, and the pug puppy has been spoiled and now she is acting like a brat. I am trying to teach them not to bark at everyone they see and i want to teachthem boundarie (bad spelling) lines as well as the basic sit and stay commands

what are some good tips for training them, i have treats and a clicker, how would i go about training them

Clicker Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
Hi!

You need a full and proven dog training program.

"SitStayFetch" is one of the most popular dog training products on the market written by Daniel Stevens, an experienced dog trainer, for every dog owners who know that the experience of training their dog has or will continue to establish a better relationship with their four legs friend.

First when I read SitStayFetch ebook, I was surprised at lots of information has been covered. The 186 page book is broken down into different sections step-by-step, each one dealing with a different aspect of dog ownership. SitStayFetch starts from a basic that dog owner should know. For instance, things to consider before adopting a dog, choosing the right breed, dealing with breeders, the secrets of dog training; and then moves on at common dog problems including biting and nipping, aggression, jealousy, digging holes, disobedience, separation anxiety, fights with other dogs, destructive behavior and even understanding how your dog thinks.

The core of SitStayFetch system is the communication between dog and owner. Daniel Stevens understands that most of common dog problems are from the lack of communication. Your dog simply doesn't understand what you want. SitStayFetch demonstrates how dogs communicate, what are they thinking, how you can communicate with them effectively.

This simple technique helps in improving the relationship between you and your dog. And it also doesn't just focus on one or two aspects of dog ownership. SitStayFetch deals with all common problem behaviors, step-by-step approach tells you exactly what to do and when to do it.

SitStayFetch works because of the tips and advice come directly from the author's real-life experience. You also can sign up for free 6 days mini course which covers selected training methods and behavior fixing methods that are used in SitStayFetch ebook.

So if you want to have a good relationship with your dog and get rid of dog problems, I think SitStayFetch will definitely help you reach your goals.

Check my source, hope it helps. Good luck!

5 Levels of Dog Training


  • hi,

    No dog is born with good manners. Pooping on the carpet, leaping enthusiastically onto guests, pulling so hard he practically yanks your arm out of the socket when on walks--that's all perfectly acceptable in the canine world. It's up to you to teach your dog to behave the way we humans want him to. Not training your dog and expecting him to be pleasant to live with is like never sending your child to school and expecting him to ace the SATs.
    here are some guidelines:
    http://tinyurl.com/6kqgca

    hope this helps.

  • be repetitive. when you try to teach tricks just make sure you constantly practice. if you are working on a punishment, be repetitive. always do the same things so they wont forget.always reward when something is done right. weather it is a treat or pat on the head.

  • have you used clicker training before? have you done the association part of clicker training? click-give treat click-give treat, so they know the clicker sounds mean its a reward.
    Have you tried different treats? some times different ones work better, (took a while to find one that made my dog listen)
    Some times its actually good to have a dog bark, its usually them warning you something is going on, so teaching them not to bark at some things, wont work... letting them bark say 3 times then giving them the "shhh" "hush" "quiet" "thats enough" command to let them no you acknowledge whats going on and there is no need to bark any more, to do this you need to get something that sets them off, whats guaranteed to make them bark? door bell? if so get a family member or friend to ring the door bell, let them bark a little then use the command, if they do not stop dont open the, when they stop give a treat and open the door, they key is to repeat until it works instantly.

  • what i do is disipline them when they are bad and praise them when they are good. They sell collars that will spray your dgo when they bark, they can be costly but they work, or to disipline your dogs when they do something bad spray them with water. when you train your dogs you want their full undivided attention, so i would reccomend going into a quiet room with just you and the dog. teaching your dog to sit is probably the easyest, to teach your dog to sit hold a treat in front of him/ her and raise it over their head and backwards making them automatically go into the sit position , then give them the command and the treat, do this repeatedley maybe 2 or 3 times then come back to it later and do the same thing.

  • dog training tips well when your dog does somthing wrong don't correct them with there name say something like no or stop just not there name. Also be strong and assertive and your dog wil lbe under your control i mean i have learn al lthese tips from some one i know who got some info check out the website that have awsome information.

  • Hi, I do understand your dilemma as I had to bite the bullet and get my Lab signed up for class. My suggestion is to check local dog clubs sometimes if you are a member you can get training fairly cheap, also as I am attendinng classes at an animal rescue league I would suggest them too, they are fairly reasonable s to cost. At some point you will be able to do your own trainingbut it is always best to get a foundation from a qualified instructor. Now as for training tips, my suggestion from my experience, is practice practice practice and PLENTY of patience. I would also suggest training them each 1 on 1 so you can focus on each of their problems seperately, and you can base the training on their positive attributes as opposed to the negative, as we sometimes do, as humans. My puppy is a yellow lab 5 mts, and I work with him several times a day. Whenever I have a few moments we work, and when done we PLAY, as it is important to have downtime. I hope this has helped, and GOOD LUCK!
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Friday, April 6, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog Training...or other ideas?

okay so i want to become a dog trainer or something involving dogs in figured the best way to start would be a dog trainer any ideas how to get a part time job as one i'm 18 btw if that helps
and don't say go to your local pet store i need some specifics

A Long Tradition of Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
try out animalbehaviorcollege.com
its an amazing, and affordable, college for Dog Training!!!! It will teach you all of the basics.... as far as getting the job right off the bat, it will start off as training. Look in your yellow book pages for trainers around your area and see if they need an assistant. Or just ask if you can observe some of their classes so you can see how the whole shebang goes. I allow people to sit in on my classes all the time, and I let people do internships too if they are good by the end of a 21 week program they get hired. So look around and ask!!!

Schutzhund Dog Training - The Highest Level of Dog Training


  • Start volunteering at a humane society or shelter. This is a great experience and can be awesome on a resume. This will also get you used to many many different types of dogs, good and not so good to make sure your career path is ideal.

    There are puppy daycares that you can apply for. Some PetSmarts have puppy hotels that you could be a caretaker for.

    Without experience you cannot just become a dog trainer, there are schools and classes that can get you certified. Also you might want to look into dog therapy, yoga, and other dog behavior class alternatives in your area to see if they are willing to train you.

  • Most colleges offer Animal Science courses. Show kennels & dog shows are another place to get more contacts, look for a beginning position, or find out it's not for you. Service dogs (like seeing eye dogs) have organizations to volunteer for, also, so do animal shelters. If you could take one dog home at a time, train it, or rehab it's personality to make it easier to adopt- I imagine a good track record would open doors. Good for you.

  • YES. Petsmart. If you already have a dog its 109$ for an 8 week program with you're dog to get a simple training class...and tell the trainer your interested in being a pet trainer once youve taken the classes with her. if she thinks you'd be good at it she'll send you to a 2 week training and then you're certified. and you get paid.

  • I think a good idea would be to see if you can shadow a dog trainer. Look in phone books and search online.

    best of luck to you!

    lilyxx

  • Books.

    School, there are several good dog training schools.

  • I think it's a bit more involved than just taking a 2 year training course to get certified. Maybe that's all you need to do training at PetSmart, but I would say you need more than that.
    I would try to find a good dog trainer in your area and ask them if you can shadow them (eg. just sit in during their classes.) Many trainers will take you on as an apprentice and teach you for free and get you to help out in their classes. If you love dogs though, why not start out as a dog walker. You can make a pretty good living doing it part time, and you learn a lot about dog behavior especially if you do group dog walks.
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Saturday, March 31, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Problem...dog training anyone?

where can i find a Dog obedience school/classes in or very close too Morehead KY? i've already looked on yellowpages, phonebook, and internet. i need one pronto please.my dog only sits when he wants too and won't do anything else

Therapy Dog Training - What Are the Various Methods of Obedience Training For Dogs?



Recommended Answer:
I would not recommend PetSmart. In fact it is best if you do the training yourself. It may seem like a huge task to bear, but your dog will respond MUCH better if he knows you are the leader of this training. There is a course online that I highly recommend. I couldn't believe how fast my dog picked these things up, and it's fun too. Here is a link to the website:
http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobedienc…


Dog Training Methods - Methods Used in Pofessional Training Classes


  • Do you have a PetSmart near you? They offer several levels of obedience classes for about $110.

  • If there are no local training classes, you might want to check out your public library. We found a great video that gave pointers from a professional & did most of the work ourselves. You could try this until you can locate a trainer in your area. Good luck!

  • Here is what I found for you
    http://www.moreheadstate.edu/oce/index.a…

  • DO NOT GO TO PETSMART FOR DOG TRAINING! These "instructors" are NOT professional dog trainers. They are usually cashiers who have watched a video and taken a test and then are called "dog training instructors". I found that Morehead State University offers Dog Obedience classes. There is also a boarding facility in Clearfield called the "Tin Woof Inn" that seems to offer training classes. Good luck!
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Thursday, February 9, 2012

Dog Health Questions: What is basic obedience dog training? quick 10 points?

What it include?

Commands
Other than commands

Many Thanks

Clicker Dog Training Will Make Your Pet the Next Neighbourhood Wonder



Recommended Answer:
For Basic obedience training you should be learning how to train your dog basic dog obedience commands like: Sit, Down, Come, Stay, Stand, and Heel. You will learn different dog training exercises to gain better attention from your dog, more reliable dog behaviors and techniques to have a calmer pet. You'll learn about leadership, general health & wellness, grooming and fixing or heading off common behavior problems. They will usually address issues such as jumping, digging, chewing, barking, greeting company at the door.
It normally a 6 week course, usually the 1st meeting they have with the owners without the dogs present....once completed you may want to consider moving on to

Intermediate Dog Obedience

In this class you & your dog will learn the basic dog exercises required to earning a Canine Good Citizen certificate (CGC). They will build upon the basic obedience training with this class. You will perform loose lead heeling with left, right and about turns. At this point dogs should be accepting of strangers, sit politely for petting and well mannered while walking through a crowd. Usually reactions to other dogs and distractions will also be part of the exercises.

Once completed they offer other courses.......we start our basic obedience class in Feb., can't wait...=0)

Dog Training DVD, A Great Investment in Your Dog


  • Heel, sit, stand, down, stay, come and the finish (return to heel after a recall) make up Basic Obedience Training. Or, should I say, that is what is usually taught in the beginner classes. If you go to Sirius Puppy Training classes, the puppies learn all that *off leash* plus socialize with other dogs & people, learn bite inhibition, no mouthing, no biting, the names of family members and two tricks, food guarding prevention, fighting prevention ... in 6 weeks.

    You can also ask all of the questions you want, get help with housebreaking, learn to trim your puppy's nails, find out which are the best toys, bring the whole family, and more.

  • In my obedience training class we do attention exercises, sit, down,stay, come, wait, and leave it exercises. It is also important to teach friendly greetings. If you look at the AKC exercises that is an important start to any good obedience training class. Good luck!!!

  • your typical sit, stay, down, come, etc...everything that you teach your dog in order for you to stay in control and not have them running your life. I also like to include good walking habits; this gives them good times to social with passerbys and a way for you to connect with them in an easy and fun way

  • Sitting, standing, staying calm when ask and house trained.
    Tell it to sit
    Tell it to stand
    Tell it to go outside. which is opening the back door

  • Basically,

    Sit
    Stay
    Come
    Lay Down
    Heel
    .... and learning impulse control and to listen to his master. Some behavior classes with other dogs can be mixed in, too.

  • sit, stay, loose leash walking, down, heel, recall are all basic ob

  • Sit
    Stay
    Come
    Heel
    Down
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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Question about dog training and behavior?

I have a 8 months old lab and need to know if it's behavior is consistent with his age. I have two young kids and cannot spend a lot of time training him but I try to do my best. He is a good puppy but gets extremely excited and that's where I find it hard to keep him under control.
Food - He is very good and will sit and wait for me to give him a signal to go and eat. No probs there
Leash - He pulls a fair bit at first but few sharp jerks he settles down. He often tries again but gets quickly under control
Around people - too excited, he jumps up on them and nips a lot. If I am around I can control him with assertive words and by hold him in a sitting position but he cannot control himself.
Calling him - if he is by himself he comes at once. If I take him to the dog park and he is playing he doesn't come at all.
Kids - from time to time he tries to nip at them but after I tell him no he usually takes a toy instead and runs with them , however I have to correct his behavior often. He also tries to snatch toys from them (never does it with me) and the only wait to make him release it is to get the broom and tap the ground. he will then sit immediately and drop the toy. He doesn't listen if I tell him to drop it.

The really major problem for me is the jumping up and the nipping and snatching toys from my kids.

Is this behavior consistent with his age or by now he should be over this stage ?

Need Help With Dog Training? Help is at Hand



Recommended Answer:
If you don't have the time to train him, he's NEVER going to stop the behaviours that you don't want.

This is why responsible breeders DO NOT usually sell dogs to people with young children. So because you bought from a bad breeder, now you also have the hurdle of an unstable temperament to deal with since temperament is genetic.

It does sound like some of this behaviour is just puppy behaviour, but it also sounds like you need to step up and train the damn dog. If you can't, then he needs to go to lab rescue so he can get adopted out NOW, rather than when he's out of control and 3 years old, and utterly unadoptable. http://www.thelabradorclub.com

Dog Training Schools - Who is Being Trained, You Or the Dog


  • totally consistent. just keep doing what you are doing. he will get it. you just have to be on the ball all the time with him and make sure he does as you ask.

  • He's still just a puppy, and just hasn't been trained enough.

    You don't say how old your kids are, -but it's not enough that YOU train the dog.
    EVERY member of the house - including the kids - must help train the dog, so the dog learns to obey EVERYONE.

    To stop his jumping up & nipping, just give a sharp "NO" command and give him a quick firm hard poke/nudge in the neck or ribs (enough to get his immediate attention and make him stop and look at you with a "Huh?" look). Then stand over him until he is calm for 5-10 seconds, then give him a reward.
    Repeat as necessary. Do it EVERY time, and he will soon learn that "jumping-biting = a painful poke" and "sitting calmly & relaxed = a reward".

    To stop the snatching toys from the kids. The dog is not seeing the kids as "pack leaders". The kids should hold the toy and tell the dog to SIT or lay-DOWN. If the dog tries to snatch the toy, give the "NO" and poke in the ribs. If the dog obeys the SIT / DOWN and/or just waits... drop the toy on the floor and put their foot on it. IF the dog tries to get it, do the "NO"-poke correction.
    Wait until the dog is backed away & laying down, and then remove your foot. IF the dog tries to get it, do the "NO"-poke correction. Wait until the dog waits calmly. and THEN give the toy to him as a reward.

  • He's probably still has some "puppy in him, and should grow out of it, but he could just be in need of more exercise..haaha but I watch animal planet a lot and you need to watch the show "it's me or the dog" because it teaches tricks on how to train your dog..try,when you take him on a walk, the moment he lunges forward either because he sees another dog or whatever, immediately turn the other way or stop and say no..eventually he will learn that if he lunges forward his walk gets delayed or his focus on the object is broken. Hope this helps!! But for nipping, just correct him with a newspaper, it doesn't hurt because it's just paper, but the noise it makes when it makes contact with him will scare him..and say no, newspaper when you do correct him and soon when he does it again just say newspaper he will know what it means and stop what he's doing..

  • Some of it is age, some of it is lack of enough exercise and mental stimulation. Some of it just needs more proofing with the commands. Stick him on lead and go back to day one of obedience training. Teach him all the basic, sit, stay, come, drop it etc until he has that down pat without distractions and then with distractions like the kids.
    You didn't mention how old the kids are but they should be able to give him commands also.

    Labs can be wild if not given allot of exercise and that is not just a little walk during the day. It means running him and playing until he is tired

  • Pretty consistant with the age and the breed. Labradors take a long time to mature.
    They are also very high energy dog- and this is pretty normal behaviour for an active, intelligent boisterous dog.

    It is clear that you are doing well at training him by yourself- but kids can complicate training. No doubt your dog loves playing with them- he probably gets very excited if your children make noises in protest of him pinching their toys- it is probably all a big game for your puppy.

    Recalls take plenty of time and patience. It took my 5 years to get my Lab mix to a stage where her recall was flawless. 5 years. I could call her back if she was in stock chasing drive- and that takes some work.
    Of course he is not going to come back to you when he is playing at the dog park. You are not nearly as exciting as all the other dogs he is playing with.
    You need to find a special treat or toy that you only use in situations like obedience training or the dog park- something extra special- cooked chicken, cheese, kabana, etc, or a special toy. Start by taking him to these places when there arent many distractions (no other dogs is ideal) and work with him on leash before you begin training him off leash under heavy distraction and you will have much more success.

    Enroll in obedience- great for exercise, mental stimulation, soclisation, and for giving you advice on how to train your pup and work on these behaviour problems.

    Your pup clearly does not understand the "drop it" command. Why not change how you are training him? Instead of punishing him by taking the toy away, reward him for relenquishing the toy by giving him a more desirable toy or treat? Teach your kids how to train your dog as well and he should be much more respectful with them.
    Good luck!

  • Try being a little less harsh with the pup. Instead of jerking when he pulls, just stop or turn around. Instead of correcting excited behavior, ignore it and only pet him when he is calm. When he jumps up just look away and stand still until he stops, then pet him when all 4 feet are on the ground.
    It's normal for dogs to have a hard time hearing their owners when they are out in public. Training has to be "proofed" for different locations. A good positive only trainer can help you with this.
    If he doesn't return a toy - offer a trade.
    I've posted some links below on jumping, getting a dog's attention to come, ignoring bad behavior and rewarding good behavior, trading, loose leash walking, etc..
    Also, it can take labs a long time to grow up. If he isn't taught calm behaviors (through positive, non aversive, non harsh methods) you can expect this for years to come.

    If you dont' want to take him to a postive only training class, a good book to read is Family Friendly Dog Training by Patricia McConnell. Another good book is It's Me or The Dog by Victoria Stillwell.

    there is absolutely no need to poke, stand over, jab, etc..
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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training shock collars?

I need opinions from those who have used shock collars to help with the training of their dogs.

My dog is 8 months old, large and active. I would only use the collar for recall when we go off leash in the field, NOTHING else seems to be working. I have tried praise, treats, making excited noises, leash training, but if he sees another person, dog, or anything else, I do not exist anymore.
Now, I know some people are highly against these collars, and I do want your opinions too, but keep in mind, these shocks are NOT a high voltage, I have put it on my own hand, it is a small, low shock that simply gets their attention. I do not see what is wrong with that. I would never use it for barking or anything cruel, just for his own safety and for the sake of other people and dogs in the field.

I need advice on how to go about the recall training the right way, because I do not want to start off wrong.

Learn the Significance of Dog Training Courses



Recommended Answer:
I personally see No problem with some one using a shock collar when they know what they are doing. I think most people including myself have no Idea on how to use a shock collar effectively so I usually worn against it-
However, there is a guy who goes to the same park area I do to let his dog run and he uses a SUPER long lead. I assume it's rope- tied to his collar- and he uses that to train. He's out there every day and when his dog doesn't come back he just real in the line- I think it's a great idea- The dog feels free without actually being free to get away:)

Dog Training Aids - Get The Right Tools For The Job


  • I am buying a remote training collar for recall training my Mini Aussie. I have tried treats, clicker training, praise, using a long rope, running away from her, and nothing works.

    What I'm going to do is start with her on a long rope and when I call her and she ignores me or tries to go in another direction, I'll give her a little buzz, then recall her again. Then when she gets good at recall, I'd use the collar for when she goes off line, so she doesn't try to herd anyone/anything.

  • i have a amstaff terrier, big muscular dog with very high pain tolerance.
    it said on a website not to even use a shock collar on this type of dog because he prolly wouldn't even feel it lol. but i got one anyway because nothing else worked, when he went outside, and for walks.
    to keep him in the back yard, i simply watched him and when he got to a certain point of leaving the back yard, i hit the "beep" button wich only lets out a high pitch noise you can hear as well. at first he paid no attention to this and kept going forward, after he got to another point i would hit the shock button (and yes i have tried this on my self many times on all the levels) so after while i didn't have to shock him any more . he knew as soon as he heard the beeping noise to stop and turn around. and nowa days he can roam freely without any collar or leash in the yard because he knows. as far as walking goes back in the day i put him on a leash and the shock collar and when he would try and pull me to go after someone or a squirrel or etc... then i would "beep" him and that's all it took. now all this time i used treats when good, and voice commands as well. so now he doesnt need the collar at all. its all voice commands now.

  • my dogs have an invisible fence all around the yard which they were trained on so that they know the boundaries of the property and how far they can go. The dogs first hear a beeping noise and then if they go too far they get a shock. I think that if the dog is smart enough it will rarely get shocked, because the dog will pick up what it can and can not do. I think that if nothing else works this is definitely a good idea.

  • I read the answer you got from ashley and she is right. I've trained hounds for years on a nintey foot rope and a shock colar. It has been very productive. Like humans dogs also have their own mind. The smarter the dog the less you have to sting him or her. I've had dogs that it only took one time, no joke. Probably the worst took two weeks. Just remember dogs like treats and praise. So be sure to let them know good or bad. I also use voice commands for standard training. Keep the commands simple. No. At. Good. and so on. Once the dog learns the voice commands should take over.
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Thursday, January 5, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Is dog training worth it? I'm desperate!?

We are very borderline on getting rid of our 1 and a half year old boxer. Although she listens to my husband, as soon as he leaves, she starts barking at me, she won't listen and if she is left out of her cage, she completely tears the house up. She even ran away the other day and was picked up by animal control. She is a very nice dog (not at all aggressive).

Also she went to a puppy obedience class when she was younger and she learned how to sit, stay come, etc. etc. But can further training classes help her or are there things I can just do?

A Little About Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
There are dog trainers who specialize in "difficult" dogs; I would check the Yellow Pages in your area or search on the net. Generally, these trainers work one-on-one with both you and the dog. It sounds as though your dog has learned to treat your husband as the "alpha" dog in the pack (your family), and to treat you as "bottom of the heap". The trainer will show you how to assert your dominance over the dog and change the pecking order.

Dog Training Tips - Equipment Needed


  • It not only trains you, but also the dog.

  • Yes, if you want to keep the dog.

  • One thing to understand about dogs: even tho' they are slow learners, they are fast forgetters.

    The major thing that will be corrected is this matter of who is in charge. Provided that YOU take the dog to a training class and not your husband.
    Even tho' My Lab is a titled Master Hunter, we train about four days a week so that he will stay a Master Hunter. Training starts the day you bring a puppy home and continues through the dogs entire life.

  • If you get National Geographic, start watching "Dog Whisperer" with Cesar Millan.. You can even go watch episodes at their website : http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/ch…

    He shows people how their dogs think and changes behavior almost immediately. Most people are right on here. Your boxer is considering herself as the alpha dog over you. Your emotions and body language show a great deal to her. Watch some shows of Cesar's and you'll start getting an idea.

  • if you would really like to keep the dog, what's the harm in trying ... a well trained dog can uplift your spirit and can be a really good companion. give it a shot...

  • Yes, if you love your dog. Do you have cable? If so you should watch Ceaser Millon, The Dog Whisper. Or get his book. That will help you.

    Your dog doesn't see you as the alpha female. You need to establish that you are the alpha and she is the subordinate.

    Good luck.

  • Training is a must. And the training is to train YOU, not the dog. You have to learn how to understand your dog using doggie psychology and not human psychology. No offense, but it's your fault your dog is this way. I learned the hard way myself, and later than I should have. It only gets worse if you don't train your dog and learn how to do it. Daily routine: 1. Exercise 2. Discipline 3. Affection (Dog Whisperer)

    What helped me was to speak in a firm and deep voice w/ a command, meaning no high pitches, and don't give a command as though your asking a question. Your dog does not see you as the Alfa leader. Alfa leaders get the better meal, eat first, walk through the door first, get in the car first, sit on the better seat (while they remain on the floor), sleep in the better bed, etc. As for tearing up the house, the dogs got a lot of energy and needs long walks and playtime. Get a bunch of toys to stimulate the dog. Once he's bored buy new ones and alternate and join in on playtime to build a positive bond. It's good to give a command and if they listen, the reward is playtime with you. The dog is also feeling your anxiety and reacting to it.

  • I'm sorry to hear of your dilemma. YES, additional training may be necessary. BUT dogs do look at one person over another as the leader as in ALPHA dog type things. I have five dogs and my Rotti is the alpha dog. BUT they ALL listen to me better than they do my wife. Even HER DOG listens better to me than it does her. I think you should look at additional training as in advanced courses.

  • yes well if she was dog trained years ago were you with your husband when the do g was being trained if you were ma by its because you need to practice with her while your in separate rooms so she can know your both in control.

  • A boxer is a breed that should only be owned by experienced dog people for this very reason. This dog knows that she is in charge, not you. You, not your husband, need to take this dog to obedience classes so they can teach you how to train her. If you could teach the dog that you are pack leader she wouldn't need classes, but I really think you need help to save this dog. You say she's not aggressive, but you need to teach her right now that she's not the leader before she becomes totally uncontrollable.

  • Of course training is worth it. Obviously not continuing training hasn't been worth it!

    Do a search for a good dog trainer...not just a regular obedience trainer....

    Might be the dog is bored. You need to become the leader, and exercise and play games with it.

    Boxers are quite high drive
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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Dog Health Questions: Cheapest dog training in AZ?

What and where are there CHEAP personal protection dog training in AZ?

Dog Training - Getting the Basics Right



Recommended Answer:
Just around the bend from Wickenburg....right down the street from the Cheap FERRARI dealer.

Dog Training Tips - Basic Dog Training Courses


  • Try your local humane society

  • Good lord, if you're looking for someone to help you with personal protection training - cheap should NOT be one of your requirements.

    The fact is that it takes thousands of hours of training for a dog to become a personal protection dog. And it takes a very experienced trainer to get them and you there safely. It's very expensive and there are no guarantees that the dog you're taking to training will have the right temperament and be able to learn to be an affective personal protection dog.

    That said - if you really want a personal protection dog it is cheaper in the long run to buy a dog that's aready been trained in personal protection. And yes, they're not cheap. But having a poorly trained personal protection dog is a huge liability and is dangerous to everyone who crosses that dogs path. Including you.
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Thursday, October 27, 2011

Dog Health Questions: If I have multiple dog training sprays will my dog get confused?

Like if I have a spray to tell him not to pee there, and if I have one to tell him where to pee.

The Three Dog Training Mistakes You Should Avoid



Recommended Answer:
Take your dog out on a regular basis. Forget the "sprays". That is a lazy way of non-training a dog.

Some Less Obvious Benefits of Dog Training - Help For Owners of Older Dogs


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    Sunday, October 16, 2011

    Dog Health Questions: Trying to find a Therapy dog training place?

    I live in Colorado but I cant find a place to get training. Im really interested in it but its frustrating that I cant find anywhere to go to get the training I need.

    Dog Training - How to Train Your Dog in 15 Minutes - Is it Possible?



    Recommended Answer:
    A CGC is not required before taking a TDI test. It's actually INCLUDED in the test. So getting one ahead of time just means taking it over again.

    The top three therapy dog programs in the U.S. are:
    Delta http://www.deltasociety.org
    TDInternational http://www.tdi-dog.org/
    TDInc http://www.therapydogs.com/

    To find a class near you, you have a few options. Check first with your vet's office, local pet stores, dog/kennel clubs and shelters. If you don't find anything that way, check the websites above to see if you can find an evaluator near you. That person may set up therapy dog classes or know what classes are available.

    If all else fails, Delta Society does offer a home study course with a nice handbook to walk you through all you need to prepare for the test.

    P.S. Therapy dogs and service dogs are two entirely different things. Therapy dog certification does not make a pet a service dog.

    Dog Training Supplies - Dog Collars


    • Therapy Dogs International

      http://www.tdi-dog.org/

      You should get at least a CGC gold before applying for TDI. It's a minimum requirement for my Service Dog candidates.
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    Sunday, September 18, 2011

    Dog Health Questions: I want to do dog training, am a female would that matter?

    i asked a question earlier about a women doing the same type of jobs as men.
    the field i would like to do is dog training. but i have not seen many women do the job.

    Show Dog Training



    Recommended Answer:
    NO....females are allowed to handle and train K-9's....at least in the AF they are.

    Helpful Tips on Dog Training


    • I don't think it would matter it's not a combat job i don't think. combat jobs are the only jobs women can't do in the military

    • I don't believe that sex affects a dogs learning ability some people say that female dogs are better with men and male dogs are better with women. I couldn't tell you why there are not allot of woman dog trainers out there but. I know a couple and they have produced some really good dogs.

    • You can be a female and a dog trainer. If they don't have any K-9 positions available, you couild just go MP, and then try to get K-9 school after that.

    • i have seen women work and train dogs so ask a recruiter
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