Showing posts with label hands-off dog training program. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hands-off dog training program. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Dog Health Questions: How to calm down my dog?

For a couple of months, my mom bought my sister and I a "teacup" maltese mixed with poodle. She was about a month old(too three months) and very shy/cute. As months go by, she turns into a very hyper dog. Now when you try to play with her, you will at least have a couple of scratch marks from her (haven't cut her nails yet but,) because she practically jumps on you. When you go outside she will run about ten laps and comes to you (pounding on you). If you play with another dog (for instance, I have a pomeranian/chihuahua mix dog), she will kind of "get in your face" as she "attacks/shoves" the other dog away. Sometimes even if there is not another dog and you're not playing with her, she will "gnaw" on you (sometimes she actually bites ,_,). I've been trying to calm her down but nothing seems to be working. My parents are too cheap to take her to those dog training places - tried to train her myself but she won't even pay attention to you even when your right there. Funny thing is, if you spank her (my dad does) because she did something bad - she doesn't really care and doesn't learn anything. She will just stand there for a moment and then go back to as if nothing has happened. I really want her to calm down first so I'm able to train her and well show her mistakes (so she will actually learn) ... and I'm out of ideas. And well... I think the breeder has mistaken she really is a "teacup", bigger than my pomeranian/chihuahua mix (maybe it's normal, no idea). I know I may look like a bad owner but ... yeah >_>".

The Importance of Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
First of all, NEVER, EVER HIT YOUR DOG ! ! A small dog like that can be injured real easy. You say your parents are to cheap, If it is to be your dog, you better start saving now to get that dog to the vet. Those other things you are use to buying all the time are no more. This is being called a responsible pet owner. Hasn't that pup been to the vets for puppy shots and updates? It should have been. Make a list of your concerns. Call the vet and see if you can come in and discuss your concerns. Or maybe a local animal shelter in your area. I'm sure they can give you some info. You can get good books from Amazon.com cheap for training. Check them out at the bookstores first to see what works for you. Don't cut the dogs nails until you know what you are doing. Too short and it could bleed to death. Good luck. You are trying to be a good pet owner. Just don't give up. I wish I had more time and space to talk to you. My Blade sends kisses.

Dog Training Basics - Some Tips to Help You Start Training Your Dogs


  • give ur dog some time out

  • So she is maybe five months old?
    If so, she is a puppy, and puppies are active, and mouthy.

    Did you expect her to know how to behave without anyone teaching her?

    Do you expect her to act like a grown dog when she is a baby?

    There are all kinds of training resources online, not to mention books and tapes. If you cant use those to figure things out by yourself, then save up your allowance and take her to a puppy class. (And cut her nails in the meantime).
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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training?

i have a window by the door every morning i leave he scratches the window and crying barking and growling how can i make him stop and he chews alot of my wires

The 5 Best Dog Training Tips For You and Your Dog



Recommended Answer:
First things first-- if he chews wires, then your house could burn down and he could be shocked.

Sounds like he has separation anxiety, which is not a training issue, but an anxiety problem. Contact your veterinarian for a combination of medication (Clomicalm, an anti-anxiety medication) and behavior modification.

It's like biting your nails-- if you bite your nails, you don't have a fingernail problem, right? Dogs do this because they are anxious about being left alone.

An excellent booklet called "I'll Be Home Soon: the Prevention and Treatment of Separation Anxiety" by Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. can help you understand how to handle this problem.

Punishment of the behaviors only makes it worse, and fixing this is not a do-it-yourself project. You'll need professional help. Start with your veterinarian and talk about whether Clomicalm will help. Make sure that you do more than just give the meds, because meds alone are not as helpful as a combination of meds and behavior modification.

Good luck.

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


  • Crate train your dog. What are you going to do if the dog chews wires while you are gone, and electrocutes himself to death? It will be nobody's fault but your own for not proctecting your dog while you are not around.

    http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.…

  • chewing wires is dangerous

    i would put like a small chain link fence around it. like 10 sq.feet. just big enough that you can still get in the if you need to

    they have barkcollars..... it might work but it could be pretty mean

    what kind of dog is it???

  • I have dogs I would build a keenel or play area for when you go to work .When you get back show alot of attention and affection.Good luck.

  • there are products that you can get at the pet store that taste very bitter to dogs. Put this on the parts that the dog chews. At the same time it is always great to have toys like Kongs, chews, rope toys, and/or bones. My dogs also like stuffed animals. So this is an alternate chew to the window. The crying and growling are a byproduct of separation anxiety. This occurs to many pets, dogs in particular.

    I found some interesting reading material on different treatment options:

    Treatment

    Some methods for treating problem behaviour include: punishment crate-training, and obedience training. These methods are directed at the problem behaviour, however they fail to address the source of the problem. By ignoring the source of the problems, one undesirable behaviour may simply be replaced with another as the dog searches for an outlet for its anxiousness (Borchelt 1983). In addition, punishment is likely to be counter productive and will only increase a dog's anxiety with each departure. Therefore, punishment is not recommended as an acceptable method of treating separation anxiety.

    Presently, the most accepted method for treating separation anxiety involves planned departures. This method involves gradually adjusting the dog to being alone by exposure to many short departures. Because the stress response occurs very shortly after the owner's departure (within 30 minutes), the dog should only be left alone for very short intervals at first (seconds to minutes) to ensure the owner returns before the onset of anxiety. Before the departure period can be increased, the owner must be certain that the dog is not stressed. The owner must closely watch the dog for signs of anxiety and ensure that the dog does not engage in an extended greeting. After the short departures have reached the 30 minute mark, the length of time the dog is left can be increased by larger increments. Once the dog can be left alone for 1.5 hours, it can usually be left all day. Departure and return should be made as quiet and uneventful as possible to avoid overstimulating the dog. The dog should not be given attention prior to departures nor given attention and praise upon returns. Excessive attention prior to departure and upon return seem to increase the anxiety during separation and it does NOT make it easier on the dog as most people suspect. Safety cues may also be used to associate with the short departures (Voith and Borchelt 1985). The T.V. or radio can be left on or an acceptable chew toy may be provided for the dog. However, it is very important that the safety cue is not an item that the dog already associates with anxiety. These cues help the dog relate to a previous safe period of isolation.

    Antianxiety medications are sometimes used to suppress anxiety. These are often used on dogs with severe separation anxiety or when owners simply must leave the dog alone for an extended period while treatment is occurring. The use of drugs allows the dog to spend extended periods of time free of anxiety. However, in most cases, drugs do not offer a solution and should be used in combination with a treatment program. A vet should be consulted for further information on the safest and most effective anxiety- suppressing drugs.

    In severe cases the owner may also have to take steps to weaken the dog's dependency upon a person. This requires the owner to ignore the dog for a period of time, sometimes up to three weeks (Flannigan, Personal comm.). This will not break the bond between owner and dog but it will decrease the dog's extreme dependency and allow it to tolerate its owner¹s absence without anxiety (Machum 1991). Ignoring your favourite pet may be difficult but it is important to keep in mind that a much more healthy and happy relationship will result.
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Thursday, August 16, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Help boxer dog training!!!!!!?

My nine week old boxer puppy doesn't listen to anything I say only ignores it and turns away can some one give me tips on how to train her quick,thanks

Clicker Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
The best way to train dogs, people or anything else is through positive reinforcement training. In the dog world this is often referred to as clicker training, which is a form of positive reinforcement training in which you mark good behaviors with a click. Something else, like saying "yes" or "good" would accomplish the same thing. The basics of positive reinforcement are simple and easy to remember. Reinforce/reward good behaviors and they will naturally occur more often. Do not reinforce/ignore bad behaviors and they will naturally occur less often. This takes some practice, time and patience but will always work if you stick with it and will leave you and your dog much happier. Alternatively, trying to be "alpha" to a dog, yanking their leash, hitting them on the nose, etc will only damage your relationship with your dog and make their behavior worse. Do not buy into those misinformed techniques.

Dogs are very good at problem solving and understanding what you want if your give them the chance. Once they figure out the rules of positive reinforcement (many dogs figure out a clicker in a couple of minutes) it becomes a game and they enjoy learning new things and working for you. Thinking is also hard work and a tricky way to tire out your dog, which makes them less likely to release their pent up energy in inappropriate or destructive ways. Even though your boxer is young she can learn a lot. Just try to limit the length of the training sessions (only a couple of minutes initially) and have more of them throughout the day. That way you can maintain her interest and end on a high note before she gets bored or frustrated. Also ensure that the treats you use are rewarding enough (if she doesn't want them than there's no reason to work for them) but not too big or too much. For a puppy they should be roughly pea size and the amount of food you feed as treats should always be subtracted from the amount she gets in her meals to avoid overfeeding her.

Best of luck with your training and your puppy!

Dog Training With A Clicker


  • At nine weeks you really can't expect a great deal of co-operation from your puppy. Other than housebreaking, the most important thing you can work on is the recall (coming everytime he is called). Until you get a reliable "come", all other commands can and mostly will, be ignored.
    Here is a great training site for dog owners wishing to train their own dogs at home;
    http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com
    click on "answers" next to the picture and you will find articles on how to teach everything from housebreaking, walking on a leash, a reliable come, and many other things all puppies need to learn

  • Do you train with treats or toys if you just train for the heck hes not going to care start out with treats
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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Updating My Dog Training Website...?

and need your opinions. Please tell me what I can do to make this more "user friendly," and how to get the articles to be more attractive, so that more people will gain knowledge from them. THIS IS NOT A SALES or SPAM!

I have really been working hard on the website over the past few months, and helpful tips are greatly appreciated! I am not a website designer!

http://www.libertydogtraining.com
Thanks for all your help!

Find Out About Purchasing Yourself Some Dog Training Books, They Could Really Be Quite Helpful



Recommended Answer:
HI! I was wondering where you went to. I'll check it out OK. :)

It looks just wonderful, great job!

Schutzhund Dog Training Is Not So Difficult - Read These Top Tips


  • i like it

  • It seems fine to me except when you click on "contact us" there is no contact information, just something totally unrelated. Otherwise, it seems well thought out.

  • Looks great! Keep up the good work. The only thing I could think of was that maybe you could mention were you are in proximity to the closest big city. Just my two cents, or maybe its less:~! also no contact info when I hit the contact button.

  • Hi, I think it lookds GREAT.. Keep up the good work.. It does get hard to get things to look right..(i have done a few webpages myself) and to organize and get all the info per page.. YOU did a GREAT JOB..

  • I would just add one item to your house training format : I've found this to be an exceptional way to improve the dogs (pups) learning to want to go to the door or outside...Place the water bowl outside the door and bring the dog there several times and allow them to drink all they can then exercise them outside awhile till they "go"....This concept is an extension of learning they would have had if they were wild born, instinct if you will.....It drastically speeds up the concept of "asking" to go outside......try it

    Your site is wonderful!!!!!!!!
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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Dog Health Questions: How do you train your dog?

Do you hire a dog trainer or you buy a book on dog training? Or do you already know how to do it? I am not successful in training my dog and no matter how much i try he remains untrained and unwilling to listen.

"Dog Care" - The Reason For Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
Sounds like you need a professional trainer. I am doing the house training thing right now and read a few different things online and kind of just combined a couple. Good Luck!

Dog Training Clicker - Why Use a Clicker?


  • I've always trained my own dog (Though sometimes I've had to use the help of the internet to learn how to do it). I would say the next thing, if you dog refuses to listen, would be to take it to some public obedience class. You could also hire a dog trainer to work with just you and your dog alone, so he could help you and your dog personally.

    Good luck with your dog, I hope it goes well!

  • Dog Trainer. Dont go to petsmart or none of that retail bullshit though. I have worked at a dog kennel for six years and we also had a dog trainer that went through the "Tom Rose School of Dog Training" and he is very highly qualified in all training techniques. The classes were 6 weeks and $150 well worth it. My dog can walk off leash, listens to commands, very friendly, and knows right from wrong. He was adopted from a shelter. He is a mix breed of golden retriever and german shepherd. Also, Neutered which makes a big difference in behavior. I hope this info helps. Good Luck!!

  • I trained my own dog. She is a corgi/border collie and she is now pretty darn close to perfect. i get compliments about her good behavior all the time. she is my child, so what i did like other parents do, is spank her when she's bad and send her outside. it doesn't have to be hard but enough to get the point across that what she did was bad. that could be a start? but my boyfriend's dog does not react to that, she is a jack russle/pit.
    it's not cruelty, it's discipline.
    good luck.

  • Obedience classes. Cheaper than hiring a trainer, more effective than reading a book.

    OTOH, I always recommend My Smart Puppy by Brian Kilcommons. It comes with a dvd, and he has a website, too: www.mysmartpuppy.com

  • I do it myself. I do go to a training club I belong to also, but I do training that they do not...There are lots of places to get help with training. Do a search!! RubysBoxers
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Saturday, March 3, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training help puppy?

i have a 11 week old northern inuit puppy ***** she is called zara and i need efficient ways of house training her and also she likes to chew on fingers is this just puppy behaviour and will she grow out of it~?

Dog Training - Instructions to Train Your Dog



Recommended Answer:
I laugh sometimes especially when people say you must be firm and consistant you must do this you must do that. Your puppy is a baby as you know. I suppose its just like parenting you have to get to know Zara's signs and behaviour pattern. We have Luke he is 18 months old now (my baby) what we or should i say I did with Luke was simple. When he woke up i grabbed the ball made some weird playing noises and ran outside, he would play for a few moments and i would keep saying to him go wee wee i did this when he ate when he played and when he woke up. As soon as you Zara sniffing about get her outside i never picked Luke up as this tended to make him think he was in trouble if i rushed over and scopped him up. I would just run outside and say wee wee when he did he got a great big fuss and loads of cuddles. When he did mishap i never scolded him or shouted at him, I would simply look at him and take him outside and not play with him for ten minutes (god it was agony) but luke learned very quickly. Even at 18 months before we go to bed or out in car i still say to luke go wee wee and he does because it is a word i have associated with him when he does he gets a fuss and cuddle. even now. As for the chewing i agree this must be stopped quickly Zara does not know she is doing wrong and remember she is teething. When Luke chewed often on my toes one day i screamed out like an injured puppy and he was so sorry i ignored him for a llittle time, when he tried to chew me again i would yelp. again this made him think he was hurting me. We gave him plenty of Hide chews and rubber balls as you know puppies can be very destructive a sharp no and a point does not injure a puppy but a scolding does. You have a lot more to come but you will get there and in the end you will have the perfect girl. Gd Luck and Love to Zara x x

Dog Training - Instructions to Train Your Dog


  • Try this resource

  • For housebreaking, use a crate. When you are not able to watch the dog, crate her. Make sure she has adequate time outside of the crate with you. Get her on a feeding and walking schedule.
    When you take her outside, always go to the same area of the yard. this will become her "potty spot". When she goes outside, a lot of praise, petting, and the occasional treat.

    As for the chewing, do not allow it. This is not something she will out grow. When she chews, a firm "no", give her something of her own to chew on. She will be teething, if she hasn't already, and will need something firm to chew.

  • As far as the house training- take her out every 30 minutes or so and don't go back in until she has gone to the bathroom. Also, try to take her out the same door all the time. She will associate this door with going to the bathroom. I also always gave my dogs a treat after they went outside. The chewing on your fingers is a puppy thing, but don't let it get out of control. Set limits now or it will become a bigger problem in the future. Try a nylabone for puppies. Good Luck!

  • The chewing is just a sign of teething. Get her some toys before she starts on shoes!!! Get some puppy pee pads from the store and place one in each room. Show her to each one and let her sniff it. Then the next time she goes (inside or outside), take her to one of the pads. Soon or later she will use the pad when needed.

  • Try this

    http://kuso.cc/3kc6

    and this

    http://kuso.cc/3kc8

  • put her nose in it and put her out side but if you can not put her outside all the time put news paper down for the puppy the puppy are puppy pads and put her nose in it and put her on the paper or pan and if she use the papper or pan say good and so the name or if so go out side do the same thing
    all was put the pan or papper in the same palce so she will know werw it is at all time and pick a plce out side and ever time you take her out make sure to go to the palce you pick ou and say good and her name get same to keep her in whin you are at work are not home and whin you fee of water the pup that her out becouse 10 min she will use thr bath romm dont for get that and the time time the pup is pup is palying in the house have papper or puppy pad down in the room you are in whit the puup you need to do same thing about it whins the pup is doing or she or he me not know why you are doing what you are doin i hope this hlape you if you need to know more about pupa you e-mail me at baby20tx@yahoo.com

  • I would recommend crate training her first, it will help you not only in potty training but all other aspects of training. The Chewing is generally normal but you want to get her out of the habit as soon as possible. I would recommend a book that I found that solved all my MAJOR problems I had with my Puppy Linus. It is a great book and really helps you understand your dog. You can read about the problems I had with Linus and there is a link to the book there too. Check out my blog for more info.

  • try here, this works really well too

    http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobedienc…

  • Dogs are like humans. They are all slightly different. There are lots of different methods that you can use. Its important to find the methods and experiment with them. Have a look at http://www.best-dog-training.com . There you will find lots of articles, tips and tricks on dog training and potty training your dog.

    Cheers
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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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Saturday, January 21, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training question. Is there really a class to train a dog to stay within boundaries?

Ok my friend has a german shepherd who will not stay in here fenced property, even though its large enough for 3 large dogs this german sheperd seesm to prefer to jump the fence due to owner anxiety cause she has only had this dog for a month and a half and the previous owners had a wooden fence and sheltered the dog in the back yard and inside, so the dog doesnt know what a car is.
Well my friend bought a 6ft fenced in kennel for the dog since her regular fenced in area is 4ft or basic size fence, and the dog made 6 holes in the gate, but she was not left in there for hours this dog put in a few wholes within a 25 minute period while my friend had someone fixing her AC system in the house. The first two weeks she did fine outside as long as my friend had her back door open so the dog could go in and out, but one day my friend had to run to the store and took longer then she expected, got back home and the dog was gone, thanks to tags on her collar and some good people the dog was returned to her. She now has had the dog micro chipped.
Her german sheperd is worth alot more then what she bought her for, but the previous owners had a wooden fenced in area, and my friends father who owns the house she lives in will not allow her to put in a new fence for a stubborn dog as he says. He told her to just get rid of her but she refuses she is determined to keep her.
She asked me to find info on electric fences for dogs and the advise that was given was honest but disappointing on results.
-Someone said the dog can be trained but this dog has gone through obedience class and knows "leave it", but no matter how much you yell leave it at the fence she will jump it, even if the back door is open now due to her freaking out.
--Now this dog is mostly inside the house and supervised when outside, but even when supervised she will hit a corner of the house and by the time my friend gets there the dogs behind is already going over the fence and my friend has to run her down in the neighborhood till the dog is worn out. Also this dog is walked/ran twice a day and if not twice at least once and still i think she misses her previous owner who moved overseas to live with there son and could not take the dog with them.

My Question is: What class is there to train a dog to stay within boundaries and not to hop a fence. What would it be called cause all the training info i looked up for her online within our area is only obedience training and it lists what is taught and she knows all that. So what is it called and what would she be looking to see listed to be trained to this stubborn animal.

Dog Training: Tips and Tricks the Professionals Use



Recommended Answer:
She doesn't need training to stay inside boundaries. She needs to bond to her new owner and feel secure about staying in her own yard. I agree with the previous answerer that this dog is distressed and needs a behaviorist.

1. Don't get an electric underground fence. They malfunction and the dog can get hurt. I was sitting for a dog once who had one and it burned his neck. It was awful.

2. German Shepherds are boundary dogs. They are bred to act as living fences themselves and are about the easiest breed to get to stay inside a boundary even if it's just a line on the floor instead of a fence. Their job is to walk or trot a boundary around a flock of sheep in an unfenced field and keep the sheep from crossing the path set down by the human shepherd.

3. No fence will contain a GSD who does not want to be contained. They can climb just about anything, wood, chain, whatever. I've seen them go up and over a six foot privacy fence with ease. She stayed put with the previous owner because she chose to, not because of the type of fence they had. The only way to really secure them is with a topped run with concrete floor and steel bars. So save the money on a new fence. It won't solve the problem. Spend it on dog classes instead.

Saying "leave it" won't do anything until the dog is trained to understand what that means. Most basic obedience classes will introduce the idea of "leave it" but it really isn't designed to deal with fence hopping. It's more for dealing with dogs stealing things like food or sniffing things they oughtn't while the owner is standing right there watching them do it.

But before the dog can learn anything, she has to be emotionally secure. GSDs are one person dogs. They don't change owners well. She needs help from a good behaviorist to help her make this transition. Your vet can probably recommend one. So your friend should spend her fence money on a behaviorist instead.



Why it's Important For New Dog Owners to Take Dog Training Seriously


  • You need to call a behaviorist, not a trainer. She is very anxious and obviously very attached to her previous owner. This is a difficult age for a dog to be re-homed, she shouldn't be left outside unattended, without you on the other end of the leash. She's not stubborn--GSDs are very loyal. A behaviorist can help give you ways to help her bond with your family.
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Sunday, December 25, 2011

Dog Health Questions: Should you take your dog gun dog training classes or can you do it at home ?

if any experience any good dog obedience classes near chelmsford, essex
or even better any gun dog trainers near chelmsford :P

regards M

A Long Tradition of Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
I've known Eric for many years.
His gun dog forum is a good place to find the information you want.
http://gundogandbirddogforums.yuku.com/t…
http://gundogandbirddogforums.yuku.com/d…

Dog Training Tips - Equipment Needed


  • You need basic obedience before you can do gun training (or any other kind of training).

    Take the classes. In addition to obedience commands, your dog will acquire priceless socialization. And the classes are fun.

  • Is that a gun specifically for use on dogs or a gun shaped like a dog?

    No, I know. Take classes. Dogs are naturally scared to death of loud noises. I'm not near chelmsford. Look on the web or...HEY! In your PHONE BOOK! No...they probably wouldn't be in the phone book...

  • This question is best asked of people who are avid hunters. I know that I have family members that hunt and they train their own dogs without spending money on classes. And the dogs are great.
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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Dog Health Questions: Is my bf right about training dog?

He recently got me a doberman puppy. He told me to never slap it, do not use crate as a way to punish it, to not use any type of pincher or choke collar, never be aggressive with the dog, etc...

He told me to not treat train them because it'll make them possesive and aggressive over time. He also told me typical dog training course are really bad for dog because most doesn't even know how to train dog properly.

He told me it's better to pet the dog and praise it every time it behave. He told me if it doesn't behave or didn't listen to use firm voice. He told me if I doesn't yell at it and always talk to it in soft voice, the dog will learn to respond to your voice.

Is he correct? He have four dogs and all of them are very well behave. But I've always hear from other people you have to be very firm with your dog and I often see them slap, use choking or pincher collar, put them in crate to punish them, etc...

Dog Training: It's Not Just For Adults Anymore



Recommended Answer:
ok I have a doberman and you should not to slap or hit your dog, any dog for that matter, but with dobermans since they are a dominant breed and are natural leaders, it will make them aggressive if you hit them. I crate train mine but you should never use the crate as punishment because the whole purpose of a crate is to create a den for the dog, a comfortable place for it where it sees it as its den, they will resent it if you put them in it for punishment and crate training then for the purposes of potty training or keeping your dog from getting into anything while you're not at home goes out the window. I don't see a problem with people using choke chains or pinch collars as long as the person training with them knows how to use them, people who are going to abuse a dog with them have no business putting one on their dog. Anyways so i agree mostly with what your b/f is saying. You can't be afraid of his doberman or timid when correcting it because they can be bossy and try to be the dominant one in the household.
good luck.

Small Dog Training Tips


  • Does your boyfriend know about dobermans? Has he owned dobermans? Done research? If so, I would follow his advice.

    As for not slapping the dog, I agree, dont do it.... And I dont like choke collars either. There´s no reason to be rough with the puppy.

    Dobermans from what I know are very regimented dogs. They need a very set routine. Dinner at the same time every night, walk at the same time... etc. With good training and keeping in mind the personality of the dog, I´m sure he will grow to be very well behaved.

  • You're bf is 100% right, always treat a dog with kindness or you end up with a bad tempered dog. Anyone you see hitting a dog, should be reported for animal cruelty!!!!

  • What you are describing is known as "positive" dog training. All people will tell you different things about what is the best way. It is just opinion. They are just different "training" methods. Only you can make the choice what you think is best.

  • He is right
    you dont wand an aggressive dog
    Doberman they are aggressive by nature
    so if you dont train them they are not going to be less aggressive.

  • You should have obedience training... It is very helpful and a stern voice, and the clapping of hands is a way of getting them to stop something they shouldn't be doing. I do agree crate training shouldn't be used for punishment, but I have a friend who uses it sucessfully "Go to your room" the dog goes to her crate lays down and is not locked in but knows to stay there until called, she usually doesn't stay there for more than 5 minutes. Crate training is wonderful for trying to potty train. And with a large breed you might want to use a harness instead of a choke collar due to the fact that you have more control over the animal and can keep them from being unruly without harming them. Good luck!

  • Your bf is absolutely right! It really sounds like he knows a lot about dog training. All those who tell you to use choke collars and slapping are very wrong, these cause the opposite results than what you want, plus aggression. Listen to your bf and ask him to show you how to train your puppy. Ask him to show you how to become the alpha leader in your relationship with the dog, without being agressive to it (eg. you have to go out through doors always in front of your dog, etc.).

  • Your BF is 100% right with this.

    The people that get angry and physical with their dogs do it out of frustration and lack of a better education.

    positive reinforcement is a great way to train a dog.

    Using the crate as a punishment is the WORST thing people can do. You'll teach your dog to hate and dread being put into the crate, instead of loving it and thinking of it as a safe place, which is what you want.

    I'd follow what he has told you, and get him to help you train the dog. He sounds like he's got a good system in place.

  • dont ever hit a dog or use any thing that might hurt them or make them uncomfortable . i have two dogs that i take to dog shows and they are little angels. i just praise them and give them a toy to play with when they do something right. i also give them treats. that wont make them possessive it just teaches them that if they do something right they might get a reward. and they wont get mad or any thing if they dont get a treat . just remember that you always have to praise than. he is right on most of the things that he told you.

  • he is correct in everything EXCEPT the following:

    food rewards are a positive method for rewarding desired behavior ( for instance when teaching your dog a reliable "come" command)training courses are good for SOCIALIZATION of your dog with other dogs present,, it teaches your dog to listen to you with distractions.. ( he doesn't necessarily have to agree with the instructors, just use the time and space to your own advantage =socialization)

    food reinforcement training DOES not make the dog aggressive...

  • He is partially right. Never hit your dog. This can only result in a fight or traumatic dog. Voice commands are a very important part of training. There are three voices; praised-used to tell the dog he did a good job, command- a firm voice used when telling a dog what to do, and correction- a loud voice of authority that tells the dog they did something wrong. I wouldn't recommend training the dog with treats because it encourages such behaviours as hand nipping and excessive salivation during hand guestures. Using a toy is the best means of training. When the dog accomplishes a task you can praise him with a toy and voice. Eventually you will get to the stage where you only use voice and use the toy sparingly. Don't use shock or pinch collars. This only builds up their titration level so they can tolorate more pain however a simple choke chain works well, especially when teaching him things that could save his life such as not to eat certain things or areas not to go in. Basic obedience courses can be good however you want to find someone who has some experience. A lot of people that are new haven't been able to get a whole lot of hands on experience and some open training sessions without a limit. This creates bigger classes, bigger distractions, and less one-on-one time with you and the trainer. Do not use a crate as punishment. The crate should only be used for transports and crate training. You never punish your dog you correct them. The correction should come directly from you. Remember to always remain calm and confident around your dog. Hysteria or frustration can cause the dog to become hysterical.

  • Pinch collars are wonderful training tools if your dog becomes a leash puller. Especially with a dominant,strong breed like the doberman. That may be the only way you'll get him to take a walk. But otherwise I'd say your boyfriend is probably right.
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Friday, December 16, 2011

Dog Health Questions: How do I start a career as a dog trainer and where do I begin learning dog training from?

I want to build my career as a dog trainer but i'm totally inexperienced with training dogs. I need a stepping stone but where do I begin? If I don't intend to study abroad, where can I learn dog training in Singapore? Any workshops or courses to recommend? Usually how do beginners get people to trust them to train their dogs? And if I don't want to be a freelance dog trainer, are there any company I can work for? And also, all the above mentioned questions have to be resolved within Singapore. I am a Singaporean and I do not wish to go overseas because I have no money to go abroad.This is my second enquiry on being a dog trainer.
Any wise advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! :)

Advantages of Using Dog Training Videos



Recommended Answer:
Try contacting some local Dog Training Schools. Here are a few in your area you could try. You can see the biography on the different trainers and how they got started.

Tel: 96890427
Add: PAW Veterinary Centre
(Puppylove)
Blk 112 Bukit Purmei Road
#01-207 Singapore 090112
Email: smartdog@puppylove.com.sgalso: http://www.petmovers.com.sg/obedience.ht…

So You Want a Guard Dog, Eh? (Basic Dog Training)


  • You go to a Dog Trainer School.

    "dog trainer schools in Singapore" via Yahoo search.

    http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=dog%20t…

    That is how I learned to train dogs. I graduated a Canine Behaviorist, Master Dog trainer specializing in aggression (all aspects), Basic Obedience to Advanced Obedience trainer. It was in the 70's & then it cost $5,000.

    You can work with some of the rescues places they always need help. Get experience any where you can. I have mucked out cages, I've walked some of the dogs, I have dipped many in shelters, groomed them, . Go to a dog park & intermix with owners & their dogs.

  • I would recommend going to a local shelter. Many shelters have programs that show volunteers how to train shelter dogs to make them more adoptable. And you can help develop contacts through the person running the program.

  • The "Dog Whisperer" may have a great book on training out there. Also, watch his show for a lot of great tips.

  • Well petsmart has a training program if that helps!

  • First you need to train your own dog(s). Find an obedience school or club and take classes.

  • HEY!!!
    I wanna be one too.

    If you are very unexperienced with dogs, you should start by finding a relative or friend who has one you can socialize with and get to know.

    Watch a lot of tv shows on dogs (animal planet has good information you can check their website)
    Hey look! found something on their website that might help you start!
    http://animal.discovery.com/guides/dogs/…
    Check it out!

    I have read about three books so far, and I trained my neighbour's dogs for basics with their help.
    Your local library is the best place to start.
    Read books about them, and try to go to a friend's house to test out their dog with what you learned (unless the dog is really well trained, which in my case, wasn't).

    The book that helped me the most, was called : The Complete Guide to Dog Training by Katharina Schlegl- Kofler

    I don't know much about Singapore, since I live in North-America but other answers might help you.

    However, for a first step, you should do the above.
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Monday, November 14, 2011

Dog Health Questions: 10 Great Dog Training Tips?

I would like to know if anyone can write 10 great dog training tips to include in my dog breeds website?

Thanks Knotty x

5 Tips to Choose Effective Dog Training Courses



Recommended Answer:
1. Make it fun for the dog. Treats shouldn't be the only reward.
2. Be patient, dogs don't understand things right away.
3. End training sessions on a high note. If you see they're making progress, it's good to stop while you're ahead, and pick up next time.
4. Keep training sessions short and sweet. Dogs have a short attention span.
5. Use hand signals for each command--dogs understand these more than your words. (But you can use words, too.)
6. Train one command at a time as to not confuse them. Once they've mastered one command, move onto the next.
7. Be consistent. For example, if you want to train them not to go on the sofa, then they need to never be allowed on the sofa by anyone. Otherwise, they'll just be really confused.
8. Don't give away treats for free ever. Dogs should always have to work for them.
9. Don't forget the praise! Dogs want to hear that you're happy with what they did--dogs don't always get it just from a treat shoved in their mouth.
10. Make sure to mark their action the second they get it right. You can use either a clicker or a verbal marker like "Yes!" or "Good!". Make sure to be quick with your marker, so they know what they did at that exact second was what pleased you.

Need Help With Dog Training? Help is at Hand


  • Obedience training is the foundation for establishing a better relationship between you and your dog. Obedience training helps establish the owner in the role of "pack leader". Obedience will lay down clear behavior guidelines that your dog can follow. A well-behaved, obedient dog is more than just a pet of pride. The difference lies largely in the training, and good training can save a dog's life.

    These articles will give you tips about how to best train your dog.

    Dog Training - http://www.dog-pound.net/dog-training.ht…

    Dog Obedience - http://www.dog-pound.net/dog-obedience.h…

    Repetition, consistency, practice and correction are what it takes to train a dog to be happy and responsive. If you follow these simple steps you will find that your puppy can grow into an obedient well-adjusted dog.

    Repitition and Consistency in Dog Training - http://www.dog-pound.net/repetition-cons…

  • Well I only have a few that I thought that was very smart:
    1. Teach your dog commands in another language, at least the basic ones. It will impress friends, and if you want your dog to watch your house while you're away for awhile, intruders won't be able to command your dog. This one may be hard though.

    2. Teach your dog to wait for cars to stop passing before crossing the street. That way, in case your dog gets loose, they'll know to wait before crossing so they won't get ran over.

    3. Some people train dogs to call 911 when they're assigned to assist elderly people.

    4. Alerting the owner when they're hungry by bringing over their bowl, or when they have to do business by scratching on the door.

  • The mistake i see all the time (usually on a very cold morning) is when your dog goes poop don't take him home if he figures and he will is that's all you want him to he will hold it FOREVER. My tip is take your dog for a walk or to the park foe the same length of time. Don't shorten his time for convenience .

  • I will give you 2.

    1) Dont let your dog jump off the back of your sofa.

    2) If you dog does and hurts it leg and cant walk on it:
    -take. the. dog. to. the. vet. and. get. off. the. computer. NOW.

  • Klee,

    I can give you fifty (50) training tips. However, what training tips do you have already?

    Everett

  • Bring him to training school

  • Whats cute at 8 weeks isn't at 100 lbs. Behavior.

  • i always get advise from this forum: http://positively.com/forum/

  • I can do that, but will credit be given where credit is due?
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Saturday, November 5, 2011

Dog Health Questions: Is 6 months of age an ok age to start gun dog training?

My dog is 6 months old and I would like to train her for a hobby/project that I'm doing. Your help is appreciated

Buying An Electronic Dog Training Collar Doesn't Have To Be Shocking



Recommended Answer:
Not at all. If you will be training it to be a gun dog, the sooner the better... Many kennels & game preserves that raise hunting dogs, usually start getting them out a couple times, around 4 months... They get to see the other dogs hunt & hear the shooting... I have seen bird dog pups point at 12 wks... It's very instinctual in well bred dogs.

sorry, I misread your question... thinking your were asking if it was too early... so said not at all... 6 months is the perfect age to break a gun dog.

Boxer Dog Training Tips and Ideas That Are Critical to Effective Instruction


  • No I had my Beagles totally trained at Five (5*) months.*
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Dog Health Questions: What is the cost of dog training/obedience?

I have 2 German Shepherds. 1 mail 1yr. 1 female 9 months. I want to adopt another male German Shepherd that is 21/2 yrs. What is the average cost of training do you think?

Revealed - Boxer Dog Training Secrets



Recommended Answer:
Hi there, hope your doing ok!

Here are your options for various kinds of dog training programs:

There are group dog training sessions that usually cost around $40 - $130 and that last four to eight weeks, 1 hour per session.

There are also private dog training sessions, where the trainer himself will visit your house or work place to give your dog a professional training for around two - four weeks. This type costs around $1000 - $2,500 and training session usually last longer compared to group training sessions.

Yes it is quite expensive, but you can rest assured that you will get what you pay for. Most dog trainers focus on different areas of your dog's attitude and obedience and after that training program, you will begin to appreciate the difference it did for your dog and for you. Standard training classes usually focus on addressing your dog's chewing, barking, biting and digging behavior.

Here are a few tricks that are free though

Start Using Sign Language to Communicate with Your Dog

Believe it or not, your dog never did learn to obey your voice commands. Sure, it may have appeared to obey "sit, stay, and come" or whatever else you have taught it but really your dog learned to follow some other signal. Your dog learned that when you move a certain way you want to it do the trick.

If you watch yourself, you will start seeing that maybe you pat your leg when you want it to come or raise your hand when you want it to sit. Do the sign without the words and your dog will still do the trick. In fact, teach tricks without the sign and your dog will learn faster.

Start Using Body Language

This goes right along with sign language. Many times, people wonder why my dogs don't rush the door when the doorbell rings. It is because I have taught them not to do this. I tell people I can teach their dogs not to rush the door in less than five minutes as well. (No one ever believes me.)

I have a volunteer ring the doorbell. When the dogs rush the door, I get between the dogs and the door and loom over the dogs. The dogs back away. I back the dogs up until the dogs get to a predefined point. Then, I go towards the door. If the dogs start towards the door, I turn and loom towards the dogs again until they back up past the point. It takes a few minutes but they get the point. (Sometimes I add the word "back" if they have been trained, but not always.)

This method takes a few doorbell rings for the dogs to learn that they are not to go past the predefined point. Then, I have the owners try the doorbell challenge. The owners are always shocked at how fast the dogs learn not to rush the door. It only took a little body language to learn.

Stop Yelling at the Dogs

This is actually a common mistake. The dogs start barking and people start yelling to be quiet. This is really reinforcing the behavior. In essence, you are telling the dogs there is something to bark about and you are joining in by sounding the alarm.

While this may sound odd, this is an effective maneuver. If your dogs are barking at something outside, call them inside. Even if they only stay inside for a few minutes, you interrupted the pattern and stopped the barking. If they are barking inside, send them out. The message sent is barking equals they must leave the activity and quiet means they get to stay. Never pet a barking dog.

Hope this was helpful

Dog Training Basics - Avoid These Five Common Mistakes


  • Prices vary widely. For good basic obedience, many local shelters offer classes, usually for under $100. If your dogs have any training issues, or you want more intensive training, I would expect to pay in the $150 - 200 range for a 6 - 8 week series. Some places will give a multiple dog discount if you want to bring all the dogs.

    German Shepherds are super smart, so obedience class should be great fun!. Just remember training is on-going and lasts a dog's whole life.

  • Hi,
    IMHO i don't like training "classes." I admit I'm being bias because i like guard dogs and and reading up on advanced dog training. If your dog is trained by other people other than yourself this can sometimes make the dog think that he can trust anyone. I know this isn't true in all circumstances.

    By training you dog yourself you can save money and create a stronger bond with your dog(s). They enjoy spending time with their owners and they enjoy pleasing their owners. so if you do train the dog yourself make sure to let the dog know your impressed and happy when he does something right. they can sense if your happy or not.

    http://torenithe.hopfeed.com/feed/?u=Mjk…

    ummm don't know why the link looks like that... I keep copy and pasting and it keeps changing to this whenever i paste it... :S it should take you to the dog training tutor website. Its and e-book. I got it for $47 US. Used it amongst other books and it had most of the the tips that all the other books had plus a few extras. I think it also comes with a 60day money back guarantee.
    But I recommend you check it out its been quite helpful.

    Even old dogs can learn new tricks :P
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Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Dog Health Questions: Trying to find a book about running a dog training business?

I am looking for the single best book I could get that has the most information about starting and running a dog training business.

Also if you have any websites on the same topic that would be great

Dog Training and the Dog-Human Bond



Recommended Answer:
These are the 3 best resources that were given to me when I was researching the very same question for my sister.

1. First off, research the market you are getting into. I know this sounds like a Mr. Obvious type of statement, but there are effective, and not-so-effective ways of doing this type of research. So what would be the most effective and cheapest way to research the dog training world? I'd head on over to Mr. P's dog training pages. Tons and tons of information all geared towards the dog training subject.

2. Get a mentor or become an apprentice... the best and cheapest way to do this is either contact someone who is actively in the business (make sure they are out of your proposed territory - you will not get any help or advice from someone you may take business away from), or tap into SCORE. Go to their website and type in "dog trainer" as part of your criteria for a business mentor. It's free, and you may fall onto some retired dog trainer who will give you priceless guidance not found in any book.

3. Look at books recommended by established organizations. There are tons of how-to ebooks being marketed online today - and most of them carry inflated price tags since anywhere from 50-75% of the price goes to the affiliates who are marketing them. Sorry, but this is a truism in most cases.

Good luck in your search...

Buying An Electronic Dog Training Collar Doesn't Have To Be Shocking


  • try borders

  • http://www.infoGenome.net/geno-infogenome.net/how-to-start-a-pet-business.ePlus.htm

    I put that link together for you using some software I created to collaborate online research... there's not a lot out there but hopefully you find this somewhat helpful... goodluck to you!
Read More...

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Dog Health Questions: How much should I charge for dog-training and sitter?

I'm an experienced dog trainer (I've fully trained my three dogs, as well as several of my friends dogs which included a pitbull, rottweiler, and german sheperd) and needing some extra cash for how everything is so expensive these days, I want to take up a part-time job of dog-training and sitting. How much should I charge? What would you pay for a personal trainer? By the way, I'm 17 1/2.

Electronic Dog Training Collar



Recommended Answer:
For the first few customers, go low (like $10-$15, no more then $20) just so that you can get experienced even more. When you've trained a few customers dogs till they are satisfied, use them are recommendations and go higher. Of course, I wouldn't pay no more then $50 for a person trainer.

Dog Training - Teach Your Dog the Sit Command at Once


  • Just because you have experience, doesnt mean that you can charge people. Different states have different laws and id check into that before charging. You may have to report your earnings and pay taxes. You really should have some sort of professional training and a certificate to show people. Helping your friends is different from helping a stranger. I do overnight house sitting/dog sitting and I charge 25$ a night.
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