Showing posts with label how to potty train my dog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label how to potty train my dog. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Do no pull dog harnesses actually work?

I was in Walmart looking at the collars and spotted a dog training harness that promised to stop the dog from pulling. Does this actually work or what? If so how does it work?

Off! How to Keep "Four on the Floor" - Basic Dog Training



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It depends on the harness. I don't think the one from Wal Mart does. A Premire Easy Walker harness does.

If you are having difficulties with pulling, there are also other methods. But honestly, even knowing those methods, I have two Easy Walker harnesses.

The Halti and Gentle Leader also work if you work though the fact that most dogs to not like things on their face. They are like a HALTER on a horse not a bridle.

Some don't like these new inventions that are kinder to the animal and want you to use things that can actually harm your dog like choke chain. The very fact that is "chokes" the dog, should be a clue the at it is not the best way to help you dog.

Using Body Language in Your Dog Training


  • There are harnesses you put around the dog's body, and it gives you more control over him, so dogs are less likely to pull. When they pull, they feel you pulling them back by their whole body.

    Head harnesses are different. They are like bridles for horses. They go on the dog's head and when he pulls too hard, it makes him close his mouth. It is very gentle, but dogs respond well to it. They learn quickly not to launch off while on leash. I'd suggest getting one of these. They're made by Halti and Gentle Leader.

  • The harness' work to a certain extent. They will help keep your dog from pulling some. If you have a dog who pulls vigorously it won't stop all the behavior. The straps go under the dogs front legs and naturally restricts their movement. Obedience training really helps pulling dogs too.

  • use the Head Halters - eg GENTLE LEADER or HALTI instead.. they DO work - if they can control a 1000 pound horse they will work on a dog!!

    preferably get them from a proper pet supply store...

    harnesses are less effective and NEVER use a choke collar - dogs can lean on them and these have been known to kill several dogs, and are not effecitve training tools at all...

  • If this is the collar i think you are talking about ( goes around the top of muzzle and around the neck) then yes. For sure it works. It works because, everytime your dog pulls, being that its wrapped around the muzzle it pulls the head back the opposite direction, basically forcing the dog back to you. So, eventually the dog will learn not to lunge because it know it wont be able to go where you dont want it to.

  • this does work. if you have a little dog, i recommend this website!
    http://go.fetch.home.comcast.net/

  • yes it does because when the fight it its pulls them and keeps them from jumping up i worked in kennels and the dog we kept with collapsed trachea we used a no pull harness on them they did a lot better then most dogs even on a leash who know how to walk on one they do work it a harness but its is very difficult to put on in my opinion but i do like harness any type better the collars wish they were around when we were raising labs.

  • Depends on your dog. I've tried them on a lab, didn't work & a chow, didn't work. The choke chain didn't work on either one but the halti worked great on the lab. Kept her nose off the ground so she couldn't follow scents of other animals. With the chow, we ended up using a prong collar (with rubber tips). Nothing else would work & I still use it 13 yrs later.

  • Unfourtunatley none of these people who have responded to the question have any common sense at all. The harness is designed to MAKE THE DOG PULL. Why so you think the use harnesses on sled pulling dogs? Because it "Harnesses" the dogs center of motion and gets the most strenght out of the dogs stride.

    Don't use a hrness, use a regular collar and when the dog pulls yank on the leash quickly and sharply and tell it "Don't Pull" in a stern voice, repeat as nessacary. The more you walk the dog the better he will be.

  • There are gentle leaders (my dogs hated them and though they worked, the dogs did not adjust to them and were miserable with them.)
    Now I have "Easy Walk" harnesses I got at PetSmart for all three. It helps a lot. They can still pull some, but the harness is designed for self restraint (tightens when they pull). It makes them much much easier to handle. There is another newer harness that is self restraining but I don't remember the name. When these get older, I will try that brand because the leash on my brand snaps on in front of the dogs chest and the newer one snaps on top of it's back. It's less awkward. I do like the Easy Walk much better than the gentle leader though!

  • There is one that I use on my boxer who pulls majorly and this thing really works. I think its by Holtz and its their no pull harness. I've tried everything on my dog including those head halters and that didn't even work that great for my dog. But, that brand harness worked wonders for my dog. He gets to the end of his leash and immediately eases up. It creates some kind of pressure on the body and stops him dead in his tracks. And, it was only 15 bucks at Petsmart. I've seen others like it, but I don't know if they work as well as the one I bought. Give that brand a try b/c its the only thing thats worked for my boxer. I've even used spiked collars, and this harness is the best thing I've found so far.JoeCoolTrio-Yes , harnesses are easier for a dog to pull in. But the harness I have is made out of some weird thin rope and my dog doesn't pull AT ALL in it. He pulls so bad that he bruises his neck with a collar. This harness does work and my dog doesn't pull at all. It applies pressure to certain pressure points and trust me , it works. Its not a regular harness like you're describing. It is the only thing that has worked for my wild dog. So, don't say everyone doesn't know what they're talking about b/c I have first hand experience with a 70lb energetic spaz dog.

  • no they dont in my opion.

    use a choke chain much t better , or your just water skiing
    with your dog lol
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Monday, September 10, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Should I get rid of my dog?

My dog has destroyed my house....He goes to the bathroom all over the place all day everyday. We have spent $500 dollars on dog training and it didnt do anything and people have recommended these trainers! his morning I walk downstairs ad he chewed my livingroom pillow on my very expensive furniture. He eats all of my daughters toys and this morning he chewed her boppy pillow. This dog cannot cost us anymore money. We have tried crating him and he yelps and screams(not good with a baby in the house). We tried locking him in the kitchen and he jumps over the gate. oh and he also goes to the bathroom in the crate and rubs himself in it. Here is the catch, my husband loves him!!!! he knows that we are probubly going to have to get rid of him but he is soooo heartbroken. i dont want to hurt my husband. i don know what to do.

Do You Make These 4 Common Mistakes in Dog Training?



Recommended Answer:
Not even the best dog trainer in the world can stop a bored and frustrated dog from chewing up very expensive furniture! How old is this dog? It also takes a couple of weeks to house train a dog if done correctly. He obviously was never correctly crate trained, he's likely not getting near enough exercise and for sure, not getting any obedience training or anything else to keep his mind active.

You need to start all over again and train this dog - a good breeder is an invaluable resource. Get a book on basic dog training - Tamar Geller has a book called "the Loved Dog" that's really good for novices - gives step by step, very clear instructions.

However, if you won't invest the time a dog needs, it would be a kindness to him to find him a good home now where he'll get the care, love and training he deserves.

Dog Training - You and Your Dog


  • plz don't give him anpther try...it's just a stage...he'll get out of it

  • what kind of dog is it and how old your husband needs to train his dog

  • You could ask your husband if he has a friend or a relative who'd be willing to keep the dog, so he doesn't lose it completely.

  • Well in my opinion i think you should get rid of the dog but then again if your husband really wants the dog maybe he should try harder to train the dog if he really loves the dog. But that is not my choice but it is just a idea.

  • try to take him on a lease in the house for a wile and when he bits on ur stuff tell him no bad dog and he might no what his doing!!!! wrong if that doesnt work try keeping him outside!!!

  • Is your husband who loves this dog so much taking him outside to go to the bathroom every 2-3 hours? Is your husband taking him on at least 2 30 minute walks a day? This dog needs exercise and to be taken outside to use the bathroom. If a dog is well exercised and has chew toys he will not destroy the house. A dog that is supervised in the house and taken outdoors every 2-3 hours will not eliminate in the house.
    So many people get a dog and expect it to come perfect. Dogs are hard to train and a lot of work to exercise. You have to include this dog in your everyday activities as if it is another child. He sounds frustrated and bored.
    Tell your husband if he wants to keep the dog he is going to have to start taking care of it. If he isnt willing to do those things then you will have to rehome him.

  • Yup I would enough of that.

  • What was it about the training program that you weren't able to follow?
    You need to put your dog on a schedule for pottying and watch him carefully. The habit of pooping in the crate must be stopped ASAP.
    http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.…
    Your dog needs a LOT more exercise and needs to be *rewarded* when he has successful potty trips outside. Your puppy must never be allowed access to things that he can destroy. I strongly urge you to review the materials that the training school gave you and if you have questions, call them and ask. Are you aware how hard it is to place a dog with another home?

  • You should keep him becasue I have a dog too thats 8 years old now and very calm, when he was a puppy he destroyed and chewed up our carpet, and everything else in sight,which caused my parents to lose a lot of money like u but he's callmed down now, and we love him. A tip for right now though, is @ petco u can buy training pads which are these water absorpant pads that if your dog goes in the house, then it won't be a mess u throw that pad away, also if you buy "gates" so your dog can only stay in 1 room (like the kitchen) is where we put him becasue the floor is tile and there's nothing on the floor to chew so he can't ruin the house. gate off archways and usually you can buy gates that are like high enough so the dog can't jump, ut low enough where it's convinient 4 you to get around the house.

  • ok, the dog chews up your things. dogs do that, they chew. especially puppies. what means more to you an object that is incapable of loving you back, that you will throw away in the next 5 years more then likely anyway, or a dog who will love you unconditionally for the rest of it's life? someone who, no matter what happens in your life or it's life, will be there with kisses for you and a wagging tail, someone that will more then likely lie down his life to save yours or your child's? a friend for your child who will never hurt their feelings and will do all they can to cheer your child or you or your husband up during times of sadness or illness, doesn't that mean more to you then having to clean up after the dog while he is training?

    ok, here are tips for housetraining, walk the dog often and long walks. walking stimulates the dog to have to go to the bathroom. bring treats and reward dog EVERY time he goes to the bathroom outside. DO NOT STICK DOG'S NOSE IN IT IF HE MESSES UP INSIDE. You will end up with a dog afraid to go to the bathroom because they think that is what they are in trouble for. This will lead them to not wanting to go in front of you ever, including on walks. Forget putting the dog out in the yard to go while training, dog won't learn that way. You must WALK the dog. Keep the dog in the same room with you, and if you see dog sniffing, take for walk immediately.

    Chewing advice, buy things that the dog would prefer to chew (bones, rawhide, kongs with treats inside, toys that squeak, balls, rope, etc.) When the dog chews his stuff, reward him for it, when he goes for something of yours, tell him no in a firm voice and take the item away. I would also teach the dog the command drop it.

  • Change his diet, we had the same problem with our dog, so a breeder recommended to change his food to some thing with less protein in it, we did this and now he is a totally different dog. Try chappie, it comes in a few different flavours to suit your dogs taste.

  • How old is the dog? Did you have a child after the dog was already in the house? Sounds like he needs lots of attention.
    He should be crate trained. It is not cruel, did it with my dog and the destruction was minimal. He is demanding attention from more than just your husband and it sounds like he is jealous of the baby. He needs a regular schedule of exercise, training, play etc. He should go outside shortly after eating. Need to reward the good behavior to reinforce. Try a different trainer if you don't have any luck setting a better schedule.

  • It sounds like your dog has too much energy, have you ever watched the Dog Whisperer on tv? Dogs need exercise daily, and not just a little walk, exercise that will tire them out, so they won't destroy your house. When he chews everything up, it's because he is bored and has too much energy. I have dogs, and if they don't get their daily exercise, you best bet that my shoes are the first thing in their sight! You need to start exercising your dog with a constructive walk, have him walk beside you, don't let him pull you and be crazy, then go home and play with him, so he'll be too tired to do anything else. I would suggest buying Cesar Milan's books, he's the dog whisperer, and you'll understand your dog's bad behavior for it!
    Good luck!

  • Pent up energy...this dog need more exercise......he needs long walks, runs, a couple of times a day.....Rollerblade with him......like Cesar Milan does.....ever watch The Dog Whisperer? Alot of his techniques do work....

  • You should doggy proof your house. Your dog is spoilt. The only way is to show him who is the boss and who is the dog.

    Read my blogspot http://woofwoofdiary.blogspot.com for tricks and tips on raising up a doggy.

  • Displaying puppy lonelyness! to think of is he trainable? and maybe he needs the great outdoors? as far as him going in the house does he have exscape a (DOGGY) door/ or have trainedhim to hold it? if thats the case don't leave water out except bathroom and don't feed him after 6PM. make sure you take him out for long walks before sleep time...1-2 miles....if you have get rid of him do it though a shelter? and give all his toys,food etc.

  • Well, sounds like a delema for you. The thing is I don't think you spent enough time with the trainer. How long was the training, and most importantly did you do what the trainer told you to do. You have to follow up on what the dog trainer told you to do. It does not sound like you did that.

    I would suggest this, you don't want to disapoint the hubby, so try this. Tell him he must handle the dog. Try another trainer, and send hubby with the dog, for dog training.
    Make him responcible for the dog, if in 2mo you notice no improvement with the dog, and you tell hubby about the two months, then the dog must go.

    Good Luck

  • The difficulty is that no-one will take on a problem dog. Your dog is completely "fixable" but needs a lot of time and attention. I'm thinking if you have young kids then it's hard for you to find the time to do that.

    Basically he needs a lot more exercise to wear him out (morning and night), and he needs to be supervised in the house. Take him outside on a leash at regular intervals and walk him around until he pees, then bring him back in. If he pees inside then say NO and straight outside. When he is inside it would help to keep him on a leash and with you so you can supervise his behaviour and correct him when he does something wrong.

    He will outgrow this stage I'm sure. You can get him a belly band so he doesn't pee on everything and you might hope he grows out of it. I'm assuming he's an active breed like a terrier or some sort of working dog? If so you need to really work on keeping his mind active with walks and toys.

    If it's all too hard then you should rehome him, but what kind of person is going to take on a dog like this? If you do a bit of work with him you might have a better chance of finding someone to keep working with him.

    I know a lot of people aren't a fan of the dog whisperer (Caesar Millan) but check out his website, he has some good tips.

    Good luck - and tell your husband he has to start working with this dog!

  • Keep on trying eventually he will grow out of this stage. Keep on pratcieing to and maybe see if he'll wear a muzzle or something.

  • Did you go to a class? Have you read any books by Patricia McConnell, Ian Dunbar, Pat Miller, Jean Donaldson, Trish King...... YOU need to learn how to work with this dog, not count on a trainer to fix him. You don't mention what kind of training you've done with the dog, so it's impossible to comment on alternatives. What does the dog like to do when he's not being 'bad', run, catch balls, chase sticks, etc. Does the dog's mind and body get stimulation from learning new behaviors and commands?

    If the dog is young and just untrained and you don't intend on working with this dog to teach it appropriate behaviors (spending money on a trainer is grand but living and with a dog requires 24 hour training since dogs are learning from us every minute), find a new home for it before it gets older and inexperience and immaturity are replaced by adult dog inappropriate behaviors, not just puppy wildness. If you think the dog is untrainable, put the dog down, don't pass him off to a rescue system that causes dogs' behaviors to usually get worse and the dogs are stressed until they get adopted out to another a home that can't manage them or they get euthanized. Too often a dog that needs special training doesn't get it and ends up chained up to tree and lives out it's life alone and miserable.

    Loving a dog isn't enough if you're not willing or able to put time into learning how dogs learn.

    www.fearfuldogs.com

  • I bet this is a small dog right?

    Buy Ed Frawleys Obedience training dvd from Leerburg.com.
    Theres really no point sending a dog to a trainer, they don't work usually.

    I have a similar problem with a Dobe. I know how much money you waste trying to rctify the problem.

    Don't let him have free run of the house! Come on! If he's like that the Kitchen should be the only room for him.

    Now housetraining? Thats simple and it should have been done the second you brought him home! Its gonna be a lot harder now.

    I think this is just a simple training problem, YOU have to train him, this does come more naturally to some than others, but work at it with the help of Ed Frawleys DVD. I wouldn't bother with any other trainer, I think this guy is really good.Good luck!

  • i dont understand. why would you want to get rid of your dog because he's destroying your house? this basically is the same thing that happened to my aunt. its not the dog's fault. this is yours. you need to understand that this dog needs to be trained correctly. nothing will turn out right if you dont. crate training is the best way to control your dog. unless you dont take him outside to do his business every 2-4 hours, he'll basically go insane and mess up the house. what do you expect? a dog is not capable of controlling themselves when they need to go to the bathroom. you need to remember that these are dogs and they are like babies. you cant just get rid of a baby if they mess something up in your life. basically, you're trying to say that your dog you have is not 'good enough' for you. if you cared about the dog, you'd start over again and try harder. its not easy but its not difficult. you need patience, my friend, and i promise you with my heart, he will listen to you with correct training. dont praise him whenever you want, dont give him food every second, and don't scold him harshly. he will basically stress out and wont know what the 'right' thing is. i understand your problem but you cannot get rid of a dog that is trying. if he's only a puppy, okay. i understand that. if he's an adult dog, the reason can definitely lead to the owner. the dog is not to be blamed for. he is trying and isnt succeeding because you're not training him correctly. look online for crate training or housebreaking tips, go to stores or the vet for suggestions, do something. from the sound of it, you're not trying. when he barks, make a strange noise he's never heard of because basically he'll be too interested into the noise, not barking. if he needs to pee, take him outside. if you're not home, put him in the crate if you have one. if not, BUY one. there's always an answer to your questions. try at least, hun. everything will be fine if you start small!

  • you obviously spent a lot of money getting your dog trained.
    Problem is that a good trainer will not train your dog for you. You will still not have a well behaved dog that way.
    In my classes you must demonstrate every class that you know the exercises taught that day before leaving.
    Training a dog does not come down to what it is taught once a week in class. You must go home and at least spend 2, 15 minute sessions daily between classes reviewing and training what was taught to you.
    Don`t give up on your dog, find a trainer that is willing to work with you. In my classes , I am very hands on, that is , if I see you having problems learning an exercise I step in to help you.
    You may also want to find an obedience club that offers classes. Yes they are far more regimented but it sounds to me like your dog could use it.
    Find a class with a small amount of dogs enterd in it, or you won`t get the attention you need.
    With so many trainers out there, for some it has become about the numbers of dogs entered in a class and the money they charge.
    And bottom line after reading your frustration, If your husband wants to keep the dog, make sure he takes him out to class, play, teach, and do it`s business on a daily basis.
    Their should be one Alpha for a while with a dog like this, give him the job, and make sure he follows through if he wants the dog.
    If he balks at it, tell him that the reason the dog is doing these things is that it is bored, and if he wants a dog he should be willing to sacrifice the time to properly train it.
    Good Luck

  • put him out of the house. Training has not helped him and you should not feel bad. Some dogs just do not do well in the house. He could have a problem with you are your daughter. If you are not the boss he does what he wants. This is simple and alot of people do not become the boss. You have to take control and whip him when he does wrong. Dogs in the house should be small get them as pups so you can be the one that decides how things run in your house. What kind of dog is it ? Does he like the out doors? Build him a pin outside. Another thing that you can do is get him a playmate. If he is a big dog you might want to put them outside in a pin. I have chihuahua's and they play and sleep together all daywhile we are gone. One is perfect and the other makes me crazy. Abby has heartworms and she came from somewhere else and it was to late to treat her. So we love her all that we can but she does get on my nerves. She hates my 19 year old daughter. She messes where ever she wants. I close off certain areas where i do not want her to be. Maddy is a gift from dog heaven. The advice is find a playmate, or put it outside or find a home for him and get something else.

  • Em.. I'm not really a dog expert or anything but i think he just wants attention. Try buying him/her a few chew toys for it to chew on. Maybe that might help a little. And if you want to abandon it please please dun leave it to stray, put him/her in a proper pet shelter where he/she will be taken care and *loved. GOOD LUCK ANYWAY!!

    *cant be sure of that...

  • I don't know how your dog trainers worked, or if they involved your family, but your dog really sounds like he doesn't respect any of you as Alpha Pack Leader.

    Your entire paragraph poses questions in my mind.
    1) do you give him positive attention? If so, do you give enough?
    2) do you give him enough exercise? If so, is it enough.
    3) you don't say what breed or size he is
    4) you don't say if you've joined a yahoo group on this breed of dog
    5) you don't say what the dog's age is
    6) since your husband loves him, I can't just say "rehome him" but that may be what you need to do. You don't say ANYTHING about what your HUSBAND has done:
    ... a) to be Alpha Pack Leader
    ... b) to train the dog
    ... c) to exercise the dog

    Dogs that are destructive are often either confused or bored.

    Dogs are Pack Animals and need to know their place in the pack.
    Not knowing causes confusion.

    Dogs need a JOB to do. Has your husband attended obedience and training classes WITH the dog to learn how to train the dog to Sit, Stay, Lie Down, Roll Over, Leave It, Back Off, and other such important commands?

    Has your husband tried to train the dog to do Frizbee competition? That's very rewarding for dogss.

    How you work with a dog depends to some extent on what breed(s) the dog is. Some breeds are easier to train as they are geared towards working with their human. Some breeds are more independent and harder to train.

    You only say you spent $500 on a trainer... you don't say what the trainer did, if you actively participated, if your husband actively participated, or what the trainer said about your dog's training, capabilities or problems with training. If you just handed the dog over and said "train him for me" that doesn't hack it. The dog needs to be trained by and loved by it's owners, and I don't think the dog is getting the interaction with you all, and ESPECIALLY with your husband that he needs.

    So, you need to read my notes, and write a list of what you don't do and what you do do... and review it... and decide what you didn't do that you need to do if you are to keep the dog... then you must discuss and decide (we cannot do that) IF you will try to do some of the things you have failed to do so far or if you are ready to give the dog over to rescue, ASPCA, or your local Humane Officer. The dog will not be rehomed (hopefully) until he's tested and his problems fixed.

    Karen had a good point, but it took time to decipher since she kept referring to a "pin". If your dog is a breed that needs to be OUTSIDE, a kennel of "pen" would help, but again, it has to be large enough for the dog to get lots of exercise. Then the dog could run in the pen outside much of the day. Two of my dogs insist on staying outside on guard each night, but I'm in the country and their barking wards off the coyotes for us. A WELL fenced yard or a kennel (pen) can work, BUT ONLY if you also give the dog personal time and attention and exercise. If you don't have time for the dog, you should not have the dog. It's like raising a child....!!!!

  • Yes.

    The first reason I say this is you have already given up.

    I don't know what breed you have or how hard this dog will be to find a home for. I'm hoping there is a reputable rescue in your area.

    The second reason I'm saying to surrender your dog is that I don't believe you are committed to having a dog and making it work. I'm going to say some things that may sound harsh and I'm not trying to be rude but if you disagree with me, then prove it by changing things in your home.

    If the dog is going to the bathroom all over your house, that's your fault. You aren't supervising your dog. I have 5 dogs in my house. No one potties in my house ever. They are all house trained AND crated trained.

    No one destroys anything here either. They are supervised, corrected if their behavior is incorrect and they are trained. I reinforce good behavior and I correct bad behavior.

    If he is pottying in the crate, he's being left in it to long.

    The dog is in charge of you and not the reverse.

    Dogs need schedules, rules, discipline, activity, training, supervision and affection. In fact, if you look at this, it's much like having a child. You can't let up at all. If the dog realizes you will let him out of the crate at night if he cries, he will cry.

    If you leave him too long without potty breaks, he will go in his crate.

    Do you have a fenced yard? Is that why he's going to the potty in the house? You have to walk him to potty instead of letting him out on his own?

    If you aren't 100% committed to making major changes, he's better off going to someone else who can. And if you have a baby in the house who is demanding all that attention from you, the dog is getting very little attention now. I'm sure that's part of what's going on.

    As I said, I'm not trying to be mean, but loving a dog isn't all there is too it. Loving your child is great but there's a ton of work that goes with having a baby. The same goes with having a dog. You have to do the work to get them to turn into good well behaved dogs. Depending on the breed, it may take a little more time. Some breeds are more active, some need more exercise etc. I don't know what you have so I can't help with that.

    I'd start looking for a good rescue unless you are willing to REALLY change your lifestyle.

    Good luck.

  • In my opinion you sound like a very busy mom and have no time to watch and or give attention to the dog. Since your husband wants to keep him, he should walk the dog for at least an 1 1/2 before going to work and in the evening. The dog needs someone to be there BEFORE he destroys anything rather than AFTER he already destroy the item. You and or your husband need to catch the dog in the act (destroying) and yell no and put him in the kennel so you can clean up the mess without having to worry about him being in the other room. Every time he goes in the kennel and does not bark and is calm give him a treat, he will start associating the kennel with treats. Once he gets the hang of it you can stop giving him treats. Overall you husband needs to spend more time with the dog...playing,fetching,walking,running daily exercise is what the dog needs! Good Luck.

    Add: With defecating all over the house problem, you need to pay attention to the dogs motions, when you see he starts sniffing around the entire house non-stop means he is looking of a place to defecate and when he starts circling that area means he already found the spot. When you see this motions take the dog outside to relive himself! Also when you hear him wining he needs to go outside right away! consistent housebreaking must be done.

  • Jessica, you have just described every puppy on the planet. It's totally normal for a puppy to act like this, and the only thing that can be done is for you and your husband to work together on training.

    He chews because you're not watching him (try keeping him on a long leash in the house for a while, you'll notice when he has to potty, and you'll also notice what a short time it takes for him to get bored and go find something more fun to do...like chew stuff up). Keep on using the crate, and use it consistently...it won't take long for him to stop eliminating in his crate, especially if you commit to using it regularly.

    The yelping and screaming when crating is also normal...he wants you to come open the door and let him out to chew on more stuff! Don't pay him any attention when he is in the crate, and he'll learn soon that he needs to be quiet. Try crating him for short periods when the baby is awake, so he won't wake her.

    You don't HAVE to get rid of this dog, he's like every other puppy out there...believe me, the "good" puppies are the exception, not the rule...they're like human children, they need someone to guide them in manners, and that would be your job. It would be a very lazy way out to dump this dog.

  • I think it would be easier and cheaper to buy a fifty dollar crate to keep the dog in when you are otherwise busy.
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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Have you ever known a dog?

That responded well to negative reinforcement?

I ask because lately dog training has been all about positive reinforcement. What do you think?

Search and Resuce Dog Training, Learning to Save Lives



Recommended Answer:
Positive reinforcement is a relatively new method of dog training. It wasn't very long ago that the most used training method was the rolled up newspaper. Before anyone ever heard of positive reinforcement, there were many very well trained dogs, who earned obedience titles, and excelled at working for their humans.

Dog Training Technique - Correcting Dog Behavior


  • Nope, my dog never has. I trained him that way once and he didn't learn anything at all.

    However, that's my dog. All dogs are different. While I don't recommend negative reinforcement, it may work for some people.

  • I'm sure that there are dogs out there that do respond to negative reinforcement...They are the submissive ones who will do anything to please. And I feel that it doesn't actually work--It just makes them fear you.

  • you mean, like hitting a dog?
    they only time i'd ever hit a dog is if it was biting someone.

    other than that i couldnt tell you. sorry :[

  • no living thing responds well to negative reinforcement. discipline yes but not negative reinforcement.

  • Many dogs receive some training in aversion therapy, which maybe likened to negative reinforcement. Such as having a motion detection sound alarm go off if the dog tries to get into the trash. Or, even knowing that their owner will yell loudly at them if they start to mess in the house. So, in that way, it works and almost everyone uses that method to an extent.

  • nope.
    all the dogs I know only responded to positive reinforcement.
    but you never know, maybe only certain dogs respond to negatives.

  • I have not seen a dog respond well to neg. reinforcement. Dogs are always happier when they get lots of love and attention. Maybe treat :) I know our dogs have always loved getting a head-scratch, or a nice treat!! I think positive reinforcement is the best way to go. That way, a dog understands what he is supposed to do. If a dog gets neg. reinforcement they don't understand what is being asked of them

  • Yes. My 5.5 month old Pit. It's called Negative Punishment not reinforcement. It is withholding treats and praise when the dog is not doing what you are trying to train it to do.

    Positive Reinforcement is using treats and praise when the dog does it correctly. The opposite of that is Negative Punishment.

    It works very well. And I learned this from Pit Bull Training Handbook by Jason Mann.

  • ROTFLMAO...only every single one on the face of the planet!Funny............billions of humans have trained hundreds of billions of dogs for TENS of thousands of years but the ARs have thoroughly brainwashed the average boobs that they CAN'T in less than a decade...amazing what MEDIA BLITZ can do,eh?

  • All dogs respond to negative reinforcement. Conversely all dogs respond to positive reinforcement. The degree to which they respond depends on the dog and excellent trainers are going to know how each is utilized.

  • Well that depends what you mean. Negative reinforcement is actually reinforcing a behavior by removing something. While positive reinforcement is reinforcing a behvaior by adding something. For example if I did an experiment where I gave a rat a small electric shock every time he stepped on a certain square, that is technically positive reinforcement. But you probably mean by negative reinforcement, discouraging a behavior with a negative stimulus. To assume all dogs will respond to positive reinforcement (the way you mean, not the technical definition) is a mistake. If you have a highly dominant high energy dog and you only use praise to get him to listen to you, he isn't going to. Some dogs need to be taught that they need to respect you, whether it be by touch (not hitting, just simple touch) or by claiming something like space with your body language. I'm sure there are a lot of people who think dogs can only be trained with positive reinforcement, and while most of them can, there are some who simply need more than praise and treats. Probably more than you realize. Personally, I think people who believe dogs can only be trained with positive reinforcement are new to the game. I certainly prefer to use positive reinforcement when I can, but sometimes it is not an option. I work at a doggy day care and if I fight breaks out, you can't just say good dog and hand out treats. It doesn't work that way.

  • Depends.....I believe you should never hit a dog.

    But my dogs it seems need a balance between positive and negative

    Negative meaning.....being scolded and put in the crate.

    And positive meaning good dog and treats.

    It takes a balance but my dogs have never really been much trouble at all anywayWe did strictly positive like the trainer said and they ended up worse behaved than any dog we've ever had, infact they learned to walk all over us

  • Quick question....how do you train using negative re-enforcement and what behaviours do you train?I cant think of anything at all....

    are you getting negative re-enforcement and punishment mixed up>???im so very confused
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Monday, April 9, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training tips!? HELP!?

I've been trying to get my now 6-7month old to stop barking when its unwanted.
I do the "enough" tapping it gently on the nose saying enough (it "enrages" her and gets her barking more) my father bought a box that lets out a high pitch noise when the dog barks, didnt work.

She bites whenever she thinks im playing with her (really im telling her to stop barking, or to get off the couch or trying to pet her gently, and give affection) f
She is not yet spayed , so she still has so much energy etc in her, and she sadly doesn't have the "calm" nature in her yet. When I tap her nose GENTLY ( i am against slapping, or hard hitting of dogs. ), for no biting, she barks louder and makes a "angry scrunched up face " and continues to try to bite. ( she shows no signs of anger, that is the only way i can describe her face when she barks louder)

I REALLY REALLY need help! She is getting and is somewhat at the age, she is too big to be rambunctious

notes:
I have taken to her to an obediance class as a puppy, and it was only really for commands. sit, stay, etc how to walk them. But the lady never really gave any useful advice with barking or biting.

Her name is holly, and she is a Newfoundland dog, big big dog. I need her to be trained properly, as shes a big breed, and bad things are sure to happen if the problems aren't delt with.
I had a nerveous Berner whom my dad gave off to a farm (dads fault he got timid) I am not emotionally stable to lose another dog. I am still re cooperating from my other leaving my life.

Dog Training - Getting the Basics Right



Recommended Answer:
Apparently tapping her nose is the wrong way to go. By doing that she is even considering that playing or some sort of positive reinforcement, you are feeding into her excitement. You should stop play before it gets that rough. When she bites say no and ignore her until she calms down, when she is barking do the same thing.

She sounds bored and a bored dog is a destructive dog. More exercise and work on the obedience training you have been through.

Bad Dog Training Tricks - How to Correct Bad Dog Behavior


  • Here is a site I recommend to pet puppy owners for training advice. The site owner is a well-known obedience trainer that uses positive methods. You can find an article here that can help you with most anyting you are having a problem with.
    http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com

  • To train your dog to a well behaved one,i found this site to be quite interesting and informative,
    http://secretsondogtraining.blogspot.com/

  • Oh dear, you are having a hard time. although I don't understand why you feel you should have to rehome her for this. You also don't say how old you are, or what made you consider getting such a large breed, although whatever the size of the dog, the principles remain the same. You need to be firm but calm when you deal with her. Reward good behaviour & ignore her when she does something you don't want her too. Reward with lots of love & attention, treats work well with some dogs depending on how food orientated she is. So if she starts to bite when you play with her, stop immediately, tell her NO in a very firm voice & then walk away from her. To deal with the barking I would suggest lots & lots of exercise. If you wear her out, she will be too tired to bark. There are several ways to do this, you could use a bike or skates. We have a staffie/boxer cross, who I get to run alongside me 2 or 3 times round the block with her running flat out. Chloe was destructive, rather than noisy & only when I left her. After running round the block, she would then just lie down & sleep for the whole time I was out although she had eaten rather a lot of the bannisters & large chunks of the skirting before we attempted this method - but the point is, you keep trying different methods until you find the one that works for you & your dog. My partner did say she would have to go after she ate his brand new glasses, but knows that he would be out the door before the dog & was only letting off steam (they were expensive glasses)!. I am surprised that the'box' didn't work, but again, try the training classes again & explain to the tranier what your problem is, they normally have several ideas, or possibly your local vet. Newfoundland's have fantastic temprements & there is no reason why you can't work round this. You also don't say exactly when she barks. Mine bark like mad at the postman, anyone coming to close to the front door - such as leaflet deliverers or if they hear anything on a night when my daughter is in bed. These are all perfectly acceptable times to bark, as they are protecting their home & their pack. You need to show your dog that you, not she, is the boss of her pack & what you say goes. Good luck & enjoy your dog.

  • we are training our dog to stop barking, we have tried different types of bark collars, but that never seems to work. so now what we do that really works is whenever she barks, we say "mud room" which is where the laundry machines are. then once she is in there we say stay and don't give any attention for a couple of minutes. after that we say "good quiet" and give her a lot of attention.

    i would recommend this for your dog. put her in an area that you dont go in a lot, but dont close the door. (also get her to learn the "quiet" command, by whenever she is quiet, say good quiet and give her a treat.)
    if she keeps coming to you after you say "stay" then use a little doggy gate. make sure that she can still see through the gate. if you don't have one then make an alternate one. you could her in a cage. this works for us because whenever she barks she starts to know where she's going, so she doesn't bark as much.

    as for the biting, whenever she bites turn around and don't give any attention and get her to learn the "no bite" command the way she laerns the "no bark" command.

    HOPE THIS HELPS!!!!!! :^)
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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Dog Health Questions: What is the Movie with plot -Guide To A Happy Marriage = Dog Training Book?

Guide To A Happy Marriage = Dog Training Book?

There was a movie comedy around 1969 (no later than '72) where when the girl got married, her mother gave her a book on training your dog. Each step was outlined in the book, and the implementation with the husband was illustrated in the movie.

Funny movie, I liked it, still makes me smile. The steps in making your dog a loyal well behaved animal also applied to making a man happy, co-operative. At different segments, the book was referred to, reading from it, applying that lesson. Some made me recognize that women often treat their husband badly, without the respect or words, approval shown a dog in training.

The movie showed a well appointed daughter and mother, well off (rich or semi rich), usually talking by phone, mother instructing the daughter about applying the lessons. Might have had a slight French accent. I recall well dressed in woman suits, hats. The girl was somewhere between 20 and 30 or so.

The movie name was something like Guide to a happy marriage, or perhaps "perfect marriage" but the title might have been "How to have a Happy marriage".

My wife at the time didn't *get* the movie, the points it was making about how to treat people, I did. She didn't understand lots of things, self centered.

Explains in after sight why she is on her 4th husband now, and I have another wife that has more understanding.

Would like to find it on DVD, watch it with my wife.

What is the movie, related info, actors?

Training Your Dog at Home - Save Thousands of Dollars on Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
It's "If a Man Answers" with Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin.

Secrets to German Shepherd Dog Training


  • It is If a Man Answers with Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee, Dee marries Darin and to keep him happy her mother suggests a book on dog training saying that is how she trained her father to be a good husband. It's a ggod comedy. I have it on DVD and got it thru Columbia House DVD movie club.

  • I believe it had Marilyn Monroe in it. (I've seen the movie, but I can't remember the title. I want to say How to Marry a Millionaire, but I don't think that's right)

    Might be a cool movie to remake given how most people treat there dogs like little people nowadays (and treat other people like crap)
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Saturday, August 27, 2011

Dog Health Questions: How much does dog training cost?

Does anyone know how much dog training costs? I'm in Riverside, CA and have seen private companies like K-9 Companions and Barkbuster, but I don't know how much to expect to spend. Any thoughts?

Training A Dog - Fundamental Dog Training - How-To



Recommended Answer:
I just stumbled on this and have been looking it over...seems like something pretty neat. It's an E-training class that is live or recorded with interactions....

http://www.e-trainingfordogs.com/CourseL…

It seems like a decent alternative to people that aren't in an area that offers classes or training.

ADD>>> I see people also recommending petsmart. They "can" be a good place and are very reasonable in costs as well as have a 100% guarantee. The thing to do is check out the trainer first though (there are even bad professionals in private practice). Watch some classes...talk to students and see if it might be what you need before just enrolling. I know some great trainers and some that aren't so great. If you're familiar with Zac George from Animal Planet...he was a petsmart trainer and is well known for his training skills :)

ADD>>> Also, training yourself is definitely cheaper but if you don't know what you're doing it can cause more problems. It's always best to get the basics from a reliable trainer then fine tuning your skills at home. Books have all the information you need if you understand the basics but I've seen people that even in classes, struggle. If you have specific problems you can't solve yourself, look into a basic obedience class. Even if they don't have the very best trainer you can learn some basic skills.

Dog Training Clicker - Why Use a Clicker?


  • If you are considering training a dog yourself, one of the top rated and best value courses is Secrets to Dog Training by Daniel Stevens.

    This guide is perfect if you need to quickly stop your dog biting, deal with dog aggression or find out how to stop them peeing in the house or car. Or you may need to address one or more of the other common dog obedience training problems such as excessive chewing, whining, or stopping your dog bolting out of the door?...Or you may have breed specific issues such as how to stop a Chihuahua howling or stopping excessive barking from your Border Collie?...

  • Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you give SitStayFettch a try. A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

  • Hello, I see that you need assistance towards dog training your beloved pet dog. I have discovered a websitewith excellent dog training tips and tricks that will also make
    your beloved pet dog healthy too! Recently one of my close friends really needed help towards getting their dog under contol and not behaving so wildly and excitedly. I recomended an excellent dog obedience academy training website. They followed the dog training academy course and within a few weeks their dog became under control, and they thanked me for sugesting this website to them. So, check this website out if they may be right for you. And much success towards your dogs traing implimentation.

  • It'll cost you free , if you'll train it by your self @ your home , And Believe me you can train your dog better than any trainer , cause you can understand each other , but the trainers can't understand your dogs mind and his likes dislike , for them it's only a dog which they've to train ....
    But you're mentally attached with your dog , so i think that you can train it better...!

  • Hey there, I certainly know what your needing. I've had the same problem with my puppy. Recently one of my relatives really needed some advice on how to train his dog too. She followed the dog training academy course to successfully have a full trained dog in a very short time. Let me know if this helps.

  • they have dog obedience classes at petsmart... i would say check out the reviews people have given for the trainer to really see if its worth how much their charging or the least expensive way to train your dog is you training the dog by urself, that way you have total control and trust of the dog and you aren't spending alot of money for it

  • i dont know about them or what kind of training your wanting...

    for basics near me it's about 94 for 6 weeks 10.00 every visit after that. place is great! run by people that show and work there dogs in agility, conformation and obedience trials.

    petsmart has a suckish training program here...for 200 for 9 weeks.

    another program i think is BS is one run by a facility that claims to train K9 officers...and is "willing to train your dog too" for 800 they will alpha roll your dog...i see the signs when i go to my parents they are just horrid.

  • I know that pet-smart offers dog training, i usually find pet-smart to be a more expensive place but they offer high quality services. you can go to this website: http://training.petsmart.com/. choose the class that you are interested in and then prices are displayed.

    Good Luck!

  • Depends where you go. I can train at my local kennel club for $150 and that covers the whole year. If I become a member it's more like $40. If I go to one of the more "fancy" places around here I think it's about $110+ for 8 weeks. Some other places are a little more reasonable at about $75 for 8 weeks. I don't have a clue what places like Petco cost, I have never (and would never) taken a class there.

  • I paid $90 to take part in a basic class at a dog training club, but other places that do it professionally are usually more per class (I was anticipating spending $200 or more for this club, and was happily surprised by the low price).

  • Steve E couldn't have said it better. Get involved with a club that offers agility class's you'll have more fun with it and it trains you also.

  • Bark Busters is about $495-520.
    K-9 Companions varies depending on the courses you select: http://www.k-9companions.com/courses.htm

  • Hi
    I guess you should try professional help
    I made some research for you and I found that you need professionals help
    Check the link below for useful info

  • Don't waste you money on them find a dog club or a dog agility instructor that competes with there dogs and take lessons you will have better value for your money and have more fun.

  • Hi, If your looking for a great source of information on training your dog. This helped me with my 124 lb yellow lab. Click below and good luck.
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