Showing posts with label search and rescue dog training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label search and rescue dog training. Show all posts

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Dog Health Questions: What is your favorite dog TV show on TV now?

Whenever I'm at my sister's house I watch tons of Animal Planet. Surprisingly, there are a lot of really good TV dog shows on. Do you have a favorite and why?

Bonus: Least favorite dog show EVER?
I have a lot of beef with a dog training show in canada called "At the End on My Leash." REally REALLY dislike it for too many reasons to list. :P

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



Recommended Answer:
Well me and Saber like Its Me Or The Dog and Dog Whisperer, dog 101 [Only a little, like i swear I turned on my TV this morning just to have some form of noise an dog 101 were presenting designer breeds...I wanted to slap myself]

I like Underdog to Wonder dog, It's cute and it make you feel good that not all humans are horrible stupid ignorant about dogs, I mean for got sake some people kick their dogs when they do something bad, abusive.

......I only saw a couple of Last Chance Highway but it seems good.Hate, I don't think I hate any dog show or at least seen one that I hate, I don't watch TV so often.

The Many Types Of Dog Training


  • Favorite- Pit Boss, Underdog to Wonderdog & Animal Hoarding. Pit Boss because it helps spread the truth, it helps find excellent homes for needed Pit Bulls and also is entertaining. Animal Hoarding is kind of creepy, but also entertaining, and it also spreads word that people ARE like that & they NEED help! Underdog to Wonderdog because I just love it. It's cute, it's helpful, it's truthful, it's entertaining, etc.

    Least Favorite- Dogs 101 because all of it's information is false and with that being said, false information + pre/owners with the wrong education on the said breed are in for a huge surprise. Not to mention it did an episode on designer dogs, that made me want to throw my baseball bat at the screen.

    I'm pretty 'meh' on It's Me Or The Dog & Dog Whisperer. The reason being because I don't like or watch those shows, but those methods are used by people. I have no problem with that.

  • It's Me or the Dog! I'm so excited about the new season! =)

    I'm about to finish Victoria's book "It's Me or the Dog - How to Have the Perfect Pet." It's a great book! Every dog owner or future dog owner should read it! =D

    EDIT:
    Yippee for thumbs down! You're just spurring me further towards IMOTD! Her methods work WITHOUT harsh punishment and WITH praise and rewarding good doggy behavior.

  • I'm kinda becoming fond of "Pit Boss". I work most of the time it's on, though.

    Least favorite? "It's Me or the Dog." To me, it almost seems like the dogs will only behave when you have food in front of them. A dog should listen because it knows it should, not because it wants a fatty treat.

  • There's a TV show here in Australia called "Send in the Dogs". It's about detection and Police dogs. It's good for its entertainment value.

    BQ: Least favourite? I wouldn't have a clue. We don't get many dog shows here.

  • pit boss or last chance highway:)

    least: dogs 101, its misinformative and horrible...

  • Is It Me Or The Dog

  • One of my favorites is "Pit Boss". I love that Shorty's Rescue is trying to change how people see Pit Bulls because they are not the vicious dogs people think they are. I also love "It's Me or the Dog". I like that Victoria Stilwell uses positive reinforcement training and is very calm yet firm when training the dogs (and their owners). She is also against any training techniques that cause the dog any pain. And she doesn't use food all the time, just until the dog associates the behavior with something good and then treats no longer need to be used every time. She also suits the reward to the dog, so if they like toys more, she'll use toys or whatever the dog likes best. I have used some of her techniques with my own dog and was very pleased with the results. Both of these shows are on Animal Planet. As for a least favorite, I honestly cannot think of one.

    Edit: I take that back. My least favorite is "The Dog Whisperer" as well. His tactics are borderline abusive (and most are abusive and inhumane in my opinion).

  • I LOVED Blues Clues when I was little! The old Blues Clues episodes with Steve, not Joe. In my opinion, the show was ruined when Steve left and Joe took his place!

    Other than that no, I don't have a favorite dog show. I don't watch Animal Planet. I used to really enjoy Animal Planet, but now all they broadcast is disgusting shows about morons getting attacked by wild animals! I think that channel should be ASHAMED of themselves! They're supposed to be educating the public about animals! Not broadcasting how IDIOTS get themselves mauled by sharks etc.

    I like it's Me or the Dog, but I don't watch it very often. I have nothing against Victoria Stilwell. At least she's not running around abusing dogs like Cesar Millan is so fond of doing!

    My least favorite dog show EVER is the dog whisperer! I DESPISE Cesar Millan! He is the WORST thing that has happened in the dog training world!

  • Dog Whisperer, It's Me or The Dog, Blue's Clues

    Least Favorite:
    Any propaganda show about puppy mills

  • Eddie on Fraser
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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Dog Health Questions: What dog breed can I use to hunt quail?

I've never been hunting before, but I'd love to get into hunting dove and quail. What dog breeds are good for bird hunting? Would I need a dog who flushes the birds, or more of a retriever? Or both?
I've had a lot of experience owning and training dogs, though I'd have to have my first dog trained for me since I have little hunting experience.

Easy Dog Training - 7 Top Tips



Recommended Answer:
I would looking into springers and GSP. Of course if you've never been hunting at all I suggest you find some local hunters willing to take you under their wing and get THEIR advice. After that find a reputable working breeder and look into getting an older pup/adult that has been already started on training.

Dog Training Methods - Different Ways to Teach Your Pet Dogs Some Useful Skills


  • One good dog is a black mouth cur, he will run into the brush flush em out and he will retrieve as well
    two other good breeds of dogs are any retriever but also small terriers would be good such as jackdaggers
    i mean any dog that will go in chasing birds and and fetch them back when there dead
    i use my cur dog and my German shepherd for it
    the only difference is that see with the cur you can hunt whatever you want, birds, deer, bear, boar whatever tickles your fancy

  • A good versatile dog would be good...
    German Shorthaired Pointer,
    German Wirehaired Pointer
    Vizsla,
    Weimaraner,
    Spinone,
    Pudel Pointer,
    German Longhaired Pointer,
    Brittany,
    Small & Large Munsterlander,
    Wirehaired Pointing Griffon,
    Bracco Italiano,
    English Setter,
    French Spaniel,
    Portuguese Pointer
    As you can see there are a lot of versatile hunting breeds for birds.\

    I suggest that you go to the NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association) site and look up the local chapters in your area. Contact them. They have peopel who would be more then willing to hel pyou find the breed best suited for you and to help you with training. They are great mentors. http://www.navhda.org

  • There are as many opinions about good quail dogs as there are hunting guides. However, several sources seem to agree on a premiere group of breeds for hunting quail. These include (in no particular order): English pointer, English setter, German shorthair, Brittany spaniel and Vizsla.

  • My great-great-grandmother has an American Bulldog named Tiger that hunts quail, dove, partridge, geese, and duck. The dog will flush the birds out and retrieve their bodies after they are shot.

  • I have a friend that hunts pheasant with her Jack Tzu. It is a cross of Jack Russell Terrier and Shih Tzu and a very good little hunting dog!

  • Try a springer spaniel because they can retrieve flush and be vicious towards birds but not at home and are alsoo very loyal

  • any pointer breed but if u want a dog thats going to be a good family dog as well then id say u should go with a lab (chocolate or silver) or a brittany.

  • Research the springer spaniels

  • Look into pointers and spaniels.

  • German Pointer are good Bird Dogs
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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Dog Health Questions: What are your experiences with the Koehler Method?

Hi everyone! I am doing research on different methods of dog training, and I'm interested in hearing your experiences with the Koehler Method. Did you like or dislike it? How well did it work for you? What is your overall opinion of it? Only answers from people who have tried it please. Also, please be kind and respect the opinions of others. Thanks!

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



Recommended Answer:
I learned the Koehler method many years ago. In fact many of our methods are offshoots of the Koehler method with the exception of purely positive or clicker training. While I don't use all of the method like I once did, I still use parts of it. Used properly it is a very fair and understandable method to the dog. Make sure that if you take a class advertising the Koehler method, that the person teaching the method has a perfect understanding in its use. Many competitive obedience trainers use parts of the Koehler method as it holds up well in competition. Food and toys are added to the method to improve motivation.

Free Dog Training Tips


  • Anyone that started training 20 plus years a go learned how to train using the Koehler method.
    It works, no question about it...it worked for THOUSANDS of dogs and that alone makes you wonder....
    In my opinion dogs should be bred better then they are instead of worrying about coming up with softer methods and such for dogs.
    The dogs that were around 30-50 years a go were much better dogs than what we have today.
    Have you ever thought what will happen 20 years from now if we keep breeding dogs that cannot take a method like Koehler's? Hope I helped.

    ADD: Curtis..please tell me what kind of dogs will we have 20 years from now if we keep on making dogs that are sht?
    I know those times will never come back Curtis, I am painfully aware of it...
    As far as Evolution...well, yes, it can be a great thing, if something is broken and needs fixing, but, we are breeding sht dogs and have to invent new methods of training them INSTEAD of raising the bar and going back to the days when dogs were REAL.
    Oh, I am also willing to bet you that "pet" dogs were also a lot better dogs back then too...

  • As DaBassett said....started with it almost 30 years ago. It is without a doubt a successful method. As with all methods though...not all will work with every dog. Or, perhaps it works, but at the cost of something else. The mark of a good trainer is to be able to read the dog, and switch methods/techniques, hardness or softness, timing, etc to ensure forward progression. The "main" trainer that taught me the most, was a Koehler Clone. Although I respected his approach and success, I quickly developed methods of my own that left him baffled. Compulsion is not negotiable though...all positive doesn't work unless you live in an "Absolute" controlled environment. People will refer to Koehler as outdated or even brutal....but there's no denying it's success rate.

    Just a side note....if you ask someone what "Method" they use...and they actually have a "black & white" answer....they aren't a trainer...they are someone that has learned a method.

  • Like others said, it's outdated.

    Sure it works and produces fast results. That doesn't make it right. There's some bits that are still useful today, I think with a lot of methods you have to kinda pick through and grab what you like.

  • Koehler method is what I used when I first started training dogs almost 30 years ago. Although it worked for me, I've since moved on to methods that I think are better, and more pleasant for me and the dog.

  • Well said Basset! My answer exactly!

  • Koehler Method = Outdated. William Koehler had some very forward thinking in his day, which is why SOME of his methods are still applicable to dog training. It's SAD that the people who read his books aren't as forward in their thought process as William.

    You'll find most Koehler practitioners ignore BETTER results achieved with more modern methods. It's almost like a religion, of COURSE their way has to be right, and everybody else is going to Hades! Or a martial artist who's style of course is the best in the world, even if they get knocked out...it's clearly the grounds fault that their face hit it!

    The pet dog World...would be better off if pet stores stopped putting his books on the shelves. Koehler Method is overly aversive...but it works. It works quickly. It is probably the fastest way to have a 100% obedient dog. If you are the type of person who thinks the ends justify the means then be my guest. If you actually care enough to invest the time in doing things in a way that...well...let's call it the "right" way :) where you actually...you know...teach a dog what a command means BEFORE you hurt him or cause discomfort...uhhh then kudos to you! If you have to PHYSICALLY push a dog into a sit, or a down...then you're a bully and pretty pathetic considering a 2 year old can do it with a piece of kibble if simply shown where to hold her hand (straight up will cause the dog to sit, down low will cause the dog to lay down)...then all she has to do is say "Yes" and release the reward...hmmm...a week tops and the dog gets it...but of course he'll get it in 2 days if you say "Sit" pull up on his choke collar with one hand and shove his butt down with the other. Both work as to teaching the dog what the command means...but one actually requires that the dog becomes active in his own training instead of being the dummy who's put through the paces.

    That small example of teaching a dog to sit/lie down is a trend you'll see in Koehler...using more force than is required. Heck if you decide you're incapable of holding a treat over a dog's head to teach him to sit, then you could you know...simply push his butt down a bit and hold the treat right in front of his nose...he'll sit, and you won't have to choke him at all, tada. BUT then again, Koehler and most of his followers (I call them "By the Book Koehler Trainers") believe if you teach a dog behaviors with treats or toy rewards, he'll ONLY listen when you have treats or toys...their thinking is backward and silly. They somehow think by choking a dog and pushing his butt down that he'll sit because he loves and respects you, LOL! But if you train with treats then by God he'll never obey unless you break out the liver biscotti! The purpose of positive reinforcement training ie giving a dog rewards to enforce that he repeat a behavior, is simply to teach the dog what we want. Once he has learned the behavior we want from him, we then teach the dog that obeying is not optional via methods very familiar to Koehler trainers: Corrections. This is the epitome of fair. I teach the dog something in a fun way, and when he knows it 100% and refuses to do it I warn him by saying "No", if he fails to comply after the warning, he is corrected. He knows that as a direct result of HIS actions he brought discomfort onto himself!

    Koehler trainers apply pressure BEFORE issuing a command. So who does the dog blame for his discomfort? YOU of course. You choke the dog and push his butt down while saying "SIT"...he's looking at you like "Why are you choking and shoving on me?" and when he finally understands "Sit" = Put your butt on the ground it's too late...he's already thinking of you as the bully who pushes him around and chokes him for no reason. Another common way to train a dog Koehler style with an electric collar is to use the continuous stimulation button, command the dog to perform an exercise (let's say sit), and then release the stimulation when he completes the exercise. So the dog learns to turn off discomfort, he must comply...does this method work? Yes, every time like a charm! Is it fair? Of course not. Do you think your dog would enjoy training if training consisted of being caused discomfort for no reason, then being told to do something? That's like grounding a kid in the summer before school starts and telling them they'll be off punishment after they get good grades on their report card...I'm SURE it'd work, but I'm also quite sure that 20 years down the line when your kid's wife asks "How come you never talk about your parents?" he'll get a weird look on his face and go into "I...just don't wanna talk about it" mode...If you want modern trainers who take the time to do things correctly in training there are numerous people who give seminars, not many have written a decent book yet though, but one of my favorites, Michael Ellis is making DVD's on his methods (He is the owner/trainer of Pi, last years Mondioring 2 champion).
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Sunday, July 1, 2012

Dog Health Questions: My DOG IS WILD! HELP HELP HELP HELP HELPPPP?

Okay so i have a golden retriever thats 4 months old now, and hes soo wild. He jumps on me and bites me everything. We're going to send him to a PETCO Dog training and obedience school next week and we're praying for it to work. Please help me if you have suggestions.

Myths of Dog Training and Dog Training Solutions



Recommended Answer:
Biting and jumping is normal puppy behavior. Puppies will put absolutely everything into their mouths because they are curious and want to learn about new objects. Retrievers especially will like using their mouths. Dogs also play with each other through play-biting. However, you are absolutely right about teaching your puppy to stop biting on humans.

Here are some things that may help:

1. When your dog has his mouth on you, it is important NOT to jerk away. Jerking away will cause you to get scratched. More importantly, sudden and quick movements may make your dog think it is a fun game and reinforce his biting/mouthing behavior. At worst, quick movements may instigate your dog's prey drive and cause her to get aggressive. Instead, stay still and either give a No command or yelp as a puppy might do to his litter-mates when they are playing too rough. I use the yelp for puppies who are still learning and for accidental biting.

2. Yelping will startle your dog and cause him to release his mouth. Quickly follow that up by redirecting him onto a toy. You don't need to shove it in, just put it there for him to bite on.

3. Time-out. If your dog continues with his bad behavior after you have told him to stop, then say "time-out" and remove him to a time-out area (a safe but boring room, e.g. laundry room). Leave him in there for a couple of minutes and let him out. If he starts up again, non-mark him (ack, ack), and say time-out and put him back in time-out. This time lengthen the duration to about 10-15 minutes. Note that if your dog stops the bad behavior, make sure to praise him a lot and give him good treats. Keep this up and your dog will learn that certain behaviors get him rewards while others get him into a boring room with nothing to do.

4. Hand-feed him
You can try and teach him some bite inhibition. Hand-feed him some kibble one by one. If he bites too hard while trying to get at his food, yelp in a high pitch, and ignore him for a few seconds. Then start feeding him again. This way he learns that biting hard can hurt humans and when he does that, the food and attention stops. Hand-feeding is also good for bonding and establishing your leadership.

5. NILIF program. A great way to establish yourself as leader is through the control of resources. Don't give anything to your dog (including pets and affection) unless he does something for you first. For example ask him for a "sit" before you give him food, toys, or freedom.

6. Obedience training. It is great that you already have him enrolled in a puppy class. Try and do several obedience training sessions (10-15 minutes) every day. This will help establish you as a leader, improve your bond with your dog, exercise your dog's mind, and give you good tools that you can use to help control him in the house.

7. Make him work for his food.
A great way to exercise your dog mentally is through the use of interactive food toys. Some good ones include the Buster Cube, Premier Busy Buddy Collection, and of course Kongs. Frozen Kongs are great for when you have to leave your dog home alone. Just put some wet food into a classic Kong and freeze it. You dog will have fun licking and chewing at it for a long time.
http://www.shibashake.com/Doggie/ss_how-…



Easy Dog Training - 7 Top Tips


  • Well your puppy is acting like a puppy, and one who has too little excersize and not enough manners. petco training is crap. Never send your dog away from training, YOU need to be the one giving commands and learning how to be a trainer. He needs puppy classes for socialization and basic manners. Then move him up to adult obediance classes. He bites because he is teething. Give him lots of toys and show him what is appropriate to chew on. He jumps because you let him!!! I bet its going to be even more fun when he is grown up.

    What is it with people getting dogs and just expecting things to happen like magic, otherwise send them to someone else to do the work. They are a live creature full of natural instincts and drives and a mind of their own. They don't just naturally fit into our human society, you gotta take the time to work with them and show them how.

  • it's good idea, bringing your pup to obedience training will greatly help..
    training is the best gift you can ever give your pup..

    try this site for more information:
    http://dogtime.com/dog-training-behavior…

  • Take him for a lot of walks, get him to chase a ball or toy until he's very tired. When he jumps on you push him down with the top of your leg and say ench!! When he bites pinch his lip against his teeth and if he yelps that's OK. Again tell him ench!! Never let the bad behavior be OK. He has too much energy and you need to exhaust him.The obedience class will be great, show you how to train him.

  • contact cesar milan?

  • I took my siberian husky there and i got kicked out the 3rd day!!!! but my dog barked, growled, lounged at people then the last day i was there my dog got loose from me they told to take her off the leash and she jumped over the blue fence and ran around the store barking and growling at people and bite a yellow lab

  • I know where you're coming from. I have a puppy that used to be just like yours.

    About the biting and jumping up: well, he's a puppy. That's what puppies do, unfortunately. You have to firmly and calmly teach him that he is not suposed to do that. For the biting: if he's biting/chewing on something, quickly distract him with something that he's allowd to chew on, then praise him to let him know he's doing the right thing. Also, try bitter apple spray: that worked with our puppy quite well. If he's biting you, find a trainer that you trust and ask him/her for advice. Same thing for the jumping.

    And also remember to exercise your pup: I've been finding that a TIRED puppy is a GOOD puppy.

    Good luck!!

  • Your dog is not wild, it's a puppy! What did you expect ~ you should be exercising this dog for one to two hours a day, run with him, bike with him, throw a ball for him...get him tired and the biting and chewing will stop. The puppy class is great, good for him, but much more important for you ~ you need to learn what to expect from a young dog. Once the class is over, it's up to you. Like naughty children, it's not their fault, it's the parents same with dogs, so start reading and learning what you have for the next 15 years!
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Saturday, April 14, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Need dog training tips for the world's most stubborn dog?

I have a 7 1/2 month old puppy that is a Shar-Pei/Husky mix. He's adorable at 51 pounds, but refuses to listen. He understands sit and lay down, but only does those for treats. We were fortunate that potty training was instinctive, however he will NOT stop biting. He's not being aggressive, but wants to play. No matter how many times my husband and I tell him NO in a very stern voice, put him in time-out, hold his mouth closed, grab and hold him by scruff of the neck, NOTHING works. He could care less what we do. He continues to bite and jump up almost non-stop. He is extremely strong and hard to physically "manhandle". I'm at my wits end. Any suggestions?

How to Identify Good Dog Training Schools



Recommended Answer:
With that husky mix in him, he has lots of energy. You probably have to exercise him more using a weight backpack or in a swimming pool.

As for the biting behavior, you need to teach him what's the behavior you want. You can tell him "no" and close him mouth shut, but he doesn't understand what he is doing wrong. He's simply just playing.

When you are playing with him and he's not being mouthy, give him tons of praise, when he starts being mouthy, simply turn your back away and ignore him, When he calms down, continue the playtime.

You and your husband need to be in charge, sounds like your dog is taking over. Keep all his toys in a box and food away. When the dog behaves and it's playtime, pull out some toys. When he gets aggressive, take them away.

Feeding your dog in a routine will also put you in charge.

The dog will soon realize that your the god of toys and food, and the only way he can get the toys, is if he behaves properly.

In short:
Exercise
Praise and correcting, not disciplining the behavior and expecting the dog to behave
Keep all toys and food, until you say its dinner time and playtime

This should help! Good luck!

Information Is The Key - Same In Case Of Dog Trainings


  • I'm not surprised those methods don't work. If he's looking to play inappropriately, then correct him and ignore him EVERY time he does it. You can also try redirecting him to acceptable forms of play after the correction. Try obedience training also. A well trained, obedient dog can be put in a sit stay when displaying inappropriate behavior

  • Hi,

    Mouthing is an unavoidable part of canine development. It's how young dogs learn about their world. Fortunately, by consistently signaling to your pup that biting is unacceptable, and giving her playtime with other dogs who'll teach her the same lesson, she'll learn to use her jaws very gently. Here are more training tips:

    http://lnk.nu/dogtime.com/s0f.html

    For jumping problem, check out these tips:

    http://lnk.nu/dogtime.com/wb1.html

  • Do not yell no at your dog do not grab your dog it scares them and they do not understand why you did it instead yelp in a high pitched voice "ouch" cross your arms as soon as it happens completely ignore the dog turn your back on him. Do this every time if he tries to get your attention ignore him stand up and keep your arms crossed and do not talk to him let him walk away. Make sure when you yelp that it is high pitched and sounds like a hurt puppy. It is possible that the pup was removed from the parents and siblings to early between 6 and 9 weeks the pups start to learn these lessons.

  • My reccomendations are:

    Huskeys= ALOT of ENERGY lol so long walks are needed or a tred mill. You can also get a doggy back pack for your walks and fill them with water bottles so the weight can wear him out alittle.
    Huskeys also can be a very mouthy breed so that's not unusual that he is using his mouth to play with you.
    Shar Pei= Fighting breed-These dogs have very strong and thick necks for fighting. So a routine collar is not going to do you justice as you walk them. I would suggest a prong collar to be used for walks and be sure the collar is towards to top of the neck. So when your on a walk you give a tug right the the moment of him pulling. Be sure during the walk he is walking next to or behind you. The collar may look like some german torture device but in fact it does not hurt them as long as it is used properly it simulates the bite of an alpha dog.

    1. I would recommend a puppy/dog class for you guys. To teach to the basic on how to dicipline your dog.

    2. Have a daily routine: get up take the dog on a walk,feed him,ect.

    3.Be consistant with commands. The prong collar can also be used at home with a very short leash so when this big guy is jumping all over the hubby you can correct him. It is better to correct him before he gets way to excited. Also have your husband ignore him until he calms down eye contact, talking to him anything that focuses on him will cause excitement and unwanted behavior.

    4. Before letting people in your house: Make him sit and stay and have your guests ignore him completely until he is calm. Once he is calm you may praise him in a calm voice.

    Good luck.
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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Dog Health Questions: How much do PetSmart dog trainers make?

I currently work at petsmart in the pet care department and was interested in changing to dog training but wanted to know how much they made. I thought it might be kind of rude to ask the trainers at our store, if you were wondering why I didn't.

Thanks!

Dog Training Secrets - The Most Important of All Secrets to Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
Not enough. The pay sucks. The commissons do too. If your petsmart has classes for $109 you get 20% of that. So you have to sell 5 classes to make $109 in commissions and then a little over $8 an hour. Not worth it.

When customers get to know you and they like you they refer people to you but when you start getting more sign ups than the others trainers, cause people like your attitude and can see you know your job compared to the other trainers well that will blow up on your face if you have poor management.

Management started screwing me and the customers over. To the poing customers had to call in and complain that there were no classes with me. I quit and went out on my own and make more money than what I ever did working for them.

My training (schooling etc) is also above and beyond what PetSmart has to offer.

Dog Training - Basics


  • I work at Petsmart as a trainer, and after working there for a year I'm making $8.74 an hour, not counting commissions. When I started I was making $8.40.

  • I don't really know but try asking the manager because it may vary on stores.
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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Dog Health Questions: Who uses watersprayers for dog training?

I use ham for rewards and watersprayers as a last restort for desipline!

Dog Training Tips



Recommended Answer:
I haven't had the need. I don't suppose there's any harm in it for those that do, and it's certainly more humane than those idiots that use lemon juice.

I guess I've just been really lucky. No major behavioral issues. Both of my chihuahuas are potty trained, my husband's dachsund is going through crate training again, I didn't raise her though. None of them chew up anything, or bite people unprovoked, lol. They don't bark for the heck of it, or cause any other sort of disturbances. And somehow I've accomplished all this with out that pack leader, alpha roll, dominance crap.

Edit: as for what I do do, scold when necessary, lavish praise when deserved. Occassional treats here and there. I have been known to get a fly swat on occassion, but I don't use it on them, swatting the floor has the desired effect.

Dog Training Evolution


  • If you can't encourage proper behavior and end up using a water punishment or attention getter, timing is important. You can make your dog afraid of the water bottle or squirt gun, or you can help him learn that the behavior he is doing is always going to get water in his mouth.
    Use a small squirt gun, and hide it, then squirt the water just as the dog is doing a bad behavior. Ideally, what you want to do is make the dog think:
    Gee, every time I open my mouth to bark I get a mouthful of water (which I don't like)....I'll try it a few more times,,,,then I've learned not to bark, to avoid the water in my mouth.
    If the dog figures out it comes from the squirt bottle, that is what he will avoid, not the bad behavior.

  • Lord no. I use toys and positive reinforcement, and my dogs are huge. The biggest being 230lbs. You can get what you want out of a dog without spraying water in their face. It just takes patience, and consistent training. Just because your dog is trained, doesn't mean you stop training. You have to practice everyday, or every other day, to see the best results.

  • I will get creamed for this , but i have used water bottle for barking..I would spray at my dog and say shhh..Now all i have to do is say shh ..

    Never in the face..And no lemon juice..

    And ham is not good for dogs ..

  • I use a squirt bottle with water for barking -- this is especially helpful with the Dachshunds, although I have a couple of obnoxious Siberian boys who will flatten their ears and turn away from me if they see the squirt bottle come out.

  • I use putting the dogs outside, to light pops with a newspaper, to muzzle grabbing and growling at the dog, and a loud sharp NO. Depending on the offending behavior of the dog.

  • I use neither. I use healthy dog treats.

  • i used to when my dog did a specific thing wrong. don't use it for every bad thing the dog does because that will confuse him. but using it is okay i think since it doesn't hurt them or anything

  • I have used water sprayers with great success for a myriad of behavior issues. It works great for barking, defining boundaries, and some aggressive behaviors.
    Just so everyone knows, it is NOT supposed to be squirted in the face, so if you are doing that, no wonder your dogs are non-responsive! Squirting is a diversion tactic, so you should be squirting in the butt or near that area, just to break their concentration and get their attention.

  • waterspays or waterguns just make my puppy mad! he will go crazy if sprayed with one.
    for diciplining biting i use very mild chilly and put some on the end of his tongue. (trust me it does the trick!)
    for daily diciplining i tie him up each time he does something bad. he gets the hang of it and be's good in the end
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Saturday, October 8, 2011

Dog Health Questions: How much is dog training at PetCo?

I have a 7 month old pomeranian puppy, just want to know how much the training at PetCo is and is it worth the money?

Dog Training and Why it is Important



Recommended Answer:
Wether or not it is "worth" the money depends. Most Petco and Petsmart training classes are crocks. They focus on ONE method and that is THEIR method, and their method tends to be the tree hugging junk that only works on a handful of dogs.

You're far better off paying an accredited trainer (IE someone involved with the local kennel club) for group puppy classes than Petco or Petsmart. I've talked to some of their "trainers" at these places, want to know what experience they had before starting? None. They watched a video and worked with another "trainer" for a month then they where let off to do their own classes.

Now i am not saying this is true for ALL stores, however it does seem to be a majority of them. I was lucky to find a trainer in the chain that knew what she was doing, and eventually she branched off because they wouldn't let her use any method besides the clicker work (which does NOT work for all dogs and does NO good for dogs that have behavioral issues.)

But it's your money. Usually a couple hundred for an eight week course. If you want, go in and talk to one of the trainers and see what their experience level is (outside of the chain company) and see what their knowledge is on different tools and methods. Keep in mind: no good trainer or behaviorist will outright "diss" or poo poo another method or any tool! They may disagree with some, which is fine, but they NEVER use the "it's cruel" garbage to put them down - they use facts and sound reasoning.

Good luck!

Review - Secrets to Dog Training is Unparalleled Canine Training Resource


  • Hey there laughnowcrylater. Let me just say that I used to be a moron when it came to dogs. Something that finally helped me was something called The Secrets to Dog Training. You should try it. They guy who wrote it is a genius.

    Good luck!

  • When in Az. had a new GSD pup who already new the basic commands, took him more for socialization than training. Truthfully can't remember what it cost but yes it would be worth it. Good luck and enjoy your new friend.

  • Their trainer are far from be adequate for any dog.

    Petco & Petsmart do not have proper training.

    The training area in the Petco here is about a 12 ft sq. & has no room to train a dog.

  • http://www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_dogcl…

    Prices depend on type of class and where you live here is a link describing and obedience classes are always worth it.

  • my dog went to petSMART training classes and i totally recomend them. The trainer stayed later and missed his break just to help me teach my dog to lie down. They are dedicated and treat your dogs like royalty

  • well not a lot just like 10$ and it matters for how long and how much tricks i think it is cuz they a pros and its goin to be easy for them then u

  • Doesn't matter, PetCo training classes are useless.

  • You go there and ask them simple. don't always trust them to give quality training. their method might not always work!!!!
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Friday, September 9, 2011

Dog Health Questions: Dog training?

How I stop my dog from jumping on me or on poeple that visit me?

Dog Training Tools and Advice



Recommended Answer:
Dogs understand tone of voice, so you must be stern. If you're laughing, the dog will get that what he's doing is amusing. Stern and angry are not the same thing.

If the dog has learned commands like "sit," you can make him sit when he either jumps or looks like he might be about to jump. That works by making him do something else, so it's a temporary fix. You'll need something more direct long term.

Better to teach a new command, like "off." With a large dog, you can raise your knee to prevent the jump and use the "off" command. One reason it's a good idea to teach a new command is for use when he wants to jump on someone else, who may not put their knee up, but will appreciate your preventing the behavior. I have no experience with small dogs, so I'm not sure about the body language there.

If you want the best professional advice you can get, try the Monks of New Skete. I've had a dog trained at their monastery. It's almost impossible to get in (I lived within driving distance and they had a cancellation), but they have books and they have a website available.

Good luck.

Easy Dog Training - 7 Top Tips


  • It's the hardest and yet the easiest thing to do: ignore it. When you or anyone come in the door, make the dog sit befor he/she gets attention from anyone(eg. petting or playing with the dog). The dog will soon figure out that he/she has to sit before they get petted. It's like when a dog sees you going to get a treat, they usually sit because that's how they know they are going to get rewarded.

  • I've heard two methods, although I've just learned that the 2nd seems to work better.

    The first is when your dog jumps up, to take the leg that s/he is on and bend it giving him/her a knee. Firmly say "OFF".

    The second, when your dog jumps up, take your foot and sweep his/her hind legs out from under him/her and firmly say "OFF".
    You must reinforce this every time the dog jumps, but I've discovered that if my dog starts to do this now, I just say "OFF" and he knows to not jump.

  • Sternly tell him "no!" while you turn around so you are not facing him or giving him any kind of facial contact or attention (turn your back(s) to him). If he is on a leash and he jumps on another person while you are holding him..abrubtly pull his lease down toward the ground and make him sit down all while saying "no!, sit!" It takes a while but it works, eventually you will only have to say, no, sit!" and he should obey.

  • you have to ignore your dog when he jumps on you....push him aside(nicely) dont give him any affection to talk to him lok at him NOTHING...dont encourage bad behavior..hes just trying to get your attention..if you have to when people come over make him stay in a designated spot...make him know if he wants attention he needs to be patient and wait...then when he is calm then give him attention..hope that helps...

  • put him on a leash and ask him to sit when he jumps
    if you don't have time to put on a leash loop your thumb through the collar and push him into a sit... when he is calm and relaxed pet him (he must be sitting)

  • What do you WANT the dog to do? Don't worry quite so much about what you don't want.
    Dogs in general simply have a hard time grasping the concept of DON'T.

  • It sounds harsh but you knee them in the chest when they jump up they will quickly stop jumping.

  • put tape on your floors
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Saturday, August 27, 2011

Dog Health Questions: Where is the best place to get dog training certification?

Are there dog training certification specific schools?

Six Dog Training Tips to Modify Negative Behavior



Recommended Answer:
The officail way to get a dog training certification is from the APDT Board of Directors recognizes certain organizations which give out dog training certification.

Read more here:
http://dogtrainingdogcare.blogspot.com/2…

Dog Training Secrets


  • are you talking about you being a certified dog trainer?...

    that i know of.. there are no Colleges and Uni's that offer specificly this.. you can search the internet for any professional dog trainers who teach people how to train dogs.. that i know of.

  • Nowhere.
    There are NONE! You might as well ask about those,"You too can be an artist" scams on matchbooks!

    REAL trainers PROVE their expertise by the dogs they've TITLED! & ... the dogs their students have titled!
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