Dog Health Questions: Is it worth it to get a dog?

So me and my sister have always wanted a dog!
But my dad hates animals :'(
He made up a list of requirements to get one.
But like is it worth it? And fair to the dog?
and (aprox) how much would the cost be? Just from like owning a dog.
It would be a shelter dog, for sure, and not a "rat dog" or giant St. Bernard or anything.
Any breeds in particular that might be good?
Thanks so much

Requirements:

Dog will need to be an older/mellow dog with short hair and not known to promote allergies.

Dog will primarily live outdoors – okay for dog to sleep on the tiled area in the basement at night and play in parts of the basement (during very hot or very cold weather) as long as the dog does not go up the stairs or the hallway leading to the room. Kids are responsible for determining how the dog will meet this requirements. For the sleeping area (tiled area only), need to have something like old carpet between the dog and tile. Dog can spend the days in the shed. A doghouse can be built and placed in the shed area for added protection. A dog door can be cut in the shed.
Dog will be contained via an invisible fence that works. Lawn areas must be excluded from invisible fence containment so that the dog does not use the lawn areas.
All dog food/water will happen on the back/lower patio. Only enough food that will be immediately consumed will be put out. Any excess will be stored away to ensure rats etc do not get to the food. Food will be stored in an air tight plastic container.
Basement area where dog resides must be cleaned often enough there is no dog residue/fur etc. As a minimum it will need to be cleaned weekly. Basement carpet must be shampooed every couple months. Cleaning etc must be coordinated by kids – who are also responsible for getting the carpet ready for cleaning.
Dog poop etc will need to be picked up regularly – at least once a week.
Dog is not allowed in any other part of the house at any time. (Areas off limits to the dog in the basement include the guest room and dad's office. During bad weather, kids/dog can play in the other parts of the basement but if dog is loose in the basement, kids must be present 100 percent of the time and be fully responsible. Basement/stairs carpet etc must be vacuumed at least once a week. Carpet must be cleaned up immediately if dirt is visible.) Kids will rectify any damage caused by dog at their cost.
Kids will be responsible for working out any issues with the dog/neighbors etc.
All dog training must be properly done including proper use of electric fence. Dogs not properly trained are not effective with a dog fence.
Kids will ensure the dog is properly brushed etc regularly and kids will clean off any dog hair etc from themselves before coming into the house. If there are dog hairs or anything dog related in the house for whatever reason etc, kids will promptly clean it up.
Dog tools/brushes or any dog related items etc must be stored in the shed.
Costs
Dad will pay for the invisible fence
Kids to pay 25% of inside kennel/outside doghouse that resides in the shed.
Kids to pay 100 percent for the dog.
Kids to pay 100 percent of any training/dog toys etc.
Kids to pay 50 percent of all dog related expenses – food/vet/inside kennel/dog house/inside dog kennel etc. Please create a cost/budget sheet so you know exactly what your financial obligation is. Maximum contribution by kids is $xx a year with money put away. The maximum does not include damage caused by dog which is over and beyond this amount.
Kids will pay 100 percent of costs to rectify damage caused by dog.
A cost sheet must be reviewed signed off with proof of available funds by kids.
Kids are responsible for getting everything coordinated including the installation of the invisible fence. But, dad will need to approve it.
All things must be in place before a dog is brought home.
Kids will be responsible for anything not covered here. Dad may help but kids are ultimately responsible.
Dad may change this document as needed. Dad will be the only person making revisions to this document but input is welcome.
Failure to keep up with this and future requirements could result in the loss of privileges including giving up the dog.
Parties accepting responsibility for the dog must sign this.

Dog Training - Three Stages of Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
I would wait if it were me.

Dog Training

• If it were me - I would wait. You're Dad is a wise man - he definitely thought everything thru!


• I got a mutt from a shelter. He is large/extra large. He cost $100 but came with a lot of stuff. (Good deal) Leashes, collar, neutered, shots, and everything.
  If you are going to a shelter, there won't be much choice in a breed because they are mostly mutts.
  In the beginning, you're going to be spending several hundred dollars. For things such as crates, food, bowls, toys, and other necessities.
  It is totally fair to the dog. I wouldn't worry about it.
  
  Give me time to read the requirements...
  
  The shed would be okay as long as you make sure there is nothing harmful in there, such as sharp or pointy objects. I would clean it first.
  If you don't want much shedding, get a shorter haired dog. (My mutt is a german shedder. No typo)
  Or think about getting a longer haired dog because it will be outside when it's cold.
  Make sure you have enough money to pay for items and damage. If going to a shelter, they usually cost around $100.
  Try getting a dog that is not too high energy, such as huskies, to avoid destruction .
  
  Tell me if you need any more info. Hope this helped.
  
  Hey, sorry that everyone is being a little mean. But, they are a little right. Since it's going to be outside, try getting a dog that's not really a family dog. He will be craving attention and it wouldn't do good outside. Maybe get more of a guard dog or more reserved dog, such as Dobbie, Rott, Shepherd, so on.
  
  That's great that you're volunteering. Maybe try to get to know one dog at that shelter. Then, you can see if it's the right dog for you. Also, you will be able to find out the responsibility of owning dogs.


• I live in UTAH! LOL Coolio =)
  
  i think the requirements are fair and good as long as you can keep up, I know I will when I buy my dog i'll add l8er


• dont put a dog thru all that. i didnt even read it all but as soon as you said father hates animals and it would sleep outside thats awful. dogs, that are loved shouldnt be left outside. that is like loveless, what if your parents were like oh we want kids but we wanna keep them outside or even a basement! do you want to live in a basement your whole life? didnt think so. get a rabbit.


• no dog especially a small dog should live outside 24/7.
  
  invisible fences are harmful. poop will need to be picked up more than once a week.
  
  you and your dad dont know the first thing about care


• From the looks of this list...no I don't think it's worth it.
  The animals at the Best Friends shelter are usually not adoptable, that's why they are there. I'm sorry, but the restrictions are much to harsh for an 11 & 14 year old to handle. It also seems unfair to the animal. Just wait. Volunteer at your local shelter, maybe you can ask your father if you can 'foster' a dog for awhile, just to see how it all work. If you foster, there is no commitment, no adoption fee, you have the dogs usually only a couple of weeks. Do this with several different types of dogs until you find one that might 'fit' best.
  However, honestly, with your father's attitude, unless he loosens up, it would not make for a pleasant situation for you or the animal. Wait until you have a place of your own, perhaps.


• Although it's wonderful that you intent to adopt, no dog should be forced to live outside. The only 'outside' dogs I believe in are working dogs who are guarding sheep, otherwise dogs should live inside with their 'pack'.
  
  The dog will end up being dumped back at the shelter in six months. I know it seems like a long time but wait until you move out of your house and get a dog. Then you can do whatever YOU want with it and won't have to force it to live in your basement.


• I think it is a really good thing to get a dog because you always have a companion, it will love you if you love it back, but it does take some responsibility to feed it and wash it and when you go somewhere you would need to find someone to feed it while your out but other than the requirments it dosn't really matter because it is worth it, its like having your own little baby, and i recomend a shih Tzu because they don't cause allergies and they listen to you espessually when you cry, they are verry loyal and well behaved. and its ok if its long.


• If you would get a dog, let it live inside the house or w.e. If it's going to live outside, you shouldn't buy a dog. It'll be really sad.


• DEFINITELY wait. The number one reason is the fact your father does NOT like animals. A pet should be in a home where EVERYONE wants it.
  
  As for the requirements just how do you and your sister plan to earn money for this dog? An 11 yr old and 14 yr old can only do so much and dogs are expensive.
  
  Electric fences: They work only about 50% of the time depending on the dog itself more than the training and are 100% ineffective at keeping other animals OUT.
  
  Being confined to only one part of the house, outside the majority of the time and a shed is NOT fair to the dog.
  
  Dog feces should be picked up more often than once a week
  
  And what is he going to inspect you two for dog hair all the time? Dogs have fur its going to get into the rest of the house whether he likes it or not.
  
  This really is not a suitable situation to bring a dog into.


• Its costs like 300 bucks so i would save it up and most animal shelters require the dog to live INSIDE. I know you really want a dog but think about the dog. Poor thing a shock collar and living outside with 1 family member hating him!!! Oh and only 1 dog that i know does not shed and that dog is a yorkie and that dog has to be an INSIDE dog!!! So its your choice choose wisely.


• This is the most rediculous thing I have heard of. Take my advice and stick with stuffed animals. Your dad is so unreasonable. There is no way you two kids can take on the cost of this dog. A dog should be a part of the family, not stuck outside or in a basement. Wait till your grown and get yourself a dog, but remember it needs attention and love. Don't ever stick it out in a shed or basement.


• For me, if I could afford it at that age and my dad laid down those requirements, it would DEFINITELY be worth it. I would have LOVED to have an animal at that age, and would have done everything required.
  I'm glad your dad has thought this through and I hope you decide what to get.
  
  Oh yeah, dogs with short hair promote more allergies. Since its shorter, it breaks easier and when it breaks, it floats around catching all of the allergens in the air...you breath in through your nose and BAM! Sneezing starts...might wanna bring that up to dad.
  
  Good starter breeds are labrador retrievers, golden retrievers(but they require a bit of grooming upkeep), austrailian shepherds(grooming), beagles, border collies(grooming), or any dog mixed with one of these breeds would be a good first dog!
  
  Good luck and you're doing a great thing by volunteering!


• Sorry, but your Dad is totally neurotic about dog hair.
  
  He is being very strict and unrealistic.
  
  Short haired dogs shed. There will be dog hair. It can be cleaned up, but he sounds like such a perfectionist that it wouldn't be worth it.
  
  There are some breeds that don't shed like poodles and schnauzers, but then they have high grooming costs. (Like $40-$50 every 6 weeks)
  
  And having an 11 and 14 year old pay 50% of the vet bills. Really? My vet bills cost over $300 a year. (That includes flea preventative and heart worm preventative plus yearly shots.) My dog's annual dental work costs another $200.
  
  Your Dad doesn't want a dog and is putting all the responsibility on you which I think is pretty unrealistic of him.
  
  I would honestly wait because with that "contract" it is a disaster waiting to happen... it's just too strict.


• you're father seems very strict over this situation. But his house his rules you know. I have been around dogs more than people throughout my life. one thing you need to know is that it's not a pet..it's a member of you're family someone that will love you and care for you no matter what. I have a 19 year old boxer called pretty boy and that is OLD for any dog 19 = 151 in dog years. I also work in a vet. so i can tell you it's a lot of work to care for dogs but definitely worth it. my dog sleeps in the house on a dog bed and some nights i'll fall asleep right next to him on the floor. it also takes a nice chunk of money to own a dog I really couldn't say how much exactly it all depends on the type of dog, any health problems, whatever brand of food you buy, any toys or beds you get it. and since you're father wants it to be an older dog it has a higher chance for health problems such as cancer
  ( which pretty boy has) it can be very expensive but I couldn't imagine my life without my dog so yes it does take $$$ but it's worth every dollar.


• Shelter dogs come with a history, many of them have had tough lives until now. The last thing they need is to be left alone in a shed all day, unable to even wander onto some soft grass, electrically shocked if they try, and unloved by at least one member of the family. At this stage in their lives they deserve better, and they aren't going to get it based on those requirements.
  
  Shelters will only adopt to adults, and they do that for an excellent reason. It's unreasonable to expect people of your age to be able to financially support a dog. It's highly likely you'll end up dumping him back to the shelter anyway, which is going to damage the poor thing even more, and only serve to teach you that pets are disposable, rather than the permanent members of the family that they truly are.
  
  Are you still going to be caring for this dog in 15 or 20 years? Will he still be living in your shed? Do everyone a favor and wait until you can actually love this dog, don't force him out in the cold and isolate him.


• Lauren,
  
  Lauren,
  
  Obviously you love animals and I think it is great that you are asking some question that all people should ask themselves before they get a dog.
  Your Dad obviously put a lot of thought into this, too, such a long and detailed list of rules and regulations! What I miss in Dad's list are rules governing the mental well-being of the dog.
  When you go to volunteer at the shelter this summer (what a wonderful thing of you to do!), you have an opportunity to learn a lot about dogs. One thing you will learn is that a dog is considered a pack-animal. That means dogs are happiest when they constantly live with other dogs and people. A dog is not happy when it is in a yard all by itself most of the day (no matter how big and beautiful the yard is) and alone in a basement at night. A dog needs a job, a purpose in life, just like peole do. In your situation, my biggest concern would be that the dog is alone too much. A dog is a living, feeling being, and you will be responsible for both its physical and mental well-being, Many people like dogs as pets because they can bond with them, and such a bond can be very rewarding for a person. The bond between a dog and its master is deeper the more time the two spend together. You can't expect to bond with a dog that is on its own at night and most of the day. Having a dog and taking good care of it takes a lot of time every day. Do you go to school? Do you have any after-school activities? How much time a day do you think you and your sister will spend with the dog?
  The people at the shelter can probably tell you that while the dogs there are well taken care off, what they really need to be happiest is a family of their own to live WITH (not: always outside, basement at night).
  An unhappy dog will be a troublesome dog. It might run away (some dogs can not be stopped by an electric fence), it might bark excessively, dig holes in the yard, or worse become agressive.
  Also, think about the future. A dog can live to 15 years or longer. What happens as you and your sister get older? You will probably spend a lot more time with your friends. You will go to college. When you are not home to take care of your dog, who will?
  Dogs also cost a lot of money. Well, not necessarily the dog itself. I have three dogs, two large ones and a medium sized one, that were relatively "cheap", I adopted them from shelters.
  If you want your dog to be as healthy as possible you will need a premium quality dogfood, that's not cheap. They need good rawhide to chew on and toys to stimulate them, like Kongs.
  Your dog needs obedience training. One course will cost you at least about $80.00.
  What can get really expensive is veterinary care. There is minimum basic care like a yearly wellness exam, shots, and the very important heartworm preventive. When I take one of my dogs to the vet, I pay $45.00 just for the vet to examine my dog. Add a vaccination or a heartworm test and you are easily well over $100.00. At some point your dog might need a dental cleaning, that will cost about $300.00 or more.
  One of my dogs completely tore a tendon last year and had surgery, I had to pay $4,000.00 for that. Is your family prepared for a medical emergency, would your dad be willing to pay for something like this?
  I would recommend that you go to a vet in your area and ask him/her how much basic medical care is.
  One more thing, there is no such thing as a "hypo-allergenic dog". It is only just a matter of how many irritants a dog gives off. A non-shedding breed only just spreads less irritants than a shedding dog. The length of a dog's hair does not necessarily relate to the amount of hair that is shedded. My short haired labs shed more than my long haired collie mix.
  Wow, my answer got to be quite long, too, but there is a lot to consider here before making a decision.
  You should probably let your Dad read this and discuss it with him and your sister.


• is it wortyh it if you have to keep it one room all the time

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Dog Health Questions: How can I make the family dog shut up!?! Please help!?

We've had a greyhound/lab mix for over a year now and she will not be quiet. Don't get me wrong, I love her to death but I'm taking AP courses in high school and need to be able to sleep. The problem we have with her is a little different than most dogs. She doesn't bark. What she does is makes this EXTREMELY LOUD "Woo" sound that can almost split your ears because it's so piercing. I wear Extra-Strength ear plugs and still hear her "wooing" as we call it. It always wakes me up and is seriously affecting my sleeping pattern, thus affecting my grades. I beg my parents to try and quiet her which my mom tries to do but my dad won't. The neighbors complain but my dad doesn't even try to quiet her. She can be heard wooing up to 4 blocks over. I'm amazed animal control hasn't been called on us! It's so insane and I am on the verge of going crazy here. No matter how many times we tell her no or stop or be quiet: you name it, we say it, and she does not stop. We've put her in dog training and she doesn't stop. We've tried squirting her with a squirt bottle and that's the only thing that starts to quiet her down but we have to squirt her about 10 times before she stops wooing. I really don't know what to do here because nothing but the squirt bottle works but my dad doesn't want us to do that to her. If anyone has ANY tips on how to make her quiet please, please, please share them! We can't spend a lot of money though but I'm totally desperate. Also, what is your opinion on squirting her since that's the only thing that semi-works?

Dog Training Hand Signals - 2 Important Commands You Can Teach Today

Recommended Answer:
Have you considered that your dog's "wooing" might be separation anxiety? Does your dog sleep in the same room as any one of your family member? Sometimes wolves will make a sound almost like it when it or a member of the pack is separated from the rest. If it is separation anxiety, then all you need to do is let her into one of your family member's room.

Another thing you can do to correct the "wooing" is to give a correction to the dog. Every time, the dog woo, you can use a correction word; always use the same word to correct the behavior. If that does not work, then you can use a touch and the correction word at the same time. When I have to use a touch to correct my dog, I usually use my fingers to imitate a bite (which is what dogs in the natural world uses to correct a member of the pack) and do a quick "bite"/firm tap at the side of the neck or at the space between the ribs and hip bones (the two most sensitive areas on a dog's body). For this to work, the correction needs to be done by everyone in your family/pack so that your dog is getting the same message from everyone. When you give any correction, verbal or physical, you never want to feel any emotion other than calm and assertive/firm; when you feel anything but calm, such as nervous, anxious, frustrated, angry, etc, you become weak in the dog's mind and dogs do not listen to weakness. Dogs also do not take well to punishment, which is when a correction is done when the person is feeling anything but calm.

Also, having all your family members taking the pack leader position to your dog helps a lot. As a pack leader, your influence on your dog's behavior carries a whole bunch more weight than a follower trying to get the pack leader to do something. You can try reading "Be the Pack Leader", "Member of the Family", and "Cesar's Way" by Cesar Millan to learn more about pack leader mentality, how the dog world works, and solving many dog behavioral problems.

Good luck.

Edit: Forgot to mention that you do not want to give affection when your dog is wooing, for example, petting. If you do this, then you are telling your dog that you like your dog making that noise.

Dog Training Methods

• Well if it is seriosuly becoming a problem you could get him debarked, personally not something I would do and if ur dad doesnt like the squirt bottle I doubt he will be up for getting him de barked
  And I use a squirt bottle on my dogs all the time, counter jumpers!!


• Often times if u put pennies ina soda can and shake it when ur dog barks, it will help.. She wont like the noice and will avoid it. Their ears r super sensitive.


• My dog has the same problem, except he growls instead of barking. Make sure before you go to bed that you can satisfy him such as feeding or drinking him, playing with him, etc. Maybe he needs attention too. Try paying attention to him more.


• I see nothing wrong with using a squirt bottle, I don't use it on my dogs personally because they love it so it'd be more like a reward to them. But I do use it on my cats.
  
  When I was training my puppy to quiet up I'd wait for him to bark, ignore him while he did (no matter how long she "wooos", ignore it) then once he was done I'd say Quiet and praise him. I would so this everyday, everytime he barked. Now when I say quiet he knows what it means and he knows what he should do, which is to hush up.
  
  EDIT: Debarking should only be considered as a last-ditch effort after serious attempts at training have been made. The bark of a de-barked dog is very pathetic sounding, and to me even more annoying then a bark. De-barking does NOT fix the problem, only the noise. Your dog is still trying to bark but only now it can't get it's point across. This will only stress the dog out more, causing more "barks" (wheezing) I cared for a de-barked dog at the adoption agency I volunteer for, he was the saddest sounding thing I've ever heard and "barked" CONSTANTLY


• Debark your dog...Debarking is a veterinary surgery that involves removing tissue from the dog's vocal chords. This results in a dog's voice being quieter, when done properly. It does not stop barking/wooing as the word debarking implies, but the bark/woo now sounds like a whisper, and is thus not irritating to neighbors of dog owners that frequently bark...My girl friend had her dog debark because it wont keep quiet, but its not really a cruel thing to do, like others think it is. She don't have any complications of the surgery, and she is doing just fine now...Debarking dogs is a controversial topic. but it will help everyone else, you and the neighbors. Supporters of debarking argue that the procedure saves the lives of many dogs that might be sent to pounds because of incessant barking or wooing. Some people acquire a dog that barks/woos frequently and are soon immersed in struggles with neighbors who must listen to the dog barking at all hours of the day and night.
  
  For some this means trying to find the dog another home, or simply sending the dog to the pound. Since many dogs never get adopted and are euthanized, supporters see debarking as a far better choice. Additionally, those who support debarking also state they feel there is no significant evidence suggesting that debarking causes emotional damage to the dog. Since the dog can still bark, though quietly, it has not had its main “warning weapon” stolen. Most dogs that are debarked are usually subject to less remonstration and punishment by owners; so proponents of debarking suggest that dogs that are debarked are actually happier.
  
  Misconception about the results of debarking persists. Some dogs that have undergone debarking are likely to bark frequently, sometimes incessantly. This sounds like a weak cough, and may, in fact, prove especially annoying to dog owners. Thus dogs may be punished for barking even after debarking has occurred. People usually opt for debarking dogs when the animals chronically or habitually bark. A loud barking animal can certainly be a nuisance to owners and neighbors, especially if the problem is consistent. It is quite easy to see why frustrated owners search for a way to silence their noisy pooch permanently, especially if the animal does not respond to behavioral training or tends to bark constantly when left alone. In some cases, when neighbors complain to authorities or the situation is unlivable, owners may be unsure of what to do other than have their dog debarked. Other solutions, such as sound-activated shock collars or muzzles seem equally cruel. Some owners may even choose to kill or abandon their pets instead of dealing with the problem. Yet therapists and dog trainers insist that most barking problems are fixable with proper training. Hope this helps....


• The answer to ALL dog training issues is obedience training. Obedience classes are available through local kennel clubs. They have two additional benefits. First, they will introduce you to people in the community who can help you with all issues regarding puppy care, and second, they provide you and your dog with great opportunities for socialization and new friends.
  
  If you have never taken a dog to obedience training,,you have no idea what you are missing. You and your dog will be much happeir for it, and you can be very proud of your dog when he gets his canine good citizen award. There is no better way to solve the problems you are having!
  
  Check it out here : www.Dog-Training-Advices.com

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Dog Health Questions: My dog has bumps :(?

Right I have a springer spaniel, 7 months now and i was grooming him 2day.... i found this small bumps abit like when a human gets bitten around where his collar is. doesa anyone no what caused them/what i should do???
I was testing for fleas using the white paper thigy and there were no signs and hes up to date with frontline (not due again til next month) so i sdont think thats the problem.... although its sposed to protect against ticks and i found one of those on hm thhe other day.

We leave kinda in the middle of nowhere so tend to walk him on the fields...might this be why?

Also we are goin on holiday 2moz so he's goin to stay wiv the person who ran the dog training we went to.... this menas i dont really want to wash his beding coz its the first time he's been away and i thought it would be good if it smelt of home

All tips apreciated, thank you

Enroll Your Pet to Dog Training School to Modify Behavioral Problems

Recommended Answer:
Your dog may have ticks, or if there are a lot of bugs in your area maybe they bit him. Your dog may also have allergies. If he gets any more bumps, and you don't know why, you should take him to the vet!

How to Find the Perfect Dog Training System

• check real good for tick heads. if not that maybe his collar caused the bumps.


• I'm not exactly sure, but it could be irritation from his collar if it's a tad too snug. If you walk him in fields, something could have gotten caught under his collar and made the sores. I'd keep an eye on them for a bit and if they don't get better, take him to a vet.


• I have had cocker spaniels since i was 6 years old and i breed them as well. All my females have had fatty bumps on them. They tend to get them on their belly and on the neck these and kinda.... squishy bumps. Hard bumps may just be moles or something like that. It also may possibly be cancer but if you only have one and your dog seems to be acking normal i wouldnt worry about it if it really bothers your your vet can remove it quickly and painlessly and test it for abnormalities.

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Dog Health Questions: What are some dog magazines I should buy?

I would like to get a monthly dog magazine...

I am into GSDs and other working/herding dogs, I don't want a magazine full of dog costumes and fun things to do to your dog, I want a magazine that has dog training, grooming, working, and new things that come out for dogs (like new brushes and new toys that seem to occupy their time)...

And what is the monthly price?

Dog Training Ideas

Recommended Answer:
Whole Dog Journal has lots of what you want, but won't have much grooming info. They do product reviews, have training articles, discuss different health issues, etc. You can also purchase some individual articles online. Sorry, don't remember what the subscription price is.

Bark! is also a great magazine, also has training and health articles, advertising, etc.

Aggressive Dog Training - Expert Advice

• Go on line, the most important info is what is poisonous to dogs. the results will shock you this I believe will be the most important piece of info you will aquire being a dog owner. It will not only teach you about short term effects but long term efects of table scraps you would not even think twice about. You will learn a lot and put many years onto your dog's life.


• http://www.dogtrainingclassroom.com/dog-…
  htmlhttp://www.dogchannel.com/dog-magazines/…


• I like Dog Fancy.
  
  There is also Bark
  Dog World
  Dog's Life
  Modern Dog


• Dog fancy!


• Pet Edge is a magazine for groomers. It also sells dog shampoo, dog food, and dog treats. It think you can order it online at petedge.com

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Dog Health Questions: Please help me help my dog!!!!!?

I have two female dogs, both age 3. I am in dire need of an in-home dog trainer because I can't leave them alone or the Yorkiepoo tears up my apartment. If I put her in a cage, she literally goes crazy the entire time I'm gone and disturbs the neighbors with her barking, crying, etc. I'm forced to leave the dogs with my mother every time I go out, including at work all day. I can't keep inconveniencing myself and her every single day and on the weekends!! Please tell me of any in-home dog training companies you may have used, and what your feedback/ results were. By the way, I live in Pennsylvania. Thanks in advance!!!

*Note: I've already interviewed BarkBusters and decided not to go with them. They tell you to growl at your dog. I'm looking for something less aggressive.

Rescue Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
Why not take them to a doggy day care? I used to work at one and the dogs are treated very well and even trained not to do things you wouldn't want them to do. It helps them get away and get all their pent up energy out and it probably costs less

The Newest Kind of Dog Training

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Dog Health Questions: Looking for recommendations for the ABSOLUTE BEST dog trainers in the washington d.c. area.?

Where is the best dog training in the Washington D.C. area -- places where you send your dog away to be trained?

The 5 Best Dog Training Tips For You and Your Dog

Recommended Answer:
Generally a good instructor of the "class where YOU and the dog go" variety are the best. this way the dog learns to listen to you - not just the trainer
Capital Kennel club http://www.cdtc.org/
Offers classes and has a member or two who will take a dog for traing (I'm not comfrotable putting individual names on a public list) but some good dog workers have come outta that club.

The Main Benefits Of Dog Training

• Trainer for what??? Different disciplines, different trainers.
  Here is you a list, but Professional Retriever Training Association. probably wont work if you want to train a stock dog.
  
  http://www.prta.net/

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Dog Health Questions: Anybody know how much it costs to have your dog trained by professionals.?

I have a beagle that I want to train myself but I dont know if I want to take the time to do it. I was wondering if it is worth the money to have someone else do it for me.

The Shocking Truth About Electronic Dog Training Collars

Recommended Answer:
I train service dogs for college. If you have a petco or petsmart in your area most of them do training, but they encourage you to be there during the training so you know how to continue the correct behaviors in your home. Depending on what type of training you want, basic training is around 20 dollars a session and can be up to 60 or 70. But if your on a budget just pay for one session, go with you dogs and pay close attention. Then after class ask LOTS of questions so you can finish training the dog yourself. Beagles are very smart, they catch on quick. It won't take long.

4 Core Basics of Dog Training

• Prices among professional dog trainers really vary. Group classes vs. one-on-one training vs. trainers that actually take your dog for a period of time and train it themselves all play a role in the trainer's fees. Unless he has severe behavioral probelms I would start off by looking for some group training classes in your area. Ask if you can sit in on a class first to see if it's what your looking for.


• Regardless of anything you must train your dog. That doesn't mean you can't have a trainer helping you (thats what we are for) but at the end of the day if you hand the dog over to someone else to be trained you won't be happy and the dog will most likely not be trained.
  
  I would recommend puppy or beginner classes which run anywhere from free (local humane society) to 50 (pet stores) 100 (average local trainer) and 80-150 an hour to train privately. I charge on a sliding scale starting at 95 dollars an hour and many other trainer do to. When I ran group classes puppy courses were 100 dollars for 12 sessions with 8 dogs in the class with two instructors.
  
  Since you have a beagle (and I believe this is your first dog) I would recommend working with a trainer and be prepared to do your homework between classes.


• It's usually worth the money if you can find a good person to do it. It helps to start group classes at PetSmart to begin with. Those are very well priced.
  
  Private training gets very expensive.


• Beagles are hard to train sometimes, because they're so stubborn. You can pay someone else to do it, but then the dog isn't going to recognize you as someone he has to listen to. Your best bet is to do it yourself by taking a training class, so he can learn to obey you.


• You should always be the one to train your dog. A good dog training is there to coach YOU. Find a training class that meets once a week for about an hour. The average price in my neck of the woods breaks down to about $10 a session. So if you sign up for an 8 week class, expect to pay around $80.
  I would NEVER recommend sending your dog away to a trainer where you cannot be a part of the training process. There are too many wack jobs in the animal world that are not opposed to hitting/kicking/or worse.


• Look all you need to teach your dog upto the dog been 7 months old is how to sit. At 7 - 9 months of age you can teach the dog to stop, stay, lie down etc.
  It took my Akita one night of training for him to get it right everytime. You cannot be serious about paying for a professional. You are wasting your money. It takes no time at all to bond with your dog through training.
  A few nights no more than three will give it all the basic commands required.


• try 600 dollars and up per week

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Dog Health Questions: What are the best, most through dog training texts (websites, books, online manuals, etc.) ?

I am trying to train my sister's dog. I know the basics: spray bottle, treats, all that good stuff. But I need a big, thick, thorough manual, whether it be a website, book, or whatever. I just need something that will tell me what to do when he sits when I tell him, or when he pees in the house, or whatever. I would also appreciate if the manual has different techniques.

The Three Dog Training Mistakes You Should Avoid

Recommended Answer:
There are thousands of sites on the net & some really good books on dog training. I sent you the sites on puppy training but it also applies to older dogs & another page of sites on dog training.

To pick out a book you need to take your time going through several books to see if you can train the same way the author wants you to train. I would suggest that you get one that on behavior modification instead of method training. Most books will start you out with basic obedience & advance on to more advanced training.

Service Dog Training For the Hunting Dog

• The very best training is through a professional trainer. No book or Website can take the place of a professionally led training class that socializes the dog and teaches you how to train and communicate with the dog.
  
  http://www.apdt.com/


• Hey,
  check out
  
  http://rasjoe.bezoogle.com/pp/dog-training/
  
  you get review on the top dog training programs and the best prices.
  
  All the best!!

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Dog Health Questions: My dog has diarrhea and blood in his stool, he just came home from week long doggie school?

My 2 year old Pit Bull just got home for 5 days of dog training. The last time I saw him was on Monday. He has brown diarrhea and towards the end of his stool red blood drops were dripping out his rectum. This is 2nd time he's been out in 1h 30 min. What could be wrong?

From Simple Dogs to Guard Dogs - How Guard Dog Training is Done?

Recommended Answer:
It could be parvo,but more likely it is colitis from stress. It could also be coccidia or giardia.You need to take the dog to the vet no matter what it might be.

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

• he could have gotten worms or some other illness from the school, i would get him to the vet ASAP to get him tested!


• Instead of being on computer you better be taking him to vet!!!!!!!!!


• TAKE HIM TO THE VET NOW!!!!!! IT IS PROBUBLY INTERNAL BLEEDING!!!!!


• could be a number of things gt a vet to check him over and do a stool sample


• Off to the vet now.*


• you better take him to the vet sooooooooooooooooooon!

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training help?

I have a 1.5 year old large german shepherd mix. He's a really smart dog and I already trained him multiple tricks that he knows by heart. The thing is I'm moving on to the more difficult tricks and I just can't seem to keep his attention long enough. He's a very hiper dog and when I try to get his attention he gets over excited and jumps and plays. I teaching him play dead right now and he can't seem to get the be still part of it. I just want to get his attention and keep it, any advice?

Dog Training Videos - Learn by Watching

Recommended Answer:
Chances are these excited, anxious, or fearful behaviors have been reinforced. The truth is that it is very easy to reinforce these behaviors. You may even feel compelled to reinforce them, although that was never your intention.

Imagine a dog who whines excitedly in the car. You arrive at your destination and your dog is just-so-excited-to-be-here-and-bark-bark… There is nothing worse than sitting in a car with a dog who is whining to get out, so what do you do? You let your dog out of the car and...

...you have just reinforced whining! What's more, your dog has just reinforced you for letting him out sooner rather than later.

Another example of automatic, unintentional reinforcement is the dog who bowls over visitors. What does the visitor do?

"Oh, you're a big puppy! How about you hop down?" [push]

"HOP DOWN!" [wave hands in dog's face]

Wouldn't you love that response if you were a big, boisterous, and non-verbal Labrador retriever looking for attention?

The Calm-O-Meter solution
Let's look at a third example and a possible solution. A dog (we'll call her "Sabella" but she bears no resemblance to an actual German shepherd by that name), gets overly excited when she is about to embark on her nightly walk. Her owner, an enlightened trainer, has her sit and wait patiently at the door until she calms down. He does this because he knows that letting her out the door in her excited state will only reinforce that excited state for future walks—and will probably result in temporarily forgotten leash manners and reactive aggression towards other dogs as well.

But how does Sabella's owner know when she is calm enough to be let through the door?

He could look for certain signs: rate of breathing, ear and tail carriage, whining frequency and volume, pupil dilation or contraction. But that's a bit complicated. All he really needs to do is ask himself, "On a scale of 1-10, where 1 is very calm and 10 is very excited, how calm is Sabella right now?" He'll get a reasonably accurate answer, something good enough to work with.

Simple, huh? This is called using the "Calm-O-Meter."

Just as you can reinforce excited behaviors, you can reinforce calm behaviors.Turn the dial, but where to stop?
Next is to "turn back the dial" on that Calm-O-Meter. Just as you can reinforce excited behaviors, you can reinforce calm behaviors. But, keep in mind that it would be unreasonable to ask a dog to go from grade 10 "hyper" to grade 1 "comatose." That would set the dog up to fail and leave nothing to reinforce.

Instead, figure out what grade the dog is at when she sits, then ask for one grade less. If your Sabella is consistently at a grade 7, wait until she calms down to grade 6, then click and open the door. If Sabella is consistently at grade 6, wait until she has calmed down to grade 5, then click and open the door.

The Calm-O-Meter can be a metric for clicker training, using successive approximations toward the goal—a calm dog. Calm could be at grade 3 or 4; Sabella shouldn't have to lose her zest for life completely! If you aim too low, she might not ever make it out the door.

Historical borrowing
The Calm-O-Meter idea isn't completely new. Like so many other techniques in dog training, it is an idea borrowed from human clinical psychology, modified and repackaged. The human clinical psychology equivalent is the SUDs scale, which stands for Subjective Units of Distress/Disturbance/Discomfort Scale. Of course dogs cannot be asked their level of stress or calm directly, but most dog owners are sufficiently in tune with their dogs for this technique to give fairly reliable results.

This PDF may be helpful to you. It is called when excited becomes rude.
http://www.clickertraining.com/files/Emm…

How Dog Training Can Help You Find the Perfect Family Dog

• Him getting overexcited and jumping when you are trying to get his attention is a good thing because that means you have got his attention but i know why you might think otherwise as i thought it was a bad thing to. If you are trying to teach him new tricks which require staying still then start off somewhere with no distractions at all then when he has learned it start doing it somewhere with alot of distractions this worked for my dog and trust me it is very hard to get his attention i would be happy if my dog does what your dog does getting over excited lol, also you will find that if you make him run for a bit he will get a bit tired and he will listen more without jumping around best of luck


• Try this page, they have few video-lessons
  http://en.teachme.tv/category/72/dog_tra…


• Take him for a LOOOOOONNNNGGG walk before trying the harder tricks. I have a 2 year old Doberman and she has way too much energy to focus on training unless I tire her out a bit first.
  
  So we go for a long walk, usually 2 miles, then head home, she gets some free time to drink water, rest, whatever she does. Then about 30 minutes after the walk I start the training with her.
  
  She is able to concentrate a lot better and can usually handle about 30 minutes of training a day this way. Much more than that and she loses interest.


• I recommend you visit the website I went to when my dog had behavioral issues a while back. It transformed my dog's behavior. Good Luck!


• Here's a free resource for you..
  
  http://dogsdomain.info

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Dog Health Questions: Is "The Dog Whisperer" a dangerous show?Other training shows?Just because of misuse, or should it just not run?

Is the show itself dangerous, or is it the viewers fault for not taking it as the entertainment that it is supposed to be? Knowing that a disclaimer is not enough to stop people from doing stupid things, should the show run at all?

Do people just dislike him, or are all these dog training shows (like Its me or the Dog) oversimplified and misleading?

Are his books any better than the show? Not that I want to buy them, but are those actually learning tools more than the TV show, or are those over simplified too?

Is the TV show just a big ad for his books and other programs?

How to Explore the Numerous Advantages of Online Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
In my opinion, all are simplified and misleading. All of them. I have never read any of his books, so I cannot comment on them. And of course he is there to make money - if someone isn't making money doing what they are doing for a living, they wouldn't be doing it for long.

I personally don't "hate" him - but I think his advice is dangerous. I do like some one the things he says though, like you have to treat a dog like a dog.

And should the show be taken off the air? I REALLY want people to wake up and start thinking for themselves, instead of waiting for someone to do it for them. Any show on TV that "teaches" anything should be taken with a grain of salt - dog training, home decorating, any thing!

A Long Tradition of Dog Training

• yes it is very dangerous is because he is handling dangerous dog big and small and you don't even know how is the dog going to react so that is a very very dangerous show so is other training shows.


• It should run because it DOES help people.
  There is a disclaimer that says not to do it without a professional that knows that they are doing
  but still people do it, and that is their fualt.
  
  he is an amazing person and has personally helped me loads, yes, there can be other ways to help -- but it depends on the person.
  
  just because you dislike something doesnt mean its bad, it just means you have opinions and should respect them and see them from others point of veiw


• I think his show is misleading. He also advocates methods that are dangerous and outdated. Alpha-rolling an aggressive dog can get you attacked, for example.
  
  He is self-taught, and uses methods that have long been discredited in the dog training world. He prefers to overpower dogs, which can make them more fearful and aggressive, and he uses very little positive reinforcement. He does a lot of things right; however, there's a reason that there's a disclaimer on the show. Some of his methods (picking up small dogs by the back of the neck) make me cringe.
  
  Victoria Stillwell's program is excellent. Her methods tend to make the dog want to behave well for you (as opposed to fearing punishment in order to avoid bad behavior). She is well-versed in the latest dog training methods, and she uses plenty of treats and rewards. Obviously, since it's a half-hour show, you can't learn everything from her program, but it gives a lot of good pointers. Her methods take patience, which most people seem to lack anymore. Everyone wants a quick-fix solution.


• I believe it is a combination of stupidity on his part and even more on the viewers part.
  
  People don't seem to understand that the dogs on that show a evaluated for health and other issues PRIOR to being worked with. They know EXACTLY what the base issues are and understand what behaviors to watch for. Most novices (as well as many experienced folks) can easily miss signals that the dogs are giving off and get hurt!
  
  The show itself is prepared for that, and if something bad happens,. it NEVER gets aired and people don't have a clue!
  
  You are never going to stop them from airing the show and people from watching it. I wish there was just a better way to convince people to NOT try it at home.
  
  I don't believe his books are any better because, again, it can't teach someone to read the signals that the dogs can give off. If people have problems that they need to address with a dog, they need to hire a professional trainer. A trainer not only trains the dog, but trains the owner on how to teach the dog!


• I find Cesar Milan scary. Anyone who thinks they know *the answer* to every problem is nuts. And I find his heavy-handed approach barbaric and quite behind the times as far as training philosphy is concerned.
  
  Dog training shows on TV (I like Victoria Stillwell's approach better, but still...) are entertainment as much as information and are staged to be oversimplified. The danger lies in people thinking that this is "the way to go" without really thinking it through or thinking about alternatives.
  
  I did read the book. There was some good stuff in it, especially about being calm and assertive. I think he comes across a little better in the book than he does on TV, where he solves all problems in a 30 minute time frame, making people think he has all the answers.
  
  Taken with a grain of salt, these programs can be helpful. If they're taken as gospel, they are a menace!


• I personally do not care for the training methods of "the dog whisperer". The little bit of him that I have watched showed him dominating the dogs, not training them. His methods may work for him, but they would not necessarily work for just anyone. I happen to enjoy Victoria Stillwell's Its Me or the Dog. Her training methods are something that anybody can do with time and patience. She does not dominate the dogs, she trains them. I have used many of her ideas to help my dog and my friends and family with their dogs and have always had success. TV shows are designed to make money, that does not mean that we can't learn something from them. I pretty much disregard anything that is slanted to making money and concentrate on the parts of the show that actually teach something.


• I like the show, I've used a lot of the techniques, and I'm glad their are some shows that help people understand how they should treat their dogs. Just because he presents some simple solutions, doesn't mean they don't work. Sometimes simple is best.
  
  The man has studied dogs. Some people just have natural abilities. The fact that he has kept so many dogs from being put down should be enough for people who care at all about dogs not to be so vicious.
  
  There are plenty of trainers and other methods and techniques available. If you don't like the Caesar's methods, then by all means don't use them. But, don't try to tear him down to people who he actually helps.


• When i got my puppy i got his book " be the packleader" as a present. I really didn't help much. It has some good ideas in it but it all just seems to be written to glorify his own person. The book is full of "success" stories that were done by other people but supposably inspired by him through his tv show. great.


• Dangerous for whom? I personally like the show and I learned so much about my dog and other dogs behaviors as well from Cesar's show. Although the show always advise to not try it at home, which makes sense if you have no experience/want to do so. I don't like the other shows mentioned because they don't get to the point as much as Cesar's show. However never read the books nor I have any plans to buy them.


• The show is dangerous, because too many people get the impression from it that they can fix a problem with a dangerous and/or very large dog. To me, that is irresponsible. I also see many posters here referring to links to his training methods.
  
  It is one thing to air a show about such an unusual situation - such as animal rescue or observing jungle animals in the wild - but the fact that any one of us can pretty much go down the street and find such an unruly candidate makes it all the more likely that someone would try things for which they are simply not trained.
  
  His methods are not well thought of, and although I too value freedom of speech, I think some stations should use more discretion and air something less harmful. Certainly there must be more to choose from than that.
  
  Here are some reviews by reputable behaviorists:
  http://www.svbt.org/pages/CesarMillan.ht…


• just a few comments on what i have seen about him
  watch the sun reflections on the ground, you only see the good things and the progress, most people think that its going to be a quick fix just because one dog has been conquered in one or two days,
  in reality its like one or two weeks with the dog in question,
  also have you noticed that he has his own herd of dogs that he keeps as a pack. he should really be adopting them out and taking more from shelters and training them on his show, and rehoming them out,
  i personally believe that he is just in it for the money.
  


• I personally happen to like The Dog Whisperer. I don't think he is barbaric as people claim he is. We all love our dogs, and most of us treat them like family. . but Cesar reminds us that they are dogs and they understand things as dogs. When a dog is not happy with another dog, he will snap or growl. Another dog understands this behavior. In my opinion, all the chicken pieces in the world will not stop an aggressive dog from attacking other animals. Cesar works to correct the behavior of these dogs. He doesn't claim to be a trainer. He clearly says that he is a "dog behavior specialist" which I would personally agree.
  
  I watch Victoria as well and I take bits and pieces from both. Victoria seems to work more to train dogs. Teaching them not to jump up on people, or to stay in the yard, or to come when called. Cesar seems to specialize with the more aggressive dogs. There is a reason he has been successful doing what he does, and anyone who thinks they can watch a show then pin down a Rottweiler is in for a rude awakening. I think he is great at what he does and he has a genuine love for dogs. I've never seen Victoria work with a vicious dog in danger of being put to sleep. I've seen shows where Cesar has actually been bitten, and they clearly state that the rest of us should contact a professional before trying these methods.
  
  I foster homeless dogs through a rescue group. Most of them are puppies so I'm able to use positive reinforcement (more Victoria's style). I did end up with 1 litter of oddly aggressive older puppies. I took 3 from the litter and someone else took the other 3. After a week of working with them, they were happy & playful puppies. I did end up having to hold one of them down several times during the first few days. She would constantly attack the other puppies. She was food aggressive & snapped at my daughter. By the end of the week I could put my hands in her bowl while she was eating and she stopped attacking the other puppies. Again, this was a 15 pound Chow mix puppy. I would never try that with a full grown 60 pound dog.
  We are all entitled to our opinion, but Cesar's methods helped me and all 3 puppies were adopted. Not to mention, the 3 puppies that didn't live with me for the week were still displaying signs of aggression. They couldn't even have them out at adoption day because they were snapping at everyone that came near their crate.
  
  Again, this is just my opinion based on my personal experiences.
  
  Bottom line, anyone who watches these shows apparently has a love for their dogs or else we wouldn't watch and try to learn. I say do what works for you, as long as you aren't hurting your furry friend.

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Dog Health Questions: Start dog training tomorrow... any tips?

My pitbull and I begin training tomorrow and I am a little bit nervous.... I'm afraid she'll get too excited and I won't be able to control her. If anyone has anything that may make the day go smoother I would appreciate it. Thanks!

5 Dog Training Tips to Stop Barking

Recommended Answer:
Good question! I am assuming this is a group training session? You probably won't be the only one with an excited dog. We took our lab for puppy training and intermediate training so I've been through it a couple of times. The instructor should know how to keep the dogs under control and they expect the first class to be somewhat crazy. After all, that's what you are there for. A firm tight leash (that cannot be chewed through and won't choke) is a must. You can ask your instructor for tips before you go- they are more than happy to help you to help them. If the training involves treat rewards, make sure you bring a supply. Don't be nervous, expect to have fun!

Information Is The Key - Same In Case Of Dog Trainings

• If you're nervous, she'll get excited and uncontrollable. You need to just calm down. Make sure that you pay attention. The classes are as much for you as they are for your dog.


• well if she gets excited then you need to be aggressive they are aggressive dogs so be careful


• You can always try some homeopathy like 'Rescue Remedy' made up of Bach flowers etc. on your dog just to keep her a lot more relaxed and calm. Might help you too if you're feeling a bit stressed out by the whole event. Keep in mind that the way you feel will always transmit itself to your dog too.
  
  All the best with the training, I'm sure both you and the dog will be fine ;)


• Take plenty of treats, and stay calm.


• You need to be calm and cool. Dogs can pick up on your feelings and if you are nervous your dog will sense that. That is not a good thing.
  


• This is a learning experience for both of you! Relax and have fun. If you are tense, your dog will more than likely act up one way or another, so, take a deep breath and have fun.


• She might get excited, so what. The other dogs will be excited too.When she is older she will be more controllable and that's what training is all about. Tomorrows class is just the beginning and you must practise what you are taught at the class every day.


• Heh, dog class is always fun. People are usually very tolerant of misbehavior because chances are, their own dog is hyper and misbehaves in the same ways as well.
  
  Here are some things that may help:
  
  1. If you can, go into the classroom early and let your dog explore and sniff around. This will make him more comfortable in the new surroundings. Try and do this before he has to deal with the other dogs.
  
  2. Meet and chat with some of the people before class. This will get you and your dog more comfortable with your classmates. If you meet some really nice people, you can later invite them for play sessions with your dog. 3. When I used to go for classes at my SPCA, I would meet up with some of the owners and let our dogs play for a bit before class begins. This lets them drain some energy so that they will be more calm during class.
  
  4. Make sure you are as calm as possible so that your dog will pick up on that and be calm as well. Don't be too embarrassed if your dog misbehaves, everybody else is probably in the same boat.
  
  5. Bring really high priority treats so there is a higher likelihood that your dog will focus on you.
  
  Above all, have fun, meet new dog pals, and make sure to practice the class lessons with your dog at home.

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Dog Health Questions: Training a guard dog.?

i asked this question before, wrote attack dog training, i think ppl were under the impression that i wanted my dog to visciously maul the first person he sees.but thats not what i meant. i want him to be a guard dog, and like the dogs that police use. like if i tell him to attack he will, but will also be gentle enough to have around kids. just need training tips and if anyone has training instructions please tell me. im not training him to do this for bad reasons, but to protect my family from danger and eventually he can join a special k9 force that my uncle is in, when he and i are older.

Are You Selecting the Right Dog Training Treat For Your Dog?

Recommended Answer:
The dogs that you see that are involved with k-9 units and the like are gaurd dogs not family pets.
They take much special training and it takes a special dog to make it through the course to learn to and be trained to attack. Many try and many fail. It is not something that you should try to teach unless you have experience with that type of training. It is specialized and once trained the dog must be handled with special care and they are not family pets.
Alomst any dog will protcet your family. And most will go as far as biting or trying to hurt an invader or person comming into your home. Most do not need any encouragement to do so. Just some age and a knowledge of who is family.
You need to start with basic training of obedience.
Once you get that work on some agility things. They need to be able to go over under and thru many things with out asking why and they need to be able to follow the handlers commands to the letter.

Dog Training Problems - How to Overcome Them

• For the very specific desires you have you *need* to get professional training. When training a dog to be protective of your property and safety you're walking a very fine line and if you don't train him exactly the right way there's a good chance he'll bite some one he's not meant to bite and he'll be put to sleep. I strongly encourage you to seek out a professional obedience school, or a police dog training program.
  
  Also, have you considered just buying a weapon to defend your family with? It's safer than turning a living creature into one..


• Really, you don't need to train the dog to attack, just having him there will provide protection.
  
  At any rate, protection training is NOT for the novice to attempt on their own. Find a good schutzhund club and see if they have classes.


• If you want your dog to be good in a family and protect, all you have to do is care for and love him. Dogs are very loyal pets, and if you care for them, they'll naturally protect you when they sense their family is being threatened. If you plan on joining the police force, you have to first join and then they'll put the dog through training then. You can't train them without any knowledge because you could unintentionally improperly train your dog and he won't know when you attack and when not to. I would suggest you just keep your dog a family pet and when you do join the K9 force, you'll be matched with a partner that the trainers feel is right for you.


• well i think you should get obedience training first and then you can train your dog using some of the examples from the obidience class. my father in-law use to be a police man and he was in the K9 unit with german shepards, they are truely the ultimate guard dog/family dog. they will protect but gentle enough to handle a baby pulling the fur. but normally not to sound cheesy but if someone is trying to maybe break into your house, just the sound of a deep bark will scare them away. i say a good guard dog/ family dog would either be a german shepard, a doberman pinscher, or a boxer. good luck to you!

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Dog Health Questions: Qualifications and credentials for dog training?

While I realize that some people here have trained dogs for so many years that they likely wouldn't need outside training, let's just assume for the sake of this question that you do...

Of course, training dogs does not require any type of formal education at all. Any individual can start a business and advertise and market themselves as a dog trainer. The question is... Are they really capable?

What kind of evidence do you need in order to know that trainer is qualified and has the proper background and abiltiy to actually train in the first place? Do you actually need evidence, or are you willing to go for it and hope for the best without knowing for sure?

Do they need to have a titled dog in the area of training? Students that trained with them that have titled dogs? Does their breed make a difference?

I will give my opinions in a bit after I have had some input here first :c)

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

Recommended Answer:
If/when I am seeking out a trainer, I'm looking for someone to help me train for some level of competition/working. Obedience, Schutzhund, Agility, Herding, Hunting, whatever. As others said, I'd look for someone who specializes in that field, and is accustomed to working breeds *similar* to mine, in similar disciplines. I would not take a high drive Malinois to an AKC Obedience trial trainer who has nothing but Goldens, and expect her to train with me in Schutzhund obedience work, for example.

I'd want to see titles on the trainer's dogs, and titles on her *student's* dogs as well. There are very skilled & knowledgeable "dog trainers" who are great at training their own dogs, but are lousy TEACHERS. Since working with a trainer means the HUMAN is the one being taught how to teach the dog....the trainer must have proven people-teaching skills, if that makes sense.

Breed makes a difference if there is a drastic contrast between each breeds' "style". If I had an Aussie I was training to herd, I wouldn't even bat an eye at working with a BC trainer. However, if (when!) I get a Beauceron, should I decide to try herding, I'd want to find a trainer who is accustomed to training "continental" herding dogs; as their working style is vastly different than BC's, Aussies, etc. Same goes for if I lost my marbles one day & decided to have a go with Basenjis in the Obedience ring....I would try to find a trainer who had successfully worked Sighthounds or Primitive breeds in the Obed ring, not a Golden Retriever person.

I absolutely would not just "go for it" and hope for the best. Bad training can downright RUIN a dog, requiring weeks, if not months, of work to "un-do" what went wrong. I have had that experience ONCE. Never again. Maybe it's a chance you can take when trying to teach a dog not to jump on the furniture...if you can screw that up, you don't need to train IVY much less a dog. But when you're talking bitework, herding, field work....even Obed/Agility, you're asking for a more intense, mentally demanding level of work from the dog. Push a dog too far, too fast, or use the wrong method and you'll be weeks, months fixing that mistake. Not a chance I'm willing to take.

IMO it's the trainers who cater to the "manners/behavior problems" crowd people need to watch out for. Like the Petsmart trainers, and many of the Yellow Pages yahoos; some of these folks have a 6 week vo-tech course and they're calling themselves dog trainers. Ask for details on their education. Apprenticeships. References. How many training seminars have they attended recently? Whose? Never needed (and probably won't ever need) to hire a trainer for basic manners/behavior issues, but if I did, that's what I'd be asking.

Puppy Dog Training in 7 Lessons

• You are absolutely right, anyone can just show up and train and anyone can take a 4 week (or however long it takes) course in petsmart and become a dog trainer. I therefore need to see proof, I don't want to/won't take the risk of a trainer ruining my dog. Titles and experience (including experience with my breed and specific area of training), good references and student success are what I look for. As well as a trainer who will look beyond their own views and opinions - and will use what ever works best for MY dog!!!
  
  "Are they capable?" - The majority of self-proclaimed trainers cannot figure out how to potty train their own dogs, let alone train someone else's.
  
  Great question!!!
  
  Add: I think "Ginbail ©" bought up an excellent point in regards to communication.


• I know several people who have put obedience titles on their dogs, who I wouldn't mind training with, but I really don't think they'd make good teachers. It's not that they don't know what to do, but I don't believe they can communicate well with other people. The best teachers are the best communicators, and well experienced at training dogs. They aren't so stubborn about specific training methods, and they understand that different dog-handler teams need a tailored approach to training.


• In my opinion, it is all in the success of their trainees. They need to also have titled dogs in their expertise. Yes, in my opinion, that includes obedience titles. Herding, agility, field work, hunting, conformation, anything else, they *must* have titled dogs.
  
  AND they must have students who have titled dogs as well. This proves to me that not only do they know their stuff, but that they can adequately pass on their knowledge in a way that beginner can grasp.


• I have always trained my own dogs. No one knows them like I do. They are bonded to me and I am qualified to train them. I have potty trained dogs and have dogs that come on command, I can take them out and have friends over.I used to show in AKC shows and know how to groom my breed and stack them for a judge.
  
  However, for the owners that are clueless about all this, I think they need to go to classes to have someone show them how it is done.


• There is NO "certifying" body...organization...group.
  
  The PROOF is in the dogs TITLED by the individual.
  
  Know who"certifies" the "trainers"(gag) at Pet-NOT-Smart? I do;I asked. "The head office"...that means NOBODY! Any boob-off-the-street can declare themselves a "trainer"!!


• there is only one answer, REFFERENCES


• Yes breed makes a difference! Some breeds show the same traits and problems in training. I have a young border collie in agility that shows the same problems or learning styles as many other BC's.
  
  I also believe you should find a person that has titled dogs which equals experience and with many dogs and breeds or at least the breed you trying to train. I needed evidence, I watched his classes and watched him compete to know if he was qualified.
  
  This trainer has owned many border collies in his 77 years, and still competes! Many of his students also.
  
  I was once told about training a Border Collie, "It's like doing a crossword puzzle in ink, you better make sure you get it right the first time."


• I was a dog trainer for Petco for about three months. During that time, I realized I had nowhere near the experience I needed to do the job I was doing, so I went back to being just a grooming assistant.
  
  Right now, I help my mom's friend out with training her dog, but it is all basic positive reinforcement work- stuff I am familiar with. I won't help anyone else train their dogs because I don't know enough yet- and won't for awhile.
  
  For me, I look at the title a trainer has on their dogs, combined with their interaction with my dogs and explanation to me about what it is that they do. My favorite trainer lives about an hour away from me, but has fantastic dogs and is worth the drive.
  
  As for breed- I strongly prefer trainers with herding breeds, but as my trainer shows and breeds Vizslas, I guess sometimes you have to give a little.


• In my opinion, the trainer needs to have titles on his/her own dogs as well as having students who have had some success.
  
  But more than that, I want a trainer whose methods I agree with. I just spent the past week checking out obedience classes and quite frankly, the class I ended up picking for my puppy, I knew within 2 minutes that this trainer was the one for me because of her positive, upbeat attitude with the puppies. I didn't even have to ask her if she'd ever heard of Patricia McConnell, Ian Dunbar or Jean Donaldson - you knew she did after watching her for 2 minutes.
  
  To me, their breed doesn't make a difference, but I would like them to have experience with my group at least because herding dogs, for example, are very different from terriers or sporting dogs. And while I've been working with dogs for long enough to be able to train my own dog, no one can train their own dog if they're going on to competition obedience - the dog needs the experience working in a building with lots of distractions.


• As others have already stated, it depends on what you want the dog to do as to which trainer you go for.
  
  If you want a dog to compete in a particular sport - go to somebody who has had success in that sport.
  
  If you want a dog to do a particular job - go to somebody who has already trained dogs to do that job successfully.
  
  If all you want is for your pet to be a pleasant companion though - how do you pick the right one? Personally, I'd go for one that's registered with APDT.
  
  http://www.apdt.co.uk/
  
  The Kennel Club also have a Canine Good Citizen Scheme:
  
  http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dogtrain…
  
  Many of the apdt trainers do KC Good Citizen - and I don't doubt that many non-apdt trainers do that too.
  
  Also remember that training isn't something that's ever finished - it's something that's ongoing (although the form of training should change) throughout a dog's life.


• As an aspiring dog trainer, I'll tell you what I plan to do to make myself look more credible.
  
  I'm currently getting a bachelor's degree in animal science (my mom's wish). I plan to attend a dog training academy in Texas to learn how to be train for certain types of training. I then plan to officially get certified, I believe through the Association of Pet Dog trainers. I currently have already been training puppies and dogs for a nearby GSD breeder that I know well. I train the puppies and prepare them to go home. I also train the breeding dogs, mostly basic obedience, but also stacking and gaiting.
  
  I plan to own and operate my own dog training facility. I also plan to foster and train dogs for any and all local rescues/shelters (pro bono) so that they have a better chance of getting adopted.
  
  Personally I have a knack for training, and have yet to meet an animal that doesn't listen to or respect me. It's something about me that I honestly can't explain. Anyone who has doubted me at first has reconsidered once they see my personal dog and how well trained and mannered he is (he is also CGC and TDI certified). I'm already active and experienced in conformation showing. I plan to get my dog into agility and obedience competitions. I'm very good at training (not trying to brag), and it shows in every dog that I've ever worked with. I've helped the breeder raise litters, and I can walk amongst the breeding dogs and the ones I raised instantly follow me and listen to me.
  
  I'm going with a career that goes with my talents and true abilities. It'll take a little bit to prove it to people and get myself established, but I can and will make it with natural talent and training. The certifications, college degree, and training should help, and show that I'm proven.
  
  In my mind I'm trying to do as much as I can to be a trainer that people will find qualified.


• I'd say that about (and I'm serious, not exaggerating) 90% of the dog trainers in the United States and the UK aren't competent trainers at all. They cause problems for real trainers because they've filled dog owner's heads with useless mumbo jumbo that makes sense if you squint really hard at it when it's upside down and backward. If you're looking for a trainer in a specific area (protection, schutzhund, agility, herding) then yes, that person should have titled dogs, or have owned and trained titled dogs at one time. How can I train a Schutzhund dog for you/help you train your own Schutzhund dog when I myself have no experience in the sport? If there was a greater understanding of common sense dog training among the common person there wouldn't be as many phonies capable of passing themselves off as dog trainers. Time outs don't work, Positive Reinforcement Only training (petsmart/victoria stillwell style training...but at least petsmart doesn't put dogs in time out), treats, smiles and hugs don't solve aggression (heavy corrections do), and Negative Reinforcement Only training doesn't work...well actually it does work, but your dog will hate you so don't do it. 80% of the trainers out there are petsmart yuppy treats will train a dog to do anything type trainers who advise you put a dog down when it barks at the neighbor, 10% are the Negative Reinforcement only trainers who get your dog out of your sight and do the old school William Koehler yank and crank style submission training, and the other 10% are trainers with common sense who understand training as a whole from obedience to correcting behavior problems (most of these people are or have been influenced by Ringsport/Schutzhund/Police Dog trainers...but even a great number of protection sport trainers aren't worth a red indian cent). Advice to the wise: Buyer Beware.
  
  Edit: I'd also like to say that the reason protection sport trainers are so well rounded is because they've gotten their knowledge from some of the greatest European trainers ever. Also they have dogs that MUST perform...if your agility dog misses a tunnel, oh well, better luck next time...but, if your police dog doesn't bite a suspect, you could be dead...


• I would want a different trainer for different types of training.
  
  I would like my next Dobermann b*tch to be trained in the sport of Schutzhund, so I would join a schutzhund club & work with someone who had years of relevant experience training dogs.
  
  For training for open/championship shows, I would want a trainer who had experience of showing dog & had titled them.
  
  If in competition obedience, an experience trainer/titled dogs in that field.
  
  I would want a professional dog trainer, who had enough years of practical experience working with dogs to draw on, to be able to assess a dog. A trainer who understood the canine mind/importance of genetics & could offer plainly spoken constructive advice.
  
  All too many dog trainers take a course, lack knowledge based on years of experience working with dogs & are of no real practical assistance.
  
  Canine behaviourist? Well, if there are any good ones, like locating a decent professional dog trainer, it's a case of finding a needle in a haystack.

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Dog Health Questions: HELP...Dog training question.?

I have a 7 month old femal german shepherd. I have been trianing her to sit since she was just 3 months old. I have trained her to sit for the 1st couple of months without food. I realized that thats not working so then I went to a dog trainer for advice about training her to sit. (he suggested not to use treats and to use a choke chain) I trained her like that for a couple of months. That didnt seem to work either. so now I turned to the clicker. I have been clicker training her for a couple of months now and it still dont seem to work. she likes the treats but when I tell her to sit. She might sit, she might not. when I tell her to come to me after her sit she just walks right past me Its like she dont care.its not like she dont know how to sit I have been working with her every day since she was just 3 months old. I have tried different treats. she acts the same with all of them. What can I do to get her to listen,pay attention and want to learn

Dog Training Using Treats and Rewards and How to Make Sure Your Dog Doesn't Become a Treat Junkie

Recommended Answer:
When your dog sits go crazy talk like a baby, pet her tell her that shes a good girl then give her the treat. Soon she will learn that's how she gets a treat. Never give her one if she doesn't do it If you ask her to do it more than 3 times then make her do it pull up her collar do anything it takes to make her sit. Also make sure sit isn't sit then stand up sit is sit and stay there until i tell you. For come when your dog comes they have to sit in front of you and wait until you go crazy on them give them the treat then they can go. Always keep her on a leash when you train her otherwise she'll figure out she can stop the training when ever she wants and when your teaching her the come command pull her in with the leash start with short distances end with long distances. Never use choke collars. I use treats. I hope that helps.

How to Explore the Numerous Advantages of Online Dog Training

• 1st NEVER use the choke pinchy thing chain. Thats gonna mess up the puppy. My friend has an 8 month old german shepard and he listens to her when she looks at him and tells him that she is the boss and he is the baby. Whenever you train you dog, make him or her follow the treat and then if he or she does it right, you give her the treat.


• Find a good trainer in your area that uses positive reinforcement training methods. (like treat and clicker training)
  Buy some books on clicker training.
  Try this site:
  http://www.clickertraining.com/dogtraini…
  Good luck!
  edit: stay away from trainer that use choke collars or pinch collars.


• I dont know why a proper dog trainer would tell you to use a choke chain- they really dont have a place in todays society.
  Your dog doesnt have a problem pulling on the leash- and it is completely wrong to use corporal punishment as a way of correcting your dog.
  The most effective method of training is to reward the good behaviour, and ignore the bad.
  You should consider enrolling your dog in obedience classes- I think these will be your best bet as you have professionals at your fingertips that can help you with training your dog, and it gives your dog some great socialisation with other dogs and people- which is necessary if you want a good dog in the future.
  I dont like those dog treats that you can get from the supermarket- most of them are high in salt and very unhealthy.
  The only time I use a treat for my dog is when he is in obedience classes- and that is because they tend to get much more distracted in class, and the food helps him to focus on the reward, rather than on playing with the other dogs.
  The treats I use are little pieces of cheese or lightly cooked chicken. Much healthier and very tasty and smelly for your dog- so it is the perfect treat.
  When you use a clicker to train your dog you have to remember to actually reward your dog at the end of the training- either with a play, or with a treat- otherwise there is no point to the clicker.
  The clicker is there to say 'that was good, and you will get a reward for that at the end' basically- the clicker itself is not a reward- it is just a means of telling your dog that she did good, and she will be rewarded for her behaviour. You have to reward at the end, otherwise she wont worry about the clicker.
  If you want her to come to you, try using a high pitched voice, and start to go backwards quickly, most dogs will respond more to changes in movement and tone.
  But again, I think your best bet here is Obedience- start off in a beginners class, and you can advance from here- you will get all the advice you need, and your dog will get that all important interaction with other people and dogs that she needs! Good luck!


• Good for you for keeping at it! I would use treats. And I would get this book "Good Owners, Great Dogs" by Brian Kilcommons. I recommend this because I have the feeling you would actually read it :)
  
  OK, to teach a new behavior, you make it happen, THEN assign a cue like a verbal sound, "sit" or whatever, and/or a physical cue, a special hand signal. Don't say 'sit sit sit'. Only say the cue when you're SURE you'll get the behavior, that way your dog can associate the sound 'sit' with the behavior of sitting.
  
  You can make it happen by luring. Once your dog knows it, and you can bet 10 bucks that your dog will sit, THEN you can assign the cue.
  
  You really seem like you want to learn how to do this right, so hats off to you. I'd keep trying the clicker, and go to www.clickertraining.com for lots of free online videos.
  
  The one thing you should do is not repeat yourself - you can desensitize your dog to the cue 'sit'.
  
  Good luck to you! And get that book - Good Owners Great Dogs.


• 7 months old is basically like teenage years for a dog. I have a 10 month old shepherd mix and she did the same thing. I found out that she goes crazy for warm hot dogs. Cut them up in little pieces when you are about to train her. This is the way I trained my dog numerous commands:
  
  Let her smell the treat in your hand so she knows it's there. She may figure it out on her own that she should sit or you might have to tempt her into sitting. Hold the treat in a fist and move it back over her head and instinctively, she may sit. If not, you may have to push her butt down a little. Once her butt hits the ground, click and treat. Do this several times. Once she gets the hang of it, start saying sit and adding a hand gesture. Click and treat each time she sits and she'll be doing it all the time.
  
  Remember that with her age, you must do this for like 10-15 minutes a day so she doesn't begin to get rebellious and forget about it.
  
  Also, she may not really know her name. I realized it took our dog to know her name was "Cadence". To get her to learn her name, say it out loud and if she looks at you, click and treat her. Once you do this many times, she'll love the sound of her name and will look at you each time!Good Luck!

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Dog Health Questions: Where do you get a dog trained for search and rescue?

We just received a Bloodhound as a gift after losing our last bloodhound almost a year ago. My husband has hopes of him being a search and rescue dog, especially after seeing one at a park soon after we lost our last one. I haven't a clue as to how to find a place or someone to train him. Do the trainers have to be certified in anything? I live in Southwest Virginia and think maybe I will have to travel a lot for this. Or do police assist in training?

Where does one start?

Buying and Using an Electronic Dog Training Collar

Recommended Answer:
Most S&R dogs/teams are contract employees for State or Local Law Enforcement. So how they get trained varies tremendously.

However, I've provided the URL for FEMA's SAR selection and training course that will get you started. In the meantime, contact the local Sheriff's Dept. and ask them who their SAR contacts are and then contact those folks. Finally, it's a bit far from you but I know of a place in Stafford, Virginia where they do a variety of training. Most of it is bomb detection but they also do SAR contract work as well and I believe they do training too. It's called Colonial K9's and the URL is below the FEMA page. Even if they're too far for you to do SAR work with, I'm sure they'd have some references for you in your part of the State.

A Long Tradition of Dog Training

• Contact your local search and rescue. You can join up with them and they will help you train your dog along the way. Some rescues require you to work as an assistant to another searcher to learn the ropes before putting in the time to train your dog. Our rescue group doesn't require it.


• ONE ***DIY****!!!!
  
  Since the OWNER handles the dog,the OWNER must know how to train *&* search!
  You don't just wave bye bye to Ol' Beau !
  One VOLUNTEERS to haul off at a moments notice & go anywhere & stay for as long as takes to finish the job. One must be physically & financially & mentally fit enough to WORK all day in the worst conditions.
  If you can't even train Ol' Beau to find his own food bowl,let alone track a scent through lord knows what sort of terrain..ACCURATELY....for hours,day after day,stay home.
  SAR isn't a game.


• One starts :o) by contacting the Virginia Search & Rescue Dog Association.
  
  http://www.vsrda.org/
  
  I wish your husband well, it's a good thing he wants to do.


• let it play call of duty 4

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Dog Health Questions: Can someone please give me lots of dog training links more specifically Mini dachshund training links?

Thanks so much!

Effective Dog Training For Obedience

Recommended Answer:
These are my favourite websites:

http://www.peteducation.com/
http://www.loveyourdog.com/
http://www.dogtrickacademy.com
http://dogtricks101.com/
http://www.dog-training-online.info/ <---- You have to pay for it but it's very good!

Dog Training Aids and Tools Work! Just Learn How to Use Them

• http://google.com/
  
  Look up trainers in your area or obedient classes. Otherwise, you don't know who is giving advice. It could be someone with little or no experience with dogs, so sign up for some classes.

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Dog Health Questions: Why are people so adamant about dog training?

I would just like to get peoples opinion on why you think people don't want to have properly trained and well behaved dogs? And why everyone feels the need to find a "quick fix" for bad or or even dangerous behaviors? Please be polite in answering this question,thanks

Important Information Regarding Dog Training That Can Help You

Recommended Answer:
I see it all to often. People come to obedience class and expect their dog to become an obedience champion within a month. These people drop out of the obedience club when they do not see immediate results. They do not realize that it takes time and patience to train there dog to a basic level, let alone an advanced one.

Other people see well behaved dogs and think, "I'm going to get that type of dog" not realizing that it is the OWNER that made the dog well behaved through consistent and positive training and that a mixed or purebred pup does not come with acceptable "manners".

Some people buy their dog as a status symbol. Others want to look "tough" and get a tough looking dog.

A Long Tradition of Dog Training

• Laziness... pure and simple.
  
  People get dogs and don't realize how much work it is to have a well behaved, trained dog and then don't follow through on all that work out of sheer laziness.

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Dog Health Questions: Does anyone know of a good dog training school near the Twin Cities?

I have an active German Shepherd puppy and I was told to take him to a puppy class. Anyone know of a good place?

Old Fashioned Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
Depends on what you want to do with your dog.

You sound like a first time dog owner. If you just want to socialize your puppy, make sure he deals well with other dogs, etc., then just about any training will do. Petsmart, Twin Cities Obedience Training Center, Burnsville, Animal Inn.

However if you think you want to do dog sports like flyball or agility, or you want to work in obedience, then without a doubt Animal Inn in Lake Elmo is it. One of the trainers is the AKC agility director, and dogs from this school have excelled internationally in obedience and agility.

The flyball team is the best in the region, and one of the best in the US/Canada. I'm not sure where you live, so it could be a bit of a drive, but worth it.

Just a point... whatever you decide you absolutely must train your dog. It may be my own bias, but dogs really enjoy training and pleasing the "pack". Not training them means not being able to stop them if they run into the street, or show agression, or can't stop messing in the house, etc. Also, when they train, they find new ways to show their devotion in ways you understand.

5 Advisory Tips For Good Dog Training

• petsmart has training classes
  good luck


• Probably calling your favorite or largest pet store will put you onto a puppy training class. That's great you love your dog so much!!
  I admire that!! Also keep an eye open to the classifieds since you live in such a big area. But use Yahoo Search and type in Puppy Training Twin Cities Area. Keep trying and you may hit on a good one. Check them out first too. Money is money and dog's are love.
  Good Luck!! @8=)


• Animal Inn or TCOTC are the best in the area.
  
  Don't go to Petsmart, their trainers are mostly clueless, and Petco isn't much better. They only hire people who have never done it before and then just have them read a book/watch a video.

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Dog Health Questions: Can someone help me find a dog training facility with a good price?

Possibly somewhere in New York or around New York like New Jersey or Conneticut or something. I'm looking for one of those training facilities that has boarding for your dog and, of course, a training program. (Example: k9one) I've already looked at k9one, but I was hoping some could give me a place with a cheaper price. Please provide a link or something so that I can check it out myself. Thank you!

Advanced Dog Training Goals - It Pays to Think and Plan Ahead

Recommended Answer:
I co-instruct at a community park and it is free. The reason is to help people with untrained dogs and make them a better pet. I also go to the ocotc and it is $50 for an 8 week course, but they also teach you how to show in obedience.

7 Most Believed Myths About Dogs And Dog Training Dispelled

• This place is in Huntington NY
  http://www.suffolkobedience.com/


• Ask your vet for a recomendation .They should point you in the right direction


• i haven't found any around new york but i have found a dog tringing guide that could help you i have heard that it actually works.
  
  Sit Stay Fetch is a comprehensive guide to owning, rearing, and training your dog. The course provides you with a step-by-step instruction manual and self-help guide on how to recognize and resolve problem behaviors with maximum efficiency and a surprisingly quick turnaround time. Written by the renowned Daniel Stevens, an experienced dog trainer, the book covers all aspects of dog ownership, offering tried-and-true training methods as well as effective techniques for both preventing and dealing with problem behavior.
  What's Covered?
  
  I was pleasantly surprised at just how much information's been covered. Sit Stay Fetch starts at the very basics - things to consider before adopting a dog, choosing the right breed and dog for you, puppy-proofing your home, dealing with breeders, basic training; and then moves on at a comfortable pace through intermediate and advanced obedience training and 'tricks', the mindset of a dog, attaining and maintaining alpha status, aggression in all shapes and forms, biting, both preventing and handling destructive behavior like digging, chewing and barking, anxiety, coprophagia (poop eating), dog whispering, and even understanding how your dog thinks.
  How It Works
  
  Daniel Stevens recognizes that a great deal of the cause for problematic behaviors in dogs stems from a general lack of communication with the owner. The dog most likely is not misbehaving deliberately; it simply doesn't understand what you want. Sit Stay Fetch understands that owners need training, too, and clearly demonstrates how dogs communicate, what your dog is thinking, how you can clearly and effectively communicate with your dog, and - most importantly - how to put this knowledge to excellent use when training and handling your dog. Knowledge really is power, and your relationship with your dog will benefit dramatically from it.

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