Showing posts with label training dogs for the blind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training dogs for the blind. Show all posts

Monday, September 3, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Help with our dog and her "table" mannners!?

We adopted two 9 year old rat terrior sisters a few months back. They have been great so far, we love them. But one of them has developed an issue of begging, taking food from our toddler, eating anything unattended and picking in the garbage.

She also started biting our toddler for no reason. Sometimes our daughter is rough with her, we understand that. But if our daughter is just walking by she will snip at her hand.

This behavior came out of no where. We are not experienced in dog training at all and need some advice as to what we do about the horrible habits she has. Any suggestions?

Thank you!

Basic Dog Training Obedience - Puppy Behavior Tips



Recommended Answer:
Okay use something wet like water, get maybe a jug or a spray bottle and throw/ spray the water on the dogs face or you can take a newspaper or paper tails and when they do that slap them on the butt. Also, use a stern voice and scold.

Police Dog Training


  • Empty paper towel rolls and rolled up news papers work wonders. Just give a light swat on the rump, accompanied with a sharp no, and it work wonders. She probably views your daughter as another dog, a pack member, so she wants to be alpha over your toddler. Watch her very closely, and if she nips your daughter, flip her over on her back and hold her that way until she relaxes. If she struggles hard, keep her down. If you let her up, she'll think she is still alpha over you. Keep your energy positive and calm but assertive around her. Good Luck!

  • Your dogs behavior he/she is acting is for a reason.
    Try throwing something wet at him/her..Like a jug of water.

  • When you rescue dogs they come with issues built in from their experience and what works for them, as you say you haven't dog training experience then use this http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm .......dogs are opportunists and so will steal food, go into the rubbish and take food off your daughter, it works she gets a tasty treat immediately ( so is praised) so there is little point is scolding the dog as it is too late ( if you do).

    This behaviour has NOT came out of no where...it has been there all along, it has just taken time to come through and she doesn't respect or have pack leadership which is what she needs.........you are the provider of all her resouses and she has to learn this now.

    You need to stop your child 'being rough' with the dog, the dog isn't a toy and will react, you need to teach your child to be pack leader, so the dog respects her........and that includes putting the dogs out when your child is eating, putting the rubbish where it can't be raided and putting all food that can be stolen away.

    Having the dog on a lead and letting it trail, means you can step on the lead if you see any bad behaviour immediately and get control and remove the dog without getting angry or shouting or chasing after it away from the situation...........the least amount of touching, talking or looking at this dog the better as that keeps training very simply understood by the dog

  • every time he acts out throw a jug of pee at him and he will stop eventually. I tried this with my dog when he did these things and the nonsence stopped immediatly after I tried this.
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Monday, August 13, 2012

Dog Health Questions: I have a dog training question?

I have a 1 year old labrador retriever who is very motivated by food. She is well behave but when I want to teach her a new trick she gets so excited about the food it's very hard to settle her down. Then after she has learned a trick like down for instance she is very good at it, but sometimes when I dont have treats with me she'll just sit there and won't go down, even though she knows what I'm saying. So if anyone knows a better way of training her or to have her listen to me all the time that would be wonderful. Thanks

Dog Training Technique - Correcting Dog Behavior



Recommended Answer:
Use a clicker. To fire it up, click and treat, click and treat. Do this several times until the dog gets it. Then ask your dog to lay down. Click and treat. Keep practicing the trick. At some point ask your dog to lie down and just click. See what happens. If only the click works, carry the clicker with you. Then at some point, you could substitute the clicker for your command just like you substituted the treat for the clicker.

You may have to do this for a couple of days, or weeks until your dog gets it on the command.

How to Begin a Dog Training Career


  • Reward the dog with affection instead of food

  • You need to mix in some "good girl" praise and fussing, along with the treats, then slowly move more toward the praise alone.

    The odd treat will still be good, but she has to know that there won't be food rewards for every move she makes. Knowing that she will be fussed over should be good enough, and the anticipation of getting a treat will be less and should make her more cooperative.

  • start with treats, but then start treating her only 2/3 of the time. then only 1/2 of the time. and on the treatless times, give her a good pat on the head. then she never knows when doing it will get her a treat, but she'll always have the hope. then you can get to where she might do it for just the pat on the head with only a treat every now and then to keep her hopes up.

  • Try clicker training. The dogs really respond to the sound. And try backing it up with positive reinforcement in the form of petting rather than treats. See if that helps.

  • try mayb using her favorite toy or affection

  • dont go so much on the food tactic she is a retrever and its in the blood to fetch try a toy she really likes...and after a while she will learn or if you want to go with the food one give her a treat every other time she does the trick and the gradually erase the treat and she will get the hand of it

  • Don't reward her with food every time. Sometimes just praise her. Use less and less food reward and more praise. So it gets to where she only gets a food reward once in a blue moon.

  • pets specially cubs puppies and kittens are like babies you have to be very firm and strict no joking around with them when it's time to be serious yell at your labrador she will get the point! say something like i said sit and make her sit with your hands or press the lower back and she will get the picture be the one in charge she is probably playing but make sure she knows you are serious or she wont listen!

  • i've had a few problems with dogs doing that.
    you can continue with the food, but only give it to her about 3 times if she already knows the trick, then replace the food with just a lot of praise 3 times also.
    if she's just learning a new trick, give her treats until she gets the trick completely, then do the technique i told you, above.

    if she doesn't do the trick on just a praise, then don't say anything to her, and walk away from her (ignore her, basically).

    even if you don't ask her to do a trick, like lay down, and she lays down, say "good down!" and praise her a lott.

  • Teach her one trick and be in the room where the food isn't. When she does the trick, then immediately go to the biscuits and treat her. Do this over and over and she will learn the trick.

  • Training a dog with food can be just as harmful as it is helpful, because the dog will associate good behavior with food, and when she realizes you have no food to reward her with, she basically says "the heck with it".

    Here is an article that may help you with your problem.

    http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1217674
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Monday, May 28, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training using german commands - pls help!?

I would like to train my puppy using german commands. I attempted to use an online translator am unsure how accurate it is (I think not very since I got two very different answers for the same word at two different times). In particular, I am looking for the following: come, sit, stay, down/lay down, off, leave it/drop it, heel, attack, release, ignore, jump, over, through, weave, up, down, across, as well as anything else important in agility that I may have missed. If there is a website listing them that would be great; correct pronunciation would also be great.
Any help much appreciated, thanks!

The Basic Commands For Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
If you aren't fluent in German, then there's no point in you trying to train the dog to german commands as you cannot pronounce them properly.

If you have some valid reason why you MUST, then you need to pay a translator to TEACH YOU how to properly pronounce those commands. You also need to learn, in that case, what commands a german dog trainer would use.

The Kinds of Dog Training Collars


  • Why would you want him to use german commands?

    If you dont speak german, dont do it. Speaking 2 languages can confuse the dog even more.

  • I would start doing some serious dog training sessions ASAP. Dog trainers/schools are OK, but if YOU are the one that trains your dog, he'll listen to you much more willingly. Here's a dog training course I recommend... http://tinyurl.com/2cpzqo

  • http://leerburg.com/commands.htm

    commands in German,Czech,french and Hungarian
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Saturday, March 24, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Another Dog training question!?

I am training my puppy to go to the bathroom on command. When he goes, I praise him, repeat his word, and give him a treat. Now, what should I do if he goes in the wrong spot? Should I still treat him anyway or not? Please help!

Online Dog Training and Puppy Training



Recommended Answer:
Are you training him to go in only one spot or training him to only go if you say so? The latter really isn't possible. I have trained both of my dogs to know that when I say "Go Whiz" that I want them to go to the bathroom. however, they also go when they have to go even if I don't give them permission. They are not allowed to go in certain places. pups have to go a lot and can't really hold it like an older dog. If you are asking if while you are training your dog to know the word you designate for going to the bathroom should be taught along side of where the dog should go to the bathroom then you are trying to teach a lot at the same time. It is fine to do so. but be patient and gentle, it's harder to learn two things at once.

Dog Training Programs - How Do You Decide?


  • As long as your taking the puppy to go outside then it is okay and praise him for going . All dogs and puppies will want to sniff and go in another spot but do not scold him .
    Now if he is going say across in a neighbors yard you want to correct that and not let the puppy do that .
    but as long as your puppy is going somewhere outside and not in the house on a puppy pad then it is okay.
    What you want the puppy to do is go on command and that is what he is learning and the treat teaches him if he goes, he gets a treat.
    Now again do not let him go on someone Else's yard on on flowers but in your yard and help him try to go there often.
    It is okay.

  • now, it depends, is the dog exactly in a spot where he looks at you with his eyes and his head down,
    does he look with respect and dignity with his head held up high after he pees? simply, if he looks completely not trustable, don't spank him, if he obeys you allot like most loving dogs, once you have his attention with his not so good treat, tell him: no... not that place, this place. and he needs to look at you straight and you re direct him. if he doesn't, then try to get his attention by if yelling once even or if he even bites you a way to train him not to do that is to act like it really hurts after the bite so if he loves you, he'll stop, and eventually with all this advice, he will stop peeing in the wrong spot. PLEASE, be careful not to be training completely wrong or he will run away for no good or completely good reason.
    take care.

  • No don't praise him or treat him if he goes in the wrong spot. If he's very young and still being housebroken, then don't correct him either, but simply call him away or try to distract him.

  • don't show anger or surprise to the dog be calm show assertiveness and act disaponted in him and redirect him to the correct spot to potty do not renforce bad behavior

  • no. if he goes in the wrong spot, you say No,
    redirect him and when he goes in the good spot,
    praise him.

  • Why would you reward the puppy for unwanted behavior?
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Friday, February 24, 2012

Dog Health Questions: What is the best way to keep a dog from barking?

We have a 2 year-old Yorkie who barks like crazy when she wants to go out, eat, hears someone walking by, and wants to play. Our roommates are asking our landlord to throw us out. Are there any quick-fixes? A bark collar with a bad lemon smell or a sharp piercing high frequency tone seems a bit cruel, but if it's effective and quick, I'd consider it. We don't have time or money for months of dog-training workshops.

The Basic Commands For Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
You need an electric bark collar, one that adjusts the shock if they keep barking.

Important Information Regarding Dog Training That Can Help You


  • Yes a bark collar would definitely be the quickest and most reliable solution. Although this like many things in our society is just a band aid and doesn't get to the root of the problem, namely "why" are they barking?

    I would suggest asking the vet the next time you're in. Avoid showing them any attention like petting or coddling during and after they are barking.

    Make sure they're basic needs are met, they're fed, they've gone to the bathroom, they're not bored and they have no health problems of any kind. Sometimes they just need attention so leaving them for long hours alone can cause barking simply because of boredom. Having another dog can help as well.

    Whatever you do, do not shout to try to stop them from barking. I learned this when working at a vet in H.S. It does not work and actually can show them you don't have any control as well.

    Additional resources:

  • My Neighbors And The Dogs From Hell!

    We had been having trouble for months with our neighbors and their dogs. The dogs will bark all day and all night and it does not seem to bother them.

    I have tried everything from cursing at the neighbors to calling the cops but nothing worked and it seemed like the cops felt like they had better things to do.

    I finally found a solution to this problem and I could not believe how easy it was. Just go to http://www.antibarkingdevice.com and it will show exactly how to stop your neighbor's dog from barking.

    I just popped their cd into my stereo and blasted the dog with an ultrasonic sound that humans cannot hear. It worked after one day and I was totally amazed. Anytime I hear them bark, I give them a taste of the blast just to remind them not to bark. You will love the power of shutting them up!

  • The best way to fix this problem is giving your dog a personal training. It only takes a week or so. Nuisance barking is usually caused by dogs craving for your attention and allotting a portion of your day to it will do the job. You can either give it its daily exercise or better yet, give it some training or teach it a new trick to stimulate its mental and physical health at the same time bonding with it. Doing this will use up most of his daily energy and be too tired to do unnecessary things such as barking.

    Also, giving it a personal training will teach your dog to be obedient to follow your orders especially to stop barking. :)

    I recommend that you watch my 4 minute dog training video to serve as your guide on how to effectively train your dog at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncUgmH4HZ…

  • Get a good bark collar. They work. The kind that I am familiar with give the dog a small electric jolt to the throat when it barks. It isn't painful, but it is unpleasant enough to get the dog's attention.

  • Bark collar is definitely the easiest quick fix. Worked for mine.
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Friday, January 20, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training help please!!!?

I have a five year old jack russell terrier.. :) And im having a bit of trouble training him? We didnt train him well when he was little but he knows some basics like lie down, sit, shake, and speak. He always listens to my dad when he says go home, go to the garage, go to the patio... but he doesnt listen to anyone else. I think its because my dad is a little be more tough on the dog then we are? Like he can yell at him and not feel bad but if i yell at the dog i end up feeling sooo guilty... :( Also when i try to teach him with food, all he does is sit and stare at the food in my hand, and if he cant see the food then he doesnt listen. Im trying to make him stop barking and to come when called but he only listens when i have a treat and he knows it, and half the time when i have a treat thats the only thing he pays attention to.. How can i train him to listen?!

Dog Training Books - Why You Need One to Obedience Train Your Dog Correctly



Recommended Answer:
You do not need to yell and holler to successfully train a dog. In fact, since what you want to be is firm and unwavering, randomly screaming at the dog may simply make you appear unstable and erratic in your behavior. So, just be calm. Speak clearly and firmly. Hold yourself up straight and tall, but don't be stiff; your body should be totally relaxed. A true leader exudes confidence, he's not tense, nervous, a bully, etc. He's just cool, calm and collected -- and, most importantly, in control of the resources. Make it clear to the dog that he has to work for what he wants, because you, the leader, are in control of those resources. Start using the "Say Please Protocol," which is more commonly known as "Nothing in Life is Free:"
http://ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/say-pl…
http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm
Again, note the difference between being threatening and bully-like and forcing him to obey out of fear, and being confident and calm and giving him proper motivation to obey. If the dog shows any calming signals, then chances are you're being more like a bully:
http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.ph…

It sounds like he's quite dependent on food, but at the same time, he's clearly motivated by food, so it's helpful that you know what motivates him. So, here's what to do: have several short (five or ten minutes long), fun training sessions with him every day. Do not let him know that you have any treats on you! Have him leashed so that he can't ignore you and leave. Be patient, lighthearted. Make training enjoyable! Calmly give a command for a trick that he knows. If he doesn't obey, then just wait. And wait. And wait. And wait. If, for example, you told him "down," chances are that he'll eventually lay down out of sheer boredom while he's ignoring you. That's when you magically produce a handful of super-delicious treats (chicken, hot dog, cheese, steak, liver, etc.) and reward him handsomely. Then, have him do something else -- with your hands empty again, no treats visible. Again, just wait. He's got nowhere to go, so he's bound to eventually obey. When he does, reward him. He'll soon figure out that even though he doesn't see any treats, he should obey anyway because you actually do have rewards, and so he'll respond a lot faster to get that reward. When he's got the hang of it, start varying the rewards. Sometimes give him one, sometimes four, sometimes just praise, sometimes play with him. You want to be unpredictable so that he's always willing to perform on the chance that he'll get the really good reward. You want to be like a slot machine or lottery ticket -- most of the time the reward is lacking, but he stills "plays" because of the chance of getting the jackpot. And, because he's leashed to you, he'll also be learning that he can't just ignore you. Combine these training sessions with making him work for everything he wants (going outside, getting dinner, going for a walk, etc.) and he should certainly be more responsive.

As for the specific problem happening now, what's he barking at? That makes a difference in your response. If he's barking at something, then teach him to associate that thing with good things so that he doesn't feel compelled to bark at it:
http://www.mastiffonlinecommunity.net/vi…

If he's barking at people outside, then get up and block him from the window. Don't bother talking, just stand in front of the window with your arms about a foot or so from your body (palms facing the dog). If he tries to go around you, then move with him. Stay there until he's quiet for a couple seconds, then give him back his view. If he starts barking again, then repeat. With patience and consistency, he'll learn that the only way to keep his view is to be quiet and that barking results in the loss of what he wants.

If he's barking because he wants something, then ignore him. Never give him what he wants while he's misbehaving.

If he's barking just to hear himself bark, then give him something more constructive to do. A stuffed Kong, a Buster-Cube, a Nylabone, another sort of puzzle toy, etc. Not only will such an object reward him for being quiet and focused, but it will help to mentally stimulate him.

As for teaching him to come:
http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com/come.ht…
http://www.mastiffonlinecommunity.net/vi…

Good luck! Remember, be firm, patient, consistent, benevolent, confident and in control of the resources.

Some Tips To Help You Through All Types Of Dog Training


  • That dog doesn't need to know more. he is fine the way he is. Some dogs just cant learn more or don't want to.

    The reason he takes to your dad and listens to him is because he thinks of your dad as the top dog or the alpha. That is usually how it is to the dogs, they listen to the most dominant person they can find.

  • If you want him to stop doing something, a good old spritz with a spray bottle always works. We had a similar problem with my dog; he would listen to my boyfriend but no one else, but if one of us grabs the spray bottle he always listens.
    As for your other problem, I have no idea. I taught my dog to come early on so it isn't really a problem. Try calling a trainer or going to a training website.

  • Jack Russel's are know for there stubbornness. Its either there way or no way. Call in a expert trainer quick if he gets too old it will be even harder to train him. Good luck.

  • Nobody should have to yell at a dog at all to get it to do something. To teach him to stop barking, when he is barking, take your treat and put your hand down to him as if you're going to give him the treat. In order to eat the treat, he has to stop barking, so you'll get that split second of silence. Click the silence and reward with the treat. (Sorry, I clicker train, you can say "Quiet" or whatever word you want and then reward. For training other things, lure him with the reward and get what you want that way. Eventually he will do it before you get the treat out. With a five year old dog, it will take patience and persistence. But, believe me, dogs view people who supply them with food as their god. After all, everyone goes on about the pack leader supplying the food, and that's what you're doing. Do a google on clicker training, too. It's a fabulous way to train a dog.

    ETA:- From the site Maxi gave......"Some dogs see their ability to demand attention as confirmation that they are the "alpha", then become difficult to handle when told to "sit" or "down" or some other demand is placed on them."

    This is complete and utter rubbish. My dogs "demand" attention all the time......yet they will down, sit, stay, jump, twizzle, you name it, whenever I ask. It's called training.

    ETA:- Moof......you said...."Then, have him do something else -- with your hands empty again, no treats visible. Again, just wait. He's got nowhere to go, so he's bound to eventually obey." Really? So you ask him to Sit, and he lies down and goes to sleep. What do you do then? It sounds to me as if you have NILIF and clicker training mixed up. I would stick to clicker training myself. :-))

  • HI =)

    Start with your tone of voice. Women/Girls have the easiest time with what I call the "Good Dog" tone of voice - the one that is most often high pitched, soft, sweet, and generally in a falsetto.

    Men have the easiest time with the "Bad Dog" tone - the one that is deep (but doesn't have to be!), stern, and sometimes gravelly. Men also have the easiest time with the "Command" tone - the one that is neither good nor bad, but has a firm (usually lower) tone.

    Remember, commands must be firm, short, and to the point, with the tone going down at the end, never letting the word drag on.Teach other words the same way. Simple one word commands work best. Say the dog's name (to get his attention - remember that communication link!), follow with a command, and then SHOW him what you want. PRAISE IMMEDIATELY when the action is completed - even if you MADE him do it! Eventually you dog will learn to respond to the command without needing to be shown - but you should never forget to praise!

    I find a gravelly, growly "EGH!" (hard to spell a sound but it's like you are vocalizing while pushing air out of your lungs) can be used to halt activity. Or try "Angh, Angh!" - our sound for no, without saying the word - only say it with a growl, and sharply.

  • To get him to stop barking, DON'T yell at him. The louder your voice,the more the dog will think you're barking too,and he'll get excited&keep barking. Once he starts barking, simply and firmly, not yelling, say "Quiet." or "Enough.". Once he stops barking and listens to you, have him sit&give him the treat&a pat. That way,He will associate the word with being quiet&getting love& a treat. Also, remember he might not get it the first time,so keep trying. it will eventually pay off,and JRT's are very smart,so he should learn quickly. :) hope this helps!!

  • Learn from your dad.............

    Your guilt, your treats just 'tells' te dog that you are 'weak' as it gives off weak energy to your dog, your dads energy is strong, your dog knows exactly where it is in the pack and knows he is the pack leader, feel confortable and confident that your dad as leader will look after him, the dog respects him, so listens...............you on the other hand he thinks as below in the pack order...........read this, stop feeling guilty and stop feeding him treats to make him do things and learn how to become a better leader for your dog so he feel safe and secure with you http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm

  • Your Dad has shown you how to train a dog.
    It's not being mean. The natural state of a dog is to have a leader that they listen because the life of the pack depends on it. The pack will even kill a dog that is endangering the pack.
    So, using a strong firm voice and letting that dog know that you mean business is a NORMAL part of a dog's way of thinking. It's not mean- having a dog come when it is called can save their life. It is mean to raise a dog that has not been provided with clear direction.
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Saturday, January 7, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Dog training collars?!?

I have the type of training collar that goes over the snout and is high up on the back of the head, it works well for walking on the leash and is a good tool, but how long should my dog wear it? Can he wear it when he is in his kennel and sleeping? The directions said nothing about how long they wear it. thank you!

Small Dog Training Advice



Recommended Answer:
The Gentle Leader is the only brand in head halters that have worked for me. Only use it when your walking. I find the other brands dont have the same style as the Gentle Leader and aren't as effective. It is only a quick fix and doesn't fix any behavior issue your dog has with walking on a leash. You will still need to train him with a regular 6' leash ( I tied mine around my waist so he wasn't pulling my arm off, and its great for control since your core is the strongest part of your body.

I never leave any sort of collar on my dog ever, when you do it ruins their coat around the neck since the collar is always rubbing around it. It gives them "collar head" :)

http://www.gentleleadercanada.com/catalo…

http://www.loveyourdog.com/heel.html

Myths of Dog Training and Dog Training Solutions


  • It's either a Halti or a Gentle Leader. It should only be used for going on walks and does not replace a regular collar. I have one dog that I use it on when we walk in heavily congested areas where he may get startled and when we go to the vet. These are the times he is likely to pull me.

  • Use this collar only when you are walking the dog. Do not leave him unattended with it on.

  • i wouldn't recommend letting him wear it while he is sleeping, he could strangle or seriously injure himself... and i'd say he could wear it until he was about 1
    hope this helps! :D
    best answer!!!

  • I would take it off of him when you're not walking him. Put on a regualr collar for all other occasions.

  • It should be used only for walking. And it is not a training collar, it is a no pull harness that jerks the dogs head back when it goes to pull. It does not effectively teach your dog to behave.

  • Training collars are just that... for training. When you are not working with him, take it off.

  • only have it on when walking.
    it should be loose enough that your dog can still open its mouth fully if your talking about a halti/ gentle leader.
    I only used it while my dog had some aggresive tendencies towards other dogs when walking (we have since overcome this) then went back to a normal collar

  • Do you mean how long is it worn during the day... or how long to be worn for training purposes?

    The collar is only for walking... and should be taken off when the walk is finished. If you are wondering about how long to use it for training, that depends on the dog. You can take 2 collars on your walk when you think the pup is ready, and use a regular collar. If the pup continues to pull, put the harness back on. Our pup was 11 months before she finally got the hang of walking without pulling

  • Do not leave the collar on him when he is not being walked. There have been reports of dogs being more prone to biteing because people thought it was ok to leave it on them. If you do leave it on him for a long period of time, once you take it off he will either, bark all the time, or will tend to bite people who scare him, get too close exc.

  • Get yourself a normal, flat buckle collar for his ID tags, etc to wear all the time. The head collar should be used only on walks, taken off right after.

  • actually, a "gentle leader" is NOT a training collar.....it is a no pull head collar, and nothing else.

    A training collar is a collar you can GIVE CORRECTIONS with....:

    a flat buckle collar
    a prong collar(highly recommend!)
    fur saver collar
    a choke/slip collar(do not recommend)
    remote/electric collar

    all training collars should be worn with a flat buckle collar, or something with the dogs tags on it.

    you take them off when you are done training/working/walking.because the gentle leader is a WALKING ONLY collar, the dog should not wear it unless he is on a walk.

  • you mean b a s t a r d
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Friday, November 4, 2011

Dog Health Questions: What did you learn when at petsmart dog training class?

Need you "experience".

8 Ways to Improve Your Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
personally i wouldn't take my dog there, at least to the one in my area. the lady is "qualified" and thinks that every time i go in there for food with my dog that she is "small for her age" i have a rottie who is a little over a year and she weighs 75 pounds... the lady always makes comments about really dumb stuff too
i would look for more options

Dog Training Tips and Tricks - Ways to Make Dog Training Easy For You and Your Pet


  • Puppy Class - Leash manners, moving through crowd, sit, stay, come, spin, proper greetings, leave it, drop it, take it, and troubleshooting as well as socialization.

    Beginner Class - same as puppy but for older dogs.

    Intermediate Class - Stay with more distractions (noises, people going by, you turning your back and walking away), come with distractions (toy on floor, people), through a hoop (and a few other tricks), increase stay time.

    Advanced - Canine Good Citizen stuff (like handling, brushing, greeting other dogs/people, etc), more distractions and distance, more time added to stay, drop (to belly when walking), a few more tricks.

    It may be different depending on the store - this is a rundown of what WE learned. They are great classes if you have the right trainer, but are not for behavior problems (aggressions, extreme fear, etc.)

  • I took my dog to the Dr Doolittle school of charm!
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Thursday, November 3, 2011

Dog Health Questions: Don Sullivan Dog Training System?

I'm watching t.v. as i'm typing this, and there's a Don Sullivan Dog Training System commercial on. It seems pretty cool, but you can never trust them. And it's just a collar? I don't understand how it would change a dog's attitude. Has anyone used it or heard about if it works or doesn't?

How to Locate the Proper Dog Training Program For You and Your Dog



Recommended Answer:
Electric dog collars are primarily used to curb a dog's penchant for excessive barking. The idea behind the collar's use is to provide consistent, negative feedback to that action. Over time, this feedback gradually eliminates the behavior. There is substantial confusion about the use of these collars. Some professional trainers support their use and offer case studies that prove the collars' effectiveness. Other trainers support the widely-held belief that their use is cruel and abusive.

How They Work

Electric collars work by identifying the vibrations emitted from a dog's vocal cords. When your dog barks, the vibrations stimulate the collar through probes attached to its inner portion. These probes are in continuous contact with your dog's skin. When vibrations from barking are identified, the probes deliver a short, electrical charge. The shock is typically low-level and causes no lasting damage to the dog.

Benefits Of Electric Dog Collars

First, electric collars can curb excessive barking. Many dogs are prone to "nuisance barking" (i.e. incessant barking without obvious reason) which can be frustrating to their owners. And specific breeds are more prone than others. These collars can effectively modify this behavior. Second, while nuisance barking can arguably be eliminated through other training systems, the use of an electric collar is usually less maintenance for owners. Third, due to how these collars work, an owner does not have be present or in close proximity to the dog. The collar enforces the new behavior even if the owner is absent.

Potential Drawbacks

While there are obvious benefits to using electric collars, there are also a number of drawbacks. First, dogs typically learn new behaviors more effectively through positive reinforcement. A treat given for good behavior promotes that behavior more reliably than punishment doled out for poor behavior (i.e. barking). Second, owners often have a difficult time understanding why their dog is barking. Dogs bark for a number of reasons that include territorial dominance, response to perceived threats, or anxiety. If an electric collar is used indiscriminately to curb the barking, a dog may become confused about how to express itself.

Making The Decision

Using an electric dog collar continues to be a controversial issue. While some experts argue that their use is inhumane to dogs, others contend that the collars are an effective tool for behavior modification. That said, as with any tool, they can be used inappropriately, causing lasting damage.

Dog Training Problems - How to Overcome Them


  • It looks like an electric collar of some sort.

    I don't like how he brags about the "perfect dog". I also don't like how he says to buy his system w/o any other training needed, though it's no surprise--he wants to sell his product.

    It seems too good to be true.
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Sunday, October 23, 2011

Dog Health Questions: Dog training certification?

does anyone know where i can get information on getting my dog training certification, in(or near) Cleveland, Ohio?

The Significance of Dog Training Videos



Recommended Answer:
Dog Fancy magazine usually has a list of training schools, etc. in the back with the ads.

Dog Behavior Training - Dog Training to Correct Behavior Problems


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    Sunday, September 25, 2011

    Dog Health Questions: What does the Bark Busters dog training company charge to train your dog?

    Hi. I was wondering if anyone knew how much it would cost for a dog trainer from Bark Busters to train my dog. My dog jumps up, barks when the doorbell rings, does not come when called, etc.
    If you could give me an estimate of how much it costs to use Bark Busters, that'd be great! Thanks!

    Top Dog Training Tips



    Recommended Answer:
    I wouldn't recommend Bark Busters unless you plan on doing a lot of the work. They will not come to your dog and train them for you. They will come to your house, tell you a proper plan of action... show you what to do and then go on their merry way. You have to spend most of the time training them yourself. This isn't necessarily a bad thing--but does require that you be the one to implement the procedures.

    We paid $695 for a lifetime guarantee. Then $195 for an additional dog. I would not recommend them personally--I would have rather taken them to puppy training classes and spent the money that way.

    Shock Collar Dog Training the Quick and Easy Way


    • When I got my dog 31/2 years ago, and I hired a trainer before bringing the puppy home. I found a number of people listed in the phone book. I did a phone interview and Bark Busters was one of them. Most charged $50.00 per hour visit. Bark Buster was different. They had a plan, that cost about $500.00 but I may be wrong on the price. This covers everything.

      I did not go with Bark Buster for two reasons: First I had a good puppy that my goal was to help her grow up. Second: After interviewing different people, I found other trainers who were more knowledgeable.

    • the best thing to do is call "Bark Busters" and ask them what they charge.... I'm pretty sure they'll tell you.

    • I actually had a great experience with Barkbusters. They charge a flat fee of $495 to teach YOU how to train your dog. They evaluate, come up with a plan of action, teach you how to go about it, then give you homework. The whole idea here is that the Barkbusters guy isn't going to be around forever. We all need to know how to train our own dogs.
      They also give a lifetime guarantee once the training is over. If the same problems crop up again, or if new ones surface, they will come back at no charge to teach you some more.
      My particular trainer was very knowledgeable about the breed I was having difficulty with. We asked him many questions and found out these guys go through 224 hours of training themselves before they are allowed to train. I was very happy with the results and would recommend them to any dog with issues.
      The training lasted more than three months, and it took as many visits as we needed.

      Just to give you an idea of my training needs, my girl was child aggressive and had fear-bit two people. She is now a very obedient and well-trained dog, and we continue to train her because we know how to handle her.

      They also gave us a discount because our dog was a shelter rescue.

      Edit: The whole idea behind the Barkbusters principle is the dog belongs to you, not the trainer. You can send your dog out to be trained, but that is the lazy way out, and if you don't know how to continue the training, it will surely fail and you will be right back where you started. Training is not a one-time thing. It is something that happens every day of your dog's life. You need to be able to commit to doing that for your dog. Dog ownership is a priveledge and it involves work.
      Anyone who counsels you otherwise is incorrect and probably does not have a well-trained dog.

    • I'm sure if you ring them they will tell you all you want to know!
      Remember, having someone else train your dog is all good and well, but it is up to YOU to reinforce all the things that you BOTH get taught.
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    Monday, August 22, 2011

    Dog Health Questions: What do you look for in a dog trainer or dog training class?

    I haven't really seen this question asked here before.

    I'm interested in a trainer/class training for:
    Pet/manners/CGC training:
    Competition training for obedience/rally/agility: and
    Working dog training for field/ service/ protection dogs.

    I know that there's a lot of good and bad infornation posted here. I'm just curious as to what people's thoughts and experiences are in training.

    4 Tips To Be Succesful In Dog Training Biting



    Recommended Answer:
    I actually asked this at one point and got tons of great answers (i hope whoever answered mine answers this one as well):

    http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;…

    Comes down to the basics:
    - How many personal dogs are titled/trained
    - How many did you HELP train/title
    - How many mentors, how many years under said mentor(s)
    - Number of dogs worked with, variety of breeds
    - Knowledge of NUMEROUS methods (not just one)

    I do NOT look for degrees form any colleges or schools because i have yet to find a school/class that does a good job in training multiple methods on multiple breeds/dogs. They can be good STARTER courses but you learn best from a mentor or several in real life situations.

    The Basic Commands of Dog Training


    • I look for a trainer experienced in training a wide variety of breeds. Someone who can train poodles and labs is of no interest to me, not because I don't like the breeds, but if a trainer has no experience with more challenging breeds, I'm not going to pay them. I also sit and watch a class before I ever commit my dogs. I want to watch this trainer's interaction with the dogs, see how well they can read the dogs and if they have a wide repertoire or believe in only one method no matter the breed or temperament.

      I've now found an awesome obedience trainer for my Belgians who has years of experience, is a licensed judge and has herding dogs herself (shelties). She impressed me from the first class I attended with how extremely well she could read my dog right from the time she met him. She's a good teacher, willing and able to share all the little things that make a huge difference in competition.

      The classes at the open level are small, 6 dogs, so there's plenty of time for everyone to practice and for the instructor to watch all the dogs. She also tailors the methods used to best suit each individual dog. To me, that's a huge part of what makes a great instructor.

    • One of my frequent pieces of advice for people wanting to start agility is to go watch some classes, and talk to the instructors, before deciding which class to take. I'm always amazed at how many people will sign up for a class (agility, pet, whatever) with the only criterion being that it is the closest one! For people getting started in any dogsport, I want some time spent on foundation behaviors first, with the focus being on developing good teamwork. Person has to learn to reinforce appropriately, set appropriate criteria, direct the dog correctly, and dog needs to learn the specific skills, and that working with his person is the best thing that happens in his world. If I watch an advanced class and I don't see that teamwork, then that isn't the instructor for me.
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