Many of us are concerned about the commercial dog foods on the market today. We hear about recalls and health concerns even deaths related to them. They often contain fillers with no nutritional value and a list of ingredients that we don't understand.
You may want to consider making your own homemade dog food. You don't need any special training or tools just the motivation to ensure that your homemade dog food is the best choice for you and your dog. It is simple to do and can be done at the same time you are making your own dinner.
Basically, whatever you are having minus added salt, spices and fat your dog can have and let's face it what four legged friend of our's doesn't appreciate a homemade meal too.
For the most part your dog's nutritional requirements are the same as yours. Water, protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals ensuring your dog is getting his daily dose of each of these elements will help keep him happy and healthy. Generally speaking most dogs require a mix of different ingredients in order to make it the healthiest dog food for your Aussie.
In most cases, this means you should make your homemade dog food 40% meat, 30% fiber and 30% starch. This variable may change a little bit, depending on the breed and size of your dog, but it's a pretty consistent guideline that can be used to make your own homemade dog food
Supplying fresh clean water daily not only helps keep her hydrated but helps nutrients and waste products flow through the body.
Protien plays a role in tissue growth and repair. Fats supply energy and vitamins as well as add flavour which can determine how much food they will eat. Fat also helps maintain a nice healthy coat.
Carbohydrates are an energy source as they are broken down and metabolized.
Vitamins and Minerals help the proper absorption of fats and carbohydrates and for the chemical reactions in the body. It is essential that you get enough vitamins and minerals in your homemade dog food. It's recommended that you also include high quality dog food supplements to make sure your dog is getting everything she needs.
Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin, eyes and your immune system and can be found in:
Spinach
Cucumber
Corn
Asparagus
Pumpkin
Carrots
Peas
Broccoli
Cabbage
Vitamin C is essential for a healthy immune system. Some examples of foods high in vitamin C are:
Cabbage
Spinach
Peppers
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Cauliflower
Oranges
Zucchini
Asparagus
Cucumber
Squash
Green peas
Green beans
Vitamin E is a valuable antioxident and helps repair cell damage and can be found in spinach, broccoli and other leafy greens.
You can also include fruits in your homemade dog food recipes. Dogs also like fruit and get the same benefits from them as we do. Remember that dogs can not have grapes or raisins!
Apples have vitamins A, B, C, iron, potassium and magnesium. They can help bring down bad cholersterol.
Bananas are good source of potassium, folic acid, vitamin A & B6. They are easily digested and high in fiber. They make a good energy boosting snack as well they can provide moisture in healthy treat recipes instead of adding oil.
Carrots are a nice crunchy snack raw. They are also full of nutrients and vitamins B, C, D, E, & K along with folic acid and the anti-cancer protecting ingredient - beta carotene. They also contain potassium, iron, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium and silica.
Strawberries is another popular one. They also contain cancer fighting beta -carotene, bone building calcium, potassium and iron and of course vitamin C.
Pineapples are packed full of vitamin C and fibre so they help the immune and digestive system. They also have anti-inflammatory effects.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Be careful of dog training hand signals
In most cases, dog exercise hand signals are not as important with basic obedience in comparison to the command and how well the dog reacts to that command. But, hand signals can be very important for hunting and various competitions. For example, when instruction for competition, especially agility, how you hold your hands and how you provide your signals can greatly determine what obstacle your dog takes next.
Dog training hand signals are a wondefull means to ensure that your dog's attention is always on you, as he's waiting for his next step. By using hand signals, you can easily reinforce your verbal instructions.
When training your dog, your dog training hand signals need to be consistent every time. You want to make sure that you keep your hands stable and clear. Even the most intelligent and well taught dog can get easily confused with dog instruction hand signals that are similar, unsteady, or just not given properly.
Common dog training hand signals can include:
And remember that it's best when you first start instruction your dog with hand signals, that you carry on to say the verbal command at the same time that you give the hand signal. This way, the dog will associate the hand signal with the verbal command. You do not want to move on to a new hand signal until your dog is reliant and doesn't miss a hand signal. Always start with no distractions and slowly insert one or two distractions at a time to ensure that the dog fully comprehends the signal with the response that you want.
It's best to start with simple hand signals, and once your dog is fully trained and cooperates with those hand signals, start adding more to your training agenda. You simply want to make sure that you stay calm and patient; when your start to get frustrated, so will your dog. Remember that he's not born knowing dog exercise hand signals and instructions.
Dog training hand signals are a wondefull means to ensure that your dog's attention is always on you, as he's waiting for his next step. By using hand signals, you can easily reinforce your verbal instructions.
When training your dog, your dog training hand signals need to be consistent every time. You want to make sure that you keep your hands stable and clear. Even the most intelligent and well taught dog can get easily confused with dog instruction hand signals that are similar, unsteady, or just not given properly.
Common dog training hand signals can include:
- Sit- By means of a fist or an open hand, make an upward motion
- Stay- Make certain that your hand is open and flat, in front of your palm to your dog
- Lay down- With an open hand, keeping the palm side of your hand facing down, make a downward motion
- Dog instruction hand signals are great in many situations, and you can easily make up your own hand signals for different instructions that you want to use when instruction your dog. Simply remember to keep things simple for your dog to learn.
And remember that it's best when you first start instruction your dog with hand signals, that you carry on to say the verbal command at the same time that you give the hand signal. This way, the dog will associate the hand signal with the verbal command. You do not want to move on to a new hand signal until your dog is reliant and doesn't miss a hand signal. Always start with no distractions and slowly insert one or two distractions at a time to ensure that the dog fully comprehends the signal with the response that you want.
It's best to start with simple hand signals, and once your dog is fully trained and cooperates with those hand signals, start adding more to your training agenda. You simply want to make sure that you stay calm and patient; when your start to get frustrated, so will your dog. Remember that he's not born knowing dog exercise hand signals and instructions.
Make Your Own Dog Food
It is a wise move to make your own dog food, considering all the benefits you can get from switching to a more personalized and healthy dog chow. It may not be easy at first, since your dog is already used to his favorite chow mix. But introducing your new health grub in small amounts, then gradually increasing the portions can do the trick. Your Hugo will be eating your healthy new concoction in no time and with much gusto.
Putting your loving dog on a healthy diet is really easy - all it really takes is heart and some simple cooking skills. With all the home made recipes for German Sheperds using natural ingredients, you will never run out of new meals that your dog can truly drool over. All you have to do now is come up with a diet plan for your dog, as consulted with your veterinarian.
One of the most typical recipes for homemade dog food combines meat, vegetables, and grains into one appetizing meal. One such meal specifically from home made recipes for German Sheperds calls for such natural ingredients: 2 lbs hamburger, 10 oz shrimp or lobster, 1 cup raw liver, 1 boiled potato, 2 cups of rolled oats, ¼ cup blueberries, ½ cup brown rice, ¼ cup wheat germ, ¼ cup brewer's yeast and a tad of cinnamon.
Combine beef, boiled potato and shrimp or lobster and put all in a food processor. Crush the blueberries into a mushy fruit paste. Blend together all the ingredients and roll into a ball. This is meant to be fed fresh and raw.
Another one of those healthy, yet delectable recipes for home made dog food is an all-natural dog food which has the following ingredients: 8 cups oats, 2 cups brown rice, 6 cups barley, 2 lbs carrots (grated), 3-4 bunches of broccoli (stems grated and flowerettes chopped), 6 zucchini (grated) and ½ bunch parsley (chopped).
This treat is easy to make. Using two 8 quart stock pots cook the oats, while in another pot brown rice and barley. Then let cool, preferably over night. Chop the vegetables and puree using a food processor. Combine all the ingredients and shape into balls. Freeze for future consumption. This treat will have your dog begging for more and forgetting about dry tasteless dog food in an instant.
When you make your own dog food from recipes like these, keep in mind that when you're using natural ingredients, the food spoils easily so you must just make enough food that could last for a span of a few days - depending on the shelf-life of the ingredients.
Natural ingredients in dog foods are very beneficial in providing your dogs with the proper minerals, vitamins and other nutrients that he needs. When you make your own dog food you are in control of your dog's diet, so you are certain that your dog is getting all that he needs. So what are you waiting for? Get in that kitchen and whip your dog up the food he deserves.
Putting your loving dog on a healthy diet is really easy - all it really takes is heart and some simple cooking skills. With all the home made recipes for German Sheperds using natural ingredients, you will never run out of new meals that your dog can truly drool over. All you have to do now is come up with a diet plan for your dog, as consulted with your veterinarian.
One of the most typical recipes for homemade dog food combines meat, vegetables, and grains into one appetizing meal. One such meal specifically from home made recipes for German Sheperds calls for such natural ingredients: 2 lbs hamburger, 10 oz shrimp or lobster, 1 cup raw liver, 1 boiled potato, 2 cups of rolled oats, ¼ cup blueberries, ½ cup brown rice, ¼ cup wheat germ, ¼ cup brewer's yeast and a tad of cinnamon.
Combine beef, boiled potato and shrimp or lobster and put all in a food processor. Crush the blueberries into a mushy fruit paste. Blend together all the ingredients and roll into a ball. This is meant to be fed fresh and raw.
Another one of those healthy, yet delectable recipes for home made dog food is an all-natural dog food which has the following ingredients: 8 cups oats, 2 cups brown rice, 6 cups barley, 2 lbs carrots (grated), 3-4 bunches of broccoli (stems grated and flowerettes chopped), 6 zucchini (grated) and ½ bunch parsley (chopped).
This treat is easy to make. Using two 8 quart stock pots cook the oats, while in another pot brown rice and barley. Then let cool, preferably over night. Chop the vegetables and puree using a food processor. Combine all the ingredients and shape into balls. Freeze for future consumption. This treat will have your dog begging for more and forgetting about dry tasteless dog food in an instant.
When you make your own dog food from recipes like these, keep in mind that when you're using natural ingredients, the food spoils easily so you must just make enough food that could last for a span of a few days - depending on the shelf-life of the ingredients.
Natural ingredients in dog foods are very beneficial in providing your dogs with the proper minerals, vitamins and other nutrients that he needs. When you make your own dog food you are in control of your dog's diet, so you are certain that your dog is getting all that he needs. So what are you waiting for? Get in that kitchen and whip your dog up the food he deserves.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Dog Behavior Training
Dog Behavior Training Is So Essential
Dog training does much more than just create an obedient, willing companion. Training your dog properly actually strengthens the bond that already exists between dog and handler. Dogs are pack animals, and they look to their pack leader to tell them what to do. The key to successful dog behavior training is to set yourself up as that pack leader.
Establishing yourself as pack leader is a very important concept for any potential dog trainer to understand. There is only one leader in every pack of dogs, and the owner must establish him or herself as the dominant animal. Failure to do so leads to all manner of dog behavior problems.
Dog behavior training encompasses every aspect of canine education, from the species specific responses that's inherent to canines, to learning theory and operant conditioning, to traditional training methods. When these training techniques are properly implemented, most people notice results immediately. A well mannered pet is now within your reach, all you need to do is optimally structure your pet's environment.
Dog behavior can be thought of as responses that are specific to the species canis familiaris. These responses are controlled and directed by manipulating the social and the environmental variables. We call this training. Training can increase responses that are desirable, just as those that are undesirable can be decreased.
Your pet's problems are often a direct result of the animal's inability to cope with the stress of everyday life. The purpose of training is to raise the pet's stress threshold so your pet can tolerate higher levels of stress.
Get information on dog and pet behaviour training. You will find solutions to your dog behavior problem. It list downs the best basic behaviour dog training manuals available on agressive, basic, canine, leash and dog breed behaviour problems.
Dog training does much more than just create an obedient, willing companion. Training your dog properly actually strengthens the bond that already exists between dog and handler. Dogs are pack animals, and they look to their pack leader to tell them what to do. The key to successful dog behavior training is to set yourself up as that pack leader.
Establishing yourself as pack leader is a very important concept for any potential dog trainer to understand. There is only one leader in every pack of dogs, and the owner must establish him or herself as the dominant animal. Failure to do so leads to all manner of dog behavior problems.
Dog behavior training encompasses every aspect of canine education, from the species specific responses that's inherent to canines, to learning theory and operant conditioning, to traditional training methods. When these training techniques are properly implemented, most people notice results immediately. A well mannered pet is now within your reach, all you need to do is optimally structure your pet's environment.
Dog behavior can be thought of as responses that are specific to the species canis familiaris. These responses are controlled and directed by manipulating the social and the environmental variables. We call this training. Training can increase responses that are desirable, just as those that are undesirable can be decreased.
Your pet's problems are often a direct result of the animal's inability to cope with the stress of everyday life. The purpose of training is to raise the pet's stress threshold so your pet can tolerate higher levels of stress.
Get information on dog and pet behaviour training. You will find solutions to your dog behavior problem. It list downs the best basic behaviour dog training manuals available on agressive, basic, canine, leash and dog breed behaviour problems.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Puppy Potty Training Tips
Potty training a puppy is really a game of patience and persistence and that is something that a lot of dog owners don't have. If you really want your puppy to be housebroken, you need to resign yourself to the fact that it's going to take some effort on your part. You have to take the responsibility to train the dog, not the other way around.
One of the first things you need to learn when potty training your puppy is to recognize your puppy's signals when it needs to go potty. Most dogs have a ritual before they go potty. Some may walk in circles, while others run around sniffing the floor frantically. Your dog will no doubt display some sort of sign that indicates an accident is about to happen. If you suspect your dog is looking for a place to potty, immediately get him outside. Even if you catch him in the middle of an accident, pick him up (if possible) and quickly carry him outside to his potty spot.
Limit your dogs intake of food and water while you are mastering puppy potty training. Feed your dog several small meals daily instead of one or two large ones. Also, have your dog eat his food before offering him a drink. Drinking large amounts of water causes them to have accidents more frequently because their bladders are not developed enough to hold a large amount of urine.
Another method that you can use is crate training which will help out to avoid accidents because most dogs do not like going potty in an area that they sleep in. Some of the other methods are letting them circle around you on a leash, having a lot of patience is a big one. Remember your puppy while potty training is only a baby so accidents will occur and when they do try not to get upset at your puppy, remember he is only potty training.
You need to let him know that he did the right thing by relieving himself outside. Puppies want to please you so if you shower him with love and praise, he will want to do it again to get that reaction.One should never punish their puppy for wrong doings when potty training, but always praise lavishly for good deeds.
Remember, mastering potty training almost overnight is a reasonable goal. Having a positive, can-do attitude and providing your dog with consistency will make mastering puppy potty training an easy, enjoyable part of your dog's life.
One of the first things you need to learn when potty training your puppy is to recognize your puppy's signals when it needs to go potty. Most dogs have a ritual before they go potty. Some may walk in circles, while others run around sniffing the floor frantically. Your dog will no doubt display some sort of sign that indicates an accident is about to happen. If you suspect your dog is looking for a place to potty, immediately get him outside. Even if you catch him in the middle of an accident, pick him up (if possible) and quickly carry him outside to his potty spot.
Limit your dogs intake of food and water while you are mastering puppy potty training. Feed your dog several small meals daily instead of one or two large ones. Also, have your dog eat his food before offering him a drink. Drinking large amounts of water causes them to have accidents more frequently because their bladders are not developed enough to hold a large amount of urine.
Another method that you can use is crate training which will help out to avoid accidents because most dogs do not like going potty in an area that they sleep in. Some of the other methods are letting them circle around you on a leash, having a lot of patience is a big one. Remember your puppy while potty training is only a baby so accidents will occur and when they do try not to get upset at your puppy, remember he is only potty training.
You need to let him know that he did the right thing by relieving himself outside. Puppies want to please you so if you shower him with love and praise, he will want to do it again to get that reaction.One should never punish their puppy for wrong doings when potty training, but always praise lavishly for good deeds.
Remember, mastering potty training almost overnight is a reasonable goal. Having a positive, can-do attitude and providing your dog with consistency will make mastering puppy potty training an easy, enjoyable part of your dog's life.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Best Dog Training Ebook
This well written dog training ebook, written by an expert dog trainer and dog behavior expert, reveals cutting edge techniques as well as insider information that allow the reader to successfully train their beloved pet as well as solve their dog's behavior problems regardless of whether the dog is a puppy or an adult. Over 200,000 dog owners worldwide have made this ebook the best dog training book available.
This is not an average book filled with information you could find for yourself on the Internet. This book is a 260 page comprehensive, information filled resource written by an expert in the field. You will receive insights, facts, and instruction from an experienced instructor.
This wonderful e-book is chock full of valuable information and comprehensive training tips including:
This is not an average book filled with information you could find for yourself on the Internet. This book is a 260 page comprehensive, information filled resource written by an expert in the field. You will receive insights, facts, and instruction from an experienced instructor.
This wonderful e-book is chock full of valuable information and comprehensive training tips including:
- Fixing any dog behavior problem
- Tips and secrets to use in your everyday dog obedience training
- Specific commands and tricks to teach your dog
- The best way to select, buy, and raise a new puppy or older dog
- This remarkable resource adresses issues such as:
- Fighting behavior in dogs and how to curb aggressiveness
- How to deal with a dominant 'alpha dog'
- How to keep your dog from jumping on you and others
- How to alleviate seperation anxiety
- How to keep your dog from constantly barking and/or whining
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
3 Dog Training Mistakes You Need To Avoid
Dog training may sound like an easy thing to do, but sometimes it's not as easy as it sounds. It all depends on things like their beed, background, and sometimes disposition. If you want to train your dog properly make sure you pay close attention to the following three things...
Before you start your dog training, you need to set a few golden rules. These are the foundations you will base all of your efforts upon, just like the foundations of a house, they need to be strong and sturdy, or else all of your hard work might come crashing down.
Mistake 1
Firstly, never ever shout at your dog during training, this may seem like an easy thing to do as your dog will know when he is doing wrong, but it's actually a very counterproductive thing to do.
It is very easy to get frustrated with your dog when he doesn't perform the tasks you want him to, but you need to realize that yelling at him will greatly slow down his progress. Your overall goal should be to have your dog obey the commands of your calm voice, not your shouting vioce.
Mistake 2
Secondly, your training sessions need to be kept to under 15 minutes, this is something which many first time trainers do not know of. Don't forget that your dog does not have the same attention span as a human, in my experience many dog's can't pay attention for any longer than 10 minutes. If you try and stretch your sessions out any longer than 15 minutes you will both end up becoming very frustrated.
Mistake 3
And lastly, please don't forget to treat your dog every time they obey a command. It's very easy to forget about those treats in your pocket, but they are the key to letting your dog know when he is doing something right. If your dog is expecting a treat and he doesn't get one, he will quickly lose his motivation.
More dog training resources:
Aggressive Dog Trainin
Dog Training For Dummies
Dog Ebook - Dog Owner's Guide
Dog Behavior Training
In Home Dog Training - How to Train Your Dog at Home
Before you start your dog training, you need to set a few golden rules. These are the foundations you will base all of your efforts upon, just like the foundations of a house, they need to be strong and sturdy, or else all of your hard work might come crashing down.
Mistake 1
Firstly, never ever shout at your dog during training, this may seem like an easy thing to do as your dog will know when he is doing wrong, but it's actually a very counterproductive thing to do.
It is very easy to get frustrated with your dog when he doesn't perform the tasks you want him to, but you need to realize that yelling at him will greatly slow down his progress. Your overall goal should be to have your dog obey the commands of your calm voice, not your shouting vioce.
Mistake 2
Secondly, your training sessions need to be kept to under 15 minutes, this is something which many first time trainers do not know of. Don't forget that your dog does not have the same attention span as a human, in my experience many dog's can't pay attention for any longer than 10 minutes. If you try and stretch your sessions out any longer than 15 minutes you will both end up becoming very frustrated.
Mistake 3
And lastly, please don't forget to treat your dog every time they obey a command. It's very easy to forget about those treats in your pocket, but they are the key to letting your dog know when he is doing something right. If your dog is expecting a treat and he doesn't get one, he will quickly lose his motivation.
More dog training resources:
Aggressive Dog Trainin
Dog Training For Dummies
Dog Ebook - Dog Owner's Guide
Dog Behavior Training
In Home Dog Training - How to Train Your Dog at Home
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
How to Train your Puppy to go Outside
Attach a leash if you want your puppy to go outside. If you are not in control of your dog you can't control the enviroment.
Below we will discuss how to teach your puppy how to potty outside
Always give your puppy an alotted amount of time - if you want him to go in 5 minutes then only give him 5 minutes. However, be consistent - don't give him 20 minutes on a Sunday and then expect him to go in 5 minutes on a Monday.
Below we will discuss how to teach your puppy how to potty outside
- Put a couple of your puppies favourite treats in your hand.
- Put a cue on the outdoor training - use a verbal command - but use the same command every-time - something like "lets go potty" or "wanna go outside."
- When you are outside watch your puppy for signs that he is about to potty - he may paw at the ground, start sniffing or actauly assume the potty position.
- As soon as he starts to go - say something like "go potty" or "do your business" - it doesn't matter but use the same cue every-time.
- When he has done his potty - really praise him - but make a really big deal of it.
Always give your puppy an alotted amount of time - if you want him to go in 5 minutes then only give him 5 minutes. However, be consistent - don't give him 20 minutes on a Sunday and then expect him to go in 5 minutes on a Monday.
Secrets to Dog Training is an extremely comprehensive guide, written by the world renowned dog professional, Daniel Stevens. Although the 261-page manual is impressively detailed, its step-by-step format provides dog owners with straight-forward instructions on how to quickly identify and solve their dog behavior problems. It also has lots of great pictures! Secrets to Dog Training has been used by over 64,000 dog owners all over the world, and has been the best selling dog training system for the past four years in a row.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Get Your Dog Walk And Behave Nicely
Do you ever feel like you know just enough about dog training techniques to be dangerous? Let's see if we can fill in some of the gaps with the latest info from dog training techniques experts.
If you find yourself confused by what you've read to this point, don't despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.
Are you ready to do some dog training with your precious four legged friend? If you are still not sure about this, read on. Is your dog pulling on the leash...consistently? Do you feel uneasy when you are walking your dog and you run into an aquaintance? Do you have to pull or drag or hold back your dog? Do you have two dogs that pull on the leash? I walk three of my dogs at once. It was not always easy. Would you really like to fix your dog's behavior problems? Do you daydream of your dog being well behaved? Do you just want a happy, healthy, well mannered dog?
If you decide today to work with you dog, you will be able to enjoy a peaceful and fun holiday season with your dog or dogs. No more yelling or locking your dog in the bedroom. Or, locking him outside and having to listen to the whining and crying. Let your dog be part of the festivities, trained and well behaved. If you start today you will not need to worry about your dog jumping up and welcoming your guests. Your dog will be an appreciated and welcome part of your family.
Or, would you like to be able to take your dog for a nice walk to check out the leaves and the beautiful color of fall? We all want to include our dogs in the many activities of fall and winter, but a lot of people cannot enjoy doing this because of their dog's bad behavior. Remember, a well trained dog is a safe dog, and a pleasure to have around.
So now you know a little bit about dog training techniques. Even if you don't know everything, you've done something worthwhile: you've expanded your knowledge.
If you find yourself confused by what you've read to this point, don't despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.
Are you ready to do some dog training with your precious four legged friend? If you are still not sure about this, read on. Is your dog pulling on the leash...consistently? Do you feel uneasy when you are walking your dog and you run into an aquaintance? Do you have to pull or drag or hold back your dog? Do you have two dogs that pull on the leash? I walk three of my dogs at once. It was not always easy. Would you really like to fix your dog's behavior problems? Do you daydream of your dog being well behaved? Do you just want a happy, healthy, well mannered dog?
If you decide today to work with you dog, you will be able to enjoy a peaceful and fun holiday season with your dog or dogs. No more yelling or locking your dog in the bedroom. Or, locking him outside and having to listen to the whining and crying. Let your dog be part of the festivities, trained and well behaved. If you start today you will not need to worry about your dog jumping up and welcoming your guests. Your dog will be an appreciated and welcome part of your family.
Or, would you like to be able to take your dog for a nice walk to check out the leaves and the beautiful color of fall? We all want to include our dogs in the many activities of fall and winter, but a lot of people cannot enjoy doing this because of their dog's bad behavior. Remember, a well trained dog is a safe dog, and a pleasure to have around.
So now you know a little bit about dog training techniques. Even if you don't know everything, you've done something worthwhile: you've expanded your knowledge.
Effective Dog Training Techniques to Stop Dog Behavior Problems
Though there are several techniques to train a dog, all of them can be categorized by the way they address behavioral issues. Thus, there are two main categories:
- Techniques based on learning theories
- Techniques based on canine ethology
The former category focuses on behavior modification, usually disregarding typical and natural behavior of dogs. The latter one focuses on natural dog behavior and often ignores current learning theories.
Dog training techniques based on learning theories
This category comprises techniques that use positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment as main ways to educate dogs. Since those techniques are very different among each other, they are better organized under three subcategories: traditional dog training, positive training and mixed techniques.
1. Traditional dog training
Traditional dog training was developed to train war dogs and it was successfully used during World War I and World War II. After World War II, this technique gained enormous popularity because of a lot of stories about heroic dogs.
Negative reinforcement and punishment are the main teaching ways of traditional training. Thus, this technique works by physically forcing the dogs to perform a desired behavior, until dogs learn that behavior.
Choke chains, prong collars and shock (electric) collars are common tools in traditional training and all its variants. Also, this kind of training is usually targeted to dog obedience exercises, disregarding behavioral problems.
The main advantage of traditional dog training is the high reliability of the trained behaviors. On the other hand, main disadvantages are potentially dangerous collateral effects, such as fear biting and damages to the dog's trachea.
2. Positive dog training
Positive training was developed under the principles of Skinner's operant conditioning. While it's not a new technique, it did not get enough attention until the nineties, when Karen Pryor's book "Don't shoot the dog" became a bestseller.
Choke chains, prong collars and shock (electric) collars are not needed in positive training. In addition, training sessions tend to be very fun for dogs as well as for trainers.
Positive reinforcement is the main teaching way of these techniques. Thus, this kind of training is also known as reward-based training, though rewards are not the same as positive reinforcement.
Clicker training could be the most popular of positive training techniques at these days.
- Main advantages of positive dog training are:
- Highly reliable trained behaviors.
- No need to physically force your dog.
- Positive training is fast, fun and simple.
Ironically, the main disadvantage of positive training arises from its simplicity. Many novice trainers get so amazed with how easy and fast is to teach a new behavior that they forget to work on reliability and fluency of those behaviors. Thus, their "finished product" is a half-trained dog.
3. Mixed training techniques
Mixed techniques use both positive and negative reinforcement. Therefore, these techniques are friendlier than traditional training, but not as much as positive training.
Mixed dog training techniques are widely used in tough sports such as Schutzhund, Belgian Ring, Mondioring, etc.
Although trainers who use mixed approaches also use positive reinforcement, they usually avoid using food as a reinforcer. When they have to use a positive reinforcer, they tend to prefer games over food.
Dog training techniques based on canine ethology
Techniques based on canine ethology take into account those behaviors that are natural in dogs, but usually ignore the principles of learning theories. These techniques are also known as "dog whispering".
The fundamental premise of these techniques is that the owner should become the leader of the pack. Thus, the owner will achieve the higher hierarchy in the pack: the alpha dog status.
While these techniques are very popular, their actual efficacy is questionable. Besides, there's no clear standard for these techniques, so the procedures used by one trainer could be very different from those used by another trainer.
Many trainers don't accept that these are actual training techniques. In addition, several of its practitioners don't consider themselves as dog trainers. Instead, they claim they are people who can communicate with dogs by a deep understanding of dog behavior and proper body language.
When word gets around about your command of dog training techniques facts, others who need to know about dog training techniques will start to actively seek you out.
For more dog training techniques, go to Dog Obedience Training.
Stop Excessive Dog Barking
Everyone hates a dog that barks excessively. Your neighbors hate it and you probably hate it too. So what are you going to do? Let your neighbor kill it? Have your dog taken away? Not if I can help it. In this article were going to look at how you can stop excessive dog barking.
Most dog owners do not realize that there are different types of dog barking. There is boredom barking, there is warning barks, lonely barking, and so on. These different types of barks can all be dealt with using different techniques
Before I can give you any good dog barking tips the first thing you need to understand is that barking is as natural to a dog as talking is to us humans. You will never be able be able to keep them completely silent and in fact I don't think you really want them to be silent all the time. For example, it would be nice to if someone is trying to get into your house through the bedroom window but Fido makes enough racket to wake the house and scare off the intruder. So to reduce the noise pollution you need to know why he is barking. Below are two of the most common reasons dogs bark in the house.
Fido wants attention: Your dog wants attention and if barking will result in you or someone in your family giving him that attention you can count on hearing from your dog frequently. This is also a very bad thing to do because you are supposed to be the boss. Your dog will believe he is the boss if all he has to do is bark to get you to do something. If he believes he is the boss all training will become difficult.
Dog barking tips: There are several things you can do to discourage and eventually stop your dog from barking for attention. When using these tips be consistent and make sure the whole family knows what they are supposed to do. If you do it right and another member does it wrong all you are doing is confusing your dog. Start with this, when your dog barks at you for attention turn away from him and do not make eye contact. When he approaches you and is silent reward him with attention or treats. If done consistently you will stop haved stopped this behavior within a week or two. If your dog persists gently grab his muzzle to stop him from barking and in a stern voice say NO and again turn away from him and ignore him. Your problem should be solved.
Fido is lonely: You leave for work and your dog believes that by barking he can get you to come back. If fact he does so until he is exhausted and begins again after he has rested until you return home.
Dog barking tips: Many times we as people thing is a good thing to express our feelings and hug and pet our dogs while saying goodbye for the day. When we return home Fido is so happy to see us that the natural reaction is to again shower him with attention. In both instances it is the wrong thing to do. If you come and go without making a big deal about it your dog will eventually learn that it is not a big deal and will not get excited and bark all day.
Most dog owners do not realize that there are different types of dog barking. There is boredom barking, there is warning barks, lonely barking, and so on. These different types of barks can all be dealt with using different techniques
Before I can give you any good dog barking tips the first thing you need to understand is that barking is as natural to a dog as talking is to us humans. You will never be able be able to keep them completely silent and in fact I don't think you really want them to be silent all the time. For example, it would be nice to if someone is trying to get into your house through the bedroom window but Fido makes enough racket to wake the house and scare off the intruder. So to reduce the noise pollution you need to know why he is barking. Below are two of the most common reasons dogs bark in the house.
Fido wants attention: Your dog wants attention and if barking will result in you or someone in your family giving him that attention you can count on hearing from your dog frequently. This is also a very bad thing to do because you are supposed to be the boss. Your dog will believe he is the boss if all he has to do is bark to get you to do something. If he believes he is the boss all training will become difficult.
Dog barking tips: There are several things you can do to discourage and eventually stop your dog from barking for attention. When using these tips be consistent and make sure the whole family knows what they are supposed to do. If you do it right and another member does it wrong all you are doing is confusing your dog. Start with this, when your dog barks at you for attention turn away from him and do not make eye contact. When he approaches you and is silent reward him with attention or treats. If done consistently you will stop haved stopped this behavior within a week or two. If your dog persists gently grab his muzzle to stop him from barking and in a stern voice say NO and again turn away from him and ignore him. Your problem should be solved.
Fido is lonely: You leave for work and your dog believes that by barking he can get you to come back. If fact he does so until he is exhausted and begins again after he has rested until you return home.
Dog barking tips: Many times we as people thing is a good thing to express our feelings and hug and pet our dogs while saying goodbye for the day. When we return home Fido is so happy to see us that the natural reaction is to again shower him with attention. In both instances it is the wrong thing to do. If you come and go without making a big deal about it your dog will eventually learn that it is not a big deal and will not get excited and bark all day.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Dog Obedience Training Book Review
Obedience Training is one of the best things you can do for your dog or puppy... and yourself. Obedience training doesn't solve all behavior problems, but it is the foundation for solving just about any problem. Training opens up a line of communication between you and your dog. Effective communication is necessary to instruct your dog about what you want him to do. You can teach him anything from 'stay' to 'sit'.
If you are looking for a home dog obedience training course, I highly recommend secret to dog training by Daniel Stevens as I have a lot of success with it.
If you have a new puppy, you really want to get it off to a great start, by training it correctly. A well trained dog says so much about its owner, and makes life with your new pet a breeze!
When I got my puppy 'tiny' she was like any exciteable young dog. Being a corgi, a breed known for being hard to train well, I knew I had to get off on the right foot and get her trained 100% right.
Having experienced dogs before, I knew that I could do it all myself. I wanted to prove I could train my dog as good as any puppy school! I had been recommended the book 'Secrets to dog training' by author Daniel Stephens, and after breifly reading the website (and the usual sales talk) I made the executive decision to purchase the program.....
I straight away knew I had made a great decision. Secrets to dog training is so well laid out, and offers a myriad of techniques, a training plan and dog breed specific tips and techniques. In fact, 261 pages and 5 bonus e-books are included!
One area which really helped me excel with Tiny, was helping her to stop chewing. She had an absolute fetish with chewing shoes, cellphones, remotes, handbags, furniture and even the wooden doors. With the help of the dedicated ebook on dog chewing, I redirected Tiny's desire to chew in a way that I never would have considered, and saved a small fortune on replacement gear for the house!
"You will be blown away!"
In addition, there is great advice for becoming the 'alpha dog' as a dog owner. This advanced, yet proven technique initiates respect for you, from your dog, in ways that defy common belief.
It what is taught in police and sight dog training, and Daniel has adapted and condensed this into a easily learnt format for domestic pets. You will be blown away.
This is why I really recommend Daniel Stephens book, because it helps you to quickly apply methods that really achieve the goals you want with your pet. And I believe that his book would also be ideal for remedial training in older dogs, because I have a good friend who tried it out for the same purpose and was very happy with the results on his rouge boxer dog 'Max'.
If you are looking for a home dog obedience training course, I highly recommend secret to dog training by Daniel Stevens as I have a lot of success with it.
If you have a new puppy, you really want to get it off to a great start, by training it correctly. A well trained dog says so much about its owner, and makes life with your new pet a breeze!
When I got my puppy 'tiny' she was like any exciteable young dog. Being a corgi, a breed known for being hard to train well, I knew I had to get off on the right foot and get her trained 100% right.
Having experienced dogs before, I knew that I could do it all myself. I wanted to prove I could train my dog as good as any puppy school! I had been recommended the book 'Secrets to dog training' by author Daniel Stephens, and after breifly reading the website (and the usual sales talk) I made the executive decision to purchase the program.....
I straight away knew I had made a great decision. Secrets to dog training is so well laid out, and offers a myriad of techniques, a training plan and dog breed specific tips and techniques. In fact, 261 pages and 5 bonus e-books are included!
One area which really helped me excel with Tiny, was helping her to stop chewing. She had an absolute fetish with chewing shoes, cellphones, remotes, handbags, furniture and even the wooden doors. With the help of the dedicated ebook on dog chewing, I redirected Tiny's desire to chew in a way that I never would have considered, and saved a small fortune on replacement gear for the house!
"You will be blown away!"
In addition, there is great advice for becoming the 'alpha dog' as a dog owner. This advanced, yet proven technique initiates respect for you, from your dog, in ways that defy common belief.
It what is taught in police and sight dog training, and Daniel has adapted and condensed this into a easily learnt format for domestic pets. You will be blown away.
This is why I really recommend Daniel Stephens book, because it helps you to quickly apply methods that really achieve the goals you want with your pet. And I believe that his book would also be ideal for remedial training in older dogs, because I have a good friend who tried it out for the same purpose and was very happy with the results on his rouge boxer dog 'Max'.
Dog Walking Training
Available Monday to Friday, walks are tailored to the individual dog. Whether you have a young bundle of energy who loves chasing after balls, or a quieter, more sedate dog who prefers to plod around at a slower pace, we believe that a walk is the time of the day that dogs should be able to enjoy themselves in their own favourite way.
Dogs can be walked individually or together but no more than two at a time. Walks usually take place in the woods or other outdoor areas (e.g. The Downs in Laverstock) and parks and fields for ball chasing.
There is nothing more pleasing than having passers-by compliment you on your well-trained dog. Meanwhile a large percentage of dogs in rehoming centres are there because their owners couldn't handle them due to insufficient training. There is a saying "You can't teach old dogs new tricks", this is incorrect, you can it just takes more time. While I recommend training puppies as early as possible to avoid problems later on, don't think that if you get an older dog it can't be trained.
We can train any age and any size of dog but you must be willing to keep the work up. If we had trained the most obedient dog and the owners stopped using our advice it would return to its unruly habits. However unlike some other trainers we don't just train the dog to do what we say, we work with owners to make sure that they will have the same success in handling the dog as us.
Dogs can be walked individually or together but no more than two at a time. Walks usually take place in the woods or other outdoor areas (e.g. The Downs in Laverstock) and parks and fields for ball chasing.
There is nothing more pleasing than having passers-by compliment you on your well-trained dog. Meanwhile a large percentage of dogs in rehoming centres are there because their owners couldn't handle them due to insufficient training. There is a saying "You can't teach old dogs new tricks", this is incorrect, you can it just takes more time. While I recommend training puppies as early as possible to avoid problems later on, don't think that if you get an older dog it can't be trained.
We can train any age and any size of dog but you must be willing to keep the work up. If we had trained the most obedient dog and the owners stopped using our advice it would return to its unruly habits. However unlike some other trainers we don't just train the dog to do what we say, we work with owners to make sure that they will have the same success in handling the dog as us.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Aggressive Dog Training Tips
Aggressive dog behavior is no joke, especially if people around you no longer feel comfortable being around your pet. I hope this lens helps other dog owners who are serious about dealing with this problem.
If your dog seems to be too aggressive, you might find the following tips useful.
1. Neuter your dog - this almost always lowers the level of aggression
2. Don't play fight with your dog or do anything to encourage aggression
3. Socialize with your dog a lot and get your dog used to socializing with other friendly dogs.
4. Always walk your dog on a leash
5. Don't physically punish your dog.
Using positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior is the best way to train your dog. This form of training usually works best with aggressive dog training as well.
If your dog seems to be too aggressive, you might find the following tips useful.
1. Neuter your dog - this almost always lowers the level of aggression
2. Don't play fight with your dog or do anything to encourage aggression
3. Socialize with your dog a lot and get your dog used to socializing with other friendly dogs.
4. Always walk your dog on a leash
5. Don't physically punish your dog.
Using positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior is the best way to train your dog. This form of training usually works best with aggressive dog training as well.
How to Treat Dog Behavior Problem
There is very good and well known point that calm people often don't have a serious dog behavior problem like some people do--just by virtue of that they don't have all the craziness, yelling and people and kids screaming making their dogs bonkers and neurotic. To eliminate dog's bad habits you have to stop rewarding him for certain behavior, and teach him what behavior you 'DO' want instead. Punishment will not stop it. Only way to stop puppy biting is with intense training. Most experienced dog owners are familiar with common dog behavior problems, but some may wonder why dogs show these behaviors.
One possible solution to avoid these problems is exercise. It is known that many dog behavior problems are because of physical challenges that the dog may have. Also, learning how to communicate with your dog lets you address problems as they occur. Even they don't speak you can learn to understand some signs that dogs use to tell you what they want. The home provides ideal environment for the dog with few distractions, which is chance for new member to learn how to get along with other members in the family. Often dogs are behaving distructable because of boredom. Specially if they live in the apartments and are left alone most of the day.
The first step in dealing with new situation is to understand why your dog acts the way he does. My favorite method for curing dog behavior problem is to discover what the core or root of the problem is. Now why would you allow a dog to dominate you, when the child couldn't't? If your children were dominant over you, that would not be appropriate, and neither is a dog with dog behavior problem. Dominance is very important to be established in order to start the process of changing the pattern of dog behavioral problems. Obedience training can solve most problems, especially if done in early stage.
How to Stop Puppy Biting
Even though you have to stop puppy biting there is one thing you have to keep in your mind. If your dog is less than 15 weeks old and nips and bites non-stop, this is most of the time, normal behavior. Puppies mouth while playing and they mouth when communicating with us. If your dog begins mouthing, he may be hungry or thirsty. Ask yourself: Does he need to remove waste? Is he tired? Maybe he wants to play? Dogs nip when they want to show some needs - like when a baby cries. It shouldn't be treated as dog behavior problem. There are some guidelines than can assist you when trying to control or stop puppy biting:
- If your dog does not want anything and he still will not stop, isolate him with a favorite toy. To stop puppy biting you do not have to punish your dog. Calmly place the puppy in her area.
- Don't make any reaction when your dog nips quietly. Keep your hand still because if you remove your hand quickly it can be understood as an invitation to play and nip harder. Stay calm and this will stop puppy biting.
- Try to keep puppy occupied as much as possible with any thing in your house, other than your hands. Give him his favorite toy, fake bone, plastic ball etc. Spend lots of time playing with puppy, but try to keep your hands away from his mouth.
- When your dog starts biting down hard, turn quickly, say: "No, No!" and glance into her eyes for few seconds; then go back to your normal routine. If he continues, put a leash onto your dog so that you can tug the lead sharply to the side and place him in a quiet location to cool off. Goal is to stop puppy biting by making him realize that teeth can nip or bite only his toys.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Dog Training: House Breaking
Housebreaking simply means teaching your dog not to relieve himself inside the house. Anyone who has ever tried the process knows that it isn't easy to house break. Puppy logic is simple, "I have to go. I'll go here."
Routine is absolutely key to housebreaking. At first you may have to take your puppy out every hour. Get in the habit of taking your dog out first thing in the morning and just before bed time. Be patient with accidents.
Here are a few steps that you could take.
Routine is absolutely key to housebreaking. At first you may have to take your puppy out every hour. Get in the habit of taking your dog out first thing in the morning and just before bed time. Be patient with accidents.
Here are a few steps that you could take.
- Choose the spot outside where you would like your puppy to go to the toilet (eliminate).
- Keep your puppy in his/her crate, pen area or even tethered to a chair where you are working. Your puppy cannot have free run of the house at this early stage Every 60 minutes take your puppy straight to the designated toilet area outside.
- When you reach the toilet area repeat a cue word you would like to attach to the act of your dog eliminating example "hurry up" but just pick out a cue word or short phrase and stick with it. In your dogs mind you are building an association between the cue "hurry up!" and him emptying out.
- If your pup does eliminate continue to repeat your cue word and the instant your dog finishes doing his business enthusiastically praise and reward him with a small tasty treat. Make it clear that you are very happy with him .Immediately after a successful toilet trip outside you can allow your puppy some free play time in the house. Just spend some time enjoying the company of your puppy, then place him back in his crate or pen area. If after 3-4 minutes of circling around your puppy shows no signs of needing to eliminate take him back inside and try again in about twenty minutes.
- "What about overnight?" . Well, firstly do not feed your puppy close to bedtime and take away his water before you go to bed (don't forget to put it back first thing in the morning). You'll need to set your alarm clock to go off once and possibly twice throughout the night. This is an important step, just take your puppy out to the toilet area as usual and then hop back into bed. When your puppy is young it is physically impossible for him to hold on all night, but before long you will both be sleeping peacefully right through the night.
Secrets to Dog Training is an extremely comprehensive guide, written by the world renowned dog professional, Daniel Stevens. Although the 261-page manual is impressively detailed, its step-by-step format provides dog owners with straight-forward instructions on how to quickly identify and solve their dog behavior problems. It also has lots of great pictures! Secrets to Dog Training has been used by over 64,000 dog owners all over the world, and has been the best selling dog training system for the past four years in a row.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Basic Dog Training - Dog Training Tips
Don't make the mistake of thinking that your new pet dog doesn't need basic dog training. If a dog's training is neglected when it is young, it can cost the owner in more ways than one once the dog is older and more settled in its ways. The time spent in training your dog early in its life is good for both the owner and the dog, as both will be much happier in the long run for having undergone the experience.
A dog needs direction when it is young, and it is up to the owner to give it that direction. Training your dog in the basic dos and don'ts of good dog behavior will save you in the frustration of having to deal with the public embarrassment of a disobedient dog. Proper dog training when it is a puppy, or as soon thereafter, can help your dog become more sociable and easier to handle as it grows older. Having given your pet basic dog training when it was young, you as the owner can rest assured in the knowledge that your dog has received proper obedience training.
An unruly or disobedient puppy or dog is no fun to be around. You can't properly live with a dog unless you give it some basic dog training. An untrained dog can be a recipe for owner frustration when the dog disobeys your commands. And you will have no one to blame but yourself for your dog's misbehavior. If you haven't taught your dog to sit and stay, then you can't blame the dog for not having learned these behaviors.
Fortunately for you, dogs are not that difficult to train. With a few basic dog training lessons from you, your pet should be listening to you in no time. But before you can begin teaching your dog the five basic obedience commands of sit, stay, heel, down, and come, you'll need to show your pet which actions are acceptable and which are not.
This is achieved by constantly reinforcing good behavior by praise and correcting bad behavior in a mild and non-threatening way. One example may be, if after throwing a ball the dog happens to return it to you without your having to chase him and pry it from his mouth, this is good behavior and should be rewarded accordingly. Most dogs will respond to nothing more than a simple "Good dog!" offered in a supportive enthusiastic tone of voice. Others may need a pat on the head or maybe a small treat to eat. The point is to start off with nice, simple vocal praise.
On the other hand, if you throw the ball and the dog delights in watching you chase him around the yard attempting to retrieve the ball from him, a simple "No!" in a loud but firm tone will work. Don't become angry, panicky, or annoyed as this will only confuse the dog. When your dog finally drops the ball at your feet, praise him to let him know you approve of his behavior. This teaches him quickly that he will be corrected for doing something wrong and praised for doing something right.
One important thing to remember is: if your dog does something wrong, like getting in the trash while you are away and strewing garbage on the floor, you cannot correct him after the fact. You can only correct a dog if you catch him in the act of doing wrong. Also, don't ever hit or threaten to hit your dog with your hand, a stick, a rolled up newspaper or anything else. Your dog will only learn to be afraid of human hands.
Secrets To Dog Training is by far and away the best, most informative package for dealing with issues of aggression in dogs. The information contained is comprehensive, clearly laid out and the bottom line is it really does work.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Points to note when training your dog
Dogs will be able to manage their behavior better in various and new situations through dog training.
An important point to take note of when training your dog is the dog's understanding that its owner, that is you, is its leader and not the other way around. Dogs naturally lived in the wild in packs and obey those who fulfill their needs and who show dominance.So, to make your dog understand that you are its leader, you provide its food and keep control of it say by giving your dog its food twice a day.
Training your dog requires time, commitment and patience. Repetition is key to training your dog. You must give commands with confidence to ensure your dog understands and obeys. A dog can detect if you are uncertain. Dogs see things in black and white while humans see things in shades of gray. So a command like "Sit" and "Sit down" would not mean the same thing to a dog.
Positive reinforcement is a good method in training your dog. It is done by rewarding the dog with treats, praise or even both when the dog fulfills a command properly. The dog will begin to associate its positive behavior with positive treatment.
An important point to take note of when training your dog is the dog's understanding that its owner, that is you, is its leader and not the other way around. Dogs naturally lived in the wild in packs and obey those who fulfill their needs and who show dominance.So, to make your dog understand that you are its leader, you provide its food and keep control of it say by giving your dog its food twice a day.
Training your dog requires time, commitment and patience. Repetition is key to training your dog. You must give commands with confidence to ensure your dog understands and obeys. A dog can detect if you are uncertain. Dogs see things in black and white while humans see things in shades of gray. So a command like "Sit" and "Sit down" would not mean the same thing to a dog.
Positive reinforcement is a good method in training your dog. It is done by rewarding the dog with treats, praise or even both when the dog fulfills a command properly. The dog will begin to associate its positive behavior with positive treatment.
Obedience Training Dog
Your dog's total obedience is and should be easily attainable. The only problem is that most people think that for a dog to be obedient, your dog has to fear you.
Well, we both know that this mindset is totally incorrect. Dogs, just like children, learn best when correct behavior in reinforced correctly, meaning when they receive prizes when they do something right.
let's put it this way: If your kids do something right, you praise them, thus reinforcing the correct behavior. If, on the other hand, they do something wrong, you try to let them know that you do NOT like what they are doing and would like them to stop.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Review of Secrets to Dog Training
The official release of the new and improved SitStayFetch - renamed Secrets to Dog Training - took place on February 2, 2009. SitStayFetch has been the top selling dog training course for over four years, and it has been bought by over 64,000 dog owners world-wide. Having reviewed it in great detail, I can fully understand why it continues to hold the top spot in the dog training arena. Secrets to Dog Training is a new and improved version!
Secrets to Dog Training is authored by Daniel Stevens, the highly respected and renowned dog trainer, and it includes everything that needs to be known about dog ownership. This 261-page guide gives dog owners step-by-step and easy to follow instructions which will help them to understand and quickly solve their dog's behavior problems. It's also full of great pictures!
All of the training methods described in the book are tried and true, having been used by Daniel Stevens in his own life as a professional dog trainer.
This course is so comprehensive that the table of contents takes up five pages just to list everything that is included. This guide is much more that a dog training e-book, although it is worth buying just for that section. It starts with a chapter for new dog owners (how to choose the right puppy or dog for you, where to find your puppy, breed information, vaccinations and general health, diet and nutrition, puppy-proofing your house, handling and grooming, house training, choosing your vet, etc. Listing these few topics will give you some insight into the vast amount of information that is covered.
The guide includes recommendations for a number of different training techniques such as clicker training, head collar training, and dog whispering, to mention just a few. Next, the more advanced dog behavior issues such as chewing, biting, aggression, digging, jumping, etc. are covered. This section offers several case studies which are both interesting and informative. A good story is loved by everyone!
There is also an excellent section on understanding your dog and the importance of the dog owner being seen as the "alpha dog". This chapter also covers dog body language, facial expressions and vocals. The sections on obedience training are very clearly explained and are aided by photographs, which show the various commands and positions in great detail.
This is just a small amount of what is covered but I'm sure you'll agree that it's an impressive amount of information.
The guide includes recommendations for a number of different training techniques such as clicker training, head collar training, and dog whispering, to mention just a few. Next, the more advanced dog behavior issues such as chewing, biting, aggression, digging, jumping, etc. are covered. This section offers several case studies which are both interesting and informative. A good story is loved by everyone!
There is also an excellent section on understanding your dog and the importance of the dog owner being seen as the "alpha dog". This chapter also covers dog body language, facial expressions and vocals. The sections on obedience training are very clearly explained and are aided by photographs, which show the various commands and positions in great detail.
This is just a small amount of what is covered but I'm sure you'll agree that it's an impressive amount of information.
You've probably already gathered that I'm impressed. I may have thought I knew dogs before, but this guide has made me realize that I still had a lot to learn.
The detailed information covered is easy to comprehend and extremely effective. This guide is useful to all dog owners, not just those with a particular problem with their dog. Much of the information in the course would be of benefit to any dog owner wanting to have the best possible relationship with his dog.
I strongly urge you to get hold of a copy of Secrets to Dog Training if you already have a dog or are contemplating getting one.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
How to Stop Your Dog's Excessive Barking
Does your dog bark excessively? If you need to cut down your dog's barking begin by cutting down the amount of attention your dog gets during a twenty four hour period. Ignore all attempts by your dog to get attention. You may find this hard at first but you must be consistent. Then leave the dog by itself in a room of the house for periods of five minutes while you are still at home. If the dog barks, do not go into the room. When a gap in the barking comes, wait thirty seconds, then wander in and say hello, but keep the praise low key. In no way should you acknowledge bursts of excitement from the dog. Putter about for a few minutes then let the dog go free in the house. Make sure that no one pets the dog, no matter how much it tries to get someone to pay attention to it. The dog must not view being with you as a right, or associate it with a reward, such as touch, praise, etc.
Sticking to this method slowly teaches the dog that it's no big deal to be with you or without you. You should aim to leave your dog alone for five to fifteen minute periods five times daily. When you accomplish this without barking then begin to increase the time that your dog spends alone, building up to the desired time. The more time you spend on this program, the better chance you have of succeeding.
Some dogs are very attached to thier owners a seem to be incapable of being alone. You can use the dog's food to teach it to spend time alone without barking for attention. Always use high quality food for this program. You will need a tough rubber toy designed to be filled with food. For five weeks your dog should only recieve his food through this toy and while you are not present. Divide his days food into five portions to put in the toy. If the dog ignores the toy then put it in a plastic bag and into the refridgerator for the next lesson. When the dog eats the food willingly he will have learned to do so while you are not present and will associate your absense with a powerful food reward that takes time to get to.
If your dog barks, he can't eat and you should ignore him. Go into the dog's room only when he is silent. He must not associate barking with your arrival into the room. Remember, and this is important, no tidbits of food at any other time.
You probably need to train your dog in a lot more areas than just what is covered in this article. You will need a good training program in order to properly train your dog or you can get professional help from a trainer.
Sticking to this method slowly teaches the dog that it's no big deal to be with you or without you. You should aim to leave your dog alone for five to fifteen minute periods five times daily. When you accomplish this without barking then begin to increase the time that your dog spends alone, building up to the desired time. The more time you spend on this program, the better chance you have of succeeding.
Some dogs are very attached to thier owners a seem to be incapable of being alone. You can use the dog's food to teach it to spend time alone without barking for attention. Always use high quality food for this program. You will need a tough rubber toy designed to be filled with food. For five weeks your dog should only recieve his food through this toy and while you are not present. Divide his days food into five portions to put in the toy. If the dog ignores the toy then put it in a plastic bag and into the refridgerator for the next lesson. When the dog eats the food willingly he will have learned to do so while you are not present and will associate your absense with a powerful food reward that takes time to get to.
If your dog barks, he can't eat and you should ignore him. Go into the dog's room only when he is silent. He must not associate barking with your arrival into the room. Remember, and this is important, no tidbits of food at any other time.
You probably need to train your dog in a lot more areas than just what is covered in this article. You will need a good training program in order to properly train your dog or you can get professional help from a trainer.
If you would like to train your dog yourself and you would like more information on how to do this then check out my blog for reviews on dog training programs. click here to visit Secrets To Dog Training.
More dog training tips:
There is so much you can do when it comes to aggressiveness control, especially if you have you acquire your dog during his early years. Young dogs are yet to develop their brains and skills, and this is the best time to train your dogs for dog obedience and aggressive control.
Positive Reinforcement Dog Training
Some methods to quicken the dog training process is to hand out purposeful and meaningful rewards. Using tempting rewards for good behavior keeps the caliber of your dog's training at a high measure. Simply patting on the head won't do it, as most dogs actually don't enjoy being pat on the head. You can notice how dogs usually shy away or bark when a hand is extended towards their head. Also, just rewarding a good behavior by just giving a pat on the head bores a dog quickly.
The most important incentives would be physical affections and food treats. Most dogs respond most to the two as they're both the most meaningful rewards.
The key in the positive reinforcement dog training is the right timing. Reward your dog with a treat right after everytime your dog obeys a command. When this is done, your dog will understand what the treat is for. You have to do this consistently. If you were to do this only sometimes, then the treat will lose its significant value to your dog and your dog won't learn what the treat means.
The most important incentives would be physical affections and food treats. Most dogs respond most to the two as they're both the most meaningful rewards.
The key in the positive reinforcement dog training is the right timing. Reward your dog with a treat right after everytime your dog obeys a command. When this is done, your dog will understand what the treat is for. You have to do this consistently. If you were to do this only sometimes, then the treat will lose its significant value to your dog and your dog won't learn what the treat means.
How to improve your dogs agility
When beginning your dog training there is some important things to remember. It is always best to start training your dog at an early age. If you are planning on entering your dog into a competition you must first put him or her through the proper training regime.
A Competition is judged based on time and the dog's ability to clear the obstacles. Although the sport is loved mostly by its competitors it is also a treat for the spectators.
Agility training for your dog competition is a well organized and serious sport with regulations and guidelines. In the competition the dogs will be judged based on the dog's size. A dog between fifteen and twenty-one inches from the shoulder is entered into the smaller division.
Here are some helpful tips you can use to improve your dogs agility.
By having some simple workout equipment for your dog this can help. You can have some equipment like small ladders, jumping poles, training barriers made from pipes, and other equipment as well. By constantly training your dog to do exercises you will be helping keep up with his agility.
Another great way to help maintain his physical health is by start training them when they are young. It is not much different than disciplining a baby when they are young. You always have to start when they are puppies. Throughout the years as they begin to advance in age they will develop habits that will make it hard to break as they get older. It is easier to teach them while they are young. When your teaching them make sure to reward them with a snack for being obedient.
Also remember to have regular check ups. This is very important when trying to maintain your dogs agility. By having regular check ups with your veterinarian this can help determine what your dog is capable of handling, before beginning a workout routine.
There many steps you can take to train your dog properly. The process can seem long but at the same time fun. Keep in mind that discipline and patience is required most especially if you would like your dog to join some dog shows or win a contest.
A Competition is judged based on time and the dog's ability to clear the obstacles. Although the sport is loved mostly by its competitors it is also a treat for the spectators.
Agility training for your dog competition is a well organized and serious sport with regulations and guidelines. In the competition the dogs will be judged based on the dog's size. A dog between fifteen and twenty-one inches from the shoulder is entered into the smaller division.
Here are some helpful tips you can use to improve your dogs agility.
By having some simple workout equipment for your dog this can help. You can have some equipment like small ladders, jumping poles, training barriers made from pipes, and other equipment as well. By constantly training your dog to do exercises you will be helping keep up with his agility.
Another great way to help maintain his physical health is by start training them when they are young. It is not much different than disciplining a baby when they are young. You always have to start when they are puppies. Throughout the years as they begin to advance in age they will develop habits that will make it hard to break as they get older. It is easier to teach them while they are young. When your teaching them make sure to reward them with a snack for being obedient.
Also remember to have regular check ups. This is very important when trying to maintain your dogs agility. By having regular check ups with your veterinarian this can help determine what your dog is capable of handling, before beginning a workout routine.
There many steps you can take to train your dog properly. The process can seem long but at the same time fun. Keep in mind that discipline and patience is required most especially if you would like your dog to join some dog shows or win a contest.
Secrets To Dog Training is by far and away the best, most informative package for dealing with issues of aggression in dogs. The information contained is comprehensive, clearly laid out and the bottom line is it really does work.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
