Doggy School

Do a good job dog training

Dog training can mean a lot of things to a lot of different people. It can range from employing the most basic training methods to the more complicated or advanced training methods that a professional dog trainer would employ. There are methods which are more ideal to a specific breed of dog. Obviously training used to teach a Labrador retriever would not be appropriate for a small house dog. However basic obedience training would benefit any dog.

Basic obedience dog training includes teaching your dog the simple language commands. Obedience training is critical to keeping your dog safe and under control. In addition basic obedience training requires the socialization of the dog. Socialization will allow the dog to properly interact with people and other animals. You must train your dog to respond to the basic commands such as come, site, down, off, quiet, no, whoa and stay. This is best done using command, action and praise or clicker training.

Many people are unable to effectively train their dogs. As a result they seek the expertise of a qualified dog trainer. This can be expensive but in the long run may be the most cost effective method. In addition most trainers spend most of the time training the dogs owner to be a proper handler. Many dog trainers will confide that is frequently easier to train a dog than it is the dogs owner.

If you still want to do your own training you can purchase one of the many very good dog training course that are on CD or DVD. Even if you do use the services of a dog trainer having a dog training DVD on hand is a good idea. Dogs sometimes develop bad manners or habits overtime and the training course will give you the tools necessary to correct the problem. In addition you should continue to train your dog through its entire life. This reinforcement training is very important. Using a the training course to review proper training techniques is a good ideal.

If there is one key ingredient to successful dog training beyond the basic love of the dog it is patience and persistence. Keep training sessions to less than 30 minutes each day followed by a play session. This will ensure that your dog will be eager to respond to training. If your do does not respond to training on any given day then spend time playing with the dog and try again either later or the next day. Just like people dogs will occasionally have off days where they are unable to properly respond to training.

During training, consistency is highly important. Try to train your dog at the same time each day so that his bodily rhythm will easily get attuned to the impending exercises. In this manner, the dog will be more focused and ready for the activities. Most trainers feed their dogs prior to training to assure the dog has the energy and focus to respond to the training session.

Not properly training a dog can be a death sentence. Many animals that end up in dog shelters and ultimately put down have behavioral problems that could be cured with proper training. The owners just did not invest in the time and energy necessary to properly train their dog. In the end it is always the dog who suffers.

James Kesel, MS is the publisher of Career in Dog Training website at http://www.dog-training-careers.com, providing information on dog training and dog training career opportunities.

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Choosing the right dog

Before choosing the puppy, you must choose the right dog. Tailor the breed to your needs, expectations of behavior and the environment you can provide. Focus on the dog the puppy will become - by 8 weeks its personality becomes apparent. A little forethought is necessary in choosing the right dog.

Choosing the right dog means a better life for you and the dog.

Choosing the right dog includes considering health care, grooming, exercise requirements, size and level of commitment.

Dogs are abandoned when the owner did not pick wisely. Incompatible matches to avoid:

Potty Training

Ever had the experience of stepping on dog poop inside your house? Or slipping on puppy pee in your kitchen that caused you to drop that platter of spaghetti you were about to serve your family for dinner? Not a pretty sight and experience I assure you. This is a common problem for puppy owners, especially toy dogs that we keep indoors. Dogs have to be taught where to do their waste elimination process. There are number of ways to "housebreak" them and all the methods require your patience and commitment. This, after all, is for your convenience and your canine pal's behavioral plus points.

One of the most popular methods used is crate training. This method makes use of the dog's instinct of trying not to soil their own den or "space". This is a highly effective method because it uses the den instinct that is common to all canines. Having their own "den" also gives your puppy a feeling of security.

Find your puppy a comfortable "crate" (a plastic dog carrier or any small enclosure can be used). It must be big enough for the puppy to stand and comfortably turn around in but not big enough for the puppy to be too far from the other side of the crate. Otherwise the puppy would be able to use one end of the crate as a defecation area and the other end as their sleeping area which would defeat the purpose of the training. Introduce the puppy to the crate gradually and make sure you give the puppy lots of attention. Once the puppy gets accustomed to the crate you can be sure that he will not soil his own little space and you will see that they would actually grow fond of their crate. This is how puppies learn to delay the "call of nature" inside the home.

Of course during this training period a lot of "accidents" tend to happen. Bear in mind that you are dealing with a young dog with a small bladder, and these accidents should be expected until he is fully housebroken. When these accidents do happen, do not rub your puppy's nose in it or any other harsh punishment. Especially if not caught in the act. It is important to note that dogs do not have the capacity to associate punishment with earlier actions. They can only associate it with what they were doing at the time of the punishment. This will only cause the dog to be confused and possibly upset. Dogs have dignity too.

You should also be aware of messages that your puppy sends you during this period because some of them might be just to trick you into letting him out so that he could be with you or he may really need to unload some cargo. Read the signs, is he sniffing all around, turning in small circles or whining and barking. There is a lot to take into account when potty training you dog and there will be a lot of hit and miss situations. Remember, patience is a virtue that will bring dividends.

It is never easy training dogs but the pleasure it brings to all dog-owners after they have succeeded is beyond words. Potty training is the foundation of obedience training. After potty training, you can teach them anything you like (fetch, heel, stay, come, etc.) and because of the bond from the previous training, it would not be as hard. Have the patience to potty train your dogs and enjoy the benefits of being a dog owner for the rest of your canine best friend's life.

Here Fido. Fetch.Good dog.

Scott Williams is a freelance copywriter with a special interest in pets and an expert in dog training. For effective and easy dog training please visit http://dogpottytraining.blogspot.com

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Dog barking

Is the dog barking at night almost more than you can stand? Is it your dog or the neighbor dog? That really makes a difference. Dogs naturally bark, but barking at night or just uncontrolled barking is a huge nuisance.

Dogs bark for several reasons and the best way to deal with barking is to understand why the dog is barking. Now if it is a neighbor dog you may have no control over the dog. In this case, you can try talking to the neighbor. But of course, they probably don't know what to do. Sadly, excessive dog barking is usually a result of a failure of training. But convincing your neighbor to train the dog not to bark is a tough sell.

One option for dealing with the neighbor dog barking is an ultrasonic noise generator. These noise generators blast out noise not audible to humans. If the dog starts barking, the noise starts until the barking stops. Many dogs cannot handle the noise and will not bark to avoid the racket. But it doesn't work with all dogs. Some dogs just keep barking. The noise generator may work for your own dog too as an option.

If the barking dog is yours, the best approach is to think about the dog's situation. Dogs bark at night for one of several reasons, or a combination of reasons.

Boredom is one main cause of barking. During the day, your dog may have plenty of stimulation and activity, but at night boredom may set in and so may the barking. Never forget that the barking does not bother your dog. At least as long as no negatives are linked with the barking by you! Dogs are social creatures and if your dog has no interaction with your or other dogs the yapping may start. Is there a way to make sure the dog has plenty of interaction and play so night time is not a problem?

Another potential cause of night time barking is lack of exercise. Many dog owners underestimate the exercise required by their pet. Breeds vary greatly in exercise needed. Your under exercised dog is a bundle of energy just looking to go. Too much energy comes out as noise. More exercise for dogs means less energy for barking.

Another common night challenge is loneliness. This is related to boredom but a little different. Loneliness also includes some fear. The dark is scary to your dog like it is to some people. Barking is that expression of loneliness and a little fear. Deal with loneliness by letting the dog stay with you or putting the dog in a place with a secure feeling. This may be as simple as closing your dog in the dog house over night.

You can get dog training aids including barking dog collars, but the best way to start dealing with noisy dogs is to understand and deal with the real cause for the barking.

Believe me I know how stressful noisy dogs at night can get! Visit our site to get more dog barking at night help

Go to http://www.dogbarkinghelp.com and stop the noise fast.

Al Bullington's nerves cannot handle constant dog barking in the daytime or at night.

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Doggy School

Many dog owners don't have the patience, time or energy to devote to properly training their dog or new puppy. For some, the best solution is to outsource the effort to a professional dog trainer.

As with any professional service the costs and quality can vary greatly. Like many professions-especially those that involve human-animal interactions - training philosophies can vary as well. Below we have some tips to help you weigh your options and pick the right dog trainer for you and your needs.

Tip 1: Budget - First start by looking over your budget to help determine your needs and what you can afford. Depending on your location, dog training can run anywhere from free to $100 or more per session. For free sessions consider volunteers, parks and shelters. What constitutes a reasonable fee will be a personal preference and most likely depend on the trainer's experience, length of the program, your goals and your geographic location.

Tip 2: Schedule - some training programs are weekly and others may be more frequent. Most programs allow you to be involved in the training session - some programs are offered at your home and others are offered at a training facility. Many dog trainers suggest you allot time daily to train your dog, whether at home or at the training facility.

Tip 3: Commitment - Dogs, especially early training need constant, regular blocks of time and attention in order to achieve your training goals. Setting aside n a hour a day is typical when first training your dog.

Many dog owners prefer "boot camp" training sessions. In this scenario the dog goes away to a special facility for several weeks. The training is regular, intensive and long. Some owners may find this extreme but don't fret - your dog will enjoy it. Toward the end of the session term the owners are usually asked to participate so the owner can begin 'transferring" the obedience to you, the dog owner.

Dog training results are often amazing and leave both dog and owners equally happy! Dogs who graduate are discipline and eager to please their owner. Yet, paradoxically, these dogs show no signs of being repressed. They're happy and play with great enthusiasm.

To Recap:

Examine your goals. You may want your dog trained for entering dog shows or you simply want him to stop chewing the furniture. In both cases training is necessary but will most likely be different in nature.

Some dogs are fearful while some are too assertive - the training you pick will depend on what attributes they have that you want to shape and mold.

No matter your goals or budget, find a dog trainer who exhibits massive patients and boundless energy who also displays a deep love for dogs. Beyond these basics, you will want a trainer whose philosophy makes sense to you and matches your goals.

If you are unsure where to start - ask friends, co-workers and family members if they have a dog trainer they could recommend. It may make the whole process that much easier for you.

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