Archives for Dog Training category
Crate training dogs is a necessity for most people and a great way to raise your dog from being a rotten little puppy to a well trained old friend. Some people worry that crate training might be cruel or that their puppy/dog will hate them for it, but when used for the right reasons, nothing could be further from the truth. Crate training your dog is a highly effective and perfectly humane way to establish your dog his own place in your home and give him a strong feeling of security.
Crate training is a popular dog training method which provides your furry friend with his own special den and establishes acceptable behaviors for life in your home, including housebreaking. Dog crates are also a safe place to keep your pet in the house while you are gone if they aren’t allowed roam the house without supervision. But crate training a dog is not only useful for potty training; it can be useful for many things.
Here are 5 important tips for crate training your puppy or adult dog…
1) Never send your dog to his crate as a punishment and don’t ever put your dog in the crate when you are angry at him for any reason. You want your dog to associate the crate with good things. If your dog misbehaves, simply lead him to the cage with encouraging words. Think of it as a happy place for your puppy to go for a break when needed. Try to sit with your dog for a while until he is used to the crate and reassure him that you are not angry.
2) Make your dogs crate comfortable and homey for them. Put blankets, chew toys, treats, and a pillow to rest upon. However, you shouldn’t put your dog’s food or water in the crate with him unless you will be away for several hours. It should be a place for them rest, not live.
3) Do not put your dog/puppy in the cage all, or even most, of the time. For example, don’t leave him in the crate all day while you are at work or all night while you are sleeping somewhere else. How would you like to be stuck in a cramped cage for hours upon hours? Not fun!
4) When crate training a dog, always be consistent. If your dog is jumping on visitors and you are using the crate to redirect him from this habit, be sure to crate him every time he does it. Remember to keep it a pleasant experience for your dog by staying positive and having your visitors go to the crate to say hello and pet your dog.
5) Crate training your puppy or adult dog is much more effective when you have a scheduled crate time. Like people, dogs needs to rest. Giving them a set “nap time” will help make them behave far better and calm them down too.
If you want a well trained dog, crate training your puppy is one part of the dog training process that needs to be done. Used correctly it will make your dog accept you as his master and pack leader, which is the first step in any successful dog training routine.
Crate train your dog offers him a little place to call his own. If done right, with love and patience, crate training a dog can help the two of you build an amazing friendship and take away some of the headaches that can come with dog ownership.
Crate Training Your Puppy
Whether you believe it or not, crate training is one of the best things you can do for your new puppy. Many people think that crate training a puppy is difficult, but it’s not if it is done correctly.
It is essential to take notes of the times when your puppy likes to eat, sleep, and “go potty” because this will help determine the best times for the crate training.
Crate training should be handled with the care and patience that you would expect from a loved family member, and is not about keeping your dog locked up for extended lengths of time. That is very bad to do!
Puppies naturally avoid soiling the area where they will eat and sleep and this is one of the reasons why crate training is important. However, there are bound to be accidents along the way when your puppy will poop or pee in the crate but he should not be punished for this because it will be counter-productive to your puppy potty training and crate training.
Crate training is one of the best methods for potty training a puppy, so it is more than worth taking the time to do it while they are still young to eliminate one more thing that can be a problem with dogs as they grow older.
Most puppies dogs will whine, bark, and maybe even throw an all out tantrum when they first start crate training so, while it might seem like your puppy doesn’t like crate training initially, most will learn to love their crate as their own place very quickly.
Crate training should start with short periods of time, maybe 10 to 15 minutes, and slowly build up to an hour or two as they get more used to their crate.
Crate Training an Older Dog
Many people assume that only puppies can be crate trained so they refrain from crate training older dogs because they think it is too difficult or can’t be done. This is not true.
There are also many people who think crate training is cruel and inhumane but this is also not true as long as it is done correctly. A dog that has been properly crate trained will actually enjoy the security of having its own place to go. Even at times when they are not expected to be in the crate you will often find your dog relaxing in it enjoying its own little space of the world.
Provided the crate is in a sheltered place and there is fresh water available they will be completely happy to have their own little home within a home. The crate should also be kept clean at all times and contain something comfortable to sleep on, such as a blanket.
The crate should always be made accessible for your dog with the door open when they aren’t required to stay in it so they are free to come and go as they please.
Older dogs can find the crate a very secure place for them to go since they tend to become less confident with themselves and their surroundings as they age. If an older dog does have an “accident” in their crate it is very important to clean it up immediately so they will continue to enjoy their space.
Finally, one of the most important things to remember is that your dogs crate should never be used as a place to send him as a punishment. Doing so will completely ruin your chances of ever making the crate a safe and happy place for your dog.
* Final note: It’s VERY IMPORTANT to remember that a crate is not a place to lock your dog or puppy away all day and night, and it’s not a place for them to live! The dog crate is only to be used for training purposes and as a place for your dog to call his own if he wants to get away. You can close them in the crate if you are going to be gone for short periods of time but they should NEVER be left in the crate for a long time. Dogs need to stretch, exercise, go potty, eat, drink, and socialize… none of which can be done in a crate! What’s the point in having dogs if you are going to make them live their lives locked in a crate?
Want to learn how to crate train your dog and many other dog training tips? Check out this popular site – Dog Training Online.
Comments: | Categories: Dog Training
Having an untrained dog is not only embarrassing; it can also be stressful for your dog and be harmful to him in many situations. If your dog isn’t trained it’s much more difficult to take him out in public because he won’t listen, or he might harm someone or get in harms way himself. For these reasons and many more, dog training is a very important part of owning a dog.
At the very least, you must train your dog to obey the “sit” and “come” commands. If you knows those really well then you will be able to control your dog in most social situations. More importantly, you’ll be able to call your dog back to you if you see he is heading into a dangerous situation.
Let’s face it, owning a dog that does not obey you can really harm your relationship with your dog and make him much less pleasurable to own. You got a dog so that you would have a companion that you can take on walks and so they can accompany you to certain places. But if your dog isn’t trained he won’t listen to you and you will soon find that no one wants him around, including you. The result is that you spend less and less time with your dog and your bond becomes weaker and weaker, which will also lead to more behavior problems for your pet.
A well trained dog, on the other hand, is a treat for everyone, especially you as the owner. You will find that your friends and family welcome your dog and even request that you bring him over. This is really what having a dog is about, being able to bring your “best friend” with you and have him be welcome.
When training your dog, you want to start with the basics and make sure he has those mastered before moving on to more challenging commands. If your dog has problem areas like excessive barking or jumping up on people, then try working on those too because they can be particularly annoying.
Perhaps the most important command to train your dog is “sit” because it causes your dog to become stationary and can stop him from running around and causing trouble, or being a nuisance to others. It is also a command that your dog must master before he learns other commands. That’s because the sitting position is where he will be starting in before proceeding to other commands such as lay down. Sort of like a basic course in school that you have to take before you can take a more advanced course.
When it comes to dog training, you will definitely need to be patient, but if you have a dog, or are thinking about adopting one, then you must know that training is a vital part of dog ownership. After all, you want your dog to be safe, secure, and happy – don’t you? Training him to obey is critical for all three of those!
Dog training doesn’t have to be a “chore” or be unpleasant. Think of it as a bonding experience between you and your pet. Set aside some time each day for training and you will soon find that you and your dog come to a different understanding and a deeper, more satisfying relationship.
Here’s the #1 dog training course on the internet: Secrets to Dog Training!
Comments: | Categories: Dog Training
When you get your new puppy all you can think about is how cute and cuddly he is. He’s so much fun with his limitless energy, enthusiasm, and clumsiness. In fact, your puppy is nearly perfect except for one small thing… those puddles of pee and piles of poop he keeps leaving in the middle of the carpet!
One of the first things you will want to do with your new puppy is getting started on the house training. It can actually be an easy task if you know how to do it properly. Here are some things to remember in order to make house training less of a challenge for you and your puppy:
1. The first thing you must realize is that your puppy has a very small bladder. He cannot “hold it” for 8 hours or more while you are at work and expecting him to is just setting you both up for disappointment. If you cannot be home to take him outside every 2 to 3 hours, then you must provide him with access to a designated place to go inside.
2. House training your dog can take several weeks, or even months, and requires patience, persistence and consistency. Be prepared to provide all 3 for your puppy.
3. You can start training your puppy as early as 3 weeks old, but remember the younger your dog is the smaller the bladder, therefore the less time between potty breaks.
4. Never punish your dog when he has an accident in the house. Always reward your dog when he goes in the designated area. The reward must immediately follow the action or your dog will have no idea why he is being rewarded.
Like any other type of dog behavior training, house training involves following a certain series of steps to get your puppy to realize what is expected of him. Also like other types of dog training, you have to get your dog to perform the action so that you can reward him. Luckily this is easy with house training since your puppy will need to do his “business” many times a day; therefore you have a lot of opportunity to encourage the wanted behavior of going outside or in the designated area!
Here are some steps to take when house training your dog or puppy:
1. Observe your puppy and take note of his routine. He’ll probably need to go after eating and at certain times of the day. You’ll want to watch him very carefully at all times so you can “catch” him right before he goes. When you see him sniffing his favorite area, squatting or circling, it’s time to take action.
2. When you see your dog is about to do his business say, “outside” or some other word that you want the dog to associate with going potty outside. Say it in a firm and somewhat loud voice. You can use any word you want but it is important that you choose one word and use it every time and make sure it’s not a word you want to use for any other training commands.
3. This should interrupt your dog and you want to swoop in, pick him up and carry him outside.
4. Once you have him in the area that you want him to use as his bathroom say “potty” or some other command you want to use to get him to do his business. Again, be consistent with the word.
5. When he finishes his business, praise him and give him a treat to let him know that he did “good.”
It’s important to note that your dog will probably have accidents in the house and you should never punish him for these. If you do not catch him right before he goes then you’ll need to just clean up and wait until next time. If you stumble across an accident and punish the dog for it after the fact, he will have no idea why and you will not be helping your cause of house breaking. Contrary to what many people will tell you, rubbing his nose in it will not do anything.
Like every other dog training task, house training your puppy will require you to be consistent. Try to be around enough so that you can get him outside to do his business most of the time. Eventually he will get the idea and you will have a mess and odor free home from then on. Even after your dog is house trained he may still have accidents every once in a while. This is normal and should not be punished.
Remember that dog training is a never ending process and no dog will be perfect all the time!
Need more information? Get all the secrets to dog training that you will ever need.
Comments: | Categories: Dog Training
Dog training is something that every dog owner should do and is definitely worth the time and effort it takes. However, before you start, there are some things you need to know in order to make training your dog easier and more pleasant for both you and your dog.
The very most important thing you must always remember is that you are the boss! By nature dogs are pack animals and adhere to a strict hierarchy with every pack having a “leader.” In order to train your dog properly and more easily, you need to establish yourself as the pack leader early on in your relationship.
Some dogs may be more aggressive than others, some more dominant, some easier going, but no matter what your dog’s personality, you must be firm in your commands. Don’t let your dog get the upper hand or he will start to think that he is the leader. Now, I don’t mean that you need to be physically abusive to your dog, far from it! You just need to show your leadership through your actions and body language.
Another thing to consider is that while your dog understands you at about the same level as a two year old, he is not a human. In fact, your dog has many differences from humans that cause him to interpret your commands and act much differently than a 2 year old child would. So, do not expect him to behave like your 2 year old during training.
When training your dog, you need to be consistent. Set aside about 30 to 45 minutes every day to work on training. You can start training your dog as young as you want but don’t be discouraged if you have an older dog because training can be done at any age.
You want to start training your dog with the basics. The “sit” command is a good place to start as getting your dog to sit is the basis for many other commands. Work on this one command every day until your dog has it mastered, then move on to the next command.
During training, you want to be firm. Always use the same word for each command and say the word clearly. Never punish your dog when he does not do what you want but, instead, use positive reinforcement when he DOES do what you want. Punishing or scolding will only confuse your dog, so have patience when he is not behaving the way you want. The best thing to do is ignore him and he will soon learn that he only gets the reward when he performs the desired action.
Try to work on dog training every day at first. As your dog learns more and more commands, you can slow down a bit, but training should always be a part of your relationship with your dog. It can be fun and rewarding for both of you to keep learning new behaviors and taking the training to the next level.
Dog training is something that requires consistency, persistence and patience but your efforts will be highly rewarded with a well behaved dog as well as a stronger bond with your best friend. Training your dog properly is good for his safety, health, and happiness as well as the safety of those around him. And dog training can also be a lot of fun for both you and your dog!
Need help training your dog? Try the #1 dog training secrets guide – SitStayFetch.
Comments: | Categories: Dog Training
Learning how to train a guard dog will require special knowledge and skills that most dog owners do not typically possess. If you are like most dog owners, you probably think of your dog as a companion and a friend, and you assume that your dog would defend you if you were in a situation that required it. However, this is not usually what happens because most dogs are simply not good guard dogs or attack dogs. There are countless stories of people being robbed, beaten, or even killed while their dogs were standing right next to them and the dog did nothing.
The fact of the matter is that most dogs wouldn’t do much more than bark at a stranger who attacked their owner or broke into their home, and many wouldn’t even do that. They might make enough noise or sound threatening enough to succeed in frightening the intruder off, but in most cases they will not attack or bite them.
It’s not because they don’t love you as their owner or they are bad dogs. It’s just that most dogs have not been trained to be a guard dogs and most dog breeds are not cut out for guard or attack work in the first place. As a pet, your dog has been taught to have a healthy respect for human beings and not bite them. So if you want your dog to be a good guard dog, he has to be trained that way from an early age. You have to learn how to train him as a guard dog and you must be prepared to treat him as a guard dog first and a pet second.
Before you even think of guard dog training, you need to consider whether or not your dog has the right temperament for being a guard dog. There are certain dog breeds that are highly suitable for guard work and it is evident in their behavior. I used to have a Rottweiler that was very well trained and great with people, but he would gladly spring to my defense if any stranger came close to me or anyone came at me in a threatening manner. He would also guard the yard and house as if it was what he was born to do. His guarding instinct was superb and he needed very little training to bring it out.
Dog breeds that are bred for guarding, herding, hunting and retrieving are called “working breeds” and without a job to do, these breeds can become bored and find things to do which can sometimes be mischievous. If you can learn how to train a guard dog, you can give your dog a job to do. This will keep him happy and out of trouble while keeping you safer and more at ease when he is around. If you have a dog that is suitable for guard work, training him to guard your home can be a big boost to his confidence and happiness. But if you want a truly professional guard dog, you will probably need to consult a professional to either train him or teach you how to train him.
Learning how to train a guard dog and actually doing it requires a lot of work, a great deal of patience, and lots of devotion. It is not so much about teaching the dog to attack or to bark as it is teaching him the difference between “friends” and “enemies” and how to act towards each of them.
Take for example the typical dog’s hatred of the postman or delivery men. What is it about these nice guys that make them enemies in your dog’s eyes? Well, just think what they do. They come up to your house, apparently trying to get in. They may leave something on the porch and go away, or they may knock and have you open the door, but one thing is sure, you don’t ever actually let them in. So they can’t be friends, right? Therefore they must be enemies. This is how a dog’s mind works.
Therefore, if you want a guard dog, you need to train him to know the difference between friends and intruders. This means that you have to introduce the dog to people. Let him see you shake their hands and invite them in. Let him get a good sniff of their scent so that he will recognize them. But don’t have them give him treats. Don’t let your dog start thinking that anybody who feeds him is a friend, or he will be easy for a real enemy to bribe with treats. The dog must only obey commands and accept food from you, his owner and trainer.
Another key factor in learning how to train a guard dog is consistency. You must work with your dog on his training each and every day. Dogs respond well to routines and schedules. Even after he has mastered it you still need to refresh his training periodically. This not only reinforces the training, but keeps their minds working too. In fact, most dogs that are trained as guard dogs attend a training school where they receive intensive professional training and the owners or trainers continue to work with them on training for the rest of the dog’s life.
These are just some tips and information to get you started and help you decide if you really want a guard dog. If you do, and you want to train it yourself without professional help, you will need to investigate the best training systems and techniques so you can learn how to train a guard dog and have a very good understanding of what it takes to do it.
Remember that before you can properly train your dog to be a good guard dog, he must first be obedient and well-trained in every day life. Learn the top secrets to dog training by clicking here.
Comments: | Categories: Dog Information, Dog Training, Large Dogs