Dog Training Techniques

This article will look at each technique in more detail to help you decide which training technique is right for you and your dog. Training your dog is very important if you want to have a well behaved dog. Your dog is a member of the family and like other members of the family he must learn the rules of the household. There are basically three techniques for training your dog. They are the traditional dog training, positive reinforcement training and mixed training techniques.

The traditional training techniques have been around since World War I because it was developed to train war dogs. This type of training employs the techniques of negative reinforcement and punishment. Shock collars or prong collars are frequently used in this type of training. The traditional techniques have the advantage of giving consistent results. However, each dog has their own personality and you must be careful when you use these techniques because you could end up with a dog that bites you or becomes scared of you. This is not the goal in dog training. The goal is to get your dog to obey your commands.

The next type of dog training is the positive reinforcement method. This method involves rewarding the dog every time he exhibits the correct behavior. When he sits on command you will praise him and give him a treat. If he doesn't sit when commanded you do nothing. Some dog trainers swear by positive reinforcement techniques. They say the dog learns faster and more consistently with this type of training. A method that is popular to use in conjuction with positive reinforcement is clicker training. A clicker is a device that makes a "clicking" sound when squeezed. The clicker is used to mark the exact moment the dog performed the desired behavior. This type of training is enjoyable for both the owner and the dog.


The third popular dog training technique is the mixed training technique which is a combination of negative and positive reinforcement. This type of training is used frequently to train dogs for specific roles, such as attack dogs or protection dogs.

Another method that is coming to light is the use of canine ethology. This is not really classified as training, but is based upon the natural behaviors of the dog. The premise is to assert yourself as the leader of the pack. You must become the alpha dog whom all the other dogs in the pack submit to. This is done through proper body language and sounds. There is no concrete evidence that this works and more studies need to be performed.

It is very important that you know what you are doing before you start any dog training program. Get a few good dog training books written by someone who has been in the business for awhile. Follow the advice in the books and keep your training sessions short and consistent. Most of all, show your dog love and affection.

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Dog Training Tools

This article will give you a list of the basic tools you need to train your dog. If you have decided to take on the task of training your new puppy yourself you should know what kind of dog training tools you need and what they are used for. A well trained, well behaved dog is a must, especially in you live in an area where your dog will come into contact with a lot to people.

The first thing you should get is a good leather leash. The leash should be about six feet long. This gives you a good length to teach most commands. The width of the leash depends on the size of the dog. A larger dog requires a wider leash and a smaller dog a more narrow leash. This leash will be one of your most valuable dog training tools.

The second thing you should purchase is a good training collar. A good, well fitted, prong collar is the best tool for training your dog. The prong collar can be pulled to get your dog's attention. The prongs on the inside of the collar will poke your dog, but not hard enough to hurt him. This type of collar looks medieval but is actually safer and more humane than a choke collar. The prong collar is intended to be worn when training only and then removed when the training session is over. A word of advice. Know how to fit a prong collar properly and how to use it before putting it on your dog.

The next useful training tool is a squirt bottle filled with water. This will be used as an attention getter and a form of punishment to let your dog know that certain behavior is unacceptable. If you can't get him to pay attention to you or if he continues with a behavior that is not allowed , squirt him in the face with water.

A shaker can is used frequently to get your dog's attention also. These can be purchased at any store that carries dog supplies or you can make your own by putting a few pennies into an empty soda can and taping the opening. Shake the can when you want you dog to pay attention or when you want him to stop a certain behavior.

A dog crate is an essential tool in housebreaking your puppy or to correct behavioral problems. Place the puppy in the crate throughout the day for an hour or two at a time. Remember puppies have very small bladders so they should be taken out frequently and placed in the area outside where you want them to potty. Once your puppy uses the bathroom, praise him greatly. A dog has behavioral problems may be placed in the crate to curb the behaver. It's like a time out for dogs.

These are a few basic tools that you will need for training your dog. Do your research, purchase a couple of good dog training books. Before long you could have the best behaved dog in your neighborhood!

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Dog Health Food

This article will give you information on how to choose a healthy food for your dog. With the recent events surrounding the tainted dog food found in the grocery stores, more and more people are becoming concerned about the food they feed their dog. Dogs are similar to humans in the fact that the healthier they eat the better they will feel. Feeding your dog a healthy diet can also fix behavioral problems that your dog may be having.

There are basically three levels of dog food on the market. The first is the grocery store foods. These dog foods contain low quality, indigestible ingredients. These dog foods are the equivalent of junk food for dogs. They may be easy on the pocketbook, but they are not a healthy choice for your beloved pet.

The next level is the premium foods. These are still found in grocery stores and can be found in veterinarians offices. They are just a small step above the grocery store foods. They may contain a little higher quality of ingredients, but for the most part still contain a lot of artificial flavorings and fillers. However, they are a lot more expensive that the grocery store dog food.

The last level is the healthy dog found that can be found online or purchased straight from the manufacturer. These are formulated with real fruits and vegetables and whole grains and rice. They will also contain real meat as a protein source. The healthy dog foods should not contain artificial colors or other artificial ingredients. These foods are designed to give your dog a full's day supply of vitamins and mineral in their natural form. You should expect to pay more for these foods due to the nature of the ingredients. The good news is that you will not need to feed your dog as much because the healthy foods are more nutrient-dense than other types of dog food.

If you really want to know what goes into to your dog's food, then consider making your own. There are plenty of healthy, dog food recipes online that you can get for free. Check with your vet for the best foods for your type of dog. Use only natural ingredients and introduce your dog to new dishes one at a time. Your dog may not be able to tolerate certain foods so it's best to test each one separately.

Your dog is a very important member of your family. He depends on you for all of his nutritional needs. It is your job to make sure that he is given a healthy, well-balanced diet. You wouldn't feed your children something that would harm them, so why feed it to your dog? Do your research and find the best dog health food for your dog.

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Dog Health Problems

This article will list just a few of the health problems your dog can develop. People tend to think that dogs can have only a few health problems in their lifetime and that these problems are specific to dogs. But dogs can develop the same health problems that humans can and the treatments for these problems are similar to the treatments for humans. Your dog is not that much different than you and since he can't speak for himself, he depends on you to recognize any health problems he may develop.

Dogs can develop diabetes the same as humans. If you notice your dog losing weight, eating or drinking more than usual or urinating frequently, see your veterinarian. He will do a series of blood tests to determine if your dog has diabetes. If your dog is diagnosed with diabetes, it is easily managed with insulin injections.

Your dog can also develop cancer of just about any region of his body. The treatment for cancer is chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Sometimes, depending on the cancer and it's stage of advancement, chemotherapy is more for pain control and life extension than a cure.

Arthritis is a common ailment in older dogs. The best thing for dogs with arthritis is adequate rest. Too much exercise or over exertion could lead to joint damage. You may give your dog NSAIDS for pain relief under the supervision of your vet. It is important that you keep your dog's weight under control. Dogs can become obese just like humans, especially if their activity level is not what it used to be. Obesity can cause excess damage to the arthritic joints.

Your dog can also develop allergies to certain environmental toxins. But instead of the normal respiratory symptoms that humans will exhibit, dogs will exhibit allergy symptoms by excessive scratching. They will also bite or lick their paws excessively. If left untreated, the scratching can lead to secondary skin infections such as a yeast infection. This makes it harder to cure. Your vet can determine if the cause of the excessive scratching is due to allergies.

There is a very long list of diseases and aliments that your dog can acquire as he gets older. The best thing that you can do is become very observant. Know your dog's normal routines and mannerisms. If you notice him acting differently take note of it. Your dog can have days when he just doesn't feel good, but if he continues to act strangely you need to take him to the vet. The veterinarian will most likely run blood tests or do x-rays to determine the problem. Then he can discuss with you the best treatment option for your pet.

Your dog is not that much different than you. He deserves a chance at a full and happy life. If he is diagnosed with a health problem, follow your vet's recommendation for treatment. With the advancement of medical interventions for animals, euthanasia is no longer the only option for a sick dog.

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3 Basic Tips For Better Handling Of Your Dog

What makes a great Dog Trainer? If an individual is to judge how each and every dog is to be handled in a training class, he must possess the experience and the expertise. Not that of taking just one or two dogs through the preliminaries, but the kind of knowledge gained from working with dogs of all breeds and under all conditions. The temperament and individual characteristics of each dog must be considered and the training technique varied to meet the occasion.

When a trainer knows what he can expect from a dog and what his reaction will be, he has the advantage. The trainer automatically anticipates the dog's next move and decides whether to force the issue or to lessen his demands. There is an art in knowing when to be gentle, when to be firm, when to rebuke, and when to encourage. The good trainer is born with essential qualities that give him the natural ability to coordinate his body motions with every move the dog makes. The result is perfect timing. That is why some trainers succeed where others fail. When the trainer is definite in his actions because he knows what he is doing, the dog then knows that he knows, and the result is respect! Respect gained through admiration and not through fear will bring a happy response that is proof of one's training personality.

A dog can be forced to be obedient, but he cannot be forced to like obedience! Therefore, the expert is not a bully. He recognizes the fact that all training is progressive and that each new step becomes easy if the preceding lessons have been thoroughly understood. He is not afraid to retrace his steps momentarily if in so doing it will give the dog confidence. Because of his experience and understanding, the proficient trainer is aware of the disastrous effects caused by nagging and he will avoid it at all costs. Because he is patient, he does not become exasperated if results are slow in coming. The clever trainer succeeds in making the dog feel responsible for the correction. He is kind, yet firm, and above all will make obedience fun for the dog.

A good trainer, however, does not necessarily make a good training class instructor. Some people may train at home and give private instruction with success, but when faced with a large group they lack the necessary qualities of leadership. In the training class it is not a question of working out a single problem, but of solving about thirty to fifty different problems all at the same time.

The training director must be a likable person and have the admiration and respect of his pupils. He must have diplomacy and be patient and tolerant of others. It is not always easy to teach someone else how to accomplish what one is able to do oneself. The good training director never permits the class to be held up for a long period of time while he discusses one dog's problem with the owner, nor does he hold back the group for one or two backward dogs. The owners with special problems should be asked to come early or to stay after class for personal instruction.

A good dog trainer/class director should divide the beginners' group into two parts. This will allow for a rest period at which time the owners may watch the others and see how they train. Knowledge can be gained from watching, if only to learn what not to do! He should not dismiss his class without introducing a new exercise or a variation of the class routine in order to encourage the owners to practice at home. The owner who thinks his dog is good and needs no training between sessions can be made to understand that there is always room for improvement.

The initial meeting of a training class should be held without dogs unless it is a club affair and the dogs have had previous training. The confusion that results when a group of untrained dogs and inexperienced owners come together for the first time is too much to cope with and little training would be accomplished. A quiet meeting where problems can be discussed calmly and the various steps are demonstrated without the noise and excitement is more productive. This will give the beginner an over-all picture of what he is expected to accomplish during the weeks that follow.

The trainer would do well to demonstrate the basic steps with two or three untrained dogs brought to the class for this purpose. When this is followed by a short exhibition with dogs that are already trained, the group can see by comparison how quickly results may be achieved. A question-and-answer session will benefit the entire class.

The questions should be repeated clearly by the instructor and his answers given so that everyone in the class can hear. Usually one person's question is relevant to the problem of other members of the group. A general discussion will thus avoid time-consuming repetitions of the subject.

Participants should be warned what to expect the following week when they arrive with their dogs. They should be shown how to stop uncontrolled barking by keeping the dogs on a short leash, and how to handle the situation if a dog fight develops. It must be impressed upon the owners never to stand still while his dog lunges forward toward another dog. He must turn away and jerk hard on the leash. A demonstration should be given of the proper way to control an aggressive dog by a careful quick jerk on the leash and a sharp "No!" This technique can be used to prevent fights and to stop excessive noise.

He should remind the owners not to feed their dogs for several hours before coming to class and to see that they are exercised. Request the owners to keep their dogs on a short lead when entering and leaving the building, to walk in the center of all hallways, and to keep the dogs (particularly the males) away from corners and posts. A dog that deliberately misbehaves inside the building should be barred from the classroom.

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