1. Dog Training Tips to Assure Your Dog Is Successful
After owning and training dogs for over 40 years, I have selected the following dog training tips that every dog owner needs to keep in mind in order to have that dream dog – the dog that listens and follows your commands. You will be successful by following this basic program. It does not matter the age or breed of the dog. All dogs need this program to be happy and integrated into family life.
Trust is the first thing to consider. Your dog needs reasons to trust you. You will gain that trust when providing and fulfilling the basic needs – where and when to feed, a place of refuge where the dog sleeps and naps, where and when to exercise and eliminate, okay chew toys, and understanding the daily schedule which includes a small amount of training time. If these needs are not met, the dog will take control and make life miserable for the owners.
Establish who is boss. This should not be difficult since dogs are pack animals and like having a leader of the pack. The problem is that the new owner does not take charge and too often it is the reverse – the dog takes charge. Striking the dog with a newspaper or hands would destroy trust between dog and owner. Positive reinforcement method is recommended. Having a training plan is the key to bonding dog and owner.
A training program --the time to have a training plan is before the dog is introduced to the household. A short term plan takes care of immediate problems, such as housebreaking, jumping up, chewing hands, and running off. Basic obedience is vital for any advance training. A long range plan is a vision of the life of your dog, such as: a member of the family, a hunting partner, competition to name a few.
Using the right equipment is the key to communication. Therefore, one needs to assemble the essential equipment. A list might look like this: collar or halter, 6 foot leash, 20 foot lunge line, tennis ball, dog whistle, dog crate, dog bed, dog dishes, and preparing an outside area where the dog cannot escape.
Being sure your dog understands is often overlooked when teaching a dog. No matter what stage of learning, the lesson needs to be reinforced before moving on. For example, teaching the sit command involves giving the command and pulling up on the leash and at the same time a tap on the rump. Do this in several different locations to be sure the dog understands. Then you can give the voice sit without the other tools. If your dog sits immediately and looks at you – the dog has got it.
Reviewing so skills become a habit is the next tip. Again, every new command needs to be taught as the sit command was described. As each new command is introduced, it will momentarily confuse the dog on the previous commands. This is why reviewing is so important. One rule to follow is to test your dog by having your dog repeat the command 5 times and in 5 different locations. The urge to remove the leash will be great. Do not remove the leash even if your dog is responding really well. Instead, drop the leash and have your dog perform heeling, coming to you as well as other commands while dragging the leash.
Praising is the key to building confidence in your dog. Not so much that your dog gets all excited, rather in a soft quiet voice repeat – good dog. When you decide your dog is ready to work off-leash you can begin to trust your dog. But never trust your dog completely. Just like a child – loose dogs and moving vehicles do not mix. Keep that leash with you whenever you are out with your dog.
Training should be the big event of the day. That is why I like to spend 10 minutes a day training my older dogs. Just that small amount of time will satisfy the craving your dog has to have your full attention.
To conclude, I have selected the above dog training tips that every dog owner needs to keep in mind in order to have that dream dog – the dog that listens and follows your commands.
2. Barking Dogs Can Be Helped
Barking is perfectly normal for a dog because it is the way dogs communicate. Excessive barking can be helped by using the following guide.
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When your dog begins barking, get a good hold of his collar and firmly tug while issuing the command No-Shut. Or, with your hands closing his muzzle, look him in the eyes and tell him No-Shut. Do this with your puppy when first bring him home every time the pup whines, howls, or barks. When possible, accompany the No-Shut with a noise that will startle him (such as, clapping hands or tapping on a hard surface). If he is in a crate and begins to whine or bark, tap loudly on top of the crate and say No-Shut.
•Never strike your dog with your hands or a newspaper.
•Obedience training a few minutes every day is important to keep the dog listening to you so that when you say, No, it will mean something and he will respond accordingly.
•As the puppy grows and begins inappropriate barking, interrupt the barking and divert his attention by giving a command such as Sit or Stay.
•Praise the dog when he is quiet. After he has settled down, go to him with pats of approval and tell him, Good Dog.
•If you leave your dog in the back yard unsupervised and learn from the neighbors that he has been barking, you know you have a serious problem. He should be put in a place that is familiar to him when you leave him alone. Provide him a quiet area inside the house, which is exclusively his, where he can settle down. It could be helpful to leave a radio or TV playing softly to comfort him. If you put your dog in a dog run outside, put a doghouse in the dog run so he has a place to retreat.
On occasion barking is appropriate. For example:
•Your dog may bark to remind you it is mealtime. If the dog is on a feeding schedule he will anticipate the meal. About an hour before mealtime is best to walk or train your dog.
• Dogs bark to let you know they need to go out or come in.
•A dog often barks when people or other dogs are nearby or if someone approaches the vehicle in which he is riding. He is barking to warn you and guarding his territory. Barking at such a time is only inappropriate when it goes on and on. However, it is important that the owner anticipate such a situation and make every effort to handle it before barking begins.
There are other reasons that your dog may bark at inappropriate times.
•Another barking dog can trigger your dog to bark. Again, this becomes inappropriate when your dog refuses to stop barking. Before introducing a second dog into the household, it would be wise to have a test period to see if one dog sets off barking in the other.
• Loud noises such as sirens or thunder can start a dog barking. You need to be aware and alert to help your dog at such times.
•Loneliness may cause a dog to bark frantically which an owner often does not understand and wonders why the dog is barking. A dog will bark to get attention he desperately needs and wants. Even negative attention such as reprimands to stop that barking or a sound scolding may signify a positive thing to a lonely dog – they are finally paying attention to me. Sometimes a second dog can help a lonely dog but only if you are able to train each dog separately. You want a dog to bond with you, not with another dog. Again, you want to evaluate carefully the temperament and personality before introducing a second dog into your home.
•Separation anxiety can cause frantic barking. When you first get your dog or puppy, you need to leave him in his special place both inside and in the yard. Begin by leaving him alone while you are at home doing other things as well as when you are away from the house. Start by short periods until your dog can tolerate hours of separation.
•Leaving and greeting sessions can trigger excessive barking. If you have an excitable animal, come and go without a word, and then greet the dog after he is somewhat calm. He will settle down as you soothe him.
Older dogs that are established barkers can be helped but it will be more time consuming. Obedience training lessons several times a day is required. You need to be with the dog as much as possible and leash your dog so corrections can be immediate.
Dogs Who Retrieve Appear Smarter
Imagine having your dog fetch the morning paper, your car keys, and help carry the groceries. If your dog understands the Fetch, Hold, and Give commands you can teach these skills. This mental activity creates a dog eager to learn that in turn appears smarter than other dogs. The following is how you go about teaching your dog:
Before obedience training, you must develop the desire to retrieve. Playing ball with your pup will achieve that first goal. This experience should be playful and fun for the pup. Keep control of your dog by attaching a 30 foot lunge line and throw the ball within that distance. When throwing the ball, enthusiastically shout – fetch. As soon as he reaches the ball and picks it up, vigorously encourage him to return to you. The secret is to run away from your pup so that he has to chase you carrying the ball. In this way he is learning to come to you. It is okay if your dog drops the ball because he will learn how to hold and deliver when you teach basic obedience.
Before your dog can retrieve properly, he must be able to successfully heel, sit, stay, and come. These commands provide you with control and best taught when the pup shows signs of teething at about 4 months. The dog also needs to understand the meaning of fetch, hold, and give. This process can begin being taught at about 6 months.
Once your dog is under some control and the canine teeth have come in, you need to purchase a dumbbell to teach the fetch command. Do not throw at this time. The dog should be sitting quietly by your side when you begin teaching the fetch command. Hold the top of the muzzle with one hand as you place the dumbbell in the mouth while enthusiastically saying fetch. When he drops the dumbbell place it back in the mouth, firmly holding the muzzle closed saying – hold. When you release his muzzle and he drops the dumbbell, issue the command drop – or give. If you do this several times a day for a week, you will be amazed at how fast your dog will learn these words. The goal is to have your dog hold onto the dumbbell while he performs the heel, sit, stay, and come commands.
The next step is to teach your dog how to reach for the dumbbell as you heel. Hold the dumbbell in front of him and as he reaches for it, issue the command -- fetch. You can ultimately put it on the ground and encourage him to pick it up as you heel quickly by. This develops a fast pickup. Also, train your dog to come to you, go to heel position and deliver the dumbbell as you give the command – drop or give.
Some dogs learn faster than others, so do not be discouraged if it takes a bit of time. Repetition and patience are the keys for you to remember. Do not lose your temper when working with your dog. It is very important that you are not overly anxious. You always want to keep your dog as relaxed as possible when working on the fetch, hold and give commands.
There are several different problems you may encounter depending on the personality type. A dog may frequently drop the dumbbell. In this case, tap under the chin while telling your dog to hold. If a dog holds the dumbbell and will not let go when you tell him to give, continue to heel until he finally drops the dumbbell, quickly get the dumbbell and tell him – good drop. Another technique to get your dog to release is to place your fingers on the bottom teeth and gently push to the chest as you say, give, as he drops it.
If you find your dog is mouthy and has a tendency to bite the dumbbell, hold his muzzle with your left hand and with your right hand put the dumbbell in the mouth. Hold the dumbbell, keeping your fingers between his teeth and the bar of the dumbbell saying – easy, hold. It is important to note that when you take the dumbbell, pull gently toward the ground and let your dog release the dumbbell -- avoid playing tug of war. Remember, the calmer the dog the better he will release.
In conclusion, when your dog thoroughly understands the words and actions, you can replace the dumbbell with your favorite objects. Go through the above steps with each object. This is the process to get your dog to fetch the morning paper, your car keys, and help carry the groceries. You will be proud as you congratulate yourself that you created that smart dog – the one that appears so much smarter than other dogs.
