If you want your dog to listen to you and your commands there needs to be some form of dog obedience training. This will not only teach your dog what you mean when you tell him to sit, stay, or heel – it will also establish who the boss is in the relationship of dog and dog owner. It is usually recommended that an entire family attend the training sessions as consistency in terminology and handling is the key to successful training.
A dog doesn’t need to be a certain age to attend dog obedience training but it is best to send them when they are still puppies (at least five months old) to teach them properly from the beginning. You have choices of private lessons, group lessons, or you can go it on your own with the back-up of a good reference source. Once you have started to train your dog, don’t stop. It is confusing to the dog and the sooner you finish the sooner you and your dog will know what to expect from one another.
There are approximately 16-20 phrases you will have to teach your dog to understand in dog obedience training. An important one to start with is heel. You are going to be doing a lot of walking with your dog and he or she needs to learn right from the beginning you are taking the dog for a walk not the other way around. “Leave it” and “stay” are two other important ones that should be taught in the beginning. Remember, you are the boss and your dog will follow a strong lead.
Showing posts with label Dog Obedience School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dog Obedience School. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Getting Started With Dog Obedience Events
Entering your dog into one of the many local, state, national or even international obedience events is a great way to show off your dog’s talents. These events are often sponsored by breed associations, dog product companies or even marketing firms and agencies. The great thing about these events is that they are usually not limited to only registered or purebred dogs, but rather anyone can enter. Most classes or groups within the competition are either broken down by breed or breed crosses as well as size. This helps keep the competition fair and equal for all types of dogs entering the events. Children can even enter their pets and often special classes for junior handlers are offered. The cost to enter these events is usually very minimal, especially at local level events.
Basic level
Depending on the country you are competing in the events may be slightly different. Overall the basic level of obedience training includes the dog being able to walk on and off a leash with the handler, coming on command, sitting, changing directions while walking without brushing the handler or not paying attention, as well as being able to stand while the judge does a examination of the dog. The dogs will also be required to do a sit and stay exercise as well as a down and stay exercise for a set period of time.
Open
An open level class becomes more challenging to test the ability of the dog to work with the owner completely off the leash. The dogs will work together as a group for some of the exercises and alone for others. The basic requirements are to heel in a figure eight, retrieve an item and drop it on recall, retrieve an item by going over a jump and dropping it in recall, jumping over a broad jump as well as following the sit and down command.
Each dog will also have to do a lengthy three to five minute sit and down with a stay component with the handler out of the ring and out of the dog’s site.
Utility
This is the most challenging of the classes and adds to the above requirements by adding finding specific items touched by the handler in a pile of things, bringing back a specific item on command, following hand signals with no verbal component and complete both a broad and high jump component.
Each obedience class is judge by each dog having a full score when entering the competition. Each variation or mistake by the dog results in a decrease in the score. For most kennel club sanctioned events all dogs start with 200 points and then work with the deductions. The dog that makes the fewest mistakes is considered the champion for that event.
Obedience training is time consuming but highly rewarding for both the dog and the owner. Many owners train their own dogs for events and if you are interested in this fascinating sport plan to attend a few competitions to get a feel for the event and then get involved.
Basic level
Depending on the country you are competing in the events may be slightly different. Overall the basic level of obedience training includes the dog being able to walk on and off a leash with the handler, coming on command, sitting, changing directions while walking without brushing the handler or not paying attention, as well as being able to stand while the judge does a examination of the dog. The dogs will also be required to do a sit and stay exercise as well as a down and stay exercise for a set period of time.
Open
An open level class becomes more challenging to test the ability of the dog to work with the owner completely off the leash. The dogs will work together as a group for some of the exercises and alone for others. The basic requirements are to heel in a figure eight, retrieve an item and drop it on recall, retrieve an item by going over a jump and dropping it in recall, jumping over a broad jump as well as following the sit and down command.
Each dog will also have to do a lengthy three to five minute sit and down with a stay component with the handler out of the ring and out of the dog’s site.
Utility
This is the most challenging of the classes and adds to the above requirements by adding finding specific items touched by the handler in a pile of things, bringing back a specific item on command, following hand signals with no verbal component and complete both a broad and high jump component.
Each obedience class is judge by each dog having a full score when entering the competition. Each variation or mistake by the dog results in a decrease in the score. For most kennel club sanctioned events all dogs start with 200 points and then work with the deductions. The dog that makes the fewest mistakes is considered the champion for that event.
Obedience training is time consuming but highly rewarding for both the dog and the owner. Many owners train their own dogs for events and if you are interested in this fascinating sport plan to attend a few competitions to get a feel for the event and then get involved.
Basic Dog Obedience Training
One reason for doing the basic dog obedience training is to build a framework from which the owner and the dog can learn to effectively rehearse with each other. First, you can start the obedience training by establishing a general language for both of you. In return, this will train your dog to understand the exact response manner that you await instead of his maladaptive traits.
Your dog can react exactly to your commands if he learned the basic dog obedience training, in place of neurotically attempting to incline him and becoming more fearful with your dissatisfaction. Your dog will admit the members of your family as the leaders and grew more protected and peaceful in this bond of love and influence. This can be utilized to help complete some of his essential and fundamental needs, such as feeling of fulfillment, exercise, productive social interaction and the protection of knowing what's anticipated. Basic obedience training will provide your dog some helpful task to achieve and can be beneficial in directing again some of the mental potency of an animal that was ideally intended for work.
The two most popular basic obedience training patterns are reward training and leash or collar training. We can almost regard the reward training to be a tender and sympathetic training method while collar and the leash training are of very difficult training styles. They are both primitive styles nevertheless, the leash and collar has been applied more effectively and is considered as the most conventional style. It’s because of the perception that most obedience training has customarily expanded from military dog training. Some motives are revealed why these training styles would prefer the use of food such as, the nature of the dogs to be trained, the kind of mission or the task of the dog, and the background and disposition of the owner or the trainer.
Your dog can react exactly to your commands if he learned the basic dog obedience training, in place of neurotically attempting to incline him and becoming more fearful with your dissatisfaction. Your dog will admit the members of your family as the leaders and grew more protected and peaceful in this bond of love and influence. This can be utilized to help complete some of his essential and fundamental needs, such as feeling of fulfillment, exercise, productive social interaction and the protection of knowing what's anticipated. Basic obedience training will provide your dog some helpful task to achieve and can be beneficial in directing again some of the mental potency of an animal that was ideally intended for work.
The two most popular basic obedience training patterns are reward training and leash or collar training. We can almost regard the reward training to be a tender and sympathetic training method while collar and the leash training are of very difficult training styles. They are both primitive styles nevertheless, the leash and collar has been applied more effectively and is considered as the most conventional style. It’s because of the perception that most obedience training has customarily expanded from military dog training. Some motives are revealed why these training styles would prefer the use of food such as, the nature of the dogs to be trained, the kind of mission or the task of the dog, and the background and disposition of the owner or the trainer.
How To Stop Bad Dog Behavior
Dogs belong to the Canidae family which includes wolves, foxes and cayotes. Since dogs came from ancestors with wild behaviors, it is not surprising for dogs to demonstrate a wild or aggressive behavior. Although dogs are now domesticated, there are still tendencies for dogs to exhibit their natural behavior. Humans take this behavior as bad dog behavior and expecting their dogs to behave and live with them in peace and harmony.
Here are some guidelines you can follow to stop bad dog behavior:
Early separation from the mother. Dogs are pack animals and they don’t like to be alone. When puppies are taken away from their mothers early before behavior development, this will result to behavior problems. It is advisable that puppies stayed with their mother and other puppies for about 8-10 weeks old. He will learn his behavior under the care of the mother dog. If he tries to bite other puppies, for instance, the mother dog is there to growl as a warning that his biting and bad dog behavior is not acceptable. Puppies will learn to modify their behavior if they stay long enough with their mother and by the time you take them home they are already equipped to communicate properly. It will be easier for you to house train your puppy and stop dog bad behaviors.
Reprimand when needed to stop bad dog behavior. If your dog displays bad behavior, do not ignore it. Use punishment or be strict when your dog does something that displeases you, but do not hurt your dog. Just let him know or feel that you don’t agree with his bad dog behavior.
Don’t be afraid to show appreciation or acknowledge your dogs’ good behavior. Through praises and affirmations, dogs learn that they are doing the right thing that makes you happy. Remember that dogs like to please you and if he feels you are happy with his behavior he will keep doing it until it becomes a habit.
Train your dog. Dog obedience is not innate; you must put time and effort to train your dog to stop bad dog behavior. Lack of obedience training will result to bad dog behavior. You cannot communicate properly to your dog if he is not acquainted with the proper dog trainings.
Here are some guidelines you can follow to stop bad dog behavior:
Early separation from the mother. Dogs are pack animals and they don’t like to be alone. When puppies are taken away from their mothers early before behavior development, this will result to behavior problems. It is advisable that puppies stayed with their mother and other puppies for about 8-10 weeks old. He will learn his behavior under the care of the mother dog. If he tries to bite other puppies, for instance, the mother dog is there to growl as a warning that his biting and bad dog behavior is not acceptable. Puppies will learn to modify their behavior if they stay long enough with their mother and by the time you take them home they are already equipped to communicate properly. It will be easier for you to house train your puppy and stop dog bad behaviors.
Reprimand when needed to stop bad dog behavior. If your dog displays bad behavior, do not ignore it. Use punishment or be strict when your dog does something that displeases you, but do not hurt your dog. Just let him know or feel that you don’t agree with his bad dog behavior.
Don’t be afraid to show appreciation or acknowledge your dogs’ good behavior. Through praises and affirmations, dogs learn that they are doing the right thing that makes you happy. Remember that dogs like to please you and if he feels you are happy with his behavior he will keep doing it until it becomes a habit.
Train your dog. Dog obedience is not innate; you must put time and effort to train your dog to stop bad dog behavior. Lack of obedience training will result to bad dog behavior. You cannot communicate properly to your dog if he is not acquainted with the proper dog trainings.
How To Choose A Good Dog Obedience School
There are so many dog obedience schools and training centres that its often difficult to know what to look for in choosing one.
It is essential to decide what you want to achieve out of attending dog obedience training and it's a good start to ask yourself the following questions:
1. Would you prefer one to one training, or group lessons?
One to one training is significantly more expensive than group lessons, so you should consider the budget that you have set for the training.
2. What is the aim of attending dog obedience training?
Is it for puppy socialisation?
Is it simply general training; walking to heel, sitting etc?
Do you intend to compete in obedience trials?
Are you interested in any specialist disciplines; i.e trick training, Heelwork to Music, agility?
3. What type of atmosphere would you like?
Would you like to join a proper “Dog club”, with all of its associated social activities and competitions? Or are you just looking for somewhere to train your dog once a week?
Once you have a good idea in your mind of what you are looking for, then you’re ready to start contacting relevant dog obedience schools and finding out whether they meet what you’re looking for.
It’s a good idea to visit the dog obedience schools, attend a lesson (without your dog), and talk to the trainers. You should trust your instincts when deciding whether you think you and your dog will fit into the training classes and enjoy working with the trainers.
A serious consideration in your decision should be the methods of training used by the dog obedience schools; you should look for trainers who believe in kind, positive methods of training. Dog trainers who encourage the use of choke chains or any kind of rough handling, should be avoided at all costs.
There are professional associations, regulating some dog obedience schools, so you may prefer to choose a dog obedience class that is regulated by one of these associations. But do remember that there are lots of good obedience schools that may not be registered with the associations.
It is essential to decide what you want to achieve out of attending dog obedience training and it's a good start to ask yourself the following questions:
1. Would you prefer one to one training, or group lessons?
One to one training is significantly more expensive than group lessons, so you should consider the budget that you have set for the training.
2. What is the aim of attending dog obedience training?
Is it for puppy socialisation?
Is it simply general training; walking to heel, sitting etc?
Do you intend to compete in obedience trials?
Are you interested in any specialist disciplines; i.e trick training, Heelwork to Music, agility?
3. What type of atmosphere would you like?
Would you like to join a proper “Dog club”, with all of its associated social activities and competitions? Or are you just looking for somewhere to train your dog once a week?
Once you have a good idea in your mind of what you are looking for, then you’re ready to start contacting relevant dog obedience schools and finding out whether they meet what you’re looking for.
It’s a good idea to visit the dog obedience schools, attend a lesson (without your dog), and talk to the trainers. You should trust your instincts when deciding whether you think you and your dog will fit into the training classes and enjoy working with the trainers.
A serious consideration in your decision should be the methods of training used by the dog obedience schools; you should look for trainers who believe in kind, positive methods of training. Dog trainers who encourage the use of choke chains or any kind of rough handling, should be avoided at all costs.
There are professional associations, regulating some dog obedience schools, so you may prefer to choose a dog obedience class that is regulated by one of these associations. But do remember that there are lots of good obedience schools that may not be registered with the associations.
Dog obedience training
Which dog owner won't feel proud of his disciplined dog? Reversely, who won't feel ashamed of an unruly dog? It is very important for your dog to be absolutely obedient to commands of his owner. You can't expect your dog to be obedient by birth or nature. You have to take pains to make him understand obey your commands.
Obedience training to your dog can be imparted in many ways - two of the more popular methods are typically carrot and stick methods. First method heavily depends on the stick or punishment approach. Second method deals with the reward system for the dog.
Leash and collar method of dog obedience training has survived for a long time now. It is primitive but still mostly followed. The premises of this training method are based here - leash will be the mode of communication with the dog. Dog must understand the commands, and if not obeyed to, leash should be put to action. Using leash alone is not sufficient - dog must be made aware of the good and bad behavior. Once tracked on the path to bad behavior, dog can be punished with the leash.
Reward system doesn't believe in punishing the dog. It follows psychological approach to deal with dog training. Dog is made to know the good parts of behavior and rewarded for the same. His ugly behavior is neglected in the form of psychological treatment. The trainer or owner walks away from the dog immediately after the show of bad behavior. Dog is an intelligent animal to understand the difference between the bad and good behavior.
Whatever technique is used for dog obedience training, it is important to know that the training must be consistent. Dogs get easily confused due to double standards employed. If you expect your dog never to jump on the bed, never let or invite him on the bed. Ensure that your dog never reaches the bed.
Obedience training starts on the fundamental issues like sitting, standing, walking, listening to your commands & following those, sitting in the car, etc.
The dog owner can easily impart obedience training. You may find alternates to this by getting your dog enrolled with some obedience classes or dog instructor. Evaluate all the training techniques, methods, equipment, infrastructure, experience, etc before taking the final decision on outside help. Remember, the most ideal way will be yourself to be the instructor. Your dog will love it.
Obedience training to your dog can be imparted in many ways - two of the more popular methods are typically carrot and stick methods. First method heavily depends on the stick or punishment approach. Second method deals with the reward system for the dog.
Leash and collar method of dog obedience training has survived for a long time now. It is primitive but still mostly followed. The premises of this training method are based here - leash will be the mode of communication with the dog. Dog must understand the commands, and if not obeyed to, leash should be put to action. Using leash alone is not sufficient - dog must be made aware of the good and bad behavior. Once tracked on the path to bad behavior, dog can be punished with the leash.
Reward system doesn't believe in punishing the dog. It follows psychological approach to deal with dog training. Dog is made to know the good parts of behavior and rewarded for the same. His ugly behavior is neglected in the form of psychological treatment. The trainer or owner walks away from the dog immediately after the show of bad behavior. Dog is an intelligent animal to understand the difference between the bad and good behavior.
Whatever technique is used for dog obedience training, it is important to know that the training must be consistent. Dogs get easily confused due to double standards employed. If you expect your dog never to jump on the bed, never let or invite him on the bed. Ensure that your dog never reaches the bed.
Obedience training starts on the fundamental issues like sitting, standing, walking, listening to your commands & following those, sitting in the car, etc.
The dog owner can easily impart obedience training. You may find alternates to this by getting your dog enrolled with some obedience classes or dog instructor. Evaluate all the training techniques, methods, equipment, infrastructure, experience, etc before taking the final decision on outside help. Remember, the most ideal way will be yourself to be the instructor. Your dog will love it.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
How to Stop Your Dog From Chewing The Family Furniture?
Pet Services Industry Are A Multi-Billion-Dollar Industry. It is little wonder really considering the fact that we live in such a fast paced life that we become displaced and readily embrace the affection of our family pets as solace from the world we have created. The fact that there are millions of families out there who have added a family pet to the status of a member of the family is a great thought until the prized pet becomes a menace. This needn't mean the end of the world.
While pet obedience is often overlooked until something negative occurs there are many great dog obedience programs out there that can bring your favored companion back to becoming a well behaved member of the family that brings joy and companionship to you and your loved ones. It is admittedly not easy to instill obedience in pets because as with most things it is going to require your time and commitment.
There are many reasons why dogs chew your socks, curtains and furniture. First, it is afraid. Second, it is their nature to bite into things with their mouth just the same way we have a need to touch, it is just there sensory curiosity. It is even necessary for your pet to chew on things as it is a way to keep their teeth free of plaque and buildup. Thus, a lesson on edible things must be included in your dog obedience agenda so your favored pet can differentiate what you would like it to chew and what is not acceptable for it to chew.
As an owner, you will need to start dog obedience training to save you from the constant headache and pain of seeing your prized possessions destroyed. You will not end up losing your rugs, shoes, wires and so many things in the house the sooner you realize the value in spending just some of your time and possible a small investment in dog obedience.
Familiarizing a dog to a household is the initial step in a dog obedience regimen. When you get a new dog, try to keep them in a small part of the house first, rather than letting it roam freely around the house. By confining it first to a small area you can acclimatize your dog to a part of the house and slowly increasing this area will give your dog a chance to create familiarity and become comfortable to its new home. It will be able to adapt to a new environment and eventually accept it as its new habitat without being fearful or overwhelmed.
It does not matter whether your dog is small or big to qualify it into this important step in the dog obedience syllabus. It has to be confined in one area as part of the dog obedience program. It will then learn to listen to your commands and feel comfortable with its territory.
Get it a chewing toy to accompany it where ever you have in any confined space. This chewing toy will then become its favorite toy and can help it to lower the stress level in a new place. By giving a chewing toy to the dog, you will be seen as a loving owner. Conducting dog obedience program will be a piece of cake.
Writing a list of chewable things in the house to your dog is not possible in dog obedience. What you can do is play with it for a couple of hours per day. Ropes, toys and balls are good tools in dog obedience. By using these tools, you are actually training it to memorize the things that it can play with.
The next part of the dog obedience program is where the favorite toy plays a vital role. Let us just say you come home and see the dog on your cushion, chewing the cover. Do not yell at it. Instead, hand its favorite toy over. This can distract the dog and it will release anything inside its mouth. Give clear instruction that it is not right to chew on cushion covers. Punishing the dog severely is not part of the dog obedience agenda; something you must bear in mind.
The most important thing in dog obedience training is never to lose your temper. Raising your voice or threatening the dog will not contribute to any success. It will actually drive the dog away from you. You will be seen as a cruel two-legged monster which is hardly productive for either your dog or yourself.
Terence Young - For more dog obedience and training tips and ideas visit: http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com
While pet obedience is often overlooked until something negative occurs there are many great dog obedience programs out there that can bring your favored companion back to becoming a well behaved member of the family that brings joy and companionship to you and your loved ones. It is admittedly not easy to instill obedience in pets because as with most things it is going to require your time and commitment.
There are many reasons why dogs chew your socks, curtains and furniture. First, it is afraid. Second, it is their nature to bite into things with their mouth just the same way we have a need to touch, it is just there sensory curiosity. It is even necessary for your pet to chew on things as it is a way to keep their teeth free of plaque and buildup. Thus, a lesson on edible things must be included in your dog obedience agenda so your favored pet can differentiate what you would like it to chew and what is not acceptable for it to chew.
As an owner, you will need to start dog obedience training to save you from the constant headache and pain of seeing your prized possessions destroyed. You will not end up losing your rugs, shoes, wires and so many things in the house the sooner you realize the value in spending just some of your time and possible a small investment in dog obedience.
Familiarizing a dog to a household is the initial step in a dog obedience regimen. When you get a new dog, try to keep them in a small part of the house first, rather than letting it roam freely around the house. By confining it first to a small area you can acclimatize your dog to a part of the house and slowly increasing this area will give your dog a chance to create familiarity and become comfortable to its new home. It will be able to adapt to a new environment and eventually accept it as its new habitat without being fearful or overwhelmed.
It does not matter whether your dog is small or big to qualify it into this important step in the dog obedience syllabus. It has to be confined in one area as part of the dog obedience program. It will then learn to listen to your commands and feel comfortable with its territory.
Get it a chewing toy to accompany it where ever you have in any confined space. This chewing toy will then become its favorite toy and can help it to lower the stress level in a new place. By giving a chewing toy to the dog, you will be seen as a loving owner. Conducting dog obedience program will be a piece of cake.
Writing a list of chewable things in the house to your dog is not possible in dog obedience. What you can do is play with it for a couple of hours per day. Ropes, toys and balls are good tools in dog obedience. By using these tools, you are actually training it to memorize the things that it can play with.
The next part of the dog obedience program is where the favorite toy plays a vital role. Let us just say you come home and see the dog on your cushion, chewing the cover. Do not yell at it. Instead, hand its favorite toy over. This can distract the dog and it will release anything inside its mouth. Give clear instruction that it is not right to chew on cushion covers. Punishing the dog severely is not part of the dog obedience agenda; something you must bear in mind.
The most important thing in dog obedience training is never to lose your temper. Raising your voice or threatening the dog will not contribute to any success. It will actually drive the dog away from you. You will be seen as a cruel two-legged monster which is hardly productive for either your dog or yourself.
Terence Young - For more dog obedience and training tips and ideas visit: http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
House training Your Dog : Deciding Which Method to Use and What Works Best
Before your new puppy arrives to your home, you should decide how you are going to housetrain her/her.
There are several ways to housetrain your puppy. It is important to decide on a method and then stick with it for the duration of your dogs life. Changing methods will confuse your dog and will ultimately cause accidents.
It's worthwhile to learn about several of the potty training methods available so you can choose the best one for you. For example if you live in an apartment you may need to learn about paper training, and if you travel a lot with your pet, litter box training may be useful for you to learn about.
This article is unable to go into all the methods available, so again, a good dog training book or other resource is worth its weight in gold! Recommended training book: http://largedogbreedz.com/housetrain.htm
How to Housetrain to Go Outside
Housetraining is teaching your dog to eliminate outside only she is never allowed to eliminate indoors. From the moment you bring your new puppy or dog home, you want to take her immediately to the spot you want to designate as the elimination area.
Use your command phrase “go outside” or “go potty”. As soon as she eliminates, immediately give her verbal praise and a reward.
Anticipate her future needs to go outside by tracking her cycle as mentioned earlier. Whenever it is time to eliminate, take her outside and once again give the command phrase go outside or go potty.
If your yard does not have a fence, or you live in an apartment, you will want to take your dog out on a leash. Attach the leash to the collar and say “Rover come” in an upbeat tone.
When she begins to walk, praise her. Lead the puppy directly to where you want her to eliminate, and say use your command phrase. Otherwise, he may be confused and think you are taking her out for a walk.
He won't always eliminate on cue. In fact, you could spend several minutes outside waiting for her to eliminate. But until she is fully housetrained, you need to be there with her. Once he finally eliminates, give her immediate praise and a reward.
If you are taking your puppy to eliminate other than your own yard, make sure that you keep her from going on your neighbor's lawn, in public recreational areas, or children's playgrounds.
Always take a plastic bag with you so you can pick up his feces and throw it away immediately into an outdoor trash can.
Female dogs squat to urinate, however, male dogs raise their hind legs and aim at vertical objects, or targets. So, be aware of where your male dog chooses to urinate.
Curbs, phone poles, and fire hydrants are acceptable locations. However, automobiles, bicycles, mailboxes, young trees, fences, plants, and shrubbery are not. If you see your dog striking the pose, gently tug on the leash and keep walking until you find an appropriate object.
Consistency is very important with housetraining. If you are not consistent with when you take her out and where you take her out, it will be hard for your dog to know what is right and what is wrong.
There are several ways to housetrain your puppy. It is important to decide on a method and then stick with it for the duration of your dogs life. Changing methods will confuse your dog and will ultimately cause accidents.
It's worthwhile to learn about several of the potty training methods available so you can choose the best one for you. For example if you live in an apartment you may need to learn about paper training, and if you travel a lot with your pet, litter box training may be useful for you to learn about.
This article is unable to go into all the methods available, so again, a good dog training book or other resource is worth its weight in gold! Recommended training book: http://largedogbreedz.com/housetrain.htm
How to Housetrain to Go Outside
Housetraining is teaching your dog to eliminate outside only she is never allowed to eliminate indoors. From the moment you bring your new puppy or dog home, you want to take her immediately to the spot you want to designate as the elimination area.
Use your command phrase “go outside” or “go potty”. As soon as she eliminates, immediately give her verbal praise and a reward.
Anticipate her future needs to go outside by tracking her cycle as mentioned earlier. Whenever it is time to eliminate, take her outside and once again give the command phrase go outside or go potty.
If your yard does not have a fence, or you live in an apartment, you will want to take your dog out on a leash. Attach the leash to the collar and say “Rover come” in an upbeat tone.
When she begins to walk, praise her. Lead the puppy directly to where you want her to eliminate, and say use your command phrase. Otherwise, he may be confused and think you are taking her out for a walk.
He won't always eliminate on cue. In fact, you could spend several minutes outside waiting for her to eliminate. But until she is fully housetrained, you need to be there with her. Once he finally eliminates, give her immediate praise and a reward.
If you are taking your puppy to eliminate other than your own yard, make sure that you keep her from going on your neighbor's lawn, in public recreational areas, or children's playgrounds.
Always take a plastic bag with you so you can pick up his feces and throw it away immediately into an outdoor trash can.
Female dogs squat to urinate, however, male dogs raise their hind legs and aim at vertical objects, or targets. So, be aware of where your male dog chooses to urinate.
Curbs, phone poles, and fire hydrants are acceptable locations. However, automobiles, bicycles, mailboxes, young trees, fences, plants, and shrubbery are not. If you see your dog striking the pose, gently tug on the leash and keep walking until you find an appropriate object.
Consistency is very important with housetraining. If you are not consistent with when you take her out and where you take her out, it will be hard for your dog to know what is right and what is wrong.
Obedience Training with Your Dog – Great Commands to Remember
Let's start with the “Come Command”
The “come command” is perhaps one of the other most important commands that you want your dog to know and one of the most difficult for him to learn.
When you need to use the come command it might be when he has ran out of the house or when he is in a dangerous situation.
Therefore, in order for the come command to be effective, you need to stay calm, no matter how frightened you may be for his safety. If you run after him in a panic, he will only run faster and farther away. If you stay calm, your dog will more likely move towards you.
The come command should only be given for a very positive experience and you should praise him lavishly when he responds correctly.
For example, if you say Rover, come and then you give him a bath, he will associate come with a bad experience (if he doesn't like baths.)
Or, if you say Rover, come and point out an accident that he made three hours ago and you scold him, he will associate the come command with a scolding.
Therefore, every time you use the come command there should be a positive reward and lots of praising words waiting for him. He should want to come to you no matter where he is or what he is doing.
The best way for your dog to learn the come command is through practice, practice, and more practice. Start by standing on the other side of a room from your dog. Say Rover, come. As soon as he comes all the way up to you praise him “yes Rover, good boy!” and give him a treat.
Repeat this as often as you can. He will quickly realize that you have a hand full of treats and will sit right by you so try different things. For example, go to another room and say Rover, come. If he comes, praise him and reward him.
You could also try practicing this exercise down a long hallway or from another side of the house. Have another family member help you and you can make a fun game out of it, sort of like hide and seek.
There are many ways that you can practice this command, but the key is to practice it often and always have a positive reward waiting for your dog. It doesn't have to be a treat; it could also be a toy, a walk, a belly rub, etc.
If you are in a situation, for example you are out in your front yard, your dog is loose and he does not respond to your come command, he might not fully understand it yet. In that case, you could try a couple of other options.
First, you could offer him a treat. Rover, do you want a treat? Be sure to say it enthusiastically and will hopefully come running to you in excitement.
Second, you could try to ignore your dog. For example, he may want you to chase him. But if you ignore him instead, he will wonder what it is you have found that is more interesting than him, so he may come up to you.
A loose dog can be a frightening situation, so the more you can practice this exercise, the more your dog will trust that you have a wonderful reward waiting for him!
It would be worthwhile you take some time and help your dog learn this exercise properly.
The “come command” is perhaps one of the other most important commands that you want your dog to know and one of the most difficult for him to learn.
When you need to use the come command it might be when he has ran out of the house or when he is in a dangerous situation.
Therefore, in order for the come command to be effective, you need to stay calm, no matter how frightened you may be for his safety. If you run after him in a panic, he will only run faster and farther away. If you stay calm, your dog will more likely move towards you.
The come command should only be given for a very positive experience and you should praise him lavishly when he responds correctly.
For example, if you say Rover, come and then you give him a bath, he will associate come with a bad experience (if he doesn't like baths.)
Or, if you say Rover, come and point out an accident that he made three hours ago and you scold him, he will associate the come command with a scolding.
Therefore, every time you use the come command there should be a positive reward and lots of praising words waiting for him. He should want to come to you no matter where he is or what he is doing.
The best way for your dog to learn the come command is through practice, practice, and more practice. Start by standing on the other side of a room from your dog. Say Rover, come. As soon as he comes all the way up to you praise him “yes Rover, good boy!” and give him a treat.
Repeat this as often as you can. He will quickly realize that you have a hand full of treats and will sit right by you so try different things. For example, go to another room and say Rover, come. If he comes, praise him and reward him.
You could also try practicing this exercise down a long hallway or from another side of the house. Have another family member help you and you can make a fun game out of it, sort of like hide and seek.
There are many ways that you can practice this command, but the key is to practice it often and always have a positive reward waiting for your dog. It doesn't have to be a treat; it could also be a toy, a walk, a belly rub, etc.
If you are in a situation, for example you are out in your front yard, your dog is loose and he does not respond to your come command, he might not fully understand it yet. In that case, you could try a couple of other options.
First, you could offer him a treat. Rover, do you want a treat? Be sure to say it enthusiastically and will hopefully come running to you in excitement.
Second, you could try to ignore your dog. For example, he may want you to chase him. But if you ignore him instead, he will wonder what it is you have found that is more interesting than him, so he may come up to you.
A loose dog can be a frightening situation, so the more you can practice this exercise, the more your dog will trust that you have a wonderful reward waiting for him!
It would be worthwhile you take some time and help your dog learn this exercise properly.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Dog Obedience School - The most well behaved dog in the neighborhood
Educating not only your dog or puppy, but also the owner is important to avoid behavioral problems, starting as early as possible with consistent and fair instruction should help divert behavioral issues. Dog obedience schools classes are based around teaching many of the basics, including puppy agility, introduction of buckle collar, leash and harness, walking at your side without pulling, sit and down positions, short stays, how to pay attention, and also fun ways to teach a puppy to come when called. Dog obedience schools will counsel you, the owner, on how canines learn, housebreaking, nipping and biting, unwanted barking, and other canine etiquette.
When considering a puppy class there are options for private lessons. Deciding what lessons to be involved in should depend upon the way your puppy learns, and also how he interacts with other puppies. Some puppies work better in a private setting, so when planning to train your puppy, be sure to consider the options. Many dog obedience schools will offer different options to fit your individual needs.
Also, there may be advanced lessons for when puppies have completed the first training, for continuing education. Most advanced classes are tailor made for each class, being based on accelerated learning, lessons are built on the abilities of each individual team. Being involved in the training of your puppy, it would be best to look into continuing the puppy's education. When looking into and considering where to train your puppy, be sure to look at this as an option.
Keep in mind that dog obedience school is not only a responsibility for the puppy or dog, but it is for you as well. The progression of your puppy will depend a lot on you, how much you are working with them outside of the class, how consistent you are, and the level of dedication you have. There are varying levels of certification that you and your puppy can work towards, these programs take hard work and determination, but in the long run are beneficial.
Teaching dogs in an environment based on positive reinforcement has been scientifically proven to help accelerate the learning process. Dogs understand and thrive when there is consistency and structure in their lives, which is something that is encouraged here at many schools. Being taught in a mindful, respectful manner while keeping in mind individual needs is one thing that should be encouraged. When it is understood what we are looking for, many dogs are eager to please us, but first it has to be clear what our expectations are. Teachers should promote trusting, respectful relationships between human and canine, and should be eager to answer any questions or concerns at any time. Raising a puppy in a healthy environment and developing a strong relationship with your puppy is important, and is the basis of a lifetime commitment that you are building. Receiving and utilizing a good education for you and your dog in the right environment can help your dog be the happiest dog in the neighborhood.
About the Author :
For more information please visit us at Birmingham Dog Obedience School
Heather Armbruster
Birmingham Dog Obedience School
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