Dog Training Commands - train your dog to be obedient

Is Your Dog a Digger?

2008-05-07T01:55:00.000-07:00

Dogs love to dig but this can be a problem if that lovely landscaped yard of yours looks like a minefield from all the holes that your dog has dug.

No doubt if you have a dog that likes to dig you have tried all and sundry to get it to stop from smacking it to yelling at it when it starts to dig and you probably still haven't resolved the problem.

Once again, like all methods of dog training, if you can address the reason why the dog is doing something you will be able to eliminate the problem.

There are many different reasons why a dog will dig, from boredom and frustration to the search for a cold place to rest in humid weather.

Consider the surroundings that you have made available for your pet and see if there are any areas that need attention.

Does your dog need more shelter, or is the current shelter just a little too hot for the climate that you are living in?

Is the dog digging to gain your attention and if so you will need to look at earlier lessons on how to give your dog the attention that it is seeking without encouraging it to continue with the behavior that you wish to stop.

Maybe your dog needs more toys to play with or more exercise to relieve some of it's pent up energy.

Maybe you will need to fence off parts of your yard where you know your dog prefers to dig.

If you have a dog that just prefers to dig for no other reason than the enjoyment of digging you might need to offer it a dedicated area of the yard where it can dig to it's hearts delight.

This might help to keep your dog contented while you are away.

There will always be a solution, you just need to look at the circumstances and take the appropriate action.

Your dog's behavior is a reflection of you

2008-05-05T01:43:00.000-07:00

A dog is as good as its owner has taught it.

Family friends of mine have a German Shepherd and as they are an elderly couple they weren't quite so inclined to train their dog when it was young.

After a while of disobedience they decided to take this dog to a dog training school but as would be expected from a dog that has never had any training from a puppy the dog didn't like the training school.

The easy solution was to discontinue the training and hope for the best.
Unfortunately the best will never come from a dog that has not been trained and will not respond to any of their requests.

They were disappointed with their pet and assumed that it was because it had a poor personality.

Little did they know that having spent some time on this dog when it was a puppy would have given them a pet that they would have enjoyed a whole lot more and they would have had an obedient dog that they would have been happy to take anywhere without fear of it running away and causing trouble.

German Shepherds are intelligent dogs and this dog has been quite bored for most of it's life as it hasn't got any purpose in life and will not listen to any commands.

After seeing the dog become somewhat depressed I started to retrain it to improve the life of both the dog and it's owners.

Progress has been very rapid as the dog is happy it has some new challenges and loves the attention and rewards that it gets on a regular basis now.

It is a lot more sociable and is easier to manage when out in public.

The owners are a lot happier and so is the dog.
It just seems a shame that they didn't persevere so much earlier in the dog's life and they all would have enjoyed many more years of fun and entertainment.

How To Teach Your Dog Tricks And What Dog Tricks To Teach

2008-05-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

The best way to teach your dog tricks is to practise little and often. Take one trick and practise it with her several times a day if you can. Don't move on to a different trick until she has mastered the first.

Keep each session very short because your dog will be become tired, especially in the beginning while she is trying to figure out what is going on. Be sure to always reward her when she does what you wanted. At first, you can give her a treat that you know she likes. Later when she knows the trick well, it is still important to praise her every time - even years from now.

Shaking Hands

This is a simple trick to teach. Have the dog sit in front of you, reach out your hand and then take her paw. If you have noticed that she is more likely to raise one paw than the other, pick that one. At the same time, give the command which could be 'Shake'.

After a few practices she should start to put her paw into your hand when you reach out and say 'Shake'. Reward her when she does this, then end the session and repeat a few hours later.

Some dogs cannot do this trick because they need both front paws on the ground for balance. If your dog is very unwilling to let you pick up her paw, you may have to forget it and move on to something else.

Catch

Again this is a very easy trick and a dog will often do it automatically. Choose a treat that is big enough to see, but not so big that the dog could choke on it. You want something they could swallow whole without a problem.

Let the dog see the treat or sniff it, then throw it in the air and say 'Catch!' The aim is for her to catch it before it hits the ground. When she does this, praise her. It may take a little time before she first does it.

With this trick, try to end the session with a 'failure' - that is, end it when she has let one fall on the floor. Otherwise she will learn that you throw her treats until she catches one, then you stop - so catching them is bad.

Stand And Beg

This is easier for smaller dogs, and unsafe with very large ones who may do some damage to themselves, you or your home if they lose their balance!

Have the dog sit in front of you. Let her see the treat then hold it above her head at a height where she will have to stand up on her hind legs to reach it. At the same time give the command, e.g. 'Beg'. You can hold her front paws at first to support her.

Make her continue a little longer each time before she gets the treat. That way her balance will improve and soon she will not need your support. Never tease her by taking the treat away.

Generally, younger dogs will learn more quickly. As the saying goes, 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks'! But a young puppy may injure herself in frantic attempts to get her reward, so don't push too hard when you start to teach your dog tricks.

Train A Dog To Fetch: Quick And Easy Method

2008-04-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

It is a lot of fun to train a dog to fetch. Most young dogs are very happy to learn this new game, although they may initially be a little confused about the rules.

Many people start out wrongly with sticks in the park, perhaps putting the dog on a long leash. Although you will later be able to throw sticks for your dog in this way, it is not the best place to begin. Both the park and the stick itself are much too stimulating for the dog. She is going to find it hard to focus on you and your game there.

Instead, start in the house. The best place is a hallway where there are not too many distractions and you have room to throw. Close doors into rooms so that she really only has one place to go with the object: back to you.

Begin with the dog's favorite toys. You should come armed with as many as you can find. You will also need treats for when she gets it right. If you don't like to give her sweet treats, try carrots, which many dogs enjoy chewing on.

Take the first toy and wave it around the dog's nose to get her interested in it, then throw. If she goes after it, she gets a treat. She doesn't have to bring it back to be rewarded at this stage - chasing is enough. If she doesn't go after it but just looks or ignores it, let it lie where it fell and throw another one. Sooner or later she will chase after one of them as you throw.

The next step to be rewarded is when she picks up the toy you just threw. (Don't reward her for picking up a toy that you threw a few minutes before - she will not learn the game that way).

If you have already trained her to come, you can call her back to you, but at first she will probably drop the toy. Don't reward her for coming back without the toy, unless she brings it close to where you are. Sooner or later she will bring one all the way and that is the moment for the rewards to start again. Even if she will not give you the toy, she gets a reward the first time she does this.

Finally, she will drop the toy in front of you, panting happily, and wait expectantly for you to reward her or throw it again. And again, and again, and again.

Most dogs can easily be taught this game and they love it. If you have a dog who does not seem to want to learn, you may be able to teach her by getting together with another owner whose dog is a good fetcher. Play with the other dog and let your dog see that you are rewarding him for fetching correctly. If your dog still doesn't join in, maybe she is not interested in the treats.

When you can play fetch with your dog in the park, she gets tons of exercise without you having to do a lot of running around or worrying about where she is and what she is into. So it is worth continuing to train a dog to fetch.

How To Teach A Dog To Stop Barking

2008-04-19T02:03:00.000-07:00

Hearing a dog happily barking as it chases after a ball in the woods can be a wonderful sound, but if the neighbors are complaining and you and your family are suffering from having a dog that barks constantly that you cannot control, you will probably want to learn how to teach a dog to stop barking.

The first thing to consider is why the dog is barking so much. A normal puppy or young adult dog is like a baby in that it will bark when it wants attention or has a need, for example if it is hungry or thirsty, wants to poop or needs exercise. With most dogs, if you figure out what they want, you can supply it and that is the end of the problem.

But some dogs bark a lot more than this. Often it is because they are bored. This is most likely if they are either kept in the house alone all day when you are at work, or if they are not getting enough exercise.

In the case of exercise, maybe you are not able to walk a big dog as often or for as long as it needs it. You could be sick or not have time, or in some climates it may be difficult to get out a lot in winter.

Letting the dog in the backyard will probably not be enough. It knows the backyard too well and there are not enough new and interesting sights and scents to keep it occupied. Instead, consider hiring a dog walking service.

Some dogs will bark whenever they see or sense someone approaching. This is what is known as 'reactive barking': barking as a reaction to events.

If a dog barks reactively, it is often because the dog has learnt to act as a guard dog in the past. If you have an adult dog it could have been trained to do this from a puppy by a previous owner. Perhaps it used to live in an isolated area and was rewarded for barking whenever there was a noise outside. If you live in a city, this will mean a lot of barking!

If the dog is used to being rewarded for barking and has been specially trained to do it, it will not understand that you do not welcome the noise. In this situation you may have to consider finding another home for the dog - or moving out of town yourself!

Another possibility is that as a puppy it learned this behavior from adult dogs and has simply never been taught not to bark. In this situation you may have more success. You can train it to be quiet in the same way you would train it to do anything else: use the command 'Quiet!' and always reward for obedience.

Remembering to reward the dog for being quiet is difficult because it is a non-behavior: instead of doing something that demands your attention and a reward, like fetching back a ball, it is not doing something. It is easy for you to give a sigh of relief at the sudden silence and move on. But it is vital to remember the reward, otherwise the training will never be successful.

If the dog is alone in the house all day while you work, it is not surprising that it gets bored. Dogs love company and leaving a dog alone for 10 hours a day, as many people do, is sure to have an effect. If it wasn't barking it would probably be either tearing the furniture apart or becoming seriously depressed. So what can you do to stop your lonely barking dog from driving the neighbors crazy?

First, the dog walking service is something that you might want to consider in this situation too. You will need to find a service that you trust enough to give them a key to the house. Then they can come when you are not home, pick up the dog and take it walking. This will break up the dog's day and make it much more accepting of the times that it is left alone. You want to make sure that the service will walk the dog as close to the middle of the day as possible.

Other things that you can do to keep the dog calm while you are working:

- Close the drapes or shades. The best is to have shades or shutters that the dog cannot get behind. This will keep their focus indoors, so they do not look out the window barking at everything that moves outside. But this will increase boredom so it is not enough by itself.

- Get another pet, either a cat or another dog. Even an aquarium can help to keep the dog interested.

- Leave the TV on at a low volume.

A dog that barks at every little thing that happens, even when you are home, may have a problem - for example if it barks every time that you stand up or sit down. This is abnormal behavior and could be due to a difficult early life (especially if it is a rescue dog) or some physical condition or illness. You should see a veterinarian in this case, because you probably will not be able to teach the dog to stop barking by yourself.

Selecting A Used Dog Training Collar

2008-04-16T05:51:00.000-07:00

You can often find a used dog training collar online if you keep your eyes open. But before you bid or buy, there are some things that you should know about electronic dog training collars.

The way that these collars work is quite simple. They fasten around the dog's neck and can emit a small electric shock to the dog. The idea is that getting a shock each time he does something unwanted will teach the dog not to do that any more.

Strength Of Stimulation

The strength of the shock can vary and the first thing that you should do is consider whether you know what strength your dog will need.

Just about all professional dog trainers these days agree that the best way to train a dog is by rewards and reinforcing good behavior. Punishing a dog for bad behavior is not nearly so effective. Often it confuses the dog and just makes him scared of life, without changing his behavior at all. So it is very important that the training collar that you buy just gives the dog a slight buzz that he would prefer to avoid, not any kind of painful or frightening shock that could be considered a punishment.

Other things being equal, you would expect a large dog to require a stronger reminder than a small dog, but this is not necessarily the case. Some breeds and some individual dogs are more stubborn and harder to train than others. So it is a good idea if you are looking for one of these collars, to choose one that has a variable setting. Start with the lowest setting and see how your dog responds.

Owner-Controlled Collars

Collars vary in the type of control. Some collars are remote-operated by the owner and others are automatic.

With a remote-operated collar, you would only use the collar when you were actively training the dog. You would hold a small instrument like a pager and you would press a button on it when you wanted to control the dog.

Some people choose to train the dog this way because it seems like an easy option. Instead of spending hours playing and speaking to the dog, you can just press a button. However, people who use training collars this way do not find they work very well! Reinforcement is vital in dog training and even if you use a collar method, you should reward the dog for correct behavior at the same time.

Automatic Collars

Other collars are worn by the dog all of the time and will automatically give the electric shock reminder when the dog does a certain thing. These are most commonly used for 2 purposes:

1. Keep the dog within a certain area

These collars will activate when the dog crosses a perimeter boundary that you set up on your land. They work a little like an electric fence, but instead of a physical fence there is a sensor system.

This can be useful if you have an unfenced yard or if you want to restrict the dog to certain areas of your property. However, it is not effective on every individual dog and will work best on a dog who is new to your property.

If the dog has been allowed to go all over the property in the past and suddenly you try to restrict him with a collar, the reminder may not be enough to make him drop his habit of wandering. If he braves it once, he will find that after he is through the barrier, he is free. So an older dog may blast his way through - not every time perhaps, but enough to make the barrier unreliable.

2. Stop unwanted barking

The collar senses when the dog barks, and administers a shock. These collars are mostly used by people who have to leave their dog alone a lot and have neighbors complaining about the barking. They can be very effective in this situation.

Sensors can work either on sound, or on the vibration of the vocal chords, or both. The most reliable ones use both. An anti-barking collar that works on both sound and vocal chord vibration is probably the best use of an electronic dog training collar, because there is no other effective way to train a dog not to bark when you are not home to do it yourself.

For this to work as a training system it is vital that the sensor is accurate. If the dog receives random shocks when he didn't bark (e.g. because another dog barked on the street) he will not associate the shock with his own barking and will not learn to stop.

It is also important not to have this type of collar controlling the dog all of the time. You must allow the dog times when he can bark, because it is a natural function to him. So you can have him bark when you are home. But if you only put the collar on him when you are about to go out, he will associate it with you leaving, which could cause a problem in itself. So it is better if you can disable the sensor, or put the collar on him well ahead of time.

Electronic dog collars can cause lesions around the dog's neck because they are often heavy and need to be close-fitting for the electrodes to contact the skin. So if you do go ahead and buy a used dog training collar, check your dog regularly for sore spots.

Our Online Dog Training School Review

2008-04-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

This online dog training school review will be very useful for you if you are not able to access a physical class for you and your dog. Online training schools are also great if you just have a few questions about training your dog that you need answered without going to the trouble and cost of signing up with a qualified dog trainer in your local area.

All dog owners long to have a pet who eagerly responds to our every command, and who knows how behave both in the home and out in public places. Or do they? Sometimes, although we think we want an obedient dog, we are in fact constantly rewarding the dog with laughter, attention and affection when he is mischievous. We may even love our dog for those particular qualities.

So if there is a behavior pattern that you really do want to alter in your dog, first be sure that you will not unconsciously undermine the training by rewarding him for being 'bad' in this respect. This doesn't mean that you have to stop loving him whenever he is naughty, but only in respect of this particular behavior pattern. For example, if you want to train your dog to stop chewing your shoes, you must act very cold with him when he does it.

In a physical class the instructor would watch your actions as well as the dog's, to check that you are not rewarding (or 'reinforcing') the dog for the exact behavior that you say you do not want. However, if you sign up with an online dog training school you will either need to do this for yourself or make the whole family aware of the issue and remind each other.

What You Can Expect

Internet dog training schools often offer different levels of membership. First there is free membership which will allow you access to certain areas of the site. For example, you may be able to read articles or receive information by email that is not available to a casual website surfer. Of course you will need to give your email address for this and the site provides this service so that they can stay in touch with you and hope that sooner or later you will register for their paid service.

Be cautious sites that require anything more than your name and email address at this stage. For free services they should not need a phone number, address etc unless they plan to call you or sell your details to somebody else - which you probably would not welcome.

Many membership sites offer a forum where you can interact with other dog owners who are interested in training. Some of them will be experienced and you are likely to find some professional dog trainers in these forums, so you can often get all of your questions answered. You may have to pay a small monthly fee for access to a good internet dog training forum, but it will be very reasonable compared with the cost of a personal dog trainer or group class.

In these forums you will also be able to ask any other questions about your dog that are bothering you, even if they are not related to training. For example you may have questions about health issues like vaccination or dog health insurance or legal questions as in many jurisdictions there are laws about dog owning that it is good to understand.

What To Watch Out For

When you are visiting these sites, look out for these signs. You may want to write them down and check off each one against each site that you find. They will be a great help to you in deciding which dog training website is the best one for you.

1. There are many great dog trainers out there who do not have top web design skills so do not judge a site solely on its looks. However, it is worth keeping in mind that a successful trainer who is focusing on his or her online service - which is what you want - should be spending some money on the website. If the website looks cheap or outdated, the owner is likely to be using the site to attract customers for a 'real-life' class and may not have much to offer you.

2. Can you trust the information that you are given? It is easy for people online (and in print) to gather testimonials from satisfied customers. Every business, even the most unsuccessful, has one or two satisfied customers! Look for people recommending the service on other websites, not only on the training school's own website.

3. Find the 'contact us' email address and ask them a specific question about your dog. A good training school will answer promptly and give you the information that you need. If there is no reply after several days, you should be suspicious about what you will get for your money.

The Bottom Line

Our advice is to find as many online dog training websites as you can and sign up for any free services that they offer. This will give you the opportunity to judge for yourself and select the best online dog training school for you and your dog.

Ways To Train A Dog Not To Bite

2008-04-07T10:24:00.000-07:00

It is usually possible to train a dog not to bite, if it is a young dog doing it as part of play with you and other people that he knows. The best way is to say 'No' or 'Ouch!' firmly and loudly right at him, and stop playing with him whenever he does it.

This is the same way that mother dogs teach their puppies not to bite too hard. First, they bark and growl at the puppy. Then they turn away and ignore the puppy for a while. If he continues to bite, the mother will grip the scruff of his neck and shake him until he submits. Going limp is a sign of submission.

Your puppy may have been taken from his mother before he learnt this, so you may have to play the part of the mother. Don't hit him but if he persistently bites you despite being ignored, take hold of the scruff of the neck and shake. But don't lift him when you do this - it is not necessary and could be dangerous.

If your dog is a puppy, he is probably teething. Like a child, he needs toys to chew on, so you should make sure there are plenty of these that he knows are his. However, do not give him a toy immediately when he bites you, or he may see it as a reward. That would encourage him to bite you every time he wants a toy to chew on!

Then at other times, when you see him chewing on his toy, praise him and give him attention. This will reinforce the good behavior. This can be the hardest thing to do. While it seems natural to us to correct bad behavior, we usually ignore good behavior. But if you fuss when he bites you, and ignore him when he chews his toy, what do you think he will prefer to do? Yes, bite you, of course!

If an older dog bites, the problem can be more serious, especially if it is a large breed. Bites that break the skin can become infected, and if your dog is allowed to continue biting there is a risk that someone may be seriously injured.

Biting is natural to dogs and they do have to be trained out of it. It will be harder now that he has the habit, but even more important to train him successfully. You will need to be very consistent in your training over several weeks or even months.

You may have adopted a rescue dog whose history you do not know, or an older dog that you were told was well behaved but now is not. Try the same methods, but don't try to shake a big dog. Keep in mind that this may be a temporary behavioral problem related to the stress of the dog's new life in your home. Your training will be most effective if accompanied by a lot of love. Let him keep any toys that he brought with him. These might help him to settle, as well as being something that he can safely bite.

If the dog is aggressive in other ways, e.g. growling when people approach his food bowl or acting aggressively toward other pets or children in a way that is clearly not play, then he is trying to be dominant in the household. Often, the dog will allow one adult to be 'leader of the pack' but he wants to be second. This can be a dangerous situation and you may need to work with a professional dog trainer on this.

If you have small children it is better not to take on dogs that have been bred for guard dogs or sheep dogs, who tend to bite more seriously than others. These include Doberman, Chow Chow, Collie and Rottweiler. There are other breeds that don't get along well with kids for other reasons, including Pekinese, Chihuahua, Toy Poodle, Cocker Spaniel and Dachshund.

If you have one of these dogs and then you have a baby, you may have to consider finding a new home for your pet. In this situation it may not be safe to rely on being able to train a dog not to bite.

How To Train A Deaf Dog

2008-04-06T02:12:00.000-07:00

People who need to know how to train a deaf dog are usually considering a puppy. You may have lost your heart to a rescue dog or a puppy that you saw, then found out that it was deaf and you are wondering whether you will still be able to give it a home. Maybe your pet had puppies, and one of them is deaf. Or maybe you have a dog that has become deaf through accident or illness, and you are wondering whether you will still be able to train it and teach it new tricks.

The answer is that training a deaf dog is very simple, or at least, no harder than training a hearing dog. You just have to teach her to respond to body language and hand signals instead of your voice.

Signals used in dog training must be very clear. Start by picking out a signal for 'Yes' or 'Good dog'. A thumbs-up is a good clear signal for this, and you will easily remember it yourself.

You can begin the training by associating your 'Yes' signal with treats. When she happens to do something that you like and want her to repeat, give the 'Yes' signal and immediately give her a treat. This could be food or a toy.

Then you can move on to other signals, giving the new signal when she happens to do whatever behavior you want to reward, and then giving her 'Yes' and the treat. She will soon come to understand what each sign means.

You will need a way to get her attention. Stomping a foot on the floor can be good because she will often be able to feel the vibration even if she is not looking at you. Be sure to give the 'Yes' signal and the treat as soon as she looks around.

It is useful to have a visual signal for getting her to look at you too. You can use this to keep her watching you while you give the signal for another behavior. A wide movement of your arm bringing your hand up to your face is good for this. She will be able to see this from a distance. You will find that when she is running ahead on a walk, she will look back from time to time. You can make this signal to get her attention and then give the signal for 'Come here' to call her back to you.

You can buy a vibrating collar so that you can attract her attention even when she is out of sight on a walk. You carry a pager and 'buzz' her to get her attention. Once she is looking, you can give the 'Come here' signal to have her come back to you. Of course you must train her to respond to the collar first. You can do this at home by rewarding her for looking round at you when she feels the buzz.

You must be sure to always use the same signal for each command. Take care too that you choose something that is different from whatever gestures you may make in conversation or to communicate with other humans (for example, don't teach the dog to respond to the gesture that you make when waving someone hello or goodbye).

It is very important to be consistent in the messages that you are giving her. This is true of all dogs. If your hand signal (or your voice, with a hearing dog) is saying one thing and your body language or facial expression is saying another, the dog will be confused. So try not to signal your dog at the same time that you are telling your kids what you want from them. That is not how to train a deaf dog, and the kids will probably ignore you too!

How To House Train A Dog In 4 Easy Steps

2008-04-05T01:01:00.000-07:00

In this article we will look at how to house train a dog. Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog that is not behaving the way you would like, the method is the same. It is simply a question of teaching the dog to poop outside and not in the house!

1. If you are starting with a puppy, you will first need to establish how you reward good behavior. Usually this is done by saying 'Yes!' in an approving voice, and giving a treat. When the puppy understands that 'Yes!' comes with a treat, you can begin the house training.

2. Encourage the dog to go in the backyard any time he shows signs that he wants to use the bathroom. Just like us, dogs often urinate or have a bowel movement right after waking up or eating, during or after exercise and play, and any time anything exciting or stressful happens. So at these times, watch the dog carefully for signs that he is about to urinate or worse. Most dogs have particular behavior that they will always repeat. This may include circling around, sniffing the floor, squatting, etc.

3. When you have him in the backyard, stay with him and lead him to a particular place that you have picked out (or even better, a place that he has picked out himself and used before). Always go to the same place. Wait there with him. If he goes ahead and does his thing, you can speak praise to him while he is doing it and then reward him immediately that he is done.

4. If nothing is produced in the yard, have him come back in the house. Continue to watch him carefully and call him outside again as soon as he starts those pre-bathroom behaviors.

So those are the four steps - you can see how simple it is. But there are some more points that you should know before you get started.

- If you have an adult dog that was house trained but is now too sick to make it outside when he needs to go, you can put newspaper on the floor in a certain place. With a very sick dog you may want to have a place in every room. Then you will need to show him what it is for by picking him up and placing him on the newspaper every time that he looks like he is about to make a mess (or even after he has started). Be very gentle and reward him for producing his waste there. And don't leave your daily newspaper on the floor until after you have read it!

- If you have to leave the dog alone in the house while you are out, leave him somewhere that you will not mind if he makes a mess, and train him to use newspaper as above.

- Never punish or talk angrily to a dog who has messed in the house, or show that you are unhappy about the mess. This will not help at all. If he even understands why you are upset, he will just hide from you when he wants to do it, e.g. going behind furniture. Result: you never know when he is about to go so you have no chance of training him. Plus you will often have a bad time finding and cleaning up that hidden mess.

Please go ahead and bookmark this page so that you can often refer back to these seven easy steps while you put the method of how to house train a dog into practice.

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Why Beagles Are Special

2008-04-04T01:45:00.000-07:00

Beagle Dog Training: Why Beagles Are Special

Beagle owners will agree that that a beagle is the most rewarding and wonderful dog to own, but beagle dog training is not the easiest. Beagles are very smart dogs and many people assume from this that they will be easy to train. But the smartest dogs, like the smartest people, are not the most obedient.

Beagles can be stubborn and set in their ways. It is not difficult to make them understand what you want them to do, but having them actually go ahead and do it is a very different matter. However, with steady, consistent training you will be able to achieve your aims in the end.

There are 3 points that concern beagle owners in particular, more than owners of other dogs. These are:

1. How to make a beagle come when it is called.

If they are unleashed or manage to escape from the yard, beagles will chase after anything or nothing, often running into danger on the street. They are hunting dogs and they will follow a scent even if the animal that left it has been gone for hours.

To train her to come, first you need to teach your dog to come to you in the house. Then move to the yard. You can use a leash, increasing the length as she becomes more obedient. Finally, let her off the leash - but put her back on it if she does not come when called.

In this early stage of training, never leash her when she comes to your call - she will see that as punishment for coming to you!

When you are sure that she understands the command and will obey it, begin using it on a long leash outside of the yard too. But accept that you may never be able to let your beagle off the leash in unfenced areas.

2. How to stop a beagle chewing clothes, furnishings, children's toys ... whatever it is, they will try to eat it.

Something that is useful here is to give the beagle plenty of toys of her own, and try to keep other things out of reach. You will find that you need to keep a very tidy house with all your shoes, etc, hidden away.

Any time that you find the dog chewing something of yours, just offer her own toy instead. When she takes it, reward her. Remember it is natural to beagles to chew, so rewarding her for chewing the right things is the best way to train her.

3. What to do with a beagle who bites your hand.

The play of young beagles often includes some nipping or biting. If you have a puppy with a tendency to do this, you will want to train her out of it as soon as possible, especially if you have kids - and it's good if you do, because beagles are pack animals who are happiest in large, active human families.

You probably want her to transfer her biting to her toys. However, it is better not to give her a toy when she bites you, because she may see this as a reward for biting you. Just withdraw your hand and walk away. Show her that you will not play if she is going to do that.

At the same time, make sure that she has plenty of her own toys that she can bite on, to satisfy her chewing instincts.

Never try to train a dog to do anything by punishing her. All of her behavior seems natural to her - it is like punishing a child for playing. All that happens is they get scared of you. It is very important to understand that it is natural to beagles to do all of these things, for successful beagle dog training.

Training A Labrador Retriever Puppy

2007-10-31T09:57:00.000-07:00

Training a labrador retriever puppy can begin almost as soon as you bring him home. Like a child, he will learn best through games. Play with your puppy often and get down on the floor with him sometimes if you can. This will create a bond between you that you can build on through training. At around eight weeks your puppy will be able to start to learn to retrieve objects, bring them back to you and let them go at your feet. This is the "fetch" game that he will love all of his life.

To teach this exercise you will need to keep him on a 10-foot lead. Do not use a stick but take a toy that he knows or a soft ball. Make sure it is too big to be swallowed. Wave the toy around his head to get his attention and then throw it about 5 feet ahead. Do not throw it too far. If he comes to the end of the lead suddenly, he could be hurt. Use his name, so your command is "Prince, fetch!"

Follow as he runs to the toy and if he picks it up, give him some encouragement - not too much praise, he is not done yet. If he doesn't take it in his mouth, shake it in front of him until he does. Then walk back to where you started, encouraging him to follow you. If he drops the toy be sure to make him pick it up again. When he arrives back, prise the toy out of his mouth with the command "Out!" Then you can give him lots of praise.

Make sure that this remains a fun game and not a trial for him. He will slowly come to understand what you want and how to get the most praise from you. When he becomes good at retrieving without you having to move out towards the toy, start to throw in different directions.

Labrador retrievers are great swimmers but they do need to learn to swim and develop strength in the swimming muscles. Do not throw or force your puppy into the water. A puppy of around three months old can be encouraged to go into a pond or lake and will soon realize what to do. Wading in with him will help him get started, as will seeing other dogs playing in the water.

If you live near the ocean he will come to love swimming in the sea but for a young puppy big waves can be dangerous. Choose a sheltered bay and have him play in shallow water at first. Do not throw objects out into deep water. Distances can be deceptive and you may throw it so far that he cannot swim back. If he becomes exhausted, he will drown.

It can also be dangerous to let a puppy swim in your pool. If he goes in alone when you are not watching he could swim until he is tired and then be unable to climb out. So when you are training a labrador retriever puppy to swim, be sure to only let him go in places where he can easily get out of the water when he is ready.

Labrador Retriever Fleas

2007-10-31T09:56:00.000-07:00

When you own a labrador retriever fleas are sure to be a problem in summer. Fleas are to be found everywhere that your dog wants to go, so he cannot avoid bringing some of these unwanted guests home from time to time. One or two fleas will not be a problem. They will not bother your dog too much and you will probably not even be aware of them. But sometimes you will get an infestation in the house and that is when you will need to take major action.

Fleas are nasty parasites that bite, itch, suck blood and can pass on other parasitic infections such as tapeworms. Dog fleas will not take up residence on a human but they will be happy to bite you and your family in passing, whenever the dog is not around. If your dog has an infestation of fleas you will see him scratching a lot and you may notice the fleas on his body or in his bed. As soon as you have them in your carpet or upholstery you will probably start to get small bites, often around the ankles.

The first thing to do is to treat your labrador retriever. Buy a flea spray or powder and apply it according to the instructions. You will need to use plenty but be sure to do it safely. The product can irritate soft tissue so you will need to cover your dog's eyes, nose and mouth while you do this. You may need to use some protection for yourself too - check the label.

The easiest way to apply flea spray or powder is to have two people: one holding the dog's head and the other applying the anti-flea product. This needs to be done slowly and thoroughly, starting at the head and working down to the tail and legs. Apply it against the grain of the coat so that you get in under the hairs.

If you are not able to rid your dog of all the fleas this way, you can take him to a groomer for treatment. They will probably use a bath treatment which you could also try at home.

Fleas do not breed on the dog but create a breeding colony someplace. The dog's bed is a favorite place. So you need to spray that thoroughly, as well as any other place that he sleeps. If they have gotten into the carpeting and furniture, you can either spray that too or use an insecticide bomb that you can get from hardware stores that will fumigate the whole house. You need to leave the house for several hours if you use something like that and make sure that all food left in the house is in sealed containers. These products can kill other creatures as well as the fleas, such as pet fish. Read the instructions very carefully.

After treating the living fleas you must also think about the eggs they have left. You can get products to prevent these hatching and to be sure you can treat the dog and his bed again after a couple days.

You can have your dog wear a flea collar whenever he is outside to help prevent fleas. You can take it off when he is in the house if you like. You should remove a flea collar any time that it gets wet - for example in rain, or if the dog takes a swim. The product can irritate the dog's skin if wet.

With a labrador retriever fleas may be unavoidable at times but they are always treatable.

Labrador Retriever Coat

2007-10-31T09:55:00.002-07:00

A labrador retriever coat is not generally difficult to care for. A labrador has short thick hair that is easy to groom by daily brushing or with a hound glove. The oils in the coat keep it naturally free of most dirt as well as keeping water from reaching the skin. Labrador retriever shedding is not excessive, although they do lose their undercoat once or twice a year. You will not need to trim the coat either. Show dogs are occasionally trimmed but this is just to tidy them up for the judges.

To maintain a healthy level of oils in the coat it is best not to bath your labrador retriever too often. Of course occasionally he will need it, after a long roll in the mud or worse, or simply because over time the oils in the hair can become rancid which gives him a strong doggy smell. But often after a muddy walk you can just wash the legs and paws. If you have a yellow labrador you may notice more frequent discoloration from grass stains or other dirt, and you may be able to sponge this off without bathing him. Chocolate, black and silver labrador retrievers do not show the dirt so much.

When you bath your dog use a very mild soap such as you can get from the veterinarian or a dog groomer. Do not use anything designed for humans as this will dry his coat far too much. Work the water into the skin through the dense hairs. Be sure to dry him very well afterward. Remember that with the soap and your washing, the water has reached the skin which it does not do when he goes for a swim. With his skin wet he cannot just shake himself dry, and he may catch a chill if left that way.

As with all dogs, the labrador retriever coat is an indication of the dog's general health. If you notice any change in the appearance of his coat, such as it becoming dull, look carefully at the skin for signs of parasites, skin disorders or other irritations. Sometimes dogs develop skin problems because of allergic reactions to additives in their food. If this seems minor you could try changing to additive-free dog food. If the irritation is more serious or the dog is constantly scratching or biting his coat and skin, take him to the veterinarian, as this could have many different causes.

Another sign of possible problems is loss of hair in excess of the normal shedding. If you see patches of hair loss this could be caused by a hormonal imbalance or an infection such as mange. Again, consult your veterinarian in this aspect of labrador retriever coat care.

How To Remove Ticks From A Labrador Retriever

2007-10-31T09:55:00.001-07:00

It is certain that you will have to know how to remove ticks from a labrador retriever if you own one. Any dog that spends much time outdoors is certain to get some in its lifetime and you cannot keep a big dog like a lab indoors all summer. You can get tick prevention products including sprays and these can help, but most dogs will still pick up the occasional tick.

Ticks are less common than fleas and less irritating for owners but they can be more dangerous. In some countries they can carry disease including Lyme's disease which can be very serious in both animals and humans. There are many species of tick and these vary in different parts of the world.

Ticks are not stupid - they spend the summer hanging out in all the places that dogs love to go! They cannot jump or fly but they will crawl up trees and bushes and drop on the dog as he investigates around the trunk. You are most likely to find them in places where there are a lot of animals, for example in areas grazed by deer, cattle or sheep, or where many other dogs are walked. They are not so likely to frequent your backyard, although it is possible.

You can check for ticks when you bring your dog home, since they will often walk around on the dog for a while before picking their target spot. They like warm areas where the skin is thinner, for example the groin and around the ears, but they may bite anywhere. They are black and very small until they bite, so it can be hard to see them on the dark coats of most labrador retrievers.

A tick will gnaw its way into the dog's skin to suck blood. Since the head is always buried in the skin, it is important to remove the tick carefully so that the head does not break off and remain there to cause a possible infection or abcess. Take tweezers and grasp it as close to the dog's skin as you can. Then gently pull upward. Do not twist the tick as that is more likely to tear its body. You can use tick dip or alcohol to disable it first if you like, but that should not be necessary.

Never try to burn the tick with a match, cigarette lighter etc. This will not help you to remove it and you may cause burns to the dog's skin.

It is normal for a thick red mark to remain on the dog's skin for several days after removal but if the area becomes infected or if your dog seems at all sick, consult your veterinarian for antibiotics or other treatment. You can also consult your veterinarian if you need more help with how to remove ticks from a labrador retriever.

Hip Dysplasia In Labrador Retrievers

2007-10-31T09:53:00.001-07:00

Hip dysplasia in labrador retrievers is common enough to be a recognized hazard with this breed. It is not known whether it is genetic or environmental. Most people believe that the puppy was born with it. Breeders usually have their breeding dogs checked by orthopedic veterinarians but the problem still occurs so some breeders claim that it is caused by a puppy that is too heavy for its legs being over-exercised or under-exercised.

Hip dysplasia is a malformation in which the ball at the top of the thigh bone does not fit correctly into the socket of the joint on the hip bone. Whether or not it is genetic, it does not usually cause problems until the puppy grows. If it is severe an older puppy may develop problems. In a less severe case it will only become apparent in the adult dog or may not cause any pain until old age when arthritis tends to develop.

Symptoms of dysplasia center around patterns of movement or posture. These include:

- limping

- using both hind legs together like a rabbit when running

- always sitting or lying with legs straight out instead of close in to the body

- swaying back end when walking caused by loose hip joints

- not jumping up at you, not jumping onto furniture, and not getting into the kind of rough play that you would expect of a young dog.

Your dog can have some of these symptoms and not have hip dysplasia, but any sign of pain when walking, running or jumping should be checked by a veterinarian, who will take x-rays. If dysplasia is found, you will probably be referred to a pet orthopedic surgeon and there will be various options.

If surgical treatment is needed, it can either be performed very early as a preventive measure, or postponed until the dog is older. Some dogs will suffer a little as puppies but then seem to grow out of it and have no problems until old age. However, if your dog is in pain or is not willing to exercise, surgery will probably be recommended. Surgical treatment can involve grafts onto the hip socket, repositioning the socket, cutting away the ball at the top of the thigh, or total hip replacement. The options depend on your individual dog and its age.

Remember that the important thing is whether your dog is in pain. Even if the x-rays show quite severe dysplasia, your dog may be able to manage it without symptoms or restrictions. Some people avoid surgery for their dysplastic dogs by giving nutritional supplements similar to those taken by human arthritis patients. Planned exercise programs, acupuncture and chiropractic treatment can also help. It is important to make sure that the dog does not become overweight, which will worsen the condition. Hip dysplasia in labrador retrievers requires careful management if surgery is to be avoided.

Labrador Retriever Care: Paws

2007-10-31T09:52:00.000-07:00

One aspect of labrador retriever care that needs regular attention is the feet and paws. Like most large dogs your lab will want to be outdoors a lot of the time and at any opportunity the dog will be into thick brush and bushes where he can pick up thorns, cuts, burrs or small stones in the pad of his paw. So the pads need checking after most long walks. It is important to instill this as a daily routine when the dog is young, otherwise you will have difficulty when there are any foot problems because the adult dog will not like having his paws inspected if he is not used to it.

You can probably easily remove most foreign objects from the pad and paw using sterilized tweezers. Clean the area with a mild antiseptic afterward, and if there is a cut or abrasion, limit him to shorter walks until it has healed so that he does not pick up an infection.

If a thorn or other small irritant remains unnoticed in the paw, it may become infected and painful. If you see that the dog is limping, this could be the cause. Look also for cuts. If there is no sign of a cut and no swelling or redness but the limp continues, you should check with your veterinarian as your dog may have injured a bone or tendon in the foot.

Pain and sudden limping while you are out walking may be caused by an insect bite or sting. In this case take the dog home and apply ice to minimize swelling. The pain will soon pass but if the dog stepped on the insect he may not be able to use that foot normally for a few days. When treating stings, watch for any breathing difficulties as this can be the first sign of an allergic reaction.

You will not normally need to trim your dog's nails if he is active and getting plenty of runs. Hard and rough ground will keep them short. However if the nails grow too long they can affect the way the dog walks, causing possible problems in the joints. So when dogs are less active due to old age or health problems they may need to have their nails cut occasionally.

You can buy dog nail clippers online or at a pet shop or grooming parlor. There are different sizes for different sized dogs and you will want a medium or large size. Having his nails trimmed is painless for the dog just as it is for us, if it is done correctly. However you do need to get it right so it is a good idea to have the veterinarian or parlor show you how to do it the first time. If you cut the nails too short there may be bleeding. Apply pressure with a cotton swab for a couple minutes to stop the bleeding and then treat with a mild antiseptic.

If you live in a colder area you should take care in winter because the dog's paws can be damaged by the chemicals used to melt snow on the sidewalks and roads. If this is allowed to remain it can cause acid burns to the dog's pads. He may try to lick it off in response to the pain and of course this makes the situation worse as he gets it on his mouth and possibly into his digestive system. So wash his paws thoroughly with warm water as soon as you reach home. Then apply petroleum jelly to soothe and protect the paws. If these chemicals are a regular problem in your area you can buy a protective cream that you can apply before you take the dog out.

Giving regular attention to his paws as part of your labrador retriever care routine will keep your dog's feet healthy and prevent most common problems.

Labrador Retriever Ear Problems

2007-10-31T09:51:00.000-07:00

In the labrador retriever ear problems are quite common and you should give some attention to your lab's ears and also his eyes. After a long run or an expedition into the undergrowth, check your dog's face and ears for thorns and scratches. Treat any cuts with a salve to prevent infection. If your dog is pawing at his face then there may be something in his eye or ear. Using a flashlight you may see something in the ear that you can remove, but if you do not see anything or if you cannot easily and safely remove it, you will need to take him to the veterinarian.

Ear problems may be the cause if your dog is always shaking his head or rubbing his head against the ground. Frequent scratching around the ears and abrasions caused by scratching may mean he has fleas, so check for this first. If the dog is producing excessive ear wax or if his ear smells badly then there could be an infection. The same is true if he will not let you touch his ear or if his ear is red or swollen. These inflammations can have many causes including parasites or bacteria, and it is important to have the problem diagnosed by a veterinarian so that the proper treatment can be given. You may be given ear drops to apply to the dog's ear and possibly antibiotics to add to his food.

From time to time you will probably want to clean your labrador retriever's ears. You can take care of the buildup of wax and dirt that normally accumulates in the ear by washing with a cotton ball dampened with warm water. You can also buy special creams for cleaning a dog's outer ear from grooming parlors, veterinarians and pet shops, but avoid getting anything that will be too oily and attract more dirt.

Be sure not to push anything into the ear canal while cleaning the dog's ears. This can cause the dog a lot of pain and can also damage the inner ear. Only clean the outer part that you can easily reach. If you think the dog's ears are blocked, take him to the veterinarian who will wash the ear out thoroughly. The veterinarian's office may be able to show you how to do this at home if your dog needs it often.

For the eye, do not use cotton balls which can shed irritating filaments into the eye. Instead use a clean lint-free cloth dampened with warm water to wipe away any discharge that collects in the corners of the eye. If the eye seems red, swollen or irritated, if the dog blinks a lot, has excessive discharge or tears, or if one eye looks different than the other, consult with your veterinarian. Eye infections can become serious so it is important to have the problem diagnosed quickly.

Labrador retriever ear problems and eye disorders should quickly be treated to keep your dog happy and healthy.

Taking A Labrador Retriever In The Car

2007-10-31T09:48:00.000-07:00

Taking a labrador retriever in the car can be a lot of fun. It is great not to have to leave your pet behind when you take a trip. Most dogs like traveling provided they have the chance to get used to it when they are young. So if you have a puppy, don't be afraid to take it in the car. A young puppy can travel in its crate and you can protect the seat for an older puppy or dog with a blanket.

Start with short trips and train the puppy or dog to lie on the back seat. With a puppy it is better to have another person in the car at first to prevent him jumping on you as you drive. Even with a well-behaved dog, keep in mind that the first time you drive alone with him in the car, he may think the empty front seat is for him! Do not be tempted to let him stay there because it seems easier. Stop the car and have him go back as soon as you can.

If you have a station wagon you will probably want to order a grille to keep the dog in the back. This saves you having to worry about him while you drive and stops kids playing with him and encouraging him to misbehave in the back of the car. Traveling this way is also safer for the dog if there is an accident and means that he will not fly forward and perhaps injure you if you have to stop very suddenly. The local dealer for your brand of car will be able to advise you on purchase and fitting.

For longer trips you should plan on stopping every two hours or more in a place where you can give the dog some exercise and let him relieve himself. Take water that your dog can drink during these breaks. Labrador retrievers can easily dehydrate. When you stop the car it is better to keep him on the leash even in places where you don't have to. Dogs can be harder to control on unfamiliar territory and you probably don't want to stop for very long. These breaks will be good for you too, so make the most of them.

If you are planning to take your labrador retriever on vacation, you should make reservations ahead of time to be sure of finding a hotel or motel that will take pets. Check carefully because some hotels will only accept small dogs. Most hotels publish this kind of information on their websites.

Some dogs get sick in the car so it is better not to feed your dog just before you leave. If you take your dog in the car often, then he is likely to grow out of this soon. If not you can ask your veterinarian for medication for the dog before any long trips.

Keep the windows open slightly while you drive to give the dog fresh air. Two inches is enough. Do not have the windows open all the way, the rush of air can be bad for the dog's eyes, ears and throat. Never leave a dog in a parked car on a sunny day. Even if the temperature outside does not seem dangerously high, the car can become like an oven in a very short time and the dog may die. Opening windows is not enough to prevent this. So if you are going someplace that the dog cannot go, be sure to have a good leash that you can tie him with outside the car. A little preparation makes taking a labrador retriever in the car a very enjoyable experience.

Feeding A Labrador Retriever

2007-10-31T09:47:00.000-07:00

Feeding a labrador retriever comes down to three questions: what, when, and where.

What to feed your dog is probably the most significant decision you can make on his behalf. A good diet is vital to a dog's health and lifespan just as it is for a human. However, they have very different nutritional needs than you and me. A dog needs a diet that is high in protein with some carbohydrate, fat, vitamins and minerals. Select nutritionally complete dog food products and you will have no difficulty supplying these needs.

It is best to give your dog a mix of semi-moist and/or canned dog food and dry food. Never use canned as the only dog food. It does not give the dog's teeth enough exercise, contains undigestible additives and has a high water content that means you are not getting much for your money and will lead to frequent urination. This can make a puppy difficult to housetrain. Canned food should only be a small part of the diet, around 25%. It is better to buy canned food that is specifically formulated for the age and type of dog.

Semi-moist food does not have the high water content and it can be much better value for your money but again your dog's diet should not consist only of this. Dry food is also required for the sake of your dog's digestion, teeth and gums. If you read labels and take advice from your veterinarian or breeder it should be easy to work out a good ratio of dry to semi-moist or canned food.

When to feed your dog will depend on its age. Young puppies, like babies, need frequent small meals, four or five a day. After four months old you can reduce to three meals a day at around the same times that you would feed the family. At nine months change to morning and evening only, and when the dog is a year old you can start giving him just one large meal a day, usually in the evening, plus some kibble in the morning.

Many labradors will eat as much as they are given so be careful not to over-feed your dog. How many calories he requires will depend on age and level of activity. Requirements can vary widely in two dogs of the same age, if one is much more active. So you may need to experiment a little. A correctly-fed dog will be well-toned with a shiny coat and some flesh over the ribs and hips but not plump.

Set aside a place for feeding your dog and keep to it. Dogs like to enjoy their food alone and in peace. Having people around will make them anxious that their food may be snatched away and they are likely to eat too fast and digest it poorly. This results in the food being vomited up and eaten again, which is not pleasant to watch but normal for the dog. So feeding a labrador retriever is best done in a quiet corner of the house, not right next to your dining table at family mealtimes.

Boarding Labrador Retrievers

2007-10-31T09:45:00.000-07:00

Boarding labrador retrievers or most any other kind of dog is usually seen by owners as the final option when all else fails. If you can, you would probably always take your dog with you on vacation or on a long trip. But sometimes it is just not possible. If you are traveling by air, going on a cruise, or visiting someone who is allergic, you may not be able to travel with your pet.

Your first choice in this situation will probably be to leave your dog with a friend, neighbor or family member that he knows and who is happy to take care of him. This can work out very well. Be sure to give your friend all the supplies that the dog may need and leave written instructions. It is pointless to spend an hour explaining all about feeding, medication, walks and all the other things that your friend needs to know. At least half of what you have said will be forgotten within five minutes of you leaving. So write it down and be sure to include details of pet insurance and the phone number for the veterinarian's office.

If you do not know anyone who would look after your dog, you may be able to find "dog fostering" in your local area. This is just like leaving the dog with a friend except that you do not know the person. The safest way to do this is through a recommendation. Always visit the person with your dog several times and watch how they interact.

If you prefer to send your labrador retriever to a commercial boarding kennel or have no other option, then your first point of contact will be the breeders who sold you the dog. They may have facilities to take your dog back on familiar territory temporarily. If not, they can probably recommend a good commercial kennel that is suitable for labrador retrievers. If you went out of your local area to buy the dog, try asking other dog owners for recommendations. Lab owners will be the best people to ask, or owners of dogs of a similar size and temperament.

Good kennels will be members of the American Boarding Kennel Association or a similar organization if you are not in the USA. You can check the organization's website for affiliated kennels in your area.

Keep in mind that labrador retrievers are very people-oriented. Your dog will miss you and the staff probably will not have time to provide the attention that he is used to. He will probably be glad of some familiar possessions including his own toys and maybe some old clothes that carry your scent. Visit the kennel a couple of times to be sure it is clean and safe and seems welcoming. Ask about lighting, ventilation and heating for indoor areas, exercise arrangements and what you will need to bring for your dog.

When you visit, the kennel may not allow you to see the dogs. This is to avoid exciting and upsetting them. You would probably be happier if you could see a collection of well cared for pets but when your own dog is there you probably would not want him constantly disturbed by strangers. Ask to see an empty kennel in that situation, so that you can see that they are secure and have a solid divider to separate the dogs. A wire fence is not enough to stop aggressive animals injuring each other.

Leaving your dog will be difficult for both of you, even if it is just for a few days, but it will be much less stressful for you and your dog if you have taken the time to find the best kennel in your area for boarding labrador retrievers.

Teach Your Dog Not To Bite Furniture

2007-10-06T15:26:00.000-07:00

by Rachel Tiang

1. Biting and chewing is a natural process for puppy or dog, we as owner need to understand that and provide sufficient chewing toy for them.

2. Start early is good as biting is a process of teething, teaching the puppies what is allowed and what is not at an early stage is very important.

3. Never try to stop a puppy's biting by hitting the puppy. Say "No" when he start to bite on your shoe or furniture. Pass him a chew toy and praise him or reward him when he does the right thing.

4 . Make him understand that biting on furniture will result in bad consequences such as you leaving him or put him in the crate let him associate treats with a chew toy.

5. Some toy manufacturing company has come up with better chew toy idea which called Active Toys. This include the Amazing GoDogGo that allows your dog to play fetch on his own. Also, the infamous Kong and snack activity balls which allow your dog to seek out food in an active way and Hide-a-toy plush toys where smaller toys are hidden inside one larger toy. Keeping your dog busy by using these toys will often prevent chewing on your furniture.

About the Author

Rachel is a long time dog owner/lover. She is an expert in dog training, dog grooming, dog's diet and dog's psychology for several years. Recently a new member has been added to her family, a Miniature Schnauzer. She has decided to start sharing her experiences as the training starts. If you'd like to know more please visit http://www.rachelanddogs.com

Dog training – The Basic Commands

2007-08-11T01:06:00.000-07:00

There are of course many reasons for owners to want a calm, obedient and faithful dog. For one thing, obedient and trained dogs are happier dogs, less likely to get into tussles with people or with other dogs. Another reason is that many communities require that the dogs living in their neighborhoods be well trained. This is especially true for many breeds thought to have aggression and behavior problems – dog breeds like pit bulls and rottweilers for instance.

And of course, training your dog well will also make he or she a much better family companion, especially in households where there are young children. Many studies have shown that proper dog training makes a big impact when it comes to cutting down the number of dog bits and other behavior problems encountered by dog owning households.

When considering training your own dog, or having someone else help you train it, there are certain basic commands that must be mastered in order for a dog to be considered truly trained. These basic commands include:

*Heel – it is important that any dog learn to walk beside its owner on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind

*Respond to the word No – the word no is one word that all dogs must learn. Training your dog to respond to this important word can save you a ton of trouble.

*Sit – Training your dog to sit on command is a vital part of any dog training program.

*Stay – A well trained dog should remain where his or her owner commands, so stay is a very important command in dog training.
*Down – Lying down on command is more than just a cute trick; it is a key component of any successful dog training program.

Dog training does much more than just create an obedient, willing companion. Training your dog properly actually strengthens the bond that already exists between dog and handler. Dogs are pack animals, and they look to their pack leader to tell them what to do. The key to successful dog training is to set yourself up as that pack leader.

Establishing yourself as pack leader is a very important concept for any potential dog trainer to understand. There is only one leader in every pack of dogs, and the owner must establish him or herself as the dominant animal. Failure to do so leads to all manner of behavior problems.

A properly trained dog will respond properly to all the owner’s commands, and will not display anxiety, displeasure or confusion. A good dog training program will focus on allowing the dog to learn just what is expected of it, and will use positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviors.

In addition to making the dog a good member of the community, obedience training is a great way to fulfill some of the dog’s own needs, including the need for exercise, the security that comes with knowing what is expected of it, a feeling of accomplishment and a good working relationship with its handler. Dog training gives the dog an important job to do, and an important goal to reach.

Giving the dog a job is more important than you may think. Dogs were originally bred by humans to do important work, such as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people. Many dogs today have no important job to do, and this can often lead to boredom and neurotic behavior.

Basic obedience training, and ongoing training sessions, provide the dog with an important job to do. This is especially important for high energy breeds like German shepherds and border collies. Training sessions are a great way for these high energy dogs to use up their extra energy and simply to enjoy themselves.

Incorporating playtime into your dog training sessions is a great way to prevent both yourself and your dog from becoming bored. Playing with your dog helps to strengthen the all important bond between you – the pack leader – and your dog.

Visit here for immediate access to even more dog training tips

Find a Dog Trainer with the Right Attitude and Skills

2007-04-12T05:26:00.000-07:00

by Ira Nelson

As many and varied are the books, courses, and programs on dog training, so are the concepts and approaches used by different dog trainers. There are however basic attitudes and skills that you should look for when trying to find a dog trainer that are universal. These same attributes will serve you well if you are interested in a career in dog training or just looking to train your own dog.

Even though dogs have personalities just as people do, they are not simple-minded or imaginative in the same way that people are. Their brains naturally work in a way that responds to a consistent, persistent, and patient style of training. If you can, above all, find a dog trainer with these qualities, you are out ahead.

The demeanor of a good dog trainer should be foremost one of calmness, constraint, and concentration on the training task at hand. It cannot be a hit-or-miss thing. Some lessons will be picked up quickly, others may take weeks of consistent repetition to finally be mastered. Some dogs and/or owners will require extreme patience and composure.

Find a dog trainer who is willing to explain clearly what methods they use and why, what their objectives and goals are, and who does so in a friendly, patient manner. After all, if your trainer is good with your dog, but has problems communicating with you, then half the training battle is lost. You will not be able to continue your dog's training at home and the inconsistency will confuse your dog.

Of course, there are many variables such as different breed and individual dog personalities as well as owner personality that will have a bearing on training success. Observe how your trainer handles himself/herself with different dogs and different owners. This may be your best way of determining his/her ability to adapt and adjust but still get results.

Another area of expertise a responsible trainer should have a working knowledge of is dog health care. A dog's ability and inclination to learn will definitely be affected by how he feels. It's important for a trainer to recognize obvious symptoms of disease or injury such as dog diabetes, hip or joint problems, and parasitic infestation. A good dog trainer has developed an insightful ability to read a dog's body language and therefore be prepared to react to excitement, nervousness, aggression, fear or other emotions in such a way as to bring the dog into a balanced and calm state. They know how to use this skill of alert observation and immediate response to effectively maximize your dog's training.

One resource to check if you are trying to find a dog trainer in the U.S. is the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Not all qualified dog trainers are members but the APDT does make instruction and training for trainers available to its members. There website is: apdt.com

For more information on this subject go to Dog Obedience Training.

Protect your dog from toxic dog food and treats - Homemade Dog Treats and Meals is a Free ebook featuring 130 Gourmet Cookie, Snack, Biscuit and Meal Recipes for your Canine Companion.

About the Author

Ira Nelson has years of experience in the dog care and training field. More information, tips, and techniques like the ones in this article are available at Dog Training Basics Online.

Chihuahua Puppy Training Made EASY & FAST In 5 Steps!

2007-04-08T15:35:00.000-07:00

by Al Bullington

Learn to train your chihuahua puppy the gentle and patient way.

1. Gentle Behavior Training.

If you want a gentle and well balanced chihuahua when it grows up you must treat your puppy with gentle training. Negative behavior must be dealt with in a consistent and kind manner, not by slapping, hitting and kicking. Positive behavior must consistently be rewarded both with praise and with treats.

A dog's behavior may be modified at any time during it's life. But it's much easier to guide the dog into correct behavior patterns as a small puppy, rather than having to fix problems. It's unfair both to the animal and the owner to let problems go unaddressed. Behavior problems will lead to frustration for both dog and owner.

2. House Training Your Chihuahua Puppy.

House training your chihuahua puppy is very important. It isn't just that soiling the house is such a mess, which it is. If the puppy is not house trained fairly quickly, the dog ends up at another home or at least outside. It's easy to see why proper house training is so important.

One method of training your puppy is the crate method. Confine your puppy in a crate or a small area. Puppies usually will not soil their sleeping area. Very frequently remove the puppy to an area for waste elimination. When the puppy does have an accident, you can quickly rush them to the appropriate area. But, remember, accidents will happen and do be patient and consistent.

3. Biting, Mouthing, And Chewing.

All chihuahua puppies will bite and chew on body parts and clothes. That's just what puppies do. But early on, this painful and destructive behavior must be stopped. Adult dogs who bite and chew are a serious problem.

If the puppy has a chance to play with other puppies, the playing will naturally teach restraint in biting. Without the interaction with other dogs, you must deal with the behavior yourself. One approach is to say "ouch" , which should be easy to do, in response to puppy bites. You can use a pained expression in your voice, but not loud or angry. Then try leaving the room for a short time.

4. Barking And Whining.

Is there a real reason for the barking or whining? Are they uncomfortable? Can you find out why? There may be a good reason. Or is this blackmail? Your puppy must be taught to handle isolation and separation. They must not expect to get everything they want.

Spend plenty of time with your puppy so they feel loved and secure. But do not accept excessive noise that is irritating to the human members of the household.

5. Socialization Tips.

A properly socialized puppy is well adjusted and will be a pleasant and valuable companion. Socialization most easily occurs before the puppy is 3 months old. Make sure early experiences are not frightening nor painful. Try some of the following.

Invite friends to meet your puppy.

Invite other pets where that's possible.

Carry your puppy to places where there are crowds of people.

Take your puppy for short car rides.

Acquaint your puppy with being bathed, brushed and inspected.

Introduce your puppy to anything and everything you wish them to be around.

There are many Chihuahua "secrets" that professional dog trainers don't want you to know. You can find all of them here: Click Here!

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About the Author
Al Bullington writes about rural living and home business topics from his homestead in the country, surrounded by a variety of critters.

Why Dogs Bark and How to Control Barking by MR Bruno

2007-03-25T08:45:00.000-07:00

Dogs bark for different reasons. If your dog barks and you want to know how to control his barking you must first learn the reason for his barking.

There are generally four distinct types of barking.

Dogs Bark Because they are Bored

Your dog is a pack animal and as such he needs ample daily exercise, social stimulation and interaction. One of the most common cause of dog barking is when the daily needs of exercise and stimulation have nor been met. They become bored and barking becomes the outlet to relive their doggy boredom. If your dog spends most of his day indoors, or lounging in a back yard, he may be telling you that he needs to spend time with you. Time for a brisk walk and some play time. You should walk your dog and let him see other dogs in the neighborhood at least twice a day. This will help meet his needs for social inter action and exercise, help to relieve dog boredom and may well lessen or alleviate your dog's barking due to boredom.

Dogs Bark When They are Asking for Something

If you dog wants a treat, wants to go in the next broom, get a toy, or anything else he will try a number of different techniques to get you to give him what he wants. If he barks and give him a treat, he will bark more. If he barks and you open the door to a room, he will bark even louder the next time he wants to go thee. Your dog is responding to your actions. If you don't want him to ask you for things by barking then don't respond to barking by relenting and giving him what he is asking for. If you do give in, you are in essence, training him to bark when he wants something.

Dogs Bark When They are Scared

Dogs need sufficient socialization so that they can be in a variety of places and situations without becoming frightened. This may include the car, the park, the veterinary office, a hotel, the park, your mom's house, almost anyplace. If your dog needs to be better socialized so that he can enjoy those places without fear, a good way to accomplish this is with a reward. When you go to any of those places, give him a treat or some favorite food of his when he arrives. Your dog will start to associate the place with food, ( a good thing) instead of a place to be scared, ( a bad thing). This is fairly simple conditioning training and very successful with dogs who are scared due to a lack of proper socialization.

Dogs Bark if They Miss You

If your dog barks when you leave him alone, he is suffering from a type of separation anxiety. To help your dog adjust to the idea of your being away from home while you are at work, shopping or any reason here's a few tips.

Don't make a big deal out of leaving the house. No calling and hugging good by, loud talking and getting your dog excited. Try leaving without saying a word. Make it a non event. Try leaving for 5 minutes and returning. Then increase it to ten minutes, then thirty minutes then an hour. And don't call him when you return. Make it another non event. Just like walking from one room to another.

Another thing you should do right now is provide more exercise so that your dog is tired out by the time you leave. He'll be more interested in a puppy nap that stressing out about why you aren't in the yard or kitchen with him for awhile Dogs Bark to Protect You

If your dog barks as a protector, you must learn how to divert his attention or have him respond to your commands. Try having him retrieve a toy when he starts to nark. Or you can teach him to be quiet by word command, the reward being a treat when he listens. If your dog seemingly always barks at the slightest noise or activity, he needs more exercise and socialization

There are many ways a professional dog trainer can help you control dog barking. These are just a few ideas. Exercise and socialization are perhaps the most common and effective remedy we have seen. Try spending more time with your dog on a daily basis. Both you and your dog will benefit in the long run.

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Dogs 4 Life has more information on dog barking, dog behavior and more care that can be easily found at http://www.dogs-4life.com/disobedient-dog-help.html This article may be reproduced intact with the author's link displayed

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Since looking after Ziggy - and meeting Maria's new Cocker Spaniel

2006-04-24T03:52:00.000-07:00

.. we're even more in love with dogs than before.

Our friends own a beautiful smooth-haired collie dog called Ziggy. Occasionally, when they can't get baby-sitters for the dog, they call on us to look after Ziggy for a few days. She's lovely; still young, frisky and affectionate. But so well behaved. It's a real pleasure looking after her.

Her "parents", kind and gentle folk, have trained Ziggy to be obedient; she's well house-trained and she's great when she meets other dogs. I'll publish pictures of her shortly.

Maria's new Cocker Spaniel is only just three months old - and so far seems very placid. He's still at the chewing stage .... we're just trying to work out how soon it will be before she needs a baby-sitter for him as well!

.... oh for the kind of lifestyle which would allow us to have a dog of our own! We both cared for dogs until recently and we're sorry not to have one now.

In the meantime, here are some links to ebooks on dog-training; I hope you enjoy training your pet!

• Boxer Dog Tips And Secrets.
How to make your Boxer Dog happy, healthy and obedient to your training easily and quickly!

• Dog Training At Home.
This is a complete D.I.Y. Dog Training System.

• Puppy Potty Training Plus.
Gentle Puppy Potty Training method gets fast results, Guide to puppy's first year and Complete dog potty training secrets.

• Puppy N' Dog Training Secrets.
Puppy and dog training book and video plus health, and recipes.

• Homemade Dog Treat Recipes.
Over 130 Homemade Dog Treat Recipes. Tasty morsels for the special dog in your life!

Puppywishes - Puppy Training
Help Puppies And People Stay Together. Join The Puppy Owners Revolution! Featured On The Discovery Channel, Cnn, Global Tv, And The Toronto Sun. Help Sell The E-books That Have The Internet Buzz. Award Winning Trainers.

English Bulldog Buying Guide
Guide Covers Everything You Need To Know To Buy The Best Quality Bulldog Puppy. Also Includes Many Extras On Health And Training.

Training Your Dog Not To Chase Cars by Robert Bercume

2006-04-18T08:10:00.000-07:00

Training Your Dog Not To Chase Cars
One of the most serious, and unfortunately most common, problem behaviors among dogs is that of chasing cars. Dogs must be trained as early as possible that chasing cars is not acceptable. That is because dogs that chase cars eventually become dogs that catch cars, and car plus dog always equals big trouble.
There are many reasons that dogs chase cars. For one thing, chasing moving objects is an ingrained, instinctual behavior that can never be completely removed. Chasing behaviors, however can and should be controlled through a combination of good training and supervision.
Some dogs are more apt to chase cars, bikes, joggers, cats and other dogs than are others. Dogs that have a high prey drive, including breeds that have been bred for hunting, are particularly susceptible to the thrill of the chase. Herding breeds are also apt to chase cars, attempt to herd the neighbors children, or express other undesired traits of their breeding.
One reason that many dogs chase cars in particular is that they have learned to associate cars with good time and fun things. Most dogs love to ride in the car, and when they see a car they may try to chase it down for a ride.
No matter what your dog's motivation for chasing cars, however, it is important to curb this dangerous behavior as quickly as possible. Training the dog not to chase cars starts with teaching the dog the meaning of the "Off" command. The "Off" command is one of the basic tenets of obedience, and it must be mastered by every dog.
Teaching the dog to stay where he is, even if interesting, exciting things are happening elsewhere, is very important to all aspects of dog training. In the world of professional dog training, this is sometimes referred to as distraction training. Distraction training is very important, and it is applicable to teaching the dog not to chase cars.
Teaching this important lesson is not something you will be able to do on your own. You will need at least one other person - a volunteer who will slowly drive by and tempt your car with his bright, shiny object. You will stand with your dog on his leash as the volunteer drives by. Having the volunteer drive your own car can provide an even greater temptation, since dogs are able to distinguish one car from another. If your car is the one that provides his rides, it is likely to be the most tempting object in the world.
When your friend drives by, either in your car or his, watch your dog's reaction carefully. If he begins to jump up or move away, repeat the "Off" command and quickly return your dog to the sitting position. If he remains where he is, be sure to give him lavish amounts of praise and perhaps a treat or two.
Repeat this process many times over the course of a few days. Once your dog is reliably remaining seated when your friend drives by, start lengthening the distance between yourself and your dog. A long, retractable leash works great for this process. Slowly lengthen the distance between you and your dog, while still making sure you have control.
Even after your dog is trained to not chase cars, however, it is important to not leave him out off the leash unsupervised. Leaving a dog unattended, except for within a properly and securely fenced in yard, is simply asking for trouble. Dogs are unpredictable, and it is always possible that the chase instinct could kick in at exactly the wrong moment. The best strategy is to confine the dog when you cannot supervise him
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Robert Bercume is the creator of 3 popular Dog Training Websites assisting dog owners worldwide in locating and selecting a proper dog training program. http://www.Dog-Training-Sites.com, http://www.SimpleDogTraining.com, & http://www.PuppyTipster.com

Why It Is Essential That You Train Your Dog

2006-03-10T05:49:00.000-08:00

Why It Is Essential That You Train Your Dog by Gregg Hall

Effective dog training is essential for both a pet's safety and the quality of life for both dog and master.

After struggling with training a dog, you may feel tempted to give up. Giving up on training an outdoor dog, for instance, can be a real temptation. You may believe you'll still manage to have reasonably enjoyable interactions without going through the hassles and challenges of real training. Perhaps you believe the dog will learn on his or her own, over time, how to behave. Training is difficult and can seem like such an effort that surrender may feel sensible.

It is not. Effective dog training is not a mere option. When one considers its immeasurable benefits, it becomes nothing short of mandatory. Allowing a dog to live untrained can pose significant risks. The costs associated with these risks are so severe that rational decision making requires one to opt for training, regardless of the costs in time and effort it may require.

Initially, training can be the difference between life and death for a dog. An untrained dog, for instance, cannot be recalled effectively if he should wander away. He may encounter any number of dangers in his wanderings--many of which could result in serious injury or death. In critical pressure situations, a well-trained dog can be controlled and protected. The untrained dog is left only with his instincts and lessons learned through the proverbial school of hard knocks. In a world populated by an infinite number of potential dangers, this is often not enough.

Training, then, is less of an option for a responsible pet owner than it is an obligation. Any pet owner should consider training the animal a basic responsibility that cannot be overlooked. The dog's very life, after all, could hang in the balance. It is unthinkable that any responsible pet owner would look past that consideration and still decide that training was simply not worth the effort it requires.

Second, a dog's quality of life is improved significantly by training. He will understand how to please his human companions, giving him a sense of purpose and enabling him to access the social interactions dogs naturally possess. He will be able to go through life as a friend and companion, instead of being treated as a mere nuisance or ignored. By learning to behave to his owner's satisfaction, the dog is able to increase his own satisfaction. Leaving a dog untrained makes it difficult for him to understand how to get the positive human attention and reactions he craves and may curse him with a life filled with unpleasant exchanges with people as he unknowingly misbehaves.

Third, the dog owner's quality of life is improved dramatically by dog training. This occurs on multiple levels. Initially, the owner and dog are able to develop a close relationship, which brings with it numerous rewards. The owner is also able to avoid the frustrating experience of having to care for a pet that doesn't know how to care back or who is unfriendly and prone to errant behavior. Additionally, the owner is able to avoid the liabilities created by an untrained dog. The owner can avoid the destruction, inconvenience and even dangers posed by an untrained pet. Instead of being a constant source of irritation and guilt, the well-trained dog becomes a source of pleasure and pride.

It is easy, under some circumstances, to believe that extensive and effective dog training is not worth the significant effort it may require. However, this perspective, if acted upon, will actually create a situation necessitating more effort than training would have ever required. By committing to effectively training a dog, the owner makes an investment of time and effort that will pay out in a variety of ways.

Settling for anything less is highly inappropriate and cannot be adequately discouraged.

Good training will protect a dog from danger and will enable him to live a pleasant and fulfilling life. It will also make the owner's life more pleasant and can result in a greatly rewarding relationship with the pet. Effective dog training is truly essential.

About the Author

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. For more on dog training go to http://www.dogtrainingplusmore.com

Dog Training Commands

Sit, Stay, Fetch! - Your Dog Training Commands

2006-03-10T05:39:00.000-08:00

Put an End to the Stress of Owning a Disobedient Dog Forever!

Unless you know the training secrets that the professionals use, you risk wasting a lot of time and effort in training your dog. Daniel Stevens, online author of the hugely popular "SitStayFetch: Dog Obedience Training – STOP Your Dog’s Behavior Problems!" reveals the techniques and tricks the professionals use to let you successfully train your dog.

Listen to what Daniel has to say about obedience training and fixing any dog problems that you may have.
Click here to TRANSFORM your dog’s behavior, I highly recommend it!

Dog Training Commands