Showing posts with label Training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Training. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

7 Dog Training Tips You Must Teach Your Pet

Responsible dog owners will often look for dog training advice. This is available from a variety of sources including the internet, books and DVDs. The following dog training tips are designed to help dog owners understand what is needed of them to create a strong bond between themselves and their pets, as well as creating a safe environment for the dog and all those around it.

1. Establish leadership and boundaries - Dogs are pack animals and respond to the leader of the pack. If the owner of a dog is seen to have moments of weakness, the dog will assume that it they who are in charge and all future commands from the owner will be wasted. It should be clear from the very start who the leader is and what is expected of the dog.

2. Be patient - When teaching a dog a new command, it is important to be patient. Shouting or punishing the dog by hitting them will only serve to confuse and scare the animal. If an owner can feel their patience slipping, it is time to end the training session.

3. Reward and correct - Dogs do not automatically know what a command is. By showing them what is expected of them and rewarding them, owners are giving the dogs a reason to do what is asked of them. If a dog does not respond correctly to a command, the owner should correct their behavior.

4. Consistency is key - Once the boundaries have been set, it is imperative that the owner keeps maintains the course of action which has been set. If a dog is rewarded one minute for behavior and then the next time it is ignored, they will become unsure of what they are supposed to be doing.

5. Keep sessions short - By doing this, dog owners are less likely to become impatient and dogs can quite often be very similar to small children in that their attention span is not as great as the trainer might like. A few minutes of dog training each day is more than enough for both parties.

6. Practice somewhere quiet - Whilst the goal may be to go into a park and be able to retrieve the dog no matter how many other distractions are around, it will take time to get to this point. In the early days especially, it is essential that dogs should be trained in a quiet place with as few distractions as possible. After training is finished though, it is a great idea to take them out somewhere and have a play with them as a final enforcement for their good behavior during training.

7. Start as early as possible - Dog training should begin as soon as possible after the dog has become a member of the family. Whilst it is easier to teach puppies, those people who rescue dogs which are older will be able to achieve the same results, even if it takes a while longer. The key is to be patient but persistent.

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5 Most Effective Puppy Training Techniques

Whoever said that a dog is man's best friend was absolutely right. If you have one or even a few of these furry friends at home then you can attest to the fact that they are pretty pleasant to have around; let us face it, in some cases they are better company than human beings!

Now if you have a puppy, it is very important that you train it early on. There are a number of puppy training techniques; the following are a few tips that will help you as you go about the undertaking.

Get the timing right

The good news is that puppies are always more than willing to learn new things more so if you reward them whenever they get something right.

Be this as it may, it is important that you do not over do it. If you want to achieve the best results, make sure that training sessions do not exceed five minutes and preferably they should be before feeding time; the reason for the latter is because it is at this time that they will be more willing to work so that they can get fed. The brief sessions are necessary because puppies do not have a very long attention span.

Do not rush it

Puppies are just like small kids; you need patience to handle them. Do not expect your puppy to learn a certain command or trick the very first time you teach it.

It would be better if you could teach it one or two commands in one session and then only proceed to another set of commands when it has fully internalized the first set. Have this in mind when training your puppy: quality over quantity.

Avoid being harsh

There are times when your puppy will simply refuse to do what you say. Also you may find that it is not learning some commands as first as you would like; when this happens, it is important that you keep cool; do not scold it or even yell at it as this will not do much good.

Positivity will yield better results and therefore reward it whenever it gets something right and soon enough you will find that it responding positively.

Nipping is bad

Nipping is common among all puppies; at one time or another you will find the puppy nipping or chewing on shoes, carpets and other items.

It is important that you discourage this behavior and better yet, everyone in the family should get involved in this particular lesson. The best way of dealing with this is to provide the puppy with something like a rubber ball that it can chew on to its heart's content.

Go to obedience classes

Obedience classes can prove very helpful in forging better communication between you and your puppy. After these classes you will find that when you give your puppy various commands, it will respond more positively.

Dogs are naturally social animals, however they need some guidance so that they can relate well with other dogs and humans. It is your responsibility to provide this guidance from the get go, so go ahead and get started.

You have now been briefed on what to do if you possess a puppy, and you might want to find out more on how to stop puppy biting for good.

To access an article that will let you acquire specific understanding about stopping puppy biting, click on the link.


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Sunday, December 30, 2012

5 Simple Steps For Leash Training Puppies

In many states, you will not be allowed to walk with your dog or puppy into public places if he is not on a leash. Legal requirements aside, it is prudent pet etiquette that every dog learns how to walk on a leash. This is why every pet owner needs to learn about leash training puppies.

At such a young age, it is very easy to teach your puppy practically anything. Despite this, many people still have no idea how they can train their pet into this habit. The following 5 simple steps will however be of great help.

Step 1: Train him to wear a collar

The first step in training your puppy how to walk on a leash can start as soon as he arrives at the new home.

The reason many dogs find it hard to walk on leashes is that they find the collars rather uncomfortable. It will be an added advantage if your puppy sees this as the only way while at a tender age.

Visit the local pet store and request for a light collar that won't be too heavy for the puppy. Take advantage of feeding and playing times when the puppy is less likely to resist.

Step 2: Remove it at the right times

It is not healthy to let a puppy carry a collar around his neck all day at this stage. This is why you need to learn when to get it out of the neck.

If you want to succeed in leash training puppies, you need to insist on removing the leash only at the right time. The best time to get it out of the neck is when the puppy needs to return to his crate.

Do not remove the collar when he tries to fight it off. This will encourage him to fight the collar and consequently a leash.

Step 3: Start with a simple leash

When the pup finally gets used to walking around with a collar, this is the time to introduce a leash.

However, you need to go slow on this since an entire leash could overwhelm him. In such a case, start with a string or even a shoelace that won't look so strange to the puppy.

Attach the simple leash you decide on the collar during eating and playing times. This is always the best time to introduce a puppy to some new habit.

Once again, you can only remove this leash when he forgets it's there and not when he tries to force it off.

Step 4: Start taking him out for treats

Observe how the pup behaves after you add the simple leash to the collar. As expected, he will try to resist but will end up warming to the idea if you follow the right approach.

Some will chew on the new leash and weaken it close to the collar. Store any chewed leashes as they can be used for later training.

The next step before trying to pull the leash is to start taking him out for walks. You could do this with or without the collar on the neck.

Step 5: Introduce a full leash

If your pup has hitherto responded well to the training, most of the work is almost done. He has finally gotten used to the idea of something hanging from its neck so adjusting to a decent leash will only take a few days.

Just like the collar, you need to ensure you purchase a leash of perfect size. You should be able to pull the tail end of the leash when walking comfortably.

Distract the puppy using games when the leash is on the neck so that it doesn't start chewing it as well. It won't be long before he finally adjusts to the new weight around the neck.

Conclusion

If you have ever bought a new watch, you know how uncomfortable it feels around the wrist on the first few days. However, as time ebbs by, the hand always gets used. This is the same technique applied in leash training puppies successfully.

However, you need to appreciate that a puppy is not human and will need more time to make necessary adjustments. Remember to remove the leash when the pup enters his crate. A puppy on a leash must never be left unattended.

You have now been briefed on how to train a puppy to walk on a leash, and you probably want to find out more on teaching a puppy not to bite.

Click on the following link to access an article that will let you acquire specific understanding on getting a puppy to stop biting.


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Sunday, September 30, 2012

Things to Consider When Crate Training Your Puppy

Crate training is important for various reasons, one of which is that it is effective for house training. Since a puppy will not soil his sleeping quarters, confining him to a crate teaches him to eliminate at a specified place.

A crate also confines your puppy when you are unable to supervise him, while also providing a safe way to transport him. It is therefore essential to crate train your puppy as early as possible.

This article will show you how do accomplish this, as it gives you five things to consider when crate training your puppy.

Choose the appropriate crate size and position

The size of the crate should be just right; not too large or too small. Your puppy should have sufficient room to stand, turn around and lie comfortably in the crate.

If the crate is too large, your puppy may sleep on one side of the crate and use the other side to eliminate.

With regard to position, place the crate near you during training, or in places with lots of family activity. This ensures that he does not feel isolated, so he can enjoy his crate and still be part of the family.

Properly introduce your puppy to the crate

Crate training your puppy should be a positive experience, or else he will resent the crate. While some puppies will want to explore the crate immediately, others adapt to it gradually.

If your puppy is initially reluctant to get into the crate, throw some food treats inside, so he can associate it with positive things. You should never try to force or push your puppy into the crate. Allow him to wander in and out of the crate until he is comfortable with it.

Gradually begin to confine the puppy

Once your puppy gets comfortable with the crate, increase the duration of the confinement.

To begin with, close the crate door and confine him for around five minutes. Gradually extend the time you confine the puppy in the crate up to one hour or more. Once he gets used to confinement, you may then start to leave him alone in the room for a few minutes. With time, you can lengthen the time you leave him alone until he can calmly be left alone for an hour or longer.

All the same, do keep in mind the times that your puppy needs to eliminate in order to avoid accidents.

Never use the crate to punish the puppy

At no time should you use the crate as a way of punishing your puppy. This will obviously cause him to resent or fear the crate, which will make training harder for you. The puppy should always enter the crate voluntarily.

Deal with whining firmly

At times the puppy may be whining in order to be let out of the crate. Unless the whining has been prompted by the need to go out and eliminate, you should ignore it and he will eventually stop. However, if you release the puppy every time he whines, you will be rewarding this behavior.

Crate training your puppy may take some time, so do not expect instant results. The tips provided here should help to simplify the process, as they show you what do or avoid. In everything you do be consistent, so your puppy knows exactly what you expect.

You have now been briefed on how do you crate train a puppy, and you might want to find out more on how to eliminate behavioral issues such as puppy biting.

Click on the link below to access an article that will help you understanding why puppies bite, and how to stop it.


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Saturday, September 29, 2012

Training Your Puppy

Dogs are intelligent animals and have a special relationship with humans. If you are the proud owner of a pet dog, you will feel a special bond that has grew between you and will last for life. If you own the dog from it being a young pup, that bond seems even more cemented. It is great owning them from the early days too because you can train it more efficiently and make sure that it is looked after the way you want it to be.

There are various commands which range from simple tasks such as 'sit' and 'stay', leading up to more difficult options such as spinning in a circle and crawling along the ground. If your dog can perform these tricks among with others it is great fun to show off to family and friends, and it will strengthen the love between you and your dog. It shows how obedient it is and that it will fully listen to your commands.

Once your puppy comes into your home you should try to teach them as soon as possible. Give them time to adapt and get used to their surroundings then make sure that they will follow your commands. Dogs always seem to have a favourite person, when in training; it should really be taught by one person alone so that they take in the information and can learn the sound of their voice. The way that words are pronounced need to be drawn out, such as 'stay', the end 'y' sound should go on for longer than necessary and with 'sit' you should really emphasise the 't'.

Dogs, just like us humans do, respond well to treats. They will not just do these commands if they think they will get nothing out of it at the end. Although praise and a good stroke from their loving owner are always welcomed, dog treats are particularly appreciated. Having a handful of biscuits or other goodies will certainly make your pup listen up to the words you say. Make sure not to give them too many however, you do not want to spoil their main bowl of dog food later on! You need to distinguish the difference between when they have done something well and something badly; if they do it wrong they will be encouraged by the treats to try again.

Once you get into a routine of teaching them often and they get used to what they should be doing to get these treats and praise, they will have a mindful of tricks to show off. They are not only impressive but show how much time and affection you have put into teaching your dog, it really shows that you care. They will love you more for all of the time spent and will make them much calmer as they grow up.

Zoe Robinson is an enthusiastic writer in the subject matter of pets, their supplies and also outdoor clothing. The websites recommended by Zoe Robinson have been thoroughly researched and come highly acclaimed from direct experience. Take a look at a range of dog food online today.


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Thursday, September 27, 2012

Yorkie Potty Training the Easy Way

Many dogs are rehomed because they potty on the floor, but it does not have to be this way. Yes, having a dog that does their business inside your home can be frustrating and disgusting, but with a little bit of training, your dog will learn how to go outside to potty. As soon as your little yorkie comes home with you, you need to be a responsible owner and teach him/her how to potty outside. In the paragraphs below, we are going to give you a step by step guide to yorkie potty training the easy way.

To start with, you need to have a designated spot for your little four-legged best friend to use the restroom. Make sure you show him/her this designated spot multiple times in order to let him/her get used to it. After the dog eats or sleep, take him/her out to the designated spot and wait there until he/she takes care of business. When he does use the potty, make sure you reward him by petting him on the head - you could even give him one of his favorite treats.

Some owners only take their dog out 2 times a day and this is a big "no." You should take your dog out every 2-3 hours. Before you know it, each time you take him outside, he will go potty.

When you are sleeping for longer than 3 hours, you may want to put your dog in a crate (make sure the crate is big enough for him to move around in). This will discourage the dog from using the bathroom on the floor and after the training is all done, he will no longer have to be placed in the crate when you are sleeping. If you are gone for long periods of time each day (to work or on vacation), you may want to hire a dog walker that will take your dog out for you while you are away. You should never leave your dog home alone for a long period of time.

If you pay attention to your dog, when he has to go potty, he will start to pace around the room. When your dog is pacing, this is a sign that he has to go outside - take him out as soon as you notice this. Some common signs that the yorkie has to potty include sniffing the ground, crouching and walking in a circle.

Each time you take the yorkie out, you need to take him to the same place. When you take the dog to the same place, they will smell their own scent and know what to do. If your dog will not potty and lays down in the yard, then it may not be a good time to take him out - repeat the process in about 30 minutes, until he finally does his business outside. Yorkie potty training does not have to be hard - you just have to have patience. Before you know it, you will have a yorkie that tells you when he needs to potty.


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