Dog Training Basics

Archive for April, 2009

They are a naturally feisty breed.Bred to hunt badgers, they had to be tough and innovative.  But that assertive nature should not be allowed to turn against you.You must be the top dog.

Each dog will deviate in degree, of course.There are submissive ones though fewer than other breeds, on average.Some will try to insist on having their own way at all times like most terriers.But training can modify their behavior, especially if you begin when they are young and stay consistent.

Zero tolerance should be the rule for all aggressive behavior, whether toward you, a family member, or strange people and animals.Gnawing the leash during training is one mild demonstration.

Discourage it by stepping on the leash close to the dog’s head.  Then with the other foot, slowly pull the leash down to the ground closer and closer to the collar.Take care not to stress their neck, as they are prone to spinal problems.When they have let go of the lead, praise them lavishly.

To discourage snapping or biting or excess barking a squirt bottle comes in handy.  When your dog shows this behavior, give him a little squirt against the muzzle.  Avoid the eyes.That surprises your Dachshund and it is unpleasant besides.Avoid making it a contest of wills, but repeat if needed.That only tends to make it seem to the dog that you are a competitor.Being consistently firm is favored to counter-aggression.

If your Dachshund persists, seperate your dog and be prepared for some barking.Like spoiled young children, a dog will at times try to whine or shout its way out of punishment.Offer your dog rugged chew toys and allow him to work out the aggression on those while he’s in the “time out” box.

Be sure to follow this negative reinforcement with some positive reinforcement.Look for instances of good behavior and praise it generously.Use a modest amount of treats if needed.The point is to help the dog see for itself the different aftereffect of its own behavior in terms of your response.They are resourceful.With persistence, they will learn.

For instance, one may become assertive during fetch by refusing to give up the ball.Try to discern between authentic willfulness and a simple desire to play a different game, tug.  Make the difference clear by using a rope for tug, which they love.

It’s key to tread a fine line, though, since tug can lead to encouraging aggression.Exercising them a little harder than you would a more placid or playful dog will help.Aggression is partially caused by the frustration of repressed energy with no positive outlet.

A helper can be a big help here.Toss the ball to a partner several feet away, along the ground.When the Doxie gives chase, make sure the partner is the first to get the ball.Repeat the exercise a few times, then let your Dachshund win.

With patience and a little inventiveness, you can channel your Dachshund’s aggression into more positive directions.

LuvUrDog.com

By Sandra Scott

Originally from Germany, Dachshunds have been around for hundreds of years. They were primarily used for hunting hares and badgers (in German, the word “Dachs” means badger). Also referred to as “wiener dogs” and “sausage dogs, the name of the dog is spelled both as Dachshund and Daschund. Dachshund is the correct name.

If you want to put an end to Dachshund  aggression, barking, whining, or biting, I recommend that you take a look at Daschund Training.

It can be difficult to train Dachshunds due to their stubborn nature. For this reason, an inexperienced dog owner may find this dog breed a challenge to handle.

Dachshunds are boisterous, determined, curious, and amusing dogs that can be quite naughty some times. They need plenty of attention. They will be naughty if they are not given enough attention.

Although they are usually compatible with children and pets, they can be jealous and, if overly indulged, may become bad-tempered and snappy. Therefore, they are probably a better fit for a family with no small children. Even so, Dachshunds are very devoted, loyal, and affectionate dogs.

A Dachshund that is left on his own may whine until he has company. Separation anxiety is a common problem with Dachshunds, at which time they may relieve their stress by chewing household items. Their body language and personality give the impression that they are unaware of their fairly small size. As with most small hunting dog breeds, Daschunds are bold and will stand their ground with much bigger dogs.

Dachshunds are happy to play inside so they are an ideal dog breed for apartment dwellers or for homes with little or no garden. However, they are energetic and lively dogs that love to play. It is necessary for Dachshunds to be taken for frequent walks to give them sufficient exercise and fresh air. A lack of quality exercise may contribute to many Dachshund behavior issues. If a Dachshund is kept indoors for several days without being able to work off his surplus energy, he is likely to act out.

Spine, heart, or blood sugar health issues are a potential problem for Dachshunds that are allowed to gain weight due to a lack of regular exercise. Dachshunds are predisposed to having spinal issues, so exercises that could result in a spinal injury should be avoided. As Dachshunds have weak backs, children must not be allowed to be rough with them.

You should start housetraining your Dachshund as soon as he comes home. There are a number of ways to potty train your dog, such as on command, paper training, and crate training. Whichever method you choose for your Dachshund training, make sure you are patient and tolerant with your pet. Don’t expect your puppy to get it right immediately as he will have accidents.

Once you bring your new puppy home, you should also start obedience training. Dachshund obedience training sessions should be frequent but short – for example, a maximum of fifteen minutes, three to four times per day. The optimal time for puppy training is before meal time. Similar to humans, dogs feel like resting after eating.

Do not expect your dog to learn good manners overnight. As Dachshunds are so strong-willed, plenty of patience will be required for their training. If you show plenty of love and patience, you and your family will get to enjoy a loyal and playful pet for many years.

I strongly recommend Secrets to Dog Training for your Dachshund training. This outstanding e-book is the best selling course for the fourth year in a row!  You should definitely take a look at it at Dachshund Training.

Housetraining

No training is more basic for pet owners than that first important lesson: Do it outside!

Teaching your pet to potty outside the home, not in it, usually starts between six and eight weeks of age. Dogs as young as four weeks have been started on housebreaking, but at that age few have the muscular control to succeed.

With any dog training program, trainer patience is just as important as the dog’s temperament. ‘Sit’, ’stay’ and other behaviors can often be learned in a few days. House training typically takes weeks – sometimes as short as two, often a month or more.

As with other learned behaviors, it helps to watch for signs of the desired actions and enforce and direct them with a voice command followed by praise. In this case that technique works even more to the trainer’s advantage, since all dogs will naturally eliminate. The trick is to get your puppy to do it when and where you want!

Watch for circling or squatting, then pick up the pup, say ‘outside’ and dash outside. Sometimes, the puppy may circle some more, but will often squat immediately. When he starts, say ‘Go potty’ ( or some other unique phrase) in a clear, firm (but not angry) voice. Wait until she is finished and then her praise lavishly.

You won’t always be able to catch the puppy about to begin, but don’t become angry or impatient when the dog potties indoors. It takes some time for your puppy to learn to tell you it’s time to ‘go outside’. It also takes time for the muscles needed to control bladder and bowels to develop control.

Young dogs need to go every 2-3 hours, on average. If you haven’t spotted pre-elimination behavior within that time, take the dog outside anyway. Issue the command ‘Go potty’ and wait. At first, usually, the dog will have no clue what you want.

Especially, even when outside, it helps to wait and watch for the desired behavior then issue the command. That helps the dog associate the command with the behavior. If tyour puppy hasn’t gone after a couple of minutes and a few ‘Go potty’ commands, take it back inside for an hour. Of course, if you spot the pre-elimination behavior in less time, go outside again immediately.

Dogs have a surprising ability to quickly learn what their ‘alpha’ (the leader of the pack) wants. This is almost always accomplished by associating a verbal command with behavior, followed by praise. Punishment is usually counter-productive, and nowhere more so than in waste elimination training. Never rub a dog’s nose in waste.

Paper and/or crate training is preferred by some. A pup can be trained to eliminate on a newspaper, or on one of the chemically treated pads designed for the purpose. Some small breeds that live all day in the apartment may not need to go outside at all.

The technique has a couple of downsides however. Unlike cats, dogs will seldom go in a perfumed litter box. Newspapers (even with the top layer removed after the dog goes) will eventually leave an unpleasant odor in the house.

Also, long before the odor becomes unattractive to humans, dogs can smell their own distinctive aroma. Dogs don’t find the scent unattractive – quite the opposite. So that spot continues to be the problem.

Dogs that are paper trained sometimes will prefer to potty indoors. Sometimes they’ll miss the paper by just an inch, resulting in a smelly mess to clean up.

Once the odor is in the carpet, the dog will continue to seek that spot out as its proper ‘place to go’. This makes training the dog to eliminate outside even more difficult. Best to suffer a few accidents than to create a hard-to-overcome habit.

Providing patience, praise and consistency are key factors to any dog training. Elimination training is the first order of business for you and your dog.

Get more tips and advice on housetraining or dog training at Luvurdog.com/dogtraining

By Sandra Scott

About Dove Cresswell

As a Hollywood North dog trainer, Dove Cresswell has trained dogs for TV, film and commercials.

At twenty five years of age, she has already been training various dog breeds for over ten years. In addition, she has trained other animals species including rodents, deer, birds, cougars, and large reptiles.

As a dog trainer for movies, she is expected to deliver fast results as time is money in the movie business. You can expect similarly fast results with her online dog training course.

Click here to take a look at this outstanding dog training course: Dove Cresswell.

So What Is Covered?

The following seven lessons are taught online in audio/video format:

• Puppy Potty Training/Housetraining
• Dog Obedience Training
• Crate Training
• Walking Politely on a Leash: The Informal Heel
• The Recall
• Good Puppy & Dog Manners
• Special Dog Tricks

Useful advice for both large and small dog breeds is included in the puppy house training section.

What I Especially Liked

The lessons have a quick, “get to the point fast” and fun approach. The correct methods for dog training are clearly articulated in the well-illustrated slides and narration. The multimedia format definitely has its advantages as dog owners can see the correct positions for themselves and their dogs, plus they can hear the voice tones to be used. This part of the online dog training course is superior to an ebook.

Although this program is not as comprehensive as some of the dog behavior modification ebooks in areas such as dog behavior problems and specific dog breed information, it is jam-packed with knowledgeable and clearly articulated dog obedience and housetraining instructions for dog owners.

Dove presents a very interesting and common-sense perspective on paper training. She thinks that paper training does not make sense and is confusing for dogs. She explains in a very knowledgeable and easily understood way how puppies can be trained to always eliminate outside.

Free Extras

You will be able to e-mail Dove with your own dog behavior problems once you have purchased the course:

• Teach your dog to fetch
• Train your dog to play soccer
• Train your dog to play hide ‘n seek
• Information on dog sports
• Choosing the right toys for your dog
• Earning your dog’s respect
• Choosing the right dog food and treats

My Final Thoughts

I have to admit that my first reaction was surprise that there were only seven lessons in this premium course; once I actually listened to the lessons and realized just how much information was offered in the course, I quickly changed my opinion. I found this multimedia online dog training program most enjoyable; so much so that I would have liked it to have been longer. The lessons are very simple to follow and you can emulate the techniques to train your own dog as effectively as the professional dog trainer.

The one negative of this course is that it can only be accessed over the internet so people who doesn’t have an internet connection cannot view it.  It is for this reason that I have given it a 4 ½  star rating. If the course was also offered as an e-book, I would have gladly given it 5 stars.

I feel that this course would be highly effective for most dog owners but it is particularly suited to audio-visual learners who find e-books dull.  So you know what to expect , you are invited to view a sample lesson before you buy the course.

Dove Cresswell’s dog training course is top notch and I recommend that you check it out at Dove Cresswell’s Puppy & Dog Training Online.

Puppy whining comes very naturally to puppies when they are hungry, cold or tired. In response to puppy whining, a mother dog will provide milk, a safe place to sleep, and warmth.

Gradually, the puppy will start to connect the two things and will begin to whine deliberately. This tells the mother that her puppy wants something or there is a problem.

Puppy adoption should occur between eight and ten weeks of age. This is when puppies learn that whining doesn’t have any affect with their new family; or they may use whining to influence their new mom (you!) into giving them what they need.

Therefore, it is commonly believed that a new puppy should be left on his own for the first night is his new home. If you react to your puppy’ s whining with kindness, cooing, hugging, your dog is sure to believe that whining will get him what he needs.

For a top notch guide to stop your pup from whining, I recommend that you check out: Puppy Whining.

Naturally, you will need to be reasonable and show good judgment. A nervous puppy will need affection, reassurance and attention. The secret is to respond quickly so he doesn’t think that puppy whining is what got the desired result. Puppies should not become accustomed to whining each time they want something.

You should teach your puppy to be comfortable with isolation and privacy by leaving him alone even when you are at home. This will help to prevent separation anxiety when you leave the home. As soon as you know that all your puppy’s physical needs have been met and you have taken the time to get him used to isolation, then you must teach him that whining is unacceptable.

Of course, puppies that are very upset, crying, and whining should not be heartlessly ignored. When he has stopped whining, you should show him some attention and calm him down. It is not always possible to wait until your puppy has stopped whining completely as some puppies will whine for hours.

If this is the case, there is no need to prolong your puppy’s suffering – seize your chance when he stops whining, if just for a few seconds, and open the door of the crate. Although this is far from perfect, it’s likely to be the best you can do.

Most dogs have grown out of puppy whining by the time they are six months old. If the whining continues after this period, the puppy is doing it by nature, or has discovered that this gets him what he wants.

For more information on how to deal with puppy whining, visit Stop Dog Whining.

Puppy separation anxiety is anguish felt by puppies when they are left alone. When you leave home, your anxious pup may bark or whine. He may also have potty mishaps and be destructive. A dog that forms a strong attachment to his owner is likely to experience puppy separation anxiety.

Preventing puppy separation anxiety can start before the adoption of your dog. You should wait until your puppy is completely weaned away from his mom, which normally occurs by eight weeks of age. Puppies need to be given some independence from their mother. When dogs are taken away before then, they may be prone to puppy separation anxiety.

For a great guide to solve your dog behavior problems, I recommend that you check out: Puppy Separation Anxiety.

Anti-separation anxiety training can be started as soon as you bring your puppy home. First of all, you shouldn’t make a fuss when you leave your puppy alone. So you mustn’t lavish extra attention and hugs on your puppy. Initially, puppies should only be left on their own for short periods of time. When you get home, you should act normally and not make a fuss.

A dog that is already showing signs of puppy separation anxiety when he is adopted may be more difficult to train. Rest assured, your efforts will make it worthwhile. Separation anxiety is most often experienced by adult dogs from shelters or strays. They have probably had a tough life before being fortunate enough to be adopted into your family. Don’t give up on them! These adult dogs will frequently be more trusting and loyal.

About half of all adult dogs will improve if given the proper training. However, you may need to change your routine in order to desensitize them to your leaving.

It may help a dog that experiences separation anxiety if you take a close look at his situation to determine the cause for his behavior. Don’t make a huge fuss when you leave home. Start slowly by leaving these older dogs for a short while, gradually working up to a longer period of time.

Providing distractions for your puppy when you leave is also a good idea. Once the puppy separation anxiety has subsided, your pup will generally calm down with thirty minutes to an hour. Toys or chewies are a good way to keep him occupied while you’re away. This could help him to get beyond the initial hurdle. Toys filled with goodies like cheese or peanut butter are another option. It will take time for your dog to reach the treat so he will work on it until he gets to it. This will assist him in forgetting about you and his separation anxiety.

Crate training is another good option. Crates are particularly effective for destructive dogs. Do not destroy their crate as they think of it as home. You should not use the crate for punishment as the dog will feel negatively about it. It is important for a dog to feel safe in his crate. By giving your dog food and treats while he’s in the crate, he will feel positively about the experience. Once you feel sufficiently confident that your puppy or dog will not destroy your property during your absence, leave him for a short period of time. You should leave the door of the crate open so your dog’s sanctuary is available to provide him with comfort.

Your veterinarian may have other suggestions to stop puppy separation anxiety. It is important to note that separation anxiety happens for many different reasons.

To learn how to deal with puppy separation anxiety, I suggest that you take a look at Secrets to Dog Training.

You don’t need to be concerned if a puppy bites you. This is completely normal puppy behavior. Chewing, biting and nibbling help puppies through the painful teething period. In addition, this helps puppies to develop skills in chewing and eating. Puppies view biting and chewing as play activities.

Although biting is natural for puppies, there are things you can do to stop puppy biting. It is your responsibility to help him understand what is appropriate behavior when it comes to biting.

Puppies are almost always cute and cuddly and they don’t realize that their teeth can hurt. To them, this is displaying affection and being playful. That said, there is also a small percentage of puppies that find a reason to bite.

For a great guide to help you with your puppy behavior problems, I recommend that you check out: Stop Puppy Biting.

Your puppy must learn to curb his biting tendencies at an early age. By the time your puppy is four months old, he should have stopped biting.Puppies that remain with their mother learn to stop biting from her. All too often, puppies are taken away from their mothers before they have an opportunity to learn to stop biting from her.

Socializing puppies with other dogs and puppies is a good way to stop them from biting. It is likely that the lessons he would have learned from his mother would be passed on in the company of other dogs. It is natural for puppies to bite and nip during play. Your puppy will quickly get the idea that he doesn’t like being bitten by other dogs, even in play. Puppy biting will eventually stop due to just this factor.  This is a lesson that you can’t teach your puppy. Socialization with other puppies and dogs is the only way this can be taught.

Your dog will learn not to fear other dogs if he is allowed to socialize with them. Puppies are able to be boisterous and play when they are with other dogs. As well, it’s a great way for your puppy to use up surplus energy so he’ll be calmer when you bring him home. A puppy is less inclined to bite if he is given plenty of time to play with other dogs.

Puppy biting can be an issue if puppies do not receive sufficient socialization with other dogs. The most common reasons for dog biting are fear or an aggressive desire to make someone step back from them. When a dog is not accustomed to being around other dogs, it is more likely that he will bite. Your puppy biting issues will eventually stop provided that your dog is socialized at an early age.

Your relationship with your dog must be based on mutual trust and respect. This means that you should not shout at your puppy to discipline him. You should also not do anything physical such as hitting, slapping or kicking. It is important that a firm yet calm voice be used as well as a consistent technique with treats and discipline. Constantly give your dog lots of affection. A puppy that knows he is loved will quickly learn to stop puppy biting.

Visit our site today to stop puppy biting.

puppy training

Television can bring to light many different types of careers. One of these is being a certified dog trainer. This is an ideal career is a person loves to work around animals. It may not be a traditional job in an office but it is a career in which someone is doing what they love. The trainer is instrumental in teaching both the dog and owner how to bond and interact with each other. It is very satisfying to know that your knowledge and skill is being passed on to other dog lovers.

Becoming a certified dog trainer begins with a love of animals. It requires patience and a desire to interact with the animal. Dog obedience training takes knowledge and a compassionate nature in order for there to be success. Most people do not turn to a certified dog trainer until there is an obvious sign of dog aggression and then the battle begins. Dog training starts when the animal first comes home and continues throughout the life-time of the canine.

Not all dogs are alike. Different breeds will require you to know how they interact with other dogs and humans. It is for this reason that basic classes in dog breeds, aggression level and physiology are studied in order to know what to expect. The basic coursework prepares you for understanding the psychological and physical aspects each different dog will require.

Once the basics of dog behavior are down, then begin the specialized coursework designed to train a dog through a variety of methods. The instruction will teach how to use a variety of instruction in order to train the dog such as through a clicker or through positive reinforcement. Other steps include teaching safety to the owners as well as the dog. It is also important to learn how to deal with dogs that are more difficult to deal with due to a past history of violence or dog fighting.

Once the coursework is complete, the certified dog trainer is ready to begin. There are a variety of places to work such as pet supply stores, kennels or even opening up a business. One great example of a certified dog trainer is Cesar Millan who works with troubled dogs and their owners on his hit television show ‘The Dog Whisperer’ airing on cable.

A freelance trainer will not punch a clock or find them working day-in and day-out within the confines of an office building. There is the freedom of working outdoors and getting to play while being paid. If you decide to work for a company such as Pets Mart then you can get benefits as well. You may never be famous but you will be important to the people you help.

Do you find your dog a out of control when your walking him? Even when they are in the house, dogs can be a nightmare if they are not trained. Many owners try unsuccessful techniques to try and educate their dogs to become obedient when out for exercise and at home, then find themselves desperate for a qualified trainer when things don’t work out as they would like. Professional training can be costly, but is usually effective, provided you consistently re-enhance the program, but maybe you’d like to understand more about what goes on in a dogs mind. This is often glossed over by the experts so if you are seeking a better understanding and more comprehensive program, the Secrets to Dog Training may well be the answer.

Making your Dog Obedient in No Time

The Secrets to Dog Training program used to be called SitStayFetch and is highly credited for its ability to educate dog owners how to make your dog an obedient pet. You will be able to begin training, as soon as you open the book, the training programs are easy to follow, fun to implement and your dog will love getting involved.

There is no necessity to buy special equipment to make the most of Secrets to Dog Training, you don’t need any special abilities either, simply the wish to have a wonderfully trained dog within a few months.

Once you start into the program, you will be staggered how quickly you will see inprovements in your companion, no longer will they be jumping all over your visitors, mangling your plants or dragging you along the sidewalk, leash straining to breaking point. Instead, he will be happily trotting beside you, to the incredulity of the other park regulars.

Daniel Stevens; the creator of Secrets to Dog Training has been training dogs for many years, so this course is built around well tested and proven techniques. It is designed to fix more than 25 significant and common dog behavior problems, so your training challenges will be nothing new. The best part is it costs less than one professional lesson!

If you are still uncertain if it will work, you can send it back inside 60 days and get your money back, so what have you to lose?

Visit the Secrets of Dog Training official Website for more comprehensive details on this dog training program.

The problem of dog jumping is very common. Many dog owners unwittingly encourage this behavior by enthusiastically responding to a puppy that runs towards them and makes small jumps at their knees.

The puppy quickly realizes that jumping up gets him lots of hugs and kisses. Dogs can’t be expected to realize the distinction between jumping up as an adult dog and as a puppy.

To him, the fact that he’s a few months older is no reason for him to stop jumping by choice. You will need to make it clear to your dog that jumping is no longer acceptable.

When is jumping inappropriate?

Jumping up is viewed by some owners of toy dogs as a sign of affection. Fortunately, these dogs are unlikely to knock anyone over with their boisterous behavior, and their small size normally wouldn’t intimidate anyone except for a very young child. That said, most people do not like a strange dog of any size jumping up on them. Simply put, it is a good idea to teach your dog the “off” command for those times when you’re not close by to prevent the jumping behavior.

The “no jump” or “off” command is necessary for owners of big dogs. Large dogs are often taller than a human when they stand on their hind legs – just think how intimidating that would be for a small child! As well, they are frequently sufficiently heavy to knock over an adult. Being scratched or bruised by your own dog is bad but it’s much worse if it happens to someone else. Dog owners should make sure that dogs are furnished with a recall to the “off” command.

So why do dogs jump?

Most dogs jump up out of excitement. Many dogs never jump up except for when their owner comes home after being at work all day. If your dog jumps up on you at that time, he is simply jumping for joy. Some dogs jump up to show their dominance over the person which is a serious issue.

If your dog only jumps up when he’s excited to see you or during playtime, he is clearly just showing his enthusiastic and happy state of mind. If the jumping occurs under several different circumstances, it is probable that your dog is showing dominance behavior, which is indicative of a communication or attitude problem. This will require modifications in the way you and your dog relate to each other, with emphasis being placed on your role as top dog.

Note: Secrets to Dog Training (formerly SitStayFetch) is jam-packed with useful information to help dog owners stop their dog’s dominance issues. To stop your dog’s jumping behavior, visit Dogs Jumping.

Your reaction to dogs jumping up on you is key to whether the behavior is repeated or not. A consistent and prolonged effort will be necessary to stop your dog from jumping. He must be taught that jumping is always inappropriate. You can’t allow your dog to jump up sometimes and not another time. Dogs can’t tell the difference between your play and work clothing, so if you sometimes let him jump up, he’ll try to do it whenever he feels so inclined.

How to stop your dog from jumping up

The majority of trainers believe that the methods used to stop unacceptable behaviors such as jumping can often be the least difficult. If he jumps up, you need to walk away. All attention should be withdrawn (including negative attention such as shouting, pushing or correcting).

Here’s how this training technique works: when your dog jumps up on you, right away turn your back on him, fold your arms, turn your face away, and don’t make eye contact with him. Dogs are able to interpret your body language so your posture will make it clear to him that jumping is inappropriate.

Many people confuse disregarding their dog’s bad behavior with disregarding their dog. You should be clearly ignoring your dog rather than acting as if his jumping behavior isn’t happening. The cold shoulder treatment is a highly effective method to let dogs know you are unhappy with them. When your attention and reaction are removed, your dog will quickly calm down.

The correct time to give him praise

You can praise him as soon as his four paws touch the floor. Even if you were giving him the cold shoulder treatment a second before, it’s fine for you to show enthusiasm the moment his paws touch the floor.

For more information on how to stop dog jumping, visit Dog Jumping Up.