Saturday, June 26, 2010

You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks

To quote the rock band Chicago, they say it's a hard habit to break. Perpetually stereotyping employment, marriage, and singularity: Age is but a hindrance but not for long. With approximately 15 minutes of training daily for 2 weeks straight, according to The Animal Planet, even the most stubborn dogs will give in. These enduring canines will sit, roll over, and do whatever your heart desires. All you need is a strong sense of consistency, and a mouthful of patience under your sleeve.

In order to make this a quick fix, the trainers (or owners) should develop a positive attitude. To feel frustrated and angry will not help at all. As a matter of fact, pets somehow feel how their owners experience; and that would not speed up the progress for even a bit. As for the owner's side, unreasonable expectations should not be made for their pets. Unlike children sent to school for a 12-year formal education to get the basics, it is quite irrational to invest an uptight 12-week course for your dog to acquire the desired behavior, and earn the respect and discipline needed. Remember: all relationships require a bit of work.

It also involves recognizing the dog's previous training, then deciding on what certain applicable and viable changes are needed for a greater effect. You highlight the dog after a day's work with plenty of rewards such as treats, and verbal praises such as patting him on the head for doing a good job. Take it nice and easy, as not to shock and confuse the pet. It is necessary to change the behavior in small steps rather than a complete change all at one time.

However, there is a difference. One has to put in mind that training an older dog is remembering that this dog has, most expected, to having been trained once. This means that it has an established thinking as to what acceptable behaviors are, and what behaviors are most not welcomed. It takes a great deal of endurance to train an older dog, and should be at the very least regular to receive the best outcome.

But do keep in mind that although the owner is the master, the dog still is an individual, as in it has its own personality; so a little give-and-take affiliation will not hurt. The key is to enjoy the whole teaching-an-old-dog-new-tricks activity, as you build a better relationship with him. That is the sole purpose of dog obedience training.

What you give is what you get; therefore being the educator, you are responsible for the way your pet responds. Dogs are social creatures, and are among of the most loyal. If you have a senior dog around who needs a bit of a push, do not fret; all you need is give your little furry friend some feisty motivation. Who ever said you can't teach old dogs new tricks?

That saying is meant to be taken more literally to humans, for we've got a lot of habits that are harder to break.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Tips On Selecting A Dog Obedience Trainer

You should know how integral the steps are in choosing a dog obedience trainer. Your dog is like a child who will be going to school and spend the day with his teacher. Thus, you must ensure that the institution will be convenient for your pet and that he will be comfortable with the trainer.

You see, obedience training classes must not be educational alone but also fun for most of the part. If your pet enjoys the classes, then, he is more likely to learn the commands easily. When looking around for a trainer, it matters that you know who to trust and what to look for. After all, anybody can call themselves dog trainers and present their business cards to you.

Know what You are Looking for

To ensure that your dog is going to get the best training that will correct his unpleasant behavior, the dog obedience trainer must have the necessary knowledge on how to do things. First, look into his certification and how he was able to get it. He has to be certified through some specialized organizations which actually train dogs in line with services work.

Beware though because there are too many online courses these days which promote a short-term course for a certain fee and then provides the certification to individuals. Always ask the dog obedience trainer himself about the certifications that he has and how he obtained him.

Verify the number of years that the trainer has been doing it professionally. There is a difference between trainers that train dogs as a matter of a hobby and those that do it as a profession. Although the years will not actually determine the capacity of a trainer to educate a dog, it will still reflect something about his passion in his chosen profession.

Check out the license of the trainer. Is he a licensed individual? Does his business meet all of the requirements of the city, the country, and the state? Does he adhere to the federal regulations? All of these should be met before you can completely put your trust on him.

Determining the Dog Trainer's Teaching Methods

For you to be able to be familiar with the teaching methods, it is important that you attend the trainer's class. Observe how the clients and their dogs react to the methods used. The trainer should not only be accommodating, kind, and polite to the human students but to the dogs as well. Learning must be fun for all human and animal clients. The trainer should also give out clear instructions and provide assistance whenever necessary.

An honest trainer will tell you the advantages and disadvantages of the methods used. Check out the facilities and equipment used. Bullying the dogs is a big NO and the training methods should not cause the dogs to get stressed and become agitated.

The dog obedience trainer should make sure that the environment where the sessions are to be held is safe for the dog's health. Some vaccines may also be required so the dog will be in the best physical condition.

These are just some of the essential guidelines that you must apply when choosing the dog obedience trainer. Keep them in mind and have the best behavioral training for your pet.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Using Games in Dog Obedience Training

While many dog owners rely on dog trainers and dog obedience schools to help turn their dogs into well-trained pets, there are a few who found simpler means to make their dogs obey what they want them to do. One of which is by using dog obedience games. These are actually very effective in fixing some dog behavior problems, unlike when an owner uses punishment just to make his/her pet behave.

Now, you might think, "How can it be possible that a game can be used to keep a dog in line?" If you are a parent now, for sure you've already seen how games can help your kids learn a lot of things. So, don't you think it's just wise to also use games to train your pet? Still not convinced? Here are two very important reasons why you should use dog obedience games in dog training.

The first reason is that dog obedience games make great activities for your pet, keeping it occupied. Think about this: if there is nothing for your pet to do, what can you expect? Of course, in just a minute or so, you might find it inside or outside your home, creating a complete mess or doing something really naughty like peeing or chewing on your shoes and slippers. But if you spend the time playing dog obedience games with your pet, the less likely these things will happen. Not only that, you should also keep in mind that tired dogs cannot create any trouble. So, how to tire them? Let them play games. Try this step and you'll see that when your dog is tired, it is not able to get into things to tear up and create a mess.

Now for the second reason, well this one is quite obvious: playing dog obedience games with your pet is fun, actually even more fun than any kind of serious dog training. Try to compare enrolling your dog in a dog training that is solely geared towards making it obey commands like "sit", "stay", and "down" with a dog training using dog obedience games. You will notice that your pet is more interested and that its attention span becomes longer. Why? Because the dog games allow it to play, learn, and have fun, all at the same time. But actually, it's not only your dog that will have fun doing this. Allot some time to spend playing these games with your pet and you will see yourself having fun too.

These are the two main reasons why dog obedience games are important components of your dog training. Isn't it amazing how games, just like in kids, can make your pet behave and learn a lot of things? So, why have second thoughts about integrating these in your dog training?

Now, if you want to know what kinds of games are appropriate for your pet, you can always do your search online. Or better read more articles about dog obedience training and games via the Internet.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Insights Into Dog Obedience Training

A dog is said to be man's best friend. Most people like to keep them as pets because they are capable of guarding their possessions as well as keeping them safe at all times. However, what most pet owners fail to understand is that their dogs need to go through the so-called dog obedience training. It is very important because the training itself will educate your pet as to the proper behavior. Chances are, you will be taking your dog for a stroll or to some trips and it will never be helpful if he is wild and unruly. To ensure that he is not going to cause troubles, obedience training is definitely a wise choice!

Dogs Need Social Skills

Generally, dogs are held to be social animals. Thus, their behavior should be shaped. They often get too excited when they see people and other objects so the tendency is for them to get wild when they are able to get out of their homes. The dog obedience is therefore a must for them. Dog training is not only composed of physical exercises but also some mental activities that will sharpen their minds.

When to do Obedience Training

Most owners ask when the right time is to employ obedience training. Ideally, a new pet needs to be trained. The younger the dog is, the higher chance of shaping his behavior.

Hence, for those pet owners who have not taken the right move as early as possible, you should identify the high time when to have your dog undergo the training. Well, dogs are very playful and they often associate it with ripping or destroying things. What if your valuables fall as the victims? You will surely go berserk!

Obedience training is the solution to turn to because it is known to solve almost all behavioral problems that your pet may have.

Necessary Skills in Obedience Training

One of the most essential skills that obedience training calls for is no other than effective communication. The commands such as stay, stop, come, and so on are among the basics to learn. Ensure that the training sessions will not be boring for the dog to take or else there will be very minimal learning on his part.

Type of Training to Get Your Dog

Professionals suggest the use of two of the most essential training styles. The first one is called the reward training and the second one is known as the leash or collar training. The reward training is somewhat less forceful compared to the leash or collar technique. It therefore makes use of praises and rewards for any good behavior displayed by the dog.

Even if you intend to do it on your own, you can still get the help of the professionals by reading a couple of dog obedience guides online or taking the advice from the published books sold by your local bookstores.

Dog obedience training doesn't actually cure all types of misbehaviors but it is able to resolve most of the problems. The most important secret is that of directing his attention towards other things and activities so he will forget about his tantrums. After all, a busy and happy dog is never a source of trouble!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Useful Tips for Dog Obedience Training

Okay, so you just bought that cute female puppy that you've been eyeing on for months. Now, what are you planning to do with her? Are you thinking about teaching her new tricks? If you are, then as early as now, you must accustom her to being handled for grooming and veterinary care so she'll respond nicely. Whenever you have free time, take her in your lap and gently brush her.

Speak to her softly and say words like, "That feels good, doggie, right?" Then, stroke her paws and simply run your fingers through her. That way she will learn that touch is pleasant and not something that is frightening. Once you are able to handle her well, it will not be that difficult to start teaching her new tricks like making her obey your "sit", "wait or stay", and "do not jump" commands. Anyway, here are some useful dog obedience training tips for you.

For the "Sit" Command

This is actually one of the easiest tricks to teach and often the most useful. Since your pet is still a puppy, as early as now, you must teach her how to obey the sit command because it is a great way to reinforce your status as her leader. How to do it? First, you have to get her attention. Start by showing her a treat and then slowly move it upward in a way that she has to raise her head for her to see it further. You'll notice that in order to do this, she will move into a sitting position, just like most dogs do. If she doesn't do this, slowly push down on her rump while you move your hand back over the head to give her the idea. And once she's on that sitting position, give her the treat.

For the "Stay or Wait" Command

This one can be more difficult than the sit command as dogs tend to move a lot. To teach your dog to wait or stay, simply place her in a sitting position. Then, hold up your hand, on which the flat of your palm is towards her face, and tell her to wait or stay. Now, move a few steps backward. If she stays where she is, give her words of praise, like "Good girl or good doggie!" But if she moves towards you or away, do not shout at her or punish her. Just put her back in position and start all over again.

For the "Do not jump" Command

A jumping puppy is very cute to look at, but when her size has doubled and she still does a lot of jumping, it will not be too fun at all. So, you must replace that jumping behavior with the sit command. Instead of pushing her away, simply pivot so that she misses you and then tell her to sit. When she obeys, give her praise or a simple treat.

These are just some useful dog obedience training tips that you can keep in mind. Take note, your puppy will be more lovable if she learns how to obey your simple commands.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Guide to Dog Obedience Training

If you keep a dog either for sporting, competing, or simply for leisure, you probably know how significant it is to have him go through dog obedience training. A pet dog that is well behaved is always pleasurable to take along because he is less likely to go wild and cause troubles to other people. You surely don't want to tag along a dog that barks at everyone and run around therefore scaring away the crowd. If good manners are very important in your home, the same things should also be taught to your pet.

Sure enough, keeping dogs at home should provide your loved ones with enough security and not that they will cause harm on anyone. You will not also like it when your neighbors complain that your pet has ransacked their properties or worse, have bitten someone in the area. Therefore, the more that you should pay attention to having your dog trained properly.

Are you planning to train your dog by yourself? Here are the steps that you need to take note of in dog obedience training. But remember; don't ever move to the next step when your pet has not yet mastered the previous one!

The difficulty of the commands start from the basics to the most advanced. For starters, teach your pet the easiest instructions first. These are "sit", "stand", "stop", "come", and the likes. Be sure that he is able to learn all of these before starting with a new set. Always use these commands so he will be able to remember them.

Keep in mind your dog's genetic makeup. Some breeds have their specializations so you must concentrate on harnessing their skills and capabilities.

Take note of the duration of time when teaching a new command. Don't bombard your dog with several commands all at the same time. Also make sure that you use the praise or reward and punishment method. Your voice should likewise sound positive when giving praises and be unyielding when there is a need to reprimand him.

Ensure that your dog is physically comfortable as the training exercises are performed. Dogs get tired easily so don't strain him that much.

Execute the dog obedience training sessions in a distraction-free area. As the response turns positive, gradually add more distractions like bouncing balls, doing the jumping jack, running around, throwing treats to him, and many others. But don't overdo the use of distractions as it may frighten your pet.

Practice giving commands in a variety of surfaces. Some of these include the cement sidewalks, on sand, on dirt, on the grass-covered lawns, on a chair or table, low wall, logs, and many others.

Give commands while you are walking down the street, while you are in the pet supply outlet, or wherever you may be with your dog.

There is actually no best time of the day to administer the dog obedience training sessions. What matters is that both you and your dog should be up to it, in the mood, and in good physical condition.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Registering For Dog Obedience Classes: Things To Remember

Thinking about getting a new puppy or dog? If you are, then you might want to consider signing up for dog obedience classes, especially if you are a first-time dog owner at that. It's fun to have a dog or puppy around, but that is if the one you got has good manners. Because if not, you might regret getting one in the first place.

So, when you bring home your new pet, make sure that you put enrolling in dog obedience classes on top of your priority to-do list. However, since there are lots of dog obedience schools offering this kind of classes, you must be keen in choosing the one that meets your requirements. So, when signing up for dog obedience classes, here are some things to remember.

First, look into the reputation of the dog obedience school offering dog training classes. Of course, the more popular the school is, the more reliable it could be. Try to ask from your neighbors for suggestions. Also, you can talk to friends, colleagues, and relatives who have already tried dog obedience classes for their pets. But the most reliable recommendation that you can get is from your local veterinarian. He/she knows where dogs can be trained well in your area, so check out the name he/she recommends.

Now, if you don't anyone who can recommend you a reputable dog school, you can always rely on the Internet for information. Some dog obedience schools have already conquered the web to reach more potential clients. So, start doing your research online and check on the school's feedbacks to know whether their services are good or not.

Next, see whether the trainers comprising the school have sincere love and attachment to dogs. This is a little difficult to determine because anybody can claim that he loves dogs and enjoys training them. So, how to know this? Try to observe the classes first. For example, if you have a friend who has a dog enrolled in one, you can always join them during sessions and note your observations. If the qualities of the trainer meet your requirements, then consider that school on top of your list.

And lastly, of course, you have to consider the cost of signing up in a dog obedience class. If your dog is a high-breed, the cost of getting one may already be high enough, much more if you start buying dog foods and bringing it to a veterinarian for some check-ups. So, ask yourself, can you still afford the cost that goes with training your dog or puppy? Before signing up, make sure that you inquire about this first because you might end up quitting the course just because you run out of budget.

So there you go. Now that you know all these, you're off to getting the right dog obedience classes for you and your pet. Take note that a dog obedience class can very much help you teach your new dog some basic commands like sit, stay, come, and down. Once your pet learns all these, you will have more control over it during social events.

So, never underestimate the significance of these classes for you and your dog.