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Puppy Training Advice, Tips, and Techniques

Rick — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:19:38 +0000

Puppy training can be quite challenging if you do not know the right techniques and strategies to apply. Also – with all the puppy training advice available on the internet, how can you tell who’s worth listening to and who’s not? So the question to ask yourself here is – “Is there really a “right” way to obedience train your puppy?”

Fortunately – there is, even better – with the right training advice, tips and techniques, you can make puppy training fun and fast. To ensure success for you and your puppy, you need to first set realistic goals, and then you need to make sure you have the know-how for executing them effectively.

So here are is a list of my best puppy training advice:

Tip 1: Employ positive reinforcement for best results.

This basically means that you train your puppy, by teaching him that every time he does something the right way (pees in his potty spot, comes when called for, sits when you’re giving him his food, etc.) he gets rewarded for it – either with a treat, with his fvourite toy, or with love and praise.

The way this is different from conventional puppy training techniques is that you reinforce positive behaviors, as opposed to punishing negative ones. That way you’re effectively teching your puppy that you’re there to support and love him.

Tip 2: Use the NO command right from the start.

So if you want to curb a negative behavior – just use your most authoritative voice and say NO – but without shouting. Even though your dog does not understand the meaning of NO, the tone of your voice will serve as a warning to him – he’ll pretty soon learn that this command means he has to stop the given behavior. Note that your NO voice should always be the same.

Tip 3: Teach your puppy the basic dog commands such as SIT, COME, and NO.

OK, let’s be clear on this. At first your puppy will not be very good at following orders – he’s too young. So for the time being, start teaching him, but don’t expect miracles. All you’re doing is setting the foundations.

You can start teaching him the SIT, for e.g, every time you feed him, or every time you wan to give him a treat. The NO command we’ve already touched on. And to teach him the COME, start by calling him to COME every time he’s already on his way to you. So basically you’re associating the sound and tone of a word command to an action he’s performing – that way he learns what you want from him.

These commands are interconnected; one command is necessary to carry out another. In order not to confuse your dog, concentrate on one command only at a time. Once your dog successfully understands it, you can move on to the next one. It does not matter which command you teach first.

Tip 4: Use a leash.

OK, for this one you’d actually first have to teach your pup to use a leash. Some puppies take to it like ducks to water, some may create a bit of problems. But presuming your puppy would stay on the leash use it while training – it will help you tremendously in keeping him in attention.

If you decide to use a leash – buy a long leash so that your dog can move freely and won’t feel restricted. Whenever your dog’s attention wanders, tug the leash ever so lightly to bring his attention back to you.

Tip 5: Your puppy’s crate can be an indispensable training aid.

Some people think putting your puppy in a crate is cruel – but that’s not right. A crate is a great training aid. Use it to help you with feeding time training, with bed time training, potty training, and when leaving your puppy unsupervised in your home.

Dogs love having a routine and a crate gives them exactly that and the security of having their own space. Crate training can be tricky, some dogs will just not want to stay alone, but if done correctly crate training is the silver bullet of my puppy training advice to you.

Tip 6: Does your puppy need obedience training school?

What do you do when you cannot keep your dog under control anymore? Is it necessary to send him off to obedience training lessons? The choice is all yours of course. But my advice to you is to get your puppy trained either way.

If you think training your dog takes too much of your personal time and you just can’t get the hang of it, then send him to a good obedience school. Find out what the best in the are is and go for it. The bottom line is that you need to instill rules in your relationship – or later on in life you will end up with behavior problems that may be harder to resolve.

Tip 7: Consider your dog’s breed.

If you haven’t yet go a puppy – now’s the time to learn a little about the different dog breeds and how easy they are to train. Toy breeds can be a bit more work, while hunting ones just need a more specialist approach. The latest trend is for cross breed and designer dogs, because they are more trainable, but some of the bigger dogs are also a good choice – a Labrador Retriever being one of the best examples.

At the end of the day, although puppy training can be frustrating at times, remember to enjoy the whole process. It’s the perfect time to bond with your dog and establish a truly loving relationship. Remember to be be consistent in your teachings, confident in your commands, loving and persistent – and things will fall into place. Once you get your puppy’s trust, you can count on him to be your loyal friend for a very very long time.

Learn proper training techniques and more

Rick — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 04:25:14 +0000

DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINING———————–

MAKE THE PUPS KNOW WHO’S IN CHARGEThey can ruin everything? from your bags to your clothes, your bed sheets to your curtains.

HUNTING THE RIGHT HOUNDSome of the listed Working dog breeds are: Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Black Russian Terrier, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher, German Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Standard Schnauzer, Tibetan Mastiff.Herding dogs actively round up cattle and sheep with frantic running, eye contact and aggressive barking unlike the livestock guardians that simply stand as a guard.These fiery little dynamos would dig up underground dens and burrows while barking furiously, forcing the inhabitants out where hunters awaited.If it weren’t for the fact that most terriers, such as the Cairn and the Norfolk, are fairly small, their tenacious nature and boundless energy would make them hard to control.Golden Retrievers are among the most popular breeds in America.But for the most part, these are large, powerful dogs.Some indiscriminate breeders have inflamed congenital problems by careless over-breeding, and have created unstable temperaments through simple neglect.Two purebred dogs are sometimes deliberately crossed in hopes of creating a new breed such as the cockapoo, which is one part cocker spaniel, one part poodle.Non-sporting dog breeds.Smaller dogs may be hurt by unintentionally rough children, especially those under the age of 3, but a well-trained smaller dog can be a great companion for gentler kids.Due to some unscrupulous breeders and unmindful owners, a few breeds within the terrier group have developed rather notorious reputations.Often used interchangeably, the terms “mixed breed” and “crossbreed” have slightly different meanings.The sporting group comprises some of the most popular breeds, including pointers, setters, retrievers and spaniels.Sometimes produced randomly, but most often planned by breeders, crossbreeds result from the mating or crossing of two dogs with a different but identifiable lineage.Some of the oldest breeds of domestic dogs are the speedy sight hounds.

THE ANATOMY OF A CANINELapping It Up Dogs use their large, spongy tongues like ladles to lap up water.You probably would like to know why these canine chums want to stick out their tongue always.Special taste receptors on their tongues are believed to allow canids to recognize chemical composition variances?such as salt and impurities?in different water sources.They – and a large common pad in the center – act as shock absorbers.Hairlessness, as seen in the Chinese crested dog, was the result of a genetic accident later perpetuated by selective breeding.Such hot-weather species as the fennec fox, a tiny African desert dweller, sports oversized ears to maximize heat loss.Species such as wolves that inhabit cold climates sport double coats, with a thick, insulating underlayer to retain heat and keep the cold at bay.Wolves have remarkably thick, two-layered coats to protect them from extreme weather.In some breeds, such as Shelties, the button ear is not always natural and must be trained from puppyhood for the proper tipped look.Other breeds such as German shepherds and golden retrievers have been trained to detect hidden drugs, explosives, and even termites.In temperate weather, canids simply breathe in through their noses to stay cool: Nasal glands secrete fluid, and its evaporation within their nasal chambers creates a cooling effect.

WHY THE HELP?It’s also guaranteed to be safe for your mutt.You won’t need any dog training equipment.Now, if you have your carefully selected dog already, one question lies before you: How does this dog follow my commands? What if he or she doesn’t follow what I say You’re probably training your dog improperly, and you don’t know it.This program works with any dog breed.

Duck Hunting Training Techniques Can Benefit All Retrievers

Rick — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:43:22 +0000

Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, mixed retriever breeds as well as all water dogs can have more enriched lives by learning training techniques used by duck hunters.
Once the owner of a retriever has learned the skills to teach his dog all he can be in the field a new world opens up. Training your retriever can become a highlight of family activities and at the same time give the retriever all the exercise he needs.
Too often retriever owners make the mistake of assuming only hunting dogs need to be taught marks and lines. But it is these exercises that keep the dog exercised and at the same time fulfills the basic need to retrieve. Not just throwing a toy a few feet but rather retrieves from a distance. This is referred to as a mark. The dog watches the dummy as it is thrown and then marks the location of the fall. Training dummies are used for this activity and can found at dog supply stores.
A single mark is the best exercise to teach the dog to mark. You will need a helper to throw the dummy. It is best to start with one person helping. Having two or more helpers in the field can cause the dog to gaze back and forth and disrupt his marking ability.
Double marks can motivate the dog to return quickly to retrieve another mark. Have your helper throw a dummy in one direction (approximately 50 feet to begin) and another helper throw a closer mark. Having your dog retrieve the last mark thrown is the usual order of pick up. Place the helpers so that there is no chance of going to the wrong mark. The more distant mark is often referred to as the memory mark. The dog will learn to judge distance if you vary the location of the helpers at each new marking lesson.
You will have a very enjoyable training session as long as each participant knows his job. Here are the steps to keep in mind. The handler places the helper in the field and decides where the starting line should be. He then heels his dog to the line holding him by a rope attached to the collar. He signals the helper with his free arm to throw. The dog must follow the flight of the dummy until it lands and only when the dog is intently fixed on it does the handler send the dog. The helper should remain silent facing the mark as the dog makes the retrieve.
When you are first beginning, find a park-like area with mowed grass and always try to use white dummies since dogs do not see red. Initially, do short marks about 50 feet or less. After a few weeks the training exercises can include water work. So if you are at a pond, lake, or river you can have lots of fun with marking retrieves across the water giving the dog a chance to do what he was bred to do. Once your retriever has successfully retrieved a mark it can be repeated without the helper. This is referred to as giving the dog a line.
The requirement to accomplish the above exercises is basic obedience. This must include the ability to return to the hander to deliver the dummy. Fun short marks can be introduced as early as four months old. Most dogs need a number of months to prepare for marking lessons.

German Shepherd Training – Specific Techniques for the Best of Breeds

Rick — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:24:50 +0000