Training Your Dog to To be Obedient

David | Stopping Bad Behavior | Thursday, 14 May 2009

Puppies are so cute. I think they are made that way so it’s easy to forgive them for peeing all over the floor and chewing up anything they can get their little teeth on. It takes time and patience to train a puppy but there are a few things to know that will make it a little easier. Read on then check the links in the article for more resources on how to train a puppy.

Training your puppy is very important to a great relationship with your pet. An untrained puppy turns into an untrained dog which can lead to big problems. Puppies are usually very willing to be trained – they just don’t know it yet. The first 20 weeks (5 months) of a puppies life is the most valuable learning time. Its little brain is like a sponge and soaks up everything you teach it.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you are learning how to train a puppy:

* Always use positive reinforcement when puppy training. Never hit him. He will learn not to trust you and if he doesn’t trust you, he won’t learn from you. Reinforce good behavior with dog treats and lots of praise.
* Use simple one word commands like “sit” and “stay”. Don’t use them in a sentence like “Now I want you to sit down like a good boy”. Just simply say “sit”.
* Never give up on your puppy. You have to stick with it. You can’t work with him one day and not the next. You have to be very consistent. It’s a lot of work but it will pay off in the end.
* Train your puppy one skill at a time. After he learns one skill, then move on to the next one.

Another good thing to do is to enroll your puppy in an obedience course if you can afford to spend hundreds of dollars. If you don’t have the time or money to devote to that then you should look into the many programs you can purchase online to teach your dog at home.



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Teach your Puppy Agility in No Time at All!

David | Bringing Puppy Home | Monday, 11 May 2009

dog agility training is hard but rewarding. Whether you are doing it for plain fun or for serious competition, it is one of the most fulfilling activities for you and your pet and exercises for the both the dog and his human handler. We usually see in agility trials dogs that compete in timed off-leash courses with their human companions.

The instruction of puppy agility is based roughly on the training platform of equestrian show jumping competitions. This type of dog agility competitions take its roots on the first show competition at the Crufts Pet Show held in England in 1979. It started out as fun for trainers and an audience but later shifted to become a competition event as more and more pet lovers and handlers became interested in it.

Dog agility training uses some essential equipment that includes several obstacles such as tunnels, weave poles, jumps, A-frames, see-saws and pet walks. These are simple equipment made out of inexpensive and light materials and are generally for short term use. Resources for your own backyard dog agility training are found in many stores and you can also purchase ready-to-use equipment which is generally cheap. You can also create your own toys by using easy-to-follow instructions in building obstacles utilizing common materials like PVC pipes. However, you should always remember to follow standard design used in regular competition in order to achieve the best results from the agility training of your pet dog.

In regular dog agility competitions, the obstacles used are arranged in a variety of configurations and sequences for every levels of the competition. The dog and human companions are allowed to negotiate the course for familiarization prior to actual competition. All competitors are allowed to use hand and verbal signals to guide their dogs through the competition course but cannot touch their pets or the equipment in whatever way possible. The The levels of competition of the obstacle course are different and it is dependent on the level of competition. Thus, the competitors are separated into classes prior to actual competition based on the height of the dogs. The height of the equipment used in the obstacle course is based on the section of the dog in which the shortest dogs in each class are entered into.

Whatever is your motivation in training your dog, this activity you share with your pet can bring you lots of fun and excitement. However, most find the participation in agility competitions as the reward for long hours spent in agility training for both the dog and the handler. The training itself takes time and good results are attained only with the right amount of patience and persistence of both the puppy and the competitor. The dog and the handler must be in good shape before they begin the dog agility training as they are required to put great amount of time in training all possible configurations of the obstacle course. In order to receive the most from the agility training, monitor closely the performance of your dog making sure that you do not push too hard during training. You should remember that this instruction is only for fun for you and your pet dog.

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What Are My Options For Pet Clothes Online?

David | Tricks | Thursday, 07 May 2009

We have gone past those days where dog collars can qualify as fashion statement of your dog. The canine fashion trends are easily as exciting as our human clothes. There are trendiest dog clothes that come in unique trends and designs that will surely make your pet dog as fashionable as you are. Dog fashion industry is now an accepted and vibrant industry and is recognized as a highly profitable industry. There are a lot of assortments and apparel options to suit all types of breeds, size, age and even characters of dogs. The dog fashion trends have reached a point where you can buy beachwear, bridal wear, summer wear, sweaters and even goggles to go with the season and activities you are enjoying with your pet dog.

You are also given the opportunity to choose from a wide range of outlets. You can visit a dog specialty boutique which offers a wide collection of dog clothing and other accessories that will surely enhance the image of your pet dog as a four-legged fashion trendsetter. You can also look into the latest trends and fashionable products on the Internet. You will have enough fill of all sorts of products and accessories that will definitely make a fashionable and trendy creature out of your precious and cuddly pet dog. If you are serious in pampering and dressing up your pet dog, then there is not reason for you to worry as you will definitely find the perfect source of the best dog fashion items that will suit your budget.

There are a large amount of specialty shops where you can check out the latest dg fashion trends and products for your pet dog. You can easily find one at every place imaginable. You will definitely find one or several dog fashion and dog accessories outlet at your shopping center. You can also get information from clubs and friends who desire the same information as you are. Their inputs can be very useful as these are generally objective and factual and untainted of any marketing embellishments. While you are at it, look for unique sales and bargain offers and you can put additional mileage for every penny that you will spend.

You can ponder as well the latest offers from online dog clothes and accessory outlets. It is your cost effective and easy option when you are looking for the best apparel and accessories for your pet dog. Because of the setup of the online business, you will normally get the best deals and offers through this internet sale. You can also not be pressed for time while doing online shopping as you can do the purchase at your most convenient time. When you decide to do some online purchase of trendy clothes and accessories, it is important that you conduct the online purchase with reliable and reputable online dog apparel and accessories outlets.

If you are interested and heartfelt in dressing up your dog, looking for the best outlets of fashionable dog clothes is not a problem; it is making your choice which will make you lightheaded as you will definitely find great picks from regular specialty shops and

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Four-legged Freights

David | Stopping Bad Behavior | Monday, 04 May 2009

One morning I was watching the news and a special about disciplining dogs came on. The program had taken four disobedient dogs to Washington DC dog training in hopes of turning them into refined pets. Each dog was treated individually and taken through a series of exercises. Dog clicker training was a main focus of the program A command would be followed by a click, and if the dog obeyed it received a treat. After long enough, the dog would do the command without a command or reward. I was astonished at the progress the dogs made in such a short time. Each went in a miscreant and came out a jewel.
Had they held auditions for the program, my dog would have been a shoe-in. Jesse, my dog, and I have a very rocky relationship. As it seems, he is the king of the castle. I didn’t think dogs could wear pants, but Jesse has showed me differently. Jesse is a diva by all standards. I have lost count of the times I’ve slept on the couch because he took the entire bed. Any pillow I have must be tested and approved by him first, and if he likes it, he might choose to take it for himself. He also has taken on the role of my personal taste-tester, even if I didn’t ask for his service.
I feel like I’ve done all I can to try and reform Jesse. I tried using tips from a book from my brother-in-law; called Good Masters make Good Dogs. I did everything the book suggested, child-locking my kitchen, putting shock systems on things, but nothing seemed to work Jesse just out-smarted it all. I was at a loss. I then turned to my veterinarian. He outlined a plan that always worked for his other patients. Well, obviously, my dog is either a genius or a dunce because it didn’t work. Jesse seemed to repel any type of constructive reformation.
The expo seemed like my last hope. If it could fix the terrible dogs I saw on TV, Jesse would be an easy task. After all, Jesse was harmless at heart, he would never hurt anyone. All he needed was a little tough love, or a lot. After watching the news special, I ran to the internet to see if I could get Jesse into the program. The news station website was actually running a contest where ten people can win the chance to take there dogs to D.C. for training. I am normally not the type to enter contests, but I was hopeful.
Three weeks later, I got a message on my cell phone from the dog expo in DC. I was quite surprised because I had almost forgotten about the entire things. I had to have Jesse in DC in two weeks. I took him to be groomed and get a checkup just in case. Now that he was presentable, Jesse and I got in my car, him in the front seat of course, and set off. By the end of the workshop, Jesse was a new dog. He sat in the backseat on the way home, slept on his dog bed for the first time, and started a new diet void of human food.

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The World of Puppies and you

David | House Training | Friday, 01 May 2009

Puppies are huge commitments. Deciding to get a puppy is almost like deciding to have a child. You have to provide education, food, love, potty-training and much more. One thing every dog owner should consider is sending their pup to dog obedience training . This could spare keep you from numerous incidents involving chewed up couch cushions, cleaning up accidents on the living room carpet, and most of all stress. Dogs are not meant to stress you out, they should make you happy. Also, be sure to consider expenses such as grooming, boarding or dog sitting and other care your pet will need. Similar to expecting parents preparing when having a baby, dog owners need to be prepared for their first puppy.

The first common quirk for a puppy to have is to use, and perhaps destroy your furniture. There are a few ways to alleviate this issue. However, if youneglect to deal with this in the puppy’s early years it will become a normal action for them. You may find yourself replacing pillows for the next fifteen years. A great way to keep the dog off is a shock mat. These mats are portable and are battery powered. It will send an electrical impulse through anything that touches it. You simply turn it off when you want to use the couch and turn it on afterwards. These mats will save you money and help you and your dog have a better relationship.

Another bad habit your new puppy will have is to get into your trash bins! This is a problem a lot of adult dogs won’t seem to grow out of. One thing you can do, especially if you used the last tip, is place one of the shock mats in the way of your garbage bin. This will teach your dog not to go near the garbage, and over time you won’t need the mat anymore. Another quick solution is to child lock your garbage bins. This may be a hassle, but you have to make small sacrifices for your dog.

In addition, your dog may be prone to jump on people. This really makes having company over hard, because they get berated by your dog. To break this habit, it takes persistence. First, when your dog jumps up, grab their front paws and step on their back paw. It doesn’t hurt, so don’t worry, its simply negative reinforcement. It reiterates to them that when they jump, something uncomfortable comes with it. By doing this every time and reprimanding, your dog will break this habit fast.

Dogs are demanding pets, and you have to make sacrifices for them. However, the sacrifices are well paid-off for the great friendship and memories a dog brings. Instilling good habits from their formative years is important. You have to teach the dog the difference between what is right and what is wrong, can’t do this, your dog will develop a skewed view of reality and bad habits.

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