If you are pondering about training your dog, you should know that while it isn’t a Herculean task, it isn’t a walk in the park either. There are several things that you need to make sure are in place before you commence training your dog. The fact about the matter is that dog training involves the balance of scores of factors that contribute to the success of training your dog. If you want to start training your dog, you need to certify the following:
– The age: There is a certain age that your dog will be before it can be trained successfully. If you train your dog too early, you can get stumped because its motor and socialization skills are still a bit tender. The right time to begin training your dog is when it is between three and six months old. If you make the mistake of training your dog later than that, you may not be able to get it to do anything you say because it would have developed its own behaviors already.
– Health: A healthy dog is customarily a trainable dog. You need to certify that your dog is in the best of health before you train it. A dog that has not been properly vaccinated against diseases may be prone to fall sick often in the course of training. Before you proceed with training your dog, certify that it is in a perfect state of health. commonly, dog training schools dont admit dogs that are not fully vaccinated.
– Localization: There is a certain period in the development of a dog where it becomes so attached to a particular place that removing it from there can induce a myriad of difficulties. You need to ensure that before your dog attains this stage that it is moved to the area or location where you want it trained to prevent any resistance on its part. You also need to check that your dog has exceeded the stage in which it is terrified of strangers in order to make the dog trainers work easier.
Photo source:mydogs4you.blogspot.com/
Every time I read a dog training book these days, it seems like I learn something new or find out a new strategy, command, tool, toy, schedule, piece of advice, etc, etc, etc… When I first started researching dog training techniques and found the incredibly huge wealth of information out there regarding dog training, I got a bit nervous. Would I really have to read all that stuff and figure out how to interpret all that mambo-jumbo before I was able to successfully train my dogs?
And it wasn’t just the amount of information available on dog training that was the problem. It seems like every single dog trainer out there has opposing ideas, techniques, and philosophies about dog training. Literally every book, website, and brochure I read would say something to contradict the one before.
Needless to say, I had very little success with my dog training at first because I was always adjusting my strategies, and was not consistent. Perhaps you are currently (or have recently been) in the same situation.
After three long years of this with my two dogs, I finally decided to look once and for all for an answer. I was tired of poring over dog books and reading every “latest and greatest” training theory. I decided to contact someone who I knew would be able to give me a straight and real answer – something that actually works.
So, I talked to a professional dog trainer named Paula who hass been working with dogs for over twenty-five years. I knew that if anybody could help me, it would be her, since she has to have been doing something right this whole time!
[caption id="attachment_1593" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Dog training commands"]What I learned from her was really amazing to me, and it really lifted a big weight off my shoulders. I have always considered dog training to be a mysterious, difficult process and until I spoke with my life-saver friend Paula, I thought that while I might be capable of training my pups to do simple things like “sit”, I would never be able to train them to the level that the pros do. But when I spoke to Paula about my problem, she was kind enough to spell out the entire process of dog training. (And it didn’t take that long, believe me– its a lot simpler than I expected.)
Paula told me this: there are five essential “pillars” involved in dog-training. Once you’ve mastered these five pillars with your dog, you can train him to do anything and everything. I dont know about you, but hearing that I could successfully train my dog with only five commands made me feel a little bit better.
This is the list of obedience pillars that Paula spelled out for me: “Sit”, “Stay”, “Down”, “Come”, and “Heel”. Once your dog knows these commands, you’ve formed the foundation on which any other training can be built.
Now if you know exactly how to accomplish this training with your dog, then you have no reason to listen to me any more and I hope you enjoyed reading this report. But if you’re not completely sure what your first step should be or how to instill these commands, you’re not alone.
To learn how to successfully train your dog to perform these commands, and how to use them to build your dogs obedience foundation in order to train him for bigger and better things, you’ll need a little guidance just like I did.
Photo source:dogfocus.blogspot.com
You have a new puppy at home? That is really great since German Shepherds will give you real companionship that comes with loyalty, and commitment to protect you whatever happens. They are really smart, very active, and trainable. So, this early you can really have fun teaching your puppy some tricks that he can master as he grows.
An untrained dog can be a real pain in the butt and that is a fact. If you really want to enjoy your dog and all its inherent qualities, you will have to train it or have it trained. There are some don’ts that you should know about in the course of training a dog that will enable you have successful dog training session.
The best dog chow solutions I found solved the dog food dangers that made the news. The ones where dogs were dying from unsafe commercial dog chow. It seems the rendering of dead animals for dog food was not getting rid of the product or disease that originally killed them, so it was ending up in the food.
The solution I was looking for would have to not only create a better safe dog food, but also be a healthy and natural dog food. To do this I started going around the internet and finding bits and parts of what would be great. The idea of discovering something that would do it all seemed to be more like a cure all snake oil thing and that would not help anyone.
Then I started to see a pattern of things that would work if you could get the information all in one package. The idea of homemade dog chow kept returning in different articles and the benefits were very clear – the wheels were churning. I was still looking but the answer seemed to be all in their diet and exercise. If there was truth in what they were saying, the homemade natural food could prolong life by up to seven years and even make them smarter. It could reduce weight problems and solve the finicky eating that shows up in some breeds so often. The diet could solve skin problems and kidney stones and greatly reduce pricey veterinary visits. I found an article about all of this and more it covered all aspects of feeding your dogs and keeping them healthy, it was like it was written for me and it had more information than I had found so far. This was more and more like the solution I was looking for. It proved to be the best dog chow information.
[caption id="attachment_1565" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Healthy Dog Food"]I am very excited about this product because so many people have been needing this for so long. Reason one – our dogs deserve it. There is no better feeling than having a happy, healthy dog to be proud of.
There are so many dog food dangers with using processed, commercial food. Wouldn’t it be great to know what healthy ingredients should be in your puppy food and be able to feel that you are giving your dogs the best and healthiest food?
Well, when I thought about it, it reminded me of the time we lost a batch of puppies to a food related problem. Back then I would have given anything to have a product like this one. I still think about those puppies whenever I see a spaniel.
The other part of this product is it has a free forum for pet owners to ask any questions or just socialize with like minded people. I am finding that forums are one of the best online resources. Its like having a twenty-four seven help line or having a classroom you can enter at will.
All puppy owners have questions at times, as they can be a real test of your love of dogs at times. The good thing is talking to others or just to help us remember how to treat problems. I am finding as I get older I tend to forget some important things I learned years ago, like using a old clock to help a puppy get to sleep because it is like a heartbeat.
Photo source:¨dogcare-training.blogspot.com
Raising an obedient dog that listens to what you tell it is a very desirable thing. To accomplish this, you might want to consider sending your dog to a training school. A trainer at the school would teach your dog proper behavior. Dog training schools can entirely change your dogs behavior. Following the training, the dog will be obedient and you will not have to worry about always watching him to make sure he is not chewing up lots of things.
Dog training schools are there to help out dog owners whose pets need to be taught how to behave in public, and they are instrumental in creating an enjoyable lifestyle for you and your pet. Some dog owners even take the same kind of care in deciding on the dog training schools that their dogs should attend as they do in selecting their children’s schools. Of course, it pays for you to first investigate different dog training schools and you should choose one in which you will also be a big part in the general training of your dog.
Its important to use recommendations to determine what dog training school is best for you. Your colleagues or neighbors may have experience with different schools, or you could ask a dog training expert which school would be good for your dog. Its also a good idea to visit the facilities in person before you choose. Make sure its in a good neighborhood, and try to get a feel for the place by looking around and speaking with the staff. Unless your dog is happy with his environment, he wont get the best training.
Of course, the clincher would be that both the dog and you are happy with the trainer at the dog training school, since anything else will certainly end up being a waste of time and money. Remember also that most dog training schools do not target dogs in their very early years despite the fact that young dogs will adapt very well. What is important to understand is that your dog should be taken to a dog training school where he is treated with gentleness and given adequate love and shown plenty of patience, which will ensure that he will come out from his training program a well behaved and problem-free dog.
Photo source:reditoller.wordpress.com
Did you know that dog training is a science? Dog training has created a series of studies around the world with the purpose of deepening mans understanding of dogs and increasing the relationship between man and dog.
Dogs in the course of training have been studied and countless theories have been written on them. The learning theory of dog training is a theory that has been propounded based on the messages that a handler sends out to a dog. The learning theory incorporates four necessary messages that constitute the bulk of the training session:
– Release marker: A release marker is also known as a gift marker and is mainly a message that the handler sends out to a dog to let it know that it has flaunted the desirable deeds and has carried a gift. The release marker is almost instantly followed by a present for the dog, which may be a treat, or something the dog particularly likes.
– Keep going signal: This message is handed to the dog while it is in the process of demonstrating a requisite behavior. Mainly, the keep going signal tells a dog that if it keeps up its action, it will get a present. Words such as come on or good commune this to the dog.
– No present marker: The no souvenir marker is used to let a dog know that it has not showed the apposite conduct and will probably have to commence again. Words such as uh-oh or try again are used to express this message.
– Punishment marker: The punishment marker is used to let the dog know that it has not behaved well at all and will receive punishment. A dog knows that it has erred when it receives this message. Words such as no or off are used to put across this.
These four markers are regularly used by dog trainers to tune their dogs into what they want them to do.
Photot source:learn-noweducatingonline.blogspot.com
When you are training your dog to respond to your verbal commands, you can train him to respond to hand signals also. These can be learned in conjunction with the verbal commands and can be very usual in certain situations. There are a few common hand signals that you can teach your dog.
When you are training your dog, the very first command that you should teach him is the sit command. Teach him the verbal command first and then you can incorporate the hand signal. The hand signal for sit is to start with your right arm at your side, bend your arm at the elbow with the palm facing up. Slowly bend the arm until it is above the dogs head. Do this while giving the verbal sit command. Once he seems to have that mastered, do the motion without the verbal command. If he follows the hand signal, praise him immediately and give him a treat.
Once he has the sit command mastered you can teach him the down command. This command will have the dog lay down with head up and paws forward. This is one of the first verbal commands that has a hand signal. Once your dog learns the down command, incorporate the hand signal into the lesson. The hand signal for down is palm down, fingers together and you slowly lower your hand to the ground. Keep your dog focused on your hand signal as he obeys your verbal command. Slowly, verbalize the command in a softer and softer tone until he is able to do the command on hand signal alone.
The next hand signal that you can teach your dog is the come signal. When teaching your dog to come on command use his name first and then say Come. If he comes right away, praise him greatly and give him a treat. If he doesn’t come you may have to pull his leash toward you while saying his name and the word come. Once he has the verbal command mastered, just add the hand signal. The hand signal for come is the same as the hand signal for a person to come. Bend your right arm at the elbow and move in backward toward your left shoulder in one sweeping motion. Make sure you have your dogs undivided attention when using the hand signal.
Teaching your dog hand signals along with the verbal signals can be very usual if you need to get your dog to obey you in a crowded, noisy area. It can also be usual as your dog grows older and his hearing declines. The most important thing is to never hit or spank your dog. You do not want your dog to associate your hands with pain. Be patient with your dog and before you know it he will be obeying your every command!
Photo source:sitmeanssit.com
This article will give you information on how to choose a healthy food for your dog. With the recent events surrounding the tainted dog food found in the grocery stores, more and more people are becoming concerned about the food they feed their dog. Dogs are similar to humans in the fact that the healthier they eat the better they will feel. Feeding your dog a healthy diet can also fix behavioral problems that your dog may be having.
The first is the grocery store foods. These dog foods contain low quality, indigestible ingredients. These dog foods are the equivalent of junk food for dogs. They may be easy on the pocketbook, but they are not a healthy choice for your beloved pet.
The next level is the premium foods. These are still found in grocery stores and can be found in veterinarians offices. They are just a small step above the grocery store foods. They may contain a little higher quality of ingredients, but for the most part still contain a lot of artificial flavorings and fillers. However, they are a lot more expensive that the grocery store dog food.
The last level is the healthy dog found that can be found online or purchased straight from the manufacturer. These are formulated with real fruits and vegetables and whole grains and rice. They will also contain real meat as a protein source. The healthy dog foods should not contain artificial colors or other artificial ingredients. These foods are designed to give your dog a fulls day supply of vitamins and mineral in their natural form. You should expect to pay more for these foods due to the nature of the ingredients. The good news is that you will not need to feed your dog as much because the healthy foods are more nutrient-dense than other types of dog food.
If you really want to know what goes into to your dogs food, then consider making your own. There are plenty of healthy, dog food recipes online that you can get for free. Check with your vet for the best foods for your type of dog. Use only natural ingredients and introduce your dog to new dishes one at a time. Your dog may not be able to tolerate certain foods so its best to test each one separately.
Your dog is a very important member of your family. He depends on you for all of his nutritional needs. It is your job to make sure that he is given a healthy, well-balanced diet. You wouldn’t feed your children something that would harm them, so why feed it to your dog? Do your research and find the best dog health food for your dog.
Photo source:puppy2u.blogspot.com
Why do dogs need dog boot? Just similar to us, dogs need shoes not only for fashion. Shoes are intended to shelter our feet, so dogs must receive the same treatment too.
The grounds can harm dog paws. The woodlands for instance, this area frequently contains shattered brushwood and spines that can wound the soft paws of dogs. Thus, they act like dogs of shoes and a protecting layer is best to have it put on to stay away from any cuts or bleeding.
All through the summer, the ground is hot and it can easily damage your dogs pads. Reduce the amount of time on the hot concrete or put shoes on dogs to avoid scalding. Boots are not just for winter, there are also reflective boots and light boots that can be used in the summer as well. The reflective boots are great for walking at night to have shield from car traffic.
Ash / salt is regularly used in many areas throughout the winter. Your dog can easily sustain injuries due to ash and salt often causes dogs to crack that foot is very painful. Therefore, it is wise to put on the shoes.
[caption id="attachment_1538" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Santa Christmas Holiday Dog Slippers"]It is needed to get at least one pair of shoes dog specially during the winter. You do not want to see cracks in the feet of your dogs, right?
An additional key factor to keep in mind while choosing shoes for your dog is to get dog shoes that does not have a soft pad. Surface of the pad be supposed to be slightly rough to prevent slippage of the dog.
Proper cleanliness should not be abandoned. Dog shoes should be washed to prevent bacteria increase. Bear in mind to do the weekly maintenance of your dog with the leg, including the use of dogs shoes. Check for cracks, bruises or cuts on their legs and make appropriate handling or consult your veterinarian.
On choosing the correct size dog shoes, a good rule of thumb is to pick out one size smaller than a clothing size. Or you can do some measuring; all you need is a good measuring tape or ruler. Take your dogs paw and start the measuring tape or ruler right under the nails at one end of the paw and measure down the base of the paw. If, for example, your dogs foot is 1 ½ inches long, he would be a size XS shoe according to most booties sizing charts. Remember not to take in the toenails unless they are exceptionally long, and if they’re really long you should trim them. That’s all you need to do to obtain the right size of shoes for your dog.
One thing I would advise is not to leave boots on a dogs feet all the time. This is particularly true for puppies as they need to have time to be dogs and let their normal calluses develop. Just be sure that wherever they’re walking is clean and safe.
Photo source:dog-shoe.blogspot.com
Do you ever get tired of going outside every hour with your dog? We live on 15 acres, with our entire back-yard fenced in. Many days our dogs just want to run in and out of the house like kids. It seems like when I sit down, the next dog is ready to go out. I knew there had to be a way to make it easier for my dog to get in and out of our home.
Installing a dog door is one way to allow free access to outdoors, but what about the critters that can also get in and out of that doggy door? We live in the middle of the boon-docks, and all kinds of creatures and reptiles seem to make their ways into our homes!
The Staywell Infra-Red Dog Door
is the perfect answer! After much research, we decided to go ahead and order a Staywell® infra-red dog door.This intelligent doggy door is a device set up inside you door that your dog can pass in and out of at will. It comes with an electronic device that knows when your dog is approaching and unlocks for them. The mechanism is placed on the dogs collar and can sense when it is approaching. Most Infrared dog doors come with a 1-3 year warranty and can be easily installed.
The manual locking system comes with 4 ways to lock it:
Now, they are kinda pricey. They range from $150-$300 depending on the manufacture of the infrared door.So why should you purchase this nifty doggy device? Simple…the infra-red dog door is set-up to only open with the key so you are ensured that no surprises will be in your home. Protecting your home is a important part of life and the infrared dog door will keep all unwanted menaces out of your home and allow your dog free access to outdoors.
This dog door can fit in windows, walls, or doors and gives you more control over your dog’s movements allowing you to install them though out the house. If company is coming you can put up and deny them access while you visit or simply let them in and out to use the restroom. This device truly will help you and your dog; giving them more freedom and you more space.
Check out the Staywell Infra-Red Dog Door, it has great ratings and is one of the most popular dog doors around!