Learn alternatives to treats as positive reinforcement

Training should begin immediately after you have gotten home with your new pet. Training your dog is beneficial to both you and your pet. These suggestions will help you in your pet training efforts.

Learn alternatives to treats as positive reinforcement when training your dog. You will find that treats do work. However, most people dont carry treats in their pockets 24/7. Learning to give praise or attention in the way of patting and hugging is a great way to reinforce good behavior, and can be a treat replacement.



 For optimal dog training results, you must make sure that your dog is active at all times. Dogs are not meant to just lay around. To have an enjoyable life, they need to be able to get out and run and work. Train your dog for agility, jog with it or take it to the park. If you stay active with him, he is not likely to get bored.

 If you are welcoming a guest into your home, give them clear instructions about how to interact with your dog. These reactions may actually encourage dogs to jump up on your guests or attempt to dominate them.

 You cant stop your dog from being a dog, so make sure to give him proper ways to act like a dog. There should always be good outlets available for your dog to exercise and keep busy, and do not forget the right diet to provide this energy.

 Here are a few ways to make crate training more positive for your dog. If the dog doesnt want to go inside the crate, put a rawhide bone in there and shut the door. A tempting bone will prove too hard to resist, and the dog will be panting to get into the crate in no time. Upon entering the crate, praise your puppy to make sure it knows it did a good job.

 Modify and update your dogs training as necessary, so he remains in compliance with the rules. A lot of owners will train their dogs once and not conduct any refreshers. Like their human owners, pets truly are creatures of habit. Therefore, it is vital that your dog follows an established rule system at all times.

 Playing tug-of-war with your puppy makes training less effective. Games, such as wrestling, chasing or tugging, teaches the puppy to nip or bite at your hands. This behavior is very difficult to break, so you should avoid these games while they are still a puppy.

 To teach or reinforce good behavior, you might try to introduce them to clicker training. In order to begin, simply create a happy mental link between the clickers sound and something the dog enjoys. Try clicking and treating immediately, and doing this several times over a few days. Soon, your dog will associate the click with reward or other positive actions, which can be very helpful in shaping the desirable behaviors you hope to achieve.

 Consistency is key during your training sessions. Pick a single word or gesture for each command, action or behavior and use it exclusively. Dogs are able to associate repeated words or actions with the requested response. Consistency is essential to training. Establish a short list of vocabulary associated with communicating with your dog.

 Your dog needs to be mentally stimulated just like a human does. Visit your local pet shop for new and entertaining toys for your dog on a regular basis. If you neglect your dog, your dog wont neglect to chew up your valuable possessions.

 Have fun with your dog each day when training. A sense of play brings you and your dog together. This bond makes the dog more responsive to your commands and training him easier. Having fun with your dog during training is one thing, but playing and having fun with your dog outside of training is also necessary.

 Training should be done when the dog is young. This is not concrete, but it is known that puppies respond easier to training. If you start training your dog when he is young, he will be almost as well-behaved as a child.

 Creating good behavior in your dog can be achieved by consistent treatment from all the people who interact with him on a daily basis. Your dog needs consistent lessons everyday. Make sure that everyone who trains your dog does it in the same manner as you in order to avoid confusion.

 Try to use the same words or actions when you are training your dog. A dog will respond to this positively, as they will start to associate that action or word with each kind of behavior. Remember to be consistent about what commands you use and what behaviors you expect in every training session. The more consistent you are, the more likely you are to successfully train your dog to obey your commands.

 There are many different approaches that can be used to crate train a new puppy. Many dogs are intimidated by the crate. To cure this, place something they enjoy in it and shut the door. If a dog sees something in the crate that they want, they will desire to enter it. Praise your dog once he gets into the crate.

 If you want to train your dog, avoid playing any sort of control games like tug of war. Aggressive games promote aggressive behaviors, such as biting. Tug-of-war can be played once you have trained your puppy; however, it should not be played before the dog is completely trained.

 As with most things, and this goes with dog training as well, dont ever give up. Dogs need consistent reinforcement in what you have taught them so they remember the good behaviors and dont revert back to their old, disobedient ways they had before training. Training never ends. It is an important part of taking care of your dog.

 Although a harness is more comfortable for dogs, it does not offer as much control as a cinch-type collar. Keep your dog on his harness, but also use your cinching collar. Tug on his collar when its absolutely necessary, and your dog will soon learn how to obey wearing the harness alone.

 A clicker works well when training most dogs. Using a clicker is as simple as showing your dog that good things happen when the clicking noise is heard. Try using this technique right away, doing it frequently over a span of a few days. Your dog will soon know that the clicking noise means that they are doing a good job.

 By following these tips, you should have a better understanding of how to train your dog. Putting these tips into action while training your pup can help the two of you forge a wonderful ongoing relationship..

Read More..

Dental Care For Dogs

By David Beart

It’s often been said that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than ahuman’s. That’s never been proven, but the fact remains thatdogs put their mouths places humans would never dare to (or beable to, for that matter). Dogs don’t think twice about siftingthrough garbage, digging in the yard and licking themselveswherever they can reach. They also use their mouths to carrytoys as well as dirty “treasures” from the yard. With theirmouths working overtime, good dental care for dogs should be apriority for any dog owner.

A dog’s teeth can be a good indication of overall health. Butas important as good dental hygiene is for dogs, many dog ownersoverlook it. Just like in humans, it’s important to practiceroutine oral maintenance on your dog. Not only can it help itsteeth stay healthy now, but it can also protect against moreserious issues later.

If bacteria are allowed to grow in a dog’s mouth, plaque canaccumulate on the teeth. If it’s not addressed, it can escalateto more serious concerns. Since a dog’s mouth is used to playand eat, among other things, it’s important to keep it in topshape. The best way to do this is through maintenance andprevention.

Believe it or not, most dogs three years of age and older havesome form of gum disease. If a dog’s teeth are neglected, plaquecan form, setting the stage for advanced oral diseases. Plaquecan bind with minerals in a dog’s saliva and create tartar,which attaches to the teeth and can cause irritation to thegums, or gingivitis. Left untreated, tartar can get under thegum line and dissolve the bones that hold the teeth in place,causing the teeth to become loose and possibly fall out.Periodontal disease, as it’s called, is treatable, but once yourdog’s teeth fall out, there’s little to be done. The best lineof defense is regular brushing and check-ups.

Home care is important, but it’s also critical to have yourdog’s teeth examined regularly by a professional. A simplevisual exam can be done in an office visit, but morecomprehensive care, such as x-rays and tartar removal, has to bedone while the dog is under sedation. It’s safer for both thedog and the medical staff, and it gives the vet an opportunityto do a more thorough exam. Some vets even specialize in dentalcare for dogs, so it’s worthwhile to investigate your options.

It may take time before your dog is comfortable having itsteeth cleaned. If you use a toothbrush, be sure to get your petfamiliar with it, so he’s more likely to allow you to use it. Atoothbrush allows you to reach teeth more effectively, but afinger brush may be easier to maneuver. Just be sure it fitswell, so it won’t fall off in your dog’s mouth. Find atoothpaste formulated for dogs. Human toothpaste is made to bespit out, while a dog will swallow it, so don’t use humanproducts, just to be on the safe side. Many dog toothpastes haveadded flavors that are attractive to dogs, such as beef, chickenor vanilla.

While brushing your dog’s teeth, take this opportunity toexamine its mouth for any signs of disease. Bad breath (thatwhich is out of the ordinary for your dog), yellowing or crustat the gum line, swelling, or pain when you touch your dog’sgums should be noted. These could be signs of infection andshould be addressed immediately. Not doing so could result intooth loss for your dog.

Another important consideration for healthy teeth is your dog’stoys. Excessive chewing on hard surfaces can lead to a dog’steeth being damaged. If this occurs, bacteria can get into thetooth and cause infection. Bones can splinter and lodge betweenteeth, rocks can break teeth and toys can cause bleeding gums ifa dog chews too aggressively. Be sure to monitor your dog duringplay time, and only give it toys that are appropriate for yourpet’s size and activity level.

Your dog’s food and treats can be a good tool for treatingplaque. Dry food can help attack plaque, while there are dogtreats on the market that are especially formulated to addressthe issue of plaque and oral care.

Dental care for dogs consists of relatively simple maintenance.Following these tips can keep your dog healthy for a lifetime.

About the Author: David Beart is owner of the http://www.professorshouse.com , a site dedicated to family,relationships, dog health, and household issues.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=220888&ca=Pets

Read More..

Dog Training How

Well, I have been searching the net for quite a while now on how to find quality information on how to properly train your dog/pup. I first looked for tips, found nothing. Then in a Google search of "how to train your puppy" I came across a dog training guide. I saw this one, wasnt really impressed and then did another Google search for "dog training guides" and found A LOT of them. I even purchased one!

Read More..

Have your dog learn

Part of the responsibility of pet ownership includes making sure your dog is well-trained. Training a dog is a long process that will require you to learn a lot about canine behavior. Ahead you will find some tips for getting the most from your dog training efforts.

Teach your puppy his or her name before you start to train him or her, as this creates a bond. Use his name frequently, and make clear that you want him to respond by coming to you when you call his name. There is no other word your puppy should be taught first. Make sure to spend time with your dog in order for him to learn and trust you. When you set this trust early on, the puppy will be more open to the next steps in training.



 Have your dog learn to just hold one of his toys in his mouth, instead of chewing on it immediately. Every time he does it, give him a snack and use the clicker. After your dog succeeds in mouthing an object a few times, move on to rewarding the dog for picking it up with his mouth. When he does respond, click and provide a reward. Also, rewards should only be given if the toy remains in the dogs mouth.

 Teach everyone in your family to use the same commands to train your dog. For example, if your dog were to jump on the table and you say "off!" but another family member says "get down!", these conflicting commands will just confuse the dog. Consistency in the command phrases will make training easier on everyone in the family, including your dog.

 Many people are bitten by dogs because of their fears of that exact thing happening. The dog will feel fear if it is startled, trapped or feels threatened. While training your dog, you should avoid the use of excessive force. Doing so may result in injury to you. Your dog will be eager for your approval.

 Anxiety in dogs often leads to destructive behavior like chewing or clawing. Placing the dog in a safe environment such as a dog crate and providing a chew toy keeps the dog safe and occupied until your return.

 If you want to be successful in house training an animal, make sure that you stick to a strict schedule for feeding times and elimination times. This gives both you and the dog a heads up as to when they need to go outside, and you can make sure that happens before they make a mess indoors. Having a regular schedule will help your dog know that a potty break will be coming, and he will hold learn to hold his bathroom urges until that time.

 Train your dog on a regular basis to make sure he understands the rules of the house. Too many owners tend to be under the impression that once they have trained their dog, thats the end of it. But pets and humans actually share the same types of habit learning systems; if they dont practice they will forget! Therefore, it is vital that your dog follows an established rule system at all times.

 Using a crate is an effective way to house train your dog. Let the dog out on a regular schedule to make the crate training most effective. A dog trained in a create will have less accidents with time.

 If you lack patience or cannon remain even-tempered during the training session, do not push forward. If you cannot focus on remaining patient when training your dog, it will quickly lose interest in what you are trying to teach.

 Ensure that your dog understands the rules. This means everyone living in the house needs to enforce the boundaries you set. This will quickly undo all of your hard work and training.

 While training your dog, make sure both of you are having fun. Taking some time to have fun with your dog makes your dog like you more, which means fewer problems when training him. Having fun with your dog during training is one thing, but playing and having fun with your dog outside of training is also necessary.

 Keeping your dog active is an important part of successful dog training and is also good for their health. Dogs are not made to sit around. The happiest, healthiest dogs run and work. Run with your dog, take it to the park or teach it to play Frisbee. Do not allow your dog to become bored and keep it entertained by keeping it active.

 Dogs have tunnel vision and will focus on one thing to the exclusion of all else. If you do it enough times, your dog will wait for your signals instead of focusing on other things.

 Your dog needs to get plenty of exercise. Dogs can get bored very easily. Dogs that lose interest are hard to train. Dogs are more inclined to obey when they are regularly taken out for exercise and happily accepted as a member of your family. It is a great idea to take your dog out on runs or walks through the neighborhood.

 If you know that your dog will react negatively in response to certain triggers, distract him until the moment is over. If your dog is antisocial around other dogs, distract him with something interesting if you get near other neighborhood dogs. This will allow him to make the relation between the positive stimuli and positive things happening.

 Dont let your dog take the lead in a training session, or in life. . Dont ever give your dog a command if you are unable to follow through with the enforcement of it.

 If its possible, start training your dog when it is a puppy. Its not absolutely necessary, but young dogs do better with training. If you train your dog when he is a puppy, then he will continue to be a good dog for the remainder of his life.

 Communication is one of the essential aspects of training your dog. Make sure you are clear and consistent when you are working with your dog. This means to be consistent not only with words, but with corrections and rewards. Be well aware that your dog is telling you something too. They will inform you of whether or not they are overworked, anxious, or having a great day.

 A clicker works well when training most dogs. Using a clicker is as simple as showing your dog that good things happen when the clicking noise is heard. Try using this technique right away, doing it frequently over a span of a few days. Your dog will soon know that the clicking noise means that they are doing a good job.

 Dog owners should now realize how easy the battle to train a dog can be when approached correctly. If the owner has the right mindset and good knowledge, they should be able to train a dog with no problem. It is possible for any dog to fulfill its potential and flourish under the tutelage of its master..

Read More..