Properly Crate Training Your Dog

By Andrew Bicknell

The best time to start crate training any dog is when he is a puppy, or if that is not an option when you bring him home for the first time. If you decide that crate training is something you want to do then you should be prepared to continue it for the life of your dog. The reason for this is simple, if properly done the crate will become your dogs personal space where he can feel a sense of security and familiarity, even when away from home.

Crate training your dog is a process that takes time. If you know you will be traveling with your dog a lot then his crate will be his home during those times. Simply pushing him into a crate the first time you travel with him is not the way to do it. The idea is to get him used to the crate even before you ever put him in it.

The first thing you will need to do is select the proper sized crate. Remember to get one large enough for when he is full grown or youll be buying a new one as he grows out of puppy hood. Put his new crate in the room he frequents most so he gets used to it. Leave the door open and place a treat inside so that his curiosity will get the better of him and hell soon go in and enjoy his snack.

The more casual you are about the whole process the more comfortable you dog will be as he gets used to his new crate. You dont want your dog to associate the crate with any sort of punishment or he will always be afraid of it. As he gets used to it continue to put treats in from time to time. You can also put some blankets or cushions and his favorite toys in there to further his comfort level. Placing the crate next to your bed may further his comfort level and you may soon find him sleeping in there.

After you dog has become comfortable with the crate and has gotten used to being in it for periods of time with the door open it is time to get him used to having the door shut. Once again break out your handy treats and put some inside his crate. When he goes in to enjoy his snack close the door gently while he eats. Stay next to the crate while you do this and let him finish the treats. Let him out after a few minutes so as not to create to much stress or anxiety for him.

Keep repeating this same procedure but lengthen the amount of time the door is kept shut each time. As you slowly increase his time in the crate he will become more comfortable with it. When it is time to actually pick up the crate with your dog inside go only a short distance. Maybe to just another room in the house or outside to your back yard. The idea again with carrying your dog is to gradually get him used to it.

The most important part of crate training a dog is to make sure that they are comfortable with the process. If done properly he will just see it as another part of living life as a dog and you can take him anywhere in his crate that you chose.

To learn more about crate training your dog and other training tips and tricks please visit the website Worfdog.com.

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Tips On How To Train Your Dog Properly

If your dog is giving you a headache, and you have no idea how to begin to train the dog, do not worry. You have already successfully taken the first step toward trainAing your dog, and that is to look for information. This article will provide you with that information and help you learn how to train your dog.

As you begin a new training program for your dog, it is important to commit yourself to the process - dont give up! You will need to give your dog continuous reinforcement, or he or she will go back to how they were before being trained. You always need to keep training your dog, just like you need to continue feeding it and providing it shelter.



Dogs can concentrate on one thing intensely and you will have to learn to break his attention. Eventually, you will be able to ensure that your dog is more focused on you and your commands than other distractions.

It is natural for a teething puppy to want to chew things. It is up to you to remove things from his reach when you are away and cant correct him. If it is too cold out, or you cant leave the puppy outdoors for some other reason, you will just have to do your best to make his favorite objects out of reach. Leave him in one room with the door closed, and leave him some toys that are okay to chew on.

Dogs generally bite because they are afraid of something. This is the end result when your dog feels scared or trapped. Force is not necessary to train a dog, and should never be used. You could end up being bitten if you do this. By doing this, pleasing you will be one of your dogs life goals as it will see you as the pack leader.

Your dog should be happy with everyone in your home so he does not suffer from separation anxiety. By forming healthy relationships with other people, the dog will be more likely to cease its unhealthy dependence on you.

Anytime you hire a professional, you need to look into their background, check references and interview them, and the same is true for a behavior specialist for animals. Many animal behavior specialists have opposing opinions on how to correctly train dogs. Be sure to verify that the trainer you hire has similar ideas as yours, prior to implementing any of their tips.

When you know that you need to be gone for a few hours, take your dog for a long walk before you depart. Wearing them out helps them deal with the anxiety they feel when youre gone.

Obedience classes can be beneficial for dogs that seem to be especially hard to train. Instructors have been trained to deal with all sorts of behavioral problems, and can even help you to learn the best ways to maintain a training routine.

Dont let your dog run the show. If you do not have the time or energy to enforce a command, do not give the demand in the first place.

You should train your dog to walk properly on his leash. Doing so is a matter of safety for both you and the dog when you take him for a walk.

Dog training should always be positive and encouraging. Give your dog a reward, especially when he learns a new skill or learns to refrain from doing something bad. Resist the urge to scold or punish your dog to intimidate him into obedience; this will create fear and a lack of motivation.

Learn to incorporate positive reinforcement when training, in place of treat based rewards. Even though using treats will work, it is not the best idea. However, you probably are not going to have treats on you constantly. Petting and showing love to the dog are also good ways to reward your dog. You can use these kinds of positive reinforcements to encourage good behavior in addition to treats.

Do not punish your dog when you are training him. You should take steps to help your pet avoid bad behavior, but if he makes a mistake help him understand correct actions. Training a pet should allow you to teach your pet and connect with him; the process should focus on positive communication.

Make sure to give your puppy plenty of toys that are okay to chew, so that he isnt tempted to chew other things that arent okay to chew. Give it one of his chew toys immediately. Puppies sometimes chew objects while going through their teething phase. A wet cloth that has been frozen is perfect for them during this time.

Now that you have found the information you need, you can use it to start training your dog. Being knowledgeable about the subject will help people start training their dogs.

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Training The Puppy About The Collar And Leash

By Jay Jacovitz

Puppy training in the early days is very easy. A puppy is naturally inclined to follow you as the "pied piper". This will change as the puppy becomes more curious and feels more secure, and wants to wander further to explore its environs. Then, puppy training requires a bit more guidance on your part.

A collar takes getting used to for a young dog. A puppy often must be trained to accept the collar. The puppy collar carries the contact identification tag (vital for return of a lost pet) and rabies tag. Dont put the dogs name on the ID; the name could endear it to wrongdoers.

Some puppies adjust easily to a collar and others attempt to remove the collar at first opportunity.

There should be enough room to slip two fingers between the collar and the neck, but should not pull over the ears. Any looser, the collar can slip over the head, get lost and the puppy escapes!

The collar should be worn at all times. Buckle collars (adjustable or flat) are safe for daily wear. Most collars have a ring to hold the ID and rabies tags; and breakaway buckles, or the collar itself will break if the puppy gets it caught on something. The puppy training collar, commonly known as a "choke chain or choker", should never be left on a puppy that is unattended. If snagged, it can choke the puppy to death, or cause permanent injury to the trachea, esophagus and voice. Puppy training collars are for training only! All collars should be removed and checked on a regular basis for uncomfortable hardness, stiffness, dirt and grime.

The puppy may need time to get used to the collar as well as the restraint of the leash.

Attaching a leash to the collar may come as a surprise to the puppy. The leash may seem like a game and the puppy may attempt to take it in its mouth and pull against your control effort or treat it as an unwanted restraint. Start by attaching a string about two feet in length to its collar. Make the string just long enough to trail behind for the puppy to play with, but not heavy enough for the dog to feel weight from it. When the puppy ignores the string completely, replace it with a heavier rope, and repeat the process. As soon as possible, attach the leash to the collar and allow the puppy to accustom to it. The puppy will train quickly to ignore the leash.

You cannot train a puppy that you cannot get your hands on right away.

Your puppy should never be allowed out of its crate without its collar and leash. Do not let the puppy out of your sight while he has on a leash. When the dog appears to ignore the dragging leash, take control of the leash by stepping on it or picking the leash up. The idea is to stop the puppys free movement and take a different direction than the dog was going.

The puppy might fight it, or he might go willingly. If the puppy starts full-body twisting, yanking, and biting at the leash, resisting the pull, do not let go of the leash, and do not continue to pull on it. Call your puppy by name to get its attention. Give the command only once. Do not be mean but be forceful so the puppy realizes he should respond immediately. Bring the puppy to your side, taking up any slack in the leash as it comes toward you. Reward with lots of praise, and repeat the process.

A simple buckle collar and a six-foot leash is all you need for this puppy training exercise.

Have a few treats in your pocket, and coax the pup to remain near your side as you walk and praise as you go. Puppies have short attention spans, so five minutes at a time, several times a day, keeps puppy training sessions both short and positive. The purpose of this exercise is to get the young dog trained to the connection of you in control of the leash attached to the collar, and to be accepting and calm. We do this before the next step of training the puppy to walk with you under control.

We have existed as a company since 1985, but it was a love of dogs, the dogs that have been a part of our life, and the passing of one dog in particular, Rusty, that inspired the creation of http://www.CalloftheDog.com and http://www.CalloftheDogShop.com -- created to provide the things your dogs and pets need. Visit us for great information and quality dog supplies! Be sure to see our About Us page as well.

The two sites are dedicated to the dogs we have loved so deeply, and who have given us so much love in return. Purebreds and mixed breeds, but mostly rescues in need of a home. We educated them, but each one has had something to teach us in exchange.

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