We learnt from the best

Its so good looking at the progress on my dog training skills since I completed the course. I wonder how the other guys that did the course with me are finding the results. Before, I used to struggle with basic commands, I put the training into practice and withing two days my dog could follow commands and now its progressing on daily basis. The course was worth the effort.

It was such hard work at the college and its good to see the results. It was so tiring and when we graduated the fatigue was not there, but a day later it set in. I had to take a deserved break from all the running around and rested.

Guys send your pictures and I would really like to hear from all of you.

Once again, what a wonderful bunch of guys you are. We learnt from the best and lets ensure that we do not disappoint our instructors who put up so much work into making us the best we could be. Lets be living examples that the college produces the best trainers.

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Im doing what I like the most

Tomorrow I am starting my last week at training, but that will only be the beginning of a very long journey. This is a wonderful place to study, the environment and staff is supper.Its just amazing how much one can learn about dogs in one day, so you can imagine how much that is in two weeks. I have seen and learnt so much.I will leave this place as a better person to help my people as I have always done in the past, but my understanding will be totally different.
I have been taught to always put the dog first.
I am attending with a bunch of dog lovers and it feels like Im living in a dog world. We are such an amazing team, though we are from different back grounds and countries. We speak the same dog language and that is what matters. I will definitely miss the team and wonderful instructors. Its amazing how you can make a difference in a dogs life within such a short period. I have worked with several dogs and they are all amazing animals. looking forward to chat with all of you guys after the course and I will be able to give you a break down of the course and the two people who have made such a big impact in my life, Chris and Christine Van Der Westhuizen.
KEEP A "SHORT" NOT A "TIGHT" LEASH, till we chat again.

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Training Your Dog Is Easy When You Know What To Do!

Dogs do not have the same ability to think as humans do, therefore you should not try to treat your dog as an intellectual equal. The owner will be greatly disappointed with how training goes. Dogs are smart animals, though, and with a little patience and understanding they can be well trained.

When tying up your dog, make sure it is not close to another chained dog. If there chains become entangled with one another it could lead to an injury. Becoming wrapped up could also cause death if one of the dogs gets so tangled and wrapped up his airway closes.



Positive reinforcement should include more than just dog treats. Even though using treats will work, it is not the best idea. However, you may not always have a treat with you to congratulate you dog outside of regular training sessions. Try patting your dog on the back and giving him an "enthusiastic, that a boy."

A clicker is a good way to reinforce behaviors. To properly use a clicker, you will need to set up a positive association with the noise from the clicker and a desired behavior. You should click, and then immediately treat. This method will be necessary until your dog learns that the "reward" is the clicking sound alone. 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.

Every person in your family should know the same commands you use when training your dog. For instance, your dog is going to get confused if you are saying "drop it" after he fetches a stick and your child tells him "let go." If the family can be consistent about commands, training will go easier.

You need to make certain your dog is having fun each day during training sessions. Taking time to play creates a strong bond between the two of you, and your dog will be more likely to respond well to training. Despite the fun the two of you will have during training, it is important to set aside time that is designated to enjoyment only, with no work or training involved.

Do not be too proud to contact a professional for assistance. Training you dog can be tough, and sometimes you need a dog trainer if your dog is too hard to handle. A dog trainer can be invaluable in pointing out where the issues are occurring, and they can also put you back onto the right track.

If you want a dog that is well-behaved, assure that everyone who interacts with the dog gives it the same treatment as you do. Consistency is the keystone of excellent dog training. Your dog will get confused if his trainers are too different from each other.

Do not let other sources of stress affect your training sessions with your dog. This prevents the dog from feeling like he did something wrong. Unless your dog has done something to deserve your unhappiness, staying positive is vital to successful training.

Your dog can, and should, find the training experience to be a positive one. Keep training to a short 10-15 minute session; much longer and your dogs attention will wander. Keep your rewards coming and vary what you give them. Dogs get a kick of compliments and praise. When you make training fun for your dog, it will make listening in general fun for the dog too!

A healthy diet is essential for your dog. A poor diet can negatively affect them in various ways. A poor diet can affect their behavior as well as their health. A simple improvement to their diet will work wonders in how a dog feels, and make it much easier for them to have a clear mind during training.

You can train most forms of anxiety out of your dog. If your dog barks constantly or destroys things while you are away, he is probably suffering from separation anxiety. You can fix this by showing your dog acceptable behavior for the times when youre away. It is also wise to be demonstrably affectionate in order to make him or her feel better.

After learning some helpful hints on how to get through to your dog and train it to behave to your expectations you simply need to follow what you have learned. After changing your dogs behavior to fit with the tips suggested you can properly train your dog.

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What Type Of Dog Training Do I Do

Like i have said in my last post i use nothing but positive methods, but without the food. Dogs are smarter then what we think. But its us who really need the training and understanding of the dog. Can any dog be trained? Sure, but its the owner who must be willing to put in the time to train the dog. Listen a dog is not born already trained, this is why we as dog trainers have to help the owners understand how their dog works and what type of training does he need. This is where the owner comes in as they live with their dog everyday; so its important that we as dog trainers get as much information so we know what type of training is needed.

Dogs are great to have around as we can learn so much from them. How do we learn from our dogs? Well have you ever seen a bunch of dogs just hanging out? If so then you will see which ones who will rule the roost as like in your own home if you have more then one dog. The older the dog gets older and as you see the younger one will keep trying to take over the older dogs spot. This is where people need to watch as this can get real bad if we the top dog dont step in. It doesnt matter if they are the same sex or not from what i have learned the older the dog gets the other one will keep trying to take over. Male or female. Most case if you have the same sex dogs and are close in age this will also cause a problem, but if you have a steadily home this wont be a problem as your the top dog and you set the rules.

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What are the Best Toys and Treats for Your Dog

By Stephen Dolan

Keeping your dog entertained is important to his health and wellbeing. Oh, and of course dogs love to play and play and play! Dog toys can help keep your dog fit, healthy and they can also be part of your dogs education when used with treats to help with training.

Not all dog treats are created equal. While every dog enjoys treats you will find that your dog prefers some to others. With so many choices now on the market its not a difficult task to find a dog treat that he prefers. Once youve found the ideal treat you can start to use it as a training tool. That doesnt preclude you giving him a treat because you love him but by treating your dog for good behavior you are re-enforcing positive actions which will become a habit for your dog.

There is a wide variety of dog treats available. Some are sweet, some are hard, some are soft, or crunchy or savory or a combination of these. As with us, your dog will prefer a different type at differnt times. Some things to be aware of if youve chosen a hard or crunchy treat are that its not too hard and that it wont hurt or break your dogs teeth. You may be surprised to find that some treats are designed to clean your dogs teeth and remove that bad dog breath! You will find that as your dog ages his preferences will change too and you should change the treats that you feed him to suit his age.

Be aware that not all dog treats are beneficial. A lot of them have sugar, preservatives or chemicals that are bad for your dog, so always check the label. If you have a dog with allergies youll need to check the labels to find a treat that does not cause allergic reactions and that your dog likes. Your vet may be able to help you in this case.

If you dont locate the perfect dog treat you should think about creating your own. Its not as difficult as you may think, and whole companies have started from a kitchen table and a good recipe. Some ingredients to consider are chicken, rice, carrots and peas. Its fun to do and your dog will appreciate the effort! If youve any left over consider selling them to your local pet store. Many carry small lines of homemade treats. If you need some recipes try searching on the internet, or just invent your own. Once youve made your treats keep them in airtight containers. This not only helps keep them fresh, but also keeps them safe from your dog too!

One of a dogs favorite pastimes is chewing. Most dogs just love to chew! Oh, and chew :-) So dont be surprised that a lot of the dog toys on the market today are focused on chewing. A dog toy that can be chewed provides a benefit for your dogs teeth and supports his natural tendency to chew. This not only helps dental health but is a non destructive and safe outlet for your dogs need to chew.

Before you go and buy a chew toy you need to think about how your dog likes to chew. A canine that chews hard and vigorously will need a stronger toy made out of hard rubber or nylon. Latex and vinyl toys are designed for canines who are lighter chewers. Whichever type your dog is, you will need to keep a watch when hes playing with the toy, especially squeaky toys, to make sure that you can take away the pieces as it falls apart. Some toys can be destroyed in a matter of minutes.

For the moderate or average chewer and for puppies there are dental or flavored chew toys made out of rawhide that can be eaten. These are great, just give it to your dog and let him have at it! Also for puppies there are the plush toys that he can carry around and snuggle up with. Make sure its machine washable though otherwise its going to get really dirty!

For fun you might like to try out a Tricky Treat Ball. This is an entertaining toy that gets filled with treats, usually dry like kibble. You can also try out cheese, carrots or meat cut into small cubes. Put the food into the ball and give it a shake. Then let your dog play with it and the food will fall through the holes in the ball. Your favorite friend will love it!!

You can go even further with this idea. There are gumball machines designed to use treats or dry food for your dog. Just add the food to the machine and let your dog play with the gumball machine.

Its important to keep your dog entertained with good dog toys and treats, and he in turn will keep you entertained for hours!

Steve Dolan is a dog lover and long time dog owner. For more information about dog toys and treats click Dog Toys and Dog Treats, and for more about dog health and keeping your dog happy click Dogs and Puppies Online.

Article Source: http://www.bestdogarticles.com

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