Training Your Puppy? 5 Things You Must Have Before You Start!!
** Click Here For Your Puppy Training Secrets **
Are you about to start training your puppy ???
Perhaps you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the products, advice, and methods floating around out there. Indeed, training your puppy is a task that is at once daunting and exciting, but hopefully this checklist of ‘Things You Need Before You Begin’, will help you take care of some of the necessary details so you can get down to the fun part-bonding with your new best friend!
The best part? Everything on this list can either be found cheaply or for free, which should be welcome news to any new puppy owner!
1). Training Your Puppy - The best Collar & Leash
A sturdy, comfortable leash and collar will be your main purchase when you start training your puppy. When buying a collar, keep training in mind and buy one that fits well ( it shouldn’t be too loose or too tight) nor too thin or too heavy.
A basic nylon collar should be fine, provided it is well made. Whatever you do, don’t buy a “choke chain” (slip collar) for the purpose of training your puppy. Slip collars are made with a mature dog’s anatomy in mind, and are made only for use by those who have studied the proper method behind them. A slip collar is overkill, and could severely damage your puppy’s throat and spine!
In addition to a comfortable collar, you’ll also need a leash. For the purpose of training your puppy, the leash should be at least 4 feet long and comfortable, both for you to hold and for the puppy who has to bear the weight. In other words, don’t buy a chain leash (both heavy AND uncomfortable). Buy a flat nylon or leather leash that looks as though it could hold up to some abuse-puppies are ‘notorious’ leash chewers!!
2). Training Your Puppy - Something Good to Eat
Speaking of chewing, one of your biggest allies when it comes to training your puppy is food. Choose a treat that can easily be pocketed and broken into smaller pieces. Many, many trainers use bits of freeze-dried liver. Others simply break a milk bone into smaller pieces. Some simply use pieces of their dog’s regular kibble.
Whatever you choose, make sure you only dole out very small pieces, (so as not to compromise your puppy’s health with too many treats!), and ONLY do so when your puppy has performed a given command correctly. Many trainers actually suggest only ever giving a dog a treat when he has done something to earn it, and even then, to only ever give him his designated treats. This will keep bad habits such as begging ‘at bay’ and provide you with an opportunity to sharpen or maintain your dog’s skills whenever you feel like it.
** Click Here For Your Puppy Training Secrets **
3). Training Your Puppy - A Quiet Place
In case you haven’t figured it out by now, puppies are some of the most easily distracted creatures on the planet. A grasshopper, a child’s voice, the smell of someone’s barbecue, an unusual looking car-all of these things will cause your puppy’s eager mind to wander. That’s why, when training your puppy, you need to find a quiet, utterly boring place that offers little or no hope of distraction. A spare bedroom, well-lit garage, or even a quiet part of the park will serve you well.
If you share your home with other people, then cooperation is the ‘name of the game’. Try and work with your puppy when no one is at home but if that isn’t possible then make sure that music and the television set are turned “off” or turned down so that your puppy isn’t distracted by the noise.
Also make sure that no one is going to barge into the room and disrupt the training session. Since you will be training your puppy in small increments-perhaps five minutes at a time, several times a day-it shouldn’t be too difficult to get people in your household to agree with your requests for privacy and peace.
4). Training Your Puppy - Unflappable Patience
Lassie wasn’t born knowing this stuff, and neither was your puppy!! Puppies are extremely volatile little beings. One minute, they’re falling asleep; the next, they’re romping around the room, or sniffing across the floor after an insect only they can see.
So remember, training your puppy isn’t something that’s going to happen in a week, a month, or a year. Training is, in fact, an ongoing, ever-evolving process for both dog and owner, so try to avoid falling into the “dog as a project” mindset. A puppy is not a bedroom to be painted in a weekend or a kitchen to be remodeled in a month. Your puppy is his own being, with his very own set of cognitive abilities-and the intense desire to please you. Give him a little time and he’ll knock your socks off!
5). Training Your Puppy - Willingness to Quit for a Day
You’ve probably heard the expression “never go to bed angry” as a rule many married couples adhere to. The same can basically be applied to training your puppy, only perhaps we can re-word it to say “never end a training session out of frustration.”
For all the patience you might possess, there will inevitably come a day where you grow frustrated with some aspect of your puppy’s training. Your puppy, no matter how much you might want to believe it at the moment, is most likely not disobeying you on purpose. Puppies, just like people, have “off” days. They can get into moods, become flustered, or otherwise “drop the ball” during training.
Just as you wouldn’t want your boss to fire you if you were having a bad day at work, you shouldn’t express your frustration to your puppy through negative body language or tone of voice. If you’re truly at a ’standstill’ with training your puppy, then stop what you’re doing and try to end on a positive note. Have your puppy do something he’s very good at (and praise him for it), take him for a little walk around the block, or play fetch with him until you’re both feeling better. Chances are, you’ll both wake up the next day ready to tackle the world !!
The ‘Secret’
So if you haven’t figured it out by now, training your puppy isn’t about fancy equipment or harebrained philosophies. It’s about loving your pet, choosing a sensible training program, and waiting patiently for results. Keep this little checklist handy, and both you and your puppy’s efforts will be rewarded for many years to come!
*** Click Here For Your Puppy Training Secrets ***
***********************************************
Related Articles
Three Key Things You Must Know BEFORE Crate Training Puppies
Puppy Obedience Training: 3 Essential Tips for Starting Off on the Right Foot!
3 Proven Tips: How to Stop Dog Digging…..Once and For All !!
*** Click Here for Proven Secrets to Stop Dog Digging ***
Does your yard resemble a barren Moon-scape with dusty dirt and large craters? Do you envy your neighbors with their flowers and lawns? If so, then you’re probably dealing with a dog who’s “addicted” to digging!
Digging, despite how you may feel, is a completely normal dog behavior. It’s not done out of spite or to make your life miserable !! Dog’s dig because it’s what they do as a reaction to many varied circumstances. When it comes to learning how to stop dog digging, the only surefire method is to figure out why your dog is digging and then attempt to eliminate the ‘reason’.
Browse the list below to see if any of these reasons ‘ring a bell’ !!
How to Stop Dog Digging - Reason #1: Boredom
Generally, the number one reason a dog digs is out of boredom. You probably don’t need to give your dog his own flat-screen TV and a subscription to High Definition Animal Planet, but you do need to make sure that his needs for mental, physical, and emotional stimulation are met if you want to figure out how to stop dog digging once and for all.
Take a look around. Does your dog have any toys? Any other dogs to play with? Does your dog spend long hours in the yard with no break in the monotony? If the only time you see your dog is when you go out to dump some kibble in his dish, then your dog is obviously digging because he’s bored out of his mind. He may be digging simply to fill the time, or he may be seeking the attentions of a neighboring dog. He may also be seeking to escape and explore the wide world beyond the fence.
Whatever the reason, a dog is not a yard ornament. A dog is a living, breathing, being that is hard-wired to be a part of a pack. A dog left to his own devices in the yard is a dog who has been out-casted. If you must leave him in the yard all day, then provide him with a number of entertaining toys, such as rubber toys stuffed with peanut butter and knotted ropes hung from sturdy tree branches.
If its possible, pay a responsible neighborhood teenager or adult to walk your dog or come play with him in the middle of the day. Additionally, take your dog for a walk yourself when you get home from work. It’s great stress relief for both you and your pet! Finally, make your pet a part of the pack by bringing him in at night. All he really wants is to be with you. And that’s how to stop dog digging done out of boredom-by making every effort to appeal to your pet’s need for affection and entertainment.
How to Stop Dog Digging - Reason #2: He’s Hunting
Your dog may not be the only creature tunneling through your yard! When you ask how to stop dog digging, you also need to ask whether or not you could be dealing with moles, prairie dogs, gophers, or other burrowing creatures that might be driving your dog to dig. Breeds like daschunds and terriers who were “designed” to dig for small animals may be the biggest culprits, but almost any dog will send dirt flying if he thinks he’s hot on the trail of a potentially tasty/entertaining quarry.
If the digging seems to have a certain pattern to it, the digging is done at the base of trees or bushes, or the digging is accompanied by other mysterious disturbances in the dirt, you may very well be dealing with unwanted pests.
How to stop dog digging in this situation? The obvious answer is to get rid of whatever critter is harassing your dog. For tips on humane, non-toxic, safe pest removal, contact your local humane society or Fish & Wildlife department.
*** Click Here for Proven Secrets to Stop Dog Digging ***
How to Stop Dog Digging - Reason #3: Seeking Shelter
Another good way to figure out how to stop dog digging is to consider your dog’s natural instincts. In the wild, many of your dog’s relatives such as coyotes and dingos live in dens dug into the earth. If your dog feels he does not have adequate shelter from the cold, the heat, or the rain and snow, he will let his instincts take over and dig himself a den.
If you notice that your dog is lying in the holes he’s dug, then he most likely dug them because he was feeling exposed to the elements. Obviously, your dog should never have to feel so hot or cold that he must dig a hole to feel more comfortable. If your dog must be outside in the coldest or hottest parts of the year, you must be willing to go the extra mile to ensure his comfort and safety.
Stop Summer Dog Digging
In the summer, provide him with plenty of shade and copious amounts of fresh water. A dog house is not sufficient summer shade, as a dog will not lie in a house when it’s 100 degrees outside. Your dog needs an open, sheltered place to rest. Consider purchasing an awning for him. You can also buy a child’s wading pool that your dog can cool off in at his leisure, but a pool should never replace proper shade.
Stop Winter Dog Digging
In the winter, your dog needs a well-insulated dog house, preferably with a door flap and bedding he can nestle into. Heated beds made specifically for doghouses are also available. If the weather is extreme, however, I would highly recommend bringing your dog into the house and crating him. Not only will you keep any digging at bay, but crating is also an excellent way to introduce your dog to life ‘on the inside.’
You probably noticed that none of these tips on how to stop dog digging offered instant cures or effortless fixes. That’s because things like spraying your dog with water, filling the holes with gravel, or (heaven forbid) chaining or kenneling your dog are only very temporary bandages for the root of the real problem, and may indeed lead to further problems!
Armed with the proper training techniques and an understanding your dog’s natural cravings and instincts, you can not only get to the root of the problem and learn how to stop dog digging once and for all, you can also develop a stronger bond with your pet in the process…..Everyone wins !!
*** Click Here for Proven Secrets to Stop Dog Digging ***
*************************************************************************
Want to Stop Dog Biting..Painlessly ??..5 Easy Tips !!
**Click Here for Your Training Secrets to Stop Dog Biting**
Chances are, if you’ve found this article on how to stop dog biting, you’ve already experienced a needle-sharp bite or two from an exuberant puppy or young dog.
Nearly all young dogs are “mouthy,” but fortunately their intent is rarely malicious. Juvenile dogs, like all young creatures, are naturally curious, and because they don’t have hands, they use their mouths to explore the exciting world around them. Part of this exciting world is, of course, you!
Those who fail to realize that nipping is a natural part of puppy hood are often the same people who leave their puppies at the animal shelter for biting small children or chewing up things that have been left on the floor BUT these problems can easily be remedied. In order to understand how to stop dog biting, you have to think and act like a dog-namely, a mother dog…..as this is what a young dog naturally understands.
Stop Dog Biting - Tip 1 - Act Like a Dog.
Firstly, when learning how to stop dog biting, we must start with a bit of natural history and canine psychology. Although dogs have become domesticated over the past thousand years, they are still dogs with very real dog instincts, not miniature humans in dog suits.
If your dog nips at you and you smack it with a rolled up paper or yell at it, you’re treating it like another human being, not as a dog. A young dog who knows nothing of human ways will be confused and frightened by this behavior and the biting may well increase.
When you bring a new dog into your home, you need to realize YOU are assuming the role of mother and dominant dog, therefore, in order to make a point and truly learn how to stop dog biting you must act like a dog!
Stop Dog Biting - Tip 2 - The ‘Cold Shoulder’
Typically there are two instances where a puppy or young dog will nip/bite at you: during playtime or when your pet wants it to be playtime. Let’s say you’re throwing a ball for your dog or playing tug-of-war with a rope toy. The dog begins growling and, finally, jumps up and puts his mouth around your hand.
A lot of people make the mistake of encouraging this behavior by allowing the dog to chew on them until the biting becomes painful. This is in complete disagreement with any tips you could ever receive on how to stop dog biting. Allowing your dog to chew on you sends a confusing message to a dog who usually cannot differentiate between soft mouthing and harder nipping. Therefore, it’s generally a bad idea to let your dog’s teeth make contact with your skin at all…..so how should you react??
Again, thinking like a dog is a major part of knowing how to stop dog biting. Even if the mouthing doesn’t hurt, you need to set clear boundaries and let your dog know what is acceptable and was is not. Therefore you must react as though you are a mother dog who has just had her tail chomped down on.
Give a high-pitched yelp of surprise, or squeal “Owww!” Recoil and turn your back on your dog and hold this position for 20 - 30 seconds and if other people are in the ‘room’ then have them do the same. This body language says, “If you’re going to play nasty, then we’re not going to play at all.” Usually, this stubbornness pays off when it comes to knowing how to stop dog biting.
**Click Here for Your Training Secrets to Stop Dog Biting**
Stop Dog Biting - Tip 3 - “Time Out”
If your young dog is extremely excited and is still repeatedly trying to nip you, and cold-shouldering him doesn’t seem to be ‘doing the trick’, then you need to cool things down a bit. It’s time to use, the ‘Time Out’ method: either pop him in his crate, or put him in a small room by himself for 5 minutes to calm down.
After 5 minutes, if he has calmed, then welcome him back into the household, but if you’re going to continue playing, just try and tone it down until you’re sure the puppy is able to play without further nipping.
Stop Dog Biting - Tip - 4 “Mothers Last Resort”
If your dog comes at you again, however, and continues nipping at you, then utilize the Mother’s Last Resort: scruff him by the loose skin at his neck, and give him a shake-gently–while growling. Then release him, stand up, and walk away. When he calms down and doesn’t come after you again, reward him with gentle petting or a food treat.
Stop Dog Biting - Tip - 5 “Childs Play”
These techniques work well for an adult learning how to stop dog biting, but you need to be weary of young children playing with any dog. Because they are so exuberant, children often reinforce a pet’s bad behavior by interacting with them just as another dog or puppy might.
Mouthy behavior may occur, egged on by children who push the dog away while squealing and laughing. Inevitably, a child will get hurt, resulting in angry mothers and pets who are confused when they end up permanently relegated to the backyard or worse, sent to the animal shelter for exhibiting “vicious” behavior-and all because their owner didn’t take the time to learn how to stop dog biting before it got out of hand.
When it comes to learning how to stop dog biting these naturally-inspired tips you will certainly give you a fantastic ‘head start’, as they curb your dog’s natural biting in a way it understands.
However, if you’re still concerned about your dog’s behavior….maybe you’re sick of excessive biting, perhaps concerned for your children’s safety or maybe you’re just worried about taking your dog for a walk around the neighborhood…if this is the case then you should consider a training program that shows you how to stop dog biting before the problem gets even more ‘painful’.
**Click Here for Your Training Secrets to Stop Dog Biting**
****************************************************************************
Dog Barking Training: 3 Things All Owners Should Know….BUT Most Don’t!!!
**Click Here To Stop Dog Barking Quickly and Easily**
How to Cure Dog Barking: Training Tips for the Frustrated Owner
Do you find yourself growing increasingly frustrated by your dog’s relentless barking? Are you buying aspirin in increasing quantities to allay those splitting headaches? If so, then you may very well own a dog who is a “problem barker.” If you think you have a “problem barker”, then read on for some great tips on dog barking training, figuring out why your dog barks, and what it’s going to take to put an end to the problem.
Dog Barking Training Tip #1-Discovering What Kind of Barker You Have
The first thing to keep in mind is that barking, for a dog, is the equivalent of speaking, for a human. Realistically, you wouldn’t ask a friend to stop speaking altogether, but you might ask them to stop shouting or to lower their voice a bit. Keeping this in mind will help you to avoid frustratingly high expectations a lot of people set for their pets when it comes to dog barking training.
Indeed, your first order of business with dog barking training should be to find out whether or not your dog truly is a “problem barker”. A woof or two when someone comes to the door or a few ‘yaps’ fired off at a squirrel on the fence are all completely normal and should not be reprimanded. These barks are simply your dog’s way of saying “someone’s entering my domain” or “hi!…. how are you today?”
The phrase “problem barker” is usually assigned to dogs who engage in nearly unstoppable barking for prolonged periods of time. If this sounds like your pup, then keep reading our dog barking training tips!
Dog Barking Training Tip #2 - The Real Source of the Problem
Most problem barkers vocalize for two reasons: Boredom and Loneliness.
Does your dog spend most of it’s time outdoors? Such an isolated existence is the cause of problem barking nearly 100% of the time. Dogs are not barbecue grills or garden statues. If you were left confined to a single space 24/7 for most of your life, you’d probably be shouting for someone to help you as well!
Dogs are pack animals, and when you sentence your dog to a lonely existence in the backyard it is the equivalent of casting your dog from its pack. When you do this, you’re essentially ‘asking’ for a problem with dog barking. Training your dog not to bark when he’s doing so out of loneliness is the equivalent of trying to train a child not to cry when they’re upset-it puts a bandage over a deep, emotional issue but it doesn’t address what’s really causing the problem.
Your dog will bark just to hear the sound of his own voice, and perhaps to attract the attention of other yard-dwelling dogs who will then bark back to him. Take my advice: if you have a yard-dwelling dog who is a “problem barker”, give him a good bath and bring him inside. You will be absolutely amazed at the personality transplant that most dogs go through when moved from the lonesome backyard into the warm, cozy indoors!
Now, if your pet spends only a modicum of time outside and still barks ceaselessly, or happens to be a problem barker indoors, whether you’re home or away, then it’s time to acknowledge that “yes”, you do own a problem barker, and move on to our next tip!
**Click Here To Stop Dog Barking Quickly and Easily**
Dog Barking Training Tip #3—Curing the Root Cause of Most Barking
Aside from loneliness, the vast majority of dog barking training issues arise from separation anxiety. The truth is, most dogs won’t bark for any lengthy period of time when they’re with their owners. Of course, you can’t be expected to stay with your dog 24 hours a day, so what do you do with a dog that barks the entire time when you’ve gone somewhere?
There are several dog barking training methods, but the one that seems to work most consistently is the method that cures the dog’s separation anxiety, not just the barking. If you have a dog who “freaks out” when left alone, start your training session by doing all of the things you do usually do before you go out the door-gather up your keys, grab your coat, pick up your briefcase, etc. Speak to your dog in a reassuring voice and say, “I’ll be right back.”
Then, leave the house for one minute, come back inside and put away all of your items, as though you’ve just come home from work. Give your dog a casual pat and praise him. Then, gather up all of your items once more and leave the house for a longer period (maybe three minutes). Repeat this process of leaving and returning until you can leave for a full fifteen minutes without any instance of dog barking. Training your dog like this will reassure him that you are indeed going to come back whenever you leave the house, thus allaying the fear that keeps him barking when you’re away.
Can it really be this easy??
No problem barker should ever be viewed as a hopeless case. Quick-fixes such as yelling at the dog, fitting it with a shock collar, or spraying it with water are just that-quick-fixes that have no positive long-term effects. Curing problem barking requires dedication, patience, the willingness to make your dog a true member of the family and proper dog barking training. And, as you may have guessed by now, a good owner equals a good dog!
**Click Here To Stop Dog Barking Quickly and Easily**
**********************************************************************************************
Supercharge Your Dogs Training With These 3 Easy Tips!
** Click Here for Your Proven Dog Training Secrets **
As with all new endeavors, when you set out to train your dog, you want to see results early in the game. And why shouldn’t you? Results inspire confidence not only in you, but in your dog as well. But when you’re first starting out, success in your dogs training may seem an out-of-reach dream, especially if you, like so many other owners, are overwhelmed by the sheer amount of training devices, books, and videos on the market.
The fact of the matter is, anyone with patience, some desire and a willingness to learn the proper techniques can successfully train their dog. These 3 easy tips will help you maximize your dogs training experience. If this sounds like something you want to do, read on!
Tip 1. Your Dogs Training..An Opportunity To Bond!!
It seems so simple, but you’d be surprised at how many folk set themselves up for failure with their dogs training by not adhering to the following key principle. You cannot simply one day wake up, decide you want to train your dog, go out to the backyard, clip a leash to his collar, and start firing commands at him.
Your dog should, first and foremost, be a member of your family. A mutual trust must be built between yourself and your dog-a ‘partnership’, if you will. Obviously, you will have the “upper hand” in the partnership-you will be the “alpha dog,” and that will be established through firm, but gentle training. Still, even alpha dogs must win the respect of lower dogs. Earn your dog’s trust and loyalty. Bring him into the house so that he can be a part of your daily life. Offer play sessions, walks, and car rides.
Befriending your pet will ensure that he wants to please you and will give him something to look forward to each day. Bonding with your dog will not only create and enhance a relationship based on love and joy, it will also make your dogs training process much smoother and more profitable by eliminating the crippling “me against my dog” mindset.
Tip 2. Your Dogs Training….Saying “NO” to Double Standards!!
Do you want your dog to chew up that $300 pair of heels you left lying on the floor? No? Then why are you letting him chew on your thrift store sneakers?
Do you want your dog to knock over the CEO of your company when he comes over for a formal dinner? No? Then why do you let your dog topple you everyday when you get home from work?
No matter what the excuse, double standards can be devastating to your dogs training. A dog simply cannot be expected to differentiate between a grimy tennis shoe and a pricey designer pump, nor can he be expected to think to himself, “My owner loves me, so I can jump up on her, but I’d better not jump up on this guy, because he seems really important and I might make a bad impression.” No matter how much you may want him to be, your dog is not a human in a fur suit, and you shouldn’t compromise your dogs training by letting your wishful thinking perpetuate that idea.
Your dog is an animal who gets deeply confused when you allow him to continue a certain behavior and then, one day, reprimand him for that very same behavior. The simple fact is: if you don’t want your dog to jump up, don’t let him jump on ANYONE. If you don’t want him to chew things that are not his designated toys, don’t let him chew on ANYTHING, even if that thing is something you don’t care very much about. Instead of double standards, try holding your dog to a single standard: excellence.
** Click Here for Your Proven Dog Training Secrets **
Tip 3. Your Dogs Training..Avoiding The ‘Broken-Record’-Syndrome!!
I have a neighbor whose dog training consists solely of her taking her dog out at 9 a.m., letting it off its leash, and then screaming, “Cassie, COME! Cassie, COME!” ad nauseum, at the top of her lungs for about five minutes, until Cassie decides to come wandering back on her own.
Does Cassie actually know what the word “come” means, or does my neighbor just hope that by screaming the command over and over, the other neighbors, awoken from their sleep, will think to themselves, “Poor woman. She tries so hard, but her dog is just so disobedient.” I’d wager a guess and say that poor Cassie has no idea what “come” means, so frolics in blissful ignorance of her owner’s wishes.
Let me give you a tip: When it comes to your dogs training, your dog must actually KNOW the command before you can issue it successfully! Furthermore, even if your dog knows a particular command, you should still only issue the command once (or at most, twice) until you take some sort of decisive action to correct the issue, should your dog not obey. If your dog doesn’t understand “sit” by the second issuing of the command, what makes you think he’ll understand it the 5th, 10th, or 15th time?
As with all words, an obedience command can lose its meaning to a dog when repeated too many times. Rather than sounding like a bad, overplayed record, stop shouting and instead try to calmly analyze what’s going wrong. Perhaps your dog didn’t absorb the command as solidly as you thought. Perhaps he’s distracted. Or maybe he just forgot the command because you didn’t reinforce it on a daily basis. Whatever the case may be, your dogs training depends on you being the level-headed member of the partnership. Take charge, assess the situation, repair the problem, and start spinning a new #1 hit: “Good Dog!”
If you haven’t figured it out by now, the success of your dogs training depends largely on the key elements of trust, loyalty, consistency and the proper training techniques. By striving to achieve these principles and making these 3 tips part of your daily interaction with your dog, your training will not only be supercharged; it’ll blast off into the stratosphere!
** Click Here for Your Proven Dog Training Secrets **
*****************************************************************************
Puppy Obedience Training: 3 Essential Tips for Starting Off on the Right Foot!
** Click Here to Cure Your Puppy’s Training Problems **
Puppy Obedience Training: 3 Essential Tips
Congratulations on your new puppy! As with all babies, time flies by, and soon, your little one will be an adult dog who will give you many years of companionship and joy. If you’re like most new dog owners, you want to enjoy this special time with your puppy-but you also want to make sure you’re raising a well-behaved dog. To help you on the path to successful dog ownership, I’ve compiled some proven puppy obedience training tips that will help you and your new pet develop a working partnership that will “last a lifetime”.
Puppy Obedience Training Tip #1: Lay Down the Rules
One of the biggest mistakes new dog owners make when it comes to puppy obedience training is initially allowing their puppy to get away with undesirable behavior simply because the puppy is tiny, cute, and full of wide-eyed innocence.
As the puppy grows, those little “love bites” turn into painful chomps, those little paws scrabbling at your ankles become huge paws scrabbling at your knees, and those chewed house slippers become Grandma’s chewed Victorian sofa or Sally’s destroyed science fair exhibit. The problem is, you can’t suddenly decide that you don’t want your puppy to nip, chew, or jump up anymore and begin yelling at him for his bad behavior.
From day one, it is your responsibility to establish boundaries for your puppy. Obedience training is about so much more than “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” It’s about raising a good ‘canine citizen’. Your puppy may be too young at the outset to learn any actual obedience commands, but he’s not too young to learn that he shouldn’t chew on your hands, jump up on you when he’s excited, or gnaw on that which is not a designated toy.
**Check out my other dog and puppy obedience training articles and learn from the outset how to curb nipping, unwanted chewing, and jumping. You won’t regret it!
** Click Here to Cure Your Puppy’s Training Problems **
Puppy Obedience Training Tip #2: Think Like a Puppy
If you’ve ever had children of your own or interacted with someone else’s child, you probably realize two things:
a) Children have very short attention spans, and…
b) Simple concepts must be taught before more difficult skills can be learned.
When it comes to puppy obedience training, the same principles that apply to children can also be applied to puppies, as well! You may be ‘itching’ to teach your puppy to fetch you a beer from the fridge, but…….. not so fast! The more complex the action, the longer it’s going to take to teach, and at this stage puppies just don’t have the necessary attention span or cognitive ability to learn anything beyond the most basic commands.
A good place to start with puppy obedience training is the “sit” command. This command is not only useful; it is also very easy to teach.
The first step when training your puppy to “sit” is to make sure he has had plenty of exercise beforehand. This will calm him so he is more focused on the upcoming task.
Next, give your new puppy every opportunity to succeed, so find a small, quiet area free of visual or auditory distractions.
Now, with a pocketful of your pup’s favorite treats, stand facing your dog (make sure he’s standing, as well!). Then, with one hand, press down gently on your dog’s rump, slightly above the tail while clearly speaking the “Sit” command as your dog moves into the sitting position.
Once your dog is sitting, praise him lavishly and give him a treat. Congratulations! You have now started your puppy obedience training!!
While adult dogs can be trained in 15-20 minute intervals, your puppy obedience training sessions should be broken down into much smaller periods-perhaps five minutes, a few times a day. Try to imagine the training session from your puppy’s point of view. Is he getting bored? Playful? Distracted? If so, then ‘take a break’ for a snack, a nap, or a good old fashioned play session. After all, you wouldn’t expect a Kindergarten child to sit through 8 hours of classes, would you!!
** Click Here to Cure Your Puppy’s Training Problems **
Puppy Obedience Training Tip #3: Positive Reinforcement
Hopefully, this tip comes as no surprise to you, but as I’m consistently shocked by the number of people who still think it’s good practice to smack a puppy with a rolled up newspaper, I decided to take a moment to debunk some of the more prevalent puppy obedience training myths.
For starters, hitting a puppy is never the answer to any obedience issue-ever. Chances are, your puppy won’t understand that he did something wrong; he’ll only understand that you, his owner, just hit him and hurt/scared him. Rather than learning not to do whatever it is he was doing, he’ll only learn that you’re someone who should be feared. Striking a dog is not training. It’s abuse !!
If your puppy is doing something you don’t like, you must replace that behavior with a more desirable one. Is he chewing on your favorite pair of slippers? Take them away and give him one of his own toys to gnaw on. Did he just have an accident on the floor? Take him outside immediately and praise him for being there. Speaking of accidents, you should never, ever rub your puppy’s face in his own “mess.” Would you rub a baby’s nose in its dirty diaper? No! All your puppy will learn from this experience is to fear going to the bathroom, which could result in housebreaking issues further on down the road.
Finally, shouting at your puppy when you’re upset will yield no further results than a scratchy throat on your part and terror on the part of your puppy. Puppies, no matter how badly we want them to, cannot understand English. Your puppy won’t know what you’re saying-he’ll only feel the anger in your voice and wish he knew how to make you happy again. Instead of standing there yelling at him, use positive reinforcement to gently show him what you’re looking for.
Puppy obedience training will be a fruitful experience for both of you if each session is driven by patience, love, and common sense. Done correctly, puppy obedience training will help you to forge a stronger bond with your dog that will establish you as ‘partners for life’, but if done wrong it will inevitably lead to larger behavioral problems in the future.
** Click Here to Cure Your Puppy’s Training Problems **
***********************************************************************
Related Posts
Training Your Puppy? 5 Things You Must Have Before You Start!!
Three Key Things You Must Know BEFORE Crate Training Puppies
Dog Crate Training: Fast Track Your Success With These Simple Tips !!
**Click Here For Proven Dog Crate Training Secrets**
When people hear about dog crate training, they often think that it’s a technique devised solely for puppies. On the contrary, however, it can also be extremely beneficial for an adult dog. Crate training will work for you and your dog whether you just adopted a pet from the humane society or you’ve owned your dog for years and think it’s time for a change.
Want to turn your largely ‘outdoor dog’ into a house dog? Crate training is for you! Want to travel with your dog? Crate training is the first step! Want to keep your furniture, woodwork, etc. safe when you’re away from the house? With crate training, you’ll never have to worry about coming home to a disaster area again! If crate training sounds like it could be a positive thing for you and your dog, read on!
So what is Dog Crate Training?
In short, crate training is providing your dog with a comfortably-sized crate he can relax in when you’re out of the house, in the car, or asleep at night. Dogs instinctively crave a “den” they can call their own, and a crate will provide such a den for them.
If done correctly, crate training is far from cruel to your dog. Crate training can actually eliminate one of the less-than-wonderful aspects of your dog’s life: confinement in the backyard. When your dog is in the yard, he runs the chance of being exposed to the elements, developing boredom-induced habits such as excessive barking, chewing, digging, and generally feeling isolated. When you bring your dog into the house, you’re telling him,…”Welcome to the pack.”
Your dog will be overjoyed to see you, hear your voice, and generally be in the thick of things, and crate training will help make the transition from the yard to the house easier and safer.
So What Do You Need When Dog Crate Training?
Dog crate training is something you can begin right now, so long as you have a few simple tools. Obviously, you’ll need a crate that suits your dog comfortably. There are a variety of crates on the market, but the most recommended variety is a wire crate with a solid, removable plastic tray as a base.
When choosing a crate, the number one consideration should be your dog’s size. A crate should be large enough to ensure that your dog can stand up and turn around, and you should make sure it’s sturdily constructed so if your dog does chew on it, there will be little risk of any metal pieces coming loose and presenting a choking or injury hazard.
Once you have settled on a crate, you’ll need to “decorate” for your dog to make it feel more den-like. Add a soft blanket or specially-made crate pad and a few heavy-duty chew toys or rawhide bones and your dog will be ready to enjoy his new digs!
**Click Here For Proven Dog Crate Training Secrets**
An Excellent Time For Dog Crate Training !!
If you’re bringing your dog in from the yard, crating is an excellent way to control your dog’s behavior when you’re away from home. It’s impossible to know how a totally “outdoor dog” will react to being in your house for the first time, so putting your dog in his crate while you go shopping or out to dinner is a wise idea.
Dog crate training will also make housebreaking nearly a non-issue. Dogs will go to great lengths to avoid soiling their sleeping spots, so a dog in a crate will “hold it” until he is let out to relieve himself. As being ‘crated/ then taken outside’ becomes routine, your dog will learn it’s going to have plenty of opportunities to relieve itself, and thus, will wait for you to take him outside when he’s in the house.
Obviously, when you’re home, your dog will love to be by your side, and should be let out of his crate, but chances are, he will return there to sleep or rest if you leave the door open. Avoid leaving your dog crated for more than 3 or 4 hours at a time, unless you or someone else can take him out for a brief walk, and always make sure to take him directly outside if he’s been crated for awhile.
Travelling..Then Dog Crate Training is the Answer
Dog crate training is also useful for those who wish to travel with their pets, especially via air. All dogs on planes are required to be placed in crates, and your dog’s comfort level with the crate will greatly diminish his stress level.
Additionally, dog crate training is extremely useful when you have a house full of relatives or small children. You won’t have to worry about people feeding your dog from the table or whether he’ll react aggressively with boisterous youngsters.
The ‘Golden Rule’ of Dog Crate Training
I strongly encourage you to follow one of the ‘Golden Rules’ of dog crate training-and this applies in all instances-when your dog is in his crate, people know he shouldn’t be bothered. Never reach inside a crate while a dog is sleeping or lying in it, and let children know that it’s not okay to stick their hands through the bars or rattle the wire. As mentioned before, a crate should be a haven for your dog, and many dogs do become possessive of their personal spaces. If nothing else specifically belongs to your dog, his crate should be the one thing that does.
Never underestimate the great things that can happen if you choose to make your dog a bigger and better part of your life. With proper dog crate training, your pet will become a well-mannered, integral part of your household, an expert traveler, and a good ‘canine citizen’. Bring your pet inside and give him a chance to be a part of the pack. With the proper crate training advice, you’ll soon have your dream dog, and your dog’s life will also be his dream come true!
**Click Here For Proven Dog Crate Training Secrets**
**********************************************************************
Related Posts:
Three Key Things You Must Know BEFORE Crate Training Puppies
Click Here to Slash Your Puppy’s Crate Training Time in Half
Crate Training Puppies : When it comes to owning a puppy, there’s a lot to think about as a new owner-vaccinations, diet, obedience training, coming up with that ‘special’ name. And then, of course, there’s the housebreaking! In my opinion, there’s no better way to establish good housebreaking rules, keep your puppy (and your possessions!) safe while you’re out, and give your puppy his own ‘safe space’ than through crate training.
Crate training puppies is a great idea for so many reasons, and is infinitely more preferable to keeping your puppy in the yard while you’re away. If you want to get your relationship with your new puppy off to a great start AND preserve your sanity for the remainder of your dog-owning life, then you need to read these……..
3 “Must-Knows” for Crate Training Puppies!
1. Crate Training Puppies is NOT Cruel
Often times, when anyone mentions crate training puppies, peoples’ first reaction is to decry the cruelty of keeping an animal confined in a cage. In all reality, though, crate training actually provides a very natural “den” for your puppy. In the wild, a coyote or wolf pup spends almost the first 10 weeks or so of its life in a safe den its mother has dug. When done correctly, crate training puppies mimics this comforting den as a safe place to sleep and escape from the outside world.
When you’re out of the house or you decide to travel with your dog, the crate is an excellent way to ensure that both your home/car and your puppy stays safe and intact! What crate training is NOT is locking your dog in a cage for 8+ hours a day with a total disregard to its most basic needs. Cruelty is leaving a puppy in the backyard to potentially be stolen, eat something poisonous or be exposed to the elements. Crate training is, in short, the exact opposite!
2. Crate Training Puppies Goes Hand-in-Hand With Housebreaking
Forget those messy puppy training pads, newspapers, and other housetraining products that may only delay your puppy’s housetraining! Breeders, animal shelters, and other experts have been crate training puppies successfully for years as an excellent way to establish solid housetraining concepts.
Why does it work so well? A puppy will instinctively try to avoid soiling his sleeping place. If left to roam the house, your puppy will simply go into another room to relieve himself. If crated, your puppy will try and wait until he has an opportunity to leave his “den” and relieve himself elsewhere.
This does NOT mean you should leave your puppy in his crate for hours and expect him to “hold it.” Puppies, like children, have very small bladders and digestive systems. In order for crate training to be successful in the early weeks of your puppy’s life, he should be taken out every hour-directly from the crate to the yard. Another great advantage to crate training puppies as it relates to housebreaking is that if he DOES have an accident, a crate is far easier to clean than, say, a Persian rug or that silk skirt you carelessly left on the floor!
Click Here to Slash Your Puppy’s Crate Training Time in Half
3. Crate Training Puppies - It’s for Life!
Most people who are involved with crate training puppies find the crate to be such an effective tool that they use crating in some form for the rest of the dog’s life. When a puppy grows up considering the crate to be his home or safe place, he’ll consider the crate to be his safe haven as long as it’s available to him.
Many adult dogs sleep in their crates (doors open) at night, and many dog owners still crate their dogs when they go out for the evening or take a short day trip. Many dogs also travel very well (and safely!) by plane and car when they are safely in their crates. Most dogs would much rather be in their crate in a climate-controlled home with some favorite toys and a soft blanket than they would be out in the yard where they might get rained on, snowed on, or otherwise left to fend for themselves.
Of course, you should never leave any dog crated for more than 3 or 4 hours without a break to relieve himself. If you must crate your dog or puppy for an extended period, give a neighbor, relative, or friend the key to your home so they can take your dog out for a quick walk.
As you can see, crate training puppies is about so much more than just putting your dog in a cage and calling it “crate training.” Crate training is your pet’s security, your home’s preservation, and an excellent way to bring up a well housebroken dog without a ton of effort. When done correctly, crate training puppies doesn’t just make for happy owners-it makes for happy owners of happy, well-balanced dogs.
Click Here to Slash Your Puppy’s Crate Training Time in Half
******************************************************************************************
Related Articles
Training Your Puppy? 5 Things You Must Have Before You Start!!
Puppy Obedience Training: 3 Essential Tips for Starting Off on the Right Foot!
How to Train Your Dog…..The 1 Command Every Dog Owner Needs to Know!!
** Click Here to Slash Your Dog Training Time in Half **
When it comes to learning how to train your dog, there are countless books, videos, and websites offering advice, as well as a whole reliquary of tricks that you will be tempted to teach your dog, ranging from jumping through hoops to answering the phone……..but my advice to all owners who are learning how to train their dog is to start with the one command every dog owner needs to know !!
The Command Every Dog Owner Needs to Know…..!!
If you’re just beginning to learn how to train your dog, I would recommend starting with the most basic command every dog and their owner needs to master: the ‘all-important’ “sit” command. Fortunately, this is easy to teach as well as vitally important to your dog’s standing as a ‘good citizen’. Your dog’s ability to “sit” speaks volumes about your standing as a capable owner. Also learning how to train your dog to obey this simple command not only makes him look good but it may very well save his life someday!
Imagine you’re in the park. Suddenly, your dog catches sight of a squirrel frolicking across a busy street. His ears perk up. His eyes widen. He quivers with anticipation and strains against the leash in an effort to take off after the taunting creature. But suddenly, your commanding voice cuts the air, and your dog drops, immediately, into a sitting position. You praise him, and continue your walk. Of all the commands, knowing how to train your dog to obey the “sit” command is definitely the most important.
Fortunately, learning how to train your dog to sit only takes a small amount of time and causes very few headaches. Unlike answering the phone or jumping through a flaming hoop, sitting is something that comes naturally to most dogs-you just have to convince him to do so on your command.
Follow these simple steps and your dog will be ‘sitting pretty’ in no time!
Step 1- How to train your dog to ‘Sit’..
The first step in learning how to train your dog to “sit” (or do anything else, really) is making sure he has had plenty of stimulating exercise beforehand. This will calm him so he is more focused on the task at hand.
Step 2 - How to train your dog to ‘Sit’..
Follow this simple dog training Rule: ”Whenever possible try and train your dog in a small, quiet area, free of visual or auditory distractions”. In other words, give your dog every opportunity to succeed!
Step 3 - How to train your dog to ‘Sit’..
For this training session, keep your pet on a short leash no more than three or four feet long. Also important in learning how to train your dog to sit (and how to train your dog to do anything else!) is to keep a pocketful of your pup’s favorite treats at the ready.
Step 4 - How to train your dog to ‘Sit’..
Now, stand facing your dog (and make sure he is standing, too!), and, with one hand, gently press down on your dog’s rump, just above his tail while clearly speaking the command, “Sit” as your dog moves into the sitting position.
Once your dog is sitting, pet and praise him lavishly and offer a treat. Congratulations! You are now well on your way to learning how to train your dog!
The Key Ingredient
Of course, patient repetition is the key to any successful training session. Repeat the steps several more times in a row, and after a few fifteen minute trainings, your best friend will most likely know exactly what is expected when the “sit” command is issued.
Once your dog is successfully sitting on command, you only need to maintain your dog’s understanding of “Sit” by integrating it into his daily lifestyle. Perhaps you could have him “sit” before giving him a meal, “sit” while you attach his leash for a walk, or “sit” whenever a visitor comes to the door. No matter what quirks you bring to the method, knowing how to train your dog to sit has clear benefits to both you and your dog.
Needless to say, knowing how to train your dog to “sit” is just the first step on a wonderful journey. Don’t be surprised if, ‘along the way’, other small challenges such as house training, ‘compulsive barking’ or maybe even biting ‘crop up’. But, do not despair…..if you know the basics of how to train a dog and your training sessions are driven by patience, love and common sense then you will quickly forge a bond with your dog that will establish you as partners for life.
** Click Here to Slash Your Dog Training Time in Half **