TRAINING A DOG

Before Adding A Dog

In my line of work, you see a lot of what you would call "impulse buys", meaning they bought a dog because it was physically appealing to them. Short time after the characteristics of the breed(s) come out and the owners don't like them, they wanted a fat lazy dog but they happen to have bought a Jack Russell Terrier.

This article will (I hope) help anyone who is searching online about information before buying/adopting a dog.

When ADOPTING a dog, many times you don't know the breed(s) so you're really in for a surprise, this is what the rescue group or shelter is there for. Let them know exactly what you want out of a companion and they will match you with the dog that is best suited for your lifestyle.

Before Adding to the 'Already There' Canine Family

Another issue is their dog has issues with other dogs or it has an incredible amount of energy that the owners don't know how to control/fix. So they decide that getting a second dog will fix the problem(s).

WRONG 99% of the time.......

Never get a second dog before the first dog is PERFECT in your eyes. By adding another dog to the mix of an already out of control dog, you're just going to have two out of control dogs. Dogs learn from each other especially a younger dog looking up to an older dog, many of the times you just bought your dog a partner in crime.

There have been many times where I have desperately wanted to adopt a dog but I know better then to bring a dog into my home when I was still working on Luna's issues. I'm happy to say that now Luna is 3 years old and my fantastic four legged friend I will be searching for the next addition.

Puppy Play Date

Gus and Bruin

We had a great play date yesterday, Gus (14 wks), Bruin (12 weeks), Tessie and Scout (9 weeks) all had a great time!

Scout and Tessie

Beautiful Video

This video shows an owner who has used a clicker to train her puppy many different commands and tricks with a clicker! It's so nice to watch how much FUN both are having.

New Puppies are Social Butterflies - let them fly!

Wow, there's a whole new batch of puppies out there and time again for a couple of reminders. It may sound a bit repetitive but the first several weeks of your puppies time with your are during a critical developmental period that you can never get back. Now is the time to SOCIALIZE, SOCIALIZE, SOCIALIZE!

Perhaps your breeder (and maybe even your vet) said, "Don't bring the puppy to dog parks, or don't let the puppy play with other dogs until they've had all their shots!" and they are right to be concerned about disease transmission. I agree, bringing the puppy to the dog park is not a great idea BUT socializing your dog with a small group of other puppies of similar age who are up to date with their shots is critical for development of proper bite inhibition as well as developing doggy social skills. Without the proper socialization dogs can and often do become dog/dog reactive, you know the ones that you walk past with your dog on leash and they lunge and bark and you think, 'my that dog is aggressive, I can't imagine why they'd have that dog out in public'. The sad reality is that dog is probably a wonderful dog who just never got properly socialized as a puppy. This is especially true for small breed dogs, because they are so small as little puppies people tend to be over protective of them particularly around larger breed dogs. Rather than protecting their dogs they end up creating a dog that worries about being around all other dogs!

Don't take my word for it though, check out the ASVAB (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior) position papers on socialization http://avsabonline.org/resources/position-statements. This is a group of Veterinarians who have specialized in animal behavior. You can also read a great article from the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) http://apdt.com/veterinary/assets/pdf/Messer_ND06.pdf.

Socialization should not stop with puppy play dates! It means getting your dog out and about to see and interact with all the different people, places and things that they will see in their lifetime while they are open to it! So take your puppy with you when you go pick the kids up at camp, let them meet all the kids and their parents. Take them to the soccer field, the playground, the swimming hole, down town area, any where they are likely to go as adult dogs. These trips SHOULD NOT be Bataan Death Marches, but short enjoyable outings to see new things and experience new people and places. If your puppy is on the shy side, respect that, don't force the dog closer than they are comfortable to any new stimuli, and of course ALWAYS bring yummy treats with you and REWARD your dog for being brave! Even a brave puppy can get startled by a fire engine siren, so back away and reward the puppy for bravely enduring the noise! If your puppy will not take a food treat, it may be too scared, so move further away from the stimulus and try rewarding him again!

Above all make these socialization trips fun, fun, fun. Play games with your puppy where ever you go. Let him investigate things at his own pace and reward him for every good thing he does (like sitting politely while being pet by a stranger!).

Get A Beer - Teach Your Dog How-to

Training a dog that barks excessively

Dog Education & Solutions

Learning a dog that barks excessively.

It only takes a few minutes to get a dog to stop howling too when present owner. No seizure, if your dog barks too much when you are away from home, the problem will require a mature effort.

In training a dog is so important how it behaves, and with whom and in what situations. For example, you may want your dog to defend the entrance of your home if someone is coming, but probably do not want to disturb the whole alfoz by barking. A dog can and should be cultivated to be tolerant and patient.

Training an aggressive dog.

Never allow a dog aggression problem continues or expands. Many cases end up with lots of bellicosity wound. Nor should try to solve the problem without support. It is very important to have the help of a trainer experienced in dealing with aggressive dogs, following their advice is not difficult to resolve these behaviors. The instruction is the solution, an aggressive dog can easily destroy kindred wounding and other dogs.

Aggressive behavior is like any other behavior, the difference is the intensity of their impulses. Aggressive behavior is a very chaotic, and involves a high intensity pulses of your dog. During episodes of bellicosity the dog can not think clearly.

Some people think that your dog is not dangerous because it is only aggressive around other dogs. Nothing remotely from the truth: it is feasible that a person ends wound trying to separate two fighting dogs.

If certain acts violently or attacks another person, their actions have consequences. Our society does not support or allow someone to try to get things through the use of undue force. Many relatives think the verve of their dogs is insurmountable, which is part of their nature. Simply say, "the dogs are." But it is not true. Dogs learn to be aggressive because it prevents no its about. If the environment changes, the dog adapts and learns to be tolerant of humans and other dogs.

Investigating a dog not to destroy property.

Destructive behavior can cost much expense, settle your betrothal and make your dog an animal unhappy and sincerity. Most destructive behaviors occur when the owner is not monitoring your dog. So sometimes it is very difficult to answer this question. Destructive behavior causes a lot of stress and frustration. If a dog destroys furniture valencia 800 €, it is common for the owner to get angry. The frustration is understandable, but usually cause the owner to make mistakes in solving the situation.

Destructive behavior can be corrected. In most cases, results in a dramatic change in few lessons. For permanent success makes disregard You train the dog and the owner at the same time. The dog can be educated to respect property, and even may be home alone, in a few lessons.

Puppy Habits and Dog Training

I've had the pleasure the past couple of weeks to be working with an adolescent Boxer/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix that was adopted by a very patient senior woman. This boisterous boy was rescued from a shelter and is now adjusting to his new home. He is very sweet, and very friendly with people, but he has a bit of a social issue. When he gets excited and wants attention, he behaves just the way a 3-month-old puppy would, though he's now about 18 months old and 75 pounds of lean muscle. He jumps up, humps, paws, mouths and nips and tugs at clothing.

Which brings up a common misconception about behavior: "Oh, he'll grow out of it." In some cases puppy behaviors do get less severe as they get older, even without intervention or training. But for most behaviors, owners need to take some kind of action to prevent their puppy from growing into a larger version with the same issues. Puppy classes, private lessons or other forms of training can help puppy parents learn the best ways to mold their puppies into good canine citizens.

There is good hope for this rescue dog. He now has a wonderful home with an owner who has the time and dedication to help him learn the manners he missed out on when he was younger. The training will involve some positive redirection, clear boundary setting and appropriate outlets (such as exercise and interactive toys) for his enthusiasm. I can't wait to see what a charming young man he'll turn into!

Now Offering Online Obedience Programs

I am so happy to be finally be offering ONLINE OBEDIENCE PROGRAMS on my webpage.

This was a huge challenge for me for the past year with wanting to expand PRT's methods and ethics to anyone that would listen, soon people were trying it, loving it and wanting to know more.Not long after I was being asked on a regular basis if people who lived in Europe, Thailand, Brazil, USA and even across Canada could somehow purchase my 6 session obedience program, of course I had to say no but it really got to me that there were people wanting to train their dog with PRT and I had to say no just because of miles or ocean inbetween, the best I could do was refer them to books and online reading but this didn't help them as much as they wanted.
So after months of perfecting the programs with successful clients, I present to you......

(click the picture to be transferred to my Online Obedience Program page).

How to train your dog to fetch

Dogs are most intelligent and social animals. They usually like fetch training. They excitedly and enthusiastically respond to fetch training. Here is a guideline for beginners and novices on how to train your dog to fetch. I am sure, it will definitely help you lot and make your dog more playful and bouncy.

How to fetch your dog (Training)

It is a dream desire of every dog owner to train his/her dog according to his own choice and lifestyle. Especially an owner wants to be a playful, lively, happy and bouncy dog. It is possible. Yes dear, it is possible. Every one of you every day dreaming that you are throwing a ball or fris bee to your dog and he easily fetch it or you wish to take your dog in dog’s park and play with your dog a fetch game. It is possible just by getting the knowledge on how to train your dog to fetch.Your dog can be a good fetch dog if you follow the right tips of how to train your dog to fetch.

It is an interesting fact that these how to train your dog to fetch tips or training of your dog to become a good fetch dog is always welcome by your dogs. They respond positively and happily at fetch training and tips. These fetch training and stimulating fetching tips will make them more responsive and obedience. A clever and wise dog owner can get the best result regarding his dog obedience training by applying the fetching tips. After having continues and playful sessions on how to train your dog to fetch, you will train your dog through a play or game like a rule of Kindergarten school of thought to “teach and train the children by playing”.

Here are few tips on how to train your dog to fetch. Just follow these tips and see the benefits.

• To train your dog to fetch is upon you. How you start and lead the game. Always start with an object your dog like most. It will work as a motivation towards this fetch training. You can also give commands to your dog during fetch training like sit, stand, run, throw etc. but remember it is fetch training session so put emphasis on it. The leash of your dog should be big so that he will run over the object and fetch it easily. Take the object and throw it to your dog from a small distance and command him “fetch”. Now draw back him to you but with gently. Give him some positive reward by giving him a candy, meat or anything else and command him “release”. Retrievers learn this tip very quickly other may show less enthusiasm. So it is your trick or intelligence how you use these fetch training tips on your dog.

• Your patience, commitment and continuity are very much needed in this training so your dog will become a good fetch dog. Be persistence and consistent. After train your dogs the first rule “fetch”, now move to the next tip. That is using the names of the object so that your dog will start understanding the objects by their names. For example, you can say “fetch the ball” or “fetch the paper” etc. don’t stick on one object. It will make your dog bore and confront. Use different object by using their names. Don’t count the time. This training will take time but in the end you will get the fruitful result in terms of a good fetch dog.

• Don’t forget to give rewards to your dogs. A positive reinforcement, a positive reward or prompt responses work as a powerful stimulation. Remember, animals always learn new things and tricks through stimulation and by positive reinforcement. It counts a lot. Don’t distract your attention on the outside objects or noises. It is recommended to start your dog’s fetch training in a peaceful and noise free yard. When time pass and he will be able to fetch the objects easily then you can start this training in an open area or outdoor.

Have a happy and fruitful fetch training.