http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/ Dog Obedience Training Techniques en-us Nucleus CMS v3.2 Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog//nucleus/nucleus2.gif http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/ http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=81
Another key factor is to know your dog well enough to know how to reward or penalize it. Rewards are absolutely essential to training. Verbal praise can be one of the most effective. Pet that dog and tell it how wonderful it is when it does what it is supposed to. A food treat, such as a tasty kibble of dog food, is a classic reward, too. Make sure your dog hasn't just eaten a full meal or it will lose its effectiveness.

Punishment doesn't work as well, but there is a time when penalizing will work. This means providing a negative outcome when the dog is not doing what it should. Ignoring a dog when it is misbehaving can be a form or penalizing it, as can giving the leash a jerk. Beating or kicking a dog, or locking it up in a boring building for hours, are forms of punishment instead of penalty, and should be avoided.

You want the relationship between you and your dog to be based on trust and good feelings, not on fear and negative feelings. The best way to do this is to use positive reinforcement when it behaves, and by knowing what it likes. It is worth it to take the time needed to know what your dog really likes and then use it as a reinforcer for good behavior and obedience.

One thing to remember when obedience training a puppy is that they need some time to mature. Starting early is great. We've all heard that old dogs don't learn new tricks very well. But the truth is you will be wasting your time if the puppy is too small. Be really patient in the early weeks. Use the early weeks for getting acquainted and for house-breaking. Leash training can come later.

House breaking is best done using the crate method. Have a dog carrier or small pen that will be the dog's own special area. If you contain the pup in this crate whenever you are gone, and overnight, the dog will not soil it, but will wait till you return to use the potty. Of course if you will be gone for a very long amount of time, or if you failed to take him out to potty before penning him up, he might have to go so bad that he will soil his crate. Generally speaking, though, a dog has a natural instinct not to soil his kennel.]]> Dog Training Tips http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=81 Tue, 09 Jan 2007 19:08:31 -0600 http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=80
Dogs vary in temperament according to the breed they are. They also vary in intelligence and the rate at which they learn good manners. To some extent you can ensure that you are getting a bright, good-natured dog by choosing a breed that has the traits you desire. This is not always a foolproof thing, however, and some mixed breed dogs have excellent personalities. The next step is getting them trained. This can be done on your own, or with the help of a trainer or class.

A well-trained dog will be welcome in social settings where a poorly trained dog would be a nuisance or even a danger. Imagine how nice it will be when your pooch behaves on a leash instead of straining at it so hard that strangers ask you if your dog has asthma. (That really happened!) Or imagine not having to be ashamed when someone comes to the door because your dog greets them like a gentleman instead of jumping all over them.

Dog obedience training makes the difference. Having a well trained dog takes commitment and a certain amount of time, but with consistency, virtually any dog can become a blessing instead of a curse. Most dogs have an inborn sense of wishing to please their owners. Good training methods will tap into this natural desire and maximize the potential of your dog.

There are different types of obedience training depending on the breed and goals you have for your dog. For instance, you can train him to enter field trials for registered hunting dogs. Or, you can train him to be an effective guard dog for you. Whatever hobbies or interests you wish to pursue with your dog, you will still be thankful for a foundation of basic obedience training.

This foundational training includes such things as being able to be around other dogs without going berserk. It should include knowing and obeying basic commands, such as sit, stay, heel, and come. It should include house-breaking and following the rules for polite indoor living. Even if your dog will be indoors most of the time, a well trained dog knows how to resign itself to being on a chain when necessary.

Dog obedience training faithfully and consistently carried out, really can change your life. If you currently own a young dog who wears you out with his antics, or who scares the neighbors, or who gets into trouble constantly, try investing time and money into some basic obedience classes. You will be glad you did.]]> Dog Training Tips http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=80 Wed, 13 Dec 2006 21:58:04 -0600 http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=79
1. Get references from pet owners who have previously used the dog trainer you are considering. If he or she is reputable, references won't be a problem. Ask the previous dog owners some specific questions about how this trainer deals with dogs. A dog trainer must have authority over the animal, but shouldn't gain it by physical force or loud yelling. Dogs that can't be trained by quieter, more controlled methods might need a special pinching collar. Ask the previous clients about yelling and brute force.

2. Choose a group class whenever possible. A novice dog trainer might not think of this, but there is one great advantage to training your dog in a class. That advantage is that your dog will be forced to learn how to behave around other dogs. A well behaved dog around people can lose it when it gets around other dogs!

There are other advantages to training in a group. One is that you are the one who has to walk the dog through it's exercises. If the training is all done by the professional dog trainer, the dog might behave well for them, but not for you. Working through the lessons with your dog gives you a chance to communicate and bond with your dog, too.

3. Check out the dog trainer's qualifications. Being certified or trained won't necessarily ensure a good dog trainer, but it can't hurt. A good dog trainer will know about the health and psychology of dogs. She will know how to read a dog's behavior in order to figure out the best way to convince the dog to do what is being asked of it.

4. Find out about the dog trainer's experience. Has he had experience with your breed of dog? Dog behavior and training varies according to breed, and it makes sense to choose a trainer who has a lot of experience with the kind of dog you have. Training methods for guard dogs, for instance, differ widely from training techniques for small indoor pets.

5. Sit in on a class and observe the trainer in action. Do they require the dogs to be in choke collars, or are the dogs trained in a more gentle method, using plain, flat collars or harnesses? Get a feel for this trainer's personality with both people and dogs. Is this someone you can work with effectively?

Taking the time to choose the right dog trainer can make a big difference in your dog. Pooch needs a good education, too, right? Choose that teacher for your pup carefully.]]> Dog Training Tips http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=79 Sun, 29 Oct 2006 21:09:27 -0600 http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=78
No food should ever be fed to a dog unless that food is put into some type of a container. The practice of putting food on newspapers or directly on a cage floor or the ground serves no purpose except to contaminate the food from the surroundings. This method also contaminates the surroundings from the food, draw flies, increase parasite transmission and soil the dog's coat. The money, time and energy a dog owner thinks he is saving by such feeding practices are completely wiped out by the loss of the dog, the time spent to clean floors and combat insects, or the effort needed to put a food-soiled coat back into show condition.

Crate Training

Crate training is a method by which your dog is taught to stay in a crate within your house for prolonged periods of time. This is an especially useful technique for dogs that would otherwise tear up the house when left alone. The best time to start crate training is when your dog is still a puppy. Leave him in the open crate for brief periods of time at first and then begin closing the door behind him.

Make sure that your puppy?s crate experience is always positive by giving him treats and rewards whenever he enters the crate. Once he is comfortable, you can leave him in the crate for increasing periods of time - give him his meals there as well.

Never use the crate as punishment. You want your dog to feel that his crate is a safe refuge, not a prison. Furthermore, the crate is a place where your dog can go to feel safe and secure while you and your family are away from home for a few hours. When you?re home, your dog should be out of his crate and socializing with his human family.

Obedience

Teaching basic obedience skills to a dog can be exciting as well as challenging. Having problems on where to begin? Start by doing your homework. A student can only be as good as his trainer, right?

The first lesson in obedience is to get your dog to pay attention to the commands. You want to start by calling his name and then using a keyword like ?watch? or ?look? afterwards. This way, he will associate the words to a command. Once you?ve got his attention, the lessons can begin.

You want your dog to be able to pay attention for a short length of time. Try keeping his attention by doing attention exercises. One example would be to hold a toy or dog treat in near your mouth and then give him the keyword command.

Each time he takes the time to watch, praise him. The more you do this exercise, the more time he should be able to pay attention to you. Try getting him to watch for at least a minute. Let him know that he is doing a good job by rewarding him. Dogs learn best this way.

Because dogs have such short attention spans, they get distracted pretty easily. Choose a place that is free of other distractions such as other pets, children or loud noises. Training sessions should only last approximately 30 minutes tops. Usually, if you go over this time limit, the dog will get restless and easily distracted.

If your dog isn?t learning very quickly, you may become frustrated. Don?t take that frustration out on your animal. A few things to remember before starting your obedience lessons:

1) Never cause pain to your dog (this will cause him to shy away or become aggressive to you.)

2) If he begins to become distracted, change the tone of your voice (this doesn?t mean raising it)

3) Consistency can not be stressed enough (animals are like children, if you?re not consistent, they will become confused as to what is expected)

Teaching your dog basic obedience commands will make for a more obedient and more pleasant dog to be around.

The first command to start off with would be to sit. You must use the word sit while teaching him so that he can relate the word with the action. Start by gently pushing his backside down and saying the word ?sit.? Eventually he will catch on to the concept.

The second command is ?down.? Dogs can become pretty hyper when they get excited. Jumping up on their owner?s lap is usually how they express their excitement. If you have a big dog or have other people over, you might not want them pouncing about. When they jump up, tell them ?down.? Do not pet them or act excited to see them while they are on you. Continue to tell them ?down,? and even place their legs down if you have to.

Next is the command of ?stay.? This command is a good one to know especially if you have a rambunctious hyper dog. You can teach him stay, for example, by putting a treat or something desirable on the ground. As he moves toward it, tell him ?Stay.? Another good idea would be to put your hand up while saying the word ?stay.? When he begins to become obedient in this area, you can move further away from him. This will cause him to become more daring and he will probably take a step forward to see how much he can get away with. When he does this, continue to put your hand out and tell him ?stay.? He has to know that even though you are moving away, you can still see what he?s doing and expect him to continue to obey.

After you?ve mastered the stay command, you will move on to the come command. Once your dog has learned to sit and stay, he will need a command to know when it?s ok to get up and approach you. They may be a bit confused at first, but with a change in the tone of your voice, he will soon understand. Put a little excitement in your voice when saying the word ?come?. He will pick up on it. You might also want to pat your leg when you say come.

Stand is the last command to achieve. This is where your dog is allowed to get a little excited but not in a pouncing kind of way. When teaching your dog to stand, pat your hands on your chest and, once again, put a little excitement in your voice, so that he knows he?s aloud, under certain circumstances. He will begin to know the difference.

Teaching your dog basic obedience, if possible, should be taught as soon as you and your dog are ready. Remember be consistent with the commands and don?t forget to have fun!

Arild Myklebust runs the free http://doggroomingt ips.ws website. Visit now, to get more useful Dog Tips & Articles and also a Free Email Newsletter.

]]> Dog Training Tips http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=78 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 18:33:31 -0500 http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=77
As mentioned, each different dog-training collar is different from the next. There are some that are designed to fit around the dog?s noses, which control the direction of the dog. They are generally attached to the lead and every time the dog is pulling or you need to reprimand the dog for something, a quick, sharp yet gentle tug on the lead will turn your dogs head towards you, shocking them into doing what you want them to do. An example of this includes:

? The Canny Collar ? A really good collar that has a ?pressure and release? system. It comes in seven different sizes so it will fit all breeds of dog snugly.

Others are less humane and a lot of critics say they are cruel. These include electric shock collars. Electric shock collars do exactly as they are called - they give the dog an electric shock whenever they do something wrong. Obviously this is really cruel and as safe as most companies say they are, they should never be used over other types of dog training collars. Unfortunately, there are a lot of collars like these on the market including:

? Petsafe Yard and Park Trainer ? The collar comes with a handheld device for the owner. When your dog is wearing the collar, all you have to do is push the button on the handheld device and it will send a shock to your dog up to 400 yards away.

Again, electronic collars really should not be used at all and they can be extremely cruel!

There are also collars that are fitted with devices that aim to stop them barking. These include the:

? Static anti-bark collar ? This collar has a built in on/off system that you can control. It also has a built in system which detects the vibrations within the dogs bark and it can determine whether the dog is barking or whether it has suffered a knock or a scratch.

The Cost and the Techniques Involved

If you choose a collar that is similar to the Canny Collar, you can expect to pay up to $30. However, for the electronic collars you can end up paying around $280! It all depends upon the size of your dog, what you want the collar for and how far you want the device to be able to reach.

The best way to use a collar is only when the dog is doing something you do not want them to do. They shouldn?t be used too frequently, as, although the shock may be unpleasant for them, they tend to get used to it and so will ignore what you want them to do. Also, always be quick to reward the dog when they have done something correctly. As long as you are gentle yet firm, the dog should learn quite quickly what is expected of them.

There are some books out there that can help you find the right techniques to help you use the dog training collars more effectively. So it is worth checking out your local library or even picking one up online.

Overall, dog-training collars can be really effective if used properly. You just have to do your research first!

Simon Oldmann is an avid dog lover, now living in the countryside he setup a dog kennel for his dogs, Simon currently writes tips and advice about dog training at http://dogtraining. zupatips. com

]]> Dog Training Tips http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=77 Mon, 25 Sep 2006 18:28:03 -0500 http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=76
The first thing I did when I got Skipper (not sure why I picked that name, it just sounded right) was to rush over and show my neighbor. His name was hard to pronounce so every one in the neighborhood just called him Mr. D. So Mr. D was kind enough to run through some dog training basics and taught me a lot about how to take care of my new puppy.

Mr. D’s dog was a Jack Terrier called Willie. Willie could do any trick and would respond to almost any request. Willie pretty much had the run of the neighborhood and was known by all. In those days people just let their dog out since there were no leash laws and no one complained. My Mom often gave Willie any leftovers or a soup bones when he would stop by for a visit.

So when I showed up with Skipper, Willie was as excited as I was to have a new playmate. Skipper was a Springer Spaniel that we had rescued from the city dog pound. Skipper was probably about 6 months old but we never knew for sure since the dog pound didn’t know when he was born.

The first order of business was your basic dog house training. I got off pretty easy on this phase since Skipper seemed to prefer going outside to do his bathroom chores. From day one Skipper would go to the door and want to be let out when he needed to go.

Mr. D explained that the two most important things about any kind of dog training were rewards and repetition. The reward could be as simple as praise or a pat on the head. And that I should spend at least 30 minutes a day working with Skipper on anything I wanted to teach him to do.

So each day I would spend 30 minutes teaching Skipper how to stay, sit, fetch, and come when I called. Willie would come over and help too. I don’t know if they actually communicated but having another dog around that already knew all these tricks had to be beneficial.

Skipper also showed a high aptitude for retrieving. Of course I didn’t know at the time that he was a natural born retriever and took credit for being a great and skilled dog trainer. Once I got the basics down I worked on teaching Skipper how to heel, play dead, and not to jump on people.

Skipper started learning on his own too. When I was at school or somewhere that Skipper couldn’t go, my mother would be his next choice in companion. In those days we had what was called a Bookmobile that was a bus from the local library that would come to the neighborhood twice a week.

Skipper figured out that when the Bookmobile came he got to go for a walk with my mother. So like clockwork, Skipper would come to get my mother when it was about 2:00 pm on Tuesday and Friday. Skipper loved to go since he got to sit at the door and welcome every one that showed up each day.

Skipper also knew when it was Saturday. Saturday was grocery-shopping day and when my mother went to the store she always asked the meat department for some bones. Skipper knew that he would get his favorite snack on Saturday afternoons when my mother came back from the store.

For the next 14 years Skipper was my constant companion and escort. Skipper was an exceptional dog in disposition, learning ability, and affection. I also had a big advantage having a helpful neighbor and watching him and his dog. Mr. D and Willie were both a huge help and positive influence.

Dog training does require some dedicated effort but the rewards are more than worth the investment. My current dog, Tuxcitto, is a 24/7 project since he is a Border Collie and full of vim and vigor. But Tuxcitto is a lot like Skipper in that he is a fast learner and extremely affectionate companion.

************ **** About The Author ************ **** John Dow owns http://www.freedogt rainingarticles. com, a website that provides free information on dog training. John gets to test his dog training skills daily with his new dog Tuxcitto. You can learn more here: http://www.freedogt rainingarticles. com.

]]> Dog Training Tips http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=76 Sun, 10 Sep 2006 04:56:21 -0500 http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=75
Some dogs are easier to train away from chasing than others. Breeds that have been used for hunting or herding often retain much more of their chasing instincts than other types of dogs, for instance.

No matter what breed of dog you are working with, however, it is important to not allow him off the leash until his chasing behavior has been curbed. Allowing an untrained dog off the leash is dangerous, irresponsible and illegal.

Before you expose your dog to a situation where he will want to chase someone or something, be sure to train him in a safe, controlled area like a fenced in yard. It is important for the dog to be able to focus and concentrate on you, and for him to understand what behavior you want. The dog must be given the opportunity to repeatedly perform the behavior you want while in this controlled setting.

The training session should be started indoors in the dog?s home. The dog should be put on a leash and the owner and the dog should stand at one end of a hallway or a room. The owner then waves a tennis ball in front of the dog but does not allow him to touch it. After that, the tennis ball is rolled to the other end of the hallway or the room, and the command ?Off? is used to tell the dog not to chase the ball. If the dog starts out after the ball, use the command ?Off? once again and give a firm tug on the leash.

When doing this type of training, it is vital that the dog not be allowed to touch the ball. If he actually reaches the ball, he may think that ?Off? means to get the ball. This exercise should be repeated several times, until the dog has learned the meaning of the ?Off? command. When the dog responds correctly by not chasing the ball, he should be rewarded with a special treat.

After the dog seems to understand his new game, move to another room and try the same thing. Repeat the exercise in several rooms of the house, in the garage, etc. After the dog has seemingly mastered the game and learned the meaning of the ?Off? command, you can work with him without the leash, but still only in a safe area like your own home or a fenced in yard. It may take some time for the dog to fully master control of his chasing instinct, and it is important not to rush the process, or to leave the dog off leash until you are sure he is fully trained.

To test the training in the real world, enlist the assistance of a friend to pose as a jogger. It is important that the dog does not see and recognize this person; he has to assume that it is a stranger in order for the test to be valid. Stand with the dog on his leash and have your friend jog by a couple of times while you do the ?Off? exercise. If the dog does as he is asked, be sure to provide lots of praise and treats. If he starts after the ?jogger?, give a firm reminder by tugging on the leash.

Burt Cotton http://www.dogtrain ingnews.org

]]> Dog Training Tips http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=75 Sun, 27 Aug 2006 19:08:18 -0500 http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=74
Considering that many puppies can relieve themselves up to 6 times a day, you would want to begin your puppy training as soon as possible. In the early days while you are still beginning your potty training you will want to take your puppy outside after every meal. Puppies like human babies tend to relieve themselves soon after a meal as they just haven’t developed the necessary muscles to hold it in.

Set aside a designated area outside at the beginning for your puppy to go to relieve itself. If you are around your puppy when it is showing signs of needing to go, you should immediately pick up your puppy and take it directly to the designated area you have created outside. It needn’t be extravagant, it could be a crate or just a tray that you have placed on the ground. You want to condition your puppy to connect going to the potty with the designated area.

By all means you want to avoid your puppy from going to the toilet all over your house. Not only is this detrimental to the your house and your belongings like carpet, but it also creates a negative habit with your puppy that you will have to recondition out of later.

If you enable your puppy to relieve itself indoors then set aside an area that is well ventilated and place a tray there. By constantly catching your puppy when he is ready to go to the toilet and taking it straight to your area you puppy will begin to start going there voluntarily.

At the end of the day your puppy wants to do the right thing by you and please it’s owner. If you teach your puppy what it is you want they are in a better position to understand and do it for you.

You will want to commit to this for at least the first several weeks of getting your puppy. Understand that a few weeks is really not long in the scheme of things considering how many years you are going to have the dog for.
]]> Dog Training Tips http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=74 Tue, 15 Aug 2006 20:40:44 -0500 http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=73
If you are to succeed in being the Alfa dog in your household then your bedroom should be your “den” and your dog should respect your private place and know that it does not go there, ever! You will never have good control of your dog if it does not respect you as the “Alfa” dog in its pack. You may have to suffer a few lost hours of sleep, if it has been left in the kitchen by itself but it is rarely a problem for long. Make sure the puppy has plenty of toys to play with, food and water ( in a container that it cannot lift or turnover ) can also help, but something which is most helpful is leaving the radio on all the time for them. Silence is hard for them to cope with, it can also help to stop them barking at noises from outside, and being spooked by things that go bump in the night. You know yourself how noisy silence can be, especially at night. Also remove everything that is within reach that you do not want to be chewed, once again prevention is better than cure. If all chewable items are out of reach and the puppy has a nice tasty bone to chew on ,chewing should not become a serious problem.

So you have got through the first night, puppy should now be feeling more its self now as they do not tend to greave for their lost litter mates and Mum for very long. Now this is the time when the time you spend with your new puppy really is most important. Keep it confined to a fairly small area so it is easier for you to keep an eye on. If you watch puppy very closely you will notice a change in its actions just before it is about to relieve itself, it will walk around in circles sniffing the ground, this is when you quickly but gently scoop it up and take it out to the garden to spend a penny or tupence, if it dose not immediately relieve itself keep telling it to “hurry up “ or something of your choice, until it performs then make a really big fuss of it and even give a treat. You will need to have treats handy either in your pockets or in a bag by the door you use so that you can just crab one as you are going out with puppy. Any treat you are offering to a dog or puppy to impress on them that they are good must be given within a matter of seconds for the dog or puppy to connect its deed with the receiving of the treat, therefore encouraging it to do the same again in the hope of receiving another treat.

Like wise any reprimand for bad actions also need to be issued within seconds for them to be effective. On a note of reprimands; as a young puppy no telling off should be issued at all, an absolute no ! Only when you know they have fully understood what they should do should you begin to introduce mild reprimands to enforce your treats for the good behaviour. How much your particular dog needs to be corrected really dose depend on its own character. A very gentle character who quickly learns and wants to please you will probably need no reprimand at all yet a strong character which is going to try and be boss will need telling off when he/she dose something wrong or it will think its ok to do what he/ she wants to do.

Personally, my last dog, a German Shepard, never had even a verbal telling off because she was so gentle she just wanted to please, but her replacement is a very different matter, she is also a German Shepherd, but given her own way in the wrong hands would be an unruly dog. As so many Shepherds have the misfortune to suffer because they get bought by people who do not understand them.

A mistake that a lot of owners make is not realising just how expert, dogs of all ages, are at understanding body language. They are experts from the day one! They instinctively understand all movements you make, even when you do not realise that you have even hardly moved. If he/she was waiting for your next move and was paying attention to you, the very slightest lean forward will be seen and recognized by your dog that you are about to get up from your chair, when all you are really doing is moving to get comfortable. But if you really where about to get up your dog would sense it instantly. This is why they always know when you are about to either, take them for a walk, go on holiday or go to bed , or anything else you do regularly ,simply because you will go through the same motions each time any of these actions are about to happen .

The biggest reason for problems developing is boredom. The more intelligent that your dog is the quicker he/she will get bored, this is why you have to become very creative to keep your dog not only entertained but to give to give him/her plenty to think about. Entertainment for the brain will tire a young dog out much more than physical exercise. When young , you need to apply just the right amount of exercise to keep your dog fit without over doing it. Too much exercise for a young dog can be very damaging to the growing frame. Much better to play games that the dog has to really think about, not only is it good for them but it is also excellent for building your relationship with them.

Dog training needs to be fun , do it properly and you will learn how to stop bad habits forming, or how to eradicate unwanted behaviours that already exist. You will learn the practical value of all obedience exercises, how to develop good habits for your-self and your dog, which will lead to a harmonious relationship.

I have had dogs for 42 years. Learning how to train them from my mother who trained to county level. Over the years I have found that the old ways of training are not always the best.I have found that praise is the best form of training, and the younger the dog the easier it is to train. http://www.dogtrainingproblems.biz

]]> Dog Training Tips http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=73 Sun, 13 Aug 2006 19:02:17 -0500 http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=72
These kinds of natural training methods generally work very well, for both puppies and older dogs. Naturally, older, larger dogs will need a larger area for their den, and crate training is generally best used for puppies and small dogs.

When house training a dog or a puppy, however, it is important to pay close attention to the signals the dog is sending. It is also important to be consistent when it comes to feeding times, and to provide the dog with ready access to the toilet area you establish on a regular basis.

It is important as well to never try to rush the process of house training. While some dogs are naturally easier to train, most puppies and adult dogs will experience at least one or two slip ups during the house training process. When these accidents occur, it is important to not get mad and punish the dog. Accidents during house training usually mean that the owner is trying to move too fast, or that the dog has been left alone for too long. In this case, it is best to just take a step back and start the process again.

It is also important for the owner to reward the dog enthusiastically when it does its business in the appointed area. The dog should learn to associate doing its business in its toilet area with good things like treats, rewards and praise.

During the house training process, the den area starts out very small, often as small as half of a small room in the beginning. As the dog learns to control his bladder and bowels better, and the owner learns to anticipate the dog?s toilet needs, the den area can be slowly expanded. It is important not to make the den area too large too soon. The den area must be expanded slowly in order for the house training process to move along smoothly.

It is important for the dog to be properly introduced to its den. Many dogs, particularly those who have never been confined before, such as those who have spent their lives as outdoor dogs, may react to the den area as if it is a prison, and constantly whine, cry and try to escape the den. It is important that the dog learn to accept its den as a home and not a cage. ] One problem many dog owners overlook when house training a dog is that of boredom. Boredom is actually the root cause of many behavior problems in dogs, including chewing and other destructive behaviors. Boredom can also be the root cause of problems with house training. Dogs that are bored often consume large amounts of water during the day, and this excess water consumption can lead to the need to urinate often, even in its den area. Since soiling the den area goes against the dog?s nature, he can quickly become confused and frightened, thereby setting the house training program back even further.

To prevent the dog from becoming bored when you are away from home, be sure to provide him with lots of different kinds of toys, as well as a safe and secure place to sleep. In addition, a vigorous period of play time can help the dog sleep while you are away. In addition, playing with the dog in its den area will help him bond with this area and recognize it as a safe, secure home.

Burt Cotton http://www.dogtrainingnews.org

]]> Dog Training Tips http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com/blog/index.php?itemid=72 Wed, 09 Aug 2006 19:16:33 -0500