Dog Training Zone

Giving your dog some basic training is a necessity for any pet owner. In order for them to be trusted around other people and animals they need to follow some basic commands from you. For instance, if you take them into public where there will be alot of strangers you don’t want your dog to bite or nip at anyone. And if there is alot of cars and your dog is off the leash, they should be able to sit and stay until you tell them it is safe.

Training your dog also helps develop a stronger bond between you two. Your canine friend will start to see you as the alpha or leader of the pack and follow your lead. You want to be consistent with them but not forceful during your training sessions. Dogs are smart creatures and will learn through repetitive training. And once they pick up on something it will stick with them for their entire lives with you.

Consider A Dog Obedience Class As A Start

There are a couple reasons why finding a local obedience school is a good idea, especially when your dog is just a puppy. They will become accustomed to being around other dogs and learn how to safely interact with them. This will reduce the chances of your dog getting into a fight with others when he is out around town. Proper socialization between your dog and other dogs is an important part of the training program. Additionally, your pup will get used to seeing you around other people. This helps with the human portion of the socialization process.

In addition to the proper social skills they will acquire, they will also learn the basic commands like sit and stay. You as the owner will learn how to teach your dog effectively, further strengthening your bond. And it is much more enjoyable to have a canine that behaves when they are told to.

Most trainers will have you use praising instead of punishment as it has been proven to be much more effective. Scolding a dog makes them associate learning with negative feelings and will over time make them behave worse or even skittish around you. If you praise and reward them when they do what is the correct behavior, they will quickly associate the ‘right’ things with positive feelings. Plus you will be much closer to them since you are not constantly punishing them. Obviously training your dog does have many rewards, and the rewards are even greater if you use the correct methods.

James McDonald writes maintains Discount Dog Products. You can find alot of dog care accessories, as well as information that can help any pet owner. We are always updating our helpful articles so make sure you visit often.

Share This

I don’t mean talking like “good boy” or “go potty” but the body language
that lets your dog know you are in charge.

Most of the behavior problems owners encounter
are the result of owners letting their dogs take control.

This doesn’t mean being a tyrant or using a formal “heel” process; it just
means being the leader of the pack.

Walking is one activity almost all of us do with our dogs, and one that can
reinforce our position as alpha dogs.

What do owners doi wrong?

Poor posture. People slouch, bend to look down at their dogs, fight with
the leash and generally look stressed out or impatient.

What should owners be doing?

Attach a leash to a body harness rather than a collar for walks.

Louise Louis doesn’t like collars for walks because there’s too much danger
of injuring a Toy breed’s neck by pulling on the collar when walking.

She also doesn’t like retractable leashes as they are too long to
maintain control and keep a dog safe on city streets. Some
cities are prohibiting them for the same reasons.

Her recommendation is a leather leash of 4 to 6-feet for city walks.

The leash handle or loop should be slipped over your left wrist.
This provides more control and decreases the chance that the
leash might slip from your hand.

Position the leash itself across the fingers of your right hand
so you can shorten or lengthen it as necessary.

Position your hands in front of you, just below your waist.

The majority of the leash should be between your right
hand and your dog. You only need about six-inches of leash
between your right and left hands.

Keep your head up and maintain a positive posture.

Unlike many trainers who believe a dog should not be
allowed to sniff, roll, and amble at everything they pass, Louise
Louis believes dogs should be allowed to act like a dog.

As long as he obeys your commands when you give them (come, sit,
leave it), she says to cut him some slack!

The only exception is for male dogs that are constantly lifting
their legs on everything in their path. Don’t continually
stop for this.

You need to train your dog to relieve himself at the start
of the walk. His leg lifting has more to do with his trying
to mark his territory than to relieve this bladder.

If you remember nothing else from this, please keep in mind
the words of the late, great Barbara Woodhouse: head high,
hands low.

Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and
creator of the popular website on small dogs,
http://www.ToyBreeds.com

Share This

1. Don’t get a dog unless you can afford the upkeep including an annual
veterinary examination, vaccinations and potential emergency care.

2. Make sure your dog has identification, preferably by microchip.
(See free article at http://www.toybreeds.com/microchips.htm)

3. Don’t let your dog roam unsupervised and don’t walk him without a leash
in urban areas.

4. Know and obey your local and community laws and rules on dogs.

5. ALWAYS SCOOP POOP when out on walks. Put it in a plastic bag for
placement in liter container.

6. Worm your dog regularly throughout the year - it’s not just a summertime
need.

7. Provide him with a balanced, high quality dog food and continual fresh
clean water.

8. Have adequate insurance. This may include pet health insurance but definitely
includes homeowners and liability insurance. Any dog can bite - repeat, any
dog can bite. Protect your home and assets with insurance.

9. Don’t let your dog jump up or rush people and other dogs. You have no right
to complain if a stranger uses a mace-like spray on your dog if you’re letting
him run loose.

10. MOST IMPORTANT - respect the views and rights of others. Not everyone
loves dogs as much as we do. These people, however, have a right to peaceful
walks or bike rides, clean yards and quiet enjoyment of their backyards!

Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and
creator of the popular website on small dogs,
http://www.ToyBreeds.com

Share This