Dog Obedience Training For Your Pet Dog

If you have decided to enroll your four-legged friend in an obedience training class, there are a few tips to keep in mind to make sure that your choice is the right one. Choosing a dog trainer requires much more than simply selecting a name at random from the phone book and, when it comes to your pet, nothing but the best will do.

Obedience training classes are held in most communities and are not typically difficult to find. If you need information on finding puppy or dog training classes in your area, you can check with a local veterinarian, fellow pet owners or a pet shop. Before you decide to enroll your puppy or dog, take the time to attend a class and see how the trainer interacts with current students. In addition to being able to effectively communicate with animals, a dog trainer should be open to answering questions that you may have regarding their training methods, experience and results.

When it comes to dog training, whether it be a puppy or adult dog, trainers should always use methods that involve positive reinforcement, such as rewarding dogs with a treat and praise when they respond to commands. When a pet refuses to obey a command, most trainers will employ a method of ignoring the animal until it responds appropriately. Trainers should never use harmful methods of dog training and should, in fact, be very gentle with pets. The best way to confirm this is to attend a class and ask the trainer for references.

Currently, there is no organization that licenses dog trainers. This means that basically anyone can open a business, call themselves a trainer and begin accepting students. If you want to make sure that your four-legged friend is in good hands, speak with the trainer directly and inquire about his/her background with animals and special training or education that they have undergone prior to becoming a trainer. Ask for references and don't hesitate to consult with each of them. If a trainer cannot provide references or fails to answer your questions satisfactorily, consider the possibility that you may be able to train your own pet just as effectively in the comfort of your own backyard.

If you are going to enroll your pet in a dog training class, make sure that it is safe, effective and worth the money. There are a number of programs, videos and books that are available to help in teaching pet owners how to instill obedience training, housebreaking and basic techniques that will result in a well-behaved animal. With so much information available, some dog owners may wonder which provide quality information and which are just nonsense. The truth is that dogs cannot be trained overnight but, with patience and the proper approach, they can begin to learn your commands with time.

If you want to know which programs or books are worth your time and money, take a moment to read product reviews that are geared toward dog training products and how to differentiate between the good and the bad.

Brian Dolezal is a contributing editor for TopConsumerReviews. com (http://www. topconsumerrevie ws.com), a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings for hundreds of consumer products. You can find out how top dog training programs compare by visiting TopConsumerReviews. com today.

If you currently own a dog that seems a bit hard to train then you might be considering buying an electronic dog training collar. While the idea of using an electronic collar may be appealing it is important to understand that it is just another method of training your dog. It is not the be all and end all of dog training, but used properly it can deliver very good results when other training methods just don't seem to work.

When you go to buy an electronic dog training collar be aware that you will find several different types that have differences in how they work. The type most people are familiar with is the electronic shock collar, which emits a low voltage charge that gets the dog attention.

There are two other types of electric dog collars, one that works by emitting a high pitched sound that the dog finds extremely annoying and the other choice is a citronella collar that works by squirting citronella in front of the dogs nose. Dogs do not particularly like the smell of citronella. No matter which version you choose they all work by getting your dogs attention and annoying it in an unpleasant way. Dogs, much like humans, will do whatever is necessary to avoid these annoyances even if it means obeying their owner.

Using an electronic dog training collar is rather straightforward, but remember, it is only a tool to help you achieve the results you want with your dog. The collar won't train your dog for you; it is a tool that you use to reprimand your dog when it does not obey your commands.

For instance when training your dog to sit give the command "sit", push gently but firmly on the lower back which makes your dog assume the sitting position. You must do this several times so the dog understands what you are asking it to do. Only after demonstrating to the dog several times what he is to do with a certain command do you try and give the command without any human intervention, ie pushing his but down. A dog that catches on quick and obeys should be praised and rewarded with a treat. If the dog refuses to obey this is the time to use the electronic collar. After getting your dogs attention with the collar start over by giving the command and pushing his hind end down into the sitting position and repeat the whole process over.

One of the more popular uses for an electronic dog training collar is the invisible fence. By running a thin wire around the outside of your yard the dog that sets off a beeping alarm whenever your dog approaches the property boundaries the dog learns to stay on your property and not wander off. If the dog ignores the beeping and continues to approach the boundary the collar will give a low grade shock that gets his attention. Soon the dog learns to recognize the beeping and what ignoring the warning means. It should be mentioned that while this method works with the majority of dogs if your dog is overly aggressive no amount of beeping, citronella, or electrical shock will keep him from running through an invisible fence boundary.

Using an electronic dog training collar is a good alternative to training a hard to train dog as long as it is used for its intended purpose. This type of dog collar should be used as a training tool that helps modify a dogs behavior. It should never be used as a way to punish or in any way inflict needless pain on a dog. Used correctly chances are you will only need to use it sparingly and before long your dog will learn to obey your commands without it.

If you are having trouble training your dog and are considering an electronic dog collar visit the website http://www.worfdog. com/Dog-Collar/Dog-Collars. html

In a time when "always be prepared" is a mantra repeated by everyone, pet owners would do well to take up that mantra as well. Though many dog owners keep surplus dog food lying around the pantry or always carry plastic bags everywhere they go, few even think to keep a first aid kit in case their companion is injured. A shoebox's worth of items can mean the difference between life and death for an animal, and most items can work equally well on humans too.

Given their generally voracious and heedless nature, most emergencies for dogs will involve toxins and similar problems. The basic tool for first aid in this case is a large needle-less syringe. The medicine that you need to put into your dog is loaded into the syringe and then you squirt the medicine into the dog's mouth or into the dog's anus, depending on what chemicals are being used.

One important chemical in a canine first aid kit will be hydrogen peroxide in liquid form, which can be used both to induce vomiting (in case a dog eats or drinks something dangerous and purging it from the dog's system fast is essential) and to clean wounds, but make sure you get only 3% hydrogen peroxide if you're going to be placing it in a first aid kit.

Other potentially important chemicals (also in liquid form) to stock up on include: Anti-histamines (to counter act allergic reactions in dogs), activated charcoal (to treat poisonings), laxatives (to treat constipation in dogs and subsequently help the owner get some sleep knowing that their pet isn't holding it in any longer) and anti-diarrhea medication (to treat diarrhea and salvage the owner's floors).

Bandages are basic essentials, as dogs do tend to run into some cuts and scrapes that need blotting or protection. Get plenty of different sizes and shapes, as well as some long rolls, so that you can help stop bleeding, and also pick up a pair of scissors and some tape to cut the pieces and secure them properly. Remember, dogs don't like to be restrained so a bandage needs to be well-secured so your pet doesn't pull it off with his teeth. Try to avoid putting tape on his fur, though, and instead wrap the tape around the gauze.

The last category of vital items is a set of odds and ends that could still be of great use. An antibiotic ointment that can be applied to the skin (often called topical ointment), such as Neosporin, should be applied to most external wounds to prevent infection and speed up the healing process. A pair of tweezers, for removing things like thorns and insect stingers, may not find much use but will be a life saver if needed. Similarly, an ice pack and a heat pack will go a long way towards treating hypothermia and heat stroke, respectively. The heat pack can also be applied to sprains and contusions on man and beast alike.

Once you've carried out first aid treatment on your pet, it's important to take your dog to the veterinarian as quickly as possible. There are some things that don't require the attention of a professional, but trying to treat more severe cases at home isn't advised. Poisonings and flesh wounds need a veterinarian' s skill to make sure your dog gets proper care. A first aid kit is best used for quick intervention when you need to stabilize your pet so you can bring him to the doctor's.

Jeff Clare runs http://training. dognews.biz where you can read many more up to the minute articles on dog training and control. More general advice covering all aspects of a dogs life is available from http://dognews. biz

Despite their rambunctious behavior at times, puppies are eager to please and they desperately want your love and approval. Much like a newborn baby, puppies need to be taught right from wrong and they need to learn in a way that involves both patience and understanding. Not only can effective puppy training lead to a better relationship between you and your four-legged friend, but it may also save your pet's life one day.

One of the most popular types of puppy training techniques involves housebreaking, which will teach your pet the difference between his/her home and bathroom and why the distinction is so important. By nature, your puppy will not want to relieve itself in his/her home and will appreciate having a separate area for that sole purpose. When your puppy has structure, he/she will be much happier and healthier.

Obedience training is another important goal of many pet owners. Puppies are especially energetic and, if not trained properly at a young age, can grow into an unruly dog. In order to prevent this from happening, obedience training should begin as early as possible and may either be done by you at your home, or by an instructor. In many cases, your puppy will respond better to you and your commands because he/she is already familiar with you. If you enroll your pet in an obedience training class where other animals are present, your puppy may become anxious or disruptive. If possible, it's a good idea to train your pet at home by using your own puppy training techniques that will give you full control over methods, treatment and effectiveness.

When it comes to any type of training, your puppy will appreciate the ability to understand your commands. Dogs who never seem to obey their owners lack both discipline and structure. They may never understand the importance of "stay" in the face of oncoming traffic or the "off" command to be used to prevent your pet from jumping up on guests in your home. An unruly pet cannot be taken out in public, may never enjoy a stroll through the park and may have a very difficult time at the veterinarian' s office. While your pup is young, he/she is small and will be controllable. The real problems start when a puppy grows up without being taught how to act in public, how to react to other animals and how to respond to your commands.

Puppy training is most effective when used in conjunction with the reward method. This involves giving your puppy a treat when he/she does something on command and should be followed by loving strokes and praise. Your puppy will learn to respond to the tone of your voice and he/she will love hearing positive tones because this means that you are pleased. Although they seem to be nothing more than a ball of energy at times, your puppy is really hoping for your approval. This desire will especially show through as he/she begins to mature and, with the proper training, your puppy will become very familiar with what "good dog" means. Not only that, but he/she will also know how to earn the title.

There are many great resources for dog training available on the internet. One of the best ways to find these resources is by reading independent reviews and comparison rankings. In this way you can be confident your pet is getting best training possible.

Brian Dolezal is a contributing editor for TopConsumerReviews. com (http://www. topconsumerrevie ws.com), a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings for hundreds of consumer products. You can find out how top dog training programs compare by visiting TopConsumerReviews. com today.

In California the owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place, or lawfully in a private place. The owner of the dog is liable even if the dog bites on the owner's property. It does not matter if the owner new the dog was vicious or not. A person is considered to be lawfully upon the private property when he is on the property in the performance of any duty imposed upon him by the laws of the State of California or by the laws or postal regulations of the United States, and also when the person on the private property on invitation from the property owner, the invitation could be expressed or implied.

Someone breaking into a private home and bitten by a dog would not have a cause of action. If your dog rushes out and bites someone knocking on your door and bites someone that is there for the purpose of converting you to their religion or to sell you a subscription to a nonexistent magazine, then they would have a cause of action, because of implied inviation. If you happen to have a fence that is locked or just closed and with a sign advising that no one is invited implied or expressly then you are unlikely to be liable, but exceptions to this rule also apply.

Under the California law if you are bitten where you have a right to be, you automatically win on liability, and it is only a matter of proving damages. If you are bitten after ignoring a sign that says noone no invitation is made to enter my property expressly or impliedly then a different standard applies. The standard is one of negligence, was the owner's conduct reasonable. Training an attack dog to attack any human being upon entering the property is probably not reasonable. There is also the mail man exception, the mail man has to drop off the owner's mail and if bitten would have a lawsuit against the dog owner, regardless of whether there is a sign or not.

The best way to avoid liability if you own a dog might be to put up a sign that says, one that says there is no implied invitation to this property, keep out, all others in consideration for entering this property you assume the risk of getting bitten by a dog. It would not eliminate the risk of liability for a dog biting a human being, especially if it is at night and there is no light on the sign, but otherwise if the sign can be read, it would help minimize or eliminate the liability.

If you happen to be the victim, it is unlikely that you had fair warning and that you were bitten while breaking into someone's home. A dog bite or dog attack is a special kind of personal injury claim. It is a type of claim that is not evaluated by a computer. The type of damages that are pursued are often for pain, suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, loss or earnings, reasonable and necessary medical expenses, and future medical treatment. If the dog attack while the victim was doing something illegal, it is unlikely that a lawsuit can be maintained.

A person cannot bring a lawsuit when a bite occurs if the dog is a military dog or police dog and the person bitten was annoying, harassing, or provoking the dog and the dog was defending itself. A person cannot bring a lawsuit against a military dog or police dog if the dog was assisting an employee of the agency in apprehension or holding of a suspect where the employee has reasonable suspicion of the suspect's involvement in criminal activity. There is no real clear line as to what reasonable suspicion means. No lawsuits are permitted when the military or dog is assisting an employee of the agency in investigation of a crime or possible crime, in the execution of a warrant, and in the defense of a peace officer or another person.

If the person bitten by a military or police dog is not a party to, nor a participant in, nor suspected to be a party to or a participant in, the act or acts that prompted the use of the dog in the military or police work, is allowed to bring a lawsuit. It is not unusual for passerbys or bystanders to get bitten by a poorly trained dog.

For the police and military dog exception to apply the agency must also have adopted a written policy on the necessary and appropriate use of a dog for the type of work the dog is to do.

If a dog bites a human being, the owner of the dog is required to take steps to remove the danger of a bite from the same dog on another person.

If the dog has bitten twice, any person, the DA, or city attorney can bring an action in court t6 determine if the confinement and treatment of the dog is sufficient to keep it out of danger to other persons. The court has the power, after hearing, to order that remove the dog fro the are where it is confined, or to destroy it if necessary.

A different standard applies when the dog has been trained to fight. If the dog has been trained to fight only one bite is required for any person, the district attorney, or city attorney to bring an action in court to determine if the dog's confinement is sufficient to keep the dog from biting another human being. The court after hearing, has the power to prevent the reoccurence of a bite, by removal of the dog from the area or destruction if necessary.

In California there are no free bites. If the dog bites a human being, there is liability for personal injury, unless there some sort of exception such as a police dog or military dog exception.

Arnold Hernandez is an attorney individuals in employment law, car accidents, dog bite claims, and truck accidents primarily in the Cities of San Marcos, Escondido, Vista, Oceanside and throughout Southern California. Visit his website at http://www.arnoldhe rnandez.com

Dogs very rarely think about what they consume, unless it's a hidden pill wrapped in a piece of bread or cheese (my dog carefully eats the tasty wrapper and spits out the pill). Most of the time, a dog will simply swallow its food whole, and dogs can choke just like humans. Saving a dog with a blocked airway uses the same treatment as a human as well. If you know CPR, you can help your choking dog.

Dogs are like children: You have to keep an eye on them all the time. Before you start giving your dog CPR, you should try to determine what your pet is choking on to begin with. Most likely, the culprit will be a bone or a small toy. Balls, if they're small enough, are another possibility. A dog's mouth is the equivalent of our fingers. Young dogs and pups will pick things up and taste them just to see what they are.

As with toddlers, always be certain that dog toys are large enough that they won't accidentally be swallowed. When a dog gets something stuck in their throat, it will paw at their muzzle and try to retch up the blockage. A dog won't be very cooperative with any human that's trying to remove an object from its throat or mouth either, but a blocked throat is a medical emergency. If the dog stops breathing, it will pass out and could die.

If your dog remains conscious, you should try to remove the object blocking your dog's breathing. Start by forcing your dog's mouth open and trying to pull the object out of the mouth or throat immediately. Ideally, you should be able to see the object obstructing your dog's breathing, but if you can't see it, try raising your dog's butt and back legs off the ground slightly before using a modified Heimlich maneuver.

The canine Heimlich maneuver begins with you pressing your flattened hand against the bottom of the dog's rib cage. Push into the dog's chest, pressing the dog's lungs against its spine and back, and with any luck, this should cause the dog to cough up whatever was blocking its breathing. If the dog falls unconscious, try to perform the chest pressing maneuver twice again before giving two artificial respirations (breathing into the dog's mouth; most first aid texts cover this in more detail), and then checking the dog's mouth again. Repeat the process of two compressions and two artificial respirations until normal breathing returns.

Practice makes perfect. Just as you would practice a home fire drill with your children, it is good to have a few practice sessions with your dog for various first aid techniques. This way, should the time come that your dog needs help, the process will be more familiar to your pet and he'll be less likely to struggle. Finally, don't be afraid to ask for professional advise or help.

Jeff Clare runs http://training. dognews.biz where you can read many more up to the minute articles on dog training and control. More general advice covering all aspects of a dogs life is available from http://dognews.biz

You've just acquired a beagle, and can't wait to bring him home to show the children.
Once home, the children begin playing with him and running around the house. Suddenly you hear a scream. The beagle has bitten one of your children.

Once the panic is over and you've determined your child is okay; it is time to sit down and determine why this beagle, whose breed poses no threat to children, would bite your child. Let's discuss how to stop the dog from biting again.

As mentioned earlier, certain breed of dogs are wonderful pets for children; beagles are no exception. However, there are times when erratic behavior can pose a threat to your children. Determine if this particular incident was a one time occurrence, especially if the beagle was retrieved from an animal shelter. Contact them and ask if similar biting incidences have occurred. If not, the reason behind it needs further exploration.

It is common knowledge that dogs usually bite for a reason. To stop the dog from biting may require you to question the children and find out what was going on when the incident occurred. Perhaps in their enthusiasm in having a new pet, one of children pulled on the dog's tail, or unintentionally scared the dog. There could be a number of reasons. It is up to you to find the real answer.

Conversely, if the beagle you just brought home is a puppy, and took a nip out of one of your children, it is incumbent upon you to begin training to stop the dog from biting. As with other unwanted behaviors in dogs, it is important to establish dominance over the dog.

You, as the owner, must become the pack leader. You need to be the alpha dog. This is critical when any new dog enters a home and immediately tries to dominate it. Once your role is clearly established, your dog will understand the boundaries you have set and abide by them.

To stop the dog from biting takes time, effort, and patience. You must be consistent in your commands, and reward the dog for good behavior as well. In addition, you need to educate your children on the proper way to handle, play, and interact with their new pet. Once everyone knows the rules of engagement, you will all be able to enjoy every aspect of owning this wonderful breed of dog.

Do you really need to stop dog from biting? Read Joe Robinson's dog obedience training secrets at http://www.pet- comfort-products .com/sitstayfetc h.html

Housebreaking Your Dog

Whether or not you plan to invite your dog into your home or prefer to let him/her roam around the yard, housebreaking your dog is well worth the effort. If your dog will be an indoor pet, the benefits are obvious. But, even an outside pet can benefit from knowing when and where to "go". What if you and your family are going on vacation and plan to take your dog along for the trip? Not only will the hotel appreciate the fact that your dog is housebroken, but the drive will also be much more pleasant. If you don't take your pet on vacations, what will happen if you need to leave him/her with a friend or relative? If they bring the dog into their home, both you and they will be thankful for a housebroken pet.

Housebreaking your dog is a very important detail and, although tedious, is very necessary. The truth is that your dog desperately wants your love and approval and they will do anything to make you happy. Housebreaking your dog isn't easy and it may involve a few glitches, but it's well worth the effort for both you and your pet.

When it comes to housebreaking, you can either train your dog conventionally by taking him/her outside after every meal, first thing in the morning and last thing at night or use the crate training method. The conventional approach to housebreaking will set your dog on a schedule and he/she will begin to recognize when and where to take care of business. With crate training, your pet will be confined to a small space that will quickly begin to feel like home. Because your dog will not want to relieve itself in a home-like environment, he/she will learn to wait for the appropriate time to seek relief. They key to effective crate training is to only place your pet in the crate for short intervals, which may be up to 2 hours at a time, and while you are unable to monitor them closely. You can also leave them in the crate overnight, but they must be taken outside first thing in the morning and last thing before placing them in the crate at night.

Regardless of which housebreaking method you choose, there will most definitely be "accidents" along the way. Crate training can be difficult, especially for puppies who are just learning how to control their bodies. As he/she gets older, the task will be easier and more controllable. During the earliest days and weeks of housebreaking, your pet will likely slip up and relieve itself somewhere that you would consider to be off-limits. If you allow your dog to roam freely throughout the house without supervision, the likelihood increases. Once they learn the routine and the training has set in, your dog will learn how to let you know when he/she needs to go outside.

How can you tell when your dog needs to step out? Sniffing the carpet, walking in small circles and whining or pawing at the door are very common symptoms that your dog is trying to tell you something. When this happens, let your pet out immediately. If your housebreaking method is to be effective, your dog needs to know that he/she will be able to communicate with you and that you will respond in a timely manner. Just as you want your pet to understand your commands, your pet very much needs to know that you understand his/hers.

There are many great resources for dog training available on the internet. One of the best ways to find these resources is by reading independent reviews and comparison rankings. In this way you can be confident your pet is getting best training possible.

Brian Dolezal is a contributing editor for TopConsumerReviews. com (http://www. topconsumerrevie ws.com), a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings for hundreds of consumer products. You can find out how top dog training programs compare by visiting TopConsumerReviews. com today.