Archives for Dog Agility Training category
As a dog owner, it’s your responsibility to learn the training methods for teaching your dog not to bite anyone. This is a critical part of pet ownership, in fact, The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that more than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year. These bites result in unwanted medical bills and law suits, and, in some cases, the dog has to be put to sleep. With a little training, none of these negatives have to happen to you or your pet.
There are many common techniques that can be used to assist a dog to decrease, and eventually eliminate, biting behavior. The effectiveness of these techniques will vary from breed to breed, but with patience and repetition, puppies and adult dogs can learn to not bite.
Puppies have the tendency to always mouth and nip and it’s best to nip this behavior in the bud when they are still young. Even though you might think it is cute when your little pup plays by nibbling at you, if you encourage this behavior, you will end up with a big problem when your pet is grown.
Puppies as young as five weeks old can begin to respond to simple commands. For biting behavior, a gentle, firm “No!” and a slight squeeze of the muzzle can be a good place to start.
It is important not to squeeze the muzzle too hard or too high up. Doing so can cause the puppy to bite its tongue or damage the delicate odor receptors that are high up in the snout. A dog’s ability to smell is one of its most important assets!
Squeezing your dog’s muzzle isn’t intended to punish him, but to let him know that the behavior isn’t acceptable. By squeezing, you associate the verbal command with something the dog can readily understand: discomfort. Regardless of their age, dogs find having their muzzle squeezed uncomfortable.
Another dog training technique that might help eliminate biting is to socialize your dog since dogs that are not used to people or other dogs do tend to bite. You want to socialize your dog eat an early age to develop his calmness and confidence. Your dog will be more friendly to your guests, other animals and even strangers if socialized properly.
It’s a good idea to let your dog get to know other dogs, as long as they’re not aggressive themselves. This allows your pet to become aware of a variety of smells and appearances that might otherwise arouse his suspicions, and tends to negate his normal territorial reactions.
While it is natural for a dog to nip and bite, the know enough not to do this too hard to their littermates. They will nip each other while playing, but they learn early on not to press too hard. This natural instinct can be used in training dogs not to bite by teaching them to extend the scope of the pack to include family members, frequent visitors and other pets.
When your pet first meets an animal from another household, begin by restraining them both. Slowly, allow them to meet each other and sniff, or do whatever seems natural for them to get tot know each other.
You must be aware that some usual indicators of oncoming dog aggression are body tension, snarling, and erect ears. You can prevent possible aggression by ordering your dog to sit, back stroking, and or reaching out your hand to the other animal. If you have conveyed the smell of your pet to the other animal, let them interact naturally.
At the age of four and a half months, dogs normally learn to inhibit biting. But for some dogs, the learning process may take longer time. Dogs behavior and their ability to learn varies with the breed, age, and other factors. Training of dogs will be more easy if they are started young.
While most dogs can be trained not to bite, there are some that still bite despite being trained. Pet owners should also be trained how to handle their dogs properly. If your dog still bites, make sure it cannot interact with other people or be expose to other animals.
If you apply these dog training techniques with patience and persistence, your dog should gradually let go of his tendency to bite. While it may take some patience on your part, it’s well worth it in the long run.
When training one’s dog there are some particular details which should be remembered. Using positive dog training methods is the best way to get your dog trained in a fun and efficient manner. This means that you should reward your dog for positive behavior instead of punishing him for negative behavior.
However, scolding your dog is something that needs to be done on occasion. While a positive approach is most effective, there are times when your pet needs scolding in order to distinguish right from wrong. Like humans, dogs respond better to positivity and frequent scolding will only serve to hinder his performance. It is extremely important to know when to use each during training.
Every time he obeys while you are training, your dog should get a treat. IF he sits, reward him. If he stays, fetches, or goes to the bathroom in the proper place, or any other commands, he should get a treat.
You can reward your do in many different ways- treats, rubbing his belly, patting on the head or praises and kind words.
Training your dog properly is quick and easy if you do it positively by giving him some sort of reward every time he does something good. Your dog will quickly learn the tricks and just want to please you.
Unless it is absolutely necessary, scolding should not be used. Events which may require reprimanding include jumping, barking, growling, pulling at the leash, destruction, or accidents.
Remember that if you scold a dog after the fact he will have no idea what is going on. You must catch him in the act, and then be sure to keep the reprimand short and direct. A stern “bad dog!” should be all that’s needed for your dog to realize that you aren’t pleased with his behavior.
It is important that you never ever hit the dog, as this will cause problems further down the road. Make sure your reproaches are crisp and quick, with an angry condemning tone in your voice, but do not be too frequent with them or your dog will eventually start ignoring you.
If you are using a positive dog training method, one important thing to remember is when you should scold and when you should praise. Remember, your pet has just begun learning, and is trying. So be patient with your new friend. With a loving and understanding approach, your dog will find training easy and it will be a wonderful experience for both you and your dog.
One of the most effective dog training techniques smaller dogs is reward training. Because choke collars and other aggressive forms of training are ineffective with small breeds like Poodles, Pugs and the Pomeranian due to their small physical stature, reward training has been commonly used as an alternative.
The use of reward training for your pet is an effectivr way of teaching obedience and good behavior. This training technique is use by both the police and military in training their dogs to perform various actions. It is also used by those who train animals for TV and movies. Reward training is a great way to teach all dogs whether they are a family pet or a working dog.
Reward training is based on giving a treat or reward when your dog performs the behavior you desire. Most often it means a special treat, but simply telling your dog that he was a good boy and patting him on the head can be construed as a wonderful reward for your dog.
You can teach your dog nearly everything by using rewards based dog training techniques. All you need is consistency in training, and your dog will eventually do the desired task.
For example, dangling the treat over your dog’s head and moving it backwards, repeating the word “sit” over and over, until he naturally sits on his own will teach the dog to sit. After he sits, give him the treat and praise him. It won’t take long before he knows to sit down and he will be rewarded when he hears the word “sit.”
One type of reward training is clicker training which allows you to teach your dog without using voice instructions. A simple clicker is used to communicate with the dog. The dog will eventually learn the meaning of the click sounds and associate it with the reward. The trainer just snaps the clicker every time the dog does his job, and then gives the dog a treat.
Reward training can do great wonders for your dog and will make your training a fast process. That key is to get your dog to perform the action on his own and then reward him consistently.
Smaller dogs respond well to a rewards based dog training techniques. This method allows you to bond with your dog and avoids harsher methods which might harm your four legged friend. Using this type of rewards based training, you can both enjoy your training sessions!
The cause of shyness in dogs may be simply its personality. Sadly though, a dog that has been abused, will demonstrate behaviours that are ultra- submissive, such as excessive urination. As dogs are sociable animals, they do like to know where they stand in relation to the rest of their immediate social group: they are naturally part of a hierarchical pack; therefore any activity that involves socialisation will help to boost confidence.
Dog Training Activities
As dogs are sociable, logically any activity that involves positive forms of socialisation will go a long way to improve confidence. Classes in obedience and agility are ideal for this, particularly as exercise is a great stress reliever for both pet and owner. Whilst training for agility does involve a lot of equipment, it need not be expensive as this can be improvised using household items. The purpose is to improve confidence, and this will be achieved through the positive system of praise and treats that is generally associated with these types of actives. Set aside regular times for this; at least 30 minutes broken into 10 to 15 minute bursts.
Shy of People?
If the dog has problem with people-interaction, then perhaps a friend can be employed to assist with this side of the socialisation process. Calm, quiet stance and in effect, ignoring the dog, will allow the animal to approach in its own time. If the friend then makes their physically appear smaller by crouching or lying on the floor this will be less of an apparent threat; also the friend might have their back to the animal but have treats in their hand, which the dog should be allowed to investigate. Once this small amount of confidence is built, the friend can then speak quietly to the dog before finally looking and gently petting.
Good Owner Behaviour
However, all this will be as naught if you do not recognise your own bad behaviour. A dog is a dog; Fido cannot be blamed for raiding the bin if you leave the lid off. Do not blame Fido for chewing your favourite shoes if you leave them where he can get at them. Also be aware that dogs communicate strongly through body language: upright postures are read as very domineering, so get down to Fido’s level. Always talk in calm and measured tones as extremes pitch are upsetting for sensitive dogs. Above all, never be abusive: if you don’t like to be beaten and shouted at, imagine how it feels to poor old Fido!
Conclusion
A dog’s confidence may have been shattered in the first place by abusive instruction. Dogs will respond costively to praise and firm but gentle instruction. By following this method, your dog will display more confidence.
Having a dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences you can ever have. It can also be one of the most frustrating experiences of your life. That adorable bundle of love can easily develop plenty of bad habits if you indulge him too much. All aspects of the dog’s life must be carefully planned beforehand, to establish sleeping, eating and play times etc.
Owning a well-trained dog will be a great experience, but the process won’t be a breeze. It’s rather clich, but the training is a journey you and your dog have to take together, in gradual steps. Firstly, you must ensure your family is involved in the training and plays an active part in the process.
Next, make sure that everybody agrees on exactly what the dog’s role is going to be. There are a few questions that need to be settled – where will the dog sleep, what are the places in the house the dog is not allowed in, when will the dog be fed, where will it be fed, who will take it for walks? For the dog to develop an attachment for everybody in the house, and the other way round, it is a good idea to involve everybody in these things.
Dogs rely on routine. They need a good, solid routine to feel secure, and a secure pet is a happy pet. It is much easier to train a happy pet, after all. For starters, decide where the dog will sleep in advance, and take it there at bed time. And do not let those big eyes blackmail you into letting it sleep in bed just for once – once it is established, a habit like that is very hard to break.
The dog’s feeding times are significant to it’s proper training. While an odd treat is alright, don’t encourage it. Appoint fixed times for everything. Having a fixed schedule is the best way to train a dog correctly, because the moment you deviate from the routine, none of the messes can be blamed on the dog.
After the fundamentals are established and the dog is properly trained accordingly, you can move on to teaching it simple tricks and improve its obedience. Give the dog a treat when it does something right and shower some praise.
Dogs love to be petted and shown love, so each time your dog does something right, let it know it did the correct thing by giving encouragement and lots of love.
When your dog does something wrong – and it is bound to – do not lose your temper. A dog trained with love is a treasure to have in the house. A dog trained with fear will have its spirit broken, and a bundle of joy that thinks the world of you does not deserve that
Prior to entering yur dog in an agility trial or fun match, try and attend one on your own. This will enable you to see how the event is organized and what is required as an entrant. As this will be your first time, do ensure you visit the Novice ring. Is your dog up to the standard of the others? If not, then maybe it would be wise to spend some more time on training your dog on the commands required. The majority of dog trials are held in the open with no fenced areas. If your dog cannot respond to the basic “Come” command, that could cause problems. It is far better if you are confident of your dog’s obedience.
Before entering make sure that you get a copy of the official rules and regulations. Ensure that you understand and can comply with them. It would be a pity to find yourself disqualified from your first trial because you were unaware of a condition.
You can find out about agility trials and fun matches by talking to your dog trainer. Maybe there is a local club in your town or neighborhood where you could find out more. If they have a website there will be announcements made, maybe even join an online forum and gleam more information.
Trials and fun runs are long events that can last anywhere from eight to twelve hours. If your dog is competing, he or she will only be performing for about five minutes of that time, so you will need to have their pen or crate ready to keep them safe and relaxed. You will also need some sun protection of your own (a canopy-type tent is perfect) and a comfortable folding chair. It should go without saying that you will need a good supply of water (for both of you) and dog treats (you’d be surprised how many competitors forget them).
If you can, see if you are able to volunteer at the event as a pole setter. You’ll learn a lot of the tips and tricks of agility trials, and you’ll get to see the obstacles and courses up close. There will be a lot of information to learn, but don’t forget your dog. Make some time for you and your dog to relax, play a game and maybe meet some of the other dogs.
Keep a journal of all the agility runs you and your dog perform. Include your total points, any faults, and the times for the course. Make sure you keep track of whether it was a qualifying run. If possible, see if you can get a copy of the course map to keep. This will help you evaluate problem areas and determine what you and your dog need to work on.
Is it possible to train your dog from a DVD? Can you begin with a young puppy with sharp teeth and wild energy yet somehow end up with a well-trained member of your family? Or if you have an older dog in need of some training, can you teach it all the basic things you want it to learn: sit, stay, come, and so on?
The answer is evident: maybe.
If you are willing to work a bit, you can do it. Dogs really love to learn new things, and you can get an excellent DVD on how to train your dog. So it’s up to you: if you want to do it, you can. The DVD will show you what to do — and it can also help keep you motivated!
Here is what to do. Think about when the training will fit into your schedule. The best is if you can do three to five sessions most days, but even two sessions a day — likely before you feed the dog breakfast and dinner — are useful. Several sessions are better than one long one because studies have shown that dogs learn better this way.
So if planning and following through don’t bother you, chances are excellent that you can train your dog by using a DVD.
DVD or Class?
In deciding whether to train your dog with a DVD or to take him to a class, one of the main factors is whether you can find a trainer nearby whose approach you like. Positive, pain-free methods work more effectively in training dogs, but many trainers learned their methods years ago and haven’t made the switch to the newer techniques. Also, of course, consider the cost and the timing of the classes.
If there is a dog training class in your vicinity that uses positive methods, it’s a good idea to take it if you can. This doesn’t rule out using a DVD as well. There is always more to learn about dog training. Most dogs really enjoy the positive form of training, and you can deepen your bond with your dog by continuing to train.
Selecting the Best Dog Training DVD
The best DVD that I have seen on the topic is Train Your Dog: The Positive, Gentle Method, featuring experienced trainers Nicole Wilde and Laura Bourhenne. Now, You Can Finally Get the Money You Want!
http://true-money.com/carfan5 It’s inexpensive yet has everything you need for a great start for your dog.
