Friday, July 31, 2009

Achieving Dog Training Success With The 18 "Don'ts" Rules

A well-train dog usually leads a happier and healthier life and its owner also can enjoy a trouble-free life long companion. Dog training - basic obedience, house and potty training are therefore essential and important to a dog’s education.

The conventional method of dog training tips and guide would be to list a series of things that you should “Do” and you might even know the A-Z of dog training! But sometimes what should be done can be said best by telling what should not be done. Hope you agree with me!

This article seeks to list 18 “Don’t” when you train your dog. The reasons for the don'ts will become evident as the lessons continue and each one is based upon the distinctive psychology of the dog's mind.

1. DON'T punish your dog while you are angry or lack control of yourself.

2. DON'T punish your dog with the lead or any instrument of training or anything he should associate with duty or pleasure.

3. DON'T sneak up on your dog or grab him from the rear.

4. DON'T chase your dog to catch him; he must come to you or run after you.

5. DON'T coax your dog to you and then turn upon him with the whip. You will regret the deception.

6. DON'T trick or fool or taunt your dog. It is cruel and inconsistent to tease your dog to come to you when he can not.

7. DON'T punish a dog by stepping on his paws needlessly. They are exceedingly sensitive. Don't twist his ears playfully or otherwise. Never strike him on the backbone, in the face or on the ears.

8. DON'T grab your dog or reach for him quickly. He should never fear his master, should not be made nervous by his master, and should feel that punishment given is deserved.

9. DON'T nag your dog; don't be giving orders to him constantly; don't pester him with your shoutings.

10. DON'T praise a dog for doing a certain act, then at a later time, scold him for doing the same act. If you permit him to bite your toes today and think it fun, do not strike him for doing it tomorrow, when you are not in good humor. Consistency is a chief virtue in dog training.

11. DON'T train your dog immediately or soon after he has eaten.

12. DON'T lose patience with a puppy younger than six months. Never throw or kick a puppy nor lift him by the head or leg or skin of the neck.

13. DON'T train him in feats requiring much strength or endurance until he is at least six months old.

14. DON'T work your dog without some short rest or play periods during training. A five-minute rest for every fifteen minutes of training is desirable.

15. DON'T permit everyone to give commands to your dog. While you are training him, he must be a one-man dog, depending on you alone to feed him and care for him.

16. DON'T consider tricks the chief end or the chief part of training. Usefulness is the object sought in all instruction of the dog. Acts that spring naturally from the dog's instincts are to be fostered.

17. DON'T expect your dog to be a wonderful dog after a few weeks of training; four months to a year may be necessary in order to make the master proud of him, but the work is worth the effort. Training never ends.

18. DON'T jump to the conclusion that your dog is dumb. He may differ with you believing that the trainer should know more than the dog.

To end, try to remember these 18 Don’ts rules, enjoy training your dog and most importantly have lots of fun along the way!

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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Pet Care - All About Training Your Dog!

Attention: The following spouting is directed at the selfless human, you who have a pet you leave alone for nine hours a day, not to romp happily on acres of woodlands but to stay practically still, tethered as it is to a limiting post or trapped as he or she is within the confines of a cage no bigger, proportionately, than a bathroom is for a human. Have you considered training your dog…instead of punishing it for your restricted capabilities to “own” a dog?

You should consider training your dog, instead of caging him up. Train him not to flee. Train her not to bark. Lastly train her as you would be trained. The main thing is this: she is really unhappy when you lock the poor mutt in a cage. Just think of your dog (ala George Orwell’s animals in Animal Farm) being the owner of your home and you are the pet. Next knock the ceiling off the bathroom and put a chicken wire fencing across the top in its place. After that take away your ability to speak words and take away your hands. So, Mr. Pooch, who is getting ready to set off to the mill for a nine hour shift grabs you by the nape of your neck, your scruff, and leads you into the bathroom, then leaves. There is no music neither are any toys. The floor is hard. (Are you thinking about training your dog, yet?)

The temperature drops. It starts to rain at the same time the wind blows more of itself cold into your nook. It turns dark. Strange sounds, traffic, and smells taunt you. There are some smells that remind you of food. Others make you nervous. Little kids pass by and poke at your little walls. And don’t forget that lawnmower which cranks up right by your head. All you can do is walk back and forth in your own poop and howl and yip. (Are you thinking about training your dog, yet?)

Mr. Pooch brought you home because you were a cute pet, but when he left you inside the confines of the main house on the first day, you chewed the hell out of his favorite material belongings. For many unusual innate reasons you have the tendency to gnaw but some how he doesn’t get that and didn’t think about it (or anything else) when he added you to his possessions of belongings. So you must be beaten. Nonetheless you must be remaindered to a pet prison. Your cuteness has worn off

Wake UP, humans. Training your dog is SIMPLE (as dogs are trainable). Training your dog is not expensive. Training your dog, as well, can be done by someone else, who will coach you the few commands you need as well as the logic of the rewards process you could use so that an animal with natural instincts or needs to chew or bark will be re-trained to chew only select items or to bark only when there is danger.

You really can’t take it out on the dog that you do not understand dogs. You definitely need to work out a way of training your dog, understanding that it is a gift to the animal to train it and a punishment to neglect to do so. If yet training your dog is not clearly the message here, then maybe YOU need a few lessons; or just maybe a bit of training! Your sleepless, angry next-door-neighbor will gladly oblige, I’m sure.

Tag : dog,dog training,dog training tips

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Sunday, July 26, 2009

Electronic Dog Training

Once people become familiar with electronic training products and use them properly, they find the methodology is proven, efficient, economical, and ethical.

The type of training in which an electronic aid is used is critically important, for it will influence the type of product and methods used. Is the equipment being used to teach a new obedience command, correct some common misbehavior, or is it being used to reinforce another electronic training methodology?

Factors affecting success Before an electronic training tool is used, it is strongly suggested that the entire training situation be re-examined. There are three major considerations in this re-evaluation:

  • Does the owner know what he is doing, does he understand the training process, and can he apply proper methodology to a specific situation?
  • Is the owner training the dog properly, does he have a plan for this specific misbehavior, and is he executing that plan appropriately and correctly?
  • Is the dog trainable? Is the dog in question stubborn, set in his ways, or unintelligent?

(We believe that all dogs are trainable. Dogs that seem stubborn, or unintelligent, have simply not been trained properly, consistently, or effectively.)

Of these factors, the first two are most important. If training is not successful, in most cases it is because owner education, preparedness, consistency or commitment is lacking. This may be difficult for some owners to accept, but remember that we have invited dogs into our environment. It is our responsibility to teach them in ways they can understand. This is incredibly important, because if an owner has not taken the time, or applied the appropriate techniques properly and consistently, training with an electronic product will not make a difference. It will only confuse even the smartest dog.

There are certain signals that suggest a dog has not been properly trained. In these instances a dog may:

  • Resist when his owner attempts to place a collar around his neck.
  • Withstand correction, of any type, in the presence of certain distractions
  • Control his owner by acting timid or by ignoring his owner
  • Panic when he senses a warning.
  • Attempt to escape when receiving a correction
  • Do anything except the behavior necessary to avoid the correction.

Education is the key. If an owner takes the time to understand electronic training - why it works, how it works, how to apply the appropriate techniques - it can be a beneficial tool.

Electronic training requires knowledge and skill Why the concern for proper education? Because of the largest variable in the equation - the owner. Let us face it, humans are very unpredictable, as far as dogs are concerned. The response of most owners to the need for correction varies widely, depending on the dog, the training, the situation at hand, and even the mood they happen to be in at the time. This is not conducive to effective training - of any kind.

In most cases, a dog exhibits a behavior in response to some stimulus or distraction. Owners must be careful not to create yet another, different misbehavior by misapplying the correction, or applying it at the wrong time. And, for the safety of the dog, it is unnecessary to correct it for every little thing. Owners must be selective to avoid canine confusion. When applied properly, electronic training can be done successfully. To help understand this, let us examine how people respond to their dog without electronics.

Dog owners respond to their dog in any number of different ways. They may reward their dog by petting, talking, providing food or treats, playing, or letting them sleep on the bed. The list is as long as there are owners on it. These same owners also correct in various ways, including yelling, hitting, throwing things, the use of a chain link training collar, ignoring their dog, not providing food or treats, or isolation in a room, crate, or kennel. This does not imply that all of these forms of reward and correction are acceptable. Only that they are multiple, and that training can be successful under some of these circumstances. So it is with electronic training.

One of the greatest acknowledged advantages of electronic training is that sophisticated electronics do make us humans more predictable. It enhances human consistency, especially as it relates to correction. It also allows humans to easily and conveniently apply appropriate corrections, even when a dog is not within range of traditional (leash and choker collar) correction techniques.

Rules of electronic training As was mentioned earlier, electronic training operates on the same basic principles used in all canine behavior modification: correction, redirection, and reward. Therefore, it is imperative that the dog understands the basics before more sophisticated training begins.

'Dummy Equipment Effect': Before electronic dog begins, the owner/trainer needs to be comfortable in the use of the device, and the dog needs to be comfortable, as well. Thus it is very important to create the 'Dummy Equipment Effect' before beginning.

Dogs are highly intelligent and certainly smart enough to know the difference between the different types of collars being used. They look different. They smell different. They exert different pressures on the neck once they are applied. Even the owner/trainer acts differently with the different collars. In some cases, the owner/trainer is there; in other cases, he is not.

Because all of this is true, it is important to eliminate the equipment itself from the learning process. Here is how.

Before beginning to train with an active electronic collar, the dog should first become accustomed to a deactivated collar (i.e., take the battery out). Even if the dog trainer or dog owner is under pressure to train the dog quickly (e.g., the neighbors are complaining), he still needs to teach the dog that the collar is not something to be feared.

The last thing someone wants to see is the dog cowering when it is being approached with a training collar, electronic or otherwise. By spending just a few days introducing the dog to the collar, other problems can be prevented.

General Rules: All of the general rules of obedience training apply to electronic training as well. In fact, they are probably even more important in electronic training. These guidelines include:

  • Do not train the dog for extended periods of time.
  • Limit the number of corrections the dog receives in one training session and in one training day.
  • Be sure that corrections are properly balanced with reward.
  • Always give the correction at the same time. That is, do so only when the dog is actually misbehaving, not before the misbehavior occurs or after the misbehavior has stopped. This is important because it gives the dog a chance to learn, (i.e., to understand what causes the correction in the first place).

Finally, the beginning point of most electronic training includes the use of a leash, which serves to help redirect the dog away from escape and other inappropriate responses. This, in turn, makes it increasingly important not to correct arbitrarily or out of frustration. As a dog trainer or owner, it is necessary to be as disciplined as you want the dog to be.

The importance of redirection and reward Electronic training combines several different techniques. Applying a correction is only a small part of a training program. Redirection and praise are far more important.

Why is this methodology important? Suppose there is a dog in a containment system, but every day he charges away and barks at a jogger who is running along outside the established bounds. What should be the desired correction? He should come when he is called, stay in the yard, and stop barking at the jogger. But chasing and barking are perfectly normal in a dog's natural environment. Only in the human environment are they inappropriate.

Therefore, if the owner/trainer really wants to train the dog under these circumstances, he must first correct at the appropriate time, and consistently. He would do so using an obedience command. So, before beginning more complicated electronic training, it is important that the dog understand basic obedience commands. The trainer/owner must build from a solid foundation provided by these training basics.

In this specific instance, as soon as the dog takes off running, he would be given the 'Come' command. That way, when applying correction, it is because the dog did not come on command, not because he is chasing a jogger. Conversely, when the dog does obey immediately, he is praised for responding to the command, not for breaking off his pursuit. This is called redirection.

The risks in electronic training are the many variables. This same situation, handled improperly, can have the opposite effect. It could train the dog to attack joggers. A correction at the wrong time may cause the dog to identify the correction stimulus with the jogger. Dogs are known to have fight or flight responses to such threats. If the dog's response is to 'fight,' joggers beware!

Reward: Unfortunately, some dog trainers/owners put the emphasis on correction. Even in this article, the information is weighted in this area. This is because correction is the area where most training problems occur. Reward is a much easier concept to understand and apply. During training, the dog should constantly and consistently be given a deserved reward - preferably praise and petting - for behavior that meets his training objectives. Again, timing is critical. The dog must be able to make the connection between the reward and the appropriate behavior.

Gratuitous reward is also a no-no. The dog trainer must reward the dog only when he is behaving properly. Do not worry, there will be plenty of opportunities to do so. Unless, of course, the dog trainer/owner slacks off and chooses to reward inconsistently; or he breaks down further and treats the dog to praise, petting, and food, even if a behavior is inappropriate.

Emotional and energy outlet: Appropriate emotional outlets also bear some discussion in this context. Obviously, electronic training is designed to stop a dog from exhibiting misbehaviors, and help reward him for what the dog trainer/owner considers appropriate behavior. But if a dog cannot leave the yard, no reward can replace the freedom he has lost. In such cases, a dog must be given other appropriate outlets. This is why activities like running with the dog, or playing with him, are extremely important.

Redirection: Redirection is equally important, if not more so. In many electronic training situations, the dog trainer/owner needs to provide an alternate behavior for the dog. This redirection provides a known behavior pattern that the dog can fall back on, enabling the dog trainer/owner to reward him. A good example of such a behavior pattern is the 'Sit,' 'Get your ball,' or other command the dog already understands.

Have a plan: Overall, what one tries to do with redirection and reward is build better behavior in the dog. But when building anything, it is useful to have a blueprint - a plan that outlines specifically what to do under an array of circumstances.

Because of all the variables involved with electronic training, the dog trainer/owner needs to have such a plan. He needs to know exactly what he is going to do before a situation arises. Because, when it comes to training dogs, he needs to expect the unexpected. But if there is a plan in place, he will know exactly what to do.

The best plans are the simplest - the ones that ask the dog to do something basic. Pick something the dog has done many times before; perhaps a 'Sit' and 'Stay' command. Reliance on an old habit can bring a misbehaving dog - even a frightened or frazzled dog - back into the comfort zone. This will enable the dog trainer/owner to reward the dog, or regroup, should this become necessary.


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Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Do a Good Job of Dog Training

Dog training can mean a lot of things to a lot of different people. It can range from employing the most basic training methods to the more complicated or advanced training methods that a professional dog trainer would employ. There are methods which are more ideal to a specific breed of dog. Obviously training used to teach a Labrador retriever would not be appropriate for a small house dog. However basic obedience training would benefit any dog.

Basic obedience dog training includes teaching your dog the simple language commands. Obedience training is critical to keeping your dog safe and under control. In addition basic obedience training requires the socialization of the dog. Socialization will allow the dog to properly interact with people and other animals. You must train your dog to respond to the basic commands such as come, site, down, off, quiet, no, whoa and stay. This is best done using command, action and praise or clicker training.

Many people are unable to effectively train their dogs. As a result they seek the expertise of a qualified dog trainer. This can be expensive but in the long run may be the most cost effective method. In addition most trainers spend most of the time training the dogs owner to be a proper handler. Many dog trainers will confide that is frequently easier to train a dog than it is the dogs owner.

If you still want to do your own training you can purchase one of the many very good dog training course that are on CD or DVD. Even if you do use the services of a dog trainer having a dog training DVD on hand is a good idea. Dogs sometimes develop bad manners or habits overtime and the training course will give you the tools necessary to correct the problem. In addition you should continue to train your dog through its entire life. This reinforcement training is very important. Using a the training course to review proper training techniques is a good ideal.

If there is one key ingredient to successful dog training beyond the basic love of the dog it is patience and persistence. Keep training sessions to less than 30 minutes each day followed by a play session. This will ensure that your dog will be eager to respond to training. If your do does not respond to training on any given day then spend time playing with the dog and try again either later or the next day. Just like people dogs will occasionally have off days where they are unable to properly respond to training.

During training, consistency is highly important. Try to train your dog at the same time each day so that his bodily rhythm will easily get attuned to the impending exercises. In this manner, the dog will be more focused and ready for the activities. Most trainers feed their dogs prior to training to assure the dog has the energy and focus to respond to the training session.

Not properly training a dog can be a death sentence. Many animals that end up in dog shelters and ultimately put down have behavioral problems that could be cured with proper training. The owners just did not invest in the time and energy necessary to properly train their dog. In the end it is always the dog who suffers.

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Monday, July 20, 2009

Using a Good Dog Training Tip

Sometimes using just the right dog training tip can make all the difference in achieving your training goals. If you would like to have the most productive dog one can ever have, let your dog be trained by a professional dog trainer. A professional dog trainer has the skills necessary to teach the dog about the primary skills about obedience and agility. He or she is knowledgeable about the physiological and emotional needs of the dog. He/she can ensure that the dog gets proper care and attention. A dog trainer is wary of the various diseases that the dog can be at risk to, thus he/she can prevent it. Furthermore, you really need a professional dog trainer if you would like your dog to engage in proper attack dog training or dog field training.

In choosing the perfect professional dog trainer, do check the past work experiences of your prospect. Check for the possible specializations in terms of the breed that the trainer usually trains, and the type of training that he gives. Fit your choice of trainer with the characteristics and the personality of your dog. Choose the dog trainer that your dog easily gets along with. If faced with the dilemma of choosing between equally competent dog trainers, do choose the one that your dog likes best and the one that loves your dog as well. If you don't have any dog trainer in mind and you would like to challenge yourself in handling dogs, then you can opt to be your dog's 'personal' trainer. Such choice is more rewarding and fulfilling for you as a dog keeper, but you ought to remind yourself that dog training is not just about spending lots of quality time with your dog. Instead, dog training requires a huge load of perseverance, time, effort, and determination on your dog's part, but even more on your part.

When training your dog, the most important tip or technique that is advised by professionals is to you're the reward system. Dog studies show that positive reinforcement is the most effective way to teach the dog something. No matter what type of training- may it be toilet training, attack dog training, or dog field training, or police dog training- be sure that you give rewards and privileges to your dog if he/she responds well to the lessons. Usually, dog trainings should be done following a step-by-step procedure, with a chronological order. In cases of doing such trainings, the privilege or the reward given should increase as well. This will then motivate your dog to move on with the training no matter how difficult the next step will be. Also, make sure that the pleasure given by the reward is proportional to the effort given by the dog and the level of difficulty posed by the trick being taught. Moreover, reward your dog more if he/she increases the skills he/she shows each trick trial. Such reward system can motivate your dog to achieve a higher level of performance each time he/she responds to the training.

If your dog happens to ignore the training you are providing, a good dog training tip is, do not lose hope. You may reassess or consult a professional if the type of training is fit for your dog, or you may also try new ways to motivate your dog.

Tag : dog,dog training,dog training book,dog training dvd

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Saturday, July 18, 2009

Getting Started With Dog Training

Learning to train a dog is usually very straightforward. Most dog training techniques are time-proven, so if someone claims they have a "new" technique, chances are that it's an existing technique that has been slightly modified or adapted for a particular case. And although it is straightforward, that doesn't mean it's easy for a beginner. A novice dog trainer is likely to experience frustration when his pooch doesn't respond as quickly as he likes. But rest assured that if you persevere, you will see results. Without a doubt, most important aspects of training your dog are consistency, repetition, and positive reinforcement. Your dog will be more eager to do what you request if he's doing it to please you, rather than to avoid an unpleasant correction.

When someone new to dog training watches an experienced trainer handle a dog, it may seem that the experienced trainer gets fast results because of some innate talent that they were blessed with. The real truth is that, like most other things, dog training is a learned over time, and it does come easier with experience, as a result of past successes and failures.

An important aspect of training a dog is using the right tone of voice. You should use a tone of authority, but never anger. And volume is not really required to let your dog know who's boss. Canine social behavior depends on the order of dominance, and it's important for your dog to know that you are the dominant one, not him. But remember, you should never attempt to show your dominance by physical punishment. Once your dog realizes that you're the "alpha" member of the "pack", training becomes much easier. On the other hand, if Fido discovers early on that you're a pushover, you're likely doomed to having a dog that does whatever he pleases, and it will be extremely difficult to change his demeanor.

Praise and reward are your key tools when training your dog. As mentioned earlier, you should strive to get to the point where your dog gets a great deal of pleasure from pleasing you. And frankly, it's also a lot more fun for the trainer as well. And although there are dogs that will require negative corrections to learn, this is the exception, rather than the rule. It's also important to spend time with your dog just so you can enjoy each other's company. When a bond develops between human and canine, it's truly a wonderful thing.

Remember also that dogs, like humans, have unique personalities, and what works for one dog may not work for another. You need to be willing to adapt your training techniques to better fit your dog's personality. This is one of the true marks of a successful dog trainer, and only comes with time, dedication, and experience.

It's also necessary to realize that you shouldn't have unrealistic expectations of your dog. Don't expect a young puppy to have the same attention span as an older dog, or to have the ability to retain as much of what they've learned. And also take your dog's physical traits into consideration. It's unlikely that a bulldog will ever become a frisbee champion, or that a miniature poodle will be able to become a bird dog.

Armed with these tips, you should be ready to take Fido out for his first training session. Rest assured that as time progresses, these things will become second nature to you.

Tag : dog,dog training,bird dog,dog training collars

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Thursday, July 16, 2009

The Best Dog Training Books

Why is it that my neighbor can't seem to figure out that when he locked his untrained payout and goes off to work all day that the dog does nothing to bark, bark and bark. What an idiot, a neighbor I mean, not that the dog. I don't plan a little puppy, how is he supposed to know better? He barks out of loneliness, out of frustration, out of anxiety, and out of fear. Occasionally he barks to protect his territory, pitiful as it is with its leftover poop, a water bowl turned over, and a single ratty chew toy the dog outgrew the first week it was brought to the house. I wonder if this moron has ever heard of dog-training books? I know I'm about ready to clue him in.

When your fat freak of a self gets home, you enter your house—to the barking—and take your sweet time (to eat) before retrieving your supposedly beloved pet. Then you take the were animal off and sequester it into some room or he is once again all alone. Instead of paying an idiot and doing the dog a great disservice you could be reading one of the many EASY-to-comprehend dog-training books, and teach that beautiful little animal how to cope with daily life.

He is after all just a baby. You could be surfing amazon.com or powells.com or another of the hundreds of Internet bookshops for dog-training books. They number in the thousands. That will show you how to condition your dog not to bark at every living being and every leaf that happens to fall from a tree. No, you fat ignoramus, amazon.com is not a place to find amazons to amuse you, and powells.com is not a play on words for closet masochists. This is about the dog, not you. If it were we would be talking to the dog—who clearly has a great deal more sense than you apparently do.

In fact, you could read at least one of the thousands of general and specific dog-training books to understand WHY your poor little puppy needs to be treated. HOW you can keep him from chewing furniture (so you don’t have an excuse anymore for why you lock him away outside so he won’t bother you but the neighbors instead). We need to get up and go to work too. The constant barking doesn't do anyone any good. If you can't handle owning a dog then maybe you should find a more hospitable home for it.

We chose to be dog-less. You have made a choice…now take some damned responsibility for it. By some dog-training books and read them, put them into action. You may even be well served by some damned human-training books. The problem lies with you, not the dog.

Tag : dog,dog training,dog training book,dog collars

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Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Reward Dog Training

Many people think that reward training is the modern method of dog training. It's my belief that reward training predates leash training. It is reasonable to believe that reward training was fairly well developed by early humans. This would be especially true for the priests of people who kept animals as a form of worship.

In my library I have a book from the 1930s that describes many modern reward training principles. This is before much of the scientific research about operant conditioning was published. This shows that people who live and work with animals (especially dogs), often have a better feel for the real world than the institutionalized authorities. As I have been known to say, "if you know about dogs, you know about life".

When considering the historic significance of reward styles of training, it's important to remember that the scientific study and application of these systems is only about half as old as leash training.

It has only been within the last 10 to 15 years that reward training has come into vogue. One thing I've noticed about many of the trainers who practice a reward style of training is that they often talk quite poorly about trainers who use a leash style of training. When I see this verbal aggression, I always think that they are not as skilled at practicing reinforcement as they are at preaching it.

People who only do reward training believe that part of the answer to dog behavior, is the only answer. On the other side are leash trainers who say reward training will not work unless you always carry rewards with you. These trainers sometimes talk poorly about reward training. They simply don't know enough about reward training and/or just don't believe in it. However, they're not hypocritical in their views when they say bad things about reward training, in that their training system is a more confrontational style.

Clicker training has become all the rage in recent years. Again, in my library I found a book describing this fashionable 1990s training fad in the very early 1960s. Clicker training is very effective, especially for people with poor verbal discipline.

I have used a clicker in training since the early to mid 80s. I first introduced a reward style of training into my programs in the late 70s.

At that time, most of the dog trainers I knew said that reward training would not work and not to use it. When I worked for these people I just quit telling them how I trained, and they would be surprised at the results that I achieved.

Usually reward training will incorporate food rewards or a reward that is in some way associated with getting food (this could be a toy). Reward training is the only way you can train some complex types of behavior.

I think it would have been much more difficult to teach my dog to ride his skateboard had I only used the leash and collar. For this type of training, rewards were the most effective approach. Reward training is also the most effective way to teach many types of police and military skills, such as scent detection, tracking, and criminal apprehension.

Reward training can be effective in teaching obedience commands. Basically we can think of all behaviors we bring under command control, simply as units of behavior. If we look at training from this point of view, we can see that teaching a trick is the same as teaching an obedience command.

In reward training a lure is often used to get the dog into the desired position. The purpose of the lure is to get the dog to perform a desired behavior of the dog's own volition, without any physical manipulation from the handler.

Getting the dog to perform a behavior without touching the dog makes a lot of sense, especially when we consider that a dog's initial reaction to touch is defensive. In general, touch masks all other stimuli. This would mean in theory that if you touch the dog it will be paying more attention to the touch than to anything else, such as the command you are using (discriminating stimuli).

Once the dog has performed the desired behavior, it is rewarded or reinforced. Most reward training styles also incorporate a conditioned reward of some type. Probably the most common is a word such as "GOOD" and the now famous clicker.

To get past the complaint of the staunch leash trainers," no reward, no behavior", we need to incorporate scheduling into our reward training programs, as well as the conditioned rewards.

To make a reward trained dog reliable involves the same thing as making a leash trained dog reliable. One of the secrets to making a dog reliable is working the dog around distractions and proper socialization.

Too many times reward trained dogs are only trained inside the house or back yard when only the handler is present. On the side of leash training, we see people working the dog when they take it OUT on walks. To build in reliability, work your dog inside the house, in the yard, on the street, and in the community. It's a good idea to have friends come to the house to help you train your dog. This will give you a chance to train the dog with company.

The other thing that will help make a dog more reliable is to teach the dog to pay attention. "If you have your dog's attention you will have control of the dog." There are techniques in both reward training and leash training that will encourage the dog to pay attention to the handler.

Tag : dog,dog training,dog training schools,pet

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Sunday, July 12, 2009

Dog Training DVD, A Great Investment in Your Dog

Purchasing a good quality dog training DVD is a smart investment into your dog training program. If you are a new dog trainer that has trained less than 10 working dogs or 30 pet dogs then it is important to establish a library of dog training DVDs and books. Every dog trainer develops his or her own style and method of training. Knowing how other professional dog trainers train and handle dogs is key to establishing your training methodology and curriculum. Even established professional dog trainers will purchase other trainers dog training DVD in order to keep current on different training methods.

If you are training pet dogs for obedience then you will have no trouble finding a good dog training DVD to employ in your training program. In fact you may have a problem choosing the best dog training DVD s. If you belong to a dog training organization you will have the ability to ask your peers what dog training DVD they recommend. In addition if you have interned with an established professional trainer you can ask what dog training DVD they would recommend. Most top dog trainers have produced their own dog training DVD that they provide to their clients owners. As your training program grows and develops, you should also consider developing your own dog training DVD that reinforces your training lessons. Any time a dog develops a bad habit the owner can simply take out your dog training DVD to address the issue.

Professional dog trainers that train law enforcement, handicap, hunting and lead dogs also use a dog training DVD as part of their training program. The greatest value of developing a good dog training DVD for working dogs comes from the fact the handler will have a copy of the training process to review. Professional working dogs must perform almost without error on demand. People's lives are dependent on the performance of these working dogs. A quality dog training DVD will allow the handler to keep themselves and their dog current by viewing and practicing the certification processes. Professional working dog trainers usually belong to a professional organization that established standards for both the handler and his or her dog. Some of these organizations have produced a dog training DVD that will assist trainers in achieving these standards of performance.

The use of a dog training DVD in a dog training program will help provide training uniformity and standards. If you are a professional dog trainer then one of your objectives should be developing your own quality dog training DVD. It will provide you with additional income while giving your clients a very good tool that they can use to review the training process. If used properly it will allow them to correctly tune up the performance of their dog. A good dog training DVD will assure the skills learned during the training process are continued long-term.

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Thursday, July 9, 2009

Alpha Dog Dog Training Techniques Revealed!

Dogs are particularly sensitive creatures that need to be handled with the utmost care if you are going to get the best out of them. Dog training is a guaranteed way of ensuring that you and your dog co exist in harmony. Without the proper training, your dog can be a constant source of frustration to you.

Dogs are social animals by nature hence their ability to interact so well with human beings. The domestic dog is one that has been trained to obey its master's commands totally. Wild dogs usually move in packs and can be extremely ferocious because they are untamed.

A dog will be able to respond to a command if you use it more often. Consistency in dog training helps your dog to respond positively to your commands. Hand signals and body language are all part of the communicative tools used by dog trainer to train a dog.

Herding dogs are born with the instinct to herd. Herding dogs are usually used in farms and the countryside to herd cattle or sheep. Basically most owners of herding dogs use audible command tools to train their dogs because of the nature of the herding job.

It is not enough to train your dog to obey your every command as you will also have to get it to love you as well. A relationship between you and your dog that is based on love and trust can enhance your training sessions. If your dog is terrified of you, training it may not be a raving success.

If your dog's furniture chewing tendencies are driving you up the wall, buy it a chew toy. Some people discourage their dog's chewing by giving it a bitter tasting or smelly object to munch on. You can spray bitter apple on your furniture to discourage your dog from chomping down on it.

Training your dog requires a firm knowledge of dog training skills. You can either obtain dog-training skills from a dog trainer or coach yourself through related literature. Without the right amount of patience you will be unable to communicate your needs to your dog because dog training requires lot of patience.

Praise is to dogs what love is to humans. Don't forget to praise your dog when it gets a command right. A reward system encourages your dog to learn eagerly.

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Friday, July 3, 2009

How To Use Dog Training Treats To Make Him Learn

There are a number of methods that you can use to do dog training. Some ways need for the dog's owner to be able to use harmful treatments, while other methods ask for their patience and commitment. If you want to train a dog in the safest and most reasonable way, you should use treats, just like the professionals say you should.

You can use the treats to give him either punishments or rewards, so that he can learn his lesson. If he follows the command correctly or he behaves like he should, you can give him a treat, so he knows that he did the right thing. If he doesn't follow the command or doesn't behave like he should, you can refuse him the treat, and that would be the punishment. Keep using punishments and rewards until he learns to do the right thing so he can get his treat.

Uses

There are a number of uses that dog treats can be used for:

• Teach the dog to do what he is ordered, so he can get his treat.
• Encourage him to be obedient to you, to have an active attitude and to be interested in the treat he will get if he behaves as he should.
• Besides giving him treats, you can also praise him when he does well, which makes the training process easier.
• It can be a representation of the fact that he pleased you with his actions.
• Dog treats will work usually for dogs, even if praising doesn't do much.

When to offer them treats

If you want to use dog training treats, you should give it to them right after he executes a command correctly or behaves the way he should be. Treats and praises should be automatically connected to the way he behaves. Giving him too many treats can make him dependent on getting them.

Treats should be used only during the initial training phase, when he is learning. If he's not training, you shouldn't give him the same treats that he receives when he learns.

If you're looking to make him learn a command like "down", the treat you're giving him should be put on his nose, and brought down, as well as telling him the "down" command at the same time.

If he executes the command as he should, you can reward him with the treat, and also encourage him with words or with a pat. Keep doing the same thing until he knows when he gets the treat and what he needs to do in order to receive it.

In time, as he learns more, you can use patting and praising instead of dog treats. In training, the goal is to teach him to do as you order him. You can still give him dog treats from time to time, but it would be better to keep them hidden, since he should follow orders even if you don't have a treat with you.

Types

There are dog training treats that are simple, just like cookies, which you can use to reward the dog. You can even use treats that help his digestion, boost his health or cleans the dog's teeth.

Buying dog treats

You can buy the dog treats from groceries, food stores, pet shops, specialty stores or even online. The price of dog treats can vary, from $5 to $30. Since their prices can be considerable, you can also find discounts, if you buy in bulk.

Another option would be to prepare it yourself, at home, using books or recipes found online.

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Wednesday, July 1, 2009

5 Advisory Tips For Good Dog Training

Providing dog training is important and every dog owner should opt for it. Anyone can get an impression of the dog through its behavior and you wouldn’t want your dog to look like a bad dog, to others. However, are you aware about the different types of dog training? Though there may be many dog training schools but not each and every of them are good for your dog.

If you are going to have a new dog then you will be interested in gathering some advice about dog training. Dog training can be given by a professional trainer or you can yourself train your dog. Now days, you will come across lot of books on dog trainings and institutes which are professionally involved in dog training advice; it will be difficult to decide the best and perfect method to train the dog. You will be completely confused with the amount of information which you can access there in terms of the dog training advice. However, there are some basic rules which you should follow and make use while training a dog. You should first of all decide and determine the mode of training your pet.

Dog Training- a mental conditioning:

Whenever you start training your dog, you should work on your attitude, this job requires a positive attitude and a patient approach. During the training sessions every action of yours will be observed by the dog and may be perceived as an instruction, so discretion is advised. Realistic expectation from the training sessions and slow progress will reap best results. You should also provide some amount of motivation to your dog in form of praise or a reward. Excess amount of motivation can let the things go beyond your hand; in short you should be able to control your emotions. The best part of dog training advice is to keep the motivation level short and sweet and you should also give limited treats such as a biscuit or a cookie. This will motivate the dog and it will concentrate more on the training.

One of the key factors which you should consider while conducting dog training

sessions is patience. You should always keep in mind that your dog will be in nervous and might have some fear and any instruction imparted at this time may be counterproductive. A calm handling of the sessions encourages the dog to observe more keenly and learn easily. Your training time should not be too much, it should not exceed beyond ten minutes and if the sessions are extended beyond this, the dog’s concentration might waver, leading to slow results. The period of training should not be the process of learning or process of teaching but it should be the time to enjoy for you and your dog so that you will be able to know each other in a better way. If you follow all these dog training advice then you will be satisfied with the behavior of your dog. Remember that if the dog is properly trained then it can be an asset to your family. A well trained dog not only understands better but also helps the owner in more than one way; he becomes a companion for a lifetime. So don’t shy away from getting your dog a professional training.

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©2009 dog training tips | by TNB