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Dog Trick To Cure A Nuisance Barker: Training Buddy to “Spea

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:59:03 +0000

By Moses Chia

All breeds and sizes of dogs can be taught easily to speak, and the way to go about it is to call your dog, show him a treat and say “Speak.” He will not understand what you mean and will probably at first jump for it, and then sit down and eye it attentively; finally, he will get impatient and utter a sharp bark, which is what you have been waiting for, and the instant he does so reward him with the treat.

A dog which is slow in barking can be encouraged to do so by your imitating a bark, as the chances are he will reply to it, and if you reward him he will learn to bark as soon as he hears the word “speak.”

After a dog has been taught to bark once, you can teach him to bark any number of times, for when he has learned to expect a reward after barking once and you do not give it to him he is apt to bark again or until you give him a signal to stop.

Dogs are very observing and the signal to stop barking can be so slight that your friends will not detect it, such as a movement of the foot or hand, a dropping of the eyelids or a shifting of your gaze, and if you keep up a running fire of conversation and address your dog as if he were a human being his performance will be much more impressive and perplexing.

As an illustration, if you are exhibiting your dog to an audience and want him to speak, don’t simply say “speak,” but address him something like this: “Now, Buddy, all the ladies and gentlemen present are very anxious to hear you speak.” Put a slight emphasis on the word “speak” and your dog will catch it, but it will appear to the audience as if the dog understood the entire sentence and not only the one word “speak.” Of course, when training the young dog you should use only the word “speak” and that distinctly and free from other words, so as not to confuse him.

If your dog knows how to speck on command, you can try to teach “singing” – which is to teach him to howl on command. It is not expected that your dog will produce any melody but only repeat in a mechanical way a series of whines and barks.

Teach him to “sing” in the following manner. Try to imitate a whine yourself and try to get him to imitate the noise you make and to a certain degree, reach the pitch and style of noise make by you, be it a howl, whine or bark and with constant practice, a dog can and will learn to follow your tone quite accurately.

As your dog learn to follow your barking, say “sing” instinctively to associate this action. Praise and treat plentifully during training to encourage him further. Exercise him on a regular basis will help him to learn to sing in no time on your command.

“Speak” and “Sing” are useful lessons in curbing a nuisance barking dog. Let your dog understand that barking and whining is only allowed on command. Simply ignore your dog whenever he barks and whine for your attention. Vice versa, give him lots of praise or treats when he barks on command. If your dog understands this lesson, he will no longer be a nuisance barker and be a good quiet boy for a long time to go.

About the Author

Moses Chia is a dog lover and owner of DogsObedienceTraining.com – The dog training resource site for a happier and healthier dog. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

A Guide To Dog Training Collars

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:55:12 +0000

By Gina Marie Capatar

As more breeds of dogs are domesticated, the number of available dog training collars are also steadily increasing. Sometimes, it is so hard to keep up on what dog collars to use for your dogs.

Let me guide you through the maze of Dog training collars. Let us take a look at each of the available collars we can have for our dogs.

First, there is the buckle collar. The buckle collar is really like a buckle that we use for our trousers. Buckle collars have buckle fasteners too to secure it over the dog’s neck. The buckle collars for dogs come in different varieties. There are buckle collars that are flat, rolled, made in nylon, or made in leather. The most preferred buckle collars of owners are the ones made in nylon. They are easier to clean, don’t shrink and they come in different colors and styles. The leather ones, although it has been popular, is not very easy to clean and if wrongly washed they may shrivel or shrink.

Another Dog Training Collar especially used for flyball training and sled dog racing is the Martingale collars. Martingale collars provide “limited choke” on the dog’s neck. These collars are not so easy to come off as they really fit the neck of your dog in a very nice way. Martingale collars are so flexible and they eliminate the danger of choking even if the dog gets very excited.

Next is the, Limited Choke Collar. These collars are more like the choke chain but they have rings at the end to make room for a few inches of allowance. To use these collars, you just have to ease the dog training collar from the head of your dog and slip it down its neck and tighten it a little.

An outdated Dog training collar is the choke chain. This was formerly used by dog owners before the invention of the other types of collars. Mostly, choke chains were used for punishment and correction. When a dog misbehaves, the owner would just jerk on the leash and the dog would choke, letting him think twice of what he is doing. Before, choke chains were really made of chains but now they are mostly made of nylon. Choke chains really are a torture to dogs, in some cases when the jerking is very hard, it can damage the windpipe of the dog.

An innovation of the choke chain dog training collar is the Snap-around choke. This is like the choke chain but designed so as not to damage a dog’s windpipe. The snap-around choke is very snugly fit and it is worn up high the dog’s neck and when the leash is jerked, it does not damage the dog’s windpipe and does not jolt the dog that much.

Most of the collars we have discussed are worn around the dog’s neck. However, there are also dog training collars that are worn on the head. These collars are fit on the dog’s head with a leash attached under the dog’s muzzle. The principle of this is that, where the dog’s head is, its body will follow. The dog may not adjust that easily to wearing these kinds of dog collars and they may look like a pony halter or a muzzle.

Next is the Pronged or the German Pinch dog training collar. This collar is especially made for dogs that are wild, unruly and difficult to control. These collars apply pressure on the protruding areas in the dog’s neck therefore it effectively catches the dog’s attention. This kind of dog training collar does not damage the dog’s windpipe

Another dog training collar is the electronic collar. These collars set off radio waves that shock the dog. The consequence of using this kind of collar is that your dog will always leave on fear and negative anticipation of the next shock. Electronic collars should not be used by novice trainers as they may not know how to properly make use of this collar.
There is also this thing called the no-bark collars. These are generally not really collars but they are used to train dogs not to bark. It is oftentimes very damaging and not beneficial on the dog to use this kind of collar.

There are still so many dog training collars available. They are constantly evolving to make collars as comfortable and as dog-friendly as possible. Other dog training collars include: light-up collars, they light up or glow at night; ornamental collars; schutzhund training collars and many others.

An important thing in choosing a dog training collar is that they must cater to your needs and should not be damaging to any of the dog’s anatomy. It is also important to weigh the pros and cons of each kind of collar so that both you and your dog will be benefited from that dog training collar you have chosen.

About the Author: Gina Marie Capatar writes on a variety of topics. She is a freelance writer and the head writer for http://www.isnare.com You may contact her at gina@isnare.com or visit http://outsourcing.isnare.com for writing job proposals.

Source: www.isnare.com

A Fundamental Dog Training Concept You Must Understand For S

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:54:20 +0000

By Adam Katz

I moved into a new house about 14 days ago.

The funny thing about this house is that–when you walk into the master bathroom, the light switch is on the left side, opposite of where the sink is.

Well, practically every other house I’ve ever lived in has always had the light switch on the right side–or at least on the same side as the sink.

And I’ll be a monkey’s uncle if EVERY SINGLE TIME I’ve walked into that bathroom, my hand doesn’t instinctively reach to the right to turn the light switch on. Even after 14 days, my prior conditioning has been so engrained that when I consciously try to remember which side the light switch is on… my hand still shoot out to the right, instead of the left.

This is the exact same type of conditioning we aim for when training our dogs. And this is why I advise that— even after your dog understands a command–you continue to say, “come” and then give a tug on the line… up to a year after the initial training session.

I want your dog to be so conditioned to respond to commands that it becomes an automatic response–just like turning to the right instead of the left, to turn on the bathroom light.

As I’ve already touched on this concept a few years ago in my book, which you can read more about at Dogproblems.com … I just had to share this experience with you, because it was so comical to the extent to which we animals (yes, we’re animals too!) can develop conditioned responses.

Just like our dogs.
About the Author

Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider’s Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History.” Get a free copy of his report “Games To Play With Your Dog” when you sign up for his free weekly dog training tips e-zine at: http://www.dogproblems.com

Training Your Dog To Stay

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:51:45 +0000

By Lee Dobbins

A properly trained dog is a joy to be around for both the owner and anyone else you happen to come in contact with. Not only will it make for a better relationship but it can help save your pet from being hurt or worse, if he is able to be called to your side to avoid danger.

You should always use a positive approach to training your dog. Rewarding him with a treat and praise will go a lot further than hitting and yelling. Dogs and puppies want your approval and will try to please you to get your praise.

Once you have taught your dog the two basic commands of “sit” and “down”, you are ready to move on to the “stay” command. This command comes in handy when you are out somewhere and you don’t want your dog to get into something he shouldn’t or to keep him contained in a dangerous situation. The steps are basically the same as for any other training with the action and command being the differentiating factor. Here’s some steps you might use to train your dog to stay:

1. Get the puppy (or adult dog) to lay down or sit (You should already have them well trained in these commands before you can expect him to stay).

2. Give the “stay” command – some people put their hand up with the palm facing the dog in sort of a “Stop” command as well.

3. Give praise no matter how long he actually “stayed”. Of course, at first the dog won’t really stay at all, but you must give the praise anyway.

4. Release him by calling him to you and reward him with praise and a treat.

5. Praise the dog no matter how long he stays in position. At first he will only stay for a short time, but as he catches on you can lengthen that time period and eventually even leave the room and expect to find him as you left him.

6. Repeat the steps 5 times. No more than 5 times or it won’t be fun! You can try again later in the day.

Training your dog is important so that you can take him out without him acting unruly, but you get much more from training a dog then you might expect. Your dog loves to hang out with you. He learns to listen to his name. He gets used to doing things with you, but on your plan. Training helps your dog feel more secure as it strengthens your position as leader. Spending a couple of minutes each day training your dog will help build a strong relationship.

About the Author

Get more dog training tips and find out which dogs are easier to train at
http://www.train-the-dog.com

Dog Training, Training Your Dog

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:50:45 +0000

By Samuel Murray

Obedient dogs make the best companions. Time spent training your dog will reward you with a pet that is deeply bonded to you, respects you and is a joy to have around. Training your dog doesn’t mean extinguishing her unique personality, it is simply a means of setting boundaries-something that makes dogs feel secure.

Some owners unconsciously train their dogs to exhibit bad behaviors. Since dogs are social animals, they are interested in doing whatever gets them attention. Positive attention is best, but if negative attention is all they can get from you, they’ll try to obtain that. This is why yelling at a dog that has had an “accident” in the house doesn’t teach her to not do that. All your excitement reinforces her behavior. The best way to let a dog know you are displeased with her is to ignore her.

Positive reinforcement is the key to training your dog. Basically, this means rewarding desired behavior. A reward might be a food treat, lots of verbal praise in a high voice and/or a good pet or scratch in her favorite spot. Rewarding your dog’s behavior accomplishes two things: it makes her want to repeat the behavior to reap the reward and establishes you as her leader. Some dogs are more assertive than others, and will try to become dominant over you. It is important that you remain the “leader of the pack,” and obedience training helps with that. However, even, and perhaps especially, less assertive dogs benefit from training. Following a leader is instinctive in dogs. Training your dog allows her to employ that instinct to follow someone else, and makes her feel more secure.

There are many training approaches within the realm of positive reinforcement. Some behaviors will be captured-rewarded as they occur-while others can be shaped by gently coaxing the dog into the desired action. Most professional trainers recommend using both a verbal commands and hand signals to communicate with your dog. Besides words/signals for behaviors such as sit, stay, and come, you will need a “release” signal. This is a word or sound that tells your dog she’s done something correctly. The release signal is always immediately followed by a reward, so that the dog comes to associate it with something positive.

You have lots of option as to how you go about training your dog. Libraries, bookstores and pet stores offer plenty of “how-to” training books. You can also find a lot of great information by surfing the Internet. If you prefer to have a professional by your side every step of the way, enroll in a basic obedience class. Major pet supply chains, humane societies and dog clubs usually offer classes. These classes are an excellent way to socialize your dog and educate yourself. If your schedule doesn’t allow you to participate in a class, check your community phone book for personal dog trainers. Most will come to your home on a regular basis, and provide in-depth training custom-tailored to your needs.

About the Author

This article courtesy of http://www.dog-training-questions.com

You brought your puppy home

admin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:51:20 +0000

It’s your first night with your brand new puppy and you are both very excited. The puppy is frightened and so are you. It’s perfectly normal that you both want to stay close to each other in tough times and the first night is one such occasion. Your puppy is separated from his mother, and you got yourself a baby. However, don’t let your emotions take control over you.

Puppy’s place is not in your bed. At least not at night when you sleep in it. There’s no problem if your puppy (and later an adult dog) sleeps in your bed during the day, but it’s important to keep him away at night. The reason behind this is quite simple—canines have a hierarchy. Wolves from the bottom of hierarchy piramide don’t sleep together with the chief wolf. In your family you are the chief. Your puppy is not. In fact all members of your family should be at some point chiefs to your puppy. This is very important to understand for better living later when dog becomes more stubborn and self-conscious.

Now that you know what you should’t do, let’s see how to survive through the first night. If your breeder gave you a rag from under puppy’s mother, it will be of tremendous help. If not, then prepare a few old unwashed shirts or any part of your clothes which has your smell. It will help the puppy feels safe and cosy, and give him a sense of being near you. Also it’s advisable to give him plenty of old rags so the puppy can dig and make his place more comfortable.

Be sure the puppy has performed everything outside, before retiring to bed. Also make sure he’s not hungry. But don’ feed the puppy once you place him in his bed. This will just awake him and you don’ want a chierful puppy at 3AM. Generally, a good practice is to play a lot with a puppy during the day, so he becomes really tired in the evening.

If there is trouble for your puppy to fall on sleep and he wants to climb into your bed, place his bedding near your bed. To calm him down, just speak to him gently, but don’t touch him. Let him know you are near, but don’t get him used to the physical contact. In the morning, get up early and go outside, so he doesn’t make a mess in your bedroom.

Original source: http://www.themostbeautifuluglydogs.com/

Hair Conditioning

admin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:35:30 +0000

People often ask us about dogs hair. We received an e-mail from Mrs P. Scott from South Africa, who’d like to prepare her bitch for dog shows, but she said her bitch is not as white as she could be. If anyone has some idea or practical advice on this subject, please let us know.

All of the Grich bullies are fed by “Eukanuba”. We feel it has the best combination of essential nutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals).

We never (well… almost never) bath our dogs, because bath is not friendly to skin’s and hair’s ph-balance. Also, animal’s hair should be a little bit “oiled” with it’s natural grease. That way, the skin is always protected against various athmosphere conditions – sun, wind, rain, heat, cold, etc.

When we come from the outside, we use a clean towel (it’s acctualy THEIRS clean towel) and firmly rub dirt and mud out of paws, but we wait untill it’s dry. Dogs are also sleeping in an old sofa (now it’s doggy’s bed) under our old blankets. We believe that these blankets “polish” their hair, while the dog is making a room under it…

Try to disallow your dog to sleep on a concrete (or any other hard surfaces), as this damages hair very much and then dirt is attached to lower layers of hair or even directly to skin, and this might be difficult to clean only by rubbing with a towel…

For a hair regeneration we highly recommend “Biotine” (the H-vitamine) twice a year.

Original source: http://www.themostbeautifuluglydogs.com/

Strong and Muscular Hindquarters

admin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 15:59:15 +0000

Before you start any routine with your young dog, please consult someone more experienced about your dog’s constitution.

If a dog is too young, inappropriate workout could harm his bones and joints. The most suitable person you should talk to is the most probably the breeder of your dog.

The best exercises for the hind legs development are high-intensity, short-duration excercises. The most common excercies fot the hindquarters are sprints and high jumps.

We noticed the best muscle growth after playing with a stick – jumping after it or chasing it in short distances. We found it that training session should not last more than 10-15 minutes and it should start right after the short walk, while the dog’s muscles are warm.

Some owners think it’s too short activity for her (usually hyper-)active pet, but you should take in consideration that if a dog is too tired, the animal could be injured. I know some of the bull terriers finished up in the surgery for that. Of course this happens very rare, but still – be cautious…

All your efforts about tuning your power-pack is futile if not powered with an adequate energy source. Find suitable product, both with a good taste and with quality.

We prefer dehydrated food with chicken basis. Chicken meat should not exceed 29% of the total ingredients – some Bull Terriers have strong allergenic reaction to large doses of proteins.

When choosing dog food, the criteria should be how good, not how many. Food quality is very easily tested by smelling from the bag. If it stinks, reconsider some other brands…

Every six months (when a dog’s hair is changed) in a period of about 2 to 4 weeks, feed your dog with an extra biotine, A, C and D3 vitamins, calcium and phosphorus.

Few more tips:

You should excersize your dog either early in the morning or later afternoon. Avoid midday hot sun
At least 2 hours prior training session, your dog shouldn’t eat.
Don’t let him drink cold water right after the workout, let him take a rest for a moment (old wisdom of our parents).
Beware of an injuries (especially your fingers).
Don’t drink and drive.

Original source: http://www.themostbeautifuluglydogs.com/