Archive for February, 2009

How to Stop a Dog From Chewing – Free Useful Info

Saturday, February 28th, 2009

There are a number of things you need to consider if your dog is displaying chewing behaviors in order to effectively combat this destructive habit. The best way to learn how to stop a dog from chewing is to examine several factors:

First, what is he chewing? Cushions, shoes, his own feet? Some objects may need to be removed from temptation, especially while a puppy is still learning good behavior and self-control. Some things may be just too hard to resist. Others can be saved with the use of a bitter chewing-deterrent spray, which also works on feet and tails. Simply creating a terrible taste will likely be enough to stop chewing and prevent future episodes, without harming your pet.

Next, what is the underlying cause of the chewing? If a puppy is teething, she definitely needs something to work those gums on. Try offering a toy or treats specifically designed for this purpose. Even better, freeze the chew toy for several hours, then give it to your puppy. This will both relieve his teething pain, AND distract him from chewing other objects. Win-win!

There are, of course, other causes of chewing, including boredom, stress and loneliness. Your dog requires a certain level of stimulation, similar to a child. And just like a child, if your dog is ignored, this can lead to him getting into trouble if adequate activities and interaction are not provided.
Other Points to Consider

- When there are times in the day that your dog must entertain itself, tie your dog up outside or have it somewhere where it can not reach anything but its toys to chew on. Maybe give your dog a little chew treat, or even better, one he has to chew in to get some peanut butter or other food inside. Mental stimulation is key!

- Practice obedience training your dog everyday, and make sure he gets plenty of exercise. This will help stimulate your dog mentally and physically, and thereby reduce its boredom.

- Do not physically punish your dog, as this will only cause more anxiety, and most likely increase his chewing.

- Do not play tug of war or wrestling games with your dog. This will only encourage him to bite and chew – not a good thing!

- Never try to pull a toy from your dogs mouth. Instead, distract him with a treat, and remove the object once he has dropped it. You can also teach him the “Leave” command.

- Ensure that he has plenty of toys to keep him occupied while you are out. You may want to rotate them, for added interest.

- If you think he suffers from any separation anxiety, make your exits very low key, so as to cause as little stress as possible.

For more information on Dog Behavior Problems I suggest you check out this great Dog Training site.

For the house training dogs information, please visit this blog.

Training Supplies for Your Bird Dog Puppy

Saturday, February 28th, 2009

If you’re the happy new owner of a puppy that you plan to train to someday be a hunting or gun dog, then you’ll be wondering what you’ll need to make that happen. Besides patience, love, and a sense of humor, you’ll need some tools to make the training process easier. Before you bring puppy home, make sure you have the things you’ll need to make him comfortable and get him off to a good start.

Dog Crates

When you first bring your puppy home, chances are that he is not going to be housebroken. This is perfectly normal since most puppies are not housebroken until they are a year old. If you are like many other owners, you might be considering a crate as a way to keep your dog safe while unsupervised and protect your home from accidents.

Fortunately, regardless of the size of your dog, crates are easy to use, they come in a variety of sizes and some can even be collapsed and put away once you are done using it. Some dog owners only use a crate until a puppy is housebroken and then only for rare occasions.

The good thing is that most dogs like the experience of a crate. Crates will help dogs feel more protected and secure, and will soon become their choice spot when they need a safe retreat. In fact, most dogs begin to treat their crates as a den. As long as the size is correct, it won’t matter whether you choose aluminium or metal wire. If the crate is too small, your dog will be uncomfortable because turning will more difficult, and when it is too large, your dog won’t get the den-feel of safety and may be scared of the crate. You can opt for a dog crate with removable panels which you can add or remove to the size of your dog.

Dog Training Collars

Let us be honest, dogs do not train themselves! For those who are training hunting dogs, you will want to find the best possible dog training collar that can be found in the same supply store that you purchase your other hunting dog supplies. Whether you elect for an electric dog collar to teach your dog to hunt or a simple choke collar for simple obedience training, make sure that the collar is the right one for you and your dog.

Most dogs respond well to positive reinforcement (treats when they do well), but some require something more severe to help them learn. Safety and obedience training are a must for all dogs and training collars are the tool to use for these. Hunting and field training are also important for gun dogs, so find the system that works best for you and begin when your dog is a puppy.

Other Hunting Dog Supplies

Start working with puppy early to begin the training process and to set a schedule of training, play, and down times. The earlier you begin obedience and hunting training, the more effective it will be. There are a lot of products out there to help you accomplish these tasks and they are generally available at all hunting and pet supply stores:

1. Dog whistles: both obedience (call) whistles and water fowl imitation whistles are available and useful in training.
2. Dog training bumpers/dummies – for teaching retrieval and flushing, they simulate the bird to be hunted.
3. Launchers for teaching to fetch and retrieve

Your new puppy will be a part of your home and hunting experience and will become your best friend for many years. Make sure you have the right hunting dog supplies and tools to make your training effective and fun!

Dog Training Bumpers Help Train Your Bird Dog

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

What do you need to successfully train your dog? Other than Tritronics shock collars and SportDOG training collars, one of the hunting dog supplies you’ll need is the dog training bumper. The ideal one for training your retriever is one that is made to last for repetitive use, and flexible, soft plastic.

Hallmark Dog Training Bumpers

You can find dog training bumpers in many different styles and sizes so that you can train any type of retriever. A brand called Hallmark offers a wide range of high-quality training bumpers, particularly those constructed with plastic or foam. You will have your choice of plastic, feather-holding, and canvas-covered. Regardless of which one you go for, you’ll see that they are very durable, and have a realistic feel which will help your dog with his retrieval skills. These training bumpers are also safe and non-toxic to your dog. A great feature is that these training bumpers can hold duck scents, which makes the training of your dog easier and more effective.

No matter what kind of dog training bumpers you choose, you should look at each one for the following benefits:

A) Superb construction
B) Durable materials
C) Safe, non-toxic materials

Ideally if you are training a puppy you might want to consider using plastic training bumpers. The advantage of these is that they are less expensive than some models and offer a variety of bright colors – this makes them easier for your dog (and you) to identify them when you are training your hunting dog in the field.

Dog training dummies

To teach your dog quickly and effectively, you may want to consider training dummies that do not sink when they are tossed in the water. Combining your training methods with foam bodied dummies can help teach your dog how to handle retrieving in the field. Do not be confused – bumpers and dummies are interchangeable terms – they both refer to the tools that you use to train your dog with simulated fowl. Both are designed to train your dog to hunt, retrieve, and return the captured game to you. Dokken also offers an extensive line of dummies that are suitable for all hunting dog training.

How to use dog training bumpers and dog training dummies

To get the most out of dog training bumpers and dummies it is highly recommended that you use them with a scent. Duck scent is the most common and is readily available in any store that offers hunting dog supplies. Injecting your dog training dummies and bumpers with the duck scent allows you to have another tool that helps you successfully train your hunting dog.

dog training for Idiots

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Solid Dog Behavior Training Advice

Dogs can be very intelligent and owners need to realize that in the first step of dog behavior training. That’s good news because it means that your dog’s training is not going to be too difficult if you go about it the right way. Here’s some advice for those interested in dog training and what is involved:

Specifics

The timing of critiques and praises needs to be regular when you are training the dog. Obedience training allows little room for error. If you want your dog to obey you, your dog needs to understand that you want that—no matter what, all the time. If you do not advise or praise the dog while the action is occurring, it can be too late to ever change his habits. In training your dog, you may need to assist the dog as the action is occurring.

Consistency

When training your dog, you need to be consistent. If you never want your dog to scratch the door, do not ever let him do it no matter what the situation is. Dog behavior training is very sensitive to regularities.

Be habitual with your actions. If you do not want your dog to go on the sofa, then he never be allowed on that sofa—or your bed. In dog behavior training you learn that dogs do not understand the concept of occasionally or “if.” They only understand consistent permission or no permission– ever.

Good Boy!

When we are training our dog in obedience techniques, we often center on perfection in our dog but do not congratulate the dog’s good behavior as much as we should. If your dog is sitting where you want him to be sitting and minding his own business, tell him he is a good dog. In dog obedience training we believe in giving praise when the dog is not being naughty.

Try not to get too angry when he does something bad. In training our dogs, we believe that you should reinforce positive actions and let bad ones slide once in a while.

Stand Your Ground

If you don’t show your dog who the boss is, your dog will show you. You have to command your dog when training. Don’t be weak or shaky when you ask for an action. When training your dog, if dogs do not comply, you need to show them the way.
You can teach an older dog to adapt to a dog house, but unlike a puppy he may be already set in his ways and might not take to a new environment.

No matter the age of your dog, when you have completed your dog house training you need to teach your children that the dog house is his safe place and when he goes into his home he should’t be bothered and that he wants to get away from everyone else.

A dog, no matter how friendly, has the instinct to attack when it feels trapped and if your children are bothering the dog while in a dog house the dog will feel trapped and attack. That’s why dog house training is just as important to your dog as it is to the rest of the family.

American Bulldog Training Tips for a Obedient Puppy

Sunday, February 22nd, 2009

American Bulldog training can be one of the most rewarding things you do with your new (or old) pet. Not only will you wind up with a better pet, you will establish a strong bond with your dog as you go through the training. It is important that you start training your dog as soon as possible because every day you wait is one more day you have to put up with aggression, biting, barking, chewing, jumping, and bathroom “accidents”.

American Bulldog training offers challenges that may not be faced when training other dog breeds. This doesn’t mean an American Bulldog is a bad choice for a pet, you just need to be aware of their unique behavior patterns.

Size is one of the biggest problems with these dogs. They are large animals and need space to run. With their large size, they can do way more damage than a Chihuahua.

These dogs can be very playful. This means they like to run around and jump on things. Even when they are just playing, they can do a lot of damage because of their size. They are probably not the best choice if you have small children.

They can be very protective so American Bulldog training needs to involve exposing them to a lot of people. They need to see other people as normal and friendly so they don’t attack everybody they see trying to protect you, their beloved owner.

American Bulldogs have also been known to be very aggressive with other dogs of the same sex. They can also be very aggressive with cats and other small animals.

The last thing to be aware of with American Bulldogs is that some people can view them very negatively even if they never do anything wrong. This makes American Bulldog training extremely important not just some thing that is nice to do. Getting help from a top knotch training system like the Secrets to Dog Training is absolutely essential to successful training.


Know Your Tri-tornics Dog Training Collars

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

For sporting dog collars you can trust, Tri-Tronics is a well-known, quality brand. Making sure your dog performs well and is your partner instead of your nemesis on the hunt requires training. These collars can enhance and hone your dog’s natural skills to perfect his performance in the field.

Tri-Tronics Collars

This electronic collar is useful for correcting undesirable behaviors in your hunting dog. And because the receivers and transmitters for the Tri-Tronics sport dog collar are waterproof, they are great for sporting dogs who are in or near water. To add to this, they are also very lightweight, but still very powerful. The Sports Dog Collar is equipped with ten levels of intensity so that you can adjust it to the perfect level for your dog. If and when you hunting dog shows an undesirable behavior, you can transmit an electric stimulation to the dog to teach him that his behavior is inappropriate.

Tri-Tronics Sport Basic Collar

This collar exhibits the latest in dog collar technology from Tri-Tronics. Just like other models, the transmitter delivers up to ten levels of electronic stimulation and both collar and transmitter are water proof. Unlike others, though, this collar has a new feature: its construction. It’s made from the same material as bulletproof glass, giving it unparalleled strength and durability. Whether you and your dg are training in the field or the back yard, this durable collar is likely the solution you’re looking for.The latest technology in dog collars from Tri-Tronics is the sport basic dog collar. As with other models the transmitter delivers up to ten levels of electronic stimulation. As with other models it is also a waterproof including the receiver in the collar. One new feature is that the transmitter is made from the same material currently used for bulletproof glass. Whether your training your dog in the field or at home this durable training collar may be the solution you’re looking for.

How to Use Tri-Tronics Sport

You may be a little hesitant about using these collars or unsure how to use them. When using electronic dog collars for training, you should supplement with voice commands and cues. This way, your dog can learn certain commands that will cue him that his behavior is inappropriate. For both home pets and hunting dogs, it will take time and patience to get your dog to listen to your voice commands. But by utilizing dog commands, you may be able to avoid using electronic stimulation that these high-tech collars emit. When he doesn’t respond to your voice command, only then should you send the electronic stimulation to the receiver. By understanding this basic idea, you can have a better training experience with your dog and help you make better use of your dog collar.

Your dog wants to be a good hunting companion; it is instinctively built into them. All it takes is your time to train him, as well as your patience. Combining electronic dog collars with voice cues, your dog will learn to listen to you in no time. Remember to start off at the lowest level of stimulation and adjust as needed for your dog. Tri-Tronics electronic dog collars work on many dogs, and will work for your dog if you give it a chance.

The Importance of Dog Training

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

There are many species of animals that share a bonding with the humans… Foremost among them, the men most loyal friend has always been the Dog. Humans and dogs are depended on each other for protection and survival through thousand of years. Any more information -click Dove Cresswell’s dog training page

Its not matter that what you are trying to teach your dog the main thing is the process should be easier. Here are the few basic guidelines which makes the process easier:

Be Consistent:

Use the same cue for the same command, every time otherwise you will confuse you dog. Make sure everyone who’s around your dog follows the same rules and uses the same cues.

Use praise and rewards:

Almost all modern dog trainers believe that dogs learn better and faster when we praise and reward them for getting it right, rather than punishing them for getting it wrong.

Time the rewards right:

The praise and reward need to come immediately after your dog does whatever you want.

Keep the training short and sweet:

Training works best if its fun and you stop before either of you gets bored or frustrated and make the sessions short. Five to ten minutes is plenty to start with, or you can do many mini-training sessions throughout the day.

Make it easy for your dog to get it right:

Train slowly, starting in a quiet, familiar place with no distractions, and then make it more challenging for your dog. Don’t get to the next step until your dog has mastered in the current one.

Practicing with videos:

If going to classes or hiring a dog trainer is not in your budget, then you load the puppy training videos to train your puppy.

Keep practicing:

Don’t expect that once your dog has learned something, he is learned it for life. Your dog can lose his new skills without regular practice.

Training is the best investment that you can make in your relationship with your dog. But you have to do your homework first, though, to learn how to communicate with him and what you want in a way that your dog will understand. Stay consistent and patient, reward your dog for getting it right and remember: you can train a dog of any age. For more information -correcting dog behavioral problem

Learn How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears

Sunday, February 15th, 2009

Some dogs will let you do what you will for them without a fight and some would rather gnaw off the hand that feeds them than sit still for a simple ear cleaning. Kiwi, the Wonder Pug will spin and roll around hoping that you will exhaust yourself before you accomplish your mission, but if not, then you win and she will lie still for whatever it is that you want to do to her. My Pavlova, however is far more dedicated in foiling plans- there is just no out lasting that wiggly Chihuahua mix. Osgood is resigned that he will never make his people not do things to him, so he sits with his sad little head down and waits for it to be over.

For a larger dog, having him lie on a table will be safest for him and easiest for you. Make sure that he feels safe and secure when he is up there, and speak quietly and reassuringly to him while you work. Wrap you arm around him and grasp his upper leg area to prevent him from trying to get up while you take a look inside of his ears. Do not dig inside the ear canal for any reason, leave that to a vet. If the dog’s ear are excessively dirty, or there is any chance that you are looking at an ear mite infestation, then by all means schedule a vet check. Otherwise, take a wet cotton ball, or soft cloth and wash the outer portions of the dog’s ears, taking care not to allow too much water to get down into the ear canal itself. Continue to reassure your pet while you work and try not to be too slow about it. If your dog has really long ears, you can flip them over, but some dogs truly seem to loathe this.

As amusing as it might seem, a smaller dog might actually be harder to get a good hold on or to keep down, so you might need to recruit a helper for this one. Have the assistant hold the dog nice and firmly, maybe even wrapping her in a towel or small blanket while you are working to prevent wriggling or kicking. Again, speak gently to your pet, letting it know that all will be well in just a matter of time. Inspect the ears just as described above. If your dog’s head and ears are darkly colored, you might need brighter lighting or even a small flashlight to get a good visual on the inner ear.

Ask your veterinarian to show you exactly the best technique for your particular breed and what exactly you are looking for. Some breeds are more prone to ear infections, and dogs have more problems with their ears than cats do, so watch for signs of an impending problems. Floppy eared breeds (blood hounds, beagles, etc.) are the most susceptible to ear problems, but all breeds should be checked regularly. For more info you should check out a Dog Teaching site.

For the information about house train a dog please visit this site.

Free Helpful Tips About Doggy Munchies: What are the Best Treats for Your Dog?

Saturday, February 14th, 2009

Sure you put the crunchy kibble in the bowl every morning and every now and then your doggums gets a treat of the gourmet, wet dog food, but what about treats? What are the best treats for the only member of the family that actually will work to deserve them most of the time? Unless the vet specifically says no to treats because your dog has gone from canine to porcine, then a treat can be a special reward for a job well done, or just a way to share a few extra special moments with the pup you love. If you want good advice you should check out a Dog Teaching site or a Dog Training Books site.

As always remember safety first: never feed your dog chocolate, grapes, nuts, (especially macadamia). Table scraps are not the best idea for Rover unless your meal is all natural and healthy to begin with. I once worked with a man whose little Chihuahua actually loved to eat frozen peas- we checked with the vet and he said as long as it did not upset his little tummy, they were fine for him. Make treats a special thing by only providing them every now and then, and never use them as a reward for behaviors that are mandatory anyway. ( Never give treats for toileting in the proper place, for instance or for not biting the neighbor’s kid- he needs to learn those things to function within the family.) Treats for learning tricks however is another thing altogether. Tricks are not a normal part of a dog’s behavior and some of them will stubbornly refuse to learn any at all, it is a matter of individual drive and determination on dog and owner alike.

Dogs get bored with the same old food over and over, just as we would, so they do need some variety in their diets. Treats should be healthy as well as good tasting, and part of the overall meal plan set up by the vet. Treats come in many types, and it is important to realize that your dog does not need a treat with every single meal- they should be occasional (hence the name, “treat”) To be safe, make sure whichever type of treat you give to your dog is the right size for him. It might seem amusing to see a pocket pet sized dog carrying a T-Rex sized bone, but it is frustrating for him and might be dangerous. Do not put your dog in danger for your own amusement!

Soft treats come in many shapes and sizes, so again, make sure you are giving the right size for your dog. If your giving these as rewards for training, then use the smaller size or break larger ones into several pieces. The jerky style treats are also good for training because the dog will go crazy for them, but make sure you are using those made especially for dogs rather than jerky marketed for humans.

Dental chews, which are usually made to look like bones are not made from animal bones at all, but rather from corn starch or something similar. The dog gets the satisfaction of lying down for a good long chew, and you can breathe a bit easier that they will not splinter or shatter like real bones. The extended time it takes to chew through them may make them good for the dog’s teeth, but be aware that they can pose a choking hazard if your dog tends to gulp and swallow things. Kiwi, the Wonder Pug takes hers and magically transforms them into a long, slimy, ropelike thing and then wants to lovingly share it with me. I love that dog, but no thanks on the slimmed up rope thing, okay?

Read about house training dogs on this blog.

Importance Of Dog Training For Your And Your Dog

Friday, February 6th, 2009

Whether you just got a new puppy, or you adopted an older dog, no doubt you want to train your dog to be well behaved. This can vary from house training your dog, to training your dog how to sit and stay. No matter what kind of training you are trying to do with your dog, there are some tips that can be very helpful to you. The following are some of the effective dog training tips that can help you train your dog in half the time.

1.First tip is to know that there are some elements that are required for successful dog training and these are patience, persistence and consistence. Having these attitudes in a trainer will definitely assure an excellent dog training experience.

2. Dog Training Tips – Use the correct dog training supplies

If you have a well behaved dog a six foot training lead and a regular buckle collar will do. However if you dog is uncontrollable you should use a training collar. For the right collar size measure the dogs’ neck and add 2 inches.

3. Dog Training Tips – For safety in vehicles

Before you introduce your dog to the inside of a moving vehicle you should teach him the ‘down!’ and ’stay!’ commands. This ensures that he spends the ride on the floor of the vehicle.

4. Dog Training Tips – Elimination

When your dog got to go it got to go. To prevent your dog from getting busy on the carpet you should train him to eliminate on command.

5. Dog Training Tips – Praise

Always praise your dog when he learns a new command.

If you own a new dog, you must be able to point out the problems with your pet. Once you determine the dog behavior problems of your pet, you can now begin to apply the dog obedience training to them. If your dog loves to chew on your household items, this is not his fault.

But it is a natural tendency of the dog to chew on furniture. These are common negative behavior of dogs that you must focus on, and to be able to learn the training procedures that is essential for the dog to know that his behavior is not appropriate.

If you did not exert any effort to train your puppy, eventually it grows older, the behavior problem that it possesses will worsen, and this would make it more difficult to train the dog. Many more information on puppy training and fear based training for dogs, visit – www.reviewsitstayfetch.blogspot.com