Dog Training

Andrew asked:


My dog is so hard to train I dont what to do about him1
Oh by the way his a Dashshund.

Theresa

Jen asked:


i watch cesar on tv-that makes sense, i’ve read many books on”positive only” approaches-that makes sense too. i have tried both clicker training and cesar’s way. i feel very confused. and opinions are strong and dogmatic(no pun intended) in both “camps”. meanwhile, my dog still has problems. one “way” seems to work for some things, another for others.

Erik

Jenny Styles asked:


Known as man’s best friend, Dogs are the most loved domesticated animals in the world. Having a dog or puppy in a family is quite exciting for that family. But just having a dog or a puppy is not all. One should also pay attention to training his/her dog properly so that he can become an obedient and accepting part of the family. Dog training is not a simple job; it demands certain skills and approaches in order to make it useful, which can be learned in course of training. It is believed to be a good idea to train your dog yourself, though you can appoint or hire an expert or specialized dog trainer to look after the job. But both the ways have their respective merits and demerits.

Though you might commit mistakes and there could be instability in your approach it is always helpful to train your dog yourself as it gives you a better chance of establishing that significant contact or communication between you and your dog. You will gradually understand how your dog is reacting to any particular situation or what cause them to do a specific action - like barking. On the contrary, appointing a skilled person gives you immediate results but does not allow you to experience the “trial and error” method possible when training personally, which can be useful at some point of time.

Some will ask you to go for a blend of the two - train yourself, but also join a professional dog training class. This helps you to attend several things, its like eating your cake, and still keeping it. It also cuts down your expenses, needed in the case of professional trainer and still providing with the professional direction for the training. At the same time it also allows you to establish that special bond, which is possible when you train your dog by yourself.

Always keep in mind that patience; environment, and rewards are very important factors, irrespective of how you chose to train your dog. These factors affect a lot and give you total success if properly maintained.

While training you need patience, keeping in mind the fact that you are going to communicate with someone who does not speak your language or follow your way of using any communicative methods. If you see that your hard work is not yielding any satisfactory results or that you are not being able to proceed with it just do not give up. It will take some time to make your dog bark or sit by simply uttering or calling out some words to him as it is not a language which is natural or previously known to him. You have to go for many repetitions and must praise him, whenever he does something correctly, to get results.

Environment also plays an important part in dog training as dogs are very much influenced by their environment. It is better to do the training session in a quiet place with fewer disturbances, as any disturbance at the time of training can easily distract their attention. On the other hand you can select a noisier place for advanced training, but only after he is trained in basic obedience.

Dogs, being man’s good friend, always try to please their owners and keep them contented. So in order to get a profitable result you must let know your dog when you are happy with him and reward him with cuddles or any treat after he performs anything, the way you wanted. This will give your dog an impression that you are happy with him and he will try to hold up this act of his in future.

So, dog training can be equally challenging and easy, if you follow the instructions provided to you here.



Beverly

Daniel Millions asked:


When you are training your dog, it should not be uncomfortable for either you or your dog. With the right attitude, you and your dog can have fun during every dog training session. The more fun that you and your dog have during these sessions means that your dog will be motivated to continue its dog training.

Most dog training begins when the dog is still a puppy. At a young age, it is easy to scare a dog and even break the dog’s spirit if you are too harsh during training sessions. If you are too harsh with your dog, your dog will not be as well socialized with humans or other dogs as the dog that is treated with kindness.

It is important to remember that a young puppy is just a youngster who may be prone to make mistakes at first. It is especially important that you make sure to praise the dog more often than you tell the dog, “no.” Your dog may enjoy different rewards for performing well including playtime with you, time with its favorite toy or food treats. Find out what your dog really likes and work that in as a reward.

Be patient with your dog. Many dog breeds have long memories. For this reason, you do not want to create bad memories about you for your dog. A dog that is treated lovingly and with respect will be easier to train than the dog that is fearful of its master.

You can make dog training for dog tricks easier on your dog. You can do this by observing your dog to see which tricks will be more natural to teach your dog. For instance, if your dog likes to carry things in its mouth already, it will be easier to teach it to fetch than if the dog has not carried anything in its mouth. A dog that likes to jump can be easier to teach to dance on its hind legs than the dog that does not like to be on its hind legs very often.

When training your dog, do not continue training until the dog is bored. Your dog will view these sessions with less enthusiasm that you would like. A bored dog will be very difficult to motivate into doing anything after awhile. Stop training while the dog still wants to continue because this will make the dog look forward to the next training session.

If you can stay your happy self during dog training, your dog will love these sessions and will try to please you even more. When a dog is trained well, the dog will be loyal and feel secure with you. You never want your dog to think that you can turn into an out of control maniac in the next minute if you do not get your way.

When you give your best to your dog, your dog will do the same for you in return. You will develop a stronger bond with a well-treated dog than with a dog with which you are harsh. It is up to you to keep your feelings under control when you are dog training. Your dog will be your obedient and loving friend for life if you treat your dog right. That is why is it important to have the right attitude when you are training your dog.



Tara

Sam Nichols asked:


Assistance dogs come in a variety of types: guiding dogs, hearing dogs and service dogs. At their core, all trainings aim to do the same thing: train a dog to help people that can’t do their daily tasks properly because they have some disabilities. Such dogs will help people that have problems with their sight or hearing.

Other uses for service dogs include mobility assistance and seizure response training, but it depends on what the owner needs from the dog. If you do need this type of training, the dog needs to be trained for it properly.

TRAINING

Self-training and program training are two of the types of training that service dogs need to go through.

The owner needs to facilitate self-training, and the same goes for any type of dog training. Getting a professional trainer that knows what he’s doing is much easier, but self training can boost the relationship between the dog and his owner.

Both young and old dogs can potentially be good for service. In some cases, people will want their older dogs to be trained, especially in cases where the dog showed that he is suited for it. But, in most cases, people will want to use pets from dog breeds that are designed for service work from the start.

There are a number of procedures and techniques that people can use to teach a dog how to be useful for people with disabilities. You can look for tips online or you could buy books that teach you the process of service dog training. Another option is to hire a professional take care of your dog, to make sure he gets the best training possible.

While the dog would learn what he needs to do faster, since these professionals have very good training techniques, the problem is that once the dog is sent back home, the training is stopped, unless the owners how to continue it themselves. If the dog is home trained however, the training can continue.

If a breeder sells a dog that will be trained to service, he should first teach the dog basic orders, like come, sit, no and stay. Next, the owner needs to teach the dog other orders, like how he can turn off lights or open a door. Remember, this dog needs to help people with disabilities, so he needs to do a number of things for them.

Service works is what these dogs are bred and trained to do. It can take more than a year to teach such a dog what he needs to do in any kind of situation. They also should be trained on dealing with the people that they will serve.

You can train these dogs in a variety of ways. For example, training done by prison inmates is an option in the United States. It’s a method that worked well in the past, with both the dogs and the inmates benefitting from this situation. The inmates for example, learn to socialize better by training the dogs.

If someone needs a service dog, they first need to go through an evaluation process, after they fill in an application. Next, he will be put on a list, waiting for a dog that will fill the needs that he has. In most cases, you don’t need to pay anything for getting a dog if you need it, but in others you will have to pay something in order to get it.

After the owner gets the service dog, he will have to learn how to deal with him and how to train him further, to do the things he needs done. This period can vary, from just a few weeks to months in some cases. After that, a period follows where the training is updated at the training center.

These dogs aren’t trained just to help people to open doors or to do other things that owners can’t do. They’re also there to be good companions and to offer emotional support.



Paul

Brigitte Smith asked:


A calm, obedient and faithful dog - it’s what we all want, right? To begin with, obedient and trained dogs are happier dogs, less likely to get into tussles with people or with other dogs. Another reason is that many communities require that the dogs living in their neighborhoods be well trained. This is especially true for many breeds thought to have aggression and behavior problems - large dog breeds such as german shepherds and rottweilers to name a couple. And of course pit bulls are almost synonymous with aggression in many people’s minds.

Now, I have a rottweiler myself, and she’s the soppiest thing out. So I don’t personally subscribe to the view that particular breeds are necessarily aggressive. But nevertheless, large dogs certainly do need to be adequately trained, just because of their size. Larger dogs can be very intimidating to people.

And of course, training your dog well will also make he or she a much better family companion, especially in households where there are young children. Many studies have shown that proper dog training makes a big impact when it comes to cutting down the number of dog bits and other behavior problems encountered by dog owning households.

When considering training your own dog, or having someone else help you train it, there are certain basic commands that must be mastered in order for a dog to be considered truly trained. These basic commands include:

No - The word No is one word that all dogs must learn. Training your dog to respond to this important word can save you a ton of trouble.

Sit - Training your dog to sit on command is a vital part of any dog training program.

Down - Lying down on command is more than just a cute trick; it is a key component of any successful dog training program.

Stay - A well trained dog should remain where his or her owner commands, so Stay is an important command in dog training. (The Stay command is not used by all dog trainers. Some are of the view that the command to Sit means “Sit, and stay there until you’re given another command” - this makes a lot of sense. But many people do like to use the Stay command).

Heel - it is important that any dog learn to walk beside its owner on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind

Dog training does much more than just create an obedient, willing companion. Training your dog properly actually strengthens the bond that already exists between dog and owner. Dogs are pack animals, and they look to their pack leader to tell them what to do. The key to successful dog training is to set yourself up as that pack leader.

Establishing yourself as pack leader is a very important concept for any potential dog trainer to understand. There is only one leader in every pack of dogs, and the owner must establish him or herself as the dominant animal. Failure to do so leads to all manner of behavior problems.

A properly trained dog will respond properly to all the owner’s commands, and will not display anxiety, displeasure or confusion. A good dog training program will focus on allowing the dog to learn just what is expected of it, and will use positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviors.

In addition to making the dog a good member of the community, obedience training is a great way to fulfill some of the dog’s own needs, including the need for exercise, the security that comes with knowing what is expected of it, a feeling of accomplishment and a good working relationship with its handler. Dog training gives the dog an important job to do, and an important goal to reach.

Giving the dog a job is more important than you may think. Dogs were originally bred by humans to do important work, such as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people. Many dogs today have no important job to do, and this can often lead to boredom and neurotic behavior.

Basic obedience training, and ongoing training sessions, provide the dog with an important job to do. This is especially important for high energy breeds like German shepherds and border collies. Training sessions are a great way for these high energy dogs to use up their extra energy and simply to enjoy themselves.

Incorporating playtime into your dog training sessions is a great way to prevent both yourself and your dog from becoming bored. Playing with your dog helps to strengthen the all important bond between you - the pack leader - and your dog.



Jennifer

Chris Simpson asked:


When we talk about dog training at home we think of the rewarding feeling of being able to develop an animal’s skills, but there is a lot of work and effort involved in the process too. Dog training at home begins with potty training and continues with complex tasks and commands. However, before you start dog training at home you’ll have to find some professional information on dog health and care. The very basic “sit” and “hello” are among the first tricks of dog training at home, followed by the leash walk as an essential part of the process of dog socializing.

Many pet owners choose to turn to professional videos that teach them dog training at home. There are usually two types of approaches to dog training at home and in general: the collar treatment and the reward-based program. Studies conducted in recent years have shown that dog training at home by using very positive methods is likely to create social and highly reliable animals, that not only will listen to your commands but will always been on guard when it comes to the safety of your family. Dog training at home may not have the professional background but it surely has an emotional touch.

Once you start dog training at home don’t limit to teaching the dog how to raise the paw or sit when ordered. You can take dog training at home a little further and show the animal how to play “fetch”. It begins by using one of the pet’s favorite toys, but it has to result in the animal’s ability to bring any object. No matter the purpose of dog training at home, keep in mind that reward is the magic key to get to your dog’s mind. Every time it performs an action, the dog will need encouragement to continue; therefore an affectionate moment is welcome and appreciated as much as some goodie treat.

Dog training at home takes a lot of time and energy, and many people find it a true challenge. However, time should not be a problem as long as you can turn to your animal and lavish a little attention on it. You can even practice fetch during a commercial just like any other commands learned during dog training at home. If you don’t want to have your dog on the sofa with you, you can always order it to move, and the animal would respond. This is the very practical side of dog training at home. By all means avoid bullying the dog or raising your voice, as such manifestations develop aggression or fear.



Randy

Rio Morales Morales asked:


Training Your Silky Dog:

It is essential to have a dog that knows how to follow the right rules and how to live around your house. To achieve this, dog training must be considered.

Most people think that training a dog is hard and expensive. Moreover, dog training requires a lot of patience and creativity for your dog. We have to remember that dogs may be intelligent but they can not be as intelligent as us. The article provides some of the basic things dog owners need to know so they can do the training themselves. However, to maximize the full potential of your dog, a dog trainer should be hired instead.

What are the differences between a submissive dog and a dominant dog?

A submissive dog normally:

- avoids eye contact.

- rolls on its back.

- crouches down, ears back and tail lowered.

- is comfortable on its back in your arms.

On the other hand, a dominant dog:

- maintains eye contact.

- is unwilling to move from his place on the couch.

- dislikes grooming and petting.

- is possessive of dishes and toys.

Training your silky terriers requires kindness and consistency. Silkys respond actively to praises and to rewards. In addition, they become harsh and unresponsive towards punishments and animosity, respectively.

Trainings with obedience classes can be intensely beneficial in petting your silky terriers. In many dog training schools, classes for puppies are available. Young dogs are taught to get accustomed with other dogs and people using limited trainings. However, there are areas that do not conduct formal obedience training unless the dog is at least half a year old. Always remember that a dog is never too old to benefit from training when a good trainer is available, or if the owner is fully committed to the task.

Here are the recommended ways of training silky terriers:

1. Reiteration or Repetition

Reiteration is the name of the dog training game. In here, dogs are asked to do a task over and over again to achieve mastery. Dog tricks are best learned when reiterated and reinforced through rewards.

2. Persistence

Patience is a virtue that requires you to tolerate hardships. Persistence is trying to be patient for a longer time until a goal is achieved. Apparently, dog training requires a loof persistence from the owner or from the trainer Physical and psychological aspects of the owner and/or the trainer must be sound.

3. Commendation and Emendation

Simply put, if a dog does the right thing, it should be said aloud. Otherwise, the dog should hear, “No, that’s not it!” when the trick is not complete or appropriate for the command given. These words reinforce correct responses and diminish the unwanted ones.

4. Rewarding

Bits of cheese would really be good treats for dogs who responded correctly to a given command. Other food can be bought at pet sores. However, if you are able to get the respect of your pet, commands will be executed even if there are no longer involved treats. Likewise, these things reinforce warranted responses.

If your lifestyle permits being in charge of training your own pet, you can do the training as long as you have gathered enough patience and commitment by:

1. Spending time grooming your dog.

2. Having regular training times on the leash.

3. Stroking its belly and toes and rolling it on its back

4. Hand feeding some food to ensure that the pet is taking treats gently and slowly.

In asserting dominance, always practice consistency and firmness



Mitchell

branden asked:


Is it worth the money? I mean they’re offering an 8-week program for $109.00 to teach your dog how to control his barking, attitude, his overall behavior, potty training, how to sit, stand, shut-up, etc.

Have you ever done one of these? Thanks.

Shane

Emil Desnoyers asked:


e and Reward System is without any doubt the most animal friendly approach to train your dog. This method, often referred to as positive reinforcement training, is considered by experts to be the correct method of dog training.

In the same fashion as parent reward and praise a child for good behavior so it is with training your dog. The difference in dog training is, you praise your dog when the dog does something you approve and ignore your dog’s behavior when you disapprove.

In the past, dog training methods did not consider the harm that it caused to the animal. Unacceptable and cruel methods such as beatings, electric shocks were once common practice in dog training. As more people discover the humane approach to dog training, the old animal abusing methods are no longer being used.

The Praise and Reward System takes your dog temperament into consideration. This method is such that the dog has a chance to absorb the commands you are asking him to do. The praises and rewards make the dog understand that certain behaviors please you and dogs thrive on pleasing their master.

When a training is more meaningful for the dog, the behavior change tend to be more rapid. With time, the behaviors become more natural for the dog as the dog has a chance, in fact the opportunity, to use his own brain in deciding how to act.

To leverage your success in dog training follow these tips and tricks.

The use of food treats and showing affection to the animal work much better then simple verbal praise followed by a pat on the head.

The giving of the reward must immediately follow a behavior you want repeated. It must be clear to the dog as to why he is being rewarded. When the dog exhibits a proper behavior, immediately mark this behavior with a significant distinctive noise (such as a clicker) or by simply saying yes in an excited tone of voice, either will work. The treat needs to follow immediately so that the dog can understand that if he behaves in such a way, a treat is going to be given. Always use the same marker when the dog repeats the behavior and soon no treat will be needed for the dog to repeat the behavior. You need to be consistent for proper training to take place.

The commands used for training must be the same all the time. The dog needs to able to link the commands to the expected behaviors. Do not vary your commands as this will only confuse the dog. It is simply a matter of repetition until the dog associates behaviors with commands. A good idea is to pre-determine what commands to use, write them down and use them all the time.

You need to reward your dog in a fashion that is meaningful to the animal. Most dogs have a preference as far at what treat they like and as to what demonstration of affection they prefer. Some dogs will do back flips for a certain treats; other dogs just aren’t big eaters and prefer to be rewarded through a game with a favorite toy, or through some physical affection from you.

You probably already have a good idea of how much the dog enjoys being touched and played with. Each dog has a distinct level of energy and demonstrativeness, just like humans do.

The following are good ways to stroke your dog: most dogs really like having the base of the tail (the lowest part of their back, just before the tail starts) scratched gently; having their chests rubbed or scratched (right between the forelegs) is usually a winner, too. You can also target the ears: gently rub the earflap between your thumb and finger, or scratch gently at the base.

As far as food is concerned, just experiment with different food treats until you find one that the dog really likes. Some dogs actually respond most reliably to training commands when they receive treats sporadically instead of predictably. Giving the dog treats in an irregular schedule might prevent the dog from growing tired of the food reward. Some dogs could make a conscious decision to forego a treat.

No punitive measures have to be used with the praise and reward method which is a definite improvement in dog training.

With this type of training, all you have to do is ignore the behavior that you don’t wish to see repeated. Not giving any attention is enough to make just about any dog miserable and is therefore an adequate deterrent. After a while the dog will decide to no longer use that behavior.

The more you give attention to the dog when it behaves properly, the clearer the connection will be between a bad behavior with no response and the good behavior where you give positive attention and rewards.



Howard