Friday, January 11, 2008

How To Train A Dog At Home



The arrival of a new puppy is an exciting time for any household. Your cute and cuddly little fluff ball will immediately command center stage from the whole family. Before long though, it becomes very clear that the new arrival means there's lots for you to do, and even more for him/her to learn.

Your young puppy is totally reliant and dependent on you to help him habituate and fit into our human, domesticated world. Your guidance and leadership will determine what path his life takes and what type of dog he will become. During puppyhood you play the lead role and are responsible for shaping the character, temperament and behavior habits that your dog will carry throughout his life. Your puppy's future is in your capable hands...




Quick tips

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Are You At Your Wits End Trying To Train Fido? One Technique Will Help!

Are You At Your Wits End Trying To Train Fido? One Technique Will Help!
by Kristin Hill


The majority of dog training experts would agree that the most humane and effective way to train a dog is using a process known as positive reinforcement training. This is a fancy way of simply saying: use positive reinforcement to reward behavior you wish to see repeated and ignore ones you don't.

This is in direct contrast to some of the once-popular methods for dog training. Some of them are totally unimaginable: physical pain and intimidation or inhumane methods of aversion therapy (think shock collars). Positive reinforcement works with your dog. A dog has a natural instinct to please you--and the method of positive reinforcement knows that lessons tend to "stick" more and mean more when she's able to figure out what you want on her own instead of you forcing the desired action on her. This way the dog is given time and opportunity to use her own brain.

Here are some ways that you can facilitate the training process:

-Use meaningful rewards. Dogs can get bored rather quickly with a pay on the head. Most dogs don't even like to be patted on the head. Watch your dog's reaction when a hand moves toward their head. They actually shy away from it! To keep the quality of learning high, use tempting rewards. Food treats and affection is what dogs respond to. -Use right timing. When your dog obeys a command, you must specify the behavior that you are going to reward, so that when she receives the treat, she'll know exactly what it is for. -Be consistent with training commands. When teaching a command, decide ahead the verbal cue and stick to it. Dogs learn through repetition. How to reward your dog meaningfully:

Every dog has a favorite treat and a way to show affection. You already know how much she enjoys being played with and touched. They have a distinct level of energy. Stroke your dog either on the chest between the forelegs or at the lower back near the tail.

How to correct your dog meaningfully:

The best thing about positive reinforcement training is that you don't do anything harsh. All you do is ignore the behavior you don't want repeated. If you don't show attention, it can make any dog miserable--your powerful correctional tool. Hopefully this article sheds some light on dog training. It is a complex topic, and there's a lot more to learn. There's a wealth of information and it can be a very educational experience for your dog and her human.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Owning a dog is a serious responsibility, one that should not be taken lightly. But what exactly does being a responsible dog owner mean? Well, when broken down, it is easy, but it does involve a few different elements.

First of all, you’ve got to make sure that your dog does not become a nuisance to others. Your dog shouldn’t be out roaming the streets, destroying property, chasing animals or children, leaving excrement in the park, barking incessantly, etc. In sum, it really comes down to proper control of your dog, good dog training, cleaning up after your good friend, and giving him or her the proper attention and exercise that is needed. Here are some golden rules for owning a dog.

There are many reasons people will get a dog, and it is difficult to say the one “right” reason to do so. But, to put it simply dogs are great companions and should be considered part of the family. They serve a lot of different purposes such as an alarm, a hunting companion, an exercise partner, a playmate, a show dog, etc.; but, these should all be added bonuses to the one key trait—a great addition to the family.

You should be committed to properly training and socializing during the critical time early in his life. You might consider a dog obedience training school if you need help. You should become involved in activities that both you and your dog find enjoyable such as agility training, fetch, Frisbee, running, swimming or learning tricks. You should protect him from any harm, instill good doggy manners and teach him what is right from wrong.

Most importantly, you will commit your dog a lifelong companion that you will love and care for, provide good nutrition and hygiene, regularly exercise, provide mental stimulation, regular check-ups and vaccinations and lots of love and attention.


Source: http://www.dogtraininghq.com/resources/ownership.html