Just About Jacks

Archive for September 18th, 2009

Dog training problems are so commonplace, because many of us attempt to train our dogs without the benefit of a good training program. Most of us end up making the same types of mistakes when trying to train our dogs. Making mistakes during the training results in dogs that are only partially trained and still have some behavior issues, and only sometimes listen to our commands .

Communicating with your dog the wrong way is one of the most common roadblocks to successful training. Many of us make the mistake of talking to our dogs as if the dogs were human, instead of canines. We also have a tendency to spoil our pets. Just like with our children, our dogs need plenty of guidance to learn their place in the family and how to behave appropriately. Unless you start the obedience training with a good working understanding of dog obedience training, like that learned through a good dog training book or video program, you will most likely end up with your share of dog training problems to correct.

Dogs communicate with each other quite effectively. Dogs use a variety of different vocalizations as well as distinct body languages in to express themselves to other dogs.

If you take the time to learn about dog body language and dog psychology from an expert source, like a good obedience training program, you can avoid making common dog training problems. Train your dog correctly from the beginning, and resolve many dog training problems before they even start.

Even if you started training your dog with imperfect results, or if you have adopted a dog with behavior problems, it is not to late to correct any mistakes already made. There are several good positive  dog training programs on-line, any of which will provide you with a step by step program to train your dog. Every good program that I have reviewed  features only positive training techniques in their course. By giving lots of praise and rewards for performing as commanded, we positively reinforce our dog’s correct behaviors.

You will learn from a good training course the importance of becoming the alpha leader to your dog. You need to  take charge of the training using body language and vocal tones that your dog can relate to. As the alpha dog you will command your dog’s respect, trust and confidence in you as his leader. After you have learned how to be the alpha dog, you will see your dog eager to pay attention and follow your lead.  You do not need to be harsh or negative to become the alpha dog. Just by projecting the right type of attitude to your dog, you show him you are the leader.  Dog’s want to please the alpha leader through their very natures. So, establish yourself as the alpha dog, and you will be able to obedience train your dog without a bunch of dog training problems.

It is easy to see all the dog training problems that are the result of incorrect training or from neglected training. These are familiar problems like dog aggression towards other dogs or people, jumping up on people, barking excessively, running away, or not coming when called. By using the right techniques and a consistent training regimen, these problems are all correctable. For the best dog obedience training results, frequent short sessions done on a daily basis are necessary. This is even more true with problem behaviors that have already become habituated. None of these problems begins overnight, so likewise it takes some time to overcome the problem.

The good news is you can resolve pre-existing dog training problems, once you have a good book or video program to learn the correct techniques from. On the other hand, if you are training a new puppy, you have the opportunity to avoid any dog training problems in the first place. Whether you have a young puppy or a full grown dog, it is always important for your success to use the techniques of the best trainers.

There are lots of dog training programs, so how do you pick the best one? Read my full review of the best online dog training program, and learn how it can help you get great results training your own dog at home.

Please click here for more articles about dog obedience training and solving your dog’s behavior problems.

Dog kennel training, also called Crate training, is known as an excellent way to house train your puppy or dog. Dog kennel training has uses in addition to just house training. For example, if your puppy is inside his kennel, he cannot get at any of your stuff and chew it up. The kennel also serves as a sort of den for your dog, a place of security, if you have done the kennel training correctly.

By making sure your dog is comfortable in his kennel, just like a dog in his den, you will have good success kennel training your pet. Never place your pet inside the kennel when you are angry about his behavior. If you make that mistake, you will be creating a negative type of impression about the kennel. Instead of feeling like a secure den, his kennel will now feel like a jail. You should avoid confusing your dog in that way. For the best results with your obedience training, always be consistent with your training methods.

Select a kennel from your local pet store before you even bring home your new puppy. The kennel you pick out should be large enough for your dog to use even after he is full grown.The kennel will need to be the appropriate size for your dog to fit in when he is fully grown, allowing him room to stand, turn around and lay down in. The sizes range from small dog size up to much larger sizes for the bigger breeds. Because the kennel may have more room than a puppy needs to stand, turn around or lay down in, you should partition the kennel during the house training stage. The reason for doing this, is that a puppy will be less likely to soil his crate if the space is restricted. If the puppy has too much room in the kennel, he may use one corner as a makeshift potty. Dog kennel training for your puppy works to house train him because of a dog’s basic instinct not to soil his own “den”-the kennel. You definitely don’t want him to get used to soiling in his kennel.

Let your puppy walk into the kennel for the first time on his own. A good incentive would be a couple of treats placed just inside the kennel to lure him in for the first time. Be sure to also put a comfy puppy blanket and some chew toys in there too, to make the kennel seem like a cool place to hang out. After the puppy has entered his kennel, give him another treat and some praise-you want to let him know it’s a fun place to be.

Let the puppy get used to the kennel and enter and exit a few times prior to shutting the door while he is inside. To avoid the puppy getting nervous inside the kennel on the first session, only close him in for short periods so he can gradually get used to it.  If you put his kennel in the room where you are, it will help him feel comfortable instead of lonely-which could cause whining problems. If he is near the family, your puppy will feel like he is  a part of things, even from inside his kennel, and will have less reason to start whining.

Younger puppies need to be let out of the kennel  very frequently, depending on how many weeks old they are, so they can be trained to go potty outside. For puppies only 2 months or even younger, you should be let them for potty breaks frequently, perhaps as often as every hour or so just to be on the safe side. There is a rule of thumb saying that for each month of age, the puppy should have a break-so for a 3 month old puppy not already housebroken, the break should come after no longer than 3 hours after the last break.  Of course, as your dog grows he can hold it in longer.

If your pet begins to whine, don’t acknowledge it-either by letting him out or by talking to him. If you do, it will only reinforce him, and teach him to whine some more the next time he is in the kennel. Unless it is his regular time for a potty break (always be aware of how long it has been since your pup’s last break), you should not reinforce the whining. Before long, you will know how to recognize the different sound of the potty break whine from the “let me out of here” whine.

If you have a puppy dog kennel training is something that you will surely benefit from. The benefits of easily house training your puppy, and also keeping your possessions safe from sharp little puppy teeth are two obvious advantages of dog kennel training.

To find the best guide for house training your puppy easily and quickly, click here.

Dog training devices come in a variety to types-from the familiar collar and leash we all use with our dogs, to much more sophisticated training devices such as electric fences and electric training collars. By using the training devices correctly, you can facilitate your dog’s obedience training and also stop excessive barking or running off problems.

• Collars: Besides the traditional flat collar (usually either leather or nylon) for everyday usage, there are two other types of non-electric training collars. By giving a tug on your dog’s leash, these types of collars put pressure (or a pinch) upon your dog’s neck and serve to get his attention. Always remove these types of collars when you are not training your dog.

• Harnesses: Dog harnesses are the training devices that are placed around the dog’s torso- the leash is then attached to a ring near the shoulders, instead of using a collar. Handlers of tracking dogs utilize these harnesses when doing the tracking.

• Leashes: The most common type of leash is the standard 4 foot  long  leash that you use for walking your dog. There are also very short leashes for working the dog, and very long leashes for other types of training purposes.

Here is a brief listing of some other dog training devices that may be useful to solve dog behavior problems your dog has. Many people have gotten good results with these, when more traditional training failed to correct a persistent behavior problem.

• Electric training collars: Through a remote control, these collars can emit a small shock to the dog’s neck. The shock is described as being similar to the strength of shock you get from static electricity. But it definitely is strong enough to get the dog’s attention. Your dog will not even realize it is you applying the shock.  Even stubborn dogs have been found to respond very quickly to this type of determent and many people have resorted to these collars when normal training failed, and have gotten quick results. Before using one of these, be sure you understand the proper way to use it to make sure you are not abusing your dog by a misapplication of the shocking. Only put these collars on your pet when doing the training or until you have solved a particular problem.

• Electric Bark Correcting Collars: These are electric dog collars that work to stop a dog’s incessant barking problems. The shock variety works by first warning your dog with a signal that a shock is soon to come if the barking continues. You can set up a delay between the warning tone and the shock, so that your dog can still give a warning without getting shocked.

• There are two other styles of collars for controlling barking. One of these collars will emit a spray of Citronella oil into your dog’s face-they hate the smell. It will not take long for him to associate the bad smell with his barking, and cut it out. There is another type of collar that will make a sound that dogs can’t tolerate, and thus stops the barking. There is even a collar that combines both the sound and the smell deterrents.

• Underground  electric fences: These electric fences are made with electric line you bury to create a boundary perimeter of an area that you want to keep your dog inside. Your dog will wear a special collar that picks up signals from the wire to a controller you attach to the wire. When your dog approaches the boundary, the collar makes a warning sound. A shock will be emitted if your dog does step across the wire. Your dog will very quickly learn that a warning sound comes just before a shock. There is a training process involved to teach your dog his new fence less boundaries-which just requires you to walk him around on his leash. As soon as your dog gets the idea, the hidden fences are very effective tools for keeping your dog from running off.

• Pet Training Mats: These training mats are devices that  prevent a dog from entering a doorway, or jumping up on furniture or tables and kitchen counters. They do the job by applying a small shock to your dog’s paws when he touches the mat.

For more helpful dog training advice or tips on solving your dog’s problem behaviors, please visit: http://BehaveDoggy.com.

Click here to read my full review of the very best dog training program.

Using dog training hand signals in addition to verbal commands when you are obedience training your dog is very useful. So, as long as a dog that has learned hand signals can see you, he will listen to your commands-even when he cannot hear you. Hunting dogs  and agility dogs are controlled in this manner by their handlers during training and competitions. By using the appropriate hand signals, the handlers can make their dogs turn left or right, stop, go fast or go slower, etc.

It is best to teach your dog the hand signals at the same time you are teaching the obedience exercises. You can learn the signals using any good dog training program or at a dog training class. You can even make up your own particular hand signals-just make sure to pick one for each exercise and use it consistently.

In nature dogs pay a lot of attention to body language, so the hand signal training is easily understood by your dog. If you are beginning your dog’s training now, be sure to utilize the hand signals as part of your training regimen. Even if your dog has already been verbally trained, you should still teach him the hand signals as well. Try starting with a few of the more basic obedience commands (such as sit, down, and stay). Most courses start the obedience training withe these basic steps, so it makes good sense to begin here. After your dog learns these first 3 signals, he is ready to keep going when taught the remainder of his dog obedience lessons.

• To teach the hand signal for sit, bend your arm upwards from the elbow to head level in a quick movement while at the same time saying sit. Be sure to repeat the same sit hand signal each time you say sit, so your dog can quickly associate the vocal command with the hand signal.
• For teaching the down hand signal hold your arm out level with the floor and then lower it down towards the floor. Use this hand signal at the same time that you are giving your pet his down command. Your dog should learn to follow your hand’s movement towards the floor right into the down position.
• To teach your dog the hand signal to stay, hold your arm straight out towards your dog  with your palm facing up-the same hand position a policeman uses to stop traffic. Hold your hand out like this at the same moment you command your dog to stay.

If you haven’t already started using dog training hand signals when obedience training your dog, you can get started now. You will like the feeling of control you get from being able to command your dog to behave even across a distance where he can’t hear you.

Find the best dog obedience training program for you-click here to read my full review of the very best of the on line dog training programs.

Every shih tzu owner will naturally want their pet to be an amiable companion that can handle a variety of social situations. But in any case, the least reason any shih tzu owner can have for getting their shih tzu well-socialized as a puppy ought to be to prevent the fostering of a fear biting response. Some animals simply mature into mistrustful adults due to many experiences of being afraid. Being dogs, they come to deal with all situations with hackles raised and teeth bared since they are too tense to understand.

Towards the end of a socially-adjusted shih tzu, there are plenty of practical Shih Tzu training tips you can do to initiate contact with other people. An example is to bring your dog to a place that people frequent everyday for the first 3 months since you got it. Even if the place is just a new corner of the same park, what is important is the new smells and new people that the dog gets to familiarize itself with every day. In the long run, your dog gets to realize that new things will always be encountered often, so there is no need for it to get excited.

Obviously, your shih tzu will meet dogs that present a reason for anxiety, more than curiosity and positive learning. But the last thing you need to do is to go to your dog’s rescue each time a more imposing dog walks by. Otherwise, your dog learns that it’s alright to be scared at the presence of any larger dog, and that it’s you in charge of protecting it.

In order to have a better control of what may happen, greet the owner of the large dog to have a hint of how friendly they are. If not, you can walk on the other side of the street. Otherwise, allow the dogs to meet and greet as they should.

Moreover, if your dog is coming into contact with other dogs, the best thing is to allow the excitement to pass on its own; there is no need to get overly worried about the noise they create. To dogs, size is not the only determinant of superiority. Shih tzus don’t tend toward dominance, but males will want to throw their weight around. So noise is to be expected, but it is really part and parcel of how they establish order. But for a dog with shitzu training, it’s basically a question of good manners.

But you should take even more care in case your dog meets the rough-housing type of kids. The case with children is that few of them actually know when the pulling and hitting is getting too much. Thus, children must never be allowed to meet shih tzus without an adult companion. They certainly can become fast friends, but it takes time.