Dog Training Tips For Happy Owners and Dogs

Training your dog will guarantee that you and your dog co exist in harmony. It will make your life and your dog's life much easier, and you'll be much happier companions. Puppy training is an essential part of bringing up your dog. Dog training is:

* for every dog or puppy

* saves homes

* fosters love

* and even saves lives.

* should be adapted to each dog's character and disposition

Although obedience training will not solve all behavior problems, it provides the foundation for solving just about any problem you may encounter with your dog. It is important for both you and your dog as it helps to establish a strong bond between you and your pet. Choose an obedience class carefully. It should not be monotonous or boring for you or your pet. Obedience training, schools, and even training tips are available online, and the Internet is one of the best places to start to find a good dog training program. There are also good books and videos to get you started.

Basic pet obedience training typically consists of 6 basic behaviors:

1. Sit

2. Down

3. Stay

4. Recall ("come", "here" or "in")

5. Close (or loose-leash) walking

6. Heel

Teaching obedience in dogs helps to prevent the development of bad habits. Training your puppy is something you should start planning at the earliest opportunity. It should be a fun, enriching and bond-building experience for both of you. If it isn't, then find a new program fast. Training your dog to walk next to you on a leash is easy to do when you learn the proper techniques. However, training your dog to stop undesirable behaviors can often be a real challenge. Training your pet is the basic and fundamental step to communicating and teaching your dog obedience and good behavior. And it will bring real and substantial rewards as you build a better relationship with your pet, as well as teach him acceptable behaviors.

The fact of the matter is that dog and puppy training is simple if you use the right tips and techniques. It is important to remember that dog training is not like programming a robot who once programmed will follow all your future commands without fail.

By Carrie Plescan

About The Author

http://www.PetEssentialsDepot.com, an online pet supply store that donates a portion of every sale to animal and dog rescue shelters all around the US, offers dog obedience training books, as well as items such as GPS dog collars to help you find your pet if lost.

3 Important Tips to Remember on Puppy Training

There are as many ways to raise a puppy as there are to raising a child. In fact, one way per family in general! But most of us agree that when it comes to children, certain things are universal and undisputed. Here are three things that a lot of people just do not think of when it comes to raising their dogs, however. How many times have we heard, "My dog just won't listen to me", or "He just won't behave!"


1. Dogs do not understand English until we teach them.

The thing we all love about puppies the most is the way they live for us, the way they focus all they have on us, the way our lives become theirs. In the beginning, they study us to learn our body language, our facial expressions and our language. Until we teach them the English language, it's all they have. If we say, "Wanna go out?" one day, "Have to go potty?" the next day, and, "Hafta pee?" the third day, if they DO figure out what we want, it is because we have picked up the leash and moved toward the door with a happy face! If you want to speed up his training by three-fold, teach him YOUR language. Pick a command for EACH behavior and stick with it. Tell all in your family to use the same words and commands, and your puppy will amaze you at how much faster he learns.


2. A young puppy's metabolism is racing along faster than we think.

The younger your puppy is, the faster he is growing, the more food and water he needs to fuel his metabolism, and the more often he has to go potty. Do not punish your puppy when he makes a house-breaking mistake. These are YOUR fault. Your puppy's age in weeks and his breed size determine how often he must go out. Once an hour is not too often for a large 6-week old puppy, especially if it is summertime. Dogs love the exciting smells outdoors, so there is no excuse to not have him housebroken by 7-8 weeks of age. Right after a nap, after he eats and after grooming are the key times, and he will signal you. If he is happily chewing a toy and gets up suddenly with his nose to the floor, move quickly! And every time he goes potty outside, praise him to high heaven! "What a good BOYY!", "GOOD go potty!" and the like. Dogs love our happy faces, and they will do anything to get it.


3. Dogs live for our facial expressions and body language.

Because of this, the worst punishment you ever need to give your dog is a scowl and to turn away from him. You can see his tail fall down and his face get so sad. He will learn the lesson, I guarantee it. But his attention span is only 3-5 minutes, so do not scorn him any longer. Love him up and give him your happy face again. Physical punishment is never necessary. Use consistent commands and loving praise and he will know what you want of him before you know. He will become a master of your body language and facial expressions in no time at all.

Naturally there are many aspects of training your puppy well. Loving kindness works just as well for puppies as it does with children, creating a happy, well-adjusted and obedient dog for life. These three important tips, used consistently with confidence, will start him well on his way.


About the Author:
Dy Witt has shown, bred and trained standard poodles for 25 years. For more on her training techniques, more free articles and info on her new ebook on dog training, visit http://www.DogTraining15MinsADay.com Copyright 2006

Article Source: www.find-an-article.com/index.php?page=author&author_name=Dy Witt

DOG TRAINING TIPS: How to activate your dog?

Is your dog a little bit too energetic sometimes? Particularly puppies and young dogs could be rather hyperactive. Some mental stimulation keeps them more satisfied. There´s a wide range of activity toys and dog training equipments (for example kongs, soft dog toys, hard chew toys, dummies, interactive dog toys) on the market, but you can do without them!

One of the most popular dog activity games is surely hiding some food. Dog (preferably hungry) has to use its nose to find tidbits. Remember that food has to be very delicious. Hide tidbits indoors or outdoors (grass, snow, forest etc.) and make it more difficult step by step. You can also make a trail (smell) of blood or food for dog to track, and at the end of the trail is of course lots of food or dog´s favorite toy! If you dont have time to hide some food, give a delicious bone to the dog. Or if your dog isnt so fond of food, but loves his toys (ball, sticks etc.), hide them!

Lively dogs will often settle down if they are encouraged to use their brain more. Start putting an empty toilet roll on the floor and hide a tidbit inside of it. Dog has to figure out how to get the food! Make it more difficult step by step (paper roll, yoghurt can, box etc.). Some easy tricks are also very fun to learn. For example, teach your dog to sit, rollover, dance or weave in and out of your legs while you walk.

DOG TRAINING TIPS: What is the best reinforcer to my dog?

Put different kind of food and some toys on the ground (not closely) and watch which your dog chooses first. Does it come to you? Maybe you are (and your attention) the best reinforcer to the dog!

Does your dog like cuddling? Or does it love to run free? Those could be great reinforcers too.