Three Items To Consider Before Getting A Dog

Having a dog as a pet is one of the wonderful experiences in life. A dog always loves you, no matter what, if you treat your pet properly and establish a good relationship.

The dog will establish the relationship immediately, but will you? Dogs are very emotional and will bond very quickly to the owner, largely because the figure out that you hold the keys to what they want like food, training, and companionship. That is just how they are built.

The first thing that you must consider is what kind of dog you are going to get for your pet. Dogs come in different energy modes from extremely active to some that are calmer. Active dogs like Dalmatians, Labs, and Poodles require lots of attention and exercise. You should be sure that you will be able to provide enough time and space in your schedule in order to accommodate them.

The second thing to consider is the proper care and maintenance that must be provided for the health of the dog. You need to sit down and budget the necessary expenses that will be required for routine medical care at the Veterinarian for your dog, as well as a reserve in case anything serious occurs. It is also a good idea to look into a pet health insurance policy in case anything serious occurs.

The third thing you should consider is to be sure that you are able to secure the proper training for your dog. This is important because unless your dog is trained and socialized, you will be a prisoner of your dog. You will not be able to successfully have company, because your dog will either jump all over any new arrivals in your home, or they will be terrorized by the protective instincts of the dog.

It is a good idea to get a puppy or a small dog just for the training itself, as it is easier to train a puppy than it is for a more mature dog. Enlist the services of a well qualified dog trainer for this part of the deal, and you come with the package, because you will have to be trained too.

The end result of training is that the dog will respond to your commands, such as sit, stay, come, lay down, and so on. Once the dog responds to your commands, it is easy to have company, as the dog will want to please you.

If all three of these measures are carefully considered, your experience with your new pet will be greatly enhanced.

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5 Basic Commands When Training A Blind Dog

Blindness in dogs is either caused by illness or age, however dogs some are born blind. Teaching a blind dog even the most basic obedience training is recommended since it helps in keeping them safe. Teaching your dog a few commands will greatly help in boosting confidence.

The following are a few tips on training a blind dog.

1. Always use a familiar location when training your dog. Without sight, the dog may become frightened or wary. Keep your dog feeling as secure and comfortable as possible. Clear the area for objects that the dog could trip over. Maintain a consistent layout for your home. Walk the dog around the house several times to help in learning where particular things are. In case you add or move furniture, repeat the process until you sure that it can navigate it's way around the house, independently and safely.

2. Use the SLOW command. Use this whenever the dog is about to bump into an object. Begin with putting a leash on your pet and then start walking. Whenever you want it to slow down, say 'Slow' while simultaneously applying gentle pressure to the leash. Praise is important once it slows down.

3. Use the WAIT command. Use this after it has mastered the 'slow' command. 'Wait' is used when you encounter a situation that is potentially dangerous and you need the dog to stay put where it is. For example, if it is about to walk off a ledge or you are about to cross the street.

The 'Wait' command is taught just like the 'slow' command. Again, start by putting a leash on the dog and start walking. Apply a steady yet gentle pressure on the leash while simultaneously saying 'Wait'. Reward it immediately when it stops moving (Your dog doesn't have to sit so long as it is not moving).

After your dog has reliably responded to the 'Wait' command while on leash, repeat the procedure while off the leash. Walk alongside and once you say 'Wait' it needs to stop moving. Praise is important when it does the exercise correctly. If it doesn't, say 'Wait' while applying gentle pressure to the collar till it stops.

4. It is also necessary to have a 'release word' for the 'Wait' command. This release word is what tells the dog that it is all right to start moving again. This can be anything that you desire, For instance it could be 'Let's go', 'Okay' and so on. Say this in an upbeat voice.

5. Use the SIT command. This is a command relatively easy to teach. Fill your pockets with a bunch of little tasty treats that your dog loves. Hold the treat right by the nose. Say 'Sit' while gradually moving the treat higher. As the dog raises the nose, it will naturally move to a seated position. Reward when it sits.

For successful training of dogs, timing is crucial. This is regardless of whether the dog is blind or not. Reward the dog the instant it responds to a command. Positive reinforcement helps dogs learn commands while strengthening the bond you already have with your dog.

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5 Simple Ideas That Will Perfect Your Dog's Training

When your dog training program is complete you are not finished training you are simply entering a different level of training. Let me tell you some things that will guarantee that you have a well trained dog not just for today but for ever. 

1. Continue the training 

The training isn't over when your obedience class is over. In fact your dog needs to be trained it's entire life. However instead of making it a training session in later life you will use the exercises in daily life at home. For example your dog needs to do a down-stay while your family has dinner, etc. 

2. Train 15 minutes a day 

Yes every day seven days a week. You can do 1 - 15 minute session or even break it up into 3 - 5 minute short fun sessions. Do it the way that it works best for you. The secret is to just do it. 

3. Perfect the basic exercises 

Make sure that your dog can do each of these exercises with perfection and for you food trainers that means no treats either. 

1. Sit 

2. Down 

3. Sit-stay with you out of site 

4. Down-stay with you out of site 

5. Walk on a loose lead 

These exercises are a must. If your dog can't do these easily then you don't have a trained dog. 

4. Train in several different locations 

DO NOT keep training in the same place. Find 6 or 8 new places to train your dog. Each location will have its own distractions that your dog will have to learn to work around. This is what we call proofing your dog. 

5. Be consistent 

This is the one that is most often neglected. You need to be consistent and always expect and require perfection from your dog. Don't make him be perfect today and allow him to get by with imperfection tomorrow. Your dog needs this consistency in order to become the dog that you want and a great member of your family. 

Remember that a well trained dog is a happy dog so you are actually doing something that will improve your dog's quality of life and also strengthen the bond between the both of you. 

I get calls daily from dog owners with all types of behavior problems and the one thing that these people just do not understand is that a well trained dog just does not have those behavior problems because it is trained well!

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Five Basic Things To Start Teaching Your Dog

If you have a dog it does need some training. Depending on your lifestyle or what you expect from a dog will determine how much training you will do with it. Keep in mind that every dog does need some basic training to make it a good member of the family and a welcome addition to your home. 

1. Let's start with the sit command. Every dog should learn to sit for some basic good manners. In fact this is the first exercise most people teach their dog. 

2. The down command is next and it is probably the most import command that there is. The down command actually is the exercise that establishes you as the master. Yes when your dog will drop to the ground when you say "down" without you having to do anything else is the sign that your dog says you are the alpha.

 

3. The stay command really comes in handy on a bunch of occasions. Yes, there are times when your dog needs to do a stay. One example is when the Fed-Ex driver delivers your package or when the pizza mans brings your dinner. Having a dog that will sit and stay at the door with out running out is important. 

4. The come command can really be a lifesaver. Yes the come command can save your dogs life. Picture this, you open the door and the dog runs out and is heading straight for the street and a really bad meeting with a speeding car. You give a firm come command and your dog instantly turns and comes back to you. Collision avoided as well as a very sad day that you just might have experienced. 

5. Walking nicely on a loose leash is a very important exercise. One of the biggest complaints dog owners have is that their dog is dragging them down the street when going for walks. Some people even end up with a sore arm, elbow or shoulder which ends up keeping them from going on any walks at all. 

By teaching your dog these few simple basics will not make your dog the best trained dog in the neighborhood however it will give you a dog that is easier to control and more of a joy to be around. If you and your four legged companion enjoyed this training why don't you continue the training for a better, happier, well behaved dog?

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Should You Allow Your Dog On The Bed?

Let me start this article off by saying that there are millions of dogs sleeping in people's beds and without a problem. However there are a number of dogs sleeping in people's beds that create a lot of problems the worst of which is usually aggression. 

It's a documented fact that when you put a dog in your bed or on your furniture it becomes an equal. If your dog is an equal why should it listen to you it's just as important or has as much authority as you do? 

Like I mentioned a moment ago there are dogs that sleep in people's beds that are not a problem. This is usually a dog that has been trained or at least knows its place in the pack. 

So now back to the question should you allow your dog on the bed and the answer is generally no? Not unless your dog has been trained properly and knows his place in the pack. 

So now let's talk for a moment about those dogs that do have a problem like aggression. Usually this type of aggression is directed at members of the family which could include the kids, mom and dad, or even the other dog. So how do we fix it? 

Actually it's fairly easy. You are going to start off by not allowing your dog on the bed or on the furniture at any time for the next few weeks. That means you'll need to find a way to keep the dog off your bed during the night while you're sleeping. Using a crate to accomplish this is always an easy fix. 

Keeping the dog off the furniture can sometimes be a little trickier but it's really very easy. Each time your dog gets on the furniture simply grab it by the collar and pull it off the furniture as you give the command "off". I think that you'll find within as little as 24 hours your dog will stop getting on the furniture. 

The second part of the equation is to now obedience train your dog. Ideally you'll want to hire a professional dog trainer that can help you accomplish your goals quickly and efficiently. 

The training should include all the basics. 

· Walking on a loose leash 

· Sit on command 

· Down command 

· Sit stay 

· Down stay 

· Recall - the come command 

These exercises are actually going to establish you as the master and it will show your dog its place in the pack. 

So after the training is completed and your dog knows its place in the pack you can invited back into the bed. If there aren't any additional problems you can allow him to stay in the bed. However if your dog reverts to its old bad habits then it will have to get out of the bed again. With some dogs if you give them an inch they will take a mile.

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Tips on Hiring a Great Professional Dog Trainer

Hiring a professional dog trainer can be a tricky process because all dogs are not the same and use different training methods. This article will help show you how to select a trainer that can help you get the most out of your pet.

1. Knowing what to look for in a dog trainer. Most dog owners simply want a well behaved pet and they are not looking to compete with their dog or at least not in the beginning. However if you're looking to do obedience competition you need to find a trainer that has that type of experience, most dog trainers don't.

Just a couple of extra pointers that may save you some misery down the line. Does your dog trainer have a business license? Does your dog trainer have liability insurance? Is your dog trainer listed in the phonebook? I believe all legitimate businesses have these things, don't you?

2. Dog trainer qualifications. While talking about qualifications experience is very important when hiring a dog trainer. Just like anything else the longer you do it and the more dogs that you're involved with the better you get at dog training. If you're simply looking for obedience training the pool for trainers is much larger than for example if you're looking for a trainer who can help you with something like aggression problems. Make sure you find a trainer that has experience with the issues that you're concerned with.

3. What methods does this trainer use? This is a big one. For example do you want a trainer who uses treats or does clicker training? Probably not, most of my clients want somebody who can teach them how to train their dog out of mutual trust and respect rather than using a bribing type method. I mean let's get real who wants to carry around treats or a clicker in your pocket for the rest of your life?

4. Which type of training is best, group classes or private lessons? That's a simple answer. Private in home lessons are definitely the best way to train your dog and I'll tell you why. In a group class there may be 10 to 15 people and their dogs in the class. Your dog is so interested in all the other dogs and people that it's really hard for you to get its attention. You're so busy taking care of your dog and keeping it away from the other dogs that you're not even having time to listen to the instructor. Plus in a group class the instructor is teaching very generic exercises some of which you may be interested in and others that you're not.

In private lessons the instructor is working with you and your dog in your home, and that's where you want your dog to behave the best. He's also working on exercises that are important to you and your family's lifestyle. Hands down private in-home training is the best way to go.

5. What expectations you should have? With any basic obedience class whether a group or private lessons at a minimum your dog should be able to walk on a loose leash, sit and down on command, sit stay and down stay as well as come when called.

If you know what to look for in a dog trainer it should help you decide who to choose. Apply the helpful advice from this article and soon you'll be on your way to having a dog trainer that is the right match for your pet.

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5 Commands Every Dog Should Know

Every dog should know some basic commands. There are five commands that are really very important and could actually be lifesaving in an emergency situation. Every dog no matter its size or its age should you know these very basic commands. 

SIT COMMAND 

The sit is a very basic command and should be taught to your dog early. But here's the deal, your dog should just not do the sit command in the living room it should be able to do the sit command even if it's outside with distractions. Proofing your dog so that he can perform these basic exercises around distractions is very important. 

DOWN COMMAND 

The down command is probably the most important exercise you can teach your dog. The down command is the exercise that establishes you as the master with your dog. When your dog is 20 feet away, you say down and the dog drops to the ground is the day that the dog says you are the alpha. 

A lot of things have been written about aggression and one thing that many of these publications talk about is if the dog had been taught the down command as a young dog you would have probably never seen the aggression. 

STAY COMMAND 

The stay command is exactly what it sounds like the dog is either sitting or downing and you tell the dog to stay. Your dog should maintain that position until you give it its release word. 

RECALL (COME WHEN CALLED) 

Again another important exercise is the recall. It is a very important exercise because it could actually keep your dog from running out into the street and getting hit by a car. This is the exercise that you should work on repeatedly so that your dog comes to you as soon as you call. 

LEAVE IT 

The leave it command has a bunch of uses. The main ones are to keep your dog from getting into something that it shouldn't. It could also mean to ignore something for example another dog when you're out for a walk. 

These are all exercises that should be taught to your dog at a young age and can be found in almost any good basic obedience class. Take the time to train your dog and you'll have a dog that your entire family can enjoy for the rest of its life.

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