Archive for February, 2009
If you want your dog not to develop the habit of jumping on people, it is advisable that it is subjected to puppy training. A puppy as young as a week old can already be subjected to training. A pet owner should make an outline of a dog behavior program to stop from constantly jumping on people. Try to determine if the dog is getting mixed signals from its behaviour. If the dog jumps and it is given a pat, hug or even a treat, the animal will get the idea that this action is good and will always lead to rewards.
The first thing to do is stop giving rewards or show positive gestures when the dog is jumping. The training program should make sure that the dog would not get confused on what it needs to learn. The basic command in addressing jumping behaviour is teaching the dog to sit and stay. In this early part of the program, walk towards the back door from the front door. Order the dog to sit-stay when you do this in order for it to get the idea it should be behaved when you enter or exit the doors. Get other family members to participate in the program.
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Dog barking is the most aggravating dog problem owners will face. Being awakened because your dog thought he heard something outside in the middle of the night does not make a dog owner happy. As annoying as it is, however, barking is an important communication tool for your dog. Different tones mean different things: the high pitched yap of play to the low, menacing bark of barely disguised aggression, they all mean something. We think of barking as an early warning system for impending danger. However, some dog barking isn’t useful but is only annoying and aggravating. Sometimes dogs bark for no discernible reason at all. This can lead to unhappy neighbors and even eviction notices.
Curing the cause can usually alleviate this type of annoyance barking. As with most dog problems the easiest and most effective cure is exercise. The dog is probably barking continuously because he’s bored, or is trying to burn off extra energy in any way he can. Simply throwing a ball for your dog can sometimes cure annoyance barking. Play and exercise do wonders for all involved. Remember: a tired dog is a quiet and happy dog.
Be careful though, if you hear your dog barking for no apparent reason, don’t run out and start playing with him. This will only tell him that barking caused you to come out and give him positive attention. He will associate barking with a good outcome and he will do it when he feels the need to interact with you, which will be most of the time. Instead, go out when he’s being a nice quiet dog and play with him. Read the rest of this entry »
When most people see a puppy, their heart melts and they start yearning to get one. They see how cute the puppy is, how playful and how affectionate it is but what about the basic dog training that it requires? What am I talking about? Well, for starters, your new puppy will need to learn a few things such as: becoming potty trained, to walk on a leash, to go to sleep at night without howling and certainly not to chew everything in site, including you.
Like a baby, a puppy has a lot to learn and limits are one these things. First of all, your puppy has no intention to displease you so when you see it has an accident on your carpet or on the floor; it is not its fault. Why? Simply because its bladder is so small and the muscles responsible for helping to control it or his bowels are not strong enough to do it yet. As it grows bigger and older, you will see the difference.
As for howling at night don’t forget that your puppy is missing the presence of its mother, it feels lonely and needs to cuddle up. As it will grow up, and that he starts feeling comfortable and at home, this behavior will come to an end.
And what about chewing? Well, he is basically teething. Also don’t forget that it is how it learned to play with its mother and siblings. Humans are more sensitive and so are their belongings so once again, basic dog training is required.
What can you do to train your dog in the best and most efficient way possible? Well, ask any veterinarian, dog breeders or experienced dog owners, using a crate is the solution. Several people think that putting a dog in a cage is cruel and selfish but what they do not know is that later on, even the dog itself will enjoy it. It will become a safe and comfortable place where it can relax and sleep just like a doghouse. Also, your puppy will not always be in its crate as it will be only at night and when you are gone to work or any other event where your dog will be left alone. At first your puppy may not like it, but believe me only time and patience will prove you the opposite. Before purchasing a crate, you should consider a few things. For example, some crates are made of metal and are foldable and others are made of plastic and have a handle to carry it around if small enough.
Posted in Dog Training, Puppy Care | 
Tags: crate training, Dog Training, Puppy Care | 
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