Dog Training Tip - Leash-Collar Training

When you’re learning about something new, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article should help you focus on the central points.

There are many different styles of dog training, and finding the one that works best for you is important for creating a dog that is a talented, loyal and faithful member of the family. All successful methods of dog training work to reinforce the relationship between dog and handler, and the foundation of any successful training program is getting the respect of the dog. Fortunately, dogs are wired by nature to seek out leaders, and to follow the direction of those leaders.

This article focuses on one of the most popular methods of dog training - the so called leash/collar style of training. Other articles will focus on the other popular style of training dogs, often called reward training or positive reinforcement.

Both leash/collar training and reward training have been around for a very long time, and they have proven their effectiveness over time. The type of training that works best will vary from dog to dog, and from breed to breed. It is important to remember that each breed of dog has its own unique qualities, reinforced by hundreds of years of selective breeding.

Of course personalities of individual dogs vary quite a bit, even within established breeds. You, as the owner of the dog, know better than anyone which style of dog training will work best, so it is important to work with the trainer you choose to achieve your goal of a willing, obedient and friendly dog.

Leash and collar training is the best way to accomplish many types of dog training, particularly in situations where the dog must have a high level of reliability. For instance, dogs that have an important job to do, such as rescue dogs, police dogs and guard dogs, generally benefit from leash and collar training.

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In leash and collar training, varying degrees of force can be used, ranging from slight prompts with the lead to very harsh corrections. The amount of correction used should be appropriate to the situation, since using too much correction, or too little, will be ineffective.

In a collar and leash based dog training program, first the dog is taught a particular behavior, generally with the leash. After the dog has demonstrated that it understands the command, the leash is then used to correct the dog if it disobeys, or when it makes a mistake. The leash is the main form of controlling and communicating with the dog in leash and collar training.

When using leash and collar training, the dog must be trained to trust the handler and accept his or her directions without question. In order for the dog to be fully trained, the handler must demonstrate the ability to place the dog into a posture or position he or she does not want to take. This does not mean using force, but it does generally require some level of physical manipulation. This manipulation is most easily and safely done using the main tool of leash and collar training - the leash.

It is important for every would be dog trainer to understand that the leash is simply a tool. While the leash is an important tool in this form of training, it is important for the dog trainer to be able to eventually achieve the same results using whatever tools are at hand.

Even when the only tools at hand are the owner’s body and skill, the dog should be willing to obey. Creating a leader/follower relationship between handler and dog is still very important, and it is important to use the leash as a tool and not a crutch. A properly trained dog should be willing to obey whether the leash is present or not.

There’s no doubt that the topic of dog training tip can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about dog training tip, you may find what you’re looking for in the next article.

Fritz Blanc is a part time internet marketer who has created many web sites about various subjects. You can visit one of his web sites about dog training tips at:
http://dogtrainingtip.blogspot.com
Other websites by the same author:
http://golfingtechniques.blogspot.com
http://homeschool-diploma.blogspot.com

Posted by admin on February 6th, 2010 under Dog Training • No Comments

Pit Bull Terrier Dog Training How to Stop Barking

There are many reasons your Pit Bull may bark at night. But whatever the reason, any owner who has to deal with this just wants to find a way to stop it from happening. They probably are awakened not only by their barking Pit Bull, but by their complaining neighbors as well. The owner, in the midst of all this, just wants to go back to bed and get some sleep. There have been many tried and true solutions to this problem, and no one solution may work for every Pit Bull.

One thing that has been known to contribute to excessive barking at night is a lack of exercise. Your Pit Bull has a high energy level, and needs to exercise everyday to release pent up energy. Without adequate exercise, he has no release for the pent up energy, and thus tries to relieve it by barking. Getting ten or fifteen minutes of extra exercise a day can considerably help with the barking problem.

Another thing that could lead your Pit Bull to bark is lack of attention during the day. Pit Bulls have a high need for their owners love and attention, and if you are away at work all day and busy at night, then he probably isn’t getting the attention he needs. Setting aside a few minutes each day just for your Pit Bull may help curb the barking at night. Another thing that may also help is moving his bed into your room, so that he feels close to you.

If you think that boredom is the contributing factor, try to provide your Pit Bull with a variety of toys, so that he can amuse himself. By combining exercise, attention from you, and a good toy selection, you may be able to lessen if not stop his barking altogether.

Ensuring that all of your Pit Bull’s needs are met should stop the barking problem, unless it is a behavioral problem. Giving him lots of love and attention, plenty of exercise, and toys to amuse himself with will often solve a lot of common problems. If you have a hectic lifestyle, you should devote some time each day to just being with and playing with your Pit Bull. If at anytime you are unable to provide your Pit Bull with the attention he needs, you should find a way to fit him into your schedule or give him to someone who can.

Ultimately, it is up to you to train your Pit Bull appropriate behavior. To curb your Pit Bull’s barking, you first have to figure out what is causing him to bark, then figure out how to stop him from doing it.

To learn all about American Pitbull Terriers and how to train a Pitbull puppy, visit http://www.pitbullsrevealed.com/ today.

Posted by admin on February 2nd, 2010 under Dog Training • No Comments

Achieving Dog Training Success With The 18 “Don’ts” Rules

A well-train dog usually leads a happier and healthier life and its owner also can enjoy a trouble-free life long companion. Dog training - basic obedience, house and potty training are therefore essential and important to a dog’s education.

The conventional method of dog training tips and guide would be to list a series of things that you should “Do” and you might even know the A-Z of dog training! But sometimes what should be done can be said best by telling what should not be done. Hope you agree with me!

This article seeks to list 18 “Don’t” when you train your dog. The reasons for the don’ts will become evident as the lessons continue and each one is based upon the distinctive psychology of the dog’s mind.

1. DON’T punish your dog while you are angry or lack control of yourself.

2. DON’T punish your dog with the lead or any instrument of training or anything he should associate with duty or pleasure.

3. DON’T sneak up on your dog or grab him from the rear.

4. DON’T chase your dog to catch him; he must come to you or run after you.

5. DON’T coax your dog to you and then turn upon him with the whip. You will regret the deception.

6. DON’T trick or fool or taunt your dog. It is cruel and inconsistent to tease your dog to come to you when he can not.

7. DON’T punish a dog by stepping on his paws needlessly. They are exceedingly sensitive. Don’t twist his ears playfully or otherwise. Never strike him on the backbone, in the face or on the ears.

8. DON’T grab your dog or reach for him quickly. He should never fear his master, should not be made nervous by his master, and should feel that punishment given is deserved.

9. DON’T nag your dog; don’t be giving orders to him constantly; don’t pester him with your shoutings.

10. DON’T praise a dog for doing a certain act, then at a later time, scold him for doing the same act. If you permit him to bite your toes today and think it fun, do not strike him for doing it tomorrow, when you are not in good humor. Consistency is a chief virtue in dog training.

11. DON’T train your dog immediately or soon after he has eaten.

12. DON’T lose patience with a puppy younger than six months. Never throw or kick a puppy nor lift him by the head or leg or skin of the neck.

13. DON’T train him in feats requiring much strength or endurance until he is at least six months old.

14. DON’T work your dog without some short rest or play periods during training. A five-minute rest for every fifteen minutes of training is desirable.

15. DON’T permit everyone to give commands to your dog. While you are training him, he must be a one-man dog, depending on you alone to feed him and care for him.

16. DON’T consider tricks the chief end or the chief part of training. Usefulness is the object sought in all instruction of the dog. Acts that spring naturally from the dog’s instincts are to be fostered.

17. DON’T expect your dog to be a wonderful dog after a few weeks of training; four months to a year may be necessary in order to make the master proud of him, but the work is worth the effort. Training never ends.

18. DON’T jump to the conclusion that your dog is dumb. He may differ with you believing that the trainer should know more than the dog.

To end, try to remember these 18 Don’ts rules, enjoy training your dog and most importantly have lots of fun along the way!

Moses Chia is the webmaster of DogsObedienceTraining.com. He provides more helpful information on dog obedience training, dog training book reviews and dog illness symptoms interpretation that you can learn in the comfort of your home on his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

Posted by admin on January 29th, 2010 under Dog Training • No Comments

The Ducks Made Me Do It, Dog Training Refresher Course!

I have a dog, his name is Tuxcitto. Tuxcitto is a Border Collie who is always on the look out for an opportunity to use his herding skills. It doesn’t matter if the intended group of animals need or want herding, if they wander into the herding zone they get herded.

Tuxcitto is a pretty smart dog and is very easy to train for the most part. But if you are trying to train a dog against their natural instincts, it is an uphill battle. Tuxcitto and I have an agreement that if he won’t run around harassing other people and animals, he gets a treat. This system works about 95% of the time. But there is one big exception, so if you show up with several animals that look like they need a little direction, treats quickly lose their power.

This type of event occurs twice a day in our neighborhood. We live about 100 yards from a bay. Which means we have a lot of aquatic birds that frequent our area. Add to that fact that several people feed these birds and it guarantees they will continue to show up. Two particular types of birds that show up every day are ducks and geese. The ducks are year around but the geese just come in the winter.

The ducks in our neighborhood are pretty brazen. If they are crossing the street, they don’t care if a car or other vehicle (we have a lot of golf carts running around too) is coming, they just saunter across the road taking their sweet time. There’s a steady group of about 15 ducks but on any given day there can be more or less. And these fellows may take 5 or more minutes to walk the 15 feet to cross the road since they often go in a single line.

This group of ducks is really looking for some direction, it’s plain to see from Tuxcitto’s perspective. One of the major duck crossings is about 100 yards away from our house. There is a fishing dock and boat launch that the ducks like to frequent. They actually land right in front of the boat launch and swim until they can walk right out of the water as easy as can be.

This has probably being going on ever since the first person showed up to feed the ducks. And many in the neighborhood come down and either leave some food or actually stay and dole it out to the ducks on a regular basis. These ducks can barely fly they are so well feed. They also have quite an “attitude” and if they feel tired will just site down and go to sleep. And if you would like to use the boat launch, or maybe drive down the frontage road, well that’s your tough luck.

In Tuxcitto’s first few weeks here he would often get out of the yard or off his tether and go wander the neighborhood. We have since overcome this little problem and he generally stays in our yard or may go over and visit the neighbor dogs. But on occasion, when the ducks are especially noisy when they arrive, Tuxcitto can’t resist and wants to go herd the ducks.

Now as I mentioned earlier, these ducks are pretty independent. To say they don’t want any crazy dog trying to make them go or do something they don’t want to is putty it mildly. But they have little choice when Tuxcitto arrives. The only problem is Tuxcitto has no idea where to take them. So he just groups them together and then moves them up and down the area.

To many this is better than just feeding the ducks, but others who have not seen this activity before think that Tuxcitto may eat one. There’s a whole lot of barking and honking going on and some of the ducks take flight, which adds to the circus. The ducks are not going to be denied their free meal and Tuxcitto rarely moves them toward the food.

I usually hear the ruckus, or someone calls, or Tuxcitto brings the herd of ducks home. Yep, some days we have a heard of ducks sitting right in our front yard. Tuxcitto seems to be pacified when he brings them home and as long as they stay in the yard he just sits and watches. And some days the ducks buy into this little circus.

So what kind of magic dog training do you perform to overcome inbred behavior? I’m not sure there is any way to stop these natural tendencies in this case. Border Collies were bred to do this type of activity. Tuxcitto is going to herd, that’s just part of his make up.

I have been working on trying to give him the opportunity to exercise this skill in the proper setting. I have a friend close by that has a goat farm. I take him down there often, and that is a real challenge since goats have quite a rude disposition. If Tuxcitto wasn’t as fast and agile, he would have been butted right in the head more than once. But an hour spent with the goats gives Tuxcitto quite a workout.

He’s pretty good for about a week after. That seems to help but I haven’t found any permanent solution and I’m not sure I ever will. It’s well to consider your dog’s breed and natural characteristics when ever training your dog. Try to work within the known limitations and not go against natural instincts. Dog training is both an art and a science sometimes.

Many dogs can adapt to new training, when Tuxcitto is within ten feet of me he won’t disobey a direct order. But if I’m not there to say no, he’s going herding come what may. So around duck feeding time I try to remember to bring him in or distract him. But in all fairness, I do have to agree those darn ducks do need some training.

John Dow owns http://www.freedogtrainingarticles.com, a website that provides free information on dog training. John gets to test his dog training skills daily with his new dog Tuxcitto. You can learn more here: http://www.freedogtrainingarticles.com

Posted by admin on January 25th, 2010 under Dog Training • No Comments

Pit Bull Terrier Dog Training Lessons from an Expert

The number one, most basic dog training command is sit and come. Teaching your American Pit Bull Terrier these two commands is extremely important for him to learn. Both of these basic obedience training commands are used for many different reasons such as in competition or dog show and keeping him behaved when you have company. When walking your Pit Bull off leash, you expect him to come to you when called, not run around the park with you chasing after him shouting at him to “come back here!”. When I see this (and I do all the time), it just makes me laugh.

Teaching your Pit Bull Terrier how to come isn’t difficult, it simply requires repetition. All dogs learn by repeating the desired activity over and over again. The easiest way to get your Pitbull to come is to hold a toy in one hand and a treat in the other. When you are in the yard simply walk away from him, holding out the toy and excitingly calling him to you. When your well-behaved Pit Bull comes to you, give him the treat! Make sure to be consistent and always use the exact same training commands that you are going to use in the future. Repeating this several times a day is an excellent way to teach him, but remember to use lots of long breaks between training sessions so he doesn’t get bored and don’t forget to reward him with those doggie treats.

Getting your Pit to sit could prove to be slightly harder but again, is still only basic dog training that anyone can do. Once you have mastered the come command, call your Pit over to you, place your hand on the end of his back and roll right over his rump and into the back of his legs, giving the “sit” command while gently pushing his legs forward. When he sits properly, give your Pitbull a treat and lots of praise. If you would like him to sit for a longer period of time, simply delay the treat and praise, tell him to “stay”, and take your time bending down to him to deliver the treat.

Basic dog training for your Pit is very simple and effective. Please remember to keep the exercise fun for both you and your dog and keep in mind that a training session shouldn’t last for hours and hours, keep them short. Lastly, don’t forget to reward your obedient Pit for all of his hard work!

To learn all about raising an American Pit Bull Terrier and training Pit Bulls, visit http://www.pitbullsrevealed.com/ today.

Posted by admin on January 21st, 2010 under Dog Training • No Comments