Looking After Pets

The Golden Retriever is ranked fourth on the list of most clever dogs trailing just the Border Collie, the Poodle and the German Shepherd. Initially bred as hunting dogs they were taken on hunting parties to gather downed ducks and geese. The reason they make such great gun dogs is due to their high intelligence and restraint and their nack for following instructions. Thanks to their affable nature and friendly disposition they also make great house pets for families young and old.

 
Golden Retriever’s are known for their mild character and friendliness. They have a reputation for being extremely reliable, affectionate and tender. However this does mean that they don’t make terribly good guard dogs although it does mean they make excellent pets and that they are fun and easy to train. Aggression is very unfitting for a Retriever and if your dog is displaying signs of aggression you should definitely look to find out the reason and deal with it. For some advice on dealing with an aggressive dog you might want to check out this article on dealing with your dogs aggression.

Due to their devotion and loyalty to their masters they’re always seeking out your approval and affection which makes them a sinch to train. They are sensitive however and do not respond well to harsh training methods. Its best not to shout at your retriever or harshly reprimand him for making mistakes or failing to understand your commands. While no dog responds well to this type of treatment the Golden Retriever is particularly sensitive and can develop issues if treated this way. The best way to train them is with a lot of praise and affection as the more their confidence grows the better they will become.

Training any dog regardless of the breed involves following a few basic principles. You should always remain in control and show you are the alpha in the relationship. Your messages and commands you use with your dog should remain the same as not to cause confucion. Keep positive with your dog and avoid using punishment to teach your dog. Positive reinforcement works much better. Use positive reinforcement including praise and affection and the use of treats as rewards. 

For training young Golden Retrievers start with four basic commands. Sit, stay, lie and heel. Starting with ’sit’ these should be taught in order. Use simple clear hand signals. For ’sit’ I like to use a basic palm down gesture. Its crucial to keep your gestures consistent as to avoid confusion. When he obeys and follows your command correctly give him some praise and a good pat showing that you are proud and that hes done a good job. Repition is key so run through each drill a few times to make sure it sinks in. 
When he’s got this one down pat you can move on to ‘stay’ and ‘lie’ or ‘lie down’. Again keep your gestures simple. Palm forward for stay and rolling your palm over for lie down are the most commonly used. When you’ve got these two working nicely move on to heel which can be a bit more confusing for you dog.

To teach the ‘heel’ command start walking along and tap on the side of your leg. The idea is to get your dog walking alongside you but not in front. The first few times you may need to grab his collar and gently pull him in close to you while you continue to walk along. Remember to keep up the encouragement and show your appreciation for his effort.

I find that giving out treats works best when you keep t to a minimum and only give them out at the end of each training session. Your Golden Retriever should soon learn that if he works hard during the session he’ll get that treat at the end. Also using praise and affection as encouragement works really well with retrievers so use this to your advantage.

As you now know Golden Retrievers are very clever dogs. Many retrievers are entered into dog shows and competitions and do very well so after you have taught yours the basics you can move onto other much more complex commands and even a few tricks that will really impress.

For more advice on caring for your dog click on the link.

For folks who are just starting out with dog training, these 4 quick and simple dog obedience training tips can help you get off to a great start.

1. Obedience Training – often the first place you’ll want to start when it comes to dog training is with a quality obedience program.  They can be found online, in dog training books, or at your local pet store.  They are a great resource for top dog training tips from dog training experts.  An obedience class can show you how to take on the alpha dog position with your dog.  Dog obedience training may also allow you to discover the proper body gestures as well as words to make use of whilst teaching your brand-new puppy.
2. Alpha Dog – even if you decide to surpass obedience training, (which is not recommended), you will still need to ensure that you assume the alpha dog role in your relationship with your pet.  This is particularly essential when it comes to smart as well as stubborn kinds of canines.   If you do not establish yourself as the alpha dog early on, you are likely in for a variety of behavioral problems with your pooch once they are older.  Many pet owners tend to be taken in by exactly how adorable their dogs are and they allow the dogs to do just about anything.  That is the wrong approach for the mental and emotional health of your dog as well as for your own sanity.  You need to let your dog know that you are the actual “the boss of them.”  Once your pet understands that you’re the Alpha, it really enables them to unwind as well as adhere to your own dog training techniques.
3. Crating – With regards to dog crate training, it is crucial that you by no means make use of their dog crate as a negative place.  Crate training actually works well with your dog’s natural desire for a secure, warm place of their own, (which in the wild would be called a “den.”)  Always keep your own pet’s dog crate as welcoming, comfortable and safe as you possibly can.
4. Leash Training – with dog training, when you begin teaching your dog to walk on a leash, the absolute most important thing you can do is to ensure that your dog is calm and controlled before you even begin the walk.  When dogs get overly excited about the upcoming walk, they’re more prone to pull on the leash.  Whenever your dog gets excited while walking and begins to pull, stop the walk completely and make them sit down by your side.  Wait until they’re calm again and then continue on your walk.  They will associate their pulling on the leash with the walk coming to a stop and eventually they won’t pull anymore.

For more dog training tips from top experts, visit dogtrainingpage.com today.

Anyone who has ever gotten a dog dreads the beginning of obedience training. Of course you want your dog to behave, but how do you get it to do so? What if you make a mistake? In order to teach your dog to be obedient, there are a few things that are required in order for your dog obedience training lessons to be effective and easy. You have to be persistent, consistent, and patient when going through dog obedience training, and you must always keep an open mind.

When you begin training your dog to be obedient, you may be surprised that your dog is not the only one that is learning some valuable lessons. When you start dog obedience training, you are training yourself as well. You will really need to get to know the personality of your dog and your dogs needs in order to find effective ways to train your dog to be obedient. Each dog will have its own type of body language and personality. If you recognize these you will be more successful in your training.

It is also imperative that you be consistent and persistent in your dog obedience training. Most of the time your dog will not change their behavior in a single day. It can take some time for them to understand what you want from them, so you must keep your persistence and consistency firm at all times. Even if your dog seems to be learning slowly, being persistent in trying to train your dog will benefit you and your dog in the future. You must remain firm and highly dedicated to teaching and working with them so they can learn what they need to.

In order to make the job of training your dog easier, you should begin training your dog to do obedient as soon as you get your dog. While your little puppy may be cute and enjoyable to play with, spending too much time enjoying him instead of training him is actually promoting bad behavior. You should show them that you are dominant from the moment they enter your house. It is also very important for both you and the dog to begin potty training as soon as possible. Although jumping, biting, chewing on objects, and running away from you are cute in the puppy stage, it is important to teach your dog from the beginning that these behaviors are not acceptable.

You must assert your dominance as dogs live in packs and will follow the direction of whomever is the dominant one. Through use of the correct training methods you can assist you dog in learning that you are the alpha leader of the pack and the one who runs things. This needs to be made a fact as soon as he arrives. You do not have to start being a task master as soon as your new puppy comes home, have some fun with them, but remember to reign in bad behavior from the very start. Even while you are training them, don’t forget to play with your new puppy and have a lot of fun with them.

In order to be prepared for you new puppy’s arrival into your home, it would be a great idea to do a little research on dog obedience training before you bring your new puppy home. It is not too late to begin researching dog obedience training tips even if your decision to adopt your new dog was a fast one and you need some tips quickly. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you must become the Alpha in the pack and you must stick to your training methods.