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It doesn’t matter what breed of dog you have, or their temperament: aggressive dog, potty-trianing a puppy, a shy dog; effective dog training is a must. It’s not always – maybe not even most of the time – your pet’s fault when he or she acts against your demands. With your guidance, however, you can train your pet out of bad habits and into the animal you want. Here are 5 methods to help with that.

1. Be patient and be successful

First, you’ll need to train yourself a little bit – you have to exercise the utmost patience. Your dog will not simply change their behavior immediately. You’ll have to teach them over time what they’re supposed to do on a regular basis. You don’t want to show them your impatience as this will only work against your every effort.

2. Be consistent

It may take your dog some effort to learn these new habits and commands, and being consistent will go far in achieving that end. If you simply train sporadically, then your pet will forget everything you’ve done. Worse yet, he will become confused altogether. It only takes about 15-30 minutes per day to teach a dog something new. You can teach them out of a problem and teach them a cool pet trick for the Late Show With David Letterman.

3. Keep it positive

You don’t want to bring a negative attitude to your sessions of dog training. Your dog will only mirror you in your negative mood, and become discouraged. If you want to truly get the maximum mileage out of your training, then you’ll have to be encouraging and positive. Your pet will need positive reinforcement from you to make the most improvements.

4. Research and use what is best in your dog’s case

There are so many different kinds of programs and techniques promising that you need to do things a single way or the highway. The truth is, not all dogs are created equal. You may find that you’ll have to search and try out several methods until you have found the right one for your pet’s temperament and personality.

5. Enjoy it and have fun

Finally, if you want to maximize your efforts at dog training, you need to really get into your pet. This should be a positive time that both of you love, where you both bond and enjoy the experience. As long as you keep your sessions to around 15-30 minutes every day, then your pet will also enjoy the time and dig what you’re teaching, versus dig the rose bushes. Use toys and other things your dog loves, and you’ll be amazed at the result.

Aggressive Pit Bulls can become a very serious problem if not dealt with in a proper manner. New laws exist, that state if a dog bites or attacks someone, the dog’s owner will be held responsible and the dog put down. This is just another reason that Pit Bull owners should take their time and energy to properly train their dogs.

Pit Bull Terrier may become aggressive with many different reasons. Here are a couple of the most common are:

• Your dog may feel that his territory is being invaded
• Your dog may feel threatened

When a dog show the signs of aggression, they usually come from a lack of confidence and feelings of insecurity. Basic obedience training won’t solve your Pit Bull’s problem with aggressive behavior; the only solution is serious dog training. When we talk about aggressive dog it doesn’t just about bitting, he barks and lunges at people too and he could also attack another pet.

It’s strongly recommend searching the services of a professional dog trainer if you’re having a real problem with aggression. Training an aggressive dog is a challenge and can prove to be expensive, but it is no a big price to pay when you consider you’ll be saving your Pit’s life and possibly the life of some other animal or individual. To find a professional trainer who handles cases of aggression, contact your local veterinarian and ask for referrals.

Be sure that you do your homework and thoroughly investigate the schools which are recommended. Look at their facilities and learn what methods they use when training dogs. The last thing you want is for your Pit Bull to shows worse behavior after going through training school than when he first entered.

I applaud your decision to be a responsible Pit Bull terrier owner and have your dog trained. An aggressive Pit can halter the relationship that you have with him, hurt other people, hurt other animals, and give this great breed a bad reputation. After it is all said and done, I’m certain you’ll agree that having your Pit Bull trained was a fantastic decision!

Is your dog timid around people or other dogs?  Is your dog sensitive to sounds?  Agility training can provide the environment and structure to build confidence in your dog.  Agility classes are a great place for people to learn about the sport and learn how to train, but the timid dog may take a long time before he is ready to come out from under your chair or off your lap.

A timid or shy dog can only learn inside their comfort zone.  So, training must begin where they feel safe and behaviors must be taught in very small increments. Home will probably be the best place to train and have learning takes place for your dog .
So, how do you train at home?  You will need guidelines and equipment. There is a multitude of websites that can give you information on agility training.

There are also books and videos that will give details and visual aids and lesson plans for beginners thru expert levels.

There is a variety of equipment that is useful and helpful to have at home.  Equipment recommendations are based on your available space and location of training.  Do you have a large yard that will hold 10 obstacles? Do you have a small yard where you will need setup equipment and then tear down before you can setup again?  Will you be training in your garage or basement, or as some agility addicts, in your living room?

For the timid dogs make sure your equipment is safe and sturdy.  The pause table is a good place to begin your agility training.   A 12” high pause table, with adjustable legs for later use, is a good starting place for all size dogs. Remember with your shy dog, setup your table in an area that is very familiar to your dog.  If your dog barks at anything new, just leave your pause table in your house or yard for several days, let your dog inspect and smell it on his own or with a little coaxing, but don’t push to fast, remember baby steps with the insecure dog.   With treats in a dish or his favorite toy placed on the table encourage your dog to get up on the table.  You will need to be patient, because this may take than one lesson.  If your timid dog looses interest in food or toys when you attempt something new, trying holding him and you sit on the table.  If your dog is too big to hold, have him on leash and you sit on the table.  If he backs away coax him, only treat or reward him when he comes to you, never when he’s pulling back away from you or the table.

Eventually, you want your dog to be able to jump on the table with your cue word, “Table”, “Box”, “Kennel”, whatever word you use, Stay on the table as you back away and then Come when you call. Do the training slowly so that your dog is not pushed too soon.

From Pause Table to Contact Trainer is a good transition for shy dog.  A Contact Trainer comes in different designs.  We recommend a 3-Piece Contact Trainer that has one mini A-frame side, a Pause Table, and then a mini Dog-walk side.  Your dog can sit on the table and then be coaxed down the A-frame side or the Dog-walk side.  Just remember with the shy dog, training is done in increments, slowly and comfortably, with a little push to cheer him, but not enough to overwhelm him to cause a shutdown.
You can follow the above techniques introducing new obstacles as your dog is able to succeed.  As your dog succeeds on each new piece of equipment you will see his confidence grow.

If you have a pet, then you are undoubtedly in the market for pet supplies and plenty of them. If that’s the case, you are in luck because there is a world full of pet products just waiting to be purchased and a lot of eager pets waiting to try them out. Everybody know about pet beds and brushes, toys and other goodies, which is why this article is aimed at focusing on special pet stores and why they are important to your furry little friend.

A harness is often used to walk dogs that are strong or tend to pull their masters when walking. If you have a larger breed dog and he/she isn’t well mannered on a walk, this could end with you being in pain if the dog pulls frequently or changes direction without notice. It’s easier to control smaller dogs than larger dogs, because larger dogs need a harness. This is one of the best pet supplies in existence because it reduces pulling on both your dog and, in turn, your dog pulling on you. Fabric or leather is material that usually use to make a harness, just as standard collars, and fits comfortably around the dogs legs and chest. Put a harness on dogs is a preventive action, to avoid them from injury. Depending on the material and manufacturer, a dog harness can often be found for as little as $10.00 and will go up from there..

Did you know that one of the latest crazes in pet supplies is a seat belt? Well, it’s true. If you’re dog is known to wander around inside the vehicle, this may pose as a distraction and is not a safe situation. Therefore, some manufacturers have introduced a seat belt, which connects to the buckle of most automobiles and secures your canine safely in a seat.

If you are house training a new puppy or trying to retrain an adult dog, training pads may be the pet supplies that you have been looking for. These pads feature a scent that will draw your dog to it’s location when he/she has to use the bathroom. This always beats having to clean up a mess on the carpet and, even better yet, they are disposable.

It is not hard to find pet supplies, including online and at most retail stores. Perhaps the largest variety of pet supplies is found on the World Wide Web simply because it has a wider reach than most local stores. Everything from beds to litter boxes and even sporty little outfits is available for your pup, including Halloween costumes.

If you have a new dog or puppy, you may be interested in give your dog some basic dog training. Dog training can be taught by an obedience instructor, or you can do the dog training yourself.

Dog training with an obedience instructor may have various prices and it usually takes place in a class. If you do the dog training yourself, it is usually free and you can do it from your own home. If you do choose to do the dog training yourself, it is best to get educated on dog training.

There are 3 basic things your dog should learn through basic dog training. These are: sit, stay, and come. The first part of dog training is to teach your dog to sit. You will need some dog treats to start this training.

To prevent your dog get distracted, you need to do the training in a quiet environment. Tell your dog to sit repeatedly as you hold the dog treat just over their head. This way the dog has to look up and may sit on their own to reach the treat.

If not, gently push their rear down. When they sit, praise them and reward them with a treat. This kind of dog training works because the dog constantly hears “sit” and will learn to associate the command with sitting and receiving praise.
To teach your dog to saty is the next part of this training. This is often a difficult part of dog training. This kind of dog training is also incorporated with teaching your dog the command “come.” Sit your dog in an area with no directions.

Tell your dog to stay repeatedly as you back away. Start out by keeping eye contact with the dog. If the dog gets up, tell it “no” and start again.

Remember this dog training takes a while. You may need someone to sit with the dog to help reinforce the dog to stay the first few times.

Once you have made progress with this dog training, you then start by walking away with your back turned. At this point, dogs will often get up and follow you. Tell your dog “no” and start the dog training again by repeatedly telling your dog to stay as you walk away.

Once your dog has mastered this part, you can teach it to come. After your dog has stayed, tell it to “come.” Have a happy voice and pat your knee as you say “come.” Give your dog a reward treat when your dog respond to your command right away.

Instead of punishment, it is better to use praise in dog training. Dogs respond best to positive dog training, rather than negative. With all of this in mind, you should be able to teach your dog the 3 basis commands.

Follow all of this advice and you should soon have a more obedient dog that is worth everyone’s praise!

A well-train dog usually leads a happier and healthier life and its owner also can enjoy a trouble-free lifelong 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.

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 repent the deception.
6. DON’T trick or fool or taunt your dog. It is cruel and discrepant to tease your canine to come to you when he cannot.
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 you, should not be made nervous by you, 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 canine and most importantly have lots of fun along the way!

Training dogs using positive reinforcement and reward training has long been recognized as both highly effective for the owner and a positive experience for the dog.  Positive reinforcement training is very important that it is the only method used to train dangerous animals like lions and tigers for work in circuses and in the movie and television industry.

Proponents of positive reinforcement swear by the effectiveness of their techniques, and it is true that the vast majority of dogs respond well to these training methods.

One reason that positive reinforcement training is so effective is that is uses rewards to teach the dog what is expected of it.  When the dog performs the desired behavior, he is provided with a reward, most often in the form of a food treat, but it could be a scratch behind the ears, a rub under the chin or a pat on the head as well.  The important thing is that the dog is rewarded consistently for doing the right thing.

Reward training has become increasingly popular in recent years, but chances are some sort of reward training between humans and dogs has been going on for hundreds or thousands of years.

When understanding what makes reward training so effective, some knowledge of the history of humans and dogs can be very helpful.  The earliest dogs were probably wolf pups that were tamed and used by early humans for protection from predators, as alarm systems and later for guarding and herding livestock.

It is possible that the wolf pups that made the best companions were the most easily trained, or it is possible that these early dogs were orphaned or abandoned wolf pups.  Whatever their origin, there is little doubt today that the vast variety of dogs we see today have their origin in the humble wolf. Wolf packs, like packs of wild dogs, operate on a strict pack hierarchy. Since wolf and dog packs hunt as a group, this type of hierarchy, and the cooperation it brings, is essential to the survival of the species.  Every dog in the pack knows his or her place in the pack, and except in the event of death or injury, the hierarchy, once built, rarely changes.

Every dog, therefore, is hard wired by nature to look to the pack leader for guidance.  The basis of all good dog training, including reward based training, is for the handler to set him or herself up as the pack leader.  The pack leader is more than just the dominant dog, or the one who tells all the subordinates what to do.  More importantly, the pack leader provides leadership and protection, and his or her leadership is vital to the success and survival of the pack.

It is important for the dog to see itself as part of a pack, to recognize the human as the leader of that pack, and to respect his or her authority.  Some dogs are much easier to dominate than others.  If you watch a group of puppies playing for a little while, you will quickly recognize the dominant and submissive personalities.

A dog with a more submissive personality will mostly be easier to train using positive reinforcement, since he or she will not want to challenge the handler for leadership.  Even dominant dogs, however, respond very well to positive reinforcement.  There are, in fact, few dogs that do not respond well to positive reinforcement, also known as reward training.

Positive reinforcement is also the best way to retrain a dog that has behavior problems, especially one that has been abused in the past. It’s very difficult to getting the respect and trust of an abused dog, and positive reinforcement is better than any other training method at creating this important bond.

No matter what type of dog you are working with, chances are it can be helped with positive reinforcement training methods. Based training methods on respect and trust, rather than on intimidation and fear, is the best way to get the most from any dog.

Before starting dog training, it is best that you know your options well. In many different places, you can find many types of dog training these days. These trainings vary in price and each one them has something different to offer.

The first type of dog course is known as puppy preschool. This is a dog training course meant for puppies that are about 6 weeks to 5 months old. These puppy preschool classes usually last for no more than 6 to 8 weeks. In these training sessions, your puppy is essentially taught how to socialize with people and as well as other puppies. Here your puppy also begins to learn how to sit down, stay at a place, and how to come.

The second type of dog training course is meant for the dogs that are at least 5 months old. This type of dog training is known as the basic dog training. The duration of these classes is generally about 8 to 10 weeks. This is the basic course, where your dog is taught the art of walking properly on a leash, sitting, staying, coming and heeling.

The third type of dog training course is known as the intermediate dog training. This dog training aims at teaching the dog mostly the same things that are taught in the basic training course, in a more detailed form. Here the dog is trained to stay for a longer span of time, and is also taught to follow the orders given by other people.

The intermediate dog training generally lasts for about 8 to 10 weeks, and is meant for those that are no less than 5 months old. It is essential for the dog to have completed its basic dog training course, or to be accustomed to the basic commands that could have been taught by the owner.

The next type of training course is known as the advanced dog training course. Here, once again, the course is quite the same to its previous one, i.e., the intermediate dog training course, except for the fact that this time it is more detailed. Here, the dog is taught how to sit even without you in the view.
This training course is about 8 to 10 weeks long, and is meant for those that have completed their intermediate training. Here, they are also trained to walk beside their owners without a leash. Moreover, it gradually prepares the dog to take the Canine Good Citizen training course. The Canine Good Citizen training for dogs is the last course. Your dog will be taught the 10 necessary aspects to pass this course.

This course is strictly meant for those dogs that have completed all the previous courses. The test is quite tough and can only be passed if the dog is really well behaved. The course can last for several weeks depending on whether your dog can pass.

Keeping this information in mind, you should be able to decide the dog training course best suited for your dog. However, you may search for the opinion of your local dog trainers to know more. Many trainers consult for free. So now you should be at least a step closer to introducing your dog into a training course!

Whatever your dog preference is, you are sure to find terrier dogs among the candidates for a pal. You’ll get energy you want with little grooming and added wit.

Basically bred for hunting and killing vermin, Terrier dogs are now known to offer wide spectrum of features and characters that you might find lovable. They are not as cuddly as toy dogs (while there are some terrier dogs in the toy and companion dog brackets) and they may not be as intelligent like other breeds but they set off these lacks with various things that only they can offer.

Let us discuss in brief some of the terrier dog types that you may find interesting:

• Less aggressive but definitely not timid. This best describes Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers. They are definitely alert and very spirited, but when the call for steadiness arrives, they are sure to show you some air of confidence and steady characteristic . This dog type too is gifted with intelligence which makes them very responsive with obedience training.
• Parson Russell Terrier is a dog type that exhibits boldness, cleverness, affection and exuberant characteristic . While many may find this a playful pal, it is still not advisable for everyone to take Parson Russell home. In fact, formal obedience training is a must for owners since this dog type is more likely to display mischievousness and too much playfulness that make this a very independent pet. For people with active lifestyles and those who can tolerate explorative characteristic , this scamp is the best for you.
• The Norwich Terrier, on the other hand, is a type of dog that resulted from breeding small Terriers with other smaller breeds, possibly Yorkshire Terriers. Maintenance of Norwich Terrier is minimal and they are content with modest living quarters. Though they have active characteristic  and fearless, they can be affectionate. Additionally, they are also known to display stocky and happy personalities which make them ideal pals.
• Much like the Norwich Terriers, Norfolk Terriers are also well-spirited, fearless, charming and always ready for game. While both may have some similar physical characteristics, Norfolks can still be identified through their folds in the ears.
• Basically workman-like dogs, Kerry Blue Terriers are great guard dogs and work well in farm settings. This dog got its name from its blue-shade coat color which was originally black during puppyhood.
• Wire Fox Terriers are of great interest since they display power through its excellent endurance capabilities and speed. Alertness and quick movements are the dominant expressions of this dog type. It is advisable though that the owner trains this dog and should be given enough doses of daily exercises.
• Meanwhile, Smooth Fox Terriers are the frolic and lively types of dogs that are ideal in both country and city living. Displaying intelligence and cleverness, this dog makes good trainees and must be well credited by that. They are also likely to show great affection to their owners.
• These are just some of the many terrier dog types that can be considered as your next pets. In general, this dog type has good dispositions and makes ideal home pets. While some may display obscure aggressiveness, this still does not negate the fact that most types have the capacity to develop affection and keen expression of their attachment to their owners. Be warned though that some dog types in this breed can be very playful and should be given enough amounts of attention and time during obedience training and exercises.

To teach your dog tricks, even easy ones, you need to have some small reward treats, be in a quiet suitable place and keep the training sessions to 10 – 15 minutes, or your dog will start to get bore, remember when he gets something right, lots of praise, and a reward treat, just be careful not to get him over excited or he will lose concentration.

Getting your dog to give you his paw, first get your dog to sit, then as you say the word ‘paw’ take your dogs paw in your hand, give the dog a treat, repeat this, after a few times do not take his paw so quickly, say the word, count to one then take it, you should notice he is bringing his paw up as you say the word if he does not go back to saying it at the same time, do it a few more times and then slow your command again. Most dogs will pick this one up happily after 2 or 3 sessions.

The high five, like a lot of tricks the high five is a progression of an earlier trick, in this cast the paw trick. Raise your hand little higher than you do for the paw trick while you hold a treat in your fingers. Your dog will think you want to do the paw trick and will reach for the treat with his paw as we taught him earlier, as he reaches up you say “high five” and give him the treat. Once your dog has mastered the paw trick this one should be very easy to learn and with just a few sessions he will be doing it on hand signal rather than voice control.

Getting your dog to jump through a hoop, before you start this one, I would just like to ask you to be a little sensible and not hold the hoop too high as you do not want your dog to hurt himself while doing the trick. Sit your dog on one side of a hoola hoop, get the dogs attention on your hand on the other side of the hoop, take a treat in your hand and give the dog the command to release him from the sit position, at first he may attempt to go around or under the hoop, if this happens start again, your dog wants the treat and will soon learn that going around or under does not get it, so he will soon start going through it, when he does, say hoopla and give him the treat. On the command of hoopla your dog will soon be jumping through the hoop. When I started doing this trick I had a medium sized dog (a Labrador) so I started with the hoop 6 inches from the ground and slowly raised it to waist height, if you have a smaller dog, you might want to start with the hoop touching the ground so the dog just goes through the hoop and then slowly raise it as he gets used to the trick.

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