Puppy Training Tips

Dog Obedience Training

A few days ago I got an emergency call from a client, Clare, about a dog fight. Normally her two young dogs are best friends, but last week there was a big-time dogfight.

Clare was worries that this wasn’t going to be just a one-time thing, so she called and asked for my help. She told me that she had no clue what might have precipitated the dogfight.

In Clare’s mind the problem “came out of nowhere!”

But when it comes to dog obedience training, in reality there were definite reasons why her dogs lost control, and dog behavior signs that indicated the dogs were getting edgy with each other. (As just one example, one of her dogs had started growling when the other dog entered the room.)

Before I share the rest of the story, I’d like you to go and download this free dog obedience training audio course that I’ve put together for you. This audio course alone can solve some of the most common dog obedience issues most people are faced with, but I’m also going to throw in 16 dog training videos, 5 dog training manuals, and a lot more free stuff to help you out. Please go do that now.

Back to the story.

When I spoke to Clare I reminded her that she happened to be in the middle of a major renovation of her house. Even if the project is managed perfectly, remodeling your home creates confusion and chaos.

Unfortunately for Clare things were not going smoothly during the remodeling. Normally quiet and relaxed at home, instead Clare was tense and upset and had unhappy discussions with the subcontractor. And this situation had gone on for weeks!

So What Happened that Made Clare’s Dog’s Act this Way?

Clare said, “But my dogs like each other! They play together and sleep together.”

The plain truth is… dogs do not live in a vacuum. Dogs sense what’s going on around them and what the people close to them are feeling, thinking, and even experiencing. Clare’s dogs:

1.  Watched Clare (who is usually calm) verbally confront a subcontractor many times,

2.  Felt her unhappiness, anxiety, and anger,

3.  Lived in remodeling chaos,

4.  Missed dog classes, and

5. Wasn’t getting enough exercise. (Because it had been so hot for the past few weeks, Clare neglected to take them on their usual walks and simply let them run in her backyard instead.)

Any of those reasons alone probably would not have triggered a fight, but when stacked on top of each other, the increasing level of stress broke down the relationship between two formerly friendly dogs.

Is This A Permanent Rift In The Dogs’ Relationship?

No. The remodeling project is finished now. There’s now, once again, peace in the house. The dog lessons and the regular walks have resumed. It will take a little time, but things between the two dogs will go smoothly again.

Really Understand the Emotional Messages Your Dog is Getting From You?

If you want to see how your emotions affect your dogs try this exercise from my book, Catch Your Dog Doing Something Right.

Have your dog come with you into a room. Close the door. Sit down on the floor. Do not talk, move, or gesture but think angry and unhappy thoughts for the first minute.

Then you want to add actual words, other sounds, and even body language to express your feelings.

But, you don’t want to direct them at your dog! During the next 30 seconds… feel the emotion pouring out.

* Does your dog come to you, try and avoid you, get anxious, or not pay attention to you?

* Does the dog’s reaction change? Notice whether or not your dog has a stronger reaction once you add feelings, sound and body language?

Now shift your thinking and start focusing on happy and exciting thoughts for 60 seconds. Now try adding some words, movement, or sounds to give your feelings a “physical” presence. But, you don’t want to direct them at your dog! Now for the next 30 seconds or so, use a voice that’s happy…feel those emotions.

* Does your dog come to you, try and avoid you, get anxious, or not pay attention to you?

* Do you notice that your dog’s reaction changes? Does the dog react more when you add words, feelings, and body language?

This is a simple way to show you just how much of an impact your voice and attitude has on your dog. If you’re upset after a bad day at work or stressed because of an argument with your spouse, neighbor, or daughter, or you simply stub your toe, your dog can sense it. Tension is something that dogs absorb.

There are certain signs of dominant behaviors that demand quick action, such as one dog putting his chin on another dog’s shoulders, snarling or growling if another dog enters the room, guarding a toy or a food bowl, or ears or a tail that is very erect. What you need to do is to figure out the reasons behind the sudden dominant behavior and then work to rebalance the relationship with training, changes in diet, exercise, doing more to assert yourself as pack leader, and getting in touch with a professional if things still aren’t working.

Also, be sure to go and download the free dog obedience training audio course (and the videos and workbooks) I mentioned above. These tools have helped many thousands of dog owners understand why their dogs act the way they do, and I’m sure they’ll do the same for you!

Technorati Tags: dog obedience training, Dog Training, Train A Puppy, train your dog

Tags: dog obedience training, Dog Training, Train A Puppy, train your dog

It’s the desire of most dog owners to have a well behaved dog. Obviously training your dog is one thing that will need a commitment of time and energy, but having a dog who knows his place and can be part of the family makes it worthwhile.

The goal of dog training is to teach your puppy how to act, behave or respond in given situations. The younger your dog is when you start this training, the simpler and faster it will be.  But first, as a pet trainer you must consider your dog and how he learns, so that you can start to instill correct dog behavior.

Dog training really come down to communication. It’s teaching your dog that you are the leader and he must heed your commands.  As well, it’s getting across to your dog what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior and what you will and what you won’t allow.

Housebreaking, leash training and basic dog obedience seem to be the typical areas of focus when it comes to training, however, problem behaviors such as barking, whining, growling, digging, aggression and chewing are all areas that can be tackled as part of training your dog. Dogs generally are gentle animals that want to bond with you and your family; they just need some guidance in terms of proper dog behavior so the relationship can grow.

When it comes to dog obedience training there are a few things that are crucial to bear in mind. The first one we’ve already discussed and that is the importance of ensuring your dog knows that you are the master and what you say goes.

Next, when choosing a way to reprimand your dog, ensure it will not cause your dog to be scared of you. Punishment inflicted on your pet will cause them to either be nervous around you, or simply not want to be around you nor heed anything you are saying.

To aid in this, an effective training tool has become available - an ultrasonic sound device. This is a device that gives off a sound frequency that only pets can hear. When the sound is heard by the dog, it will interrupt what he is doing. By simply pushing a button to deliver the signal, while giving a stern voice command to help your dog come to understand that the behavior is unacceptable, you stop an undesirable behavior in a completely harmless manner. And best of all, you can use it in conjunction with all focus areas of training.

In line with this, is the third point. To speed up your dog training, add in some positive reinforcement. After a few instances of rewarding your dog for what he does correctly, he will quickly make the association and will repeat the behavior to earn the reward. Clearly this is going to take some awareness from you, to reinforce the favorable behavior. Paying attention to him when he’s acting up is a given, remembering to praise his good behavior is one thing you as a pet trainer will need to train yourself to do.

It’s advantageous doing everything it takes for dog training. When your dog knows his place and how to behave properly, you’re able to included him in family events, knowing that he will instantly heed your command if an issue arises. Additionally, it’s comforting to know that you won’t have to apologize for your dog’s behavior when guests show up at your door. You can rest assured of your family and friends safety, with a well-mannered dog. So begin training your dog today for a better tomorrow.

Technorati Tags: dog obedience training, Dog Training, pet trainer, training your dog

Tags: dog obedience training, Dog Training, pet trainer, training your dog