Training Dogs For Beginners

How To Get Your Dog To Stop Chewing Everything In The House

2010-06-22T15:13:00.003-04:00

So, I get a call from my sister today, and she is ranting about how "her dumb dog chewed through her last pair of shoes". Her words not mine. She thought she would call me, seeing as I am a dog training expert. (toot toot!) That was me tooting my own horn. Ha Ha. Now I know many of you have probably had a puppy that just had to tear up every thing in site. But he only did it when you were away..... right?

There are two reasons for this. My sisters dog has either anxiety issues, or he is just bored.

Now this pup, "Rusty" is his name, is a Black Mouth Curr. (a southern hunting breed) and he is only 4 months old. So he has,

tons of energy and
they only got him a month ago so he might have anxiety as well.

Well my sister lives about two hours away from where I stay, so it's hard for me to get a feel for which one it could be. But that doesn't matter, not for the "Dog Training Expert"! Ok Ok seriously though, she just has to do a couple of things weather it's boredom or anxiety.

Take Rusty for a walk twice a day. Three times if she really loves her shoes. Going out to play in the back yard to replace one walk is fine too, but she should do some basic training with him as well. A dog's brain needs to be stimulated or they will get bored.
When she catch's Rusty in the act, she should not yell at him. Instead just tell him no and give him a chew toy. Now this toy is going to be his designated "chew thing". She needs to help him understand, that this toy is the only thing he is allowed to chew on. A raw hide bone works well too.
Crate training. When nobody is going to be home she needs to put him in his crate with his chew toy, so he is not tempted to chew everything his nose comes across.
To reduce anxiety and get some much needed exercise, she should take Rusty to the dog park. Socialization is the key to a well rounded, well behaved, and well trained dog. This will give Rusty confidence in himself, and wont feel so dependent.
Another trick for anxiety, if when you come home your dog is in just wild excitement to see you, try your very hardest not to pay any attention to him until he calms down. Then reward him with praise and a treat. The reason for doing this is because if your dog is anticipating your coming home as an over exciting event in his day, it will cause anxiety.

I wrote this today because I know this is a big problem for many new dog owners. So if my sister ever wants to have another nice pair of ANYTHING!! She will take my advice the "Dog Training Expert" I promise last time, and stop her dog Rusty from chewing EVERYTHING!!

Warning: Pet Food Contaminated With High Levels of Fluoride

2010-01-03T16:40:00.004-05:00

This is an article from Natural News.com explaining how there is fluoride in 10 major brands of dog food, and the dangers of it.

(NaturalNews) A study conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found high levels of fluoride contamination in eight major national brands of dog food, raising concerns that pets may be at risk of bone cancers and other consequences of fluoride exposure.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that may help prevent tooth decay when applied to the exterior of teeth. When ingested, whether via drinking water or food, fluoride builds up in teeth and bones and can lead to health conditions including tooth mottling (dental fluorosis), neurotoxicity, hormonal disruption, and damage to the reproductive and developmental systems. A number of studies have shown that boys who drink fluoridated tap water between the ages of six and eight are significantly more likely to develop a rare and fatal bone cancer known as osteosarcoma.

The rate of osteosarcoma in dogs is almost 10 times that in humans. It is unknown whether this is caused by a greater vulnerability or increased fluoride exposure.

Researchers tested 10 brands of dog food marketed for both adults and puppies, finding that eight of them -- all major national brands -- contained fluoride levels between 1.6 and 2.5 times as high as the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) maximum allowed level in drinking water. A dog also consuming fluoridated water would be exposed to levels 3.5 times the EPA's limit, the researchers concluded.

The primary source of the fluoride contamination seemed to be bone meal and other animal byproducts (including chicken or beef meal and chicken or poultry by-product meal) used as filler. The one vegetarian brand tested had no fluoride contamination, and neither did the brand produced by a small manufacturer.

Fluoridated tap water probably also contributed a small but significant amount of fluoride to the dog food, the researchers said.

EWG recommends that consumers seeking to protect their dogs from fluoride purchase only dog foods that do not contain bone meal or other animal byproducts.

Sources for this story include: www.ewg.org.

Potty Train Your Dog, House Training

2009-11-16T14:25:00.000-05:00

What is the best way to potty train, some call it house train your dog or puppy? Well first things first, the number one priority and the first thing you should establish with your dog is where and when he is supposed to "do the doo".

How do you potty train your dog on a tight schedule? Now I no most of us are pretty busy, and do not have enough time to take the dog out ten or twelve times a day right? Well the best remedy is to paper train your puppy. Find a place in your house that will be out of the way to set up this potty area. For example, in the corner of a bathroom or maybe the laundry room. Make sure the floor is easy to clean, NOT CARPET!

So now that you have set up the designated potty spot, get a trash bag or one of those foil oven protectors, put it in the spot and put newspaper down or you can buy those potty pads. I personally think the oven sheets are the best because you can reuse it. Make sure to tape down the newspaper or pad so it does not move around when your dog walks on it.

Ok, so every thing to potty train your dog is "go". Oh wait, you also need a crate to help potty train your dog. I guess you don't need to have one, but it helps out an awful lot.

Now every thing is "go"! So first you will want to put your dog in the crate with his favorite toy for about an hour or so. After an hour walk him over to the potty spot, put him on a leash to make it easier. If your dog shows signs of having to do the doo, like pacing in circles or sniffing around take him to the potty spot immediately.

Now when you finally get him over to the potty spot, you have to be patient. Potty training your dog takes time and effort. Your dog might try to escape, but just lead him back to the spot until he goes. I f he takes more than five minutes take him back to the crate and repeat.

When your dog finally uses the spot. you can reward him with play time or a teat. or both for at least half an hour. Then put him back in the crate. also. increase the amount of time your dog spends in the crate ever week or so.

Otto the Oldest Dog, According to Guinness Book of Records

2009-10-28T22:03:00.001-04:00

Today I just wanted to blog about an amazing story, well an amazing dog.

Otto, the dachshund-terrier mix, is 145 years old! In dog years anyways. He is actually 20 yrs. and 8 months old. He now holds the title of the oldest dog in the world according to "The Guinness Book Of Records", since the previous title holder died, a 21 year old dachshund cross in New York called Chanel.

Otto belongs to Lynn Jones, 53, of Shrewsbury, England, she has owned Otto since he was about six weeks old. Lynn says the key to Otto's longevity is, " Love, good food, and regular trips to the vet."

This dog is a model for what other dog owners should strive to give their dogs. Good food is definitely one of the biggest contributors no doubt. If you spend a little extra on dog food, you will be rewarded, and so will your dog. Not only with a longer life with each other, but a much more happy life for everyone.

I would say the second key, is exercise. You should take your dog for a walk at least twice a day. Or if you do not have enough time for that, one good bout of fetch, about a half hours worth, everyday. Mix it up a little to keep it interesting.

And the third key, Lynn mentioned is taking your dog to the vet regularly. This is what vets would call preventative care. The sooner you find something wrong, the sooner your vet can help to correct it. I am sure most of you have heard this from your own doctor. And if you can not afford to take your dog to a vet there are many free clinics in your area I am sure.

How to Recognize, Prevent, and Avoid, Aggressive Behavior From Your Dog, and Other Dogs.

2009-05-31T18:06:00.002-04:00

I am sure that most ,if not all of us dog loving people, have either had a dog that was aggressive, or experienced aggression from a dog of someone else. I am writing this post so you can learn, recognize, and prevent aggressive behavior from your own dog, and other dogs you might encounter. There are also a couple of dog training techniques I would like to share with you also.

How to recognize body language ,and aggressive dog behavior

If your dog seems uneasy or skittish, this means your dog is scared and might lead to aggression.
If you dog moves toward another dog slowly and stiffly.
Your dog leans forward toward another dog and makes himself look bigger. ex. arching his back, widened stance, head, tail, and ears are raised up.
Your dog stares very intensely at another dog.
The most obvious, if your dog growls at another dog, and bears its teeth.

How to prevent aggression using socialization (yes, back to the all important socialization)

Socialization early on is the number one defence in aggressive behavior towards other dogs, and people.
The more dogs he meets in different situations the better
Do not shelter your puppy from other dogs, this is when he learns proper etiquette to the all important social ranking. Which brings me to my next point.

Aggression is common when trying to determine social rank.

When two dogs of the same sex, age, and size try to assume a higher rank, aggression and maybe a little fight might occur.
If this happens stay out of it. A noisy fight is a good sign that the dogs have good bite control.
If it is a quiet fight is a bad sign. If you experience this again, stay out of it. Try t make a loud noise by shouting, or through some water on them to split them up. Usually one dog will give up before an all out fight happens.
But again if your dog is properly socialized he should be submissive and will give the dog showing aggression the higher rank without a fight.
Socialize, Socialize, Socialize!

Avoiding aggressive dog behavior

If your dog is confronted by another dog, keep calm. Your dog will follow your lead.
When on a leash keep the leash loose. If your dog feels tension on the leash his natural reaction is to pull away and even increase your dog's feeling of aggression.
Do not try to comfort your dog by petting him or give him treats. Your dog will interpret this as a reward for his behavior and it will reinforce it.
When in a dog park let, your dog socialize properly before you play fetch with him. If your dog and another dog go for the same toy it might result in aggression. But if the rank has already been established you should be free to play.

All in all, socializing your dog early is the best training you can give your dog. It effects pretty much every aspect of your dogs life.

Happy Dog Training!

Positive Dog Training

2009-05-18T16:34:00.003-04:00

Positive dog training is basically a method use to train your dogs with rewards instead of negative training witch uses punishment. For example spiked or shock collars.

With the positive dog training method you use treats, toys, or a clicker (I will get into clicker training in a whole other post) or just simply praise by petting.

You would be surprised at what you can use as treats for your dog. Here is a list of examples.

Kibble
Cheese cubes
Hot dog slices
Cereal
Grapes
Apple slices
Cherry tomatoes

Training can get boring for you and your dog, so to keep it interesting, you could also stop training and reward your dog with some playtime using a favorite toy.

Good examples of fun toys are:

Stuffed animals. (I always wait until right after a holiday, when they are all on sale for like 25 cents.)
Rubber Bones
Tennis balls
Rope to play tug of war.

The whole point of this is, you need to make it fun for both you and your dog.

Ok so after you get set to start positive dog training, here are some steps in what to do next.

Dogs learn through association, this means from a dogs perspective " If I do this, I get a treat!"
Give your dog a command. ex. Sit.
As soon as your dog performs the command give him a treat.
Keep plenty of treats on hand. Put some in your pockets or get a fanny pack.
When your dog starts to respond with confidence reward him with petting or a toy instead of a treat.
Practice throughout the day even when not in a training session. Make your dog sit before putting his food dish down for him to eat. Make him sit before getting in the car.

Make sure not to over praise your dog. Only praise when you think it is appropriate. If you praise to much it will lessen its affect on your dogs training.

Oh yeah one more thing, don't give in when your dog is being stubborn. Be patient. If your dog is behaving badly such as barking at you, or jumping around, or even just laying down. Turn your back to him for 10 seconds, then resume training.

Happy Positive Dog Training!

Dog-Friendly Honda and Other Cars.

2009-04-10T21:15:00.002-04:00

Have you ever wanted a Dog-friendly car? Honda just unveiled their latest Element at the New York Auto Show.

This SUV comes with a dog bead in the trunk with a water bowl built right in. It is also fashioned with restraints to keep your dog safe just in case you get into an accident. This thing can come with a fold out ramp for smaller dogs, older dogs, or dogs that have been injured.

Honda has not yet decided on how much these extra add-ons will cost but it should not be over the top.

Other Dog-cars I found doing a little research.

According to DogCars.com, for a vehicle to earn high ratings, it must feature:

• Seats that fold flat or are easily removable.
• Plenty of usable cargo space relative to the size of the vehicle.
• Wide, square backs, with as little rear slope as possible, to make the most of the cargo area.
• Door and window locks, so a dog can’t accidentally unlock a door or roll down a window.
• All-wheel or four-wheel drive and high ground clearance is preferred, because dog sports people find themselves off-road a great deal.

Rated number 1 in 2008, by DogCars.com. The Dodge Grand Caravan.

2: Pontiac Vibe

3: Ford Escape

4:Ford Flex

The best Green dog car, is the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Now all they need to make is a Dog-friendly motorcycle. HAHA

Dog Obedience Training - From Puppies To Dogs

2009-03-17T15:11:00.003-04:00

Dog training is not an easy task. So if you are considering getting a dog or puppy, make sure you are willing to train your dog.

8 things to consider before getting a dog:

1: Do you have the time to train a dog?

2: Do you have the money to train a dog?

3: Is your lifestyle right for a dog?

4: Where will the dog live?

5: What age range (puppy, adolescent, or mature) would suit you and your family?

6: Do you have the energy to exercise a dog?

7: Are you willing to train a dog?

8: Are you able to keep a dog groomed properly?

You need to socialize your dog to different people, situations, and environments. You also need to housetrain your dog, and teach him how to walk on a leash, sit on command, come when called, and other basic manners, like to stop from jumping up on people, and chewing up your favorite pair of slippers.

What I am trying to say is, if you want to have an obedient dog, training your dog is going to become a big part of your daily routine. Training a dog takes a big commitment.

Dog Training Basics for Beginners

2009-02-05T02:55:00.002-05:00

Most people think training their dog is a pain in the butt, but training your dog can be fun if you follow a few basic guidelines.

When beginning to train your dog a new command, you'll need some kind of lure to get your dog in the position you want. You should use something your dog loves and will do anything for. Toys are good, but personally I think a treat works best. This way your dog will know what you want him to do without using a leash or your hand to get him into the right position.

You use the lure only as long as you need, until he understands what the command means. After your dog understands you should only use a voice command or a hand signal.

Do not give in if your dog is not cooperating. Your dog will refuse to do something after awhile. He will try to bully you into giving him that treat or toy. He will bark at you, whine, or even just lay down and ignore you.

When your dog behaves this way just turn your back towards him. Dogs crave their owners attention, so he will try to come around and face you. But don't let him, just keep turning your back. Hold it for at least 10 seconds, and then face him and begin the basic training again.

Usually this behavior is a sign of frustration, because your dog does not know what you are asking him to do. But be patient he will get it sooner or later.

Training your dog the basic commands is the most important and rewarding stages of training for you and your dog. A dog that understands what his owner wants from him makes a happy dog, and a happy owner.

Happy Basic Training!