Training your dog to come as soon as it can be called
Teaching your own pet to come each time it is called is really a important, in addition to probably life saving, part of any successful canine friend training course. Each properly trained dogs should learn how to react immediately to your owner’s words, and the faster that lesson might be learned the better.
Some great benefits of training your puppy to come while called are understandable. For starters, coming while called can help you regain control of your four-legged friend in case of collar break, snapped leash or other related equipment failure. This is particularly important anytime you are out with your pet, especially in an area with lots of traffic. This is vital that your k9 respond to your voice and return to your side, even in the absence of collar and leash, and even though there are lots of other activities competing for its attention.
Coming while called can be a crucial skill for each and every working four-legged friend. Whether the dog’s job is herding sheep, guarding livestock, or sniffing out bombs and drugs at the airport, the working four-legged friend must be under total control at all times, whether on leash or off.
Even if your dog’s sole job is being a loyal companion, it can be still vital that he learn this important basic obedience exercise. After your first obedience lessons, such as heeling, stopping on command, sitting on command, etc. have been learned, its time to start incorporating your come when called lessons into your daily training sessions.
One note about pet training – it can be all too easy for training sessions to become dull and routine for both handler and puppy. A bored puppy will not be receptive to learning, just as a bored handler will not be a good teacher. It’s important, therefore, to always incorporate fun things and play into each training session. Incorporating a few minutes of play time before the lesson begins can do wonders for the attitude of four-legged friend and human alike. Likewise, ending each training session with a few minutes of free play time is a great way to end on a positive note and to help your four-legged friend associate obedience training with fun and not drudgery.
Your command to stay and the command to come while called are often combined in obedience training lessons, and they do go naturally together. Start with the k9 on a loose leash, ask the puppy to sit and then slowly back away. If your k9 begins to get up and follow you, return to the four-legged friend and ask him to sit again. Continue this process until you can reach the end of your leash without the canine friend getting up.
After you can successfully reach the end of your leash on a consistent basis, try dropping the leash altogether. Of course you will want to do this in a controlled environment like a fenced in yard. After your puppy has mastered the stay command, its time to add the come while called command.
Take up the leash again, and with the canine friend on the end of the leash, say “come” or “come here”. It’s often helpful to use a lure anytime training this behavior. Your lure provides a visible item for your dog to focus on. Training the k9 to come to your lure is a good first step in training the four-legged friend to come as soon as called.
Repeat this procedure many times until your pet will consistently stay and then come anytime called. After your four-legged friend has mastered coming as soon as called while attached to your leash, slowly start introducing the concept anytime the leash is removed. As before, these training sessions ought to only take place in a controlled, safe environment, such as a fenced in front or back yard.
A well prepared, obedient dog should respond to the call to return to its owner no matter where it is and no matter what distractions may occur. It can be therefore necessary to test the dog with distractions of your own.
If you have a neighbor, preferably one which has a dog of his own, try having him come over with your dog. Have him, and your dog, stand just outside your fenced in area and repeat your come when called exercise with your dog off leash. If he becomes distracted by your other dog, put the leash back on and repeat your process. Your goal is to have your dog consistently pay particular attention to your instructions, regardless of interruptions may well present themselves.
Filed under Dogs by on Mar 18th, 2010. Comment. 
Puppy training is important whether for good behavior or fun. During the process of teaching the puppy the fetch game, it is necessary that the treats are used alongside praise and there is a very good reason for this. The importance of praise hasn’t been firmly written on the chalkboard of your pup’s mind, so until it is, give your pup what is known to be a positive reward stimulus and that is food. You may be thinking, shouldn’t training always take place in the pup’s head and not their stomach and while this is true, they are learning a game.
Dog and puppy training can be made fun for both you and your pup. Try to get at least three fetching games of ten minutes each, into each day for three days in a row. The fetching drills should be included with a five or ten minute walk daily on the leash. What we will do is sneak in two commands during the puppy’s ‘game times’ and before it realizes what is going in, the puppy will have been taught to ‘come’ and ’sit’.
While in the middle of the retrieving games and the puppy has given you the play toy, put your left hand on the rear of the dog and your right hand under its chin. Press down gently with the left hand while administering small pressure upwards with your right as you say the command ’sit’.
Teaches Good Puppy Behavior
Immediately after the puppy has been placed in the sitting position, shower him with praise and toss out the toy once more. After the puppy brings back the toy, refrain from praise until the ’sit’ command has been given and it is placed in the sitting position. In the case where the puppy breaks from your grasp and you do not successfully get him seated, refrain from throwing the play toy, withhold praise and please do not give up entirely. This will begin the process of a well trained dog and hence good puppy behavior.
Utilize the leash to bring the puppy to you, say ’sit’ and put the puppy in the proper sitting position, ending each round of the fetch-sit game with a special treat.
By the time you finish your third session of fetch-sit games, you’ll notice that it really doesn’t take much left-hand pressure at all to get your puppy seated. You will have a walk on the leash for 10 minutes on the schedule for the days numbered four through seven. The entire routine will be the same as on the preceeding days and keep four tidbits with you. Make sure they are tucked away in your pocket, out of sight and scent, as you take the puppy outdoors.
After you begin with what the puppy believes to be a routine daily walk, take a tidbit out of your pocket, kneel down to its level and say its name, followed by the command “come”. Using the leash, carefully pull the puppy towards you. Give it the tidbit, and at the same time pour on the praise. By giving the tidbit with the praise, your puppy will begin to learn that praise is synonymous with the reward. These dog training and puppy training tips can be utilized in many areas of your training.
Filed under Dogs by on Feb 1st, 2010. Comment.
If you have a large dog that enjoys spending time outside consider purchasing a dog outdoor large bed for them to enjoy. They can take a quick nap on their large outdoor dog bed while still enjoying the fresh air.
If it is a warm sunny day a large outdoor dog bed will be particularly nice for your pup as he or she will have plenty of space to stretch out during their nap. In the colder months dogs typically sleep in smaller balls so size might not be as much of an issue.
There are a number of large outdoor dog beds to choose from. Picking one that will best accommodate your dog can be a challenge. Each dog sleeps in their own unique way and there are beds designed to accommodate just about everything.
Different Types Of Large Outdoor Dog Beds
If your dog likes to sleep with their head propped up on something look for a large outdoor dog bed that has a bolster attached to it. Some dog beds will have a bolster that wraps around all edges of the dog bed which helps them to get extra cozy. Other styles of dog beds only have a bolster that wraps half way around the dog bed. This gives your dog some options. If your dog wants to just lay out flat or elevate their head they will be able to do so with ease in this type of dog bed.
Other large outdoor dog beds were simply designed to act as big pillows. They will be big enough to allow your dog to fully stretch out. If your dog likes to curl up in a ball during their nap they can do so as well. When curled up in a ball this type of big pillow bed will snuggle in around your pup which will help to keep them not only warm but cozy.
Another type of bed is the outdoor canopy dog bed. This type of dog bed provides a luxury environment for your dog as they stretch out to take a nap in a nice shady spot created by the canopy of the bed.
Many of the largest outdoor dog beds are just simple squares or rectangles that have some type of foam core inside of the cover. These are pretty basic and generally offer no frills for your dog. The bigger dog beds get the more expensive they can be so this can be a budget friendly option as well.
About Author: James Shaw is a plastic packaging expert. He also offers top Dog training and puppy training tips online.
Filed under Animal Info by on Dec 17th, 2009. Comment.
Arthritis is a harmful affliction that doesn't just affect humans. Dogs, cats, and many types of animals can suffer from this debilitating disease, which causes joints to wear down and movement to become painful. Even the most normally mundane tasks, like walking or even rolling over while sleeping, can cause sufferers to stiffen up and feel extremely sore. A dog that suffers from arthritis won't move around as much, nor will he be nearly as playful. However, there are steps you can do as his owner to ensure that he can enjoy life as painlessly as possible. A heated orthopedic dog bed can greatly help towards relieving the pain of arthritis in your dog.
Reduce Swelling
Heated orthopedic dog beds combine two great practices into one package. The heat helps to relieve swelling, improve blood flow, and generally counteract the harsh effects of arthritis. While it won’t be able to provide full relief, it will greatly reduce the discomfort that your dog feels. Another great technology is orthopedics, which have been developed for many years now. You might be familiar with orthopedic pillows and the like for humans, helping to increase comfort while sleeping as the materials work to support human bone structure. Orthopedic beds for dogs help to conform to the dog’s body so that every point of the body is supported, and there are less aches as a result.
Another great piece of furniture that you might want to consider purchasing for your dog is a heated outdoor dog bed. You’ll give your dog the same great health benefits in a package that will be able to survive the outdoors. This way, you can leave your dog outside for an hour or two without worrying about the temperature outside. Still, heated orthopedic dog beds are the superior choice for indoors, as the extra orthopedic benefits far outweigh the extra sturdiness built into exterior models. Unfortunately, heated orthopedic dog beds can cost hundreds of dollars, though chances are that you can find one for not much more than any other dog bed.
If you are still up in the air, just imagine how painful arthritis can be at times. A heated orthopedic dog bed will combat it in two different ways for a very effective relief of that pain, and your dog will be all the happier for it. Even if your dog doesn't have arthritis, a heated orthopedic dog bed can help it have more energy and get more restful sleep, and your dog will be friendlier as a result. Instead of just using medicine, try to combat the affliction itself, and the pain relief efforts will be much more effective.
About Author: David Hueber is an experienced dog trainer. He also offers top quality Dog training and puppy training tips online.
Filed under Animal Info by on Oct 27th, 2009. Comment.
The Maltese is a perfect example of the old adage that sometimes the best gifts come in the smallest packages. When full grown, a Maltese generally weighs in the range of a mere six pounds, but is packed with looks and personality that hook many dog lovers on this breed. However, this small size is an important factor when considering Maltese puppy training, as is the grooming of the full and beautiful coat of these dogs. If you are considering adding one of this breed to your family, there are other elements that you need to understand about Maltese puppy care as well.
Socialization
Maltese are generally happy, social dogs that enjoy spending time with their families, and become quite devoted to them. While this breed in usually good with children, the size of the dog makes contact with very small kids a bit risky for the pet. If you decide to bring a Maltese into your family with very young children, make sure that you supervise the time that the two spend together and teach your kids about the proper method of Maltese puppy care with this small and sometimes fragile dog. These dogs will bark when someone comes to the door, making them reasonable watch dogs, but their size and friendliness do not cater to the idea of a guard dog in the least.
Crate Training
Crate training is recommended by many dog care experts today, and small dogs like the Maltese especially do well with this type of environment. Part of your Maltese puppy care should be to select a crate for your dog before you even bring it home with you. A crate should be big enough for the dog to stand up and turn around inside, but not so large that it decides it is okay to potty in its crate. Most dogs will not go to the bathroom in the area that they sleep in, making crate training an effective means for teaching your dog gradual bladder control.
The crate also offers a safe and secure place for your dog to remain when you are not at home. Not only will the crate prevent you from coming home to a soiled carpet or chewed sofa, you also have the peace of mind in knowing that your dog is in a safe place when you are not at home. Most dogs will not have a problem with a crate, as long as you introduce it early in the dog training process.
The Maltese can make a friendly and beautiful addition to the family. With a bit of preparation and research on the best Maltese puppy training, you and your dog will start your life together in a positive direction.
Filed under Animal Info by on Jul 20th, 2009. Comment.
At around three weeks old, your puppy is readily able to adapt to new situations and because they are one of the smartest creatures by nature, potty training puppies will not be too difficult for anyone.
As a new puppy owner, you have an option of whether you want to confine your dog or not. Most puppy parents prefer to use a crate to prevent accidents at night or when they have to go away for a period of time. However, some would want to train their puppies to become more responsible by giving them access to everything but with restrictions and limitations. This may seem a little more difficult than the other way considering their uncontrollable urges and playful behavior, but if you decide to apply this, here are tips you might want to consider:
You may get your puppy to learn to do its business indoors or outdoors on news papers. Nevertheless, no matter which method you pick, you need to be very consistent. You can also use paper training for a short time or until your puppy is learning to do its business in the right location outdoors or indoors, but you must teach your puppy step-by-step until it finally learns its potty routines.
No matter whether it's in doors or outside, you must pick a spot for your pups to go potty. Get your puppy to sniff that spot and wait until it finally relieved itself and take the puppy to the same spot each time. The scent that stayed will help stimulate the puppy to use the same spot again the next time it needs to go potty.
With young puppies, you must carry them or take them out on a leash to the designated location within 20 minutes or right after each meal, play session, and rest time. Scheduling is the key to an effective puppy house training so again, you have to be consistent. Use the same routine every day and be sure to watch for the indications that your puppy needs to go potty.
During each and every potty break, give your puppy a command such as "go potty" or "go pee" to establish an association between the command phrase and the dog's potty break. Do it over and over again quietly as many times as it is necessary until your puppy gets used to it. This way, it'll be easier for him or her to grasp and follow the same command the next time it's used.
When potty training puppies, you can expect that there would always be mistakes and accidents. A puppiy can be just like a baby because they can't tell if they need to go potty or not. Its a good idea to constantly watch for the warning signs like squatting or sniffing then distract them right away by stamping your foot or clapping your hands while leading them away from the restricted area.
Finally, praise your puppy with an encouraging words like "good puppy" or "good job" when he performs in the right spot. Let him or her know you are pleased by giving a small reward like allowing the puppy to play inside he house. When your puppy becomes more dependable and responsible, you can allow him or her to move freely about the house.
Filed under Dogs by on Jul 20th, 2009. Comment.
Around 90% of puppies live in the home in America. Dogs kept inside with your family and you need to be housebroken. The process of potty training a puppy is a prospect that intimidates many dog owners. It is not that difficult, it doesn’t have to be messy and housebreaking can be accomplished without a struggle. Training needs to receive a significant amount of time devoted to it in order for it to be successful. You will need time for this, become a little more involved, and get some training tools like puppy training pads.
The Puppy is Boss
For those who own dogs or puppies, there are two major puppy training guidelines to follow. Remember to never punish your puppy for something you didn’t see him do. Secondly, always tell puppy how good he is for the things he did correctly. Don’t fall into the trap of only responding with ‘no’ when you see your pet doing something you don’t want them to do. Let them know through praises and rewards when they do something right.
Housebreaking/House Training your Puppy
There are many different techniques to house train your pup. When you start indoors, encourage them to use papers or puppy training pads for their bathroom acts. Puppy pads are usually scented with chemicals that attract little doggies to use them. When you notice them doing their pre-potty routine of sniffing and walking around, take them gently, without saying a word, to the puppy training pads or newspaper and praise them for going to the bathroom correctly.
After things are progressing well and the puppy is using the puppy training pads or newspapers regularly, you can then locate them a little closer to the door and eventually outside. The change is made from concentrating on bathroom habits at a location inside the house to a location outside the house. You’ll soon see that you won’t need the training pads or papers in the house anymore.
The drawback of this approach to housebreaking is that more time is required to get the pup to do his business inside. Other popular methods of house training puppies involve puppy crate training or the use of cages plus constant pet owner supervision.
When using a cage or crate to housebreak your puppy, realize that puppies can’t go for more than about seven to eight hours without using the bathroom. Crate training usually works because dogs do not like to mess their sleeping places, then have to lie in it. It is not a good idea to crate a puppy for long periods of time.
The use of crates/cages and papers/puppy pads is not required if you have constant supervision. In this case, the owners elect to be with their puppies for as much time as necessary. This works good for those who are retired, work from home, or any owner that can spend lots of time with the puppy. This method usually allows the owner to get their puppy out of the house when they first recognize the signs that the puppy needs to go to the bathroom. A constant watch must be kept on puppies to make sure that there are no accidents or slip-ups.
In summary, housebreaking your puppy should be considered a part of command trainings like ‘come’ or ’stay’. However, toilet training and housebreaking your puppy will be the messiest types of training, and generally have more headaches than other sorts of dog training. Don’t give up!
Filed under Dogs by on May 10th, 2009. Comment.
