Dog Obedience Training - How to Stop your Dog from Destructive Chewing
By: Sandra Moore

For dogs, the act of chewing seems to be a matter of individual preference. Some dogs have an innate desire to chew as an act of pleasure, while others have absolutely no need to chew unless they are driven to it out of sheer boredom.

In this article,'destructive chewing' is referred to as inappropriate chewing of your own possessions and household items by the dog, as opposed to your dog's own designated chew toys. Dogs have strong jaws full of sharp teeth so anything that your dog starts to chew on will show its effects inside of a minute.

There are 3 main reasons why dogs like to chew:

Most dogs have a instinctive desire to chew because for them it is fun, self-rewarding, it passes the time, and it is a self-reinforcing activity (i.e. your dog is chewing on something that tastes good to her).

Dogs that are not getting enough exercise use chewing as a means to burn up nervous energy and it passes the time.

Dogs also use chewing as a means for dealing with boredom, loneliness, or nervousness. For a dog who is anxious, the act of chewing is very soothing to the animal and is the same as having a 'dogie comfort food.'

Ways to prevent destructive dog chewing are:

With a little effort on your part, your dog can be trained not to chew your stuff.

1. The first thing you will need to do is dog-proof your home. This means managing your own possessions by taking control of the situation. Even if your dog is well behaved, it doesn't make sense to test her self-control knowing well that all dogs like to explore the
world with their mouths.

Your first step is to take whatever your don't want your dog to get at and make it unavailable. When deciding if something is out of her reach, consider your dog's size and agility: will she be able to jump, climb or leap onto something else to get at her desired object? Also consider how tall she is when she is standing on her back legs.

Dog-proofing your home means removing things like shoes, clothing, eye wear, books, garbage and smaller appliances like cameras, cell phones, and remote controls.

All food needs to be securely put away. Don't make the mistake of leaving food on low tables or even on counter tops as your dog will get at it. Keep all food in the pantry or put food in containers. Clean off all food scraps and rinse dirty plates before leaving them in the sink.

2. The best way to prevent your dog from chewing forbidden substances like a pillow, a running shoe or a chair-leg is by confining your dog in a dog-proofed area of your home until you are confident that she understands the house rules. If you can prevent your dog from chewing your things in the first place then she will have a better understanding of what is expected of her. The more often your dog manages to snatch something that you don't want her to chew, the more she will go after those things down the road.

3. It is important that you do not set your dog up for failure by confusing the boundaries of what is o.k. to chew in the way of her stuff and your stuff which is not o.k. to chew. What I mean by this is don't offer your dog old things of yours such as old clothes, towels, or shoes. Your dog cannot differentiate between your current shoes and the old one she has in her mouth that you gave her five minutes ago.

4. Provide your dog with lots of tasty alternatives to your things. You can't possibly blame your dog for going after your things if her environment is devoid of attractive, appropriate chewing objects. If your dog is an adolescent (under three years old) or a puppy (under one year) then her needs will be even more pronounced. Remember, most dogs have an inherent need to chew. Get your dog some chew toys and give her two or three to play with at a time. Remember to rotate the toys and this will keep the toys interesting to her.

5. Make sure your dog is given the opportunity to explore the boundaries of your expectations so she learns what is appropriate and what is not. What I mean by this is don't keep your dog penned up in a crate, run or the yard as this will be boring for her and it won't allow her to learn what is expected of her. This in turn, will allow you to actively supervise your dog's behavior and see what she is learning.

6. If you catch your dog chewing on something that is inappropriate, get her attention by clapping your hands or making a loud noise such as 'Ah-ah-aaah!' Once you have her attention, hand her a tasty dog-appropriate alternative such as a rawhide bone or other chew
toy. As soon as her jaws close in on it, give her lavish praise! This way you reinforce to your dog that chewing 'her' toys means praise from you but anything else will equal trouble.


-Always maintain a productive attitude-

Remember that you are not perfect and neither is your dog so keep your expectations realistic for the sake of you and your dog. There will be a least one incident when a cherished item will get damaged by her curiosity.

It will take your dog awhile before she is completely reliable as she will be learning the ropes especially in the early stages of your relationship with her. If your dog is left on her own for too long or is feeling neglected, she may resort to chewing your stuff over hers. Give her a reasonable amount of time to learn the rules and lots of 'you-time' to help her learn faster. Take precautions and keep things out of reach until she has the hang of the chewing rules!

For more information on dog training techniques and how to deal with problem dog behavior (like chewing), check out SitStayFetch. It’s the complete manual for dog ownership and is designed to fast-track your dog’s learning.

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The Best Dog Training Tool Depends On What Kind Of Training Your Dog Needs By Beatrice Stephenson

There are different ways of learning your dog proper behaviour, the two main types used today is leash and reward training, also called "positive dog training". The positive way can contain different rewards, goodies to eat is common, or a favourite toy to play with for a while, and then we have the clicking device, usually called "click training".

The answer to the question on what method might be the best for you, is what your purpose of training your dog is. If you are owning a problem dog, a young one or an older one that hasn't been properly trained before, a leash might be necessary. If you have a puppy that just needs the basics in behavioural manners (and remember, all dogs should be properly raised from the start, then you will save yourself a lot of trouble!) rewards are usually enough. If you want to learn your dogs different skills, like tracking, or fetching things for you, rewards are probably necessary. A leash will probably not do it for you in that case.

Leash Training

to train your dog with a leash will take some guidance for the trainer as well. You have to be sure that you do this right, otherwise it will do absolutely no good and will only annoy your dog or even hurt it. You will use the leash for correction of problematic behaviours, and you need to be consistent, so it wont just distract your dog. You would want to use the leash mainly unwanted behaviour, such as lashing out at other dogs, bikes, skaters, or whatever it might be that is exiting your dog. There are plenty of information on how to effectively leash train, so do some research on it first, and you will surely come to terms with your problem.

Reward Training Or Positive Training

The rewards you use for teaching your dog good manners with this technique can vary. Some frolic or dog biscuits are common, but it can also be a toy, that you will let your dog play with, when he has done something good. The basics are to reward your dog for positive behaviour, and neglect negative. The goal is to train your dog without having to touch it. If you have a healthy stable dog, and you start to work with it properly from the beginning, you will hopefully never have to go to harder forms of discipline, like the leash might be.

In this category we can also add the so called click training. This is good of you are having problem to verbally instruct your dog, trouble finding the right voice for effective attention and so on. And of course, if you don't want to use food as a reward for training.

Many dog trainers and owners have taught their dogs with success, with the click training device, so it's really something to look in to.

Remember when you start working with your dog to be sure that you have the proper skills for it. If you find it hard to learn it on your own, there are plenty of courses you can take. Just remember to be consistent and to keep doing it for as long as you have your companion.

Get free training tips and learn more about dog training methods at www.dogtraining.efven.com Beatrice Stephenson is a freelance writer on pets, recreation and health. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beatrice_Stephenson

Are Dog Training Classes Worth The Cost? By Antony Wilton

Dog lovers often choose to enroll their pets in a dog training class with the expectation that their animals will quickly graduate with the ability to do tricks of the calibre of Lassie on TV!

What they should perhaps be doing, is training their dog at home in an environment where it feels comfortable, without the huge distractions associated with large groups of new and interesting dogs.

It was an old belief that a dog should not be subjected to training until it reaches the age of six months. This belief has now been tested and appears to be without foundation. Take for instance large dog breeds such as German Shepherds or Great Danes. Breeds such as these obtain huge dimensions by only four months of age and are certainly ripe for training long before six months.

One thing that you must take into account when setting out to train a young puppy, is that their attention spans will be short, and obviously the tricks and schooling presented to them should be simple. Concentrate on just one command at a time and remember to use rewards freely as reinforcement.

When you feel that your dog has an understanding of the basic commands, it is then time to expose your animal to groups of people and other dogs to enhance its training in various situations and places.

These simple tactics will ensure that your pup will assimilate with both people and other dogs and you will be well on the way to a pleasant social experience when walking your dog.

If you feel that your dog will benefit from organized classes, now could be the time to enroll...Knowing a few basics, could even see him graduate top of the class!

If their are classes nearby, I would recommend having a look first without your pet, to get an idea of the different styles of advanced training that are offered and choose the class with which you feel most at ease. Costs may vary, so take these into account when making what should now be an informed decision.

Antony Wilton gives out plenty of free dog training tips at Dog and Puppy Training and Advice Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Antony_Wilton

Dog Behavior Training
By Gary Burton


When you have a problem with another human being, it's reasonably straightforward to solve it - you just have to talk to them. Okay, so maybe that's not always straightforward, but it's much easier than dealing with a dog! Much as we love our dogs and often treat them like children, the reality is that they are animals. Dogs can't talk to us, and they don't think the same way we do.

In many ways, dogs also like different things to humans as well. One of the most obvious areas is obedience. A lot of human beings resent being told what to do, and act up as a result. Dogs, however, generally love obedience training, and want nothing more than to please their human by doing as they're told. Dog behavior training is a great way to establish effective communication with your dog.

Dog behavior training is, to some extent, training your dog to resist its natural canine impulses. Dogs bark, go to the toilet, dig holes and bite. Those are all perfectly normal canine behaviors. Unfortunately they don't always fit in with our notion of a well behaved dog.

Obedience training also helps to reinforce the fact that you're in charge. Social hierarchy is important in the dog world, and you need to be at the top of the heap if you're going to improve your dog's behavior. One of the big side benefits of dog behavior training is that a well behaved dog is a pleasure to have around, which makes it much easier for you to establish a positive, loving relationship with your pet.

There's never a "right" time to start dog training - start whenever you realize you need to. Starting good habits early is often the best way to go, but even an older dog can learn the basics, given time. One important thing to remember is that a dog doesn't have a long attention span, so keep training sessions short. Lengthy training sessions will be boring, and your dog will rapidly lose interest. Try to mix the training in with other daily activities where appropriate.

It's always good to reward your dog when he does the right thing. Positive reinforcement is a very powerful training method. However, if your dog doesn't do the right thing, it's also important to make it clear it's wrong. Reprimand the dog, but keep it sharp and short. You must reprimand as the dog is doing the wrong thing, because saying something half an hour later won't work. If possible, try to show the dog the correct behavior for that situation.

Finally, physical punishment has no part in good dog behavior training. Instead of an obedient dog, you will end up with a frightened one, who may turn on you or others when you least expect it. So treat your dog with love and respect, and the rewards will be worthwhile.

For more information on dog behavior training, try visiting http://www.yourdog.biz - a popular website that provides tips, advice and resources for puppies, middle-aged and veteran dogs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Burton

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Dog training – The Basic Commands
There are of course many reasons for owners to want a calm, obedient and faithful dog. For one thing, obedient and trained dogs are happier dogs, less likely to get into tussles with people or with other dogs. Another reason is that many communities require that the dogs living in their neighborhoods be well trained. This is especially true for many breeds thought to have aggression and behavior problems – dog breeds like pit bulls and rottweilers for instance.

And of course, training your dog well will also make he or she a much better family companion, especially in households where there are young children. Many studies have shown that proper dog training makes a big impact when it comes to cutting down the number of dog bits and other behavior problems encountered by dog owning households.

When considering training your own dog, or having someone else help you train it, there are certain basic commands that must be mastered in order for a dog to be considered truly trained. These basic commands include:

*Heel – it is important that any dog learn to walk beside its owner on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind

*Respond to the word No – the word no is one word that all dogs must learn. Training your dog to respond to this important word can save you a ton of trouble.

*Sit – Training your dog to sit on command is a vital part of any dog training program.

*Stay – A well trained dog should remain where his or her owner commands, so stay is a very important command in dog training.
*Down – Lying down on command is more than just a cute trick; it is a key component of any successful dog training program.

Dog training does much more than just create an obedient, willing companion. Training your dog properly actually strengthens the bond that already exists between dog and handler. Dogs are pack animals, and they look to their pack leader to tell them what to do. The key to successful dog training is to set yourself up as that pack leader.

Establishing yourself as pack leader is a very important concept for any potential dog trainer to understand. There is only one leader in every pack of dogs, and the owner must establish him or herself as the dominant animal. Failure to do so leads to all manner of behavior problems.

A properly trained dog will respond properly to all the owner’s commands, and will not display anxiety, displeasure or confusion. A good dog training program will focus on allowing the dog to learn just what is expected of it, and will use positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviors.

In addition to making the dog a good member of the community, obedience training is a great way to fulfill some of the dog’s own needs, including the need for exercise, the security that comes with knowing what is expected of it, a feeling of accomplishment and a good working relationship with its handler. Dog training gives the dog an important job to do, and an important goal to reach.

Giving the dog a job is more important than you may think. Dogs were originally bred by humans to do important work, such as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people. Many dogs today have no important job to do, and this can often lead to boredom and neurotic behavior.

Basic obedience training, and ongoing training sessions, provide the dog with an important job to do. This is especially important for high energy breeds like German shepherds and border collies. Training sessions are a great way for these high energy dogs to use up their extra energy and simply to enjoy themselves.

Incorporating playtime into your dog training sessions is a great way to prevent both yourself and your dog from becoming bored. Playing with your dog helps to strengthen the all important bond between you – the pack leader – and your dog.

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Dog training - Leash and Collar training

There are many different styles of dog training, and finding the one that works best for you is important for creating a dog that is a talented, loyal and faithful member of the family. All successful methods of dog training work to reinforce the relationship between dog and handler, and the foundation of any successful training program is getting the respect of the dog. Fortunately, dogs are wired by nature to seek out leaders, and to follow the direction of those leaders.

This article focuses on one of the most popular methods of dog training – the so called leash/collar style of training. Other articles will focus on the other popular style of training dogs, often called reward training or positive reinforcement.

Both leash/collar training and reward training have been around for a very long time, and they have proven their effectiveness over time. The type of training that works best will vary from dog to dog, and from breed to breed. It is important to remember that each breed of dog has its own unique qualities, reinforced by hundreds of years of selective breeding.

Of course personalities of individual dogs vary quite a bit, even within established breeds. You, as the owner of the dog, know better than anyone which style of dog training will work best, so it is important to work with the trainer you choose to achieve your goal of a willing, obedient and friendly dog.

Leash and collar training is the best way to accomplish many types of dog training, particularly in situations where the dog must have a high level of reliability. For instance, dogs that have an important job to do, such as rescue dogs, police dogs and guard dogs, generally benefit from leash and collar training.

In leash and collar training, varying degrees of force can be used, ranging from slight prompts with the lead to very harsh corrections. The amount of correction used should be appropriate to the situation, since using too much correction, or too little, will be ineffective.

In a collar and leash based dog training program, first the dog is taught a particular behavior, generally with the leash. After the dog has demonstrated that it understands the command, the leash is then used to correct the dog if it disobeys, or when it makes a mistake. The leash is the main form of controlling and communicating with the dog in leash and collar training.

When using leash and collar training, the dog must be trained to trust the handler and accept his or her directions without question. In order for the dog to be fully trained, the handler must demonstrate the ability to place the dog into a posture or position he or she does not want to take. This does not mean using force, but it does generally require some level of physical manipulation. This manipulation is most easily and safely done using the main tool of leash and collar training – the leash.

It is important for every would be dog trainer to understand that the leash is simply a tool. While the leash is an important tool in this form of training, it is important for the dog trainer to be able to eventually achieve the same results using whatever tools are at hand.

Even when the only tools at hand are the owner’s body and skill, the dog should be willing to obey. Creating a leader/follower relationship between handler and dog is still very important, and it is important to use the leash as a tool and not a crutch. A properly trained dog should be willing to obey whether the leash is present or not.

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Dog training – Dealing with House Training Issues

The best house training uses the dogs own instincts to avoid soiling its bed to train the dog where and where not to eliminate. That is the basis behind crate training, in which the dog is confined to its crate in the absence of the owner, and den training, in which the dog is confined to a small area of the home. In essence, the crate, or the room, becomes the dog’s den. Dogs are naturally very clean animals, and they try their best to avoid using their dens as toilets.

This type of training usually works very well, both for puppies and for older dogs. Problems with this type of toilet training are usually the result of not understanding the signals the dog is sending, not being consistent with feeding times, or trying to rush the process.

While the house training process can be sped up somewhat by consistently praising the dog and rewarding it for toileting in the proper place, some dogs cannot be rushed through this important process. It is always best to house train the dog properly the first time than to go back and retrain a problem dog.

If the dog continues to soil the den area after house training, the most likely reason is that the owner has left the dog in the den for too long. Another reason may be that the den area is too large. In this case, the best strategy is to make the den area smaller or to take the dog to the toilet area more frequently.

If the dog soils the bed that has been provided in the den area, it is most likely because the owner has left the dog there for too long, and the dog had an understandable accident. Or it could be that the dog has not yet adopted this area as the bed. In addition, urinary tract infections and other medical conditions can also cause dogs to soil their beds. It is important to have the dog thoroughly checked out by a veterinarian to rule out any medical problems.

One other reason for house training accidents that many people overlook is boredom. Dogs who are bored often drink large amounts of water and therefore must urinate more frequently than you might think. If you notice your dog consuming large amounts of water, be sure to take the dog to the established toilet area more often, and provide the dog with toys and other distractions to eliminate boredom.

Boredom is the root cause of many dog behavior problems, not only house training issues. Chewing and other destructive behaviors are also often caused by boredom and separation anxiety.

Other problems with house training can occur when the dog’s den is not properly introduced. In some cases dogs can react to the den as if it is a prison or a punishment. Those dogs may exhibit signs of anxiety, such as whining, chewing and excessive barking. It is important for the dog to feel secure in its den, and to think of it as a home and not a cage.

The best way to house train a puppy or dog, or to re-house train a problem dog, is to make yourself aware of the dog’s habits and needs. Creating a healthy, safe sleeping and play area for your dog, as well as a well defined toilet area, is important for any house training program.

House training is not always an easy process, but it is certainly an important one. The number one reason that dogs are surrendered to animal shelters is problems with inappropriate elimination, so a well structured house training program can literally be a lifesaver for your dog.

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Above articles are written by: Don and Ellen Langton

Effective Training Technique for Dogs By Gerry Restrivera

Training your dog could be a real challenge if you do not know the right training technique for dogs. Dogs are naturally intelligent but still they need human guidance to teach them the right behavior. As a pet owner it is your responsibility to teach your dog with the right behavior. Here are some tips to help you train your dog.

Praise or giving rewards is an effective training technique for dogs. Praise or give rewards like treats or toys if he diligently follows your instructions and to let him know that you are pleased with his behavior.

Understand the learning phase of your dog, is another training technique for dogs that you need to learn. Although dogs are intelligent creatures, they have learning stage that you must understand. Slowly increase your expectation once he learned a command and if you see that he is already comfortable with the command, you can move to the next lesson.

You need to be patient and avoid cruel punishments to training your dog. Positive reinforcement is always an effective training technique for dogs.

As much as possible, avoid distractions and choose a quite place. This will help your dog to concentrate learning the new command.

You need to be consistent and avoid confusing your dog. The tone of your voice, your words and body language are the basis of your dog for the commands you are teaching him. Consistency is an effective training technique for dogs.

Read books on proper dog training and update yourself with the latest and most effective training technique for dogs.

As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to teach your dog with the proper behavior to live with you and the people around him harmoniously. It is rewarding and a good feeling to see that your dog is behaving properly. You can be proud that you have raised your dog well and at the same time you created a good relationship with your dog.

Did you know that you can put an end to the stress and annoyance of your dog behavior problems and slash your dog obedience training time in half by using techniques that give you immediate results? Discover more effective training technique for dogs visit Dogs' Corner

To know more about pets visit All About Pets

Gerry Restrivera writes informative articles on various subjects including Effective Training Technique for Dogs. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author's name

Basic Pet Training Rules By Larry Volwiler

Before we actually start puppy training or even thinking about it, it is important that we get ourselves in the right frame of mind. If we do this and know where we are going, we will be much less likely to violate certain training rules that may hinder or prevent us from attaining our goals. Additionally, we want to prevent ourselves from doing anything that may adversely affect the relationship we hope to develop with our puppy. In our article on Housebreaking, we alluded to the fact that everything we do in training can result in positive or negative effects on how our puppy sees us. We start out with the idea of making our dog more like we want him to be, but if we are not careful our pet may end up seeing us as something he does not want us to be.

Rule 1 - Always Be Consistent - The First Rule of general training is Always Be Consistent. There should be no exceptions here if you want the training to go as rapidly and as easily as possible. This relates to your actions and words. From the very start you need to decide exactly what you are trying to teach or control and how you will do it. If you are going to use a certain word or phrase as part of a command or in conjunction with a certain point you are trying to make, always say the exact same thing in the same tone of voice. This is important for all the members of a household or anyone else working with the puppy. Everyone that is involved in the training should know and use the same expression. As an example, let us think in terms of the "Come" command. It obviously will not make things go faster if you use the word "Come," your spouse uses the word "Here," and one of the children uses "Yo, Boy." All of this simply confuses the dog. Remember, we are trying to train him in our language; we cannot expect the puppy to be multilingual at 8 weeks of age.

Every time you give a command or are working on a training point, consistently carry it through to completion. Do not tug on the check cord for the pup to come to you and then become distracted and forget what you are doing. If you start pulling the animal in but then stop with him halfway to you, he becomes confused. The puppy is supposed to come to you, all the way to you. If you do not ensure that happens, the puppy may think that it is okay, when given the 'Come' command, to only come in part way to you or completely ignore the command.

Try to expect the same reaction out of the puppy each time. If you use any form of praise or reward for a job well done, be consistent on how well the task in question is completed before the praise or reward is forthcoming. If the puppy is supposed to sit, do not praise him if he only bends the rear legs a little bit. People love to praise their dogs and sometimes they are so anxious to do this that the animal is hearing a string of "Good Boys," but it has not yet completed what he was supposed to. Over time this tells the puppy that he does not have to sit all the way down but rather a slight crouch will do. The puppy will believe that close is good enough.

When you start training the dog on a particular day, think of the next few minutes as classroom time. When children are in school, there is classroom time for learning and recess for playing. The same should occur with your puppy. When you start a training session, maintain a consistent training attitude for you and your puppy. Think training and not play. Work only on training issues and do them over and over. Stay in control so it does not become playtime for the puppy. When you are not in a training session, be careful of what you say and do.

In the early stages of training, never give a command unless you can control the puppy's actions. This is a part of consistency that many owners overlook. As an example, let us say you are currently in the process of teaching your puppy the 'Come' command. She does not respond every time yet but she is learning what the word means. You are in the backyard together playing with the puppy and children. It is recess, not classroom time. The puppy is off of her lead and suddenly takes off after a wild rabbit. Do not, we repeat, do not even think about saying "Come!" You know the puppy is not going to respond because her mind is on the rabbit and only the rabbit. If you do scream "Come," hopefully the dog will be so distracted that she will not hear you. Because if she does recognize the command but continues after the rabbit, the puppy has just learned that when you are not in control, she can get away with ignoring what you say. During the training phase, when the pup is doing something, and you are in a position that you are unable to control or restrain her, do not say anything. Rather move to the animal and stop or prevent her from what it is she is doing. In the above example, you have two correct choices. You can either let her continue the chase or run and catch the puppy. Do not scream "Come."

Along the way, you may make modifications in your training method but from that point on be consistent. You may find that certain styles of training work better on your pup. That is okay, but do not start switching back and forth. Just because one command is going slow, you should not change from method to method, hoping you find the magic formula that speeds up the process. This rarely happens and in the interim, the puppy may become hopelessly confused. We have found that any individual pup, regardless of the method used, may have trouble with a certain command but not the others. This probably relates back to some experience in the animal's past.

Rule 2 - Keep Training Sessions Short - The Second Rule of general training is Keep Training Sessions Short. In many instances, young children can become engrossed for several hours in a game, book, or television show. Successful kindergarten teachers can make learning fun and productive often for an hour or so. However, dogs and especially puppies, do not possess long attention spans. Young pups will not spend more than a few minutes chasing an exciting, moving stimulus like a butterfly or bird. They simply lose interest and go on to the next thing. The same is true with training, they burn out quickly and become bored. After that has happened, nothing further will be learned.

Generally speaking, most successful trainers limit training sessions to no more that 10 or 15 minutes regardless of the age of the animal. This seems to be a good duration for most dogs to tolerate or enjoy. If this window of time is exceeded, the learning process actually starts to go backwards. It is important that the puppy enjoy these sessions. If not, they may resent the entire program. If forced to continue training after they have lost interest, this same behavior may spill over into future sessions. Keep their minds occupied and keep it fun.

Set up a schedule and stick to it. It is much better to train for 10 minutes every day than 60 minutes once a week. Plan to have your training times revolve around the pup's schedule. Do not expect the puppy to be a ball of energy and willing to learn if you try to work on the commands when it would normally be napping or eating. Plan your training sessions when distractions are at a minimum. If you have young children, it might go better if you trained while they are at school or in some way occupied.

There are ways to get in additional training time other than the brief scheduled periods and these extra ones can be very important. If your animal is doing something that you are trying to train him to do, use obvious opportunities to reinforce the command. A best case scenario would be when you are getting ready to feed the puppy. You have learned that as soon as the animal hears you filling the bowl he automatically comes running. As soon as he starts toward you, bend down with the bowl and say "Come." It is a free, cannot fail training session. Another example would be when you are trying to train the puppy not to do something. Let us say you are trying to keep him from jumping on people. You have learned that every time you first come home, the puppy rockets through the house and jumps up on your leg. Be prepared and when he jumps up immediately put light pressure on his toes (see our article on Jumping Up on People). Then immediately bend down and greet the puppy just like you always do. Do not say anything about the jumping as you two are happy to see each other. Whenever you can control the animal or know what he is going to do, it is a good idea to use these situations as a continuation of your training.

Rule 3 - Stay Calm and In Control - The Third Rule of general training is Stay Calm and In Control. This is where most people fail in training. By staying calm and in control we are talking about you, not the dog. In training situations you can never lose control or get excited because when you do you may become mad, lose your temper, and do something exceptionally stupid. Training should be enjoyable for both you and the animal. If the puppy is not having a good time she will not learn anything. Likewise, if you are out of control or are not enjoying yourself you are not teaching anything.

During training there should not be any distractions for the puppy to contend with. You should guide her through the command so that she does it and is then praised for the successful completion of the task. If you are excited or angry your puppy will pick up on this and not be thinking about the task in question. You have to be focused for the animal to be able to concentrate on the training. You will learn that your demeanor during training is directly proportional to the amount the puppy will learn. If you are up for this and enjoying it, the potential is there for the dog to make solid headway during the lesson. But if you are down then the pup's potential for anything good coming from the session is also way down.

Carried to the extreme, if you get mad and lash out or treat the puppy harshly, you have destroyed any good that might have come out of this individual training session. You have also set back the animal's understanding of the particular command or act in question and put a black cloud over the relationship between the two of you. When you do something to another person that you should be sorry for, you can sincerely express your regret and apologize. If they are of a forgiving nature, the act or unkind words are forgotten. Unfortunately, you cannot sit down with your puppy and reason through the stupidity of your act. What is done is done, and you must work long hours to regain the animal's trust. You will need to take time that could and should have been used for training just becoming her friend again.

Some people do better in training if they use a system in which they do not talk to the dog during training. They teach the dog the command without using or putting a verbal command to it. We will go over this method later but if you tend to raise your voice when you sense that you are not in control (or in the process of losing control), this may be a useful technique to try. Most people talk way too much during training and for some this becomes a stepping stone to shouting and anger.

Rule 4 - Do Not Over Praise - The Fourth Rule of general training is Do Not Over Praise. In dog training, praise for doing something correctly can take a variety of forms. Some prefer to give a treat, others may use the expression "Good Dog," and a third group may only give a single, gentle petting action across the animal's shoulder. They all work because they show to the dog that you are pleased or approve of his actions. You said "Come," and the puppy came. You indicated for the dog to sit, and he sat down. The animal did what he was supposed to. Praise is important, but the animal needs only to recognize it as a thank you for a job well done. You communicate to the dog that he did something correctly and you are happy he did. If your form of praise is always consistent in method and amount, the puppy will understand perfectly.

Where many owners err is that they bury their animal in praise. Rather than say a single "Good Dog," they get down on their knee and let out a string of forty "Good Dogs." Instead of a single stroke over the shoulder, they give the animal a full body massage. Instead of a single small piece of a biscuit or treat, the dog is given half a box. All of these overdoses do the same thing. They distract the dog from what it has just learned. Too much of a good thing and the animal forgets what the two of you are doing. The command and his response are no longer reinforcing correct behavior. The entire incident may be lost in the past.

Rule 5 - Always End on A Positive Note - The Fifth Rule of general training is to Always End on A Positive Note. Every training session should end with praise. The last thing you ask or command the puppy to do should be completed with the puppy doing it correctly. Someday, when things are not going as well as you would prefer, for the last command, choose something that is easy and cannot fail. When the puppy does it correctly, praise her and move someplace else for some recess time or relaxation. Ending a session on a bad note may continue into the next training period. You want the pup to finish one lesson and because of the praise, to look forward to the next session. Always remember that to the dog, praise helps fulfill her desire to please you.

Rule 6 - Forget Discipline (Punishment) - The Sixth Rule of general training is Forget Discipline. Now before you overreact, understand what we mean. To some trainers and most dog owners, discipline usually means to punish the animal for something he has done. To these same people, punishment usually means to hurt the animal in some way. In our minds this just is not necessary. If discipline means punishment or causes pain, forget it.

Let us look at the most common reasons people discipline their dogs. The most common one is for something the animal did. Notice we did not say "something the animal was doing." Rather, we used the past tense. People punish their dog for something she did in the past. Examples would be finding a stool in the house during the housebreaking process. You did not catch the animal doing it, you only discovered it later. The pup is picked up, scolded, and put in her crate. A second example would be if someone's dog runs away from home without them knowing it. Two or three hours later she returns, so to make her see the error of her ways, the owner punishes her. They use a rolled-up newspaper to give her a spanking. Neither of these animals had any idea what the punishment was for. They did not sit there thinking, "Gosh, I wonder what I did lately that deserved punishment?" Dogs do not reason. Just because they got punished, they do not assume they did something wrong. All they know is that their owners were mad.

Often punishment that occurs as part of training is brought about because the owner is impatient with the improvement of the dog. The owner is trying to push the animal through training too fast, assuming the dog should already know the command or action. Be patient, remember that with most training you are altering the natural instinctive behavior of the animal. The best punishment for an incorrect reaction in training is a lack of a reward. If the animal does it right she is praised, if she makes a mistake she receives no praise. If praise from you is important, a lack of it may send a message. Praise is positive reinforcement, punishment is a distraction.

There has to be a good way to communicate to the animal when she is currently misbehaving. And there are but they are not going to hurt anybody. In some cases a stern "No" is all that is required. You catch the animal urinating in the house, you say "No," pick the puppy up and carry her outside. Dogs understand a change in the tone of your voice much better than they do most punishment.

In human behavioral medicine today, a "time out" is believed to be an excellent way to get across to children that they are acting in an unacceptable fashion. When they act up or do something wrong, they must live through a period of "time out." This is a new way of saying 'go to your room' or 'stand in the corner.' The same method can be used for dogs. If they are out of control, barking excessively, or jumping on the furniture, they are given some "time out" by being placed in a cage or crate. A stern "No" may also be part of the treatment.

And lastly, in place of punishment we can simply choose to ignore them. When children act in a way solely to gain attention, good therapy is to ignore them. In some examples this also works for dogs. A dog might bark just to get a treat or to go outside. If you want them to have neither, consistently ignoring them will probably break the behavior pattern. If the barking does not work and they do not get what they want, they will probably stop the barking.

Most things we want to punish our dogs for indicate a lack of training. Rather than punish them for doing something you do not want, train them to do what you would prefer. Until that can be accomplished, a firm "No," being placed in a crate, or ignored will bring an end to most unacceptable behavior.

Be Honest - Can You Train? - Be honest with yourself. Not everybody can train his or her dog. Many people say they do not have the time but if they cannot afford 10 minutes a day then do they really have the time to have a dog? Maybe the issue is that they do not enjoy training. This is understandable. Training is not for everybody. Some do not have the patience for it, some cannot control their temper, and some simply do not enjoy it. If you think any of these describe you, then you probably should not try to train your dog. It would be smarter to use a professional trainer. Your dog will not care. In fact, it would probably prefer it. A good professional trainer will only help a dog, while an individual owner who loses control may destroy one. The owner may or may not physically injure the animal but may cripple the dog's personality and self-confidence. If you think you cannot handle the job, use a trainer.

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Dog Training - How NOT To Train Your Dog By Tom Zinovia

It is safe to say that most dog owners want what is best for their beloved pets. Good behavior, health, happiness, and the ability to fit in well with their human families are just a few of the most sought after goals.

However, the exact method of reaching the above ideals is where many people differ. Some people don't believe that dog training is even necessary. Others believe that training through fear and punishment is the only way to go. Still another group feels that it is necessary to understand how a dog thinks in order to have the best results in reaching these training goals.

One thing is certain, however, the overwhelming number of training philosophies has caused much confusion for the average dog owner. In an effort to cut through some of this confusion, here is a list of some common dog training mistakes:

DON'T: Assume that dogs are just hairy versions of human children that only need to be mothered into maturity in order to behave.

Understand that even though many dogs have the equivalent mental capacity of a 2 year old human child, this doesn't mean they have the same needs or even the same way of thinking. One example of this difference is in the fact that dogs are pack animals. Their world tends to make more sense if you behave towards them as their leader and not their mother.

DON'T: Yell and hit when Rover misbehaves because you assume he will then automatically know that he should change to better behavior.

Realize that punishment instills fear and anxiety. With this approach, Your dog will learn to hate training. He will also be less relaxed and therefore poorly focused. Negative reinforcement, which is different from punishment, is necessary to help your dog identify which behavior is undesirable. This reinforcement can take on the form of withdrawing affection and treats. Never use negative reinforcements that provoke fear. Besides the obvious ethical issue, dogs really cannot make a mental connection between fear and their behavior anyway.

DON'T: Train in a busy place like a crowded park because you believe that if your dog can learn to concentrate in a distracting environment he can learn anything anywhere at anytime.

Create a distraction free training environment that helps the dog to focus only on what is being taught and he will learn faster and with better retention.

DON'T: Train for many commands all at once so rover won't become board and loose focus.

Teach one thing at a time, make sure your little student performs it well before moving on. This cements one command before he can become confused by learning the next one. Teach the most important basic commands first. Some trainers prefer to start with the word "NO". This can save lots of time because it is so helpful to identify incorrect behavior on subsequent commands.

DON'T: Train for hours or until your dog is exhausted.

Work with your dog for only 3 to 5 minutes at a time. Depending on individual personalities and breed, this about as long as she will be able concentrate. Beyond that point she will just tune you out.

DON'T: Let every member of your family inject their own style and preferred training method into the mix. This will encourage your dog to learn to obey based on a variety of human personalities.

Train consistently in every way. If possible, train at the same time every day for the same amount of time with the same method. Each deviation from a strict training regimen has the potential to confuse and slow down the learning process. Teach each member of your family how to consistently support these efforts.

DON'T: Express your irritation if training is going poorly. Since most dogs really want to please their masters, they often pick up on your frustration and will adjust their behavior to make you happy.

Always be calm and confident. This will help your dog-in-training to be relaxed and focused during training. Keep the sessions warm and friendly as possible and your dog will look forward to training as a favorite activity.

DON'T: Using treats and affection will just spoil your puppy. He needs to learn to obey your commands whether or not you have treats or feel like petting him.

Use positive reinforcements to clearly identify which behavior is correct.

DON'T: Forget coddling your trainee. He needs to learn that you are the boss and he will not eat or sleep until training is complete.

Make sure that your dog is healthy, fed and rested before training. After all, how well do you work when sick, tired or hungry?

The guiding ideals for all dog training should include:

- non-punishing negative reinforcements to identify undesirable behavior

- positive reinforcements to identify and reinforce desirable behavior

- short, consistent and frequent training sessions in distraction free settings that help your dog focus

Do these things and trust will grow between you and your furry friend. When trust develops dog training has the opportunity to be successful.

Tom Zinovia enjoys writing about dog health and training for the website http://www.Doggy-Training.com . Please visit our site to enjoy other dog training articles as well as information about complete home training programs. Remember that a well trained dog is a happy dog! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Zinovia

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Article Submitted On: October 28, 2007

Training Children and Dogs to Live Together Peacefully and Lovingly By Vincent Y

Children and dogs - the relationship should not be lightly taken as the urban jungle is slowly engulfing us. The dog is the only direct contact with Nature. The toddler romping with the puppy gets the feel of fuzz and understands the bark. It is another form of vital education that no school can give.

The fur in the nose and food is good for immunity. The bond between children and dogs is good for all round human development. Dogs are being used as a therapy for depression but unless the story starts from childhood it is difficult to be effective.

Man and dog have been inseparable from time immemorial. But today certain medical precautions have to be taken where dogs and children are concerned. The first thing is that of dog-child matching. All dogs are not for all children and vice versa.

Dogs that have genetic programming of aggressiveness are no-go inside children's homes. Big dogs out of boisterous playfulness might knock over the child and cause serious injury. Exposure of too much of barking is not good for green ears.

The pairing is not children and dogs but the triad of children, dogs and parents. Busy parents of young children who already have their hands full with the child should think twice before bringing in another puppy.

No decision should be taken on the spur of the moment on the general assumption that a dog is must for a child. If anything happens to the contrary the poor canine is unfairly blamed. Ultimately the parents of course are the guardians of the dog.

Before bringing the puppy home make the home puppy proof against accidents. . The puppy will need time to adjust and so it is best to tell the child to avoid too much attention for the moment. It is best that the dog learns to sleep on its own bed from day one to avoid later behavioral problems.

There is another twist to the story of kids and dogs. What happens when the newborn child enters the house after the dog? In the beginning the dog will be curious. Soon it will accept the newcomer as a part of the scene but do not neglect the dog.

Go out of your way to fuss over the old member and just like other siblings things will work out fine. Trouble will start when the toddler will invade the doggy area. Here again firmness, love and rules of the individual homes work better than any professional advice in children and dogs relationship.

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Vincent Y is a passionate animal lover and dogs especially infatuate him. His love for dogs has given him a wide experience and practical knowledge regarding their various aspects of rearing. For more useful tips that really work visit his dog's website at http://DogLoverClubs.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vincent_Y