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.

You can visit the SitStayFetch site by clicking on the link below:
click here

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

click here

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.

Visit here for immediate access to even more dog training tips:

http://www.dogtrainingdiscovery.com/cbae/?a=LBjRLBZvsl
click here

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.

For instant access to many more dog training tips, visit here:

http://www.dogtrainingdiscovery.com/cbae/?a=LBjRLBZvsl
click here

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.

For instant access to more dog training tips and advice, visit here:

http://www.dogtrainingdiscovery.com/cbae/?a=LBjRLBZvsl
click here

Above articles are written by: Don and Ellen Langton