How To Deal With An Aggressive Dog

By Carl Covason

Having a dog that is aggressive can be a major problem especially if you have children around. If you find your dog is getting aggressive there are a few different options available to you.

The first option presented to you would be to just say goodbye to your dog (not necessarily the best option). Many people love their dog's and treat them as part of the family and would never even consider this option but for others it is the way they go.

If you do choose to get rid of your dog make sure you take him somewhere safe. Never just let a dog go especially if they are aggressive. Dogs are no longer breed to be wild animals so they would be truly unsafe out on their own.

An even better option would be to train your dog or have a dog trainer train him. There are a variety of different dog training classes you can take you dog to or you can train him in your own home.

Clicker training is an excellent way to train your dog. If done properly, you will see a world of difference in your dog's behavior in a short amount of time. What makes clicker training so wonderful is that after a bit you will be able to give your dog commands that he will follow without the use of the clicker or dog treats.

When you are doing clicker dog training timing is everything. If you do not get this right then you will be basically wasting your time and effort.

When your dog follows your command you need to immediately click your clicker and administer a treat to your dog. If you click to late your dog will only know that you are being very nice and giving him lots of treats.

You also should keep the clicker tucked in your hand so your dog can not see it. Another thing you can do is click using your tongue when your dog has gotten accustomed to the sound of clicking.

No matter how you are going to train your dog make sure you are using positive training methods. Not only will negative methods hurt your dog but he is likely to become worse behaved over time. - 31866

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Find the Right Dog Training Book

By Brad Davenport

If you're trying to find the right dog training book, you might feel as though the options are limitless and it is difficult to find just the perfect one. Unfortunately, many books on the market are simply rehashed information that someone has quickly thrown together while others are quality information that can really help you.

The best place to find the right dog training book is online. Not only can you purchase regular physical books online, but you can also look at e-books. E-books have more up-to-date information because they can be updated quickly. These are often more current than books you would find at a store or library.

When looking for the right kind of training material for your dog, it is important to take into consideration the breed you are dealing with. Dog breeds are ingrained with certain characteristics, so you might want purchase a dog book that is specific to the breed that you are trying to train.

As an example, Jack Russell terriers were bred to chase foxes which means that their noses sometimes take precedence over their brain. Beagles suffer from the same issue. Therefore, it makes sense to use training methods that are specific to these kinds of dog breeds and can overcome their intuitive sense of smell.

Another thing to think about is the training approach that will be taken. Make sure that you read over the information about the book before you purchase it so that you will know if your going to be comfortable with the training methods supplied.

Another important factor to take into consideration is who the author of the book is. You want to make sure it's someone who has extensive experience in training dogs and not someone who simply put a bunch of material together. Having an experienced person explain these methods to you is critical to your success.

Finally, never purchase a dog training book that talks about punishing a dog using physical methods. Punishing a dog is quite different than disciplining the dog. Punishment can harm the relationship between the owner and the dog. You can find the right dog training book by spending some time doing a little bit of research. - 31866

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Puppy Training Tips: Get A Jump Start Training Your New Puppy

By Julie Wilson

You can get countless different puppy training tips you may choose to try. It is crucial that you understand that it is probably not the puppy to blame here knowning that instead you simply might be instructing the dog wrong. To avoid this, it is important to pick out the useful puppy training tips which have proven to work. These are several examples of puppy training tips which will work correctly.

Training a puppy to sit appears straightforward nevertheless it can actually end up being fairly tricky, particularly when you're working with an older puppy. Using this method you are able to tell them to sit any time people are coming into your home and visiting you or whenever you are at the vet trying to keep them calm. Among the best puppy training tips calls for training your puppy this specific ability, and to get started you'll want to have the puppy standing. Subsequently you need to say to them sternly to "sit" and be sure that you repeat the command several times.

The real reason for this is to use repetitive commands to be able to force the puppy to recollect and also associate the command with the appropriate action. This kind of positive affirmation will tell them that they're getting rewarded for performing what they were told. Whether or not you use a clicking device, treat or toy the most important thing is that you give it to the puppy right away once they obey you. Wait around until the puppy is over 6 months old which is when they can fully manage their bowels, in case they do go to the bathroom in the home you'll want to let them know immediately that this is wrong.

You really don't need to employ a harmful reaction to try and teach the puppy, like sticking their nose in urine they may have left around the house. This is simply going to bring the puppy lower and make them upset which might actually cause a bigger challenge with potty training. It is also best to produce a timetable for the puppy, as they should be able to grow familiar with this. Feed them their meals at the same time daily and also take them out for a stroll about a half hour after each meal.

These are all helpful puppy training tips which actually get the job done and also will help you coach your puppy to become properly behaved and a pleasure to be around. - 31866

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Why Does My Dog Always Jump On People?

By Matt Closson

If you have ever owned a dog, one time or another you have probably dealt with this problem. Your dog is so happy to see you that he jumps up on you getting his muddy paws all over your new suit or dress. Or even worse, during his excitement he jumps on a smaller child and knocks them down or scratches the child's face, arms or legs. Well, guess what, you probably taught your puppy this bad habit. Let me explain:

Unintentionally you may have encourage this behavior for the start. You see when a new puppy comes into our lives they are cute and cuddly, they meet us with excitement and come running. And what is our natural reaction to this? Well, we bend down and pet them or pick them up.

You have just taught your puppy a very important lesson, "when I jump up on my owners leg he/she gives me love!" Fast foreword a few months and now that once small little puppy is 3, 4, maybe 5 times the size he once was. He doesn't understand the difference, he just wants the love that he knows how to get by jumping on you.

Before we move on to how to stop dogs jumping on you, let me make it clear that there are two main reasons why a dog may jump on you.

Most often dogs jump out of extreme excitement. Such as, seeing you after a long absents (coming home from work) or during high energy playtime.

The second and much more serious reason why some dogs jump on people is to show dominance. Dominance issues are a more complicated problem of communication and attitude. Dominance, If let unchecked for too long could really be difficult to over come. If you feel that you may be dealing with a dog that is jumping on people to display dominance, I suggest that you brush up on your alpha dog skills.

Your success in stop dog jumping will depend greatly on how you react to this problem. You must make a committed effort as with any dog training to be consistent. You have to make it clear to your dog that jumping on people is no longer allowed what so ever.

This means that you must fallow your stop jumping techniques always. You can't expect your dog to understand the difference between playtime and greetings, nice cloths and play cloths, rainy days or sunny days. If you let your dog jump at anytime, he will feel free to jump whenever he feels like it.

The most effective way to change any dog behavior happens to also be the easiest way to change unwanted dog behavior, and that is to "ignore the bad and reward the good". Or what is also know as positive reinforcement training. I know that is the last thing you are thinking of when your dog just put a new run in your patty hose or knocked a small child down but with a little pre-planning positive reinforcement works really well.

When your dog goes to jump on you, turn your back on him right away. Dogs understand body language much more than the spoken word. So, what you need to do here is use your posture to get your message though loud and clear. As soon as he gets his paws are back on the ground, reward him with praise. If he gets excited again and goes to jump, turn your back, head and eyes away from him (the cold shoulder). You can repeat this cycle several times in a matter of seconds. Don't concern yourself with confusing your dog because they can only comprehend your reaction to their - 31866

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Dog Biting Problems-A Serious Issue

By Brad Davenport

Out of all the dog behavioral problems, biting is considered to be the worst and the most serious. Even if your dog goes on the couch quite often, it might not present you as much problem as from a biting behavior. Some communities insist on putting the dog down if he bites someone severely. If your dog has a biting problem it can even mean the end of his life. So you have to take immediate action to solve the biting problem of your dog.

However, biting problems in puppies are quite normal. When puppies start to teeth, they will have a natural tendency to bite everything that they can get hold of, including you. Though a puppy bite might break your skin, it will not cause any serious damage. But then, this is the right time for you to start training your puppy to stop biting.

Don't be cruel to your dog or excessively harsh with the discipline, but let your dog no when he bites you too hard. If your dog bites you hard, pull your hand away immediately and say ouch, or bad dog, or something like that. Let him know that he has hurt you.

Most often a dog bites due to some psychological reasons. A dog takes a bite not just because he wants to hurt something or someone. They also bite to hold on to something or they bite a person or another dog to warn them of something, or they bite just for the joy of it. The best way to break the biting problem of your dog is to start early, when he is still a puppy.

Apart from psychological reasons, biting can also be an inherent quality of some dogs. A dog might be naturally temperamental and get very angry quite often. In that case, you have no other option than to send the dog to an obedience school.

You absolutely have to take the problem completely seriously and find help even if it costs a bundle. Dog trainers can help almost any dog, but your average pet owner can't.

If you have a pooch with biting problems in your neighborhood, the best defence is to be prepared with a bottle of pepper spray that is specially formulated to combat biting dogs. Never hesitate to use the pepper spray if any dog tries to bite you. Or, you could opt for a friendlier approach by offering a beef jerky. - 31866

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Succesful Dog Potty Training

By Brad Davenport

When you're looking for tips and tricks on dog potty training, you are likely at your wits end trying to figure out how to keep your dog from using the bathroom in your house. Nothing can be more frustrating with a new dog than having it relieve itself in the most inappropriate places.

Just like children, dogs also need to be potty trained. The only difference is that they are potty is outside. There so many different methods and processes that you can use when you want to house train a dog. The way you approach it will depend a lot on your dog's personality and your comfort level with the training method.

Some people use puppy pads as a way of getting the dog to know where to go. They move the puppy pads closer and closer to the door until the dog finally figures out that they need to go to the door when it's time to use the bathroom. However, these kinds of methods don't always work for every dog.

When it comes to potty training a dog, finding just the right method is crucial. There many different online programs that owners can use to potty train their dog. Doing some research to find a method that will work is important because you wanted to be something that you will stick with until the dog is trained.

Physical punishment should never be a part of your training method as dogs do not respond well to physical punishment. It does not create a good relationship between the owner and the canine if the dog is always fearful. Also, dogs respond well to praise because they want to please their owners so it makes sense to use that kind of a method.

When you have a new puppy, it is very important to take them out on a regular basis and start using the words that you will use once they are trained. For instance, if you will say the word potty, the dog will start to associate going to the bathroom and standing by the door with that word. There are many tips and tricks on dog potty training that can be used. The key is finding the one that works best for your situation. - 31866

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What Sort Of Dog Training Equipment Do You Need?

By Christopher James

While training a dog you will need certain type of specialized equipment. The old ways of giving treats to the dog or ordering in a stern voice is applied only for teaching the basic of the daily routine like teaching to sit, fetching something etc. If the training involves more professional acts, then you must consider having some specific items used for training a dog.

If you're just trying to teach your dog to sit, you probably don't need a bunch of equipment. However, if you have trying to teach your dog to do tricks as well as run around a track for something like a dog show, you're going to need a little more than just plain old dog treats.

Sit, Stay And Roll Over

People like to teach their dog all sorts of tricks. Tricks that are common are rolling over, ordering to sit, and stay. These are comparatively easy than the other tricks. Some dogs are house trained as well, like fetching the news paper, or carrying things for the master etc. Some tricks include playing dead and shaking the paw. But these tricks need some special equipment to train the dog. Basically you will at least need a choke collar to begin the training.

A choke collar is attached to a chain by a loop. As the dog pulls the chain it chokes by the neck. It is harmless, but the dog learns to stay put. A leash is also used to train the dog. A whistle can also work as training equipment; a clicker is also preferred by some dog owners. Treats are commonly used to train the dog.

Reinforcement

While using training equipments to teach your dog you should focus on reinforcement rather than on punishments. It is completely your fault and not the dog's if it's not listening to what ever you are saying. If your dog is doing something that you like then make sure you reinforce that particular behavior. When the dog sits in a particular way that you want then give it some treat or a pat or tell the dog how good a girl or boy it is when it does some rolling over they way you want.

All dogs like being praised and will always repeat the act you like. They will know by your acts if you have liked their behavior. A punishment on the other hand scares a dog and out of confusion does all the wrong things. It may sometimes be not capable of understanding what you want. Therefore be a little patient and train it with reinforcement.

Training Your Dog

Start with the choke chain and the leash as the basic learning process of the dog training. Set up some goals with it, so that your dog knows the boundaries and does not stray away. Not letting it out of the training ground is the first lesson to be taught to a dog. The whistle does the job of catching the attention of the dog towards you. The clicker also sends the message to your dog about what you would like it to do. Instructing becomes easier with the use of whistle or a clicker. After doing the trick successfully, remember to treat him regularly so that it encourages the dog to perform better and better and obey your orders. The vital aspects of training are to be consistent and determined. Training a dog takes time; it cannot be achieved in a day or two. The training can last about a few weeks or more depending on the dog's nature, after such vigorous training you can say that the dog is trained.

Who knows, you may be able to work with dog agility training equipment so that it can do real tricks like a police or circus dog. That will be way in the future, however. For now, you'd better stick to the basics so as not to confuse your new best friend. - 31866

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How to Raise a Well-Behaved Puppy

By Ana Walsh

When it comes to getting and raising a puppy, there are a few crucial things you need to do so your puppy grows up to be a well-behaved dog. Too many people let their puppy get away with things because it's 'cute' when they're little. But they don't think about the fact that they're forming habits that will stay with them even as grown dogs, and when they're grown, it's not cute anymore.

First of all, you shouldn't never bring home a puppy that is younger than eight weeks. During the first eight week of their life, they go through many development periods that are crucial to their long term well being. Removing a puppy from its mother and littermates too early causes behavior problems down the road.

Second, begin housebreaking your puppy right away. Don't wait. Even if it's only for a few days, your puppy can develop some bad potty habits that are hard to break. Also, avoid paper training if possible. I recommend teaching them to go potty outside right from the start (if that's where they'll be going potty in the long run.)

Third, don't allow your puppy to playfully nip at you. This mistake is fairly common, and one you will regret. Puppies should not ever be allowed to bite hands or feet, even if it's just playing. This includes playing underneath blankets or pillows.

Fourth, establish yourself as the leader of the pack right from the start. This is also know as the alpha dog. Although dogs are domesticated pets now, their natural instincts are still very much a part of them.

If you don't show them you are the pack leader from the beginning, it can cause serious problems down the road when they begin to believe 'they' are the pack leader. If you're unfamiliar with what any of this means, do an online search on the topic and read up on it. It's very important to know and practice.

Last but definitely not least, you must gradually and carefully socialize your puppy for at least the first year of their life. You need to expose them to new and unfamiliar people, places, things, sounds, etc. Make sure the socialization experiences are pleasant. Carry along treats and make sure to provide plenty of praise and encouragement along the way.

I hope this article has given you some valuable insight on how to raise your puppy. Follow the advice provided and I know you'll do a great job of raising a happy, well-behaved dog that will be a loyal companion for years. - 31866

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Dog Training: Back to Basics Does the Trick

By Melanie Brooks

Dogs are smart, making them easy to train. Whether training a puppy for the first time, an adult dog new to your home, or revisiting training with your resident dog, getting back to basics is the most efficient approach to assuring you have a well-adjusted, well-behaved pet.

Those of us who have learned a second language know all too well, if you don't use that second language regularly, you will eventually forget the language. Training your dog is the same as teaching him a second language. Without consistent reinforcement throughout the dog's lifetime, even the smartest of dogs will forget even the best training. When this happens, it is best to go back to the basics. Training commands are a form of communication. If your dog is forgetting to listen, go right back to ground zero. Start training as if your dog has never been trained before.

For instance, if your dog is no longer coming when you give him the command, dust off the long lead and start over. Use a 40' lead (available at your local pet or feed store). Tie knots in it at 2' and 5' before the end. Add a tied handle and you have your training lead. Begin by calling your dog: name and come. While saying the command, quickly begin by running backwards After about 5 feet, stop once the dog has caught up to you. Reward with a snack. Repeat a few times.

After about 5 or 10 minutes of training, do a bit of agility, play with your pup. It is very important to remain cheerful, and get excited when they perform the behavior correctly. The dogs forget the repetition. Many breeds get bored with repetitive activities such as ball chasing. So it is important to play a little bit, do about 10 minutes of training and play some more. Puppies especially have a low attention span and get tired after about an hour of training. Also, when training a dog to come, you should never ever ask the dog to come from a sit-stay command. This will contradict the stay command.

When teaching a dog the sit-stay command, hold a favorite treat out in your fingers and have the dog sit. Reward with a small piece of the treat. With the dog still in sit, make a stop hand signal and simultaneously say the word stay. Once the dog has performed the command correctly, take a few steps back to the dog to reward him with the treat. Never have the dog come to you to retrieve the treat once you have put him in a sit-stay. The simpler, the better; back to basics dog training will do the trick. - 31866

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Dog Training Collar

By Paul Hamilton

Possibly the pet dog in your own life is a bit naughty, he does not heed you when you direct him to do something. Are you looking for a way to rectify this bad behavior?

A dog training collar of some kind could be the solution to your problem. They come in heaps of diverse sorts. There are martingale collars, sort of choke chain idea lacking the chain, they tauten up a little if the dog drags far too much.

There are dog collars that work by way of a remote command gadget which gives a combination of sound and pulsation or shock correction. These more often than not contain a great quantity of settings of sound and pulsation so between the two you own a vast quantity of improvement choices.

If your pet is awful to take for walks because he chases cats, other dogs, people, automobiles in reality everything and any other thing which moves then he definitely has to have schooling.

Walking with a dog similar to that is exhausting and quite honestly I do not consider the animal gets much out of it whenever you are constantly having to scold him.

Are you aware of your animal's strain for sure? Possibly he is pedigree and in that instance there could be no issue regarding it, but if he is a mixture, do you know a mixture of what?

Do you know that it is achievable to get a DNA test done on your animal, needing about a 7 days to sort out, that will notify you simply whatever strains are in your own dog.

This could be a vast advantage to you to be aware of whichever kind of teaching procedure might suit the animal best.

Possibly you own a gun dog who you use for recovery when you have been shooting. This type of animal has to be well controlled.

These type of mixture sound and pulsation dog collars are customarily totally water-resistant so that is first-rate information for animals that require to be in water from time to time.

If your pet trouble is that the dog drags badly whilst walking there is an additional revolutionary appearing dog training collar that I have lately discovered. This consists of a portion of lead that reaches around the snout of the animal and joins under the chin to one more part which joins the dog lead but at the back the skull, not the neck.

Vets, trainers and people similar to the RSPCA all think that dogs respond faster to this type of curative leash than other kinds of dog education dog collars.

As with any merchandise there is a gigantic variety of these collars to pick from. You only have to determine which characteristic of the dog's behavior you want to modify then start your search. - 31866

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The Use Of Kennels And Cages In Training Dogs

By Graham Smith

When you are searching for a dog kennel for your pet, remember that there are certain ones that are made for different types of dogs, and not every cage will be correct for your particular situation. There are kennels which are designed and made strictly for the comfort of small animals which are being transported. There are also the kennels which are designed with security in mind, made especially for the larger pets.

Dog cages come in many different sizes, and have many styles that serve various purposes. Make sure to get one that suits your exact needs and specifications.

If it is for traveling with your pet, you may want to get a cage that is fabric with a door of mesh and a roof that is zippered; or you may want to invest in the hard plastic type of cage with metal doors, or a kennel which is totally metal mesh save for a solid floor. Any of these are appropriate places for your pets safety and comfort while you are on a trip, be it for a vacation or going from one show to another. Also, these are ideal when you are not allowed to have your pet roaming free in a facility.

Most cages and kennels for training are designed to be used inside as a way of either housebreaking your animal, punishing him for bad behavior, or keeping him from running loose when nobody is around to keep an eye on him. If you can keep your dog in the cage at night when you are sleeping, they will learn to wait to use the bathroom until you are able to let them out, and this will help you with getting them on a schedule.

When he does something wrong, you can put him in his cage as a way of solitary confinement. Before long he will associate the confines of the kennel with the bad behavior and will adjust his behavior accordingly to avoid the punishment. This is also a wonderful way to keep your dog from tearing up the house when there is no one there to play with him.

There are also cages made for outdoor use, like kennels, wooden floor cages that are a part of a doghouse, or dog runs, that are much like cages but have legs above the ground, and are stronger. Lastly, there are walk in cages which are much larger cages that can fit several large dogs in. - 31866

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Here's How To Get Started With Training Your Dog

By Bella Smith

There's nothing more irritating than a naughty boisterous dog. Just like a disobedient, naughty child, a badly behaved dog can drive you round the bend. If you have recently acquired a new puppy, you really need to know about the basics of dog training.

Every dog can be trained, despite the fact that many believe that some dogs are beyond training. Sure, some dogs are harder to train because they may have deep-rooted bad habits, while other dogs take to training like a fish to water. In actual fact, it depends on how good the trainer is.

When a dog has been trained, it is secure, happy and relaxed. Every dog wants a leader just like their ancestors who hunted and lived in packs. There was always the 'alpha male' that was respected and obeyed by every dog in the pack. Your dog will look to you to fulfill this role.

Teaching your dog his or her name is the first thing to do. This will enable you to get a response from the dog every time you call its name. This forms the basis to all other dog training lessons.

The first important command is 'come'. Hold a small treat near the nose and firmly call its name, for example 'Fluffy, come!' The puppy will immediately come forward to get the treat. Continue the process by stepping a bit further back each time. When the dog responds and comes to you, lavish it with lots of praise and affection.

The SIT and STAY commands can be taught in the same manner. Be sure to speak in a firm manner when giving the commands. Your dog needs to learn how to differentiate the varying tones of your voice. He needs to understand when you are addressing him in a serious manner.

Be cautious however about how many treats you dish out. While a treat is necessary in the early stages, you don't want the dog to obey commands simply because she or he can get a treat. You want obedience on command, with the reward being praise. Only use the treats while training. Don't give treats in between training sessions, because the dog will get confused.

If you want to enter your dog in shows or training competitions, you should seek some professional help. Join a training clinic where you can learn all the formal requirements that go with dog shows. You can get lots of information online about this form of dog training. - 31866

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Anti Bark Collars Do Just That!

By Paul Hamilton

When you took on your new pet dog, did you inquire regarding it's woofing? I would not assume so. You decide first by the size of the dog, then by the look of it and does it seem to like you, nevertheless I'll wage you never considered to ask concerning barking.

A great deal can be put down to your living situation. Do you have to go elsewhere to work and leave the dog alone? That may provoke separation fear in your dog.

Possibly the animal is merely basically bored stiff which may be why it woofs to receive some sort of feedback from somebody, anyone would do.

Even when a dog is being reprimanded for barking it does not differentiate between other sorts of notice. He most likely does not mind that you are scolding him at least you are present and you are talking to him, that's all that is important.

It is not all that is important though. He needs to be taught that this is simply not the way to behave. He could not expect to merely woof and everything would be as he wishes.

You understand how dogs in general bark at anybody who arrives at the home, not of the family? Your dog will normally yap at the mailman, however when he was small in what way did he begin to do that? I imagine that he did it once since he didn't recognize who it was and after that he considered that the mailman departed once more because of himself. He could have it fixed in his brain that he could be answerable for removing strangers.

One way or another you require to get it across to him that the mail delivery man is not a danger to his family. Obviously you don't intend to curb his protecting instincts. After all, in a quantity cases that is the reason individuals use animals, especially if they need to leave their home with nobody about during the day.

If you possessed a remote control instrument you could give him a slight shock whenever the mail delivery man came, of course you definitely would have to be home to accomplish that. If you are not at home you should have an automatic shock collar which could only recognize that he was woofing and instruct him not to, regardless of why or who he was barking at.

It is an unfortunate thing but it seems that complaints regarding ceaseless dog barking to the police is the second most frequent report, this is second only to burglar alarms going off.

If your barking dog is described to the law repeatedly then you are liable to get quite costly fines and this will be painful to the wallet. At the very least it might lead to awkward relationships concerning you and your own neighbors this could be very uncomfortable and totally unnecessary.

You just have to get down to solving this woofing difficulty and perhaps purchasing one of the anti bark collars on the market. - 31866

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Stop Dog Jumping

By Matt Closson

If you have ever owned a dog, one time or another you have probably dealt with this problem. Your dog is so happy to see you that he jumps up on you getting his muddy paws all over your new suit or dress. Or even worse, during his excitement he jumps on a smaller child and knocks them down or scratches the child's face, arms or legs.

Well guess what? Its all your fault.

Many unsuspecting dog owners encourage this behavior way before it be comes a problem and the next thing you know you have a dog with an unacceptable behavior problem. You see, you would encourage your cute little fluff ball of fun (when he was a puppy) to come running to you and jump on your leg. At that time he could barely reach your knee cap, if that. And then, like most everyone, you would reach down and pet him of maybe pick him up.

You have just taught your puppy a very nice lesson, if he runs up to you and jumps on your foot or knee he can get praise and affection. Fast foreword a few months and now that little puppy is as much as 5 or 6 times the size that he was, but still thinking like a puppy, ("if I jump on my owner he will give me love"). He does not know the difference between his puppy size, of say 4 or 5lbs and his new size of maybe 30 or 40lbs or more, not to mention he is taller now and can reach up to your arms or chest. All he knows is that he wants the praise and affection that he has missed all day long and you taught him how to get it, by jumping.

Is jumping ever acceptable?

You have to put your foot down and make it clear that jumping is no longer an accepted behavior. When is jumping O.K.? Many owners of toy breed dogs or smaller dogs expect their dog to jump up. This is totally up to you. But, when any dog jumps on an unsuspecting guest, it can cause a bit of an awkward moment. This is why teaching your dog the "off" command is also a good idea. You can train your dog to jump on your command; we will get into that later.

For larger dog breeds, there really is no debate on this matter. You should either never allow him to jump or at the very least work the "off" or "no jump" command in to their regular training. After all it is one thing to have to deal with scrapes or soiled cloths due to your own dog, it is quite another to have to deal with him jumping on a guest or stranger.

Why does dog jumping happen?

The number one reason dogs jump is most likely out of pure excitement after a long separation (returning home from work) or during playtime when adrenaline is running high.

A much more serious problem is when a dog jumps to display his dominance over you or whatever he is jumping on (another dog, a child or guest). Hailing from a pack mentality, dogs live by a hierarchy of social ranking and order. One of the behaviors a dog will use to exert his dominance over a lesser animal is to show his physical superiority by jumping up on or placing his paw or paws over the other dog's shoulders.

You can identify the reason for your dogs jumping by taking note of the circumstances surrounding the event. If he only jumps when extremely excited, such as playtime or upon your return home from work, then he is only showing how much he missed you.

Stop your dog from jumping on you.

Your actions are key to eliminating this annoying and possibly dangerous habit of your dogs. As with most all dog training consistency in your training will speed up his learning curve and prove to be more reliable. To stop dog jumping you have to make it clear to your dog that jumping is no longer tolerated.

This means sticking to your training plan every day until there is not longer a problem. Your dog will not stop jumping on you if you allow it one day and not the next or allow him to jump on you but not your children. If you send this message to your dog he will jump when ever he feels like it.

This means that you must fallow your stop jumping techniques always. You can't expect your dog to understand the difference between playtime and greeting, nice cloths and play cloths, rainy days or sunny days. If you let your dog jump at anytime, he will feel free to jump whenever he feels like it.

Stop dog jumping forever.

Let your body do all the talking. When your dog jumps on you or is about to jump on you, turn your back and face way from him...i.e. the cold shoulder. Dogs understand your body language much more then the spoken word, so use your posture to get the message though loud and clear.

When you turn away from your dog, cross your arms and advert your eyes, totally ignoring his jump. You will see, by giving him the cold shoulder how quickly he will calm down.

Turn your back, cross your arms and turn your eyes and face away from your dog. Giving your dog the cold shoulder is very effective and he will calm down rather quickly.

Dogs inherently want to please you and it want take long for him to figure out that four on the floor pleases you. - 31866

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