Use Agility To Build Confidence In Your Dog

By Martin Elmer

If your dog is timid around people or other dogs, then agility training can to build confidence in your dog. An agility class is a great place to learn about the sport and how to train your dog. But it may take some time before it is ready from your lap or under the chair.

A timid dog is only ready to learn from inside its comfort zone. So the best place for training is probably the home, where it feels safe and the learning can be done in small increments.

But how do you train your dog at home? You need two things: guidelines and equipment. You can find multiple websites with information on agility training. Other options are books and videos with details, visual aids and lesson plans for both beginners and experts.

You can find a lot of equipment that is helpful and useful to have at home for dog training. All the equipment recommendations are based on location of training and the available space. Do you e.g. have a large yard with room for 10 obstacles? Or do you only have a small yard, so you have to tear down the equipment before you can setup something else up? Will the training be in the basement or garage; or maybe in the living room?

The equipment has to be safe and sturdy when training a timid dog. A good place to start your agility training is a pause table. A 12" high pause table (preferable with adjustable legs) is a great starting point for dogs in all sizes. Setup the table in an area that the dog is familiar with. If your dog is the type that barks at everything new, you can leave in the house or yard for a couple of days before using it. Then the dog can inspect and smell it. Remember you need to use baby steps with an insecure dog.

With treats in a dish or his favorite toy placed on the table encourage your dog to get up on the table. This may take more than one lesson, be patient. If your timid dog looses interest in food or toys when you attempt something new, trying holding him and you sit on the table. If your dog is too big to hold, have him on leash and you sit on the table. If he backs away coax him, only treat or reward him when he comes to you, never when he's pulling back away from you or the table

Eventually, you want your dog to be able to jump on the table with your cue word like Table (or whatever word you use), Stay to have it stay on the table as you back away and then Come when you call. Build your distance slowly so that your dog is not pushed too soon.

Following the above instructions, you can slowly introduce new obstacles. When it is able to succeed new pieces of equipment, you will see its confidence grow. - 31866

About the Author:

Martin Elmer is the editor of Hundefan - a website about udstyr til hunde. Here you can also read about hunde seler.

Choosing a Dog Obedience School

By Monique Coincon

One of the most stressful decisions to make after bringing a puppy home is choosing a dog obedience school. Good training early can make the difference between a happy, healthy relationship with your dog and a lifelong struggle with behavioral issues. When choosing a school, be sure to pick one that is in line with your own natural style of training, as much of the instruction is geared toward humans as well as their dogs. The first few weeks with a new dog are crucial to the bonding process, and a good dog obedience school will lay a foundation you will build upon for years to come.

You should begin your hunt for the right school by speaking to fellow dog owners and veterinarians. The local dog park is a great place to solicit recommendations regarding schools and trainers. Your veterinarian's office or the local clinic is another great source of information. Your vet's office may have an official recommendation, but you should also ask the staff for their personal experiences with trainers in the area. In cities or towns with a large population of dog owners, online discussion boards may be the best way of reaching people.

When you have narrowed down the possibilities, contact the schools and request an interview. Good schools are typically accommodating in this request and understand the importance of a pet owner's comfort with trainers. Discuss the training methods the school endorses. Ask them for references and speak with the actual trainers who would be working with you and your dog. The facilities are important, so be sure to take a tour during your visit.

Do some research into some of the characteristics common to your dog's breed. Breed and age can determine how successful training attempts will be with your dog, and it is important to know what to expect. Younger dogs often benefit the most from group classes, as they tend to be quick learners and may need some help with socialization. Older dogs or those who have had behavior issues in the past may require more intensive one-on-one training. If you have a breed that is notoriously difficult to train, you may find breed specific classes and training methods.

Cost may also be a factor in deciding which type of class is feasible for your dog. The average dog obedience school cost differs greatly based on the area in which you live. A series of group lessons can cost anywhere from $40-$200 depending on your area and the reputation of the trainer. Individual hour-long classes typically begin at $25 with prices extending past the $100 mark. Training is important, and if the cost of dog obedience school in your area is prohibitive, you should speak to local non-profit animal welfare agencies and inquire about taking classes for a reduced rate.

After you have selected a school and are preparing for your first class, an owner should know what to expect. The typical curriculum at a good dog obedience school will teach housebreaking for young puppies, and basic commands like "Sit" and "Stay." Few teach tricks, especially those geared toward younger dogs, but they will help teach you the communication skills to continue training at home. Dog obedience school can be the first step to establishing trust between dogs and people, which is so important in the end. - 31866

About the Author:

If you'd like to learn more about finding and choosing a dog obedience school, head on over to DogTipsDaily.com today. Dog Tips Daily offers tons of useful tips and information on raising and caring for a well-adjusted and healthy dog.

Find Out Tips To Puppy Potty Training

By Todd Hammerstein

Everyone in the house will be so excited to bring a new puppy home. Reality hits once everyone realizes that it may take a team effort to train the dog with patience and love. Potty training your dog is one of the first tasks, and this alone will call on your to muster up all the patience and effort you have.

If you try to potty train your dog to go to potty outside before it is a month old you may be wasting your time. It's easier and better to start potty training your puppy around two months of age. At this point, the best approach is to work out some kind of routine with your puppy. Haphazard training rarely works.

If you jump up to take out the puppy every few minutes you will soon grow weary and your puppy may not get the point of too frequent visits outside. Set up a schedule to take your puppy out about once every thirty minutes or so. It's also a good idea to take your puppy out before you sit down for a meal. You don't want to have to get up and take the puppy out when you are in the middle of eating.

Get a routine going and maintain it and you will have your puppy potty trained in no time. Trust me; it seems to take forever if you don't work with your dog on a schedule. You and your puppy will be more happy with a schedule which you intend to stick with.

Some people feel that establishing a routine is just too excessive. The reality is that it is a fairly simple thing to do, and it will help get your puppy trained. It is the best way for your puppy to learn. Just like potty training a child, your puppy will need to see and complete the process a number of times before it actually "clicks" that going outside means time to potty.

Puppies that refuse to potty outside can be especially perplexing. Try to figure out why they refuse to go outside. Try taking them to a different place in the yard. With a little effort you will get your puppy potty trained and can move on to other puppy training adventures. - 31866

About the Author:

Find out how to potty train a puppy fast. Visit pottytrainpuppyfast.info to get more information on puppies and dog training.

Dog Training With Dog Training Aids

By Geraldine Dimarco

Using your voice to persuade your dog to learn something new is a great dog training aid. Use your dog's name before you state any command, and use a persuasive tone of voice. What is a persuasive tone? It's best to use a low, but pleasant, firm tone when dog training.

Speak to your dog all the time while you're engaged in dog training. Training your dog to retrieve may take some time, and dog training aids can come in useful for this purpose. A very light dumbbell is a good dog training aid to use when training your dog to retrieve. Again, use your voice to effect - immediately your dog takes the dumbbell, praise him repeatedly in a happy voice, and also pet him.

Never become angry with your dog when dog training. Becoming angry will not help, and is likely to make your dog anxious. To make matters worse, your dog won't understand why you're angry with him.

Dogs want to please their owners. It is their prime motivation. So if your dog does not understand your commands immediately, it's not because he's being naughty or disobedient. He just doesn't grasp what you're asking him.

Once your dog understands what it is you're attempting to train him to do, he will be more than happy to repeat the action - probably over and over again. One thing you can be almost certain of is that you will get bored before your dog does!

If your dog does not understand that you want him to take the dumbbell (or whichever other dog training aids you're using), it may be necessary to gently place the dumbbell in his mouth and then gently hold his jaws closed by placing both your hands around his muzzle. Be careful not to bang your dog's teeth on the dumbbell.

Dog training times are a wonderful opportunity for you to spend one on one time with your dog. Dogs love this. They love training with you, but you will need to be patient at times. Your dog will not always understand what you want him to do, but as soon as he does, he will be happy to comply.

Once your dog has become used to taking the dumbbell from your hand, he will probably want to perform this "trick" over and over, because he knows he is pleasing you.

Then all that's left is for you to place the dumbbell some distance away, and ask your dog to fetch. Start by placing the dumbbell on the ground just in front of your dog, then move the dumbbell a couple of feet away, then place greater and greater distance between your dog and the dumbbell. Your dog will be retrieving in no time. - 31866

About the Author:

What are the more important aspects of dog training? Discover what they are, and how dog training aids can assist when training your dog to retrieve, to fetch, and much more.

In Home Dog Training For The Busy And Loving Dog Owner

By Geraldine Dimarco

How many chewed up shoes do you have in your closet? Do you constantly have to spot check your home for little souvenirs your dog might have left over for you to clean? Thats not a lot of fun now is it? If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired with your dogs manners then maybe its time to get some dog training in to his life.

Owners who want to personally train their dogs but cannot do so for whatever reason, are beginning to appreciate the mighty services of trainers who are hired to teach your pet. These professionals (either individuals or company connected) train your dogs for you while you sit back and watch the progress from the comfort of your very own home. Yes, in home dog training is the answer but what are the questions? Here are the five important things you need to ask before launching into the world of canine home education.

What is the level of obedience of your canine? If you have attempted dog training and have had some success in doing so; consider doing it yourself. There is no better person to teach your dog but you. However, if you have correctly assessed your incapacity as an effective trainer, then by all means have a professional trainer over as soon as you are able.

Where are all the good trainers? The best trainers are those whose work speak for itself. Talk to your friends and neighbors who have used a professional's services in training their pet. If they don't know anybody, they should know somebody who comes highly recommended. Check the yellow pages or surf through the internet for companies or individuals that offer the training your dog needs (basic obedience training or specific behavior modification). Research on their rates and find one that gives you the best value for your money.

What are the qualities of a good trainer? The most important of all is his manner of teaching and handling the dog. There should be no kicking, yelling, rough handling at all in his part. You are putting your pet in his hands so it is your right to ask for records and referrals he should have which you can check for yourself. While no official government licenses are available for animal training are available; veterinary/animal schools give certification to graduates who have taken the necessary courses to be professional trainers. The International Association of Canine Professional offer CDT and CDTA certification, if your trainer has this then chances are he is well equipped to teach canines.

Should I enroll him in individual or group classes? Naturally, if you can afford it a one-on-one session between dog and trainer will help the animal learn faster because he has the full attention of the trainer. However, if you have enrolled him in a group class"it can work out well also. Your pet will have a chance to develop his social skills"an important aspect of dog training as a whole. An experienced professional can effectively customize his teaching to suit each dogs educational need. If you do opt for group classes, form one with dogs that you know are well taken cared of. These canines will be playing and roughing it out with each other often and you want to avoid any situation where fleas and infections can take place.

When should the training commence? As soon as possible! It is best to train puppies while they are still 8 weeks old. However, with patience and perseverance, even dogs can learn obedience commands at any age. If you are ready and your dog is present then anything is possible. Through in home dog training, a well trained dog is not only possible, it is expected. - 31866

About the Author:

Geraldine Dimarco enjoys dog training her brood of dogs. Get free information on In Home Dog Training today.

Potty Training Dogs 101

By Geraldine Dimarco

Let's face it, dogs are a man's best friend until they unload a bomb in your living room and you're stuck with cleaning duties. If you want your residence to be an official no canine poop zone; potty training dogs is what you need to be reading up on. Well, what do you know-- you're reading the simple and fast guide on how to do it right now.

Hearing the obligatory chores in house training dogs is enough to make the best of us cringe. Some don't even bother to make an effort. As a result, many dogs have never learned the basics on toilet training. It may be easier to teach puppies good habits, but adult dogs can still learn to do their business outside properly.

It will be helpful to know that it is easier to train older canines to do than to don't. What this means is that if he is not taught how to go out to eliminate; you will find it almost impossible to undo this learned behavior. You will need to teach him a new habit. In this scenario, it is going outdoors to do his business.

Look for a spot outdoors specifically to use for his toilet needs. The dog will feel like eliminating ten to fifteen minutes after eating. Take him out to the designated area around that time. As you walk to his spot, keep repeating a phrase he will associate with this activity like, 'go potty'. When he finally does, lavish him with praise so he will understand that what he just did was good. Keep doing this process for several weeks, using the same spot each time. You need to be consistent in house training dogs.

Dog accidents can still crop up even when you are in the middle of potty training him. If you catch in the act, quickly stop him and take him outside to finish his business. Give him treats and play with him right after he successfully finishes doing it outside. If you find the mound of poop alone with no dog in sight, do not look for him and start yelling. He will not understand that you are getting mad because of this particular action. Be vigilant to the dog right after his eating time to avoid future similar incidents.

In case it happens, clean the accident immediately as thoroughly as possible. Use a solution that combats odor to get rid of any residual smell it might leave behind or else the dog will revisit his spot and use it to eliminate again. Remember in potty training dogs, they do not like sharing their sleeping area and their toilet area; so keep their cage or crate as small as possible without it being too cramped for them.

Do not feed him or put water and food inside his cage at night so your sleep will not be disturbed. You can take him outside to discharge in the morning or even after he wakes up from a short cat, I mean, dog nap. When you have succeeded in teaching him how to go out for this particular activity, see to it that leaving the house is as convenient as possible for him. A swinging dog flap installed in your doors or a cage near an open back door will do the job.

Potty training dogs is an important chore for responsible pet owners. Not only does it discipline and mentally stimulate your dog to behave correctly, you home will be all the cleaner and nicer because of it. - 31866

About the Author:

Geraldine Dimarco finds fulfillment in house training dogs. Get free information on great tips for Potty Training Dogs today.

The Truth Regrading Electric Dog Fences

By Jammeson Tyler Davidmire

If you are looking for a truly easy and tireless way to keep your dog in one spot? This can be accomplished quite easily by using one simple tool. This tool will help condition your pet to not wader off where they don't belong. You might have heard of this tool referred to as an invisible do fence.

How does this invisible fence work? It will simply teach your do where it is and isn't acceptable to play. By teaching your pet their boundaries you will be keeping them safe. You will also be teaching them that it is important to obey the rules that your set for them.

A perk, for your pet, of these invisible fences is that they will not have to be leashed. After all, how much fun and running can they do if they are constantly being snagged by a cumbersome leash. This device will keep them on your property without keeping them tied down.

How much will you need to spend on a sophisticated train tool like this one? Wireless dog fences run anywhere from just under a hundred dollars to quite a few hundred. The difference in price depends on the quality. You may also need to buy a more expensive invisible fence if you have a larger property as those with a wider range are a bit more pricey.

These tools work buy receive a signal from the transmitter, the main part of a wireless dog fence. The receiver is attached to your pets dog collar. If you have multiple pets, no worries, one or more receivers can purchased depending on how many pets you have.

Whenever your dog run off and tries to leave your property they will hear a warning sound. This warning is to let them know that they are playing where they shouldn't be playing. If they continue to disobey your rules they will receive a correction. This is a painless, more of a loud snap, way to let them no that it isn't acceptable to go any further. They will then turn back and the learning process will begin.

Setting up a wireless dog fence is easy. You should try and center the transmitter as close to the center of your property as possible. The transmitter will work regardless of any obstructions, such as, walls or closed doors. As a matter of fact you can even have the transmitter in a closet and it will work just fine. Once the transmitter is setup and plugged in you need only turn on the dog collars and place them on your pets. That is all the setup that is required to start your own invisible dog fence.

Here is what can be expected by using a wireless dog fence. Your pets will learn their boundaries with little to no supervision. You will be able to let your dogs roam freely around your property without worrying about them running off or getting hurt. You may notice that your pets are more well behaved and more receptive to your commands.

There is one more interesting fact about these dog fences. After a while you will notice that your pets no longer go near the boarders of your property. At that point you may even be able to replace their wireless dog collars with a plain old collar. This means that the invisible dog fence did its job and your pets are fully trained. All of this done for a few hundred dollars and without any work from your what so ever. - 31866

About the Author:

Looking for more information on electric dog fences? Check this site out, Petsafe Wireless Dog Fence.