Posts Tagged ‘Training Session’
Puppy Training – How To Teach Your Puppy “Down”
As you start your puppy training session, put your puppy in the Sit position.
Hold a motivator to your puppy’s nose and let her smell it.
When she is really interested with what you have by licking or pawing at your hand, slowly lower your hand to the ground. Aim your fist between her front paws.
When your hand is on the ground and your puppy’s nose is also to the ground, her body will collapse to the ground.
Her chest must be touching the floor.
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Once she is in the down position, say “Down,” and give her the motivator while she stays in this position.
Puppies are smart – they will learn it is to their advantage to get into the down position to get the reward.
If your dog resists the Down command during puppy training and stands back up, put her back in the Sit position and again work the Down command.
Initially when puppy training, it is far easier for pups to go into a down from a sit position rather than from a stand position.
Good Dog Training Collars Can Make Difference
Dog training collars are obviously necessary and very effective tools in dog training. The dog’s collar is the point of physical control that the trainer uses to make contact with the dog.
There are many different training methods and styles used by professional trainers and as a result there are many different types of training collars.
A quick check of on line pet supply retailers will find even more collars available in the market. You will find that each one has its own unique set of features that makes them ideal for specific types of training.
The standard variety, like leather or strong nylon is most advisable when simply training a dog to do basic stuff such as sit, jump, or stay.
This is dependent of course on the size of the dog. Nylon collars are ideal for smaller dogs. Leather collars are ideal for bigger dog breeds.
Nowadays, those who want to train their pet dogs for simple everyday commands even have the option to choose embellished collars. But for dog training, high quality collars should be given more preference.
Basic choke collars are one of the best dog training collars around. Choke collars give the trainer instant correction and control by tightening the collar around the dog’s neck.
During the training session when the dog is behaving in the proper manner, or obedient in following commands, the collar stays loose and comfortable around the dog’s neck. In the event however that the dog starts misbehaving or commits a training mistake, the trainer can easily tighten the collar as a way of correction.
This technique communicates to the dog the proper response to a command.
Prong collars, or pinch collars are another widely used dog training collars by professional trainers. This kind of collar has dulled tips on the collar surface touching the dog’s neck.
Like the choke collar, the trainer can control the tightening and loosening of the collar.
As a way of correction, the trainer will pull the collar and the blunted tips will tighten around the dog’s neck, without piercing his skin. It is important however to maintain caution in using these collars. There is a thin line between constructive correction and animal abuse.
This type of collar should really be left to the professional trainer or handler.
Electronic and citronella training collars are very popular with many dog trainers. They are especially useful in correcting dog behavior when the dog is not on a lead.
It is also very effective in aversion training like that used to train hunting dogs to avoid rattlesnakes and porcupines.
The remote controls on this type of collar has the ability to make corrections from as far away as one mile. Correction is accomplished through either electronic stimulation or a spray of citronella once the command is given via the remote control.
These collars also have a tone feature where the handler can communicate with the dog by sending a set of tone commands to either approve of a behavior or to warn the dog to correct its behavior prior to receiving stimulation.
No matter what training methods are employed by the trainer a quality dog training collar will be required to achieve the training goals.
isdom and discernment should always be used when using any training collar. Failure to do so may result in unwanted behaviors or even physical damage to the dog’s health.
James Kesel, MS is the publisher of Career in dog training website. Providing information on dog training, dog training career opportunities and training accessories such as dog training collars.
Article Source: ArticleSpan
Common Puppy Behavior Problems – Barking & Digging
Barking is completely normal for any dog but it should be considered a problem if it becomes excessive. Most dogs will bark at strangers passing by, and this is to be expected. However, you need to teach your puppy that although some barking is OK, too much barking is not.
Allow your puppy to bark two or three times when someone rings the doorbell, approaches your house or walks past your yard. Don’t let your puppy bark frantically until the person eventually leaves the area.
A Simple Anti-Barking Routine
To train your puppy not to bark excessively, be consistent and plan ahead. Ask a friend to come to your home and ring the doorbell. When the bell rings, your puppy probably will run toward the door and bark.
Take hold of your puppy’s collar at that moment, and say his name and then the cue “be quiet.” When he listens to you and ceases his barking, praise him heartily. After several practice sessions, your puppy should start to catch on.
Once your puppy has learned to respond reliably to the quiet cue while inside your house, you can begin the training session outdoors in your yard. Ask friends and neighbors to help you with the training by walking past your property or doing whatever else it is that sets your puppy off on a barking spree.
Remember, too, that bored dogs will bark more than those who are getting enough stimulation. If your puppy is barking like crazy at everyone who passes the house, he may need more exercise and stimulation. That way he won’t feel compelled to come up with his own distractions.
Digging
The instinct to dig is strong in most dogs and often starts in puppyhood. If your puppy is starting to dig up the yard, you need to intervene before your garden begins to look like a mine field.
The best way to control your puppy’s urge to dig is to give him a spot in the yard where he can dig to his heart’s content. This might be a place where you’ve already seen him digging if you don’t really mind that he digs there. Or, you may want to entice him to dig in an area that is out of the way and not visible from most parts of your yard.
If you catch him digging in a place that is not allowed, correct him by saying “NO DIG!” and take him to his allowed spot. If he digs in this designated digging area, praise him to let him know he’s got the right idea.
Even though he has his own digging spot, you may find that your puppy still likes to dig in places he shouldn’t. Protect these areas with temporary fencing (like chicken wire) until your puppy gets in the habit of digging only in his designated spot. Eventually, you should be able to take down the fencing and give him the run of the yard.