Bringing a canine furry four-footed member into the family can be an exciting and fun time. After all, who can resist the cute factor of impish little puppies? The problem is that the cute factor wears off when you start finding your shoes and furniture chewed on and little piddles on your floor and rug. Before you adopt a dog into the family, make sure that you have a game plan ahead of time in regards to some obedience training. This can be some simple commands to provide a basis for good behavior around the home to the more elaborate commands if you decide to join dog competitions with your dog.

The most important reason that dog obedience should be considered is that you will get a well-behaved pet who loves you. Teaching your dog some key training commands will also strengthen your rapport with him and develop a solid relationship. In addition, this obedience training will serve your dog in good stead whenever you travel or have visitor over to your home. So which key training commands should you teach your dog? There are six of them: come, sit, and stay, down, heel and off. Read on for more information about each one:

1. The Come Command – This is the command that can minimize the trouble your dog could get into. Some people feel that it is also the most important command a dog could know. If your dog can respond to your “come” command, you will have an excellent foundation for other commands. This command is especially helpful if strangers come knocking on your door like the mailman, pizza delivery and even cute girl scouts.

2. The Sit Command – When you work on the sit command, it works best teaching it in tandem with the stay command as well. The sit command is especially beneficial to you because you can essentially get your dog to stay in one place wherever you tell him, even if tempting company comes over like other people, dogs or even cats.

3. The Stay Command – This particular command is especially helpful because it can keep your family pooch away from potential trouble. Or, if you are especially focused on a task like cooking or painting, the stay command could keep them away from the area.

4. The Down Command – If you dog is easily excited, chances are that he is a jumper. Unfortunately, not everyone enjoys that type of exuberance, especially from a dog! The down command will help you curb your dog’s tendency to jump when easily excited. Plus, if you wish for you dog to perform a few tricks, the down command is a popular one.

5. The Heel Command – This is an important command which gives you peace of mind whenever you are out, especially in a public place with your dog. The heel command teaches your dog to walk right next to you so that you don’t have to worry about him running off and having to chase him. You can teach this heel command to your pooch both on and off a leash.

6. The Off Command – If your dog is a jumper, the off command can easily curb those tendencies. Some people are frightened when a dog jumps on them, especially children. The off command can quickly diffuse a potentially sticky situation.

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Support Your Dog’s Digging Habit

Puppies love to dig! It’s in their blood and it is quite often their favorite pastime. This is especially true for young puppies that stem from the sporting group, the terrier group, and the Nordic group.

Digging is also a dog’s way of relieving stress and “letting it all out” so to speak. If a puppy is experiencing anxiety levels due to a new baby in the house, a recent move, strange people, or lack of attention, then he is going to dig in order to help himself feel better.

Fortunately there are ways in which you can help diminish your puppy’s digging behavior so that it is less destructive to your belongings while at the same time giving him a place to dig without being punished for it.

Below are a set of instructions that will help you train your dog not to dig and claw in areas that you do not want him to, as well as creating a place of his own where he is free to dig at his heart’s content

1. The first thing you need to do is find one area that your puppy is allowed to dig in as much as he wants to. This could be somewhere in your house, in a nearby park, or better yet, in your backyard if you have the luxury of owning the property.

2. Make it fun for your puppy to dig by burying some of his toys and bones underneath the dirt. Now play with your dog and start digging with him so you can both play the game of looking for his toys while digging. It becomes a lot of fun to watch your puppy dig along with you in search of his hidden treasure.

3. Every day, go back to your dog’s digging area and instruct him to start digging by giving him a command. This command could be as simple as “Sparky, Go Dig!” After a while he will immediately begin clawing at the dirt in wild anticipation for the fun that lay ahead.

4. If you see your puppy digging in any area other than his digging spot, be sure to correct him with a firm “NO!” And then guide him to his proper digging location. This is the same protocol that you would use when housebreaking a puppy after he makes a mess in the house. Eventually, your dog will seek out his digging area when he feels the urge to dig away.

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How To Change Your Puppy’s Shy, Timid Behavior

Are you the proud owner of an extremely shy puppy? This fear-based behavioral characteristic is very common if you have a toy dog breed. However, it’s a known fact that every litter will have a least one shy puppy that will need to be treated a little differently than the rest of the pups.

When these shy puppies grow up they can become extremely needy and look towards their owners for reinforcement in almost every situation they come across. And unfortunately, while this need to �run to mommy or daddy� every time she gets scared, your dog may start to initiate aggression if she is not getting the soothing attention needed. This could be labeled as aggression induced by fear.

Ironically enough, if you constantly caress and soothe your puppy when she demonstrates extreme shyness and becomes frightened, you are only reinforcing the behavior. I realize that it’s hard to imagine ignoring your shy and scared puppy when she needs you, but if you would like to change her behavior and help the dog become a bold and social animal, you are going to have to quit letting her know that it is �okay� to be afraid.

Helping Your Shy Puppy Change

If your dog is showing signs of fear and timidness early on, then you will have to be patient when desiring to help her adjust. You must coax the dog along to realizing that you will not be her protector anymore. Behaviors that she is used to doing when getting scared will need to be stopped, such as barking while hiding behind your legs when startled, darting away whenever seeing a normal part of the outside, like a person walking or a bush swaying by the wind, etc.

Here are some tips that you can use to help your puppy become less shy:

1. Explain to your family and friends to ignore your puppy’s fear-induced barking or crying whenever they approach. Up to this point your dog has acted out of fear whenever someone approaches and when these people naturally stop the approach, your dog has learned that this behavior works in her favor. However, from now on your dog will start to understand that fear-induced barking will not work anymore so long as your friends and family respect your training wishes.

2. Whenever you are expecting guests to arrive at the house, be sure to keep your puppy secured by a lead. Take her with you as you approach the guests if you can allow the dog to be with you all times. The difference from now on is that when she starts crying, barking, or hiding behind your legs, you will now act in a confident matter and without petting or soothing her. This will help your dog become more brave while teaching her that her old behavior will not work anymore.

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Everything You Need To Know To Keep Your Dog Safe

Dogs, especially puppies, are naturally curious creatures. It is very easy for them to get hurt or injured just by being themselves and going about their normal business. You may catch them trying to swallow a big object, jump on and off high places, getting exposed to toxic household chemicals, or just bump into things that causes bodily injury.

Some of the most common pet injuries and accidents that can occur in your home are choking, electrical shock, household chemical poisoning, puncture wounds,and fractures � all of which can be prevented by applying simple, common-sense actions. Below is a list of ways to prevent injuries to your pets.

First and foremost, it is important to keep in mind that in an event of an emergency, even minor situations, you should always call your veterinarian and have your dog examined to ensure that you didn’t miss a serious problem. In addition, make sure that he is getting his yearly check-up so the vet can check for any problems to take care of it before it gets worse.

Electrical Hazards � Puppies and dogs are attracted to electrical wires and may chew on them, causing a severe burn in their mouths. Make sure that all wires are safely put away, secured with a duct tape, or out of your dog’s sight.

Food And Exercise � Table scraps are usually loaded with fat and should not be given to any dog. The best diet for your dog is homemade foods that are recommended by your veterinarian or a high-quality commercial dog food. In addition, make sure that his bowl is always filled with fresh water. Wait at least one hour after this meal before taking him out for exercise. Also, do not exercise him for too long or too hard. Depending on his breed, a 15 minute walk each day may be all that his body needs. Consult your vet if you are unsure about the amount of exercise your dog requires.

Toxic Chemicals And Poisons � Keep your dog away bleaches, detergents, cleaners, polishers, and all household chemicals. Houseplants should also be out of your dog’s reach. Several plants can make your pet sick, severely ill, or even lead to death. In addition, keep all medicines out of reach.

Below is a list of some of the foods that should not be given to your dog:

1. Alcoholic beverages and caffeinated foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, and chocolate.
2. Dairy products such as milk and cheese.
3. Raw fish and raw eggs.
4. Tobacco.
5. Raisins and grapes.
6. Vitamin supplements for human that contains iron or too much liver.
7. Vegetables such as mushroom, onion, garlic, and potato.

Trash � Keep the garbage tightly closed both inside and outside your house.

Restraint � Keep your dog on leash when you take him out in public.

Traveling In The Car � Have a carrier or a kennel that is securely placed in the car. Do not put him in the back of a pickup truck and do not let him stick his head outside the windows.

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Your adult dog needs the right amount of balance in his training. These needs include a regular dose of physical exercise, mental exercise, and the need to socialize. Providing your dog with these needs will keep him happy, healthy, and may even add extra years to his life.

Mental Needs Of Your Adult Dog

The more you teach your dog, regardless of his age, breed, and personality, the better he will become at all levels of his life. Training your dog to perform certain tasks gives him purpose, which in turn greatly improves the quality of his life. Once your dog learns certain skills, he is no longer just your pet. He becomes more of a friend, a companion, a helper, someone to enjoy more wonderful times with.

Providing your dog with knowledge gives him freedom to do more things. Having the skills to listen, to respond properly to your commands, and the ability to be trained gives him the advantage to explore more and learn more. Instead of staying inside the home all day by himself, you can take him to different places and share more activities with you.

Teach your pal something new each week. This will keep him confident and keep his mind stimulated and alert. Being able to think clearly in his adult life will benefit him when he reaches old age.

If your dog’s intelligence is above average or if is an energetic working breed, you will have to train him more, even in his adult years. Highly intelligent dogs need to have a job to do to keep them entertained, prevent them from becoming bored, and also prevent them from developing destructive behaviors.

Extra training and mental activity is required if you have a working breed. Working breeds need to be worked more to keep them busy and problem-free. A few examples of working breeds are Border Collies, Great Danes, Australian Cattle Dogs, German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Old English Sheepdogs. These dogs need to think more and do more to stay happy.

Giving your adult dog his regular mental exercise will keep his mind clear, keep him occupied, and prevent boredom. Boredom leads to dissatisfaction, which in turn leads to negative behavior. Regardless of the amount of training and skills he acquired during puppyhood and his adolescent stage, he is likely to develop destructive behaviors again unless you give him a job to do.

The old adage �use it or lose it� not only applies to humans, but to our canine friends as well. Your dog needs to brush up on his skills and talents on a regular basis, otherwise he will forget them. It is that simple!

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Teaching Your Dog The Basic Command Of Come Here

Dog training does not have to be complicated, nor does it take enormous amounts of time to teach your pet the basics. Speaking of basics, we all want our dogs to come to us when called. There are many ways to go about this dog training procedure, below is perhaps the easiest way.

The following instructions will have your dog responding to your “come” command in no time. This easy technique revolves around luring your dog and then rewarding him. Please note that this will be a lot easier if your dog is hungry before beginning training. Also, have handy small dog treats that you will use as a training aid.

1. First stand in front of your dog and hold a dog treat in between your thumb and index finger so it can easily be seen. Your arm should be in front of you but resting on your leg.

2. Now simply get the atmosphere exciting to your dog by putting on a great big smile and with a sweet and fun tone of voice, say “Sparky, Come!” Do not overdo the come command with too much excitement, just enough to get him to notice you and realize that you are happy.

3. Your puppy should start running towards you, especially at the sight of the dog treat in your hand. Most dogs come running at the first hint of food, but your puppy may need a little more motivation. If after a moment he does not respond, your next move is to squat down and reach out with the treat just slightly, while calling his name again and getting the “come” command.

4. Once your puppy does arrive at the treat and in front of you, try to lure him into the sitting position by stroking his neck and upper back with one hand and applying pressure on his hind for him to sit, while slowly moving the treat to his mouth with your other hand. Now is the perfect time to start praising him in a loving voice and creating a positive feeling that he will want to experience again when you call his name and ask them to come to you.

5. Eventually drop the dog treats altogether and repeat the above steps, but offering praise instead of food when your dog comes to you.

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It may surprise you to know that dogs actually respond to dog training hand signals better than they may respond to the spoken word. Do you know why that may be true?

Well, it’s because dogs do not communicate through our language. They communicate by body posturing and gesturing most of the time. So knowing that bit of information, it only makes sense that your dog, unless he suffers from blindness, will respond to hand signals as well, if not better, than to your voice. An advantage of teaching your dog hand signals is that as long as your dog can see you, he can respond to your commands regardless of the noise level in the area. Talk about impressive dog handling!

The hand signals can be used in conjunction with the verbal commands or can be used on their own. Some trainers may prefer to teach dog training hand signals at the same time as the verbal commands. Other trainers, prefer to teach the two methods separately. If you are a novice, training your first dog or puppy, it might be a good idea to completely obedience train your dog using the verbal commands first and then go back and train your dog to respond to hand signals.

There are no official hand signals for training a dog. There are however, some commonly used signals. Start with one hand signal at a time and repeat it over and over until it is evident that your dog has grasped the concept. Then move on to the next signal. To get you started here are a list of some common dog training hand signals that you can use:

· Down - Lower your hand and arm on a slanted position with your palm down. Your open palm should be pointing to the ground.

· Sit - Position your arms straight down then raise your hand and forearm with palm up just above your dog’s head.

· Stay - Imitate a traffic cop’s gesture of the hand signal for stop. Your full open palm should face your dog.

· Come - Both your arms should be outstretched, with palms facing forward, as if to welcome your dog.

· Leave - Use this command to tell your dog to let go of an object. You can wave one hand or both of your hands with your arms extended.

· Off - The “off” command should not be confused with the “down” command. If for example your dog is jumping on you, you can turn your back and say “off”.

Verbal and visual communication should work together in order for your dog training to be successful. This additional method of training, can help to keep your dog’s mind stimulated. With time, effort and consistency, you can learn to control your dog’s behaviors without saying more than his name and using some basic dog training hand signals.

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If you have decided to join the millions of dog owners worldwide that are responsible dog owners, then the first and foremost place to start is with the basics of good dog obedience training.

Training a dog, especially a new puppy is not all that complicated and it doesn’t even require a special degree. Any responsible dog owner can learn the basics as long as they are committed to providing the time and effort required. The key to success is consistency, meaning that you must be prepared to establish a set of simple commands and always use these same commands whenever communicating with your dog. Using different commands for the same task or behavior will only serve to confuse the dog, and the desired behavior or expected results, will not be achieved. So it’s important that everyone in the family uses the same commands when working with or correcting certain behaviors.

It is just as important for everyone who comes in contact with the dog, to follow any guidelines you have set for your dog’s accepted behaviors. For example, if you have decided that the dog is not allowed on the furniture than, everyone must make sure that they do not allow him on the furniture. The dog will quickly learn how to break the rules with family members who allow him on the furniture.

Another important aspect of obedience training is timing. Attempting to correct a dog several hours or even several minutes after he exhibits a negative behavior will have no effect on a dog. They do not have any conception of time. In order for a reprimand, or even praise or to be effective, they must be given immediately following the behavior.

To help you get started, let’s look at the five basic commands that every dog should know. You can begin to teach these to puppies as early as 8 to 10 weeks however, training sessions should only be about 5 minutes at a time. Training sessions for older dogs should not exceed 15 minutes. The attention span for your pet is limited so you need to work with the animal to achieve maximum results within their limitations.

These commands are the foundation for a well-mannered dog:

· ‘Sit” - This command would tell your dog to settle down. His hips and hind legs should be on the ground and his shoulders and front legs upright.

· ‘Down” - On this command, the dog should have his belly flat to the ground.

· “Stay” - You should say the word “stay” longer than you would say “sit” so that your dog can differentiate the two commands. The “stay” command is best done through leash training. Your dog should remain in the position of sit or down when you walk away from him. He must be able to stay in position until you give him permission to move

· “Heel” - This basically tells your dog to walk with you. Your dog should walk on your side with his shoulder in line with your leg. When training your dog to heel, remember to choose either your left or right side where your dog should walk- this should remain consistent.

· “Release” - The release command is used to tell your dog that he can break from the previous command you told him to do. Like for instance, if you told your dog to “sit” he can get up only when you say “release”.

These are just some of the basic commands of dog obedience training. Remember that all dogs can be trained as long at you are patient, timely in your praise and, corrections remain consistent when communicating with your dog. Continue along this path and you will become a responsible pet owner and have a well behaved dog.

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There are many reasons why canine obedience training is so important. The most important reason is because if you have a well trained dog, they are so much more enjoyable and easier to have around. Anyone who does not have the time to properly train a dog, should not bring one home, because it is just that important.

Canine obedience training can actually start with puppies that are between three and six months old. This type of training is called KPT or kindergarten puppy training. KPT is for beginners only. However, you do not need to limit the use of KPT to puppies only. Any dog that is just beginning training should start out with KPT. Kindergarten puppy training involves teaching them to stand, sit and stay. After these commands are mastered your puppy or dog can move on to recall and jumping.

One thing to remember in any type of training is that your dog will reach a plateau at some point. This means that the training will go very well for the first weeks and with impressive and steady progress. Then suddenly, at about the fifth or sixth week of training it seems like all they’ve learned goes out the window. This is very typical and should not be cause for concern or cause to get you frustrated. Just understand that this will happen. When it does happen you need to back off on the training. Give your dog a few days off. After the days off you can start with the sit and heel commands and gradually work into a more structured time of training. Be sure to praise your dog so the praise will give him more motivation to do the training and to do it well.

The equipment you need for canine obedience training is not complicated. You will need a cotton web lead with a snap swivel and a nylon slip-on training collar. Many trainers will not allow spiked collars in their classes and with good reason. If you are doing a good job of training then you will never need a spiked collar. If you aren’t doing a good job of training, then you should not have a dog.

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Most dogs will display a tendency to jump on people at times. How often will vary with breed and by individual. One theory suggests that dogs are trying to get close to the person’s face - not to attack, but to interact. Other dogs, especially of the same breed, have faces close to their level and the dog will use its nose and eyes to explore.

So, one way to deal with jumping is to give them no need to reach. Kneel down and interact with the dog at its level. Let it explore your face in a safe way, while keeping an eye out for excessive assertiveness. Very rarely will a dog bite its owner this way, especially if the human has taken the trouble to become the ‘alpha’ (leader of the pack).

Naturally, if you’ve only recently acquired an older dog, perhaps from a shelter, you should take proper precaution when using this technique. Put a collar on the dog and keep a thumb inserted under it behind the dog’s neck. Be prepared to jerk sideways, if necessary.

Sideways jerking is to be preferred to a sharp pull backwards, when possible. Dogs’ neck muscles are very strong, but throats can be too easily bruised. The movement is to protect the owner and inform the dog, not to punish.

Off-leash training to discourage jumping is also possible. Wear a pair of well-protecting pants and have the dog stand in front of you. Training a ’sit’ is, of course, a very good defense against jumping. But they can’t sit all the time. Jumping usually follows standing or running. So, start the exercise with the dog standing.

Watch for the body tension that precedes jumping and when you see them about to jump order a ’sit’. If the dog jumps anyway, lift your leg slightly and bump the dog’s chest with your knee or thigh. At the same time, thrust a palm near the dog’s face away from you. Issue a sharp command: ‘off!’. (’Down’ is a separate behavior, requiring a different word.)

The idea isn’t to slam the dog in the chest, nor to push a hand into its face. The raised knee helps to keep the dog off and puts it off balance. The hand in the face both obscures its vision and discourages a repeat jump.

If you have a partner you can work with, leash training may be useful in more stubborn cases. As the dog starts to leap, have the partner jerk sideways as you issue the ‘off!’ command. You should issue the command, not the partner. You need the dog to focus on and obey you.

In the absence of a partner, and when working outside, it may be possible to wrap a long leash around a tree or post. The difficulty is that the jerk will then usually be more back than to the side.

Positive reinforcement techniques can be used, too. Take a treat or a favorite toy in one hand. As the dog starts to jump, hold out the treat or toy above and slightly behind the dog’s head. That distracts the dog and puts it slightly off balance. It also encourages a sit, just when the impulse was to jump.

Repetition and consistency are, as with any training, important when training ‘off’. Be patient and firm. With time, most dogs will learn to suppress this natural behavior until and unless they receive permission to jump.

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