Dog Training Tips: 12 Tips for a Well Behaved Dog

1) Start training your puppy early on. While old dogs can be taught new tricks, what's learned earliest, is often learned quickest and easiest. Moreover, the older the dog, the more bad habits will likely need to be "un-learned". When it comes to raising and training a dog, an ounce of problem prevention is certainly worth a pound of cure!

2) Train your dog gently and humanely, and whenever possible, teach him using positive, motivational methods. Keep obedience sessions upbeat so that the training process is enjoyable for all parties involved. If training your pooch is a drudgery, rev things up a bit, and try the "playtraining" approach: incorporate constructive, non-adversarial games (such as "Go Find", "Hide 'n' Seek", retrieving, etc.) into your training sessions.

3) Does your dog treat you like "hired help" at home? Does he treat you like a human gymnasium when you're sitting on the furniture? Does he beg at the table? Jump up on visitors? Demand your attention by annoying you to death? Ignore your commands? How well your dog responds to you at home affects his behavior outdoors as well. If your dog doesn't respond reliably to commands at home (where distractions are relatively minimal), he certainly won't respond to you properly outdoors where he's tempted by other dogs, pigeons, passersby, sidewalk food scraps, etc.

4) Avoid giving your dog commands that you know you cannot enforce. Every time you give a command that is neither complied with nor enforced your dog learns that commands are optional.

5) One command should equal one response, so give your dog only one command (twice max!), then gently enforce it. Repeating commands tunes your dog out (as does nagging) and teaches your dog that the first several commands are a "bluff '. For instance, telling your dog to "Sit, sit, sit, sit!", is neither an efficient nor effective way to issue commands. Simply give your dog a single "Sit" command and gently place or lure your dog into the sit position, then praise/reward.

6) Avoid giving your dog combined commands which are incompatible. Combined commands such as "sit-down" can confuse your dog. Using this example, say either "sit" or "down". The command "sit-down" simply doesn't exist.

7) When giving your dog a command, avoid using a loud voice. Even if your dog is especially independent/unresponsive, your tone of voice when issuing an obedience command such as "sit","down" or ""stay", should be calm and authoritative, rather than harsh or loud.

NOTE: Many owners complain that their dogs are "stubborn", and that they "refuse to listen" when given a command. Before blaming the dog when he doesn't respond to a command, one must determine whether or not: a) the dog knows what the owner wants, b) he knows how to comply, c) he is not simply being unresponsive due to fear, stress or confusion.

8 ) Whenever possible, use your dog's name positively, rather than using it in conjunction to reprimands, warnings or punishment. Your dog should trust that when it hears its name or is called to you, good things happen. His name should always be a word he responds to with enthusiasm, never hesitancy or fear.

9) Correct or, better yet, prevent the (mis)behavior, don't punish the dog. Teaching and communication is what it's all about, not getting even with your dog. If you're taking an "it's-you-against-your dog, whip 'em into shape" approach, you'll undermine your relationship, while missing out on all the fun that a motivational training approach can offer. Additionally, after-the-fact discipline does NOT work.

10) When training one's dog, whether praising or correcting, good timing is essential. Take the following example: You've prepared a platter of hors d'oeuvres for a small dinner party, which you've left on your kitchen counter. Your dog walks into the room and smells the hors d'oeuvres. He air-sniffs, then eyes the food, and is poised to jump up. This is the best, easiest and most effective time to correct your dog: before he's misbehaved, while he's thinking about jumping up to get the food.

11) Often, dog owners inadvertently reinforce their dogs' misbehavior, by giving their dogs lots of attention (albeit negative attention) when they misbehave. Needless to say, if your dog receives lots of attention and handling when he jumps up on you, that behavior is being reinforced, and is therefor likely to be repeated.

12) Keep a lid on your anger. Never train your dog when you're feeling grouchy or impatient. Earning your dog's respect is never accomplished by yelling, hitting, or handling your dog in a harsh manner. Moreover, studies have shown that fear and stress inhibit the learning process.

How To Potty Train Your Puppy?

My dog was adorable during his days as a puppy, but of course, there were some moments when I didn’t think the same way. I remember perfectly how much I hated to discover that he was having his potty accidents in the living room, right on the carpet.

Yelling or punishing him would have been useless so, instead of doing any of that, I have decided that it was about time to train him to “go” outside. What I had to do first was to clean after my puppy and finding the product who would remove 100% the smell hasn’t been easy.

Why this has to be the first step? Because when dogs pee on one spot on the carpet, next times they feel like doing that, it will happen at the exactly same place. Their sense of smell is well developed and it’s the smell which tells them to “go” there. Using this tip when taking the puppy outside to pee or to poop is very important, because you have to take it at the same place every time.

Do not forget to say “go potty” before and while he is “going” and to praise him afterwards.

However, even after he learned to associate “go potty” with “going”, accidents happened and I even caught him in the act a few times. Punishing was out of the question because this only scares the puppy and he will get the message that is wrong for him to “go” in front of you. In this situation there is only one thing to be done: distract his attention by clapping your hands or doing any other noise. He will stop going and this way you can quickly take him outside. After he had finished up, he must be rewarded. That is why puppies need to be supervised!

But what was in fact causing him to “go” at night? In a way, puppies are just like kids, therefore they need a schedule when it comes to eating, drinking water, sleeping. Once I’ve stopped giving water to my puppy a few hours before his bedtime, he stopped peeing at night. Taking your puppy out after a nap – no matter the duration of it, or before playing with him it’s mandatory! Puppies also need to “go” 5 or 10 minutes after eating and drinking.

In order to prevent accidents from happening, it’s better to establish a feeding schedule and this way I knew exactly when he needed to potty.

Personally, I think that everything gets a lot easier when you train him to do some kind of signal whenever he needs to go out. I have heard that some pet owners use bells or other stuff similar to that, but I have trained my puppy to scratch at the door – and this is the most common signal. Another option, however not always possible, is a dog door, that way the puppy can go outside whenever he feels like it.

And one last thing: don’t forget to take your puppy outside first thing in the morning! He will not be able to hold all night.

Article Source: http://www.redsofts.com/articles/

Tips to Prevent Chewing and Biting in Puppies - Part 2

Your puppy will need chew toys that outlast his teeth and others that he can really get his teeth into. Add some squeaky toys, balls, tug-o-ropes, and whatever else you think your pup will enjoy that won't hurt him.

If your puppy chews on you or your clothing, make a loud noise, such as 'no', to get his attention, then remove whatever it is that he's chewing on. Promptly replace it with an appropriate toy for him to chew on and reward him when he does.

Although often thought to be a teething behavior, nipping, mouthing and biting in young dogs is generally a form of social play. Teething is more likely to involve gnawing or chewing on household objects. The first thing you must do is to provide your puppy with ample opportunity for play without biting. Social play with people could involve chase and retrieve games, as well as long walks or jogging. Although wrestling and tug of war games can be fun, they may lead to play that is too rough or rambunctious. Puppies need to learn bite inhibition. This is something they start to learn while with they are littermates. It is one reason that puppies should not go to new homes until 7 - 8 weeks and they have had time to practice social skills with other dogs. It can therefore be extremely beneficial for the puppy to have regular interactive social play periods with other dogs or puppies in the home or in the neighborhood.

Tips to Prevent Chewing and Biting in Puppies - Part 1

Puppies naturally explore the world with their mouths. The tastes and textures of objects in their environment help them to learn about their world. They spend several months shedding their baby teeth and growing in their adult teeth. This stimulates them to chew and, thus, it is normal for them to chew. However, what puppies must learn is those things that are appropriate for them to chew on and those things that aren't.

The most important learning period for puppies occurs between the ages of 4 and 16 weeks. From birth to about 8 weeks, a puppy is mostly learning from his mother and littermates. The pup should also have generous amounts of gentle human handling during this time as this will help to prepare him for his new home.

A new puppy should not have free rein of the house at first. This is too confusing for him. Keep him mostly in a smaller, easily cleaned room such as a kitchen. Give him acceptable chew toys such as Kong toys, rawhides and nylabones. Do not give him discarded shoes or clothing. He can't differentiate between old and new clothing. Never strike or yell at your pup during this time because you will only frighten and confuse him and may create unwanted aggression.

10 Essential Puppy Training Tips

#1 - Start Training Early:
Puppies start to learn the moment they open their eyes and are most open to new experiences during the first four months. Start training your puppy the moment it is bought home. Good early habits endure and will result in a well behaved dog in the future.

#2 - Early Socialization:
Help ensure your puppy meet and socialize with as many people as possible during the first four months. Going on outdoor trips, visiting friends who own pets, and walking along busy streets should all be part of your puppy's education. These positive experiences will allow your puppy to be comfortable with humans and reduce the likelihood of any future behavior problems.

#3 - Mental And Physical Stimulation:
Every puppy thrives on both mental and physical stimulation. Exposing your puppy to new environments and experiences early can greatly enhance your dog's interest in learning new things. Puppy walks or games are great ways to stimulate your pet both mentally and physically. If actively stimulated, your puppy will become healthier and adept at learning new trainings faster. This will also help strengthen the bond between the both of you at the same time.

#4 - Hand Feed Your Puppy:
Whenever possible, hand feed your puppy. This teaches him/her to like human contact, even when your puppy is feeding from his food bowl. Not feeding from hand can lead your puppy to turn aggressive to whoever that tries to get near him/her while feeding.

#5 - Biting And Chewing:
Your puppy will certainly bite and chew while they play and investigate new things around them. If your puppy is teething; direct, encourage and reward your puppy to bite the right object (toy). Discourage and discipline by simply saying a firm "NO" and replace the object with the correct toy or training equipment.

#6 - Step-by-Step Training:
Always begin your puppy training at home where it is in a familiar environment and work on one new exercise, command or trick per training session. This will allow your puppy to learn, understand and familiarize each training better and faster. Trying to introducing multiple items at one session can confuse your dog and lead to a slower learning curve.

#7 - Best Time To Train:
Train your puppy when it is feeling hungry or before each of its meal. Your puppy will respond very well to food treats. This is especially useful if you are just starting out to train your puppy or you have certain difficulty with a particular command. Balance your rewards with praises and hugs so that your dog doesn't associate every reward with just food. Never begin any training with your puppy when you are feeling lousy or in a bad mood.

#8 - Housetraining:
Housebreak your puppy early by supervising and recognizing your puppy's body language such as circling or sniffing the floor. Take your puppy out every 45 minutes after eating or drinking as they tend to "let go" around this time. When it eliminates at the right location, praise and rewards your puppy so that it will associate eliminating outdoors as a positive experience.

#9 - Rewards And Punishment:
Different puppies learn at different speeds. Whenever your puppy obeys or performs to a certain command, praise and reward your dog immediately. This allows your puppy to associate learning with positive-ness and fun. Never use any physical corrections or harsh yelling when you puppy misbehave as this can cause fear and promote future aggressive behavior in your dog. Reprimand your dog by using a stern voice instead and only when you actually caught it misbehaving.

#10 - Training Sessions:
Train you puppy in short, frequent sessions. Puppies have a short attention span and will get easily distracted or bored. Train your puppy for ten minutes each session and then play with him/her with its favorite toy to stimulate your pup's learning process. Always end each training on a positive note with your puppy wanting more. This will allow your puppy to look forward to its next training session.

How To Stop A Puppy From Biting

Most normal puppies will bite and chew. While you cannot completely erase this
behavior, they can regulate it and influence the puppy’s behavior. To control your puppy’s biting behavior, you should understand the reason behind it. Overall, puppy’s bite and chew because it is a learned behavior; however, learned behaviors can be changed.

Puppies learn biting behavior from his mother at younger age. Young puppies often play with their mouths by grabbing or biting one another. Controlling this learned behavior requires training your puppy because biting and chewing can be harmful for your family and friends.

How to train your puppy to stop biting

*Understand “bite inhibition.” Bite inhibition is the process of making your puppy know the difference between people and playmates. You need to train her and make her understand that biting hurts people whenever she tries to do it.

*Discover the reason behind her biting. One explanation may be anxiety or your aggressive behavior. You need to have patience while training your puppy. You should earn trust and socialize in a proper manner before your puppy is 4 months to teach her biting control. If your puppy trusts and respects you, the biting behavior can be alleviated. However, slapping or kicking your puppy for her biting behavior is not
the solution. Thes actions will lead to mistrust and disrespect and may make the puppy more eager to bite rather than control it.

*Allow plenty of time for your puppy to socialize with other puppies and dogs. Socialization will teach her restrain the biting behavior.

*Speak in firm tone whenever your puppy bites. A firm tone can minimize the intensity and frequency of her biting behavior.

*Avoid aggressive behavior such as yelling at or hitting your pupply. Yelling or hitting your puppy because of her the biting behavior minimizes your ability to alleviate her biting control. When a puppy does something right or wrong, you should show it by your behavior. For example, if your puppy does something right, then you should reward her. On balance, if she does something wrong such as engaging in biting
behavior, then you should show that you are unhappy by disengaging from her..

Every puppy behaves differently. Therefore, you cannot expect to use the same techniques to train two different puppies. You must adapt your training techniques based on the puppy’s behavior. Often, you need to be experimental and use trial-and-error to determine the best training technique to control the puppy’s biting behavior.

Only you truly know your puppy, so you will need to develop your own training techniques. Adapting continuous changes in your techniques is a good idea. Your puppy may try to gain your attention by nipping you with a “gentle bite.” At times nipping can also cause irritation, and you should make your puppy understand you don’t like this behavior by not responding to her nipping. Because biting can be harmful and dangerous to you and your family, you must adapt the necessary training
techniques to stop the puppy from biting.

Most normal puppies will bite and chew. While you cannot completely erase this behavior, they can regulate it and influence the puppy’s behavior. To control your puppy’s biting behavior, you should understand the reason behind it. Overall, puppy’s bite and chew because it is a learned behavior; however, learned behaviors can be changed.

Puppies learn biting behavior from his mother at younger age. Young puppies often play with their mouths by grabbing or biting one another. Controlling this learned behavior requires training your puppy because biting and chewing can be harmful for your family and friends.

Article Source: http://www.redsofts.com/articles/

Dealing With Puppy Behaviors Problem

Everyone who owns a puppy or dog will eventually have to deal with and correct less than desirable behaviors on the part of their companion animal. There are a number of behaviors that should be nipped in the bud, including:

Jumping up on people

This is one of those behaviors that many owners inadvertently encourage in their animals, since jumping up, wagging his tail and the like can be adorable in a young puppy. When that puppy is older, larger and heavier, however, this jumping up behavior ceases to be cute and begins to become annoying and even dangerous.

A large, heavy dog jumping up on people can be dangerous to young children and even to some adults, since a large, 100 pound plus dog can easily knock down a child or small adult. Since you as the owner are responsible for the behavior of your dog, it is important to nip this problem behavior in the bud.

The best time to do that, of course, is when the puppy is still small and easy to handle. When the puppy jumps up on you or someone else, gently place the puppy?s feet back on the floor. When the dog remains standing there, be sure to praise it extensively.

It is also important to give the puppy an alternative to jumping up. Puppies jump up on people to express their enthusiasm, so it is important to redirect this energy in a more socially acceptable direction. Try teaching the puppy to present his paw instead of jumping up.

When teaching the puppy to not jump up on people, it is important to be consistent. Consistency is important in any training program, and all members of the family must understand that the puppy is not permitted to jump on them.

Pulling, charging and tugging on the lead
One problem you definitely want to nip in the bud is this one. It is important that the puppy learn to respect the collar and leash now, when he is still small and light enough to handle. Teaching this lesson to a 10 pound puppy will be much easier than teaching the same lesson to a 150 pound dog.

Using a good strong body harness or head collar can be a big help when training a puppy not to pull, or to retrain a dog that has already learned to pull on the leash. When first fitting a harness, it is important to allow the puppy to walk around wearing it, so that he can get used to wearing it.

The first thing your puppy must learn, and the basis of all subsequent training, is teaching your dog to heel. Teaching your dog to walk quietly at your side on a loose lead is the basis of all dog training, and until your puppy has mastered this vital skill he will be unable to move onto more advanced training.

When walking with a puppy on a leash, it is important to always keep slack in the leash. If the puppy begins to pull on the leash, the handler should quickly change directions. The puppy will then find itself lagging behind instead of forging ahead. The least will be loose except for the split second it takes to change directions. It is important for the handler to use a quick tug of the leash, followed by an immediate loosening, when teaching this lesson.

When teaching the puppy to walk properly, it is important to never allow the puppy to pull you around, or to forge ahead on the leash. Allowing the puppy to pull you around will teach him exactly the wrong lesson.

Sallie McConnell has been a dog lover all her life. Her specialty is puppy training. Visit this site for more information:
Dog Training Clinic 

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