Pack Mentality
With the success of Cesar Millan's "The Dog Whisperer" on the National Geographic channel, a lot of people are taking to the idea of becoming the "pack leader," which is a way of viewing human-dog relationships. From this perspective, your house or family is actually a pack, and you - the owner - are placed at the head of this pack as the pack leader. The dog, meanwhile, is a follower. Is this really how dogs respond to training or is it just a way to force them to be obedient?
Dogs do have a particular history that's tied with our own. Throughout the centuries, humans have been breeding dogs for specific purposes, such as becoming good companions for hunting trips. With a title like "man's best friend," the traditional view of the dog as a companion also bears itself out in reality. Dogs make very good companions, which is why they are such popular pets in the first place.
The "pack" mindset is good for humans as well as dogs. Pet owners sometimes allow behavior from their dog that they wouldn't allow from their own children, essentially letting the dog set its own boundaries and its own rules. A dog will try to assert any role you give it - if you're following the dog, the dog will try to adopt its own little "pack leader" role. If you act like the pack leader, the dog will understand that and accept a follower role.
Some have criticized this philosophy for placing too much emphasis on dominating dogs mentally, but in reality the "pack" mindset can be a very healthy way to interact with your dog. A solid, confident pack leader will both set boundaries for the dog while still allowing them freedom to exercise, roam, and express itself.
Viewing a human as part of a dog's training is a proactive approach that understands that a dog's behaviors aren't only affected by the dog, but by its environment. A bad owner can make for a poorly behaving dog, and a good owner can help steer a dog's behaviors in healthier directions. For many people who don't seem to understand how their dog behaves, this shift alone can help them understand where they have gone wrong in training their dog.
There is more to training dogs than simply understanding the "pack" structure, but this principle serves as a great blueprint for interacting with your dogs. Make yourself a priority and allow the dog to follow you - set boundaries for the dog and enforce them consistently. You'll find that viewing yourself as the pack leader will make you more assertive and effective when interacting with your dog.
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Posted by Dog Training Pet on February 9, 2010 in
Dog Training
Dog Leash
If you're just starting out with a new dog and don't have any experience in dog training, don't worry. You're not alone. We all need a little backup when it comes to raising a healthy and happy dog - and that doesn't just mean having helpers. It means having the right equipment to help you control your dog, guide its habits, and teach it to effectively interact with the world. Here are three dog training products you won't want to go without.
- A Dog Leash
- Why a leash? Not only will you use it for the standard activities like walking the dog or taking it out for a stroll in the park, but having your dog on a leash will be crucial in order to train it indoors as well. Keeping your dog on a leash for brief periods of time will stop you from having to chase it down or force it into its kennel.Some people aren't comfortable using a leash on their dog in this way, but it's important that your dog knows that a certain standard of behavior is expected. Use your leash to keep a handle on your dog, but don't rely on it as a crutch. Simply use it in conjunction with your training programs.
- A dog identification collar
- You can have a dog ID tag or collar engraved so that if your dog ever gets lost, people will know exactly where to find its home. This is especially useful when you want to give your dog the freedom to roam on its own - you'll feel more comfortable in giving its own space and won't feel that you constantly have to keep an eye on it.
- Dog Snacks
- Setting up a reward system that reinforces your dog's best behaviors will be absolutely crucial in your training, which is why you'll want to have plenty of treats handy. As long as you know that treats aren't for bribing dogs but instead for rewarding them, you'll be able to guide your dog's behavior and establish a clear set of rules. If you want your dog to repeat some behaviors habitually, a tasty reward makes great motivation.
Remember, however, that it's not the products that make the dog trainer - it's the trainer. You have to make sure to be on top of things, handling your dog's issues, and getting plenty of education so that you know how to handle your dog safely and supportively. But you can't do all of your training without the right equipment, so make sure you have all of the angles covered.
Photo Credits: Lee Nachtigal
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Posted by Dog Training Pet on February 8, 2010 in
Dog Training
Riding with your dog.
For dogs, riding in a car can be a fun and thrilling experience, especially when traveling with an owner or someone very familiar. Putting a head outside the window and feeling the strong wind is a favorite of many larger dogs who aren't used to the speed of a car. For other dogs, however, riding in a car can be a difficulty, and this just makes life harder on owners who simply want to travel with their dog or take their dog to see the vet. If you've had some trouble with a dog who's nervous about riding in a car, here are three tips that might help you.
Tip #1: Make riding in the car a casual thing. Dogs get much of their cues on how to behave from their human owners, who might feel anxious about taking a dog in a car because it's such a novel experience. Remember that the anxiety starts in the mind, not in the car itself. If you want to have your dog relaxed in your car, make the car a regular part of its environment.
This is especially easy if you've already taken your dog everywhere - you'll probably notice that the dog has no problems due to repeated exposure to the car. If your dog has less car experience, however, you can simply open up your car on a sunny day and play with your dog in it - you don't even have to drive anywhere. Simply open up all of the doors and go inside. This will help your dog get used to the idea of being in the car.
Tip #2: Make the car a positive experience. If your dog has been able to get into a car and relax while you're driving, it's the time to give them a treat. Remember that dogs will eventually learn to associate certain behaviors with rewards if you constantly give them rewards for achieving something. This doesn't mean you should bribe your dog into your car: rather, take out a treat after the dog has gotten into the car and is relaxing as you drive. A simple piece of bacon in your pocket can be produced and your dog will eventually get the hint that the car can be a positive experience.
Tip #3: Get as much experience as you can. If you're raising a puppy, try to bring your dog along on errands - let them stay inside while you make a quick trip into the bank, for example. This will help the dog to be "raised" along with the car and they'll never think there's anything unusual about it.
Following these tips, you'll be able to help your dog travel calmly with your family. Make sure to remember that your dog responds best to consistency over time, so stay persistent.
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Posted by Dog Training Pet on February 8, 2010 in
Tips for Dog Owners
Healthy Canine
If you raise a dog from a puppy and plan on living with that dog for the long haul, there's a good chance that you care about that dog enough to want to give it a long, healthy life. This is a great thing, but it will require some investment of both time and money to make sure that you're really raising a healthy dog. Remember that healthy dogs aren't raised simply with the right food, but with the right challenges, obedience requirements, and relationships that will help the dog adapt and socialize with the world around it.
In order to train a healthy dog, you'll want to focus on a few essential principles.
1. Make sure that your dog gets regular exercise.
Regular exercise is no joke - if you're not getting it, you should, and you should bring your dog with you. Walk your dog at least a half hour a day for a good six days a week. Don't skip out on this - if you have problems sticking to that simple habit, then you'll want to work on yourself, too. A dog's exercise habits might eventually reflect your own, so an investment of time and energy will help both you and your dog to live healthier, longer lives.
2. Have a clear structure of obedience.
The dog lives in your house, not the other way around. If a dog is going to socialize with you, your family, your friends, and other dogs, then it needs to know its place. Too many people give in to their dogs in order to appease them and treat them well - though these people are well-intentioned, their lack of discipline can lead to some mental problems for these dogs. By giving your dog boundaries and clear roles to respect, it will feel at home and know exactly how to behave: calmly and friendly. Set these standards for your dog and enforce them.
3. Don't punish your dog, correct behaviors.
A healthy dog needs to grow up in a friendly but firm environment built on discipline. You can't punish a dog because the dog might not know what it's being punished for. Instead, concentrate on correcting behaviors - don't let a dog get under your skin. If a dog is behaving out of line, firmly and strongly correct the behavior, physically if necessary.
For example, if a dog is barking at the door every time the bell rings, keep the dog on a leash and use that leash to move the dog back to a proper position of relaxation. Make sure that your dog knows that there are boundaries it is not allowed to cross, and be consistent in enforcing these boundaries.
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Posted by Dog Training Pet on February 7, 2010 in
Dog Training
Dog Treats
How many times have you seen a dog who will sit for you once you reveal that you have a treat? In many cases, we feel that we are in a better position to bribe this dog and it will better listen to our commands, but we have to consider another factor. The dog might have been trained to associate the act of sitting upon command with receiving a treat. In order to "treat" your dog to better training, you're going to have to understand how dogs begin to make these associations, and how you can start doing it today.
The first principle of using treats to train your dog is to learn that you can't really bribe your dog to do anything. It doesn't understand that when you produce a piece of bacon and start shouting a new command, you're expecting it to perform an act. Remember that dogs don't speak English - they tend to learn through associations. So instead of bribing your dog with a treat, start to watch for the desired behavior, and then reward the dog for it.
When you use this principle, this means you'll actually "produce" the treat once a dog has given you the desired behavior. It might work to hold up a piece of bacon and say "sit!" but it won't actually help you train it very well. This is because the dog might already be aware of what "sit" is associated with. When you consistently give a dog a reward for a desired behavior, it will start to realize that this behavior produces positive results, leading to more instances of the desired behavior.
Don't use treats as motivation unless you're actually looking to teach your dog more difficult tricks. Why? Not because the treat helps them teach, but because the treat can be used to motivate them to an action that you want them to re-produce. If you want a dog to jump through a hoop, you can put a treat behind the hoop and say "jump!" After the dog jumps, it is then allowed to have the treat. Remember to wait until the behavior has been produced before you provide the treat.
Many people find it tempting to use treats as a way of winning a dog's affection, but really treats can't buy a dog's respect. A dog will definitely become more interested in you if you have something to give it, but this doesn't mean that you're training it well. Remember that you're in command, and don't let a dog's persistence coerce you into giving up a treat, especially if its behavior is not acceptable.
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Posted by Dog Training Pet on February 7, 2010 in
Dog Training
Obedience
For many of us, the phrase "dog training" is typically associated with images of dogs jumping through hoops, shaking on command, or responding to bellowed-out German words. But this kind of "dog obedience" only represents part of the world of dog training, and doesn't really present an accurate picture of what healthy and effective dog training always looks like.
In dog training, there are different categories in which a dog can excel or need work - much like a human being whose life may need work in some areas. That's why we'll take a look at some of these categories and what they mean in the context of a dog's overall training level.
Socialization -
Socialization is one of the most important aspects of dog training and might have the greatest impact on the dog's life. Unless a dog can handle both its human counterparts and other dog, it can actually live a very sequestered life that doesn't present a lot of challenges or outlets for anxiety or aggression. That's why socialization is so important, and why you'll want to place such a high level of importance on making sure your dog can navigate its way through the world.
Household training -
Ideas like housebreaking your dog, having it sleep in its living space, or chewing its toys would fall under this category. Dogs need to have boundaries set for them in their daily lives, and this includes both physical and mental boundaries. Remember that a dog is simply a junior member of the pack that occupies your household, and that you're free to set the rules. Try to only give affection and rewards to your dog once it has already presented a behavior that you approve of.
Exercise -
Both work and play should play an active role in your dog's life. Once your dog is adequately socialized, you can bring him out for a walk or let him roam free in a park - and this kind of exercise and play should be included in your daily routine. It's not enough that you take your dog out "once in a while" - you'll want to include exercise for both your dog's health and your own. Some days, this might simply mean a walk. Others might include more vigorous exercise.
Obedience -
You'll need to train your dog to listen when you give a command, which also means that you'll have to carry yourself with a presence of authority with your dog. This doesn't mean you always need to dominate your dog in a battle of wills; it simply means you have to remember who the boss is.
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Posted by Dog Training Pet on February 6, 2010 in
Dog Training
Get morning exercise!
When it comes to training your dog, we sometimes have to remember that also have to train ourselves. A dog that has a good "pack leader" living with him or her will need to know that you are consistent in the boundaries you set, as well as consistent with the habits you establish. That's why it's so important to have a real, written action plan so that you - and your dog - never get knocked off course.
Morning - Exercise (typically at least a 30 minute walk).
Exercise is crucial for your dog - not only will your dog shed fat and gain lean muscle, but your dog also needs the mental boost that exercise gives. Exercise helps to stave off depression, anxiety, and even aggression. If you keep your exercise habits consistent, both you and your dog can add years to your life.
Why exercise in the morning? Because as soon as you skip a walk or two, the procrastination bug sets in. You don't want to add "walk the dog" to your list of chores to do later that day or evening, so get it out of the way. If you don't want to put off breakfast, simply grab a banana and head out there.
Afternoon - Training.
If you're new to the world of dog training, you might want to start with the small things, like learning how to sit on command. Training your dog doesn't have to be a highly involved process - simply take five or ten minutes after you come home from work and start implementing a new command. If the dog does what you ask, then you can present it with a treat - but make sure not to try and "bribe" your dog. Making this part of your daily routine will teach your dog that if it presents the desired behavior on a consistent basis, it will earn a reward.
Evening - Relaxation or play time.
Again, just a brief span of time - say fifteen minutes - can help your dog feel loved and appreciated with some quality playing time. If you have children, involve them in this time, as well. Shut off the tube, head outside, and play a little fetch. while you toss your kids the pigskin.
A dog shouldn't feel like it's "his" playtime. Instead, he should feel happy to be part of what you or your family is doing. It's a subtle distinction, but an important one that will help you raise a healthy and happy dog.
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Posted by Dog Training Pet on February 6, 2010 in
Dog Training
"I missed that, could you repeat?"
One of the chief mistakes that the dog owner without a lot of dog training experience will make is losing patience with a dog that doesn't understand the language you're speaking. We sometimes forget that most of what we say sounds like gibberish to the dog, except perhaps for its name and a few select commands. If you want to increase your dog's obedience and help it understand what you're communicating, you're actually going to have to teach it English - at least, a few English words.
In order for your dog to properly "understand" a word, it actually has to make a simple association. Most dogs understand basic commands like "sit" simply because the association between the sound "sit" and the act of sitting is constantly thrust upon them by pushy owners. You can't expect a dog to totally understand what "sit" means, but simply to respond to a command by producing an associated behavior.
If you want your dog to respond to your English commands, you're going to have to choose a few select words carefully. Why? Because there is plenty of work involved in getting each word into the dog's brain; you can't simply take a day and expect that a dog will get the new word. Instead, you'll have to focus on several English commands that you can teach your dog over time, persistently and consistently training them to better understand what those words are.
Remember to say a word and to reinforce the behavior through a treat after the word has been acted out. For example, don't hold up a treat and say "come" expecting the dog to pick up it. Instead, wait for your dog to "come," and then repeat the word and give it a treat. Once it realizes that this "come" sound simply means to come near you and perhaps receive a treat, it will gladly start to listen to your command.
With that in mind, here are some great words you can start with:
- The dog's name (most dogs pick up on this anyway since it is so consistently used)
- "Sit"
- "Come"
- "Heel" or "Down"
- "Outside" (for using the bathroom successfully outdoors)
- "Wash" or "Tub" (for getting in the tub)
Notice that nearly all of these words are monosyllabic and easy to speak. Don't ask your dog to do too much thinking; make sure you choose short words with distinctive sounds.
If you take responsibility for teaching your dog how to respond to certain commands, you take the burden off of the dog, who might want to understand what you're saying but simply can't will that to be the case. The more you reinforce a word to a dog, the better it will understand.
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Posted by Dog Training Pet on February 5, 2010 in
Dog Training, Tips for Dog Owners
Dog outside at night.
You've read the books, you've searched endlessly for articles, and you've watched enough dog training television shows to make your eyes bleed. You are starting to understand the principles behind dog training, but when you look at your dog, you're not exactly where to start with it all. So why don't we start first thing in the morning, by actually the ideal day of dog training and what it will actually entail?
Wakeup time. Upon waking, you and your dog head out for a morning walk or a jog. If you're not exercising daily, this is something you need to take up regardless of whether or not you own a dog. Stick to this routine every day, and at least do some form of exercise with your dog for a good thirty minutes to an hour. This will keep both of your moods stable and balanced throughout the rest of the day. Note: Make it clear that this is your run, not your dog's run. Do this by walking out of the door first to enter and exit your home.
Feeding time. After the workout, if your dog has been calm and relaxed, feed it a treat and then its breakfast. Remember not to produce any reward for your dog - don't even present it to them just to see until they are behaving the way you want them to behave. Wait until your dog is calm and relaxed before you put down the bowl of dog food. This will happen a few times a day.
Training time. Presumably, after you've exercised and fed your dog, you had to go to work. After returning home, accept the dog's affection but don't reward any intrusive behavior like the dog crawling on you. Tend to your family and your own needs first: dinner, conversation, etc. Once you've got some free time, take one behavior you'd like to train into your dog and work on that for fifteen minutes to a half an hour.
Play time. At the end of a full day, it's time to simply enjoy some leisure with you, your dog, and your family. A great way to entertain a dog is to give it "dog" things to do: have it fetch sticks, chase a ball, or accompany you on an adventure into the woods.
Night time. Once the day is over, make sure the dog goes into its designated spot - correct it by giving it a stern verbal warning and directing it back to its spot. If you've previously done training (rewarding your dog in the morning, for example, for a calm night of sleeping where it was supposed to sleep), you shouldn't have many problems here.
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Posted by Dog Training Pet on February 5, 2010 in
Dog Training, Tips for Dog Owners
C
People face a variety of problems with their dogs, some problems far more severe than others. Usually these seem like problems of simply obedience, but there might sometimes be root causes that go deeper than a simple "lazy" dog. If you're going to raise a healthy and happy dog, you're going to have to establish a healthy relationship that fits the dog's blueprint of how its world should work. And similarly, you'll have to generate a healthy relationship on your end.
So how do you get a dog to come when called? Is it a simple matter of trickery? In this article we'll look at how to get your dog to respond when called.
The first rule of working with dogs is consistency.You want the dog to know exactly what to expect when you call him or her. This means that you'll have to give a similar call each time - a simple, firm "C'mere, Rex!" should be sufficient. When you make this call, you want your dog to show up enthusiastically, or at least not mope its way into the room.
Remember that you can't correct a dog negatively in this situation - it won't know what you're punishing it for. If you punish a dog because it didn't respond to a call, there might be a possibility that it simply didn't know what you meant when you said "C'mere!" This is why you'll want to be as consistent as possible. A dog should recognize even the tone of voice you use when you call, and this will require some consistency on your part.
But what do you do with the dog itself?
You can't punish the dog, but you can try to steer its behavior the right way. Make sure that you use a similar call word each time - "C'mere!" as listed before. If a dog doesn't come when this happens, don't get angry or frustrated. Simply correct the dog's behavior by physically bringing it - either by lifting up or by a leash - to where you originally called it, while saying your call word. You want the dog to recognize that call word refers to its presence near you. Eventually, as you practice this, the dog will make the connection that when you say "C'mere!" that you want the dog to be next to you.
Don't stop this kind of practice simply because it's working. Persistence will be paramount to your success - and it's your job to enforce the rules here. A dog won't be as likely to respect your commands unless it knows that if it doesn't come when you call it, you'll come and get it. When a dog hears a tone of authority behind your voice, it is far more likely to respond better.
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Posted by Dog Training Pet on February 4, 2010 in
Tips for Dog Owners
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