Aggressive Dogs

Dogs not getting on with each other is nothing new, though its very rare that I have several in at the same time who can show aggression.
For just the day, I had Ashka staying with me. And so it was that I decided to take the bull by the horns and expose her to Poppy and Holly ~ two others not slow in coming forward !!
After a very short time with all three, I was able to take them on a walk together - something I was immensly pleased with. And so you have it. Three dogs on their very best behaviour.....despite the downpour !

Janet

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Conformation Class Information

New Conformation Class
I am very excited to announce that Yvonne Chohan will be teaching a Monday, 12-12:30pm four week conformation class to start on June 22!  Registration is open for this.  We hope to make this a regular, ongoing class.

New Conformation Class Policies
Effective immediately, we are going to ask that people not bring in season bitches to conformation class.  The space is simply too small to ask other dogs, young males in particular to deal with such a challenging distraction.  While we understand that males may be exposed to in season bitches at dog shows, we dont feel that group classes are someplace where a dog should have to deal with that.

Also, we occasionally have dogs that can overstimulated and reactive during class.  We are going to ask that if anyones dog becomes reactive, which we define as barking or lunging at other dogs, that the owner step out of the room with their dog and walk them around a bit to see if they can relax and settle down.  If they can, they are welcome to return to the room.  If they cant, or if multiple dogs cant we will have them alternate being inside while the other dog steps out, then do our best to put them in different classes in the future if need be. We are not referring to dogs who may bark once or twice, only if a dog really cant focus and becomes disruptive to the class.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions or need any clarification.

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September Newsletter

Summer is already gone and it doesnt even feel like it ever really came!  This weather is so strange but I have to say that I am not sorry that we had a fairly cool Summer since my dogs clearly prefer it that way.  And, Fall is my favorite time of year, so Autumn, Welcome!

DOG OF THE MONTH
Dylan Duncan

Dylan is a Beagle who lives with longtime Braveheart student Tracy Duncan.  Dylan started with Braveheart in puppy class and recently graduated his beginning class!  He is already active in nose work and we will see if he follows in big brother Daxs footsteps in trying out agility as well!


Upcoming Classes
Introduction  to K9 Nose Work, Thursdays, 6-7:30pm, 9/27/11, 6 weeks, $150, San Lorenzo
K9 Nose Work is a new dog sport where dogs are trained to detect target odors much like professional detection dog work. This sport is fun for dogs and people.  Dogs are worked individually so this class is great for fearful or reactive dogs.

Introduction to Odor, Thursdays, 7:30-9pm, 9/27/11, 6 weeks, $150, San Lorenzo
This class is the next level of K9 Nose Work where dogs are introduced to the target odors.  Dogs must have completed an Introduction to K9 Nose Work class and must have instructor approval to take this class.

Howl-O-Ween Pawty!
This years annual Howl-O-Ween Pawty will be held on Friday, October 21 from 6:30-8pm.  Join us for a canine costume contest, trick contest, prizes and treats!  Dog and people friendly dogs welcome!
Only comfortable, safe, dog friendly dog costumes please. 

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It just keeps raining cats and dogs but mainly dogs

Flaming June has given way to an even hotter July ............ in Spain, Italy and Greece.
But for the UK, April showers have continued and just got heavier.

The top photograph was taken pre walk and is of a few raindrops hanging from my garage door !
But I cant get miserable having such a lovely group of dogs staying.

Tilly, the black Cocker Spaniel has returned home now, but not before enjoying a complete variety of walks and smells ! Only she knows what the wonders of this hole were, but looking at her face - and body - it was worth it.

Meanwhile Chester appears to have some H20 in his eyes - not surprising as he never seems to be out of the stuff.
This big friendly dog is like an elephant in a couple of ways - able to find water anywhere and once found, loves nothing more than rolling about in the stuff. This morning he found a muddy puddle, sat in it before deciding it was large enough to lay down in ......... then, once supine, chose to have a complete roll in the stuff, face and all ! I just stood and laughed but stopped short of giving him a hug !!

My next post will include Scott the Dalmation, who so far has eluded my camera - lucky dog!

Janet

Summertime .............. English style

Chester appears to have splashed himself

One happy dog

I even walk half a dog

And Tilly as she really is, looking a little tired and dirty

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One of the best ways to get more clients for your dog training business

Want to see how $60 continually gets me clients year after year? This simple and inexpensive advertising pays off regularly for me [VIDEO POST].

http://businessofdogtraining.com/the-best-60/

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Is My Dog Aggressive

Over the last few months Ive gotten a few calls from people saying that their dogs are aggressive. This statement alone doesnt alarm me, as it can mean a great number of things. Everyone seems to have their own definition of aggression and I would say that the typical dog owner usually throws it around incorrectly. Dogs that are labeled aggressive are usually treated with trepidation and uncertainty. They automatically are seen as guilty of aggression no matter what they are doing at the time.

The truth is that very few of these calls are for, what I would consider, an aggressive dog. My definition of aggression is when a dog bites and then has to be physically removed from the person or dog he is biting. Thats a committed bite. A dog that bites and then withdraws is not aggressive, hes just sending a message. Dont get me wrong, its still a serious issue that needs to be addressed, but were not dealing with a dog that is actively aggressive. By that I mean, hes not a dog seeking out a fight, hes a dog that has be forced (in his mind) into an aggressive action.

One such call I received was from a mother who had a small dog that had "snapped" at her two-year-old daughter. She was very upset because her dog had never done anything like that before. Now, I was being called as a last resort before they gave the dog up. This was not a new dog, this was a dog that they have had for years.

When I got to the home and asked some questions I discovered that the little girl was petting the dog roughly and pulled on his ear. Thats when the dog "snapped" at her. My client didnt like it, but I told her that the dog wasnt to blame, she was. The dog simply told the little girl not to pull his ear. Supervision over the child, teaching her how to interact with the dog is all that is needed to stop this from happening ever again.

Its not always that simple. Especially when a dog bites because of fear or anxiety. Those bites are much more frequent than true aggression cases and requires us to recognize when our dogs are not feeling comfortable about a situation. This also is not the dogs fault.

Puppies almost never show any signs of aggression period. I just got two calls from people saying their young puppy was showing signs of aggression. I told them I would be happy to help them with their issues but that there is no way its aggression. The only thing on a puppys mind is play. 24/7.

Aggression in dogs does exist but its actually fairly rare. All I can say to you is watch the signs your dogs is giving you. No dog ever does anything "out of the blue." Their bodies are always telling us exactly how they are feeling. So, if you see some signs that your dog is asserting himself or has made some unfriendly advances, work on it immediately so you can understand exactly why hes behaving like that and what you need to do to correct it.

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There’s Something Wrong with My Puppy!

Over the last few years I’ve gotten more than a few calls from people that are having “big” problems with their new puppies. With a grave voice they tell me how they think that there must be something genetically wrong with the pup; or that he must have been taken away from its mother too early; or that he’s aggressive or dominant (at 8 weeks old); or that he is simply the “demon seed.”

I try not to laugh - I really do – as I tell them all the same thing: congrats, you have a healthy puppy. Too many people don’t really understand what comes with getting a puppy. Most just see that cute little puppy face and start daydreaming about cuddling on the couch as the pup rests motionless in their arms. Then they get the little guy home and reality sets in big time.

Puppies are a lot of work and a big responsibility. They don’t come from the dealer fully loaded and ready to go. They enter your home as a dog - a dog that has no idea how to live in a very human world with a bunch of furless bipeds. It’s up to us to teach our puppies exactly how to behave and get along with us.

Puppies are going to do things like a dog, no matter what. It’s our job to show them how to be a dog in the human environment. The good news is that puppies are more than happy to do things our way if we take the time to teach them. And it does take time. There’s no shortcut through the puppy period. You can’t get a well adjusted adult dog without the mouthing, whining and occasional accident. That comes standard with every puppy. I feel the puppy months are a rite of passage that every dog owner has to go through. If you survive, you can handle anything your dog will do in the future.

The first few months of a dog’s life are the most important and will be the most time consuming for you. I recommend stocking up on a lot of patience when you bring that puppy home. You have to expect them to be puppies. Don’t begrudge them for it, accept it and help them to learn. Every “bad” thing your puppy does is an opportunity to teach him the right thing to do. The worse he behaves, the more chances you have to set him on the right path.

The first day of my puppy kindergarten class is always the same. Everyone comes in with the same sleep deprived bags under their eyes, the same scratches on their hands and the same question on their minds: “is there something wrong with my puppy?” Once they look around and see that same look on the faces around them, and the same fresh blood on their fellow student’s hands, they are somewhat comforted, at least temporarily.

Puppies are a lot of work but they are also pure joy. Unfortunately you can’t have one without the other (although I’ve seen some really extraordinarily good pups). Once a day, you’ll want to throw you new puppy out the window (sometimes more), however, the smiles that your new dog will regularly deliver to you is well worth the trouble.

So, no, there’s nothing wrong with your new puppy. He’s actually a quite normal, healthy pup that will grow into a great adult dog if you just take the time to teach him how to live in your world. Be patient and enjoy every day with them.

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Dog Training Two Cute Dogs !

Cute Dogs - Free videos are just a click away

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Affordable private training

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Yes I do cry !

Business is still as hectic as ever, with boarding, residential training and home visits still in full flow - not to mention the sheep chasing.
After three weeks of residential training, I said "goodbye" to my little Sprocker guest Reggie, who was collected by his lovely owners. Id really bonded with this little character and knowing his background pulled on my heart strings as well.
I was very pleased to see how much progress had been achieved in just 3 weeks, given how he arrived. And yes I did have a few tears when it came to saying "goodbye". But in my sadness there was a bright light as I also knew that he was returning to owners who, like me, wanted the very best for this young dog.
I am able to do all this training because I am very lucky to have a great husband,...... Paul. He is now helping me to run my business by doing alot of the walking of my boarding guests, so all my guests are very well cared for with all their individual needs.
Janet

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Chester and Lewis visit a Pennine valley

With the winds being too strong to safely walk very high up, I opted to walk along one of the Pennine valleys with Chester and Lewis.
No health and safety worries for these two!

Chester !!

Chester & Lewis

Even Lewis admires the view

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Drop in conformation class canceled for tomorrow

Tomorrow nights 7pm drop in conformation class is canceled.  Wednesdays 12 and 12:30 class is on!

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Drop in K9 Nose Work class moves to Wednesdays!

Beginning in January, our every other week drop in K9 Nose Work class will be held on Wednesdays at 7pm instead of Tuesdays.  This change becomes effective on Wednesday, January 11, 2012.  We will also now have a 6 class punch card so that you can purchase 6 classes at one time!

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Dont Judge a Pooch by its Cover

Just about every week I get called in to do a behavior consultation for a dog whose only real problem is that he’s stuck with the wrong humans. Or more accurately, his owner chose him for the wrong reasons. It always amazes me how so many people put so little thought into their choice of dogs. Instead of making an educated decision based on close observation, deliberation and research, they just go for the cute furry face and/or the long sob story that comes along with it.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised because we make the same mistakes picking our romantic partners with the same disastrous results. We’ve all been guilty of dating someone just because physically they’re a total knockout without really looking into what kind of personality they have. And all those kinds of relationships end one of two ways: quickly or badly (for me it was always both).

Getting a dog is not like buying a shirt. If the cool looking shirt we buy itches us like crazy, we just donate to Goodwill or use it to clean our toilet. That dog we brought home a week ago on a whim because he was so cute and had a hard luck story, however, cannot be so easily discarded. I know you mean well, but you’re really doing the worst thing for both you and the dog.

I strongly believe that there is the right person out there for every dog. But the other side of that is that for every right person for the dog there are a multitude of mismatches. You have to be realistic when looking to add a dog to your life and ask yourself some tough questions. Instead of beginning and basing your search for your new dog on the appearance of the dog, look first for personality and temperament. If you neglect to really research what kind of energy level and breed you’re bringing home you may be in for a harsh reality once your new pooch settles in at home.

A great example of this is when the TV show Frasier was popular many people fell in love with Kelsey Grammer’s furry co-star, Eddie and ran out and got Jack Russell Terriers. Wow, were they in for a big surprise when they discovered that their dog didn’t want to just lounge on the couch while laugh tracks played in the background, but instead required three hours of hard core, high impact exercise each and every day to keep them sane.

Then there are the good hearted people who rescue a dog with just because they feel sorry for its situations or back story. Another huge mistake. Yes, it’s amazingly admirable that you want to help this dog but if you don’t make sure you are the right match for him, you will not be helping him at all.

The decision to bring a dog into your life is a big one, both for you and the dog. Make sure you really think hard about the decision and base your search first on personality and temperament, then on looks. If you do that, you won’t have to pay me to come over and laugh at you as you tell me that you don’t know why your two-year-old Dalmatian destroyed your house, when you always give him his daily exercise of two, five minute walks around the block (on behalf of all the Dalmatians out there, thanks for nothing Disney).

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Last Conformation Drop In Tuesday 11 26

Braveheart Dog Training? will no longer be offering drop in conformation classes. Our last drop in conformation class will be next Tuesday evening at 7pm. We will be offering 4 week session conformation classes, Tuesdays at 7pm starting 1/7/14 and Wednesdays at 12pm starting on 1/8/14. Classes are 4 weeks, 30 minutes, $40. Late add ins at a prorated fee will be welcome as space allows. Please contact me to register. There will be no conformation group classes throughout December but I will have some availability for private lessons.

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Emotional Detox The Missing Link Seminar with Diane Garrod

I am very excited to share that I will be hosting Diane Garrod on October 6 and 7, 2012 in Pleasanton, CA. Diane will be doing a 2 day seminar: Emotional Detox - The Missing Link. This is a great program for reactive, aggressive, fearful, shy, anxious and easily stimulated dogs. This seminar will benefit dog owners as well as professional trainers. Cost will be $200, with an early bird special of $175. More information soon.

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Information Regarding the Dog Training Process

To most of us, dog training seems quite difficult. It is really difficult if you go about it in the wrong way. It will be hard on both you and your dog if you approach dog training in the wrong way. For more info about dog training schools, follow the link. The stress from this could cause your dog to take longer to learn the basic things you want them to learn.

The relationship between humans and dogs is a relationship that can be improved. The dog and owner relationship should be one in which both of you feel secure. Dog training includes many different techniques like dog whispering, clicker training, leash and reward training and positive reinforcement. Regardless of whether you train the dog yourself or choose to hire a professional trainer, the main goal is still to enhance the relationship between dog and owner.

There are several steps you take to achieving this goal including strengthening your bond with your dog, opening up communication between you and your dog, spending lots of quality time together and making your dog feel comfortable. One of the things that we can help you with is getting your dog to listen. With dogs most behavioral problems are attempts to get attention such as digging, chewing things up, barking and jumping up on people. These kinds of problem behaviors can be brought to an end by applying proper training methods.

In the training process, dogs are taught a series of rules and boundaries that seek to transform them into a member of the family. Through the process your dogs behavior comes under your control. The regimen you follow in training your dog should not just be at home but should follow you wherever you take your dog, be it to the park or for a walk around the neighborhood.

There are many clear benefits to training your dog. Your dog will learn their place in the family which means that they will find life easier and less confusing. Your dog will abandon her negative, problem behaviors. A dog that is trained is confident, happy and good to have around the family.

The dog training experience is rich and rewarding for both dog and owner. When your dog is well trained they can enjoy a lot of free, unsupervised time without you worrying that they will do the things that you do not want them doing. A true bond based on trust and mutual respect will then develop between you and your dog. The bond that develops will improve your pets life as well as your own and is sure to enrich the lives of everyone in the family.

The process of training of your dog will take time. Follow the link for more information on how to find a dog trainer. Persistent application and patience are both required in the process. But the rewards for training your dog for both dog and owner are well worth the effort.

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Dog Training Supplies

Welcome to my Dog Training Supplies blog
Here you will learn about Dog Training Supplies and tips on how to train your dog.

Please feel free to leave some comments or questions on my Dog Training Supplies blog.
I will be happy to answer them.

Martin

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Information on Braveheart Conformation Classes

Just a reminder to everyone that Braveheart no longer offers drop in conformation classes.  The classes are now a set 4 week session of classes, but I am flexible on prorating.  If you just show up you may not get in, it will depend on how many are preregistered.  So please register for the class by emailing me and simply letting me know you are planning to attend the session.  It is important that I know ahead of time how many are signed up so I can determine how many spots are available.  The current session is full and the next sessions will start on Tuesday, February 25 and Wednesday, February 26.  Thank you!

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Stop Dog Barking

It is essential to have a dog that knows how to follow the right rules so that he will stop barking at people and other dogs. To achieve this, dog training must be considered.

Most people think that training a dog is hard and expensive. Moreover, dog training requires a lot of patience and creativity for your dog. We have to remember that dogs may be intelligent but they can not be as intelligent as us. The article provides some of the basic things dog owners need to know so they can do the training themselves. However, to maximize the full potential of your dog, a dog trainer should be hired instead.

What are the differences between a submissive dog and a dominant dog?

A submissive dog normally:

• avoids eye contact.

• rolls on its back.

• crouch down, ears back and tail lowered.

• is comfortable on its back in your arms.

On the other hand, a dominant dog:

• maintains eye contact.

• is unwilling to move from his place on the couch.

• dislikes grooming and petting.

• is possessive of dishes and toys.

Training your dog requires kindness and consistency. Dogs respond actively to praises and to rewards. In addition, they become harsh and unresponsive towards punishments and animosity, respectively.

Trainings with obedience classes can be intensely beneficial in petting your dog. In many dog training schools, classes for puppies are available. Young dogs are taught to get accustomed with other dogs and people using limited trainings. However, there are areas that do not conduct formal obedience training unless the dog is at least half a year old. Always remember that a dog is never too old to benefit from training when a good dog trainer is available, or if the owner is fully committed to the task.

Here are the recommended ways of training dogs not to bark:

1. Reiteration or Repetition

Reiteration is the name of the dog training game. In here, dogs are asked to do a task over and over again to achieve mastery. Dog tricks are best learned when reiterated and reinforced through rewards.

2. Persistence

Patience is a virtue that requires you to tolerate hardships. Persistence is trying to be patient for a longer time until a goal is achieved. Apparently, dog training requires a lot of persistence from the owner or from the dog trainer Physical and psychological aspects of the owner and/or the dog trainer must be sound.

3. Commendation and Amendation

Simply put, if a dog does the right thing, it should be said aloud. Otherwise, the dog should hear, "No, thats not it!" when the trick is not complete or appropriate for the command given. These words reinforce correct responses and diminish the unwanted ones.

4. Rewarding

Bits of cheese would really be good treats for dogs who responded correctly to a given command. Other food can be bought at pet stores. However, if you are able to get the respect of your pet, commands will be executed even if there are no longer involved treats. Likewise, these things reinforce warranted responses.

If your lifestyle permits being in charge of training your own pet, you can do the training as long as you have gathered enough patience and commitment by:

1. spending time grooming your dog.

2. having regular training times on the leash.

3. stroking its belly and toes and rolling it on its back

4. hand feeding some food to ensure that the pet is taking treats gently and slowly.

In asserting dominance, always practice consistency and firmness. Afterwards, you can be a master and a dear friend to your own pet.

There are many things that you can do to make your dog much better and very responsible to you and your family. Look around this site and if you need more please visit my review of a dog training book.

Visit this site and instantly download the best dog training techniques and step-by-step instructions.

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Alternatives to a Dog Training PA Service by Dean Iggo

In Pennsylvania, which is a large state with lots of rural land, it can be difficult to find a good obedience school where you can get your furry companion cared for and trained the way you want. Instead of driving hours to have strangers teach your dog, perhaps you should consider being your own dog training service PA. By following a few simple tips, you can be on your way to getting your dog obedience trained from the comfort of your own home.

Being the Alpha Dog

If the dog you are looking to train is a puppy, the first thing you need to do is establish yourself as the alpha dog in the pack. Once the puppy knows that you are the leader, the obedience training becomes much easier than it was before. This, in fact, is a great reason not to drop your little one off at a dog training PA school where they will be the alpha dogs, not you.

If you have a grown dog, teaching him or her that you are the leader is still imperative, though it may not be as easy. At least early on, make sure you are the one feeding and caring for the dogs. Once they see that you are providing for the pack, you will quickly become the alpha dog and the training gets easier right away.

Nothing is Free

A concept taught in most dog training PA services is the idea that nothing is free. You can use this same idea in your home as you teach your dog obedience. Reward with treats, but never give them for just any reason. When you allow the dog to understand that treats, and nothing else for that matter, are not free then he will always be looking to please you. This method is as close to universal as anything in dog obedience training.

Be Consistent

If you are going to be your own dog training PA facility, then you need to adhere to the consistency such places will give your canine companion. Be sure that you do your activities at similar times each day. In addition, do not accept behaviors that are not acceptable and do not reward when a reward is not due. The consistency will help your training as well as your activities go much more smoothly overall.

Training your dog at home can really save you on travel, especially in a state like Pennsylvania where many of the facilities are so far away. In addition, you will save on money and time. However, perhaps the most important part of training your dog at home is that you get to bond with your pet.

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Becoming a Dog Trainer

Theres nothing better than getting up every day and looking forward to a long day of work. Sound impossible? Well, its not if you find a career you love.

For me this was not an easy thing to do. Ive had five very different careers in my life as I kept experimenting to see what I was good at and enjoyed doing. My journey finally ended five years ago when I decided to give dog training a try. From the moment I began it became clear to me that this would be my last career stop.

Now I truly enjoy every day of work and realized how many years I had wasted doing jobs I didnt like. Ill never get those years back and life is way too short to spend any of it doing something you dont really like doing.

What Ive learned is that if youre passionate about what youre doing not only will you enjoy it, but you will be much more successful than if you were in a job you merely tolerated. If you love what you do, youll give 100% to make it work and will be able to persevere through the difficult times.

So Im yelling at you to FIND WHAT YOURE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND PURSUE IT IN SOME WAY AS A CAREER! Once you do, youll be surprised how much more fun life can be.

If youre like me and dogs are your thing, then a career as a dog trainer might be a perfect fit. If thats so, the big question on your mind will be, "how do I become a dog trainer?"

I recently shot a video that answers that very question. Click to view:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PacbcR6OU-U&feature=plcp

When you begin working as a dog trainer the first thing youll realize is that there is no one way to train a dog - its not a one size fits all kind of thing. Different things work for different people with different dogs in very different situations. The same is true of learning to become a dog trainer. Theres a wide variety of ways to learn the tricks of the trade and there is no one best way. Do some research and figure out whats the best path for you.

I do have one big recommendation though: dont only learn about dogs - theres much more that goes in to creating a long term, successful dog training business. All the dog knowledge in the world wont help you pay the bills if you dont know how to run a business and market yourself. These are important things to learn and way too many dog trainers take them for granted or dont want to be bothered with it and that is a fatal mistake. Figuring out how to do this stuff will be the difference between success and failure.

Learning and implementing these skills has been the big reason that Ive been able to create a profitable dog training business in a relatively short amount of time.

So get out there, find your passion and take the necessary steps to get into a career that you love. Once you do, youll see that life is always good. I always say, "Every day with a dog is a good day."

For more information how my online certification to becoming a successful dog trainer go to http://makedogsyourlife.com

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Dog Training How to Train a Jack Russell Terrier By Eric Letendre

Jack Russell Terrier are intelligent, independent and strong will of the little dogs with great personality. Jack Russell Terrier Some problems are: digging, hyperactivity, hunting, dog barking and aggression.

Given the independent nature of Jack Russell it is important that you establish yourself as a leader important. The stronger the leader you are the better your Jack Russell will listen to you.

Start your training early Jack Russell. If you get an early formation of small early as young as eight weeks. Use positive reinforcement to train. Too many shots when youre training can lead to aggressive behavior.

If you get a Jack Russell as a young socialize your new puppy as much as possible. Bring your puppy to puppy class, let your puppy play with other puppies, provide the beach, city, the woods around as many people as possible. The more you socialize your puppy to the more stable it will be as an adult.

Jack Russell have been bred to hunt small animals and they will dig and have a strong desire to follow a scent. These behaviors are often viewed as bad behavior. It is important to replace the work of your Jack Russell. Tug games, recovery, tricks and obedience are all great things to do with your Jack Russell.

Jack Russell needs exercise. They have a lot of stamina and too pent of energy will result in many behavioral problems. Most Jack Russell love to travel and running and hunting. Because of this it is a good idea to fence in your garden or invest in some kind of underground electronic fences.

A Jack Russell as any other breed of dog is a long-term commitment and must provide enough exercise, training and activity for this busy little high.

What is the importance of training a dog for you? Do you want your dog to stop jumping, come when called, walk on a leash and more? Eric Letendre created the ultimate easy to follow dog training ebook "101 ways to improve your behavior to your dog." Complete with a dog training videos, step-by-step instructions and more. The best of everything you can get it free! Get it here => http://amazingdogtrainingman.com

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Hiking

"Well just pop into the valley because of the mist", said Paul, in his usual way ... and like a
fool I followed !
So with him and Ruby in front, I stumbled my way across all obstacles just to get to the bottom. Dog walking or dog hiking ?
Janet

Surely walking a dog isnt supposed to be like this ??

Ruby does have eyes - somewhere

Making silly noises at my dog Tilly !

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A little about me!

Hi, My name is Colton I am a 16 year old dog trainer, yes you heard that right I am a 16 year old dog trainer! Ever since I was a toddler I was fascinated by dogs and from a young age started to do research on how to train dogs tricks and from their on I started to find out about clicker training , E collar training ETC...  I am starting this blog because I want to share information with someone who may not know much about training dogs. Some people might argue my dog is potty trained and is friendly why does he/she even need training, This is how I explain it in the world we live in humans have to have a job for many reasons to keep them entertained , to make money or whatever the reason you have a job for, dogs need jobs as well  they need things to exercise them  mentally and psychically. Training your dog to sit for example it seems simple but can really help them socially and emotional. Throughout this blog I will teach you how to train your dog basic obedience all the way up to aggressive dogs and how to deal with them. I will educate people on service dogs and the laws associated with them I will take questions from readers and will answer them to the best of my abilities. Thanks for listening to me ramble :) see you next time.

If you have a question you want me to answer shoot me an email at-
coltonmoore124@gmail.com

I will try to get back to you ASAP and include your question in a future blog :)

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And now for the sad news

Wally needs a new home.

This 2 year old Collie

who has been staying with me for residential training over the past few weeks.
For personal reasons, Wallys owners are unable to have him back, meaning he is now looking for a new home.

So what does this lad need ? At the very least :-

A person / couple with experience of the breed is a must.
No families.
A rural home.
The person / couple must be prepared to give time in continuing with his training must have patience in abundance.

Wally is a young lad with issues ( NOT due to his owners), but as I have found, if you work hard you will slowly gain his trust, the issues diminish and with it he obeys commands.

I have put alot of time and emotion into this youngster and we have started to really bond so expect a few tears from me when I say goodbye to him.

If you think you could offer Wally a home with the above and a whole lot more, contact me through FB or my website - http://www.cumbria-dog-training.com/
But please, only serious enquiries.

Janet

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BIG DOGS and little ones

Rottweilers are a majestic breed though bad press over the years has tarred them as a dog to be wary of. But as the past owner of a beautiful – and soft – Rottie, I believe that a lot of it has been unjustified. 
Recently I worked with 10 month Anna. This beautiful rescue dog had travelled with her owners from Cheshire for one of my day courses and was a joy to work with.

A proud looking Anna

Last week I had clients whod travelled all the way from the Isle of Bute for one of my day courses. Lara, a Mastiff, and her owner stayed locally, allowing them to be wide awake for the day ! It was wonderful to work with a very dedicated owner and his young dog whod been collected from a rescue centre just two months ago.

Lara .........

........ paying attention at the right time.

Meanwhile Bonnie has gone home. She arrived in September for residential training and stayed much longer than usual due to her owners commitments. She was somewhat lost when she arrived though slowly Bonnie became an obedient and confident little dog. Id really become attached to her and saying goodbye was a tearful affair ! But thats what dogs can do.

A last hug with Bonnie before she went home for good

Working down the size order of dogs, my next guest is Lulu, the Yorkshire Terrier. Yes she is cute, to use an Americanism. Trotting around the kitchen with her jumper on, I call her name and she comes to me with a smile on her face. Sadly she is not a fan of other dogs so shies away from playing with them ...... in favour of a nice warm lap !!

Lulu

Another recent guest was Cedar, the Brittany Spaniel. Give her an inch and shell take a mile but she is a very loving dog. She always wants to please which makes her a real pleasure to have.

Cedar

And finally meet Nellie, the car surfing dog. She is one of Frans Working Cocker Spaniels. Frans three dogs would accompany her on her gamekeeping duties with the older two in the back and the youngster in the front. Trouble is daredevil Nellie sometimes looked for an adrenalin rush. A closer look at the photograph will show it doesnt get much better than having an 8 month old brother at the wheel !!

Nellie on top, Cash at the wheel and Maddie playing it safe at the back

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Its been rather wet

The recent weather has dominated things at Toddle Cottage, as the photograph further down shows. The rain and floods are one thing but when the winds become gale force for hour upon hour, it sadly restricts the height Paul can walk the dogs at. However, road walks ensures that heelwork is kept up to scratch !

However, meet anxious looking Arthur, who has travelled up from Bristol to spend a few weeks with me.
This little lad has plenty of behavioural issues, but given time Im confident that Ill be able to sort most of them out and give him a new lease of life.
One concern he arrived with was a sudden need to bite one of his legs when out for a walk. Its wondereful that the little dog  seems to have forgotten about this and is enjoying being out ..... now for the next problem !

Arthur

Two photographs featuring Honey, a lovely young Lab whos also just arrived for residential training.
The first few days showed me that I had a rather stubborn youngster on my hands but weve now gone past that stage and are now working on the basics with very satisfying results.

Honey

....... and again

Its hard to imagine that only 4 hrs before this photograph was taken I was in the field training one of the dogs. At the time, only the far end was flooding, but as you can see, things changed rather quickly !

Its been raining !

Paul took this photo of Annie as she sat on my lap (dog trainers do have a soft spot!), looking at me turning the light on. He always seems to have his camera close at hand and noticed just how much my 6 mth old concentrating.

" Watch what happens when I pull this !! "

And finally, Paul was very pleased with the new bed I bought for his young lad Sumo. Unfortunately his dog viewed things differently and proceeded to treat it as a bone ! But his loss is anothers gain - though quite why Charlie thinks "his" new bed needs a peep hole is beyond me!

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Labrador Dog Training Dog Training Tools by Richard Cussons

If you wish to have a nicely trained Labrador Retriever, you have to train him of course. Dogs dont become nicely trained on their own. That is why as a dog owner, your dogs training is your responsibility. Some dog owners think that training a dog can be a frustrating task. Fortunately, there are lots of effective approach as well as helpful tools to make the training process easy and increase the chances of successful result.

Leash

The leash is widely used by most trainers and dog owners in teaching dog commands like sit, down, come and heel. A leash must be strong enough to withstand your dog pulling on it. Types of leash vary depending on its materials, lengths and styles. In choosing the type of leash for your dog, keep in mind his size, personality and strength.

Clicker

Clicker training has recently become popular in dog training. Clicker is a tiny plastic box with a metal button, which when pressed makes a click sound. The click sound is used to catch the attention of your dog and indicate that what he did is correct.

Collars

Usually used with leash, a collar is a piece of material placed around the neck of the dog. It could be made of nylon, metal, cotton or leather often used for control, identification and other purposes. It is important to place your dogs collar perfectly, not too loose nor too tight. A collar is perfectly placed when you could place your four fingers between the dogs neck and his collar. Collars come in various types- choke, pronged and electronic collars to name a few. Choose which type of collar is needed by your dog.

Treat

Giving of treat is an example of positive reinforcement. A treat is a reward you give to your dog after performing the command correctly.

Muzzle

Muzzle is important when your dog has biting problem or if you like to teach your dog to bark only when needed. A muzzle is a device placed over your dogs snout to prevent unwanted biting or unwanted barking. It should be made of strong material to ensure that it does not come off easily.

Harness

Choose a no-pull harness for it stops the pulling. A no-pull harness restricts the movement of the dogs body when the dog pulls on the leash.

There are many other tools that could help make dog training easy for you and your dog. It helps a lot to consult your vet or dog trainer for suggestions.

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Honeys happy in the sunshine

Meet two dogs who were happy over very different aspects of the weather today.
Honey is a sun worshipper while Chester adores water. He is therefore in his element at the moment with so many puddles about.
In a momentary break in the clouds, I snapped this pic of the little dog as she charged towards me, her face beaming ............ if ever a dog smiled !

Meanwhile, Chesters enjoyment in all things wet and muddy is evident as he plays. But this surface mud was soon washed off with the hose before he was allowed back in the house !
My final pic is again of Chester, who decided to have a mad dash in a field! He returned as soon as he heard my whistle, and I couldnt help but think he looks a little lost in the waves of barley being blown about.

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Tuesday and Wednesday Drop in Conformation Class Schedule

There will be NO Wednesday, drop-in conformation class for the rest of the year.  Attendance has been low and it will drop less as the holidays approach.  This class will resume on Wednesday, January 9, 2013.  There will be no Tuesday night, drop-in conformation class from December 4 - January 1, 2013.  This class will resume on Tuesday, January 8, 2013.

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No Conformation Class on Wednesday

There will be no conformation class this Wednesday.

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Training an Aggressive Dog

When it comes to aggressiveness in a dog this is a very serious problem. There are new laws that state dog’s owner can be charged and the dog put down if the dog bites someone. Of course with some serious dog training our dog can learn to enjoy people not turn on them.
There are lots of reasons why dogs are or become aggressive. Maybe the dog feels his territory is being compromised, or he feels threatened. A lot of aggression comes from lack of confidence and insecurity. Simple obedience will not solve your dog’s aggressive problems only some serious dog training will do the trick. Aggressiveness doesn’t just mean biting; it means barking and lunging at people as well. This type of behaviour needs to be addressed as soon as possible to prevent anything serious from happening to someone or another dog.
Your vet can recommend you how to go about finding someone who can work with aggressive dogs. Training aggressive dogs is a speciality and unfortunately could cost you a fair amount of money, but the end result is well worth it and you don’t have to worry about losing your dog. Most obedience and training schools wont take aggressive dogs as most of the places run classes with other members and wont let them be endangered. The best thing you can do is to take him to a proper dog school. Look in your yellow pages for one.
Always check the techniques used by schools on how they train aggressive dogs as training an aggressive dog can be dangerous some places may use out of date methods which could be harmful to your dog, although this isn’t always the case it is always better to be safe than sorry. I wish I could say it was easy to train your do not to be aggressive but it isn’t.
At the end of the day what counts is that your dog stops attacking and he starts loving. An aggressive dog can halter the relationship that you have with him therefore you and your dog aren’t having the best time together as you are always worried about him biting you, other people or other dogs. I recommend that you do what it takes to get the problem sorted!

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Dog Training Tip Day 2!

Hello Again!
Here is todays dog training tip:

These tips work best with a loose leash.

When your dog doesnt want to listen to you, be quick and interesting. When leezard, my dog doesnt want to listen to me and she is on leash, heeling, I will quickly turn into her or away. I dont call her name, or tell her to turn, I either walk gently into her, or walk away. If she gets bumped into, or pulled on the leash, it was her fault for not paying attention. Dont me mean to your dog when you do the correction, just quick. Works with leezard, and the many other dogs that I have trained, like a charm.

Another way of getting your dog to pay attention is to do the trick above, and start calling their name in a high pitched voice, or kiss at him/her, and run around. This will work on a dog that doesnt take subtle ques well.

I hope that you have enjoyed!
~ Camille And Leezard

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Meet Jet and Grace

Jet arrived a few days ago for some residential training and so far so good ! This one year old black Lab has a lovely personality. Her training is coming on really well which Im pleased with. But no training is complete without some socialising. This morning she came out with Paul and me (Honey in his shadow!) as we walked with Brook (Cocker Spaniel) and Grace (West Highland Terrier).
This aspect is so important and this was amply proven today by Grace. Initially she lacked the confidence of Jet but once in the field, her fears melted away and she was racing about enjoying herself.

Janet

Jet in full flow

Grace - there is also a white version of the same dog !

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Dog Training Schools

What To Look For In A Dog Training School

Enrolling in a dog obedience class can be a rewarding experience for both you and your dog, but choosing the wrong class can make the experience unpleasant for both of you. If you are lucky enough to live in an area where you have a selection, shop around. Observe the class prior to taking your dog.

Below are 4 key points to look for in a basics dog training obedience class:
Individual Attention:
Is the size of the class such that the instructor is able to give individual attention when needed?
Pleasant Atmosphere:
Is there a relaxed friendly atmosphere in the class? Tension and disorder will affect both your ability to learn as well as your dogs.
Training Concept:
Is the approach to training used in the class consistent with your own feelings about dog training? Does the instructor want you to do something to your dog that you are unwilling or reluctant to do?
Instructor Expertise and Ability to Teach:
Does the instructor seem knowledgeable about dog training? And beyond that, is the instructor able to communicate his or her knowledge effectively?
Remember it is important for you and your dog to feel at ease.
Training your dog should start from day one when you bring him home.
Choosing the right words will help your dog learn quickly.
Basics Dog Training

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Reinforcement rewards treats and toys

This post is for anyone who is concerned with using food in training, who is afraid their dog will "only do it if they have treats" and who think that their dog should "know it" by now and be willing to "do it" just because they said so.

I continue to have these questions asked even by people who I have been working with for a while and I feel I need to address it.  Perhaps I am not clear in my way of explaining things and have failed in some way to help people understand how reinforcement really works.

Reinforcement by definition in terms of training and behavior refers to something that makes a behavior happen again and more often.  We use things like food, attention, access to things, treats, toys, play and more for reinforcement.  Here is the kicker, the LEARNER, meaning the dog is the one who gets to determine the value of the reinforcement, not the trainer.  If what you are using as "reinforcement" is not serving to increase the frequency of the behavior then it is not reinforcement! So, you can pat your dog on the head all you want or say "good girl" all you want, if the behavior is not getting stronger or even maintaining, you arent reinforcing and in fact, you arent training your dog to be more reliable.  The first thing we need to determine is whether or not something is actually reinforcing to the animal. If you are insisting that you will use only praise to reinforce your dog but the dog does not find your praise valuable enough your dogs training will not be reliable, plain and simple.  Dogs and other animals dont come programmed to just do whatever we say because we said it.  Neither do people, actually.  We all behave and do things because of the outcomes it brings.  Yesterday, I went to the vet and picked up medication for my close friends dog.  She was very busy, was going away this weekend and needed the meds and I had time so I ran and got them and brought them to her.  I did not do this because I would be reinforced in some way or because I would get something.  I did it because my relationship with this friend is based on years and years of a trusted friendship that frequently involves us helping each other when needed. I do things for her and she does things for me because we CHOOSE to based on our history which includes a lot of positive reinforcement.  This is not unlike the relationship with my dogs.  In the beginning, when I was building a relationship with them I used food to reinforce everything they did and learned.  I do my best to set them up to get it right, so that I can reinforce their correct behavior and continue to add "insurance" and more reinforcement history so the behaviors are strong and remain strong. Over and over and over until they pretty much always gave me the response I was looking for.  Then, and only then, did I begin to add in other reinforcers to the mix.  Only after I was truly convinced that they had a solid understanding did I begin to ask them to do things and use different things to reinforce them. Things like attention, scritches, access to things, play, toys or sometimes just a wink and telling them how clever they are, but I am always continuing to reinforce them. 

Take a look at this video.  It shows a variety of different reinforcers used for different animals.  It is critical to keep in mind that just because a reinforcer is effective in one instance or environment does not mean it will it be in another environment.  For instance, Sonic is shown enjoying playing tug and fetch in the video, however, I know from experience that this would not be the case outside or in a group class.  In a class setting I would need to use food with him.  Reinforcers may need to change depending on the level of distractions, the environment or just the level of difficulty of the behavior.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE_CYoNMvAM.

When training a new behavior we may use food as a lure.  In other words, use food to guide the dog into position to accelerate the dog being able to do the behavior.  Frankly, when training my own dogs I use a lot more shaping.  I dont do as much shaping in classes and with clients because it is more challenging to learn how to do this, but honestly people tend to get frustrated having to reward such small steps and having to wait for things to happen.  So, I use a food lure which of course, has its own challenges.  When using food as a lure, you must stop luring as quickly as you can.  I will sometimes lure a dog only two or three times before waiting for the behavior to be offered or prompting without food, however I am STILL reinforcing with food after they do it. It is critical to stop luring with food as soon as you can or you may get into a situation where the dog "only does it when you have food".  This does not mean using food is flawed or that the dog is being manipulative, it means that the execution of training was not done correctly.  Food was used as a lure too long.

This next part is probably the most important thing.  It is critical that if behaviors are to be strong, the animal continues to be reinforced for them.  After the behaviors are learned and reliable we can begin to play with different reinforcers and change things up, but dont fool yourself into thinking that you can simply stop reinforcing the animal.  People are quick to admit that they would not go to work without some form of pay or positive reinforcement for their work, but want their dogs to behave like little robots.  We have to remember that while we consider them "ours", dogs and our other companion animals have their own lives, feelings, strengths and weaknesses.  We cannot expect them to just do what we say because we said it.  We also cannot expect behaviors to remain strong and reliable if we drop off the reinforcement for the animal.  It simply doesnt work that way.  If it did, it would be easy, simple and every dog walking around would have impeccable manners and be from from behavioral issues.  It takes time to build reliability.  It takes working them around different distractions and in different environments always reinforcing them heavily when they make correct choices.  

It is time that we stop viewing dogs are little automatons and seeing them for what they are, intelligent, thinking, feeling individuals.  

I always try to look at my training and my dogs reliability honestly.  When something isnt going how I would like, it is ALWAYS my issue, not the dogs.  I havent practiced enough, I have not proofed enough, I have not worked on something enough.  If I had done my part better, my dog would be more successful.  

So please, use food with training.  Reward the dog often

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Attack Dog Training

Dogs have been kept as pets since time began. People choose to keep dogs for various purposes. The majority of them are kept as companions, some also serve their leader as guide dogs and others act as guard dogs. Then the are the professional owned dogs who are highly trained as sniffer dogs to help root out drug trafficking or attack dogs as used by the police forces .

All in all we humans just love having dogs as part of our lives. No matter who owns a dog it is our responsibility to make sure the dog has at least basic dog training. To have a dog as an attack dog the importance of dog draining is raised to the highest level.

The Importance of Dog Training
The training of a dog to obey your orders or commands is a very important aspect of the relationship between man and animal. Some people think that when you say training, it means all types of sophisticated and complex commands. Actually it is not so. Having the dog relieve itself outside the house or in the litter box is training, having the dog come when you call it also falls under training, as does the dog recognizing orders such as ‘sit’, ‘catch’ and so on. In other words, each and every aspect that makes the dog behave the way you want it, falls under the purview of training.

The simple commands that you teach your dog on how to behave around the house is basic training. There are however, specific types of training which will make the dog perform certain tasks that you need from it. This includes, training for sniffing out bombs, narcotics, saving injured people, tracking by smell, attacking on command, or when owner is attacked, and so on.

Specialized Training Methods

There are times when attack dog training is specifically needed for guard dogs. There are many reasons why attack dog training is given to dogs:

1. to protect people against harm such as during an assault, or theft
2. to protect cattle or ship from predators
3. to prevent gun shots (police dogs)
4. to attack other dogs for organized dog fights
5. to hunt other animals

Attack dog training is a specialized training and it requires a professional. Utmost care should be taken when imparting such type of training so the dog does go out of control. Just as important it is for the dog to recognize and obey the attack order, so it is to recognize and obey the stop attack order. The dog attack training should be done properly otherwise you risk injury to yourself and others.
Basics Dog Training

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Poppy

I thought I would post a couple of shots of Poppy. The first shows an unhealthy interest in some sheep!
At the moment she needs to remain on her lead, but before returning to her owner, I fully expect such photographs to be a thing of the past.
After just a week, Im really pleased with her progress. In the house and garden, shes socialising very well with the other dogs. Later today I will be taking her into Penrith to help her further. Locally, shes finally starting to leave passing traffic alone - now for the busier areas!

Janet

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Car Safety

When I first got my dog I took her everywhere with me. She would travel with me while I worked (this was before I was a dog trainer) and we would go on frequent hiking trips all over New Jersey and New York. I have to admit that I really didn’t give much thought into putting her in my Jeep – I just opened the door and let her in the back, where she paced around from window to window while I drove to our destination.

Then one day, a speeding sedan ran a stop sign and slammed into my SUV as I was going through an intersection. The impact knocked my vehicle onto its side and sent it sliding twenty feet down the street. As always I was wearing my seat belt, which saved me from sustaining any major injuries. Hayley, my trusty companion, had fortunately stayed home that day. If she had been with me, she would have been thrown around the interior of the SUV and been seriously hurt or worse.

The incident was a big wake up call for me and from that point forward I gave important thought to how I travel with my dog. I don’t know about you, but my pooch is much more than an animal– she’s a family member. And I give her the same care and consideration that I give my children. I would never put my kids into my car without buckling them up and that goes for Hayley as well.

It makes me a bit crazy to see dogs roaming freely in cars with their bodies sticking half way out the windows. Car accidents happen every single day. There are over 16,000 car accidents each day in the United States. To me that sounds like a lot and I’m not taking any chances with my loved ones, and that includes my dog.

So, now Hayley gets seat-belted in just like my family. There are lots of great dog safely devices out there that can help your dog get to where you’re going safely. Personally, I use a comfy harness that secures Hayley in using the shoulder seat belt. They also have some for the little guys as well.

My dog is a 50lb. pit bull and with the seat belt on her head rests perfectly on the open window, allowing her to see out and enjoy the breeze. For small dogs who like to check out the world as it goes by, there are a number of great boosters seats that also keep your dog fastened safely.

The safest place to seat belt your dog in is the back seat. However, if you’re like me and have two car seats taking up the entire back seat, the front may be you’re only option. If that’s the case, make sure you always turn off the passenger side airbag when your dog is in the front. If that air bag does go off while your dog is there the impact will most likely kill him.

Keeping them seat-belted in also helps if your pooch gets car sick by providing him more stability. Anxious dogs also benefit from being belted because they are not able to move as much (the more a dog moves, the more energy they create – and that includes anxious energy).

All in all I can’t think of any reason not to be safe and seat belt your furry best buddy in when you travel by car. Sure, most of the time nothing goes wrong, but I love my dog too much to take chances with her life.

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HOW TO GUARANTEE YOUR DOG WILL NOT COME WHEN HE IS CALLED

Basics Dog Training - Tips on how NOT to train your dog

The re-call is one of the easiest commands to teach but one of the quickest to trash. Many owners ruin their dogs desire to come when called by doing one or all of the following:
* Calling the dog when theyre angry.
* Calling the dog when theyre about to do something he doesnt like (for example, nail clipping and bathing).
* Calling the dog to put on his leash at the dog park.
* Calling the dog to be put in confinement.
* Waiting to praise the dog until he gets to them.
* Not rewarding the dog sufficiently.
* Calling their off-leash dog to come before he is trained.

During basics dog training call your dog a number of times during off-leash play sessions. When he comes back to you, let him know how pleased you are and give him his favourite treat and then tell him to go back and play again.
By doing this very regularily you are accomplishing two important things here:checking to make sure your dog complies and teaching your dog that coming to you does not mean the end of play, but an opportunity for him to receive yourlove and attention and his reward.
Remember the more fun it is for your dog the quicker he will learn new commands.
More about Basics Dog Training.

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Play Mate Match Ups Now Available for Braveheart Students

Play Mate Match Ups are now available! Bear with me as I figure out the best way to offer you this and figure everything out, as it may take me a few tries to come up with the best way to do things. 

Here is how it will work. If you are interested in getting your dog on my play mate list, you email me with this information:
Your Name
Your Dogs Name
Breed
Age
Gender
Whether or not the dog is spayed/neutered
Your dogs most successful past playmates
Your dogs not-so-good past playmates
Your location
Your email

I will maintain a list and I will put you in contact with other Braveheart students that I feel would be a good match for your dog. I will not put dogs on the list that have a history of people or dog aggression. I will not list dogs that I do not know personally. I will not assume liability for these play sessions. It will be up to you, the owners to decide if the match up is a good one and if the dogs are good candidates to interact together.

I decided not to simply put a up a list because, 1) I do not want just aanyone to be able to contact people, without knowing their dog and 2) I think that I may be able to help in determining the best matches.

So, we will start with this. If you want to get your dog listed, email me at braveheartdogs@gmail.com with this information. Please be sure to email, not message me. Please be sure to list ALL the information, even if you feel I know your dog. To save time, I plan to cut and paste the information from emails as I compile the list.

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Group Classes Begin This Sunday! April 15 2012

Greetings Dog Lovers,
EXCITING NEWS!!!!
We are offering dog training courses in Beginner and Advanced Obedience,
Socialization/Play Group Bahamas K9 Agility
WHAT: Courses are 6-weeks in duration
COST: $100.00
WHERE: Goodmans Bay
WHEN: 4:00pm - 5:00pm, Sunday April 15 - May 20th, 2012

We meet on the western end of Goodmans bay. Dress athletically and please do not feed your dog before class. You are encouraged to bring water. We look forward to seeing you!
Please print or complete the attached application and return it via e-mail.
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING STUBSDALE....HERE IS SOME INFO ABOUT US!!

At Stubsdale Dog Care Center we believe that dog training is key to developing a happy, healthy, and socially adjusted family member. We train you to train your dog so that you are empowered to utilize and reinforce our proven techniques once our classes are complete. We are offering Level 1: Basic Obedience Group. Socialization Group, Advanced Obedience, and Agility as well as private classes for all dogs ages 4 months and older. During our classes we will focus on the heel, sit, stay, come, and down exercises. Our classes offer a realistic, fun, safe, and useful environment with controlled distractions for your dog to learn better behavior. Dog obedience training is important because it helps to prevent problems through proper socialization, providing a much more attractive alternative than trying to correct the undesirable behavior such as (barking, object guarding, chewing, separation anxiety, dog to dog aggression etc.) that arises from a lack of socialization.

Space is limited, Register Today!

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Welcome To My Dog Training Tips Blog!

Hi my name is Maryanne and this is my first post in my new blog on dog training tips.
Lately we have had incidences of dogs attacking their owners or members of the family and even strangers. In Canada there has been increased reported cases of pit bulls attacks.
So we have decided to start this blog and provide the best online dog training advice that we can give to our visitors.
A dog owner has a responsibility to his family, neighbor and community. Some of us have been embarrased by our dogs in public and even know how stressful and frustrating it is to control an aggressive dog.




Now you can put an end to your annoying dog behavior problem.Mr Daniel Stevens a dog trainer has come up with an ebook called "SitStayFetch: Dog Training To Stop Your Dogs Behavior Problems!" which has great practical solutions to your dog behavior problems.This dog training book is a winner with so many satisfied dog owners giving testmonials on the success of the SitStayFetch techniques.
Click here to read more on the SitStayFetch techniques and change your dogs behavior.

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Dog Training Tips and Tricks to Stop Your Dog from Digging Up Your Yard by ONeal Hendrix

Its downright infuriating to look out the window and see Buddy digging another hole in the yard. You yell out the window; he may or may not even acknowledge hes heard anything; then back to the digging. This dog behavior has got to stop.

WHY DOGS DIG...

Did you ever stop to think WHY Buddy digs? (except to make you mad!). This is the real trick - to figure out why hes digging in the first place, the motivation behind the dog behavior. Then you can take dog training steps to discourage it, redirect that energy and possibly stop it completely.

1. IM BORED!

Location: Digging along the fence lines and at the gate.

Why? He is bored and wants to get out for some action.

Solution: Provide more exercise for your dog, both physical and mental. The more exercise the better, according to your dog. A tired, happy dog will rest nicely between great outings.

2. IM HOT!!

Digging along the edge of the house or shallow "pits," especially in the heat of the summer.

Why? Your dog is most likely creating a cool spot in the cool under-earth. If under the porch, hes creating a den.

Solution: Check to make sure you are providing fresh cool water throughout the day and night.

Is there adequate shade to protect your dog from the hot sun? Is good air circulation available or possibly a nice breeze? Or is the space filled with stagnant air?

Provide plant life (trees, bushes) for shelter from the hot sun. Cool grass keeps the ground heat down.

3. ITS JUST MY NATURE!

Sometimes its the breed of dog, not so much the environment. Some breeds tend to be burrowers -hounds, huskies, malamutes are a few examples.

Solution: If this is the case, work with your dog to agree on a place he can do his thing and camouflage it with something like plants or fencing.

4. I LIKE IT!!

Some dogs just like to dig, and dig they will, no matter how much you yell and scream.

Solution: Create and help them with the ideal digging place - a sandy blend with hidden treasures that reward digging at that spot. Having a prepared area encourages the digger to focus the digging to the area you set up in an out-of-the-way place. Remember to keep the area stocked with assorted treats and toys.

TO FILL OR NOT TO FILL - EXISTING HOLES

The second part of the story is...

What to do with the holes that keep reappearing, no matter what you do? Have you back-filled holes dug by your dog only to find them dug again, over and over?

When this happens, the next stage of hole-filling is called for.

You might think this next step it involves yelling at your dog, or rapping on the window. Nope. Are you really going to stand and stare out the window hoping to correct the situation while its happening (which would be the only way to really correct it using this method)?

TECHNIQUES FOR "FILLING" HOLES

There are two better techniques to encourage your dog to rethink digging that hole.

The easier of the two is to fill the hole until almost full. Mix the last portion of dirt with dog poo, pinecones, moth balls, or other repelling non-harmful substance. The next time your dog arrives for the big dig, he quickly finds the game has changed. Most dogs quickly change their behavior.

The second method is more time consuming but effective. Cut a section of chicken wire or similar to cover the hole plus 8" or more. Dig a hole a few inches deep that surrounds the hole and will fit the wire shape.

Fill the hole and then press wire in place and cover with dirt. Pack the area well, particularly around the wire edges. When your dog returns, the wire will stop his digging progress.

If along a fence line, secure the wire to the fence along the inside of the fence, just a short distance from the ground. When the wire gets to the ground, keep going vertically a short distance underground. Then bend the wire so the bottom is perpendicular to the top (forms an L). Bury the horizontal part underground inside the fence, pointing away from the fence. When your dog digs he is stopped by the wire and his weight on the earth helps keep the wire in place. The result is the dog gives up on that area.

Pretty cool, huh?!

CONCLUSION

We humans see digging as bad dog behavior. Dogs dont, and they dig for different reasons. If you can figure out why theyre digging, you can put dog training steps in place to stop it. Some dogs dig, thats what they do. Set them up a space to dig and you both win!

Try these dog training techniques to change unwanted dog behavior. They seriously work.

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