Basic Puppy Training Online Dog Training Classes by Dove Creswell.

Potty training a puppy is part of basic puppy training in Dove Creswell’s Puppy Training and Dog Training Online.

Nearly all of the puppies owned by Americans make their home indoors. Dogs kept inside with your family and you need to be housebroken. Many pet owners are daunted by the responsibility of potty training a puppy. But it’s really not that hard to accomplish, it doesn’t need to be messy, and you don’t have to struggle with your pet when housebreaking him. Be aware, however, that you are dealing with a training issue, and you will need to dedicate more than just a cursory effort. It requires time, involvement, and some tools of the trade such as puppy training pads.

The Puppy Rules

For dogs and puppy owners, there are two major rules that you should stick to with puppy training. Remember to never punish your puppy for something you didn’t see him do. Secondly, always tell puppy how good he is for the things he did correctly. Don’t let training lead to situations where your only action is saying ‘no’ when you catch your pet doing something wrong. Let them know through praises and rewards when they do something right.

Housebreaking Guidelines for Your New Puppy

There are different ways to housebreak puppies. At the beginning, encourage the puppy to "go" on newspapers or puppy training pads. These pads are treated with chemicals that make puppies want to use them to do their business. As soon as you see them starting with their pre-potty pattern of walking around and sniffing the floor, pick them up gently and without saying anything, and carry them over to the puppy training pads or paper and reward them for the doing their bathroom acts properly.

After things are progressing well and the puppy is using the puppy training pads or newspapers regularly, you can then locate them a little closer to the door and eventually outside. The change is made from concentrating on bathroom habits at a location inside the house to a location outside the house. You’ll soon see that you won’t need the training pads or papers in the house anymore.

The drawback of this approach to housebreaking is that more time is required to get the pup to do his business inside. Other popular methods of house training puppies involve puppy crate training or the use of cages plus constant pet owner supervision.

When you opt to use a crate or a cage for housebreaking your dog, take note that dogs can only hold their bladders and bowels for about seven to eight hours. Usually this technique is very effective because most puppies consider their cage or crate as their sleeping area and they don’t want to have to lie in their own mess. Leaving them in their cage or crate for very long, however, is not good to do.

Constant supervision on the other hand, does not involve the use of training paper or puppy pads, and crates or cages. Here pet owners choose to spend all the time necessary with their pet puppies. This is very ideal for people who work at home, retired persons, or owners who can afford to spend a lot of time with their puppy. This method usually allows the owner to get their puppy out of the house when they first recognize the signs that the puppy needs to go to the bathroom. You need to keep a constant eye on your puppy to prevent any accidents or slip-ups.

To sum up, puppy housebreaking and training should be treated as part of the ‘come’ and ‘stay’ command trainings. However, toilet training and housebreaking your puppy will be the messiest types of training, and generally have more headaches than other sorts of dog training. Don’t give up!

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Posted under Potty Training Puppies

On the purchase of the basic puppy training Sit Stay Fetch, now download you will be preview to a lot of dog training and obedience guides in addition to the main download which is the eBook. This eBook downloads directly to your computer for easy use. The eBook is readable from your computer screen or you make print out the eBook if that is your preference.

>> View Official Sit Stay Fetch Report

Daniel Stevens (the Sit Stay Fetch Author) wrote this book to be a simple guide and system for anyone to learn (even complete beginers) how to train their dogs properly or change behavior problems. He is also a professional dog trainer.

The SitStayFetch Daniel Stevens guide is a treasure throve of information to assist dog owner’s in correcting more than 25 behavior/obedience problems with their dogs. These include: peeing and dog house training, dog barking, aggression to dogs and fighting, biting and jumping among others. Included in this book is a step by step system of training your dog properly.

The Sit Stay Fetch eBook has included in its contents many pictures which assist the reader to easily visualize the necessary training methods and techniques. It is also filled with tips on the training of your dog to command prompts or word commands of any type. There is a guarantee of 2 months for Sit Stay Fetch in addition to the inclusion of 4 bonuses.

Company Information

Sit Stay Fetch Dog training and Kingdom of Pets includes the resources of a ton of trainers and behaviorists as well as veterinarians that have come together to meet the requirements of pet owners in the training of their pets and correction of negative behaviors so that pet owners can get the most from their pets.

The Sit Stay Fetch training resources are easily available online and are often readily available for immediate download. The company has vast resources on these subject areas as well as the general well being of your pet.

>> View Official Sit Stay Fetch Report

Product Specifications

Sitstayfetch.com has online the SitStayFetch eBook which is downloadable to your computer. This is a book that is electronic and which you can access anytime from your computer after download. The resource covers all the normal problems faced by pet owners in the training of their pets and the steps and techniques to correct these problems and end up with a well behaved and trained dog.

The eBook file is approximately 450Kb in size. Sit Stay Fetch is over 250 pages long and in full color.

Besides the main e-book there are 7 bonus ebooks that you get with your order:

• The House Training Book
• The Dog Grooming Book
• The Security Training Book
• The Alpha Dog Book
• A Quick Guide to Dog Aggression
• 180 Gourmet Recipes
• Dog Community Forum (for questions/answers and networking with other dog owners)
• Top 20 Consultations

Sit Stay Fetch reviews have been astounding with raves coming in for the audio book version. This version is downloadable as well and allows the user to burn the audio file and listen to it on a CD player or a computer. They are able to listen while driving or even while out on a walk with portable CD devices or even MP3 Players.

With the order you also get one free consultation with the SitStayFetch team, which you can use to deal with any specific behavior problem that you may have. These questions are posted on the Forum and answered by the Consultation team so that other forum users can also benefit from the advice given.

Review Conclusion

The Daniel Stevens dog training program is one of the best on the market falling within the top 2% of dog training programs. This program has been reviewed and found to be one of the best programs due to the fact that it is well rounded and able to deal with all the common issues faced by pet owners.

View a complete industry report on: Sit Stay Fetch.

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Posted under Miscellaneous Content

A young puppy can be hard work, but his problems are at the opposite end of the spectrum from his pack-leader littermate. This puppy seems to react in fear to almost everything – littermates that play too rough, loud noises, strange people, etc. This little guy needs a slight different set of basic puppy training tips. People who are not aware of what the situation really is are apt to assume that the puppy has been abused, when that is not the case at all.

I can remember one occasion in particular in which I had a shy puppy born to a litter in which all the other puppies had absolutely delightful temperaments. He evidenced this behavior right from the time his eyes first opened and he began walking around the whelping box. His treatment and experiences were no different than those of the other puppies. Try as I might, I was never really able to conquer the puppy’s unfounded fears.

Fortunately, I was able to come across kind and sympathetic owners for the pup. They were mature people with no children who understood the temperament difficulties and yet were happy to provide a home for him. They had experience with training puppies and so the puppy was placed with the family under the provision that, in the event a problem arose that the new owner was not able to cope with, the puppy would be returned to us. In this particular case, however, the puppy grew to adulthood as a quiet, devoted pet While he did improve in his shyness, new situations, strange people, or sudden loud noises were a problem throughout his entire life.

Puppy Temperaments

There are a few puppy training tips or techniques that can tell you a great deal about an individual puppy as well. Cradling a puppy in your arms and holding him on his back can tell you how willing the youngster is to comply with what you want him to do. Checking ears and feet can bring a number of different reactions. Some pups will easily comply; others will offer mild resistance.

The puppy to avoid is the one that becomes terrified at the occurrence of something strange or the one that snaps at being intruded upon. No puppy should be anything less than happy, friendly, and reasonably able to cope with your little experiments.

There are more formal tests that behaviorists can give puppies that can reveal significant details in regard to their potential temperament as adults. These tests begin as early as three weeks and continue on up to three months.

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Posted under Puppy Training Classes

There is no need to be worried if a puppy starts biting you. This behavior is normal for puppies. Just like human babies, puppies go through a painful teething period, which is helped by nibbling, chewing, and biting. As well, this teaches puppies about eating and chewing skills. Biting and chewing are viewed by puppies as play.

Although biting is natural for puppies, there are things you can do to stop puppy biting. It is a dog owner’s responsibility to make sure his dog is taught the appropriate way to behave with regard to biting.

Puppies are almost always cute and cuddly and they don’t realize that their teeth can hurt. In their minds, they are showing affection and playing. Even so, there will always be a few puppies that continue to bite.

For a fantastic guide to help you with your puppy behavior problems, I recommend that you take a look at: Stop Puppy Biting.

While puppies are still young, they must be discouraged from biting. You should stop puppy biting by the time he is four months old or younger.Puppies that remain with their mother learn to stop biting from her. All too often, puppies are taken away from their mothers before they have an opportunity to learn to stop biting from her.

Socializing puppies with other dogs and puppies is a good way to stop them from biting. It is likely that the lessons he would have learned from his mother would be passed on in the company of other dogs. Puppies will often nip and bite during playtime. Your puppy will quickly get the idea that he doesn’t like being bitten by other dogs, even in play. Puppy biting will eventually stop due to just this factor. This is a lesson that you can’t teach your puppy. The only way this can be taught is through interaction with other dogs and puppies.

Your dog will learn not to fear other dogs if he is allowed to socialize with them. In the company of other dogs, puppies have the freedom to be playful and boisterous. It is also an ideal way for a puppy to burn up excess energy so you will be able to take home a calmer dog. If you give your puppy plenty of time to play with other dogs, he will be less prone to nibbling or biting.

If puppies are not properly socialized with other dogs, puppy biting may become an issue. Dogs bite for two key reasons: to show aggression and make people move back from them or out of fear. When a dog is not accustomed to being around other dogs, it is more likely that he will bite. Your puppy will eventually stop biting if he is socialized at a young age.

It is also important to make sure that there is trust and respect in your relationship with your puppy. You should never yell at your puppy to discipline him. A puppy should never be hit, slapped or kicked. A calm and assertive voice should be used along with consistency with discipline and treats. Constantly give your dog lots of affection. A puppy will learn to stop biting once he realizes that he is loved.

Visit our site today to stop puppy biting.

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Frank and Sally are two Poodles that have grown up in a nice suburban home together. The owner, Ms. Vicky, has no objection about the behaviors of the two dogs, with the exception of the fact that they whine incessantly. Seeing as her prince and princess do not have any aggressive tendencies, are not territorial, and do not have any other bad habits, she has overlooked this dog whining issue for years. However, as years passed by, the whining became annoying and Ms. Vicky began to speculate exactly why they are always whining.

In an effort to stop this behavior, she used her time to find the root of the problem. Dogs whine for a lot of reasons, including pain, fear, or boredom. In this phase , she thought that the cause of the whining was probably boredom, but she also felt that the other reasons should not be completely ruled out and so she decided to seek for the expert s opinion. Toby and Josie s owner brought the pair to the vet’s office to get more information regarding the the situation. The veterinarian believed that the whining behavior stemmed from Toby and Josie being left alone for a large portion of the day while Ms. Vicky was at work. Although Toby and Josie were placed outdoors, so they can play, do their business, and exercise at will, the pair was still lonely. . Since this manner has never been corrected, the dogs have adopted the habit as a sympathy ploy to get what they want. Ms. Vicky confirmed this idea and the next step of breaking the habit started.

First of all , Toby and Josie were noticeably not okay with their current condition of being left alone during the morning. To make her dearly loved prince and princess happier, Vicky hired a pet sitter who comes in twice a day to walk, pet, and play with Toby and Josie. Although that the whining was still present, they ve observed that the two dogs seem to be much happier when their owner returns from work. If only Ms. Vicky did not let this whining to continue for such a long period of time and corrected the problem sooner, this new setup would have likely stopped the whining altogether.

Meanwhile, the owner has started practicing the new training command for Toby and Josie. Each time either dog whines, she firmly states "no whine". She gives this command with a quick squirt of water from a spray bottle to get the dog’s attention. Once the dog stops whining, the Miss lavishes it with praises and treats. Once the dog stops whining, the Miss lavishes it with praises and treats. Certainly, activities like going outside cannot be reprimanded, since many dogs whine when they need to take a poo.

This basic puppy training method coupled with the hiring of a pet sitter has drastically changed the whining condition with Toby and Josie. Now, neither dog whines to get what they want! Furthermore, Miss Vicky finds the situation a great deal less stressful on both her and the dogs. If you too are experiencing a similar situation, consider following this case study to help break your dogs from whining. Keep in mind that pain or uneasiness is a viable motive for whining, so visit your veterinarian to guarantee your dog is in top health. Best of Luck! Cheers!

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Posted under Puppy Training Classes

Glucosamine is basically an amino sugar, which is one of the leading advocates of that form exoskeletons of crustaceans, the cell walls of fungi and other higher organisms. For humans, it is generally used to treat cases of osteoarthritis, although its use in medical therapy varies. Research has shown that its effect in dogs has also been found to promote the movement of the joints and maintain the cartilage. As you’re in the store pondering the many varieties of dog food for your dog’s diet, purchase your mind can be truly overwhelmed. The numerous ingredients in dog food simply complicate things even further. Who really knows what the ingredients really mean? Glucosamine can see some of the labels on dog food. That sounds a little familiar. Have you heard of glucosamine in the news? What exactly is glucosamine and why should it be in your dog’s diet? Diet for dogs is something that must not be overlooked by a pet owner like you.

Glucosamine is a dietary supplement. Glucosamine has been shown to promote good joint health. This supplement helps maintain good joint cartilage. Glucosamine is one of the main building blocks to produce joint lubricants. The joint lubricant helps to keep joints moving and functioning with ease. Glucosamine in your dog’s diet will ensure your pet in their work together in the levels of peak performance for years to come. This may be possible with the scientific community through the disintegration of glucosamine beneficial to humans with a health problem: a popular dietary supplement that has proven to be beneficial for maintaining good health and improved articular cartilage of the lubrication of the various joints, acting as a building block element. This set of movements and improvement, since it has worked for humans, it was not long before the goodness of glucosamine for dogs was tested and the results were good and was beneficial to health canine is guaranteed to the maximum performance levels even as the dog grew older.

In the natural form, glucosamine can be found in shellfish, while the other source of fermented corn, which is suitable for vegetarian dog lover. It is now increasingly recommended that dog owners to seriously consider including glucosamine dog in your daily diet as it is not only an element of health promotion, but also free from side effects of any kind even when taken with other medicines and supplements. Seafood is a good source of glucosamine. Another way to get glucosamine involves a fermentation process of corn. This method to produce glucosamine creates a vegetable based glucosamine. Glucosamine is typically safe as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Your dog’s diet should include glucosamine to encourage joint health. Your pet does not suffer from side effects or interactions with medications when glucosamine is part of the diet of your dog.

Glucosamine supplements come in many forms. You can even give your dog a treat specially designed to supplement your dog’s diet with glucosamine. The tasty treatment eliminates the problem of your dog with a dose of pills. You will find that supplements of glucosamine is in the market have different shapes. You can join to find food for dogs, dogs treated, or pills.

Although its use is considered safe, you still want to consult with your veterinarian about anything that you have a pet or eating diet plans that want to apply. You may be acting for the best reasons for the welfare of your pet, but can also be measured or things that may be harmful to them. Of course, it is always best to talk to your veterinarian about any changes in your dog’s diet. He or she can give you tips on what to add supplements to your dog’s diet and how much. Ask your veterinarian about the benefits of glucosamine. As a resposible pet owner, you must always follow the best dog diet.

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Posted under Puppy Care and Puppy Health

They are a naturally feisty breed.Bred to hunt badgers, they had to be tough and innovative. But that assertive nature should not be allowed to turn against you.You must be the alpha dog.

Individual dogs will deviate in degree, of course.There are submissive Dachshunds though fewer than other breeds, on average.Some will try to demand on having their own way at all times, much like nearly all terriers.But basic puppy training can reform their behavior, especially if you begin when they are young and stay consistent.

Zero tolerance should be the rule for all aggressive conduct, whether toward you, a family member, or strange people and animals.Chewing the leash during training is one mild manifestation.

Discourage it by stepping on the leash close to the dog’s head. Then with the other foot, slowly pull the leash down to the ground closer and closer to the collar.Take care not to stress their neck, as Doxies are inclined to back problems.When they have released the leash, praise them abundantly.

To discourage biting or snapping or excess barking a squirt bottle comes in handy.Give your Dachshund a little squirt against the muzzle when he shows this behavior.Stay away from the eyes. That startles your dog and it is unpleasant besides.Avoid making it a contest of wills, but repeat if necessary.That only tends to make it seem to the dog that you are a competitor. Firm consistency is preferred to counter-aggression.

If your Dachshund persists, isolate your dog and be prepared for some barking.Like spoiled young children, a dog will sometimes try to whine or shout its way out of chastisement.Offer your dog sturdy chew toys and allow him to work out the aggression on those while he’s in the "time out" box.

Follow the negative reinforcement with some positive reinforcement.Look for instances of good behavior and praise it abundantly.Use a moderate number of treats if necessary.The point is to help the dog see for itself the different end result of its own conduct in terms of your response.Doxies are resourceful.With persistence, they will learn.

For instance, one may become assertive during fetch by refusing to give up the ball.Try to distinguish between authentic willfulness and a mere desire to play a different game, tug.Make the difference clear by playing tug with a rope, which they love.

It’s key to tread a fine line, though, since tug can lead to encouraging aggression.Exercising them a little harder than you would a more playful or serene dog will help.Aggression is partially caused by the frustration of pent-up energy with no positive outlet.

An assistant can be a big help here. Toss the ball to a partner several feet away, along the ground.Make sure the partner is the first to get the ball when the Dachshund gives chase.Repeat the exercise a few times, then permit your Dachshund to win.

With patience and a little creativity, you can channel your Dachshund’s aggression into more positive directions.

LuvUrDog.com

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Posted under Dog Puppy Training

Having a pet can be quite expensive especially if you live in the metropolis. Vet care, dog food and grooming supplies cost a good amount of money. Dogs make lovely pets but they also need vet care more often compared to cats. Since your dog’s health is very important, you need to make sure that you get the best vet care for your pet. You need to find a good vet that you can trust with your pet’s life. Yes, the best vet care will cost you some money but if you get pet insurance coverage, you do not have to worry about paying for emergency vet care for your pet. You can provide your dog with the best vet care, by just investing a few dollars in monthly premiums.

Choosing The Right Pet Insurance Coverage

Choosing the right pet insurance coverage is very important. There are a number of things that you need to look into before you get an insurance policy for your pet. First, you need to make sure that the pet insurance policy gives comprehensive coverage for you pet. Note that different breeds of dogs have different needs. Before you get an insurance policy for your pet, study the vet care needs of your pet. Read literatures about the common health care problems of certain breeds of dogs. Pure breed dogs often need more intensive vet care compared to mongrels so if you have a pure breed at home, consider getting a comprehensive insurance coverage for your dog.

The second thing that you need to consider when buying insurance policy for your pet is the cost. Some types of pet insurance policies are more expensive than the others. However, just because an insurance policy is expensive, that does not mean that such policy can cover for all the medical needs of your dog. Some expensive insurance policies are loaded with useless features that are only designed to increase the price of the policy. To make sure that you are acquiring the best value out from your money, before you sign it always read the fine lines on the insurance policy first. You may also ask the insurance underwriter to explain to you in full the fine print provisions on the insurance policy. Unless you are satisfied with the explanations given to you by the insurance underwriter, do not sign the policy first. You do not really want to end up paying for something that does not give your dog the right coverage.

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Posted under Miscellaneous Content

In reality, there is no disease truly common in Dachshunds Most Dachshunds are born healthy and live long, relatively disease-free lives.Some minor health issues arise for nearly every dog at some point, even those who receive early vaccinations and excellent life-long care.

Nevertheless, some conditions do occur more often in Dachshund than in other breeds.

Diseases of the Adrenal Gland

One common disease of the adrenal gland is Cushing’s Disease, or hyperadrenocorticism. In Cushing’s Disease, too much of the cortisol hormone is produced, either by a primary tumor or the adrenal gland, or a malfunction of the pituitary gland, which is the master gland that tells the adrenal gland how much cortisol to produce. The elevated cortisol level results in skin conditions, hair loss, excessive drinking and urination, a pot-bellied appearance and occasionally diabetes. Specific laboratory tests can be used to diagnose Cushing’s disease and treatment depends on the results. Decreasing the level of cortisol can be achieved by several drugs. Occasionally, surgery may be needed to remove the adrenal gland if it is cancerous. Cushing’s disease is also found in other breeds of dogs.

The opposite condition is called Addison’s disease or low cortisol (hypoadrenocorticism). Cushing’s takes some time to present itself, but Addison’s disease is a sudden episode of collapse due to too low of glucose (blood sugar) and an imbalance of the electrolytes. The sudden illness results in an emergency visit to the veterinarian to correct the imbalances with fluid therapy and cortisone injections. Addison’s is the most difficult disease to diagnose because the sudden collapse resembles many disorders. Specialized blood tests are needed to identify both Addison’s and Cushing’s Disease. Treatment of Addison’s disease is life-long treatment with prednisone (cortisone) and electrolytes.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Several eye diseases can affect Dachshunds, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. PRA is a degeneration of the retina, the lining in the back of the eye. The deterioration leads to gradual vision loss and eventual blindness. PRA is a genetic trait, and since it is a slow, progressive disease, these dogs are sometimes bred before the disease is diagnosed, thus perpetuating the disease. Regretfully, there is currently no cure or treatment for PRA. Other eye disease that can affect Doxies are optic nerve hypoplasia, glaucoma, cataracts, distichiasis (abnormal eyelashes) as well as other conditions. Regular eye exams can help detect these eye-disorders early.

Intervertebral Disc Disease

By far the most common disease of Dachshunds is related to the discs between the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). The disc is normally gelatinous and provides a cushion between the bones of the back (spine). In Doxies, this materials sometimes calcifies, or hardens, and sometimes ruptures. The protruding disc material causes inflammation, swelling and pressure on the nerves coming from the spinal cord and sometimes presses on the spinal cord itself. The herniated disc causes pain, a reluctance to jump up, partial paralysis and can progress to total paralysis. The majority of Dachshunds with disc disease can be managed medically with pain medication and anti-inflammatory medications. Some owners have tried holistic medicine, such as acupuncture or chiropractic manipulation to help with the pain. When total paralysis is due to a complete rupture, immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord may help restore full function in the legs. The sooner the surgery is performed, the better the chances of full recovery.

Experimental treatment is being tested that uses laser heat to fuse the disc material in the spine to prevent the rupture. Because this is such a common problem in them, I do recommend purchasing health insurance for your pet. Unfortunately, some owners cannot afford the surgery and pets suffering with total paralysis or extreme pain are euthanized. A few of my patients, which were partially paralyzed, did recover some function of their legs over time. Some dogs may recover without surgery, but it is impossible to predict.

Vaccination Reactions

Allergic reactions to vaccinations does seem to occur in the Dachshund more often than any other breed. The reaction is usually minor, resulting in swelling of the face and muzzle and sometimes hives. Vaccine reactions can occur in any dog, so it always best to watch your pet for a few hours after a health check. Vaccines have improved over the past few years so reactions are fewer and the benefits of protecting your pet against the diseases outweighs the risks.

Dachshunds can lead a very long and healthy life, sometimes upward to 15 years. Preventive health checks, proper diets, vaccinations, heartworm and parasite prevention, and good dental care can help your Doxie live longer. You can find more information concerning your dogs health at LuvUrDog.com as well Dachshund breed gifts.

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Posted under Puppy Care and Puppy Health

Basic Puppy Training

Though dog-human interaction goes back thousands of years, communication between the two is still sometimes rough. The human half of the pair is usually the smarter party, but watching the usual training sessions one can have legitimate reason to wonder.

Dogs understand and respond at roughly the mental level of a human two-year-old, but there the similarity ends. Their senses operate differently – their color vision has a different response pattern to reds and greens, for example, and obviously their noses are infinitely more sensitive – and their minds process information differently as well. Anyone training dogs has to take this into account in order to avoid human frustration and canine misbehavior.

Dogs are pack animals by nature. Descendant from wolves – where even the ‘lone wolf’ is an anomaly – they’re social and function best with active interplay and within a strict hierarchy.

So, set aside half-an-hour per day, an hour would be better, for at least the first few months of training. Start training your dog as soon as possible. Four weeks is not too early with some breeds, provided one doesn’t expect too much.

Elimination (‘potty’) training details we leave for elsewhere, but all training follows similar guidelines.

Establish your dominance with your dog as soon as possible. Dogs have a natural hiearchy- there are alpha dogs, beta dogs, and the bottom dog is the omega. For a sane household, and a well-adjusted dog, the human (whether male or female) must always be the alpha male of the pack.

This will be easier or more difficult depending on breed and even with individual dogs. Like humans, some are simply more assertive than others. Leashes, collars, commands and other training aids are all highly useful but most important is attitude. Never let your dog be the boss.

You do not have to enforce your dominance with physical force. Sometimes, used appropriately, that will be necessary. Usually, simply being firm and willing to wait for compliance will be enough.

For many, placing them on their backs when young and placing a firm hand in the middle of the chest until they lower their paws – a sign of submission – will be enough. With some, reinforcing this by putting your face close to theirs, emulating dominant dog behavior, can help.

By keeping the leash short, your dog will pay more attention to you and less attention to his surrounding enviroment. Allow plenty of time for free running behavior, essential to dog health, but that’s before or after training, not during. At least, not at first.

Start simply by choosing short, clear commands that sound distinctly different: sit, stay, down, come. Use a firm, but not too loud of a voice. You’re in charge, but not angry. Avoid double-word commands like ‘sit down’ or ‘stay down’. These sound too much alike and may confuse your dog.

Show consitency with each verbal command by using the same tone, look and hand gesture. Eventually these can separate, but at first it’s essential to provide the simplest, most consistent form of communication.

Just like two-year old humans, dogs have limited capacity for grasping the subtleties of language. Assist their understanding by rigid consistency. Don’t use a single command word to mean more than one thing. ‘Down’ can mean ‘don’t jump on me or anyone else’, or it can mean ‘get on your stomach’, but it has to mean one thing only.

Be clear, be patient and be committed and the result will be a dog who trusts and listens to you. And that makes it worth the effort. Find more on dog training at Luvurdog.com/dogtraining

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