Dog Tricks

Dog tricks are fun for you and your dog. There are so many tricks that you can teach your dog. Show them off for friends, too. Try teaching your dog wave and spin. Why stop there? Why not try teaching your dog to put up his toys and to say he's sorry?

Correcting Problem Behaviors

Dog problem behaviors can be rough to live with. Whether they be digging, chewing, barking, jumping, or any other nuissance behavior. You can untrain your dog of these problem behaviors as easy as you trained him. Yes, more than likely you unwillingly trained your dog to jump.

When you dog was a puppy, and he jumped on you, what did you do? More than likely, you pet him. Right? The you just rewarded the behavior. From that point on the dog associated jumping on you, or any other person as getting pet, so anytime he wanted your attention or to be petted, he would jump on you. But, now that the cute 10 pound puppy is no longer 10 pounds, but 60, what do you do?

Find ways to solve the problem behaviors. That's what you do. Once you have found the cause to the problem behavior, you can begin to fix it.

But, not all problem behaviors are as simple, as you'd think. Some behaviors are caused be some fear or emotion within the dog. Yes, dog's can be scared, too. Some dogs are scared of thunder and storms, whether it be because of the loud noise, the rain, or the change in barometic pressure. But, either way, you can fix... Well, unless it's the change in barometric pressure, otherwise, I have a few tips. Try drowning out the should with loud music or television. Occupy the dog during the storm. On a sunny day, play a recording of a thunder storm, slowly raising the volume, until the dog doesn't care.

In any sense, you CAN fix the problem behaviors that are ruining your lifestyle. In many cases may even be embarrassed of your dog's behaviors. Well, fix them. Don't hide or crate the dog, that's a quick fix, truly dig deep and fix the problems. It'll be worth it in the end.

Dog Agility Training

If you've decided to train your dog agility. Awesome choice. It's a great way to run the energy out of you dog and loose a few calories while you're at it. You want to learn the basics of the sport, as yes, it is a sport. Learn the history behind today's competitive dog sport. Learn what each obstacle is and looks like.

Then, find out how to best train each obstacle from the jump to the tunnel to the seesaw. The best and quickest way is to target train mixed with a little clicker training. Have the dog target a plate of some kind of object in order to clear the bar jump obstacle or to properly run over the dog walk.

Next, learn the course. Learn the faults. Know how to run it. Get used the the ever changing agility course. You won't have a problem as long as you dog knows how to perform each obstacle. At that point, you'll be able to run the course with ease and efficiency.

Behavioral Problem Solving

Behavioral Problem Solving with your dog can make a happier you and a happier dog... Not to mention a happier neighbor... Find out problem solving tools and techniques to help you and your dog cope with each other.

In many cases, behavioral problems can easily be eliminated by starting basic obedience training from the get-go. Basic Obedience Training Part 1 and Basic Obedience Training Part 2 includes the basic commands like walking on a leash, leave it, give, sit, down, stay, wait, and come. I am constantly reworking and refining basic obedience commands with my dogs. Basic obedience, believe it or not, can save your dog's life one day. If he decides to charge out the front door ahead of you, you can give him the 'wait' command that will tell him that he cannot move but you can. This will insure that you dog is kept safe.

Training Your Dog

The oldest training method is the technique of punishment. But using Punishment as a Training Method you can encounter many problems and big concerns. Whereas, using Reinforcement Training, you come across fewer problems. Reinforcement training is the quickest and most effective way to train ANY dog.

When Training a Dog always think about the dog first. Configure your training method around the dog's personality. You do not want to be as forceful with a passive dog as you would with a more dominant dog.

Have fun when training your dog. It's a great bonding experience.

Clicker Training

Have any of you heard of Clicker Training? I find that it is one of the better techniques towards training dogs. I have found the quickest results when using a clicker than without. I began training my new puppy without the clicker, and she basically understood what I wanted, but as soon as I picked up my old clicker and began using it when training with her, she began catching on quicker and quicker. It is pretty simple to clicker train. You can use your voice as a sharp 'yes' when the desired behavior was reached; the sharp 'yes' is in place of the clicer as we all have our voice with us at all times, but maybe not a clicker. This is what I started with when training my new puppy, but I was not getting the results I desired in the time frame I had hoped. When picking up my old Karen Pryor I-Click clicker, MIA quickly began responding to simple cues of 'sit,' 'down,' 'sit/stay,' 'down/stay,' and 'speak.' Many more behaviors are added to her 'behavior glossary,' with every click of the small, hand-held clicker.