Archive for the ‘training’ category

Two Basic Commands That Could Save Your Puppy’s Life

June 4th, 2010

: Image via Wikipedia

You may not be the type of dog owner who spends a lot of time training your barker . It’s rather alright (most puppy owners do not have the time). However, there are two basic commands that could literally save your puppy ‘s life and only takes a few minutes each day to instruct .

Teaching your puppy the “leave it” and “drop it” commands can keep your youngster from doing something unsafe, such as eating rat poison, icky food and other repelling stuff, or running into the path of a speeding bus .

Leave It

With your puppy on a leash, walk by a tempting item, such as food or a toy (you can pre-place items for this exercise). When your puppy tries to pick up the item, give a short quick tug on the leash and say, “Leave it.”

Enthusiastically praise your puppy for obeying (“Good Sparky !”). You can offer a cookie at this time if you prefer, but praise and a pat on the head work just as well. Repeat this routine at home.

Here’s another way you can use to teach your puppy the “leave it” command: Hold a food treat in your closed fist. When your puppy noses your hand, say “Leave it,” and keep your fist closed. When your pup stops nosing your hand, reward with praise, then give a verbal release command (such as “okay”) and let your puppy have the treat. Continue working like this until your puppy will sit quietly without touching a nearby treat until you give the release command.

Drop It

When your puppy picks up a forbidden object, say, “Drop it!” and walk over to your puppy. If your pup won’t release the item, offer it a tempting treat as a trade for the item. When your puppy drops it, offer praise and a safe substitute – preferably one that’s more tantalizing than the forbidden item.

If your puppy runs away from you, don’t chase it – it’ll think you’re performing a game. alternatively, ignore your little one and get yourself a treat from the kitchen (something you know your puppy likes). Take the treat to a puppy-accessible area and start to eat it (or pretend to eat it, if it’s a dog goodie).

Be dramatic about how yummy it is. Call your puppy over, then give the drop it command and trade the treat for the forbidden item. (Be sure to praise your youngster for obeying.) After your puppy finishes the treat, offer an satisfactory toy.

Whenever you take your dog out for a walk, don’t forget to take your biodegradable dog poop bags.

Puppy Chewing Problems (therealowner.com)
FarmVille Puppies: When will they grow up? (games.com)
How to Crate Train a Puppy (therealowner.com)
Children And Puppies (attachmentparenting.org)

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Posted in Living, Pet Waste Bags, training

Tags: Biodegradable Bags Dog Pet Stores and Puppy Mills Puppy Puppy Socialization training

Adopting A New Dog: A Homecoming

May 13th, 2010

Why buy a dog when you can bring home a new best friend from a local animal shelter well-nigh for free? Purebred dogs come with health issues of over breeding and special grooming requirements – and these issues are often completely absent among dogs of mixed breed.

If you insist on a purebred – you should still go to your local shelter. On a recent visit, I saw one Great Dane, 2 German Shepherds, 2 Dalmatians and 3 Labrador Retrievers that were most definitely purebreds. They end up in a shelter because of owners who don’t know how to train them – or have no time for them. Labs in particular are often dropped off at shelters for “chewing things up” – but that is the nature of that breed when young. They are “mouthy” and will chew everything in sight until trained what is and isn’t permissible as a chew toy. Many Lab owners take drastic steps to control this chewing behaviour, buying special gates and pens or confining the dogs to special rooms when the owner is absent. When you need to pick up after then, remember to use your biodegradable dog poop bags!

Although it’s true that a few dogs may end up at the shelter due to barking or antisocial behavior, those problem animals are usually not considered adoptable by shelter personnel. Most shelter dogs simply need a bit of obedience training to become valuable companions.

Some shelter dogs may have been through various situations before landing at the shelter. They may have been abused, abandoned by a roadway, become lost and wandered alone for some time. They will not understand at first why they are being moved to another new location – they will not know that you are giving them a forever home.

The best method of helping your new dog fit to your home and family is to establish a regular schedule for the dog and adhere to it for at least a few weeks. Regular feeding times, regular walks and/or play time will help your new pet fit in good and quickly. Dogs are quick to adapt to the schedules of their people and some canines seem to have their own inner clocks. Many dogs have been documented going to the door where their owner will enter – and doing so while the owner is still miles away.

Dogs also can set their own schedules. Your dog may want to play early in the morning and again in the late afternoon – and may insist on bringing you his toys and trying to get your attention at those times of the day. For that reason, the schedule you have should be adjusted as you see what best fits your dog.

When disciplining a shelter dog, you should start with the barest minimum of correction – using your tone of voice to indicate approval and disapproval. That is often all that is requisite as a disciplinary tool. Remember that some dogs may have been mishandled or mistreated. If you quickly raise an arm or make a sudden movement and notice your dog will cower or growl – you know there is some history there to overcome. Kindness and patience will solve the problem but it will take time to gain the total trust of the animal.

From the first day you bring your adopted dog home, put your hands on him often. Look at his ears, his paws; look closely through his fur or at the skin of his belly. What are you looking for? Nothing. You are letting the dog know from the first meeting that you will be touching and looking at him closely. Many dogs will become very nervous at this attention but it is important to establish your “right” to do this as ease of grooming, dog baths and veterinary visits depend on being able to handle the dog in this way. When you walk then, take your dog poop bags with you.

You also start basic behavior training the moment you bring the dog home. Spoil him with doggie cookies – but make him “sit” before getting each biscuit. Take him for walks – but always go through a doorway first to establish yourself as his leader. Let the dog know what is expected of him and through your voice let him know what is good and bad. Knowing what is expected of him allows a dog to settle in and learn to trust his new owner.

Good luck with your new dog!

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