Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Simple <b>Tips</b> Concerning Proper Schutzhund Puppy Training - <b>Dog Training</b>

Proper Schutzhund puppy training can do a lot to ensure that your working dog learns to become a responsible part of your family. When he is still enjoying puppyhood, it is the right time in their lives to start training him. This time in their lives is most critical as far as developing their characteristics go.

It is well known that it is through experience that puppies learn and so it is in your best interests to provide your puppy with plenty of opportunities to help them gain more experience. These experiences should be positive and must be those that provide the puppy a chance to explore and investigate newer situations but without exposing them to any dangers. See what a confident, fully trained dog can do in this free Schutzhund training video HERE.

These experiences must allow your puppy to get an opportunity to investigate and also explore new kinds of situations but without being exposing to any threatening situations. This will help in building up confidence in your puppy. It is also just as important that you do not try and oppress or dominate your pup while imparting training to him.

In fact, you need to expose him to as many different environments as is possible as this will give your pup a generalized education and it will help to inculcate in his mind that the world is indeed a safe place to live in. If your pup is exposed to something that causes insecurity or confusion in their minds, you should encourage him to investigate the situation but without trying to force the issue on him.

You should not try to place the puppy in situations in which they can be dominated by stronger animals including other dogs and puppies. Also, do not try too hard to discipline them or correct their behaviors through use of force. Doing so will only dampen their spirits and spoil their self confidence. The best course of action in this regard will be to ensure that you do not leave your puppy alone or allow them to be exposed to any dangerous situations.

Working dog puppies generally behave as naturally as possible and so will want to play with toys and balls and they love playing hide and seek as well. By encouraging such behavior you can make sure that your puppy training endeavors would be rewarding and at the same time it will also ensure that the pup becomes more capable of defending themselves. Ideally, you should start the training process when the puppy is nine months to ten months old.

After he becomes an adult, it is time to expose him to more formal training.

Many people around the globe have a passion for Schutzhund training. The art here is to take a playful puppy and train him or her into a well diciplined dog.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 21st, 2010 at 8:36 pm and is filed under Dog Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.


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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Useful Research About Golden Retriever <b>Training</b> - What Works Finest

The most effective basis for training your canine is to begin whereas he is young. Don’t wait till he has already established a daily, intolerable behavior. It would be harder so that you can correct something that your canine has already perceived as a suitable action than educating him what is suitable the moment you notice one thing undesirable. To ensure finest coaching results, correct golden retriever coaching should begin while your dog continues to be a puppy. This article gives you an concept on what works finest to efficiently prepare your dog. Particularly, it can speak about positive reinforcement, consistency, {and professional} canine training.

Positive Reinforcement

This technique of giving rewards to show assist to what’s good is a proven method to teach your golden retriever good conduct or tricks. It’s a lot higher than its opposite technique - punishment. What you need to take word in giving optimistic reinforcement though, is that it ought to be performed straight away in order not to confuse your pooch. Say for instance you give the command “sit”, give the reward when he sits and not when has already stood up. This may lead your dog to assume that “sit” means stand. Rewards can differ from treats to patting to taking part in to giving your canine his favourite toy. Depending on what works greatest in your dog. When utilizing treats, be sure to use small, smooth, easy to eat treats. Treats that take lengthy to eat, that break and fall on the ground will lead the dog to concentrate on the treat more than you. Be sure that he can end the treat proper away.

Consistency

This is important in golden retriever training. Ensure that each member of the family uses the same words to mean the same actions in order not to confuse your dog. Generally even you neglect the phrases you started out with and say “lie down” instead of simply “down” or “sit down” as a substitute of simply “sit”. Make an inventory and place it where everybody can see it. Submit it on the refrigerator door and instruct even your youngsters to use the correct instructions all the time to help your puppy understand. Also be according to rewards. Solely give rewards when a very good habits is completed, and never give a reward for unhealthy behavior.

Skilled Trainers

If you would like your dog to be well behaved and do certain tricks, it’s good to give time and be prepared to shell out loving patience. If giving time and endurance are usually not your finest qualities, you might need to contact skilled canine trainers. Even with older canine that can not seem to grasp new rules, dog trainers may be of help. Research good skilled dog trainers close to your space and make sure to ask for referrals. Asking for referrals is one of the best ways for you to discover out if the trainer is indeed what you are looking for. Inquire about the methodology of coaching that shall be used earlier than selecting a trainer.

Whether or not you determine to coach your dog yourself or get the services of a dog trainer, golden retriever training is something you’d wish to look into to make sure that your dog is properly behaved at all times. Nothing beats a loving and glad dog to come home to, so love your pooch and give him the perfect coaching he deserves. Find more other FREE info about dog grooming schools, organic dog foods and dog obediance training

  Technorati Tags: dog article, dog guide, dog information, dog tips

Tags: dog article, dog guide, dog information, dog tips


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Monday, October 25, 2010

<b>Dog Training</b> Collar – Wise Way To Train Your Pet « Pets <b>Tips</b> Line

It’s not going to happen overnight. Absoulutely, your dog won’t be able to stop his negative behavior just like that  because you snug-fit it with a remote dog training collar. Your dog will have to get used to the device around his neck, as well as its effects. You must also be well-informed on the know-how on how this electronic training gadget works. Determine the breed, age and size of your dog before you can get which dog collar fits your dog.

Check online and you will get more ideas. Although you can always talk to your vet and a fellow dog owner, you may miss out on the opportunity to know about other dog owners experiences relative to the product you intend to buy. That’s why you need to explore online by reading customer reviews found on dog supply sites.

Not everyone has time to spend for dog training. But the gains outweigh the possible inconvenience if you care enough for your dog, and your peace of mind. Take into consideration that dog behavior problems could be a range from aggression, forbidding them entry to certain parts of your house, and chasing cars.

The benefit of using a remote dog training collar is the immediate way of correcting problem behavior on your dog from the very the moment you see it. You can do this from a distance, via a transmitter that sends signals for the collar to activate and release a static correction. Not just like a normal electronic bark collar, that activates per bark, a remote training collar can be used to correct other problems not just excessive barking. From the very moment, for instance, your dog is about to chew someone’s shoes, you can check him.

When you use remote training collars for your pet, you need to follow some proper guidelines. These are: making sure that the collar fit well around the dogs neck – be careful that the collar does not rub against your dogs skin to refrain from any feeling of discomfort. The electronic component on the collar should touch your dog’s skin. This will then allow for the sensation of the stimulus – the static – to be delivered upon your activation via the transmitter. You must set it in the lowest level of stimulation to evade from unwanted shock and severe pain to your dog.

The goal of a remote transmitter is for your dog to associate the shock when it exhibits a behavior you want to weed out, or when it fails to obey your command. Therby, you have to spend some time with your pet, with the training collar in place.

Tags: dog training collar

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 21st, 2010 at 5:55 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


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Sunday, October 24, 2010

The best <b>tips</b> for <b>dog training</b> problems chewing

When considering the best methods of training dogs to stop chewing, it helps to understand the cause. Dogs and puppies chew for a variety of reasons but most common are easy to identify.
As a means of exploration, puppies put things in their mouths. They learn about their environment. Just like babies, teething may also cause discomfort, easing the gum.
Chewing provides a means of entertainment and exercise. It helps them feel relaxed andcomfortable while cleaning teeth and gums. Dogs have a real psychological need to chew. You should consider the best methods of dog training before your dog starts chewing on your furniture or shoes.
Separation anxiety (fear that the dog can kill if left alone) can also induce a harmful behavior. Chewing is one of many symptoms. If your dog is expressing destructive behavior when you're not at home, then you have a muchdifficult question than chewing alone. The best dog training for these types involves the use of techniques that are specific to separation anxiety.

The best tips for training dogs to cope with chewing is not linked to more serious matters:
Although some people may cringe at the thought of fresh raw bones are ideal for most dogs. It solves two problems: it gives them something to chew and it is a nutritional punch. Rawbones are natural and they are not chips, as cooked bones. They work better than man made of bones because their teeth and gums are developed for the real thing. They can cause constipation in the beginning, so start gradually.
One of the practical training of dog is best to alleviate the boredom with interactive toys and exercise. Dogs love to play and understand things. Interactive toys, such as "Balls Hide-a-Treat Giggle" and "Puppy Kong" can provide hours of pleasure and relief.Regular exercise will release some excess energy that young dogs are so famous.
Obedience training goes a long way towards teaching you to communicate with them. This not only shows you how to fix problems with chewing, but also gives you the foundation for the promotion of good conduct in general.

Invest in the best dog training program that you can afford.


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Saturday, October 23, 2010

Potty <b>training tips</b> to transform the life of the parents and the <b>...</b>

If you are in the process of getting ready to make your child knowing the potty training activities you may be in a dilemma as to what may be the easiest way to go through the process. It has to be remembered that while potty training can be an exciting one at times it can be testing your patience and you should never be frustrated. Because of the complex nature of the potty training activities potty training tips do come handy for all especially the new parents. Imparting the potty training techniques can be a tough job but with a little bit of planning and patience the process will pay good results.

My first potty training tips would be to stay relaxed and have patience in the entire process. It is a known fact that a child is very difficult to study and perceptive in nature and at times may refuse to accept the process however hard you try to impose on the child. Here your patience will be tested hard and you will feel the w

orld breaking down on your head but no way you have to accept the child's verdict and start the process again with a new hope and energy.

Do not to start the process when you are unsettled or you are changing your apartments because it takes time for the child to come to the new environment. The best time to start the potty training activities would be when you are very relaxed and far away from your busy work schedule.

potty training tips can only bring results when you are consistent with what you are imparting to your child. Never be in a mood to experiment too much with the potty training activities as it may only confuse the child and retard the progress of the child‘s potty training objectives. Try to make the process as interactive as possible and give room for the child to express his liking or dislike of the things you are trying to do with the child. I am sure that if you blend the above tips regarding potty activities you will find the transition process moving ahead without any major problems.


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Thursday, October 14, 2010

iPhone Photo App Instagram Nabs 100K Users in One Week

Launched amid a barrage of buzz just last week, iPhone app Instagram has garnered more than just attention from tech press. According to Co-Founder Kevin Systrom, the app has already seen 100,000 signups and counting.


On Twitter today, Systrom gave a shout-out to the app’s users, saying, “Humbled by the excitement Instagram has created. Thanks to each and every one of you in the 100k out there.”


Casual photography apps in general are quite popular, but Instagram adds a twist to the iPhone photography experience, which has already been tweaked to near-perfection by many app makers over the past few years.


In an initial write-up, we called Instagram ego-driven and addictive. Ordinarily, those terms are negative, but when you’re talking about social apps, a little catering to natural self-interest can go a long way toward getting your work noticed and adopted.


Clearly, Instagram has nailed this aspect; it’s social and popularity mechanisms make the app almost impossible to forget.


Earlier this week, Systrom spoke about the app’s rapid rise through the App Store charts, telling us, “I think we’re reigniting passion for casual photography… [Instagram] has taken on a life of its own — it’s definitely no longer our product anymore. It belongs to the community.”


We can’t wait for Instagram to launch on more platforms, and we look forward to hearing more success stories from this young company.


Have you tried Instagram yet? What are your first impressions.


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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

What Are The Elements of a Best <b>Dog Training</b> Method ? | Labradors <b>...</b>

There are several dog training books usable in bookstores and on the cyberspace. The www. offers accessibility to a lot of different dog training method materials. Few of these materials are free, and for sure the best dog training books need payment. How do people know which are the best dog training books?

Of course one of the bases will be reading the reviews of different dog training method web sites. There are few web-sites that specifically reviews different products relevant to dog training methods. During some of these reviews can be paid advertisements or press releases, there are other venues on the world-wide-web where you can ask for the best dog training books.

You can loof for in different search engine groups that can answer your questions in both best dog training method and best dog training books. 

It is natural to rely on reviews to help you decide and choose the best dog training books there are.  However, the decision is yours. The correct way of handling reviews for the best dog training books is to notice of the positive and the negative reviews as your point of reference.

Do your own search by visiting several online webpages that offers dog training books that say to be the best dog training book ever. Compare their contents if provided. Notice different features of the books. Check of course the price and any guaranty, if there is any. See if these best dog training books available on the internet have pictures that will help you consider the book in terms of usefulness through images.

If there is a content table offered in the best dog training books web sites, scan the chapters observe if the book is organised logically the way you want it to be and check if the needed dog training method that you specifically need is there.

If these best dog training books are available in bookshops then, it is wise to check if you are still not convinced with the on-line resources about these best dog training books and dog training methods.

A visit to bookstores will achieve the following; physical inspection of these best dog training books to help you get the feel of the book. There is something about physical handling about books that sometimes convinces us to buy the book.

Another scope is to see another supposed best dog training books that were noticed in many dog training web pages but are not available online, or there is few info available on the internet. This is your chance to skim these books and verify if these supposedly best dog training books suit your tastes and preferences. It is clever to check if the dog training methods that are discussed in the book are really what you need.

Another elements that you need to verify to determine the best dog training books are the inclusions in the book. The best dog training books should offer value. Value in the sense that it might incorporated not only dog training methods but also it should have dog related writings such as dog grooming, dog accessories, dog history, and dog diet, just to name some.

Always keep in mind that no book has exclusivity with different dog training methods. It is important not be conned with claims of unique dog training method, when there is none in actuality. Dog training methods are not general, which means it does not apply to all kinds of dogs all the time.

Beware of books that say to be the best dog training book because it has all the best dog training method that might be used with all kinds of dogs.


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Monday, October 11, 2010

Dog Terrors

One morning I was watching the news and a special about disciplining dogs came on. The program had taken four disobedient dogs to Washington DC dog training in hopes of turning them into refined pets. They worked with each dog individually until it had mastered a skill. Dog clicker training was a main focus of the program A command would be followed by a click, and if the dog obeyed it received a treat. Eventually, if the dog heard a click it would do the command. I was astonished at the progress the dogs made in such a short time. They went from bad to good in a matter of days.
Had they held auditions for this show, my dog would have been a shoe-in. Jesse, my dog, and I have a very rocky relationship. As it seems, he is the king of the castle. I didn’t think dogs could wear pants, but Jesse has showed me differently. Jesse has always been spoiled. I have spent countless nights sleeping on the couch because Jesse wouldn’t share the bed. Any pillow I have must be tested and approved by him first, and if he likes it, he might choose to take it for himself. He also has taken on the role of my personal taste-tester, even if I didn’t ask for his service.
I feel like I’ve done all I can to try and reform Jesse. I tried using tips from a book from my brother-in-law; called Good Masters make Good Dogs. I followed this book to the t, child-locking my kitchen, putting shock systems on things, but it did absolutely nothing. Jesse just out-smarted it all. I was at a loss. I then turned to my veterinarian. The vet taught me tricks to correct misbehavior in animals that was “fool-proof”. I’m not sure if Jesse is a genius or a dunce because it didn’t work. Jesse seemed to repel any type of constructive reformation.
This special seemed like my last hope. If it could fix the terrible dogs I saw on TV, Jesse would be an easy task. After all, Jesse was harmless at heart, he would never hurt anyone. He just needed some expert discipline. After watching the news special, I ran to the internet to see if I could get Jesse into the program. The news station website had a contest entry form for a sweepstakes that could land Jesse a trip to D.C. for dog training. I am normally not the type to enter contests, but I was hopeful.
Three weeks later, I got a message on my cell phone from the dog expo in DC. I was quite surprised because I had almost forgotten about the entire things. I was to bring Jesse to the training center in two weeks on a Thursday ready to work. I took him to be groomed and get a checkup just in case. Now that he was presentable, Jesse and I got in my car, him in the front seat of course, and set off. By the end of the workshop, Jesse was a new dog. He sat in the backseat on the way home, slept on his dog bed for the first time, and started a new diet void of human food.


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Sunday, October 10, 2010

Great dog tricks at a low price

Minneapolis loves K-9s and if you’re one of its residents, you probably are one of the thousands who have a dog at home. After getting your first dog ever, one of the things you need to do is to teach your dog basic tricks. While you may want your dog to play dead or jump in hoops, you must remember that everything starts with simple things like sit, stay and fetch. For a few individuals, dog training is part of a born skill. For some others, the task is better left to Minnesota dog training professionals.

New dog owners usually find themselves bewildered with what to teach their dogs and how to do it. While everyone loves his or her dog very much, some owners don’t have a clue on proper dog training. So, the best thing to do really is to call a pro.

What can a Minneapolis dog training professional do? There are different kinds of services offered by the pros. One of the most exciting services is the in-house training. With this program, you leave your little friends to the trainers and they teach your dog basic obedience. Your dogs will learn how to sit, stay, walk on a leash, and fetch. When your dogs are already equipped with basic house manners, you, as the dog owner, will be taught how to manage these new skills that your dog has acquired.

You may also opt for group classes. In this program, both the owner and the dog attend classes. Simultaneously, the owner-handler learns the tricks in dog training and the dog learns new skills. This gives the advantage of better bonding between the owner and the dog during the course. Aside from that, since dogs are unique and have special traits, the owner can personalize his teaching methods and lessons while still following the rules of proper dog training. Effective group sessions should be limited to 5animals per batch to ensure that every handler-dog pair is given the right amount of attention by trainers.

Another option would be the private sessions. This is definitely more personal than the other programs as Minnesota dog training professionals are able to give undivided attention to you and your dog. The needs, skills and potential of your dog are given focus, which often leads to faster learning progress. As expected, this will cost more than the other programs.

Some Minneapolis dog training professionals also offer training services even before you purchase your dog. You just inform them of your preferences in terms of breed, color, age and other factors you want to specify, and they will find the dog for you. Before they send the dog to you, they train it and make sure that it is already equipped with basic obedience so you don’t need to worry about anything anymore.

When you search for a Minnesota dog training company to provide you with your dog’s training needs, make sure that you get people who have been in the business for some time and who have trained dogs based on positive discipline.


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Saturday, October 9, 2010

What You Need to Know About the #NewTwitter

Well yesterday was a big day on Twitter, wasn't it? I don't know about you but I was glued to the live stream of the not-so top secret Twitter press conference at exactly 3:30 pm and watched closely for an hour and a half while @Ev and @Biz told us all about the new "bigger and better" Twitter.com.  The founders outlined many of the recent achievements they have seen with the growth of their community and announced the release of a brand new interface for Twitter.com, which will be rolling out to all users over the new few weeks (it's important to note that currently only 1% of users have access to the redesign, that decision was not so well received.)


The new  interface has a renewed focus on the user experience with in stream multi-media expansions, more search capabilities, and an all around sexier more fluid feeling. I went crazy yesterday playing with the new interface and wanted to share way too many screenshots and my thoughts on the new layout. I am excited to hear what you guys think all of these changes mean, so let's do this, shall we? What are the big changes to our beloved Twitter.com?


1. Redirect users back to THEIR WEBSITE – Whoa!


I have to admit I got a little fiesty yesterday when I saw my stream fill up with tweets that said things like "that is it?!" and "its just a new interface, what's the big deal?!" Twitter has over 160 million users, but as we all know many of those users use second party Twitter clients rather than the web interface itself. Ev noted yesterday at the conference that Twitter mobile users are up 250% year over year, which was the motivation for them to release their own mobile apps earlier this year. While this mobile surge has meant huge growth for the community it hasn't done as much for their on-site value. The announcement yesterday was important because it was their first real attempt to redirect those millions of users to a more compelling on-site experience. Whatever the long term goal is for Twitter.com the website, yesterday's announcement was a huge step toward a more united community of users. This.is.a.big.deal.folks.


 


 (The new Twitter.com... ohhh pretty!)


2. A whole lot more space for .... uhmmmm advertisements?


So now that we have refocused our attention and time back to Twitter.com what will they do with it? Well sell us things obviously. As you can see below there sure is a lot more space for Twitter to fill. You will notice the "Sponsored Tweets" and the "Who to Follow" elements are more prominent. In addition to that you will see some open areas (that look a lot like traditional ad space units) laced throughout the platform. In general I think its pretty clear that they used this UI redesign to give themselves more options for the up and coming advertising platform we keep hearing about.


 


(Notice all that space they get to play with!)


3. Focus on other tweets, searches…you know uhmmm NOT your tweet


During the press conference Ev mentioned specifically that Twitter is a unique community of users in that not everyone actually tweets. He noted plenty of people use it just to listen or research...very "search enginey" if you ask me (yes I just made that word up). The new design certainly focuses less on my actual tweet and more on the experience I am having as a Twitter user. You will see the "search box" was moved to top right, and has much more functionality than previously. I can see tweets with my searched word(s), "tweets with links" & that word, "tweets near me" with that word, and see profiles or people that include that searched word. This is a far better experience all around if you ask me, again compelling users to stay on Twitter.com rather than leave and search elsewhere. Smart move people, smart move.


 


(New search experience...man I love Pumpkin Spice lattes from Starbucks)


4. Media, media, media oh my!


This is probably the change you are hearing most about. The new platform has the ability to view pictures and video in stream, by expanding from the left column (your tweet stream) to the right column (now used more as an expanded view). In addition to seeing whatever multi media you clicked on you will also see people mentioned in the tweet you expanded, a brief history of that user's tweets, and the latest tweet that tweet may have been in response too. Uhmmm sound confusing? Basically the expanded view of any tweet is now much more of a comprehensive story of that tweet. No longer on the web client will you be clicking from profile to profile to read a full conversation and get context. This new layout has put the story of a tweet together for you in one place. It's smooth, trust me...you will like it!


 


(The new platform when you expand an image... Hi Matt!)


 


(The new platform with expanded video...ohhh puppy!)


5. All sorts of other little things

You are not losing your backgrounds (phew!). Atleast right now we still have them. Also you might want to revisit your right column profile color--it's bigger now.Direct messages are up in your navigation (quite seperate from the other functionality actually) and are much more streamlined in my opinion. You now click in and see the number of DM exchanges, and can expand to see them all clearly. I was happy to see this. However you no longer see a "number" which was the only way us web client users knew if we had a new DM (unless we got an email notification) so be careful not to miss those new DMs!The new platform still does not support multiple users, sorry folks!Retweets. I still don't really like them, so don't hate me when I say that I am stoked they made the ability to shut off retweets from someone so much easier! It's in there next to the option to get a user's tweets on your cell. Both options are right there and a simple click to change. Easy smeasy for sure.The new platform makes replying to multiple people challenging. No longer can you hit reply and aggregate user handles in one tweet, each "reply" click pulls up an individual tweet box. Ugh, yuck. I hope they change this soon.


(When you hit reply a box pops-up...still a bit buggy right now)
"Trends" have some serious face time. I think we will find a lot more focus as marketers on getting our topics on the "trend" list (organically or not maybe eventually purchased) as I can imagine this will be much like scoring first page Digg time...similar atleast. You can see they are now top right, whoa in your face!They are calling this a "preview" on the interface, and when you get it you will have a notification box where you must manually click into it. You can also (atleast right now, I guess its going away in a few weeks) chose to "leave the preview" and return to your old interface. I don't think you will want to, but to each their own ;)

That about sums up the big changes I am seeing. As for what it all means? I think this is a renewed focus on Twitter.com - the site not Twitter -  the company. Both Evan and Biz alluded to lots of changes coming down the pipeline, and there is a clear energy of excitement in the stream. I don't know about you but I am certainly going to playing around more on the web interface both as a user and a marketer. I think we will have some interesting opportunities coming our way...uhmmm both as users and as marketers ;)


Looking for other insights?
Checked out @ev's stream from yesterday, he gave a play for play
Read the official blog post about it
Watch a video and learn more about it from Twitter


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Friday, October 8, 2010

TV Dog Trainers Exposed!

For a very good guide to all sorts of dog training processes and dog behavior challenges, I use and recommend Clickertraining ...that link goes to the description of this terrific ebook you download immediately, wherever you are! -- Rosana

I’m using a lot of guest articles this year from dog trainer Aidan Bindoff because he is one trainer whose ideas I almost always agree with. I got a kick of out this article and hope you enjoy it too. Please note that he names no names. What he says does not only apply to the currently most famous TV dog trainer!

By Aidan Bindoff

Who could fail to be impressed by the extraordinary results of TV celebrity dog trainers? In minutes they can turn anxious, aggressive, “dominant” mutts into angelic pooches who never set a paw wrong… or can they?

The wonderful thing about television is it’s value as an entertainment medium. TV producers (with some very limited exceptions) are not there to disseminate important information, they are there to sell advertising time or subscriptions. And nothing sells like a story of transformation that inspires hope, particularly if that story is about a beloved pet. It’s something any pet-lover can relate to. Particularly if you are like the majority of pet owners and struggle with training, obedience and doggy manners.

As a dog trainer I am often amazed at the remarkable success stories I see on TV programs about dog training. In minutes, these gifted individuals can turn a problem dog (or dog owner) around. Sure, I’ve had a few remarkable success stories myself, but I know they are the exception, not the rule. Big changes to serious problems tend to take more time than TV producers allow for.

The truth is that TV producers will only show the best stories, and even then they won’t show you the whole story. What gets left on the cutting room floor? Why do we rarely see follow-up? I know a local TV dog trainer has a string of unsuccessful cases that appeared to be successful on television. Those certainly haven’t been followed up and aired!

I also know that it’s easy to impress a client by asking their dog to do something very specific in a situation which sets that dog up for success. With a little knowledge and experience I don’t tend to make the same mistakes my clients will make, yet even my own dogs are far from perfect. The real world sets us up to make a few mistakes along the way. A 5 minute slot on a highly edited TV program is about as far removed from the real world as possible.

So what can we believe about TV celebrity dog trainers? Everything – with a grain of salt. Watching your favourite dog trainer on television may entertain you, but it’s value as an education medium is somewhat limited. Sure, remarkable success stories are possible. Experienced and knowledgeable trainers will get faster results than the general public. But the laws of learning do not change, and it pays to read, discuss and practise them. Getting your information from a multitude of sources would be a wise investment, as would seeking help from a competent ‘real live’ dog trainer if you have a dog behavior problem you need to solve.

Aidan Bindoff is Editor of http://www.PositivePetzine.com, a free resource for people training their own dog. Each edition is packed with helpful tips for training your dog using the latest pet-friendly methods that work fast and don’t require a degree in animal behavior to use.

Join now, and for a limited time you may download all available back issues (a $29.95 value) for FREE!

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Thursday, October 7, 2010

The Joys of a Fenced Yard for our Dogs

For a very good guide to all sorts of dog training processes and dog behavior challenges, I use and recommend Clickertraining ...that link goes to the description of this terrific ebook you download immediately, wherever you are! -- Rosana

We moved from Mexico back to the U.S. back in April, and I blogged about the long road trip with dogs and cats in June. Since then, this blog has been filled with guest posts that I had lined up before we left Mexico, and we’ve been unpacking boxes, tiling floors, and getting settled.

Now, it’s back to blogging myself. I’ve missed it, glad to be back! Have a lot of ideas for the fall. Books I’ve been reading on dog training, some deeper understanding of clicker training, and much more.

We moved back to to the same town in Colorado where we had lived for 10 years before moving to Mexico for about 5 years. Luckily, when we arrived with our dogs and cats, we had already bought a house from a friend. It’s got about half an acre of land — high desert with a lot of yucca, a well-defended plant with sharp spikes that are painful to human ankles and dog paws and legs.

Still, it’s a yard!

This summer, my husband Kelly and a friend put in the fence posts and installed the wire field fencing. Then Kelly made three gates, defining the half of the yard that the dogs can have access to. There is a garden area we will have to fence in before we start gardening next year, but for now the dogs can run through it. The only thing alive in the garden is rhubarb and so we put a fence around it, to protect the dogs from its toxic leaves. At least, the leaves are toxic to human so I am guessing that they are to dogs too.

So a couple of weeks ago, we turned the dogs loose in the yard. They loved it immediately and now they have favorite digging spots, favorite shade spots, favorite places to watch the cats from. (Our cats have their own, totally enclosed yard, where they can be outside but with fencing over it like a roof, the coyotes and neighborhood pets can’t get to them.)

LarryDog is 13 this summer and a bit slow. He loves his morning walks, but in the yard he is content to putter around.

Lola, our 4-year-old Rottie, is another story. We removed the yucca along the fenceline  and a few trails for now, and she runs and runs. We play ball with her, and she had a play date with another Rottie girl last week. They have gone for walks together before, and they were fine off leash together, the first time we’d tried it. It was hot and they didn’t romp wildly, but a good time was had by all.

There’s a young Blue Heeler who lives a couple of blocks from here. Luckily there is almost no traffic in our area, because now and then he gets out of his yard. We are on his meandering route when he gets loose. Yesterday he and Lola had a great times running the fence line together, one on either side. I was tempted to let him in the yard to play, but Kelly pointed out that we don’t want the dog to feel TOO much at home here! LarryDog (himself part Blue Heeler) doesn’t like him. So the visitor and Lola played for a while and then the little guy went off.

Lola gazed longingly out the window at where she had last seen him.  “I had boy friends like that,” I said to her. “He’ll be back sometime, for a while!”

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Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Train Your Gun Dogs With Either a Bird Launcher or Bumper Launcher

Training your gun dogs to hunt, whether it’s for flushing, pointing, or retrieving, there are great tools at your disposal. Bird and Dummy Launchers are available with remote control devices that can be used together or separately to fill your training needs.

Remote Bird and Dummy Launchers

Whether you are using a dummy launcher or a bird launcher, you can use a remote control that allows you to train your dog without having another person present with you. Without the remote, you would need at least one other person to assist in your training which of course can distract your dog.

Other extras with bird launchers include bird calls, sounds, and beeps that can be used to train your dog in field craft and hunting. Which kind of launcher (bird or dummy) will depend on the specific type of training you are doing with your dog. Your goal is to make an effective and confident hunting companion and launchers can be an essential tool towards this goal.

Bumper Launchers

This is your secret weapon in teaching your dog to learn to retrieve came. The dummy launcher is for those who work alone and you allow you to launch your dummies at a height and distance that is far greater than throwing it yourself. This allows your dog to learn to retrieve game that is further away. This is especially helpful when you consider that if you were using hand launching followed by shooting; your dog would become accustomed to fetching game at close distances. One of the best features of the remote launchers is that you can use the accompanying sounds to train your dog to react as if he were hunting actual game (ducks, pheasant, etc.).

Bird Launchers

For training pointing or flushing dogs, bird launchers will work perfectly. A great benefit to bird launchers is that you can actually set it up to launch multiple birds to simulate real hunting. The good thing is, dogs are bred to hunt so your main focus is to train your dog to respect another dog’s point, as well as flush out birds. A bird launcher will give you a good shot at achieving this type of training. Trainers of pointing dogs have been successful in using these for years now, and even those who train flushing dogs are starting to use these tools more often. Because a bird launcher is designed with a spring latch which will release prey fairly low, it can quickly help your dog learn the skills needed for hunting quail as well as pheasant.


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Sunday, October 3, 2010

What Causes 75% of ALL Dog Behavior Problems?

For a very good guide to all sorts of dog training processes and dog behavior challenges, I use and recommend Clickertraining ...that link goes to the description of this terrific ebook you download immediately, wherever you are! -- Rosana

The importance of exercise is tremendous, and here is a guest article that provides some useful details. Most of us humans can benefit from more exercise too!

By Aidan Bindoff

When asked what is the biggest cause of dog behavior problems, most people would guess at lack of training, a ‘dominance’ problem, or inadequate socialisation. Some might even try to blame the dog’s genetics or temperament. Whilst any of these might cause dog behavior problems, a great many dog behavior problems are caused in whole or in part by this one thing – not enough Exercise!

So what are your dog’s exercise requirements?

That depends on age, breed and individual. Puppies shouldn’t be exercised for more than 20 minutes at a time, but they can be exercised gently quite frequently. Most puppies like to play, which tires them out with or without your help. Be careful not to over-walk puppies, their bones need to mature before they can be walked for long periods. Speak to your vet, but 20 minutes of walking at a time is about right.

Different breeds have different exercise requirements. Working and herding breeds typically have very high exercise requirements. Take the German Shepherd as an example, German Shepherd Dogs are descended from herding dogs who were required to form a “living fence” for their master’s flock. This was a 24 hour a day job, which included protection from predators and thieves at night.

Some breeds, whilst they may appear to have high exercise requirements, may not. A Greyhound actually has a fairly low exercise requirement, although they do love to exercise intensely for short bursts.

Other breeds were used in hunting. Breeds such as Beagles and Retrievers would work very hard, but not every day. They tend to be fairly flexible with exercise, so long as they are kept in shape and given regular outlets for their energies.

Individuals within any breed will have greater or lesser requirements for exercise than others of that breed. Sometimes the differences can be fairly extreme, although I have never known a Border Collie that didn’t require a lot of exercise! Well, until they got old at least. Older dogs generally require much less exercise.

Nearly every adult dog requires at least 30 minutes walking each day. If you cannot physically provide this for your dog then alternative means for exercise should be arranged. Playing fetch, frisbee or swimming are excellent alternatives. Some dog clubs provide agility classes, which are a great way to train and to exercise your dog – regardless of breed or age.

Some individual dogs have a very high exercise requirement. Typically, trainers or obedience clubs will be presented with a dog who escapes the yard, barks all day, digs in the garden, pulls on the leash, jumps all over people or doesn’t come when called. Usually in some sort of combination!

These dogs almost certainly require more exercise than they are getting.

In addition to exercise, training is essential. What’s more, 5 minutes training is worth about 15 minutes exercise. “Brain work” will tire a dog out fairly quickly. Combine training with exercise and you have a winning combination. Sports such as Agility, Tracking, Schutzhund or Flyball are all excellent outlets for your dog’s boundless energy.

Can you over-exercise a dog? Yes. You can exercise a dog to exhaustion. If you are extremely fit, or your dog is extremely unfit, you can cause injuries, heat-stress and even cause internal organ damage by over-working your dog. If your dog is unfit, consult with your vet before starting a new exercise program with your dog. Start off gently and increase the amount of exercise each week, give your dog time to adjust. In hot weather, scale back and provide plenty of water and rest opportunities.

Please also be aware of any physical limitations your dog may have. Diseases such as Hip Dysplaysia can be hard to detect in the early stages. Some dogs are remarkably adept at hiding injuries if they think the fun will stop. If you suspect your dog has an injury, please end all exercise and immediately seek veterinary help. Early treatment can save weeks of needless pain and hundreds of dollars of vet care.

Aidan Bindoff is Editor of http://www.PositivePetzine.com, your helpful online resource for positive dog training and behavior information.

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Saturday, October 2, 2010

Reasons You Would Love a Dog

Having a dog can be a very big commitment; It is like having your very own child. Prior to getting one of your own, you should make sure that you will be able to handle it. I don’t want to scare you away from dogs, they are phenomenal pets. Man’s best friend is less than accurate when describing a canine. However, they require care and love. Dogs are also expensive. You have to take into consideration dog food, grooming, health, and possible training. In San Diego Dog Training can cost five hundred dollars for a two week session and in San Diego Puppy Training is even more expensive. Keep in mind, the friendship with your dog far balances out any money it costs you.

Owning a dog is a world wide enjoyment. They act like best friends, but even more reliable. A healthy relationship between the dog and owner is be stronger than human bonds. Your dog is the only one who always greets you when you come home from work or wake up with the constant enthusiasm. A dog is my favorite shoulder to cry on as well. No dog will leave you when you feeling down; in fact, they will most likely pull you out of it. Dogs provide the perfect date for an evening picnic as well. I cannot count the priceless memories I have of my dogs and I playing Frisbee on a beach or at the park. Though they don’t seem like a big deal, you will cherish these memories later in life.

Dogs are fun, but in no way cheap. Owning a dog is like owning a child, you have to pay for its health, food and education in some way. Now, a dog won’t cost you thousands of dollars in college money like a child, more like hundreds. Getting a dog trained is important, and will probably cost anywhere from three to five hundred dollars. Another cost that comes with keeping a dog is boarding. If you take a vacation, you will need to find a dog sitter or set your dog up at the kennel. At the cheapest rate, this will cost about twenty dollars a night. Also keep in mind the costs of veterinarian services, grooming or food!

In addition to costing money, Dogs cost time. They are more demanding than pets like hermit crabs or fish,who are satisfied when you throw food in their cage. Dogs crave nurturing and love. Dogs need to be walked at least once a week and played with. Giving a dog the attention it needs is a menial task, as long as you tray. They are not picky, as long as they’re being loved. Dogs are perfectly happy with a crummy beat up shoe or tennis ball to play with, as long as they get your attention.

When you buy a dog, you take on a huge duty. But with this responsibility comes priceless opportunities! By giving a little money, love and time, you get in return infinite love, gratitude and a new best friend. Dogs are the most dependable and gracious friends you will ever have. It seems like a fair trade to spend some money and time on them for such a great friend in return.


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Friday, October 1, 2010

Why Reward Train Your Dog or Puppy?

For a very good guide to all sorts of dog training processes and dog behavior challenges, I use and recommend Clickertraining ...that link goes to the description of this terrific ebook you download immediately, wherever you are! -- Rosana

I don’t tend to use the phrase “Reward Training” but it’s essentially what I do!

By Aidan Bindoff

All puppies and dogs need some form of training. What’s so good about Reward Training and why would we choose to Reward Train our dog or puppy?

Reward Training uses the principles of Operant Conditioning, specifically Positive Reinforcement. Positive Reinforcement is where we give a reward to increase or maintain behavior.

Any voluntary behavior which has been increased or maintained has, at some point, been reinforced. Without reinforcement, that voluntary behavior will eventually stop happening. That’s fine if it’s a behavior you don’t want, but if it’s a behavior you do want then Reward Training is important to reinforce any good behavior you want to see more of.

Reward Training is also fun for both dog and owner, resulting in a deeply bonded relationship based on trust and respect. If you want a dog who behaves out of fear, then Reward Training won’t work very well for you. There is a difference between respect and fear.

Reward Training puts you in charge of the good things in life, and gives you opportunities to hand them out frequently. Dogs learn that they can’t just take what they want, they need to work as a team with you. Owners learn pretty much the same thing, but from a position of leadership.

The most common form of Reward Training these days is known as Clicker Training. Clicker Training is a training method that uses a sound to ‘mark’ good behavior, then a reward is given. The sound says to the dog “Yes! What you did right then is what I want you to repeat! Here is your reward.” If you are interested in Reward Training, then finding a clicker training class is probably the easiest way to learn. There are also many good books on Clicker Training and Reward Training for dogs and puppies.

For more information on Reward Training and Clicker Training, visit the Positive Petzine website.

Aidan Bindoff is Editor of Positive Petzine and has written dozens of articles on dog training, animal behavior, learning theory and Reward Training in a plain English style aimed at those new to dog training.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aidan_Bindoff
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