Training Considerations in Multiple-Dog Households
Posted by admin on May 24th, 2008 filed in dog house | Comment now »
Dogs living in pairs, trios, or larger groups all need to have a special relationship with their human family. Such situations may pose some challenges when it comes to a dog’s behavior.
In order for the humans to maintain control of the environment, training is required. Schedule a little training time each week for each of the dogs in your group. Keep them sharp in obedience. Although it is ok for the dogs to be together for scheduled play sessions during the day, this training should be done with one dog at a time until the relationship is solid. Once you have good control of your pack, then you can begin to expand on the time that they spend together.
The use of your dog’s name is very important when training. Generally, your dog’s name would only precede an in-motion command such as “let’s go” or “heel.” Stationary commands such as “sit” do not call for your dog’s name prior to the command. In a multiple-dog setting, it is helpful to always use each dog’s name so that each one may be controlled without confusion. If you lined them up in a “sit-stay” and called just one, the others should remain in the “sit-stay.” If even once began to move, you’d make an ugh-ugh sound followed by the command “Sparky, staaaaaay.”
How do people own numerous dogs and maintain peace and harmony? It’s an attitude, a learned way to behave around dogs. Some owners are naturals and just have “it”. These owners are able to that earn their dog’s trust by having a calm, yet very strong attitude combined with a sense of fairness and compassion. The more contact with dogs that you have, the better off you will be. Learning how to read the structure of the group is also an important component for success. You are the one who calls the shots, but beyond that it is crucial for you to support the hierarchy as it naturally falls. You can’t choose who is in charge for them, they must do it themselves, and hopefully without violence.
There are cases of dog owners who report that their dogs get along fine by themselves, but problems develop when the owner comes home. This is a clear indication that the owners are disrupting the natural order and the subordinate dog is owner-reinforced to be dominant. The way to avoid these problems is to side with the dominant dog and help the subordinate to become comfortable in that space.
Naturally, it is easier for us to yell at the growling dog than it is to yell at the dog that is being growled at. This is wrong. We should side with the dominant dog to try to avoid a fight. If you discipline the subordinate as the dominant dog does then things will change.
A common fight scenario is who may greet a visitor first. The dominant dog should be allowed to greet first. If the subordinate should be so bold as to try to get to the door first, the dominant dog might attack. Assist in this situation by teaching the subordinate to hang back when someone comes in. The dominant dog will allow the subordinate access to the visitor, but in his own time, and the subordinate should wait and look to him for that time.
With consistent training, discipline, and support for the hierarchy of the group, your house can become a happy home for all of its residents.
Felix Senhouse is a contributor for http://www.familydogcare.com
Family Dog Care is your complete resource for dog related news and information, covering topics that range from dog training to pet insurance.
Tags: dog, dog training, dogsDog Training - 6 Cool Tricks to Teach Your Dog
Posted by admin on May 20th, 2008 filed in dog house | Comment now »
Now that your dog has mastered all of the necessary commands to be well behaved, it’s time to have some real fun! It’s easier to teach your dog tricks once he’s learned how to respect you and you’ve earned his trust. Those necessary commands help him to do that.
Try these tricks to entertain both of you!
1. Fetch. It’s no fun to play ball with a person or an animal that won’t give the ball back. Teaching your dog how to fetch will make you both wish playtime would never end.
If your dog is a retriever, you’re ahead of the game. Your dog is hard-wired to want to fetch. But other breeds catch on quickly, too. You just have to be more patient and consistent. Train with your dog just a few minutes a day to be the most effective.
To teach your dog to fetch, you need a retrieving training tool called a dumbbell. You can buy it at the pet store. It will be a wooden or plastic tube with flanges on both ends to keep it from falling out of your dog’s mouth. Be sure to buy one that your dog can pick up easily and one that will allow him to close his mouth around the middle, not the flared edges.
You start training a dog to fetch by teaching him to open his mouth. Say “Take it” and offer him a food treat. Once he starts opening his mouth in expectation when he hears you say, “Take it,” slip the dumbbell inside his mouth. Leave the dumbbell there for a second, then praise him and give him a treat. Try this about four times, and then stop. Do this part of the training for a few days until your dog gets used to having the dumbbell in his mouth.
Now, start putting the dumbbell in your dog’s mouth and command, “Hold it.” Gently hold his mouth around the dumbbell for a few seconds. Then say, “Give,” and let him spit the dumbbell out. Be sure to praise him and give him a treat. Do this exercise for a few days until your pet will hold the dumbbell in his mouth.
Next, hold the dumbbell in front of your dog’s mouth and command, “Take it.” Pull his head toward the dumbbell if you have to. Be sure to praise and give him a treat, even if he just moves his head toward the dumbbell. Practice this until he’s used to taking the dumbbell in his mouth. All you have to do now is increase the distance slowly. Continue working on “Hold it,” and “Give.” It might be a good refresher course for “Come,” too. Before too long, your dog will put it all together!
2. Speak. This is usually a simple trick for your dog to learn if he’s vocal already. The trick is to entice him to do it on command and from distances.
First, choose a hand signal - some trainers make a twisting motion with a closed fist; others open and shut their hand using their fingers and thumb. Using your hand signal, command your dog to “speak.” When he barks, reward him and praise him. If your dog doesn’t bark automatically, continue to give the command until he gets frustrated and barks, then quickly reward him. Keep practicing and he’ll soon understand.
3. Shake hands or “Gimme five.” This is perhaps the easiest trick to teach your dog. Give your dog the “Sit” command. While you gently hold his paw with one hand, say “Gimme five” and hand him a treat with your other hand. You shouldn’t have to do this more than a few times for your dog to get the hang of it.
4. Give me a kiss. This is another easy one. Most dogs will kiss you whether you want them to or not! All you have to do is get them to do it on your terms. Command your dog, “Give me a kiss,” and then put your cheek in front of his mouth. When he licks your cheek, praise him and give him a treat.
5. Roll over. Start by giving your dog the “Down” command. Kneel beside him and gently roll him over on his side and command, “Roll over.” Keep rolling him until he’s upright again, and then give him praise and a treat.
A couple of caveats about this trick:
- Don’t keep trying it if it’s obvious your pet doesn’t like being on his back. Some dogs have stronger backs than others, and if you are successful in teaching your dog to roll over, it’s probably a trick you want to retire when he’s middle aged. Most elderly dogs have back and hip pain, and there’s no point in making your pet suffer.
- Be sure to only perform this trick on grass or carpet. Asking your dog to roll over continuously on a hard surface could hurt him.
6. Play dead. This trick produces gales from laughter from school-age boys, so if you have one of those, you might want to get him involved with training the dog on this one. A good time to practice this trick is you’re your dog has just exercised and is ready to rest. There’s a prerequisite, too - your dog must know the “Down” command.
Give your dog the “Down” command and notice what side he’s leaning on. Gently push him on over as you command, “Bang.” As he rolls over, praise him and rub his tummy. Repeat until you don’t have to use pressure to force him to roll to his side. Use the “Stay” command to stay “dead.” Add the hand signal, a pointing forefinger, as you command the “Bang.”
Most Important Is that you have fun with your dog. A happy dog will always be the dog that responds to your every command. Have a fun day with your dog!
Marilyn Burnham
Author: ‘Dog Owners Boot Camp’
The How To Guide, Dog Training Secrets Professional Dog Trainers Don’t Want You To Know!
For More Information On Dog Training
Marilyn Burnham was the owner operator of 4 successful dog grooming stores in British Columbia, Canada for more than a decade. To spend more time with her children Marilyn made the decision to sell her business in the mid 90’s. Get a copy of her book: ‘Dog Owners Boot Camp’ The How To Guide, Dog Training Secrets Professional Dog Trainers Don’t Want You To Know!
Tags: dog breeds, dog care, dog grooming, dog health, dog names, dog training, house dog trainin, pet careDog Training - 10 Secrets to Create a Positive Bond
Posted by admin on May 19th, 2008 filed in dog house | Comment now »It is essential that you develop a close, positive bond with your dog, and to do that you must know how a dog thinks. Your dog will view you and your own family as his new family. It’s important to make sure your new dog or puppy feels like he is part of it.
If you do a good job bonding with your dog, you’ll be well on your way to having a well-adjusted, well-behaved pet. Good bonding means that your pet understands that he is part of your family and will want to please you. Here are seven secrets trainers use to create a positive bond with dogs:
- Spend time with your dog. When the dog comes into your home, someone ideally should be within his hearing distance 24/7 for at least a week. If you can, take a vacation from work when you get your new dog. Spending a lot of time with him initially will get you both off on the right foot.
- Use baby gates rather than closed doors. If you don’t want your puppy in a room with you, at least let him be able to see and hear you through a baby gate.
- Use a crate. You’ll be using a crate to housebreak your puppy, but even older dogs find the security of their own “den” comforting. You can also move a crate from room to room so the dog can be around the family.
- Let the dog sleep next to your bed. Your dog or puppy will smell you even while you are both sleeping, which helps with the bonding process.
- Tether your dog to you while you’re doing chores around the house. Simply hook a leash to your belt loop and go about your business. Try to do this for at least an hour every day. Not only will your puppy bond with you, you’ll be able to keep a close eye on him to make sure he doesn’t chew your favorite shoes! This works well with an older dog coming into your home, too. The dog gets to know your routine without being the center of attention.
- Brush your dog daily. Most dogs love to be brushed, and it’s a good time to pet and talk to your dog.
- Limit speaking to your dog. One expert suggests not speaking to your dog for a week once you get him home so he’ll listen to you when you begin training. Silence works as a signal that things are changing with an older dog that need obedience training whether he’s been in your home six years or six hours, and it’s a great way to start. Most dog owners find it impossible to do, though!
- Take your new dog with you anywhere you can. If the weather is cool enough to leave him in a car, take him with you on errands. Take him on walks, visits and to work if you can. Expose him to new situations and people occasionally.
- Play with your dog for at least 15 minutes every day. Your dog relies on you for his social stimulation, especially if he’s an “only dog.” Social stimulation is as important as food and water!
- Give your dog down time. As important as bonding is, you need to remember that your dog is looking to you to find out where he fits in your family. Making him the constant center of attention leads him to believe he is the leader in your household. Put your dog in his crate while you are eating meals or after your children go to sleep.
Preventing bad habits is better than having to eliminate them, so bond with your new dog so that you can begin his training immediately. Don’t allow your puppy or new dog to practice any behavior that you don’t want to break later.
Marilyn Burnham
Author: ‘Dog Owners Boot Camp’
The How To Guide, Dog Training Secrets Professional Dog Trainers Don’t Want You To Know!
For More Information On Dog Training.
Marilyn Burnham was the owner operator of 4 successful dog grooming stores in British Columbia, Canada for more than a decade. To spend more time with her children Marilyn made the desicion to sell her business in the mid 90’s. Get a copy of her book: ‘Dog Owners Boot Camp’
The How To Guide, Dog Training Secrets Professional Dog Trainers Don’t Want You To Know!