River Managing Barking at the Window

21.08 in at, barking, Dog Training, managing, river, the, window

I am very behind on my posts about the process of training River, my reservation puppy, but I wanted to share what I did this weekend. I moved last week, and then had to go out of town for a family emergency (thus why I am behind!). When I got back I discovered that River LOVES to bark out the front window. He didnt really have the opportunity to do it at our old house because there was a couch in front of the main window. But here, its all wide open and he can see everything. He lets me know about all the bunnies, flies, leaves, blowing, people, squirrels, dogs, dust particles and everything else he deems a threat. My Great Dane, Jasper, used to do this and I used to tease him that a mosquito hit the mailbox, thanks for letting me know!  Its very stressful for dogs who can engage with their environment like this because they are trying to do their job.  Alerting and chasing danger away (dogs walking by, the mail person, squirrels, etc) can be very self-reinforcing, especially for an anxious or bored dog.  They learn that their barking makes dogs and the mail person go away, and that increases the likelihood the behavior will continue.

I know many of my clients struggle with this same issue, so here is what I recommend to start managing the environment. Management is key to successful behavior training, because it allows you to train the approriate behavior while your dog isnt practicing the bad behavior. I went to Michaels and bought 6 large pieces of white poster board so it would blend in. And I put it on the windows. It took me about 10 minutes, and now River has stopped barking. MAGIC! We are both less stressed- he in confused a bit, but much less stressed. I dont believe he will start jumping up on the windows to see above the poster board, but I have my fingers crossed, and an eagle eye on him in the mean time.

Read more

Dog training at home

18.22 in at, dog, Dog Training, home, training

When we talk about dog training at home we think of the rewarding feeling of being able to develop an animal’s skills, but there is a lot of work and effort involved in the process too. Dog training at home begins with potty training and continues with complex tasks and commands. However, before you start dog training at home you’ll have to find some professional information on dog health and care. The very basic “sit” and “hello” are among the first tricks of dog training at home, followed by the leash walk as an essential part of the process of dog socializing.

Many pet owners choose to turn to professional videos that teach them dog training at home. There are usually two types of approaches to dog training at home and in general: the collar treatment and the reward-based program. Studies conducted in recent years have shown that dog training at home by using very positive methods is likely to create social and highly reliable animals, that not only will listen to your commands but will always been on guard when it comes to the safety of your family. Dog training at home may not have the professional background but it surely has an emotional touch.

Once you start dog training at home don’t limit to teaching the dog how to raise the paw or sit when ordered. You can take dog training at home a little further and show the animal how to play “fetch”. It begins by using one of the pet’s favorite toys, but it has to result in the animal’s ability to bring any object. No matter the purpose of dog training at home, keep in mind that reward is the magic key to get to your dog’s mind. Every time it performs an action, the dog will need encouragement to continue; therefore an affectionate moment is welcome and appreciated as much as some goodie treat.

Dog training at home takes a lot of time and energy, and many people find it a true challenge. However, time should not be a problem as long as you can turn to your animal and lavish a little attention on it. You can even practice fetch during a commercial just like any other commands learned during dog training at home. If you don’t want to have your dog on the sofa with you, you can always order it to move, and the animal would respond. This is the very practical side of dog training at home. By all means avoid bullying the dog or raising your voice, as such manifestations develop aggression or fear.

Read more

Rresources for a beginner at dog training

03.46 in a, at, beginner, dog, Dog Training, for, rresources, training

If youve never trained a dog before, it may seem like a daunting task. While there are some things you need to know, there are plenty of resources for a beginner at dog training. This article is designed to help you begin dog training.

The tone of your voice is very important when you are trying to train your dog. Dogs can pick up how you are feeling. An appropriate firm tone can really reinforce a disciplinary message.



 Dont allow your dogs to pick and choose what they listen to. If you cannot wait for your order to be obeyed, do not ask anything of your pet.

 Your whole family should be involved with training the dog. It may be easier for one person to work with the dog until he has mastered basic commands. However, the dog should respond to the same commands when given by any member of the family.

 Six months is the recommended age at which a dog should be spayed or neutered. This is also a good time to begin obedience training classes. You dont want hormones to interfere with the learning process. You and your pet will enjoy a longer and happier life together.

 You should train your dog to walk properly on his leash. This will ensure both his safety and yours when you take him on walks.

 Begin training your dog when its still a young puppy. Much like human children, puppies learn faster than adult dogs. If you start training your dog when he is young, he will be almost as well-behaved as a child.

 Teaching your dog to not tug and pull when on his leash is an important part of his training. Think of the leash as a safety requirement.

 If your dog suddenly starts misbehaving out of the blue, it is best to bring him to the vet so any health problems can be ruled out. An animal that is in pain is liable to act out in ways they would normally never behave. This is your dogs way of seeking help with a potential problem.

 Keep your dog challenged regularly. Even if you are sure your dog is remembering everything youve taught him, having him demonstrate with a little "pop quiz" will keep him sharp.

 If you lack patience or cannon remain even-tempered during the training session, do not push forward. If you arent patient, your dog will quickly lose focus and tire of training.

 Be consistent with your dog training to make sure your animal stays obedient to the rules it has been learning. One of the most common mistakes pet owners make is assuming that once training has been completed, no maintenance is required thereafter. However, pets are creatures of habit. This is why you must make sure that you have a rule system that is strict for your dog.

 Always remain in a positive, rewarding attitude while training your dog. A good attitude is a better motivator than punishment. Give your dog frequent rewards for his obedience. Your dog will become fearful and less responsive to commands if you attempt to use fear and punishment as training motivation tools.

 Your dog needs to be up to date on his training. This will help to make them more obedient. A lot of owners will train their dogs once and not conduct any refreshers. Dogs, though, are like people in the way they fall into habits. Your dog must follow the rule system strictly.

 When you begin training your puppy, create a bond with him by first teaching him his name. Call him by name frequently, and teach him to come when called. These should be the primary words your dog needs to learn. Spend as much time as possible with your dog, so you can bond and hell learn youre his master. This way he or she will be more open to some advanced training.

 When training your dog, do not include any punishments. If your dog does not follow the correct behavior, instead of punishing him, gently teach him what to do instead. Build a positive relationship with your dog during the training process.

 Do not try to train your dog if you do not feel you can be patient. Dogs learn more when talked to in a firm, yet calm voice.

 Giving up is not an option when it comes to training your pet. Your dog requires consistent reinforcement of training, or he may quickly forget what he has learned. You always need to keep training your dog, just like you need to continue feeding it and providing it shelter.

 When doing crate training, train your dog incrementally rather than trying to do it all at once. Allow them to feel comfortable in their crate by closing the door and feeding them treats while praising them. Start off only putting them inside for 10 seconds, and when they seem okay with that, slowly increase the time they are inside. If your puppy starts acting distressed about going into the create, you need to slow things down.

 Give your dog new challenges often. Make sure you quiz him on the stuff he knows, so he stays on his toes.

 Always use your dogs name when you need his attention. To have some good control over your dog, a solid response is crucial. Call them to you at least ten times a day. Try to avoid punishing your dog when it comes to you after you call out its name while using this technique.

 As stated in the beginning of this article, there are many dogs that are trained for various reasons. Everyone knows that dogs have a strong desire to please. A dog that is trained properly will be give you fulfillment and joy in your life. The tips listed above should help you find the best way to curb problems with your pooch.

Read more