Introducing Yourself Observe First Ask Questions Later

22.58 in ask, Dog Training, first, introducing, later, observe, questions, yourself

While there has recently been a lot in the news about reading dogs’ body language cues, many of us in the dog training industry have been trying to educate the public for years. It has been my life’s passion to help people understand dog language better and prevent dog bites. Whether I’m lecturing to a big audience or teaching a small group class, I am always interpreting body language for pet parents to help them understand how to interpret it themselves. It’s unfortunate that the awful event at 9News brought this subject into the spotlight, but it is a blessing as more people will hopefully pay attention to how they interact with dogs, including their own.

There are three different things to remember when you are going to interact with a dog, and although there are several other factors that could potentially go in to a human/dog interaction, I believe these are the most important:

1) The dog’s body language and cues

2) Your body language and cues

3) The environment and potential stressors around the dog

First and foremost, does the dog appear scared or anxious? Is her mouth closed tightly? Is her tail between her legs, can you see the whites of her eyes, is she standing behind her parent, or trying to get away? Is she avoiding eye contact, whining, barking, or growling? These are all signs of stress and you need to approach with caution. Or better yet, keep your distance and dont approach at all.

(This dog is facing sideways, ears are down, eyes are made smaller as an appeasement behavior, and his lips are pursed with nervous anticipation of what the person with the camera is going to do next)?

Secondly, how will the dog perceive you as you are approaching? Do you have a big computer bag in your hand, a broom, or an open umbrella? Are you approaching from directly in front of the dog, or from the side? Are you using an excited, loud voice or a soft, friendly one? Just because you are excited to meet the ginormous Irish Wolfhound on the street doesn’t mean he will be excited to meet you.

And lastly, what is going on around you? Are there construction trucks going by, or sirens from a fire truck going off? Did the dog just get in to a scuffle at the dog park and you are greeting in the parking lot? Are you in the vet’s office where a dog just got his ears cleaned out? Keep in mind that you may have no idea what has just happened to the dog, so always read body language first, then ASK before introducing yourself, if you choose to do so.

(This puppy has a furrowed brow, pursed lips, and her ears are down and forward... She is unsure, worried, and scared)?

Behavior is always context specific, and dogs will react, in part, according to environmental stimuli. If the stimuli is perceived as good (liver treats, person kneeling, another friendly dog, etc) the dog may be less anxious and will be open to a friendly greeting. If the stimuli is scary (loud noises, bright lights, tall boisterous person, etc), the dog will be more adrenalized and won’t be as emotionally/mentally equipped to engage in a greeting.

This is why I always ask people to set dogs up to succeed. It is so important for the emotional health, well-being, and safety of all involved. Never approach a dog without reading their cues, and always ask the dog’s pet parent before greeting.
Kari Bastyr, MS, VSPDT
Denver, Co
http://www.wagandtrain.com/
 

© Copyright 2012 Wag & Train All Rights Reserved

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Preparing yourself with some good advice

08.47 in advice, Dog Training, good, preparing, some, with, yourself

When you decide its time to train your dog, its very common to be a bit lost. Good dog-training skills come naturally to very few people. In order to train your pet properly, preparing yourself with some good advice is an excellent idea. This article contains good guidelines for several different aspects of dog training.

If any sudden behavioral issue occurs, take the dog to the vet to make sure that there is not a health issue involved. Sometimes pain and other health conditions can cause some animals to act strangely or lash out. Animals cant tell us when something is wrong, so they depend on us to interpret their behaviors.



 Giving your dog mental stimulation is an important part of keeping your pet happy and healthy. Visit your local pet shop for new and entertaining toys for your dog on a regular basis. Bored dogs will often turn to chewing furniture, shoes or even drywall, to amuse themselves if they are not given proper stimulation.

 Use your dogs name whenever you are offering it a treat. This will direct his attention to you immediately every time, and especially right before you issue a command. Use your dogs name several times a day. If you need to punish your dog, go to your dog. Dont call him or her to you and then punish.

 To learn how to effectively train your dog, you may want to take an obedience class. The instructors at these schools are trained to deal with a variety of different dogs, even the impossible cases. They can teach a dog to follow commands, heel on a leash and to stop any unnecessary barking.

 Anxiety in dogs often leads to destructive behavior like chewing or clawing. Placing the dog in a safe environment such as a dog crate and providing a chew toy keeps the dog safe and occupied until your return.

 Most cases associated to dog bites result from fear. This occurs whenever dogs feel trapped, threatened, and frightened. Dogs cannot be trained through force. This makes your dog more likely to bite. Your dog will be ready and willing to regard you as the dominant one.

 Dogs tend to concentrate on one thing to the exclusion of everything else unless that concentration is interrupted. With enough training, you will have your dog focusing solely on your signals.

 Once you decide to train your dog, it is very important that you continue with the training no matter what. Without reinforcement, your dog will revert to his old behaviors. You always need to keep training your dog, just like you need to continue feeding it and providing it shelter.

 Avoid tug-of-war games when training a puppy. These games often encourage a puppy to start biting. Dont let this behavior take root by avoiding these games until the dog is older.

 If your dog chews things when you leave him in the house alone, consider building a doghouse and leaving him outside when you go out. When this is not possible due to weather or living in an urban area, close your doors to all of your rooms. This keeps your dog out of your things. Be sure to leave chew toys out for them.

 Always give your dog the tools for success. If you are training it to stop chewing things it shouldnt be chewing on, give it things that it can chew on. In addition, keep the household objects that could be dangerous away from your pet. Items like hairbrushes can cause a dog to choke or could block their airway.

 Training should be done when the dog is young. This is not concrete, but it is known that puppies respond easier to training. If you start training your dog when he is young, he will be almost as well-behaved as a child.

 Remember how many treats you reward your dog with during the course of the day to avoid fattening him up. A lot of people forget to account for treats given during training when considering a dogs diet plan.

 Stay consistent when training your dog. Write down the commands that you use and then make sure each person who needs to know them does. Behavior should be rewarded or not depending on the affect that is being sought. When the people around the dog use different commands and responses, he may become confused and training could suffer.

 Teach everyone in your family to use the same commands to train your dog. Avoid confusion when it comes to disciplining your dog; keep command words consistent throughout the household. Using consistent commands all the time from every person who trains the dog will make training much less confusing for the dog.

 Using a clicker can help them behave better. Using a clicker is simple. Use it to make a good association between the noise and when something good occurs. Try clicking and treating immediately, and doing this several times over a few days. Your dog will soon know that the clicking noise means that they are doing a good job.

 To help you train your dog you should know what kinds of foods your dog likes to eat. Since these will be the rewards for good behavior when you are training the dog, it should be something that really motivates him. Make note of your dogs reaction when the reward is offered.

 Behavior problems that suddenly occur with no reason may indicate a medical problem that needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian. Your dog might be acting out because he is suffering. This behavior may be his way of telling you that there is something wrong with him.

 A clicker works well when training most dogs. Using a clicker is as simple as showing your dog that good things happen when the clicking noise is heard. Try using this technique right away, doing it frequently over a span of a few days. Your dog will soon know that the clicking noise means that they are doing a good job.

 Since you now have what you need, you can use this information to properly train your dog. If youve struggled to determine the right place to start your training efforts, you now have a clear answer..

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Dog Training 7 Reasons Why You Should Do It Yourself

00.11 in 7, do, dog, Dog Training, it, reasons, should, training, why, you, yourself

By: Leo Enoch

Reason 1:
Poor Dog Training resulted in unruly dog which can be a serious nuisance and be destructive to the relationship between the dog and its owner.

Effective dog training is essential for both a pets safety and the quality of life for both dog and its owner.

Would you take the risk of leaving the Dog Training to someone whom may not love your dog as much as you?

Reason 2:
Effective Dog Training must be consistent. Effective Dog Training Starts even while they are still puppies.

The Problems of Leaving them to Dog Training School, is that they might be trained by different Dog Trainer and this reduces the consistency, which might confuse the Dog.

Reason 3:
Effective Dog Training must be fun. Well, can you imagine how fun it is for an employee or Trainer in Dog Training School have when in one day he or she has to conduct Dog Training for more than 5 Dogs per day

You get what I mean dont you? But if you do it yourself, you can make the Dog Training session much more fun both which will be enjoyed by your dog and yourself.

Reason 4:
Dog Training Creates Lasting Bonds between the Trainer and the Dogs.

Since it is your Dog, How would you like Your Dog to have a better relationship with the trainer instead of with you.

This can be disastrous.

That is why there is some cases where robbery occurs and the Dogs did not even bark or show any aggression, because the one that enter the house is known to the Dogs

Dog Training Yourself can create a much more satisfied relationship with your dog and thus beneficial for the dogs and its owner.

Reason 5:
Dog Training Session is costly and expensive while its effectiveness is very questionable at times.

The cost and frustration of Bad Dog Training is very very expensive. You have to pay a lot and at the same time it will aggravate the Dogs and Frustrate you.

Self Dog Training cost much lesser and if you do it right, it brings much pleasure and satisfation for the Dog and yourself.

Reason 6:
You know your Dog Better than anyone. You know when to train them at their most effective moment.

When your dog is down with sickness or is not having fun, you will be able to notice them, but where as a lot of Dog Trainer may not be able to notice them as they are just doing their job.

In addition to that, since Your Dog will be one of your best company,

Dog Training yourself will set your dogs to be familiarise with your habit and the environment and places you have in your life.

This will be a much fulfilling experience for both the dogs and the owners.

While in Dog Training School, Your dog will only be confined to one or few common area of training.

When you bring the Dog back home, you will still need to train him to the environment of your life.

isnt it a waste?

Reason 7:
Effective Dog Training do closely related on the condition of the Trainer during the Dog Training Sessions.

You as Trainer know your own condition during the training better than anyone. If you are not feeling well or not in the mood for training because of some personal problem that happens in your life.

Then you can choose not to train your dogs during such situation

What about when those trainer in dog training school. When they are facing problem at home. Do they still need to train your dog?

Yes Definitely ....

Do you think it will be effective and good for your Dog?

So thats it, The 7 Reasons, Dog Training, why you should do it yourself?

One Fatal MisConception that most dog owner have, is: It is Difficult to Conduct the Dog Training Yourself....

Let me tell you that it is not as much difficult and troublesome as taking your dog to the Dog Training School. It is much worth the the risk in Dog Training yourself than leave it to people whom you may never know what they instill in your dog while training them.

For Free information on how to conduct your own Dog Training the Easy and Effective Ways, Proven to works in thousands of Dog Owners, Leo recommend you visit: [http://www.DogTrainingSolution.com]

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/

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