Dealing with Dog Aggression

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A dog that growls at and/or bites its owner does so for some reason, even if the behavior appears to be "unreasonable" to the owner. If your dog displays aggressive behavior towards you, for the safety and welfare of you, your family and your dog, it’s important to find out why as quickly as possible.

Call your vet right away and schedule an appointment for a complete medical examination. Talk with your vet about testing your dogs hormonal balance, neurophysiologic functions and allergies. The test results may reveal the underlying cause. This has been especially helpful in dogs that have mood swings.

When growling or biting has erupted as a consequence of scolding or punishment for behavior such as chewing, jumping, general unruliness, or overprotection of food, these problems must be dealt with swiftly and firmly to correct the aggression it is initiating.

As the dogs owner, you must understand that your dog growls or bites at you as a result of defensive feelings. Even the dog that growls when ordered off the couch is reacting defensively, as it feels its dominance status has been threatened.

If scolding and punishment provoke aggression, your dog is reacting to a perceived threat to its physical safety. In either of these situations, your own threatening behavior may be producing negative results.

If the results of a medical examination show no signs of a medical condition that would be causing this behavior, you will have to examine your own behavior closely to determine what you are doing to make your dog feel threatened.

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Dog Training for Dog Lovers

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There are common problems a dog owner experiences with an un-trained dog. I am an owner of a 1 year old Female Boxer that had some of the same problems most dog owners have like, barking when the door bell rings or peeing in the house. I searched the internet frantically trying to find something to aid me in training my dog not to do these things. and I didn’t want to pay a dog trainer hundreds of dollars for a few hours a week. I stumbled across the "Sit Stay Fetch" program which is a very easy to read eBook, now of course I was very skeptical at first just like anybody else would be reading an eBook.

But I was extremely surprised how detailed this program actually was after doing a little research on it, so I purchased it. Its a very easy and simple book to follow and gives you tips and tricks you probably would never think of like the whisper method which actually works quite well. This program takes you on a step-by-step process that is incredibly effective and can be implemented very easily. So whether you are a current or new dog owner this program is right up your alley.

Dog training can be trying both physically and mentally to people who try to train a dog on their own, but in fact young dogs need to be taught how to behave properly whether at home or in public. And that old saying that "you cant teach an old dog new tricks" is also wrong from my experience with dogs throughout the years. The Sit Stay Fetch program will help break older dogs of bad habits as well.

The truth is that almost anyone can learn how to train a dog because it all comes back to one core concept, instinct. And the author of this program Daniel Stevens is very experienced in the dog training area. He has an extreme amount of training content that you can research through google and other book stores. Learning how to train a dog isn’t about using any fancy toys, covert hand signals, or silent whistles. It’s all about knowing how your dog thinks of itself and of it’s owners. He teaches how to understand these characteristics in the Sit Stay Fetch Program.

The Sit StayFetch e-book is sectioned into three chapters that cover the unique aspects of having a dog or puppy. The first part is an intro section for first time dog owners or if you are thinking of buying a dog. The second section is for the more experienced dog owner. The last part goes into more detail on the increasingly popular technique of "dog whispering", which I mentioned earlier in this article as well as a little more learning about common and uncommon dog problems and teaching more advanced commands and tricks.

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Dog Agility Training

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Hurling over jumps, running through tunnels, dodging weave poles, negotiating see-saws - do these sound like things your dog might enjoy? Then your pet might love dog agility training.

Inspired by equestrian events, agility training for dogs started in the late 1970’s in Great Britain. It’s a great sport for both dogs and their owners as the team up to negotiate a course of obstacles and is a true test of your dogs training as he will have to listen to commands in order to run the course.

If you want to start your dog in agility training he must be at least 9 months old to be assured that his growth plates have closed and in order to prevent injury. Your pet with start with dog agility training and must be able to clear the jump heights of his assigned division before he can compete.

He’ll first be put in the ’starter’ division; which is the division for dogs that do not hold agility titles. When he makes it through a round here he earns his ’starter’ title and is now qualified to compete at the advanced agility level. The next title your dog can earn is the "Advanced Title" which he can take when he clears three rounds as judged by 2 different judges.

Once he gets his Advanced Title, he can compete in the masters classes. Earning a "Masters Title" is a bit more difficult and consists of a 6 part qualification process along with three successfully completed games courses.

Although a fun sport for both you and your dog, dog agility training is also a serious competition that is well organized and has many guidelines and regulations. Dogs are placed in divisions based on their size. The mini division consists of dogs between sixteen and twenty-one inches from the shoulder. These dogs have jump heights that are 12, 18 and 24 inches. The larger dogs that measure over twenty one inches at the shoulders are sorted into the open division where they will jump heights of 26, 28 and 30 inches.

Dog agility training competition is a serious and well organized sport with many guidelines and regulations. The two divisions in the competition are based on the dog’s size. A dog between sixteen and twenty-one inches from the shoulder is put in the mini division.

Not every dog can win the coveted "Master" title, but I don’t think they really care because to them the fun is in the sport. Dog agility training is a great way for both man and beast to enjoy a little fun competition as well as each others company.

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10 Dog Training Mistakes to Avoid

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New dog owners often make mistakes with their dog training techniques and how the whole dog training process is approached. Some mistakes are more common than others and I will cover 10 of them here.

Mistake 1

Do not expect to much from your dog early on. Most people who make this mistake usually mean well and really do love dogs, the problem is that they see other peoples dogs and want their own to be like these other dogs straight away. We all see dogs on our walks and over parks who are enjoying the company of other dogs who are so well behaved and obedient and we all become jealous of them. At this point it is forgotten how much time, patience and money has been put into these dogs to achieve the levels of success that have been achieved.

Mistake 2

Another of the common mistakes which just happens to be opposite to that in number 1 is giving up. Once again the owner means well and starts with all good intentions but unfortunately a lack of patience and the necessary commitment to get the sort after results is just not there. Due to their dog not being able to do handstands or cartwheels inside of an hour they decide that their dog is untrainable and resign themselves to life with an untrained dog.

Mistake 3

Lack of consistency. If you tell your dog that it cannot sit by the table when your have guests for dinner then do not let it sit their when you are eating alone. If you want to succeed in any level of dog training then you must remain consistent.

Mistake 4

Using too little positive reinforcement techniques in the training. A dog has to be rewarded for doing the right thing when it is asked to do it or it will not learn. If you only give your dog a correction when it needs correcting but never reward the good behavior then eventually your dog will start doing the wrong things just to make sure that you give it some of your attention.

Mistake 5

Similar to the previous mistake, do not give too much negative reinforcement. Don’t sit and watch your dog waiting for it to make a mistake and then pounce on it to correct it. By concentrating on looking for the wrong behavior you will miss the times when your dog is acting as it should and therefore will not offer the required reward.

Mistake 6

Stay away from training your dog to do things that it was never supposed to do. A common problem in this area is taking a general purpose dog and trying to turn it into the best hunting dog that ever lived. All you will end up with is a confused and frustrated dog and a big headache. Certain dogs were just not made to do certain things. A Dachshund makes a useless fox hound and would you really try and send a Great Dane into a rabbit warren! Make sure you obtain the sort of dog that you need for the job/life that you have in store for it.

Mistake 7

Following through with the training. A dog loves to learn new things and will continue to learn through repeated and consistent lessons. Remember, if you spend a whole day training your dog and then don’t bother for another couple of weeks you must expect your dog to have forgotten everything you taught it two weeks ago. You have to keep going, so rather than a whole day, give it two hours every other day but consistently.

Mistake 8

Avoid overloading your dog with all manner of different training techniques. Although it is good to have different views on training methods you need to find a few which you feel comfortable with which you can implement otherwise you are going to get confused and therefore be sure that your dog will. Stick with one method until you start to see results, gain confidence in that and continue with similar techniques and you will achieve the success you want.

Mistake 9

Too much apathy. Too often a dog owner is heard saying that they hate the way their dog behaves but that it is too late and cannot be fixed. If you want a change to happen then you can make that change happen. Your dog just needs to know that a change brings a reward with it and keeping to a direct firm approach will reward you with quicker results.

Mistake 10

A dog is never fuller trained. Training is a life long process and will never be completed. Your dog may well have learnt to behave as you want it to behave in all situations that you place it in. Remember, your dog will continue to learn so you need to reinforce the required behavior all of the time otherwise your dog will learn new experiences and behave differently.

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Dog Crate Training

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Dog crates serve as your puppy’s little den. Since dog crates inside the house are really not attractive, they are not incorporated in the house to serve as a decorative piece even if you have a little doggie at home. But for what it’s worth, dog crates are used by most people to train their dogs. Dog crate training is certainly worth considering.

Once your dog is already trained in housebreaking, you can keep the crate open the entire day for your pup to go in and out when nature calls and for your little friend to have his own corner for sleeping. A dog crate also serves as safe shelter for your puppy each time you leave home. When you are going out, make sure that your dog is not left in the crate for so long as it is hard for your dog to be confined in a small space. Although some believe that putting animals in a lock-in pen is cruel, people do this on the other hand, to ensure their pets’ safety. However, don’t make your pet live its entire life here. Just like humans, dogs also need a wide space area to stretch and move around.

Dogs are actually fond of crates. Dogs took this trait after their ancestral line of wolves. Dogs are descendants of the canis lupus or what we commonly call as a wolf. Wolves during the early days used to live in caves filching food from humans. As years progress, wolves have evolved to live around humans. People took care of these wolves as pets while the wolves in turn looked after their masters’ properties. With these wolves getting domesticated, they gave birth to a new breed that evolved into what we know now as dogs.

Like wolves that used to find dwelling in the comforts of a den, dogs also show being homey whenever they rest in their dog crates. Dogs still need spaces they can recognize as their own. Puppies consider home furniture like piano and table as cozy dens for them to snuggle against. Other parts of the house like the bathroom, an extra room or a laundry room can be your chosen closed quarters for your puppy to sleep and play in. However, these rooms are too large for small puppies to be left in here.

Dog crate training is certainly worth trying in my opinion.

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Dog Biting Control

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Like any living thing that grows teeth or canines, baby puppies have this behavior to practically get anything into their mouths for their teeth to chew on or bite their way through. Dog biting control is crucial. This is the stage when the puppy’s gums are hurting or itching because tooth canines are about to grow. They do this to relieve the discomfort. If not given proper attention by its owners, these puppies can just about hurt or irritate their gums. Worst, grow into a dog-biting frenzy.

To control this dog biting behavior of your young puppy, see what causes it and focus on treating it. Here are some tips to hold down your puppy’s biting reflexes:

1. Let your baby dog roam around with you. This allows you to socialize your puppy with other people and dogs. This way, your dog becomes sensitive of humans and dogs. It seems cute when your puppy bites but it can be very bothersome and alarming when your dog grows bigger and stronger each day.

2. You have to be constantly rigid in sloughing this habit off your dog. Be sure you give out a strong “NO” when your dog begins to bite. Your dog will hear the urgency in your voice causing him to steer from the behavior. Do this in a casual yet stern manner and your dog will be able to outgrow this habit as your command seeds in him.

3. After correcting your dog’s habit and giving it some few minutes, you may call your dog once again and reconnect your pet ties with him. You can either gently pat your dog or stroke him. Give your dog tummy tickles to establish that connection. Just don’t get your dog too excited as you play with him since they can bite out of the playful rush. Your arms and hands must not be near your dog’s mouth.

If your dog still keeps on biting despite these helpful hints, try to make use of the water spray bottle technique. The objective is to startle your dog with water from the bottle spray. Spray water directly on your dog’s face at the same time telling him off with a strict NO each time he continues to bite. Do this and your message will slowly sink in your puppy.

As you scold your dog, be sure you also praise him in other things he does right. This will keep your pet’s emotional balance in check, so to speak. Give him treats to keep on encouraging your dog’s good behavior. Like a small child, give your dog incentives so your dog will be accustomed to your request knowing he gets to be rewarded.

However, if your dog still seems unruly, seek professional help. They can help you make your dog behave in a way pleasant for you and the community. It is extremely important to maintain dog biting control.

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Clicker Training For Your Dog

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Clicker training for your dog is the country’s newest ‘it’ thing for today’s dog training methods. The clicker is a small plastic box with a metal push button that creates a clicking sound when pressed. This method is so easy yet effective similar to other dog training methods we know of.

when click training, dog trainers use click sounds to reinforce the dogs to respond to a particular command. Dogs are very used to natural movements such as sitting, barking, eating, and standing which do not require necessary training. But if you want your dog to perform tricks on your command like rolling over, dropping dead and shaking hands, your dog can immediately do so since they respond to the clicking sound associated with the corresponding specific action that is ordered them to do.

Operant conditioning is the key element of the clicker training technique. This works when the clicking sound gets associated with the food that the dog likes in turn, making it respond to requests and compellingly obey commands, in order to have the food.

For illustration purposes, let us say you want to train your dog to sit. Take a cookie, place it near your dog’s nose and let him sniff it while you tease and playfully lift the cookie up in such a way that your dog follows the direction. As your dog reaches up, the action prompts him in a sitting position. As your dog sits, immediately sound the click to get his sitting in sync with the clicking. The dog then relates the click sound to his sitting upright. Reward your dog after with the cookie you’re holding for a job well done.

Continuously do this and the food trick until such time that your dog is accustomed to sit right away upon hearing the click sound even without the teasing cookie. Just make sure that you time your clicking the moment he moves according to how you want it. Otherwise, your dog will not get the message and all the clicking will be a pointless exercise.

Since clicker training is a positive reinforcement, it will fail when used with a negative technique such as punishment. The more you punish the dog for its failure to carry out your command, the more you make the dog’s behavior untoward.

Although clicker training proves effective, not all types of dogs respond to it. If you see that your dog is still clueless about your clicking, give it a rest. There are still other dog training methods that your pet can adapt to. Clicker training for your dog is not for everyone.

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Choosing the Right Collar for your Puppy

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Dog collars are your dog’s way of identification and your own way of control. Of course you want to take care in choosing the right collar for your puppy. Nowadays, dog collars come in different forms, shapes and varieties that appeal more as fashion statements that define lifestyles apart from these collars’ essential function, use and purpose.

The market is flooded with a wide range of nice-looking dog collar selection. It’s so hard to make up your mind and settle with just one. Who knew choosing dog collars these days can actually be so draining?

But before picking out a merely pretty piece of collar for your dog, be sure you also purchase them depending on your dog’s behavior.

If your pup is a timid and a docile one, a collar out of soft cloth could just be perfect. But if you have a very playful puppy that stubbornly goes around, a spiked collar will do to hold your buddy pup off. It’s best to ask your dog trainer to help you pick out a suitable collar for your dog.

The most common dog collar type is the buckle range. This is like a small belt that lets you adjust its way through the size of its user through small holes. A nice choice of cloth with patterns and colors can be used to create an attractive buckle collar. You can even sew your puppy’s name onto the collar top and serve as its name tag.

You can work your way towards buckle collars since they are the most flexible types to accommodate your dog’s behavior and ensure its safety. By improving its functional designs, you give your dog the necessary protection. When your dog is experiencing trauma of some sorts that must let your dog loose, a breakaway collar is ideal to use since it breaks into pieces under extreme pressure. Some collars are even designed with discharge flaps to be easily removed during times of stress. These designs can spare your dog from a moment’s horror that
Calls for immediate breakaway.

Another collar type that gives enough restriction for your canine friend is the prong collar. A prong collar has uniformly spaced metal prongs placed upright inside the collar. These metals are not intended to hurt your dog but to prod your dog calm when it gets restless and too playful. You just pull the strap attached to the collar and the prongs will poke at the dog’s neck and slow it down. Prong collars are actually safer than other dog collars. Using them properly will definitely ensure your dog’s safety. Good luck choosing the right collar for your puppy!

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Aggressive Dog Training

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When it comes to human-animal relationship, having a dog is the closest thing that defines love and affection between a pet and its owner. Countless remarkable stories have been told about the feats of man and his best friend - the ever loyal and obedient dog.

As much as dogs are heralded as the perfect pet, they can also be dangerous if they are not properly tended to. For one, dog bites can be lethal. This is why there is aggressive dog training.

Based on statistics, close to 5 million people each year report of having been dog bitten. 17% sought medical help while 10 to 20 percent reported cases of death from fatal dog bites and attacks.

Because of possible threats that certain dog breeds carry in their aggressiveness, some states in the US prohibited them. Breeds such as Pit bulls, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Akitas, malamutes, chow chows, Great Danes and Dobermans are dogs which can be extremely dangerous to attack. These dogs have powerful jaws that can deliver deadly bites.

Dogs can be tame and to the extreme aggressive. The behavior of a dog normally depends on how the owner trains the dog to be. If you want your dog to be safe around people and the people safe around them, it’s better to heed the following pointers to make sure that you are training your pet on the safe zone.

* Go out of your way and get your dog vaccinated. Anti rabies vaccines and other dose of healthy shots will make your dog safe to be around with. Roam your dog around in the park or other places that have humans and dogs in them such as puppy classes or pet stores. This allows your dog to mingle with his kind.

* Have your dog neutered to lower its aggression level. Neutering affects the territorial behavior and instincts of dogs. Male dogs that are not neutered carry 80% fatality when they attack and bite.

* Dogs are born to bite. Training your dog to refrain from biting things will reduce its biting habits. When see your dog ready to snap its jaw onto something, distract your dog by clapping or calling its attention by loudly saying its name. Instead, you can always give your dog something to chew like a chew toy. It pays to reward your dog after giving in to your commands.

* Carefully monitor the behavior of your dog if they are getting more aggressive by the day. Seek help from your local dog trainer or vet.

By following these tips, you make your dog not only your own pet but the entire community’s. Don’t be afraid of aggressive dog training.

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Guide to Dog Training

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Dog training is the best thing you can give your dog and the nicest reward you can get for owning a pet that comes to your calls.There are many different types and these usually depend on how old the dog is. Since every training has its distinct approach, prices come at different rates in every stage. Here is a basic guide to dog training.

For the primary type of training, puppy preschool would best fit puppies around one and a half to five months old. This type of training lets your puppy get around with people and other puppies as well. Puppies are normally trained in this session to respond to usual commands such as sitting down, coming, and staying in place. Training in this type runs for about 6 weeks to 2 months only.

Basic dog training, after puppy preschool, suits perfect for 5 month-old dogs the least. The session takes about 8 to 10 weeks just enough for the dogs to get used to walking on leashes, coming, staying, heeling and sitting.

After your dog is trained in the basics, intermediate dog training is next ideal to let your dog respond in a more comprehending mode. Your dog must be 5 months old and above, and must quite be responsive already. While training here recounts basic dog training, your dog will be trained to listen and obey other people’s orders aside from your own. When ordered to stay, dogs will stay longer than they usually did in the basic session.

To keep track of the training process, trainers make the dogs repeat the exercises in their previous trainings. Dog training is a progressive process. So after completing the intermediate training course, it’s time to get into advance training.

Advance dog training takes longer than the earlier training stages. This lasts about 8 to 10 weeks. In this training level, the dogs are trained to respond “autopilot” reacting on their instincts even in the absence of their owner. Your dog can now docilely sit and wait while you are not around and you can even walk your dog without its leash.

To finally complete the stages of training your dog, your dog must be able to pass the last training which is the canine good citizen dog training. This course requires that your dog must have gone through the different types of training. Before passing this course, your dog must first learn the 10 important aspects of dog training since the test here is quite difficult, letting only well-behaved and docile dogs get through. If your dog’s restlessness is already tamed and can easily understand the orders given, you’re on your way to having a certified trained dog.

Having your dog trained under the hands of expert dog trainers is such a rewarding accomplishment and can provide an excellent guide to dog training. Harness the smarts of your dog now! Ask your local trainers on how to start your dog’s training session.

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