Sunday, February 3, 2008

Training A dog Not To Bark,As Part Of Your Dog Behaviour Training

By: Mike Legg
ALL DOGS BARK, it’s a natural thing for a dog to bark and should not be discouraged when it is appropriate, i.e. when a stranger comes to the house, or if the dog hears out of place noises during the night. At these times your dogs bark is a welcome and reassuring warning. So you should only be training a dog not to bark at the wrong times.

However a dog that continually barks for no apparent reason can become a bit of a nuisance, both to you and to your neighbours. So training your a dog not to bark, should be a part of your overall dog behaviour training. Any random or nuisance barking should be stopped as soon as possible, preferably when the dog is still young, as it will become harder the older the dog gets.

If you are with your dog when it starts barking for no apparent reason, simply tell it to stop. The actual words or commands you use will not matter as long as you always use the same commands, and say them with authority. If this fails to have any effect, then try saying the commands while at the same time giving a quick jerk on its collar or leash. And remember to quietly praise him or her when they obey.

Solitary barking is when your dog barks when no one else is at home. (Or when it thinks no one else is at home.) It will often bark incessantly, if you have close neighbours and your dog is one of these, then you will soon know about it, as you will no doubt receive complaints pretty quickly. This type of barking can be a real nuisance and you should try to stop it right away.

One way of stopping a solitary barker is to pretend to leave the house, wait for it to start barking, and then quietly return and catch it in the act. Reprimand it with the same commands or phrases that you used before, and again quietly praise them when they stop. Doing this a few times should soon stop your dog from being a nuisance every time you leave the house.

You should try to stop your dog from becoming a solitary barker before it develops too far. You can easily do this with a few simple tips, such as getting it used to being alone gradually. Try going out just for short lengths of time to start with, and building up to longer and longer periods. You could also try leaving a radio on in the house for company, and make sure your dog has its favourite toy.

A dog is part of your family and should be shown the love and respect that it deserves. By training a dog not to bark at the wrong times, as part of a dog behaviour training programme, you are helping it and yourself to a more fulfilling and rewarding relationship that will last for years to come. (And you will probably get on with your neighbours a lot better as well.

For more dog training tips and advice visit our site at: http://www.BuyTryReview.com/category/pets

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Using Cruelty in Dachshund Training?

By: Richard Cussons
Apparently every dog owner wants a trained and intelligent dog that looks cute and adorable especially when performing a command. Though dogs are intelligent animals, they can not figure out basic obedience thus training them especially when they are still puppy is still needed.

There are lots of training areas as well as training methods that you can use to train your dog. Usually, basic command such as ‘sit’, ‘down’ and ‘stay’ are often taught first. These commands are not just mere tricks to show their talents but training them these commands will make them behave in a way that makes them nice to be around and keeps them safe and other people and pets as well.

Potty training should also be done at a young age. If your dog is potty trained, you can be sure that he will only use the bathroom only in the spot you have selected for him. You won’t have to spend time and effort cleaning the mess he created anywhere he wants.

Many methods and tools can help you in your dachshund training. Loving praise is one of the most simple and easy tool in training your dog. Praising them after he has done well will make him understand that you want him to continue what he is doing. Giving him rewards such as food treats and toys are also ideal training tools. Just make sure that the dog is not aware of the presence of the reward before giving commands so as not to bribe him to perform.

Most dog owners find leash and collars helpful in their dachshund training. There are several types of collars available in the market. Flat collars carry your dog’s name, license and rabies tags. Other types of collars are martingale collar, choke chain, halter or head collar, prong collar and electronic collars. However, some trainers suggest that using tools such as choke collars, prong collars and electronic collars can inflict pain to your pet. A choke collar, once misused, can cause permanent injury to your dog’s throat and the organs it contains. Prong collar, though might look like a medieval torture device is less likely to cause pain compared to choke collar. Electronic collar or shock collar is the less recommended tool for dog training use. It can cause more problems than you could imagine especially to aggressive dogs.

Whether doing the simple obedience training or training a dog to perform tricks, choosing the right method and training tools is one of the most important factors to consider. But always bear in mind not to inflict pain to your dog even if he has done something unacceptable. Cruelty will not give you a well behave dog. It will just cause physical and psychological problem that could make your dog suffer.

Richard Cussons trains different breeds of dogs. Learn more about Dachshund training and other information pertaining to Dachshunds.

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Switching Your Dog from On-Lead to Off-Lead Commands

By: Dy Witt
Watching a dog perform his obedience routine with no lead attached to his collar is a thing of beauty! It appears to be magic, the way he anticipates his owner's moves and wants to just BE there, exactly on the money. Here is how to achieve that doggy ballet of movements.

One secret to good obedience training is never to give your dog the chance to disobey. Make sure he understands the command and what you want him to do, and move toward it with baby steps so he always ALWAYS succeeds. Your happy praise at every turn is what he lives for.

When he begins to yawn at every command, he is not bored, he is certain of the next step you will take. Now is the time to start his off-lead work. At first this creates a bit of anxiety. His lead is his only physical guide to pleasing you, his main goal. So make sure everything you are about to show him off-lead is something he knows VERY well with the lead attached.

On-lead heeling, turning and stopping is very smooth and controlled. Before starting off, instead of hooking the lead into the ring, slip the entire lead through his collar, not in the ring, and wrap the end around your hand so you can eat it up as you walk, until the lead slides completely out of the dog's collar. He will not even know, just keep walking with no change in gait or tone and act like nothing new is going on.

When you come to a stop and your dog sits predictably at your side like always, pause a moment then PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE! Your dog will look at you funny, as if to say, "What's the big deal? We do this all the time". It's quite funny. That is when you know success and your dog has made a smooth transition.

As you work, keep the dog close at hand, you do not want him to get the idea he can run off. If he makes the slightest off move, take his collar by the live ring and tug. Remember those little tugs that he dislikes so much he learned quickly how to stay in the exact right spot? Remind him that you have the same control over him when he is off-lead, so stay vigilant. If he backslides, go back to on-lead. He will learn quickly that he prefers the independence of off-lead work and to get it he must obey your every command.

Working with the Come on a long line, go back to the short lead and leave it close so you can take it up quickly if he does not come swiftly. Give him no room to think about disobeying. Gradually extend the distance until he is coming to you at a run totally off-lead. He loves this!

If you are patient and consistent in your commands, your dog will become every bit as reliable off his lead as he was with his lead attached. Both you and your dog will enjoy it more!

Dy Witt has shown and trained standard poodles for 25 years, during which time she has perfected a training method dogs love. For more on her training techniques, more free articles and info on her ebook on dog training, visit http://www.DogTraining15MinsADay.com

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Shih Tzu Training: Administering Medicine

By: Richard Cussons
Most dog owners find it difficult when it comes to administering medicine to their Shih Tzus. Lucky for those who own a Shih Tzu that readily takes the pill or takes the pill wrapped in his favorite food or other treat. But this task can be very difficult if your dog refuses to take one and will just separate the medicine from the treat.

Acquiring an ailment is easy but treating an ailment can be hard much more letting your dog take the medicine. One of the most widely used methods in giving medicine is to hide it in food, such as meat and bread. Commercial hollow dog treats are also available in many pet supply stores. However, as what I have mentioned earlier, not all dogs can be tricked with this trick. Some will just separate the medicine and eat only the food. Don't worry because there is still remedy to your problem.

When giving a pill to your dog, hold him between your legs, your knees should be behind his shoulders. But this is not the same with the liquid medicine. Hold the upper jaw keeping the head level instead of tilting it upwards. The tip or squirt the medicine into the side of the mouth between the teeth. Then close your Shih Tzu's mouth and rub the throat until it swallows. Always remember to never squirt the medicine into the back of the throat because it might go down the windpipe.

In applying eye medicine, it is important to remove first the eye discharge from the eye and surrounding skin. Cotton pad soaked in warm water or eye wash solution is ideal tool for this. After the eye has been cleaned, hold your dog gently with one hand and medicine on the other hand. Squeeze the medicine into the eye from above but make sure that the container does not touch the eye. When you're done applying the medicine, hold the eye closed for a few seconds.

There are also some circumstances when medication through injection is necessary. After preparing the medicine and the syringe, hold your dog and grasp the fold of the skin on the neck between the shoulder blades. Then insert the needle through the skin into the tissue above the underlying muscle. Remove the needle after the contents of the syringe has been expelled. But before doing this injection at home, consult first your veterinarian for more tips and advice.

Difficulties in administering medicines are just temporary. Through time, your dog will get used to this thus you won't be having hard time every time there is a need of administering medicine.

Richard Cussons is not just a writer but also a great lover of dogs. Discover more about Shih Tzu dogs at this site dedicated to Shih Tzus.

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Tips On How To Stop A Dog Barking

By: Oscar Jones
In this article I will give you some of the reasons a dog will bark and what you can do to prevent it.

The main reason your dog will bark relentlessly at nothing in particular is due to the fact that it is suffering from pent up, nervous energy. Ask yourself whether you dog is really getting all the exercise it needs. One and a half hours is a good amount of time for most breeds. If the barking is coupled with a look of restlessness or even more aggressive than usual behaviour it is almost certain more exercise is required.

Barking is used as a way of expression and therefore you should not always look down on your dog just because it is barking, after all they too have to communicate. Dogs can’t talk like their owners so it us up to us to interpret their mood and body language to ascertain how they are trying to communicate with us at this time.

Dogs bark for a lot of reasons, it really depends on what breed you are dealing with. German Shepherds and other guarding breeds were bred to utilise barking as a tool. Sporting breeds such as Beagles will use their bark to announce that the prey is close by. Some others just like the sound of their own voice i.e. toy breeds.

Moving breeds aside, most dogs will bark because of boredom, something is wrong, a toilet requirement, loneliness or its just playtime please!! In these instances it is not right to try and prevent your dog from barking but you should try and translate what they are trying to communicate to you.

Other times barking can be really tiresome and just not on. Be aware of times when your dog is just using their bark as a means to manipulate you. Mutual respect needs to be present within your relationship but you have to make it clear that all things are not equal. You are the boss, they are your dog. As long as you can gain respect from your dog then they will be a lot happier, manageable and trainable.

If you give in to your dog’s demands when they bark for your time and attention then your dog is being taught by you that this is the method to use when they want your attention or something from you. Don’t be afraid to ignore your dog and make sure they understand from your body language that this is not the way to go if they want something.

A top tip to eradicate barking for attention is to turn your back on your dog and not to look at them, not even to tell them ‘No!’. They will soon come to realise that if this is what is going to happen every time then their not going to do it. However, you must stay consistent, this goes for any type of training you and your dog embark on.

If the barking persists hold your dog’s collar and gently hold its muzzle. This prevents the barking and shows who the authority figure is in the relationship. Your dog won’t like it at first but persistence and consistency will end in reward.

Dogs are social animals and therefore if you are leaving them on their own for long periods of time expect them to become anxious, on edge, frustrated and be prepared for a lot of barking.

I hope you found this small insight into dog barking useful, for more details on how you can prevent barking and all manner of other behavioural issues in your dog including chewing, biting, pulling to name three click stop a barking dog for access to a full A-Z on dog problems, training etc and also get your hands on some more free tips.

I hope you found this small insight into dog barking useful, for more details on how you can prevent barking and all manner of other behavioural issues in your dog including chewing, biting, pulling to name three click stop a barking dog for access to a full A-Z on dog problems, training etc and also get your hands on some more free tips.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

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