Thursday, March 26, 2009

Golden Moments and Dog Training

Let me introduce my dogs. I have 3, Nikki and Benny are my therapy dogs, and Dukie is my blind dog. Nikki is a 1 1/2 year golden retriever and Benny is my 5 year old black lab. Dukie is now 10 years and also a black lab.

Let me introduce my dogs. I have 3, Nikki and Benny are my therapy dogs, and Dukie is my blind dog. Nikki is a 1 1/2 year golden retriever and Benny is my 5 year old black lab. Dukie is now 10 years and also a black lab.

Today I saw a picture of a ceramic rabbit statue for the garden; boy did it bring back loving memories. It also made me think of the importance of training your dog. That is why I am writing this article.

When we first took our golden retriever up north to the cottage she loved it. Of course she would, she was a golden after all, and goldens love cottage life, the outdoors and the lakes!!

Now, my golden was running around lose, just having a great time. My husband, Chris and I were sitting outside talking with our friends who had a house beside the cottage.

All of a sudden my golden comes running right over to us, all exited and happy. Our golden always ran to us when she had something in her mouth, never away from us. WOW, she had gone hunting, and she was proud of it.

There in her mouth, was a rabbit!!

I started to freak, of course, but then on closer inspection (from my husband) we saw it was a "plastic rabbit" out of our friend's garden. This was one of those golden moments. My Katie Bear is gone now, I still miss her so much, and I will always miss her. I have a new golden, and I love her very much, but she does not replace my Katie Bear....

I shed a few tears of sadness because I still miss my Bear.

Thanks for letting me share my memories. Dog obedience, has always been very important to me. So, please please, train your dog. I can just never say this often enough. Your dog must obey you. Simple commands like: come, sit, stay, STOP! It is so important for the safety and enjoyment of your dog, especially during the holiday and travel season.

There are many training methods available. You need to find the method that will work for you and your dog, (a humane method of training, of course.)

I was thinking about this as I was taking my 3 dogs (one is blind) out for a walk today. Just as we were getting into the jeep (I drive to where I walk), a lady pushing a stroller came past my house.

Now, you need to understand, that my now golden retriever, Nikki, seems to think the whole world is out to play with her. She is only 1 1/2 years old. I thought to myself...WOW! What if she had decided to take off and play with the lady and her stroller? Would she have come back to me instantly when called? Stopped instantly on command? I am not sure. This gave me reason to reflect seriously about obedience training. Now, you may be thinking that because she is a therapy dog, she is a well behaved trained dog. And yes, she is. But even a therapy dog gets their moments when out and running lose. And for some reason, my dogs can be total pests at home, and total angels when visiting the seniors.

A dog must, for their own safety and security, and I will repeat myself here, a dog MUST stop and come on demand. This can never be an option. Whether your dog is a therapy dog, like mine, or a house pet the same rule applies.

Check your neighborhood for training classes. Also, there are many different types of programs available, including online downloadable programs, which are very,very good.. Check them out. Find the one that suits your lifestyle. And, do it. Both you and your dog will be happier!

http://www.mimfreedom.com/dogtherapy.htm

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


My two passions, health and pets.
Doing therapy dog work is one of the most rewarding activities I can do with my dogs. Pet health care is one of my passions.
http://www.mimfreedom.com/dogtherapy.htm

8 dog training tips for you and your dog.

You have permission to publish this article electronically
or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are
included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be
appreciated. fayolap@yahoo.com

Dog Training Tips
8 dog training tips for you and your dog.

By Fayola Peters

Dog training requires simple persistence to be a successful and
delightful experience for you and your dog.
Here are 8 dog training tips to guide you along the way.

1. Dog Training Tips - Get your dog's attention
Before you can start training your dog you first need to get its
attention. You can do this by talking to him and offering him a small treat.

2. Dog Training Tips - Use the correct dog training supplies
If you have a well behaved dog a six foot training lead and a regular
buckle collar will do. However if you dog is uncontrollable you should
use a training collar. For the right collar size measure the dogs' neck
and add 2 inches.

3. Dog Training Tips - For safety in vehicles
Before you introduce your dog to the inside of a moving vehicle you
should teach him the 'down!' and 'stay!' commands. This ensures that he
spends the ride on the floor of the vehicle.

4. Dog Training Tips - Elimination
When your dog got to go it got to go. To prevent your dog from getting
busy on the carpet you should train him to eliminate on command.

5. Dog Training Tips - Praise
Always praise your dog when he learns a new command.

6. Dog Training Tips - Reprimand
Do not hit your dog! Any time your dog is engaging in bad behavior, use
the opportunity to teach him the 'stop!' or 'no!' command. Using the
'stay!' command can also be effective in these situations.

7. Dog Training Tips - Play with your dog
This will help in building the bond between you and your dog.

8. Dog Training Tips - Do some dog training everyday
Don't rush dog training. Teach your dog one command at a time and don't
move on until he gets it. A little dog training everyday is all that's
needed.

Well that's it for my dog training tips. Enjoy training your dog and
remember that it takes simple persistence.
or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are
included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be
appreciated. fayolap@yahoo.com

Dog Training Tips
8 dog training tips for you and your dog.

By Fayola Peters

Dog training requires simple persistence to be a successful and
delightful experience for you and your dog.
Here are 8 dog training tips to guide you along the way.

1. Dog Training Tips - Get your dog's attention
Before you can start training your dog you first need to get its
attention. You can do this by talking to him and offering him a small treat.

2. Dog Training Tips - Use the correct dog training supplies
If you have a well behaved dog a six foot training lead and a regular
buckle collar will do. However if you dog is uncontrollable you should
use a training collar. For the right collar size measure the dogs' neck
and add 2 inches.

3. Dog Training Tips - For safety in vehicles
Before you introduce your dog to the inside of a moving vehicle you
should teach him the 'down!' and 'stay!' commands. This ensures that he
spends the ride on the floor of the vehicle.

4. Dog Training Tips - Elimination
When your dog got to go it got to go. To prevent your dog from getting
busy on the carpet you should train him to eliminate on command.

5. Dog Training Tips - Praise
Always praise your dog when he learns a new command.

6. Dog Training Tips - Reprimand
Do not hit your dog! Any time your dog is engaging in bad behavior, use
the opportunity to teach him the 'stop!' or 'no!' command. Using the
'stay!' command can also be effective in these situations.

7. Dog Training Tips - Play with your dog
This will help in building the bond between you and your dog.

8. Dog Training Tips - Do some dog training everyday
Don't rush dog training. Teach your dog one command at a time and don't
move on until he gets it. A little dog training everyday is all that's
needed.

Well that's it for my dog training tips. Enjoy training your dog and
remember that it takes simple persistence.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Fayola Peters is the webmaster of The-Dog-Training-Guide.com
(http://www.the-dog-training-guide.com)

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