Dog Obedience Training

I have a new female shih tzu bichon puppy. PLEASE tell me your best potty training techniques/experiences!!?

1. Figure out what she does before she goes to the bathroom (like sniffing the ground, circling a spot, etc.) When you see her doing that, take her outside (with some small treats) and wait for her to go. As soon as she starts, tell her "good girl" in a positive voice. As soon as she’s finished, give her a treat immediately and lavish tons of praise and attention upon her.

2. While you’re sleeping or out of the house, keep her in a crate that is big enough for her to stand without crouching, make a full circle, and lay down comfortably. It’s really only big enough for her body with a tad bit of extra space in case she wants to lay down. She will NOT soil her small space unless she literally cannot hold it. As soon as you get home/wake up, take her outside with those treats and repeat number one.

3. After she eats, keep an eye on her. If she starts acting like she’s about to go (like I said in number one) take her out. Otherwise, wait about 15-20 minutes for her food to digest a bit before you take her out with treats. Wait until she goes. If she doesn’t seem like she’s going to go, bring her back inside and keep an eye on her. Try again in another 10-15 minutes until she goes outside.

4. If she goes in the house and you see her in the process, loudly yell "NO!" and clap your hands. Hopefully it will scare her enough that she’ll stop. Take her outside to finish up and give treats if/when she goes. Do not hit her, do not rub her nose in it: a dog cannot put two and two together and realize her nose is being rubbed in it because she went in the house. All she’s thinking is "why the hell is she rubbing my nose in this?" and there’s a good chance she can get a sinus infection. Hitting her also doesn’t ring a bell. She just thinks "What the hell did I do?" or "Is going to the bathroom wrong!?"

5. If she’s just finishing up, or she doesn’t stop when you yell, bring her outside after she goes and wait there for a bit in case she’s gotta do something else. Make sure the treats are with you.

6. If she goes in the house and you do NOT see her in the process, like you find it after the fact. Simply clean it up. Yelling at your dog afterward means nothing to her. She won’t understand what you’re yelling at her for, she’ll only know that you’re yelling. If the waste is still warm, take her out in case she stopped herself. If it’s cold, forget it unless she seems like she needs to go out.

7. It’s super important that you give her the treats outside. She’ll associate going to the bathroom outside with getting a treat and tons of praise. If you wait until she comes inside, the association with going to the bathroom is gone and she just thinks you’re giving her a treat for no reason.

8. Stick to a set schedule. Wake up at 7? Take her out. Bring her in. Feed her. Take her out. Crate her. Go to work. Come home. Take her out. Feed her. Take her out. Family time. Take her out. Crate her. Go to bed. Figure out which times work best for you and ALWAYS take her out as soon as she’s out of her crate and right before placing her in the crate. Eventually she’ll come to expect these potty times and wait for them.

9. Dogs are smart and they respond to positive reinforcement. If she’s rewarded for going outside, she’ll want to go outside. Because she’s small breed and her bladder is, therefor, small it could take a while to train her. The most important part of training her is to be patient and never leave her alone in a room long enough to go in the house. Pay attention and take her out when she needs to.

Sitstayfetch, Really Worth The Price?

As I sat down to write this review of SitStayFetch I started thinking about how I got to the point that I needed a book on how to train dogs. It all started when I got married, now you see I like dogs well almost all animals actually but my wife is a dog fanatic. She absolutely loves dogs, her brother once said she’s step over a dieing person to pet a dog. Though that’s not entirely true it’s pretty close. For those of you that are dog (or pet) lovers I’m sure you understand.

Because my wife goes nuts (ok�::maybe just moderately crazy) whenever we see a stray dog on the side of the road or someone calls and tells her they have a puppy or dog that needs help, I end up with another mouth to feed. Now please don’t take this the wrong way, I love my wife and I certainly like the dogs that show up but some of them aren’t always the best behaved.

So over the years we’ve had to do the best we could when it can to working with the dog’s we brought into our home, sometimes we have been successful others�::well we did the best we could. My wife has taken some of them to obedience training, we’ve tried just about every method there is for dog obedience training and read literally hundreds of books on how to train your dog and we can never really tell how the dog will turn out.

A friend told me about SitStayFetch, she told me it was one of the best book she had ever read on dog obedience training. Let me tell you, the information in Sit Stay Fetch is priceless, the methods of training have made a huge difference in the behavior of the dogs that are now with us.

If you are like us your dog is more like a family member than a pet. It can be very frustrating for both our dogs and me when we can’t get on the same page SitStayFetch has changed all that. Here is just a sample of some of the behavioral problems included:

Aggression
Thieving
Biting and nipping
Coprophagia (poop eating)
Destructive behavior
Digging holes
Cat chaser
Car chaser
Disobedience
Nuisance Barking

Daniel Stevens has also added a section in SitStayFetch the covers common health issues for you dog.

Fleas & ticks
Bad breath
Worms
Flatulence
Heart worms

Here are a few of the Dog Obedience Training and tricks explained in SitStayFetch.

Come
Roll over
Seek (find)
Beg
Sit
Stay
Fetch
Heel
and many many more.

My experience with SitStayFetch has been remarkable. I’ve learned more in just a few days than I have in all the time I’ve had dogs. As soon as I started applying the dog training techniques in SitStayFetch I had great results.

We currently have 5 dogs and I need all the help I can get, SitStayFetch is that help. SitStayFetch works great with puppies as well, one of my wife’s co-workers picked up and abandoned pit bull puppy that was about 7 weeks old and brought it to my wife. Gabby is now one of the best behaved dogs you will ever find.

If you’re having behavioral problems with your dog then you owe it to not only yourself but also your dog to read SitStayFetch.

If you just want to learn how to teach your dog simple tricks SitStayFetch will work well, but after applying the training techniques and tips you’ll be amazed at how much more your dog can do.

For more information on how to properly train your dog please visit:

www.SitStayFetch.ThePoochPlace.com/

Jim Banks
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/sitstayfetch-really-worth-the-price-88328.html

What are the best techniques for training puppies?

We are the proud owners of a Boxer puppy, who is the prime example of the breed…hyper, playful and cute We come from the belief that dogs should be a part of the family, but also need to remain at the bottom of the totem pole. We are looking for techniques to help us and our 4 year old establish leadership over the dog. We are implementing tools we have read from the dog whisperer, like body blocks to set boundaries, but are looking for additional tools for issues such as mouthing/biting and jumping. We are committed to raising a balanced and happy pup and any advice would be greatly appreciated.
we have not used any physical measures to guide the puppy. thank you all for your advice. he is, now, enrolled in a puppy obedience training at our local petsmart and our son will be attending. we have plenty of toys to redirect his biting as well.

Have your 4 year old help with training and feeding the puppy. The puppy should learn to look to him for ques. I would definitely find a good puppy class to get involved in and take your 4 year old along with you.

Golden retriever puppy training?

i’m getting a golden retriever puppy in about two weeks–i am very excited!
i’m getting a girl, and she’s going to be named nala.
my question is, is there anything specific i need to know about goldens?
are there any training techniques that work especially well for goldens?

Make sure when you hold the dog vertically you support its bottom or it will develop back problems, that’s with any dog though, just a heads up. And that my golden is stubborn and learns quickly and when it has things you want, it runs because it thinks it a game, so life is a game to them too.

How to Live In Perfect Harmony With Your Dog

Dog training is one of the most important things you can do for your pet. It will greatly improve the relationship between you and your dog.

Dog training will give you a means of communicating with your dog. The most obvious way it can help with communication is by teaching your dog to respond to commands. Next time you come across your dog ripping apart your favorite pair of slippers, you will be able to use simple oral commands to stop the destruction. Dog training will also improve communication by allowing your dog to find its place within your household social hierarchy. By teaching your dog to sit and give you its paw, you are telling the dog that you are in charge. When your dog obeys your command, it is recognizing your position.

Dog training can also protect your dog. A dog that has been properly trained won’t go chasing after a bouncing ball into traffic. A dog that has been properly trained won’t take a nip at other dogs or pedestrians when you are out for walks. A dog that has gone through dog training will be a confident dog. You will also be able to give it more freedom to do things like run off the leash when you know it will return on your command.

Finally, dog training can be a fun activity for you and your dog to do together, a time for you to focus all your attention on your dog. It need not be a chore, and it should never resemble an extended punishment.

The most important concept in dog training is the reward. Rewarding your dog with treats is the fastest and most pleasant way for your dog to learn new commands. While punishing your dog has its place in most dog training regimes, it should be used sparingly. If all your dog ever receives is punishments or reprimands, your dog will quickly learn to ignore or avoid you. This will make it extremely hard to properly train your dog.

Dog training should start as early as possible. While you may not see immediate benefits, and many doubt puppy can actually be trained, it will at the very least set the stage for successful dog training later in life. The methods you use to train your dog will seem familiar and a part of its daily routine. This is not to say that you can never teach an old dog new tricks. Just be prepared to put more effort into it than you would with a younger dog, and to always be patient.

While there are many resources available for you to train your dog on your own, the easiest way is to use a dog trainer. You should spend a lot of time picking a dog trainer, however, as bad training techniques could be very damaging to your dog.

Anyone can call himself or herself a dog trainer. It is therefore important to only use a dog trainer that has been glowingly recommended by someone with well-trained dogs, or by a reputable organization such as the ASPCA or other humane societies. And before spending any money, ensure that the dog trainer uses methods you are comfortable with. Visit the facility and see a dog training session in action. If you see any signs of cruelty or hostility by the instructor towards the dogs, find someone else.

Stephen Dolan
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-live-in-perfect-harmony-with-your-dog-87634.html

Puppy House Training? Technique (couple ?: one word answers).?

First: I’m a city guy. I know nothing about pets. I need to thank some people for giving me absolutely Top Shelf Advice. It’s deeply appreciated: They appear in no particular order.
* wishauwee
* OhlDoDol
* Oregano1
* Socion
* Sue
Question:
1. Dog will be 6-8 inches tall. Some mentioned a "bell" to go out. What kind of bell? Can’t they or won’t they bark? Is the ell loud? (hopefully)
2. He sleeps through the night now. Do I need to wake him?
3. Age 14 weeks. We take him out every hour and 1/2. How long at each time increment (1 week…2 weeks?)
4. What’s the next time increment.
Surprise breakthrough. Wife has cats (where I’m from we used to eat those things….would break her heart if I took it up now). The pet store guy said give him some cat food as a treat….but keep him away from eating the cats portion. We followed the latter but not the former. My wife made up a little bag and gave it to him as a treat (4-5 little kibbles). He’s become a peeing and pooping machine. Good Gravy! He likes those things.
Anyway…answer when you can…and thanks to all of you for your kind advice. It’s really helping.

I know you preferred one word answers, but I am not sure it is that easy (sorry)…

1. I have heard of the bell technique, and thought about doing it because my pup wasn’t barking. I thought it was strange. We just had to pay attention, if Murphey wasn’t in sight he was at the door waiting quietly. Than all of a sudden (we are talking last month) he started to bark! He is 10 months now. I would say only use the bell if you really need to. Being in the city I would guess that your living quarters are not huge, so maybe wait it out live we did. Just pay attention to your pup, remember that while he is so young it is your fault if he messes in the house, he doesn’t know better right now.
2. If he is sleeping through the night don’t wake him, you want his bladder to get stronger.
3-4. It is good that you take him out so frequently! We were not able to do that because we both work days. I would say that eventually it will just become a natural thing, you will be able to tell when he needs to go. Sniffing on the ground and circling are the #1 warnings of "must go outside now!" You will know when he needs to go.

Just remember that every time he goes #1 or #2 outside to have a party! Loads of praise, and always a treat! Before you know it he will be asking to go outside, he wants that love and attention.

Good Luck!

Help with puppy training?

My puppy is right at two years old. She’s gotten to the point where she knows right from wrong, but she doesn’t obey much. Any suggestions what I can do from keeping her in my yard without making my parents get a fence? And how can I keep her off of the furniture? Any training techniques at all would be much appreciated! (So far the only thing she’s mastered is potty training).
In case it helps, she’s part Pomeranian and part Lab. (Yea I know…strange combination. I wouldn’t believe it either if I hadn’t seen the dog myself.)

Get an electric fence! it is invisible and your dog only has to wear a collar. when she walks out of the yard, it will shock her a tiny bit but enough so she will back away and stay in your yard. To keep her off the furniture, yell at her in a firm voice so she knows it is bad to do. here is a website to help you with training techniques:

http://www.loveyourdog.com/tricks.html
http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/

Does anyone have a great technique for paper training a puppy?

When we have to go to work we leave him in a very secure place, on linoleum and paper n the floor. I know that people have done this successfully and so any ideas would be appreciated.

I have owned 3 Min Pins and had no difficulty training them. My first was Cricket. I brought Cricket during a snow storm (Feb) when she was 2 months old. Because of her size and the deep snow, I decided to litter box train her (Instead of going out to buy a litter box, I used the plastic lid from a big rectangular storage tube lined with newspaper). She spent most of her time between the kitchen and the den because the floors were easier to wipe up. I blocked off the livingroom because it was carpeted.

I knew I would train her to go outside once the weather warmed up, so I placed her litter box near the back door in the kitchen. I monitored her and could usually estimate when she would need to relieve herself. So around that time, I would keep her within closer proximity to her litter box. As soon as I saw her squat, I would put her in the litter box to finish up her business. There would always be a few drops on the floor on the way to the box, but that was better than a puddle. Within a couple of weeks, she would go to the box on her own (as long as she could see it). Just remember to keep the box lined with clean paper otherwise the dog won’t want to get in the box, and will find a cleaner place to do their business.

Here is the funny part: I would often bring Cricket next door to my parents house for visits. My dad always left the daily newspaper on the floor next to his recliner. Cricket saw the paper one day and assumed it was there for her use. Needless to say, dad would move his paper whenever Cricket visited.

As soon as the weather warmed up, each time I saw Cricket get in the litter box, I would immediately pick her up and carry her outside. I did this for a few days or so, and eventually removed the box all together. Once I moved the box, she would automatically go toward the same spot near the door. She usually stuck by my side, so if I noticed her heading toward the kitchen I would follow and scoop her up once she reached the door.

Within a week or so she was doing her business outside on a regular basis. Whenever I took her out, I would continually say "go pee" and would praise her when she finally did it. As she got older, she learned to pee on command.

After she started doing her business outside, I began teaching her to speak (bark). Once she learned to bark on command, I would tell her to speak each time she needed to go outside. This was handy because no matter where I was in the house, she would let me know when she wanted to go out. If I didnt respond to her immediately, she would actually walk around the house to find me and look at me and bark.

Cricket had an awesome personality, and I taught her many verbal and non-verbal (hand) commands.

I believe if you ask any Min Pin owner, they will tell you they are an extremely intelligent and loyal breed.

Training my Min Pins was no different than training my poodles or my German Sheppard. You just need to be consistent and… patience is always a virtue.

I believe my baby was completely housebroken by the time she was 5-6 months old. I was a stay at home mom, so she never had to be crated. And at night, she slept on my bed.

Remember, if you or someone you know does not want to deal with the antics or housebreaking of a puppy, you might want to consider adopting an older dog from one of the many rescue leagues. There are many leagues that specialize in the ‘Pure breed’ dog of your choice. Also, you can choose the sex and approximate age of your new family member. If you don’t want to deal with the housebreaking, you can choose a ‘young adult’. These are wonderful organizations that strive to give dogs a second chance at a wonderful life. Also, that cute puppy you buy for $1000 from a pet store will be all grown up in a few months. You can save a few hundred just by adopting, and all these dogs are up-to-date on their shots. SPREAD THE WORD!

www.minpinrescue.org/dogs1.html
www.yorkshireterrierrescue.net
www.petfinder.org

Good luck friend,

Pomeranian Puppy Training Tips!?

I have a 9 wk old Pomeranian puppy and Im coming to find out she can be quite stuborn :p. I would really love some tips on Leash and House training her (and other helpfull tips ). Im taking her outside to do her business but shes been going potty in her crate during the night (and waking me up early in the morning crying). She also has been tuggin on her leash. Its been 5 yrs since ive had a puppy so im little rusty on some training techniques. thanks!

Congratulations on the puppy, she sounds adorable.

Leash training is simple enough, and she’s young enough to learn quickly. When she pulls, you stop until she turns to you. Give her a treat and move on. Every time she pulls, you stop. She’ll eventually learn not to pull and you can move on to teaching her "Heel."

potty training: Simple Tips

Puppy can hold potty in for as many hours as she is months. IE four months, four hours. You may have to get up a few times a night to let her out, and may have to go to bed later and get up earlier.

Crate should be big enough to sit, stand, turn around, lay down. Any bigger and they go on one side, sleep on the other.

Feed amount noted on bag, broken into three feedings a day at the same time each day. This regulates the bowels.

Pick up food by six and water by seven.

Puppy needs to go out: First thing in the morning, after eating/drinking, after play, and right before bed.

If you notice sniffing, circling, pawing, etc then rush them out.

Take to the same spot each time. Don’t play or let her become distracted. Straight out, potty, straight in.

Treat every time they potty outside. Clap and distract if they go in the house and rush her out.

If you want them to learn to go to the door, take them out the same door each time. When you notice them moving towards the door then take them out. They learn quickly that going to the door means they go outside.

These tips seemed to help our pup. Now she only has accidents when we don’t pay attention to her. Have you thought about obedience class when she’s a bit older? The trainers help with everything and it’s a good way for her to socialize!

^_^

can someone tell me some good techniques to train my new labrador puppy?

anything would be helpful – teaching her to sit, stop chewing on anything and everything she wants to, toilet training tips etc.
I forgot to add my puppy is 8 weeks old, if that helps. Thanks for your answers.
Its more how to tell her that she’s been bad and how to stop her from chewing on shoes and furniture. I think I’ll manage to teach her things like how to sit ok.

My sister has a 5 month old lab and it still chews things but much less.

Replace the shoes with toys it is allowed to chew each time, distract the puppy from the furniture and make sure it has plenty of things to chew.. a kong filled with peanut butter is a favourite or a dental chew toy.
Always have a bag of small treats to hand, cut up ham and cheese in small quantites they love and reward good behaviour with a treat