Training Your Dog - Working With Your Dog's Pack Instincts

By Craig Mannington

Dog training is a great way to get to know your dog better and spend quality time with him or her. There are many methods of training your dog, but the best methods include the owner's involvement. Taking your dog to a trainer is a great option for puppies and first time pet owners. However, there is a significant amount of dog training information and equipment including dog training collars, videos, books and internet material which allow any dog owner to do the training themselves in the comfort in their own home.

Before you enroll in training or begin training on your own you should be aware of what influences your dog's behavior. Before the domestication of the dog they were a pack animal, similar to the wolves of the wild today. To be a part of a pack is something that comes naturally to your dog, including their puppyhood days fighting with their siblings for a position to suckle and maintaining their rank in the puppy pecking order. But in your home he has been removed from his birth pack.

Your dog views both you and himself as members of the same pack. In a pack, there will be a leader or "alpha". In the wild, packs have alpha dogs - both male and female. In the wild, the alpha controls the behavior of subordinate pack members. If you have more than one dog, you need to know about alpha behavior, as the alpha dog has the most freedom in the pack. The alpha dog will eat first, sleep where he wants and take what he thinks is his.

A crucial part of training your dog is establishing who is the alpha: you or your dog. Since your dog sees you as just a member of his pack, you have to become the alpha. With a young puppy this process is considerably easier, but might be slightly more difficult with your full-grown canine. Usually people have no problem with doing this themselves, but those with particularly aggressive dogs can and should enlist the help of a professional trainer.

Several simple methods can be utilized to establish this position rather quickly with a puppy. There are two easy techniques to use when establishing yourself as alpha. One technique includes first making eye contact by briefly staring at your dog, and secondly using the command to "sit" in a firm tone of voice. Only the alpha will engage in staring behavior, and the subordinate animal will soon look away submissively. The second technique is to have your dog sit on command before being fed, petted or before play. This establishes quickly that you are in control.

Since you are seen as part of the pack, unless you want your dog controlling you, establishing who is going to be alpha must be done as early in the relationship as possible. Consider that there is only one leader, and that position will belong to either you or your canine. If you are not in the alpha position, you will be following the will of your pet. If that happens, is your animal ordering you around, or are you the one training your dog?

Need more tips on training your dog? Ensure that he or she knows that you are the leader of the pack. Visit Craig Mannington's TrainYourDogGuide.com for more tips on how you can train your dog at home.
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Dog Obedience Hand Signals - The Next Step in Dog Training

By Xavier Gallery

Ever wonder how show dogs perform such great trick without as much as a whisper from their trainer? The secret s dog obedience hand signals, and there are many reasons why you should incorporate them into your training strategy.

Attention TrainingAs you begin to integrate hand signals into your training plan your dog will become more reliant on watching your moves. He will focus on your gestures and give you his complete attention. This attentiveness builds a stronger authority level for you, which ultimately develops a more obedient dog. It also increases your dog’s level of focus and enhances his learning capacity.

Distraction Control

Even the most obedient dog can be distracted by his surroundings. Loud noises, large crowds, and other dogs can interfere with your dog’s cognitive abilities. The use of hand signals can still be effective in these situations because they only require visual recognition. You will have an effective means of communicating with your pet, even when the surroundings are less than ideal.

Fun for Both Sides

Dog obedience hand signals also serve as fun way to interact with your pet. Dogs, by nature, crave the attention of their owners. Once they have mastered the basics of obedience training they will literally live for your attention and praise. Teaching hand signals to your dog adds to the enjoyment of pet ownership. Your dog will work hard to learn the new commands, and you will have some impressive tricks to show off to your friends.

By teaching your dog to recognize hand signals, you will add a new element to your relationship. You will develop a new form of communication with your pet, and your dog will be become more attentive and focused. Best of all, you will strength the bond with dog while creating some new opportunities to spend time together.

Learn how to teach your dog hand signals. Visit DogBookReview.com to read comprehensive dog training book reviews that will help you find the most effective training guides.
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Dog Grooming And Dog Training Made Simple

By Wade Robins

We may have made our pets dependent of a comfortable life, in which the master takes them out for casual walks and feeds them on command, after having cuddled them behind their giddy ears, but a natural instinct for self-grooming will never be gone, and the proud owner should sustain this instinct. This process is a daily and a weekly one, so dog grooming training is necessary in order to make it easier for the pet and for you too. As funny as a bubble bath may seem to our kids, your furry friend may find it strangely irritating, unless you follow some simple training guidelines to make him go through the ordeal of grooming: from clipping his toenails, brushing his fangs, to smoothing that cute rich fur of his, or sleek glossy hide with a welcomed bath. That is the reason why dog grooming training sessions are required, and the good news is you don’t have to have a PhD or a BD for this; you do need some special tools, rewards to motivate the pet and the persistence of your school teacher when telling you about logarithms. The result will be a satisfying one, though, and your dog will be fit to walk on a cat walk!

A Dawdling Process
There are these few main activities that are compulsory when speaking of a dog grooming training session: the brushing of his teeth, the clipping of his nails so as not to scratch that beautiful leather arm chair you just bought or to gather germs that make him prone to diseases and taking care in every possible way of his fur, less or more existent, depending on the breed: the coat of a groomed dog must be glossy, healthy and resistant. In order to do this, you will imminently annoy the dog by touching him in forbidden places: his aggressiveness might be aroused and he may act strangely every time the process recurs. The most important thing is not to hurry up, dawdle here and there, with smooth caresses and sprinkle the dog grooming sessions with several rewards, so that he develop a conditional instinct of pleasure specifically in these times. The first activity is the brushing of his mean “fangs”, to maintain their health and that of the gums too. The muzzle of the dog is another sensitive area so pat him gently and caress the nose and when he pulls up his lip, you will be able to position the toothbrush. Make him feel good during this by enhancing his self-esteem, speaking to him slowly and soothingly and offering him a reward: you shouldn’t be surprised if this training hint will enable you to brush his teeth often and even turn it into a spa for your pet, an enjoyable one.

If you desire to clip the nails, the identical gentle behavior and treats are required, except that you have to touch his paws and to press them to see clearly the nails: it is not a particular pleasant thing for your furry friend so be patient and persistent: the time you are investing in the dog grooming training will be recovered soon, when he will sit calmly every time you want to perform the task a bit faster. The brushing of the pet’s coat of fur is definitely not that difficult or disagreeable, like brushing his teeth or clipping his toenails, to some extent. However, when delicate areas such as his back end or tail are involved, things have to be taken slow: make him comfortable first, when touching these parts of his body, give him rewards, speak soothingly to him, pat him carefully and in the end he will lighten up and allow you to act there as well: operate with slow strokes of the brush in the back side and at the tail to obtain an ideal grooming where it is genuinely needed.

As it has been said, rewards and persistence are the main ingredients to performing a proper dog grooming training, achieving both a better relationship between you and the dog, and make it a more enjoyable task with the permission of your pet.

You can also find more info on Dog Training Equipment and Dog Training School. Startdogtraining.com is a comprehensive resource to know how to train your Dog.
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About Labrador Retrievers - Top Dog Breed

By Scott Tibbs

The more you learn about Labrador Retrievers the easier it is to see why they are why they are one of the most popular breed of dog in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Labradors, often called Labs, are very friendly, good natured and intelligent dogs. They eagerly respond to praise and positive attention, which is partly why they are considered one of the fastest learning breeds of dogs: making training a very rewarding experience. Due to its keen sense of smell, it is frequently used for drug detection by Law Enforcement. This working dog is also used for rescue operations, and is a worldwide choice for Guide Dog Programs.

The first thing most people notice about Labrador Retrievers is that they truly are great looking dogs with a sturdy and athletic build. Labs come in three colors; Black (a solid black color), Golden (from a white, to yellow, to a fox red), and Chocolate (medium dark brown). Golden Labs have black or pink noses, while Chocolate and Black Labs have noses that match the color of their coat.

Labs are fairly large: the height and weight of an adult differs from males weighing from 60 to 80 pounds, and the smaller females weighing between 45 to 70 pounds. Males are usually 22-24 inches tall while the females are 21 to 23 inches tall. Eye color ranges from dark to mid brown, depending on the color of their coat. Labradors tend to shed hair throughout the year, and their short, thick, interwoven coats are fairly waterproof providing them with protection from water and weather. This combined with webbed feet and an otter-like tail help to make them natural swimmers, and most Labs love to swim and play in the water.

What I like most about Labrador Retrievers is their wonderful temperament. Because they are exceptionally friendly and well balanced; they make great family dogs. They are good with children and other pets, and are very obedient. They are not usually aggressive but they are very protective of their family, and will growl at strangers or anyone they think is a threat. These dependable companions are intelligent and very easy to train. Training this breed should be started early on, and proper dog care requires plenty of exercise. As the name suggests they are excellent retrievers. They will tirelessly chase a ball or a stick and they are champion Frisbee players as well as top retrievers for duck hunters.

When it comes to health issues, there is good and bad. Unlike other dog breeds, Labrador Retrievers are not prone to: aggression, territorialism, insecurity, nervousness, destructiveness, or hypersensitivity. However, like other large dogs, Labs are subject to developing elbow or hip dysplasia which can lead to arthritis, mobility problems, discomfort and swelling.

Ear infections are another common problem you’ll find among Labrador Retrievers, because their floppy ears tend to trap warm moist air. Checking the ears regularly will help to avoid problems. A healthy Labs ears should look clean and light pink inside. Darker pink, red or brownish deposits are a symptom of ear infection. Usual treatment is cleaning the ear once or twice a day and sometimes even medicated ear drops for severe cases.

A key point to always remember about Labrador Retrievers; they love to eat. They are very persuasive and persistent when they want food. Owners must be careful not to let them overeat to avoid obesity and other health problems which can lead to the development of arthritis, hip dysplasia and diabetes, and overall reduced health in latter years of life. The average life span of a Labrador is somewhere between 10 to 13 years.

What professional dog trainers love about this animal is just how well they respond to dog training. Due to their extreme intelligence, they will vigorously learn, and love to work for their owners. The real challenge when training Labrador Retrievers, is that they don't mature for a very long time, so for this dog to obey you completely can take a while. Labradors are sensitive to the tone of your voice so if you remain firm and fair, you will do well. Due to their size and weight when they are full grown; you would do well to discourage them from pulling on the leash from early on. A trained dog is a truly a happy dog, so if you are not a professional trainer, do yourself a favor and buy a book about dog training. There are many books available, and in today’s world information is easily available on the internet: you can find the best at my website for training Labrador Retrievers or any other dog.

One last comment about Labrador Retrievers: this high energy breed needs regular exercise to keep them healthy and happy, and daily exercise will help them to control their weight. They have a natural desire for play and love to retrieve balls or sticks, and this type of play provides mental stimulation as well as needed exercise.

Did you find the information about Labrador Retrievers helpful? I have owned and trained dogs all my life and have read countless books as well as purchased several online training courses. I have sorted through and found the top courses available and I would like to share them with you. So, go ahead; take a free look. You can also find lots of other free information about dogs: And I'll even let you in on other secrets, like... http://Dog-Masters.com/
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3 Most Common Mistakes Made When Training Your Dog

By Pearl White

1. Saying “HEEL” and snapping the leash to jerk your dog’s collar AT THE SAME TIME! This does not teach your dog to heel. It teaches your dog that the word “heel” means they are going to have their collar jerked. This confuses them because they do not know what they have done to deserve having their collar jerked.

2. Not differentiating between “Off” and “Down.” “Off” means get Off something. “Down” means lie down. So next time you tell your dog “down” to get them off the couch and they lie down and look at you, its because they were told to lie down there! They are confused, not misbehaving.
3. Bending over your dog’s head or getting in his face when giving a command. This intimidates the dog and the dog may shy away or even react aggressively. Either way, you don’t have a happy dog that wants to work for you.

If you want to train your dog there are three basic weapons that your training arsenal should be equipped with the first is praise, the second is discipline and the final is bribery. Dog training is a combination of all three and a dog cannot be trained by employing just one of the above mentioned. All in all dog training is not rocket science all it takes is a little bit of research and patience, patience, patience.

Positive training techniques involve using only praise and positive reinforcement. Reprimanding is a type of dog training that should not be done unless necessary.
One of the most effective methods is rewarding your pet after he/she has obeyed your command. As with any form of training, you want the sessions to be fun and motivational for your dog.

Regular training sessions are another one of the key dog training tips that will insure your success as they will have more of an impact than sporadic ones. The training needs to be fun , do it properly and you will learn how to stop bad habits from forming, or how to eradicate unwanted behaviors that already exist.

So when searching for tips or lessons on training your dog, search for training guides that offer video instruction online.

Training your dog or puppy should not be difficult. It should be a pleasant learning experience for both you and your pet. Please visit us and watch a free online video. To Learn more, please visit our blog:
http://dog-training-videos.blogspot.com
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