Dog Behavior Training Tips

Dog behavior training tips and free dog training lessons.

Dog Training

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Dog Behavior Training - Dog Chewing Problems

Today's Dog Behavior Training Tip ...
How to Stop Dog Chewing Problems

Puppies naturally chew, and they tend to explore their world using their mouths and teeth. While chewing may be normal, however, it is not acceptable, and it is important to nip any chewing problems in the bud to prevent the chewing puppy from growing into a chewing dog.

Providing a variety of chew toys is important when teaching a puppy what is appropriate to chew and what is not. Providing a variety of attractive chew toys is a good way to keep your puppy entertained and to keep his teeth and gums exercised. Scented or flavored toys are great choices for most puppies.

Your puppy should be encouraged to play with these chosen toys, and your puppy should be effusively praised every time he or she plays with or chews these toys.

Another great dog behavior training technique to stop dog chewing problems is to encourage your puppy to get a toy every time he or she greets you. So, every time your puppy greets you or a member of your family, teach him to get one of his toys.

In proper dog behavior training it is also important to exercise good housekeeping techniques when training a puppy not to chew on inappropriate items. Keeping the area to which your puppy has access free and clean is important. Keeping items out of reach of your puppy will go a long way toward discouraging inappropriate chewing.

Try to keep your puppy's area free of shoes, trash, and other items, and always make sure that the area has been properly puppy proofed. If your puppy does pick up an inappropriate item like a shoe, distract your puppy and quickly replace the item with one of its toys. After your puppy has taken the toy, praise your dog for playing with and chewing that toy.

Here's another dog behavior training tip that works very well...

Try booby trapping items your dog should avoid by spraying them with bitter apple, Tabasco sauce or other nasty - but non-toxic items. I hope you found these dog behavior training tips on how to stop a dog from chewing helpful. Go here for more solutions -> dog house training

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Dog Behavior Training

Dog Behavior Training ...
How to Stop Dog Barking Problems

Today you'll learn dog behavior training tips on how to deal with excessive dog barking, whining and howling. The truth is that dog whining, barking and howling problems are the most frequently encountered problem behaviors in both dogs and puppies. While some barking and other vocalizing is perfectly normal, in many cases barking, howling and whining can become a problem for dog owners. This is particularly important for those living in apartment buildings, or in closely spaced homes. Fielding dog barking complaints is not the best way for you and your dog to meet the neighbors.

Dog Behavior Training Tip - How to Deal With Dog Barking, Whining and Howling Problems:

1) If your puppy or dog is howling or whining while confined to it's crate, immediately take it to its toilet area. Most puppies and dogs will whine when they need to do their business.

2) It is important to teach a dog or a puppy to accept being alone. Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety, and these stressed dogs can exhibit all sorts of destructive and annoying dog behaviors. It is important to accustom your puppy to being left on its own, even when the owner is at home.

3) Always strive to make your dog as comfortable as possible - and always attend to the physical and psychological needs of your dog by providing food, water and toys.

4) If your dog is whining, check for obvious reasons first. Is the water dish empty? Is your dog showing signs of illness? Has his or her favorite toy rolled under the furniture? Is the temperature of the room too hot or too cold?

5) Do not reward the puppy or dog for whining. If your dog whines when left alone, for instance, it would be a mistake to go to your dog every time it whines.

6) After ensuring that your dog's physical needs are being met, and that discomfort is not responsible for the whining, do not hesitate to reprimand your dog for inappropriate dog behavior

For proper dog behavior training, every type of dog behavior problems requires its own specific cures. In most cases, stopping problems means each dog behavior problem will need to be tailored to fit the specific personality of your dog. Every breed of dog has its own unique personality characteristics, and every individual within that breed has his or her own unique personality.
Dog behavior training

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Dog Behavior Training

Dog behavior training

Unfortunately, stopping problem dog behaviors is one thing that most dog owners eventually face. This article will focus on a few of the most commonly encountered behavior problems and will provide dog behavior training techniques designed to eliminate problem behaviors when training your puppy.

Dog Behavior Training - Dog Jumping Problems

One of the most frequently cited problems with dogs is that of jumping up on people. Unfortunately, this is one of those behaviors that is often inadvertently encouraged by well meaning owners. After all, it is cute and adorable when that little 10 pound puppy jumps up on you, your family members and your friends. Many people reward this behavior on the part of a small puppy with kisses and treats.

However, in proper dog behavior training this is a huge mistake since that cute little puppy may soon become a full grown dog who could weigh well in excess of 100 pounds. Suddenly that cute jumping behavior is no longer quite so cute. In addition to being annoying, jumping up on people can be dangerous as well. A large, heavy dog, jumping enthusiastically, can easily knock over a child or an older or handicapped adult. In today’s litigious society, such an incident could easily make you, as the dog’s owner, the subject of an unwanted lawsuit.

The time to teach dog behavior training, and that that jumping up on people is unacceptable, is when a dog is still young and easy to handle. Retraining bad dog behavior, such as allowing a dog to jump up on people, can be difficult for the owner, and confusing for the dog.

When the puppy tries to jump on you or another member of your family, gently but firmly place the puppy’s feet back on the floor. After the puppy is standing firmly on the floor, be sure to reward and praise him. It is important for every member of the family, as well as frequently visiting friends, to understand this dog behavior training technique and follow it religiously.

If one member of the family reprimands the dog for jumping and another praises him, the dog will be understandably confused. As with other dog behavior training issues, consistency is the key to teaching the dog that jumping is always inappropriate. When praising and rewarding the dog for staying down, it is important for the trainer to get down on the dog’s level. Giving affection and praise at eye level with the puppy is a great way to reinforce the lesson.

Dog Behavior Training - Dog Leash Pulling and Tugging

Pulling on the leash is another problem behavior that many dogs and puppies pick up. Unfortunately, this behavior is also one that is sometimes encouraged by well meaning owners. Playing games like tug of war with the leash, or even with a rope (that can look like the leash to the dog) can unwittingly encourage a problem behavior.

The use of a quality body harness can be a big help when training a puppy not to pull, or retraining a dog that has picked up the habit of pulling on the leash. Try training the puppy to accept the body harness the same way it accepts the regular buckle collar.

When walking with your dog, try using a lure or toy to encourage the dog to remain at your side. A dog training collar, when properly used, can also be a good training tool for a problem dog. When using a training collar or choke chain, however, it is very important to fit it correctly, and to use a size that is neither too big nor too small for your dog.
When walking with your puppy, it is important to keep the leash loose at all times.

For proper dog behavior training while on a leash, if the puppy begins to pull ahead, the handler should quickly change directions so that the puppy fast finds itself falling behind. It is important to reverse directions before the puppy has reached the end of the leash. The leash should stay loose except for the split second it takes the handler to reverse direction. It is important to use a quick tug, followed by an immediate slackening of the leash.

With puppy behavior training it is important to never let the puppy pull you around. Training the puppy to walk properly while he or she is still small enough to handle is absolutely vital, especially when dealing with a large breed of dog. If your 150 pound Great Dane hasn't had proper dog behavior training and learned to walk properly while he or she is still a 20 pound puppy, chances are it never will.

It is important not to yank or pull on the puppy’s neck when correcting him. A gentle, steady pressure will work much better than a hard yank. The best dog behavior training strategy to stop leash pulling is to use the least amount of pressure possible to achieve the desired result.
Dog behavior training

Friday, March 17, 2006

Dog Behavior Training

Dog Behavior Training

As a dog owner, dog behavior training is one of those issues that you must come to terms with. In most cases dog behavior training is the first major milestone in your relationship between you and your dog. However, sometimes be difficult and confusing for you and your new puppy alike.

The best dog behavior training techniques are those that use your dogs's own instincts to your advantage. These strategies take into account your dog's reluctance to soil the spots where he eats and sleeps. This is the concept behind den training and crate training a dog. Dogs are very clean animals, and in nature they always avoid using their dens as toilet areas.

These kinds of natural dog behavior training methods generally work very well, for both puppies and older dogs.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Dog Behavior Training

Dog behavior training is vital to such life and death issues as preventing aggression, controlling dog on dog aggression problems and teaching dogs to interact properly with both their handlers and with other members of the family. This new dog behavior training blog will detail important dog training techniques and strategies.