Start out with dog training the right way

If you have never tried to train an animal, the idea may be rather intimidating. There is a lot of information out there and sorting through it all can seem difficult. These are just some tips to help you start out with dog training the right way.

Dogs need to play so always give your dog time to be a dog and to engage in normal canine behaviors. Feed your dog a balanced diet, give them space to run, and provide them with activities that will burn energy.



 When you can learn what will motivate your dog, you will have more success in your training. Spend some time to learn what all about your dog - what will work for him, what he likes, and which training techniques will be a waste of time. Offer your dog a lot of positive reinforcement and an array of training techniques. When the dog is happy, he will want to perform better.

 Consider using a clicker to help your dog learn great behavior. If you give your dog an award when you used the clicker, it will be easier to train. Making the sound and giving a treat is a good way to build this association. Eventually, your dog will learn that the noise means "good," and this will help shape their behavior by using this tool.

 Dont play tug of war with your puppy. These, along with chasing and wresting, can encourage them to bite your hands. You will want to put these games off until the dog is older and properly trained not to nip and bite.

 If your dog suddenly starts exhibiting behavioral problems, take him to a veterinarian in order to rule out any serious health conditions. Animals that are in pain or that have certain health conditions may lash out or behave inappropriately. This behavior is an indicator to humans that there is something wrong.

 If you are training more than one dog, remember that some breeds of dogs can be trained together, but some breeds cannot. If your dogs cannot focus during training, you may need to start with one-on-one before training them together.

 Get your dog used to the things they will encounter when going for a vet visit. Practice gently moving your hands all over your dogs body and reward him for staying calm. You also need to get him ready to have his paws held and looked at, as well as his teeth examined. Ask your friends to help out, as well.

 Use consistency with training by making sure all members use commands that are the same. For instance, if your dog gets on the sofa and he hears you saying "get off," but your husband says "down boy", it may confuse your dog. As long as you use consistency, then your dog has a great chance of learning all of the tricks and behaviors that you wish.

 When possible, puppy training is the most effective form of dog training. This is not a hard and fast rule, but young dogs do respond better to training. When you train your dog as a puppy, he will be a well-behaved dog throughout his life.

 You should use positive motivation when you are training your dog. Rewarding your dog with praise is an important part of reinforcing desired behaviors. Using punishment and negative training techniques will only make the dog afraid of you and less likely to want to please its master.

 Always give your dog the tools for success. If you are training it to stop chewing things it shouldnt be chewing on, give it things that it can chew on. In addition, keep the household objects that could be dangerous away from your pet. Items like hairbrushes can cause a dog to choke or could block their airway.

 It is important to use a wide spectrum of treats when training your dog. Dont use your dogs everyday treats for training. You want to place special emphasis on their improvement in training.

 Dogs have tunnel vision and will focus on one thing to the exclusion of all else. If you do it enough times, your dog will wait for your signals instead of focusing on other things.

 Challenge your dog frequently. Give him "quizzes" to make sure he still knows his stuff, even if you both know he does.

 If dogs have similar personalities, you may be able to train them simultaneously. If your dogs fight or goof off instead of paying attention, it may be wise to do a bit of one-on-one training before training them together.

 Dont let your dog take the lead in a training session, or in life. . Dont ever give your dog a command if you are unable to follow through with the enforcement of it.

 You do not want to use wee-wee pads when potty training your dog. The problem with the wee-wee pads is that they leak and leave enzymes from urine and feces behind. Potty pads can also mislead your dog into thinking that similarly shaped items throughout your home, like rugs, are appropriate places to go. Teaching your dog the appropriate place to go from the start is always the more practical idea.

 Do not tie a couple of dogs closely together. The dogs could get wrapped up and they may be injured. If one dog happens to be much larger than the other, the small dog could get tangled to the point that it could choke to death.

 You can prevent your dog from destroying your home by keeping it outdoors when you are away from the house. When this isnt possible, you want to provide things that both appeal to your dog and that are okay for the dog to chew on. Establishing acceptable chews toys is also about keeping those things you do not want your dog to chew up behind closed doors or well out out of reach.

 Dog training is mostly about being consistent with your pooch and setting the rules of your relationship. Once those are set, youll find you both enjoy your time together even more! Keep in mind that you must continually reinforce your dogs training lessons. Provide refresher courses when needed and continue to correct bad behavior. Once your dog gets the training basics under his collar, you will not be limited in what you can achieve together..

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Bull Mastiff Puppies For Sale Finding The Right Litter

Bull mastiffs make great pets for the right owner. Theyre wonderful guard dogs who are loyal and will love you with everything they have. This also means that they require a lot of attention, as well as regular exercise. Bull mastiffs can also need special veterinary care. In addition to finding the right bull mastiff puppies for sale, you should also make sure you know all about these great dogs before you start the adoption process. Bull mastiffs are among the best dogs you can have, but they can be a real problem for people who arent prepared.

Part one of finding bull mastiff puppies for sale is getting to know your mastiffs. Talk to owners of these dogs and meet a lot of them. Most people who love bull mastiffs are highly enthusiastic, and will want to tell you everything about them. This gives you a great chance to learn about the ups and downs of mastiffs as pets, before you get one of your own. Once you know that the dog you want is a bull mastiff, you can ask your friends about breeders.

Its important not to just go with any breeder that has bull mastiff puppies. Some of them are interested in money a lot more than they are the benefit of their dogs. That means that theyre sending puppies out into the world without socializing them correctly, and without breeding to minimize genetic flaws. Instead, look for a breeder who really cares about their dogs and has a long history of working with them. Theyre not hard to identify. Quality mastiff breeders are the ones who love their dogs and want you to know about them.

Of course, its a good idea to interview each bull mastiff breeder several times before you choose. You should find out a lot about the dogs, their genetic backgrounds, and the way the breeder feels about mastiffs. In turn, a good bull mastiff breeder will probably ask you some questions too. These might be about your intended environment, how youll care for your dog, and why you want a bull mastiff. Dont be insulted by this. The breeder just wants to know that his or her puppies will go to a good home.

After youve found a breeder you trust with bull mastiff puppies for sale, you can arrange to meet them. Be sure to play with the whole litter and get to know them all, but remember that some puppies may have been reserved for someone else. Dont set your heart on one until you know you can take it home. If possible, bring your family, too. That way, youll get a mastiff whos compatible with everyone.

Michael Burrows has been a caring and loving Mastiff Breed owner and trainer for 21 years for more information on Mastiff Puppies for Sale. please visit: http://www.mymastiffsecrets.com/finding-mastiff-puppies-for-sale.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Burows

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Crate Train Your Dog The Right Way!

By Andrew Strachan

Crate training can be considered to be one of the best (and quickest) ways to train your dog.

One of the most important and powerful tools when training your puppy or dog, is to reinforce good behavior with praise and reward. This inevitably means that you will have to be present when this good behavior takes place. It is vital that the puppy associates the action with the reward. This can be problematic when you have to be out of the house for several hours and your puppy is in the house. Any good behavior goes unnoticed and any bad behavior continues un-checked.

The usual training method is to restrict your puppy’s movements in the house. Ensure that your puppy has one room to itself. That way you can lay down paper or other absorbent material and if your puppy eliminates, it is in a restricted area. There is a big problem with this though. Your puppy is learning that it can eliminate INSIDE the house every time you go out. This is where crate training comes in.

What Is Crate Training?

Crate training takes advantage of one very useful instinctive behavior of your dog. Your puppy or dog WILL NOT eliminate in its own personal space if it can be avoided. This means that if you can temporarily restrict your dogs personal space, then it will hold on longer when it wants to eliminate. This is the point at which you take your dog outside on a leash and allow it to eliminate outside in your presence. Giving you the chance to heap a lot of praise on your puppy and reward his good behavior. This positive reinforcement teaches your puppy bladder and bowel control as well as setting out an acceptable area that your dog can eliminate.

There is a BIG difference between crate training and just using a crate to restrict your dog while you are not home.

You should only ever use a crate when you can be sure that you are going to be home for the duration of the confinement. You should never leave your puppy in the crate for more than two hours at a time. After this time, you should take your puppy outside and check whether it wants to eliminate. NEVER put your puppy in its crate and then leave the house.

If you abuse the use of the crate, your puppy will eventually eliminate in its own crate, This will not only undo all the hard work that you have put into training your puppy, but it will be unhygienic and distressing for your puppy.

Every time you take your puppy out to eliminate, if she does so, it is time for lots of praise and a treat. You can also give her the run of the house until her bladder and bowels fill up again. This is approximately every 45 minutes to an hour in a young puppy. If she fails to eliminate, put her back into the crate but check every hour whether she wants to go again.

You will soon learn the habits of your puppy and will be able to put her in her crate for the correct duration. If you do ever find that your puppy has eliminated inside your house, do not punish her. This is YOUR mistake for not correctly judging when she is next ready to go. Just make a note of the time and adjust as necessary.

Article by Andrew Strachan. Find out more about dog behavior training and types of dogs at http://www.types-of-dogs.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Strachan

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Important To Have The Right Food For Your Dog

By Dechen KsLau

We love our dogs and we want the best for them. We buy them expensive beds, toys, clothes(!?), and other accessories. It seems that there is no end to the lengths we will go to make our little friends lives better. But how do we decide which food to feed him?

To begin, there is not a single dog food that is right for every dog. Many dog foods are well-formulated and will be great for most dogs. However, those same foods may not be so good for some dogs - they may even cause gastrointestinal upset in some.

A good starting point in determining the appropriate food is your dogs stage of life. Puppies need higher amounts of calories, protein, vitamins and minerals for proper growth. If an adult dog eats a food formulated for puppies he is likely to become overweight. Senior dog foods are formulated in a way that makes it more easily digested.

Dry dog food is usually recommended more often but some dogs prefer semi-moist or canned. Moist dog food is often recommended for dogs with missing teeth or other dental problems.

Good nutrition is essential to good health. When making decisions related to the food your dog eats consider comparing nutritional labels. Some cheaper or economy brands of dog food use inexpensive ingredients, many of which are not easily digested, which of course means they do not provide the best nutrition for your dog. These foods may meet the legal specifications but many have lower-grade proteins and lower energy values.

In many cases the healthy nutrients may pass through the dogs digestive system without being absorbed. This leads to another disadvantage of feeding your dog such lower quality food - your dog will need to eat more in order to get the same amount of nutrition that he could get in a smaller amount of premium dog food. In the end you may find the economy brands cost more because you go through the bags more quickly.

Always compare the ingredients between the various brands before making a choice. The ingredients are listed by weight. The first or second ingredient listed in a quality food should be meat, fish, egg, or some type of meat meal or fish meal. These ingredients all have a high biological value. That means they have a high percentage of protein.

The "Guaranteed Analysis" is a chart that lists the percentages of various ingredients contained in that particular dog food. But keep in mind that the analysis does not take into account the amount of moisture in that food. Even dry dog foods have some moisture content.

After careful consideration make a selection. If you decide to switch from one dog food to another you will need to allow time for the transition. A gradual change will assist your dog with the adjustment to the new food choice. Plan the transition over a course of about a week or a little longer depending on your dogs acceptance of the new food.

Start by mixing three parts of the current or old dog food brand to one part of the new. Feed that mixture for 2 - 3 days. If your dog does well with that you can then mix the foods half and half. Feed the 50/50 mixture for two or three days, again depending on your dogs adjustment. You can then switch to the three parts new - one part old mixture and then make the complete switch.

By carefully selecting a quality food for your dog you will enrich and lengthen his life. That means he will be there to be your friend and companion longer - and that makes all of us happier!

Dechen KsLau is an Author, Speaker, and Consultant specializing in Internet Marketing and Puppy Lover

http://www.puppylover.us

http://www.squidoo.com/lucky-dog

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dechen_KsLau

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Steps to Finding the Right Dog Trainer For You and Your Dog

You just got a new puppy and now comes the fun part - the training. Dont get nervous. It isnt all that bad. As a matter of fact training your new puppy can be quite fun. You can either do it yourself or find a professional dog trainer to help you with the process. Just be sure they use humane training methods that are not harmful to the dog. With so many people claiming to be experts in the field of professional dog training, however, trying to find one whos qualified can be a tricky task.

Dog training class is supposed to be fun. Think of it as a social activity helping to shape your dog into a well-behaved, safe, and valued member of the family. Its also another reasons why it is so important to find a dog trainer and training class environment which fits your budget and needs. For more information on choosing this subject, follow some of these steps to finding a one that works for you as well as your dog:

* Look online for training methods and trainers and familiarize yourself with all the different kinds. What types of training are there and what will work best for you and your dog? Be sure you are comfortable with the methods you plan on going with. Outside of class, youll be required to practice the training methods with your dog and if youre not comfortable with them, you wont do it. So needless to say, research is important.

* Its ok to ask your dog trainer where they learned how to train dogs and how long. Did they go to school for it or is it something they learned on their own? There is nothing wrong with hiring trainer new to the field provided they have the right certification for it. Sometimes hiring an experienced trainer isnt an automatic good decision. Most of these dog trainers have never updated their training methods and these poor techniques become ingrained as they are repeated over many years.

* The trainer you decide to work with should have one or more certifications or at least a few different professional affiliations. It doesnt mean that you cant hire someone if they dont but it is recommended as a sign of their professionalism. You want a trainer that has spent the time and put forth the hard work to thought enough of his reputation to get their credentials. It shows that they have a set of standards they live by. Some of the more common affiliations you should keep an eye out for are a membership in the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Certified Pet Dog Trainer from CCPDT, National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors, or International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

* If you know anyone who uses a one now, ask them who they would recommend or see if their trainer could. There is nothing that says trust more than an endorsement from clients or others in the same field. It shows that someone is established, and is a known quantity in his profession.

* If you know of a trainer who teaches group classes, see about stopping by without your dog to observe a class or two. You may get a good feel for how that trainer uses their methods.

For further stories like this be sure to check the countless cheap magazines available for purchase at Magsforless at www.magsforless.com. They sell over 75 different magazine subscriptions with hundreds of other subjects to choose from.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tl_Kleban

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Choosing the Right Dog for You

Hi its fuzzy! Today I am going to give you a some quick tips on finding a perfect dog companion. Unlike most cats I get along well with dogs. This is because I grew up with a dog, Chewie. Since we tend to have a lot of time on our hands the topic has come up.
What kind of human are you?

Are you active? Do you want a jogging partner?

Active Dogs:
Irish Wolfhound, Beagle, Bloodhound, Dachshund, Barsoi, Basenji, Jack Russell Terrier, Whippet, Australian Shepherd, Dalmatian, Siberian Husky, Bearded Collie, Border Collie, Dalmatian, Siberian Husky, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Setters, Samoyed, Weimaraner, Greyhound, Saluki

Are you a first-time dog owner:

Beginner Dogs:
Pekingese, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Silky Terrier, Australian Terrier, Tibet Spaniel, Norfolk Terrier, Westie, Pug, ShiTzu, Basset, Dachshund, Scottish Terrier, Papillon, Whippet, Sheltie, Mini Pinscher, Border Terrier, Toy Poodle, Tibet Terrier, Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Cocker Spaniel, Bedlington Terrier, Mini Schnauzer, Collie, Bearded Collie, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Flat Coated Retriever

Do you want to spend time making your dog pretty?

Grooming Dogs:
Pekingese, Pomeranian, Bichon Frisé, American Cocker Spaniel,Poodle, Afghan, Collie, ShihTzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Old English Sheepdog, Shetland Sheepdog, Bearded Collie, Chow Chow, Sheltie, Tibetan Terrier

Got Kids?

Family Dogs:
Basset, Beagle, Bearded Collie, Belgian Sheepdog, Boxer, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, Old English Sheepdog, Irish Wolfhound, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Pug, Saint Bernard, Poodle, Dachshund

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