Dogs Ultimate Training Tool
Special dogs and puppies info nuggets guaranteed to make every owner's life easier
The incontestably potent stimulus of food has
timelessly been one of the basic underpinnings of successful dog and animal
training. Employed in generating a trainer's desired
responses from every imaginable variety of creature, the food incentive consistently
hastens results. Chow time for your dog or puppy offers tons of opportunity to
teach and/or refine essential lessons. For instance, hunger's powerful drive has
often lent a supportive hand in helping to cure field dogs of gun-shyness, as
well as providing increased control over particularly headstrong canines. All
dog owners can successfully use feeding time to teach and reinforce hand, voice
and whistle signals right at the food bowl. Most dogs so trained will readily
sit on command if dinner--the ultimate reward--is on the line for prompt
obedience.
Essentials You'll Need for Your New Puppy Dog
As the prospective owner of a brand new puppy dog, there are some essentials you should have prior to his arrival in his new home:
Water and food bowls, properly sized for your new pup and replaced later with larger ones as he matures.
Leash, about six foot length is ideal for a pup's early training lessons Best bet is the lightest weight possible to quickly accustom him to leash control.
Adjustable collar that grows with your new puppy dog.
Proper food. The breeder should provide a small sample of what he's been feeding so you can continue with the same food until puppy is gradually changed over to whatever kind you may eventually want to use.
Veterinarian selected to examine your new puppy and check his overall health, including a check for worms, and any other problems that may show up.
A crate, chosen with an eye toward your puppy's size at maturity.
With all these basics taken care of in advance, like a good Boy (or Girl) Scout, you can rest assured of a proper start for your new pup as a responsible dog owner.
Teach Your Dog To Learn
A dog of normal intelligence, it's been reported, is eventually able to understand and build a functional vocabulary of about 165 words. So, the more words you teach your dog, the quicker he learns how to learn. It's been proven that puppies learn faster than older dogs, with their best learning curve at between eight and sixteen weeks of age. During that time span, he is best taught all the fundamentals of good behavior. Because he's most interested in learning, he'll soak up everything you teach him like a sponge.
But, your dog needn't be a puppy to learn what you want to teach him. A dog of any age, even a senior, that is physically able and mentally focused is capable of being taught a new training lesson. Just remember that, unlike a puppy, it will take him longer. Patience and consistency on you part will bring the proper results. A majority of dog breeds were created to perform some sort of task valuable to Man. Therefore, giving your dog various chores-fetching the newspaper, your slippers (one at a time, of course) or his leash when he wants to go out-keeps him mentally sharp and happy to prove his worth to his proud owner.
Helping your dog to learn how to learn will pay big dividends in the long run.
Modular Kennels Provide Outdoors Time For Puppy Pets>
Puppy pets can benefit greatly from some outdoors time each day. It offers them sights and sounds new to their young eyes and ears. Besides enjoying fresh air, puppy gains confidence at being separated from his family.
One of the best means of giving your new puppy dog quality time outdoors, especially, if you don't have a fenced-in yard, comes in the form of modular kennel fencing. Available in numerous styles and materials, these kennels can be set up in various configurations best suiting your situation. A practical alternative to enclosing your whole yard in expensive chain link fencing, most modulars come at affordable prices. No matter which kind you choose, be sure to add a top shade accesory for your puppy's well being and comfort.
Puppies Want Your Attention
Puppies, like children, crave attention, and to that end, they will go to great
lengths to get it. Nor do they don't mind doing no-no things, either, if those
trials bring the desired result: attention from their owner. So, even if you
reprimand your puppy for misbehavior, then ignore him when he's behaving nicely,
you're simply emphasizing improper behavior. Disregard the naughty things, or
end them quietly. Then, when your pup is playing with one of his
toys. Yes, you'll have to focus on remembering this aspect of praise for normal,
good behavior, but it will, in the long run, provide you with a happy puppy
that's keyed into what you want him to do.
Puppy Pedigree Puzzlement?
Unless you're a veteran dog breeder, deciphering your new puppy's pedigree can be a daunting exercise. And breeding terminology itself can be baffling. In its simplest form, a pedigree is, of course, only a family tree. Reading one meaningfully, however, does require some knowledge of the individual dogs in the lineage. But understanding breeding terminology is much simpler than unraveling a pedigree. Three of the most common dog-breeding terms include:
- INBREEDING: mating of dogs that are directly related (father to daughter, mother to son, brother to sister).
- LINE BREEDING: mating more distantly related dogs, such as grandfather and granddaughter, grandmother and grandson.
- OUTCROSSING: mating of two dogs that are completely unrelated or very distantly related.
Applying these definitions will help you to better comprehend just what breeding went into your puppy's pedigree.
Puppies Must Learn To Come When Called
Your puppy mostly ignores you when you call him to come. What to do? Primary rule: do not chase him. This only prompts your puppy to run further away. Rather, wait till he glances at you, then, call him by name and quickly turn and run away from him. It wont be long before he'll begin chasing you and will connect the command come (some folks prefer using Here) as you intend. The sooner you teach him this lesson, the better.
Puppies Weight Control Aids Good Health
Keeping your puppy's weight under control, through regular dogs exercise is one of the surest roads to good health. Proper exercise toughens your puppy's muscles and boosts his immune system, as well, Since it also relaxes and calms him, daily exercise precludes a lot of mischievous behavior.
While some puppies tend to be naturally active, others may normally prefer lazing around on a comfortable sofa or dog bed rather than joining you for a romp in the yard. If this latter is your puppy, it will be up to you to get him motivated. Routinely plan a certain amount of time for dogs exercise activity every day with your puppy to accustom him to that beneficial regimen of good weight conrol.
New Puppy Dog Really Blossoms With Proper Socializing
Among the foremost aspects of enhancing your puppy’s behavioral development into a well adjusted member not only of your family, but, also of the world at large, i.e. “Society,” is his socialization. Getting your new puppyy dog acquainted, as early as possible, with everything he lives with in your home is the natural starting point. He’ll have to get used to household sounds (vacuum cleaner, pots and pans, doorbell, radio, TV, telephone ringing, etc.) and learn not to fear or become unruly over them.
Once you’re sure he’s comfortable with all these sounds, sights and smells in his daily living, it will be time to broaden his horizons by taking him out in your neighborhood. Let him get to explore on your walks, seeing and being introduced to new people, other dogs and different sounds and scents. Then, as your puppy’s confidence grows, eventually take him to one of the smaller malls in your area. Let people wanting to say hello and pet him do so.
If you make sure your puppy’s socialization process proceeds at an unhurried pace, not pushing him too soon or too hard, you’ll see him blossom into the kind of self-confident, well rounded dog you’ll be proud to own.
Dog Barking Can Be Reduced
Dog barking , especially when it continues for long periods, represents a major annoyance not only to you the owner, but also to nearby neighbors. It can be infectious, too, when it incites other neighborhood dogs to merrily join in, creating an ear-splitting din of canine cacophony. Unabated, complaints to local police are sure to follow. Proving that your dog is the culprit instigator may be difficult, but why take the chance?
The most practical approach to the barking problem is one of early prevention, in other words, in a new puppy. Whenever the pup begins whining or emitting those “cute” little puppy yelps, simply clamp your hand around his muzzle and say “Quiet.” Praise and a treat once he remains quiet for a few seconds will, over time, instill the lesson and future good behavior.
With an older dog, a useful tool is a soda can (empty of soda, of course) with some small pebbles or a few pennies placed inside it and the opening closed with a piece of duct tape. Vigorously shake the can whenever the dog starts barking. Generally, this noise will startle him into momentary silence, at which point you can command him to be quiet, then reward him with a treat for compliance. In tougher cases, shaking the can and immediately throwing it close to the dog often shuts him up long enough for you to command “Quiet,” followed up with praise and a tasty treat.
In the most difficult cases, a shock collar or one that emits a spray of water or citronella may prove effective.