Dec
13
2011
0

An Introduction to Training a Dog to do Tricks

Training a dog to do tricks can be a superb way for dog owners to spend quality time with their dog, and at the same time building a quality relationship with him. Training a do to do tricks is extremely simple after you understand the fundamental concepts of dog training. In this post, I will talk about them in details in hope to assist other people who could be hunting for this information.

1. Dogs learn in the moment.

Humans contemplate and think about past experiences to do things better and more effectively. Unfortunately dogs do not learn this way; they learn all about it in the instant. This indicates that if you're going to reward or punish a dog for anything, it has got to be while he is doing it.

Let's take training a dog to roll over as an example. You can wish and hope that your dog thinks about rolling over for days, but your dog isn’t intending to do it unless there is something in it for him. The way to teach a dog to roll over is by giving him something that he likes straight after rolling over. So if you were to give your dog a treat each time he roll over, he will be able to quickly learn that rolling over is what earns him the treats!

2. Dogs are inspired by 3 things.

As much as your dog loves you, he can only do things for three different things, praise, food or toys. Praising your dog can be physically touching and petting your dog along with great vocal encouragement on your side. I don't believe that I need to tell you about treats, but most dogs are highly inspired by food and treats due to highly survival instincts. Some dogs also love toys very much! Some breeds are far more active than others so a tug toy or a squeaky toy can be very rewarding for some dogs.

Which one of those 3 motivators is the most powerful with your dog? Often dogs will value one of each of the 3 motivators more than the other two. There's little wrong with your dog valuing one over the others; it just implies this is what you ought to use to train your dog to do tricks.

3. Tricks are unlimited.

The one secret about tricks is that there are endless quantities of tricks you can train. There is always a harder and more thrilling trick to coach your dog. When you're just starting out training your dog to offer you a high 5 is a great learning experience and can be quite challenging! But when you have mastered these tricks, you can move on to much more complex tricks like jumping over hurdles, saying requests or even jumping rope. Training a dog new tricks can be an enjoyable time for trainers.

Jean Cote is a Professional Dog Trainer who enjoys training his
dog tricks and also to promote the benefits of daily coaching on his dog blog.

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Aug
23
2011
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Does Your Dog Ignore You? Here Is How To Remedy This!

Whether you have a new puppy or an old dog, it makes good sense to invest a little time training them. And while there is an abundance of information available about how to train your dog, you can go wrong with dog training tips from the experts.

What does a well trained dog act like? First, he is aware of his owner’s command and follows each because he likes to please his owner. He is not running around like a tornado and does not cause commotion, but behaves in a way that is likely to be helpful and cause pleasant thoughts regarding his presence. He does not jump on a person, he does not bark incessantly, he does not lick a person, he does not try to take food from their hands, he does not try to sit in a visitor’s lap, he does not nip or bite at fingers or hands, and he will lay down at the owner’s request. He is also well trained to expect his daily walks to relieve himself and will not, only in dire and unusual circumstances, relieve himself in the house. A dog owner has the responsibility to let his animal know there will be ample and regulated breaks for him outside and that the owner will be there when needed.

Positive reinforcement is essential: While there are many theories on how to train your dog, most dog training experts agree that positive reinforcement works best. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding your dog with verbal praise “good dog”, physical praise like a pat on the head and food rewards. It doesn’t involve yelling at your dog, hitting or punishing them. Positive reinforcement works because it builds a bond of trust with your dog. Dogs are motivated by rewards especially food rewards.

Always end on a positive note: Learning a new trick is hard work. End each training session, no matter how frustrating, on a positive note. Always give your dog a trick or behavior to perform that they know how to perform and end with a food reward and plenty of praise

Keep your dog healthy: One of the most important dog training tips from the experts recommends feeding your dog a quality dog food, giving them plenty of fresh water and making sure they get enough sleep. A healthy dog is a happier dog and will learn desired behaviors much more quickly.

Walking/Leash Issues: Can you picture this? A 75 pound Labrador retriever pulling it’s owner along at a fast clip while zigzagging from tree to tree. The poor owner, with a now dislocated arm, vows never to walk the dog again. This is sad because dogs can be trained to walk nicely and they LOVE to go on walks.

When the dog has learned some of the basic commands, a couple more commands like GET IT to retrieve an object or maybe JUMP to go through an exercise routine with hoops can be added. It is very pleasurable to train your dog and to give him rewards as he completes each task. Take the time to teach your dog some cool tricks. Yes, they’re fun for you and you’re able to show off your dog, but your dog likes them too because you’re giving him tasks to do and quality time with you.

Finally, teaching your dog to fetch something is a time-honored tradition. Dogs can be taught to fetch items and will remember the various names for items. This can be not only a fun trick, but a handy one if you’re unable to easily get things for yourself. You dog can learn to fetch all sorts of things by name – toy, ball, bone, newspaper, shoes, etc. Start with one word, and really emphasize the word. When he’s consistent at fetching that item, you can add another word, and so on.

Many people complain about their new dog chewing up everything in sight and tearing up their gardens, and admit that they don’t know how to stop the dog from doing this. There are some solutions, though they may take time to implement, which will help to stop this problem. There are a large variety of toys available which should keep the dog amused. Some are capable of hiding treats inside them, making the dog work for its reward by rolling the toy around until a treat falls out. Others can be placed into the freezer overnight and given to the dog on a hot day, letting the dog lick the cool treat over a period of time as the toy defrosts.

Many other variations of dog toys can be found or can even be made out of existing household items, just be sure to make them safe for the dog.

If you are unable to devote the time to training your pet, then please have a professional train your dog. It will be well worth the time and effort and money when one of your friends says, “Wow, your dog is such a pleasure to be around. I would love to have such an obedient animal as a pet”. Just take the praise and smile and give your dog a well deserved pat on the head!

Be sure your dog is comfortable and protected from the elements by wearing cute dog clothes and durable cooling dog beds.

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Nov
22
2009
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Doggie Tricks of the Trade

Most animal lovers can attest to a dog’s happy and faithful nature that people just love. Despite this, many are reluctant in keeping a dog because training them is hard work. The good news is it doesn’t have to be. Here are some easy tips that will help you have that fun and rewarding pet-owner relationship you’ve always wanted.

First thing you have to remember is that you have to establish your authority with the dog. He is after all an animal and will instinctively follow you better once he realizes this. Set ground rules that will allow him to acknowledge you as his superior. During meal times, let him watch you eat first then feed him afterwards. When you are crossing the room and he is blocking your path, dont go around him; instead push him gently out of your way. You are the leader of the pack and this is how it goes in the animal world. The earlier he learns you are his boss, the easier to teach him later on.

Dogs can read emotions, especially when you are near them. Be strong and authoritative when you train them. But keep in mind that it is with positive reinforcement that dogs respond well to. Lavish him with accolades. when he obeys a command perfectly. Have doggie treats on hand to give him when he does well. Of course when he makes a mistake you have to correct him at the time it happens and not after. Training should go for around ten to fifteen minutes a few times a day.

You will find that all dogs have consistent behavioral patterns that are a reliable index to their state of mind, so to speak. Happy dogs have wagging tails, a joyful bark and an open expression. Angry dogs will bare their teeth, snarl and tense up, ready to attack. Recognizing particular signs and correctly responding to it will help you in training him successfully.

You will need patience in training your dogs tricks. Dogs are best taught at around six weeks of age but if he’s been around the proverbial block a few times, there is still hope. Remember, you need to be cool and collected even when he messes up, especially in the beginning. Your patient guidance will see him progress sooner or later. Be consistent in your teaching patterns and training schedules. Confused dogs will forget what you want them to learn.

Train your dogs in a place with no distractions. A playful butterfly or whizzing car will distract him from your lessons. You will find it difficult to get his attention then. A peaceful backyard or any indoor area will be satisfactory.

Most importantly, remember why you got your pet in the first place. Have fun! Training can be tedious and when that happens, just take a break to play and have a romp around the backyard with him. Dogs are special because they have a special ability to take your mind off pressing details and lavish you with love however bad you look or smell. The best dogs are not only those that are trained but those that make for a faithful and constant friend.

Geraldine Dimarco is an avid fan of the animal kingdom. Find out more about insider secrets your pet will want you to know.

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Jul
07
2009
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Easy To Learn Dog Tricks that Will Impress Your Friends

Impressing your friends with dog tricks is not only fun and easy, but gives you a definite since of pride. There are hundreds of great tricks that you can teach, but there is one thing that you must remember before teaching your dog any new tricks: obedience. A dog that is not obedient will not do any tricks. However, with the right amount of praise and a few doggie treats, your dog will begin to be on the right track. Therefore, it is very important that you teach your dog to do trick the right way.

If you have a dog, you might already know that there are special treats available for sale that are perfect for doing dog tricks. Just make sure that they are low in calories, so your dog won’t get fat, and that you only use the treat when you want your dog to do tricks. Don’t give it to your dog at any other time, otherwise your dog will be confused and will not be able to associate correctly the treat with the fact that you want him or her to do a trick.

Sit and Stay

The first trick is not only one of the best, but is a classic and all time favorite. It’s the sit and stay routine and exemplifies the fact that your dog has good behavior. The first step to accomplishing this routine is to hold a treat in your hand and then hold your hand above your dog’s head. This way, he has to look up to see the treat. While he is looking up, he will be inclined to sit down as a natural reaction. Once he does this say the word “sit”. Next, move your hand with the treat to a new position (either forward or backward in the air) so that he has to move forward or backward to see it. He may or may not sit down. If he doesn’t, gently push his bottom to the floor and say “sit”. Otherwise when he sits down again say “sit”. Do this a couple of times and then praise him out loud and give him the treat. Practice this daily. The next thing to do is to move on to “stay” which is a little harder. Start by putting your hand, open palm, in front of his face and verbally say “stay”. Then begin to back away. Afterwards, if he stayed even for a little bit, give him the treat and some praise. Continue to practice this until he can stay for longer periods of time.

Bring It Back

At a warm day at the park, you can easily practice this one. It’s also a favorite for most people. All you need is something to throw like a sock, a ball, a Frisbee, or a stick. Once you throw the item, your dog should naturally try and retrieve it. Get him to bring it back to you by calling his name and then give him a treat when he gets back to you.

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Written by Brian Stephenson in: Dogs | Tags: , , , ,
Jul
06
2009
0

Easy Dog Tricks That Will Shock Your Friends

Dog tricks have been entertained and awing people for ages. Your friends not doubt will be impressed when your dog responds to your command and does something either funny or difficult. When you are in search of new dog tricks to teach your canine friend, one of the most important factors that you must think about is your dog’s obedience to you. If you have the right combination of praises and treats, you will be able to teach your dog to do almost anything. As a result, it becomes very important to look at throw to teach your dog a trick.

If you have a dog, you might already know that there are special treats available for sale that are perfect for doing dog tricks. Just make sure that they are low in calories, so your dog won’t get fat, and that you only use the treat when you want your dog to do tricks. Don’t give it to your dog at any other time, otherwise your dog will be confused and will not be able to associate correctly the treat with the fact that you want him or her to do a trick.

Sit and Stay

The first trick is not only one of the best, but is a classic and all time favorite. It’s the sit and stay routine and exemplifies the fact that your dog has good behavior. The first step to accomplishing this routine is to hold a treat in your hand and then hold your hand above your dog’s head. This way, he has to look up to see the treat. While he is looking up, he will be inclined to sit down as a natural reaction. Once he does this say the word “sit”. Next, move your hand with the treat to a new position (either forward or backward in the air) so that he has to move forward or backward to see it. He may or may not sit down. If he doesn’t, gently push his bottom to the floor and say “sit”. Otherwise when he sits down again say “sit”. Do this a couple of times and then praise him out loud and give him the treat. Practice this daily. The next thing to do is to move on to “stay” which is a little harder. Start by putting your hand, open palm, in front of his face and verbally say “stay”. Then begin to back away. Afterwards, if he stayed even for a little bit, give him the treat and some praise. Continue to practice this until he can stay for longer periods of time.

Bring Back

At a warm day at the park, you can easily practice this one. It’s also a favorite for most people. All you need is something to throw like a sock, a ball, a Frisbee, or a stick. Once you throw the item, your dog should naturally try and retrieve it. Get him to bring it back to you by calling his name and then give him a treat when he gets back to you.

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Written by Riche Goldmann in: Dogs | Tags: , , , ,
Jul
05
2009
0

Impress Your Friends With These Easy Dog Tricks

There are many ways that you can use your knowledge of animals to impress your friends. There are lots of great dog tricks that you can teach your dog quickly and easily that will be sure to impress. When you are looking at the various types of dog tricks that you might decide to do, one of the most important things to think about is the way that your dog is going to be obedient to you. With the right combination of treats and praise, you can teach your dog to do just about anything. Therefore, it is first important to look at how to teach them a trick.

When you have a dog, chances are that you already know about a bit of food or two that might make them do anything you want. Training treats should be small, and should be low calorie, so that you can give them to the dog without making the dog overweight. Once you’ve chosen a training treat, use it only for the times in which you are training, because otherwise your dog will simply think that he can get those treats at any time, and won’t worry about doing what you ask any more.

Sit and Stay

The first trick is one of the best, not only to impress your friends, but to make sure that your dog is always exhibiting good behavior. It is sit and stay. The first thing that you should do is hold a treat far above your dog’s nose, so that he has to look up to see it. As he looks up, one of his natural reactions would be to sit down. Tell him to sit, and move the treat further back from him. If he doesn’t sit right away, gently push him into a sitting position, while repeating the word sit. Once he’s sat, praise him, and give him the treat. Do this a few times until you are sure that he can do it on command. Then, move on to stay. This is a bit harder to do. What you want to do is place your hand flat in front of his face, almost in a “stop” type gesture. Tell him to stay, and start to back away. Even if he only stays for a few seconds, praise him and give him the treat. Keep doing this until you have gotten to the point where he will stay for as long as you want him to. The sit and stay is a great combination of tricks to use to impress your friends.

Bring It Back

At a warm day at the park, you can easily practice this one. It’s also a favorite for most people. All you need is something to throw like a sock, a ball, a Frisbee, or a stick. Once you throw the item, your dog should naturally try and retrieve it. Get him to bring it back to you by calling his name and then give him a treat when he gets back to you.

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Written by Riche Goldmann in: Dogs | Tags: , , , ,
Mar
03
2009
0

Helpful Pointers When Training Your Dog

Many people find it enjoyable and rewarding to train their dog. It may sound a bit overwhelming at first to try to train your dog, but following a few simple tips can in fact make it a fun process. Having a well behaved pet makes for a better lasting relationship.

If you do not have any background on dog training, there is no need to worry at all. This is because basic dog training is quite easy, especially when you concentrate on just the fundamental commands.

When wanting to train your dog, you probably want to teach him/her the basic commands such as sit, stay, heel, and jump. When starting to teach them one of these commands, consistency plays an important role in teaching them to learn the trick.

As just stated, consistency is key when teaching your dog these simple commands. One way to keep it simple and consistent is to remember to use practically the same sentence and words when teaching your dog a trick. Repetition of the same words can help the dog understand what it is you want them to do when spoken these words.

In order to learn a new trick, your dog must be fully attentive when being taught. Make sure to have your dog’s attention before starting your dog training activity. This is usually achieved just by calling out your dog’s name. Whenever your dog seems to lose attention, call out his/her name to get it back.

Also, it is important to teach commands one at a time. Do not teach a number of commands at one time because this would further add to the confusion of your pet. Depending on how perceptive your dog is teaching commands could take days, weeks, months, or even years.

In order for the commands to be mastered when dog training, just take one command at a time. Your dog training sessions should also be kept short.

Sessions should be just 10 to 15 minutes long. Otherwise, your pet would become bored and would start doing something else. The commands would no longer be retained effectively. Slowly but surely is the key concept here.

One of the most important things to remember is to give your dog positive reinforcements when they do the command you wanted them to do. This can be things such as a dog treat, pat on the head, or a scratch behind the ear. This is what encourages your dog to listen to you and to continue the learning process.

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