Tag-Archive for » puppy training «

Why Do Puppies Bite Part 1?

By Admin
28
Nov 2009

“For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Newton’s third law of
Motion

We must first understand why puppies or dogs bite to understand how to stop them from biting or control their biting. The main reason I have found in my research is puppies bite because they are teething. Experts have determined the teething period for puppies range from 4 to 6 months up to a maximum of 10 months.

It is very crucial within this period for the new owner to control the puppy’s training process. All puppies like to play by being mouthy and chewing on anything they can get their sharp little teeth into. This is the time the new dog owner should control the puppy’s biting inhibition. The puppy must learn what is acceptable biting and what is not acceptable biting.

Within the litter puppies will play and bite naturally. However the mom will correct the puppy if the puppy bites mom while nursing, by rolling the puppy over and correcting it, or just get up and walk away. The mom in this situation is the pack leader and the puppy knows the rules of the pack. In the home, the puppy must understand that the new owner is now the new pack leader, and the rules of the pack. It is very important to correct a biting puppy if the behavior is not acceptable.

It is very important to socialize your puppy. Lack of socialization of your puppy between the age of 3 wks to 3mths with your environment, your children, other people and other dogs can also lead to growling which can lead to biting. You can read about socializing your puppy and the importance of this aspect of training in Socializing Puppy Tips:Aritcle.

All puppies explore things in their environment with their nose and mouth. They sniff around, find something, and next thing you know it is in their mouth. Many of times I have turned my back to see my dog with a dish towel I have dropped, my shoe that I left out, or a sock they found in the bedroom in their mouth.

There are different breeds of dogs that are known chewers. I have a Chocolate Lab that likes nothing better than to sit by my side with a chew toy in her mouth. She is just content to chew on that toy until she goes to sleep. I have taught my dog what is acceptable biting and what is not. It is acceptable to chew on the toy; however it is not acceptable to chew on my shoes. I did this by sternly saying no while pointing at my shoe and positively rewarding her with her chew toy. This worked for me and it may work for you.

Rewarding positive behavior will get you the acceptable behavior you want out of your new puppy. The rules are consistency in your training methods. Don’t reward the puppy for everything or the puppy may be confused. Some biting from the puppy may be acceptable but the intensity of the biting is what you are looking to control.

My adult dog has learned how to use her mouth to grab my arm when playing however the pressure is controlled. If the pressure is too intense I say no, she stops, or I walk away. This teaches her the biting was not acceptable and if she cannot control that she does not get to play.

Remember it is all in the training process. I never recommend the new dog owner using training in a negative manner. This can only add to your dogs inhibitions and could create the opposite behavior than what you expect. Positive reinforcement and rewards are recommended for a healthy and happy puppy.

Category: Aggressive Dog Behavior, Puppy Training Steps, Socializing A Puppy  Tags: agressive behavior, biting, dog, puppy, puppy training  Leave a Comment

How To Train A Puppy To Sit

By Admin
27
Nov 2009

How do I train a puppy to sit? Why does another dog owner’s puppy sit on command when you cannot get yours to stop jumping on your pants legs? You push the puppy down, you yell at the puppy, you continue to say the words “sit” but he still jumps on your pants as if he is oblivious to what you are saying. Can you relate to the previous sentences?

Well actually your puppy is oblivious to the command of sit. Puppy training is not the easiest job in the world. Most people would rather prick themselves than trying to get their puppy to follow their commands. It takes repetition. Yes, the puppy sometimes out last its trainer because we are programmed differently than dogs. You tell a child to sit down on a chair, couch or whatever and you place them there they get it after a couple of times. A puppy you cannot really demonstrate how to sit. They probably will think great my owner’s on the floor at my level so it is time to play. So you ask yourself how do I train a puppy to sit? Read more on training your puppy to obey commands.

It is very important to train your puppy on the basic commands so your puppy becomes a good citizen. Your puppy can only play cute for so long after a while the cuteness wears off and the puppy becomes an adult dog and a dog unable to follow a simple sit and stay command is a problem. If your dog consistently jumps on your family members, neighbors, children playing, or other people visiting I can venture to say many people will not want to continue to visit you because of your “unruly” dog as they may think. No, this may not be a bad thing for the in-laws or friends that always borrow something and never return it. In those cases just train your dog when they can jump on them.

Dog CommandWhen dogs are born they usually have siblings and their mother is the (Leader of the pack), when a young puppy leaves his mother he starts to think that he is free and can do what he wants. When he first joins a family he starts to act dominant. He tries to be leader of the pack. You cannot let him gain this position you will need to show him through dog training techniques that you are the “leader of the pack” not the dog. Sometimes puppies use the sympathetic approach using their puppy dog eyes. This is just another attempt at trying to get higher in the dominance hierarchy and you can not let them get ahead of you. Training your puppy to obey these commands will require some time.

Starting to train your puppy from a young age is crucial as the first few months of his or her life is when you will have the greatest influence. To teach your puppy to sit will require a lot of repetition. A good way to teach your puppy to sit is to place your hand on the end of his back and say “sit” while gently pushing down on his backside. When he sits his bottom down give him lots of praise and possibly use treats or select a favorite play toy as his reward. If you select a favorite play toy or use another toy do not allow the puppy to play with the toy outside of training or it will defeat the purpose of being a special reward for obeying a command. Always use the same command for teaching your do to sit. Do not mix “sit”, “stay”, or “come” in the same training lessons. After your puppy has learned the sit command then you will teach your puppy other commands. After your puppy has learned the technique of sitting extend the reward for a few seconds to a minute to reinforce your command to sit and also leading into the puppy staying in the position. You want to ensure the puppy understands the sit command and this is why you will take your time bending down to praise him or feeding him is reward.

If you reward your puppy for placing his bottom on the floor after a second then that is all that he will learn to do is to sit really quickly and receive a reward. He needs to learn more than the actual technique of sitting. He will learn how to sit for a prolong period of time. Does this training method have to last hours? No it does not. Your puppy has a short attention span so break up the training session into 5 – 10 minutes maybe 3 times a day or a least everyday.

Dog training techniques are extremely efficient and very simple to carry out. It requires consistency, repetition, and patience and your puppy will soon catch on to your expectations and learn quickly.

Category: Puppy Commands, Puppy Training Steps  Tags: command, puppy training, sit, training  Leave a Comment

Socializing Puppy Tips

By Admin
26
Nov 2009

Socializing a puppy with family, friends, and other animals is an important aspect of dog ownership. A well adjusted and social dog is a well trained and happy dog. Socializing Puppies

It is never too early to start the process of socializing your puppy with unfamiliar surroundings, animals, and people. During the early stages of a puppy’s life the puppy is very impressionable to external influences. If the puppy’s experiences are positive at a young age then it is more likely the puppy will be open to them during his adult life. If his experience is unpleasant or absent the puppy may be apprehensive to these external influences later in life.

Socializing your puppy to external influences should be just as important to the new pet owner as is house breaking the puppy. The puppy should be exposed in a safe environment to other animals especially dogs and cats, and to other people in particular small children. The puppy should be exposed to various situations. Exposure to traffic and loud noises within reason can help the dog avoid anxieties common to some dogs.

When exposing the puppy to these external influences try to keep them fun, light-hearted, and pressure free. Never drag a dog or force a dog to experience something in a negative manner. The goal is for the puppy to have a pleasant and happy experience not scare the puppy.

Involve the puppy in social events such as family get to gathers, family walks, family sporting events, dog parks, dog beaches, and other safe socializing events. In all the circumstances listed ensure you supervise your puppy for behavior, abuse, or overwhelming issues. If the puppy looks overwhelmed or scared, reinforce the puppy with a happy and light-hearted behavior or play. Show the puppy there is nothing to be afraid of by interacting with the puppy in the external influences that he or she is experiencing.

Your role is to help your puppy become social while still protecting the puppy from any negative experiences. Do not force your puppy on an experience. Remove the puppy from the situation and crate your puppy for security reasons. Once the puppy has calmed down remove the puppy from his or her crate and reintroduce your puppy into the social event while supervising and praising your puppy when responsive.

Training your puppy can be a rewarding experience. A confident and well-socialized puppy that looks to you as a leader will be a more enjoyable friend to all that he or she comes into contact with.

Category: New Puppies, Socializing A Puppy  Tags: puppy, puppy tips, puppy training, socializing puppy, training  Leave a Comment

Puppy And Dog Separation Anxiety

By Admin
26
Nov 2009

When you leave home does your dog behave poorly while you are gone? Does he or she urinate in the house, pace, excessively bark, chew and tear your furniture, rugs, or other items in your home? If so, your dog may be experiencing separation anxiety.

What is separation anxiety? This condition in dogs is a term used to describe poor behavior when your dog is left alone. The dog could be destructive, noisy, and anxious to the point he disturbs neighbors, destroys items in the home, or harms himself. Separation anxiety is a stressful reaction your dog experiences when they become upset or stressed at their owner for leaving them alone with strangers or alone at home by themselves.

Some dogs are more susceptible than others to separation anxiety. Some common behaviors your dog may exhibit that you need to recognize could be but not limited to:

Vomiting
Reduced Appetite
Urinating or Defecation in the home
Shaking and Pacing
Trying to escape
Panting profusely
Excessive whining or barking
Hiding
Aggressive Behavior

Not all dogs with separation anxiety will experience all of these behaviors. Some may experience these behaviors in a mild state or some may experience them in a severely unhealthy state. It is important to recognize any of these behaviors in your pet when leaving your pet for any period of time by himself. Once recognized there is treatment for this condition. Contact your veterinarian for an evaluation of your dog�s health. There are specific medications your vet can recommend. Stress is not good for any dog and that is basically what triggers the bad behavior. The stress of the separation between the owner and the dog.

There are others ways to help your dog with separation anxiety through proper puppy and dog training. Always remember to focus on positive reinforcement when training your pet. Help promote a more relaxed behavior by rewarding your pet with his favorite treats or toys. Do not yell or scold the dog for undesirable behavior because this only adds to your dog�s anxiety and stress. Positive reinforcement is really the key to your dogs overall health and behavior.

Reward only calm behavior. Do not reward the dog when the dog is hyper or stressed because this only affirms that behavior. Use attention, affection, dog treats, favorite toys, belly rubs, and other attention to your dog to reward calm and acceptable behavior.

A rule of thumb when leaving your pet is not to make the situation overly exciting or stressful. Don’t continue to talk to the dog as you are leaving. You may think that telling your pet to be a good boy or girl, or you will be home soon, is calming to your dog. On the contrary, this gets your dog anxious and excited which we are trying to avoid. Just prior to leaving you can give your dog a treat or his favorite toy as a distraction but then immediately walk out the door quietly.

When you return home do not get the dog excited by talking loudly or being overly excited yourself. Wait for your pet to calm down and then give him attention thus reinforcing the good behavior. Remove his favorite toy and put it up for additional training periods. Remember the favorite toy is a reward for good behavior. If the toy is allowed to be at the dogs disposal whenever he wants it then the reward no longer works.

A good way to help your dog coup with separation anxiety is to teach your dog to settle down in a specified location whether it is a dog crate, a corner with a dog bed, or on his favorite blanket in a certain location in the home. This will allow the dog to have a safe and secure sanctuary to retreat to when left at home alone. It will also teach the dog there is a safe location for him when others are home and he needs to rest.

Properly training your dog through rewarding him with positive reinforcement can improve your pet�s health and help to eliminate or at least control the behavior experienced when separated from his owner.

Separation anxiety is common amongst dogs and is treatable. This article is not a cure all for this condition and it is recommended that any dog owner who suspects their pet is experiencing separation anxiety seek the help of their local veterinarian for proper treatment.

Category: New Puppies, Puppy Training Steps, Puppy and Dog Health, Socializing A Puppy  Tags: agressive, agressive behavior, behavior, dog, puppy training, separationg anxiety, socializing puppy  Leave a Comment

How Do I Select A Crate For My Puppy?

By Admin
26
Nov 2009

Selecting a crate for a puppy is one of the first importatn aspects to dog ownership. Crates are a perfect sanctuary for a puppy and an adult dog. Dogs are considered pack animals and prefer to rest in a den type surrounding or a confined space. If you look around at dogs where do you see the laying? If you look at a dog at rest they are under a table, in a corner, next to a couch, chair, or under a bed. This is why a crate is a perfect solution for your new puppy.

How do you select a crate for your puppy? There are many things to consider when selecting a crate for a puppy. You need to consider the size of the puppy, where the crate is going to be located, your life style, and will the crate be mobile or sedentary.

Examples of crates that are on the market today are wire frame crates, plastic crates, soft-side crates, solid-framed crates, exercise crates, outdoor kennels, and more. Selecting a crate for you puppy is not only based on your puppy’s needs but your family’s life style.

If you are an active family and you would like to take your puppy with you a travel crate is recommended. Travel crates are easy to transport and fast to set up. Some travel crates are soft-side with mesh a mesh door and side windows for visibility and ventilation.

The wire frame crates are can be disassembled and move from location to location. This crate may require a little more work but is very suitable for your puppy or adult dog. The crate has a latching from door and a tray that slides under the wire framing to form the base of the crate. Crate pads are available for more comfort or just place a towel or blanket on the bottom of the crate. An advantage to this type of crate is the easy clean up from accidents that your puppy will have from time to time until he or she is potty trained.

An outside dog kennel provides as much room as you would like your puppy or adult dog to have in the yard. This kennel provides your dog with luxury and limited outdoor freedom. The K9 kennels consist of for four sturdy steel from sides and an optional a sunscreen cover for you dogs. The sun screen cover is always a good idea to include in this kennels. Your puppies and dogs too are susceptible to the heat and the direct rays of the sun.

So you want a crate that fits in with the decor of your home. Well good news there are some of those on the market now. Crates that look like a piece of furniture are a great way to have style plus a place to have your puppy rest within the confines of a secure and safe crate in a family area. Some of the crates double as an end table next to a couch, chair, or blends right in with the rest of the furniture. Your puppy will have a stylish home around the family and you will have a stylish crate that fits your family’s lifestyle.

When selecting a crate for you puppy you must consider your puppy’s size. If you do not want to purchase another crate as the puppy gets older it’s okay to purchase a larger crate for you dog’s breed. However, when crate training your puppy do not let the puppy have access to the entire crate. You will need to section off the crate so it just big enough for you puppy to safely enter, feed, turn around in, and lay comfortably inside. If you give the puppy too much space they may start eliminating at one end of the crate and sleeping at the other end. This is what you want to avoid the puppy eliminating inside the crate. If the crate is small enough the puppy we see the area of the crate as his or her sleeping area and dogs will not eliminate in the sleeping area.

If you have a very rambunctious puppy you may not want to purchase soft-side pop up crate. If the puppy is playful in the crate the puppy may collapse the crate or turn the crate over.

Here is one last thing to consider when selecting a crate for your puppy. Puppies will chew on anything they can get their little teeth on. To prevent them from chewing on the crate place their favorite chew toy inside the crate with them. With any chew toy you will need to supervise the puppy while playing with the toy. Keep a watchful eye on the toy so as to prevent any choking situations.

This is just a bit of information on selecting a crate for a puppy. Ask your local veterinary for recommendations on selecting a crate for your breed of puppy. I am sure they will provide you with very useful and informative information.

Category: Crate Training A Puppy, New Puppies  Tags: crate, kennel, puppy, puppy training  Leave a Comment
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