Showing posts with label pet training tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pet training tips. Show all posts

Friday, February 20, 2009

Dog Training Course

In agility your dog has to be trained to run courses. You will be able to train him on obstacles separately or you will be able to train him on a dog training course, either option is good but a course is much better in the long run. Most dog agility handlers have had experience running and training their own dog but when new handlers arrive at a club they have had no experience in agility and need all the help that they can get! So advising them about dog training courses is the best way to start.

Some handlers may have had previous experience in competitions like dog obedience, show dog work or fly-ball but not in agility. When starting out learning courses is the first thing any handler must do, they must know what a course involves and how to run one, if they do not know then how is their dog supposed to? A dog training course is a simple method to teach your dog agility and is great practice for when it comes to competitions. Any dog can run a course, mini’s, midi’s or full seized dogs are welcome in shows but of course the obstacles are lowered for the smaller dogs!

A dog training course is usually used on training nights by all the members of the club and there is usually one handler there who helps the rest, by letting the handlers know what they are doing “wrong” with their dog, the handler must project good body language and good commands for the dog to follow orders if the handler does not then the dog will just run around and not do anything correctly!

Separate obstacles are usually set up for handlers and dogs who need to concentrate on just one aspect of the course, for example their jumping, weaves or contact points. Again there is usually a guide there to help the beginners to show their dog what it needs to do. A lot of dog training courses are ran with inexperienced dogs on the leash so that they do not interfere with other dogs running on different training courses.

Any dog can learn agility with the right method of training; dog training is not only available in agility or obedience either. I mentioned something earlier called fly-ball. Fly-ball is the new competition sweeping the UK by storm. Crufts (the biggest UK dog show) now even have a course for it. It is where the dog runs over five small low to the ground hurdles and then reaches a box where it places it two front paws on a pad, when the pad is pressed a tennis ball is released from behind the machine and the dogs aim is to catch it and run as fast as they can back! This is great to watch and even better to train for.

If trained correctly on a training course dogs can be taught amazing things and reach new heights that you did not think possible, try and train as often as you can and your dog will soon be a master in its game and you will carry home many trophies and rewards for your efforts!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Keeping Cats Out Of Your Garden

Your first line of defense when keeping cats out of your garden is to make sure that you have your boundaries secure. If there are any gaps in your fence, you should make sure that you block them to prevent any low access. Cats are very agile animals, and can jump very high. Normally they can jump a fence, which is why you should also invest in string or taut wire across the top.

If a cat has made his way into your garden, it may be hard to get him out. Most people choose to use dogs, simply because dogs are known to dislike cats. There are several dog breeds out there that totally dislike cats, such as Dobermans and Pit Bulls. Cats are completely fearful of these breeds, and will flee if they see them around.

All cats are known to despise water as well. If you spot a cat in your garden, water almost always gets him out. All it takes is a bucket of water or a well aimed squirt with a garden hose to make him run away. After you have hit the cat with water several times, he should get the hint not to come back anymore. If he comes back, simply squirt him or throw more water on him until he gets the idea.

Protecting your plants is a different story. Mothballs are said to be very effective, as cats do not like the smell. You can use mothballs around your plants, garden borders, or even along the fence. There are additional repellents that you can use as well, such as cayenne peppers, tobacco, lavender oil, citronella oil, mustard oil, and even lemon grass oil.

If you visit your local hardware or lawn store, you can find motion activated sprinklers. They work great in keeping cats out of your garden. Once you install the sprinkler system and a cat comes into the area, the detector will pick up the cat’s presence and immediately shoot out a jet of water that will douse the cat. In most cases, all it takes is a few times of exposure to the sprinkler before a cat learns to stay out of that area.

Sound devices that feature high frequencies are also a great way to scare off cats, although they aren’t annoying to humans. You can find numerous different models, such as those that stay on all the time, and those that are motion detected. To use this type of device, you will need to make sure that the model you have is strong enough to cover the entire area. If you model you are using is strong enough to cover your entire garden, it should suffice in scaring off any unwanted animals.

You can also use commercial repellents as well. Commercial repellents use scents to keep cats away, and should not be used near any food crops. Due to their high chemical content, commercial repellents can pollute your crops. You can find them at your local department store, with several varieties to choose from, many of which will fend off other animals from your garden as well.

If you have a garden, it can be very annoying if cats and other animals decide to make your garden their home. If you stick to your guns and do your part, you can prevent them from bothering your garden or your crops. Once you have secured your boundaries around the garden, you should try applying water first. If water does not seem to work, you can look into another method, such as commercial repellents.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Cat Behaviour : Common Meanings

A lot of people think that cats work on their own agenda, not paying much attention to their owner - provided they have clean litter, food, and water. Cats can behave in odd manners at times, which can easily confuse their owners and make it really hard to determine what the cat wants. As much as cat behavior can be confusing, there are some ways that you can solve common cat behavior mysteries.

A common behavior that almost all cats do is push their heads into any type of object that will allow them to do it. You have probably seen your cat do this before, probably against table legs, TV stands, or another object. This can be noticed more when you have other people who own animals or those with allergies over at your house. When a cat notices this, he will rub his head or body against the person. In doing so, he will put a touch of saliva on the individual. In a cat’s mind, he owns what he puts his saliva on.

By putting his saliva on something, that object or person will have a familiar scent. Although this can be very annoying, you have to understand that other people in your home are seen as odd or weird to your cat. When a cat does this, he is simply trying to make the visitor belong. When he brushes up against them and puts his saliva on them, he is trying to put his scent on them - which in his mind will mean that they belong in his territory.

Even though marking someone or something with saliva is beneficial to the cat, saliva is one of the most common forms of pet allergies. When someone wipes the saliva off of them, the scent will be gone and the cat will go back and attempt to do it again. Even though it may appear that cats target those with allergies, cats are actually just trying to make the visitor belong at the house. If the guest simply cannot take the saliva, allow the cat to rub himself on their pants leg a few times. Normally, this is all takes for a cat to leave the person alone.

Those of you who an indoor cat should expect the cat to spend quite a bit of time lying near windows. During this time, you may hear your cat make very strange noises or weird movements. You should not fear though, as he is simply acting out his hunting instincts. Whether it’s another cat or object outside moving about, the cat will see it and simply go into his native hunting instinct.

As most already know, cats love to play, especially with toys. They will pounce on things on occasion, which should always be expected. If you try to prevent this type of behavior, your cat will take a very negative approach and you will end up with a lot of broken things in your home. You can always play with your cat using a string, as he will love to chase the string around the room.

The longer you own your cat, the more odd behavior you will see him exhibit. Cats behave in strange ways, although they always have a reason for behaving the way they do. If you can understand why your cat behaves like he does, you will have no problems keeping him healthy and happy. If you simply pay attention to your cat and the way he behaves at times - you will be able to understand him better than ever before.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Dog Toilet Training

Unless you have a sixth sense you can't predict when and where your dog is going to do the toilet, that is why dog toilet training is necessary. Dogs need to learn to “hold it” and go where he is supposed to as they do not know any different. In the wild dogs can go when and where they please, but this is not the wild and they need to be taught the difference.

Dog toilet training can be something of a difficult task. Every day needs to be the same and you need to give him constant attention when you can; this will make the toilet training procedure a lot easier. Your training process will take longer if you are working out of the house quite often as your dog will need to go and the house is the only place that he can.

When you start out dog toilet training you need to give him a place of his own, maybe a corner of your back room. That should be where you put his food and his bed and his toys and cover the whole floor in newspaper. When you leave the house make sure he is in that room and can not get out.

When you're gone he will obviously need the toilet and will go where he is standing, but over time he will pick a place and start to do his business in the one place, when he starts to do that you can then start to remove the paper from the area furthest away from his chosen spot. Gradually continue this until it is only a small space available for him to go, if he misses the paper then you are moving a little bit too fast and need to go back a step or two until you get to as little papers as possible. When he gets older he will be able to control his bladder movements a lot easier.

When you're at home spend as much time with your dog as possible. Dog toilet training will be much easier if you do. Every 45 minutes or so take your dog outside and whenever he does the toilet outside make sure he is praised very happily and excitedly with lots of enthusiasm, and do this every time that he “goes” outside. He will realize that this is where he needs to go to the toilet and when he can control his bladder a little better he will wait until you come to let him out. It does take a lot of time and patience though.

Never scold your dog for doing the toilet in the house as he does not know any better. We did the toilet in our nappies until we were potty trained because there was nothing else we could do about it, when we needed we went, well dogs are the same. No dog is properly toilet trained until he is about six months old so it is a lengthy procedure but a great one when the end results start to show!



Related post about Dog Trainings:

- Dog House Training Tips
- Dog Agility Training
- Dog Training Equipments
- Dog Behaviour Training
- Dog Obedience Training
- Boxer Dog Training
- Dog Training Tip
- Aggressive Dog and Older Dog
- Dog Training Technique
- Basic Dog Training
- Home Dog Training Tips
- Tips for buy your first puppy
- Bull Mastiff
- Bullmastiff
- The Happy Puppy Owner's Guide To Housetraining Your Puppy
- Dog Training
- How Inspiring Dog Tales Can Be
- Best Selling Dog Books
- Dogs are a part of daily life
- Best Dog Tracking System
- Get Your Dog Ready For Dog Shows
- How to Make Your Dog Win Races
- Obedience Training for Your Dog
- How to Housebreak Your Puppy
- Canine Hip Dysplasia
- Basic Puppy Training
- How to Pet-Proof Your Holidays
- The Rewards Of Training Your Dog
- Training Your Dog to Sit
- Potty Training Your Puppy!
- Dog Training Tips

Monday, December 3, 2007

Dog House Training Tips

When scolding your dog for doing the toilet on the carpet remember that we were once young and didn't use the proper toilet either. Your dog needs to be house trained, and this can be done in a few easy steps, but over a long time period.

Dog house training may be one of the hardest training techniques as it is the one that requires the most attentiveness and work. You have to be able to read your dog’s body signals as he can not tell you when he needs the toilet. Many people make the mistake of assuming that their dog will bark when he needs the loo, sometimes they are lucky to find a dog that will but believe me there are many out there who do not and accidents are found all over the house!

Dog house training requires a few simple steps as I said but they are time consuming ones. Firstly I would recommend putting newspaper in front of the door, that way if you see him doing an accident in the house you can quickly life him there and he will realize that if he needs to go and your not there to let him he has to do it on paper.

The next thing you need to know when dog house training is most dogs when they need the toilet will start to get restless and stat sniffing around, this is when you pick them up and take them outside, when they are really young you should take him outside at least once every hour. When you take them outside you can say things "do the toilet" or "do your business" or whatever command you want to use for your doing going out to do the toilet. Once they have done the toilet you must give them lots of affection outside straight away (of course it is best to wait until they are done) They will soon come to realize that outside is the place to do the toilet and will after some time start asking to go out.

There are hundreds of books available on dog house training all of which use different techniques and routines. No dog is going to know straight away that outside is the place to do the toilet, they have to learn and you have to train them (unless you do not mind accidents all over the place) Oh and do not forget to scoop!!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Dog Training Equipments

To train your dog you need some good equipment to do it! It is easy enough to find places that sell dog training equipment these days. You can find stores in your local phonebook or on the internet. The internet has everything these days and is usually a lot less expensive. So I suggest having a look there first. Dog training equipment comes in all shapes, sizes and colours so there is something to suit everyone.

Dog training equipment can be used anywhere, at home, at a friend’s house or even in a field in the middle of nowhere. The equipment is usually lightweight and portable and very easy to pack so you should have no problems carting it around. Not only can you get dog training equipment for dog agility but you can also purchase items for dog obedience.

Dog obedience items are simple things like clickers, treat balls (which are amazing), extendable leashes and other similar items. They are a lot easier to get than agility items. When you decided you want to compete with your dog you usually pick one or the other, dog agility or dog obedience. For dog obedience you only concentrate on dog obedience, for dog agility you need your dog to be obedient so there is a little bit more training involved.

Dog training equipment can be funky or old fashioned, bright or dull it’s up to you. Many stores cater for individual needs so you can specify what you would like your equipment to be like. Dog training equipment is sometimes needed for obedience when you have a stubborn dog, and for dog agility training equipment is essential.

Dog training equipment need not only be for competition purposes. You can get equipment for fun training to. When you want to train your dog to sit, come, and stay and some other commands toys are always a great help. You and your dog need to enjoy special moments together to make a bond with each other, why not make a bond and train at the same time? The better the bond the more fun it will be!

Monday, September 10, 2007

Boxer Dog Training

The Boxer is an amazing dog and is extremely playful, energetic and definitely a handful (in a good way of course). This breed if dog is extremely loyal and when a friendship is built it lasts forever. The boxer is very unique and not for everyone, if you are a new owner of a boxer you have to be aware that they need a lot of attention and training. They are extremely intelligent dogs which can work to your advantage when it comes to training, but then again can be very disadvantageous as they know how to use their intelligence to get what they want.

Boxer dog training consists of training them up to become guard dogs; this is their main profession if you like. People who do not know boxers tend to assume that they are naturally aggressive when they are in fact the opposite and could not be more playful than any other dog! Because of their good stature and aggressive look, people are automatically assuming this dog could do more harm than good. If your boxer is not trained properly then he just might.

Because of their intelligence Boxers can be very stubborn but when it comes to training a boxer it can be very helpful. Owners must remember that there will be times when you ask him to do something and he is going to look you in the face and basically tell you where to go, he knows he is supposed to do what you are telling him but he decides he can not be bothered and does not. The main thing you have to remember in these circumstances is to be patient. From as early as 6 weeks old you should start your boxer dog training as this will help him when he grows up, socialize him, play with him and teach him, but do it in an exciting way and he is more likely to listen.

The main aspect of training for a boxer is socialization. Boxers can be very friendly dogs but they need to be trained to become one. They need to get accustomed to other dogs and people. The best way to do this is training classes. That way your boxer will be trained alongside other dogs.

When your boxer reaches 13-16 weeks old it's time for some serious boxer dog training, this is the stage where he is going to test for dominance, he will nip and try to show you that he is the more dominant one, mainly by not listening to you. You have to be a strong leader at this time; you must show him that he acting like that will not be tolerated no matter what!

Boxers are genuinely a lovable family dog and would make a proud pet for anyone, they are dogs that prefer to sit on you lap for a cuddle than anything else. Train your boxer early with some serious boxer dog training and you can be assured you'll have a stunning, loyal family friend!

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Dog Training Tip

When it comes to dog training there are no secrets. Every dog training tip is different but it has been used before and if they say it's new, it means adapted. The simplest of tasks for an experienced dog master could be the hardest of tasks for the beginner. There are no magic potions, or miracle sayings that can make your dog do what you want. You've to spend time with him, loving him and training him.

Many people seem to "have a way with dogs" in the sense that they can ask your dog to do anything and your dog will adhere to their command straight away, you try it five minutes later and your dog just stares at you blankly. It's true that some people have more of a chance getting dogs to do what they say, not because of some aura around them but because of experience and tone of voice.

One great dog training tip is your tone of voice. Your dog needs to know that you mean business but he has to know that you are not angry at him. The handler must find a tone of voice that shows dominance but compassion. If you're constantly shouting at your dog he is going to get used to it, he will not know when he is doing something wrong because he does not know when he is doing something good.

A lot of praise and attention is another great dog training tip. Dogs won't learn the difference between good and bad unless they get treated differently. When your dog does something bad do not roar at him, strictly tell him he was bad and not to do it again. Then when he does it right shower him with cuddles, treats and praise. Dogs come to learn that when they do something that they are told they will get rewarded for it and then after a while it just becomes second nature to them, of course praise is still needed!

All dog training tips are different and one dog isn't identical to the next, so try them. It won't hurt to keep trying. The most influence on your dog's life is when they are 3-16 weeks; this is the time that moulds them into the kind of dog they are going to be when they grow bigger. When you train your dog in these weeks this is what he will be doing for the rest of his life. Make sure you try a variety of the dog training tips available to you, some may work some may not but at least your giving your dog the best start in life.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Aggressive Dog and Older Dog

Training an Aggressive Dog

When it comes to aggressiveness in a dog this is a very serious problem. There are new laws that state dog’s owner can be charged and the dog put down if the dog bites someone. Of course with some serious dog training our dog can learn to enjoy people not turn on them.

There are lots of reasons why dogs are or become aggressive. Maybe the dog feels his territory is being compromised, or he feels threatened. A lot of aggression comes from lack of confidence and insecurity. Simple obedience will not solve your dog’s aggressive problems only some serious dog training will do the trick. Aggressiveness doesn’t just mean biting; it means barking and lunging at people as well. This type of behaviour needs to be addressed as soon as possible to prevent anything serious from happening to someone or another dog.

Your vet can recommend you how to go about finding someone who can work with aggressive dogs. Training aggressive dogs is a speciality and unfortunately could cost you a fair amount of money, but the end result is well worth it and you do not have to worry about losing your dog. Most obedience and training schools won’t take aggressive dogs as most of the places run classes with other members and won't let them be endangered. The best thing you can do is to take him to a proper dog school. Look in your yellow pages for one.

Always check the techniques used by schools on how they train aggressive dogs as training an aggressive dog can be dangerous some places may use out of date methods which could be harmful to your dog, although this isn’t always the case it is always better to be safe than sorry. I wish I could say it was easy to train your do not to be aggressive but it is not.

At the end of the day what counts is that your dog stops attacking and he starts loving. An aggressive dog can halter the relationship that you have with him therefore you and your dog are not having the best time together as you are always worried about him biting you, other people or other dogs. I recommend that you do what it takes to get the problem sorted!


Training Older Dog

They say that you can not teach an old dog new trick, are they right? They are partly right. An older dog will take a heck of a lot more training and dedication from its handler than a younger dog will, basically because an older dogs mind is a lot more “set” in its ways. An older dog will have passed that crucial period in its life that influences what the dog will behave like when it is older, therefore it already thinks it knows how to behave and trying to teach him other ways to behave can take a lot of time and effort.

It is not impossible but you ca not train an old dog like you train a puppy. You have to be a little bit stricter on an older dog because they have a lot more intelligence than a puppy and know how to drive you round the bend. An older dog will more likely do something if he thinks its his idea rather than yours, for example if he goes to sit , say sit and then praise him, he will think it was his idea and if you keep on repeating this process sooner or later you will have him sitting on command. This process will work for many of the commands, like fetch, come, stay and heel.

In saying that you may find that your older dog is particularly easy to train, some dogs have a streak of stubbornness which means they do not train as easily as others but some are a lot more susceptible to training methods. Training an older dog will of course be difficult but bad habits need to be broken and long term habits need to be stopped. Your dog will thank you for it in the end and the end result will be well worth the trouble.

Training an older dog can be a grueling task but try making it fun by joining a class (they are not just for people with puppies) or try to get some support from family or friends, invest in some training products like toys and treats, or even go as far as a training school, but one thing is for sure once you have taught your dog what he needs to know the bond between you will grow and you will become inseparable.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Dog Training Technique

When you say "sit" does your dog give you that “there’s no way I am going to do what you say” look? When you are taking him for a walk does he tug and pull and make you half run to the park? If the answer is "yes" then you need to learn some dog training techniques. They are harmless and aid free ways to train your dog to listen to what you have to say to him.

There is one dog training technique which I have tried and tested and it is great. It is called the “Nothing in life is free” technique. It basically works on the fact that nothing is free, your dog has to do something to get something in return. For example if he wants food he has to remain seated until you make his dinner, or if you want to talk him for a walk then he has to lie down until you put his leash and collar on. These training techniques all are based on the fact that your dog will realize to get what he wants he has to do what you are telling him to do. What if he does not do it? Walk away. Do not shout at him or keep trying if he does not listen just ignore him and walk away then about 5 minutes later go back and try again. He soon comes to realize that you are in charge and he has to do what you say to get what wants.

When dogs are born they usually have siblings and their mother is the “Leader of the pack”, when a young dog 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 house. You can not let him gain this position you need to show him through dog training techniques that humans are the head of your house not the dog. He does not have to be aggressive to get what he wants. Sometimes dogs 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.

When it comes to kids dog’s see them more as playmates than masters as children can get down to their height and play with them, under adult supervision when your child gets to around the age of nine you can start to teach them to use dog training techniques so they can show the dog that when they ask him to do something he has to listen to them, not just listen to you.

Dog training techniques are extremely efficient and very simple to carry out, the training does not even seem like training it just requires repetition and you dog will soon catch on that nothing in life is free!

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Basic Dog Training

"How does your dog sit when you tell him to and mine does not?"
"How can your dog heel to you like that?"
"Wow! He comes when you tell him to"

Sounds familiar? If it does, you need to invest some time into a little bit of basic dog training. Starting to train your dog from a young age is crucial as the first few months of his life is when you will have the greatest influence on him; this is where he is shaped into the dog he is going to be when he is all grown up.

The most basic of dog training is to get your dog to sit and come. Teaching him those commands are essential for him to learn. These commands are used for various different reasons, if you are in competition, if your dog jumps making him sit will immediately get him off and "come" is the all important one. If you take your dog for a walk, you let him of the leash and you expect him to come back to you, not run around the park with you chasing after him shouting at him to "get here right this instance". That would be just down right embarrassing!

To teach your dog how to come requires only the most basic of techniques but a lot of repetition. The simplest way to get him to come is have a toy in one hand and a treat in the other, when you are in the house simply walk away from him, hold out the toy and excitingly call him to you, when he comes over give him a treat, always use the command for come that you are going to use in the future. Doing this several times a day is a great way to teach him, but remember to have lots of long breaks so he does not get bored and stop enjoying it, and do not forget the treats!

Getting him to sit could be a slight bit harder but again only requires basic dog training. When you have mastered the come command call him to you, 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 a treat and a lot of praise. If you want him to sit longer just delay giving him the treat and the praise, get him to sit but take your time bending down to him and feeding him his tidbit.

Basic dog training is simple and very effective. It should also be fun for you and your dog, it does not have to be hours and hours each day just may be five minutes or so. Do not forget to reward your dog and yourself for all the "hard" work though!

Home Dog Training Tips

There are special services available which do home dog training. For a fee you can hire someone to come to your home to teach your dog every day. You choose how long you want the programme to last then they will end out a specialized handler who will determine what is the most effective training method for your dog then carry it out and of course you have to join in to.

Home dog training is relatively new on the dog marketing scene and is quite a hit especially in America. It is not because people are lazy so they are hiring professionals. It is because they need someone with a lot of experience to help them train their dog, maybe their dog is giving them a hard time.

One of the largest home dog training services are Bark Busters, they are a globally known home dog training service and have achieved results all over the world. There are hundreds of testimonials and reviews available so read one for you. They have sites in all parts of the globe. They offer a lifetime guarantee as well; you should visit their website to read more about them and the services they offer, also to see if you live close to a visiting dog trainer.

There is another large home dog training service located in the UK only. They are called "Dog Training UK". One feature with them is that they do not actually train your dog at your home. They take them away to a place kind of like kennels for three weeks and train them there, so when your dog is returned to you he can do all the things that you have been trying to teach him for months! They can only accept dogs which are up to date with their vaccinations and cannot train very aggressive dogs.

Many people are turning to home dog training as it is convenient and helpful especially if you have not had experiences training a dog before. A lot of people get tense and irritated when their dog does not do what they say but that does not help. Training a dog can be a very stressful time and home dog training just makes it that much easier. I say if it is there for the taking, why not?!