Follow the painless ideas below and you will find you can confidently call your dog to come.

1. Your dog must come to expect only beneficial things, when he obeys the “come” command.

When you summon your dog with the “come” command, never reward him with a reproof. If there are going to be any objectionable results, you need to go to your dog, not call him.

If you need you dog for any process he’s not a fan of, don’t call him with the “come” command. When you have a dog that thinks baths or having his nails trimmed obnoxious, don’t use the”come” command when you need him for this.

2. Coming on command must be a rewarding experience.

At the start use a reward that your dog finds highly motivational, like food, play or a favorite toy. To teach your dog to come all the way to you, bring the reward closer to you as he approaches.

Rather than handing the reward to your dog, make him come in to your side to gain his reward. Get a firm handle on your dog before giving over the reward.

Finally you want your dog to come for a verbal or physical rewards, so it best to stop using food and toy rewards over time.

Since you may not have any treats ready to hand in an emergency. Safety reasons could well mean that you need your dog to come when he knows you don’t have a treat.

3. While you are training a dog to come you need to be able to control that he does in fact come to you.

Don’t fall into the trap of allowing your dog to ignore or dismiss you and end up teaching that he is permitted to do as he pleases.

A walled in area is the ideal place to start teaching your dog to “come”. Try to get your dog to come with out the leash a time or two in the beginning. You want to teach your dog to “come” to you regardless of whether he is on or off the leash.

Prior to using the “come” command call your dog’s name, so that you know you have his full concentration. Then go in the opposite course. This is designed is to get you dog to go after you. Call excitedly, heaping praise on him until he is near enough to grip his collar.

This is the right time to give him his preferred reward and lots of praise. Now back up again repeating the procedure so that he learns the command. Training should be brief so that your dog can maintain his concentration.

In the event that after a few times you still can’t get you dog to come or he just doesn’t come close enough. Employ a leash to train you dog to come.

Commence again calling your dog and the issuing the “come” command. However now you apply soft pressure to leash, guiding your dog to you.

Only ever use a little pressure to get you dog heading in the right direction and obeying the command.

These three steps are the key to getting your dog to come every time you call. If you educate your dog to come, you’ll know that you will be able to keep your dog safe.

A dog lover who promotes responsible dog ownership and humane dog training methods

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How To Teach Your Dog To Come In 3 Easy Steps

When training your dog to stay off the sofas there are a few simple rules that should be followed to optimise your success. Firstly, it important to ensure that everyone in the family follows the ‘no dogs on the sofa rule’ as failure by anyone in the family to enforce this rule is likely to result in  nothing but confusion for the dog. In addition to this, it is also important to consider what will happen when the dog is left alone in the house – what areas of the house will you allow the dog access? Ideally, you don’t want your pet to have access to sofas or chairs while you are out of the house as this could cause further confusion for the dog by creating a situation where it is able to sit on the furniture without reproach. In addition, this confusion could result in hostility from the dog when attempts are made to intervene and remove the dog from the sofa.

As well as setting basic ground rules as outlined above, it is also important that everyone in the family reacts in the same way when the dog jumps on the sofa, which it inevitably will do at some point during it’s training. The important thing to remember here is that you are training your dog to behave how you want it to behave, therefore compliant behaviour should be rewarded. Some people make the mistake of punishing the behaviour that they don’t want, and thus by punishing the dog each time it jumps on the sofa, they risk instilling a sense of fear and possible hostility within the dog.

Essentially, it is important to realise that instead giving a negative response when the dog jumps on the sofa, you should gently coax the dog back onto the floor and give it a treat when it complies – positive behaviour should gain positive rewards. Also, as tempting as it may be to either lift, push or drag the dog off the sofa, this is not recommended as it may result in a negative response from your pet. The only time it is advisable to lift the dog off the sofa is if the dog is still a puppy in which case they are at risk of causing damage to themselves by jumping from high objects.

So far we have looked at the various methods that should be used in conjunction to help your dog realise that the sofa is out of bounds. These methods are most effective if they are put in place when the dog is a puppy; however they can be equally effective when used consistently with older dogs too. But the one strategy that is the most effective in keeping your dog off the sofa is by ensuring that it has a comfortable place of its own to sit, such as a cushion or a padded blanket, and, as always, your pet should be rewarded when it uses its own special “doggy seat”. http://www.sofasofa.co.uk

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

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How to Train Your Dog to Stay Off the Sofa

by David the Dogman

Most veterinarians will caution pet owners not to exercise a dog right after feeding him. This is certainly true of strenuous exercise, which can make a dog throw up and can lead to gastric torsion. A recent study by the Divisions of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University proved that exercise after eating seems to burn up more calories by raising the body’s rate of metabolism.

After eating, many dogs will lie down to digest their food. While sleeping a pet will burn up a few calories in just keeping his heart and lungs going. This sluggish behaviour can only encourage the animal to put on weight and to put on fat. It now makes sense to take your dog for a walk not more than a half-hour after his big meal of the day. This very gentle exercise will also stimulate his digestion. Then after a few hours have gone by, you can put him through a more demanding regimen of activity.

For smaller breeds, simply taking a dog outdoors to relieve himself constitutes a certain amount of exercise. Exercise assists but does not cause defaccation and a dog does not need exercise to loosen his bowels unless he is ill.

RUNNING
The cheetah is the fastest land animal known and has been clocked in short bursts up to sixty miles an hour. Dogs in the wild do a lot of running but mostly when they are hunting or chasing prey. Taking a dog on a daily run is not necessarily in its best interest. Dogs should never be run on hard surfaces like pavements or paved roads but on earth. If you insist on having your dog jog then make certain that the pace is a fast walk or trot rather than a run, of course this should never be allowed in hot weather. Always check the dog’s feet after a run for cuts and rawness.

DANGERS OF HEAT
A dog can sweat through his feet pads, anus and tongue. He does not have the heat releasing mechanisms of many other animals. Dogs are susceptible to heatstroke and other related problems. Dogs that were bred for cold climates such as Huskies, Akita’s have been transplanted by people to warm climates this is not natural and one can expect behavioural and health problems.

Dogs react to heat by panting or digging holes in the earth under shady trees or bushes. Locking dogs in closed cars can be fatal because a car heats and and so do dogs. Exercise raises your dog’s metabolism and boosts his temperature, which in turn can turn to heatstroke. For obese dogs the problem is worse. Never exercise a dog in the heat of the day and keep his weight under control. It also a good idea to give your dog his water dish to enable him to drink before a walk.

Commitment, Firmness, but kindness.

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Do you have any problems with your pet? Then why not send your problem to DAVID THE DOGMAN. David is a Canine Behaviourist who works and lives in Marbella, Spain. Tel/Fax (00345) 2883388. His web site is located at: http://www.thedogman.net. David has his own radio and TV shows, and writes for many newspapers and magazines. David has been working with dogs for many years and started his career in Israel, working on the Border Police. He has been involved in all forms of training, including air sea rescue, air scent work, and has trained dogs for finding drugs. David has devoted the past 10 years to studying behaviour and the very passive approach. He does not use choke chains, check chains, or any form of aggression.

David The Dogman is available for private consultations in your home, for further details telephone; Tel; (95) 2883388

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Exercise for Dogs

Dog aggression can be a very serious problem. So why do some dogs become aggressive? They may feel threatened or they may feel their territory is being threatened. Dogs that are insecure and lack confidence can also be aggressive. Also we can not forget that if a dog is mistreated or abused this can definitely lead to aggression.

We see biting as a display of aggression but we sometimes overlook that dogs that bark and lunge at people or other animals are also displaying aggression. Aggressive behaviour has to be dealt with immediately before it escalates into a very serious situation. Possible injury to a person or another dog or animal can be a reality that we cannot overlook.

The number one solution to a dog’s aggressive behaviour is training. Unfortunately simple obedience training is not going to be that effective when dealing with an aggressive dog.

Normally, aggressive dogs are not allowed into normal obedience and training schools for the simple fact of protecting the other participants in the class. You are going to have to find a trainer who specializes in dog aggression. Your vet may be able to help you with this or you can check out the yellow pages or even the internet.

Although proper training may be expensive and not that easy or simple you have to do what you can to resolve your dog’s aggression.

Before you sign up check out what techniques are being used to deal with an aggressive dog. Some outdated methods can actually be more harmful than helpful to your dog. Be sure to do your research. Ask the potential trainer if you can watch his training methods. At the end of the day what you want is for your dog to stop attacking. You don’t want to be constantly worried whether or not your “companion” is going to bite you, someone else, or another animal.

Remember also that some states or provinces have laws in effective that deal very harshly with an aggressive dog.

In Ontario Canada right now they have Bill 132 commonly referred to as the Pit Bull ban. This is very scary legislation.

This legislation bans pit bulls and other bull terrier types and the onus is on the owner to prove their dog is not a pit bull. It also allows your dog, if seized, to be put down or given to someone else that lives where the ban is not in place. They can also give your dog to a laboratory for research.

This legislation does not define what a bite is, what an attack is or even what menacing behaviour is. (Hope you get along with your neighbour).

I strongly believe that we should have some protection from aggressive dogs but to ban specific breeds is not the way to do it. To follow their trend of thought would be to say that if we found one white male politician that had not kept his campaign promises then we should never allow any white males to hold politic office since they all are not trustworthy. For some reason I can’t see something like that even being considered.

Remember when you get a dog they are a lifetime commitment. Training is vital for them and you. With the proper training and socialization you can establish that bond that you really both desire.

As an owner of dobermans for the last 25 years, Maureen recognizes the need of properly training your dog. She offers useful hints and tips on training your dog. You can find thesesimple techniques for your dog and you at http://www.traineddogsrule.com

Article Source: http://www.abcarticledirectory.co

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Aggressive Dogs are not Born They are Man Made

By: Jane Saeman

Leash training is hugely underestimated by new dog owners. The process of getting your puppy or adult dog used to being on leash is fairly simple and just takes a little bit of your time. Trust me; this small investment of properly training your dog to walk politely on his leash will pay high dividends in the near future, especially if your puppy will grow up weighing 50 or more pounds.

Leash Training Questions: I get at least a dozen or more questions each week from new dog owners that ask me about leash training. They want to know what type of leash is best, what type to avoid, how long they should walk their dog, how to get the dog to stop pulling, etc.

Below I have listed a few of these common leash training questions for your benefit. Remember, there is no one best way to do anything so when it comes to dog training, whether it involves leash training or other lesson, it is okay to mix in your own training ideas so long as you keep it 100% positive. Negative dog training is not recommended and highly discouraged.

Having said that, here are a few basic leash training questions:

1. How much room should I allow the leash to extend when walking my dog? According to most dog trainers, your puppy or adult dog does not need anymore than 5 to 6 feet of distance to roam when you are walking him. This is plenty of room for you to keep control of the situation, while at the same time giving your dog a chance to sniff out small areas along the way.

2. What type of material should my leash be made of? If you walk into any pet-specific store you’ll find that the majority of leashes for sale are made of nylon. Nylon is easy to wash and comes in all kinds of pretty colors. However, they will burn your hand if the dog suddenly pulls and the leash moves through your fingers.

My recommendation is to use a leather leash. In fact, a 6 foot leash made of leather is the perfect size and material. It will last a long time and you will not experience any type of burning sensation if it is pulled. The grip is firm and your control is increased.

3. What about using chain leashes? Chain leashes are practically indestructible and will last a very long time, but just like nylon material, a chain leash can hurt your hands if the dog yanks hard and your grip slips. In fact, the injury could be much more severe than a nylon burn.

4. How wide should the leash be? This answer is very simple. A leash that is approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inches is ideal. Try to avoid heavy, bulky leashes.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

Jane Saeman loves dogs and strives to keep other dog lovers informed. A whole world awaits other dog lovers. Find out how cute the dog in your life is at my website which is at www.PicturesOfMyDogs.com

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Leash Training: Your Leash Training Questions Answered

Just like human beings, certain dogs can be aggressive by nature. This aggressive behavior could lead to severe conflicts between the dogs and their masters. Such behavior is instinctive among many animals, but can be controlled. It is in fact necessary to control it for the well being of your dog. Dog to dog aggression is quiet normal and a dog aggressive to other dogs is more frequent within breeds than between them.

But where is the line between playful antics and aggression? Let us take a look at a few things that determine that.

Growling is the most common sign of aggression which needs immediate attention. You can take steps by trying to get your pet together with other dogs in your neighborhood, including ones of its own breed. Some pets reveal territorial aggression, which often results in chasing cars or people passing by. This could create problems, not only for you, but also for your immediate neighbors. This type of territorial aggression may require certain additional measures like citronella or electronic collars. Even aggression training can prove helpful. Since these issues can make both you and your dog unhappy, you’ll need to find some effective ways to control it.

Another kind of problem is fear aggression. This can be caused due to the fear of a particular person, another animal or even from a particular situation. Your dog may simply not understand how to handle such a situation and instinctively become aggressive.

Even pain can be responsible for aggression in dogs. A dog under any physical pain is likely to be short tempered and will charge at anyone who annoys it or even gets close to it. Under such situations, the best thing you can do is to leave him alone and give him time to recover from his injuries.

Your dog may become irritable or even angry, which can also have negative impacts. Your already irritated dog will hardly show any patience and may turn aggressive when approached. At such times, you should give him some time to rest and should be left alone until he calms down. You should also avoid bringing another pet into your house, as it may not be able to control his anger and could attack. Specialty training collars may prove helpful in situations like these.

Some trainers intentionally teach dog aggression, which is a big mistake. Most of these trainers are inexperienced and are not sure of what is the correct way to train the aggressive dogs. Similarly, it would be foolish of the pet owners to expect the dogs to be tender and gentle after having given them vigorous training. It is very important to understand that it is difficult for dogs to unlearn what they have learned in the past. Like humans, habits die hard in dogs too! Ridding them of aggressive behavior may be very difficult. So it is best to avoid training them to behave aggressively.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

Dog leash training is one of the most important things a responsible owner can do for puppies. It will keep them safe outdoors, and a leash can also allow you to retain control during other training methods.

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Controlling Dog Aggression

When you look down at your brand new, small and tender puppy peacefully sleeping in its little bed, it’s hard to think that in just two to three months it may grow to be 40, 50, or even up to 100 pounds depending on the type of breed. And although its behaviors may cute at the moment, like jumping up and putting his front paws on your body, these actions will be far less enjoyable when your dog is all grown up and literally knocking you over.

Your best bet is to start training your puppy from day one so that he can learn proper manners as he grows into adulthood. Puppies that are not trained in this manner end up learning all of the wrong stuff and their owners wonder why they cannot seem to get their dogs to behave as they age.

Many years ago, when dog training methods used more punishment oriented (using harsh methods to train puppies), dog trainers typically required all puppy trainees to be at least six months old. The reason was partly due to the fact that such physical correction protocols used could not be done with dogs that were too small or too young.

What is ironic about dog training in the old days is that by the time most puppies are six months old they are big enough and mentally stubborn enough to ignore commands and are altogether tough to train.

New Times Bring Better Training Methods: Over the last 20 years or so, the dog training profession has embraced more friendly and loving training tactics for their puppy clients. Most trainers now accept puppies that are as young as 8 to 10 weeks old. They are typically enrolled in socialization classes and puppy kindergarten.

Positive training is now used instead of the old-school methods of negative reinforcement. Puppies are taught to walk politely on the leash. They learn the basic commands of sit, stay, lie down, and come. In addition to these simple instructions, other useful techniques are learned by puppies such as how to relax, give and take their paw, and polite greeting.

Dog Owners Are More Involved With Training Nowadays: Another interesting aspect of raising dogs that has been noted over the last couple of decades is that more and more dog owners have taken it upon themselves to train their puppies.

This is partly due to the fact that so many dog training publications and manuals have been written. Modern dog training programs are based more and more on scientific principles and psychological studies of animal behavior and temperament.

Simple puppy training programs have taught dog owners to utilize techniques such as clicker training and luring.

Clicker training involves the use of a small mechanism that makes a clicking sound when pressed. When a dog hears the sound it will associate the click with whatever reward you give him. This tells the animal that something good is coming and he should repeat whatever behavior or action you have been teaching him.

Luring training is simply using food such as a dog treat, or even a toy, to induce the dog to display a specific behavior in order to follow the lure in hopes of getting the reward.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

Jane Saeman loves dogs and strives to keep other dog lovers informed. A whole world awaits other dog lovers. Find out how cute the dog in your life is at my website which is at www.PicturesOfMyDogs.com

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Dog Training Methods: How Dog Training Has Evolved Over the Last Few Decades