Archives for February, 2010
I want to put to bed a couple of misconceptions about using a dog training shock collar for obedience training for dogs. A lot people immediately think of punishment when they hear someone talking about electric dog collars or shock collars and they’d be right however when they don’t have 100% of the information people tend to make their own judgments and spread rumors about how these devices really cause pain to a dog. And we all know rumors spread like ‘wild fire.’
Unfortunately some people can abuse a dog training shock collar and ignore general dog training advice on the correct way to use a dog training shock collar. They put the collar on too tightly, have the intensity turned up higher than what is needed and they activate the device more often than necessary. It’s so sad but these are the stories that we hear about and remember and this is what puts this device in such a bad light.
If people just followed the correct dog training information provided with the electric dog training shock collar then this effective dog training product would be more highly recommended. I acknowledge that people still have their opinions when it comes to dog training methods and that they will most probably be against using this device to train a dog but the fact of the matter is that a dog bark collar works.
The only circumstance I would advise and personally decide to use one is when all other dog training advice has been followed and all other dog training methods have been exhausted and that after repeated attempts you find nothing is working.
Here’s why I would personally use a dog training shock collar to train my dog;
Although called and referred to as a ‘Shock Collar’ they actually have three different types of correction, these are: Shock, Vibrate and Sound. You can use all these functions individually or you can administer a combination of two or more either automatically or by using one of the many remote dog training collars where you can carry around the remote control in your pocket. I would also advise that for dog training basics in using a dog bark collar you start off at the lowest available intensity and work upwards and that the shock function is used as a last resort. In some cases the sound these collars give off is more than enough to stop your dog barking or to get them to perform a certain command.
Search the internet and I’m sure you’ll find lots of videos showing you how people use these dog training shock collars, there’s even one out there where the guy puts the collar on himself and gives himself the highest possible correction the collar can offer. Also if you require a small dog training collar you should find that most of the shock devices can be attached to an alternative collar than the one provided. I find the adjustable strap collars are better than using the buckle style to attach the training device to your dog.
All in all I would recommend you use an electric dog training shock collar for dog training basics and obedience training for dogs however please ensure that you follow the advice given with the product and if you’re still unsure seek the advice of a professional dog trainer.
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Feb 12, 2010 | | Dog Training Advice
If you’re having problems with training your dog and you’re looking for some good dog training information then I may be able to help. And if you’re at the end of your tether and need a dog training for dummies manual or something similar then I hope that what I provide here will be able to help you out.
You see like anything dog training is easy, well that’s what everyone says anyway, but if your struggling so much then the best piece of dog training advice I can honestly give to you is to ‘go back to basics’ that’s right you heard me ‘go back to basics.’ I don’t mean to start all over again, what I mean is look at what you’re doing now and how you were initially shown and are they different. If they’re not then you will probably need to try something different because what you’re doing now isn’t working.
There are books and DVD’s available to help you self train your dog and like the title of this article some of the best dog training books available are the ‘For Dummies’ series. The ‘Dog Training for Dummies Book’ is just one of many available from this publisher and they cover loads of different topics to help the beginner out. You could also look at a specific breed training books or DVD’s such as ‘Labrador Retriever Puppy Training.’ This type of book would be dedicated to training a certain breed of dog and will be usually written by a specific breed expert or trainer.
What I’ve found is that people use certain dog training for dummies methods and find that they just can’t get their dog to do the tasks and commands they are trying to train them for. So what I advise these people to do is to start back at the dog training for dummies basics and teach their dogs the basic commands even if you can only get your dog to sit, ‘that’s great… ‘IT’S A START.’ Once you can get the basics right then you can move onto other commands, just remember that to be successful with any form of dog training for dummies you’ll need to ensure that you as the trainer are consistent, patient and that you give your dog plenty of praise and reward when they do what you ask and you don’t punish them or give them a telling off by shouting at them when they don’t do want you want them to do or when you’ve lost your temper because you’ve been trying to get Fido to lay down for the last 2 hours.
One of the good dog training for dummies methods you could try is taking your dog out for a long walk and practice some of the commands whilst you’re out of the house. This not only gives you a new environment for your dog to learn in but you, subconsciously, won’t lose your temper if you know there are other people around who might see you ‘flip your lid.’ It’s also a great opportunity to teach your dog the ‘Leave It’ and ‘Recall’ commands as there will be plenty of distractions to practice with. On top of all this you will make the learning experience fun for your dog.
If you’re just starting out or starting again and need some guidance or dog training for dummies information you have a couple of options; 1) you could consult with a professional dog obedience school however this will be quite costly however you will be getting many years of dog training advice from someone who has probably dealt with lots of different types of dogs and dog behavior problems or 2) you could try getting yourself one of the many dog training courses available which you could use at home.
Both of these methods can be effective and to begin with I’d opt for the home course dog training for dummies information first because if it works you won’t need to pay out for a professional dog trainer and if it doesn’t, not only will you own the information provided within the dog training for dummies course however when you start working with the professional dog trainer you’ll have already learned a lot so what you spend with the dog obedience school will be money well spent as you’ll already have acquired the basic skills you’d normally begin learning when you attend these classes.
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Feb 12, 2010 | | Dog Training Advice
This will give you an overview on German Shepherd dog training; The German Shepard is a very popular breed of dog and is not only classed as a pet for the home but is widely used by many professionals to carry out very important tasks that our ability as human beings cannot physically perform. They are used to work alongside people in many walks of life such as the Police, Army and as a Security Personnel. Their main job is to use their strong sense of smell to detect items such as drugs, land mines and people however they can also receive guard dog training and be used for capturing and warning off potential threats from other people.
Although the German Shepard makes an excellent working dog they also make a great dog for the home and German Shepherd dog training can be easy. And once you get yours you’ll find they will become an integral part of your family life. Not only will they become a loveable family member but also as a protector and guardian to you, your family and your home.
One breed you may be interested in bringing home to your family is a White German Shepard puppy, This breed of dog is a little more unconventional than your standard German Shepard however they are very beautiful looking creatures and will certainly stand out in a crowd. When you start searching for German Shepard puppies for sale please make sure that you look and compare all the reputable German Shepard dog breeders you find. As you’ve probably heard of the stories around backstreet kennels who breed and sell dogs purely for a profit and then a few weeks later the new owner experiences life threatening problems with their new puppy.
To help you get the maximum benefit from owning one of these incredible dogs I’m going to share with you, what I hope you’ll find to be, some useful German Shepherd dog training information which will show you the best way to train your new dog.
Unlike training most dogs the German Shepard has the ability to learn to perform tasks, on command very quickly. One of the best pieces of dog training advice I can give you with regards to German Shepherd dog training is that you socialize your dog as early as you possible can. Good socialization with other dogs, other animals and other humans is paramount to their development.
Where to begin with German Shepherd Dog Training
First thing you’ll need to do with German Shepherd dog training is to start socializing you take your puppy to your local Vet who will be able to advise you on what is known as a ‘Puppy Party’. This is basically where members of the Vet who have recently taken on a puppy (and this can be any breed) are invited to meet to mix their puppy with the other members of the Vet who have also taken on a puppy. This is a great way for them to not only get used to other dogs but also to get used to been handled by other people who they don’t know. And the great thing about a ‘Puppy Party’ is that it is a controlled environment. They will also have someone on hand to show you the best German Shepherd dog training methods to use throughout your puppy’s growth.
Once you’ve laid down this initial foundation its time to start applying some German Shepherd dog training to teach them a few commands. Some dog training basics are to get your dog to ‘Sit’, ‘Lay Down’, ‘Give Paw’, ‘Stay’ and ‘Leave It’. There isn’t any given rule on what you should say to your dog however these particular words I have found work, you may find slight variations on these terms work better with your dog however just try things out and see what works for you. The best piece of German Shepherd dog training advice I can give you, and I know works every time, is to be consistent. Your dog won’t just pick things up at the click of a finger or when you say one of the command words however if you stay positive and be consistent your dog will soon learn the command.
To begin your German Shepard dog training will need to associate a reward or treat for your dog when they carry out the command you give however in the beginning you may need to entice your dog with hand movements to get them to do the task correctly. For example to get your dog to sit hold the treat in your hand so your dog can see it and move your hand over your dogs head whilst at the same time say the word ‘Sit’ when your dog does the sit action you give him the treat, praise and reward him with further, positive attention.
When you move your hand over his head he automatically will put his back end on the floor and by saying the word ‘Sit’ followed by receiving a treat and lots of praise for what they’ve just done, your dog will associate what he has just done with a positive outcome. Keep doing it until you can just say ‘Sit’ to him and he will obey. You must be consistent with the praise and reward in your German Shepherd dog training because if you don’t you could confuse your dog.
Remember association and reward is key to these German Shepherd dog training methods stick to this and they will work for you. Any professional dog trainer will tell you to keep practicing these commands until your dog does them every time. Once you get these German Shepherd dog training basics sorted you can then decide if you want to teach your dog some more advanced commands.
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Feb 12, 2010 | | Dog Training Advice
Potty training puppies isn’t as difficult as it sounds, a lot of people really do struggle with this however these puppy training tips for toilet training your puppy should help you on your way.
Although dog dirt is disgusting dogs are actually clean animals and they don’t like living in a dirty home. If your house door was open all the time your dog would probably go outside to do his business every time he needed to, this helps make potty training puppies all the more easier to do. However when your dog is in their puppy stage you need to teach them how not to go to toilet just anywhere in your home. Also you can’t leave your door open all the time!!
Using some puppy training pads to help with housebreaking your dog is a great way to get started in teaching your puppy to go to the toilet in a certain area. You would place the pad somewhere where you’re happy for your puppy to go toilet. The idea of the pads is to protect whatever’s underneath and to attract the puppy to the pad so don’t let any of that worry you. I’ve found that only after a few toilet breaks my puppy’s have always returned back again and again, just make sure you praise and reward them when they’ve finished (don’t distract them before or during always praise and reward afterwards). Also you’ll find that once the puppy has got used to the idea of where to go they’ll keep going back there.
Without these pads in place your puppy would just stop in its tracks and piddle wherever he stands which makes potty training puppies all the more difficult. If he gets into a habit of doing this potty training puppies will be all the more difficult, plus the addition of the scent he left the last time he went will only attract him to go again and again, randomly inside your home.
When you start to see that your puppy goes to the pad without any encouragement a few times a day without any accidents anywhere else then what I would do next is place the puppy training pads outside, near the doorway where you had it inside, and then show the puppy where the pad has been moved to, let them have a nosey of the change and if they squat and pee straight away praise and reward them for doing so after they’ve finished. Keep letting them outside and gradually over time they will develop a stronger bladder and they will start to get used to a routine at what time they can go to the toilet. You’ll almost be able to set your watch by them.
When you apply these potty training puppies techniques you should see consistent results in about 3 – 4 months however bear in mind these results will only start to show if you’ve been consistent in making sure you’ve given your puppy ample opportunity to go outside to go to the toilet on a regular basis throughout each and every day. It’s also a good idea to get begin as you mean to go on and organize a puppy training schedule for everything your doing with your dog. You could also explore crate training your dog.
One last thing to mention with regards to potty training puppies is that should your puppy have a little accident at one of their first puppy parties or puppy training classes, don’t worry as this is totally normal. They’re just probably nervous as they will have just entered a room full of lots of different doggy scents and sounds and this can be quite intimidating for anyone let alone your puppy.
Keep at your potty training puppies regime and stay consistent and you will see the results you desire. I hope you found these puppy training tips useful and I wish you all the luck with your potty training puppies crusade.
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Feb 12, 2010 | | Puppy Training Tips
Here’s one of the best puppy training tips for the best way to do puppy leash training, you should this start as soon as you get your puppy home. By doing this you’ll bet getting your puppy used to wearing a collar and been attached to a leash. 
Start your puppy leash training by just attaching the leash to the puppy’s collar and let him roam around your home with it on, don’t hold the other end as he may get scared due to the lack of movement he’ll have. This is one the most effective puppy training techniques used by dog owners and trainers and works with pretty much any breed of dog. By not having any contact with the leash while it’s attached to your puppy’s collar gives him the chance to check out the leash by sniffing it on his terms. Start off attaching it for only a few minutes at a time and then grow the length of time you leave the leash on and then gradually start to hold the end loosely.
During your puppy leash training; once you’re up to the ten minute mark I’d start to hold the end very loosely and interact with your puppy by trying to use the recall command by patting on your lap with one hand whilst holding the lead in the other. The result of when your puppy comes to you is to give him lots of praise and reward and even a small treat whilst still holding the leash.
Next step with your puppy leash training is to try walking around your home, always giving praise to your puppy and try walking him outside or to his puppy training pad to give him the opportunity to go to the toilet. All this might not seem like much to you but it is having a massive effect on your dog’s relationship with his leash.
As you progress in your puppy leash training to leaving the home all this work will make your life a lot easier when you’re outside as your puppy will be used to been on the leash and you won’t have any issues with pulling, not walking or even trying to chew through the leash. Also when you attend your dog training classes you’ll find that you’ll probably have to leave the leash attached for control purposes just incase a fight breaks out and all the attendees need to get their dogs under control very quickly.
One of the key pointers to successful puppy leash training is getting your puppy used to been on a leash early will save a lot of issues later on in his life and having your dog on a leash is a requirement by Law so you must make sure you puppy is well behaved when they have their leash and collar on. Should you require further puppy training help with training a new puppy then you could consult with your Vet or try contacting a local professional trainer in your area. These people will be able to give you some excellent advice if you’re really struggling. With puppy leash training you’re Not Alone.
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Feb 12, 2010 | | Puppy Training Tips
One of the biggest puppy house training problems people generally face is the age old ‘what do I do when my puppy goes to the toilet in my home.’ Firstly don’t panic, there’s no need to and don’t shout at your puppy or, heaven forbid, rub their nose in what they’ve done. Most people will tell you that this is the way to treat your puppy after they’ve gone to the toilet in your home however if you follow these puppy house training tips you’ll find that this may stop the urinating issue, it probably won’t, but will certainly open up a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of anxiety problems.
When you’re dealing with puppy house training problems you need to have patience if you don’t then please reconsider getting a puppy as this won’t right for you. Puppy house training does take time but the rewards of owning a puppy far outweigh the problems that can come with them.
Anyway sorry to digress, lets get back on to the subject of sorting out your puppy house training problems and follow on with these potty training tips for puppies. If your puppy does happen to relieve himself in your home and on your carpet, try cleaning it up with a special dog odor eliminator. If you just use domestic soap and warm water you’ll find that the smell has gone for you but as your puppy’s sense of smell is a lot stronger than yours they will still be able to smell it and will repeatedly go again in the same place. This should completely get rid of the scent and help alleviate some of the more common puppy house training problems owners usually have to deal with and that is repeat offending.
If you find that, whilst working through his puppy house training problems, your puppy is going to the toilet quite regularly or more often than usual then you may want to get him checked out as he may have picked up a bladder infection. Again don’t panic just take your puppy to your Vet and have him checked, don’t ignore it and hope it will go away always seek out medical advice for any drastic, unhealthy changes in your puppy’s demeanor.
I just want to mention a little about house training a dog should you own one instead of a puppy. Some of the adjustments you’ll need to make from dealing with puppy house training problems and move to house training your dog is that a dog can hold on to needing the toilet for a longer time than a puppy can so you’ll need to let your dog out at least twice a day. You should be walking your dog at least twice a day, both at morning and night, anyway so this shouldn’t be a problem. You also don’t need to watch your dog as much as you do with a puppy although both puppies and dogs can be crate trained.
You could try using puppy pads or paper, in your puppy house training problems schedule, which is a way to not only attract your puppy to a specific area of your home but will also protect the flooring underneath. Some people don’t like these as they encourage the dog to go to the toilet inside however if you already suffer from this problem at least you can control where they go. The best way I can recommend you on how to paper train a puppy is to place the paper or pad by one of the doors to your home and then gradually move the pad outside and let your puppy see what you’re doing. After your puppy has used the pad move the pad outside and the scent from the last time your puppy went should attract him to the pad again but this time outside.
In the long run I’d recommend using a crate for both house training puppies and house training your dog as your fulfilling a natural instinct by giving them their very own ‘den’ to stay in and they’ll have their own little confined space in your home much like your children have their own rooms. This will help reduce the amount of puppy house training problems you’ll have to face.
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Feb 12, 2010 | | House Training Your Dog
I want to share with you some very useful dog house training tips and advice. These tips will not only work for dogs however they will also work for puppies too. So whether you’re house training a dog or house training puppies I’m sure you’ll find this article a massive help to your dog training campaign.
One of the best dog house training tips would be to be observant and always be mindful that your puppy or dog has free roam of your home. The other alternative you have if you can’t be around all the time is to crate train your dog, which is an effective way and a way I’d recommend to properly house train your dog.
If you don’t know what they’re up to, especially a puppy, then you can’t stop them from getting into trouble. For example you don’t want your puppy to go to the toilet in your home so if you don’t have them in sight how do you know they haven’t done their business somewhere in your house. You’ll only find out when the smell hits you a few days later. When house training your dog or puppy, give them plenty of opportunity to go outside so they go to the toilet there and instead of in your home.
One very good dog house training tips is to be sure to praise and reward them when they do go to the toilet outside and try to give a command just as they are about to begin and then give them a reward after they’ve finished.
During the puppy house training phase be sure to clean up after your puppy should they go to the toilet inside. When you house train your puppy; don’t acknowledge them or tell them off as this won’t help with their training. If they’ve managed to go to the toilet inside your home it’s because you haven’t kept a close enough eye on them. Had you been watching them then they would have had the chance to go.
Some signs to watch out for in your dog that they may need to go to the toilet are that they may start to whimper or whine and may hang around the door to your home while they do this. Here’s some dog house training tips on what to watch for;
• They will start to sniff the floor, with house training puppies you’ll need to be very quick because from sniffing the floor to the actual squat can be only a matter of seconds.
• Your dog may start to circle in a crazy manner as if they are looking for something in a small area.
• Relentless panting as if they’ve just ran a marathon and back.
• They may also be asleep one minute on their bed in front of you whilst you’re watching TV and then all of a sudden they’ll get up and leave the room.
Remember these dog house training tips and be mindful of these signs although some dogs may act a little differently, for example if you’re sat on your sofa your dog may come up to you with his ears pinned back and climb up on your lap with his front two paws and start to look at you with a look of panic in their eyes.
I hope that you have found these dog house training tips useful and I hope that they help you go a long to getting your dog or puppy house trained as soon as possible. And remember with house training your dog they don’t want to go to the toilet in your home as this is also their home and dogs are in actual fact very clean animals. So be patient, be consistent and remember if your dog or puppy can’t get outside they will probably relieve themselves inside your house.
Keep an eye on my website for more dog house training tips and advice.
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Feb 12, 2010 | | House Training Your Dog
So you’ve decided to get yourself a puppy have you? Are you ready for the commitment? You should ask yourself this before you decide to take on your very own little ankle biter!! I hope to give you here some useful free puppy training tips and advice to help you at least get started with making sure you have a well behaved puppy living in your home. So lets get some free puppy training tips transferred to you so you can begi training your puppy now.
First things first, where will your puppy sleep at night, one of my first free puppy training tips I’ll give you is that, I’d recommend you find somewhere in your home which is slightly shaded yet still warm preferably near a heat source within your home such as a radiator or near some of your heating systems pipes where the hot water for your home runs through. Try not to get into the habit of letting your puppy sleep with you on your bed as they will get used to this and weaning them off it will be very difficult with lots of mid night wake up calls from your lonely dog downstairs.
One of the good free puppy training tips which has been known to work very well is that you’ll want to consider getting some puppy training pads as your little friend will need to go to the toilet a lot and you can’t keep your eye on him all the time and these pads will certainly help with potty training your puppy, when his little body tells him he needs to go he will just go. Puppy training pads give him somewhere, at least when you’re not there to let him outside, he will be able to go in a place where you want him to go. I’d also recommend you place the pads near one of your doors. The puppy training pads will ensure that when your puppy goes to the toilet, they don’t leave a massive puddle to soak through to your carpet.
These free puppy training tips should be enough to get you started and they could be all you need to do.
Next thing to sort out before you get your puppy home is what to feed them. There are many foods available but you want to stick to the foods which are specifically made for (and titled on the packaging) for puppies. If you’re unsure consult with your Vet and they will be able to advise you on the best food to use.
Use your Vet as a resource for more free puppy training tips and advice:
Speaking of your Vet make sure you get your puppy booked in for his booster injections to ensure he doesn’t catch and bugs or diseases which fly around like our common cold. Your Vet is also a great resource for free puppy training tips and puppy care advice and they will always advise you on the best way to go so use them whenever you’re unsure of anything.
Once you’re puppy is settled into your home and has hit the 16 week old milestone and has had all his vaccinations its time start the socialization and training of your puppy. There are many puppy training classes available and when you start researching you’ll find there are loads in your area. These classes will offer you some great free puppy training tips and will teach you some invaluable puppy training techniques to ensure you have a well behaved dog. They all start with a socialization class which is where your 16 week old puppy will meet other 16 week old puppies to get them used to playing wit other dogs and been handled by other owners. As child like as this sound this sounds these puppy training classes are a very important aspect in your puppy’s life and this can help shape how your dog will turn out socially.
This should be enough free puppy training tips to get you started and remember to just have fun with your puppy and you’ll enjoy every minute you’ll spend together.
Click HERE to learn how to house train your puppy in a week
Feb 12, 2010 | | Puppy Training Tips
I discussed the topic of crate training your dog in one of my other articles however I also wanted to address specifically the topic of crate training your puppy as I feel that although they are similar methods there are some slight differences you must take into account.
With crate training your puppy you still follow the method for getting ready for crate training your dog however you need to be aware that your puppy may need a little more attention and they can’t be left on their own for as long as a dog can. A puppy must also be left alone when it’s in its crate because you want the crate to act as a ‘safe haven’ to your puppy from the outside world. If you got your puppy from a responsible dog breeder then your puppy should already be used to a crate so crate training your puppy should be easy.
So here’s an overview on how crate training your puppy should be done. First sit on the floor by the crate with some treats in your hand, call your puppy over to you and give them a treat along with some positive praise and attention for obeying your command, then throw a couple of treats into the crate by the door (not all the way in, about an inch or two from the door) your puppy, been a puppy, should go into the crate for the treat. At this point your puppy isn’t thinking ‘I’m in a crate’ he’s thinking ‘gimme that treat.’ Don’t start off by throwing a treat all the way into the crate and then shutting the door behind him when he goes in. You want to gradually entice your puppy into the crate and you shut the door when they are comfortably inside the crate and their attention is elsewhere (like on a toy or eating more treats).
While your puppy is eating the first batch of treats near the front of the crate toss a few treats to the back of the crate. Your puppy will do one of two things stop and think about going all the way into the crate or he will just dive straight in for the rest of the treats without thinking about it. Basically the whole process of crate training your puppy is all based around you throwing the treats further and further into the crate which in turn entices your puppy further and further inside the crate.
Once your puppy goes all the way in on his own accord give him more positive praise and attention followed by more treats. Try closing the door when he’s all the way in and his attention is on either a toy or eating more treats however, to begin with, open the door again before he’s nearly eaten all the treats. Eventually he’ll be happy to go inside the crate without enticement from you.
What to do next if crate training your puppy is going well:
Once they are happy and comfortable with the crate you could try crate training your puppy at night and see how you puppy is while you sleep. Hopefully he will also be tired and should sleep right through. However in the first few days whilst your puppy adjusts to the crate you may experience puppy crate training whining and crying. As heartbreaking as it can be you just need to ignore them and they will eventually settle down. If you attend to them when they whine or cry, they will learn that this is how they get your attention.
Begin crate training your puppy by creating a schedule by letting them out of the crate at regular intervals during the day and if possible at night. I’d put your puppy in the crate a couple of hours before you go to bed and then let him out just before you go to bed, take him straight outside to pee and then put him straight back in. Then first thing in the morning do the same again. Don’t make a fuss just straight out and straight back in. Obviously in the morning once you’ve let him out he will be out until he’s going to be left alone like when you go to work.
The whole process of crate training your puppy can take just a couple of hours or it could take anything up to a week. It all depends on how patient and consistent you are and how much you allow your puppy to make his own mind up about entering the crate. The best thing to do with crate training your puppy is don’t pressure him in if you force him in he won’t ever accept the crate at all.
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Feb 12, 2010 | | Crate Training Dogs
Here’s a general guide to help with crate training your dog and how you should go about introducing your dog to the crate for the very first time when you bring it home. These suggestions will also be effective when crate training your puppy however there are some slight adjustments you’ll need to make between training a dog and training a puppy.
Firstly and before you even go to the shop to look at the available crates for crate training your dog you need to take an old t-shirt, jumper or blanket and lay this over your dogs existing bed. Choose something which you don’t mind giving to your dog even if they end up chewing it to pieces. What we’re doing here is creating something that you can use when you start your dog crate training to act as the bedding for the crate. By letting your dog sleep on this for a few days to a couple of weeks before you bring the crate home ensures that you’ll have something other than the dogs bed to use inside the crate which has a strong scent of the dog (something he will know and trust).
When selecting your crate for crate training your dog make sure that the crate you buy allows the dog enough room so that he can stand up, lay down and turn a full circle inside quite comfortably without touching the sides of the crate. This makes crate training your dog a lot easier as you’ll be making it as welcoming and comfortable a place as possible for your dog. Remember your dog can be in there for long periods at a time so you’ll want to make sure they are happy being in there.
One of the best pieces of crate training your dog advice I can give you is that when you arrive home with the crate arrange for someone to take the dog for a walk while you set it up and put it in its place within your home. When deciding on where to put the crate make sure that your final decision means that the crate won’t constantly be moved around. This could affect your efforst with crate training your dog later down the road.
Next take the item of clothing or blanket you’ve been using on the dogs bed for the last couple of weeks and place that on top of or over the bedding you bought for the crate. Don’t use their bed straight away as this could cause the dog to become scared of the crate. By using the item of clothing from the old bed means the dog will have a choice between the crate and their bed (with crate training your dog you’ll eventually move their bed into the crate once the dog has accepted it). Also line the inside of the crate with a couple of your dog’s toys.
When your dog arrives home from his walk (which hopefully will be when the crate is finished and ready) leave the crate door open and don’t make a fuss of it You don’t need to show your dog the crate either as his nose will do that for you, just make sure the dog can get to the crate without and obstacles in the way. Let your dog investigate it by themselves if they go inside off the bat then you’re already half way there. If they won’t go near it try putting some treats in the crate and let the dog go in off his own accord to collect them. When he goes in give him lots of praise and attention and a couple more treats.
With crate training your dog you’ll need to be patient, if you force the crate onto your dog you’ll run the risk of scarring them and they’ll never go in and you don’t want to be in that situation. When they are finally used to the crate and they go inside it on their own move their original bed into the crate and enjoy a clean and tidy home.
You can use the same method for crate training puppies that you would use with crate training your dog however the difference between a puppy and a dog is a dog is much older and wiser. With puppy crate training there’s a little more involvement from you as the owner which I’ll discuss further in another article but I hope that you’ve found these puppy and dog house training tips help you out with crate training your dog and I hope that they make the task of getting your dog fully toilet trained easier.
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Feb 12, 2010 | | Crate Training Dogs