There was a time when someone wanting to adopt a dog almost always went for a puppy. These day's though, it's just as common for a prospective dog owner to adopt an adolescent or fully grown dog from the local dog shelter.
This is a laudable trend and one that I hope with continue to grow but it does raise some issues. For example, unlike a puppy that can be taught patterns of behavior, older dogs come with established ways of being, and sometimes with major behavioral problems like anxiety and aggression.
In many cases, the dog soon finds himself back at the pound, and the owner is left with guilt and regret. But it doesn't have to come to this because, with the right method, consistently applied, just about any dog can be trained.
Before you begin with training though, there are two beliefs you need to eradicate. The first is that the dog needs, or deserves, your pity.
It's a sad reflection on our society that many of these dogs have been beaten, mistreated and abused, but unfortunately you can't change that. What you can do is provide love, care and affection. You can show them that not all humans are like those that have hurt them. But pity plays no role in this.
Dogs are quite willing to forgive and forget, so focus your energy instead on creating a stable environment, and providing consistent leadership and positive training.
The other mistaken belief is that the way to train a "difficult" dog is to make him comply by using force. This is a lie, plain and simple.
Barbaric methods like choke chains and shock collars have no place in modern dog training. No responsible trainer uses them and if one so much as suggests you do, take your dog elsewhere.
These methods are possibly the worse thing you can do with an aggressive dog. Effectively what you're doing is approaching an already aggressive animal with violence, and that my friend, is just asking to be bitten. So don't ever use violent training methods with any dog.
What approach should you take? Start with the basics, crate training, potty training if required and then some obedience work. Keep it positive and reward based with lots of praise and treats, and remember that dogs can learn at any age.
You'll need to be patient and persistent because your dog will already have established behaviors and will likely be more difficult to influence than a puppy.
Also keep in mind that dogs are individuals. Breed, age and other factors all affect trainability, but even within the same breed there are variances of personality. With a dog that has been adopted there's also the added complication of past events influencing how the dog reacts.
But with persistent application you will succeed. Need a role model? Well Frank Inn, the famous Hollywood dog trainer found virtually all his star performers (including Higgins, the dog who played Benji), at dog shelters.
Visit dogsanddogtraining.com to find outmore about dog training, dog care, dog training tips and other useful dog info.
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An activity like dog training is something that various people will be approaching very differently. Some people may be confident trainers, whose pets appear frequently in shows, while others might be new owners of pets, fighting with a pet that is showing the effect of a troubled past. But, there are several key concepts everybody can gain benefit from learning and testing out. You need to use these strategies to learn a couple of things that may aid both you and your pet to experience more fun and to create a stronger bond.
If your pet is a big bruiser, be easy on your hands and be sure of having a good robust leash by utilizing a horse lead rope that would serve as your leash. These come in the standard 6' length in synthetic rope or soft cotton with a very robust snap being attached. They come in lost of pretty colours and are sturdy and robust.
Hear your pet. Don't insist that he would greet someone else, dog, or animal if the dog seems troubled. It is vital to realize that there is a reason he is uncomfortable, and you want to consider that. If the pet is implying that he is troubled, don't force the issue as it can lead to bigger problems down the line.
Always recall that it needs patience and time to train a pet. Some dogs pick up things fast, while others would take longer. Every dog will have a learning pace of their own, so be sure to be aware of your dog's pace. As a dog training advice, try and be as positive as possible when working with him so that he suspects it's a exciting activity to do with you and will look forward to your training activities.
No matter what your skill level and the behaviour of your pet, education is key to good dog training. Knowing dog psychology, especially what influences and incentivizes pets and the impact your behaviour, body language and 'body tells ' can have on that is imperative. This post has provided you with several strategies and recommendations for doing exactly that, which ought really to be enjoyable for you and your pet to try.
You can check out several informative dog training posts at http://www.dog-biting.com/.
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Crate training involves teaching your dog to spend time in a dog crate – a plastic, wooden or wire enclosure. Many dog owners worry that this is cruel, but in fact, once they are used to it, most dogs really enjoy spending time in the crate.
The crate simulates the den environment of a wolf, so not only is crate training humane, it actually draws on natural canine behavior.
The best time to start crate training in the first night the puppy spends in your home. By now you should already have bought a crate that accommodates your puppy's adult size. Buy one with a sliding panel, and adjust the panel, so the pup has just enough space to lie down and turn around.
Put in a soft towel, rather than a blanket, for the puppy to sleep on. If the pup then ‘has an accident’ in the crate, the towel will absorb any messes.If you bought your puppy from a breeder try to get a strip of blanket with the mother's scent on it. This will be a comfort to your puppy as she settles in.
Put the crate in an area that will allow the pup to interact with the family. Don't put the crate in a secluded spot as the puppy will feel isolated and take longer to settle. Remember that dogs are social creatures by nature.
For the first few weeks, you should put the crate in your bedroom at night. Expect a ruckus at first. Remember, she's just a baby, taken away from her family and put into a place filled with strange sights, smells and sounds.
Don't feel you have to respond to every whimper though. Do this and she'll soon figure out how to get you to come running.
Within a day or two, your pup will be used to the crate and within a few weeks you can move her out of the bedroom. She'll probably kick up a fuss again, but provided you don't respond to her cries, she will get used to the idea quite quickly.
Before too long she'll learn to love the crate and will go there of her own accord.
An often overlooked benefit of crate training is that it makes house training a breeze. Dogs are, by nature, clean animals, so if your puppy needs to go while she's in the crate she'll learn to keep it in.
Remember that your pup will not have the bladder control of an adult dog, so keep her stays in the crate short – no more than an hour at a time.
If she starts making a fuss and wanting to go out, get her outdoors right away. Give lots of praise when she relieves herself outside and your potty training will be much easier.
Visit dogsanddogtraining.com to learnmore about crate training puppies, dog care, dog walking and other helpful dog advice.
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Dogs communicate using a complex "language", based on physical cues. Learn to understand this language and you'll develop a much better understanding of your dog's needs, wants, and moods. You'll also give your dog training efforts a serious boost, as you'll be communicating on a level your dog readily understands.
Unfortunately, no-one has yet written a handy reference guide, but by following the guidelines set out below you'll quickly be up to speed on what your dog is trying to tell you.
Here are some of the most common dog language cues you'll need to know.
Standing Still – When a dog suddenly stops moving and stands very still, he's indicating to you that he wants to be left alone. He may also do this if he's standing guard over some or other possession. You may also see this behavior if a dog is given a treat while there are other dogs around.
Exposing his Teeth – Dogs seldom attack without warning. They may growl, raise their hackles, and posture. And if all else fails, they'll show their teeth as a final warning that they're about to attack. The best thing to do is to back down.
Growling – Growling is a dog's way of telling you to back off. If you refuse to do so, you'll hear the growl rise in intensity as the dog works himself up for an attack.Dog owners often shout at the dog, or punish him for growling. This is the worst thing you can do. Growling is a warning and if the dog is not allowed to growl he may just bite.
Raising the Hackles – The hackles refer to a ridge of hair that runs down the center of the back. A dog that is frightened will often raise his hackles to try and make himself look bigger. Be aware that there is often more risk of a bite from a frightened dog, than from an aggressive one.
Tucking the tail between the legs – A classic sign of fear or timidity, but can also mean the dog is anxious. This may have any number of causes, the owner leaving the house for instance, or the dog being introduced to a stranger.
Putting the head down – This can have a number of meanings. It could be a submissive behavior where the dog tries to avoid eye contact, or it could be an invitation to play.
Raising a Paw – This is a friendly gesture meaning, "let's be friends".
Wagging the tail – The tail is one of the dog's most important communication devices, and the one that is most often misinterpreted. A common belief is that a wagging tail suggests happiness, but this is only true if the tail is being wagged loosely.If the tail is moving in rapid, short, side to side flicks, it means that that dog is agitated, while a tail that is wagged while being held between the legs indicates fear, or uncertainty.
In the canine world, body language will always carry more weight than words. Yes, a dog may learn voice commands, but they will always be secondary to posture and movement.
Learn to interpret their language and you'll understand your dog that much better.
Learn more about dog training tips, dog care, information on dogs and other interesting dog information at www.dogsanddogtraining.com
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