When Your Dog Comes Inside and Potties on the Carpet

My dog is normally pretty good about pottying, but sometimes he doesnt potty outside and as soon as we come inside, he will potty.  This is just weird.  What can I do to fix this and keep my carpet from being an over-glorified wee-wee pad?

This is a frequent question posed by many of our clients.  Their dog normally doesnt potty in the house, there are just some timing issues that need to be addressed.  If this is truly the case, we have some simple suggestions to help you out:

• When you take your dog outside to potty, actively engage him in high energy play.  Throw the ball for him.  Hide a few toys around the yard and encourage him to actively find them.  Play fetch.  Whatever you do, make sure it is high energy so that you are speeding up your dog’s metabolism.  This encourages “potty”.
• Stop your active play and simply stand back.  Let your dog calm down and begin to focus on the smells of the yard.  This encourages the potty process.  You will normally see him still romp around for a bit and then begin to intensely sniff an area.  This is a sign that he is ready to potty.
• Once he performs his #1 and #2, do not bring him in right away.  Let him “hang out” for a few more minutes.  Sometimes dogs need to potty more than once.  If we bring him in too soon, we have moved the bathroom inside.
• If your dog didn’t potty after fifteen or twenty minutes, take him inside but keep him on a leash and next to you.  Wait five minutes and take him out again.  If coming inside somehow stimulates his need to potty, as stated in our original issue, we have started the process.  The difference is that we will only be inside for a few minutes and we will constantly be with our dog.  Note:  Dogs normally don’t want to go to the bathroom right next to you.

Having your dog outside for potty and then bringing them in only to mess on your carpet is annoying and smelly.  We hope that these suggestions will help you eliminate that problem.  As always, please contact us if you have any questions at The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Should My Kids Train Wolfie

We got a dog and I want to make sure that my kids are involved in his training!  First, I dont want him to be my sole responsibility, but I also want to teach my kids responsibility...

We get this question (request) a lot and the answer really depends on the dynamics of the family and the current issues with the dog.  Lets just walk through some scenarios that we have experienced and we will explain what needs to be done.

The kids dont want anything to do with Wolfie:
The first thing that we would do would be to get your kids involved with Wolfie around the house.  

• Ask them to take Wolfies bowl to him at feeding time.  
• Have Wolfie and your kids together with you as you are giving him s treat.  Show your kids how to do that and then ask them to try it too.  
• You can also ask them to "babysit" Woolfie while you are making dinner or on the computer.  You are still in sight of them, but you have given them a chore that involves passive interaction with him.

After they are OK with him, start involving them with come simple commands like COME and SIT.  You do the exercises first and then you invite them to join in.  You are always there to encourage them and guide them when they arent getting the exercise done correctly.  Never let them become angry or hit Wolfie.

As your kids see that Wolfie "will do what they want", it will give them a feeling of accomplishment.  Now, start to move on to other commands like STAY and WALK.  Again, this is all taken slowly and always in an atmosphere of having fun.

Wolfie seems to be a little aggressive and nips at the kids:
Usually we see a dog nipping and automatically label them as "aggressive".  Although we always suggest contacting a professional dog trainer for specific advise, this situation is normally caused by Wolfie demanding attention.

The first thing you have to do is to establish your dominance over Wolfie so that he gives you the respect and focus you require.  Have Wolfie on a leash around your kids.  As soon as he approaches them and begins to nip, correct him and direct him back to you.  You will very quickly notice the proactive signs of Wolfie wanting to nip (get attention) your kids.  Correct him ahead of time.  Wolfie will quickly learn that he cant perform that behavior.

Now, ask your kids to call Wolfie over to them in a calm manner.  Have them pet him and give him treats.  As you see that Wolfie is no longer the one demanding attention and your kids are no longer threatened by Wolfies nipping, you can start with some simple COME and SIT obedience commands.

My kids are small and Wolfie is twice their size:
I dont want the kids training Wolfie in this instance.  They can play with him under controlled visits with you always present.  Under no circumstance do you leave them alone.

The reason that I am so adamant in this situation is that I dont want Wolfie knocking them over.  It isnt that I think that Wolfie is mean or would want to hurt your kids, but they are kids and dogs.  Bumping and falling happens.  When they are small, this could scare them and make them afraid of dogs the rest of their lives.

The bottom line whenever you want your kids involved with your dog is to have them properly socialized first.  Any of the cases that we have discussed above first involves proper socialization so that a level of respect is built between your kids and Wolfie.

As I mentioned above, if you have any concern regarding your kids interaction with your dog, call a professional dog trainer.  You can reach us at http://www.BarkBustersSouthFlorida.com.

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dog obedience training

welcome to my dog obedience training blog. Here you will learn about how to train your dog to be obedient.
Please check in all the time because I would be bringing quality information your way

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Dog training The simplest way to train a dog

There are many different varieties of dogs, and choose for you or your family can be a difficult choice because there are several aspects to consider. This article can help you determine the name of the dog in the best possible training.

We can not guarantee the performance of the species in some areas and there will always be exceptions to every species of dog, but there are many features, you can find in the search for a suitable match for you, here are some of the best dogs, in order to alleviate Training and how quickly they deal with different tasks and activities.

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is a very friendly dog, this is a good one unknown strangers, very friendly and the best choice for our dog, it is easy to train.

Australian cattle dog

Australian cattle dog is another easy game, training and learning new skills because of their enthusiasm for learning, not so well the other pets, can be a bad choice if other pets around your house.

Hurd

Shepherd, known as a good rule of dog training, such as farms and businesses. Although the good and faithful to the owners of these dogs are not as other people who are not familiar with, if you have many visitors to your home, but can also choose to win in the competition.

Australian sheep

This is another dog with a big push to learn new things and to explore further, but not as friendly Labrador Retriever in the top of the list, rather than dynamic, but it is a very good protection The house.

Border Collie

Border Collie in the friendly coach is not above some of the species, and is a very hard-working dog with great love and energy. Border Collie in the likes challenges and challenging training schedule. If you do not have spare parts for at least one hour of vigorous exercise this right may not be the dog that you cultivars choice.

There are many other breeds around, and you may prefer a different training prior to the game, so that they have a dog, to ensure that all aspects to ensure that the dog is right for you to choose

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5 Tips To Remember When Teaching The Come Command

1. Use it sparingly. When you overuse “Come”, puppies stop paying attention. When your puppy understands the command, avoid using it all the time. Say it infrequently and make it extremely rewarding.

2. Do not chase your puppy if he does not respond. Practice on-lead for now.

3. Never call for negatives. If you have to groom, bathe, or isolate your puppy, do not use “Come.” Also avoid using it when you are angry. You will only scare your puppy

out.

4. If your puppy runs away from you, do not repeatedly call or correct him.

5. Use a different command to bring your puppy inside. Coming in from outdoors is a big drag, no more fun than being left alone or ignored. Using the “Come” command when you want to bring him in makes it a negative command. Instead, pick a command like “Inside.” Start using it on-lead when bringing your puppy into the house. Quickly offer a treat or ball toss.

gotten from http://information.i-love-dogs.com 

see also Dog Breeds

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What to Do When Your Dog Constantly Destroys Their Fluffy Bed

Sometimes the best training tips arent training tips at all!

Let’s think about this for just a moment.  Our dog loves to lie in the rocks by the pool or on the marble floor by the back door.  Is there any reason why we need to provide him with a fluffy bed in his crate or in his corner?

If you haven’t come to the same conclusion, the answer is “No”.  In most instances, your dog destroys their bed, in their crate or outside, because of boredom.  If you constantly replace the bed, you are reinforcing the destructive behavior that is growing in your dog.  If you continue this process, your dog will move on to destroying your couch and chair.  This is not a good thing.

Here comes the easy answer that took me several years of case studies to recognize. 

Remove the bed and allow your dog to sleep on the ground.  Don’t worry; he won’t hate you for this.  You have simply severed the association of “chew my bed, chew the furniture”.

If you have any questions about this, we are more than happy to respond.  Please contact us at The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Why It Is Important That I Train My Dog

I have so many friends that send their dogs off to a canine boot camp to have the trainers there train their dog. I have been thinking about this, but is it really a good idea?  I am not sure that I want someone else to be the leader of Wolfie!

I know that there are the dog owners that dont have the time to train their dog or just dont want to train their dog.  As we can all attest, there is so little time in this world and finding the time to train our dog just might not be there.

Let me answer this question by coming at it from another angle.  First, the reason that I got Wolfie was to have the relationship of unending love and complete trust.  I want Wolfie to know what is right and wrong and I want him to respect me as his ultimate provider.

To accomplish this, Wolfie and I need a great deal of face time.  As he does something wrong, I need to clearly let him know that his action was inappropriate.  I also need to bond with him by engaging in safe and stimulating play activities.  I must never "trick him" into doing something that might scare or hurt himself.

I must provide stimulating activities that will teach him actions I need him to perform.  I need him to "come" when he needs to be by my side.  I need him to "sit" when I need him calm and respectful.  I need him to "stay" so that he will be safe when I need to answer the door or to allow an activity to occur without his involvement.

I need Wolfie to understand that whatever I ask him to do or wherever I take him, he will be safe.  If a situation arises where he might feel his safety in question, he will look towards me to resolve the situation.

If I can accomplish these things, I will have a great dog.  I will have built the bond, trust, and respect that is needed for our relationship.  The only way that this will occur is if I am Wolfies teacher.  I must be the one in charge.  I must be the one that is always guiding and showing Wolfie the proper direction.

Sending Wolfie off to a Canine Boot Camp with someone else doing the training just doesnt accomplish what needs to be done.  The relationship between Wolfie and me is my responsibility.  Wolfie and I will have a great relationship because of the time that Wolfie and I have invested. For more information, please contact us at The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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How To Train a Shy Dog Featuring Louie!

Louie showing CGC Evaluator José what Leap Dog Training taught him. 

Hi there Leapers, 

 A few weeks back we introduced you to one of our students, Louie. Well, believe it or not, Louie used to be a bit shy, quiet, reserved. He was not one to want to be the life of the party. So, when Karina called asking for some pointers we knew exactly what to suggest: Super-Star Training. 

During his training, Louie learned to open up, fun tricks, and most importantly of all, self-confidence. Furthermore, Louie did so great during his Super-Star training that he ended up earning his AKC CGC certification! YAY! FOR LOUIE!! 

So, next time, do not underestimate teaching your dog new tricks. Cute, fun, entertaining, tricks or behaviors can be a way to help your dog bond and open up at the home at lot more. If you have kids, this is the perfect way to help everyone safely engage with each other. 

Heres a quick glance at Louie showing us his newly learned skills:

LOVE,

Leapdogtraining@gmail.com
www.leapdogtraining.com

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How Do I Get Wolfie to Stop Nipping My Pants

It is always so annoying to be walking down a hallway and all of s sudden have Wolfie pulling on your pants or nipping your shoes.  Just shaking him off only seems to make him want to do it more!  I dont want to kick him.  What can I do?

We need to understand why Wolfie is doing this and what we must do to let him know that it is wrong.  

Wolfie is always trying to understand what we want from him and what the rules for the group are.  The main way that he accomplishes this is through body language.  Wolfie does not have words and sentences, so his main form of communication are the nuances of stance and movement from body language.  With this in mind, lets see what we are telling Wolfie when we pass him and walk down the hall.

As we approach Wolfie, we are facing him.  Facing another animal is a natural act of dominance.  We are telling Wolfie "I am the boss.  I am in charge.  Obey me."  This is all fine and dandy until we pass him.  

Now we are walking away and Wolfie sees our back.  The back is always the submissive or weak side.  (When wolves attack other animals, they always try and come at them from behind.)  We have now changed our language from "I am the boss" to "I dont care, everything is fine with me, do what ever you want".  This now puts Wolfie in charge and he just might want to play "tag" with us.  We all know what happens next.

So, what can we do about this?  The answer is that we must use our body language in the appropriate way to send a clear signal to Wolfie that he can not take charge and play tag with us.  Here is what you do:

• As you approach Wolfie, give him a low, stern "No" just before you pass him.  
• As you pass, turn so that you continue to face him and repeat your low, stern "No" several more times.
• Continue to walk backwards so that you continue to face him.
• If Wolfie ever starts to get up and move towards you, repeat the low, stern "No".
• As you move away, you become less of a "playful" distraction and Wolfie should quickly loose focus.
• You can now turn around and keep walking, always looking back slightly to make sure that Wolfie has not reengaged.

You will need to repeat this every time you pass Wolfie for the next few days.  Through your consistent and repeated acts of clearly explaining to Wolfie (through body language) that you wont accept his nipping, he will learn that it is not right and will stop.  For more information, please contact us at The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Jade And The Firemen Train At Home

Well, if youve been keeping up with my blog, you saw that Jade went to the firehouse to do a little bit of training with the firemen there, which went very well.  Jade has had some fear issues with men in uniform, so my trainer and I took Jade to the firehouse previously to help her get used to men in uniform.  We specifically chose the firehouse, because its often the firemen and paramedics that show up at your house when you call for a medical emergency. That has been my main concern; I was afraid that if I have to call for help, as Ive had to before, Jade would have problems with the firemen/paramedics entering our home to help me.  So, we started by taking her to the firehouse and letting her get used to these men and women in uniform, all their gear, and the noises.  Jade was very apprehensive at first and a bit fearful, but before long she was playing and engaging with the firemen as if they were her best friends.  I was very happy about how that went. My trainer asked the firemen if theyd be willing to come over to the house, as that would be the real test for Jade.  Whether or not she could handle them coming through the door is most important.  We were both pleasantly surprised at how responsive and willing the firemen were to help us with this training! They agreed to come over to my house and help out.

Currently Jade is trained to assist me in many ways.  There have been times where I suddenly have severe spasm and end up on the floor, unable to move for some time. Jade can now help me, by running to find my phone.  She brings my phone to me and lies down next to me and awaits help with me.  My fear was that I would call for help and the firemen/paramedics would have some real problems entering my house to help due to Jades fearful response, and protective/defensive barking.

Yesterday, my trainer showed up around 2pm and we went over all the tasks that Jade performs to help me around the house.  The trainer was impressed to say the least! She was amazed that Jade hadnt been trained to do any of these tasks prior to our training with her organization.  She just couldnt believe how much Jade had learned in less than a year and how well she performed the tasks.  Some of them are opening/closing the sliding glass door, opening/closing the fridge, closing drawers and cabinets, retrieving my cane, phone and other items, getting the laundry in and out of the dryer, etc.

The firemen showed up at 2:30 pm just like they had told us they would!  We saw the firetruck pull up in front of my house and we were so happy they were able to make it! The night before I had baked them some cookies as a thank you, for them to take with them.

It was such a great experience! Jade barked and growled a bit at first, after all, this is her house. Once she sniffed the firemen, it was like a bell went off in her head, and she suddenly became her usual friendly self, still a bit apprehensive about the noises their hand-held radios made.  I gave Jades treats to the firemen and things just started rolling from there.  Jade started handing things to the firemen, her leash, her toys, etc. and we all laughed. We stood around talking a while at first and letting Jade get used to their presence, then we performed a real-life reenactment of what would happen should I have to call for help.

The firemen went outside to wait, and Jade and I walked to the back bedroom, with the trainer lagging behind.  I faked a fall and told Jade to run and get the phone.  She sensed the urgency in my voice and ran for the phone in the living room.  She brought the phone to me, and laid down next to me waiting.  I acted like I was making a call, and told the trainer, "Ok, let them in."  The trainer let the firemen in, and I told Jade to stay with me.  The firemen reentered my house saying, "Fire department, we got a call someone needs assistance!" Jade wanted to run to the front door and bark, but she stayed next to me with her eyes on the bedroom door.  When the firemen walked into the room, Jade stayed put.  I could hardly believe it! They talked to me, and then said, "Were going to act like were doing stuff to you to see how she reacts."  They started to touch me and move me around and Jade just sniffed their hands and looked from me to them and back again.  She was great! Then they helped me up, and Jade got up too.  She wagged her tail and sniffed their hands as they helped me up, but no growling, no barking, no fear.  I was impressed! We stood in the bedroom talking some more, and they played with Jade some more, letting her sniff their equipment, and they talked about other dogs theyve had to deal with in these circumstances.

They said most dogs will bark at them, with their hackles up, but usually back away while they bark. They did say that they have dealt with aggressive dogs, and they usually put their bags in front of them and just "go for it," hoping that one of their men can get the dog and remove it to another room or outside.

The firemen told me about getting a lock box, and gave me some instructions on how to call for an emergency. They said to make sure that when you call, state that you have a service dog, what her name is, and that you have a lock box, and give the code.  Great ideas!!! Never thought of any of this, especially the lock box.  A lock box is a metal box with a code on it, that stores your house key so the emergency services dont have to break anything to get in.  They also said that if they know your dogs name, they will use it when they come in to help the dog relax a bit.  This will help tremendously! It will also help your dog if you let it get a sniff of the firemen/paramedics in your area so that your dog isnt totally caught off guard when something happens.

Once again, with all the excitement, the trainer and I forgot to ask them about coming to the training organization to give a small talk about how they deal with your service dog when they come to your house.  Also, to help service dog handlers know exactly what to do, and how to make these calls more effective for the emergency responders. So, after the firemen left, the trainer and I sat and talked a bit and I felt SO MUCH BETTER about this issue.  I certainly feel much more confident that Jade will be okay when they come to the house to help me.  I feel more relaxed now knowing that I can call for help and not have to worry about them having to hurt Jade, or remove her in order to help me. What a relief!!

The trainer gave me a couple of her cards, which I will take to the firehouse. I will ask them about the possibility of coming to the training organization for a brief class, talk, with the service dog teams. I really believe the teams would benefit GREATLY from this kind of an experience.  I know I did!

I gave the firemen the cookies Id baked them, and YES, I was able to snap a few quick photos for you all.  Sorry for the long post and rambling on about this, but its been a most exciting and informative experience!!! Thank you for reading!

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New Dog Obedience Training Guide

Train any adult dog or puppy in as little time as possible. Website optimized to dramatically increase sales rates and conversions. 75% commission, never had a refund.

Check it out!

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What You Need to Know Before Starting to Train Your Dog

I am trying to teach my dog commands and to be a good dog, but nothing seems to be working.  He isn’t staying when I tell him to stay and it will be a cold day in “you know where” when he would ever come to me when I ask.  I am just totally at a standstill!  What is going wrong?

As dog trainers, we have heard this complaint from dog owners time and time again.  It is normally an issue with first time dog owners.  Before you can even get to the point of training your dog, you need to understand a few, basic concepts.

• Dogs need consistency.  They do not understand complicated or logical situations.  Every time they hear a specific sound (like SIT), they will put their rear on the ground.  They know they can never jump on people.  When things begin to get complicated, like you allow them to jump on you but not your guests, they have no idea how to respond.  So make sure that when you give them commands or expect specific behavior, the result will always be the same. 
• You must understand what your dog has the ability to currently learn.  Another way of expressing this is that you need to know your dog’s current skill set.  If you can’t get your dog to consistently sit, you will never get him to stay.  If you are calling your dog to come to you from across the yard and he doesn’t, yelling at him over and over again isn’t going to do any good.  He just doesn’t understand what you want.  With this said, you need to figure out what your dog can do and start there with your teaching program.  Just like a tennis player, you learn and improve by playing with someone just a little better than you. 
• You must be in control when you are teaching your dog.  Remember, you are the teacher and need the focus and respect from your dog in order to teach.  If you give your dog a SIT command and he runs out the door, that really isn’t a good “teaching moment”.  The best way to make sure that you have control is to have your dog leashed when you are training him.  If you tell him to SIT, he can’t run away and you can use the leash as a tool to help and guide him into the SIT.  If you tell your dog to COME and he doesn’t, you can give the leash a little tug to direct him towards you.

These are just three little concepts that you need to keep in mind when teaching your dog.  I know that they sound simple, but dogs crave the simple.  What you have done is to create an environment where they are prepared to learn.  If you ever have any questions, please contact us at The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Willaimsburg VA MIM seminar

For the last couple of years our friend, Pat Rock of Hollybriar Kennels in Lanexa Va has wanted me to come out and do a dog training seminar on the Manners in Minutes system.  This year we are going to be able to do it.

     I will be at Hollybriar (near Williamsburg VA) on September 29^th and September 30^th2012.  Both mornings I will be training a new dog in the Manners in Minutes system to show people how easy and quickly it works.  The afternoon seminar on the 29^thwill be on how to use Manners in Minutes to work with aggressive and submissive dogs.  The afternoon seminar on the 30^thwill be raising puppies in Manners in Minutes and how to prepare show dogs for the ring using the system.

    As I have written in this blog before, at this time there are only two training centers using this system, Pat Muller’s Quansa Kennels in South Beloit, IL and here at Pikes Peak Manners In Minutes in Colorado Springs.  Since so many people find this blog looking for Manners in Minutes training, this will give some of you a chance to find out about this system if you can’t come to Illinois or Colorado.

   Pat Muller does have both a book and a DVD on how to train in this method.  So you can train without working with either of us.  But sometimes it helps to not only see it in person, but to be able to ask questions.  This will be that opportunity. 

   If you have stumbled onto this blog looking for help, and you live near Williamsburg, then this may be what you need. 

    In addition to a supply of the q-bone and q-calmer training devices I will have a brand new workbook that will explain in great detail how to train your dog yourself if you are able to attend this seminar.

   As soon as a few more details are worked out I will post here, and on the Pikes Peak Manners In Minutes Facebook page, how to sign up for this class.

   I hope you can come.  And since Pat is a Lakeland breeder you will get to see the breed I so often write about.

Doug

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The only way to train a dog is

The other night after our Neighborhood Pack Session three of my dog owners were outside talking. I joined in.

These three have been working with me for a while. And each of them has an awesome dog.

Vino is a Rottweiler. He started his training at nine weeks. He has been trained to be a service dog and is the subject of an earlier blog. He is 22 months old now and just an incredible dog. He works for his twins. He now gives an alert up to 45 minutes before the little girl goes into grand mal seizures and will intervene if her brother starts bumping his head into the wall he will push him away and sit with him until he calms down. He has passed every test and certification with flying colors.

Athena is a Rottweiler, Aussie cattle dog and Akita mix. She is a rescue. She is a one in a thousand dog. She took one look at her new owner, decided she loved her new mom, and has been a jewel ever since. Training her was a breeze and she is one of my pack leaders in Neighborhood Pack. She will often quell bad behavior in another dog with just a look.

Charlie is a young pit bull. When he started he was dog aggressive. We got him past that quickly and he became playful but at the first sign of any rough play would get pretty defensive. Now he is just playful with everyone. Maturity and experience will tone that down.

Vino’s Mom started the conversation by telling us that she had taken him into one of the chain stores. He was wearing his service vest. The store “trainer” came over and told Mom that she trained service therapy Rottweiler’s. She immediately asked if Vino had been trained in a method that uses corrections. Mom answered yes and the “trainer” launched into a harangue that dogs can’t be trained with methods using corrections.

.

Athena’s Mom also added that she had a similar experience in another of the chains. The trainer had lectured her about the “only way” to train dogs. She went on to explain the superiority of food based training, the favored method of many chains.

Charlie’s mom got stopped by a neighbor. Apparently this is one of those “I come to you” trainers who lives in her neighborhood. The trainer had seen Duke jump on her as they left the house for their walk. The trainer then told her how her training methods are wrong and she should change trainers. The trainer did not realize that jumping only occurs at the start of a walk and is a way he expresses pleasure. It is also the sign of a young dog who hasn’t quite understood why he should not do that yet.

Each of these three different trainers told my client that their training method was the “only way” to train a dog.

At that point one of my clients said that the “only way” to train a dog is the Manners in Minutes system. I disagreed. I believe that a good trainer can train a dog in any method.

I know I could train in any system; choke chain, pinch collar, clicker, food based, or any of the others. . I use the Manners in Minutes system because it is efficient. Not only do I think the dog catches on quicker, I believe the owner learns this method faster than any other. And I have set up my training lesson plan and center to maximize the method.

I have a training center rather than train in a park because I can control the environment. The center also means I don’t have too little or too much space. And I can control who and what the dog is exposed to as the training progresses.

I use very little food because I have long since realized that a client training for the first time will often use food as a crutch. The temptation to offer the food too often or too soon is hard for someone to resist when they first start working with a dog. As a result the client ends up bribing rather than motivating the dog.

I don’t like choke or pincher collars because for an inexperienced owner it is too easy too over or under correct. Under correction has no effect on the dog, over correction results in resentment. Electronic collars don’t make sense to the dog. I don’t use harsh alpha methods because a pack leader is firm, fair and consistent, not a bully. I don’t use clickers, even though I think they are the fastest way to learn to properly time praise, because too many owners have no control when they do not have a clicker at hand.

I stopped offering group classes to start training because I noticed that in every group there was always one dog that was so out of control that too much of the allotted time was spent on that dog to the detriment of the others. Every group always had someone who for various reasons needed a disproportionate amount of my time. Group tends to put the owner with an easier dog at a disadvantage.

So to make sure that the time I spend with you and your dog is efficient I start you in private sessions. That way you and the dog get my undivided attention. Then when the dog and you are ready I move you into group since there are many things we can do in group you can never do in private sessions.

If you have found a good trainer then there is no “only way,” just what they believe is the best way. And if you have found a trainer who has the “only way,” odds are you do not have a good trainer.

Doug

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How Well Is Your Beauceron Groomed

How Well Is Your Beauceron Groomed?

The reason one should groom his/her Beauceron is simple - your dogs physical state influences the way he feels and the way you look at your dog. Extreme cases, where lack of proper care, cleaning and grooming can directly affect the behavior of your Beauceron, are not rare.

Proper grooming not only infuses a healthy glow to your dogs appearance, but also helps develop his self-esteem; while it makes you a very proud parent, when you show off your Beauceron to others.
The first step involved in dog grooming is: Brushing!

Brushing has been universally acknowledged by expert dog groomers as the single most important step in grooming.

The benefits of brushing are many. To name a few:

• Better blood circulation
• Shinier and healthier coat
• Better bonding

Subscribe to this FREE dog grooming mini course and learn more about brushing and combing and other grooming tools and their applications.

Even if you know how crucial brushing is for your Dogs health and well-being, we all know that there is a right way and a wrong way of doing anything. And without doubt, you would like to do everything the RIGHT way when it comes to your Beauceron.

Yes, theres a method to follow while brushing your Beauceron.

Here are FIVE steps to successfully brushing your Beauceron that will prove to be extremely useful:

• Brush against the growth of the hair first with a slicker brush and then with a medium or wide-toothed comb.
  
  
• The slicker brush removes all the loose hair and the comb takes care of the tangles.
  
  
• Brush your Beauceron along the hair growth and make sure you reach the skin as you brush his way.
  
  
• Then use a flea comb over the coat to get the fleas and remove any remaining tangles. Part the coat and start from the root and then comb through.
  
  
• If your Dogs paw pads are hairy, then clip them using electric clippers. Do not clip the hair in between the pads. Clip only the excess hair.

Brush your Dogs hairs to prevent it from matting. Matting can be a very painful experience.

Regular brushing untangles the matted hairs on your Dogs coat. Since this is a risky job to do, the best way out is to prevent them from forming in the first place. And doing this is simple: just brush and comb your Beauceron regularly. If and when you see any mats or tangles, use a detangle solution and a medium-toothed comb.

Dont wait until your Beauceron is dirty or matted to introduce him to grooming. That would make him associate the experience with unpleasantness. Moreover, many dogs learn to see their routine brushing as an alternate form of petting, i.e. another source of affection and attention.

Subscribe to this FREE dog grooming mini course and start Grooming your Dog all by yourself right from the comfort of your home Today.

Copyright (c) 2009 TrainPetDog.com

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Fit For The Pit

First, I want to say that the reason I discuss pit bulls at all on this blog is because of things like this....

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/deaf-woman-s-service-dog-attacked-by-pit-bulls-in-l-a

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/pitbull-savages-womans-guide-dog-at-train-station-6734197.html

http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top_stories/story/Service-dog-attacked-Owner-needs-help-with-needed/xDKYZ4kBo06aa7qHw9_WuA.cspx

If you see the page entitled "Service Dog Dangers" on this blog, you will see many, many more of these types of pit bull attacks on service dogs.  Disgusting and devastating, isnt it?!


The ASPCA says....

In recent years, Pit Bulls have gained more than just a foothold in public awareness. Unscrupulous breeding and negative media attention have resulted in many apartment complexes, neighborhoods and even counties imposing bans on Pits and Pit mixes, citing them as "inherently dangerous" to the public.

Pit Bulls often attract the worst kind of dog owners—people who are only interested in these dogs for fighting or protection. While Pit Bulls were once considered especially non-aggressive to people, their reputation has changed, thanks to unscrupulous breeders and irresponsible owners. And because the Pit Bull population has increased so rapidly, shelters now struggle to deal with an overflow of image-plagued, hard-to-place dogs.

History of the Breed

Pit Bulls are descendants of the original English bull-baiting dog—a dog that was bred to bite and hold bulls, bears and other large animals around the face and head. "Bulldogs" were bred to hang on without releasing their grip, until the animal was exhausted from fighting and from loss of blood. When baiting large animals was banned in the 1800s, people then started to fight their dogs against each other instead.

As the "sport" of dog fighting developed, enthusiasts bred a lighter, more athletic canine. These dogs made their way to North America, the ancestors of todays Pit Bulls. Pit Bulls that were not used for fighting were considered ideal family pets—affectionate, loyal and gentle with children. Serious problems started when these dogs gained the attention of people looking for a macho dog—and to meet their demands, unscrupulous and uncaring breeders are producing puppies that were not only aggressive to other dogs, but also to people.

In the Fighting Ring

Although a felony offense in all 50 states, organized dog fights still take place in many parts of the country. In some urban areas especially, dogfighters have formed a strong subculture. Dogs that fight are bred and conditioned to never give up when they are fighting, even if it means that they will be badly hurt or killed. Other animals are victims of dog fights, too—its not uncommon for trainers to encourage their dogs aggression by using other dogs and smaller animals such as cats, rabbits and rodents as bait.

While some might typify dog fighting as a symptom of urban decay, not every dogfighter is economically disadvantaged. Participants and promoters come from every community and all backgrounds, with audiences including lawyers, judges and teachers and other upstanding community leaders.

Unfortunately, a new element has been introduced to the world of dog fighting over the past two decades. Fights have become informal street corner and playground activities. Stripped of the rules and formality of the traditional pit fight, these spontaneous events are triggered by insults and turf invasions—or even the simple taunt, "My dog can kill your dog." 

So heres my question, if the ASPCA states that pit bulls are descendants of the bull-baiting dogs that were bred to "hang on without releasing their grip, until the animal was exhausted from fighting and from loss of blood," then whats wrong the pit bull owners? Yes, the owners who continue to insist that this is NOT the case! Even the ASPCA clearly states that pit bulls were bred for the sport of dog fighting and as they continue to be bred by irresponsible, "unscrupulous and uncaring" breeders they became more aggressive toward other dogs and even people.  So why is it that pit bull owners continue to deny this truth and violently attack anyone who repeats it? 

It seems that everyone knows this is the truth about pit bulls, except for the pit bull owners.  

I do realize that the pit bull owners are attempting to improve the reputation of the breed and to diminish or eradicate the stigma attached to it, but I really dont believe that telling outright lies and viciously attacking those who discuss the origin of the breed, is the way to accomplish their mission. In fact, it makes them appear even less than substandard.  

If you havent any experience in "debating" with or dealing with pit bull owners on any level, let me enlighten you.  Here are just a few comments by pit bull owners in defense of their dog and man killers...

1) "Lets be honest.  Your a fucking complete and utter moron, you obvisuly have had no experience with a larger bread of dog.  you have no love, no care for living things, why dont I abuse you, perhaps provoke u, force you too fight for the amusement of other people.  Its people like YOU!  that give the breed a bad name, fuckheads like YOU!  who make people THINK they are aggressive.  people like you! need to be taken out of family homes.  not these magnificient creatures.  I hope you fucking rott in hell, your filth." 

2) "Id luv to have one my friends pitbulls crap on your face and then piss in ur mouth - rot in hell!  u have no damn clue about the breed so STFU..."

3) "How about canine safety with all breeds --so ignorant children dont become part of an ignorant statistic by a group of humans who are blatantly ignorant" (yes, "ignorant children.")

4) "Go fuck yourself.  I hope your children have their assholes pounded out by your neighbor & his faggot ass friends.  If u as a parent cant protect your children and feel the need to have the gov step in & do it for you, then u shouldnt be parenting in the 1st place.  Control your kids worry about u and others.  Stay out of my business.  I have the same rights as you.  Want a lot of the same things in life as u.  Dont try dictate how anyone else achieves their happiness.

5) "Now fuck off who the hell are u??  A worthless fucking scank whore!!  U have no facts and no logic all ur doing is bashing people and stating ur dumb ass opinions!!  U have no validity to ur argument ur just a mean, nasty, ugly, hate spreading cunt!!  U are very stupid and not very well spoken and I sure hope u dont have kids!!  Jesus I cant imagine what those little bastards will grow up to act like, prolly stupid mouthy cuntface bitches like their worthless bottom feeding whore of a mother!!

Now, if its true that pit bull owners are attempting to improve the reputation of the breed and eradicate the stigma attached to it, do you think this is the way to go about it? Thankfully, these comments were not directed at me, but even if they were, they would be ignored.  In fact, I do receive some comments from pit lovers, and have "debated" with some on the internet, and their comments, I should say their attacks, were very similar to these.  

Pit bull owners continue to argue that their dogs are not dangerous, and were not bred for the specific purpose of fighting. They say that they are not fighting breed dogs.  Hmmmm...well, it seems that everyone knows the truth except for them.  If they are really interested in improving the reputation of the breed, and eradicating the stigma attached to the breed, then maybe they should start by admitting the truth and working from there.  Their lies are definitely NOT helping them accomplish their mission.  

Is this what you want barreling down the street after your service dog?

Also, it would certainly help to start containing their fighting breed dogs appropriately so these vicious, brutal and devastating attacks on children, peoples pets and guide/service dogs would STOP. But then....when you think of that happening, you have to consider the type of people were talking about here. Were talking about pit bull owners that first of all, wont even admit what their dogs were bred for, and these are the same people who respond with comments such as the ones above (see 1-5). 

I really DO NOT see these people becoming more mature, accepting what their dogs were bred for (i.e. the truth), and doing a better job at breeding, raising, and becoming more responsible in terms of appropriate containment for their fighting breed dogs. 

This is what a pit bull should like.

This is why I, and most intelligent, caring, compassionate people, would like to see pit bull type dogs go extinct, through bans on breeding, and mandatory spay/neuter laws.  In the meantime, since these pit bull owners cant handle the truth and be responsible owners, I would encourage all city councils to enact laws that include, mandatory muzzles for pit bull type dogs, no more legal adoptions of pit bull type dogs through shelters, rescues, etc., mandatory microchip, and mandatory containment regulations.  

The fact is, that pit bulls were bred to fight in a pit.  Dog fighting is now illegal, so why are these dogs still around? 

The work of a pit bull.

There are so many other breeds of dog to choose from, that need homes.  Pit bulls are only fit for the pit.

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How To Housetrain Potty Train Any Dog

Learn How To House Break Your Dog Or Puppy The Quickest Way Possible. Never Had Refund. Very High Conversion Rates. Converts 1.5% to 4% in sales on average.

Check it out!

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Todays Lesson featuring Dash How to Train Your Dog with Distractions

Dash training with distractions. 

Hello Leapers,

We recently had the pleasure of training with Dash. Dash, whom we introduced to you before, is working on his basic obedience, but now we are adding distractions to everything he knows.

How do we add distractions?

Before adding distractions we needed to make sure that Dash understood what was being asked and expected of him. We first worked on his cues [sit, stay; watch me, down] in a quiet place. Once Dash learned and understood his cues, we moved to different locations.

When moving to new locations, we must remember that the dog will get confused and he will lose a bit of focus. Well, instead if putting Dash right in front of the distractions we started him about 20 feet away. A safe distance where we know he would succeed. If he succeeded in performing the exercise, just like we practiced in the safe place, we would move closer to the distractions. Of course we rewarded him with praises, yummy treats or by moving away from the distraction.

What do we do if the dog cannot focus?

If your Dog has difficulties performing his cues in the presence of a distractions start again from the beginning. Work on his behaviors in the safety of your house and then slowly transition the dog outside. Theres no reason to get frustrated.

Where are the best places to train your dog with distractions?

One of our favorite places to train with distractions is at the skatepark. We ways start 20 ft away and as the succeeds we move closer; if the dog loses focus we regather and start again at 20 ft.

We also love the kids playground, basketball courts, the outside fence of a school, busy times across the street from a school, and sometimes the outside perimeter of a dog park.

Anyway, these are some ideas and with Dash, we worked by the kids playground and basketball court.

How do you help your dog to train with distractions?

Love,
LEAP!

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Dog Training Fun Ways to Train Your Dog

The thought of dog training can make most people cringe. The hours of work and the constant repetition may seem too much, yet dog training exercises can be enjoyable. Being able to have a well trained dog and have fun in the process is possible. Because dogs have different personalities, an owner may need to try a few methods in order to see how their dog responds best. Reward training is a type of positive reinforcement training. Part of this type of instruction is giving your dog a command and then rewarding for the proper action. Clicker training is one popular example of this. When a dog performs the desired act, the clicker sound gives him the acknowledgment that he did right. When starting the clicker training, the click is followed by a treat. This gives the dog the knowledge that the click is what he wants to hear. After awhile, the treats can be taken out of the equation, and the sound of the clicker is enough reinforcement. Treats are great supports, but a pat on the head or excited voice can also be very important to you dog. This reward training is used for most types of training. If you are using the right kind of treat, for treat based training, your dog will want to spend the time learning. Agility training is a fantastic way to enjoy your dogs education. Most dogs, except for large, heavy ones will enjoy this fun way of exercise, and you might be amazed at the amount of discipline that the dog must learn in order to accomplish this task. An agility course is set up to have the dog go from one obstacle to another in a timely manner. Some of the obstacles might include crawling through a tunnel, jumping over small fences, and climbing over walls, to name a few. The owner stays with the dog, but must only help the dog by giving a dog command, and at the beginning, leash guidance. Through this course, dogs learn to listen to their owner, get exercise, and helps build a teamwork bond between pet and owner. With the popularity of agility training there are more schools using this method, but if you cannot find it in your area, a simple search online to find the appropriate items can set up your backyard. Almost any game can be used to teach your pet. When you are working on obedience training, it is a good idea to intersperse some tricks in the midst. This will help you enjoy the time more which will help your dog relax and learn more easily. Simple tricks like "shake" and "stay" are teaching valuable lessons. In order to "shake" a dog must learn to sit properly. "Stay" is a great command when you have children or elderly people visiting. A well trained dog is the goal of most dog owners, yet many of us stop training after our dog gets beyond the bad manner behaviors. The guidance should not stop there; in finding exercises and games that both we and our dog enjoys will enable us to continue the education and the bonding time with our pet. Obedience classes as well as agility training are available in most areas for all ages of canine. For a wide variety of dog training methods check out http://trainmydognow.com including videos, eBooks, training tools and resources. Just about any training need can be found here whether you have a new puppy or an older dog needing some additional training, so check it out now.

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Dog Training Courses

Owning a dog can be a very rewarding experience for many people. Owning a dog will get you out and about more and is a great way to get fitter as you will have to walk your dog at least a couple of times a day whatever the breed so you will have no excuse for not getting fitter.
But what a lot of people forget is that it is not all fun and games. If you had a dog as a child you have probably forgotten what hard work it was training your dog in the first place and what a lot of time you or most probably your parents had to put into training your dog in the first place.You cant just purchase a dog or puppy and expect them to behave as you wish right from the start. You have to commit a lot of time and effort in training your dog and if you haven’t got the time you really should not be considering getting a dog.
If you do have the time and you really would like to own a dog then you should purchase one of the many dog training courses that are available on the internet today. These dog training courses cover the basic puppy training which every dog will have to go through right up to advanced training for more mature dogs. You can even purchase dog training courses aimed at specific breeds so you can get the right training for your dog.
These dog training courses are usually written by qualified dog trainers who have a wealth of knowledge so you know you are getting the best information available and will help you with the training of your new dog or puppy and make owning a dog a pleasure and not a pain.
One you have a well trained dog he or she will become part of the family and will be a pleasure to own.
So once you have decided that you want to own a dog and you have the time to put in the effort that it takes to own a dog it is well worth considering on of the many dog training courses that are available online.
You will end up with a dog that is a pleasure to own and to spend time with and also a friend for life.

Click Here For More Information On Dog Training Courses.

Another good place for dog training courses can be FOUND HERE.

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