Edie MacKenzie

Edie MacKenzie is a published author, traveler, dog lover, and tortoise enthusiast. Passionate about what she does, her books provide peopel a firm grounding in the dog breed and their unique characteristics with a nice touch of humor.

Good Dog Training Collars Can Make Difference

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Dog training collars are obviously necessary and very effective tools in dog training. The dog’s collar is the point of physical control that the trainer uses to make contact with the dog.

There are many different training methods and styles used by professional trainers and as a result there are many different types of training collars.

A quick check of on line pet supply retailers will find even more collars available in the market. You will find that each one has its own unique set of features that makes them ideal for specific types of training.

The standard variety, like leather or strong nylon is most advisable when simply training a dog to do basic stuff such as sit, jump, or stay.

This is dependent of course on the size of the dog. Nylon collars are ideal for smaller dogs. Leather collars are ideal for bigger dog breeds.

Nowadays, those who want to train their pet dogs for simple everyday commands even have the option to choose embellished collars. But for dog training, high quality collars should be given more preference.

Basic choke collars are one of the best dog training collars around. Choke collars give the trainer instant correction and control by tightening the collar around the dog’s neck.

During the training session when the dog is behaving in the proper manner, or obedient in following commands, the collar stays loose and comfortable around the dog’s neck. In the event however that the dog starts misbehaving or commits a training mistake, the trainer can easily tighten the collar as a way of correction.

This technique communicates to the dog the proper response to a command.

Prong collars, or pinch collars are another widely used dog training collars by professional trainers. This kind of collar has dulled tips on the collar surface touching the dog’s neck.

Like the choke collar, the trainer can control the tightening and loosening of the collar.

As a way of correction, the trainer will pull the collar and the blunted tips will tighten around the dog’s neck, without piercing his skin. It is important however to maintain caution in using these collars. There is a thin line between constructive correction and animal abuse.

This type of collar should really be left to the professional trainer or handler.

Electronic and citronella training collars are very popular with many dog trainers. They are especially useful in correcting dog behavior when the dog is not on a lead.

It is also very effective in aversion training like that used to train hunting dogs to avoid rattlesnakes and porcupines.

The remote controls on this type of collar has the ability to make corrections from as far away as one mile. Correction is accomplished through either electronic stimulation or a spray of citronella once the command is given via the remote control.

These collars also have a tone feature where the handler can communicate with the dog by sending a set of tone commands to either approve of a behavior or to warn the dog to correct its behavior prior to receiving stimulation.

No matter what training methods are employed by the trainer a quality dog training collar will be required to achieve the training goals.

isdom and discernment should always be used when using any training collar. Failure to do so may result in unwanted behaviors or even physical damage to the dog’s health.

James Kesel, MS is the publisher of Career in dog training website. Providing information on dog training, dog training career opportunities and training accessories such as dog training collars.

Article Source: ArticleSpan

The First Step To Successful Dog Training

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As a dog owner, what do you really need to know to train your dog? Gathering information and preparing to train your dog follows some reasonable steps. The first phase is the most often skipped and is the most crucial. A mirror test of sorts. How good is your relationship with your dog? The idea is that it’s better to have a good owner-dog bond first before you let your dog undergo obedience training.

The point is, if you already have a good bond, that bond will be even stronger after the training. And maybe the training will be easier since you may not undergo a lot of frustrations compared to owners who aren’t bonded with their dogs.

The thing is, if you have not established an attachment with your own dog, training him to obey is not going to be as smooth compared to if you had a good bond. You could get annoyed easily when your dog fails to accomplish tasks. You may not be as easily annoyed if you and your dog had been through a lot. That dog might not even want to cooperate. To address this noncompliance, try breaking the tasks into small and more manageable tasks.

This way, despite the absence of that owner-dog bond, the chances of your dog accomplishing the smaller tasks will be easier. Suppose you want you dog to stop barking on command. You can do this and silence him at will. When you can do this you can even make him bark on your order. This means you need to start with a small objective in the beginning, and start with easy commands.

The most common complaint against pets, dogs in particular, is that they chew up on the furniture, bite into and drag objects, and munch into them as though they were baby tethers. To address this behavior, you could purchase for your dog some toys he can play with, so his attention will be on those toys instead of things to bite in your household. You need to limit these toys to four or five. More toys will just distract him and he’ll lose interest. To start training, you can test if you can make you dog bite and pick up his chewing toys on your orders. Ask him to bring it to you. Throw it far again. Ask him to bring it back.

But if you just got your dog, chances are you don’t know his behavior much. That’s the first thing, to observe his behavior, especially those that will be problematic for you. List those behaviors that pose problems and try to address them one at a time. If your dog loves munching on household things, you have to and you can change this. If your dog barks incessantly, you can change this. But you really have to allot some time to observe his behavior and bond with him. If he bonds with you, he’ll be motivated to please you, and you’ll have more patience in training him.

Increase the happy years of your dog by checking out my free e-book. In it I reveal all the secrets I’ve used to develop a happy, healthier dog. Visit Dr. Alfonso’s dog training blog right now…

Article Source: ArticleSpan

Dog Training – Leash/Collar Training

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There are many different styles of dog training, and finding the one that works best for you is important for creating a dog that is a talented, loyal and faithful member of the family. All successful methods of dog training work to reinforce the relationship between dog and handler, and the foundation of any successful training program is getting the respect of the dog. Fortunately, dogs are wired by nature to seek out leaders, and to follow the direction of those leaders.

This article focuses on one of the most popular methods of dog training – the so called leash/collar style of training. Other articles will focus on the other popular style of training dogs, often called reward training or positive reinforcement.

Both leash/collar training and reward training have been around for a very long time, and they have proven their effectiveness over time. The type of training that works best will vary from dog to dog, and from breed to breed. It is important to remember that each breed of dog has its own unique qualities, reinforced by hundreds of years of selective breeding.

Of course personalities of individual dogs vary quite a bit, even within established breeds. You, as the owner of the dog, know better than anyone which style of dog training will work best, so it is important to work with the trainer you choose to achieve your goal of a willing, obedient and friendly dog.

Leash and collar training is the best way to accomplish many types of dog training, particularly in situations where the dog must have a high level of reliability. For instance, dogs that have an important job to do, such as rescue dogs, police dogs and guard dogs, generally benefit from leash and collar training.

In leash and collar training, varying degrees of force can be used, ranging from slight prompts with the lead to very harsh corrections. The amount of correction used should be appropriate to the situation, since using too much correction, or too little, will be ineffective.

In a collar and leash based dog training program, first the dog is taught a particular behavior, generally with the leash. After the dog has demonstrated that it understands the command, the leash is then used to correct the dog if it disobeys, or when it makes a mistake. The leash is the main form of controlling and communicating with the dog in leash and collar training.

When using leash and collar training, the dog must be trained to trust the handler and accept his or her directions without question. In order for the dog to be fully trained, the handler must demonstrate the ability to place the dog into a posture or position he or she does not want to take. This does not mean using force, but it does generally require some level of physical manipulation. This manipulation is most easily and safely done using the main tool of leash and collar training – the leash.

It is important for every would be dog trainer to understand that the leash is simply a tool. While the leash is an important tool in this form of training, it is important for the dog trainer to be able to eventually achieve the same results using whatever tools are at hand.

Even when the only tools at hand are the owner’s body and skill, the dog should be willing to obey. Creating a leader/follower relationship between handler and dog is still very important, and it is important to use the leash as a tool and not a crutch. A properly trained dog should be willing to obey whether the leash is present or not.

Anthony Stai owns and operates the #4 (Google) site for As Seen On TV products and has loved animals all his life. Please visit his Pet Trainer page for unique pet training product that works with both dogs and cats.

Article Source: ArticleSpan

Dog Training: The Six Common Mistakes To Avoid

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When new trainers start training, they tend to make a lot of mistakes in their approach and methods in their training process. There are some mistakes that are common among most trainers.

High Expectation- The individual who makes this mistake is a true dog lover. The problem arises only when they start watching the tricks their neighbor’s dog can do or watch some well trained pets in their favorite sitcoms. Also sometimes when they go to park, they would have come across people who would have been enjoying the company of their dogs that are obedient and well trained. At that moment, they tend to forget all the time, money and patience that has gone into training these dogs.

Giving Up- This is also a common mistake done by novice dog trainers. Just because the dog cannot learn to play Frisbee in an hour or so, the owners conclude that the dog would just not learn at all.

Positive reinforcement- Many frustrated trainers go home with deprived results because they forget to reward their dogs for doing well. Rewards must be consistent, just like the training. The dog which always receive only correction and never gets rewarded will get frustrated.

Negative reinforcement- Trainer who spends his whole day during the training process will be looking for the dog to make a mistake, so that they can be corrected. This is a major mistake done by novice trainers because when you focus only in finding the mistakes of your dog, you will then fail to identify and reward all the good behaviors.

Apathy- Often a dog trainer says I hate this or that about the dog but its too difficult to change it. Changes can be made and if your dog sees that they bring rewards they will respond much quicker to a direct approach.

The major mistake the trainer makes is by thinking that the training is over. Training is a learning process and it doesn’t have an end. Your dog may learn some commands and know it well. So why do you stop there? Your dog loves to learn and you are a good trainer. Train your dog something new and enjoy your day forever.

With the knowledge of these mistakes trainers often make, you can recognize some of the common feelings which you might have encountered for yourself. You can now stem these mistakes before they become a problem.

Ranju Kumar offers excellent tips and advices on dog and puppy training including how to look after their health and other dog problems. Please take a 5-minute lesson at Puppy Training for FREE and make your dog obey your commands now.

Article Source: ArticleSpan

How To Approach Strange Dogs (Part 1)

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Knowing the right way to approach a strange dog will go a long way toward ensuring your safety, and the safety of those around you. At the same token, knowing how not to approach one can do the same.

Children should also be educated of the correct procedure. Some of their little innocent ways can trigger an otherwise well-behaved dog into aggressiveness and worse, biting.

Dogs normally bite for one of three reasons: Indiscriminate biting, fear biting, and protective biting.

Indiscriminate Biting

Knowing which type of biter you are confronted with depends on the situation you are in at the time. For instance, if you are walking along the sidewalk in a residential street, minding your own business, and a dog suddenly leaves his yard, runs directly at you and bites, this is indiscriminate biting.

This is a spoiled dog that is probably the dictator in his household. He is the type of dog that merely allows his family to co-exist with him in the house. It could be any breed, from a Toy Chihuahua to a Giant Schnauzer.

Fortunately, dogs that fall into this category are in the minority and are usually confined and restricted because the owners are fully aware of the their bad behavior. Undoubtedly, they probably have been the recipients of occasional bites from their own dogs whenever the animals didn’t get their way.

Fear Biting

The fear biter falls into another category because his demeanor could be genetically inherited, or he could be a product of under-socialization with different types of people and situations when he was a puppy. He could be in a panic-stricken mind at the time of the bite.

A friendly but injured dog, he could suddenly become a fear biter depending on the circumstances. If you stop on the highway to rescue a dog that has been struck by a car, the dog may think that you are the one who hit him, rather than understand that you are there to rescue him.

Protective Biting

Finally, a protective biter is one that’s unable to reason any farther than the fact that he feels the need to protect someone or something. Usually, the protective biter is in the group known as the working breeds.

That is, dogs whose ancestors were originally bred to herd livestock or to protect properties and real estate. Most dogs have this protective instinct but it seems to manifest more predominantly within the working group.

To learn more about how to effectively train your dog in all situations check out  Chet Womach’s Hands Off Dog Training

Clicker Dog Training Is Best For Your Dog

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Clicker dog training works best for your dog. Give the command to your dog. He executes it perfectly. Clicker sound. Give him his reward. Give another command and your dog performs excellently. Click. Another reward for your dog.

It is amazing to see how dogs learn easily the tricks that are being taught them using proper obedience training without resorting to any form of violence or hurt. When your dog hears your voice, he would be willing to follow whatever you tell him to do. There is really no need to hurt your dog. The sound of a click is enough in training your dog.

Once upon a time, dog obedience training was not very peaceful. Trainers used collars, bits, and other things that brought harm to dogs just so they can impose their will on the dogs.

The dogs then had no choice but to obey. But their obedience was rooted in fear and without that fear, they barely obey their masters. Because of years of subservience, however, these dogs learned to accept their fate and simply let their human masters have their way.

Good thing though, there arose a new breed of trainers who did not use violence. They discovered the use of the plastic clicker. This way, clicker dog training became popular.

The new breed of trainers loved their dogs so much that they winced every time they see a dog in pain because of electric shock. This prevented them from using electric shock. Instead, they had to rely on the gadget called the clicking device to make the dog realize that they only want to have fun with them and enjoy what they are doing. The dogs were also elated because every time they execute a good trick, goodies are being given to them. Not a bad way of obedience training and spending their time.

This training using the plastic clicker is quite easy to follow. Clicker training helps trainers condition the minds of the animals that if they do something correctly, they will get a reward for it. As such, every time that the clicking device produces a sound, the dog will then know that something is up and that they will receive a reward soon after. With the help of a clicker, the dog can easily learn the tricks and maneuvers and he will not be harmed along the process.

So effective is clicker dog training that dogs are not the only animals being trained with this. In fact, dolphins can easily recognize the click and implement the tricks in different water parks. Pigeons are also being trained using the plastic clicker so that they can deliver messages. The bond between the trainer and the dog is so important that violence and harm should not come between them. With the use of a clicker, the obedience training certainly becomes more peaceful and more enjoyable for both the trainer and the dog.

If you are thinking of a training process for you dogs, why not research more about the clicker and try practicing with your dog. With clicker dog training, you can even become more attached together.

Katia Lorenzen learned about dog obedience training when her dog was a puppy. And now she is pleased to tell you about the ultimate source of clicker training information: http://www.DogTrainingIsEasy.com.

Article Source: Clicker dog training Is Best For Your Dog – ArticleSpan.com

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