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.

Is Dog Leash Training or Dog Collar Training the Best Way to Success in Your Dog Training

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Copyright (c) 2009 James Mahoney

Fortunately, dogs are hard wired by nature to be social, pack oriented animal and to seek out leaders, and to follow the direction of those leaders.

Both dog leash training and reward training have been around for quite awhile now, and over that time they have been shown to be effective in getting the respect of the dog.

The leash and training collars for dog collar training are the most basic piece of training equipment used in dog leash training or in collar training dogs. The correct use of the lead and training collar in dog collar training is vital to any successful dog training.

Dog collar training is used to get dogs trained as fast as possible in a way that is also humane. The way a training collar is used to apply a certain amount of pressure each time that the leash is tightened. This then controls the amount of pressure placed on the training collar, and this pressure can then be adjusted according to just how the dog responds to the dog leash training.

Dog leash training is especially important in puppy training, since most dogs will not have a natural inclination to just follow by your side, but instead have a tendency to wander all over the place.

Dog leash training used when collar training dogs can represent the best way to accomplish many kinds of dog collar training programs. This is especially true in where the dog must achieve a rather high level of reliability in some situation. As an example, where dogs may have an important job to do, such as with rescue dogs, police dogs and guard dogs, dogs in these roles would greatly benefit from dog leash and collar training.

When starting dog leash training you should first purchase a sturdy and well made dog training collar, because you don’t want to risk your dog breaking his collar and running away. You should also make sure that the collar fits him properly.

The length of the dog collar should be approximately two inches longer than the circumference of the dog’s neck. You must use a measuring tape to accurately measure the dog’s neck. To be able to get an accurate measurement, the tape should not be tight around your dog’s neck.

In a collar or leash based dog leash training program, the dog is taught, at least in the beginning, a particular behavior, usually with the leash. After it is apparent the dog can show that he comprehends the particular command, the leash is then used to correct the dog when he might disobey, or when he falls short at any time. The leash is important tool when controlling and communicating with the dog in dog leash training or dog collar training.

There can be many different styles of dog training, even a different training style for every trainer. These styles even vary from dog to dog, and from breed to breed. This can make finding the one that works best for you rather challenging. The right training is important if you want to have a dog that is a talented, loyal and faithful companion for you and your family. The methods of dog training that are the most successful are those that work to strengthen the relationship between dog and handler, and therefore for a training program to be considered successful it must be able to get the respect of the dog.

J. Mahoney is the owner of Dog Trainers Ideas.com. Just feel free to visit www.dogtrainersideas.com where you will find a resource providing you with advice on all aspects of dog training, house training and dog health.

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What Type Of Leash Is Best For Your Dog?

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What type of leashes are best for your dog? Well personally, I prefer leather leashes. Nylon leashes have a tendency to cut and burn your hand. They also slip through your hands more easily if your dog suddenly pulls at you. A leather leash gives you more comfortable control. A good dog trainer can look at a leather leash and tell how much the dog owners are working with their puppies. The more they practice, the softer the leash becomes.

Some owners don’t like leather leads because they are more expensive and puppies have a tendency to chew on them during a walk. There is nothing more cute than a puppy carrying his leash while you walk him. If your puppy puts the leash in his mouth during a walk, then let him carry it for a while, but maintain control of it. If he bites too hard on it or really starts to chew, then this is a good time to practice the “Drop it” command. With a firm voice say, “Drop it,” and substitute a stronger motivator to satisfy his needs.

I do not favor chain link leashes. They are hard on your hands when you move up and down the leash to control your dog. The only good purpose to link leashes is if you’re tying your dog outside for a while – dogs can’t chew through them.

I am also not a fan of retractable leads. I feel the owner has little control over a dog or puppy with such a lead. Some owners feel they are giving their dog more exercise and freedom with a retractable lead, since the dog can move ten to fifteen feet ahead of the owner. But accidents easily happen – a biker or runner can quickly go by and if your dog moves toward them, a person can trip on this long lead. Also, it is very difficult to control a dog and gain back the leash quickly if someone is coming toward your dog or if your dog is moving toward them.

A retractable lead is made of wire and you cannot grab on to it. I think the best use for a retractable lead is when you are in a field and want to give some extra lead to your pup so he can run about with a little more freedom. Otherwise, on city streets, I only see it as a nuisance for other people.

Retractable leads also create a problem if your dog gets loose from you. The plastic housing at the end of the lead will bounce along as it trails behind the dog. This can frighten some dogs, particularly noise-sensitive dogs, and they will run that much further away trying to flee from the very sound that they can’t escape.

How A Simple Set Of Keys Can Be The Best Tool In Dog Training

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A simple set of keys can help you deepen your relationship with your dog and alleviate many forms of problem behavior. Dogs with recall problems, a tendency for chewing, digging, or other destructive antics, or appetite problems can be successfully “keyed in” by a simple form of sound conditioning. You will need four or five keys on a key chain. Every second key should be brass, while the others should be made of another metal, preferably not aluminum. Brass and steel make higher-pitched sounds, and four or five keys sound better to dogs than ten or twenty.

The basic idea behind this sound conditioning is to precede desired behavior with a distinctive sound. Keys are used here since they provide a strong, high-pitched sound that is irresistible to the dog once it is properly conditioned. Hand clapping, whistling, and cooing are in another realm, obviously proceeding from a person. To these specifically human sounds, a dog may or may not respond, depending on the current state of the relationship between the dog and the person making the sound. Keys or whistles are neutral, and therefore more effective. However, most trainers find the most effective sound device to be the keys on a chain.

How does it work?

Let’s take an example. Your dog doesn’t come when called. If you have a puppy or a dog under two years old, your chances for effective sound conditioning to correct the “come problem” are better than with an older dog who is used to going the other way when called. Yet, it is never too late to try this training technique. For the utmost success, you must have regular feeding times for your dog twice daily, and he must finish eating in about fifteen to twenty minutes. If you have your dog on the “nibbler plan” you will have to switch to regular feeding times and remove the food if it is not finished promptly.

Before placing the dish within his reach and allowing him to eat, get your dog’s attention and jingle the keys for two or three seconds. Then go about your business as he eats. Do not make a show out of this, and preferably do not allow your dog to see you jingle the keys. You may attach the keys to your belt loop with a snap belt. Repeat this procedure at the second meal, continuing it for two or three weeks. Do not use the keys around your dog for any other purpose until you have spent some time in this conditioning procedure whenever your dog eats. Another positive booster and “reinforcing effect” can be gained by using the keys whenever you return from work, from an errand, or in your car – stop the motor, open the door (both distinctive sounds in themselves), jingle the keys, and call out the dog’s name in a happy voice that carries.

After two or three weeks, begin a daily session in which you call your dog, jingle the keys, and praise him lavishly when the recall is good. Make sure you are crouching down, have a smile on your face, have your arms open to “funnel” the dog in to you, and are not over-jingling your keys. The whole point, obviously, is to let the dog hear the sound of the keys – the conditioning sound – so that he reacts positively, on his own. Let the dog win. Then reverse the procedure by jingling first and then calling your dog’s name. Finally, try it with the keys alone and you will be amazed at how quickly he will eagerly come to you.

The Bearded Collie

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Bearded Collie History and origin:

Believed to be one of the oldest herding dog in Scotland, the Bearded Collie was developed in 17th and 18th century England and Scotland. This breed was used for herding and cattle droving. His weather- resistant coat enables him to withstand harsh, wet climates.

Description:

The Bearded Collie stands 20 to 22 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 45 and 55 pounds. He has an athletic medium-size body and a long, flat, shaggy, shedding coat that mats easily and absorbs odors. Daily brushing and combing as well as regular bathing are essential for this breed. His coat can be kept in a shorter clip to reduce maintenance. His coat may be black or blue-gray with or without white, or it may be fawn or brown, both with or without white. The color may lighten or darken as the dog ages.

About the Bearded Collie:

A natural herder, this beautiful dog is a devoted pet who is friendly, playful and good with children. He is intelligent, active, easily trained, and makes a great show dog. The Bearded Collie is initially reserved with strangers but comes around quickly. This is a sensitive and mildly stubborn breed that responds well to consistent training if the technique is firm but not overbearing. The “Come” command can be the hardest to teach. The Bearded Collie, like most other herding breeds, has a tendency to chase moving objects such as cars, bikes, and joggers. Though reliable with children, he likes to chase them and nip at their heels. Children should not be allowed to play chase games with this breed. The Bearded Collie needs regular exercise. He can excel at competition obedience, agility work, and herding.

Feeding:

Recommended feeding for the Bearded Collie is 1 to 1 ½ cans (13.3oz) of a branded meaty product with biscuit added in the same amount or 3 cupfuls of a complete dry food.

Ideal home:

This breed needs plenty of exercise. A house with a fenced yard is essential. The owner of a Bearded Collie should be a consistent leader who wants an enthusiastic, friendly family dog that can excel in obedience work. Children are fine, provided no chasing or roughhousing is permitted. Spoilers and nervous owners may reduce the dog’s confidence and promote timidity and fear-biting. The elderly and the disabled may have trouble owning this active breed. Time to train, exercise, socialize, and groom the Bearded Collie is important.

Teaching Your Labrador Retriever To Retrieve

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Mutual trust and understanding are required between the hunter and his Labrador Retriever before a satisfactory retrieving companion is developed.

The intelligent Labrador Retriever, brought up as a house pet with the love and understanding of the person who is to take him hunting, requires a minimum of training in order to accomplish the job.  Much of this training can be done in the house and a few minutes a day is enough.

Such things as blind retrieves and hand signals can become a game in the house with the dog learning to trust his nose as one of the important by-products.

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Introduction to feathers can be accomplished by tying feathers on a dummy or using a pigeon or chicken wing with the feathers intact.  Remember that a Labrador should hand you the object retrieved and not drop it on the ground as is allowed with other breeds.  This is also one of the requirements for a working certificate for a show dog.  One important thing should not be overlooked and that is allowing persons to throw just anything for a dog and not requiring the dog to bring it back and give it to them.  Let toys be toys, but certain definite other things should be reserved for training.

If a dog has a tendency to go off with the object you are training with outdoors, it is a good idea to reduce the available working space so that evading you is minimized.  In such circumstances, moving away from the dog may induce following and the training object may be retrieved as the dog passes.  His game of keep-away is thus converted to delivering the object for reward of the praise bestowed upon surrender of the object.

For outside work, training involves getting your Labrador Retriever to go far out, which is not possible in the house.  Introducing him to gunfire must also be done outdoors.  You can find a training aid called a dummy thrower that is very useful, but test it without your dog the first time as the dummy goes a long way.

For Labrador Retriever owners wishing to use a whistle for signals, one of the product that you can get is the Acme Thunderer.  With this type of whistle, one can almost talk as it is possible to make various other sounds.  One blast is commonly used for a dog to sit wherever he is, and three blasts to summon the dog to come towards or all the way back to you.  The single blast is used also to signal for the Labrador Retriever to pay attention when you plan to use hand signals.

Why Using a Crate Is an Invaluable Dog Training Tool

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Dog crates are also a fantastic way to easily housebreak a puppy. All in all, a good dog crate is an invaluable training tool regardless of what type of puppy you have.

Dog crates are also a perfect solution to puppies that become overexcited. All you have to do is put your puppy inside the crate in order to help him relax. If your dog has to be left in the house unattended for a few hours, then having a crate is a stress-free way for you to be gone from the house and not worry about your puppy getting into trouble around the home or soiling the carpet.

Dog crates are also a great way to feed your puppy in case he becomes easily distracted. Simply put his food bowl inside and off he goes in an enclosed area where he can focus on eating his meal.

And here are a few more tips when it comes to using a dog crate:

1. Make sure that you get the appropriate size crate based on your dog’s height and width. This is especially important if you are housebreaking your puppy with a dog crate. If the box is too large then your puppy may use the bathroom on one side, but keep sleeping on the other side, which defeats the purpose of crate training in terms of potty training.

2. If you have a fast-growing puppy, then consider buying a large crate that is meant for an adult dog but that has a divider built into it. This way you can divide the crate in half so that your puppy will be able to lie down comfortably and still be able to turn around if needed. A divided dog crate can also be used for your larger puppies by removing the division bracket.

3. One last aspect of using a dog crate that you should consider is the type of bedding that you place on the floor. Some dog owners have noticed that their puppies still use the bathroom inside even though the crate is the appropriate size for potty training. In most instances it turns out that the bedding that they laid down was a little too thick and had a tendency to induce urination in dogs. Instead, try to lay down less comfortable bedding that your dog does not consider to be used for urination, like newspaper for example.

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