Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Attitude Is Important When Dog Training


There is nothing more critical to the success of dog training than the owner's attitude. The mindset of the trainer is more important than the equipment purchased, the exact system used, or the breed of dog involved. Nothing can destroy the likelihood of effective training more quickly than an owner with the wrong outlook on the training process.

Dogs naturally crave and enjoy human companionship. When their human companions approach them in the right way, they are particularly receptive to learning and develop a strong desire to act in a manner that will please their master. This is why a proper attitude is exceedingly important with respect to training dogs. When the owner is pleasant, the dog will be pleasant. When the owner is excited about teaching, the dog will most likely be excited about learning. Dogs can often reflect the attitudes and dispositions of their owners, a fact that must be kept in mind while undertaking dog training.

Additionally, the proper outlook on dog training can make the experience infinitely more enjoyable for the owner. A pleasant training experience will naturally produce better instruction on the part of the trainer. Again, proper attitude will pay training dividends.

So, what is the right attitude to bring to dog training? Owners should strive to maintain a positive perspective at all times and should strive for a mood that makes the process fun for both the dog and the trainer. Failure to approach training with such an attitude risks disaster. The proper attitude and perspective truly is the prerequisite to training success.

The owner should be positive. A positive perspective, of course, works in conjunction with any quality training method. Effective training requires positive reinforcement, and that kind of praise and affection is best administered by someone who generally presents a positive attitude. Training will be filled with compliments, encouragement and praise. Those rewards, which are the key component to training, are more likely to be appropriately and effectively administered by a trainer with a positive disposition.

Trainers should recognize that they can manage to be both firm and friendly at the same time. It is not necessary to affect an angry or severe tone during the training process. These caricatures of displeasure do not offer any more training value than utilization of a simple serious tone. A lower tone with a serious "bite" is more than enough. When praising and instructing, the owner must remember to use a very friendly and happy voice. The dog will thrive knowing his owner enjoys their interaction so much and will be very motivated to learn as a result.

Most importantly the trainer must always remember that dog training is supposed to be fun. It should be fun for the trainer and just as fun for the pet. The idea is to make the training process exciting and enjoyable for the pet as is possible. By making the process a treat, the dog is especially motivated to perform.

Too often training becomes nothing more than a mandatory task. The owner does not relish the opportunity to spend time with his or her dog. The dog understands this and does not get excited at the prospect, either. In worse cases, training becomes an undesirable chore. The negative disposition and attitude of the owner is sensed clearly by the dog and mirrored. Training progress stalls, frustration sets in, and the whole process becomes further crippled.

The clich that "attitude is everything" really does describe dog training. A negative or harsh attitude will crush hopes of success. A positive perspective coupled with friendliness and a sense of fun will make training a treat.

A fun disposition also makes training more enjoyable for the dog owner. The trainer's positive attitude creates a more positive disposition for the pet, which in turn improves the trainer's outlook even more. By starting the training process with a solid positive attitude, the owner gets the ball rolling, so to speak. The end result can be a training experience that is enjoyed by both pet and owner, which is sure to create amazing results. By approaching training with a positive disposition, a dog owner can prod

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A Successful Dog Training Strategy


Man and dog have been seemingly inseparable for centuries. The unique relationship between the two animals has been studied extensively as people have sought to better train their dogs as work partners and companions.

There are virtually as many training strategies as there are dog owners. Almost everyone approaches the process of training his or her dog or dogs differently. There is no single method that works perfectly for all dogs and any variety of systems can produce the kinds of results an owner wants.

However, there are some common traits that seem to be apparent in all successful dog training strategies. Any approach that ignores these commonalities is likely to fall far short of expectations and will not produce desired outcomes. When contemplating a plan for training your dog, make sure the system you will use is consistent with these four critical underpinnings of all successful programs.

Training Should be Based on Positive Reinforcement

Any successful strategy must rely upon positive reinforcement for optimal results. Operant conditioning of this sort, whether done via clicker training or any other means has been consistently demonstrated to be more successful techniques relying on punishment and negative reinforcement. Dogs perform better when their behavior is rewarded. Some dogs may avoid inappropriate behavior out of fear, but making gains through such negative techniques brings with it a host of other problems and is widely understood to be less efficient than relying on positive reinforcement.

Exercise is a Critical Element of Successful Training

Any program is likely to be far less successful unless attention is paid to a dog's need for extensive physical activity. Not only is exercise good for a pet's health in a general sense. It also creates a mindset for the pet which leaves him more open and receptive to learning. With regular outlets to expend physical energy available, a dog will be more satisfied and comfortable, effectively positioning them for learning. Make sure any training regimen you adopt includes regular significant exercise for your dog. Failure to do so will limit the effectiveness of any strategies chosen.

Enjoyable Interaction is Essential to the Training Process

One reason why the relationship between man and dog has flourished over time is the social nature of both creatures. Dogs enjoy the company of their owners and training systems should be devised with this in mind. The training process should not become a "doggy boot camp," but instead should be offered as an enjoyable opportunity for interaction. This does not mean that training should be unorganized or undisciplined. It does mean that it should be approached with love and smile instead of with a rigid and wholly serious attitude. Effective training techniques recognize that dogs will respond better to lessons taught in a social, enjoyable context. Training is an important part of a dog's life. That does not, however, mean it must be a cold or otherwise un-enjoyable experience.

Training is an Ongoing Process

Training is not merely a collection of isolated sessions. Dog training is an ongoing process that occurs during specified training sessions and through the rest of every dog's day. The lessons taught during training times should be reinforced at all times. Additionally, an owner should recognize that there is no particular time frame for training. It is a process that literally lasts the lifetime of the dog/owner relationship. Those who see training as a discrete step or defined moment in a dog's life are likely not to get the results they desire from their training regimen. Training not only lasts a lifetime-it occurs over the course of a lifetime.

If a dog owner adopts a training strategy based on positive reinforcement, which includes plenty of opportunity for exercise and a commitment to enjoyable owner/dog interactions while being mindful that training will be an ongoing process, they will undoubtedly produce a well-trained dog. Losing sight of this foundation for success, however, will cripple an otherwise well-intended method of dog training.

The specifics of dog training strategies may vary greatly, but as long as the program you choose remains consistent with these critical aspects of proven training programs, it is likely to help you and your dog enjoy a very meaningful and pleasant relationship for years to come.

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Learn From Training Your Dog


We think of dog training in pretty simple terms most of the time. The trainer teaches, the dog learns and that's it. We see dog training as a one-way street upon which a trainer imparts guidance to a dog. That, however, is a great oversimplification. Though it does describe the way a dog's life can be improved through good training, it doesn't remind us of another wonderful benefit of training.

You see, in reality dog training is an interaction. And in any interaction, all parties involved take something away from the experience. In the case of dog training, the dog does learn appropriate behaviors. He, however, is not the only learner in the process. The dog trainer also gains from the interaction.

The advantages to the canine half of the training duo are clear. There are advantages for the human, too, which are pretty obvious. In the end, he has a fine companion with whom he can develop a great relationship. The owner also benefits from having a "good" dog, one who doesn't destroy his property or try his patience at every turn. These are very real benefits and should not be disregarded or trivialized. However, when one closely examines dog training, they find that the teacher gains even more from his interaction with the canine pupil.

Owners gain insight into their own personality during the training process. They find their weaknesses amplified by their pet and their personality strengths underlined. They may learn that patience is not their natural strength and that training forced them to be more considerate and calm. Alternatively, they may learn their threshold for frustration was actually higher than they had imagined. These lessons, learned through interaction with a dog, are transferable into other segments of one's life.

For example, the trainer who has successfully worked with a problem dog may find it easier to deal with a difficult client or employee-they have learned that they can be patient and see a situation through without "losing it."

Owners also gain insight into what they really want from their life. There was a reason they sought a dog as a companion and a reason why they spent the time and energy necessary to train that dog. Their interactions throughout training can inform their perspective on self and personal motivation. They may find a new realization of how much they appreciate life and can learn a great deal about friendship building, as well.

There is of course, the tremendous sense of satisfaction that comes from training a dog to consider, too. Training requires a commitment over time and a willingness to give of oneself a great deal. A trainer may reflect on that experience and discover a selfless aspect to their personality of which they had previously been unaware. Tapping into that component of the personality might spur them to undertake other positive activities.

When one realizes they have successfully completed a long-term task, they may better understand their innate ability to set goals and to achieve them by acting consistently with those goals in mind. Dog training can become a great example of what one can accomplish with clear goals in mind.

Training dogs is not just about teaching "sit, heel, and rollover." It is about working with and interacting with another living being over an extended period of time. It is about giving instruction, of course, but it is also about receiving wisdom.

Thinking of dog training as merely the enforcement of rules and expectations simply does not do justice to the wonderful process. There is much more to it, and there is a great deal a trainer can learn from both his dog and the training process itself.

Dog training is more than an exercise in learning and understanding for a dog. It is an exercise in learning and understanding for the master, too. There is a lot we can learn from our experiences with dog training if we expand our perspective on the matter to include all of the wisdom and understanding acquired throughout the training process. A broad perspective on dog training shows it to be a remarkably valuable enterprise for both the pet and the owner.

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Training Dog Owners In Patience


Extensive research and experience has established the incontrovertible fact that successful dog training is premised upon utilization of positive reinforcement. Once-used training techniques that were premised on physical punishment have been abandoned-and in many cases outlawed.

The difficulty inherent in non-violent training steeped in positive reinforcement is that it requires a greater commitment from the owner. The old methods relied on intimidation as a shortcut to results. Although far less effective than today's techniques, they were simple to administer. In order to use positive techniques, the owner must not only possess a good knowledge base, he or she must also have patience.

Over and over again, the necessity of patience is emphasized in dog training literature. "Be patient with your dog." "Do not expect overnight results when dealing with a difficult dog." "Maintain your cool when dealing with your dog." The presence of patience is preached as the ultimate virtue for anyone training a dog. No one providing dog training guidance overlooks the value of patience.

However, patience is not necessarily an attribute possessed by all dog owners. As a result, the impatient owner may often delve into his bag of intimidating dirty tricks when things do not go according to plan, and we all know the negative impact such a deviation from the positive-reinforcement route can have.

What needs to occur is that the owner must be trained before the dog can be trained. Owners must be trained to be patient when dealing with their dog when that personality trait is not already in place. All of the time spent teaching techniques premised on the idea that an owner can be patient are doomed to fail if that the owner cannot remain calm. As such, dog owners must teach themselves to be patient during the training process.

Training an owner to be patient is no easier than training a dog to behave in line with one's expectations. In fact, adult humans, with their personalities formed by years of experience and socialization can be even more different to train than dogs!

It is advisable, however, for anyone planning to train a dog to take steps to train themselves to be patient. There are a few helpful recommendations that can allow a trainer/owner to improve their patience skills.

Initially, owners can be taught to walk away before losing their temper. When one feels their patience is at an end, instead of losing their temper or acting in a manner inconsistent with the chosen training methodology, the owner can simply call an end to the training session. This insures that training does not degenerate into an angry battle of wills. The sessions can be resumed at some point when the owner feels he has regained his sense of calm. By following this approach, owners will soon find they are able to focus on the training project for longer durations before they are at wit's end. Frustration is the enemy of patience, and avoiding overly frustrating training sessions reminds the owner there is no need for intense frustration-they recognize they are not trapped in the situation.

Additionally, owners must consistently remind themselves of the fact they are dealing with a dog. This sounds remarkably obvious on its face, but too often owners look at the pet as a soulless project when training becomes difficult. By reminding themselves they are dealing with an animal who does not share our understanding of the world or our communicative powers, they are less likely to lose their patience. It is when the animal is seen as an object upon which one can force their will that patience dwindles most quickly.

Finally, an owner should have a realistic understanding of the time commitment required to train a dog. Impatience results when one's goals are not met within anticipated time frames. Too often, unfortunately, dog owners are not really aware of the length of time they should expect successful training to take. By outfitting the owner with a clear understanding of dog training techniques and a commensurate understanding of the time required to implement those methods, realistic expectations can be created. With a realistic outlook regarding what is ahead, an owner is less likely to find himself or herself feeling agitated or impatient.

The idea of retraining an owner before he or she trains a dog may seem unusual. However, modern dog training techniques require a level of patience and calmness not always possessed by dog owners. By increasing the dog owner's ability to remain patient, the likelihood of successful training is increased significantly.

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Training A Working Dog

In today's world, working dogs are a fact of life. These dogs selflessly provide a service to their masters and their communities and are rewarded with adoration and praise. Police dogs provide such an important service that, in some areas, the killing of a police animal is just as serious an offense as murdering an officer of the law. That in itself is quite a tribute to the work these animals perform.

But what goes into the training of one of these fine animals? Have you ever taken the time to think about how many hours are put into sorting the working animals from the common pets? How much effort is placed on teaching these animals how to do their job in protecting and serving their masters either in official police form or as an assistance dog, such as Seeing Eye or Hearing Ear dogs?

The training of Police dogs alone accounts for many hundreds of man-hours spent for just one animal. Trainers spend many hours researching, locating and acquiring suitable breeds for service dogs and then the dogs must fall within the correct age bracket being neither too young nor too old for service with most dogs ranging between ten months on the young side and two and a half years on the older side. The dogs are then given complete physicals including blood work and X-ray pictures to be certain that they can withstand the stresses and situations the job throws at them.

The dogs are required to do pre-tests to determine eligibility for the program as well as aptitude and the pre-tests include such things as whether the dog is approachable by strangers without extreme shifts in behavior, retrieval behavior and foreign object acceptance, such as horses, umbrella and objects not encountered daily. These tests are used to match the dog to its specific line of work as in patrol, cadaver, narcotics or explosive training.

There is much rigorous testing of the animals before any true training ever begins and matching the animal's temperament and personality to the correct trainer is one of the biggest criteria to effective training. If the two personalities clash then the whole training process can be disrupted or, worse, destroyed beyond repair. Dogs are matched to trainers and allowed to bond with their trainers before the earnest training ever begins, thus establishing a trust relationship between the man and the animal that will be crucial in the field later.

Now the difficult task of training begins, with each trainer customizing the lessons to their own style in addition to the age and abilities of the dog. There are classes in different tracking methods, aggression behaviors, environmental dangers, gun conditioning and protecting the handler. The dogs must learn and qualify on these procedures before moving on to the next lesson. Each of these lessons requires many hours of skilled and consistent training just as does any other form of specialized work.

Besides these basic lessons, there are also the specialized lessons such as small item retrieval, explosive and drug location, obstacle avoidance and circumvention, along with how to handle a combative subject and escalated force routine. These animals must also learn to deal with distractions, large crowds, tracking in rural, urban and suburban environments and unusual objects, such as umbrellas and weapons.

Remember that there are many hours spent on each of these lessons and that the average dog/handler team is in the field for a year before they become effective and you have a huge amount of training going on. What happens to the dogs that just can't learn all the behaviors? While some are qualified enough to be accepted for other programs such as the Seeing Eye or Hearing Ear programs to assist the physically challenged, most become ordinary but very well trained house pets. For those accepted into the other assistance dog programs, a whole new line of training begins which utilizes their previous training while involving such things as leading the blind thru obstacles using a specially made halter or learning to recognize environmental threats such as smoke, fire, vehicles and tripping hazards and alerting their handlers to the presence of these things. These lessons alone count for many more hours of training.

What does the dog get from all of this? A reward you could never imagine... The love of a trainer and handler that is served well. The affectionate hug of a child whose daddy came home tonight because a well-trained dog put its life on the line. The caress and praise of a blind child who has new freedom because of an animal that leads them where they want to go and protects them from danger. These dogs are rewarded for what they do and rewarded well because they serve well. Think about that the next time you see one of these dogs on the street and remember all the training that goes in to making sure they protect and serve with pride.


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Training A Show Dog


Since the beginning of time, man has always been proud of the things around him and quality was a prime concern. Even in the biblical account of Adam and Eve, it states that Eve looked at the fruit of the tree and saw that it was good and desirable to the eyes. (Genesis 3:6 NKJV- "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.")

Thus we see that even back in the beginning of our culture, man and womankind have always been interested in things that were good, desirable, or aesthetically pleasing. The tradition continues today with contests of skill, beauty and training taking place around the world. From the small town livestock and pet shows to the huge, century old affair of the English, Crufts, which has been drawing crowds since 1891, the show dog is heeling its way down the halls of fame.

Show dogs come from all breeds and the object of the sport is to find the best bloodlines, training and dispositions. The aesthetic quality of some of these animals is truly amazing as is the diversity of trainers and the breeds that are shown. In 1991, the centennial year for Crufts, there was a turnout of 22,993 canine entrants for the show which was held at The National Exhibition Center in Birmingham, United Kingdom. It should be remembered that this is an annual show that has been going strong since its inception by Charles Cruft, a British traveling salesman, in the year 1891. With an entry list of so high a number, one staggers to imagine the size of the crowd of spectators who attended the centennial show. With all this fame and glory just waiting to be taken, how do we get our dogs in the act?

Well, the first step to beginning in the show dog circuit is getting into touch with a kennel club or pet association. These groups will be able to point you in the direction of local shows and get you started on what is hopefully a long and enjoyable journey. They will be able to assist you with finding the rules and regulations for your area, common acceptable practices and any special vaccinations or veterinary testing that may be required. They also offer the mind pool of many experienced trainers who are willing to share the thoughts and training tips. They can also tell you which breeds tend to rank the highest in shows and guide you in choosing the proper pet for showing.

There are a few basic behaviors that are common amongst all dogs and these do not change with the show dog except for the fact that they are refined a bit more. Show dogs must be trained in running a circle, as well as an obstacle course, with their handler. They also must be taught correct postures for sitting, heeling, trotting and standing. Depending upon the breed and class, the dog may also be asked to jump or overcome certain obstacles or, in some shows, work livestock. Show dogs must also be very patient and relaxed as judges will be examining them very closely and the last thing you will ever get an award for is a dog that bit the judges. Your dog should be taught to be still and not fidget when being handled by the judges as well as while waiting their turn at judging.

Another very important aspect of show dog training is socializing the animal to other dogs. These animals will be in the presence of possibly thousands of others animals so it is imperative that your dog knows how to behave correctly to avoid disqualification due to aggressive behaviors.

With these little pointers under your collar, the day of the big show isn't far away. Be prepared for it and plan well ahead of time. A professional grooming before the show is nice for your pet and will be sure to add to her sleek lines. Also don't forget her favorite treats and toys for after the show.

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Teaching Dogs Tricks


Teaching a dog a tick can be a rewarding experience for both pet and owner. It provides an opportunity for positive interaction between the dog and his trainer, which is always desirable. Additionally, it creates future opportunities for the dog to engage in approved behavior while also providing both parties a feeling of satisfaction.

Thousands of tricks have been taught to dogs ranging from the common ("roll over") to the entirely unique. Certainly thousands of new tricks are being conceived and taught to dogs with each passing day. Despite the diversity of tricks, all share some common traits. Chief among these commonalities is the framework in which successful trick training occurs.

All successful trick teachers do some things in common. They understand the necessary foundations for successful trick instruction and are mindful to the "tricks" they must know before they even begin to work with their dog. That's right, teaching a dog a trick requires knowing a few of your own! There are three "tricks" the owner must learn before teaching a dog a trick. These three "tricks" are choosing proper tricks, choosing proper rewards, and remaining positive throughout the teaching process.

Choosing Proper Tricks

When selecting a trick to teach a dog, one is far more likely to have a successful and rewarding experience if they choose a trick for which the animal is well suited. A dog who hates to rear up on his hind legs, for instance, is a poor candidate for any "learning to walk" trick. Meanwhile, a dog who seemingly loves to bring things to people is an excellent candidate for a trick based on "fetching."

Tricks should be chosen with the dog and his predilections in mind. Trying to teach a trick that runs contrary to a dog's personal nature increases frustration and difficulty and makes the process less valuable for both parties. Thus it is incumbent upon the owner to choose tricks that are consistent with the dog's personality, preferences and skills.

Choose Proper Rewards

Teaching tricks is premised on the notion of rewarding desired behavior until it becomes second nature. In order to maximize the likelihood of successful teaching, one must choose rewards that are particularly coveted by the dog.

Some dogs, for instance, thrive simply on praise and this may be enough of an enticement through the trick learning process to produce desired results. Other dogs may have a strong affinity for a particular treat. Using that treat as a reward while teaching the trick will provide the dog with a wonderfully strong motivation to perform. Too often, the unsuccessful teacher will rely on praise for a dog that is inadequately impressed by it or on a specific treat the dog may enjoy but does not truly love. By targeting the optimal reward, one increases the chances for trick learning success.

Remain Positive

Teaching a dog a trick should always be premised on positive reinforcement. Learning and teaching tricks should be a fun activity designed to bring the owner and dog closer together. Unfortunately, some frustrated trick instructors will find themselves tempted to use stern tones or other disciplinary tactics on a dog that is failing to learn a trick. These efforts generally backfire. The dog fails to learn the trick and the owner has turned a potentially valuable and fun exercise into a negative experience for all involved.

Instead of allowing the process to degenerate into a negative experience, owners should be mindful of the need to retain a positive technique. If a teaching episode is going nowhere, it is preferable to simply end it and to try again at some other time instead of using negative reinforcement as a teaching method.

Sometimes trick instruction can be difficult and frustrating. Nonetheless it is important to remember to focus on positive reinforcement. One must make the experience a fun activity, not a threatening one.

By making wise choices in the tricks to be taught, using appropriate rewards during the teaching process and retaining a focus on the positive, teaching a dog tricks can be a great and rewarding experience with lasting benefits for both the dog and his owner. By learning a few tricks of your own first, you will be far more likely to teach your dog a few, too!.

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Biggest Mistakes Dog Trainers Make


When new trainers first get started, they tend to make a lot of mistakes in their techniques and how the approach the training process. There are a few mistakes that are fairly common among most trainers and we shall make these ten mistakes the subject of this discourse.

Mistake number one is expecting too much. The individual who makes this error is usually well meaning and a true dog lover. The problem steps in when they see all the tricks their neighbors dog can do, they watch the well trained pets of their favorite sitcom characters and they go to the park and see all of the pet owners there enjoying the company of dogs that are obedient and well trained. It is at this point that they tend to forget all the time, patience and money that has went into these animals and achieving the successes they have become.

Mistake number two is also quite common and falls to the other extreme. It is the mistake of giving up. These owners are also well meaning and usually started out as the group who expected too much. Unfortunately, they lack the patience or commitment to achieve the result they want and decide to take an all or nothing approach. These owners decide that their pet can't learn to play Frisbee in an hour or so, this dog just isn't going to learn at all.

Mistake number three is not being consistent. If you tell the dog not to jump on you when you are in your business suit and expect them to mind, don't let them jump on you when you are wearing your jogging clothes either. Consistent training is important if you want a well-trained dog.

Mistake number four is not using enough positive reinforcement. Many a frustrated trainer has gone home with poor results because they forget to reward the dog for doing well. Rewards must be consistent, just like the training. An animal that only receives correction and never rewards will begin to do the wrong behavior just to get some type of attention.

Mistake number five is similar to number four. It is giving too much negative reinforcement. This is the owner that spends his day looking for the dog to make a mistake so they can be corrected. This is a mistake because when you are focused on finding the displeasing behaviors you fail to recognize and reward all the good behaviors your dog displays.

Mistake number six is also quite simple to fall into. It is trying to teach a dog something it was never meant to do. This problem is more common amongst individuals wanting a sport animal for such things as hunting. They try to make a general purpose multitasking animal and instead create a confused and agitated creature. Some dogs just were not meant for some jobs. You can't ask a Dachshund to be a fox hound and you wouldn't ask a Great Dane to go into a rabbit den. Get the right dog for the job at hand.

Mistake number seven is not following thru. Dogs love to learn and will learn thru repetition and consistent lessons. However, these lessons must be followed thru with. If you spend an all day session training Fido Monday and then don't even talk to him again for two weeks, he will have most likely forgot the initial lesson.

Mistake number eight is the use of too many different techniques. While it important to glean wisdom from other trainers experiences, using everything you hear can be detrimental. Each trainer has different ideas of how things should be done and trying to incorporate all of them will frustrate you and your pet. Rather choose a method that works for you and be consistent and you will see much better results.

Mistake number nine is apathy. All too often a pet owner says I hate this or that about my pet but it's just too difficult to change it. Changes can be made and, if your dog sees that they bring rewards, he will respond much quicker to a direct and firm approach.

The final major mistake people make is thinking the training is over. Training is a learning process and it is never complete. Your dog may learn a behavior and know it well. So why stop there? Your dog loves to learn and you are a good trainer. Why would you ever want less than the best your dog could be?

With knowledge of these mistakes, you can recognize some of the common feelings might have encountered yourself and you can stem these before they become a problem. We wish you the best and also a happy adventure in training your dog.

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Teach Your Dog Not To Bark


Unwanted barking is one of the most common behavior problems in dogs. It is normal for dogs to vocalize and bark from time to time but many times this behavior escalates much to the frustration of many dog owners. There are many causes of unwanted barking. First you must determine why your dog is barking before you can begin a program of retraining. You may need help from your animal behaviorist or veterinarian to do this.

One cause of unwanted barking is attention seeking barking. You may have inadvertently reinforced this behavior if as a pup your dog barked a lot and you gave him attention to try and stop the behavior. As an older dog, he may be exhibiting this behavior because he is left alone for long periods of time, does not have appropriate stimulation or exercise, or is an active dog that needs to have a job to be happy.

If you suspect this is the cause of your dog's unwanted barking behavior, you can start to retrain him by making sure first and foremost that he is getting enough exercise. Make sure to take daily walks - this also allows him to explore the world around him which is good mental exercise as well. If you have a local dog park, take your dog there and let him socialize with other dogs and people. Take an obedience class - this is good for mental stimulation and will help you to better communicate with your dog. Provide many interesting toys to keep your dog busy while you are not around. Make sure to spend one on one time with your dog on a daily basis and make it fun so that your dog learns that he doesn't need to bark to get your attention.

Another cause of excessive barking is as a response to something that your dog is afraid of. Many dogs bark during thunderstorms or around unfamiliar people. If your dog is barking as a response to thunderstorms or other loud noises, provide him with a safe place he can go in these situations such as a crate. Make his safe place fun by providing good treats such as a Kong filled with peanut butter to keep him occupied. Play a radio or the television at a low level to help mask the noise. If your dog is barking at unfamiliar people, help him get over this fear by enlisting the help of your friends and neighbors. Have them walk by and approach your dog. Have them ask him to sit, and when he does so without barking, have them give him a treat.

Pretty soon, your dog will learn to associate unfamiliar people with treats and will learn new positive behaviors. If your dog barks at people and noises that are coming from outside the house, you may want to limit his access to rooms with windows. This will help cut down on the unwanted barking behavior.

If your dog is barking when you're not home, it could be due to separation anxiety. If your dog is especially attached to you or has recently experienced a situation of change in his routine such as divorce, a move, or a death in the family, this could be the case. To remedy this kind of barking behavior, you will need to start a course of desensitization. You can begin to do this by taking very small trips such as just out to the mailbox and back, while leaving fun toys and yummy treats for your dog. As your dog learns to behave while you're gone, slowly increase the length of time you are gone.

To check and see if your dog is barking when you're gone, you may need to use a tape recorder or enlist the help of your neighbors. Separation anxiety often needs to be treated with medication as well as desensitization. If you suspect your dog is barking due to separation anxiety, please consult your veterinarian or animal behaviorist.

Some people choose to treat their dog's unwanted barking problems with bark collars. The most humane bark collar available today is the citronella collar. These bark collars work by spraying harmless citronella in your dog's face whenever he barks. Studies show a very high rate of success with the use of these kinds of collars. Using a citronella collar for a period of time can help to reinforce more positive behaviors.

There are many training tips and tools available to help you replace unwanted barking with more positive behaviors. If you need more information, consult your veterinary staff or pet professional.


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