Every dog owner must take up dog training to know and handle a dog better. Appreciating a well-mannered dog is something that all can do, training is what makes things difficult. Now, there are many kinds of dog training available but not all will suit your dog.
Most dog owners and also people in general are unaware of the various kinds of dog trainings provided. The types of dog training change with the varying stages of development in the dog.
While some dogs have never been trained, some others have already undertaken training before. Therefore, it becomes all the more essential to analyze and know what type of dog training your dog needs.
The first level of dog training is the basic dog training. The basic training is meant for beginners — either a puppy or a grown-up dog that is being trained for the first time. This level includes only the rudiments — how to make a dog sit, stay and come when called. Some part of it also aims at teaching the dog to socialize with other dogs and people in a proper way. This is particularly given to puppies. And if your dog had never taken training before, this basic level is where to start with.
The next level is the intermediate level. This level of dog training is not for puppies, but for those adult dogs that have undertaken the basics either formally or at home by their own owners. This intermediate type of training trains a dog to heel, walk properly on a leash, fetch something and return. It also revises the basics of sitting, staying and coming etc.
The third and final type of dog training is the advanced course. This level is only meant for those dogs which have been through a minimum of one training course before and have passed it too. Here, in the advanced level, the different elements of the basic and intermediate courses are revised in details right at the start of the course. Then it goes to train the dog to act according to various commands and hand signals like “come”, “stay”, “sit”, “heel”, “fetch”, “lie down” et al.
When the dog gets accustomed to hand signals, the advanced course takes care of teaching the dog how to walk and stay beside the master at all times even without a leash. It also teaches the dog to have focus in its master, that is, to pay attention and stop getting distracted. The advanced level of dog training is usually suited to very obedient and well-mannered dogs.
Like all good trainings, dog trainings should also have motivators like prizes and rewards to yield better and more positive results. Hitting and yelling at the dog to make it pick up one action is not a wise technique while training. Instead of being a success, chances are that it will give negative output. So you must make sure that the dog training you assign your dog is a positive one, which indulges in positive strategies.
You must also be careful about choosing the right course for your dog—the course best-suited to it. That way, you may soon be able to boast of owning a dog that is obedient, well-mannered, well adjusted and the perfect pet one can have!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
WALKING YOUR DOG – ELEVEN RULES
When we walk our dog, no matter the destination – on the city streets, in parks or in open spaces – it is necessary that he respects the disciplinary rules set and learn, to avoid getting into problems with other animals or people we meet.
So let’s see how our little friend will have to act in some situations:
1. Usually, in crowded places we will keep him in a leash, to always have him under control. So he will have to know how to walk in a leash, near your foot, without pulling.
2. The dog is not allowed to jump on people or animals we meet or to attack any of those.
3. The dog shouldn’t run after bicycles, motorcycles, cars or people that are running. It is known that some dogs do that because of their hunting instincts.
4. When we let the dog free, to relax, it is crucial that when he is called he returns on the shortest way and as fast as possible.
5. At a picnic, the dog is not allowed to pass too close other people tables or to eat their food.
6. Wherever our dog might be, he is not to be allowed to eat food given by someone else or food found thrown around.
7. Small dogs can be more spoiled than big dogs and they can be more aggressive, anti-social and afraid of other people or dogs. But small dogs are tiny compared to big dogs or people and need to be picked up and reassured that they are safe, and in turn will be relaxed around other folks. Tiny dogs need to protected from large dogs for their own safety, because they are not aware of their tiny size.
8. The dog must have the initial training learned and practiced at home, so we would have no problems when walking him in public.
9. All through the walk, the dog is encouraged not to chew on his leash or to pull it with his teeth, because it might happen that if he is tied somewhere and he will chew on it until he becomes free and gets lost.
10. The dog is not allowed to jump up and put his front paws on us or others even if he is just playing.
11. Pay attention to drunken people! Many times the smell, the walk and the yelling of drunken people annoy the dog. The dog can act aggressive to try to protect the owner from such a situation.
So let’s see how our little friend will have to act in some situations:
1. Usually, in crowded places we will keep him in a leash, to always have him under control. So he will have to know how to walk in a leash, near your foot, without pulling.
2. The dog is not allowed to jump on people or animals we meet or to attack any of those.
3. The dog shouldn’t run after bicycles, motorcycles, cars or people that are running. It is known that some dogs do that because of their hunting instincts.
4. When we let the dog free, to relax, it is crucial that when he is called he returns on the shortest way and as fast as possible.
5. At a picnic, the dog is not allowed to pass too close other people tables or to eat their food.
6. Wherever our dog might be, he is not to be allowed to eat food given by someone else or food found thrown around.
7. Small dogs can be more spoiled than big dogs and they can be more aggressive, anti-social and afraid of other people or dogs. But small dogs are tiny compared to big dogs or people and need to be picked up and reassured that they are safe, and in turn will be relaxed around other folks. Tiny dogs need to protected from large dogs for their own safety, because they are not aware of their tiny size.
8. The dog must have the initial training learned and practiced at home, so we would have no problems when walking him in public.
9. All through the walk, the dog is encouraged not to chew on his leash or to pull it with his teeth, because it might happen that if he is tied somewhere and he will chew on it until he becomes free and gets lost.
10. The dog is not allowed to jump up and put his front paws on us or others even if he is just playing.
11. Pay attention to drunken people! Many times the smell, the walk and the yelling of drunken people annoy the dog. The dog can act aggressive to try to protect the owner from such a situation.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Akuna's Favorite Doggy Cookie
Canine Cookies #2
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
1 egg -- well beaten
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/2 cup water
6 tablespoons gravy
2 jars baby food, meat, beef, strained
Combine ingredients and shape into ball. Roll out on floured board, Use
extra flour if needed. Cut with knife or cookie cutter. Bake at 350
degrees for 25 to 30 min. Cool. Should be quite hard.
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
1 egg -- well beaten
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/2 cup water
6 tablespoons gravy
2 jars baby food, meat, beef, strained
Combine ingredients and shape into ball. Roll out on floured board, Use
extra flour if needed. Cut with knife or cookie cutter. Bake at 350
degrees for 25 to 30 min. Cool. Should be quite hard.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thai Ridgeback Dog from Thailand (other names... Mah Thai)
The Thai Ridgeback has bred true in isolated populations for several hundred years and can be found in archeological writing in Thailand some 350 years ago. Mainly from the eastern part of Thailand, the breed was used for hunting, to escort carts, and as a watchdog.
This endearing breed has not been known outside its homeland but thanks to a dedictated following its future is now assured.
The Thai Ridgeback is a tough, active breed with well developed muscles and excellent jumping ability, a medium sized dog with short, smooth hair, and a narrow ridge of hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat along the back. This is a highly important feature and should be clearly defined. The rather large triangular ears incline forward and are firmly pricked.
Height is 22 to 26 inches (58-66 cm) and weight in the region of 50-75 lbs (23-34 kg).
Official Recognition FGI Group 5 (provisional)
Color variations: Light chestnut, fawn, red, black, silver. blue
(from the Enclyclopedia of Dog Breeds)
This endearing breed has not been known outside its homeland but thanks to a dedictated following its future is now assured.
The Thai Ridgeback is a tough, active breed with well developed muscles and excellent jumping ability, a medium sized dog with short, smooth hair, and a narrow ridge of hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat along the back. This is a highly important feature and should be clearly defined. The rather large triangular ears incline forward and are firmly pricked.
Height is 22 to 26 inches (58-66 cm) and weight in the region of 50-75 lbs (23-34 kg).
Official Recognition FGI Group 5 (provisional)
Color variations: Light chestnut, fawn, red, black, silver. blue
(from the Enclyclopedia of Dog Breeds)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Train With a Clicker
Clicker training is a form of positive reinforcement in the field of operant conditioning wherein the clicking sound from a mechanical device marks a desired behavior in animal training. Contrary to popular belief, clicker training is not solely for dog training. This form of procedure is also popular among horses, cats and other pets.
Originally, clicker training was used as a method of obedience training for such unlikely trainees like dolphins in wild animal shows and carrier pigeons for military courier services.
Why clicker training works
The process works via association. If an animal performs a specific task according to the instruction it is given, reward is granted immediately, accompanied always by the clicking sound. The animal soon associates the clicking sound as a means to a promised reward. The longer the training process continues, the easier it is for the animal to follow instructions.
By far, this is the gentlest type of obedience training. Using force and punishment to bolster obedience in animals has always been a controversial issue. This issue is always weighed against traditional training versus the merits of such practice in the long term psychological health of the animal. Negative reinforcement may be in the form of aversive methods, caging, choke collars, force, punishment, sprays, and /or withholding of food or toy. Behavioral training using rewards has proven that animals subjected to this learn new behaviors easier, quicker and with more enthusiasm. They also end up healthier in body and mind.
With dog training, the clicker training method seems to work better than the other forms of positive reinforcement like food, positive attention, praise and voice reinforcements. This is due to the fact that the click pinpoints the "desired" behavior exactly. This eliminates the guesswork on the part of the animal, making the process go faster. Incredibly, animals using this method have learned new things in one to three clicks only, as compared to the weeks and months in conventional non-clicker training.
The clicker training provides a consistent marker in which the dog receives the same information. Also, the sound of the clicker is very distinct, which distracts the dog's attention from the other stimuli in the environment. Unlike verbal rewards like praise and verbal reinforcements, a clicker conveys no emotion whatsoever; thus the learning process is not marred by accidental slips of approval or disapproval in the voice of the instructor.
This kind of training seems also to work on puppies that are only several weeks old. This means that basic obedience, good manners and fun games can be taught to the animal at an early age. Family members and / or pert owners can be incorporate a bit of "clicking" in their daily routines. A walk to the park, a family picnic, or even watching TV can become a little training session for the animal. This informal mode of training even helps strengthen the bond between the animal and its instructor / pet owner. Clicker training is proving to be the most effective form of obedience instruction so far.
Katia Lorenzen learned about clicker training when her dog was a puppy. And now she is pleased to tell you about the ultimate source of dog clicker training information: http://www.ClickerTrainingMagic.com.
Originally, clicker training was used as a method of obedience training for such unlikely trainees like dolphins in wild animal shows and carrier pigeons for military courier services.
Why clicker training works
The process works via association. If an animal performs a specific task according to the instruction it is given, reward is granted immediately, accompanied always by the clicking sound. The animal soon associates the clicking sound as a means to a promised reward. The longer the training process continues, the easier it is for the animal to follow instructions.
By far, this is the gentlest type of obedience training. Using force and punishment to bolster obedience in animals has always been a controversial issue. This issue is always weighed against traditional training versus the merits of such practice in the long term psychological health of the animal. Negative reinforcement may be in the form of aversive methods, caging, choke collars, force, punishment, sprays, and /or withholding of food or toy. Behavioral training using rewards has proven that animals subjected to this learn new behaviors easier, quicker and with more enthusiasm. They also end up healthier in body and mind.
With dog training, the clicker training method seems to work better than the other forms of positive reinforcement like food, positive attention, praise and voice reinforcements. This is due to the fact that the click pinpoints the "desired" behavior exactly. This eliminates the guesswork on the part of the animal, making the process go faster. Incredibly, animals using this method have learned new things in one to three clicks only, as compared to the weeks and months in conventional non-clicker training.
The clicker training provides a consistent marker in which the dog receives the same information. Also, the sound of the clicker is very distinct, which distracts the dog's attention from the other stimuli in the environment. Unlike verbal rewards like praise and verbal reinforcements, a clicker conveys no emotion whatsoever; thus the learning process is not marred by accidental slips of approval or disapproval in the voice of the instructor.
This kind of training seems also to work on puppies that are only several weeks old. This means that basic obedience, good manners and fun games can be taught to the animal at an early age. Family members and / or pert owners can be incorporate a bit of "clicking" in their daily routines. A walk to the park, a family picnic, or even watching TV can become a little training session for the animal. This informal mode of training even helps strengthen the bond between the animal and its instructor / pet owner. Clicker training is proving to be the most effective form of obedience instruction so far.
Katia Lorenzen learned about clicker training when her dog was a puppy. And now she is pleased to tell you about the ultimate source of dog clicker training information: http://www.ClickerTrainingMagic.com.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
My Breed is a Thai Ridgeback Dog, Rare Breed from Thailand!
The Thia Ridgeback Dog, also known as a TRD, Mah Thai, or Mah Thai Lang Ahn, is the national dog of Thailand. This Spitz Primitive Hunting Dogs may be one of the oldest dog breeds known to man.
One unique characteristic of the TRD is that the stripe on the ridgeback runs the opposite direction that the hair on the rest of the dog.
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