Top 10 Tips on Training Your Dog on a Treadmill

Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

Top 10 Tips on Training Your Dog on a Treadmill

Top 10 Tips on Training Your Dog on a Treadmill

Let me tell you a story: My neighbor has an energetic Jack Russell who is so lively and active that he spends a lot of time bouncing like a ball next to his owner, Sandra, who works from home. Although Sandra takes Angus for a walk each day at the local park, she is unable to fully provide the amount of exercise for him, due to her work commitments and time restraints. I talked to her about the advantages of indoor training for her pooch, and I’ve compiled these top 10 tips on training your dog on a treadmill from the advice I offered Sandra.

To this day, Angus seems much happier and stimulated both physically and mentally from his time “at the home gym” and the treadmill has proven to be a great supplement to his existing exercise schedule.

Top 10 Tips on Training Your Dog on a Treadmill

1. Positive experience

It’s imperative to be sure you take the time to introduce your dog to the treadmill, and take it slowly. Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan suggests that you could even place your pets food or water on the platform to help make it a nice place to be.

2. Treats

Use his favorite treats to encourage him to step up onto the treadmill

3. Leash

Use a leash as an aid to guiding him from the back of the treadmill—which is where you’d approach it each time you use it.

4. Naturally uncomfortable, fearful

Please realize that this equipment and a “moving floor” will be completely unnatural and uncomfortable for your dog. Ensure that you have his full confidence and have him “in the zone” when on the machine. Avoid any fearful behavior so that it becomes an enjoyable experience.

5. Noise of machine

Introduce your pet to the sound of the machine, i.e. the beeps of the controls and the whirring of the treadmill in action, and reward him for his composure.

6. Steady the dog if anxious

Once your dog is comfortable with standing on the machine, at a low speed, introduce the treadmill with your pet on a leash and move him forward to the center of the platform. Steady him with your hands if necessary.

7. Repeat when successful

As soon as your pet has done well on the treadmill for a few short minutes, take him off and repeat the whole procedure to reinforce the “fun” aspect of the exercise.

8. Slowly introduce faster speeds

Do not force your dog, or expect him to trot or run on the machine. Take time to build up to comfortable and manageable speeds. You are not trying to train him for the Olympics, but rather introducing him to a steady and comfortable pace.

9. Do not leave your dog alone on the treadmill

NEVER leave your dog alone on any sort of equipment. Be sure you are close by to assure your pet, as well as being there to monitor progress.

10. Don’t overdo it

Build up to a reasonable time-frame of perhaps 15 to 20 minutes. Depending on the size of your dog, and the breed, you may want to come up with a standard that is appropriate and achievable for your pooch.

3 Dachshund Dogs on a Treadmill Having Fun!

The main reason for introducing a treadmill to your dog’s exercise regimen is to ensure that you are providing enough exercise for your pet. Let’s face it, unless you are very active and have the time to walk and run your dog at least once a day, then your dog will not be getting what he needs to stay healthy, fit, and mentally challenged.

You may be in a situation where a treadmill becomes an ideal way of giving your dog the necessary outlet for expending natural energy, and if you train your dog correctly, he will learn to like it and anticipate his exercise with enthusiasm. I hope these top 10 tips on training your dog on a treadmill benefit you and your pet.

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Best Puppy Top 5 Tips: How to Stop Dog Urine Marking

Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

A lot of people ask why dogs pee on everything, and if there’s any way this can be prevented. Before going into detail on the best puppy top 5 tips: how to stop dog urine marking, I think it’s important to explain why your dog marks his territory with his urine.

Best Puppy Top 5 Tips: How to Stop Dog Urine Marking

Best Puppy Top 5 Tips: How to Stop Dog Urine Marking

It is perfectly normal for your male dog (some females too) to mark out his boundaries as a display of dominance, territoriality, anxiety, insecurity, or possibly even a medical issue, i.e. a bladder infection or something similar—which would need to be looked at by your vet.

That said, this doesn’t mean this behavior should be accepted, in fact, in my opinion, I simply do not allow it, and my dogs learn this very quickly.

Best Puppy Top 5 Tips: How to Stop Dog Urine Marking

Martin Deeley, known around the world for his dog training expertise is also co-founder of International Association of Canine Professionals says:

As a pack leader you should be the one guiding the way and setting the pace with your head up, shoulders back, exuding confident, calm and as Cesar would say “assertive” energy. You take control and are head of the pack.

So before setting off on the actual walk take your dog into your yard or a place where you will not create neighborhood problems, and teach him the command to go to the bathroom. I say “Look Sharp” – an expression from the North of England meaning “Be Quick.” You may say, “Get busy” or use some other cute non-common word to teach him the same. Now when you set off on your walk you know he does not have to cock a leg or she does not have to squat at every smell.

Dogs do give a squirt of urine to mark their territory. Their noses provide the most important information through scent. These “social messages” received through sniffing feces or urine will often prompt a dog to over-mark that scent with his own. They claim the territory with the scent. Often this results in dogs urinating far more than they need to, and even when nothing is coming out, they will still go through the motion of cocking their legs. Even females will mark with a quick squat. Some claim that a dog will communicate so much information through the smell of the urine that it is almost a dog database as they walk through the neighborhood.

My dogs have never marked, and I have had many dogs throughout my life. If I have a dog from the time he’s a pup I do not let him mark. Not ever. I teach him to go to the bathroom on command and to eliminate completely in one or two goes. In fact some of my male dogs never cock their legs but urinate as a female would, by squatting. I have to add that because I occasionally breed them and produce a litter, they are not neutered. Now what does all this mean?

I believe it revolves around leadership. When a dog has an owner he can trust and believe in, someone who gives him what he seeks in life, who sets boundaries and limitations and provides discipline and direction, and builds good everyday habits, he look to that person for leadership.

In most instances marking occurs because of lack of training, leadership and the development of good habits. Without realizing it, owners often place their dogs in leadership positions. The dog then believes he has to establish a territory and show he is the protector of all within it. (Source of article here)

Best Puppy Top 5 Tips: How to Stop Dog Urine Marking

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  1. Neuter your dog at around 6 months. Consult with your vet & don’t delay as this may result in life-long habits that would otherwise be curbed or eradicated.
  2. Train your dog. Training offers mental stimulation for your dog, and being a firm and loving leader will show your dog who is boss. This is instinctual for dogs, i.e. they are looking for leadership, and if you don’t show it, then the dog will naturally conclude that he is the boss and will take control. The result of which can be very difficult and unpleasant and even unsafe.
  3. Make a noise—a loud noise. Distracting your dog from marking can be achieved by you observing the behavior and acting quickly by making a loud noise with either a canned horn, a can with pebbles inside acting as a shaker, or simply clapping your hands along with voicing the command of your choice, such as, “No pee!” This will startle your dog, and he will quickly learn that you do not approve.
  4. Instill obedience. Incorporate a command before the following occasions: Feeding, going for a walk, before playing a game. Make him sit before doing any of the above, and make sure you have his attention. This will offer some discipline and he will relate to this as he wants to please you. Dogs are wired for following his leader, and you must learn to understand his thinking. He obeys because he feels secure and loved by you—much the same as he did when he was with his mother from birth.
  5. Resolve issues. Be sure to iron out any fears, conflicts or tensions with other pets in your home—or with people for that matter. If you have a visitor, be sure to properly introduce the dog. Let the visitor play with the dog so that they both connect and develop a non-stressful relationship from the beginning.

These best puppy top 5 tips: how to stop dog urine marking will work if you are consistent with them. The most important being that your dog expects you to lead, he’s looking for your lead, he feels secure with you as the boss, the pack leader, and if you do not represent this role to your pet, he will then feel it necessary to take control. Understand that dogs are not human, and their thought process and expectations are different. There’s a structure mechanism that he relates to and needs. If you provide this “assertive energy” as Cesar Millan describes it, then you are administering the pack leader role your puppy understands and wants in his life.

 

 

Dog Food Advisor: What Human Foods Are Safe for Your Puppy?

Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

Dog food advisor: what human foods are safe for your puppy? This is a question that should be asked more often, and it’s alarming what pets are being fed by their owners. Much of the obesity problems that pet owners are dealing with across the country are often a result of feeding too much, or feeding your dog the wrong foods.

Rather than dwell on the foods that you shouldn’t be feeding your puppy, I thought it might be a great idea to address the human foods that are actually good for your dog. Be sure you are fully aware of the human foods that present risks to your animal, and offer only a proper, dog-friendly diet for the happiness and well-being of your dog.

Dog Food Advisor: What Human Foods Are Safe for Your Puppy?

Dr. Nicole Pajer wrote this informed article for Cesar Millan:

Dog Food Advisor: What Human Foods Are Safe for Your Puppy?

Dog Food Advisor: What Human Foods Are Safe for Your Puppy?

We try to keep our dogs on their canine diets but sometimes we just can’t resist slipping them an occasional human morsel. If you’d like to reward your pet with a table scrap, make sure that you choose people foods that are safe for canine tummies.

Here are a few “dog-approved” people foods:

1. Peanut butter. A favorite treat of many canines. Not only is it a good source of protein, but it also contains heart healthy fats, vitamin B, niacin, and vitamin E. Stuff peanut butter into a Kong to keep your dog busy for hours. Choose raw, unsalted peanut butter.

2. Cooked chicken. Can be slipped into the bowl along with your dog’s regular food to add a spice and extra protein to its diet. This also makes a good meal replacement if you’re in a pinch and out of dog food.

3. Cheese. A great treat for a dog as long as she isn’t lactose intolerant, which a small percentage are. Make sure to monitor your dog’s reaction. Opt for low or reduced fat varieties and don’t overfeed, as many cheeses can be high in fat. Cottage cheese is typically a good choice.

4. Baby carrots. Good for a dog’s teeth, carrots are low calorie and high in fiber and beta carotene/vitamin A.

5. Yogurt. High in calcium and protein. But make sure to only choose yogurts that do not contain artificial sweeteners or added sugars. Yogurts with active bacteria can act as a probiotic and are good for your dog’s digestive system.

6. Salmon. A good source of omega 3 fatty acids, which are responsible for keeping your dog’s coat healthy and shiny, as well as supporting your dog’s immune system. Feed your dog cooked salmon, add salmon oil to her food bowl, or slip him some of your unwanted fish skins.

7. Pumpkin. Good source of fiber as well as beta-carotene/vitamin A. It can help keep the GI tract moving and can aid with digestive issues.

8. Eggs. Scrambling up an egg for your pup is a great way to give her diet a protein boost. Eggs are also a source of easily digestible riboflavin and selenium, making them a healthy snack.

9. Green Beans.Make a great treat for your dog since they are filling and low in calories. Select beans that have no added salt.

10. Apple Slices. Help to clean residue off a dog’s teeth, which helps to freshen her breath. Apples are a good source of fiber as well as vitamin A and C. Make sure to take out the seeds and the core before feeding to your dog, as these can be choking hazards.

11. Oatmeal. A great source of soluble fiber, which can be especially beneficial to senior dogs with bowel irregularity issues. It is also a great alternate grain for dogs allergic to wheat. Make sure to cook oatmeal before serving it to your dog. Do not add any sugar or flavor additives. (Original article here)

Dog food advisor: what human foods are safe for your puppy? If you’ve wondered what these foods are, now you know, but I must add that it’s vital to keep moderation in mind, and the list above should be an exception rather than a rule. The best advice is to stick to dog food. A lot of research and scientific data has been collected in recent years to come up with specific dog foods that are designed to meet all of your puppy’s nutritional requirements. Therefore, check with your vet first before serving up a plate of human food to your dog. Remember, a dog is a dog is a dog…

How to Teach a Dog to Sit On Command in 4 Easy Steps

Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

How to teach a dog to sit on command in 4 easy steps

How to teach a dog to sit on command in 4 easy steps

One of the first things everyone wants to teach their new puppy is how to sit. This is surprisingly easy if you follow the two “Ps”, practice and patience. The how to teach a dog to sit on command in 4 easy steps will come easy by staying calm and finding a place without distraction. It’s very important to keep in mind that your dog does not speak any other language other than dog language. In other words, contrary to what a lot of people think, your pet does not speak English. Yes, he/she responds to different commands, but don’t mistake this for actual literal comprehension of English.

I’ve said this before and will repeat it here again; it’s the association to the sound of the word that your dog responds to, not the word itself. As an example, if you approached your dog and said in a loving, kind and gentle tone, “I hate you, I hate you”, chances are your dog will respond with wagging tail and loyal enthusiasm. On the contrary, if you were to approach your dog in a gruff, stern and angry tone and shouted “I love you, I love you!” your dog will probably cringe and turn away thinking you are angry.

In other words, it’s the tone, and the association that your dog interprets.

A dog looks for signs, familiar sounds and body language.

How to Teach a Dog to Sit On Command in 4 Easy Steps

The well-respected and popular dog expert Cesar Millan has the following advice:

The communication and connection we have with our dogs through exercise, discipline, and affection is the foundation for what I call conditioning, or dog training. I like to teach about dog psychology, and I am more concerned about a dog’s overall balance in order to prevent or correct problem behaviors than I am with the dog’s ability to answer basic commands, like sit, stay, come, down, and heel.

Of course those are important behaviors for any domesticated animal to know and obey, but for me, it begins with that foundation – pack leadership. I raise all of the dogs in my pack using energy and body language, touch and simple sounds, in a way that is more in tune with the way dogs communicate naturally. Dogs don’t understand the meaning of “sit” any more than they understand the word “birthday” – we condition them to understand what that sound means to them.

When teaching any new command, it’s important to have your dog’s attention and to stop before you lose their attention. You want to keep them wanting more. If a dog runs away from you and goes to romp around the yard after a training session, you know you’ve done too much. This isn’t the dog saying, “I’m free! Yippee!” This is the dog saying, “I’m over-stimulated.” This is especially true of puppies, which are already in a hyperactive, over-stimulated state. The goal is to move them into a more relaxed, calm, and submissive state through your conditioning and leadership.

Teaching “sit” requires a lot of patience, repetition, and reward. I encourage people to teach “sit” with silence – using energy – before adding a sound, or saying the word “sit.” When the dog sits, reward him with a treat. Each time he repeats the behavior for you, reward with a treat. (For some dogs that don’t respond to food, you can try a toy or a belly rub, but don’t overdo the affection. Remember, this is discipline time!) And then end your session with a success and do the exercise again later.

There are many different techniques for teaching basic commands like “sit.” Some of the trainers I know and respect use what is called “clicker” training, where they make a “click” sound to acknowledge that the dog has done the behavior desired. And then they give the reward. The dog begins to associate the sound with a treat, and when they do something that gets a “click,” they want to keep doing it over and over again. Think about it as though the clicker is a camera, and you’re “capturing” a wanted behavior. (Original article here)

Step one: With a treat in hand, move your hand over the dog’s nose and head. Be sure not to hold it too high and avoid the dog jumping for the treat.

Step two: Repeat this motion as many times as necessary, and this will encourage the dog to raise its head back and arch its back.

Step thee: As you move your hand over the nose, over the head and towards the back of your puppy, he will naturally begin sitting.

Step four: As soon as he sits, say the word “sit” and reward with the treat.

Practice this as much as you need to in order for it to become familiar to the dog, and he will soon learn the association to the word.

Make it fun, and don’t get frustrated. Some dogs pick it up very quickly, and yet others may take some time to get it right. Keep your voice calm, and don’t push your puppy for too long. The best puppy tips on how to teach a dog to sit on command in 4 easy steps will be rewarding for both you and your dog as long as it’s done patiently and in brief training sessions. It’s a form of discipline, so keep the affection to a minimum, but do praise and reward accordingly.

Dog Aggression Towards People: How to Avoid Unexpected Dog Bites

Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

Dog Aggression Towards People: How to Avoid Unexpected Dog Bites

Dog Aggression Towards People: How to Avoid Unexpected Dog Bites

Dog aggression towards people: how to avoid unexpected dog bites is often a topic that is misunderstood. Dogs communicate with body language, and although a lot of people consider words to be enough to communicate with a dog, words are actually not what a dog understands. Of course, there are commands that he obeys such as “sit”, “stay”, and “roll over”, etc., but the animal understands the sound of the word associated with the action, not the actual meaning of the word itself.

Body language is so important to watch in a dog—especially in a dog you are not familiar with or have never met before. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve known of or heard reports of people bitten in the face due to not knowing, acknowledging, or being completely oblivious to the body language of the dog. Unfortunately, this recent case of the newscaster being bitten on the face is not an isolated case.

Dog Aggression Towards People: How to Avoid Unexpected Dog Bites

Todd Langston of the Examiner reports on the incident:

If you happened to catch the dramatic rescue of Max, the Argetine Mastiff pulled from an icy pond in Denver a couple of days ago you probably also saw the interview of Max being reunited with his rescuer. The interview was cut short when Max bit the news woman, Kyle Dyer in the face and the question I keep getting asked is “why did this happen?”

I have never seen, met or worked with Max and all I have to go on is the 37 second video, but the video is full of answers.

Dogs communicate primarily with body language cues and Max tried many times tell the woman to “stop touching me, back up and leave me alone,” but these warnings were missed.

The first obvious warning on the video is called a tongue flick. He does this more than 10 times and it’s when he sticks his tongue straight out. He does this every time she makes direct eye contact with him and it means stop it now or I will stop you myself. It is a serious cue and it means business.

You will also notice that his mouth will be open and he will be panting and then all a sudden his mouth closes, and it gets short and tense. His body also stops moving in a flash of tension. This too is timed when the woman is looking at and talking directly to Max, and it often goes along with the tongue flick. Max basically tolerated the woman touching him but the eye contact and closeness of her face to his was something he couldn’t take.

Dominant dogs can feel challenged by direct eye contact and the uninvited invasion of personal space. Nervous dogs can feel threatened by it and both of these energies can lead to a bite. The woman’s face is very close to Max’s face which is hard for many dogs to deal with unless they know the person and are very comfortable with them.

He even looks away in avoidance to try everything a dog knows to say “Hey! Leave me alone lady.” And the very last thing you see is the woman lean in and almost kiss him and he freezes, curls his lip and bites her as quick as a snake. Once she crossed the line and got too close with that direct eye contact that was it, she was getting bit so he could back her off.

The tongue flick, closed tense mouth, avoidance and quick moments of tension were all warning signs that something was about to happen. Technically this could have been prevented had someone recognized these things as warnings but who knew. Dogs are animals and sometimes that is easy to forget. Max tried to tell her to stop and all Kyle wanted to do was get some good ole dog love which is a typical scenario of many bites.

This just goes to show you why it’s important to meet a dog as Cesar Millan says, “with no touch, no talk and no eye contact.” Click here to visit the original source of this post

Dog aggression towards people: how to avoid unexpected dog bites. These observations should especially be taught to children, in fact, to anyone who is not familiar with dogs, or if unaware of dog’s body language. Although I do think this incident was very unfortunate for the Presenter, the dog owner and the dog, it does point out the need for basic education on how to avoid dog bites. The owner, however, is the one responsible for his dogs actions, and the bottom line is that he should have been aware and watching to avoid this happening in the first place.

How to Deal with Dog Aggression and Lack of Exercise

Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

How to Deal with Dog Aggression and Lack of Exercise

How to Deal with Dog Aggression and Lack of Exercise

How to deal with dog aggression and lack of exercise. The very title of this article addresses the problem and the solution. In other words, if you have an aggressive dog, it’s usually because of a lack of exercise and attention. Aggression should not be tolerated from the very beginning and needs to be dealt with to help your pet understand that this is not acceptable behavior. Unfortunately, a lot of people get a dog, play with him when he’s a puppy, and once he’s grown out of the puppy stage, they leave him to himself and give the reign over the backyard. Or, in some cases, he’s chained with little access to space.

Your dog will rule the backyard like he owns it, and anyone walking passed your house will soon become enemies and threats to his domain, and his aggression will increase and blow completely out of proportion.

Daily and regular time and effort with your dog from day one will give your pet both the stimulation of exercise, and the security and trust he feels from you will establish his behavior and structure his mentality.

Aggression is all too often the fault of the pet owner who has either neglected the dog, or encouraged the dog to behave like that from day one.

How to Deal with Dog Aggression and Lack of Exercise

Here are some great tips from one of the best, Cesar Millan:

Dog aggression is a major problem for dog owners. Dog aggression stems from the dog’s frustration and dominance. The dog’s frustration comes from a lack of exercise, and the dog’s dominance comes from a lack of calm-assertive leadership.

Breed and Dog Aggression

I deal with a lot of red zone dog behavior cases, and I often hear people incorrectly blaming the breed. Any breed can cause trouble. The difference between an aggressive Chihuahua and an aggressive pit bull is that the bigger breeds can cause proportionately bigger damage.

It is important to recognize the power of a strong breed, like the pit bull, the Cane Corso, and the Mastiff. These dogs are very powerful and, if they are unbalanced, they can cause serious injury. Bad things happen when powerful breeds (or mixes of powerful breeds) live with humans who like the breed but don’t understand and fulfill the animal in the dog. Many people consider the look or popularity of a breed before thinking about whether the dog works for their lifestyle. This is a recipe for disaster.

To control a powerful breed, you need to become the dog’s pack leader and establish rules, boundaries, and limitations.

Fear-Aggressive Dogs

For many of these dogs, it is a lack of adequate exercise that is the root of the problem dog behavior. Physical activity burns the dog’s excess energy and helps maintain his healthy state of mind. This is important because, in order to talk to the mind, you need to remove the energy from the body.

Dog-Aggressive Dogs

Your dogs are asking you to step up as the pack leader. Animals select pack leaders because they instinctually know who is strong and who can best lead them. An animal pack leader is concerned for the pack, not for himself. His natural instincts are protection and direction for the entire pack. It’s an unselfish role and an instinctual role. And in return, the pack completely trusts the pack leader. You need to earn your dogs’ trust, loyalty, and respect before they will look to you as their leader and you do this by giving them rules, boundaries, and limitations.

Red Zone Dogs

It is important to understand that red-zone dogs are usually frustrated animals. To control a powerful breed, you need to master the position of pack leader. The sheer size and strength of a pit bull, Mastiff, Cane Corso, Rottweiler, or any other large dog can quickly transform a frustrated and dominant animal into a serious threat. You must gain control of the situation and dog behavior before it escalates. (Original story here)

How to deal with dog aggression and lack of exercise will be measured by your consistence and dedication. If you’ve let this happen to your dog, it is a matter of you making the necessary changes for your dog to change. The responsibility is yours, and it’s vital for you to regain the assertion of the dog’s leader. An aggressive dog is a threat to society, and it’s only a matter of time when someone is bitten or terrified by it. It doesn’t have to be that way, and the best time to start training your dog against aggression is from the day you bring the dog home to your family.

 

Best Puppy Dog Psychology Training Method

Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

Best Puppy Dog Psychology Training Method

Best Puppy Dog Psychology Training Method

The best puppy dog psychology training method is the one you develop right at home. Being a dog owner is much the same as being a parent. In other words, just as you would give a child attention, time and effort, your puppy needs the same focus and consistency. Having a dog and playing with him/her and watching the funny antics is one thing, and it’s important to have fun with your pet, as this is part of play—which the dog is inherently designed for.

Unfortunately, you can’t expect the dog to learn by itself. There must be time and dedication scheduled into your day to educate and train your pooch. A puppy is not going to stay a puppy for very long, and it’s those formative months that are crucial for the development of his body, mind and relationship with you—his parent, or pack leader.

Best Puppy Dog Psychology Training Method

Cesar Millan advises the following:

The more you learn about dog psychology, the better you will be able to connect with your canine companion!

Dogs are not humans. Before they receive love and affection, they need exercise, clear direction, and leadership. Giving them love alone doesn’t create balance in their lives. Be a pack leader!

Rehabilitating a dog is not about “fixing” it. It’s about you, the owner, creating the intention for what you want, not what you’re feeling. Dogs pick up on feelings of fear, doubt, or worry – and they will move to fill them by attempting to become dominant.

Practice unwavering leadership every day, especially on your walk. The energy you’re projecting internally is the message you’re sending to your dog.

Dedicate at least 45 minutes of time to the dog’s walk in the morning. Let the dog know you have a consistent pattern that you expect it to follow. Utilize your dog’s energy in a positive manner.

Don’t expect more from your dog(s) than your own children. Dogs need discipline, too. Give them rules, boundaries, and limitations as well as love.

Avoid nurturing your dog’s fears or unstable mind. Imagine a successful scenario and hold it in your mind when dealing with your dog.

You are the source of your dog’s energy. You are the role model.

Challenge the dog’s mind – dogs want to know what to do with their lives. Let the dog work for your affection. Once in a calm-submissive state, your love will intensify those qualities in your dog.

Dogs need “on” and “off” time. Engage them fully in structured times together; then they can relax and avoid impatient or destructive behaviors. (Original story here)

A dog left by himself all the time will end up an unruly, misbehaved and often destructive pet, and the best puppy dog psychology training method is best applied daily, regularly and consistently. There are too many dogs out there that have grown up with little or no training, and the mistake that a lot of people make is that they talk to the dog like a human and expect him to understand what’s been said. For the most part, although dogs learn commands and recognize the sound of words in relation to what you want, they don’t really understand the word, but more the request, or command association to the word. Be the best you can be with your dog, and offer that security and mental stability that he will respond to and the end result will be a happy puppy in a happy environment.

 

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Best Puppy Dog Walking Tips That Work Like a Charm

Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

Best Puppy Dog Walking Tips That Work Like a Charm

Best Puppy Dog Walking Tips That Work Like a Charm

One of the greatest things you can do for your puppy each day is to take him for a walk. Your dog needs to burn energy, and if you don’t provide that energy burning activity with him every day, your pet will use that energy elsewhere, and that may be detrimental and damaging to you, your property, and your dog. The best puppy dog walking tips that work like a charm are simple and effective, and as the Alpha, or pack leader, you need to be in control and take charge.

One of the first things I would recommend not to do is this: Do not use an extendable leash. I have never liked them, nor is it good for your dog because he sees this as his chance to rule the walk. He will dominate you if you use this type of leash, and the message you are sending him is that you don’t care what he does as long as it’s within the reach of the fully extended leash. This is not a good practice, and is feeding a bad habit.

Remember this simple rule: The best puppy dog walking tips work like a charm, and you are the one that is taking the dog for a walk. The dog is not taking you for a walk. You, and only you, must be in full control, take charge and use a leash that keeps your dog right by your side where he belongs.

Best Puppy Dog Walking Tips That Work Like a Charm

Cesar Millan teaches excellent foundation strategies on how to conduct yourself when walking your dog:

I often walk about ten dogs at a time, sometimes even off-leash if I’m in a safe area. People are amazed by this, but it’s simple: the dogs see me as their pack leader. This is why dogs follow me wherever I go.

1. Position matters.

Walking in front of your dog allows you to be seen as the pack leader. Conversely, if your dog controls you on the walk, he’s the pack leader. You should be the first one out the door and the first one in. Your dog should be beside or behind you during the walk.

2. Use a short dog leash.

This allows you to have more control. Attaching the leash to the very top of the neck can help you more easily communicate, guide, and correct your dog. If you need additional help, consider the Illusion collar. Always keep your dog’s safety in mind when giving corrections.

3. Set aside time.

Dogs, like humans, are diurnal, so taking walks in the morning is ideal. I recommend setting aside thirty minutes to a full hour. The specific needs of each dog differ. Consult your vet and keep an eye on your dog’s behavior to see if his needs are being met.

4. Define exploration time.

After your dog has maintained the proper state of mind, reward him by allowing him to relieve himself and sniff around. Then you need to decide when reward time is over. It should always be less than the time spent focused on the walk.

5. Don’t punch out.

When you get home, don’t stop leading. Have your dog wait patiently while you put away his leash or take off your shoes.

6. Share food and water.

By providing a meal after the walk, you have allowed your dog to “work” for food and water.

And don’t forget to set a good example by always picking up after your dog! Click here to visit the original source of this post

If you implement the best puppy dog walking tips that work like a charm and generate a good relationship between you and your pet, the bonding will be one of strength, trust, respect and knowledge of who the leader is, and who the follower is. There should be a method to your walk and a procedure that your dog understands and abides by the rules, and this will make your dog feel secure, challenged and properly positioned in his/her mind. This is vital to a great relationship between you and your puppy.

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Best Puppy Exercise Tips and Schedule Guidelines

Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

Best Puppy Exercise Schedule Guidelines

Best Puppy Exercise Schedule Guidelines

The best puppy exercise tips and schedule guidelines are best determined by you and your dog. You should know that a very small puppy will obviously not be capable of running around in the blazing hot sun for hours at a time. In contrast, an active husky may enjoy romping in the snow for as long as you allow. Puppies have their limits, and the rule of thumb is basically to consider how you are feeling, and that’s roughly how your dog is feeling too.

A lot is going to depend on the environment where you exercise your puppy, and thought should be put into the planning of where, how long, and what sort of work out you intend offering your dog.

Climate should be factored in to your exercise regimen, but if we were to consider some generalities, here are a few good tips for you and your puppy:

Best Puppy Exercise Tips and Schedule Guidelines

Cesar Millan says:

I have always adhered to the theory that, as long as you are careful, the dog is the best one to tell you what too much exercise is. Puppies often do not have enough muscle tone to take long runs, but there are always exceptions. Most dogs and puppies will tell you when they have hit their limit, and it is important to resist pushing them beyond this point.

Even if your dog or puppy wants to keep going, some things you should be cautious about are:

Be sure that your dog does not overheat.

If you are too hot, assume they are. Provide water or try to run in a cooler area.

Be consistent with exercise.

The weekend marathon after a week of couch potato life is very hard on the joints.

Be cautious with your dog’s feet.

Running on cement (especially hot cement) can cause sloughing of the foot pads, so try to have breaks on softer surfaces or at least work your dog up to the harder surfaces to give them a chance to form the necessary calluses.

Be aware of your dog’s limits.

Until you understand your dog’s stamina, be sure that you are able to stop when your dog starts to lag behind. (i.e., take the short route 5 times instead of the long route once.) If you feel that he or she is not able to go as far as they should, consult a vet to see if there is a reason for the intolerance. (Full story here)

The best puppy exercise tips and schedule guidelines should be measured by these tips, and keep in mind that a healthy dog is also a fit dog, and a fit and healthy dog require lots of regular walks, runs and play to allow your pet to exert and feel the bond with you, the Alpha of the pack, who he/she respects and loves.

Best Puppy Housebreaking Tips: How to Housetrain an Adult Dog

Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

Best Puppy Housebreaking Tips: How to Housetrain an Adult Dog

Best Puppy Housebreaking Tips: How to Housetrain an Adult Dog

Best puppy housebreaking tips: How to housetrain an adult dog. As the saying goes, “You can’t teach old dog new tricks,” but I beg to differ as I’ve done it myself, and seen it done successfully by others too. Yes, it will be a challenge, and will take patience on your part, but if you’ve adopted a dog from the pound or rescue center then you need to be aware that the dog will have habits that will need to be changed, and this is where your love and patience will need to kick in.

It may take 3 or 4 weeks for you to break any bad habits, and if one of those is housebreaking, then this time-frame will be about right—as long as you are consistent and caring, and give the dog a chance to learn and be educated.

The particular case below is from an expert dog trainer and friend of the Cesar Millan, Cheri Lucas. The article below is in response to a question posed by a dog-lover who rescued a Yorkshire terrier from a dog mill:

Best Puppy Housebreaking Tips: How to Housetrain an Adult Dog

Dogs that have been kept in puppy mill environments often never see the light of day. The everyday sights and sounds that you and I are used to can be overwhelming to a dog that has spent the first several years confined.

Often breeding dogs are kept in cages with wire flooring to minimize clean up. Dogs are naturally hardwired not to want to be near their own waste, but dogs kept in these conditions are forced to urinate and defecate in the small space they live in. Lying in their own filth becomes the norm.

Even if he doesn’t show it, your Yorkie may be feeling very stressed out at the idea of being in the great outdoors. Remember, he spent the first five years of his life in an environment that was stark and small. If he’s too tense, he will wait until he’s more relaxed inside your home before he urinates and defecates.

Inside of putting him outside alone, take him on a nice long walk first. If he doesn’t eliminate at this time, go to your backyard with him. Keep your interactions with your dog to a minimum during this time. It will be easier for him to relax and decompress if he’s not focused on you. If he eliminates at this time, calmly reward him with praise. Now you can bring him inside, knowing that he actually took care of his business outside.

It’s very important that you supervise your Yorkie when you bring him back into the house. If you can’t watch him 100 percent of the time, set up a comfortable, small confinement area or a crate for him. I’m a big believer in crate training, and your Yorkie is a perfect candidate for it. Not only is a crate the perfect house training tool, it’s also a modern day den for your dog—a safe and secure comfort zone.

You’ll need to take your Yorkie outside more frequently than normal until he establishes new habits. It may take several weeks for him to understand this unfamiliar routine. Chances are he will make a few mistakes along the way. Using strict supervision will allow you to correct him when you witness “pre-potty” behavior such as sniffing, circling, or scratching the floor. When you see this, quickly but calmly lead him outside and wait for him to eliminate. Reward the behavior before bringing him back inside. Click here to visit the original source of this post

Best puppy housebreaking tips: How to housetrain an adult dog will depend on your regularity, and this will make all the difference to the outcome. Be aware that an older dog will make mistakes, and it’s important that you do not get angry or lose your patience during this adjustment period. Especially if a dog has come from an abusive situation, and a dog mill can definitely slot into that category. Keeping in mind that accidents will happen will make this transition more comfortable and attainable for your new canine, and sticking to a systematic program will lead to a successful change of habits.

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