Dog Training | Dog Training Basics: Learn The Commands

April 26, 2010 by jamesk  
Filed under Dog Training

Wanting a calm and obedient dog is important for a dog owner for a number of reasons.  Well-trained and obedient dogs are often happier and less aggressive with other dogs and people.  The law is another reason for a well-trained dog; many cities have ordinances requiring properly behaved dogs.  This is true for certain breeds that are reputed to have aggression and other behavior issues, such as Pit Bulls and Rottweilers.

Training your dog well will make him a much better family companion, especially if you have children.  Studies show that basic dog training can help to down the number of dog bites and other bad behaviors.

If you are thinking about training your dog or enlisting the help of a professional, there are certain basic commands that you and the dog should learn well in order for the dog to be considered trained.  These basic commands are:

•    Heel – it is important a dog learn to walk next to his owner on a loose leash, without pulling or being pulled
•    Respond to “No” – This can save you and your dog a lot of trouble.
•    Sit – This command is very basic and one of the most important.
•    Stay – A well-trained dog should learn to stay where you tell him.
•    Down – More than just a cute trick, down is a key element of a basic dog training program.  

There is more to dog training than teaching obedience.  Training your dog can help to create and strengthen your bond.  Because dogs are pack animals by nature, they look to a leader for guidance.  The key to successful dog training is to make sure you are the leader.  

Establishing yourself as pack leader to your dog is very important.  Each dog pack only has one leader, and in your case, it must be you, the human.  Without this, there will be many behavior issues to deal with.

A well-trained dog will respond to all of your commands, and will not be anxious, confused, or belligerent.  Any good dog training program focuses on teaching the dog what is expected of him, and will utilize positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviors.

Obedience training is not only great for you, but it helps your dog as well.  It fulfills his need for physical activity, security, and trust between you and him.  Dog training provides your dog with an important task, and a goal to reach.

Giving the dog a job can be crucial to his well-being.  Dogs were originally bred by humans complete important tasks with them and for them.  Most dogs today are merely pets, and have no important job to do.   This can lead to boredom and bad behavior.  

Basic obedience training, along with constant reinforcement of the commands can provide the dog with a task.  This is particularly crucial for high-energy breeds such as German Shepherds and Border Collies.  Conducting training sessions with breeds such as these is ideal for letting these high-energy dogs expend their energy and have fun with you at the same time.

Making your training sessions fun is a great way to prevent boredom for both you and the dog.  Playing with your dog while training him strengthen the bond of love and trust between you – the pack leader – and your dog.


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Dog Training | Pit Bull Terriers: Agility Dog Training

April 19, 2010 by jamesk  
Filed under Dog Training

Spending time training your Pit Bull can be very rewarding and fun for you both. It helps build a stronger bond between dog and owner that is important for the happiness of both parties. There are many different types of training that you can choose to do with your Pit Bull, one such is agility training.

Agility training is the process of teaching your dog to successfully navigate an obstacle course. If the training is successful, your pet should be able to do it by only listening to and obeying your commands. During an event, the dogs are timed and to win must not make any mistakes and must have the fastest time. It takes a lot of practice for a dog to be successful at this, but can be quite fun for both dog and trainer. This activity is especially good for Pit Bulls because it gives them a good outlet for all the extra energy they seem to have.

Most experts recommend not starting agility training until your dog is at least one year old, at least not to enter in a competition before that age. Many owners who train their dogs to participate in these events will purchase their own equipment to have at home, so that they can begin training the dog at an earlier age. Agility training equipment can be quite expensive, so some trainers prefer to build their own equipment. Instructions can be found online and in books that should be available either in your local library or bookstore. Owners should be careful to watch the dog for any signs of injury, because occasionally working on agility training while the puppy is still growing will put a lot of strain on joints and bones that are not fully conditioned yet. It is recommended to have your dog cleared by a veterinarian before beginning any type of agility training.

The dog should also understand and obey basic commands before beginning any other type of training. Any type of training helps dog and owner to build a better relationship with each other, allowing them to work better and better together as time goes on. You should also work through any behavior or aggression issues your Pit Bull may have before considering agility training. The results will be less satisfactory and take longer to achieve if the dog is also working through other issues.

Most Pit Bull owners that are serious about their dog competing in agility competitions will enroll him in a training class, at least to help teach him the basics, then work with the dog on their own to enhance what he has learned. Being in a class will also help your dog work on his socialization, which will make him behave better around other dogs. Pit Bulls tend to want to fight when around other dogs, especially those of the same gender.

The most important thing to remember is no matter what type of training you do with your Pit Bull, you both should enjoy it. Spending time together will help build a better bond, leading to a lasting relationship. Whether you want your dog to compete or not, the benefits for both you and the dog are many.


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