Dog Obedience Training Blog
Category : Dog Training
Should You Train Your Dog Yourself Or Use a Trainer?
One of the questions that dog owners have with regard to training their dog is whether to hire a dog trainer or to train their dogs themselves.
There could be number of reasons why many people think that hiring a dog trainer for puppy training is more effective than self training. It could be that you do not have any time for puppy training or that you do not know where to start and how to go about puppy potty training. These are just some of the reasons why people hire a dog trainer for puppy training.
More Than Just Dog Training?
However, what many people do not understand is the fact that dog training or puppy training is not just about getting your dog to obey a few commands. It is rather about establishing a good relationship with your dog and about understanding your dog better so that you can tell them things in a way that they would understand and listen.
So in this context, you will not be able to establish good relationship with your dog unless and until you spend time with your dog and interact with your dog. This cannot be done by sending your dog for an expensive training.
Having said this, you should not be looking for a dog trainer rather a good dog training system that will help you with your puppy potty training, out of control barking training, etc…
Moreover, it is important to understand that dogs are very boundary-conscious pets. When you send your pet to a trainer it will get confused with regard to its own boundaries as well as the owner. They should first identify you as the owner. It is very likely to get confused when you send it to a new trainer in a new place.
Sending your dog to a trainer will also result in 
inconsistency. You and your dog trainer will not relate to the dog in the same way. For your dog trainer, your dog is just is job but for you it is your pet and it is almost like your family member. This will result in inconsistency.
If you cannot find time to spend with your pet then it is best not to own a pet. If you have time to spend with your pet, then you will as well be able to train your pet which is one of the best things for your pet.
You need not be an experienced dog trainer to deal with your dog effectively. All your pet requires is care and little patience and what you need is the right dog training manual that will help you with step by step training process.
Stress and Moving
Is Stress Getting Your Dog Down?
Recently, I have been asked to write an article to help those of you who are having problems with adult dogs after a major stressful event or a move. Depression, potty accidents, chewing, and changes in eating and sleeping patterns are common.
Understanding Dog Psychology
Dogs feel stress just like humans do, however what we see as a normal event dogs often perceive as stressful.
- Something as simple as children going back to school is enough to cause depression and a change in behavior for your furry friend.
- Moving, boarding, or changing normal surroundings is highly stressful for your pet.
When faced with stress or change, dogs often revert back to what they know best, which are often behaviors which were imprinted when they were puppies.
A Good Walk is Hard to Beat
My Best Friends Chilling in their Backyard
There are fewer joys in life greater than a good walk; add a well behaved dog to that equation and in my opinion you have pure perfection! I have the great honor of training and walking 5 Weimaraners twice a week.
Tuesdays and Thursdays are full of exhilaration and exercise, I tell my friends I am Weimar-running or doing Weimar-obics. Although it is a job for me (thank goodness for wonderful clients who rescue dogs) it is an opportunity for me to get outside, enjoy the weather and beat some of my stress.
Finding The Right Dog Training System
Are you one of those proud pet owners that love his or her pet? Are you looking for a reliable dog training system? Are you not sure which dog training system to use to get the best results?
Don’t worry you are not alone, there are hundreds of dog owners finding it hard to find a reliable system to train their dogs. Sending your dogs to a dog trainer can be a highly expensive affair added to that in many a situations it does not produce the desired results.
Dogs that are trained by an external trainer do not necessarily obey their owners. So there is no guarantee that the money you spend on your dog trainer will be really useful. The best way to train your dog is to do it yourself. The only challenge here is to find the right system of training.
When you are choosing your dog training system, it is very important that you pick a well balanced training system that will take into consideration all aspects of dog training such as puppy potty training, puppy house training, out of control barking training, etc.
Important Factors When Choosing
One of the important factors that you should check is whether the dog training system that you are using is easy to follow and practical. There are number of dog training books and they do not really give you step by step training. It is not possible to train your dog effectively without step by step training guide.
Only when the training program that you choose is not an effective one, you 
are not likely to get the desired results. This will lead you to frustration which can be easily picked up by your pet.
Dogs are very sensitive animals and they can easily sense your emotions and if you turn out to be a frustrated pet owner, they are likely to sulk and withdraw. So selecting the right training program is equally important as to offering the right training.
When you identify the right training program, it is very important to stick to it for a considerable period of time so that you can start getting the required results. If you frequently change you training program, your dog will get confused. This will slow down your dog’s ability to understand your commands.
Consider This
Owning a pet is a highly challenging task. Dog owner needs as much training as the dog requires. So your training system should also help you train yourself to handle your dog effectively. If you are looking for such a reliable system, then we have right here one of the most effective dog training system. Try our dog training system today and you will never regret.
Try Our Hands Off Dog Training Program Today
PBS Series: “Through a dog’s eyes”
Coming to PBS on April 21, watch this heartwarming series on the impact that service dogs have made on the lives of those they serve.
Video: Through a dog’s eyes
By Daniela Caride, Publisher, www.thedailytail.com
The PBS series “Through a Dog’s Eyes” will surely be wonderful. With premier scheduled for April 21 at 8 p.m. E.T., the series follows the journey of service dogs and the people whose lives they change.
Singing to Your Dog
Do you sing to your dog? If not, perhaps you might want to give it a try. According to Roberta, you might be in for some surprising results!
Singing to your dog has an effect.
by Roberta Baxter, January 15, examiner.com
Yes, you read this correctly! No I am not going off my rocker! The senses for animals are different than human sensory abilities as we know specifically from the sounds the dog hears that we don’t. It is not just the pitch, but the flow of tones that catch a dog’s attention. Try singing “Yankee Doodle” to your canine and see what the response is. Then sing ”Brahms Lullaby”. You know the one that mamas sing their little ones to sleep with when they are cranky. Now one must really get into the depth of the meaning of those songs as you are singing, because if you don’t the effect will not be accurate.
Do you have a stubborn dog?
courtesy of www.clickertraining.com
Have you tried training your dog to do tricks and just when you think you are making some progress, your dog suddenly decides it does not want to obey your cue? Maybe you think your dog just does not have what it takes or is just being stubborn. Read this article to find out why you may be spoiling your clicker training success.
Poisoned Cues: The Case of the Stubborn Dog
by Rebecca Lynch, 4/1/10, Karen Pryor’s clickertraining.com
When I arrived at my client’s house last week, she was very excited to show me how well her dog Missy was doing with hand targeting. “Watch this!” Megan said as she gathered her clicker and treats. Missy was at full attention in front of her. Megan gave the cue, “touch,” and presented her hand. Missy took one look at her hand, ducked her head, and sat down to scratch. Megan tried again. Missy began sniffing the ground. Megan’s face dropped. “We’ve been practicing all week for you. Missy knows how to touch. Why is she being so stubborn?”
Was Missy being stubborn?
Dog and Deer
Delightful video… Take notice of the two cats sitting idly by, as usual, on the railing toward the end of the clip!
Doggie Lullaby
Dog Sings To Soothe Crying Baby – Watch more free videos
Indoor Doggy Games
Bored? Play a game with your dog!!
I live in Southern Georgia, most people move to the South to avoid the dramas of the weather known to our cohorts to the North. Being from Wyoming, I know the joys and horrors of winter and most of the time I joke that we don’t even have seasons here in the South it is just one extended summer. However, much to my chagrin we have had a winter this year. My pipes have frozen, and I have had to scrape my windows more than a dozen times (after 3 years I had to buy a window scraper).
The whole country it seems has been experiencing a winter of record, so I thought while we are all cooped up inside we should discuss some of my favorite foul weather games to pass the time until spring comes and we can get outdoors and get the exercise we are all in need of!
Dogs need mental stimulation, without it they begin to choose naughty behavior and get into trouble. Our dogs cannot watch television, they can’t read books or do any of the things we usually enjoy when exercise outside is not an option. However, they still have the same amount of pent up energy building up day by day and they need a way to expel it.
The easiest way to entertain your dog is to give him something exciting to chew. Chewing is a minimal form or exercise and mental stimulation for your dog. Often, if we don’t provide an appropriate chewy, our dogs will begin chewing things that they shouldn’t put their mouths on. Chewing gives them something to do.
I also like to play indoor games with my dogs when the weather is bad, or when their energy level is driving me crazy and I can’t take them outside for some physical exercise. The whole point of playing games with your dog is for both of you to enjoy yourselves! Pick games or invent games that you will both enjoy.
I love to play hide and seek with my dogs!! Hide and seek not only builds a bond, it also teaches your dog to find you utilizing his other senses; his sense of smell and his sense of sound. I want my dog to know how to find me using all his senses just in case there is ever an emergency. Instead of panic at being lost, by playing this game, I have given my dog the tools to find me and he thinks he is playing his favorite game. This is also a great way to teach your dog that the word “COME” is the most exciting and fun word he can hear.
- I often use a helper (or you have to tell your dog to stay), this is great for kids, and one person holds the dog’s collar while the other person dashes off and hides.
- Both people should stuff their pockets with great treats. As soon as the person finds a fun hiding spot they should call the dog and encourage him with every step “Rover, Come…good boy, come, good boy, good boy, good boy COME!” this excitement and encouragement gives him the motivation to find you.
- When he finds you, praise him and give him a treat while person #2 dashes off to hide.
- Repeat this process. In the beginning, I like to hide in easy spots, like just in the next room, as play continues I enjoy hiding in funny places like in the bathtub, under the table or in his crate. The one rule, have fun and enjoy, your dog has a sense of humor, make him laugh!
I also like to hide my dog’s toys and teach him to find them. Find your dog’s favorite toy, first I like to wave it around in front of him to get him excited. Next I hide it in an easy spot, beside me or behind me and tell him to find it. Praise him and you can even give him a treat when he finds his toy. Next try hiding the toy in a more precarious but semi-easy place. You may have to use a helper or tell your dog to stay as you hide his toy.
- During this stage I hide the toy so it just sticks out and is barely visible. Once he has mastered this process begin to hide the toy better so that he cannot see it. Tell him to find it. You may have to follow behind or walk past the toy to help him at first. Don’t show him where it is, just stand near and encourage him to look or sniff for it. The next step is to hide the toy on all different levels in your home.
- Don’t just hide the toy on the floor or in one room, also utilize higher surfaces like book shelves or chairs, next move it even higher and perhaps even out of his reach. Challenge his brain so that he never knows where his toy might be. Sometimes, I even hide it in my pocket or in other silly places. Have a good time, mix it up and enjoy bonding.
- The next and final stage is to use a specific name for specific toys. This gives you the option to hide 2 toys at once and ask for him to bring you one. I like this game because I can hide a few toys and sit and watch TV while he has to go and find them!
There are many things to do inside to entertain yourself and your four legged friend when the weather is bad! Teach your dog a trick! Let me know what trick you would like to teach your dog!!
Don’t let the weather get you down, grab your best friend and play some games, if you do this you will build a bond that lasts a lifetime!
