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Dog Training For Obedience - The Key To Raising A Well Behaved Dog

Dog Training For Obedience -
The Key To Raising A Well Behaved Dog

Go straight down to my list of Obedience Training Commands

What Is Dog Training For Obedience Purposes?

I, like most of us dog owners believe that dog training for obedience is an essential ingredient in any healthy human-dog relationship. But what exactly is obedience training, and why is it so important for you and your dog?

Obedience training is a general term which can be achieved through the many various dog training techniques (dog whispering, clicker training, positive reinforcement, marker training, collar and leash, reward training etc.). Regardless of which training technique you choose to employ or which dog training schools you frequent, this is what proper dog training for obedience should accomplish:

  1. Builds or strengthens a healthy and appropriate relationship between you and your dog.
  2. Opens up a clear line of communication between you and your dog. This includes you knowing what to expect of your dog in all circumstances, and your dog understanding and respecting what is expected of him/her.
  3. Dog Training for Obedience lays down a set of rules or boundaries which educates your dog to become a responsible member of society. Including how to relate to other dogs, animals and people, basic manners and how to behave in any situation.
  4. Establishes the groundwork which assists in preventing the development of unacceptable problem behavior - such as jumping up, barking, chewing, digging etc.

The Benefits Of Dog Training For Obedience

Dog training for obedience is the very best thing you can do for the relationship you enjoy with your dog, this is why:

  • Basic obedience training makes life simple to your dog and eliminates confusion. Your dog will know his place in the world and understand right from wrong. Dogs really appreciate this black and white view of the world.
  • Fun and rewarding for both you and your dog.
  • You'll have a happy, relaxed and confident dog who you can take anywhere and will be a pleasure to be around. Greater freedom can also be extended to your dog, as he'll be more trustworthy when obedience trained.
  • An obedience trained puppy or dog is a much safer dog. If your dog dashes out the front door you will still have voice control over him. You will be able to call on one of your obedience training commands like "come" "down" or "sit". This is very reassuring for any dog lover.
  • You gain trust and mutual respect with your dog. He understands what is expected of him and knows that you will always be fair and consistent with this.
  • When your dog is trained in obedience he will be fine around friends and kids under supervision.
  • Fulfills some crucial needs in your dogs life including exercise, mental stimulation, spending time with you and providing your dog with a "job".
  • Dog training for obedience greatly reduces the risk of being locked in a dominance struggle with your dog. You'll be his strong and always fair leader, who he'll respect and look to for guidance.
  • Obedience training is a step by step process which you build upon over time. It creates a foundation for your dog to learn additional skills and training commands. Throughout this process your dog will be gaining confidence along the way.

The Danger In Not Giving
Dog Training For Obedience

  • It's an unfortunate reality that untrained dogs are the major cause for puppies and dogs ending up in animal shelters all over the world. This is good for nobody, especially the poor dogs.
  • Your dog can't ever be really close with you and your family. By this I mean that your dog won't be involved in family outings, instead spending much of his time alone in the yard. This can bring on numerous behavioral problems and can be a real pest for you, and even your neighbours.
  • Your dog can be unsafe around people, other animals and on the roads.
  • It is a common trait for untrained dogs to challenge your leadership or authority. Obedience trained dogs will also try to test you out in this manner. But when you are proficient in obedience training you'll have the tools to deal with it.
  • Constantly (but not effectively) your dog will be yelled at and pushed further away from his pack (you and your family).

General Rules For Effective
Dog Training For Obedience

You'll find proven training techniques for specific obedience commands by selecting from the list below. These are some general tips to keep in mind that hold true in any dog training for obedience situation:

  • Praise and reward your dog when he does what you ask of him, give an appropriate correction when he doesn't do what he has been taught to do. The key is to find the right balance for your dog.
  • Don't expect your dog to just know this stuff straight away. Repetition of the command and the action is crucial. Believe in what you are doing and stick to it.
  • Always be consistent (this includes everybody who lives with your dog), make it easy for your dog. Give him a simple decision to make and make it clear to him which way is acceptable and which way is unacceptable - provide instant feedback.
  • Never correct or punish your dog for not doing something he has not been properly taught to do - be realistic and fair.
  • Make your training sessions short, sharp and fun - for you and your dog. This is where many dog training schools fall down.
  • Take it slow, master one easy command to start with then move on and build upon it. Continue to mentally challenge and stimulate your dog throughout the training process.
  • You're the best person to perform these tasks with your dog. Your dog has to live with you, you are his pack and you must be the person he looks to for leadership and who he respects.
  • Test or proof the obedience commands in different situations, places and with added distractions.
  • Incorporate obedience training into your daily routine - your dog could perform a "sit" before you give him his dinner, or a "down stay" when you go get the mail.
  • Never try to correct your dog if you don't catch him in the act of doing wrong, timing your correction is all important.
  • Find out what motivates your dog, this will be an important tool in your training sessions.

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking Fast!

How To Stop Your
Dog From Barking Fast!

Working out how to stop your dog from barking can be a difficult and time consuming task.

Dogs love to bark. It's a perfectly natural thing for your dog to do, just as it's normal for us humans to speak.

It's when our dogs bark excessively that it becomes a problem for all concerned - including our cranky neighbors.

Considering this, our goal really isn't to learn how to stop your dog from barking, but rather how to control the excessive barking.

There are of course situations when we want our dogs to bark (and I guess there are also times when I like my chatty aunty to speak!;)

The first step in modifying this problem is to determine the reason why your dog is barking in the first place. Once you've identified the cause or trigger, you can then plan the training solution.

Why Do Dogs Bark?
Stop Your Dog From Barking Now!

  • To express their needs (being bossy).
  • Some dogs are bred to bark (some terriers and hounds).
  • They are staking out their territory.
  • To alert other members of their pack (that's you and your family) of impending danger.
  • When playing, just through sheer excitement.
  • Barking at other animals. Depending on where you are in the world, it could be squirrels or possums (I'm in Australia - my dogs go nuts at possums).
  • If they are isolated.
  • Some dogs bark excessively when separated from their pack (you and your family).
  • If they are trapped behind some type of barrier like a fence or window.
  • Just for fun!
  • To express dominance (puppies normally test you out at some stage with a display of dominance barking).
  • They bark because their owners have inadvertently rewarded excessive barking in the past(this is crucial to understand)
  • Through boredom or a lack of physical and mental stimulation.
  • May feel stressed or uncomfortable for some reason. Things like feeling threatened or if they don't have an appropriate place to sleep can cause excessive barking problems.
  • Dogs that haven't been properly socialized often become nuisance barkers.
  • May be looking for a response or some attention from their pack.

Another thing to keep in mind is that even though it may appear to you that your dog is barking at nothing, this is not necessarily the case. This is due to the fact that your dog has a much more acute sense of hearing, smell and sight than us humans. Your dogs excessive barking is most probably being triggered by something.

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking

Ok, now we've sorted out the reason for your dogs barking problem, we just need to work out how to stop your dog from barking.

The most important piece of advice to remember when trying to modify any dog behavioral problem, is to clearly communicate to your dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not.

One of the biggest mistakes us dog owners make is to inadvertently reward our dogs excessive barking. We actually encourage and reinforce the barking problem when we commit these three dog training sins:

  1. Yell and scream at the dog - this just gives them the attention they were crying out for.
  2. Let them inside. If your dog is barking his head off outside, then you let him in, this just rewards the barking.
  3. If your dog is barking and you react by giving him a comforting cuddle or a treat of some sort, you are definitely encouraging your dog to bark again. By doing this you are communicating to your dog that you are happy with him. You should be making it clear that his excessive barking is inappropriate.

Right, lets get stuck into some proven dog training techniques to stop your dog from barking. I've listed the most common reasons why your dog may be barking, and some proven solutions you can try.

Dog Goes Crazy Every Time The Phone Rings

This is a very common and annoying time for dogs to bark excessively. Try these training techniques:

  • Never yell at your dog.
  • Get your dog used to the phone ringing, don't make it such a big deal. Ring your home number from your cell phone or get a friend to keep calling you. When the phone rings just sit there, don't say or do a thing. Repeat this process over a few days, your dog will probably continue to bark for a while but will give up before long.
  • If you give your dog basic obedience training, behavioral problems such as excessive barking are easily controlled. Your dog looks up to you as their pack leader and is eager to please you in any situation. Teaching the Quiet! or Stop! obedience training command will soon correct this problem. To learn how to properly train your dog yourself, at home visit SitStayFetch Training.
  • You may have some success by changing the tone and volume of your ring tone.

Dog Barks When You Are Not Home

I'm not going to pretend this type of barking will be easy for you to control, because in reality it is often a difficult and lengthy process.

Always remember that dogs are social creatures, when they are separated from their pack (you) they can become stressed, vulnerable and frustrated. This type of excessive barking is often caused by separation anxiety.

  • Firstly I'd say just use your common sense and get these dog ownership basics right. Keep your dog well exercised (physical and mental) and provide fresh water, chewing toys and a nice comfortable place to sleep. You can also try to block your dogs view of the street or other distractions. Basically, make sure your dog is happy.
  • If you know your dog has been barking while you have been away, you must ignore him for a while when you return home. I understand this is difficult for lots of owners, but otherwise your dog believes that his barking is the reason you came back home to him. Just go about your business for a little while when you get home, ignoring your dog. When your dog has settled down, you then initiate contact with him.
  • This next method takes time and patience, but can be a very effective way to stop your dog from barking. It's based on that important rule applicable to all training situations. Praise or reward when your dog does something good, create a negative association when he does something bad. Leave the house as you normally would, but just hide somewhere nearby. When your dog starts to bark spray him with water or throw a tin can full of coins or rocks in his direction (this is the negative association). Try to keep out of your dogs sight while doing this if possible. Go and hide again, if he is quiet for a while, go in and reward his good behavior with some praise and maybe a treat. This process may need to be repeated over and over until you have broken the excessive barking habit.
  • The above techniques have proven to be successful with my own dogs, but if they don't work for you, maybe you could try a Citronella no bark collar. Again this method uses the power of negative association. Every time your dog barks, a fine mist of citronella is sprayed into the air. Most dogs hate the smell, and soon realize if they don't bark, the smell isn't there to bother them. If you have more than one dog this method is not really a suitable solution.

Dog Barks For Attention Or To Demand Something

This is one excessive barking problem that can be corrected very quickly.

  • If you establish yourself as the pack leader or alpha dog in your owner-dog relationship, this type of barking problem won't occur. You'll also form a strong bond with your dog based on trust and respect. To learn the best way to obedience train your dog visit SitStayFetch.
  • Another proven method how to stop your dog from barking for attention is simply ignoring your dog. Your dog will probably become frustrated and bark alot initially, but once he realizes that it is not getting him anywhere, he will stop. Warning - this training method can be hard on the ears for a while!

Stop Your Dog Barking At The Door


Dog Barks At Passers By

Workers like the Postman and Delivery Driver's are constantly being barked at throughout their day.

Your dog perceives these type of people as intruders or a threat to their territory. The dog then barks and every time he barks he is rewarded, as the intruder goes away. Your dog is then very pleased that he has averted this threat, which leads him to do it again and again. His behavior is reinforced and therefore this can be a difficult problem to turn around.

  • If possible, you could try to block your dogs vision or access to the area where these people pass by.
  • Dog obedience training is the best solution to this type of excessive barking. Once you have your dog properly obedience trained, you will be able to communicate to him that this is unacceptable behavior. To learn how to train your dog at home with the latest cutting edge techniques click here.
  • If your dog consistently barks at a particular person, you may need to use this person to help modify your dogs behavior. Just say your dog gets really agitated each time the postman arrives. Have a chat to your postman and give him some of your dogs very favorite treats. Each time he delivers to your house, he can also deliver a tasty treat to your dog. In your dogs mind the postman goes from being a threat, to a welcome guest.

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking

In extreme cases of excessive barking, where all else has failed, some people advocate debarking surgery. I've never needed to go down this path with any of my dogs, and don't think I ever would. But if you have come to the end of the line and think you have run out of options, you could discuss debarking surgery with your Veterinarian.


Proper dog obedience training is the key to solving any behavioral problems (including stopping your dog from barking), and also building a strong bond with your dog. I've reviewed the two best do-it-yourself dog training tools below.

Secrets Of A Professional Dog Trainer


SOURCE: http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/how-to-stop-your-dog-from-barking.html

Dog Whisperer Training Methods

Dog Whisperer Training Methods

Definition as stated on wordspy.com

Dog Whisperer: A person who has, or claims to have, a natural ability to relate to or connect with dogs.

Yeah, but there's more....

What Is A Dog Whisperer?
Who Is The Dog Whisperer?
Dog Whispering In Your Dog Training
Can Anyone Be A Dog Whisperer?

A dog whisperer is somebody who has developed a high level of awareness and understanding of the mind and natural instincts of the canine species. This allows human and dog to form a deep connection free of the many constraints humans normally put in the way.

Because us humans and our dogs are a different species we often encounter difficulties in communicating effectively with each other. We can't just sit down with them and have a conversation over a nice cup of coffee, like we would with our human friends. But what can we do? I'll get into that a little later, but you could say that being a dog whisperer means that you have broken down these barriers of communication and have developed a very real form of two way communication with dogs. A dog whisperer realigns his/her methods of communication so that it matches up with and is relevant to dogs.

What am I thinking?

Unfortunately the majority of human-dog relationships in this world are one way, lopsided affairs. It's usually us humans endlessly issuing commands or reprimanding our dogs, seemingly oblivious to what our dogs are actually feeling and trying to communicate to us. Look at it this way - think of a very dominant, overbearing person you have come across in your own life (in my case it was a boss I had a few years back). This person probably doesn't care much for how you are feeling and what your thoughts are. They just want to get their message across to you and tell you off when you don't reach their standards. When you do try to do or say something they fail to acknowledge your attempts or simply ignore you. How do you feel? frustrated.., helpless.. and probably much worse. I believe many of our dogs live in this type of restrictive environment every day. Our dogs are constantly reaching out and trying to communicate with their human family, but somehow it seems to go unnoticed or at least misinterpreted.

The thing is our dogs are continually speaking to us in their language. They communicate with us (and each other) through various means using energy, body language, scent, facial expression, the movement of ears and tail, overall posture and voice (barking, growling). As you can see, most of these signals or expressions are non verbal where's humans communicate in a mainly verbal manner. What a dog whisperer does is acknowledge the difference between human and dog. A dog whisperer takes a step back, shuts up, observes and understands these gestures our dogs continue to express to us. When you do this you can't help but form a deep connection with your dog as you will understand his wants and needs and therefore can respond in a manner which is appropriate to the situation, and is expected by your dog. You are communicating, your dog to you, and you to your dog - instead of merely issuing and enforcing an order and having your dog "do something for you".

When we are in this position of understanding our dogs it's only logical that we are better placed to address their problems and shape their behavior. A dog whisperer treats a dog as a dog, not as a fluffy four legged human. They respect a dog for what it is and work with mother nature and the natural instincts of the canine species. Sadly most dogs aren't afforded this same respect and level of understanding. Many well intentioned "dog lovers" smother their dogs with affection and the best of everything (toys, treats, fancy beds etc.) but this is not what dogs actually crave. A dog whisperer will provide the species specific, very real needs of the dog so they can live a fulfilling, peaceful, happy and well balanced life.

Picture this all too common scenario. You arrive home from a hard day at the office to find that your beloved dog has once again chewed up the cushions that were nicely decorating the sofa. You're angry. In a raised voice you swear at him/her and tell him how disappointed you are. You then throw your shoe at him as you bend down to pick up the mess. As you are blowing off steam your dog is avoiding you, head down low, eyes looking up almost sheepishly, with tail firmly tucked between his hind legs.

At this point many dog owners look at their dog and say "look at the little bugger, he knows what he's done wrong, just look at how guilty he looks". This is the wrong conclusion to make. Your dog doesn't think like that (like a human) and he doesn't have a clue what you are rambling on about. He makes no connection between the chewed up cushions and your mood. Dogs live in the present moment, so what he is picking up on and reacting to is your angry energy, raised voice and threatening body language. He may have also learned what the consequences are when you arrive home in this type of mood - he was probably waiting for the shoe to come his way! This scenario is an example of how us humans and our dogs view the very same situation from an entirely different perspective. Dog whispering is about understanding and recognizing that these differences exist, then acting accordingly.


Many dog trainers and dog behaviorists around the world have attached the "Dog Whisperer" tag to their names. The most prominant ones are Cesar Millan who has a great TV series "Dog Whisperer" on the National Geographic Channel, Paul Owens who has a brilliant book and DVD titled "The Dog Whisperer - a compassionate, nonviolent approach to dog training". Then there is John Richardson from Australia whose book "The Dog Whisperer" is also a beauty. You'll probably find someone who practices dog whispering in your area too.

When you open up the lines of communication with your dog, it can't help but impact on the entire relationship and bond you share. The advantage of utilizing dog whispering techniques in your training is that you create an environment where your dog chooses to work with you and doesn't feel intimidated or forced to perform under the threat of violence. Dog whispering in a training context is motivational, non violent and based on repetition and positive reinforcement. In many ways it replicates how dogs interact with each other, working with mother nature and with the natural instincts and drives of the dog. It's a give and take process, just like any functional, working relationship. In practical terms a dog whisperer uses observation skills, watches, listens, identifies, interprets and develops an understanding of the dogs actions, feelings and needs. He/she also uses energy, voice in a soft tone, subtle movements (body language) and scent - in a consistent, reliable manner. You can be sure that the dogs involved will be studying and picking up on all of these gestures, regardless of how subtle they may appear to be.

Yes. Like anything there will be some people who are better at dog whispering than others. It certainly can be learned though. Dog Whispering is not hocus pocus or voodoo, it is there for anybody to see/do if you just take the time and effort. You can start right now by really studying your own dog, watching other dogs interact with each other at the park and if possible, monitoring a skilled dog trainer at work. If you are interested in learning more about dog whispering, dog psychology and how to apply it in your dog training I'd highly recommend "The Dog Whisperer - A compassionate, nonviolent approach to dog training" by Paul Owens. If you read this book and watch the lessons in Paul's DVD of the same name you will have all the tools you need to become a dog whisperer. Another good resource for people wishing to learn how to think and act like a dog whisperer is Secrets Of A Professional Dog Trainer.


SOURCE: http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/dog-whisperer.html

Dog Behavior Training - Proven Techniques To Help Solve Problem Behaviors

Dog Behavior Training - Proven Techniques To Help Solve Problem Behaviors

At some point in time all of us dog owners need to administer some dog behavior training (or behavior modification).

There are loads of dog behavior problems, they can affect all dog breeds, at any time throughout your dog's life. I've listed some of the more common dog behavior problems below, and importantly some proven dog behavior training methods to correct them. I will continue to add to this resource over the next few months. Hopefully this information proves to be a valuable resource for you - and your dog.

General Principles For
Dog Behavior Training

I expand further on these rules within the specific behavior problems listed below.

  • A great number of puppy and dog behavioral problems are the result of separation anxiety.
  • Many behavior problems (such as barking, biting & digging) stem from a lack of communication, or miscommunication between you the owner and your dog. Simply put, your dog is not aware of what is expected of him/her (I'll just say him from now on to make it easier).
  • Applying some proper obedience training at an early stage is a most effective technique to correct any behavior problems, and also to prevent any future problems. The fact that you are reading this page possibly means it is too late for this tip!
  • Set boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable behavior for your dogs, and stick to them. Be consistent, make it simple for your dog:
    • Be clear that you are always the alpha dog or leader in your owner-dog relationship.
    • Make it clear to him what is unacceptable behavior - every time.
    • Make it clear to him what is acceptable behavior - every time.
  • Even though it may seem as though your dog is behaving poorly to spite you or annoy you this is not the case. In the vast majority of problem behavior cases there will be a cause or trigger which sparks the behavior. Identifying these triggers is the crucial first step towards solving the problem.
  • Be careful you are not inadvertently rewarding the very behavior you are trying to eliminate. An example of this would be if your dog is barking excessively outside, you then go to the door and call him inside. You're encouraging and rewarding the behavior, and he is sure to do it again!.

Dog Behavior Training Can Make An
Enormous Difference To Your Dog's Life

It's a sad fact of life that the vast majority of dogs that end up in animal shelters (or worse) are there because of a bad behavioral problem. It doesn't have to be this way, most problems (like aggression and destructive behavior) are at least manageable through proper dog behavior training.

If you consistently apply the proper training techniques and add some commitment and patience, you will achieve pleasing results with your dog.


SOURCE: http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/dog-whisperer.html