For anyone interested in dogs, this 35-minute DVD will catch your interest. It is informative and entertaining all at once, which is why this video has won several awards.
Tag Archives | behavior
Introducing a New Dog Friend
Do you have friends who have dogs? Yes, of course.. because you both love dogs. Have your dogs meet each other and you will open doors for fun times ahead.
“Last Dog on the Hill, The Extraordinary Life of Lou” by Steve Duno
We generally have trouble keeping our dogs busy enough in today’s day and age. This story is an inspirational tale of a dog who is very busy with his poppa… the two of them train other dogs to succeed!
Bringing the Dogs Together
It makes perfect sense for dogs to live with other dogs. It’s just our domesticated world that’s made it a bit tricky sometimes. Just do your homework, set yourself up for success, and watch the relationship(s) strengthen with time.
New Dog: Do’s and Don’ts
This article picks out some key behaviors YOU need to have, to make sure your new dog succeeds.
Walk on a Loose Leash
Walking on a loose lead is one of the most important skills you and your dog can cultivate. It’s your dog’s key to freedom in walks around the neighborhood just as “recall” is key to true freedom in a park or other less restrictive setting.
No Jumping! aka Four Paws on the Floor
Stopping your dog from jumping on people is a prime example of the importance of understanding how your dog thinks and of teaching Yes.
Teach a Place
Have you ever gone into a store and admired the sweet dog hanging out on her bed? Guess what her person taught her? Targeting a place, first of all, and then “down” and “stay.” Once your dog can stay on her rug or in her crate, life is more fun for both of you, because […]
Socialize Your Dog
The best thing you can do for your dog—starting as young as possible—is to socialize her to a wide variety of experiences. The goal is to teach your dog to be comfortable in all the potentially stressful situations she might encounter.
Stop Bad Behavior
There’s one good way to stop your dog from doing things you don’t want him to do: Give him something better to do instead, and reward him for doing it, as explained in our page on Teach Yes, Not No.
Training Your Dog, Kindergarten to College
No matter what you’re trying to train your dog to do (or not do), the key to success is to start slowly and work gradually. It’s like grades in school.
Use Consistent Commands
Actually, Dog Momma prefers to say “cues” instead of “commands.” A command is harsh, an imposition of your will on the dog. A cue is assertive without being aggressive; it tells the dog what behavior is going to work for both of you in the current situation.
Appropriate Barking
The first step to controlling your dog’s barking is to understand what the dog is trying to communicate.
Read (and Use) Your Dog’s Signals
Imagine how you’d feel if you moved to a foreign country where you don’t speak the language and they don’t speak yours. How would you communicate?
Clicker = Training Magic
The clicker is a wonderful training tool! It gives you a clear way to tell your dog “yes” in the moment she is doing something good. You “mark” the desired behavior by clicking at the exact moment the dog does what you want her to do—or, in the early stages, comes close to doing it. Dogs are very good at remembering what action brought the click—and therefore the treat.
Give Good Rewards
In order to do any training at all, you have to find a reward that is meaningful to your dog.
Teach Yes, Not No
Always look for the “yes” in every situation. In other words, what IS acceptable right now? Don’t get into the routine of saying “no” all the time; this will be no fun for you or your dog. Positive reinforcement is a phrase we’ve all heard; this article breaks the concept down into a few good examples.
Control Yourself, Control Your Dog
Often times when dogs feel uneasy, there is an uneasy human around. Focus on good energy for yourself, and the dogs will follow.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test
For anyone wondering about testing for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification, this series walks you through training for, finding, and passing the test. There are many benefits of pursuing CGC certification with your dog.
