Dog Walking Etiquette

How to Use Dog Walking Etiquette. Walking a dog is a relaxing experience for most people....Your dog walking style reveals a lot about ... you obviously do not follow the basic dog walking etiquette! ...

Quote: Dog Walking Etiquette http://freedogtraininginfo.com

Although to many of us, the “rules” are common sense, there are of course people who either don’t realize or choose not to follow the etiquette of dog walking. In order to clear up any potential confusion, I thought I would take this opportunity to be the “Miss Manners” of the dog world.

For example, when walking your pet in a neighborhood, it is not courteous to allow your dog to walk on people’s front lawns, or urinate on their mail boxes or landscaping. Instead, a more appropriate way to handle your pet is to walk him in the street or on the sidewalk and allow access only to “rough” areas to eliminate. Should your neighborhood not have such an area, it is still inappropriate to allow your pooch to pee on people’s property… keep him to the strip of grass that’s between the sidewalk and street and steer clear of people’s plantings and posts.

Picking up is another issue of concern. Dog walkers, please, don’t even leave your house without a plastic bag for picking up after your pet! And don’t forget to use it! I’ve had three different people tell me recently that they’ve seen people make a great show of pulling out their plastic bag when they see neighbors driving past, only to stuff it back in their pocket once the “coast is clear,” leaving the pile behind anyway.

Have an excited dog? Keep in mind that not everyone may be as much of a dog lover as you are. If a passing person wishes to greet your pet, you will be able to tell, as they will approach you and ask if they may pet your dog. Don’t assume that every man, woman and child wish to pet your pooch as you allow him to drag you over to them and pounce upon them in greeting. Some people are afraid of dogs, or may not be in the mood to be jumped on. Perhaps they’re out for a jog and prefer not to break their stride. Either way it should be their choice to greet or not to greet.

The same holds true for other dogs. True, most people out walking their dog are interested in allowing their pet to socialize with other dogs. But be sure to gauge their interest before approaching. If your dog is barking, most people prefer not to let their dog be the “test” of whether it’s aggression or not. Further, if you have a little dog who barks and may snap, don’t assume it’s okay to allow that just because the other dog is bigger. Having firsthand experience with this, I can assure you that my dog doesn’t enjoy being bitten regardless of the fact that he is 80 pounds and his “attacker” may weigh only twelve.

Last but not least, remember that walking your dog means personally walking your dog on a leash. Numerous readers have contacted me about neighbors who simply “send their dogs out” to do their business, which inevitably ends up on their property for them to clean up. While you may not mind the piles in your yard, your neighbors should not have to worry about it in theirs.

Of course, all of the above rules of dog walking etiquette don’t only apply in your neighborhood. The same courtesies should be followed at parks, shopping centers, the vet’s office or any other place visited by you and your pet. By working together to be responsible pet owners, we can all help keep our neighborhoods and parks a fun place to be without the need for authorities to implement overly-restrictive dog laws. Happy walking!

Benefits of a Dog Toy Box

Dog toys are a very important part of having a dog or puppy....Learn more about the benefits of dog dental chew toys as an important part of your ... a dog toy storage box to keep things neat and tidy.....

Quote: Benefits of a Dog Toy Box http://freedogtraininginfo.com

Dog toys are a very important part of owning a dog or puppy. Since dogs enjoy chewing, the purpose of dog toys is to provide your pet with appropriate items to chew so he doesn’t chew other things around your home. Also important is that dog toys, such as balls, frisbees, sterilized bones, dog stuffed animals, rope toys, etc., are all helpful in staving off boredom in dogs… an important aspect to help prevent mischief.

In addition to making sure your dog has plenty of different types of toys and bones to keep busy with, another aspect is making sure the toys are accessible to him. This may sound simple, but over the course of time the toys often end up under the sofa, out in the yard or otherwise lost around the home. Next thing you know, your dog may be right back to being bored and mischievous, or at the very least, have no toys to play with even though they are “somewhere around here.”

The solution? A dog toy box. It doesn’t need to be fancy at all… a sturdy plastic one will do. It should be low enough for your dog to reach the toys and should be kept in a central location in your home where your dog spends time. Then, you can occasionally go around the house, picking up all the dog toys and returning them to the box so they are easy for your pet to find (and your home stays tidier too).

Another benefit of the dog toy box is that it creates an additional activity for your pet. Now, he can not only have fun playing with the toys, but can also enjoy the additional stimulation of looking through and taking them out of the box.

For puppies, the toy box is also particularly helpful because you can simply pick up the box and bring the toys easily into the room your puppy will be spending time in. Then there will be no excuse for him to be chewing or stealing other things and with the toys at your fingertips, it’s easier to correct and redirect if an inappropriate item is in his mouth.

Another toy tip: rotate the toys occasionally. Instead of keeping the same toys in the box all the time, some of which your pet may have become bored with, you can occasionally go through the toys and put away the ones he hasn’t played with in a while. Replace with a few new toys. Then, when he becomes tired of those toys, pull the old ones out of your cabinet and your dog’s interest will be renewed. This is a great way to keep your dog interested in the toys, while also saving money by not always having to buy new ones all the time.

With a little creativity and effort on your part, your dog will quickly learn to go to the box when he wants to play with something, helping to stave off boredom and discourage mischief!

Dog Toilet Training

Successful toilet training is really a management issue....Dog toilet training is the process of teaching your dog to eliminate where you want him to....


Quote: Dog Toilet Training http://www.freedogtrainingarticles.com William R. Nabaza

Unless you have a sixth sense you can't predict when and where your dog is going to do the toilet, that is why dog toilet training is necessary. Dogs need to learn to "hold it" and go where he is supposed to as they don't know any different. In the wild dogs can go when and where they please, but this is not the wild and they need to be taught the difference.

Dog toilet training can be something of a difficult task. Every day needs to be the same and you need to give him constant attention when you can; this will make the toilet training procedure a lot easier. Your training process will take longer if you are working out of the house quite often as your dog will need to go and the house is the only place that he can.

When you start out dog toilet training you need to give him a place of his own, maybe a corner of your back room. That should be where you put his food and his bed and his toys and cover the whole floor in newspaper. When you leave the house make sure he is in that room and can't get out.

When you are gone he will obviously need the toilet and will go where he is standing, but over time he will pick a place and start to do his business in the one place, when he starts to do that you can then start to remove the paper from the area furthest away from his chosen spot. Gradually continue this until it is only a small space available for him to go, if he misses the paper then you are moving a little bit too fast and need to go back a step or two until you get to as little papers as possible. When he gets older he will be able to control his bladder movements a lot easier.

When you are at home spend as much time with your dog as possible. Dog toilet training will be much easier if you do. Every 45 minutes or so take your dog outside and whenever he does the toilet outside make sure he is praised very happily and excitedly with lots of enthusiasm, and do this everytime that he "goes" outside. He will realise that this is where he needs to go to the toilet and when he can control his bladder a little better he will wait until you come to let him out. It does take a lot of time and patience though.

Never scold your dog for doing the toilet in the house as he does not know any better. We did the toilet in our nappies until we were potty trained because there was nothing else we could do about it, when we needed we went, well dogs are the same. No dog is properly toilet trained until he is about 6 months old so it is a lengthy procedure but a great one when the end results start to show!

How to potty train your dog or puppy

..Potty train your puppy and dog with our highly effective puppy potty training tips...Potty-training pads have made housebreaking many dogs a simpler, smoother process ...

Quote:How to potty train your dog or puppy http://www.fixdogproblems.com
As a professional dog trainer, I talk to lots of folks about their dogs every day. One of the most common questions I hear is: How can I stop my dog from going potty in the house?!? Usually, an anguished description of smelly carpets, ruined furniture, and desperately complex strategies to stop the unwanted behavior follows.

Like most other difficult problems in life, there is no no one-size-fits-all solution to fixing potty problems. But, based on my experience, most dogs respond quickly to one or more of the following approaches:

Teach your dog to tell you when he needs to go potty so you can let him outside
Install a pet door so he can let himself outside
Crate train your dog

TIP #1: Teach your dog to tell you when he needs to go potty
Believe it or not, most dogs don't want to potty in the house. Instinctively, they want to relieve themselves away from the area in which they live and eat. But, dogs that spend too much of their early life confined in an area where they can't relieve themselves appropriately may learn to tolerate going potty indoors. This conditioning often occurs in the first few weeks of a puppy's life.

You're probably wondering, "What's my dog's problem, then? If he'd prefer to potty outdoors, why the heck doesn't he just ask me to open the door???"

Well, it's probably because he doesn't know how.

Some dogs are naturally very effective at communicating when they want to go outside — they'll pace back and forth or bark at the door without any training at all. But, these dogs are few and far between. Most owners must teach their dogs how to ask to go outside.

A very effective way to teach your dog this skill is what I call the "Bell Method." It's pretty simple:

Tie a small bell to a long piece of string. Tie the other end of the string to the handle of the door you use to let your dog outside. Or, you can purchase a Pet Doorbell.
Take your dog's paw in your hand and swipe the bell so that it rings.
The moment the bell rings, praise your dog (say "Good dog!" in a peppy voice) and open the door to let him outside.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 EVERY TIME you let your dog outside.

If you consistently follow these steps, within a week or so your dog will begin to ring the bell on his own to let you know when he wants to go outside. When this happens, you must respond immediately by praising him and letting him outside! Seriously, get your dog out the door as fast as you possibly can; the immediate positive reinforcement will make your dog more likely to repeat the good behavior.
TIP #2: Install a pet door so your dog can let himself outside to potty

If you've already tried unsuccessfully to teach your dog how to let you know when he needs to go outside or if you don't have the time to teach your dog a new skill, a pet door is probably your best solution. With a pet door, your dog can go in and out whenever he wants, even when you're not home. If you're worried about critters other than your dog using your pet door, choose an infrared or RFID-keyed pet door that opens and closes only for your pet.

Because installing a pet door is a detailed project that requires special tools, most folks rely on a professional rather than trying to install a pet door themselves. If you are unable to find a local professional who specializes in pet door installation, a handyman is probably your next best option. Whoever you choose, make sure your pet door is correctly installed, meaning:

The pet door fits snugly in the wall or door in which it is installed.
The pet door is installed at an appropriate height for all pets who use it.
The pet door looks good (is perfectly level, etc).

FYI: Many professional pet door installers will work with your pet to help him learn how to use his new door.


TIP #3: Use a crate to prevent potty accidents

Crating your dog is a very effective way to stop indoor potty accidents. After he is conditioned to accept his crate, you should crate crate your dog whenever you cannot directly supervise him. Remember to keep the length of time you crate your dog appropriate to his age; read my article on crate training for more information.
When your dog is out of his crate, you must watch him very closely so that you can immediately correct him when he begins to potty indoors. When you catch your dog starting to relieve himself, immediately give a loud verbal correction ("No!") and take him outside to potty. Then, every time he potties outdoors, praise him and give him a small food treat.

REMEMBER: In order for your verbal correction to be effective, you must catch your dog while he is eliminating. Correcting your dog even 3 seconds after he's made the mess will not teach him anything — nada, zip, zilch, a waste of your breath! So, pay attention! And if you find the mess even 3 seconds after your dog is done, scold yourself, but don't scold your dog!

Screaming, hitting, or rubbing your dog's nose in his potty will not solve the problem and may actually make it worse. Instead, just give your dog a sharp verbal correction when you catch him soiling indoors (one loud "No!" is plenty), and immediately take him outside.

Choosing a Collar for Your Dog or Puppy

..Learn how to choose a dog collar....CHOOSING A DOG COLLAR Choosing the right dog collar is about function as well as personal preference....

Quote:Choosing a Collar for Your Dog or Puppy http://freedogtraininginfo.com

With so many types of collars to choose from, it can be confusing to figure out which one is best for your dog or puppy. You’ll want to keep in mind your dog’s health and safety, while also having some control over your pet during walks.

Your dog needs a collar for several purposes, but importantly to hold his identification and rabies tags. Even if your pet has been microchipped, it is a responsible idea to have him wearing identification at all times.

Another reason for a collar is so that you have some way to physically manage your dog. When you go for a walk, you’ll need to attach a leash to the collar, while around the home you may want to hold your dog’s collar for a reason such as preventing him from running out the door.

If you have a baby puppy, the best type of collar is a lightweight, flat nylon collar that is adjustable in size. With the rapid growth of puppies, it will be necessary to check and readjust the collar on a regular basis.

As your dog matures and grows, you may feel the need to move to a different collar for training purposes and walks. Ask anyone who has ever been dragged down the street by their exuberant pet and they’ll surely tell you that you’ll need some better way of controlling him. Often, when walked on a regular flat collar, dogs will pull so hard that they are choking themselves, coughing and wheezing the whole way.

One option is to use a training collar which looks like a chain. Unfortunately nicknamed a “choke” collar, it is not intended to choke a dog at all. Rather, it should be kept loose at all times and only tight for one quick second at a time in order to regain your dog’s attention. This technique can be difficult for owners to develop, so it may be wise to learn from a professional trainer before using one.

Another option is the prong collar. This collar looks like a medieval torture device which can sometimes make people afraid to use them. However, medical studies show that this type of collar, when used properly, is healthier for a dog’s neck than any other type of training or flat collar because it does not allow constant pressure on the dog’s neck.

Harnesses are another option, although not the best choice for those who don’t want their dog to pull. By nature, dogs are far more likely to pull when wearing a harness, which basically “harnesses” the strong musculature of the dog around the chest and legs, giving him all the more traction to pull you with.

The head halter is yet another option. This type of a collar is similar to a halter you would put on a horse. It goes around the dog’s face, allowing you to control his movements, thereby limiting pulling. However, they can be confusing for pet owners to put on and difficult for dogs to get used to. Most dogs will quickly learn not to pull when wearing the head halter, but the majority of pets will go right back to pulling as soon as they’re not wearing it.

Overall, when choosing the right collar for your pet, it is best to take all safety and training factors into consideration and then decide from there. For most dogs, a good choice is to have a regular, flat nylon collar with tags for everyday wearing, as well as another collar used for training until he learns to walk without pulling.

Training Dogs to Pee Outside

...Dog Training question: Can you train a dog to use training pads during the night and to pee outside during the day?....Training puppy to pee on pad How to train a puppy to pee on a pad ... gets the hang of going potty outside, so make sure you put him on tile and not carpet. ...


Quote:Training Dogs to Pee Outside Ty Brown
Do you have a young puppy or an older dog and you wish you could figure out the secrets to training dogs to pee outside? Potty training a dog has four simple steps and if you follow them you are guaranteed to never have to clean up pee or poop again:

1.Supervision, supervision, supervision! I can't reiterate enough times the importance of supervision when you are training dogs to pee outside. The number one mistake of any dog owner when housebreaking a dog is to give that dog way too much freedom from a young age. You must supervise your dog or puppy if you are going to have any success.

2.Encourage your dog to pee outside. This is very simple. When your dog pees outside praise him heavily. While I am usually not a big fan of treat training this is one behavior that I will definitely reward with a treat. I want the puppy or dog to understand that peeing outside is a wonderful activity.

3.Correct a dog for peeing inside. Don't be cruel, mean, or harsh. When you catch your puppy or dog peeing inside quickly grab the dog and rush outside while you tell him no. A correction should be unpleasant but not harsh and you can only correct your dog if you catch him in the act.

4.Training dogs to pee outside requires a good schedule. Make sure that you have your dog on a food schedule and a potty schedule so that you are more positioned for success.