Is Agility Dog Training Right For Your DogHave you ever run an obstacle course before ? Unless you are in a job where physical fitness is a must, it was probably when you were a child. Wasn’t it really difficult to complete ? Indeed, if like many people, you chose to look at the course rather than actually attempt it, then you understand how difficult it would appear.

So if we acknowledge the difficulty of such a course why do we expect our dogs to be able to do such a course. After all, they are a test of endurance, agility and conditioning. Are dogs innately conditioned to run through tunnels, over bridges and jump fences ? No, they have to be trained.

Agility dog training programs exist to help dogs cope with the physical aspects of running a dog obstacle course. They help to get a dog fitter and stronger. They also teach the dog about obeying commands as in most cases the dog that runs a course is under the control of their owner. This is good for the obedience behavior of the dog and builds on the relationship that it has with the owner. Dog agility training programs also teach a dog to think for itself and to handle unpredictable situations. For instance, it is not obvious to a dog that it has to run through a tunnel or do a slalom through some poles. This has to be taught to the dog which it will then have to apply to different obstacle courses and situations.

In fact, this is a difficult job for a trainer to get this across to a dog that has never done something like this before. You can expect a few days of training by a dog agility trainer until your dog will be ready to run a typical obstacle course. With this basic training completed, it is up to you as the owner to hone the dogs skills and take over the training regime. The end result is that you have a strong bond with your pet. On completion of this process, you will be responsible for keeping the dog fit and current with new obstacles and courses. Whilst this might be difficult at the start, you will find that it is all worthwhile as you develop a stronger bond with your dog and help to make it run the course faster.

And the cutting edge of all this training is to involve your pet in an official competition. I am sure you have seen these sorts of things on TV at dog shows like Crufts and the like. There is a perception that these kinds on events are cruel to the animal but most dogs can’t wait to do a course. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that these events are the highlight of any show along with the relay events. If you have seen such a competition you will notice just how much the dogs enjoy running through the courses as they wag their tails furiously and bark excitedly. Possibly the dog gets excited by the noise of the crowd but it makes for great viewing to see the excited dogs.

However, to be successful in completing any obstacle course the animal will need strong agility dog training to ensure it has the skills but stays safe at the same time. This is a part of agility dog training that many people don’t take into consideration. The goal of agility dog training is twofold, develop the skills and techniques of the animal but also ensure that it doesn’t get injured.

And of course the best motivation to make your pooch run through tunnels or slalom poles is that it will keep you pet busy and fit which makes him healthier and better adjusted to living in a family. It’s just as enjoyable for you too.

For more training tips like German Shepherd dog training and dog potty training visit http://www.doghealthncare.com

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Dog Training For Me recommends ==>”Dog Obedience Training Secrets “

The Best Ways To Get Your Dog House Trained

One of the toughest jobs that a family faces when a new puppy comes home is getting the dog housebroken. This means that the dog will eliminate outdoors and not use your home and furnishings as a toilet. Lots of people think that getting doggy toilet trained is a tough task, but it doesn’t need to be. If you arm yourself with plenty of information for the best ways to get your dog house trained, you are on the right path to having a dog that goes to the bathroom where you want him to go.

When to House Train

A dog can be toilet trained at any age, but the best age to begin is between eight and twelve weeks old. If you set up a housebreaking routine as soon as you bring your puppy home, before long he will get the right idea of where to do his business. A crate is a great tool for toilet training a puppy. It keeps him confined when there is no supervision and most dogs learn quickly that if they make in their crate they will have to sit in it. Most dogs are fairly hygienic and won’t enjoy having to sit in dog doody or urine.

The Advantages of Using a Crate

Be sure there is enough room in the crate for your pup to turn around, but don’t leave so much room that he will be able to eliminate and lie down far away from it. Many dog owners view a crate as a jail cell or to use as punishment, but your dog will love having his own space where he can escape from the hustle and bustle of the household for some quiet time. Make your dogs crate a happy place and don’t use it for punishment. You can feed your dog in the crate, or while he is in there, offer him some treats. Place a favorite chewy or toy in there with him, add blankets and he will have a cozy den to escape to whenever he feels the need. Utilizing a crate for your dog can keep him out of trouble and not only in housebreaking.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled

Keeping a close eye on your puppy is a key factor in getting him properly housetrained. Whenever you see that he is sniffing, circling or beginning to squat, immediately take him outside to the place where you want him to go and see if he eliminates. If he does, praise him lavishly. A good idea is to have a cue, such as “hurry up” so that your puppy knows what you want him to do. When he is going to the bathroom repeat the cue and then give your dog lots of praise for a job well done. It is better to take the dog out and nothing happens then take a chance of an accident happening.

Have a Schedule

Feeding, watering and walking your dog on a regular schedule will make housebreaking that much easier. Puppies are like children and they thrive on a routine. Try and take the dog out around the same time everyday so they will be able to adjust their bodily functions. The first thing you should do in the morning is take the puppy from the crate and don’t let his feet touch the ground. Bring him to the place where you want him to go, give the cue, and praise upon a successful completion. Take your puppy out at least every two hours, after eating or drinking and especially after play. Before you know it, your puppy will be letting you know it is time to go out and do his business.

Don’t Let the Puppy Roam

Letting your puppy roam around the house is a sure fire way to have accidents. If you have decided you don’t want to use a crate, and even if you do use one, confining the dog to certain areas of the house can make housetraining easier for everyone. It is difficult to keep track of a puppy when he has the run of the house, but if you gate him in the kitchen, he will still be able to be part of the action and can be better supervised in case of an accident.

Don’t Get Discouraged

There will be times when you first begin housetraining that you feel your pup is just not getting it. He may have accidents in the house as well on occasion. There is no need to be discouraged. If you stick to your routine, keep a good eye on the dog and make frequent outings to his outdoor bathroom, in no time your puppy will be housebroken. Another good idea is to use the same door all the time when you are taking him out so that when he has to go, he will scratch on the door to be let out. Once this happens, you can say hurray and know that your puppy truly is beginning to understand that going to the bathroom in the house is a no-no.

Susan is a personal contributing moderator to Fuzing.com where you can uncover tens of thousands of free sales leads for Cat Food Sellers.

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Dog Training For Me recommends ==>”Dog Obedience Training Secrets “

Training Your Dog To Stop Chewing Everything in Sight.

It is only natural for dogs to want to chew. It is a natural instinct, but they need to be trained what they can and can’t chew without causing problems. While they might feel the need to sharpen their teeth you certainly don’t want them to be doing that on your furniture.

It is a lot cheaper to invest some money in suitable toys that the dog can chew or get their teeth cleaned professionally than to replace expensive household items.

The simplest method of training a dog not to chew everything in sight is to confine it to a small area where only those things that it should be allowed to chew are present.

The dog will then become accustomed to the smell of those things that it is allowed to chew and then when it is allowed out into the household where other items are present you can teach it not to chew items such as furniture, shoes, clothing, etc.

It is also possible to teach an old dog not to chew items by using the same techniques although it is harder if it has been doing this for many years of its life.It is always preferable to teach your dog the lessons they need to know as soon as possible as training gets harder with the age of the dog.

If the dog is going to be left inside for extended periods while you’re not around it is wise to remove any items that you don’t want it to chew until it is fully trained. Until that time, the dog should be content with suitable chewing toys.

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Dog Training For Me recommends ==>”Dog Obedience Training Secrets “

A dog is as good as its owner has taught it…

Family friends of mine have a German Shepherd and as they are an elderly couple they weren’t quite so inclined to train their dog when it was young.

After a while of disobedience they decided to take this dog to a dog training school but as would be expected from a dog that has never had any training from a puppy the dog didn’t like the training school.

The easy solution was to discontinue the training and hope for the best.
Unfortunately the best will never come from a dog that has not been trained and will not respond to any of their requests.

They were disappointed with their pet and assumed that it was because it had a poor personality.

Little did they know that having spent some time on this dog when it was a puppy would have given them a pet that they would have enjoyed a whole lot more and they would have had an obedient dog that they would have been happy to take anywhere without fear of it running away and causing trouble.

German Shepherds are intelligent dogs and this dog has been quite bored for most of it’s life as it hasn’t got any purpose in life and will not listen to any commands.After seeing the dog become somewhat depressed I started to retrain it to improve the life of both the dog and it’s owners.

Progress has been very rapid as the dog is happy it has some new challenges and loves the attention and rewards that it gets on a regular basis now.

It is a lot more sociable and is easier to manage when out in public.The owners are a lot happier and so is the dog. It just seems a shame that they didn’t persevere so much earlier in the dog’s life and they all would have enjoyed many more years of fun and entertainment.

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Dog Training For Me recommends ==>”Dog Obedience Training Secrets “