Non-Sporting Dog Breeds: The Top Ten Dogs of This Group by: Mike Mathews

Non-Sporting Group includes dog breeds that do not seem to quite fit any other group. The name is not really good group and they better named "specialized dogs" as the group includes some of the most interesting and exotic breeds. Breeds in this group have a wide variety of sizes, coats, personalities and appearances and range miniature dog breeds like the little Bichon Frize the great Chow Chow and even include the elegant Dalmatian and the popular Poodle, Bulldog and Boston Terrier. The top 10 most popular non-sporting dog breeds U.S. United according to the American Kennel Club 2005 registrations are described below and rank registration is given in brackets.

1. Poodle

The Poodles (# 8) included in this group are the norm and miniatures. The following comments apply to the Standard Poodle that the miniature is more difficult to train and not do as well with toddlers and young children. The Poodle is one of the most intelligent and most train all dog breeds. The Poodle is lively, good-natured, friendly, proud, athletic, loving, very loyal and very committed to his family. Poodles are socialized early to be very good with children, other pets and adolescents foreigners although dogs are exuberant and should be carefully supervised to prevent toddlers into three pieces. Poodles announce visitors with a boat and make good watchdogs. Poodles do not shed their hair and are often called "hypoallergenic" because they are good for allergy sufferers.

2. Bulldog

The Bulldog (# 13) is a friendly and adorable dog who loves his family. The disadvantage of race is that the life expectancy of the Bulldog is only about 8 years because of health problems. Puppies are fun and dynamic high, but grow to be calm and dignified adult dogs. The race was very good with children and generally peaceful with other pets. The Bulldogs did not need much exercise, but they need a lot of attention. Puppies should have early socialization training and obedience and they can best be trained with food motivation. Bulldogs can snore very strong and race can swallow a lot of air that can lead to flatulence and bad odors in a confined space. The Bulldogs love to eat and not well - so they must be fed separately from other pets.

3. Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier (# 17) is an adorable little dog which despite its name is not among the breeds of dog burrow. Boston are lively and affectionate pets and good companions. This race is very intelligent and loves to learn new tricks. Early socialization and obedience training this dog develop good manners. These dogs seem to do particularly well with the elderly. This breed makes good pets for older children who can appreciate their sense of humor and funny antics. Boston to learn and easy to train, even if the training is difficult May. Boston Terriers make good watch dogs without barking too. Boston Terriers are very low-shedding dogs and some people say they are good for allergy sufferers.

4. Bichon Frize

The Bichon Frize (# 26) is a small cloud-white ball of a small dog is gay, lively, playful and affectionate. This breed of dog barks very little and makes a charming companion dog is easy. The Bichon adapts well to families and children, but do not like the harsh treatment that small children to the display of pets. Bichons are easy to train obedience and make rounds even if they are like all races and toys are resistant to tampering. They are social dogs and get along well with strangers and other pets, but watch dogs. Bichons shed almost no hair and are good pets for people who suffer from allergies and some call the "hypoallergenic". The Bichon has some health problems and should probably live for at least 15 years.

5. French Bulldog

The English Bulldog (# 38) is a small, muscular and fairly active member of the bulldog breed. Frenchies are one of the most beautiful, most funny and friendly dogs of all breeds. The Frenchie is a perfect apartment dog that is clean, easy to groom and sheds very little. This Bulldog is easy to train and does not require much exercise. Frenchies like being the center of attention, but make good pets and tolerate children. These Bulldogs will do better with an old couple without children or other pets to competition for their affection. French Bulldogs can even adapt to be left alone during the day if they receive much attention before and after work.

6. APSO Lhasa

The Lhasa APSO (# 39) is a small dog with great personality that looks like a tower dog, but behaves like the Lion Dog of Tibet. Lhasa is one of the toughest and strongest of the will of all small dog breeds. The city of Lhasa is an intelligent, very self-confident and lively dog who does not like foreigners. The Lhasa can be jealous of other animals. The Lhasa is not good around small children, because he does not like to be treated roughly. The Tibetan Lhasa must have lots of early obedience training and socialization of a puppy, all that should continue until adolescence. You must take control of the dog or the rule of Lhasa will be your household as the emperor, he believes it is. Not to be too negative, Lhasa are really nice and fun, dogs who love their families and accept obedience training fairly easily.

7. Chinese Shar-Pei

The Chinese Shar-Pei (# 45) is serious, calm, dignified, calm, confident and independent medium-sized alien search dog. Shar Peiser are very clean and easy to house train but because of their strong so they are difficult to obedience train. The Shar Pei needs a lot of early socialization and training starting when a puppy. Training must be firm and reward based on the control of any aggressive tendencies and ensure household rules are followed. The Shar Pei is good with older children and does fine if raised with young children from a puppy. However, this race May not get along with other household cats and dogs. The Shar Pei does best in a fenced garden and can walk on a leash when they can not run after other animals. Shar Peiser tend to mind their own business resulted in less aggressive behavior.

8. Chow Chow

The Chow Chow (# 64) is a stubborn gap and large-sized dog that is difficult to socialize and train. The Chow, while loyal and devoted to his master, is not very affectionate and do not play games. Chows are not very good with dogs and children can be very aggressive towards strange animals. This breed needs early and much of society and obedience training while a puppy, which should continue into adulthood. Chows are not completely socialized in the first year of May to turn to be aggressive and anti-social. Chows are naturally clean and therefore quite easy to housebreak. Once you gain a Chow compliance by the constant application of rules and training, you will have a polished and well-mannered dog. Chows have a sense of well-defined territory and to demonstrate good dogs and guard dogs.

9. Shiba Innu

The Shiba Innu (# 66) is a fearless, daring, high-dynamic, intelligent, alert, loyal, charming but slightly manipulative and stubborn dog. The Shiba is very clean and quiet, but it is certainly not a lap dog. The Shiba has retained a high prey drive and must be kept on a leash or in a courtyard with a very high fence because he can climb and jump on most fences. The Shiba do not like being pursued and embraced by small children, but do fine with children aged account. Shiba are very intelligent, but somewhat mischievous and independent and can be difficult to train. The race must be well socialized and trained in obedience to limit its aggression toward other dogs. However, once the Shiba is trained and learns to trust its owner, it can become a loving and devoted companion. Shiba are conservative and the gap around strangers and make great watch dogs.

10.Dalmation

Dalmatia (# 77) is fun loving and very active medium to large dogs. The race is intelligent and needs a lot Companion and exercise. Dalmatians love of young children, but dogs are probably too exuberant for toddlers. Some lines of this race have been known to have aggressive or protective tendencies and therefore need a lot of socialization when they are puppies. Dalmatians can be trained to a high level of obedience and development and / or agility training is recommended. Young Dalmatians can be boisterous and difficult to control and the need of early socialization and obedience training. Dalmatians left alone too can become destructive and dig large holes in the yard.

Training A Dog by: David Beart

Training a dog can be enjoyable and rewarding. Whether conducted in a private setting or a classroom setting, it requires consistency, direction and firmness. In general, dogs are eager to please, but teaching them new skills takes time and energy.

It’s not necessary to have formal training to teach a dog behavioral skills. It is necessary, however, to be consistent, firm and loving, while making it fun. When dogs know what to expect from their masters, they’re much more likely to comply. Here are a few tips to make your training experience a rewarding one for both you and your pet.

First of all, it’s important to begin training as soon as you bring a dog into your home. Whether you have a puppy or an older dog, it’s important that it knows who’s in charge. As dogs are pack animals, they need to know their role in the hierarchy of the home. Once the dog can identify its master as the leader, it will be much easier to teach it necessary commands. Some dogs may always test their boundaries, but knowing they have a set role in the family gives them a measure of comfort.

Secondly, make it fun for the dog. Speaking in a soothing, encouraging voice, and lavishing praise on your pet when it follows direction helps reinforce the lesson learned. If a dog thinks sitting, staying or fetching is fun, it will be more likely to perform on command. When training a dog, it can be frustrating in the beginning if the dog doesn’t follow direction. If this happens, stop the training session. Dogs can sense stressful situations, and react accordingly. Lessons should be enjoyable for a dog. Practicing positive reinforcement goes much further than teaching a dog to fear its master. If it thinks it’s playing a game, it’s more interested in participating.

Next, be consistent. If you’re teaching a dog the “sit” command, and it’s rewarded whether it sits or not, it won’t learn the lesson. Follow through is critical during training. A dog must be able to identify consequences for its actions. If it carries out the command, it’s praised. If it doesn’t do what’s been asked, it isn’t. Sending mixed messages to the dog will make training that much more difficult.

Use the same hand signals and/or simple verbal commands for each lesson. If you’re teaching your dog to stay off the sofa, repeating the same word, such as “off,” each time is much more effective than using different words, like “down” and “go,” interchangeably. The dog needs simple, clear, consistent direction to best understand and carry out its duties.

Also, every member of the family must commit to taking part in training the dog. If one parent enforces the rules, and someone else in the home doesn’t, the dog will quickly figure out that it can get away with misbehaving, and all the work the trainer did can unravel.

Dogs can get bored with lengthy training sessions. Positive gains can be seen in just a few minutes per session. Focusing on one trick for too long can cause the dog to tune out entirely, while shorter sessions spread throughout the week can be effective and enforce lessons. As your dog learns tricks, add new ones. This way, their confidence grows when they can respond to commands they’re familiar with, but they can look forward to learning something new. They enjoy pleasing their masters, and can withdraw if they sense that they’re not doing so.

Formal obedience training is also an option, for owners who would like to reinforce lessons they’re teaching at home. Professional trainers have experience with a wide variety of different breeds and temperaments, and adjust their teaching methods accordingly. Also, group training is a great time to work on socializing your dog, or teaching it to be more comfortable around and tolerant of other dogs.

A common reason dogs are dropped off at shelters is because they’re not trained. Generally, it’s a simple matter of spending enough time with the dog, and consistently enforcing rules. Not only is it rewarding for the dog, it’s rewarding for the master as well. When a dog performs a newly-learned command for the first time, it’s cause for celebration. Not only is a well-behaved dog a joy to be around, but training a dog can create an unbreakable bond between dog and master.



About The Author

David Beart is owner of the http://www.professorshouse.com Professors House, a site dedicated to family, relationships, http://www.professorshouse.com/pets/dogs/dog-training.aspx dog training, and household issues.

8 Tips on How to Train a Dog by: Katie Brandt

Having a dog as your companion can be a true joy. However, you don’t want your beloved buddy chewing your new shoes or going to the bathroom in the house. Therefore, you need to create a dog training plan to help your new puppy or dog understand the rules of the house.

What things should you focus on in dog training when you want your dog to understand the expected behaviors and even some fun tricks? Should you take dog training classes or complete dog training all on your own? The answer to these questions is that it depends. Take a look at the following dog training options to determine what type of dog training you want to provide for your canine best friend.

Possible dog training options include: a beginning obedience class that you can take through your local human society, dog supply stores such as PETCO, community recreation departments, and local colleges. These dog training classes can vary in price, time commitment, and personal attention. They are usually affordable and meet once a week at a community park. It is a great way to not only have your dog experience basic dog training, but socialize with other dogs as well.

If you have the financial resources and time you can hire a personal dog trainer. This type of trainer may be necessary if your pooch is having a hard time in basic classes and your dog training efforts aren’t making a difference. Before you invest in a private dog trainer it is important to make an accurate assessment of your dog training methods. Often times a dog that is not following directions is the result of the poor dog training by the dog’s owner.

A private dog trainer might be necessary if you are going to show your dog at dog shows. You can hire a dog trainer/handler or you can become one yourself. If you do, you must know the proper dog training techniques. You don’t want to have Fido jump up on the judges during the competition so he must be trained thoroughly and correctly.

You can also search through dog training books, guides, and various resources. There are products that will help you complete dog training such as special collars and muzzles. You can effectively go through a dog training regime with your canine if you follow these eight dog training tips.

Tip #1: Many people start their dog on the path to dog training success by enrolling them in a basic obedience class. This is a great idea because you will learn how to teach your do basic commands such as “sit”, “stay”, and “heel”.

You can teach these dog training commands by using verbal commands and physical actions. For example, right after you say the word “sit” you gently push your dog’s bottom down onto the ground and put them in the sit position. Immediately say “good” and smile. Give them a tasty treat as well. Basically, you want to do as much as you can to reinforce the action of sitting when you say “sit”.

Tip #2: Dogs act like absorbent sponges when it comes to learning proper behavior and tricks. If you do your job properly then dog training should be a hit. Your dog is ready and eager to learn proper behavior. They want to please you. Therefore, if they aren’t following your instruction it might not be their fault. You might be giving confusing dog training instructions.

Tip #3: Dogs thrive on positive reinforcement and encouragement. Positive reinforcement such as acting excited and petting your dog when they do the right behavior help with your dog training efforts. It is a dogâ™s nature to want to be close to you and make you happy. Showing encouragement and praise will help your dog much farther, much faster in their dog training. Make sure to encourage a dog through each dog training accomplishment, no matter how big or small.

Tip #4: Food is a powerful motivator when it comes to dog training. You will be hard pressed to find a dog that passes up food or a tasty treat. Dogs are always hungry and welcome any situation where food is involved.

Tip #5: Dog training should be a gradual process with regards to skill level and learning more complex commands. Give your dog time to understand new commands. They most likely won’t learn it the first day you teach them. You will have to review the commands and proper behaviors often.

Tip #6: Have dog training sessions at various times throughout the day. Your dog needs periodic training to reinforce the proper behaviors. You dog’s attention span can wane, so make sure to keep the training sessions to five to ten minutes long.

Tip #7: When you first start dog training work in environment that is free from distractions so your dog can focus on their behavior. Once your dog understands the basic commands you can try to use the commands in a busier environment.

One thing you may find is that your dog is distracted and seems to have forgotten the commands. Don’t fret. This can happen because dogs tend to be situational learners and your dog just needs to work on the commands in the busier environment.

Tip #8: Too many treats equals an overweight dog. Dog training is a process that involves tasty treats, but too many of these treats can be a bad idea for your dog’s waistline. Use small treats and wean your dog off treats as they understand the different commands. They will then rely on your praise as the positive reinforcement for each behavior.

These eight dog training tips will set you on the road to happy, healthy, obedient pooch.

About The Author


Katie Brandt, a lifelong dog lover, owns http://www.dog-breeds-infosite.com which is the ultimate dog lover's resource. Research dog breeds & get free tips about dog care.

Aggressive Dog Behavior Training No-Nos by: Andrea Waggener

Aggressive dog behavior can not only take the fun out of having a dog, it can be dangerous too. The last thing you want to see in your beloved canine is aggressive dog behavior.

As soon as most dog owners see aggressive dog behavior, they try and do something about it, of course. Unfortunately, what these owners do is yell at their dogs or hit their dogs to try and get control of the canine aggression.

With aggressive dogs, it’s easy to make mistakes that can lead to big problems. To make sure you don’t make these mistakes, avoid these aggressive dog behavior training no-nos:

1. The first mistake people make with aggressive dogs is keeping the dogs penned up. Not exercising an aggressive dog is a big no-no!

A bored dog is far more likely to be an aggressive dog. Most dogs have a lot of pent-up energy. They’re simply designed to be active. When you don’t allow your dog to be as active as he or she wants to be, this can lead to problems.

The best way to avoid dog aggression is to work off that pent-up energy. Take your dog on daily, long walks. Play fetch with your dog. The more you interact with an aggressive dog in a playful, fun way, the less aggression you’ll see.

2. Another big aggressive dog behavior mistake is hitting the dog. Training aggressive dog techniques require touch, but not hitting! You never want to hit any dog, but certainly not an aggressive dog. Violence will simply encourage aggressive behavior.

To correct an aggressive canine, pull at the scruff of the neck or gently nudge the dog. A firm voice and a specific gesture that telegraphs your displeasure will work too.

Your goal in correcting an aggressive dog is to surprise and get across your message. You’re not trying to hurt or punish the dog.

3. Being a wimp is a big aggressive dog training no-no. Dog training aggressive behavior out of your dog requires you to be the boss! A wimp isn’t going to be affective at dog training aggressive behavior out of a dog.

Dogs need guidance. They need a leader. Dog parenting doesn’t simply mean care. It means leadership too.

To establish leadership with an aggressive dog, be sure you’re the one in control. Enter a room first unless you give your dog the okay to go ahead of you. Establish that you’re head honcho.

4. Dealing with repeated dog biting yourself is a big mistake. Aggressive dog training for dog biting requires the pros. If your dog bites, you need aggressive dog training from a professional dog trainer. Don’t try and deal with a biting dog yourself. The consequences are too dire. If the above tips don’t help control aggressive dog behavior, get some help.

Your dog deserves to be well-socialized so he or she can have a happy life. Take steps now to deal with aggressive dog behavior.


About The Author

Andrea Rains Waggener, author of Dog Parenting—How to Have an Outrageously Happy, Well-adjusted Canine, offers free basic dog training tips at http://www.basicdogtrainingtips.com.

Useful Dog Training & Grooming Tips by: Arild Myklebust

Supplies you will need before you bring your new puppy home: The first thing you’ll need is a travel crate for your dog’s trip home. You’ll also need to buy some high quality puppy food and bowls for food and water. Your vet, breeder or shelter personnel can tell you which brands of food are the best. Other items you’ll need to get in advance of the new puppy’s arrival are: an adjustable collar, a leash, toys and bedding. Don’t forget to make an appointment with your veterinarian for your puppy’s first check-up!

No food should ever be fed to a dog unless that food is put into some type of a container. The practice of putting food on newspapers or directly on a cage floor or the ground serves no purpose except to contaminate the food from the surroundings. This method also contaminates the surroundings from the food, draw flies, increase parasite transmission and soil the dog's coat. The money, time and energy a dog owner thinks he is saving by such feeding practices are completely wiped out by the loss of the dog, the time spent to clean floors and combat insects, or the effort needed to put a food-soiled coat back into show condition.

Crate Training

Crate training is a method by which your dog is taught to stay in a crate within your house for prolonged periods of time. This is an especially useful technique for dogs that would otherwise tear up the house when left alone. The best time to start crate training is when your dog is still a puppy. Leave him in the open crate for brief periods of time at first and then begin closing the door behind him.

Make sure that your puppy’s crate experience is always positive by giving him treats and rewards whenever he enters the crate. Once he is comfortable, you can leave him in the crate for increasing periods of time - give him his meals there as well.

Never use the crate as punishment. You want your dog to feel that his crate is a safe refuge, not a prison. Furthermore, the crate is a place where your dog can go to feel safe and secure while you and your family are away from home for a few hours. When you’re home, your dog should be out of his crate and socializing with his human family.

Obedience

Teaching basic obedience skills to a dog can be exciting as well as challenging. Having problems on where to begin? Start by doing your homework. A student can only be as good as his trainer, right?

The first lesson in obedience is to get your dog to pay attention to the commands. You want to start by calling his name and then using a keyword like “watch” or “look” afterwards. This way, he will associate the words to a command. Once you’ve got his attention, the lessons can begin.

You want your dog to be able to pay attention for a short length of time. Try keeping his attention by doing attention exercises. One example would be to hold a toy or dog treat in near your mouth and then give him the keyword command.

Each time he takes the time to watch, praise him. The more you do this exercise, the more time he should be able to pay attention to you. Try getting him to watch for at least a minute. Let him know that he is doing a good job by rewarding him. Dogs learn best this way.

Because dogs have such short attention spans, they get distracted pretty easily. Choose a place that is free of other distractions such as other pets, children or loud noises. Training sessions should only last approximately 30 minutes tops. Usually, if you go over this time limit, the dog will get restless and easily distracted.

If your dog isn’t learning very quickly, you may become frustrated. Don’t take that frustration out on your animal. A few things to remember before starting your obedience lessons:

1) Never cause pain to your dog (this will cause him to shy away or become aggressive to you.)

2) If he begins to become distracted, change the tone of your voice (this doesn’t mean raising it)

3) Consistency can not be stressed enough (animals are like children, if you’re not consistent, they will become confused as to what is expected)

Teaching your dog basic obedience commands will make for a more obedient and more pleasant dog to be around.

The first command to start off with would be to sit. You must use the word sit while teaching him so that he can relate the word with the action. Start by gently pushing his backside down and saying the word “sit.” Eventually he will catch on to the concept.

The second command is “down.” Dogs can become pretty hyper when they get excited. Jumping up on their owner’s lap is usually how they express their excitement. If you have a big dog or have other people over, you might not want them pouncing about. When they jump up, tell them “down.” Do not pet them or act excited to see them while they are on you. Continue to tell them “down,” and even place their legs down if you have to.

Next is the command of “stay.” This command is a good one to know especially if you have a rambunctious hyper dog. You can teach him stay, for example, by putting a treat or something desirable on the ground. As he moves toward it, tell him “Stay.” Another good idea would be to put your hand up while saying the word “stay.” When he begins to become obedient in this area, you can move further away from him. This will cause him to become more daring and he will probably take a step forward to see how much he can get away with. When he does this, continue to put your hand out and tell him “stay.” He has to know that even though you are moving away, you can still see what he’s doing and expect him to continue to obey.

After you’ve mastered the stay command, you will move on to the come command. Once your dog has learned to sit and stay, he will need a command to know when it’s ok to get up and approach you. They may be a bit confused at first, but with a change in the tone of your voice, he will soon understand. Put a little excitement in your voice when saying the word “come”. He will pick up on it. You might also want to pat your leg when you say come.

Stand is the last command to achieve. This is where your dog is allowed to get a little excited but not in a pouncing kind of way. When teaching your dog to stand, pat your hands on your chest and, once again, put a little excitement in your voice, so that he knows he’s aloud, under certain circumstances. He will begin to know the difference.

Teaching your dog basic obedience, if possible, should be taught as soon as you and your dog are ready. Remember be consistent with the commands and don’t forget to have fun!


About The Author

Arild Myklebust runs the free http://doggroomingtips.ws website. Visit now, to get more useful Dog Tips & Articles and also a Free Email Newsletter. For other topics, check out his http://freetips.ws website.

Purchasing A Dog Training Book by: Dylan Mccabe

My next door neighbor, a very cruel man, don’t realize that when he goes to do his ten hour truck driving job and leaves his black Labrador closed in a four by six cage, that his dog keeps barking all day long at things like noises, at footsteps of people inside their homes, at sirens, at birds.

He barks not because he likes it but because he is lonely, frustrated, anxious and also sometimes scared. And also sometimes he barks to protect his region, sorry to say which is made up of leftover poop, an over turned water bowl, and a toy the dog outgrew after the first week it was brought to the house- single shabby chew toy. Dog-training books- have you ever heard of it, you naïve human?

Even though, you get home amidst all of the barking, you still take your own sweet time eating before it even crosses your mind to release your alleged beloved pet. Great Pet related site http://www.pleasepetme.com. Even after retrieving your dog from the cage you go off to surf the internet for porn, sports or whatever, by leaving that poor creature all by himself in a secluded room. As an alternative you could try your hands at reading some of the EASY-to-comprehend dog-training books, so that you can train you dog to do a lot of things like sitting besides you instead of a dark room away from you.

Amazon.com or many other online book stores, that you can use to obtain your bog-training books so that you can train you dog and teach him not to bark at every living being and every change in weather. Sorry to burst your bubble but amazon is not where you will find amazons to please your desires, and powells isn’t a synonym for closet masochists. If we could then we would be talking to the dog instead, who seem to posses more sense than you even if that means getting news about every interruption or even to chew every piece of leather, but this is for your education

By reading some of the thousands of common or precise dog-training books you could probably learn why your dog keeps on barking or what will stop him from devouring the furniture- the reason you use to lock your dog outside so that he can trouble you neighbors, who work at home for a living too, instead of you. We have chosen not to have dogs and thus we don’t want to take responsibility for or even hear that poor dog. On the other hand it is time you took responsibility for your decisions. It is high time you get a number of dog-training books or even better some human-training book cause the dog doesn’t seem to be the problem, you do.


About The Author

Dylan Mccabe really enjoys the following web sites: http://www.mmdatahub.com http://www.massreleases.com

Dog Training Solutions: when Whining isn't Cute by: Martin Olliver

I have to admit it. I think it’s cute when my dog whines. Even adorable. That’s because she whines for only two reasons: 1) When she sees a dog friend she really likes and she wants to be allowed to greet them and play; and 2) when she sees a human friend she really likes and she wants to be allowed to greet them and play. This prelude to play is music to my ears, since I know it’s a short - and by all measures, sweet - song that she sings. Of course, not all dog owners have reason to feel the same.

Dogs can whine for many reasons, and dealing with this habit is almost always a matter of reading the signs right.

Pain

This cause is the least common but also the most important one to rule out first. A dog whose whining comes on suddenly and is fairly steady afterward is possibly reacting to pain. Even puppies can have severe growing pains or genetic conditions that cause great discomfort, so you should not rule out this reason for puppies.

Usually, you can palpate areas of the dog’s body, paying close attention to legs and the tail. To check for arthritis, which often develops first in the rear hips, you can try this:

1. stand over your dog with your legs on either side of they’re torso, with the head facing behind you.

2. Gently lift their hindquarters up with one arm, and then lift each leg up and out behind them with the other.

3. You should then be able to release the hand that is supporting their body, and in effect, suspend them by one extended leg at a time. A pain free dog will be able to flex this leg comfortably, even with all their back weight on it. Any hip pain, they will jerk away and you’ll hear it from them.

Check their ears (a painful ear infection will also bring lots of scratching or head shakes, and a discoloration and / or odor of the ear membrane). Check their mouth. Tooth problems can not only cause pain, but an over-dry mouth can be an indication of extreme discomfort or even fear. In all cases, if you think your dog is whining from pain, but can’t find the source, take a trip to the vet.

Fear

Fear can itself be another cause for whining. Often this behavior is short-lived and the stimulus is likely to be fairly easy to recognize. One tip is simply not to encourage the fearful behavior but emphatically comforting your dog when the fear is not warranted. In other words, if you comfort and soothe them in response to a thunderstorm, this will send the message that the thunder is in fact putting them in some danger and they SHOULD be afraid of. Instead, you should act like it’s no big deal, perhaps even distract your dog with play. Of course, if you happen to be afraid of thunderstorms as well, then you’re out of luck on this one.

Boredom or Loneliness

Two further common causes of whining are boredom and loneliness. They are treated separately simply because boredom whining is what a dog does when you’re there and loneliness whining is what they do when you’re away. The first means that you probably are not giving your dog as much exercise as they really need, even though you think it gets out as much as a dog should or as much as you can possibly let it. Enough said.

With lonely whining dogs, you’ll have to do your best to spend more quality time with them, get them more tired out when you do, and consider the possibility that you may have a full-blown case of separation anxiety on your hands. This will require extra patience and training, and there are plenty of detailed training programs available to address this.

Until then, enjoy the music.


About The Author

Martin Olliver is a proud member of the Kingdom of Pets team (http://www.kingdomofpets.com/). For more great articles on problems with whining and barking dogs, visit: http://kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/articles/whining_dog.php

3 Important Dog Training Tips by: Felix Senhouse

Dog training can be a grueling process but if done correctly, it can be very rewarding in the end. Whether you have a dog in the city, the suburbs, or the country, a trained dog is always easier to handle, especially when it comes to social situations.

1. Be fair with corrections.

Be sure that your dog comprehends what you want before you correct him for not doing it. Also, let the punishment fit the crime. A correction should not be a release of anger on your dog. Instead, a correction is a way to communicate with your dog, a way to foster in him a clear understanding of his place in your human pack. At its mildest level, a correction can be the absence of praise. Before jerking the leash, remember to ask yourself if you're being fair.

2. Be positive.

As a dog's trainer, you must have the right attitude. Praise that is well timed and appropriate is essential to your dog's learning process. If all that you ever do is say "no!" to your dog, your relationship isn't going to be a very good one. How would you like to work with a boss like that?

Praise is cheap and free - so use alot of it! Use praise when your dog attempts to get it right. Use it more when your dog is successful in his task. Use it when your dog pays attention to you, because that's the first step in the training. It's not necessary to be some gushing goof, but you should let your dog know when you're proud of him.

3. You and your dog are on the same team.

Don't think of training your dog as a you versus your dog endeavor. Instead, think about the two of you being on the same team, albeit in different positions. Just as if you were the quarterback, you call the plays. Winning is a team effort. It's just a matter of your dog learning the plays first, and you're the one to teach him.

As a team, you will need to spend time together. Bring him into your life. Let him sleep in a crate in your bedroom, practice his "sits" in the kitchen. The more opportunities for interaction and practice you have, the faster and more reliably your dog will perform.


About The Author

Felix Senhouse is a contributor for http://www.familydogcare.com.

Family Dog Care is your complete resource for dog related news and information, covering topics that range from dog training to dog nutrition.

Labrador Dog Training- Dog Training Tools by: Richard Cussons

If you wish to have a nicely trained Labrador Retriever, you have to train him of course. Dogs don't become nicely trained on their own. That is why as a dog owner, your dog's training is your responsibility. Some dog owners think that training a dog can be a frustrating task. Fortunately, there are lots of effective approach as well as helpful tools to make the training process easy and increase the chances of successful result.

Leash

The leash is widely used by most trainers and dog owners in teaching dog commands like sit, down, come and heel. A leash must be strong enough to withstand your dog pulling on it. Types of leash vary depending on its materials, lengths and styles. In choosing the type of leash for your dog, keep in mind his size, personality and strength.

Clicker

Clicker training has recently become popular in dog training. Clicker is a tiny plastic box with a metal button, which when pressed makes a click sound. The click sound is used to catch the attention of your dog and indicate that what he did is correct.

Collars

Usually used with leash, a collar is a piece of material placed around the neck of the dog. It could be made of nylon, metal, cotton or leather often used for control, identification and other purposes. It is important to place your dog's collar perfectly, not too loose nor too tight. A collar is perfectly placed when you could place your four fingers between the dog's neck and his collar. Collars come in various types- choke, pronged and electronic collars to name a few. Choose which type of collar is needed by your dog.

Treat

Giving of treat is an example of positive reinforcement. A treat is a reward you give to your dog after performing the command correctly.

Muzzle

Muzzle is important when your dog has biting problem or if you like to teach your dog to bark only when needed. A muzzle is a device placed over your dog's snout to prevent unwanted biting or unwanted barking. It should be made of strong material to ensure that it does not come off easily.

Harness

Choose a no-pull harness for it stops the pulling. A no-pull harness restricts the movement of the dog's body when the dog pulls on the leash.

There are many other tools that could help make dog training easy for you and your dog. It helps a lot to consult your vet or dog trainer for suggestions.

Dog Training: "Hot Tips for the Bedroom" by: Martin Olliver

“Honey, you know I don’t like it when you lick my ears.”
“Umm… It wasn’t me. Wait, where’s the dog?”

Studies show that about half of the people who own dogs allow them on the bed. Most dog owners I know account for the half that do. If you are one of them, here’s a few things to keep in mind.

* You should not let puppies or untrained dogs ON the bed, let alone sleeping on it. Their early training is the time when you establish your dominance and their boundaries. Only adult dogs should earn this privilege.

* Also puppies run the risk of house training accidents. Beds are difficult to clean, and the fact that they can preserve the scent means that your dog will want to be a repeat offender.

* Above all, puppies are small. Letting them sleep in the bed is extremely unsafe.

* For dominant and Alpha dogs, avoid letting them sleep in your “spot” (with you in it or not). This suggests to them that they are in direct competition with you as pack leader.

* Don’t ever let your dog on your bed without inviting them first. This is often communicated more with body language, such as a quick succession of pats on the area of the bed you’re asking them to go to.

* Have a command for them to get off the bed too (if they are being restless and disruptive this can save a good night’s sleep, and it beats shoving them off). If your dog ignores you when you ask them to get “Off,” you’ve got a bit of obedience work to do. If your dog growls at you at all, even when you attempt to adjust their position, then you’ve got some work to do (NOTE: don’t confuse a tired moan with a growl. It can sound similar, but a moan will occur without any aggressive posturing, for example, their mouth will be shut and lips not curled, and they won’t be making eye contact - their eyes might even be closed!)

* Don’t ever let your dog wedge itself in between you and your partner. This can be an expression of both jealously and attempted dominance, and can escalate into more severe behaviors. They need to know that they rank lower than both of you in the pack hierarchy.

* It’s best to allow your dog to sleep at the bottom end of the bed, and above the blankets.

* Some dogs like to burrow under the blankets, which is a risk not only because they can get squished, especially if they’re smaller than you, but they can also potentially suffocate under there. If you allow this, adjust the blankets after they settle in to be sure that they can easily stick their head out. Because they generate a lot of heat too, these burrowers will likely move when they get too warm anyway.

So take some care and avoid reinforcing unwanted dog behaviors. If you do, your dog will always be good in bed - so to speak.

Working Dog Breeds: The Top Ten Dogs Of This Group by: Mike Mathews

The Working Dog group includes most of the guard dog breeds such as the Rottweiler and Doberman Pinscher as well as the northern sled dogs such as the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky. Most of these dogs need lots of exercise and a fair amount of living space. Many of these dogs have thick double coats and can be heavy shedders. The heavy shedding breeds include the: Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, Samoyed and Siberian Husky. The top 10 most popular Working Dog breeds in the US according to the American Kennel Club 2005 registrations are discussed below and their registration rank is included in brackets.

1. Boxer

The Boxer (#7) is a large, strong and muscular dog that is energetic, good-natured and playful. Boxers are very popular because they love children and are a good dog breed for active families with children. Toddlers and young children should be supervised carefully when around young or adolescent dogs that will knock them over when they get excited. This breed needs early socialization and obedience training while they are puppies and exercise while adolescents to control their exuberance. Boxers are alert, intelligent and eager to please and can be trained to a high level for agility sports and obedience competitions. Boxers make good watchdogs and can even be trained to be guard dogs.

2. Rottweiler

The Rottweiler (#16) is a very heavy, muscular and large dog breed. A well-bred Rottweiler is calm, intelligent, confident and courageous but can be aggressive toward strangers and strange dogs. Therefore it is important that this breed be thoroughly socialized and obedience trained starting when it is a puppy and continuing through adolescence. The Rottie needs exercise and mental stimulation and makes a good obedience, agility and schutzhund competitor. Rottweilers are not suited for indoor life and enjoy being outside. A well trained Rottie does fine with older children but this breed should be restricted to people who have the time to thoroughly socialize, obedience train, and keep this dog active.

3. Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher (#21) is a strong, muscular and athletic large dog. Dobermans are usually protective but also are sweet and docile family dogs. This intelligent breed needs early socialization and obedience training when it is a puppy and this should be continued through adolescence. Dobermans do fine with older children if they are raised with them. Male Dobes can be very aggressive with other male dogs and shouldn't be trusted with small pets and strange children. Dobermans need lots of exercise and companionship and shouldn't be left alone for long periods of time. This breed should spend a significant amount of time at a dog training school. Dobermans make good guard dogs and good watchdogs.

4. Great Dane

The Great Dane (#24) is a very large and strong dog and is known as the gentle giant of dog breeds. The Dane is gentle, quiet, loyal and affectionate towards its family. This breed would rather lean against you for a pat, than be aggressive towards anyone. The Dane is great with family children but small children must be supervised carefully to avoid knockdown. The Dane is so large that it must be socialized and trained to behave very cautiously around children and pets. Because the Dane is so large early obedience training is essential to prevent it from exerting dominance. Young Danes, up to three years old, can be boisterous and need strict supervision. Danes make excellent watchdogs.

5. Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky (#25) is a very handsome medium to large dog breed that is playful, friendly, athletic and independent. Siberians get along well with older children but are not recommended for toddlers and small children unless raised with them from a puppy. Too many people are attracted to this handsome dog without realizing this is a working sled dog that needs a lot of physical activity. Siberians belong outside in an escape-proof large yard but get bored and destructive if they have too little exercise. Training is quite challenging and must be started when the Sibes are puppies and continued through to adulthood. Siberians don't bark much (although they howl from time to time) and are too friendly to make good watchdogs.

6. Mastiff

The Mastiff (#33) is a gentle giant dog and one of the heaviest dog breeds. This gentle giant is a great family dog that is calm, dignified, good-natured and very fond of children. Because of its giant size, toddlers are in danger of knock-down, and should always be supervised carefully. Mastiffs need a house with a large fenced yard. This breed needs lots of companionship and should have early and on-going socialization and obedience training so that you can control the Mastiff with only voice commands. This breed is naturally protective of its home and family and must be socialized early and often with other dogs to prevent it from becoming combative. Mastiffs make good watch dogs and guard dogs.

7. Saint Bernard

The massive Saint Bernard (#37) is the most famous of all giant dog breeds and one of the best known of all dog breeds. The Saint is an intelligent, courageous, obedient and good natured dog breed. The breed is very good with children and also other pets but because of their very large size, young children and toddlers should be supervised carefully to avoid any accidents. The Saint is relatively easy to train but must be thoroughly socialized and trained while it is young and hasn't grown too large to handle. The Saint Bernard makes a good watchdog even though it doesn't bark much and is fairly tolerant of strangers.

8. Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff (#42) is a very large dog that is a cross between the Bulldog and the Mastiff dog breeds. The Bullmastiff is loveable and trustworthy but also fearless and afraid of nothing. Normally this breed is mild mannered and docile but once aroused can be aggressive with other male dogs and strangers. Bullmastiffs make great family pets for families with older children but young puppies or adolescents are too exuberant to be around toddlers or small children. Bullmastiff puppies must have early socialization and obedience training that is reinforced through adulthood. This dog breed is too large to allow it to have any unruly behavior and at any sign of aggression get professional training assistance. Bullmastiffs make fantastic watch dogs and great natural guard dogs but should never receive additional guard dog training.

9. Newfoundland

The Newfoundland (#46) or Newf is one of the giant dog breeds whose teddy bear appearance gives an indication of what a wonderful family dog it is. The Newfoundland has a wonderfully sweet and gentle disposition that is reflected in his kind expression. This intelligent, gentle and good-natured giant dog is great with children and makes a terrific family dog. Toddlers should be supervised carefully as one slurp from his big tongue could knock a little one over. Newfs and all giant breeds should be socialized and obedience trained early while puppies and through adolescence. Newfs need lots of companionship and need to be involved in family activities.

10. Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog (#47) is a very handsome large dog which is outgoing, intelligent and affectionate and makes a terrific family pet. Berners love children but should be supervised with young children because they are large and can knock the toddlers over. Berners should be socialized early with small children and animals when they are puppies. Bernese are intelligent and very trainable and make good dogs for competitive obedience trials. These mountain dogs like to be outside and thrive in cold weather. Berners are fairly tolerant with strangers but still make excellent watch dogs and guard dogs.

Therapy Dog Training - Working With Your Dog by: Dean Iggo

Therapy dog training, while important, is something with which many people are not familiar. A therapy dog is one that is used to do animal assisted therapy and activities. Organizations train the dog to help people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and virtually anywhere people need some sort of therapy. So, then, how do dogs become therapy dogs? It is a fairly simple process.

A Good Citizen

Though the requirements for therapy dog training vary from state to state, it is almost universal that the dog must be certified as a canine good citizen. In order to receive that, you have to train your dog to be focused and well behaved around distractions. Generally your local animal shelter or even a therapy dog training center will have classes available for you to learn how to turn your dog into a canine good citizen.

Classes for Therapy

Therapy dog training can start as soon as your dog has been certified as a canine good citizen. The training consists mainly of teaching your dog how to ignore things like hospital equipment and school noises that he or she may not be used to being around. They also train the dog to help with simple activities and therapy with those who need it. However, in many cases, the therapy is really just the presence of the dog. Those using the services of dogs trained in how to perform the therapy can be anything from walking them, to reading to them, to simply being around them.

Where to Go

If you are interested in therapy dog training for your four legged pal, then you should check out the internet or your local yellow pages. Whether you live in Virginia, California, or anywhere else, there is an organization in your area that will help you not only teach your dog how to become a therapy dog, but also get him out in the community and doing his part. Additionally, you can volunteer to help with everything from training to the therapy itself. Just get in contact with your local organization.

Therapy dog training can be incredibly rewarding. When you teach your dog how to react to the situations with which he will be presented, you are putting him in a situation to be more than just a pet. You and your dog together can be real additions to the community and help your fellow man.

Dog Training Tips - From Doggone Naughty To Good Dog by: Rodney Waitts

Everyone has some dog training tips when your dog is "naughty." But few actually give you good advice.

Let's face it, your dog wasn't born knowing how to behave. Different breeds are bred for certain tasks, be it hunting, herding, guarding, killing or chasing. Therefore careful selection of your dog is the first step towards an enjoyable life with your dog.

After that there's work to do, dog house training often being the first task. And if you don't get your dog as a pup you may be buying some behavior problems with it. Excessive barking, jumping up, biting, whining, not listening? You usually can do something about it.

Just as with raising children it pays to know a bit about how to do this, and why. Getting someone in for some basic dog training can set you back anything between $300 and $2,000.

But there ain't no free dog training like your own. After all if you and your dog want to enjoy life together why not work on this together right from the word go.

Oops! Did I say "go". "Sit", and read on...

Yes, dog training is a two-way street. Your dog has to take its cues from you as to what's "good" or "bad". If you are confused or inconsistent you'll both pay for that. So, owner training is important too.

Here are some commensense dog training tips:

* Did you realise it's natural for your dog to obey your command in one setting and not necessarily in another?

* Did you realise that pups are often allowed, even encouraged to jump up, chase and bite trouser cuffs because it's so much fun and later this same behavior is not wanted?

* Use the same command words for the desired behavior every time! You may may believe your dog is an Einstein but even he believed in elegant simplicity.

* Stop your dog from jumping up by putting your open hand in front of its face every time or use your knee if a bigger dog. Then say "sit" and physically sit it down if it does not obey.

* And, of course tire out your dog with exercise. She will reward you with better behavior.

A simple and consistent approach can prevent future problems. It's not rocket science but you do need to know what you're doing. Options are joining dog training classes, getting a dog trainer to come to you, or read dog training books if you don't already know how to train your dog. And, let's face it, you would not be reading these tips if you're confident that you do.

Yes, some dogs drive you crazy but never forget that the reverse can be true too. Among the best of dog training tips is always the advice that dog training is not just for the dog!

6 Dog Training Tips For A Well Trained, Well Behaved Pet by: Shannon Lueck

Dogs are considered man's best friend. Throughout the ages and of all animals, dogs have been man's companion. More than companions, dogs serve a variety of functions. There are working dogs (e.g., police dogs) and dogs that are used as guides for the disabled. Farmers and livestock owners use dogs for herding, and some home owners get dogs specifically to guard their property.

Whatever the primary purpose of a particular breed of dog is, it's important that it receive proper training. Many dog training professionals will attest to the importance of having a well-trained dog. You don't have to be a professional dog trainer to train your dog. You can do simple activities to teach your pet how to behave.

Dog training tip #1: Curbing your dog's digging behavior

As a dog owner, you need to understand that dogs are social animals. When they are lonely or alone, dogs resort to digging. Loneliness isn't the only reason dogs dig, though. In some instances, dogs that dig are experiencing some sort of nutrient deficiency. To make up for this condition, dogs oftentimes would eat the dirt they dig. If your dog tends to dig a lot, spend more time with him. It also pays to have your dog checked up to make sure that his health is in good condition.

Dog training tip #2: Potty training your dog

A reward-based method works best when potty training your dog. To use this method, give your dog a treat after it potties in the right place. Following up good behavior with a reward will make it easier for your dog to remember doing good behavior.

Dog training tip #3: Repetition is key

Whenever you are trying to teach your dog something -- whether it's a trick or making your dog obey a command -- repetition is important. Repetition and consistency are keys that will help your dog understand a command. To test if your dog knows a command after so many repetitions, test him without any assistance. Do this at least three consecutive times to make sure that your dog's grasp of a command is not simply a fluke.

Dog training tip #4: Communicating with your dog

When training your dog to follow a certain command or do a certain thing, it's vital that you not just issue the command out. It's also important that you direct your dog how to perform a command or drill as well as correct your dog if he doesn't follow the command properly. Be consistent when you are issuing out commands and trying to teach your dog to develop certain behaviors. For instance, if you are trying to teach your dog not to chew on slippers or shoes, do not praise him one day when you see him chewing on a slipper.

Dog training tip #5: Proper timing in training your dog

It's always best -- and professional dog trainers will recommend this -- to train your dog when it is still a puppy. When it comes to training dogs, it is indeed true that old dogs can't learn new tricks. So start training your dog early.

Dog training tip #6: Let your dog know you're the boss

Dogs are pack animals, which means they follow a hierarchy. Thus, when training your dog, it's important that you establish yourself as the alpha dog (the leader). Your dog needs to understand that he is the submissive being. Avoid showing any fear when your dog snaps back. Doing so will break the established hierarchy you have with your dog. When your dog is doing his exercises, never allow your dog to stop mid-way or not complete the exercise. Firmly let your dog know that it should do what you, the alpha dog, wants him to do.

Dog training tip #6: Act around your dog

Your puppy will naturally want to chew on things so give your puppy an outlet for his chewing urges. You can give your puppy a chew bone to chew. If your puppy tries to chew on you, yelp loudly, fold your arms and ignore your puppy for about ten minutes. When a puppy becomes too rough on other puppies, the others yelp and tend to ignore the puppy. However, you may need to assess your puppy's personality because he may react to the yelping by biting more and even harder. If this happens, you may need to apply a more aggressive approach.

Dog Training Tips by: Andrei Smith

One of the reasons for doing an obedience dog training is to establish a foundation between you and your dog. Many dog owners believe that dog training is only for those who wish to compete in obedience trials, but they are wrong.

Dog training requires only a simple persistence to be successful and can be useful to help fulfill some of your dog's basic and social interaction needs. Here are some dog training tips to guide you along the way.

1. Firm and Friendly

When you give commands such as come, you want to use a happy and friendly voice. While on the other hand, you'll want a lower firmer voice for sit, down, and stay commands.

2. Praise & Reward

Always praise your dog or offer him when he learned new commands.

3. Be Patient

Patience is the key when you are training your dog. Focus on a single command a session and end it on a positive note. Dog's are incredibly smart and will pick up all your commands. After each session, spend some time playing. He will associate the time with you as positive and anticipate his training again.

4. Use the correct dog training equipments

If you have a well-behaved dog, a lead and a buckle will do on your obedience training. However, if your dog is uncontrollable with undesirable and distracting behaviors, you should use a training collar. You don't have to worry about the size as most electronic training collar now clearly indicate what size of dog the training collar is intended for.

5. No Distractions

Try to pick a quiet area when training your dog to do tricks or commands. A secluded back yard works best if you want to train your dog for basic obedience commands only.

6. Reprimand

Do not hit your dog! Any time your dog has undesirable behavior, be firm and friendly. Remember, dogs are man's best friend.

7. Be Positive

It is necessary to use positive reinforcement when training your dog by offering some dog treats and a lot of praise if he performs correctly and learn new commands.

8. Play with your dog

Dogs which are trained are a pleasure to take for a walk and a pleasure to own.

So You Want A Career In Dog Training by: James Lee

If you have an affinity for dogs and are able to work with folks with dogs, a career in dog training can be a wonderful, fulfilling and tremendously rewarding profession for you.

General skills such as good communications and social relations are important in a professional career in dog training as most of your time will be spent educating owners how to train their dogs.

To be a successful dog trainer, you must be "competent." If your dog training experience and skills are picked up from books, then you will encounter problems correcting and solving dog behavior problems. Not only will your clients be complaining and unsatisfied with your service, your will find it hard trying to rebuild your reputation within the neighborhood where you base your dog training business.

However, if you are truly passionately and committed to carve out career in dog training, then you will need to become a capable, knowledgeable and proficient dog trainer who understands different canine behavior and how to train to breed with the right techniques.

A career in dog training can begin in two ways:

PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINING SCHOOLS

Professional dog training schools are a good way to begin as they provide courses necessary to coach the students in the shortest amount of time the skills needed to become a professional dog trainer.

You will need to check with your local pet stores or veterinary hospitals for reference and recommendations.

A credible training course fees can start from $3,000 all the way up to $18,000 for more advanced training programs.

APPRENTICESHIP

However if you have a budget, you can chose to start out as an apprentice by volunteering with the local dog shelters, rescue groups or guide dogs training centers.

Your training experience will be dictated by the center where you volunteered. In some centers, your apprenticeship training will be subjected to the variety of dogs coming in. In others, you might be given a dog to guide and train with till it pass out as a certified guide or service dog.

The only drawback for apprenticeship programs is that you must prepare to labor long hours, performing routine tasks before you will get an opportunity to work with dogs.

Be ready to spend a minimum average of 3 years with the apprenticeship center before you will qualify as a professional dog trainer or instructor.

Word of Advice:

Avoid any mail or internet courses that claim that you can become a skilled dog trainer.

While inexpensive, these correspondence courses at most can only offer you basic information on a career in dog training and elementary levels of dog trainer skills. Just imagine who would be there to supervise or correct you when you make a mistake.

TRAINING PROGRAMS:

There are many dog training programs and the basic subjects cover solving basic dog behavioral problems and obedience training.

Aside from the basics, to become a qualified and professional trainer, you will also need to learn:

- the history and background of every dog breed,
- how to communicate effectively with different breeds,
- how to solve complex behavioral problems such as phobias and aggression,
- basic to advanced dog tricks and commands,
- how to prepare and train dogs for different competitions, as well as,
- proper dog hygiene, nutrition and grooming so that you can counsel and present training advice to your clients to bring up healthy, well groomed and well behaved dogs.

COMPENASTION OF A PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINER

You can begin your professional career in dog training handling dogs full or part time. An average working week of a dog trainer is about 30 - 35 hours and that can include evenings, weekends and holidays. As a start, you can look forward to earn $50 per lesson and gradually to $200 per session once you become more experienced. Most full time dog trainers can earn between $30,000 to $100,000 annually.

To get ahead financially as a dog trainer, you will have to start establishing a client base who will recommend your service to their friends. Start with your local vets, groomers, pet sitters and pet stores by asking them to refer clients to you. Most of the successful dog trainers build on their business from referrals of satisfied customers.

Therefore, a career in dog training can be the most fun, enriching and satisfying profession if you truly cherish dogs and adore helping folks.

Dog Training With R & R Works! by: John Dow

Dog behavior training is both an art and a science. Some experts say that a dog can have up to an 800-word vocabulary. I’m not so convinced of the number of words but I can verify that many of my dogs showed an uncanny ability to figure out exactly what I was trying to communicate.

One of the best dog training tips I ever got was from a neighbor when I got my first puppy. I was about 9 years old and this was the best present my parents had ever given me. My neighbor was an old hand at training dogs and had living proof in his own dog.

The first thing I did when I got Skipper (not sure why I picked that name, it just sounded right) was to rush over and show my neighbor. His name was hard to pronounce so every one in the neighborhood just called him Mr. D. So Mr. D was kind enough to run through some dog training basics and taught me a lot about how to take care of my new puppy.

Mr. D’s dog was a Jack Terrier called Willie. Willie could do any trick and would respond to almost any request. Willie pretty much had the run of the neighborhood and was known by all. In those days people just let their dog out since there were no leash laws and no one complained. My Mom often gave Willie any leftovers or a soup bones when he would stop by for a visit.

So when I showed up with Skipper, Willie was as excited as I was to have a new playmate. Skipper was a Springer Spaniel that we had rescued from the city dog pound. Skipper was probably about 6 months old but we never knew for sure since the dog pound didn’t know when he was born.

The first order of business was your basic dog house training. I got off pretty easy on this phase since Skipper seemed to prefer going outside to do his bathroom chores. From day one Skipper would go to the door and want to be let out when he needed to go.

Mr. D explained that the two most important things about any kind of dog training were rewards and repetition. The reward could be as simple as praise or a pat on the head. And that I should spend at least 30 minutes a day working with Skipper on anything I wanted to teach him to do.

So each day I would spend 30 minutes teaching Skipper how to stay, sit, fetch, and come when I called. Willie would come over and help too. I don’t know if they actually communicated but having another dog around that already knew all these tricks had to be beneficial.

Skipper also showed a high aptitude for retrieving. Of course I didn’t know at the time that he was a natural born retriever and took credit for being a great and skilled dog trainer. Once I got the basics down I worked on teaching Skipper how to heel, play dead, and not to jump on people.

Skipper started learning on his own too. When I was at school or somewhere that Skipper couldn’t go, my mother would be his next choice in companion. In those days we had what was called a Bookmobile that was a bus from the local library that would come to the neighborhood twice a week.

Skipper figured out that when the Bookmobile came he got to go for a walk with my mother. So like clockwork, Skipper would come to get my mother when it was about 2:00 pm on Tuesday and Friday. Skipper loved to go since he got to sit at the door and welcome every one that showed up each day.

Skipper also knew when it was Saturday. Saturday was grocery-shopping day and when my mother went to the store she always asked the meat department for some bones. Skipper knew that he would get his favorite snack on Saturday afternoons when my mother came back from the store.

For the next 14 years Skipper was my constant companion and escort. Skipper was an exceptional dog in disposition, learning ability, and affection. I also had a big advantage having a helpful neighbor and watching him and his dog. Mr. D and Willie were both a huge help and positive influence.

Dog training does require some dedicated effort but the rewards are more than worth the investment. My current dog, Tuxcitto, is a 24/7 project since he is a Border Collie and full of vim and vigor. But Tuxcitto is a lot like Skipper in that he is a fast learner and extremely affectionate companion.

Dog Training Collar Basics by: Simon Oldmann

Dog training collars can be really helpful for many dog owners. There are various different styles to choose from and they are all there to help you to control your dog.

The Main Features of a Dog Training Collar

As mentioned, each different dog-training collar is different from the next. There are some that are designed to fit around the dog’s noses, which control the direction of the dog. They are generally attached to the lead and every time the dog is pulling or you need to reprimand the dog for something, a quick, sharp yet gentle tug on the lead will turn your dogs head towards you, shocking them into doing what you want them to do. An example of this includes:

• The Canny Collar – A really good collar that has a ‘pressure and release’ system. It comes in seven different sizes so it will fit all breeds of dog snugly.

Others are less humane and a lot of critics say they are cruel. These include electric shock collars. Electric shock collars do exactly as they are called - they give the dog an electric shock whenever they do something wrong. Obviously this is really cruel and as safe as most companies say they are, they should never be used over other types of dog training collars. Unfortunately, there are a lot of collars like these on the market including:

• Petsafe Yard and Park Trainer – The collar comes with a handheld device for the owner. When your dog is wearing the collar, all you have to do is push the button on the handheld device and it will send a shock to your dog up to 400 yards away.

Again, electronic collars really should not be used at all and they can be extremely cruel!

There are also collars that are fitted with devices that aim to stop them barking. These include the:

• Static anti-bark collar – This collar has a built in on/off system that you can control. It also has a built in system which detects the vibrations within the dogs bark and it can determine whether the dog is barking or whether it has suffered a knock or a scratch.

The Cost and the Techniques Involved

If you choose a collar that is similar to the Canny Collar, you can expect to pay up to $30. However, for the electronic collars you can end up paying around $280! It all depends upon the size of your dog, what you want the collar for and how far you want the device to be able to reach.

The best way to use a collar is only when the dog is doing something you do not want them to do. They shouldn’t be used too frequently, as, although the shock may be unpleasant for them, they tend to get used to it and so will ignore what you want them to do. Also, always be quick to reward the dog when they have done something correctly. As long as you are gentle yet firm, the dog should learn quite quickly what is expected of them.

There are some books out there that can help you find the right techniques to help you use the dog training collars more effectively. So it is worth checking out your local library or even picking one up online.

Overall, dog-training collars can be really effective if used properly. You just have to do your research first!

A Look At Bird Dog Training by: Morgan Hamilton

When choosing a dog, people base their choice on many different factors. As there are so many breeds of dogs to choose from, hunters for example base their choice on the type of hunting they want to do with the dog. However, no matter what hunting breed you choose there is one thing that is essential. It’s called bird dog training and apart from being very enjoyable it is crucial for a hunting dog. The most important thing about such training is that it must start quite a long time before planning the first real hunting trip.

It is very well known that all bird hunting breeds do have their natural inborn instincts, which make them so good for that type of hunting, but we still need the bird dog training in order to learn how to control those instincts. And make hunting much more enjoyable both for us and for the dog. It is an unpleasant emotion when hunting to yell at a dog that never listens. That’s why the main purpose of a good bird dog training program is to learn to communicate with your dog. Once you have the program all you need is consistency, as it takes many weeks, even months to learn that lesson.

The hunting dog breeds have a kind of inborn need to please their owner. It’s like a second nature. Usually hunting breeds are quick learners and are very eager to go hunting – naturally they’ve been bred to do that. But those dogs do need their trainer to be very consistent in the way he trains them. That training teaches the dogs to follow the hunter’s commands, and when at the end that dog knows exactly what the hunter wants it to do it will insure a plentiful and successful experience hunt after a hunt.

The training for bird hunting dogs is not only limited to the upland game hunting, it also applies for dogs hunting water fowls. The training for water dogs emphasizes a lot more on the dog’s ability to stay and mark the spot where the fowl lands, however the main goal of the training is still to learn how to communicate, because only the faultless communication between the hunter and his dog can deliver maximum pleasure from a hunting experience.

Although it has to be very consistent, it does not have to take up lots of time. Researches show that if 5 to 10 minutes are spent with the dog each day, especially at feeding time in order to practice a certain technique, the dog will learn. Actually any minute you spent with the dog can be used as such training. A retrieving game for example, not only provides good exercise for the dog, but also teaches making and staying, as well as retrieving to the hands of the owner. Even if the bird dog training doesn’t deliver dog show quality training, it will at least save you the unpleasant experience of yelling at the dog every time you need him to do something, while you are supposed to be having great time hunting.

Positive Dog Training for Newbies by: Rodrigo Trigosso

Positive dog training was developed under the principles of Skinner's operant conditioning. While it's not a new technique, it didn't get enough popularity until the nineties.

Former students of Skinner, psychologists Keller and Marian Breland, pioneered commercial applications of operant conditioning when they created Animal Behavior Enterprises (ABE) on 1942. ABE was the first company that offered positive training services.

The huge popularity of traditional training prevented ABE to succeed in dog training. So, the Breland's company was forced to look for new niches and ABE got focused on training animals for TV shows and commercials. Keller and Marian also pioneered dolphin training for aquaria and US navy.

Positive reinforcement is the main teaching way of these techniques. Positive reinforcement is not the same as reward, though this is a common misconception.

Positive reinforcement is the process that strengthens a behavior because a pleasant situation occurs as a consequence of that particular behavior. For instance, if you give a food treat to your dog when he lies down, he will tend to lie down more frequently to get that delicious treat. Thus, your dog will be learning to lie down through positive reinforcement.

On the other hand, if your dog lies down and you reward him after 10 seconds, he may not associate the action of lying down with the reward. He may think you gave him the treat because he was looking up, or moving his ears. So, you rewarded your dog but you didn't reinforce the desired behavior.

Some people think that positive trainers never teach to the dog that a particular behavior is unacceptable. This is a common and big misinterpretation. Practitioners of positive training do teach this to dogs, but they don't use punishment or negative reinforcement for that.

Clicker training is the most popular of these techniques in many countries. It is the same technique used by Keller and Marian Breland, and was popularized by the biologist and dolphin trainer Karen Pryor.

The main difference between clicker training and other positive techniques is the use of a clicker in the former. A clicker is just a small device that emits a click-click sound when squeezed. It is used to mark the exact moment in which the dog performed a desired behavior.

The absolute absence of negative reinforcement, punishment and training collars (choke, prong or shock) make of positive dog training a very friendly technique to both dogs and owners. This could be the main advantage of this kind of training.

Other advantages are that positive dog training is easy to understand and fun to carry out. Besides, these techniques are not only focused on obedience exercises. Instead, they are widely used to solve behavioral problems.

Detractors of these techniques claim that dogs trained in a positive way won't be able to respond properly unless they can see (or scent) a food treat. These people also claim that positive trained behaviors are not reliable under variable circumstances.

Although very common, those claims are not true. The efficacy of positive training is demonstrated each day by hundreds of service dogs for disabled people, police dogs, competition dogs and performing dogs.

Askedweb.com. About The Dog Training by: Jason Homan

Dogs are an integral part of our lives. They have the capacity to provide us with companionship and a devotion that is difficult to match in any other animal. And in return they ask for little: a good meal, exercise, a warm place to sleep and above all attention from its owner.

Today I've been trying to say out more about the dog training. Many dog owners, knowingly or unknowingly, use the psychological principles of operant conditioning to train their dogs. Operant conditioning is an analytical response to a given situation. If a dog owner reinforces behavior, it will persist.

Giving a dog a treat for sitting, lying down or staying is reinforcing positive behavior. The dog knows that if he obeys his owner's command, he'll receive a treat. His behavior is analytical: predictable, planned and deliberate. "If I sit, I'll get a treat." Any behavior, reinforced in any way, is bound to continue. The key is to be aware: reinforce positive behaviors and eliminate the negative ones.

Dog basic training experts agree that several basic points should be kept in mind when introducing Rover to the ways of your household. These tips will help both you and your new dog avoid misunderstandings:

1. Keep training sessions short (no more than 15 minutes). As soon as the dog appears to lose interest, stop.

2. Start training as soon as your new dog arrives home. Don't let him get settled into bad habits.

3. Invest in a decent training book. You'll refer to it often.

4. Correct poor behavior and praise good behavior immediately. Small treats are effective in reinforcing your training message. 5. Be prepared with the proper equipment and treats.

If you wish to involve your children in the training of a new pet, be sure to supervise carefully. Watch for consistency and for mixed messages.

A dog may feel confused if too many people participate in his training. One adult should be in charge of initial training, while other family members enforce the rules you've established for your dog. If children are unable to follow the rules you set down, you should put off letting them walk the dog on their own until your dog is fully trained and obedient.

Teaching your dog to obey you isn't as difficult as many people think. A combination of verbal commands, hand signals, and rewards is usually the most effective way to communicate with your dog. Once you've opened the doors to communication, you'll find that training Rex or Lady is much easier.

Before you try teaching your dog a command, look over the following guidelines for your own behavior:

1. Be consistent. Don't tell your dog to "sit" and follow through only occasionally. It's not okay for your dog to listen to you only some of the time. A well-behaved dog obeys commands consistently. 2. Speak in a confident tone. Don't ask, "Heel?" You're in charge. Tell him what to do. 3. Initially, feel free to reward with food and praise. Dole out treats less frequently after your dog knows the command. 4. Use the leash as an aid to help you maintain your position as leader.

5. Avoid confusion by saying one thing ("No!"), but communicating the opposite meaning (patting your dog's head).

6. End all training sessions on a good note. Finish with a command your dog knows, and praise him liberally when he obeys.

Dog training may require some effort on your part but in the end it will definitely be worth it. You will have a pet that you will be proud to own.

Alternatives to a Dog Training PA Service by: Dean Iggo

In Pennsylvania, which is a large state with lots of rural land, it can be difficult to find a good obedience school where you can get your furry companion cared for and trained the way you want. Instead of driving hours to have strangers teach your dog, perhaps you should consider being your own dog training service PA. By following a few simple tips, you can be on your way to getting your dog obedience trained from the comfort of your own home.

Being the Alpha Dog

If the dog you are looking to train is a puppy, the first thing you need to do is establish yourself as the alpha dog in the pack. Once the puppy knows that you are the leader, the obedience training becomes much easier than it was before. This, in fact, is a great reason not to drop your little one off at a dog training PA school where they will be the alpha dogs, not you.

If you have a grown dog, teaching him or her that you are the leader is still imperative, though it may not be as easy. At least early on, make sure you are the one feeding and caring for the dogs. Once they see that you are providing for the pack, you will quickly become the alpha dog and the training gets easier right away.

Nothing is Free

A concept taught in most dog training PA services is the idea that nothing is free. You can use this same idea in your home as you teach your dog obedience. Reward with treats, but never give them for just any reason. When you allow the dog to understand that treats, and nothing else for that matter, are not free then he will always be looking to please you. This method is as close to universal as anything in dog obedience training.

Be Consistent

If you are going to be your own dog training PA facility, then you need to adhere to the consistency such places will give your canine companion. Be sure that you do your activities at similar times each day. In addition, do not accept behaviors that are not acceptable and do not reward when a reward is not due. The consistency will help your training as well as your activities go much more smoothly overall.

Training your dog at home can really save you on travel, especially in a state like Pennsylvania where many of the facilities are so far away. In addition, you will save on money and time. However, perhaps the most important part of training your dog at home is that you get to bond with your pet.

Dog Training The Gentle Way – The Sit Command by: Jennifer Ivey

Dog Training using positive reinforcement techniques is the gentle and humane way to teach your dog the rules. You will be fostering a loving relationship with your dog instead of intimidating and scaring your dog into submission. In this article you will learn the basic steps to teach your puppy or adult dog to sit.

1. Put a leash on your dog so they cannot wonder off while you are working with them.

2. Put some treats in a closed fist so they can smell them but not see them. If your dog sees the treat each time he will learn to only obey when you have food in your hands.

3. With your finger draw an invisible line from the dog’s nose between the eyes to the top of the head as you say sit. The head will move back to follow your hand and therefore push the bottom down to the ground.

4. As soon as the dog’s bottom touches the ground, say “Good Sit” and give them a treat and praise them excitedly.

Below are some Dog Training Tips for successfully training your dog to sit.

1. Keep your bait hand low. While moving your hand over the dogs head, make sure that your hand is not too high or the dog will jump to reach the treats. Your hand should only be a couple of inches over the dogs head.

2. Do not force the dog. Resist the urge to push the dog’s bottom down if they are having a hard time learning how to sit. Just be patient and keep trying to slowly draw a line over their head with the treat and they will learn.

3. The dog will need to be weaned off the treats. During the first week use the treats heavily. During the second week start mixing the treats up giving every other time or every third time while continually using praise and excitement. After about 3 weeks treats will no longer be needed and you will be the only reward your dog will need.

4. Even after you wean off the treats, continue to use the sit hand signal as well as your voice. The benefit of using hand signals and voice commands simultaneously is so when you are in a situation where you cannot use your voice to give your dog some direction, such as talking on the phone, you can give your dog a quiet hand signal without disrupting your phone call.

5. Label your commands. When giving your dog a training command, label the action, not the dog. When your dog sits, tell them good sit, not good dog. Your dog will learn the command faster because they hear the command word again and they are praised for the specific command.

6. Keep training sessions short. If you are training a puppy, keep your training sessions under 10 minutes. It is best to have several short training sessions per day so that your dog will not get distracted.

7. Be consistent. Everyone in the family should be involved with training your dog. Children as well as adults should learn the commands so the dog sees ALL humans as dominate and therefore listens and obeys everyone equally.

Dog Training: Tips and Tricks to Stop Your Dog from Digging Up Your Yard by: O'Neal Hendrix

It's downright infuriating to look out the window and see Buddy digging another hole in the yard. You yell out the window; he may or may not even acknowledge he's heard anything; then back to the digging. This dog behavior has got to stop.

WHY DOGS DIG...

Did you ever stop to think WHY Buddy digs? (except to make you mad!). This is the real trick - to figure out why he's digging in the first place, the motivation behind the dog behavior. Then you can take dog training steps to discourage it, redirect that energy and possibly stop it completely.

1. I'M BORED!

Location: Digging along the fence lines and at the gate.

Why? He is bored and wants to get out for some action.

Solution: Provide more exercise for your dog, both physical and mental. The more exercise the better, according to your dog. A tired, happy dog will rest nicely between great outings.

2. I'M HOT!!

Digging along the edge of the house or shallow "pits," especially in the heat of the summer.

Why? Your dog is most likely creating a cool spot in the cool under-earth. If under the porch, he's creating a den.

Solution: Check to make sure you are providing fresh cool water throughout the day and night.

Is there adequate shade to protect your dog from the hot sun? Is good air circulation available or possibly a nice breeze? Or is the space filled with stagnant air?

Provide plant life (trees, bushes) for shelter from the hot sun. Cool grass keeps the ground heat down.

3. IT'S JUST MY NATURE!

Sometimes it's the breed of dog, not so much the environment. Some breeds tend to be burrowers -hounds, huskies, malamutes are a few examples.

Solution: If this is the case, work with your dog to agree on a place he can do his thing and camouflage it with something like plants or fencing.

4. I LIKE IT!!

Some dogs just like to dig, and dig they will, no matter how much you yell and scream.

Solution: Create and help them with the ideal digging place - a sandy blend with hidden treasures that reward digging at that spot. Having a prepared area encourages the digger to focus the digging to the area you set up in an out-of-the-way place. Remember to keep the area stocked with assorted treats and toys.

TO FILL OR NOT TO FILL - EXISTING HOLES

The second part of the story is...

What to do with the holes that keep reappearing, no matter what you do? Have you back-filled holes dug by your dog only to find them dug again, over and over?

When this happens, the next stage of hole-filling is called for.

You might think this next step it involves yelling at your dog, or rapping on the window. Nope. Are you really going to stand and stare out the window hoping to correct the situation while it's happening (which would be the only way to really correct it using this method)?

TECHNIQUES FOR "FILLING" HOLES

There are two better techniques to encourage your dog to rethink digging that hole.

The easier of the two is to fill the hole until almost full. Mix the last portion of dirt with dog poo, pinecones, moth balls, or other repelling non-harmful substance. The next time your dog arrives for the big dig, he quickly finds the game has changed. Most dogs quickly change their behavior.

The second method is more time consuming but effective. Cut a section of chicken wire or similar to cover the hole plus 8" or more. Dig a hole a few inches deep that surrounds the hole and will fit the wire shape.

Fill the hole and then press wire in place and cover with dirt. Pack the area well, particularly around the wire edges. When your dog returns, the wire will stop his digging progress.

If along a fence line, secure the wire to the fence along the inside of the fence, just a short distance from the ground. When the wire gets to the ground, keep going vertically a short distance underground. Then bend the wire so the bottom is perpendicular to the top (forms an L). Bury the horizontal part underground inside the fence, pointing away from the fence. When your dog digs he is stopped by the wire and his weight on the earth helps keep the wire in place. The result is the dog gives up on that area.

Pretty cool, huh?!

CONCLUSION

We humans see digging as bad dog behavior. Dogs don't, and they dig for different reasons. If you can figure out why they're digging, you can put dog training steps in place to stop it. Some dogs dig, that's what they do. Set them up a space to dig and you both win!

Try these dog training techniques to change unwanted dog behavior. They seriously work.

Dog Training: To Punish Or Not To Punish by: Rodrigo Trigosso

Punishment is a controversial subject in dog training, though it is widely used by both traditional and positive trainers.

The most common punishment is positive punishment. It consists in stopping an undesired behavior by adding an unpleasant thing or situation. Therefore, leash tugs are positive punishments.

On the other hand, negative punishment consists in stopping an undesired behavior by removing a pleasant thing or situation. Thus, you would be applying negative punishment if you remove a food treat or a toy from your dog's sight.

Positive punishment is widely used by traditional trainers and seldom used by positive trainers. Negative punishment is mostly used by positive trainers and seldom used by traditional trainers.

Typical positive punishers in dog training are: a pinch from the prong collar, an unpleasant and perhaps painful sensation when the choke chain closes, the "No" command, water squirts on the dog's face, loud sounds produced by objects thrown near the dog, electric shocks produced by electric collars and electric fences, etc.

Typical negative punishers in dog training are: ignoring your dog, a food treat removed from the scene, a toy removed from the scene, the end of a game, the end of a walk, stopping the walk when the dog pulls the leash, etc.

Although punishment is so widely used to train dogs, even in positive training, most trainers are not aware of its risks and limitations. Both positive and negative punishments could produce collateral adverse effects which include stress, anxiety and a reduction of learning abilities. Besides, when used too often, punishments could also lead to shyness and/or aggression. Of course, negative punishment tend to have less (or at least less intense) adverse effects.

Another disadvantage of punishment is that it has no long term effects. While you can use punishment to stop your dog from doing an unwanted behavior, this does not ensure that the behavior's frequency will be reduced. Punished behaviors tend to be maintained when the punishment is not applied frequently. That is the reason why prong, choke and electric collars are used even on dogs that have already being trained.

Despite the short term span of punishment, punished behaviors' frequency seems to be reduced in dogs that have been trained in such way. However, this usually is an erroneous interpretation because those behaviors don't appear when the punisher (maybe the trainer) is present. Then, after the punisher has been removed, the frequency of those behaviors tends to increase again.

It is very easy to see what I explained in the previous paragraph. Just look for a traditional trained dog which has not been trained by his owner. The dog will work perfectly when the trainer is present but stop working when the trainer is absent. Therefore, you can infer that the dog experiences some kind of anxiety when the trainer is present, because that man is somehow associated with punishment.

This does not mean that traditional trainers are cruel or violent. Of course there are stupid and cruel guys who call themselves trainers, but most traditional trainers can train dogs that obey happily and without fear. However, to achieve this level of training while using punishment and negative reinforcement, you must be very experienced. It is not easy to become a good traditional dog trainer.

A similar situation occurs when using negative punishment. For instance, you can stop your dog from jumping on you just by ignoring him when that behavior is displayed. However, it takes just one reinforcing episode (giving attention to your dog when he jumps on you) to take back the unwanted behavior. Even worst, it is very likely that the jumping behavior will be strengthened by that reinforcing episode, so you will need much more time to retrain your dog.

Ok, at this point it seems that this article is just an anti-punishment propaganda. Please believe me, it is not such thing. Punishment could be useful to train animals, which has been proven by scientific studies on experimental psychology. However, it could also have really big drawbacks.

So, if you are thinking to use punishment to train your dog, please don't rely only on reading about it. Call an expert and ask him/her to teach you the proper way to use punishments. And please don't believe the false statement that "choke chains, prong collars and electric collars are not punishing devices, but corrective ones". They are punishers. Therefore, if you are going to use those devices to train your dog, learn it from an expert.

On the other hand, you have a lot of alternatives to train your dog without punishment. There are several proven methods to stop your dog from doing unwanted behaviors without using punishment: training an incompatible behavior, putting the unwanted behavior on command, reinforcing every behavior except the undesired one, changing the motivation, etc.