Tips For Training A Puppy The Pros Use

When you are training a dog, you must remember that dogs need more than just love, affection, and effective dog training techniques to become good pets. Training a dog is about understanding who the dog is, which includes their normal behaviors, their physical, emotional, and mental needs. It is a vital piece of dog training to create a happy and fulfilling life with your dog.

Dogs want you to understand that they are not just humans with fur. While they tolerate and often delight in being treated as such, they simply are not human. There’s a lot to be said for being treated like a person - it means you get a cozy spot to sleep, delicious treats, as well as all the attention you crave. You get the picture; dogs have got a better deal than humans, with all the perks and none of the burdens!

Generally speaking, treating dogs the same as humans is all right, just don’t have the expectation that they’ll behave like humans in response. In terms of canine obedience, dogs and puppies are unable to think or behave like humans. This doesn’t mean they are any less delightful just the way they are, however the fact is, whether you are talking about a mighty Great Dane or a miniature Yorkshire terrier, all dogs share traits with their ancestral wolf relatives - so take this into consideration when training your puppy.

You also must bear in mind when you are training your puppy that they learn words through association and repetition. This means they cannot successfully obey a command until there is something they can identify the meaning of the word with. An example of this is teaching a dog to sit, you may say the word sit with a commanding voice but this won’t mean anything to them unless you give them a little help to get into the position and then this will need to be practiced many times. Understanding how your dog learns will help you to succeed in your training.

Puppies need guidance and discipline. Without it, they follow their natural puppy instincts. They will eat anything that smells good. They will chew on anything that feels good. They will roll in anything that smells bad. If you know what to expect from an untrained puppy, you will be better able to help your dog through obedience training. You will be able to give your puppy appropriate outlets for his natural energy and instincts.

It is reasonable to expect regression at times during training, so don’t let yourself get exasperated, your dog will know it and respond accordingly. You may have seen your dog follow the same command successfully many times , so it can be disappointing when failure strikes, but if you arm yourself with knowledge and plan ahead you can successfully work through any set backs your pup may have.

There are a few main theories about learning regression, which can happen to a puppy in training or to a person in any aspect of life. One such theory is that it is due to an error during the brain moving in information between short and long-term memory. Whatever theory you believe, you should take advantage of regression for what it really represents: an opportunity to train your dog better.

Springer Spaniels - Excellent Breed, Lifelong Buddies

Springer Spaniels are extremely smart and learn very quickly. Being highly enthusiastic, eager to please, loyal, affectionate, and people-oriented makes the Springer an ideal companion for both city and country life. Many owner find humor in their energetic and playful animals that bring a smile to their faces. With proper training the can excel in agility, tracking, retrieving, obedience, hunting, and field trials. They are the perfect choice for families because they are so wonderful with children. Of course as with any dog breed, children should always be supervised to make sure they are not antagonizing the dog.

Owners will be satisfied with a Springer because they are so friendly and eager to please. Their temperament has been compared to the popular Golden Retriever. They are happy to just be with their family even if that means just lying around the house. They are very flexible and acclimate easily to various activity levels, as long as they are allowed to be with people as much as possible. Springer Spaniels are incredibly affectionate! We know this from experience. As breeders, we have raised a lot of puppies and can absolutely testify to this fact.

Normally weighing between 35-55 pounds at adulthood this is the English Springer Spaniel breed which is medium in size. Springers can remain in good health most of their lives which can span 10 to 14 years. Field bred Springers have short hair and are generally more active than the show bred types. Field bred Springers have docked tails, but their tails are docked longer than the show Springers so their tails are still functional as an alert signal while hunting.

English Springer Spaniels generally have two different variations of colored fur which are either black and white or liver and white. A tri-color combination exists, characterized by a liver, white, and black coat, but this combination occurs infrequently and only results when the sire and dam are both tri-color as well. They are also known for having a white blaze on their faces usually down the middle.

English Springer Spaniels were bred to be natural hunters with a lot of energy, so you can expect your Springer to enjoy running around, sniffing out “game,”and retrieving things for you. Springers are happy to spend all day outside with their masters, they love water and are not particularly sensitive to weather in general. Being a very old breed they have been popular dogs for a long, long time. They are one of the oldest and best established hunting and gun dog breed.

So I hope you can see why we think Springers are a wonderful fit for many different situations, lifestyles, and families. These loving animals can find a place in anyone’s heart and home which is something we have experienced.

How To Potty Train A Puppy - 6 Tips To Make House Training Easier

Some people call it potty training. Others call it housebreaking. No matter what you call it, housetraining a puppy is something most new dog owners dread. Everyone you talk to will probably give you different advice, which can leave you pretty confused.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be a terrible experience. With the right information, potty training a puppy can be quicker and easier than you might have expected. Here a six tips that will help make housebreaking your new puppy a lot easier.

Tip #1: Feed Your Puppy At The Same Times Each Day

Free feeding as become popular among dog owners. This is where the dog food is left out so your dog can eat whenever he wants to. This might be fine for older, housebroken dogs, but when you are house training a new dog it’s best to feed him at the same times each day.

Most dogs need to go potty after eating. By having a set schedule, you can control when your dog eats and know when he will need to go potty. You’ll have fewer accidents if you follow this important tip.

Tip #2: Follow A Consistent Potty Schedule

Even though your puppy will be going potty after his meals, you will also need to take him outside as often as you can throughout the day. Create a potty schedule above and beyond meal time, and follow it - taking your puppy out at the same time each day.

By following a potty break schedule, you’ll remember to get your new puppy outside during the day. Puppies thrive on schedules because they give them a real sense of security. When they don’t know what to expect from day to day, puppies become anxious. This anxiety can easily lead to digestive problems - and that makes the whole house training process much harder.

Tip #3: Choose A “Potty” Command And Use It Consistently

Pick a command word that you are comfortable using — no matter where you are or who you’re with. Here are a few common commands: “potty” “go potty” “go peepee” and “tinkle.”

Once you decide on a command to use, you should say it every time you want your puppy to go potty. At first, don’t ever say it until you are in the exact spot you want him to go. As he gets older, you’ll be able to open the door and say “go potty” - or whatever command you are using- and he’ll run over to the right place and go potty all by himself.

Tip #4: When Your Dog Has An Accident, Don’t Scold Or Yell At Him

Every puppy is going to make a few mistakes during dog potty training. When your puppy has an accident, just stay calm. Don’t get excited and start yelling. Don’t scold your puppy and, for goodness sake, never rub your puppy’s nose in it. That’s not just old-fashioned, it’s ineffective and downright confusing for your little puppy.

As with all dog training, positive reinforcement is much more effective than negative. Making your puppy feel bad when he makes a mistake doesn’t work. You want to teach him that good things happen when he goes potty in the right place. Which brings us to the next potty training tip

Tip #5: Always Reward Your Puppy When He Gets It Right

You probably haven’t started obedience training, but this is a good time to learn about positive reinforcement. Every time your puppy does what you’ve asked him to do, you should praise and reward him. This includes potty training.

It’s a good habit to combine sincere praise with some kind of reward. Rewards can be showing him love and affection, giving him a tasty treat, or spending a few minutes playing with him. Whatever you choose, it’s vital that your puppy is rewarded immediately so he remembers that going potty means getting a reward.

To start, be sure to praise him verbally while he’s actually going potty. Use a friendly, happy voice and say “Good boy! Good potty!” As soon as he’s finished, immediately give him the reward. You can toss his favorite ball for a game of fetch, or if you’re on a walk, bounce it and let him catch it. You could also give him a treat or belly rub.

Again, be sure to reward him immediately. Praise combined with affection, treats or play will make your puppy happy - and he’ll soon associate going potty at the right time and place with happiness and joy.

Tip #6: Reduce Accidents With Crate Training Your Puppy

It’s beyond the scope of this article to explain crate training in detail, but there are some great reasons to consider it - especially when potty training your new puppy

Crate training lets you put your puppy in his crate when you aren’t able to watch him. Since dogs don’t like to soil their “dens” your puppy will naturally wait until you let him out to go potty.

The key is to never leave your puppy in his crate for long periods of time - and to take him out to go potty immediately when you let him out. What’s great is he will usually have to go potty when you let him out - and by taking him outside, he’ll be doing it when and where you want him to!

Your new puppy will love you as much as you love him - maybe even more. These six potty training tips will help you quickly housebreak your new puppy. By giving him the proper training, he’ll become a dog everyone will love being around.

Training Your Dog to Sit Up, Heel & Lie Down

Assuming that your little guy is familiar with the Sit command, he is now ready to move forward to the Lie Down command. This Intermediate Training behavior is simple to implement for most dogs and should be easily integrated into his routine.

First, command your little pal to Sit. Take his favorite treat and move it a bit closer to the ground prior to allowing him to take it. Don’t allow movement from the Sit position. After he has this process learned, move the treat a bit farther away but still keeping it on the ground. Uh Oh! Now, he must lie down in order to reach this little goody. When he does this, simply say, “Lie Down.” Be consistent and eventually you will be able to fade out the treat completely. Patience is a must — he may try to get up but simply keep him in the Sit position until he has mastered the entire technique.

Leash pulling, lunging at other pets or people are examples of ugly behavior. You don’t want this for your little guy. Teach him to stay next to you by walking him in a small area in one direction, keeping the leash slack. Change directions occasionally and eventually he will understand where you are going and that being by your side is a good thing. But, you know by now, that dogs love to sniff and explore. So, give him a little grace from time to time to enjoy his world.

After your little friend is consistent with the Sit behavior, training him to Sit Up is a snap. Choose a bit of food or his favorite treat, hold it over his head while he is in a Sitting position but low enough so that he can reach it. Continue this maneuver but raise the treat a bit higher each time so that he must stretch for it but still remain seated.

Once consistency is in place, hold the treat even higher. He will be unable to take it unless he raises his front paws from the ground. When he does this, use the verbal cue, “Sit Up” and reward him in this position. Eventually, he will become conditioned to this cue and you can start to fade out the treat and use your hand only, still saying, “Sit Up”.

The Intermediate Behaviors Training will be a fun challenge for both you and your dog. Be consistent, patient and gentle with your little guy. He only wants your approval and acceptance.

How To Stop Your Dog’s Aggression Towards Strangers

Aggression in dogs is scary. Having a dog that acts aggressively towards strangers is a big problem. There are some things you can do to help correct the problem, but first you should understand why your dog is acting this way.

Dogs are instinctively aggressive by nature. Aggression came in handy when they lived in the wild - dogs needed aggression to hunt, to defend themselves from other animals, and to defend resources like their food, their den, and their mate.

While selective breeding over the last few centuries has definitely minimized this natural trait, all dogs are still capable of causing serious injury.

The good thing is, there is a lot we can do as dog owners to prevent this aggression from surfacing. And if it does surface - for whatever reason - there are things you can do to deal with it.

Although aggression in dogs comes in different forms, aggression towards strangers is one that is quite common. This type of aggression is stems from nervousness. If he becomes nervous around strangers, his instinct is to protect himself (and you) from the percieved threat.

Its pretty easy to tell when a dogs nervous around strange people. He’ll be jumpy and on the alert. You’ll see this in one of two ways… either he can’t sit still (constantly fidgeting, jumping at the smallest sound, and pacing around barking and whining) or he’s completely still, sitting in one place, staring hard at the person he’s suspicious of. This could be anyone - a visitor, the mailman, or someone approaching him on the street.

A dog who acts this way around strangers hasn’t been exposed to new people very often. The only way he’ll learn that strangers aren’t a bad thing is through experience. He relies completely on you to broaden his horizons - to take him to different places where he can meet new people. Until that happens, he’ll be unsure of new people… which is what leads to stranger aggression.

This is what we call “socialization” - and it’s an important part of raising a healthy, stable dog. The best time to start is when he’s a puppy, but it should continue throughout your dog’s life. Giving him a lot of new experiences helps him become comfortable in new situations. It gives him confidence. The only way this happens is by taking him out in the world and exposing him to new people, places and things.

It’s not enough to expose an adult dog to a crowd of new, unfamiliar people and just say, “Settle down, Roxy, it’s OK”… your dog has to learn that it’s okay on his own. That’s what socializing does… it lets your dog learn this by exposing him to all types of people and animals: from babies and toddlers to teens and elderly, from people in uniform to people carrying umbrellas or riding bikes.

By starting as a puppy, these new experiences become “common place” to your dog. He learns that new people are friendly and fun which makes him more relaxed and at ease when he encounters strangers in the future.

A fun way to start socializing your new puppy is to sign him up for puppy preschool. These puppy classes are usually held at vet centers or some other indoor, controlled environment. It’s a series of classes created specifically for puppies and their owners.

The typical puppy class has about a dozen puppies and owners. They are run by a qualified dog trainer who is usually joined by one or two assistants. By having more than one instructor, you and your puppy will have more one-on-one time with one of the trainers. During class, you will learn about your puppy’s developmental stages and even some basic obedience commands.

It’s fun to learn how to teach your puppy to “come” but the biggest benefit of joining a puppy class is the socialization. Until you’ve finished your puppy shots, many vets will discourage you from taking your puppy out in public. The main concern is parvo, which is highly contagous and very dangerous to puppies. Puppy classes provide a safe environment to start socializing your puppy at an earlier age. There are usually several “play sessions” per class to let the puppies run around and play together off-leash. This group play helps them learn how to interact with other dogs. It also gives them a chance to meet new people and start learning that they don’t have to be afraid of strangers.

Just remember… socializing at puppy school is just the start. To raise a friendly, confident dog you need to continue exposing him to new experiences. You’ll want to take him to as many new places as possible - just don’t overwhelm him. Start off slow, and you’ll see his confidence grow. By consistently socializing your dog, he’ll grow up knowing that new people and new places are good things. He’ll have nothing to fear, especially strangers!

Training Your Dog to Sit Up, Heel & Lie Down

Assuming that your little guy is familiar with the Sit command, he is now ready to move forward to the Lie Down command. This Intermediate Training behavior is simple to implement for most dogs and should be easily integrated into his routine.

First, command your little pal to Sit. Take his favorite treat and move it a bit closer to the ground prior to allowing him to take it. Don’t allow movement from the Sit position. After he has this process learned, move the treat a bit farther away but still keeping it on the ground. Uh Oh! Now, he must lie down in order to reach this little goody. When he does this, simply say, “Lie Down.” Be consistent and eventually you will be able to fade out the treat completely. Patience is a must — he may try to get up but simply keep him in the Sit position until he has mastered the entire technique.

You must communicate to your dog that pulling on his leash is unacceptable. Good manners are a must and lunging and jumping at other people or pets is simply bad behavior. Begin teaching him to walk next to you by making small circles, walking very slowly. Change from walking to the left to walking to the right. Eventually, there will be total slack in the leash. But hey! Once in a while, allow him to smell the roses. Every dog loves to explore and your baby deserves this treat occasionally.

Training your dog to Sit Up can be utilized only after he has learned the Sit command. Simply hold his favorite treat or food over his head, just so he can reach it from a Sitting position. Condition him to take the treat higher and higher so he must reach for it but still remain in the Sitting position.

Once consistency is in place, hold the treat even higher. He will be unable to take it unless he raises his front paws from the ground. When he does this, use the verbal cue, “Sit Up” and reward him in this position. Eventually, he will become conditioned to this cue and you can start to fade out the treat and use your hand only, still saying, “Sit Up”.

Teaching you little pal Intermediate Behaviors is going to be a very rewarding experience, both for you and your dog. Remember, patience is the key and loving and accepting your pet will cause him to want to please you. Enjoy the time you have together.