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Amy Conrad asked:


Crate training in very beneficial when it comes to in house dog potty training, because it will assist you in training your dog self control as well as spare you a great deal of effort in cleaning up after your dog when he has had accidents in the house. The crate forces your dog, even young puppy, to keep it in for a period of time. However, do not keep him in the crate for too long and do not use the crate as punishment.

Dogs have a natural instinct not to mess in its shelter, but if there is plenty of space, it will relieve itself as long as there is enough space for it to sleep in. So in selecting a crate remember to get a crate that is perfect for your dogs size.

It is also a good idea to get a crate big enough for your dog when he is his adult size. You can divide it to fit him as he grows. In this way you will not have to buy more than one crate for your dog as he gets bigger.

When choosing a crate for your dog, you should take into account that it needs to be the right size for the dog, not only for general house training purposes, but especially for potty training.

If the crate is too big for your dog, he will not see the need to keep it in if he has to go.He will also not have a problem with relieving himself on the one end of the crate and sleep on the other end.

A very young puppy should not be left in the crate for more than 2 hours at a time depending on its ability to control its bladder. As your puppy gets older you will notice that he can keep it in for longer periods of time.

So it is really a matter of your puppy”s individual development and abilities. There is really no rule in this regard. Older dogs can be left in the crate for longer, even overnight.

You should monitor your dog while he is still not 100% crate trained yet as he might get anxious and hurt itself in an attempt to escape from the crate.

Happy puppy house training.

Mike Sorian asked:


There are probably as many dog training problems as there are dogs and trainers. That is because most of us don’t have a clue about the right way to teach our dogs. Avoiding dog training problems means using the correct dog training methods right from the start when training your dog. Almost all of us make the same mistakes when training our dogs, and end up with various problems getting the results we expect with our training efforts. These problems then show up when our dogs don’t listen to us-or only listen when they feel like it. 

These training mistakes occur primarily because people try to communicate and train their dogs as if the dogs were human, instead of canines. We also tend to spoil our pets. Just like children, dogs need guidance to learn their place in the family and how to behave appropriately. If you haven’t learned how to properly go about training your dog, it is only natural that you will have a variety of dog training problems.

Dogs have their own world view and communicate in their own type of way. Dogs use vocalizations as well as distinct body languages in order to express themselves to other dogs. By following a good dog training program that teaches you about dog psychology and about how dog’s communicate with each other, you will be able to avoid the pitfalls of training a dog without the right methods, and resolve many dog training problems before they even start. That is the best way to go about training your dog.

If you have already made mistakes while attempting to train your dog, or have adopted another dog that has its share of behavior issues, you can still solve those dog training problems by learning the right way to retrain your dog.There are several good dog training programs on-line that teach you step by step the correct ways to train your dog. Every good program that I have reviewed always features positive training techniques. These methods all rely on positive reinforcement -praise and rewards from the trainer (you) when the dog correctly performs the command it is being taught.

The best training programs always emphasize the need for the trainer to be in charge of the dog, to become the “Alpha dog”. You will be taught how to use your vocal tones and confident body language to present  the right image to the dog being trained.. You must learn how to become the “Alpha dog” in order to earn your dog’s respect, confidence and trust. Once you have learned how to communicate to your dog the right way, and become the Alpha dog, you will find your dog is very eager to follow your lead and to do as you command. Becoming the Alpha leader doesn’t mean you have to intimidate or yell or be mean to your pet. Being the Alpha dog is mostly about having and projecting the right attitude to your dog.  It is your dog’s nature to want to please its alpha leader. If you can establish your self as the leader, you will have no trouble avoiding dog training problems.

You can easily see the dog training problems that are the result of incorrect training or from neglected training. Such problems as a dog’s aggression towards other dogs or people, jumping up on people, barking excessively, running away, not coming when called, and many other common dog misbehavior’s can be corrected. By making  a consistent effort. and using the right techniques you can correct these problems. For good training results, frequent short sessions done on a daily basis are necessary -especially when trying to correct a pre-existing dog behavior problem. These problems did not just occur overnight, so it will take some time and effort on your behalf to train them to behave as you want.

The good news is you can solve these dog training problems as soon as you know how, and are willing to make the commitment it takes to retrain your dog. Of course if you are training a new puppy you have a great opportunity to avoid problems in the first place. Either way, it is imperative for your successful training that you do use a great training program. You will avoid dog training problems and have a dog that learns much more quickly and consistently to do as he is asked, and always behave himself. This is the kind of pet that will be a joy to have.

Rikard Ingvarsson asked:


There is simply no doubt that dog-training techniques are essential to get a well-disciplined and gentle dog finally. But this does not indicate that the reasons and techniques should always be the same. If both of Mr. Sam and Mr. Tom are found to train their dogs, they can be asked of the reasons. Both of them will speak of reasons but they happen to be markedly different. This makes one to conclude that there are a good number of reasons to train.

The reason hence can be any and one of them is popping. Truly speaking several dogs are found with this nasty habit. This single habit of your beloved dog is enough to malign your reputation in the house and your better half or wife may thrash you also. Now, if you are a hunter, you shall have to find the ideal dog after researching the breeds. When you get it, you shall have to start from scratch and train it according to the need. It is necessary to implant the seeds of discipline and obedience in the dog through training. If you fail to do this, the dog may be a source of immense perturbation to you.

Well, other than this there is also the need of good dog behavior training in other domains also. It can be any like teaching it to cross streets, not to smell the fetid litterbins and not quarrel with other dogs. What is required above all is to treat it like a little child of your own and for betterment it should be taught discipline. For this reason you shall always have to keep a close watch on your pet. Be firm to see that it is learning the home rules at first.

For all these you are surely going to begin your own training process. You can get the pertinent ideas by going through the related books, periodicals and also the Internet. But keep in mind to make the course of training funny. Now, if you have some better dog training techniques and they can be utilized, do it without any delay. It is necessary to keep your dog happy. Through this the training can be an easier one and it can learn in a better manner.

It is found that dogs have great affections for their trainers and this should be utilized at the best. That’s why you shall have to also show you affections towards it and pat it once in a while. This helps to ease the relationship and coordination between you two.

Do not ever try to punish your dog throughout the training program. This will bring forth a negative effect even if you do this inadvertently. You will at once notice a profound transformation. The dog will start disobeying your every order and will remain afraid of you. This will destroy the cordial relationship.

You should be patient throughout the training course. The dogs do require a specific time to learn any command and act in view of that.

Never forget that the success depends on the trainers.

Sanmay Patel asked:


Dog obedience training is one of the most important areas of every dog’s development. Training your puppy during their early stage of development can assure you that you would have a well-trained dog when he grows up. But the question is – when do is the best time to train your dog?

There is no exact answer to this question. Dog obedience training is an ongoing and continuous process. It would be best to start training your dog when they’re still a puppy.

Once you train your dog to obey your commands, you bond even better as you open out a line for communicating effectively. You should be able to train your dog to understand simple commands like “sit, “heel”, “come”, “stay” and down”. The dog should be trained to comply with the commands given by its owner.

Here some Dog Obedience Training Exercise:

1. Sit
The dog must always sit at your left side with his shoulder at your left knee. He must be facing the same direction as you, with about 4 inches between you. To train your dog to sit, first fold the leash in right hand. Give the dog’s name and command ‘sit’. At the same time, push down on his hindquarters with your left hand and jerk up on the leash with your hand. When he is in correct position. Praise him with a pat vocal praise.

2. Heeling on leash
The dog should walk with right shoulder about even with your left knee. With a loose leash, call the dog’s name and give the command “heel”. Immediately walk forward and give a hard jerk on the leash. If the first jerk does not make an impression, make the second harder. Never drag your dog. When you have jerked him into position at your left knee and the collar is loose, praise him with “good dog”. Your dog will never learn with tight leash. Always follow a correction with praise. When you stop walking make your dog immediately sit and sit straight. Correct any crooked sits immediately, using your right hand on the hindquarters. Make sure the dog remains sitting until you are ready to start up again. Never allow him to stan up lie down, he must sit.

3. About Turn
Always turn away from your dog to your right to reverse your direction. Keep your eye on your dog consultantly and as you go into your turn, give several short, quick jerks.

4. Sit Stay
Have your dog in the sit position with the palm of the bump him on the nose and give the command “stay”. Drop your leash in front of the dog. Turn facing him, and stand close to him on the leash. Remain there for a few seconds, pick up the leash and return by walking around behind him, and into heel position. Do not drag the leash across your dog. Your dog must not move until you release him. Correct him before he moves. Gradually increase the time your dog stays. Increase the distance between you and your dog until you can safely remove his leash.

5. Down
With the dog sitting, give the command “down” then push down on his shoulders, at the same time wobbling him off balance. A second method is to place the leash between the sole and the heel of your shoe. Give the command “down”, and then pull up on the leash. Sometimes it is necessary to pull his legs forward until he goes down.

6. Down stay
After your dog is in the down position, give the command “stay”, both orally and by signal, and drop the leash in front of him. Stand on the leash close to facing him. Remain there again for a few seconds and returns to him in the same manner as in the sit-stay. Again he must not move out of position. Gradually increase the time your dog stays. Increase the distance between you and your dog until you can safely remove his leash.

Dog obedience training

Robert A Hull asked:


Even though dogs have been highly domesticated, most of them are just naturally aggressive. Hence, dog training would help them manage that behavior, especially when that aggression is directed towards people. Choosing to train your dog, whether professional or at home, you can save them from being treated in a brutal manner in animal shelters and facilities.

A common failure among most dog or pet owners is to treat aggression with another form of aggression. So, do you think vicious beating of a dog after attacking another person would teach them the lesson? Certainly not. In the end, you are only inflicting pain on both animal and the person who was attacked. More importantly, beating them only inspires hatred and does not teach the dog how to correct their behavior.

Proper dog training will enable you to address this problem more efficiently. The key word there is “proper” such that you can nurture in them the value of creating a healthy relationship between human and animal. The first step you can take at dog training is to keep your pet on a leash or build a fence in your home. This will prevent your dog from attacking an unknowing bystander.

Another important factor is knowing how to judge aggressive behavior. You can begin by understanding the specific breed of your dog since some are just naturally aggressive. Those that are considered aggressive includes Rotweilers, pit bulls, and German Shepherds. If you have the said dog breeds for a pet, make sure to pay close attention to signs of aggression like howling, excessive barking, growling, showing their teeth, or lunging at someone or something. One reason why dogs turn aggressive is that they are naturally territorial, so always post warning signs such that people will try not to get too close.

One aspect of dog training that will enable dogs to overcome aggression is by entering them into a socialization program. The more exposed they become to other dogs and humans, the more properly they behave around them. But even during this time, make sure they are leashed to provide enough restraint because there is no way to predict an animal’s behavior.

If you are personally training your dog at home, make sure to remain diligent with your efforts. Your dog training might include re-enacting different scenarios, such as greeting an individual at the door, or meeting them on a pathwalk. This will condition their mind into how they are supposed to react and limit the possibility of responding in an aggressive manner. Dog training aids or tools are ideal to help you out during these sessions as well.

Jay Jacovitz asked:


Your goal is to train your dog to walk on a leash with comfort and control. Even if you are in a hurry to take the dog out, you cannot relax the rules and permit the dog to pull you down the front steps or on the walk. Again, that isn’t training the dog to walk on a leash; that is the dog training you to walk behind it on a leash.

Training older puppies and adult dogs to walk on a leash requires a training collar.

There are three basic types of training dog collars. The head collar, muzzle-like in appearance, is probably the most humane way to train a pet since it eliminates pressure around the neck. The chain slip collar, with medium-sized links, should never be left on the dog when not in use. Master the “zipper tug” of the chain collar as the puppy learns by the sound and not the restraint. A nylon slip collar that fits around the dog’s neck but not over the head can be used on more cooperative dogs. Effective corrections are practically impossible with a nylon slip collar that fits over the dog’s head. Avoid chain leashes, retractable leashes, fancy plastic leashes, and wide leashes until control is established in dog leash training. Both hands should grasp the leash during the walk for maximum control.

Dogs pulling when walking on the leash are filled with excess energy. Unless you can expend that energy, it will be difficult for the dog to control itself.

Begin the education process by training the dog to sit-stay while you are putting the leash on. If your dog doesn’t know the command sit-stay, then practice training a sit-stay without the distraction of an expected walk. If the dog doesn’t stay, delay the walk until it does. Don’t give in or the lesson learned will be it is “ok” to be out of control. That will defeat the purpose of proper training of the dog to walk on the leash. Most dogs learn quickly that they must sit while the collar is put on and the leash is attached to the collar. A dog may be ready to explode in anticipation of its walk, but it must learn to cooperate. Otherwise, the dog will be in control of the walk to come, dragging you behind it — the dog walking on the leash will be more like the dog walking you on the leash, and the precedent is set for a situation out of control. If the dog’s excitement is already out of control, let the dog dance and bounce around. It may take 5 to 10 minutes but your pet will soon realize that you aren’t going anywhere and it will begin to calm down. When reasonable calm is restored, praise calmly, and then proceed outdoors.

You will be more successful if you can tire the dog out before taking it for a leash training walk.

When your dog pulls on the leash and you continue the walk, you are rewarding the behavior of pulling. Quickly snap the leash and release it in one smooth move so the collar tightens and loosens quickly. Stop walking and stand still. The dog will get confused and probably turn towards you. Wait for calm before continuing. Penalize the dog. “Penalize,” not “punish”. A “penalty” is a leash jerk, not moving when he’s on leash, or just ignoring him. The tug is an attention-getter, a reminder that you are in charge when walking on the leash, so do not yank hard. Only use enough pressure to get the dog’s attention. The object is control, not to punish, frighten or hurt the dog.

When the dog walks on the leash without pulling, calmly heap lots of praise.

Correct improper behavior with persistence and consistency, and NO harsh corrections. You may not get far your first few walks, but if you give in to your dog’s demands the precedent will be set and the dog will continue to pull. Give a sit-stay command for about 5 to 10 seconds every time the pulling starts. This will make training to stop pulling on a leash, and training to walk on a leash much easier.

Steve D Evans asked:


Agility training is a fantastic and rewarding way for both owner and dog to have fun. It strengthens communication and understanding between both parties which makes contented pets always safely and willingly under their owner’s control. Dog agility involves training your dog to compete against others on a timed circuit over hurdles and tire jumps, through tunnels stakes and chutes, and weaving speedily around poles.

The dog agility display and competition club circuit which has grown up over the past twenty or more years has spawned its own culture and social events, apart from the popular public displays the top clubs provide now as major attractions daily at almost all dog shows.

If you or I are going to a dog show these days we won’t want to miss the agile display! Furthermore, those involved in agility training are really so obviously getting so much more from their dog ownership, that the whole scene is infectious.

The dog agility courses are filled with various obstacles such as tunnels and ladders, which are set out in such a way that the dogs just ache to run and take on the challenge. In fact for many, the owners struggle to contain the energy and pace that their charges bring to the course. These courses are typically about one hundred by one hundred feet in length in total, and the obstacles are provided with numbers to display the order that the dogs have to complete the various obstacles.

Dog agility Classes are often run in blocks of 10, and each class lasts for one and a half hours. The chief objectives in these classes are to create a learning experience where dogs and their handlers are stretched; where dog handling skills are honed and where the confidence of both dog and handler is enhanced.

I recently attended a dog show where the dog agility display held its audience spellbound throughout the entire Sunday afternoon. After the sense of anticipation reached its height with the winning round, fire-jugglers in the arena were almost essential to wind down the audience and herald their departure.

Another recent agility event I saw this summer also highlights the increasingly popular and min-stream nature of agility displays. At our local beach side town, all those strolling the prom appeared to have been drawn as if by magnets to a summer’s evening agility display. Immediately behind the beach the setting sun made a fine back drop as the dogs barked to be let to run, ran at the starter’s whistle, jumped and weaved. Once it was fully dark the council provided a fine fireworks display to round off the evening, which brought even more crowds enjoy the spectacle.

Of course these dogs which, come for a variety of dog breeds, can be wayward and they can be unpredictable. Even the best trainers have those days when they don’t fare so well, sometimes one almost feels that some dogs are taking the mickey out of the handler. However, this is all part of the attraction for the spectator. After all watching animals perform has always attracted humans, but in recent years there have been fewer opportunities for people to do so. The rightful reduction in cruel activities, and with even circuses suffering from the wish that no animal be belittled by degrading and cruel practices just for human entertainment, opportunities for simple enjoyment of animal displays have diminished.

Modern dog agility team displays fill this void, plus some! They demonstrate pure joy and common purpose between man and animal. They encapsulate ‘Healthy Living’ with the vim and vigor obvious in both dogs and owners as their canine partners soar over obstacles and chase so joyfully around agility arenas.

Dogs in Need is now one of several week long Kennel Club agility shows to take place each year in the UK. This particular event is just one part of a busy calendar of day and weekend shows. Dog agility has grown in the UK to the point where the most popular Kennel Club shows regularly run ten or more rings a day, with up to 450 runs in each ring (or more if two judges are used in each ring). Dogs that are clearly over or under a particular height category will not need to be measured.

The love of dogs when trained can also bring great fulfillment and improvement to the quality of life to the mentally and physically disadvantaged. Dog AID is a charity which helps provide access to dog training for people with physical disabilities, and enable them to train their own dog in basic control and specialized tasks, which will assist them to manage their disability in everyday life. It is now a nationwide voluntary organization, which provides specialized training for people with physical disabilities and their own pet dog.

Dog agility enthusiasts have also been inventive in producing treats and products for their pets away from the various events. One supplier also provides clicker training products, including clickers, a Click-A-Tricks booklet, treat bags and carabiner, and a variety of training kits so you can pick and choose the best selection of dog treats to fit your dog’s needs.

Jenny Stinson asked:


Is your dog well-behaved? Does he come when you call? Does he stay when you tell him to? Does he look at you when you talk to him?

Recently, I called to make a reservation at a hotel which advertises “pets welcome.” After the agent was reading me the pet policy, I assured him that my golden retriever was an “older dog and very well-behaved.” But then I added, “But you probably hear that from everyone.”

We all think our dogs are well-behaved. And, many of them are. But you’ve seen the ones that could use a little more training.

Here are 7 basic techniques to consider when you are training your dog.

Bonding. Spending quality time with your dog creates a bond between the two of you. You must build a relationship with him by talking to him, talking walks, and playing. Consistency. You must deliver specific, consistent messages to your dog. The commands you use to train, praise, and discipline him must be the same every time. When you first start training him, he should have only one trainer. Different people have different voice tone and body language, and this could confuse him and take longer for him to learn. After he learns the commands, then other family members should be taught how to deliver the commands to be consistent with your teachings. Repetition. Dogs learn by repetition. Be patient – it may take numerous training sessions for your dog to learn the task and to respond automatically. Praise. Always praise you dog when he responds correctly. You should give him praise immediately when he performs the desired task. Look directly into his eyes so that he makes the connection with your voice and touch. Praise him quickly by patting or rubbing him on the head. You can use treats as a reward, but alternate it with displays of affection so that he doesn’t expect a treat every time Session length. Keep the training sessions short and fun. Focus on quality not quantity of time. You both should look forward to his training sessions. Voice and hand signals. Calling his name before you give him a command gets his attention. Sometimes a specific hand motion can be associated with a voice command. This can be useful if you want your dog to respond from a long distance. Eventually, you may be able to use just the hand signal. Correction. For general corrective behaviors, you can use something to alarm your dog, such as a water pistol or a hand clap (or other sound). At the same time, say a loud “No!” or make an unusual, different sound with your voice such as “Ahhh!” Then redirect him with a command that may be easy for him, such as “Sit” or “Stay.”

Most dogs want to please their owners. We must remember to practice patience, understanding, and love. If you practice these 3 things, you will be a success in training your dog.

Nick P Wilson asked:


 Potty training your dog 

Toilet training, or as it is sometimes referred to, potty training a dog or a puppy is generally thought of as being a difficult, onerous task. It is common for new dog owners to resign themselves to the fact that their puppy will toilet inside on a regular basis until it is old enough to know better.

A few simple considerations when toilet training 

In fact this does not need to be the case. Dog potty training is actually very simple. There are two major considerations to consider for dog toilet training to be successful. They are:

1. Eliminate opportunities for the puppy or dog to toilet inside.
2. Praise the puppy or dog on every occasion that it toilets outside.

Inside or Outside? 

If the puppy is allowed inside – contain it by using a dog containment pen, in an area where it can be observed. There are numerous dog pens available at pet stores or on the internet. If possible contain the puppy next to an open door so that he has the option to take himself outside to toilet. If given the choice between indoor and outdoors, a dog will naturally toilet outdoors. By containing the puppy in this manner, the opportunities for it to toilet at will inside the house are all but eradicated. Every time the pup wakes up ensure that it goes outside (you will have to take it outside if it is not contained next to an open door).

Establishing a routine when toilet training

When you do take the pup outside it is important to take it to the exact same spot in the garden to toilet. This will encourage the puppy to potty at that location due to the fact that there will be scent left from previous toileting. The pup will soon associate this area with toileting.

Give the puppy a command such as ‘toilet’ or ‘be quick’ every time you take it to that area. Continue to repeat the command when the pup is in the area and especially when the pup is in the actual process of toileting. This will assist the pup to associate the command with the action of toileting. In a short amount of time with this routine the puppy should be able to toilet on command, at that location.

 Praise your puppy

The most important part of the puppy toilet training process is to ensure that the pup is praised, every time that it toilets in the desired area. This is essential. This positive reinforcement will speed up the puppy toilet training process immensely. Always take your pup to that exact spot, always use the same command and always praise the pup when it is toileting there.  

Housebreaking your puppy

If the pup ever does toilets inside, do not discipline it and certainly do not ever rub its nose in the mess. Many people think that rubbing the puppy’s nose in the mess will stop it from toileting inside. Nothing could be further from the truth.   

Simply take the pup outside to the same spot, and issue the command to toilet. If he toilets there, again lavish him with praise. Whether or not he does toilet there is not important – the important fact is that you have reinforced to the puppy where it should toilet.   

If you yell at the pup, hit him or rub his nose in the mess, you will only compound the problem. This will not stop the pup from toileting inside; it will only complicate things by making the puppy toilet inside where you can’t see him!   

Keep it consistent

Simply put; eradicate the pups opportunities to potty inside, take him to the same spot outside, repeat the command and concentrate on the positive, which is a lot of praise when he toilets there.

In no time at all the puppy will happily take himself to that spot because you have provided a lot of positive reinforcement and made the whole ordeal very simple for both of you. 

Tim Lee asked:


While some people prefer getting cute, huggable, and adorable puppies, other people like getting a full grown dog instead. Older dogs tend to be more mature and perhaps better companions, the best friend that a human would need.

However, some people have qualms about getting an older dog because of the common notion that people cannot teach old dogs new tricks, especially potty training. But this is not actually the case, older dogs can still be potty trained with some important things in mind.

Here are some tips for potty training an older dog:

1. When potty training an older dog, your focus should be teaching the dog to eliminate outside, instead of teaching it not to eliminate inside. It is easier to teach an older dog to DO something instead of NOT DOING something.

If the dog already has an old habit of doing it inside, it would be hard to focus too much on eliminating that habit. It is rather easier to help it learn a better alternative to an old bad behavior.

2. Select a spot where you want the dog to do its business, such as a small corner in the lawn. It would be easier to potty train an older dog, if you are consistent about where you want it to poop. Going to the same place, over and over again, would help the dog learn the right place faster. It also helps if you do not clean the spot much until your dog learns to go there when it needs to go potty.

3. Use the same words in referring to potty. An older dog might get confused if you use different phrases to mean the same thing. When you want it to go potty, use the exact same phrase so that it would somehow become like a command to do the behavior you want it to do.

4. Remove every trace of potty accident inside the house. Dogs’ sense of smell are very keen and the smell of urine or excrement in your house might make it think that it is the place to go potty. Use a deodorizing cleaning solution to eliminate odors that might stick to your floors and carpets.

5. Keep your dog’s sleeping area as tight as comfortably possible. Dogs do not want potty in their sleeping quarters and by keeping the area just enough for it to sleep and, maybe, turn around, there would be no space for it to go potty. Ever morning, when the dog wakes up, take it to its regular potty place so that it would do its business there.

6. Lessen your dog’s food and water intake before it sleeps. This prevents accidents from happening because when your dog is full of water or food while sleeping, it might not have the capacity to control the call of nature.

7. Make it easy for your dog to go outside through a doggie door or leaving the back door open. If this is impractical in your area, leave a bell for your dog to reach. Take the dog out each time it rings the bell so that it would know that ringing is a signal for going out.

Whoever says you cannot teach your older dog new tricks might just be too lazy. Potty training an older dog is indeed possible if you know these tips and if you just have the right amount of patience.