Dog Training

Relationship-based dog training is based on trust. When you have a trusting, cooperative relationship with an animal (whether a dog, cat, parrot, horse, or another animal), you have his respect, and he'll want to spend time with you and work with you. Relationship-based trainers do not train with methods that use excessive force, threats, fear, intimidation, pain or dominance. Training based on such aversive methods damages any trusting relationship you might develop with the animal.

When you correct and praise, the dog interprets it as relating to the last thing he did. This can sometimes cause problems. This articles discusses inadvertent training relative to dog training.

Want to teach your dog to wait at the door? Or get your cat to jump into her carrier on her own? You can use positive reinforcement to teach them how to do the right thing. Positive reinforcement training means that you reward your pet as soon as they do something you like. The reward reinforces the behavior, making it more likely to occur again. Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool you can use to change your pet's behavior.

A Kong is a rubber, hollow, dog toy designed to hold food and entertain your dog's brain and belly. Kongs and similar food dispensing toys require that a dog lick and chew on the toy in order to access the food. Licking and chewing are soothing activities for dogs, so Kongs can be helpful when teaching your dog how to be calm, quiet and relaxed.

Remember that you and your new dog need some time to learn each other’s signals and routines. Even if he was housetrained in his previous home, if you don’t recognize his “bathroom” signal, which may be nothing more than sniffing or staring at you, you might miss his request to go out, causing him to eliminate indoors. Additionally, scents and odors from other pets in the new home may stimulate some initial urine marking.

Unwanted dog behaviors can range from those that are merely nuisances to behaviors that are downright destructive and harmful. Maybe you have a pup who loves to jump on your guests and greet them with big, sloppy kisses that they might not appreciate. Or maybe he spends his days barking.