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- I have a puppy approximately 8 weeks old. Is this too young to start a
training program?
- We have a 2yr old female that is hyper and jumps up on people she doesn't
see all the time (playing). What would help her stop?
- How much does would it cost to get a tattoo identification for a Bull
Terrier? At what time in the dog's life should he be tattooed?
- I have a 7yr old cocker, bred in a puppy mill. She is very aggressive
towards others & will bite other people & animals. I have also been bitten by her
just removing a piece of paper from her mouth. Is it possible to socialize a dog of this
age and demeanor?
- I've adopted a 3 month old male Rottweiler (Tiger). We have some problems
with mouthing (dominance related), housebreaking and he seems a little stubborn. I plan to
train Tiger my self but I'm also thinking of working with a professional trainer. Is this
a good idea? It's quite difficult to find a "professional" trainer here in
Jakarta (but there are a few). How can I judge good trainer? What questions do I ask him?
Do most trainers use physical punishment.? Please help me out (or direct me to someone who
can). According to some people it's best to wait until 6 months of age before getting a
trainer. Is this true?
- I have a Labrador retriever that loves to swim in our pool. How can I keep
him from getting in the pool when we have guests over?
- I have a 3 month old female lab and we are having problems with her coming
when she is called. Do you have any suggestions? She also bites a lot.
- My 9 year old Dachshund is very aggressive towards other dogs, especially
big dogs. She has been to obedience school at age 2, and did well with other dogs. I think
she needs a lot of socialization. Do you think group classes would be best. Also, she had
major surgery for a collapsed disc in her neck about 3 years ago. She is very active now,
but I am afraid to correct her really hard with a choker. I still use the choker, but I do
not yank her off her feet.
- I have a 4 month old Papillon. He constantly bites us. I think it is a form
of affection, as well as being playful. His teeth feel like razor blades....very annoying!
I would love to know if there is a good secret to the way to end this....or is this just
natural puppy behavior? We have never had a dog before......(I mean a puppy)....Please let
me know what we can do....we are desperate.
- I have a one year old beagle male mix who is home alone from around 8-5
every day while I'm at school. Most of the time he is perfectly behaved (as far as I can
tell) and thrilled to see me when I get back. Occasionally, though, as soon as I get in
the door he acts terribly guilty, cringing and even piddling as I'm standing there. I can
look all over for a possible accident and (except for one time) will never find anything.
Do you have any idea why he might be acting this way? Might I simply not be finding the
accident?
- We have a 10 month old half German Shepard, half something else-BJ is his
name and we have had him since he was 8 weeks old. About a month and a half ago we got a
beagle-Bassett hound mix-Missy. Well, they play constantly with BJ showing his teeth but
never really hurting her. Shoot-she hurts him more by biting his jowls. The problem is-BJ
is now eating everything in sight. He has destroyed two rugs by chewing holes in them, an
afghan that he had to pull off of the couch (this is how I know it is him-not her, she is
too tiny to even get on the couch), books and newspapers left on the coffee table & 2
comforters. We're not going to have anything left! We have spanked, berated and yelled.
He just does it again when we're sleeping or gone. I am sure that Missy gets in on the
action once he begins. We have lots of toys around to play with. I go to the thrift store
and buy a lot of stuffed animals-BJ loves to carry them around and rip them apart to get to
the stuffing. He is a very sensitive (neurotic?) dog. He runs and hides under the bed if
you yell at him. A couple of hours later he will come out, sit beside you with his ears as
far back as they will go, look at you with this sad look and put his paw on you to see if
you forgive him. He is such a sweetheart, but this chewing is going to leave us with no
furniture soon. He never did this type of stuff before Missy came along. Is he trying to
teach her something? Is he showing off? Help!
- I have an older dog that I am now having to crate and she is barking
excessively in the crate. Any suggestions would help ?
- My wife and I are in the market for a small dog. We both work from 7:30 to
3:30, and therefore would like to keep the dog inside. After a lot of information on the
Internet, we like the West Highland White Terrier. Do you have any suggestions on choosing
a dog? If we get a dog does your service house train dogs?
- Do you have any recommendations about how to bring a new puppy into the
home of a four year old dog (small 14 lb. dog) who does not like other dogs? She barks and
snaps, but doesn't bite. She also is pretty spoiled and is only bothered by dogs when
they're in our house. Would it be easier to buy a dog more her size, smaller or larger??
Thanks for your help.
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Answer: I begin training the day you bring your puppy home. The board
and train course includes unlimited private lessons for as long as you own your dog. For
those with very young pups I recommend starting with private lessons ASAP
and consider
kennel training any time after 4 months of age.
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Answer: Teach an alternate behavior. Patting your chest and saying your
dog's name should mean please look up and pay attention not please jump up here. Teach a
formal greeting. Place the dog in the heel position on leash. Quietly praise and command
stay. Now invite someone to approach calmly yet with purpose and praise your dog. Have
them, at arms length, pat your dog on the chest then scratch under the chin then command
stay and then step back. Think of this as a 1-2-3 process. 1-good 2-dog 3-stay and then
step back. The dog must sit still and accept this. If anything goes wrong the praise must
stop and your must correct the dog with (No, Sit ). Repeat this formal greeting three
times. On the third try have the greeter repeat the 1-2-3 process however at the end do
not leave. Simply stand up straight and invite the dog to jump up. If the dog tries to
jump up you must correct and start over. If the greeter sees any hesitation from the dog
he must immediately praise the dog. (Good Boy. That's right you are not supposed to jump
up.)
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Answer: Tattooing is very simple. It takes about 15 min. and cost
$30.00 and can be done at any age. I prefer to wait until the dog is about 6 months or
more.
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Answer: There may not be anything that can be done, however if you are
determined not to give up then I suggest discussing drug therapy with your vet. With that,
reconditioning with obedience exercises may very well help. Massage therapy is also
proving to help dogs such as yours. Call and lets talk about it CompanyPhone
.
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Answer: Unfortunately it is true that most trainers use compulsion
training methods. However it is not necessary. More humane and effective techniques are
available and recommended. As in most endeavors, seeking out professional help is usually
the most effective path.
When interviewing a prospective trainer logical questions would determine background
knowledge and experience of the trainer. Ask for references and follow up on them. Does
the trainer have specific experience with your breed. Ask for an explanation for his
methods. You are looking for a focus on positive vs. negative technique. Prevention of
misbehavior is much more efficient than the punishment after the fact.
The best time to begin training your dog is the moment you acquire it. Social skills,
basic manners and personalities are formulated very early on. Three month old pups are
quite capable of heeling, coming when called, and automatically sitting. A proper
introduction to the basic commands of come, sit down, and stay, is done off leash with the
promise of a food reward. The introduction of the leash will be much easier with this
approach.
Mouthing and play biting is a natural behavior of all pups. That is how they interact with
their littermates. They learn how hard to bite each other as a method of establishing pack
position. Try to refocus that activity into retrieving exercises. "Do not chew on
me go get your ball". House training can be frustrating. Just learn to be
consistent with the schedule and rules. A good general approach is if you are not
available or not at home just leave your dog outside in a secure area. When you are home
bring the dog in and crate it. When you have five or ten minuets to devote to its
training, let out of the crate on a leash and drill on come sit down stay. Don't be in a
hurry. Give your dog the same consideration you would your own infant child. Close
supervision and management skills are critical to your success.
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Answer: Place train your dog. Start with crate by the pool. Have your
lab wait in his crate. His reward will be permission to enter the pool. Practice when you
do not have guests.
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Answer: Have your pup wear a light leash whenever you are working with
her. Just let her drag it around so it is easy to help her do what you want. Practice
calling her to you with the promise of a food reward. Each time she arrives you should
deliver a small food reward. Practice calling her from person to person having each person
deliver the food reward each time.
Try playing fetch games to redirect her mouthing. "Don't chew on me, go get your
ball."
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Answer: I highly recommend using a remote training collar. DT Systems
has two excellent units that will work well with your dog. The 401DT and the 400DT. Both
are very small and easy to use. They have more than 300 yards of range and work very well.
Go to my web site and look under training
collars.
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Answer: Try play training. Teach your little Dracula to retrieve a ball.
"Don't chew on me, go chase your ball". When you do not have time to
teach this, the game, then just crate him..
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Answer: The ideal would be to leave your dog outside during the day and
crate it in the evening and at night. If you are unable to leave your dog out during the
day then try confining your beagle to a crate during the day. This confinement training
will help you to completely avoid having to discipline your dog for accidents. You will be
able to praise your dog and focus on positively reinforcing correct and supervised
activities. Good luck. Let me know how it goes.
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Answer: What a classic story. You need dog crates.
I prefer Doscosil Pet Porters. Get one for each dog. When you are not at home the dogs
should be outside. When you are home the dogs belong inside with you in their crates. When
you have the time you let them out and closely supervise their activities. Just like
children they need adult supervision. They will graduate from the crate just like children
do from cribs, playpens and car seats. Don't be in a hurry. This will take several months.
When you take them out of their crates you should be working on heel, sit, down and stay.
As they demonstrate they can handle more responsibility you slowly dole it out.
There are four levels of responsibility.
First they are in their crates with the doors closed because you do not trust them at all.
Second they are in their crates with the doors open and are not allowed to leave without
permission.
Third they are lying across the room on a pillow or carpet with their leashes on.
Forth they are lying across the room in their spot with no leash.
Do not hesitate to back up in this management system if you experience problems.
12.
Question: I have an older dog that I am now having to
crate and she is barking excessively in the crate. Any suggestions would help ?
Answer: Practice sending your dog into it's crate and having it stay
there with the door open for just a few seconds before calling it out.
Heel around in a circle and then repeat sending the dog into it's crate again. Each time
quietly praise it for waiting for you to call it out again.
Repeat this many times (6). Each time have your dog wait just a little longer. Remember
to praise quietly, maybe with a food treat, for patiently waiting.
Now drop the leash and go sit down. If your dog leaves the crate before being asked, pick
up the leash, then say no and direct the dog back into the crate. Praise again with food
and then drop the leash and go sit down.
While waiting or working on stay, do not look at the dog. No eye contact.
Try to return and praise again before your dog has a chance leave the crate. You want to
catch it being successful and praise it for the progress. Try reading or working at your
desk or watching TV.
When you are no longer willing to give your dog this undivided attention simply close the
door and go about your business. The crate needs to be close at hand. At least in the same
room. It will only frustrate your dog further if you exile it in another room like the
laundry room or the garage.
This method focuses on positively reinforcing staying, and being quiet in the crate. The
very best way to apply a negative reinforcement to the manipulative barking is to catch
your dog by surprise. Imagine the sensation of tripping when walking backwards. That is the
reaction you want from your dog when you say no. It's the best correction there is. You
want your dog to gasp and look at you with its heart pounding. At that moment you should
quietly smile and say "Good Dog No Barking". Then look away and pretend
to focus on something else.
Now, to get such a reaction you will need to startle the dog some how. Try sharply
striking the top of the crate. Pop the top of your desk, or stomp your foot on the floor.
At the very instant you create the loud startling noise you should say "NO!"
Again when your dog stops the manipulative behavior and refocuses on you, you should
quietly say " Good Dog NO Barking " and then look away and go about your
business.
Sometimes a shaker can and will get through better than any thing else. Start by tossing
the shaker can at the crate. The instant it strikes the crate you should Command "NO".
This works like ventriloquism. You are taking the word "No" to your dog
on the can. Soon you will only need to vigorously shake the can and say "NO".
After a while all you will need to do is ask if any one has seen your can.
Don't forget to praise quietly for progress. If every few minuets you return and praise
for calm quiet behavior you will begin to develop a calm and quiet dog. The very last
thing you want to do is give up and let the dog out of the crate because it is driving
your nuts. This will only teach the dog to continue to drive you nuts until it gets what
it wants.
13. Question: My wife and I are in the market for a small
dog. We both work from 7:30 to 3:30, and therefore would like to keep the dog inside. After
a lot of information on the Internet, we like the West Highland White Terrier. Do you have
any suggestions on choosing a dog? If we get a dog does your service house train dogs?
Answer: Yes, House Training is a major part of my programs.
When selecting your dog, you should look around and interview as many breeders as possible
to get a feel for what you should really be hearing. You can talk to breeders of any breed
to educate yourself about the process. I have trained countless Westies here in Dallas and
I find them to be delightful. Occasionally I see one that is very dominate and even
aggressive.
Always ask for a written return policy on temperament and health. If the breeder cannot
stand behind his pups, you should just move on. AKC puppy papers are delivered with the
pup. Try to select your puppy at about 6 weeks of age and insist the breeder keep it for
at least 2 more weeks.
Take your new pup to a Vet within 48 hours to insure you are getting a healthy dog and to
begin it's vaccination schedule.
14. Question: Do you have any recommendations about how to
bring a new puppy into the home of a four year old dog (small 14 lb. dog) who does not
like other dogs? She barks and snaps, but doesn't bite. She also is pretty spoiled and is
only bothered by dogs when they're in our house. Would it be easier to buy a dog more her
size, smaller or larger?
Answer: Young pups tend to drive older dogs nuts. Carefully supervise
your new puppy and give your older dog a break. Keep your new pup on a leash or crated
until thing are going well. This could take months.
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