Despite it’s current popularity, Clicker Dog Training is not new – actually it’s been used for in excess of seventy years. We can thank Gary Wilkes and Karen Prior for making the method very popular in America when they made it popular again back in the Eighties.

The basic concept behind the clicker training method is very simple. It is about using reward or treats as a conditional re-enforcer for the animal involved, in this case dogs. It is not a punishment based training method. In other words if the dog does not perform the task properly it does not get a treat.

This training approach is successfully used on other creatures including ponies, cats and believe it or not dolphins and whales.

The idea is not to use violence in any form against the dog. If you are trying to train the dog to do certain tasks and if it does not perform well, reprimanding it will only generate negative results. This is especially true in the long run. Any sort of violence will only make the animal more aggressive as time goes by. The result will be a dog that can become difficult to control.

The training itself involves a device known as a “clicker” which is designed to make a clicking sound. The idea is to make a clicking sound whenever the dog does the task correctly. When the dog hears the sound he will associate the click with doing what he is told. With repetition dogs will “get it” that they are doing the right thing.

To start this type of training there are 2 things needed, the treat and the clicker. The dog needs to be accustomed to the fact that when it hears the click, it will be getting a treat. Some dog breeds, especially the highly intelligent ones, will have a tendency to go through a whole routine before it does the correct task. This is why training more intelligent dogs is more challenging. As soon as they hear the click they know they will get a treat. What makes this program so successful is that dogs will not have any resentment, even if the training gets more difficult. For dogs, no matter what type it is, it is ultimately about the treat. “Do what I’m asked and get a reward”!

The following are some practical tips to follow when doing the clicker dog training method:

• Every time the clicker is used give a treat. If you do not give a treat, it will defeat the purpose of training and the dog can become discouraged

• Always click the clicker only once and always follow it with a treat

• Never use the clicker around the dog, if you are not using for training purposes. Testing the clicker should always be done out of earshot of the dog.

• The best time to train a dog with a clicker is before meal time. After all, a hungry dog will be more focused and receptive of treats.

• Try not to speak when using clicker training. Remember the idea is for the dog to identify the right task with the clicking sound, not chit chat.

To avoid all the common clicker dog training mistakes and stop wasting your time visit www.dogtrainingtipsdirectory.com and see how you can improve your training skills and take your clicker training to a whole new level!

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Copyright © 2011 Kat Drew

There are several important issues to think about when you want to teach your dog tricks. Things like the amount of time you should spend on the tricks and what you should actually do when you want to teach the actual trick you are planning on.

As a rule I say to make sure to teach your dog the action of the trick first. Then you can attach the command word to the trick. This is the same rule for any obedience training.

If your dog seems very uncomfortable with a trick, and does not seem to understand what you want or does not seem able to do as you want, after you have been working on it for a few days, then maybe skip this trick for now and move on. Think about how you are teaching this particular trick. Think about why the dog is not understanding it. Nevertheless, jumping back and forth from trick to trick is not a good idea. Although occasionally a dog just has trouble with one set of movements.

Do not try and train your dog on a trick that might interfere with a specific health problem. If your dog has back problems, then a trick such as rolling over might be too difficult. Do not force tricks on him. Test him and respect his limitations. If he thinks he is not living up to your expectations he will not enjoy the training either. Having success if makes training more fun for the dog as it does for you lol.

Make sure that your training sessions are done without outside distractions and do not work on a trick for too long. Praise and reward your dog for performing what you asked of him. DO NOT punish him for not doing the trick correctly. Just keep working on it. Always remember that tricks are enjoyment for the two of you. The journey is not a race to hurry up and learn each new dog trick. This is a journey of enjoyment and learning together. Some dogs are cleverer than others and some learn some tricks very quickly. Sometimes your dog will learn a trick after just one session. However, do not rush into the next trick and teach him three on the same day. Stick to this same trick for a few days. It give a good success feel for the dog when he is repeating a trick. Just look at his waggling tail for your proof of his enjoyment.

Doing tricks teaches you a lot about your dog and his potential. Training to do dog tricks can be very rewarding and a fun experience for your dog and you. I wish you the best of luck and hope that you enjoy this bonding experience with man’s best friend.

If you are serious about learning how to teach your dog tricks then go get Kat’s FREE and popular e-course at => http://www.dogtrainingacademy.org.uk

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Copyright © 2011 Kat Drew

Teaching your dog tricks can be really enjoyable for you and very rewarding for your dog. Helping and coaching him to do tricks can be a great playtime bonding activity.

As soon as your dog has learned his first trick, he will be beaming with confidence and want to learn more. He will be wagging his tail just waiting to do new tricks to please you. Enjoy the fact that he may turn into a bit of a show off in the process!

There are lots of dog tricks that you can teach your dog, but the main ones are:

To shake, to bow, playing asleep, playing dead, to spin, to beg and many more.

These are advanced tricks to teach your dog so it is a good idea that you have already taught them the basic obedience commands. These are: Sit, Down, Come, Stay, Heel, Fetch, Stand, Leave It.

Teaching your dog tricks is a wonderful addition to fetching a ball or a frisbee. Sometimes you want to do something different to mix it up a little bit. Dogs love to use their brains and learning new tricks is the perfect brain exercise. And these dog tricks can be performed indoors which is great when the weather is bad. Your dog gets to exercise indoors using his brain as well as his body.

Dog tricks can also be used as a substitute for bad behaviour and habits that your dog may have picked up. For example, if your dog runs out the front door at the slightest chance, you can teach him to shake when someone comes through the front door. He will look forward to being able to show off his newly learned tricks to the visitor at the door. Another fun example is if you meet a child, or even an adult, that is afraid of your dog, you can get your dog to perform a cute trick such as taking a bow. Your dog will seem less threatening and more interesting after the trick.

When you begin teaching your dog new tricks don’t make your training sessions too long, make them short and fun. Learning tricks is entertainment for your dog so you do not want to make it seem like work. Your dog cannot concentrate for long and he will get tired and not understand the training.

Once your dog has mastered one trick, you can move onto the next. Don’t be in too much of a hurry, through, as dogs rely on repetition to learn.

Special tools are not needed for you to teach your dog tricks. Just load yourself up with a few of your dog’s favourite treat and you are ready to begin. And you can come up with more tricks to teach him as you get better together. And remember this is fun journey for both of you and not a race to the destination. Your dog can keep learning tricks for years into the future.

If you are serious about training your dog and teaching him tricks go get your FREE and popular e-course at => http://www.dogtrainingacademy.org.uk

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Crate training is not a cruel form of training, quite the opposite in fact. When your dog is properly crate trained, they will love their crate. Crates act as a sanctuary for dogs and can leave you with peace of mind while you are away from home.

Crate training helps with housebreaking, helps with separation anxiety, and helps reduce destructive behaviors such as chewing, and it keeps your dog safe while you’re away. While training is always easier the younger your dog is, it is still possible to crate train your older dog.

5 tips to properly crate train your dog:

1) Buying the right sized crate: Your dogs crate should be large enough for him to sit, stand and stretch out comfortably.

Introduce The Crate Gradually: Set the crate in a room that is fairly active and let your dog investigate it on his own before moving further along with training. You can place a few bits of his favorite treat to entice him to enter in on his own. Praise him whenever he goes near or enters the crate.

3) Get him used to being locked inside the crate: After enough time exploring and getting used to the crate it is time to get your dog used to being locked in there. Be sure to keep the crate in an active part of your home, lock him in only for a few minutes at a time while you’re still within sight. Start slowly, just a few minutes at a time and be sure to give plenty of praise when he is quiet and well behaved.

4)Get him used to being in the crate when you are gone: This is the next and most crucial step to crate training your dog. Keep his crate in an active part of the house and for small periods of time leave the room while he is locked in there. Start gradually with just a few minutes at a time, praising him reassuring him each time you come back into the room.

5)Reinforcement: In the beginning your dog will probably start whining, crying, or barking. It is important to not move or say anything after you get back until he has quieted down. If you hear your dog whining stay firm for the entire amount of time you have decided to be out of the room or until he has quieted down. When you return to the room, let your dog out of his kennel praise him if he has been good, otherwise ignore him until he has calmed down and then proceed to praise him.

Crate training is a vital tool that can help you to put an end to other bad behaviors your dog may be exhibiting. Here are some important reminders: remove all collars and harnesses, provide water for your dog, let your dog go to the bathroom before you leave, and lastly if your puppy is exceptionally young and has not been properly potty trained yet it is best to leave him in an open pen with paper so as not to soil inside the kennel.

I have owned several dogs, from the feisty rebel to the serene quiet type. Over the years I have learned numerous ways to train dogs and provide not just myself, but others with happy dogs and homes. To find out more about dog training and how you can start, visit my site Online Dog Obedience and learn how to crate train your dog now.

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Is it better for you to get a new puppy for your new puppy to play with?

It’s done with the best of intentions:

1) It’s time to add a puppy to your family and you want the best for your new furry friend. You have gotten the bed, bowls, and toys…everything for your new friend. You go to pick up your puppy and find that there is one puppy left in the litter that no one has taken home. You watch your puppy playing with his littermate. They are rolling and tussling back and forth, wearing each other out, and a light bulb clicks on in your head. “Our family is busy and there will be times when our puppy is left by himself. I don’t want him to get lonely. I want him to grow into a happy dog”. You turn to the breeder and say, “I’ll take both!” with a big smile on your face…after all isn’t having two puppies twice the fun? …

2) You’ve had Fido for a week or so. Life has caught up to you and you’ve been really busy! When you get home from your long day at work, your buddy is so happy to see you and wants to play, play, play! You’re tired and think, ” I could get another puppy and they could play together all day so they’ll tire each other out and then when I get home it will be “lovin” time.” You start looking for a playmate that night as your puppy chews on your shoelaces. …

3) You have a good dog that has a lot of energy! Whew, he wears you out trying to keep up with him! What you need is a doggy buddy for him to play with all day and burn off his extra energy…You’ll get a puppy for him. Your older dog is a good dog and can “help” you raise the new puppy by showing it how to behave…

Whatever the reason for a multi-dog household, we have to take our feelings out of the picture and look for the best for our dogs from their point of view. Puppies at the age of 7-8 weeks have, hopefully, had the opportunity to learn valuable life lessons from their mother and their siblings. At this age, they are developing personalities and looking for relationships. They are ready to leave their pack and build a bond with you. This is the easiest window of time for that bond to form. You must bond individually with your dog.

It is much easier for a puppy to look to another puppy or dog for the bond of companionship. They speak the same language. It takes more effort for the puppy to connect with something that doesn’t look like him, smell like him, or speak his native tongue. Bonding with a human and learning the human society rules can sometimes be a little difficult. Dogs left alone “to be dogs” are going to do just that… be dogs. They are also going to bond closely, sometimes becoming two halves of a whole instead of 2 individual dogs.

With this situation, we see an increased level of anxiety in the dogs. They become agitated when separated from the other dog, even a distance as close as across the room. They cry when their litter mate is not around. They become manic if one has to go to the vet for an overnight stay. It can lead to constant fighting between the siblings and increased dog aggression. It may even manifest as human aggression because the trust and bond with a human has never been formed. Dogs are reactionary animals. Some of them will land in a humane society where they will be un-adoptable due to their problems. Most people do not realize that this could be a death sentence for the dog. No one wants this for his or her dog’s future, so now, what to do? We must decide what is going to be the best quality of life for the dog.

The “Unthinkable” for most people…Re-home one of the dogs. No one wants to part with a dog that they have fallen in love with. It’s painful and heartbreaking for both you and your dogs. If you have difficulties with the dog already, waiting to see if they outgrow the behaviors can make it VERY hard to find a home. It takes a special person to try to fix a problem dog.

The responsible option is easier on the heart but harder on the owner….spend individual time with your dog. We understand this goes against why you got two dogs in the first place, but in the long run it can be absolute bliss for your family and your dogs! To treat the dogs as individuals means twice the “dog work” for you but also twice the love and devotion. Train each dog separately. Spend time with each one. Let them play together occasionally but you make sure you have more play time with them than they have with each other. They must have their own space to grow and develop that dog/human bond of companionship. You DO NOT have to keep them apart forever but they will need this individual attention for at least the first year of their lives or coming into your world so they look to you for their love and leadership.

Please don’t misunderstand. We are not advocating one-dog households, we each live in multi-dog homes and most of our clients have more than one dog. You can have as many dogs as you want but remember that owning a dog is privilege and to live up to that you have to do what’s best for those that you care for. We can help you raise and train your puppies. The best option is simply to train your dogs so they may live, love, play together and look to you and your family first and foremost for all their needs.

Talk Dog Training and Coaching is a professional people and dog training service. We specialize at In-Home training. Coming into your home, getting the whole family involved to address all behavioral issues in the dogs’ enviroment. We give you the tools and knowledge to have a well behaved friend for life. To bridge the commnication gap and be Talkin’ Dog in no time visit us at www.WeTalkDog.com

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