14 posts from May 2008

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Train Your Dog to Come When Called

I'm glad to see positive dog training methods getting more and more press. Pat Miller, featured in this article further down than the bits I could clip -- copyright restrictions limit the amount, reasonably enough -- is a renowned positive dog trainer and author of numerous books on the subject. If you click through to read this article, there is a link to her website at the bottom.

How to make your dog come to you: step by step instructions

The weather's fine, and you'd love for your dog to get the kind of exercise and socialization that can't happen at the end of a leash. Maybe you even have a new dog park in the neighbourhood.

You've got just one problem: Once your dog's off leash, you're not sure you can get him back. The traditional obedience method of teaching a recall starts from a sit-stay, the command dogs learn to sit and then stay put.

But for the average dog owner, the stay is a huge bother to train, and it's the long way around. You just want your dog to come back; you don't need him to sit first.

And a dog that responds to "come" in a class or in your yard might not do so in the park. Dogs can't generalize the same way humans do. To a dog's mind, you're not asking for the same thing.

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Downloadable Dog Story Book for Preschoolers

Laika Lou is a sweet 26-page book just perfect for reading over and over to preschoolers from age 2 on up. (I should know, I was a children's librarian for years!)

And it's free. You can buy a hardcover copy but I'd suggest getting the download first. It is a large download for just 26 pages, but that's because it's full of photos.

Not specifically on dog training -- I do keep getting onto related topics -- but instilling love of dogs in young children is a very worthwhile project!
clipped from www.lulu.com

Laika Lou!

Laika Lou! by Terrie Miller, Steve Miller (Book) in Children

Download FREE

Description:

Laika was adopted from a shelter after being found as a very scared stray puppy. She has a loving home now with Aunt T and Uncle Steve, whose nieces and nephews have found that "Laika Lou" is fun to say!

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Do You Have a Firm Hand in Dog Training?

The article I found here is one that takes the concept of a firm hand into new territory, at least for me, in defining it as being clear and consistent. Good article!
Dog Star Daily

Breeds that Need a Firm Hand

May 13th, 2008 by Cindy Bruckart

I often meet with slightly nervous new puppy owners who explain to me that they’ve been told their breed needs a firm hand from an early age. While this is actually a good idea for any dog, it’s a rather vague statement, isn’t it? I mean, what is firm, exactly?

When it comes to dog training, being firm simply means to me that you decide what the rules are and you don’t change them. It really is that simple. For example, you don’t have to yell at or hit your dog for jumping up on the couch in order to be firm. You simply have to provide the same consequence for jumping up on the couch every single time it happens. Being firm isn’t about what the consequence is, but rather how consistently the consequence occurs.

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Explaining Dog Agility

I've posted about dog agility several times here because it's such a great combination of dog training and pure fun. I can tell from watching.. I have never done it myself! But my twitter friend Johann the dog put up this nice Squidoo lens that explains it to you...

A Squidoo lens is a one-page information resource. They vary in quality, but this one is very good!
clipped from www.squidoo.com

Information on Dog Agility!

Created by JohannTheDog (contact me)

Dog agility - information, resources, training, competition, videos, courses and more!

Do you love dog agility, want to get involved in the sport, need information on dog agility?
Check out this lens, it's packed full of some of the best dog agility information and resources on the Internet. From training, competition venues, videos from all levels of competition, and agility courses - that's just the beginning.
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Choosing a Dog for Elderly People

This article recommends a small dog and gives pros and cons of several.
home    forum    about    dogs are cool    resources   

Dog Training: Choosing the Right Dog For The Elderly

Smaller dogs are dogs good for the senior since they're of less maintenance and are easier to handle than the bigger dogs. Aside from which, they also make great lap dogs that can be fondled by the elders to allow for a reassuring feel. Here are a few of the great breeds of dogs good for the aged.

Getting a pug is an excellent pick as these animals are little. But in spite of their diminutive size, they've really huge hearts and are extremely playful. The little ones are really outgoing and they enjoy all the care and affection that is provided by their owner. Although these dogs will necessitate a bit of attention, they as well give out a great deal to compensate for this need. Pugs are ideal for anyone who's a lot of time to spend with the creature.

A Pomeranian is as well another good option

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a popular pick

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Watch an agility run -- with the dog!

Agility is such a wonderful activity for dogs and people. A lot of training and practice go into it. I haven't done it but one of my online friends is very active in it. I met Johann the Dog first on twitter, a really enjoyable social networking site -- visit me at http://twitter.com/trainingdogs and you can sign up too.

Anyway, now I read Johannthedog's blog at http://blog.johannthedog.com/

This short video is the result of a camera being strapped to one of the dogs -- not Johann, another owned by the same woman, if I follow correctly -- as it ran an agility trial. Great fun!
clipped from www.fetchdog.com

Agility competitions are fun to watch from the sidelines, but as this video shows, it's even more fun to watch agility from the dog's point of view. Check it out, and see what this top-notch competitor sees while running, weaving and jumping through an agility course. Then check out this agility dog's blog! 

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Follow Dog Clicker Training via Community Blogs

Clicker training for dogs grew out of work Karen Pryor and others did with dolphins. Fortunately for dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, and other animals, Karen has devoted herself to extending the many ways that you can use clicker training with these (and other) animals.

Her organization's website has a section that I like to keep up with, the community blog area. From beginners to experienced clicker trainers, the blog provides a window into what people are doing with clickers in the world of dog training.

I have a blog there myself. Get one too, if you use clickers at all! It's a very friendly place.
clipped from clickertraining.com
Home

Clicker Training Community Blog

Welcome to the KPCT blog, a compendium of all things relevant to our clicker training community. Browse the news items and tidbits of interest — and post your own comments, if so moved. The blog changes frequently, so come back often!

Don't miss the user blogs, written by trainers and pet owners like you, or start your own!

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Are You Ready for a Dog?

I just did a post -- which disappeared somehow -- about dog trainers Kelly and Ian Dunbar's good website, dogtime.com. It offers a lot of information and tips, such as this page on whether or not you are ready for a dog, in a questionnaire format with comments.
clipped from dogtime.com
dogtime: find your wag
Ready Or Not

Is it time to get a dog? Find out!

Adopting a dog is a life-changing event--or should be. A dog needs lots of time and attention and you've got to be there every day to give it. So find out whether you're ready for a dog, or would be happier with a goldfish instead.

Is your family ready?

Are you planning to have a baby within your dog's lifetime?

Babies and toddlers can't be trained as easily as dogs, which is why many experts recommend waiting until children are 8 and older before bringing a canine into the mix. If you're set on getting a dog and have small children in the house, consider adopting an easygoing adult dog who'll need less attention than a growing puppy.

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My Rant Against Mediocre Dog Training Ebooks

I just had a good time criticizing the general level of dog training ebooks you can buy online. Here is the link to the exact article:
http://www.training-dogs.com/blog/why-most-dog-training-ebooks-are-mediocre.html
 
 

Why Most Dog Training Ebooks Are Mediocre

Have you read any dog training ebooks? I have read dozens of them, and the majority have been forgettable. Ebooks are downloadable files, usually in PDF format, and they are inexpensive to create and to offer for sale. I review quite a few here on training-dogs.com, and I have evaluated considerably more dog training ebooks that I’ve decided not to give any publicity to.

Because it’s so easy to make and sell ebooks on any topic, dog training or otherwise, there is a huge worldwide internet marketing industry doing this. There are people who write ebooks on any topic, and there are people who write "killer" sales copy for the ebooks. Often the sales copy is more exciting and interesting than the ebooks. Often the ebooks are filled with half-baked, outmoded training theories — poorly explained to boot.

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Dogs and Storks

I just came across this website, which certainly fills a need. When babies arrive, what dog training do you do -- before or after the arrival -- to make the situation work?

I'm not endorsing this website as I haven't used their approach. but they do seem to use positive dog training methods.
Picture of Dogs&Storks™ logo
Picture of Bailey, Jen's Siberian Husky
Picture of Kayleigh as an infant

Welcome to DogsAndStorks.com

The first national baby program for families with dogs!!

Dogs&Storks offers, positive, practical and fun solutions for new and expecting families. Our programs clear up myths, emphasize realistic expectations and set families and their dogs up for success before baby arrives!

  • We empower families by providing education on the subtle signs dogs display and what they mean.
  • We have experienced and highly qualified presenters in many locations.Find a Presenter in Your Area!
  • We decrease your stress by hearing any questions or concerns you may have and providing safe, effective and practical solutions using positive training techniques.
  • We help you create a safe and fun environment for your entire family.
  • We are especially honored and proud to provide services, resources and support to growing families!
  • We provide free on-going support to all Dogs & Storks families before and after baby arrives. Register for a teleconference here!: teleconference@dogsandstorks.com
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