Whether you have a brand new puppy or an older dog, it makes sense to spend some time training them. Although there is an abundance of information out there about how to train your dog, you cannot go wrong with dog training tips from the experts.

1. Positive reinforcement is essential. Whilst there are lots of theories concerning how to train your dog, most dog training experts agree that positive reinforcement is most effective. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding your dog with verbal praise “good dog”, physical praise such as a pat on the head and food rewards. It doesn’t involve screaming at your dog, hitting or punishing them.

Positive reinforcement works due to the fact it forms a bond of trust with your dog. Dogs are motivated by rewards especially food rewards.

2. Consistency is important. If you are working with your dog on a specific skill or trick then attempt to train them at the same time each day. This helps your pet learn what to expect. Most dogs thrive on structure and will perform and learn much quicker once they know what’s expected. If you are training using food rewards, make an effort to train your dog before mealtime so they are a little bit hungry and motivated.

3. Show patience. Dogs usually learn in waves. Sometimes they pick things up easily then the following day it appears as though you must start again from the beginning. Be patient. Begin each new trick with tiny steps and be crystal clear about what you expect. Even with the smallest tricks like “sit” you will need to break it down into smaller steps.

4. Make use of hand cues along with verbal cues. Some dogs have an easier time comprehending and remembering hand signals than they do with verbal cues. Assign a hand signal to every trick or behavior you are training.

5. Train in small increments. Dogs have short attention spans. Attempting to train them for twenty or thirty minutes isn’t going to work. They’re going to become frustrated and lose focus. Instead, keep training sessions to a maximum of five minutes.

To start with, you may choose to train for only a minute or two until eventually your dog learns to look forward to training. Dogs can learn to dislike training. Keeping the training sessions short will help them learn to enjoy the process.

6. Always end on a positive note. Learning a new trick is hard work. Finish each training session, no matter how frustrating, on a positive note. Always give your dog a trick or behavior to perform that they have learned to perform and finish with a food reward and lots of praise.

7. Keep your dog healthy. Last but not least, one of the most important dog training tips from the experts recommends feeding your dog a quality dog food, giving them lots of fresh drinking water and making sure they get adequate rest. A healthy dog is a happier dog and will understand desired behaviors far more quickly.

source from: articlealley

. Beginning

As the owner, you must have control over the situation. Many types of canine species are resistant to these procedures and they may get very nervous. Protect yourself using a muzzle to prevent any biting. Your pet may not intentionally bite you, but it may be a reflex action. A muzzle will keep your from injury and it will teach the dog that biting is not acceptable behavior. After a few sessions, you may be able to stop using the muzzle.

Give your pet plenty of time to get used to all kinds of loud equipment. Things like clippers and hair dryers can be very frightening to an animal, as their hearing is much more sensitive than humans. Show them the equipment, so they can see that there is no threat. When you use a hair dryer, start with the lowest blow setting, as it will not be as loud.

. The Importance of Brushing

Brushing is an excellent way to bond with your dog. Most animals love the feel of a brush on their fur, and when you first get a puppy, make sure that they get used to brushing. When you use the brush, talk very softly and let your pet know that all is fine. This is a very good way to start any type of grooming session.

. Trimming Nails

Most dogs will be hesitant about having their toe nails trimmed. It is always best to start then they are puppies, but it is not too late with older dogs. Take the time to relax the animal as much as possible. Praise them after each nail is trimmed and when it is over, give them their favorite treat. Do not forget to have something handy to stop any sudden bleeding.

It does not matter which foot you start with, but be consistent, as this way you will form a routine. It is a good idea to have an assistant for trimming nails. Your assistant can talk softly to the animal and distract him or her from the trimming process.

When cutting nails, longer is better. Cutting nails too short causes them to bleed and it can hurt your pet. Pain will make them afraid of the procedure, in the future. If you can see the vein in the nail, be careful not to cut it. If the nails are dark, err on the side of cation and trim them long.

. Conclusion

If you do not have the time or resources for proper dog grooming lessons, the basics are not hard to learn. Let your dog get used to all of the noisy equipment that you will be using. Do not forget to protect yourself with a muzzle, in the beginning. Start each session with a gentle brushing, as this will relax you both. Have someone help you distract the animal while trimming nails.

Source: ezinearticles.com

With an unlimited source of a variety of dogs at his disposal, Dobermann began to experiment by crossing various breeds. What he really used is a bit of a mystery. What he created was a rather rough, but very effective version of what has evolved to the Doberman Pinscher we know and love today. Old German Shepherd, Weinmaraner, Great Dane, Rottweiler and possibly Greyhound may be part of that early equation.

Today’s Dobe, as their owners affectionately call them, is a far cry in appearance and demeanor from Dobermann’s dogs. Given the fact in the past hundred years they have retained the agile, astute, perceptive, protective and loyal character of their ancestors; they have been a favorite for the military, police, and customs. Recognizing and appreciating their gentle nature, they have also been caring therapy dogs. Their stamina makes them perfect for search and rescue.

This medium size dog, weighing between 60-100 pounds, hardly ever looks approachable. However, that image is part of their appeal so some owners.

They come in four colors: black, red, fawn and blue. Albino Dobermans are rare, but it does happen.

Alert, agile, energetic, and with incredible stamina, the Doberman is an extremely intelligent and loyal breed. They are not recommended for an inexperienced dog owner. Intuitively, Dobermans trust and respect authority. They can sense who has it, and who doesn’t. Without clear boundaries, they can develop serious and possibly dangerous behavior problems.

However, if socialized and obedience trained at an early age, the Dobe makes an unbelievable family pet. Their obedience, loyalty and attachment to their family are without reservation. They thrive on interactions with their humans. An amazingly perceptive animal, they instinctively provide their family with not only a good watchdog, but also an extraordinary guard dog. They can be wary of strangers.

They need regular training and plenty of socialization even as adults. By not challenging them mentally, you are doing them a great disservice. A sensitive dog, with astounding intelligence, they do not need to be strong-armed or hollered at. A firm tone of voice, and positive reinforcement, punishment-free methods of socialization and obedience training are effective.

This is a dog that needs plenty of exercise! They have remarkable stamina, so be prepared to spend time briskly walking and physically interacting with them. If not adequately exercised physically and challenged mentally, they will develop unacceptable behaviors, which may become very difficult to modify. This is not a dog that will tend to stray. Their attachment to their owner far outweighs their need to explore. They are leaners! They have to be touching their people. Many an owner will tell you, they feel their dog is more an accessory than a pet.

A shorthaired dog, they don’t require much grooming. A bath and good brushing now and then will help get rid of loose hairs. They are sensitive to the cold and should not be kenneled outside.

Doberman’s have their fair share of health problems, the most common being Dilated Cardiomyopathy (weakened and enlarged heart). Neutering reduces many of the risks intact males have to Canine Prostatic Diseases. Other health issues include: Von Willebrand’s Disease, obesity, Wobbler Syndrome (compression of the spinal cord), hypothyroidism, Gastric Dilation and Volvus (GDV-bloat), hip dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRT) and Congenital Heart Disease (CHD).

Their average lifespan is 10-14 years.

Bottom line: Do your homework. As they are so popular, avoid flea markets, backyard breeders and pet shops. They only perpetuate dreadful puppy mills that are grinding out inferior quality dogs. Find a responsible, trustworthy breeder. Shelters and rescues often have Doberman Pinschers. They are more often surrendered because of economic circumstances than behavior problems. Who knows, perhaps your new best friend may be patiently waiting for you there.

Karen A. Soukiasian, GOOD DOG! – DOG TRAINING and BED-n-BISCUITS dog boarding and training – Owner/Trainer, St. Augustine, Florida – AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN and S.T.A.R. PUPPY Evaluator

Source: ezinearticles.com

When you are challenged with weimaraner whining, you need to ask yourself, what could be creating it. Whining isn’t a condition on its own and it is often only a symptom of something else. Some of the common causes of whining in pets include:

BOREDOM – This is an extremely common reason why pet whine. If your weimaraner displays this behavior, there is a really wonderful chance that it is only bored. you could make sure if this is the right causative factor by discovering when your dog whines. If the whining is heavier when it isn’t doing anything or when you haven’t paid attention to it in a bit there’s a great chance that it is just bored. You can address it by playing with your pet dog more, by getting a companion animal, or by taking the pet dog out for walks more often.

SEPARATION ANXIETY – This is another major reason why your pet whine. This can be very usual in dogs that are very attached to their pet owners. Since the animal is incredibly emotionally attached to its owner, it will show the behavior whenever kept from its most important carer. For example, if the pet is emotionally attached to your son, it could whine all day while the kid is not home for school and will only calm down when the boy comes home.

PAIN – sick pets, like those that may have problems with torsion or gastric bloat can express whining when they are in pain. If the whining is brought on by pain, the animal needs to be taken to the veterinarian in order to get the problem addressed.

DEPRESSION – This could also be a really big cause of weimaraner whining. Stress can also cause sadness and it could also lead to problems with low energy levels.

Put a cease to weimaraner whining now by being sure that your is happy, healthy, and that its not bored. Doing that can give you a better relationship with your weimaraner.

Source: ezinearticles.com

Widely recognized as the most popular and effective way to housetrain puppies the crate method utilizes your dog’s natural instincts. Dogs are naturally clean animals and will not by nature relieve themselves in the area where they sleep.

Knowing how to communicate properly with your dog lies at the heart of the housetraining process. Lecturing, yelling or other forms of punishment will not achieve the desired result. The key is to reward good behavior. Puppies are like babies, much too young to be held responsible for their bowel movements. Punishments are not the way to get through to your puppy.  If you are going to use the crate method it’s vital that you learn about the proper, humane method to housetrain your dog.

Choosing the right crate

This is very important when it comes to the humane treatment of your puppy. A crate that is too small is very cruel. The puppy should have enough room to maneuver around and be comfortable inside. If the crate is much too large – the puppy might even relieve himself inside the crate.

The plastic varieties of crates are much easier to clean, durable and easier to carry around than the metal varieties.

It is also cruel to leave your puppy inside the crate for too long. Night time is crate time and often even very young puppies can go the entire night without soiling their crates.

You will want to slowly get the puppy used to the crate. The idea here is to create a positive feeling about the crate. Put a nice soft blanket inside and your puppy’s favorite toys too. You can also put some yummy treats inside to entice your dog.

Never, ever force your dog inside the crate. It is his sanctuary within your home.

Tips for housetraining

- Prepare the area that your puppy will spend most of its time in with a layer of newspaper.

- Designate an official toilet area for your puppy.

- Supervise (or have the children do it) until the puppy has relieved himself.

- If your puppy starts sniffing or circling pick him up and get him outside fast!

Golden rules for housetraining your dog using the crate method:

- Take your puppy out first thing in the morning.

- Take your puppy out directly after meals.

- If your puppy has had an accident be sure to clean the area thoroughly. Use a product that will remove the odor.

- Never punish your puppy for accidents. You would never yell at your baby and put her nose in her mess. Rather use positive reinforcement when your puppy does her business outside.

- Take your puppy out just before bedtime and make sure he does his business.

- Give praise freely where it is due. Treats, walks and positive reinforcement will go a long way toward getting your puppy to understand that eliminating outside is the goal.

Housetraining your puppy will take time and patience. The kind of dog and your methods will greatly influence how long it takes for your puppy to be fully housetrained.

There is a reason that the crate method is the most widely used housetraining method. It works well. Of course housetraining your puppy isn’t your only concern when it comes to raising a well behaved dog. You will also want to set some distinct boundaries. Puppies should not be allowed free reign of the house; at least not until they are fully housetrained. Your puppy is a sponge and above all – keen to please you. You are the pack leader and the puppy will look to you to figure out what is and isn’t acceptable in your home.

By deciding early what your puppy may chew on and what furniture he is allowed on you can eliminate confusion and behavioral pr

Source:findoutaboutdogs.com

Some dogs are never possessive with their food, but you may find if your dog came from a large litter, the only way he could obtain his share of the food was to threaten his brothers and sisters. Finding this action acheived the desired result (getting more food),he may well try it with you.If you don’t sort this out very early on, this possessiveness will transfer to other things, such as bones, toys, furniture and so on, perhaps even to other members of the family.

To stop him being aggressive with his food, don’t give him possession of it! By this I mean feed him by hand for a couple of weeks. Prepare his food in the bowl as usual, but don’t put the bowl on the floor for him. Simply feed him a handful at a time. The bowl of food on the floor almost instinctively makes him want to guard it, so if he is not put in this position of needing to guard, he will not bite!

Feeding by hand also helps if your dog is dominant in other areas. It makes him completely reliant on you for the most important thing in his life,his food,and this will reinforce your position of pack leader, as he is only receiving the food from you and not from the bowl. You can also use this period of hand feeding to your benefit by making him perform some minor order from you for some of the food. Get him to sit first before one handful, or to lie down for the next, and so on. Don’t make him run around for the food as this could cause digestive upsets.

You will find that after a couple weeks of this regime, his general attitude over possessions will change. You can then try giving him his food in a bowl again, and, provided there is no sign of aggression, continue to feed him normally.

For dogs that are food possessive, do not give them bones or toys, as they will attempt to guard these in the same way. Once the food possession has been sorted out, you can try introducing a toy, but make sure the dog understands that it is your toy, and he is only allowed to play with it with you, and when you decide the game is to end, you must end up with the toy.

The click method utilizes a clicker. This is a little box, about one inch long and a half an inch wide, which has a flexible piece of metal on one side. Depressing the metal piece inside the box produces the click sound. It is the sound of the click that the dog learns to associate with desired behavior. He also learns to expect a treat or reward after hearing the click.

Getting started with the click method:

To get started with click training a dog, all the dog owner needs is a clicker, a bag of treats, and patience. The owner will sit on the floor, and simply observe the dog. As soon as the dog begins to sit on its own, the owner will depress the clicker and give the dog a treat. Only one treat per sit is necessary. The dog owner will continue with this pattern for a few sessions. At first the dog will not understand the connection between action, click and reward, but it will not take long before he catches on to the pattern.

Once the dog understands what the desired action is expected of him, the dog owner can begin to add the word “sit” to the training process. It will no longer be necessary for the owner to reward the dog every time he sits, and the dog will gladly repeat the action several times with the knowledge that the behavior will eventually be rewarded. This would also be the time to start working on other commands, such as lie down and stay.

Advantages of the click method of training:

Many dog trainers prefer the click method for training to the traditional methods. For one, it does not require the owner to touch the dog. Traditional methods can be especially tiresome when training a squirming puppy that does not understand what is going on. By waiting for the puppy to act on its own, then clicking and rewarding, the dog is happier as will be the owner. Neither party will be frustrated by the end of the training session.

The click method is a gentler approach in that it does not employ force, punishment, aversive methods or choke collars. This makes the method safe for use in puppies whose disposition and bodies need to be handled with care. Training a dog is a two-way communication, and puppies will respond better to their owners if they are treated with respect. It is not necessary to break the dog of habits. Instead, the click method reinforces desired behaviors that the dog already possesses.

Patience is a key ingredient to the success of the click method. If the owner is used to using traditional methods for training, it will be tough at first to restrain from telling the dog what to do. Learning to be patient will pay off once the dog understands the action, click, and reward process and becomes an enthusiastic learner.

Will an older dog respond?

Because patience is required, it may be harder to click train an older dog that was initially trained using traditional methods. The older dog may become stressed and lose interest because it does not understand what is required of it. If this happens, the dog’s mind will shut down to the idea of learning and the click method will be ineffective. However, some older dogs will adapt quickly to this new way of learning and the transition to the click method will be easy.

As many dog-training methods have come and gone over the ages, some have stayed with us and some continue to revolutionize how dogs are trained. The click method is one such revolutionary program. If it continues to grow in popularity, choke chains and forceful techniques will no longer be needed to train our dogs. The click method will create a lifelong friendship between the owner and the dog that is rewarding for both parties.

The first lesson in obedience is to get your dog to pay attention to the commands. You want to start by calling his name and then using a keyword like “watch” or “look” afterwards.  This way, he will associate the words to a command. Once you’ve got his attention, the lessons can begin.

You want your dog to be able to pay attention for a short length of time. Try keeping his attention by doing attention exercises. One example would be to hold a toy or dog treat in near your mouth and then give him the keyword command. Each time he takes the time to watch, praise him. The more you do this exercise, the more time he should be able to pay attention to you. Try getting him to watch for at least a minute. Let him know that he is doing a good job by rewarding him. Dogs learn best this way.

Because dogs have such short attention spans, they get distracted pretty easily. Choose a place that is free of other distractions such as other pets, children or loud noises. Training sessions should only last approximately 30 minutes tops. Usually, if you go over this time limit, the dog will get restless and easily distracted.

If your dog isn’t learning very quickly, you may become frustrated. Don’t take that frustration out on your animal. A few things to remember before starting your obedience lessons:

1) Never cause pain to your dog (this will cause him to shy away or become aggressive to you.)

2) If he begins to become distracted, change the tone of your voice (this doesn’t mean raising it)

3) Consistency can not be stressed enough (animals are like children, if you’re not consistent, they will become confused as to what is expected)

Teaching your dog basic obedience commands will make for a more obedient and more pleasant dog to be around.

The first command to start off with would be to sit. You must use the word sit while teaching him so that he can relate the word with the action. Start by gently pushing his backside down and saying the word “sit.” Eventually he will catch on to the concept.

The second command is “down.” Dogs can become pretty hyper when they get excited. Jumping up on their owner’s lap is usually how they express their excitement. If you have a big dog or have other people over, you might not want them pouncing about. When they jump up, tell them “down.” Do not pet them or act excited to see them while they are on you. Continue to tell them “down,” and even place their legs down if you have to.

Next is the command of “stay.” This command is a good one to know especially if you have a rambunctious hyper dog. You can teach him stay, for example, by putting a treat or something desirable on the ground. As he moves toward it, tell him “Stay.” Another good idea would be to put your hand up while saying the word “stay.” When he begins to become obedient in this area, you can move further away from him. This will cause him to become more daring and he will probably take a step forward to see how much he can get away with. When he does this, continue to put your hand out and tell him “stay.” He has to know that even though you are moving away, you can still see what he’s doing and expect him to continue to obey.

After you’ve mastered the stay command, you will move on to the come command. Once your dog has learned to sit and stay, he will need a command to know when it’s ok to get up and approach you. They may be a bit confused at first, but with a change in the tone of your voice, he will soon understand. Put a little excitement in your voice when saying the word “come”. He will pick up on it. You might also want to pat your leg when you say come.

Stand is the last command to achieve. This is where your dog is allowed to get a little excited but not in a pouncing kind of way. When teaching your dog to stand, pat your hands on your chest and, once again, put a little excitement in your voice, so that he knows he’s aloud, under certain circumstances. He will begin to know the difference.

Teaching your dog basic obedience, if possible, should be taught as soon as you and your dog are ready. Remember be consistent with the commands and don’t forget to have fun!

Some common dog training collars are: the prong collar, the Halti, the Gentle Leader, the choke collar and the electronic collar.

(Please note that www.FindOutAboutDogs.com is not recommending of supporting the use of any of these collars in particular: you must do your own research and make up your own mind).

Prong Collar

The prong collar looks a lot more painful to the dog than it actually is. This collar is made up of metal prongs that have been linked together. When you apply a pulling pressure to the collar (via the leash), it gives the dog a little pinch that is meant to duplicate the effect of a mother dog’s teeth when she grabs here pup by the scruff of the neck. The prong collar is a safe and effective training tool as long as the fit is correct and the collar is used appropriately. The prong collar should not be used if your dog is one to consistently yank at his leash.

The prong collar should fit snugly against the dog’s neck. As most prong collars can be adjusted by simply adding or subtracting prongs, the correct fit should be easy to achieve. A properly fitted collar should leave approximately ½ of a finger space in between your dog’s neck and the prong tip. A collar that is any looser than that won’t do its job and will needlessly chafe the dog’s skin.

Halti and Gentle Leader

Both the Halti and Gentle Leader head halter devices look a lot like the harnesses that are used to control horses. While the prong collar is designed to condition behavior and movement, the head halter is designed to restrict or restrain your dog’s movements. The thought behind the halter’s design is that if you can control the head, the body will follow its movement. When you pull on the attached leash the device closes the dog’s mouth and restrains his head. These types of collars are great for dogs that lunge, bite or display other aggressive behaviors.

There are drawbacks, however, to using a head halter device. Most dogs will not take very easily to any device that positions a strap over its nose. You may have to struggle with your dog many, many times before he will submit to wearing it. Another drawback is that pulling at your dog’s head makes it a lot more likely that you’ll inadvertently injure the dog’s neck or back. To avoid injury, you should always make sure you’re restraining your dog in the correct manner.

Choke Collar

The choke collar is one of those dog training devices that is surrounded by controversy. Proponents of the choke collar point to its humane effectiveness, while critics say that the collar is more torture device than training tool. The truth is that what the collar becomes is largely dependent upon who is using it.

A properly fitted choke collar works by tightening around the dog’s throat when the trainer pulls on the leash and then releasing pressure when the trainer does. If the collar is not put on correctly, however, the pressure will remain and the dog could truly choke to death. These collars are not meant for dogs that consistently pull at their leash or for inexperienced trainers. As is the case with head halters, the choke collar has the potential to cause injury to the dog’s neck.

Electronic Collar

Just mention the option of an electronic dog collar and many dog owners (even some people with no pets at all) will look at you as if you have suggested training your dog with a stun gun. The reality is that electronic collars can be a very humane way to train a dog. As with any other training device, however, whether or not it is used for purposes of cruelty is totally dependent upon the intentions and experience of the trainer.

The electronic collar works by allowing the trainer to give the dog small, electric shocks (via remote control) in order to modify its behavior. The intensity of the shock is left to the trainer. Proponents of electronic collars suggest that the setting should be strong enough to make the dog’s ears twitch. If the dog howls or yelps when the shock is delivered, then the setting is too high. Again, the electronic collar should only be used by experienced trainers.