5 Dog Training Myths Ebook
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Kingdom of Pets proudly presents: 5 Dog Training Myths Your Dog Needs You to Shred Without Using Tooth or Claw By Daniel Stevens From KingdomOfPets: SitStayFetch – How to Stop Your Dog’s Behavior Problems… For Good! Fellow Dog Owners and Enthusiasts, It is with great pleasure and pride I find myself representing a superb opportunity to assist yet another dog owner in their quest for a healthy, happy, and willingly obedient companion. I'm happy to say that since its inception, the SitStayFetch guide to dog obedience training has been used by over 60,000 dog owners to solve their dog behavior troubles - or prevent them from occurring from the start! Many of their success stories are included on our website with photo testimonials (Click Here to see lots of success stories). These clients represent a wide mix of dog owners, from those who are house training a new puppy, struggling with common problems such as excessive barking, destructive chewing, or possessive aggression, to those treating a severe case of separation anxiety or struggling with an adult dog that is simply on a crash course toward "out of control." Over the years our team has grown into respected network of dog trainers, behaviorists, and veterinarians who work under the Kingdom of Pets name. We all share the same commitment to solving your problems so that you can get the most out of your relationship with your companion! Dog owners from all corners of life can benefit from a systematic training program based on sound methods (my own dogs are walking proof) and that's what we're all about providing anyone with a dog they truly care about... So now that I've answered the question, "WHY should I listen to you?" - it's time to get on with WHAT I've got to say... time to get into the meat of the matter. "I recommend SitStayFetch to everyone who has a dog as a companion. I have learned so much about dog behaviors and how to respond accordingly without yelling or intimidating. Thanks Dan for writing such a great learning tool!" - Susan Caruso (USA) Now, I know it's a constant challenge separating the fact from the fluff when it comes to dog obedience, one that gets even trickier when you 2 have more than one source offering you conflicting information, even if they mean well. And the fact of the matter is that most people want the maximum impact for the least amount of effort. I don't blame them - after all, you just want to be a responsible dog owner, not a professional dog trainer! In the dog training field you see a lot of half-truths and a fair share of total myths. And when it comes to myth-making and myth-breaking, I've found that it's quite common to have dog trainers insult your intelligence and waste your time. I mean, everyone knows that you don't house train a dog by rubbing their face in their own mess. Everyone knows you don't teach a reluctant dog to swim with a firm shove into the swimming pool. And we all know you CAN teach an old dog new tricks (yes, your old dog is often smart enough to make you think otherwise). So I'd like to offer you some of the most important and most persistent myths that have shaped my own experience with clients. All of these questions grow out of common dog obedience problems - none of them have easy answers. I'll be following each one with additional guidelines from full SitStayFetch training program, so you can see firsthand what our course is all about... If you’re in a rush, Click Here to visit SitStayFetch right now to put an end to ALL your dog obedience problems for good! 3 Myth #1 - You're only training your dog when you THINK you're training your dog. WRONG: Let me explain. Many owners set aside and plan out dog obedience training sessions. They have a set time, gather their set tools (all manner of treats, clickers, leads), and go to a set place (the backyard, the park, or even the weekly dog training class). This is great! These owners are doing much better than those who believe that a daily pat on the head or a steady salvo of "SIT!" commands every now and then amounts to a successful dog training regime. But what many caring dog owners either don't realize or simply don't put into practice is the fact that you are effectively training your dog whenever you are with your dog. Your dog is picking up on your verbal and non-verbal cues all of the time. If you spring up and run to the phone every time it rings, you are training your dog that it is ok to spring up and run around whenever he hears that ringing sound. Let's say you are relaxed at night when you get home from work, but totally stressed out in the morning. You are basically training your dog that there is a reason to be stressed out in the morning (not so good when you are about to leave them alone for a while). If you get nervous each time you pass by the neighbor who walks their Great Dane on the other side of the street in the morning, you are training your dog to be nervous if the Great Dane is in sight. Remember, even when your signals are not directed at your dog, your dog picks up on them. There is no line that separates formal and informal training. You are training your dog even when you are not "training" your dog. This is what I call "involuntary training." It just happens. The important thing is to try to recognize moments when you can make this involuntary training work for you. 4 Structured training is, of course, still an essential part of dog training, and the form of involuntary training that I've just spelled out does not in any way replace the need for such structure. Here are what we regard to be the key concepts to successful training, and a short description of each: Bonding Perhaps the most important aspect of building a successful relationship with your dog will be your rapport with him. If you make your dog into a close friend by doing such things as talking to him, playing with him, and taking him for long walks, he will be much more responsive and attentive when you are training him. Spending QUALITY TIME with your dog is the key. Consistency Delivering consistent messages to your dog will help him to view his world as black and white rather than various shades of grey. By consistent messages, I mean the commands that you decide to use to train, praise, and reprimand your dog should always be the same. It is important that all members of the family are aware of this and use the same commands themselves, as you would not want to undermine the hard work that you have put in to training the dog by having other people confusing him. Timing By timing I mean the amount of time that passes between your dog's action (or inaction) and corresponding praise (or reprimand). This time should be no more than two to three seconds. If the time is any longer, the chances are your dog will not associate your words with his actions. Do not fall into the trap of calling your dog to you to reprimand him. As mentioned above, by the time he gets to you he has long forgotten what he has done wrong and now thinks that you are telling him off for coming to you! Always praise your dog when he comes to you. Repetition Dogs are creatures of habit and learn by repetition. It will take several repetitive training sessions for your dog to get the response you require implanted into his brain and for the action to become automatic. 5 Dogs require refresher sessions throughout their lives so that the conditioned response that you want is not lost. Remember prevention is far better than having to correct the action at a later stage. Session Length Keep formal sessions short and enjoyable so that your dog maintains concentration throughout. Quality not quantity is the golden rule. Always finish a training session on a positive note. Attitude Be reasonable in your expectation of what your dog can achieve. It will take time to get results. You should ensure that you have the dog's full attention and that you are giving your best when performing a training session. You may wish to settle yourself or the dog down by taking a long walk before the session commences. "I love SitStayFetch. I rescued two German Shepherds and I did not know anything about dog obedience. One of my dogs was quite aggressive with other dogs, and crazy about chasing cats and squirrels. What I like about your book is that you give insights into what the dog is thinking, why they behave the way they do, and tips on what to do to correct the problem. I have learned so much from your instructions, and my dogs are now following my commands and I am able to control them. Thanks for the great book." - Carla J. Johnson (Long Beach, California, USA) Praise Use praise whenever your dog has completed an exercise correctly. Praise should also be delivered to your dog as soon as the desired act has been done (remember the timing thing). When delivering praise look directly into the dog's eyes so that he understands the connection between your voice or touch and his action. Deliver praise verbally or with the hand by either patting or stroking. Try not to over praise your dog as excessive chatter will only serve to confuse him and may disrupt his concentration for the rest of the training session. Generally speaking, try not to rely too heavily on food as your only reward or bribe. However, alternating treats with displays of affection can be a 6 useful way of overcoming problems that your dog may have in learning some of the exercises. Eye Contact Using eye contact can be more effective than using the spoken word more so if there is a close bond between dog and owner. If a dog wishes to communicate with you, he will look directly into your eyes trying to read your intent. It is well known that dogs that do not make good eye contact can be difficult to train. Hand Signals Using a specific hand motion while you give a vocal command can be an effective way of training a dog to respond to different stimuli. And it is useful for getting your dog to respond at long distances. Eventually you can wean your dog off the vocal command so that he responds to the hand signal alone. Give hand signals in front of and above the dog's head as that is their best field of vision. Voice Signals Use one command for one action and pronounce that command with the same tone and inflection. Don't get carried away with the number of vocal commands you create. You should gain your dog's attention by saying his name before stating a command. Corrections The importance of the trainer being seen as the pack leader in the dog's eyes is imperative. In a pack situation if a dog steps out of line it is chastised and made aware of its transgression immediately by superior dogs in the pecking order. Giving Corrections is a big topic with a lot of methods to consider. There are three failsafe options with our top recommendation outlined in more detail in the complete SitStayFetch book. Click Here to visit SitStayFetch right now to put an end to ALL your dog obedience problems for good! 7 Myth #2 - You need to understand and communicate in "dog language" so that your dog will understand you. WRONG. This is a notion that I find to be increasing in circulation these days, and a myth worthy of a good swift debunking. True it is of the utmost importance to be able to "read" the body language of a dog. You need to understand when whining means "I missed you" and when it means "I have severely injured my tail." You need to know when barking means "I am bored and acting out" and when it means "Excuse me there is an ax murderer behind you." But this stops way short of responding to your dog using what might be thought of as "their" language. You don't need to bark, growl, or whine when you want to connect with your dog on a deeper level. You don't need to get on all fours and mimic the play stance when you want to play a game with your dog (put it this way: you won't see them pick up and throw a Frisbee). This is nonsense. Dogs are intelligent animals. They know you don't look like a dog, you definitely don't smell like a dog, and so there is absolutely no reason why you need to act like one. Not only that, it makes you look ridiculous - both in the eyes of other people, and in the eyes of your dog. Yes, you can still be a human and be a pack leader. In fact, your upright and elevated (human) posture has the added effect of reinforcing your dominance. With this silly myth laid to rest, allow me to offer you a selection of items that will help you get a handle on how dog's communicate using body language and facial expressions, which is taken from the "Guide to Body Language and Signals" and the "Guide to Facial Expressions and Vocals," both included in the SitStayFetch book: Use of the Body to Communicate: Backside in the air and tail wagging: This means that your dog is keen to play and have some fun, so it's time to get his favorite toy and spend some time giving your dog the play and exercise he needs. 8 Tail right between the back legs: This indicates that your dog is scared of something or someone. If he is slinking around with his tail like this, you should try and work out what is affecting him. Wagging tail: A wagging tail can mean a number of things from playfulness and happiness to excitement or aggression. If the tail is wagging loosely, he is probably feeling friendly and happy. However, it his tail is high up and wagging rapidly, it could mean aggression. If the tail is relaxed and still, your dog feels contented. Raised hackles: This means that your dog is either frightened of something or that he is ready to go into battle with whatever or whoever has caused the hackles to be raised. Rolling over: This is normally a sign of submission and may occur in the presence of humans or in the company of other dogs or animals. Sniffing: This can occur for one of a number of reasons. Your dog may sniff because he smells something unusual - something he is unfamiliar with and he may be trying to work out what it is. He may sniff to identify a person or other animal, as dogs use their noses rather than their eyes to differentiate. He may sniff to find out more about a new person or dog. In addition, if he is sniffing the floor, fence, or lamppost outside he may have caught on to the scent of another dog that has marked the territory. If your dog is sniffing the floor in the house and is also pacing or circling, he may need to relieve himself so you should get him to his designated area. Tense posture: If your dog's body is tense and slightly lowered, this indicates anxiety. This may be coupled with a partially lowered tail. Crouching: A tense body coupled with a crouching position usually means that your dog is ready to pounce, and is what is known as a predatory position. He might react like this with anything from his favorite squeaky toy to a squirrel or an intruder. Prancing: If you notice that your dog is prancing back and forth, bouncing around with his tail wagging, he is usually feeling happy. He may be happy and playful or he may just be happy and excited because you have just come home from work. These are just a selection of the body postures and actions your dog may display to convey the way that he is feeling. Making yourself familiar with these actions will help you to identify and bond with your dog more closely. 9 Use of the Head and Face for Communication: Ears. The ears can tell you a lot about how your dog is feeling. Here are some common ways in which your dog will convey his feelings using his ears: • • • • Ears close to the head, pointing back or forwards could indicate aggression. Perked up ears, with his head turning from side to side indicates that he is alert. Slightly flattened and partially back ears indicate that he feels anxious. Ears perked up and pointing forward means that he is curious or excited. However, this can also be coupled with a predatory position, in which case he may be just about to start the chase. Ears pointing straight up may display a degree of dominance. Ears flattened and laid back against head usually indicate fear. • • Eyes. The eyes are also a giveaway of how your dog is feeling, and coupled with his posture, can enable you to work out what your dog is thinking and what he is trying to say: • • • • • • Narrowed eyes can indicate aggression and challenging behavior. Slightly narrowed eyes coupled with partially back ears can indicate anxiety. Wide open and staring eyes are often coupled with a dominant posture and ears up straight to convey his dominance. Eyes narrowed with lots of white showing indicates that he is afraid or submissive. Wide open, sparkly eyes usually means that he is ready for a game and some playful fun. Wide open eyes that are intently focused on something are part of the predatory position. 10 Mouth. Your dog will also use his mouth as part of his communication, and here is what to look out for: • • • • • • • • Lips drawn back to expose teeth, coupled with snarling, indicates aggression. This could also be coupled with snapping. Mouth closed or slightly open can indicate alertness or dominance, depending on his posture. A slightly open mouth that makes him look as though he is grinning can actually indicate anxiety. An open mouth coupled with panting can indicate excitement and curiosity. Mouth open to expose teeth with drawn back lips can indicate fear. A relaxed mouth that is slightly open is normally a friendly and relaxed gesture. A slightly open mouth with bared teeth may indicate that your dog is on guard. An open mouth coupled with excited panting can indicate playfulness and eagerness. Click Here to visit SitStayFetch right now to put an end to ALL your dog obedience problems for good! 11 Myth #3 - The "Dog whispering" method is superior because it is the most gentle and humane. WRONG. I've found that there's a lot of confusion and misdirected advice surrounding this topic. "Dog whispering" is a training method, or more accurately, it is a training philosophy that incorporates a lot of different methods and techniques. It has gained a lot of popularity through a television show, called The Dog Whisperer, featuring Cesar Millan. Dog whispering IS humane. But the belief that dog whispering is the best way to train your dog because it is the most "gentle" is not quite right. Much of the effectiveness of the method depends on establishing dominance, and making your dog aware at all the right moments that you are comfortably in charge and in control as pack leader. Accomplishing this typically involves reminded your dog through firm, physical gestures. So yes, dog whispering methods ARE gentle compared to, say, hitting your dog with a shovel, but they are actually more forceful (and effective) than bribing your dog to do something by stuffing them full of hotdogs. Even though you use physical force to establish dominance, you never act in a way that is violent or aggressive or potentially harmful to the animal. At the same time, dog whispering reminds us that dogs are not children and they feel more secure with a clear idea of a pack leader they can trust. Here are some of the main points about the method: Be the Leader. Establishing your role as pack leader is one of the most vital parts of making this method work for you. This will involve making the dog feel secure in many different social situations and interactions (which cannot happen unless you have established your dominance). Submissive or anxious dogs run the risk of acting out with defensive aggression. Alpha dogs run the risk of acting out with dominance aggression – without proper guidance, they will always take the law into their own jaws, so to speak. The key is to be calm yet firm. 12 Control your Voice. Never Shout. No dog training method is about shouting at your dog. This is more a reflection of the owner's own lack of self-control. So while it is true that an attractive quality of dog whispering is a softspoken and gentle demeanor, this is not its defining or most important aspect. In fact, much of the communication is done non-verbally – sometimes with hand signals, sometimes without. [The] training methods are positive and very proactive. Sumo, our pup, is doing great! At only 5 months old he sits, lies down, heals, stays, and even comes most of the time. … SitStayFetch continues to provide support through email which we feel is a priceless resource." - Wayne & Sumo (USA) Like other training methods, dog whispering requires patient, nonviolent means, lots of repetition, and positive reinforcement. There are moments when your dog may be in imminent danger. You should reserve shouting for these moments. This way, you can expect a response when you most need one. Read (and Use) Body Language. I always say that one half of dog whispering is about reading your dog's body language. The other half is about your body language being read by your dog. This is why your calm yet firm actions speak volumes to them, as we've already established. Again, if your energy is nervous, or even fearful, it's as good as saying to your dog: "You have reason to be nervous. You have reason to be fearful." Remember, dog communication is primarily non-verbal (while that of humans is primarily verbal). Signals. Dogs can use a variety of gestures and signals to defuse situations of stress and send a message of "no threat." Dogs also try to signal to us, but if we don't recognize them, we can miss the point. Some of the most common of these signals include: turning their head away from yours (no the dog's not being rude), licking their lips and nose, walking slowly, "freezing" on the spot, sniffing the ground, and even 13 nervous yawning. These signals can be observed frequently between dogs and from dogs to humans. The failure of humans to recognize these signs often makes dogs resort to more extreme forms of expression, such as barking, when they are distressed. Some dogs use some signs and not others. It is also possible for a dog to lose this body language to an extent if it never reinforced, especially during early conditioning. Understanding and reading your dog's body language is important not only for when they are trying to tell you something, but also when they are trying to send a message to another dog in your presence. An ability to prevent dog fights is almost guaranteed when you can read how dogs react during or just before greeting. It makes timing your intervention or deciding to avoid the situation entirely second nature to you. Eye contact. Eye contact is one of the best ways to communicate with your dog. It is said that some dogs talk more with their bark, and other talk more with their eyes. In either case, the first step in reading each other's facial expressions is regularly establishing eye contact. But remember that holding a direct stare without any other verbal or physical cues is likely to be read as confrontational. Avoid direct eye contact when meeting new dogs. No Hocus-Pocus. Dog whispering does not involve hypnosis or magic. Whenever you see anyone who has "a way" with dogs, it often comes down to a mix of high affection, low fear, and steady confidence. Dog whispering is simply about putting that into practice in the best possible manner. Establish your Dog's Purpose. Dogs are not servants or slaves and should not be treated as such. If you continually bark commands at them, don't be surprised when they bark back. Sadly I've seen that many dog owners become "control freaks" and act in a bossy, demanding way. The same owners tend to be the ones who get extra angry when their dog doesn't listen or misbehaves. Be a pack leader, not a control freak. Dogs are not children and should not be treated as such. This is another commonly misguided idea of the relationship between humans and dogs. 14 Many dog owners pamper their dogs as if they were surrogate children. This is harmless, and even funny, but only to a point! Dogs need more than your treats and your cuddles. They need your guidance. Sometimes you need to physically intervene or make a correction with your dog. The use of calm, assertive, non-violent, and non-aggressive physical force is not only ok with your dog, but it is essential in maintaining a healthy and secure relationship. Dogs are social. Give them a social role. Whether they are a running or walking partner, a show dog, an agility dog, a herding dog, a watch dog, or a party dog, dogs are happier when they have a role and they feel like they are fulfilling it. Give them the security that comes from a sense of purpose. Afford Respect and dignity. If you treat dogs with the respect and dignity they deserve, they will enjoy behaving for you. Simple as that. For the same reason, a dog whispering philosophy puts more value in "life knowledge" for dogs than it does teaching them neat tricks. For example, when people ask me if my dog knows how to "shake hands" or "roll over," I tell them no, but add that he does know a great trick that I call "don't run in front of the bus." Customize your approach. Dog whispering works as well as it does because it can take a different approach for different dogs. It is always a "custom fit" method. This is because a dominant dog will require a much different training approach than a submissive one, as will an aggressive dog vs. an anxious or obsessive one. Exercise. Dogs need more exercise than you think. Even though this is the cornerstone of all dog training systems (or at least should be), I need to mention it again as absolutely essential as part of any dog whispering approach. If your dog does not have a way to channel all the energy that they has for work and play, they will find another way to release it. And chances are it won't be a good thing. Click Here to visit SitStayFetch right now to put an end to ALL your dog obedience problems for good! 15 Myth #4 - A dog that chews things is either terribly bored or simply trying to be vindictive. WRONG. This is one of the most common problems when it comes to dogs and undesirable behavior. But it's also not as straightforward as many dog owners think. Humans play solitaire to keep themselves occupied when they're alone. Dogs chew. It's what they do. Actually, chewing is much more important to dogs than solitaire is to humans. Dogs need to chew on things to maintain healthy teeth and gums and good jaw strength. Solitaire will do nothing for your dental hygiene. Puppies need to chew even more when they are teething (in fact, there are special chew toys that can be dampened and frozen to provide relief for painful gums during this process). So chewing isn't a problem in itself, but destructive chewing is. Dogs need to learn what they can and cannot chew on, and they are quite capable of doing so when properly taught. Here are four steps every dog owner should take to encourage "constructive chewing." 1. Prevent. As always, the best cure is prevention, but dog owners should also always dog-proof their home, especially with puppies. They can be very creative with what they chew. Anything not removable that has been or is likely to be targeted can be sprayed with a deterrent, such as Bitter Apple. 2. Interrupt. Whenever you are there with your dog, it is important that you actively teach them commands for "leave it" or "drop." These are given whenever you see them taking something into their jaws that should not be in there. You may have to orchestrate this training process by adding some of the items that you removed in step 1. But that's what training is all about setting up safe scenarios in which you can help them differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate behavior. 16 These commands will also work well when you are out with your dog and they want to pick up something dangerous or just foul. 3. Redirect. Here's where you start teaching your friend which toys belong to them, to chew to pieces if they like (and they will). Immediately after removing the inappropriate item from their clutches, replace it with an appropriate toy. It will take some time to really zero in on a few of your dog's most favorite things. But as you try lots of different toys to encourage constructive chewing, keep in mind that the best ones are those designed to promote healthy teeth and gums such as dental chew ropes. Also, try to find what are called "active toys," which give your dog something to do for an extended period of time. For example, "Kong" balls and rubber toys can be stuffed with food, such as peanut butter or whatever they go for. Often dogs are inactive when they are alone because they're missing you. I can honestly recommend your book to anyone contemplating getting a dog. It contains lots of basic advice - essential for the beginner - as well as more advanced material for the experienced dog owner. I have read all sorts of books on dog keeping and training over the 40 odd years I have been keeping German Shepherds but none have been as sensible, useful or comprehensive as SitStayFetch. If you want to use our photo on your website please feel free to do so. All the best." - George Barrett (USA) 4. Praise. The final step is simple but not one to forget. And you already know how best to praise your dog. Good news. All in all the good news is that most dogs will grow out of this phase somewhat at the same time as they figure out what's chewable and what's not. If your dog's chewing problem continues, however, it is likely to be an expression of nervous energy (the same goes for excessive licking, of themselves and others). The number one cause of nervous energy for dogs is lack of exercise. 17 A brisk 15-minute walk is simply not enough for many dogs, barely a warmup for a Border Collie, and it is important to understand that exercise is different from a play session or outing to the park. The mistake that a lot of dog owners make, which is an unfortunate function of their busy schedules, is that they pack in two high intensity (1520 minute) fetch sessions at the beginning and end of the day. True, this is much better than nothing, but the fact that the dog goes more or less from sleeping to sprinting, then from lying around all day to sprinting again, can cause extra wear and tear on the joints and possibly early arthritis. Like humans, a dog benefits from a decent warm-up and warm-down, and busy owners should do their best to sneak in some longer, less intense exercise sessions. All the best with it, and don't chew out your dog in the meantime! Click Here to visit SitStayFetch right now to put an end to ALL your dog obedience problems for good! 18 Myth #5 - A crate is basically a dog cage that is like a prison for your dog. WRONG. Above all, dog owners need to realize that "CONFINEMENT" doesn’t mean the same thing to you as it does to your dog. Their very own crate is the one place a dog can go where they know they don't have to DO anything, such as protect or alert or even keep you company. In the crate, they really don't have to make any decisions at all... and for them, that's a HUGE relief. Crate training is an effective method used by many dog owners to house train any dog as well as keep them safe from the potential dangers around the house. Your dog should be actively encouraged to think of his crate as a safe area – somewhere that he can go to get some rest or some peace and quiet. Make the crate as comfortable as possible for your dog, putting in some toys and soft bedding to put him at ease. The full regime of crate training is outlined in the SitStayFetch book, but here are some of the best opportunities to make use of crate training, followed by some important things to remember about this method. Keeping Your Dog out of Mischief It is not always possible to keep an eye on your dog. For example, if you are cooking or on the phone, your puppy could get up to all sorts of mischief, and he could put himself in danger. This is a good time to put him in his crate, where he can have a rest, play with his toys, and generally chill out while you get on with what you have to do. You can also use the crate if you have to go out for short periods of time, although this should only be when your puppy is totally used to the crate and enjoys being in it. You should confine him to the crate for short periods while you are actually in the house before trying it when you go out. Without doing this, 19 you will not know what your puppy's reaction is to being confined for a period of time. House Training a Puppy A puppy is unlikely to soil his own rest and play area, so the crate is a good way to teach him to hold it in until you take him to the designated area to do his business. This will teach him control of his bodily functions and reinforce the fact that he should only do his business in the designated place. Be careful not to let your puppy go for too long in the crate, as he may need to go to the bathroom and if he is not let out will be able to do little else but go in the crate. Once this has happened, you could find that he starts to do this more and more and it may become a hard habit to break. "I knew there was a problem when I realised that my puppy was treating me like she was the boss! With Sit Stay Fetch I was able to turn this around in a couple of weeks- no more tantrums, no biting, growling and carrying on- for the both of us! Thanks Daniel, your book is 100% dog friendly and the results are impressive indeed. Pip and I are now a great team." - Colin Madigan (South Yarra, Australia) Things to Remember About Crate Training: Don't force it: Never try and rush crate training, otherwise you will make things more difficult for you and your pet. It can take your dog a while to get used to it, and you should be patient and understanding with him. Monitor the time: The crate is not meant to be a place where your dog spends all of his time. It is not a substitute for responsible dog care or your warm companionship. Having a dog is pointless if you are going to put him in a crate all day while you work, all evening while you have dinner and get the house tidied, and all night while you sleep. The crate should be used as and when you need it, not as a permanent measure to keep the dog from under your feet. 20 Careful with puppies: When you are using the crate for your puppy, remember that she will need to relieve herself quite often. You should let her out and take her to her designated area around once hourly to avoid accidents inside the crate. No collars: Make sure that you take his collar off before you put him in the crate, otherwise you may cause a choking hazard. Make it comfortable: Your dog should see the crate as a safe area – a place of their own. Therefore, aim to make it as comfortable as possible, with toys, blankets, and anything else that will make the dog feel more at home. In addition, remember your dog always needs access to fresh water so make sure that this is provided. Do not use it as punishment: Your dog should never be sent to her crate as a form of punishment. Similarly, you should make sure that she cannot be harassed by anyone while she is in her crate. Remember you want her crate to seem like her safe haven. Do not use a second-hand one: You will have a much better chance of getting your dog to successfully use a crate if it is brand new. A secondhand crate will carry the residual smell of its previous occupier, which your dog will probably not like. Click Here to visit SitStayFetch right now to put an end to ALL your dog obedience problems for good! 21 [Draw Your own] Conclusion I hope you enjoyed this myth-busting exercise as much as I have, and found the additional complimentary information helpful and relevant to your own experience as a dog owner. Hopefully it's given you some solid evidence to suggest that the answers are out there (or, at least, in here!). In any case, there's not really any "conclusion" to this special guide - we're confident that you will draw your own. At the end of the day it's not a matter of SHOULD I train my dog; it's a matter of HOW do I go about doing it in such a way that I maximize the results and minimize the cost? No one wants a dog that that barks excessively, acts aggressively, jumps up on people, chews the house to bits, or has any sort of behavior or obedience issue that simply makes you worry about taking your pet out in public. With the right mix of positive attitude and effort, a tried and tested dog training resource can stamp out these problems. But remember, you don't need to have a "problem pet" to train your dog. All training should be 9 parts preventative and one part corrective. For any dog owner, there's no doubting that the greatest value of effective and efficient dog training program is lasting peace of mind, for you and your pet. We'd like to propose that SitStayFetch: Dog Training to Stop Your Dog's Behavior Problems is the ideal tool for putting an end to the stress and frustration of dog obedience problems that are threatening the enjoyment of your relationship with your dog. In fact, we are convinced about it! If you still haven't heard of us, here's what you're missing... The flagship product of the Kingdom of Pets dog training network, SitStayFetch offers solutions to over 25 of the most common dog behavior problems, loads of real-life case studies, and the best and latest in dog training methods and techniques. 22 Here’s a Sample of What You Will Learn with SitStayFetch: Need to stop your dog from trying to fight with other dogs? Learn the best ways to break up dog fights and prevent them from ever happening again.(page 84-86) Want to know how to curb your dog’s aggressiveness? Learn six powerful strategies for training aggressive dogs. (pages 60-72) Did you know that your dog may not know why you are trying to correct him? Learn how to make him understand. This will remove the frustration and rapidly increase the speed of your dog's learning. (Page 37, plus further communication strategies provided throughout) All the secrets of professional dog trainers are revealed, and best of all are easy to apply! Stop wasting hundreds of dollars (chapters 103, 201, and 301) Does your dog require urgent dog house training? Learn the dog house training techniques you must know that get the fastest results, whether you keep your dog indoors or outdoors. (chapters 103, 203, 302 plus house training bonus book) Sick of having your dog race out the front door? Read my book and you’ll never have to worry about this again. (page 116) Got a dominant dog? We teach you how to deal with him. (chapters 201, 202, plus bonus book) Separation anxiety getting you both down? Find out about the best ways to make it go away. (pages 143-144 and Separation Anxiety case study: pages 145-146) Hate having your dog jump up on you? Learn six simple techniques to stop him jumping up on you ever again! (pages 141-142 and Jumping case study: pages 143) Neighbors getting annoyed with your pet's constant barking? Maybe he doesn’t bark enough? Apply these advanced techniques so that your dog knows when and where it’s appropriate to bark. (pages 56, 86-89, 127-128) Once you dig into all of the dog training material on offer, you'll notice a dramatic positive change in your dog's behavior immediately! And there's much more to discover: Dog Whispering is a new, amazing and totally humane training technique. Discover the secrets to making it work for you and your dog. (pages 32 and 120128) What to do and look out for when there is more than one dog in the house! (pages 130-131) Use my Top Dog Maintenance Program to keep the peace! Having problems with the family cat being harassed? Learn an easy method to let your cat and dog live in harmony! (page 134, plus Cat and Car Chasing case study) 23 Want to stop your dog eating his own, or other dogs' poop? The technical term for this is coprophagia. We have the best ways to stop this nauseating behavior! (pages 72-73) Having trouble with your dog pulling on the leash? Find out how to stop this behavior in ten minutes or less with my sure-fire technique. (pages 82-84, page 125) Biting, nipping and mouthing problems can be embarrassing when you have your dog in public. Fix these dog behavior problems once and for all with my super-effective techniques. (pages 68-72) Discover how to train your dog to learn any command. We cover in specific detail with photos, many commands such as: Okay and No, Come (Recall), Hold and Leave , Sit, Sit and Stay, Down, Heel, Seek, Stand, Beg for food, Fetch, Catch food , Climb ladders, Shake hands, Crawl, Jump, Rollover and more! (chapters 203 for basic commands and 301 and 303 for advanced commands) Things to consider when exercising (page 32) or leaving your dog in the heat (page 138). Don’t cause him any more stress than you need to! Has your dog got sickness problems? (pages 132-136) We teach you all you need to know about many illness concerns, including stomach gas problems (page 136), motion sickness ... and what you must know about selecting a vet for your dog! (page 30) Learn powerful techniques to solve ANY dog behavior problem such as failsafe methods for dog house training (toilet training) (see the House Training bonus book), professional secrets to training an aggressive dog – no matter what the circumstances (chapter 202, also see Alpha Dog bonus book) digging (pages 79-81), barking (pages 86-90), worms (page 147), fleas (page 137), gas problems (page 136), fighting (chapter 202), destroying your stuff, and much, much more is covered in this comprehensive, easy to follow book. You may be wondering... Will These Secrets Really Work For Me and My Dog? These training secrets have been proven time and time again to work. So what’s the catch? You have to actually do it! Most people who fail do so because they never take action. They don’t have the will-power and desire to train their dogs. They think it takes forever and don't actually realize that dogs learn VERY quickly when they learn to communicate with them properly... They get lazy and give up, rather than take on their dog’s obedience training and achieve immediate results with their training. If you really truly want a healthy well trained dog who will LISTEN to you wherever you go... if you want to be respected by other dog owners as 24 someone who takes great care of their dog... then there is no doubt in my mind this will work for you. At the end of the day, your dog WANTS to please you – but it’s up to you to learn how. We'd be more than happy to help. If you do decide to check out our full SitStayFetch course, you will not only shorten that learning curve more than you thought possible, I assure you, it will also be like throwing your dog the bone of a lifetime... Yours sincerely, Daniel Stevens Kingdom of Pets Click Here to visit SitStayFetch right now to put an end to ALL your dog obedience problems for good! About the Author Daniel Stevens is the renowned dog trainer and author of SitStayFetch: Dog Training To Stop Your Dog's Behavior Problems!, one of the leading dog training guides on the market today, having helped over 60,000 dog owners since its inception. He currently heads the Kingdom of Pets dog training team. 25 Does your dog have troublesome aggression issues, but you need to some help finding the cause - and the cure? Is your dog absolutely perfect, EXCEPT for that embarrassing barking problem that's getting out of control? Do you get the feeling that your dog thinks of you as a great friend, but has no respect for you as a leader and a boss? Or maybe you just want to improve the overall relationship you have with your dog, and you understand that dog obedience is all about better communication and better training for both dog and owner!!! SitStayFetch offers dog training solutions to over 25 of the most common dog behavior problems, loads of real-life case studies, and the best and latest in dog training methods and techniques. 26
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