Dog training certainly has a lot of benefits.  It doesn’t matter what kind of dog you have.  You might have a new puppy that needs to learn to follow the command “No!” or an old dog that needs to learn more than the command, “No!”  With proper dog training, you will bond better with your dog and you would be teaching him how to behave.  You would be able to avoid the embarrassing situation of having your dog pee on your bed or chew on your visitor’s shoes.

Prepping Yourself for Dog Training

You don’t have to pay for dog training.  You can start dog training in your home.  However, to be an effective trainer to your dog, you need to understand why dogs behave they way they do.  Basically, must dogs only care about eating and playing.  However, common to all dogs is that they are “pack animals”.  You can trace this back to wolves.  Dogs basically consider themselves and you as part of his pack.  Oftentimes, dogs do not want to be the “alpha” dog or the leader of the pack.  They like to assume the role of a member of the pack.  Sometimes, your dog would assume the role when he does not recognize any leader to his pack.  This is the reason why there are aggressive dogs.  In order to have effective dog training in your home, you must assert yourself as the “alpha dog”.

How to Train Your Dog at Home

You can train your own dog.  However, you need to learn how to be firm in your methods.  Always be consistent in order to avoid confusion in your dog’s mind.  Learn how to become the pack leader.  Small things like making him wait for you to go out of the door before he does or feeding him after you have finished your meal will establish the role.  Make sure that you pull rank if you need to.  For instance, if your dog is used to resting on one side of the couch, make him get up and take his place.  This may seem mean to you but this would help in establishing your roles.

Remember though that it is crucial in dog training in your home that you refer from hitting or abusing your dog.  Training your dog in your home can be frustrating especially if you’re also learning the ropes as you go along, but never take it out on your dog.  He would sense your frustration and he’d end up a nervous wreck.  He’d lose his concentration and he’d be even more difficult to train.  Also the law frowns at animal abuse.

Be Consistent with Your Program

In order to train your dog effectively, you need to be consistent with your program.  Oftentimes, this is the key to effective training.  Keep your focus.  Do not allow yourself to be distracted from your task.  Stay with your program until you see some results.  Do not get frustrated and do not give up on your dog after a week of dog training in your home.

Have a great dog training day,

Dr. Alfonso

Do you have a very stubborn dog? Have you ever experienced arriving at your own home shocked as you see all the things that were destroyed by your very own pet? Do you think that you have done enough to train your dog to avail? In my opinion, dogs are one of the most intelligent creatures in the animal kingdom. Considered as the man’s best friend, dogs are loyal, fun-loving, and very active pet. Unlike other animals, dogs are also easy to train, assuming that the trainer does follow rules and what nots of dog training.

If you think that you have followed all the necessary instructions and procedures in taming your pet and following all your orders, I do suggest that you try this digital book from ‘Hidden Secrets behind Dog Training’. It is a book that is definitely well-researched and highly informational on the knowhow of dog training. Just so you know, the book was written by the famous Master dog trainer and Dog Psychologist Kevin Salem. What’s good about this book is that it is free of charge!

The book is comprised of topics regarding the ABCs of dog training, top 10 mistakes of dog trainers, 20 reasons why your dogs don’t listen to you, why dogs lose focus around other dogs, among others. I highly recommend this digital book since it is very informative with regards to dog training. What’s another good thing about this book is how it is easy to read. Everything written is understandable.

Other than the digital book that is charge for free, you can definitely seek help with dog training to the writer of the book. As a great trainer, Salem has the ability to train even the most stubborn dog there is. His protocols and ideas are undeniably worth the shot. There are a lot of positive testimonials that you can see if you think that you still have doubts trying out his offer.

Here is a living testament of how good a trainer Salem is. “I do have Labrador named Beatty. She was a very active dog but I don’t have enough time to train her on some basic things such as where to piss and crap, how to stop her from barking too much, how to stop her from biting too much stuffs, among others. After enrolling my dog to one of Salem’s offer, I was shocked to see how trained my Beatty is. She was now obedient to everything that I say. I can now let her walk with me without any leash since she always listens to what I say now.”

“It is truly amazing to have found a trainer that is definitely worth it. Nothing compares to the training Mr. Salem has provided for my beautiful dog. So if you think you need some help with the way your dog is acting, I do suggest that you go to Mr. Salem’s website and try to read his digital. Should you think his work is exemplary, then try to enroll your dog to one of his many courses and you’ll sure see where your money goes.”

Try this free resource.  It might help you.

Have a great dog training day,

Dr. Alfonso

One of the many joys of owning a dog is having a tight bond with your dog.  Indeed, dogs could become so attach to their owners that they would develop dog separation anxiety whenever they are left behind.  This is especially true if the dog becomes too reliant or dependant on his owner.

What is Dog Separation Anxiety?

Dog separation anxiety is not a joke to many dog owners.  In fact, it could cause enormous problems for dog owners whose dogs are suffering from the affliction.  Sadly, if the condition remains untreated, it could become a reason why many dogs end up in shelters.

Treating this condition or affliction is not easy.  In fact, it can be time consuming and bothersome.  However, a patient dog owner who truly loves his dog would take the time and effort to help his dog get over this affliction.

Separation Anxiety - the Dog’s Point of View

It might be easier for you to understand this form of anxiety and what causes it if you would look at it at your dog’s point of view.  First and foremost, dogs suffering from this are essentially dogs that regard their owners as the one important thing in their life.  This reason alone is a great motivator for you to help your dog overcome the problem.  You should understand that if your dog has a choice, he would to be with you on a 24/7 basis. Impossible!  You might just think.  Indeed, but this is the reason why your dog gets anxious, depressed and apprehensive whenever you leave the house.

It might be also help if you know that your dog regards himself as a member of your pack.  In fact, he thinks of you and himself as one pack.  So, when you leave him behind, he gets confused and worried.  All he would want is to be reunited with you - his pack.

Knowing all this, how can you still possibly resort to punishment when you’re dealing with dog separation anxiety?  Punishment is not the answer to treating this affliction.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Dog Separation Anxiety

In order to help your dog, you should learn to recognize the symptoms of dog separation anxiety.  Does your dog get really worked up when he sees you preparing to leave?  For instance, he’d start behaving badly when he sees you picking up your car keys.

Does your dog engaged in bad behavior only when you’re not around?  Bad behavior ranges from urinating inside the house or displaying hostile and destructive behavior.  These behaviors are, in fact, fairly common to dogs suffering from separation anxiety.

Does your dog like to follow you everywhere?  Does he start to show inappropriate behavior when he can’t come near you?  Once you get home, does your dog give you abnormally exuberant greeting and takes time to calm down?

These are just some of the many symptoms of dog separation anxiety.  By knowing and recognizing them, you would know that your dog would need treatment for his problem.

Have a great dog training day,

Dr. Alfonso

Dog obedience training requires a lot of strategies that you could use in order to enforce good behavior and obedience in your dog. This dog training would also discourage negative behavior from your pet. However, in order to be effective at training your dog, you need to learn the basics. Crucial to effective training is communication. You need to learn how to communicate with your dog.

Communicating with Your Dog

There are several things that you have to learn or to consider in order to effectively communicate with your dog. First of all, you need to understand that your dog responds to your body language and tone of voice. Your German Shepard does not understand verbal instruction. This is why some dogs learn the meaning of the word "No!" They do understand the word but they respond to your facial expression and your hand gesture. For example, you find the bed sheets on the floor and your dog munching on your new shoes, you do not lecture your dog. This is not effective. A simple and forceful, "No!" would suffice as long as your dog has been trained to understand the word.
If you want to have an effective communication system with your dog, you need to constantly communicate with him. You need to be consistent in your methods. Adapt the same manner and tone of voice for your commands.

An effective tool to training your dog is your hand signals for dog obedience training. Oftentimes, you’d see dogs jump up, roll over or play dead at their trainer’s hand signal. Indeed, hand signals for dog obedience training are wonderful tools to get your dog’s attention.

How to Train Your Dog with Hand Signals

Dogs understand hand signals for dog obedience training. These signals are far easier to grasp than verbal commands. This is probably because dogs understand body language easily.
There are no official hand signals for dog obedience training. Dog trainers would usually adapt the commonly used signals, however, for basic commands like sit, down, stay, come and heel. For instance, if you would like to teach your dog how to sit by giving him a hand signal, you could just simply start with placing your arm at your side and then moving them toward chest with your palms facing upwards. This is a great hand signal if you are very close in proximity to your pet.
It is always advisable to mix verbal commands with hand signals for dog obedience training. Your pet would associate your hand signals to your commands and they would learn to respond to either of the commands when given.

If you want your dog to learn fast, make sure he’ll have fun following hand signals. Make sure that you lavish your pet with praise and treats every time he’d do something right. This will inspire your pet to do better. On the other hand, if your pet disobeys you, do not resort to physical punishment. Always resort to positive reinforcement rather than the opposite.

Have a great dog training day,

Dr. Alfonso

If your dog is well trained, he would be a delight and a pleasurable companion. He’d be trustworthy, reliable and dependable; and his behavior will not cause you any concern. However, if you have a spoiled, undisciplined, rowdy pet, he’d be a nuisance to you and oftentimes, a cause of embarrassment. Danger lurks if your pet is an undisciplined and untrained large and strong breed.

Dogs are Different
If you are a dog owner, you’d agree that your dog needs training especially if he is a rambunctious pet. Many pet owners shirk giving their pet basic dog obedience training because they think that the dog training process is long and tiresome.

Obviously, if you would like a perfectly behaved dog, it couldn’t happen overnight. You would have to devote time and effort in training your dog. You need not have to spend long hours just to give your pet basic dog obedience training. As long as you know what to do, you’d be able to train your puppy in no time at all.

Knowing Your Options
If you are interested in training your dog yourself, you should look into joining dog training clubs in your area. You will be able to learn from a competent dog trainer. You will then learn the tricks of the trade which you could apply if you get another dog.

If you don’t have the time to drive to a dog obedience club, you could look into hiring a professional dog trainer. Just make sure that you would not spend a considerable sum of money just for the basic dog obedience course. To ensure this, you should consider this as your last option. Perhaps, you could first look online and look for materials that would help you understand the basic dog obedience training tricks.

Giving Your Dog the Basic Training
At the onset of the basic dog obedience training, you should understand and accept the fact that training your dog is crucial to having a well-behaved dog that respects you and follows your command. It is important, therefore, that through the whole process you would be firm and calm. You should also be confident in your command and manner in order to avoid confusion in your pet’s mind.

While going through the basic puppy obedience training, you should carefully guide your dog that he would not have any confusion as to what is required of him. Make sure that he would know that what you are giving is a command and not a request. It is also important that you recognize his obedience with lavish praises. Recognize his disobedience with reprimand. This is the fundamental rule of basic dog obedience training.

Reprimanding your dog is not easy. Make sure that your dog knows why he is being reprimanded. It is also important that you know how to reprimand your dog. Dogs have different temperaments. You should also take into consideration the sex of your dog because bitches react differently from male dogs. So, assess your dog’s level of sensitivity before you adapt a method of reprimand. And whatever you do, do not physically punish your dog.

If there is one person who would benefit most from your pet’s basic dog obedience training, that would be you. You can rest assure your shoes and couch would be safe from your dog’s bad manners.

Have a great dog training day,

Dr. Alfonso