Curb Irritating Dog Barking Behavior

December 4th, 2008 by Jason Roddick

Barking is as normal to dogs as talking is to humans. Trying to eliminate dog barking altogether would be like trying to stop someone to talk forever! Besides it being impossible, it’s just plain wrong. But we have to admit, excessive barking (much like excessive talking) is a major nuisance-not just to you but to your family, your hot neighbor, the children at play, the mailman, and every one else who can hear it.

Even if barking shouldn’t be stopped-after all, it’s handy when your dog uses it for proper reasons like warning you, warding off trespassers, or telling you something of importance-it must be controlled. If you want to keep peace in the neighborhood and between your neighbors, controlling your dog’s barking habits is important.

A lot of people-even dog owners-aren’t too aware that there are many ways to try and stop your dog from barking at whim.

A lot of dog owners would basically just run to an anti-barking collar. They’re convenient as they don’t seem to require much time from the owner. What’s so appealing about collars is that they can help the owner supervise incessant barking while the owner isn’t around. So far, there are generally three different types of anti-barking collars available in the market.

One is the sonar collar. Sonar collars are discreet things. Whenever the dog barks, it releases a sound with a certain frequency inaudible to humans but irritable to dogs. The idea is that they will associate the irritable sound as punishment to their incessant barking.

Another one is the citronella collar. The citronella collar sprays a scent that’s pungent for dogs. When the dog barks, they spray so that, just like the sonar collar, the dog would assume they’re being punished for their non-stop barking. Although the device sounds promising, anecdotal reports state that a lot of dogs have already found a way to get around this collar.

One anecdotal report states that their dog would just keep on barking until the collar runs out of citronella. Afterwards, he will go on barking the whole day without having to deal with the citronella smell. Other dogs would bark and then sort of hold their breaths to avoid the smell and then bark again.

The third one is called the shock collar. This collar is very controversial. Whenever the dog barks, it shocks the dog with electricity. Intensity of the current can usually be changed.

A lot of people say this is inhuman and are against it. After all, no sane person would do that to another person so why even think of doing it to their own pet? As much as possible, this kind of collar is avoided-and for good reason.

Even if collars seem to be the “promised land” out of your dog’s uncontrollable barking, collars are just merely supplements.

The best thing to do is to find out first why exactly your dog has that kind of habit. If humans have psychologists, dogs have veterinarian behaviorists. A veterian behaviorist basically observes a dog’s environment and circumstances to figure out what exactly triggers their socially unacceptable behavior. And then based on their findings, they give training solutions to eliminate the behavior problem.

Some reasons as to why a dog would bark are things like boredom (meaning they have so much energy with nothing to use it with) or frustration (perhaps they’re being bullied by another dog in the family or by the people around them) to name two.

You can always call a vet behaviorist to help you find out your dog’s behavior problems. He or she can also give you a solution. In extreme cases, they might suggest an anti-barking collar but that should be used side by side with proper training techniques.

Barking dogs are just sometimes extremely bored with so much energy to waste. Provide them with physical activities like walks, catch, and play time with other dogs. If you’re always out, put them in the care of someone else while you’re out-like a relative or a friend or a dog walker or a doggie daycare. When left alone with nothing to do, dogs feel bored and lonely just like humans do and they will do just about anything to release some energy or catch your attention.

You can also implement the “QUIET” command whenever he barks out of control. If you’ve already established yourself as the alpha of your “pack”, then it won’t take much trouble to teach this. If the barking is much of a nuisance and is already getting in the way of your chances with the neighborhood hottie, then using an anti-bark collar might be acceptable, but only temporarily or only as a training supplement.

The sonar collar is most recommended as it is not just humane, but more efficient than the two as well. Never forget to tackle the problem with hands-on solutions and obedience training as well. Training your dog to respond to obedience signals is still the best and lasting way to tone down incessant barking but still maintain his freedom to do what he naturally does.

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How to Control Dog Barking

December 2nd, 2008 by Paul Bennet

Dear Dog Owner,

Are you are having difficulties with your dog’s too much barking at all hours of the day? And wants to start training your dog, then Dog Problem Solutions is the best website. We have checked side-by-side 4 of the top ‘Stop Dog Barking’ & general dog training websites.

Our Pick:

SitStayFetch was the best dog training website and we highly recommend its in-depth section on how to control your dogs barking & whining. Daniel Stevens covers everything you need to know about how to take control of barking and includes over 100 step by step photos which make it simpler to understand & train your dog. Secondly, Dog Training Secrets was also very informative but lacked the great pictures & diagrams, and also had no option for video lessons. Next was Dog Training Secrets. They had some great tips relating to dog barking & training, but were quite long and heavy reading.

Top Dog Training Guide – Sit Stay Fetch

Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer was written by leading professional dog trainer Adam Katz. He affirms that this book is his endeavor to bring together all of the latest tricks, tips and crafts of the dog training profession, and make them accessible to the ordinary dog owner. In doing this I believe he has created the best do-it-yourself dog training system available today.

How To Train Your Dog in One Evening has a lot to offer to its readers and is more than just another dog training manual. It’ll give you all the different tactics to make your dog behave the way you want him to. The book is jam-packed with significant information! The author has given more than 75 tricks to coach you dogs, which have never been unleashed to anyone before. A remarkable fact about the book is that it gives several solutions for each dog problem, so that you can use the one that works on your dog.

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Stop Dog Digging Solutions

December 1st, 2008 by Jason Roddick

How many times have you fallen or gotten your foot into one of the holes your own pet has made on your backyard? Do you always seek for help but haven’t found the right partner that can help you curtail the irritating habit that your dog has? Well, this letter will be the answer to all your questions! Dog Problem Solutions offer a wide range of helpful tips on each and every single dilemma you’re experiencing. In addition, here are some reviews of 4 of the top websites to help you with your dog digging problem.

Our Pick:

SitStayFetch is the most excellent dog training website and we highly recommend it as it has lots of helpful advice to end your dog digging problem. Author, Daniel Stevens tackles everything you need to know about how to resolve your dog’s digging problems & how to give appropriate digging areas as digging is a natural behavior for dogs. Incorporated are 100 step by step photos & diagrams to make learning a lot easier. Daniel’s approach to dog digging is very motivating, and provides effective methods to work out this behavior. The second recommended book is, “Dog Training Secrets” by Charlie Lafave. This book is also very informative with dozens of secret tips and tricks that can add power to your training sessions and speed up your dog’s learning curve. He claims that after you’ve finished reading and learning his techniques, YOU’LL GET QUICK RESULTS! Third book listed is “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer”. If you’re just getting started on how to choose and purchase a dog, Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer covers everything possible about training dogs. This e-book also includes FAQ’s that you, as a pet owner, will find very helpful and beneficial. The fourth item is “How to Train Your Dog in One Evening” by Ellen Langton. The title might seem impossible to believe but as you read on this book it will surely give you a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee on being a good pro trainer overnight.

Number One Pick

Sit Stay Fetch – Dog Training Guide, tackles every aspect of the dog digging problems you most likely would deal with. Aside from digging, this guide also talks about problems such as dog scratching, jumping, whining, barking & much more. This book has over 100 step-by-step photos and gives tons of useful information. It also includes the latest do training secrets used by professional trainers, which are not discussed by other books, such as dog whispering, advanced behavioral training and so forth. If you have an explicit dog issue that you need help with, Sit Stay Fetch offers a free email consultation with every copy.

Number Two Pick

Dog Training Secrets by Charlie Lafave, teaches you the importance of training your dog and what may happen if you don’t. It tackles everything you need to know with its step-by-step instructions, including 7 common dog behavioral problems and how to correct them. And for those who have left it too long, there is also a chapter on how to train adult dogs!

Number Three Pick – Dog Problems – Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer

If you own a dog or puppy, you need to check out on this e-Book. All the information in it basically covers all three categories of training your dog: fixing dog problems, tips and secrets to use in your everyday training, and buying and raising a new puppy or older dog. It applies to all breeds and ages of dogs! You’ll be saving time and money, avoiding mistakes and disastrous situations, and learning secrets other people only wish they knew.

Number Four Pick – How to Train Your Dog in One Evening

How To Train Your Dog in One Evening, covers 10 most common problems. Helping you understand the reasons why your dog may be having these problems is the first step. It then goes on, with step-by-step instructions, to show you what to do to solve these problems. This e-book doesn’t cover as much as the other books but it is straight to the point and easy to understand.

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Training for Aggressive Dogs Case Study

November 30th, 2008 by Jason Roddick

Mike and his family enjoy having Otto, their yellow Labrador, around their home. But they sometimes encounter problems when the kids would play in the backyard with the dog. Otto would repeatedly knock them down and when Mike would join in to play with them the dog would try to mount on him. At times if Mike scolds at his children to reprimand them, Otto would get distressed and start growling. Mike tried spanking Otto or tapping him on his nose, but nothing seemed to be curbing Otto’s aggression.

Unfortunately, Mike chose to give up on Otto’s behavior. But at a dinner party, Mike found himself talking his frustration over Otto’s aggressive behavior with a neighbor. His neighbor recommended a dog trainer. He was also told that the trainer would visit them in their house to work with Mike and his family to be part of the crucial training for aggressive dogs like Otto.

Gab automatically phoned the trainer and they both agreed on having him come over when everyone is at home to make observations on Teru’s behavior. Upon witnessing how they move, act around their home, and relate to each other, the trainer quickly knew what is happening and further explained to the family that Teru have a pack mentality. Pack mentality is the type of attitude wherein one dog has dominance over everyone. Teru’s behavior was a way of him presenting he was in charge. That’s why the trainer suggested that the family stop allowing Teru to claim that he was the Alpha Dog. Knowing about this, Gab would need to establish himself as the leader of Teru’s pack.

Bruce followed the trainer’s advice and started taking control over everything. The trainer explained to Bruce that Matt should wait first for permission to use any toy or even to eat. Matt needs to acknowledge that Bruce and his family were in control. Bruce put up Matt’s toys and refrain form letting him to jump up on the couch or bed unless he sat first.

When Matt would want to play or go out, Bruce began training him to sit in front of the toy box or doorway. For when he sat on command, Bruce would let him play with a toy or open the door for him. If Matt would not follow, Bruce would not give Matt what he wanted. Bruce also instructed his kids how to do the same thing. At first Matt would not respond, but realized that he was not getting what he wanted, so he would follow to commands.

The trainer suggested games of fetch and using other active toys to excite Teru other than playing tug-of-wars. Even though this was one of Gab’s favorite games to play with his pet, he observed that Teru’s behavior worsened after they played this particular game. The trainer cited that these kinds of games are instinctual ways for dogs to assert dominance in the pack and should be avoided until Teru completely understands or acknowledge he’s not the alpha dog in the house.

A few months later, Teru’s aggression dissipated. Time and time again, Teru would try to reassert himself as the alpha dog, but the family now knows not to give in to any of his demands. Teru had truly improved and had matured for he no longer knocks down the kids when they would play, and he certainly stopped mounting on Gab. Gab even teaches Teru other tricks that he never thought he was capable of learning.

The key to Bruce’s success with Matt was that the family had to institute dominance over Matt. As soon as Matt realized his spot in the hierarchy, he was better behaved and the aggression subsided.

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Method for Housetraining Your Dog

November 30th, 2008 by Paul Bennet

Housetraining your dog is the first things you should engage in upon adoption. Either having a new puppy or an older dog, there is no reason for you not to appropriately housetrain your beloved dog. Actually, every year, a lot of dogs are forced to look for new homes every time their current owners does not succeed in their housetraining duty and become weary of the dog having accidents in their home. But before you start, remember that it will take some time and tons of dedication for both of you, so you should promise to give your dog with the proper attention during this process.

*Time your training: Like people, a dog’s bladder must fully develop before it can fully function. With this, puppies may be quick to have accidents at home for the reason that they cannot control it. On this instance, refrain from threatening, verbally abusing, or physically harming your dog. Normally, a puppy can control his bladder when he reach the age or four or five months, even though this age has been known to vary in smaller breeds of dogs.

*Skip Indoor Training: Earlier, dog owners are accustomed to first train their dogs to do their business indoors at a particular spot in the house, and then eventually move to outdoor training afterwards. However, this practice is no longer efficient and we can now skip indoor training and go straight to begin with outdoor training instead. It can sometimes be bewildering for a dog to be permitted to relieve himself indoors one instance, then scolded for not going outside the next time.

*Practice Confinement: Rather than letting your dog to have free rein at your home, confine him to a spacious part of your home when left alone. This will give cleaning accidents easier and guarantees you effortlessly discover the accidents fast. Nobody would want to come across an “accident” days or even weeks after it has been done. And when you are at home and can always check on your dog, always make it a habit to do so. If he begins to demonstrate typical bathroom behavior (such as frantic walking, whining, squatting, or sniffing), directly make an effort to bring him outside.

*Develop a Command: Think of a command that your dog can correlate with going outside to do his business. This technique can make your life easier without compromising any scheduled task.

*Separate Tasks: Most of the time, when going outside, it usually involves playing, so dog then are more focused on playing than doing the business at hand. Rather than letting your dog play on bathroom trips, think of changing his outside surroundings. Let your dog roam outside particularly for the reason of relieving himself, then go back home and lavish him with praise and treats. Next, make another trip to permit your dog to play. This separation will ensure your dog does not become preoccupied and hinders him form doing his business outdoors. Sooner or later, once your dog is fully attuned with the setup, you can then change these double trips into a single one.

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