Dallas Dog and Cat Owners Object to Proposal to Curb Pets
Dallas Morning News

How to Avoid Those Costly Dog Training Bills by Misty Cote

Having grown up in a very small town in eastern Canada, I had always been around dogs and they have always captivated me. There has always been something about the way they interact with each other that attracted me to learn more about them.
It is interesting to know that all dogs from all over the world, whether it is from China or England, they all speak the same language. All dogs communicate using mostly their body language, voice and smells.

As dogs are more observant to details than humans, they can recognize the simplest things like a squinting of the eyes, looking in another direction or hair rising on the scruff (back) of the dog.

This brings us back to the studies of wolves and how their hierarchy affects how they interact with each other. But now that dogs are living in a completely new environment, say in a suburban area with little or no nature around them, we must begin to start taking into consideration their emotional needs. Dogs that are having behavioral problems most often do not need to be trained or even hire a dog training expert. They usually just simply have too much energy store up into them and they cannot burn that energy locked up in a house or apartment. The best ways to exercise your dog are:

1. Play a retrieving game like fetch or Frisbee. Lots of running is involved and it will get your dog in an extremely great state of mind.

2. If you are familiar with dog training techniques, you and your partner can stand at opposite ends of a park and practice name recalls, or the come command.

3. Take your dog jogging, biking or rollerblading with you. Please take the necessary precautions for these sports, but if you live in the country where nobody can bother you and your dog, then go for it!

4. Walk your dog! It is sad to know that the majority of dogs do not even get a formal walk every day. Their owner simply does not take them outside, other than the backyard, so a walk would be tremendous to get your dog active.



About the Author:
Jean is the owner of the Dog Trick Academy. Read more about his dog training techniques.

Got Pets Online


Her Dog's Aggression Is Worse After In-Kennel Training
By ContentMart Editor

A Bull Mastiff owner wrote me, with the following question:

"My problem comes in a 147-pound package. Mack is a 15 month-old Bull Mastiff. He has been in and out of training since he was 10 weeks old.

He was starting to show dominance aggression at around nine months, so I found a training facility that would in-kennel train him. He was there for seven weeks. When I got him back he seemed to have a bigger problem than when he left. I was told by the trainer that he showed no signs of aggression there. He also said that he would have to schedule an in-home session which would run me another $250+. As it is, I expected a whole lot more for my $1200.

He also told me I have to take him through the whole training course again myself starting at day one in order to establish my leadership role in the pack. I have done this and he does great when there are no strangers around but if a neighbor goes out into his yard or one of my brothers stops by, forget it. He goes into attack mode. No fear in it by the way. I'm at my wits end. My brother is telling me I'll have to have him put to sleep before he hurts someone. I definitely do not agree with this; I just need to know EXACTLY what to do.

Its hard to desensitize him to strangers when the ones that know him won't come around and if I take him out around people I have a hard time controlling him because he out weighs me by about 30 pounds. If you have any suggestions I would appreciate any.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
MaryAnne

Dear MaryAnne:

What your trainer said is right, and should have probably been done the first time. Your dog is seeing the kennel trainer as the Alpha and obeying him, but has no working relationship with you as the Alpha. This is the problem with in-kennel training, in that the dog gets no one-on-one work with the owner, who is supposed to be the Alpha and have that position firmly established through obedience and the Nothing In Life Is Free program.

For now, you will want to start from square one as though he has never been trained and teach him what the commands are. This might go a bit quicker than normal because of the previous obedience experience. Use a prong collar on him: it has been referred to many times as a hearing aid collar and used on dogs that outweigh their owners, much like your situation.

When you reach the correction phase, where you teach the dog that each and every command MUST be obeyed, be very firm. If he is out in the yard, don't give him freedom off-leash until he can be under control. Work obedience with him in the yard so he learns that even in that area, he should listen to you. This applies too when the neighbor appears on the scene. With the prong collar, you will be able to give motivational corrections, even though you are outweighed by the dog.


About the Author: Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider's Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History." Get a free copy of his report "Games To Play With Your Dog" when you sign up for his free weekly dog training tips e-zine at: http://www.dogproblems.com

Funny Pet Pictures