Training A Dog Not To Bark, As Part Of Your Dog Behaviour Training...

ALL DOGS BARK, it’s a natural thing for a dog to bark and should not be discouraged when it is appropriate, i.e. when a stranger comes to the house, or if the dog hears out of place noises during the night. At these times your dogs bark is a welcome and reassuring warning. So you should only be training a dog not to bark at the wrong times.

However a dog that continually barks for no apparent reason can become a bit of a nuisance, both to you and to your neighbours. So training your a dog not to bark, should be a part of your overall dog behaviour training. Any random or nuisance barking should be stopped as soon as possible, preferably when the dog is still young, as it will become harder the older the dog gets.

If you are with your dog when it starts barking for no apparent reason, simply tell it to stop. The actual words or commands you use will not matter as long as you always use the same commands, and say them with authority. If this fails to have any effect, then try saying the commands while at the same time giving a quick jerk on its collar or leash. And remember to quietly praise him or her when they obey.

Solitary barking is when your dog barks when no one else is at home. (Or when it thinks no one else is at home.) It will often bark incessantly, if you have close neighbours and your dog is one of these, then you will soon know about it, as you will no doubt receive complaints pretty quickly. This type of barking can be a real nuisance and you should try to stop it right away.

One way of stopping a solitary barker is to pretend to leave the house, wait for it to start barking, and then quietly return and catch it in the act. Reprimand it with the same commands or phrases that you used before, and again quietly praise them when they stop. Doing this a few times should soon stop your dog from being a nuisance every time you leave the house.

You should try to stop your dog from becoming a solitary barker before it develops too far. You can easily do this with a few simple tips, such as getting it used to being alone gradually. Try going out just for short lengths of time to start with, and building up to longer and longer periods. You could also try leaving a radio on in the house for company, and make sure your dog has its favourite toy.

A dog is part of your family and should be shown the love and respect that it deserves. By training a dog not to bark at the wrong times, as part of a dog behaviour training programme, you are helping it and yourself to a more fulfilling and rewarding relationship that will last for years to come. (And you will probably get on with your neighbours a lot better as well.

Dog Training Tips And Tricks: Recall Training Your Dog

Recall training has two basic concepts. The first is to treat your dog well each time he comes to you. Be it a kind word, a pat on the head, or a scratch behind the ears, Buddy will relish the affection you show him.
The second concept takes much more effort. Purchase a line that measures ten to twenty feet. Clip it onto Buddy’s collar and take him to the park or into the yard. Then, start training.

The line allows Buddy to put some distance between you. When Buddy has ventured almost to the end of his line, call him. A simple, “Buddy come,” will suffice. Be sure to have lots of treats in your pocket just in case he shocks you and comes immediately. If he does come, give him a treat. The worst scenario is that you will have to reel in the line to make him come. With this method, Buddy is responsible for his own behavior, but you still have control over the situation if he doesn’t obey.
If Buddy sits perfectly still when you give the “come” command, or watches birds and squirrels playing in a nearby tree, he hasn’t obeyed. Either reel him in, or go and get him and bring him to the spot where you gave the command. If this is the case, Buddy gets no reward, but no punishment either. Down play the incident and try again later.
The next time you try recall training, follow the same agenda. Never repeat the “come” command. Buddy should come the first time he’s called. If not, reel him in or go and get him and take him to where you gave the command. Down play the incident and try again later. Do this again and again and… well, you get the picture. Repetition is the name of the game. The process is long. It may take a week, a month, a year or more of constant recall training before Buddy gets it right and comes on your first command every time. But…diligence pays off and in time when you say, “come,” Buddy will obey.

In the meantime recall training will have its ups and downs. There will be times when Buddy will come. When this happens, give him a treat, rub his head, and scratch his ears and say, “good boy,” or some thing similar. Whatever else you do, reward his obedience immediately. He’ll soon get the message that obedience reaps rewards and affection.
Above all, never scream, yell, or hit Buddy if he doesn’t obey. If you do, it will set your training efforts back to day one. Buddy will fear you and instead of coming on command, he will put more distance between the two of you. When he doesn’t obey simply go to him, grasp his collar and gently take him to where you gave the command. This lets him know you are ready to enforce your commands and that he has no choice but to obey.

If you run into problems and Buddy just won’t obey, seek the services of a professional dog trainer. It may cost a bit, but a professional will be able to point out where you’re going wrong. It’s well worth the expense to know that Buddy will respond to your commands. This ensures that he will always be safe, so you can enjoy each others company for many years to come.

Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=219445&ca=Pets