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Why Is Dog Training So Important

Dec 19th, 2010 By Brian
Whilst it may seem like an option, dog training should never be overlooked. Many owners will refrain from properly commanding their dog, seeing the exercise as merely a way to teach the dogs tricks and make him an obedience machine. This is not the case. It in fact reinforces the bond between the dog and his master and results in a much happier family.
Your dog is a pack animal and you are his leader. He looks to you for understanding of every situation and you should be able to give him the answers. When you train him you enable this and it will give a much greater understanding of your pet. You need to be able to communicate correctly with your dog to enrich your relationship and ensure you keep your bond.
Proper training removes the occurrence of many behavioural problems that plague owners such as chewing furniture, stealing food and jumping on guests. A well trained dog will sit on command and show off his good manners. This alone can strengthen your bond as you become more and more proud of your family pet.
A trained dog is also an excellent safety precaution. An untrained dog may not come when called, allowing him the option of wandering off without you. Trained dogs are more likely to respond to commands in high stress situations too, reducing the chance of danger for all parties.
Dog training can be a very satisfactory process to a dog. Whilst it may seem as though you are working your pet, to the dog it is a source of contentment being able to understand and please his owner. Many dogs become happier and calmer after training and are a continual source of pride for the owner.
There are many ways to train your dog. There are classes, books and information online. Classes are generally recommended as this allows the dog to socialise with other dogs and humans. Socialisation is a very important part of the training process and should be included in any method or program.
It is important to understand your dog before beginning any exercise. A dog may become frustrated at an owner who is too demanding or inconsistent. Learning when your dog is frustrated, evading commands or confused will see rewards much quicker.
Dogs are generally not punished when being trained properly as this method is ineffective. Positive reinforcement shows much greater results and so dogs should be rewarded for good behaviour and not punished for bad. Dogs are keen to please their master and rewards will see results much quicker.
Training still requires a lot of patience and time from the owner and should be considered prior to getting a dog. It can also be costly but overall is a necessity to ensure a healthy, happy relationship with your dog. It is not something that should be seen as optional, more something that comes as a part of owning a dog. A well trained dog will generally provide a much more rewarding experience to those around him than one who does not know his place within the home.
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Some Basic Dog Training Tips

Dec 26th, 2010 By Brian
The key to proper dog training is positive reinforcement through the use of treats and a great deal of praise. You need to be very patient and avoid any harsh reprimands and punishment as this is only likely to be detrimental to their progress. When done properly both you and your pet will benefit. Follow these very simple tips if you want to train up your pet.
Start off by training your dog in the very basic obedience commands such as sit, heel, stay, and come. When your dog is in the learning phase it is very important that you praise them immediately when they do something right. As soon as they exhibit some good behaviour you need to let them know that they have done something very well. You can then follow this up with a treat or reward.
You should then start to increase their expectations very gradually. This simply means that you shouldn’t reward them or praise them straight away what they have done something right. Instead, wait a few seconds and then give them some praise. Wait a few more seconds and then provide them with a treat.
Once your dog has mastered these basic commands then you can move onto others. There are all sorts of different training commands that you could teach to your pet, and therefore how far you go is pretty much down to you. Remember that if your dog is struggling or if you are struggling to teach them properly, enroll them in a dog training class.
When training your pet to make sure that you do this in a very quiet area of free from any type of distraction. Depending upon the breed that you have, your pet may well be distracted frequently and therefore you need to try to eliminate these as much as possible. Limit every session to only 5 or 10 minutes so that their attention doesn’t wander.
As they begin to master the different commands that you are teaching them, move onto continuing your teachings in some louder and busier areas. In most cases you will be issuing many of these commands when you are in different environments with distractions. As such, it is crucial that you start from scratch and train your dog within these situations as well.
Make sure that you begin to reduce the rewards that you present to your pet gradually. You cannot keep producing rewards every single time they do something right and therefore they should be gradually weaned off any treats that you present them as a result of their good behaviour.
Be persistent. Properly training your dog is going to take time and it will certainly depend upon the breed that you have and the specific personality of your pet. While some dogs are likely to pick things up very quickly, others will take a lot more time and therefore you do need to be consistent and persistent. If you are having trouble then consider the option of enrolling your animal in some professional classes.
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Standard Poodle

The Standard Poodle is a lovely dog, and is the original and largest in size of the three Poodle varieties. He is a proud and graceful pooch that is good natured and dignified. He enjoys life, is very intelligent, and is considered to be one of the most trainable breeds. They can be taught many skills and talents, and particularly excel at obedience and tricks.
Standard Poodles are very vivacious and playful. They have plenty of energy, are rather graceful, agile and love to participate in a variety of sports. They are always ready to enjoy whatever life has to offer them, and are pleased to go with their owners just about everywhere they go.
To this day, it is not known where the Standard Poodle originated, but many believe that his development took place in either France or Germany. However, since no one can prove or agree on a country of origin, the breed is considered to be tied to both. Despite the debate over his roots, the Poodle has been in existence for well over 400 years and can be seen in paintings that date back to the 15th century. The dog’s ancestors are believed to be the French Water Dog (a breed no longer in existence), the Barbet and the Hungarian Water Hound. Their name was likely taken from the German word "Pudel", which essentially means "one who plays in water".
In their early days, Standard Poodles were used by German and French hunters for retrieving water foul and sniffing out truffles that were underground in the woods. In fact, the popular Poodle look with the pom-poms and bracelets of hair around their ankles was originally intended for the purpose of allowing the dog to be more agile during hunting, and to keep the joints warm and protected from the cold and the sharp reeds in the water. The French eventually began to use the canine as a circus performer because he was very intelligent and easily learned tricks.
In the 18th century, as the Poodles popularity grew, two new smaller varieties were added to the breed - the Miniature Poodle and the Toy Poodle. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1887.
General Appearance - The Standard Poodle is medium to large in size. The skull is fairly rounded with a definite but slight stop. His muzzle is long and straight and he has oval shaped eyes that are dark in color, either brown or black. His ears hang close his head, are flat and long. His legs are proportioned to his body and his webbed feet are oval shaped with arched toes. The topline is level, and the tail is carried straight, up, and is set high. The tail is often docked to half or less than half its length to give the dog a more balanced look.
The Standard Poodle coat can be wiry or curly or soft and wavy. Since it does not shed, the hair can be clipped in diverse styles, such as the "Pet Clip", "Puppy Clip" or "Lamb Clip" (trimmed short all over), "Continental Clip" (The hindquarters, upper portion of the legs and part of the tails is shaved, but bracelets of hair are left around the ankles, while pom-poms are left on the tail and hips), and the "English Saddle Clip" (Virtually the same as the Continental Clip, except the hind quarters are not shaved). The coat comes in solid black, blue, silver, gray, café-au-lait, brown, red, apricot, cream and white. Some breeders even breed parti-colored poodles, though they are not recognized as part of the standard.
Typical Temperament - The Standard Poodle is a proud, intelligent, and noble dog with a gentle nature and a pleasant personality. He is cheerful, devoted, affectionate, and is highly social. Though he is a loving companion, this breed does require exercise and will not be content remaining indoors and sitting at his owner’s feet all day. Due to their active nature, they can become high strung if not provided with the proper mental or physical stimulation.
Poodles are natural born barkers and because of this, make excellent watchdogs, alerting their family to both sounds and strangers. Although they typically enjoy human company, Poodles are not always compatible with very small kids, especially those who do not know how to interact with the breed. They do better with older and more sensible children. They do, however, get along well with other dogs.
Grooming - No matter the type of "clip" a Poodle’s coat is styled in, their hair requires a comb and brushing every day to keep it free of mats. When grooming the coat, you need to be very careful and gentle, and any large knots or mats that are found should be cut out.  Since they don’t shed, they will need to be trimmed every six to eight weeks. While Poodles participating in shows will need to be bathed regularly, the average family pet should only be bathed every few months or when necessary to avoid drying out their skin. Note:  Owners who would like to keep grooming as hassle free as possible, will find that the Pet Clip is the easiest to manage.
In addition to the coat, Standard Poodles need to have their teeth brushed a few times per week and have their teeth scaled regularly. Their ears should be checked frequently for infection and mites, and any wax should be cleaned out. The hair inside the ear canal will also require regular plucking.
Exercise - The Standard Poodle has natural sporting instincts and requires daily activity. He has plenty of stamina, and needs about 30 - 60 minutes of good exercise per day. He can burn his energy in a variety of ways, including walks, fetch, jogging, swimming, and agility sports. He will also enjoy the freedom to run around off lead, and should be provided this pleasure whenever possible in a safe and enclosed space. Note:  while he can obtain his exercise in a variety of ways, it is important to take him out on at least one walk every day for his mental wellbeing.
Approximate Food Cost - The Standard Poodle typically consumes 3 to 4 cups of dry food per day which costs approximately $20 to $30 per month when purchasing a typical quality chow.
Standard Poodles are relatively healthy and can live a long time. Nevertheless, they are prone to illnesses like cataracts, runny eyes, and PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), which can lead to blindness. Other problems include allergies, hip dysplasia, skin issues (often the cause of poor or excessive grooming), ear infections, Von Willebrand’s Disease, Addison’s Disease, Epilepsy, and Bloat (the stomach expands and fills with gas and can twist). Since Standard Poodles are prone to Bloat they should be fed 2 - 3 small meals per day instead of one large meal, and should not be exercised directly after eating.
Common Illnesses include: PRA, cataracts, ear infections, allergies, hip dysplasia, runny eyes and Von Willebrand’s Disease.
Living conditions - Though they are well suited to a house with a good sized yard, Standard Poodles are very adaptable to just about any living quarters. They can live happily in an apartment, because while they do have plenty of stamina, they are relatively inactive indoors. That said, despite their inactivity, they will still need to be provided with adequate exercise outdoors, including a daily walk and the freedom to run off lead to prevent destructive behaviors, and the potential for them to become high strung.
Training - Standard Poodles are very easy to train and are exceptionally bright. That said, they need a dedicated and consistent teacher in order to learn and remain obedient. These dogs should be socialized and trained while they are still in the early stages of puppyhood, and need to be provided with firm, yet gentle teachings. They respond well to positive reinforcement, not harsh discipline. This breed is highly sensitive to the tone of a person’s voice, and if they sense that their mind and will is stronger than their owner’s, they will attempt to take charge. Owners must be patient, reliable, confident and unrelenting on rules. The dog must respect you as his leader or you will have no control.
Standard Poodles are exceptionally skilled at competitive obedience, performing tricks, as watchdogs, agility sports and retrieving.
Common Problems - Persistent barking can be a problem with this breed, as they were bred for hunting and are born with the natural inclination to bark. Though you cannot stop your dog from barking, you can control it and prevent it from becoming an incessant habit by providing him with a command that instructs him to be quiet. This should be taught at an early age, and it is essential that you are consistent with this teaching in order for it to work.
Another problem is the Standard poodle can become high strung, which can be very troublesome. To prevent this, simply make sure the canine is provided with plenty of mental and physical stimulation daily. This can include walks, playing, training, and so on.
Standard Poodles are wonderful and unforgettable pets that have plenty of personality. They are graceful, animated and have a lust for life. They are not for owners who want to laze around all day. These dogs need activity, challenge, and full-time companionship. Furthermore, while they are an ideal breed for allergy sufferers, as their hair virtually doesn’t shed, they do require daily grooming because they have a high-maintenance coat. Overall, the Standard Poodle is a noble and cheerful dog that possesses both brains and beauty.

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Should You Teach Your Dog Tricks

Sit! Roll over! Jump! Teaching your dog tricks might not be the easiest thing in the world, but it’s highly beneficial to you and your dog. Teaching your dog tricks can help strengthen your relationship with your beloved pet in many ways. Below are some great reasons why you should start teaching your dog tricks.
1. Make everyone safe- While learning to teach your dog tricks, you learn many training techniques which can also be used to gain control over your dog. Teaching him basic tricks like sit and stay can also be used in life situations like crossing the street or entering a store.
2. Give Your Dog Something to Do- It doesn’t take long before your dog gets bored and decides to take on a new hobby of chewing anything in sight, including your brand new sofa. Teaching your dog tricks will keep him focused on the task at hand, and will entertain him for hours!
3. Help Keep Your Dog’s Mind Sharp- Training your dog will keep his mind active and responsive. As dogs get older they become less physically active, but learning tricks will keep his mind active and alert.
4. Help Create a Better Bond between You and Your Dog- Your dog will look up to you as being the pack leader, and will listen to you instead of trying to get your attention in destructive ways. Best of all, once your dog learns tricks you two become a team when training or performing.
5. Show Off- You can show off your dog if you teach it some cool tricks, and your dog will get people’s attention. Dogs love attention and they love being in the spotlight so they will like performing in front of your friends and family. Of course, you will also get the recognition of being a star trainer.
6. Make Vet Check Ups Easier- Both the veterinarian and you hate it when your dog can’t control itself during a check up. If you teach it to be calm during the check up, it will make both of your lives easier, and you won’t be embarrassed that your dog is acting up.
7. Gives Your Dog a Hobby- We all have hobbies we like to do such as watching TV or playing games, but dogs also need things to do. Training dog tricks is great to do on rainy days when you can’t take him for a walk.
If these reasons have inspired you to teach your dog tricks, then you’ve come to the right place. Dog Trick Academy and our community is devoted to help teach your dog tricks, we keep it fun and entertaining!
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Steps To Good Dog Training

Dog training can be a difficult task for inexperienced owners or individuals with their first companion. By following a few simple guidelines and regulations, this task becomes far more simple and regulated. It is important to be able to train the dog to the specific needs of the owner, rather than to impress or “look good”. This is crucial if there is to be any gain from teaching the animal to perform or habituate its activities.
Teaching an animal early is beneficial to both parties in that a firm relationship is established. Dogs were bred to perform tasks for their masters, and must be taught so early on in their lifetime as to strengthen this relationship. If the animal is left to its own devices for a longer than normal period of time, it will most likely become unruly and difficult to control as time goes on. Thus it is important to begin training as soon as the dog is ready to leave its littermates and be solely with its master.
There are many ways to go about teaching a dog. All involve the participation of the owner, and all variations include forms of obidience training, which is the most important. Obidience training includes simple commands that control what the dog does for the owner. It is crucial to have a grasp on obedience lessons in order to prevent the dog from becoming unruly and difficult to control.
The first step in commanding an animal to obey is to establish trust with it. By doing this, the animal feels less remorse or stress in performing for said individual. This bond should be strengthened through the usage of treats or other rewards, especially if the dog is young. In this case, food rewards are important.
By adding treats to an obidience regimen, a younger dog will be more willing to perform instead of disobey. This type of animal will require this form of reward until it is mature enough to obey without a treat.
Some areas offer facilities that the owner can take their pet to to be trained by professionals. This is not reccommended for newer owners, as the types of classes offered and given to the dogs is often subpar in comparison to owner-only training. Classes can only teach a dog so much, and these lessons should only be used on especially difficult animals.
Once basic commands are understood by the animals, more advanced lessons can begin for the animal. It is still reccommended that rewards be used when introducing new forms of commands that the dog may not understand. Once these have been adequately understood, they can be recessed until they are no longer needed.
For new owners, dog obedience can seem to be a difficult task to accomplish, but once some basic guidelines have been followed, it becomes far easier to get the animal to perform for the owner without conflict. This is beneficial to the owner who wishes to have an obidient and observant pet, without needing to constantly discipline an unruly animal.
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Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is a small canine that is highly active, robust and is classified as a type of terrier. They are very busy dogs that like to play and are exceptionally affectionate, devoted and enthusiastic. Mini schnauzers are intelligent and very trainable. They are also quite alert and make fabulous watchdogs.
This breed has distinctive facial features including bushy eyebrows, beard and moustache, resembling their larger cousin the Standard Schnauzer. Mini Schnauzers are great companions and can be an excellent addition to a family. Overall they are a happy and hardy dog that makes a super pet.
Though the origins of the Schnauzer breed dates as far back as the 15th century, the Miniature Schnauzer was not established until a much later time. The Miniature Schnauzer originated in Germany. They are believed to be the result of crossing the Standard Schnauzer with the Affenpinscher and possibly the Poodle. The name of the dog is taken from the German word "Schnauze" meaning muzzle or snout. These canines were initially bred as small farm dogs to be ratters, hunting the grounds for vermin. However, they were also used as hunters, for tracking, as watchdogs and were companion dogs. The Miniature Schnauzer was recognized as a distinct breed in 1899. Today he is a popular pet (the most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds) and excels at performing tricks and in competitive obedience.
General Appearance - The Mini Schnauzer is a small but sturdy dog. He has a well built body that is square in proportion. His strong head has a rectangular shape, his muzzle ends quite bluntly and he has a black nose. He has small, dark brown eyes that are deep set. The ears of the miniature schnauzer are set high up on the head and can be cropped, tapering to a point, or they can be left natural, folding in a V-shape close to the head. The tail is typically docked and is carried erect. If left, natural, the tail is still carried high and arches toward the back.
This breed has a double coat that features a soft undercoat and a wiry outer coat. Their hair is stripped short, close to the body, except for the legs, eyebrows, beard and mustache. The coat comes in a few colors including salt and pepper, black and silver, solid back and solid white.
Typical Temperament - Miniature Schnauzers are smart, energetic and loving canines. They enjoy the company of people but also have an independent nature. They are very good watchdogs and are always on alert. They are suspicious of strangers and will bark to let their owners know of any strange sounds or sights.
These small Schnauzers love to play with and enjoy the company of children when they have been properly socialized with them. Although they can get along with other dogs that have been raised with them, they are not compatible with cats or other smaller pets, especially rodents. Since they were initially bred for hunting vermin the instinct to track and catch these creatures is very strong and cannot be trained out of them. That said, they make good family pets and are wonderful companions when properly socialized and trained.
Grooming - The wiry coat of the Miniature Schnauzer is not difficult to care for but it does need a daily brushing (short wire brush) and combing to prevent matting. In order to maintain their short cut look, they should be clipped or stripped all over twice a year, the hair on the legs and head is usually left a little longer than the rest of the body. They should be bathed only when necessary. Dogs with natural ears need to have their ears checked and the hair of the ear canal should be plucked. Nails need to be clipped monthly and teeth brushed every few days to help maintain oral hygiene. They shed very little.
Exercise - Mini Schnauzers are very energetic little pooches and will enjoy a long, brisk walk or jog. They like to play fetch and should be provided with the freedom to run around off leash whenever possible. He should be given 40 - 60 minutes of exercise per day. This will help to prevent behavioral problems and will allow the dog to expend the energy he has bottled up. Note: These canines should not be allowed off the lead in open areas as they will feel inclined to chase any rodents they happen to see.
Approximate Food Cost - A Miniature Schnauzer ingests about 1½ cups of dry kibble each day at a cost of roughly $15 per month.
Miniature Schnauzers are a healthy breed, but this doesn’t mean that they are free of health problems. Some of the illnesses they are prone to include liver disease, cysts, skin disorders, kidney stones, diabetes, von Willebrand’s disease and hereditary eye problems. Owners need to care that they do not overfeed these little dogs as they can gain weight easily.
Common Illnesses include: Skin disorders, kidney stones, diabetes, cysts, Von Willebrand’s disease.
Living conditions - This dog adapts well to apartment life and is calm and happy indoors as long as he is provided with adequate exercise, including a daily walk. That said, the Mini Schnauzer is especially pleased with a home and nice sized yard.
Training - This breed can be quite willful and independent and must have a firm and reliable trainer or they will choose to follow their own rules. Schnauzers need obedience training and need to be taught that when it comes to their pack, they are not the leader. If he does not recognize his owner as the alpha, he will assume this role and will develop Small Dog Syndrome. These are very bold, determined and intelligent dogs. They enjoy challenges and need a confident and consistent teacher. They are particularly skilled at learning tricks, obedience and agility. Socialization and training needs to be started at an early age.
Common Problems - Miniature Schnauzers are generally a happy and agreeable breed but in order to be well rounded and friendly pooches they need to be socialized and trained as puppies or they can develop a number of unwanted behaviors, such as guarding, separation anxiety, nervous and constant barking, Small Dog Syndrome and become anti-social toward humans and other dogs not in their pack. Furthermore, this dog is naturally inclined to chase rodents, other small animals and birds and needs to be kept on a lead when being walked, and is not suitable with these types of household pets.
The Mini Schnauzer is an excellent companion dog. He is a very versatile pet that is affectionate, playful, dedicated to his family, and posses both watchdog and guarding skills. He has plenty of energy, likes to be active and is happy to go for a walk, a car ride or on any other adventure with his owner. Miniature Schnauzers are very agreeable, happy and an independent breed that matures with a super personality when they are well socialized and provided with consistent obedience.
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