The basic dog obedience training collar goes by many names, including choker, choke chain, training collar, correction collar and slip collar. These training devices are among the most popular and most commonly used tools with both amateur and professional dog trainers.
While a training collar is a widely used tool, as with any tool it must be used properly in order to be effective and safe for your dog. Among the most important considerations when using this equipment are:
- How well the devise fits your dog. It’s essential that it properly fits your dog. If it doesn’t fit correctly you risk losing control in dangerous situations.
- Putting the equipment on the right way. There’s a right way and a wrong way to fit a collar, and putting it on incorrectly will make it both ineffective and potentially dangerous.
- Using the devise properly. It should be used as a sharp reminder to your dog, not as punishment. Avoid applying constant pressure on the choke chain.
- The weight of the chain and the size of the links. The weight of the chain should always be appropriate to the size and weight of your dog.
- The placement on your dog.
Sizing And Measuring
Determining if the dog obedience training collar is the right size is relatively easy. Ideally, it should fit snugly, yet comfortably over your dog’s head. Like my father used to say about tightening a bolt, it shouldn’t be too tight, but it shouldn’t be too loose either. Too tight and it’ll be difficult to get on and off. On the other hand, too loose and it can potentially slip off when your dog lowers his head.
Measure your dog’s neck with a tape measure, then add 2 to 3 inches. For example, if your dog has a neck 12″ in diameter, you would want to buy a collar that’s 14″ in length. Chain slip collars are generally sized in two inch increments.
Proper Fitting
When fitting a correction collar, the part of the chain which is connected to the leash should be on the top of the dog’s neck. With this arrangement, it releases the instant the leash is loosened. Training collars are only effective when they tighten or loosen easily and quickly. Tightening is the first step of any correction, loosening is the second step.
If the part of the correction collar that’s attached to the leash is not on the top of the dog’s neck, it can still become taunt, but it generally won’t become loose again. This constant pressure on your dog’s neck initiates a counter response on the part of the animal, and your dog will quickly learn to pull and strain against the leash.
Also, if the accompanying lead is too long it can require a great deal of skill on your part to use correctly. So make sure you use a length that gives you comfortable control.
Finally, it’s important to purchase a dog obedience training collar that’s well made and strong. The extra expense will easily pay for itself by keeping both you and your dog safer.
By: David Silva
No Rating
The loud noise of a dogs bark is nothing new to our ears. Man’s best friend the canine does bark a lot and especially when we leave our best friend. One of the largest problems with dogs of today is the annoyance of them barking when we leave. Sure, we do not hear it cause we have left but sure enough the neighbors are not happy about it.
Right when you get your puppy you should think about taking a week off of work to do some training that will save you lots in the long haul. This is a bit off topic of barking but it comes into factor and is a great idea to think about right when anybody buys a puppy.
They key to training your puppy not to bark when you are not around is to slowly get him used to it. Put your puppy in a separate room for time intervals. Build up these time intervals slowly but surely. Leave the puppy in the room for 2 minutes to start it out and move in slow intervals from there.
Experts also suggest letting your puppy sleep by itself for the first couple of nights to really kick in the feeling of being alone. Dogs are created on habits that start as a young puppy and if he sleeps with you the first night away from its mother than the chances of it missing you all the time are very high.
While you are about in the different room try not to make it obvious you guys are away from each other. We see so many people try this then go vacuum or do the dishes and make a loud noise while doing this. These noises remind him that you guys are not together. This may sound really small and simple but it is the way a dogs brain works in fact.
By: Chris Weber
No Rating
There comes a time when your dog will no longer be as young as they used to be and more care and attention might be needed. Everyone and every living thing gets old at some point and there’s nothing anyone can do.
There are however, things that can help dramatically in keeping your dog young and healthy and to set them up for a much better and happier aging. Don’t wait till your dog is old before thinking of the care he will need, you need to constantly look after your dog’s health to stop any unnecessary suffering later on.
The main things that affect your dog’s later life are the diet he/she is on and the exercise they get, along with other less important needs such as grooming and others, feeding and exercise are the main factors in determining your dog’s health later in life.
So what can happen to your dog in later life I hear you ask? Well there are plenty of illnesses and situations that may occur with age because of things not working as well as they used to much the same as human illnesses. Middle age for a dog is around the seven years mark although it depends on dog size and this is when the dog’s body will gradually start to deteriate.
One of the most common of old age symptoms for dogs is hearing and sight deteriation, this can cause the dog to be much more frightened and feeling more vulnerable than they used to. Old Dog personalities may begin to change in affect to this making some more friendly and other more grumpy and snappy. Other old age side effects include putting on weight, weaker muscles and bones, memory loss and being less able to fight off infections and diseases.
Weight gain is a big issue in old dogs and needs to be monitored and acted upon often to make sure your dog doesn’t get unwanted problems through obesity.
In general, if you pet is getting old and you can see he/she is feeling the pain, then take them to the local vet to get advice on any questions you have and have them checked over by an expert.
By: John Williams Dog Training
No Rating
e and Reward System is without any doubt the most animal friendly approach to train your dog. This method, often referred to as positive reinforcement training, is considered by experts to be the correct method of dog training.
In the same fashion as parent reward and praise a child for good behavior so it is with training your dog. The difference in dog training is, you praise your dog when the dog does something you approve and ignore your dog’s behavior when you disapprove.
In the past, dog training methods did not consider the harm that it caused to the animal. Unacceptable and cruel methods such as beatings, electric shocks were once common practice in dog training. As more people discover the humane approach to dog training, the old animal abusing methods are no longer being used.
The Praise and Reward System takes your dog temperament into consideration. This method is such that the dog has a chance to absorb the commands you are asking him to do. The praises and rewards make the dog understand that certain behaviors please you and dogs thrive on pleasing their master.
When a training is more meaningful for the dog, the behavior change tend to be more rapid. With time, the behaviors become more natural for the dog as the dog has a chance, in fact the opportunity, to use his own brain in deciding how to act.
To leverage your success in dog training follow these tips and tricks.
The use of food treats and showing affection to the animal work much better then simple verbal praise followed by a pat on the head.
The giving of the reward must immediately follow a behavior you want repeated. It must be clear to the dog as to why he is being rewarded. When the dog exhibits a proper behavior, immediately mark this behavior with a significant distinctive noise (such as a clicker) or by simply saying yes in an excited tone of voice, either will work. The treat needs to follow immediately so that the dog can understand that if he behaves in such a way, a treat is going to be given. Always use the same marker when the dog repeats the behavior and soon no treat will be needed for the dog to repeat the behavior. You need to be consistent for proper training to take place.
The commands used for training must be the same all the time. The dog needs to able to link the commands to the expected behaviors. Do not vary your commands as this will only confuse the dog. It is simply a matter of repetition until the dog associates behaviors with commands. A good idea is to pre-determine what commands to use, write them down and use them all the time.
You need to reward your dog in a fashion that is meaningful to the animal. Most dogs have a preference as far at what treat they like and as to what demonstration of affection they prefer. Some dogs will do back flips for a certain treats; other dogs just aren’t big eaters and prefer to be rewarded through a game with a favorite toy, or through some physical affection from you.
You probably already have a good idea of how much the dog enjoys being touched and played with. Each dog has a distinct level of energy and demonstrativeness, just like humans do.
The following are good ways to stroke your dog: most dogs really like having the base of the tail (the lowest part of their back, just before the tail starts) scratched gently; having their chests rubbed or scratched (right between the forelegs) is usually a winner, too. You can also target the ears: gently rub the earflap between your thumb and finger, or scratch gently at the base.
As far as food is concerned, just experiment with different food treats until you find one that the dog really likes. Some dogs actually respond most reliably to training commands when they receive treats sporadically instead of predictably. Giving the dog treats in an irregular schedule might prevent the dog from growing tired of the food reward. Some dogs could make a conscious decision to forego a treat.
No punitive measures have to be used with the praise and reward method which is a definite improvement in dog training.
With this type of training, all you have to do is ignore the behavior that you don’t wish to see repeated. Not giving any attention is enough to make just about any dog miserable and is therefore an adequate deterrent. After a while the dog will decide to no longer use that behavior.
The more you give attention to the dog when it behaves properly, the clearer the connection will be between a bad behavior with no response and the good behavior where you give positive attention and rewards.
By: Emil Desnoyers
No Rating
Perhaps one of the greatest misconceptions about dog grooming is that dogs like and actually enjoy bathing as compared to cats. While felines clearly show abhorrence for water, some dogs may feel just exactly the same. Fido, Spot, Bingo, or Rocky may not be up for taking a swim in a little old tub, so if you’re a dog lover why not try these fool-proof dog grooming ideas that can help control your little pooches in the bath?
Tip number one:
Remember that by all possible means, your dog will try to weasel its way out of the water. Do not even assume that your pet will cooperate and just ‘sit’ and ‘roll over’ as you attempt to douse it with some water and shampoo. This will only make it easier for your pet to escape. A good follow up for this tip is to decrease your dog’s anxiety. Forget that you’re the ‘boss’ or ‘master.’ Show your dog some compassion by joining it in the bath or by bring playthings as reward for being obedient.
Tip number two:
Another excellent dog grooming idea that can help control your dog in the bath is to not over coerce your dog into staying in the tub. This will only bring disastrous results, such as turning your bathroom into an unrecognizable mess and soaking you with water. Look at it this way: you are potty training your little pup and would not want to seem too threatening. Try to ‘convince’ the dog by giving it the idea that water is fun. Use toys and treats. Use reprimands only in extreme cases— you do not want your dog to have any water-related traumas! The result of this will be rewarding. Your dog will actually stay in the tub. If you’re worried about getting too much water around the tub, make sure to lay out towels around it.
Tip number three:
To be able to make the most of your dog’s bath, one good thing to consider is the strategic placing of all the necessary bathing tools. This will let you devote your time and attention to your dog and not to looking for shampoo, soap, and towels! This will also allow you to work at a more leisurely pace, making your dog feel at ease. Remember that a seemingly frantic dog groomer will only trigger your pet’s anxiety.
Tip number four:
If faced with a very stubborn and uncooperative dog, the best dog grooming idea that can help control your dog in the bath is to use a leash. A leash will give you the advantage of having both hands to lather up your dog. It also doesn’t seem threatening and coercive, since it is a familiar tool your dog encounters almost every day. Just make sure it isn’t too tight.
Tip number five:
Imagine all possible blunders that may happen after giving your pooch a bath. This may include soaking you with water because of shaking and getting out of the bathroom to go to dirty areas with soil. Such incidences will defeat the purpose of your bath. Always remember to have more than one towel ready so that you can dry your dog before you leave the bathroom. Also do not forget to close the door, as your pet might make a mad dash away from the shower. Make sure your dog is mostly dry before you leave the confines of your bathroom.
Hopefully, these dog grooming ideas will help control your dog in the bath. These are just a few tips if how you can maximize bath time with your dogs. You can be creative and come up with other strategic ideas of your own.
By: Maria Lopez
No Rating
