A Dog Training Site

Archive for December, 2009

How much would it improve the health of dog breeds if all the canine clubs changed their standards from cosmetic to the dogs ability to function as the breed was intended?
Yea I feel bad for some GSD’s. They’re such a beautiful and majestic looking breed but the slope in their back can be so low I’ve seen them trip over their own feet walking. So sad!

The breed standards don’t need to change, it’s the breeders interpretation or flagrant disregard of the breed standard, that has been accepted as the *norm* by judges, which needs to change.

Breeds that were created to do a job, should be bred to do that work, & only those proven to be mentally/physically sound & capable of being trained to do the type of work the breed was originally created to do, should be allowed to add their genes to the breed as whole.

Our 8mo old puppy seems to have a very short attention span. We take her out on a leash to "potty" and if there is anything or anybody else around, she is distracted and does nothing. It can be a bird, a car, a person, or just sniffing in the wind. She has learned to obey the "sit" and "shake" (offers a paw) commands. Has not learned "down" or "stay". We think she is "ADHD". Any suggestions?

Puppies like babies have short attention span. But you are wise to consider obedience training. Look for trainer who is an animal behaviorist and you should be fine no matter who you choose. Call your local vet office to see if they can recommend one. I would stay away from PetSmart. I’ve seen the way they train and it is not the best.

I got both my dogs trained when they were puppies. I brought them every Saturday for an hour and it was great. I learned a lot. And depending on what kind of dog you have, you may really really need the training. I have 2 miniature schnauzers, which are smart stubborn dogs.

I just need to know a site to go to to narrow my search from all the different types of dogs. I have a kid and want it to be safe around him but allso be protective. I will also be training it to be a hunting dog. mostly antler hunting, so it must have verry good since of smell. It should also want to please its handeler and seek approval.

The AKC website would definitely have links. Also dogfancy.com has a huge list of breeders.

I have a four legged brother, a finely intelligent English Springer Span.

In my local woods he is easily tempted into jumping fallen logs and random thickets but transferring this to the back garden has proved harder.

I’ve made three jumps in a line, all around his head height and clear-able. One of bamboo cane, and the others raised fur tree clippings (like horse jumps).

If I throw a ball through, he’ll go round the side. If I hold the ball in front of his face, he can just about be lured into jumping (even choosing the duck under occasionally) but loses interest after going through once or twice.

What’s the best way to get him into the mind set of ‘if there’s a jump, I’ll jump it’, so I’d be able to throw a ball from one end and have him jump and weave over/under the obstacles?

Start off with small jumps that are only about 10 inches from the ground. Put him on a lead, run up to it and jump over it with him. When he gets the hang of it, gradually increase the height of the jump. He want really notice!
Be patient and positive and you’ll get there.
You could also attend agility classes, I’ve just started taking my springer to them and she loves it, it really tires her out, which as you will now, It’s hard to tire a springer out!
Good luck

Hello!

I am getting a puppy in late may, but I live on the third floor of an apartment! I am worried that for house training having to run down 3 flights of stairs to show a dog where to go (especially if its in the middle of doing its business inside) could confuse the dog and possibly take longer…

I am considering getting large tray, a few inches deep and growing grass in it on my balcony, that way the dog can associate grass with the proper spot to eliminate, and I can get it outside faster.

This is not permanent, nor the only place the dog will be doing its duty. Just a few months until the dog has the idea down and can hold it long enough till I can get him down the stairs and outside reliably every time. I will also be taking him out on walks and hope he uses the grass out there as well.

Do you think this would work well for housebreaking? Or will I just teach the dog to still go on the balcony when the grass is gone?
Hey everyone!

Thanks for your tips and information!!!! My puppy is a Great Dane so I know I can’t let him use the balcony forever, he will be bigger than the tray by 6 months old most likely! I’m just hoping that this gets him through housebreaking quickly and then I can take him downstairs once I know he can hold it for the journey!

I really appreciate all of your input!

Hi–I have a chihuahua mix (male/neutered, about 10 lbs).
We live on the 3rd floor of an apartment building, just like you. My dog does his business outside, as well as on ‘piddle pads’ in the apartment.

Many people who live in high rise apartments use litter boxes and/or ‘piddle pads’ for their dog–esp[ecially smaller dogs and they work wonderfully!
I have used them for 9 years now, and my dog has never peed/pooped off the piddle pad—never. When it rains/snows outside, he doesn’t like to go out, and the piddle pads are perfect.
I use a corner of one room, put down a plastic, waterproof rug protector. Then I have a waterproof pad, like they use in hospitals on the bed for older patients.
On top of that, I put 2 piddle pads, which I order on-line in bulk–as i use them all the time.
Initially when I got my dog as a puppy I had the same idea as you–to grow grass on our balcony and teach him to "go" outside. But we got him in winter, and he was afraid to go out in freezing weather! I was using the pads to housetrain him anyway–so I just continued with it, after my mom went to visit a friend in a New York high rise apartment. Mom told me that tons of people have dogs and live in apartments–and they use the pads for inside–and also walk their dogs, and the dogs ‘go’ outside.
I am living proof that it works.
I don’t know what size dog you have–it works perfectly with my small dog. I keep toilet paper nearby the pads, and small plastic bags–to dispose of the poop (I flush it), and the wet pads get rolled up and put in plastic bags and thrown outside–as you would a disposable diaper.
best of luck to you!
Congrats on your new little furbaby!

She promises all the answers to really good issues with obedience training for cairn terriers and dogs in general but she didn’t have ANYTHING anybody that’s ever seen a dog wouldn’t already know! I am constantly being bombarded with advertisements for the very information I paid her for! She brags a 120 Day "no questions asked" refund policy but won’t refund or answer emails. Am I the only one who fell for this scam?

Dispute the charge with your credit card. Site her return policy & their refusal to respond to your request for a refund. They’ll reverse the charge

My dog used to eat purina one but now we use wellness cuz its the best. What is your dogs favorite food and why?

My Tea Cup Yorkie’z Favorite food is Sliced Chicken Lunchmenat and my Pomeranian favorite food Is Cheap BAR S Hot Doggs lol it’s weird he knows the difference I tried Oscar Meyers and he wont eat those only the cheap oneslol good for me

I am allergic to anything with fur but i love dogs. I don’t want a little purse or toy do, and i think Terriers are kinda ugly ( no offense to any terrier owners) i want a macho big dog, that wont make me sneeze every time i am around them. I really like wolf breeds too.
Any help?

Standard Poodles minimally shed and were used as water retrievers. Plus, I think a guy is ultra sexy with one.

I’m getting a puppy sometime soon and I’ll be spending most of my time with her, training her and such. But when I have to go to school, would having my mom tie her outside for 5-10 minutes every two hours be alright, or do you actually have to walk them?

I know not to get pee-pads because they’ll most likely mess up the training process.

you can tie her out but i’d highly recommend walking her for 10 minutes.. the dogs need the exercise. (every hour or so)
Hope This Helps!

I have a Yorkie that i would like to train to hunt small game(such as mice rats or lizards).he will be 2 years in feb.he does take intrest mice and rats but he doesnt know how to find them when there not in a cage.One more thing is i have two pet rats and need him to leave them alone.how do i train him?what will I need? oh and i live in the mountains if that helps any…and please dont start with the hunting is cruel crap.

You can’t tell it "NOT these-THOSE" rats!
You *can* use them as training aids….using dirty bedding to make scent…laying tracks…hiding the cage & praising it’s locating & "work" *&* it’ll quit if it never "wins".
Dogs are lousy at mousing=too big!
& ratting requires a big rat population,a smoker,shovel & pry bar for breaking open walls & floors….getting strong & dirty & WORKING at it.

Lizards are NOT fair-game! Don’t even start that crap.

REAL terrier work is *********** NOT*********** small fry! REAL terriers hunt/locate/enter dens & get up to & WORK=bay,bolt or draw= FORMIDABLE QUARRY,IN-GROUND!!!