Easy Dog Training Books

Best Dog Training Books List

n2wonder — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:12:23 +0000

We all know dogs love to read and train, so here’s a list that I have compiled from all of the email I have received from the dogs who read my site! ; )

Seriously, I would like to share my choices for best dog training books here with you and if you have suggestions please leave me a comment and I’ll update the list.

Starting off is one of my favorites for any type of hunting dog, Gun Dog by Richard A Wolters. I have family members who train quail dogs, english setters and pointers, and they would not be caught without a copy.

For general beginner puppy training and obedience training, How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With by Clarice Rutherford and also Parenting Your Dog by Patrice King, both excellent guides. Some books come with DVDs as well, check out My Smart Puppy by Brian Kilcommons for a good book/dvd combo. Oh, almost forgot to include the go-to guide for house training your dog, How To Housebreak Your Dog in 7 Days by Shirlee Kalstone. This book will save you from all of the weird, wacky and sometimes cruel advice you’ve probably received from everyone who thinks they know how to housebreak a dog.

Of course the list would have a gaping hole if I forgot to include the one and only dog whisperer himself, Cesar Milan. All of his books are right on target and he covers everything from obedience training, problem dogs, and also people problems! He also has a television show in case you,ve been living in a cave for the past few years. Now, ‘chhhh’ yourself and go read the pack leader’s books! Or just watch the show it’s good tv.

What else is there to say, I wish I had a book to list for scent training that would be a really good addition to this list but I don’t really have one. So if anyone out there has a suggestion please send me a comment so I can add it!

Lastly I want to introduce a book that has people singing it’s praises far and wide, For he Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend by Patricia McConnell. It sheds light on how an understanding of emotions between you and your dog can create a wonderful relationship for both of you. McConnell is highly trained and has other terrific books available as well.I highly suggest it.

Now you can get started with your training book of choice and may the force be with you - and your dog!

Don’t forget to send a comment if you found this helpful and/or have an addition. Thanks!

Train your Dog to use a Dog Door

n2wonder — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:42:15 +0000

Recently I had the pleasure of teaching the family dog how to use a newly installed dog door. This was a horrible experience because the dog was an older dog and you know what they say about new tricks and old dogs. After we struggled to get the door in place the real struggle was about to begin.

The dog door that I installed was one made of a metal frame and a clear heavy plastic flap for the door. It also had a magnet at the bottom to seal the flap once closed which took a little bit of pressure to open on the dog’s part. Our dog was truely terrified of our new addition. If you learn anything from this article it should be this, do not force your dog through the door! Once forced through the door our dog was really adamant about never getting near the door again!

In order to show the dog how to use it I crawled trough a few times, in and out. I don’t think I impressed him at all and we waited. Sensing the total failure of my project I decided to at least leave the flap of the door open to allow him to check out the outdoors. This peaked his curiosity and he slowly began to sniff around it. I used duct tape (handy ain’t it?) and taped the door all the way up so he could come and go without it touching him. He soon ventured out through the door. This turned out to be the easy part, coming back in was for some reason harder for him.

After about a week and a half of this I lowered the flap just a bit, maybe an inch or two, so it would just graze his head and back going through. After a week at this height I lowered it another inch or so. Limbo anyone?

This turned out to be just what the dog doctor ordered. I have never seen this in any of the dog training books I have. Maybe they train their dogs a lot younger than I did. I kept this routine going until the flap was completely down. The resistance from the magnet proved tricky at first until I wedged some cardboard in the top of flap to keep it from totally closing on one side. This allowed my dog to easily push it open coming and going. After a while I was able to do away with the cardboard and tape and now have a happy traveling dog from inside to out!

All this was accomplished with a lot of patience and thankfully no additional dog supplies or fancy dog trainer! Although the dog training books have come in very handy for numerous other things this was done with just me and the dog!

Training with Dog Collars

n2wonder — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:10:03 +0000

If you have a family dog or hunting dog you will benefit from learning a few training tips for using a dog collar. There are several different types of collars available on the market today ranging from bark collars, shock collars, and a collar incorporating a gps tracking device. Training a dog with a bark collar is probably the biggest demand for a family dog. The training involved with this collar is basically all on the dog’s part. The bark collar is straightforward as you just set the power rating to low, medium or high and put it on your dog. Initially you should start with the lowest setting to be as gentle as possible on your pet. The dog will of course think, hey a new collar sweet! This sweetness is short-lived after the first bark.

Your dog will have a new appreciation for peace and quiet after just a few barks with a bark collar. The training part of this collar should only be used to reinforce the idea of when to be quiet, usually at night. Barking is of course a natural instinct for your dog and should be allowed as long as it does not become a nuisance. Do not leave the collar on twenty four hours a day, use it only as needed. The dog will get the hint very quickly with this tool.

The hunting dog will mostly benefit from what is called the shock collar. This training tool is only applied when the dog is hunting in a large area and will not respond to verbal commands to come back. This collar also has several power settings that may be adjusted to get the required response. This tool needs to be used very sparingly as it does emit a powerful shock. If you need to be convinced I suggest you try it on your arm or leg first before zapping your pet. This human trial will allow you to appreciate the power the collar delivers and will probably save your dog a great deal of needless pain from you hitting the button whenever you feel like it.

By using a dog training collar for your pet in the correct setting and with the right method you will cut the training time down considerably. The bark collar will also help you build a better relationship with your sleepless neighbors and hopefully end the phone calls requesting that you have a word of prayer with your dog. There are several dog training books available that provide excellent methods on further use of these collars.

Training your new puppy

n2wonder — Mon, 18 May 2009 00:03:58 +0000

The joy of a new puppy is something everyone should experience. Your new companion will bring years of enjoyment and with that the first year or two will bring you frustration and misery if you do not train your pet properly. There are numerous methods for training your new amigo and all have their place.

House training a puppy is the number one need for most new dog owners. If you are attempting to house train your dog remember one thing, unless you catch them in the act of going to the bathroom inside do not punish them for it. The dog has no way of connecting the event to the punishment if you punish it after the event has happened.

If you keep a close watch on your new friend he or she will display certain patterns before finding a good spot in your home to relieve itself. Learn to recognize this pattern of behavior, such as sniffing around in certain spots or circling in one area, and then you can take the dog outside to do his business.
Once outside let him finish and then praise him for doing such a great job. Another key point is not to linger outside for playtime. Go right back indoors and then you can play. The dog may mistake your actions outdoors and get confused. By coming right back indoors then goal is accomplished and sends a clear message to the dog, hopefully connecting the two events. Over time this repetition will allow the puppy to realize where the proper place for bathroom time is and will learn to use it.

If you cannot be around you dog in order to come to the rescue for this method try using a crate for temporary housing. The idea behind using a crate is that the dog instinctively will not use the bathroom where it has to lay down to sleep. If you use this strategy make sure to purchase a crate that is only big enough for the dog to lie down and no excess room for a bathroom. There are crates available that have a divider that you can remove in the future to make more room available if needed. This provides you an opportunity to temporarily shelter him when you’re away or anytime when you cannot watch over him. Most puppies have the ability to hold their bladder for close to eight hours and this allows them to realize that they have that ability and that there is a right and wrong place to relieve themselves. Many dog training books come with a dvd today and they are great for continuing this training. Good Luck!

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training

n2wonder — Sat, 16 May 2009 22:39:33 +0000

The key to training dogs is to use positive reinforcement. This means using complimentary words such as good dog, etc, as well as giving the dog affection like rubbing or petting to show praise. Every dog responds well to this type of training. Everything from a puppy to a golden retriever or rottweiler will appreciate a good scratching or petting as well as a treat for a reward. Another key aspect of training is to spend alot of quality time with your dog. Take the time to go for a walk or play or run the dog before you try to focus the attention on training for a specific task. This will get all of the restless energy out of the dog and allow it to focus on your requests.

Another way to relax your dog is to try to be calm yourself. Loud talking or yelling only increases the energy in the dog and makes it harder for it to focus also. Remember to keep your cool. Rome was not built in a day. Set goals for your training and learn to focus on acheiving one goal at a time. The fact that dogs do not speak ( except for barking and whining ) makes it quite a barrier for both parties involved.

Walking with your dog is a great way to form a bond as well as giving the daily exercise that it needs to have a clear mind for later training sessions with you. The positivity that you project to the dog gives it a sense of trust and comfort which is needed to build upon for later training. If you spend the time to create a positive atmosphere and re pore with your dog you will have a solid foundation which will make training a breeze.

Having said that, all dogs are not created equal. You will have good days and bad days, just like anything in life. Keep your focus on acheiving the goals you have set and keep working. Patience is a virtue! Your dog wants to please you so it can receive your affection as well as any treats you may have put in your hand or pocket.

The type of training you have in mind makes a difference as well. You may want to refer to a guide book for your specific type of training. There are several great dog training books available on Amazon as well as video clips on youtube.

So there you go, get out there and remember to stay positive and the results will come!