Saturday, September 26, 2009

Dog Training Courses - Clicker Method

The Clicker Training Method is one of the most effective dog training courses when used properly. You can use it to teach your dog simple obedience such as come, sit, and stay, to stop barking, heel and to not jump on visitors. In a more fun vein, you can also use it to string together more complicated behaviors and create advanced tricks such as fetching the mail or getting a soda out of the fridge for you.

The Clicker Training Method is a humane, positive reinforcement technique that pairs rewarding treats with the immediate sound of a handheld clicker. At first the treats are the reinforcement, but by association the clicker sound becomes the cue letting the dog know he is doing something good. And dogs love doing good things!

Some people argue that this approach is too mechanical or that your dog should do something because they want to, not because they are being rewarded.  But that's the thing . . . dogs want to do things they are rewarded for and they love to do things that you love them to do. There is no conflict! Remember, dogs are not humans. The Pavlovian method is a natural, higher way for them to learn. Let's take advantage of that method - not to take advantage of the dog but to have happier, healthier, safer dogs.

Here's a very important last point! There are right ways and wrong ways to learn and to teach clicker training. Most people who are disappointed in clicker training did not learn or use it the right way. And when done properly, clicker training is perhaps the most effective dog training method available. Fortunately there is a great course out there that even has videos that show you how to teach your dogs complicated behaviors:

Recommended Clicker Method Course: The 4 Simple Secrets of Becoming a SuperTrainer

Friday, September 25, 2009

Dog Training Courses - Dog Whispering Method

Dog Whispering is a general method popularized in the US by Cesar Milan. If you want something a little more advanced that will help you understand your dog's behavior in a deeper way, then dog whispering is for you. You will learn about:

Pack Mentality: Dogs are pack animals and the identity of the alpha dog or pack leader is very important! Most dogs respond better and feel safer when you, their owner, are the pack leader.

Canine Body Language: The different cues your dog (and other dogs) are giving you are the same thing as if they were actually talking to you -- if you know how to interpret them.

Your Own Body Language: You can also speak loudly and clearly to your dog in their own body language once you learn how.

Part of this approach is to realize dogs are not human -- they are canines and always act that way. They do not think the way humans do. They always live in the now.

Since every dog is different, this method emphasizes coming up with a "custom fit" approach for your dog.
What works very well for one dog may not work at all for your dog. But this approach also gives you a chance to from a special bond with your dog, a bond in which your dog feels safe, happy and needed.

Needed? Yes, every dog should have a purpose in life. Some dogs are herding dogs, or show dogs, watch dogs or party dogs for instance. The happiest dogs are living their purpose. That too is a vital part of this method.

If you want to know your dog as it really is, become a dog whisperer . . .

Recommended Dog Whispering Training Method: Secrets To Dog Training (aka SitStayFetch).

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Dog Training Courses - Head Collar Method

The Head Collar Method is a humane, gentle approach. The collar has a thin strap that goes over the dogs nose and gently helps direct the dogs movement and attention. It is not a muzzle -- your dog can still eat, drink and breathe freely while wearing it. It is a much more "dog-friendly" version of the choke chain without the choke chain's disadvantages.

The best Head Collars are the Gentle Leader® and the Halti®. Both of these have thin straps that go around your dog's muzzle and in back of its head. The Gentle Leader is generally the recommended one, although the Halti usually fits better for dogs with short, broad muzzles.They both come in several different sizes so you will be able to find one that fits your dog.

One of the secrets of using a head collar effectively is to always associate it with good things -- walks, rewards, fun training etc. so that your dog will be excited when you put it on him. Don't use this collar primarily when you need to control behavior, take him to the vet or discipline the dog or he will come to loathe it.

So naturally the head collar is best used when combining it with Reward Method training - but using no more treats as rewards than are actually needed. You and your dog will love this training method.

Recommended Head Collar Training Course: Secrets To Dog Training (aka SitStayFetch)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Dog Training Courses - Reward Method

The Reward Method is perhaps the most popular form of all dog training courses. This method mainly consists of rewarding your dog with a doggie treat they love whenever they do something they are being trained to do. It is even more effective when the rewards are amplified with lots of praise petting and love. Eventually the dog will perform the desired behavior merely for the praise or even for its own sake.

The reward method is the opposite of aversion therapy. One of the keys to the reward method is to never punish your dog (such as yelling at him or smacking him) for not doing something you'd like him to do -- that is aversion therapy. Simply reward him when he does.

The Reward Method works because your dog will associate a learned behavior with something good and therefore will want to repeat the behavior on command.

Recommended Reward Method Training Course: Secrets To Dog Training (aka SitStayFetch)