Rachel’s Dog Training

Like us, dogs need plenty of exercise everyday. It is very important that they get this exercise for the same reasons that we need ours.

However, when you do exercise your dog don’t over exhaust him. If he starts breathing hard give him a rest or stop the exercise. You must always have water available to him. If you take him for a walk outside your yard, take either a bowl you can fill with water or pour some water from a drink bottle for him to have. If your dog gets dehydrated this can be a serious problem.

Never feed your dog after or before you exercise him. Dogs can have problems with their stomachs if they eat near exercise.

But the main part of exercise is having fun with your dog. If you take your dog walking you and he will have much more fun doing exercise together. If you want tips on teaching your dog to walk on the leash, please see my article on Leash Lessons.

Good Luck!

Rachel and the Dogs

Technorati Tags: dogs and exercise, importance of exercise in your dogs life

Training your dog can get tough for the first few weeks. If your dog isn’t used to being trained everyday, then they may not want to cooperate. It is important in the first month that you make training fun and simple for your dog. That is why I have compiled a list of training tips to make training simpler for you and your dog.

1. Make training times quick - Dogs have a short attention span, and puppies even shorter. If you just do one step a day with your training, your dog or puppy will learn more than if you try to teach them all in the one day. if you notice your puppy not listening or not cooperating, it is best to end the training session there and then, and come back tomorrow.
2. Be Patient - Your dog or puppy won’t learn a new skill over night. It may take him a week to learn a skill, and in that week you must be patient with him, otherwise he won’t enjoy training sessions and won’t want to cooperate.
3. Always reward when your dog does something right - If you don’t reward him for doing something right every time for the first few steps, then he won’t think that he is doing the right thing everytime, and may start doing the wrong thing.
4. Praise your dog with words, treats and pats - If you just use food to reward your dog he may get sick of it and not cooperate as well as he would if you vary his rewards.
5. Teach your dog the skills one step at a time - don’t rush the tricks, if you do your dog won’t learn them as well, and you may have to reteach them again.
6. Make training part of your dogs daily routine - If you make training part of your dog’s daily routine, he wil get used to it in a few weeks. However, don’t put training time and play time together. If you play after training time your dog will want to get training over and done with so he can play or go for a walk. If you put training after playtime your dog will most likely be worn out and not cooperate with you.
7. Make your voice firm but not angry - If your dog is slightly defiant, you need to let him know who’s boss. make you voice firmer when giving him commands, but try not to sound angry.
8. Never reward your dog if he does the wrong move - For example, if you are teaching him to lay down and he only goes into a ‘Bow’ position, don’t reward him because he will believe this is the right thing to do. Simple correct the move with a simple and firm ‘No’ and try again.
9. Use a leash if you dog tends to wonder - If your dog doesn’t want to stay with you during your first few training times then put him on a leash and hold it securly in your hand.
10. Have Fun - Training is important, but enjoying the time you have with your dog everyday is important too. Don’t just think of training as a chore, but an enjoyable experience with your canine companion.

Good luck, and have fun with your training!

Rachel and the Dogs

Technorati Tags: simple training tips, tips for easier training

It is important that your dog is happy. If you have a happy dog you can be happy too. But to have a happy dog he needs to be taken care of well. Though taking care of him won’t be easy all of the time it is worth it in the end.

All dogs need to be brushed, bathed, taken for walks or have a ball thrown for them, fed, have water supplied for them, and the list goes on. So I have compiled a list of tips to help you and your dog have more fun while you do them.

1. Try to get your dog into a routine. Feed him at a particular time, play or go for a walk at another time and so on.
2. Never try to brush your dog around play or walk time. This will confuse your dog who will be expecting to go for a walk or play, and it will make it harder for your to try to control him. This can put stess on you and your dog. Try to make brushing times fun for your dog aswell. Speak in a happy tone to your dog whilst you brush him, and tell him he’s a ‘Good Boy’ if he cooperates with you. You could even give him a small treat when your finished.
3. Give your dog a place to sleep where he feels comfortable. There is no use putting his bed somewhere he won’t sleep. Either a bed or a dog house, he will love it if he loves the spot it’s in. Most dogs just like having a place to go and rest, that they know is theirs.
4. If you live in a cold region in winter, provide your dog with a coat so that he can be warm if he’s living outside. Or give him a blanket for his bed that he can sleep under at night. He will feel more comfortable and at home just by doing this for him.
5. You need to make time everyday to give your dog exercise. Whether you take him for a walk or throw a ball for him, you must do it everyday. Or in summer if it’s hot enough you could take him to go swimming in a dam, or the beach, or a creek near your house. He can feel refreshed afterwards, and swimming gives dogs more exercise than running or walking.
6. It is very important to teach your dog the Basic Training. If your dog doesn’t know how to sit or lay down, he may become a nuisance and bad behaved. Or if he doesn’t know how to wait or come, he may get injured by going where he shouldn’t when outdoors. If he knows the commands ‘Wait’ and ‘Come’ you will be able to keep him under your control by using these commands.
7. Don’t wait too long between bathing your dog. Depending on the size of your dog and how dirty he gets depends on how long you wait to bath him. All dogs should be brushed at least once a month, even if they live oinside for most of their lives, then they will be clean when inside your home. Also if he lives inside he needs to be brushed very often (2-6 times a week) preferably outside so that he doesn’t lose hair all over the carpet.
8. Remember to worm him regularly.
9. Correct bad behaviour especially in puppies fast, by a simple ‘No’ in a stern voice and take the object away that he may be chewing, or take him away from the hole you don’t want him to be digging, and so on. Then you may need to distract him with a toy or play with him yourself so that he doesn’t go back to what he was doing. Never use physical punishment.
10. Watch your dog’s weight and if you think he is getting over or under weight, either feed him more or less until he is in a good weight range.
11. Your dog needs plenty toys to keep him occupied if he is on his own for long periods of time. If you have another dog for him to play with this is good, but he still needs toys for him and his companion to play with. When you are at home it is important to give him at least half an hour a day with you for attention. If you have more than one dog, they all need to be given equal attention, because otherwise one dog may get jealous and become nasty to another, or resort to bad behavoiour. Remember, your dog is ment to be your best friend, and you his. He will want to be with you more than anyone else, and you need to give him the attention he deserves.
12. For more fun with your dog, consider training him some entertaining Party Tricks. These simple tricks can entertain guests, or just give your dog some extra things to stimulate his brain.

This may seem like a lot, but your dog will love you for doing these things for and with him. These tips will help you and your dog have a happier and more stress free life together.

All the best,

Rachel and the Dogs

Technorati Tags: tips for taking care of your dog, tips on dog care