Rachel’s Dog Training

Dog training is more than just teaching him basic commands so he will behave when other people are around. The benefits of dog training go far beyond basic obedience; by training him you can stop him from chewing without even addressing the issue.

So here are a few reasons why dog training can improve you dogs overall obedience and well-being.

1. It gives him quality 1-on-1 time with you, which is what he looks forward to most.
2. It gives him and you an alternate form of attention.
3. It is rewarding for both of you; you will be impressed and he will be happy to please you.
4. It stimulates his brain, which gives him more to think about for longer periods of time, even if he is only sitting. He may not be thinking consciously, but his brain will be working over time to sort the new information he is given. If he is busy thinking he will no longer:
   • Dig Holes as a way of entertaining himself.
   • Chew your shoes and clothes as a way of trying to stimulate his brain himself.
   • Bark uncontrollably because he is bored.
   • Pull washing off the line as a way of playing with himself.
   • Rip up the furniture and drag it around the house.
   • Chase people, cars or animals on the other side of the fence.
5. Your dog will like and respect you more.
6. He will listen to you more if you keep up the training and will eagerly wait for you to give him a command.
7. He will be happier, calmer, more contented and less likely to run wild.
8. He will be more relaxed when visitors arrive.
9. He will be less dependant on you all day, because he will have more to think about and relax for longer periods of time.
10. It will create a closer bond between the two of you, and training is alot of fun!

All the best,

Rachel and the Dogs

P.S. To get my free dog training course, visit The Dog Training Academy

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Bark! Bark! Bark! It goes on for hours. How do dogs do that? It doesn’t sound like they ever take a breath, but they keep on going. Barking is natural for dogs. They don’t have to learn to bark, they come into this world knowing how to bark all night long.

You and your barking dogs are at odds. He wants to bark, and you want him to stop. So, how do you go about convincing a dog that doing what comes naturally for him isn’t acceptable behavior for you?

Reasons Why Your Dog May Bark:

• Warning You of Danger or Strangers - Most dogs will naturally bark if a stranger comes to the door or walks past your house. Anything that they sense to be a threat to them or you they will bark at because they are trying to warn you. Usually if your dog barks for this reason the tome of his bark will be alot stronger and serious.
• Attention Seeking - Sometimes your dog will bark to get your attention, they are really trying to say ‘Hey! Look at me!’. They may also whine and make similar, nagging sounds.
• Boredom - If your dog hasn’t received attention of any kind during the day he may bark as a way to entertain himself. This bark can be quite annoying but also sound kind of sad.
• Playful - When you are playing with your dog, or if he is playing with other dogs he may bark because he gets carried away. When dogs are having fun some can be quite vocal as a way of expressing their excitement.
• Fear or Anxiety - If your dog is suffering from separation anxiety if you where to leave him alone for long periods of time, or fear in a thunderstorm, he is likely to bark. This bark is usually high-pitched and whiny. He is once again expressing how he is feeling.
• Answering To Other Dogs - If your dog hears another dog bark he is likely to respond to him by barking back. This may also start other dogs barking in the street. It’s kind of like a group of dogs having a conversation.

If you listen carefully to the tone of your dogs bark you can learn to identify the reasons he barks. Then you can start working to solve this problem.

Tips For Solving Barking Problems

• Warning Bark - If you hear this kind of bark, it pays to go and see what your dog is barking at. Although if he barks at everybody who walks down the street, not only at strangers you can stop this behaviour by saying a strong ‘No,’ or ‘No Barking!’ when he barks at anyone you don’t want him to. You may need to distract him from barking by calling him, or giving him a command.
• Attention Seeking Bark - Whenever your dog makes this kind of bark you must ignore him until he stops. If you pat or play with him he will soon learn that all he has to do is make some noise and you will give him what he wants. Instead, when he is not making any noise, give him your attention, pat him, take him for a walk, tell him what a ‘Good Boy,’ he is. If he is happy, then he will have no reason to call for your attention.
• Boredom - This kind of bark can be stopped by saying a firm ‘No,’ or ‘No Barking!’ and them play or pat him when he is being quiet. He doesn’t understand how busy you may be; he just thinks that you don’t want to spend time with him. So it is very important to find time at least once everyday to give your dog your attention, even for just a moment.
• Playful Bark - Sometimes your dog can’t help letting out a bark or two when playing. It is natural for him to make noise, so as long as he isn’t constantly barking, this bark is acceptable (you can’t expect him to be silent all day!) But if he is barking too much whilst playing, just use the simple ‘No,’ or ‘No Barking!’ and if he continues to bark, stand really still with your arms folded and don’t look at him until he is quiet, then continue playing with him.
• Anxiety Bark - If he is scared in a thunderstorm or similar the worst thing you can do is pat him and tell it it’s ‘OK’. This is telling him that it is ok to behave like this, so he will always whine or bark when there is a storm because he thinks that is what you want him to do. Instead, make him feel secure either on his bed or in his kennel and then walk away. It may sound harsh, but it is actual better to do this than sit and comfort him. If you are going to be away from home for a whole day or longer you should give him plenty of toys to play with, a bone or Kong toy with food inside to entertain himself.
• Answering Other Dogs - If you find he is answering other dogs calls, you can use the firm ‘No Barking!’ and distracting him everytime he does this.

I hope these tips help you with any barking problems you may have, but just keep in mind the fact that it is okay for your dog to bark once in a while. It is only really a problem if he is barking uncontrollably, or in the middle of the night.

The biggest tip I can give you to handle barking problems is to stimulate his brain by teaching him tricks. Dog training is benefitial in many of ways; not just as a way of controlling him.

All the best with your training,

Rachel and the Dogs

P.S. To get my free training course, visit The Dog Training Academy

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A record or history of your training sessions with your dog can be a tool in future training sessions. A good log/journal combination can help you discover where problems in training come from and even how to correct them. There are many factors that determine the effectiveness of any training session. During some training sessions, it seems that you can’t teach as fast as the dog can learn. During other training sessions it seems that no matter how many different ways you go about it, you just can’t get the idea across to the dog.

Sometimes, dog training success can be measured in leaps and bounds. But other times, the only way you can actually see any progress is by looking back at where you began. Log/training journals can provide encouragement for you when it seems that you are making no progress at all.

The most important thing that a log/journal can provide for you, though, is a history of training that you can use to plan future training sessions. You can log back at the entries in your log/journal and determine which training techniques worked, which training techniques did not work or which training techniques were the most effective. In short, keeping a good and detailed training log/journal can make you a better and more effective dog trainer.

Rachel and the Dogs

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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.

For more tips on dog training, please view my Tip Of The Week page every so often.

Good luck, and have fun with your training!

Rachel and the Dogs

P.S. To get my free training course, visit The Dog Training Academy

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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

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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

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