Category: Obedience Classes

There are ways to make dog walking not seem so much like a chore, but rather time you both may enjoy together.  Here are some basic tips to keep you on the right track.

Choose Your Leash Wisely

You need to be sure to select a lease that coincides with your dog’s personality and habits.  If your dog is easy to walk even during high traffic, then a flexi-leash is fine.  It allows your dog to explore surroundings without feeling confide.  If your dog has the bad habit of biting on the leash, a chain leash may be more appropriate.

Stay Off the Lawn

Pesticides, fertilizers, various plants and flowers may all be dangerous to your pet’s health.  Stay away from these areas.  In addition, you don’t know what type of bugs or creatures could be looming within the grass.  There may be a poisonous snake or spider.  Just steer clear to keep your canine safe.

Allow Your Dog to Say Hi…Within Reason

If along the path other dogs and people wish to pet your dog, then wait and see how your dog reacts.  If your dog is known to remain calm and allow people to greet, then great.  Encourage it.  If your dog does not get along with others avoid the contact altogether.  You don’t want a negative situation to ensue.

To find out more dog walking tips, talk to a Florida dog obedience professional or enroll in a k9 obedience class today.

A German shepherd is a great dog!  They are loyal, strong, protective and reliable working dogs.  But before bringing home your German shepherd puppy, it is a positive idea to gather as much information ensuring you are knowledgeable about your new addition.  Here are some basic background facts about this breed.

Senses are Keen

These dogs have sharp senses, and there are ways to enhance their development.  For instance, these dogs have a strong sense of smell.  So when you take your dog for runs allow your dog to roam around and sniff the environment.  It is a joy for your dog to embark in this experience.  Therefore, encourage it.  It is what your dog naturally likes to do.

In addition, these dogs are very intelligent, which makes training easy.  And Florida dog obedience training courses assist in showing you how you to contribute towards your dog’s progress through training.  For example, if you play fetch with your dog, it provides the dog with a skill that improves obedience.  For when your dog plays with you, he/she has to be obedient to you through positive reinforcement.  This carries all the way through your dog’s life making certain that your dog is well behaved, as he/she gets older.

To find out more information about German shepherd breeds, talk to a k9 obedience instructor or enroll in a puppy class today.

There are certain breed dogs that need to herd animals.  It is part of their make-up.  They are happy when they are herding providing a sense of fulfillment.  But how do you train a dog to herd?  What do you need to know?  Here is a basic breakdown of what you need to know about herd training.

Use Other Herding Dogs as Examples

If you know other dogs that already herd, then it is a good idea to pair up your dog with adult herding dogs.  However, know the herding dogs’ traits.  Reason being is if there are negative traits you do not wish your dog to pick-up then ditch this idea immediately.  Pick only herding dogs you want your dog to emulate.  Your dog retains the negative and positive habits, so be selective in your choosing.

Train One Dog at a Time

You may have an experienced dog with yours showing the ropes, but you do not want to train more than one dog at once.  It could become confusing for your dog to translate the praise when this occurs being unsure who the positive reinforcement is directed at.

Correct Your Dog along the Way

During training, your dog will make mistakes.  It is natural.  But you also do not want your dog to start developing bad habits.  Thus, the best thing to do is to repeat the same tasks until they are completed correctly before moving on.  It may seem mundane, but it is necessary ensuring your dog and the herd is safe in the future.

To find out more information about herd training dos and don’ts, talk to a Florida dog obedience training professional or a k9 obedience instructor today.

A puppy has a lot to learn about the world and some things may seem scary at first.  But after overcoming different tasks, a puppy’s assurance soars.  Here are a few ways to help your puppy increase self-esteem in a positive manner.

Try Obstacle Courses

Puppies love to play and have lots of energy to expend.  Thus, obstacle courses are a great way to combine both and assemble a strong character along the way.  For when a puppy accomplishes the task of walking up a ramp, going through a tunnel or proceeding downhill then it boosts inner strength. It shows the puppy not to be afraid of something and that the pup can accomplish a task that seems overwhelming at first, but is a cinch to accomplish.  When you go through these little tasks, provide lots of praise.  Make a game out of it.  Provide rewards and keep the mood positive.  Your dog will be running through the obstacle course in no time.

Socialize with Others

The sooner your pup is able to socialize, the better for your dog’s demeanor.  Introduce your canine to other puppies on the same level.  Also, if you have visitors that come on a regular basis, such as a delivery representative or your mother, then have your dog become familiar with that person.  It helps your dog grow to be social and not aggressive.

For more tips on how to build your dog’s confidence at a young age, check out puppy kindergarten or puppy preschool classes today.  The instructor will be able to provide you with additional ideas and positive methods.

Dogs need exercise, and one way for your dog to attain this goal is through swimming, but you need to take the proper steps to show your dog how to swim.  You do not want the introduction to water to be a tough transition.  Throwing your dog into water and hoping your dog knows what to do is a huge no-no in swim training.  Your dog will become frightened, and never wish to enter the water again.  Instead, use these tips to teach your dog to swim in an upbeat manner leaving a long lasting positive water impression.

Introduction to Water

Regardless of your dog’s age, find calm, shallow water for the introductions.  Then slowly have your dog inch his/her way into the water.  Be sure there is a long leash on your dog, and walk into the water alongside.  Provide lots of praise so there is no panic on your dog’s part.  Show your dog that it is okay and a positive experience.  Once your dog is comfortable, your dog will begin to show swimming abilities.  Just keep it light.  If your dog appears to be mastering the art of swimming, and enjoying it, then go into deeper waters.

What to Remember When Going Swimming with Your Dog

Remember to always bring fresh water for your dog to drink.  Your dog needs to stay hydrated as much as you do.  If you are swimming in an ocean, do not let your dog swim into currents.  In addition, do not let your dog to jump into deep water.  You do not know what can be lurking in the waters without gradually entering it.  Prevent any accidents by gradually entering the water of choice.  These are actually good reminders for you, and your dog.

To learn more swimming tips, talk to a Florida obedience training professional or a k9 obedience instructor today.

We have covered Florida dog training tips before in previous blogs, but here is more advice to help you along this journey.  If you keep this in mind while training your dog, then the frustration that comes from dog training should be reduced to a minimum.

Never Use Force

One thing to remember is to never instill physical harm to your dog.  You never want to make your dog do something by applying physical force.  It will turn your dog off from training completely and the results are devastating.  It causes your dog to attain many issues throughout his/her development.  Avoid this at all costs.

Practice on a Regular Basis

Apply the training lessons on a standard schedule.  Use the lessons when you go for walks, visit with friends, go to the dog park, and anytime you are out with your dog.  This will help ensure the training attaches to your pet’s traits.  It shall become natural instinct to the point your dog exhibits the wanted behavior without being prompted or reminded.  Eventually, your dog will adapt the wanted behavior as part of his/hers regular routine.

Provide Rewards in a Timely Manner

Be consistent when offering rewards to your dog.  Remember, during training a dog needs to be rewarded immediately after completing positive behavior or else the dog does not make the correlation between attaining a reward and finishing wanted actions.  The link between the two needs to remain strong, and the best way to handle it is by making certain rewards are given after the performance occurs.

For more information on how to properly, effectively and successfully train your dog, talk to a Florida dog obedience instructor today.

When taking your dog out for a walk, there are many distractions along the way.  There are other animals, traffic, and people enticing your dog’s instincts to chase.  At these moments is when teaching your dog to turn around comes in handy.  It keeps your dog safe, still and prevents your dog from running after others while outside.  Here are a few tips on how to teach your dog do a turnaround.

Start Walking with Your Dog on a Leash

To begin, start walking in a straight line with your dog on a leash.  After a couple of footsteps, use the command, “This way!”  At the same time, hold a treat with cheese, chicken, or your favorite dog’s treat in front of your canine’s nose.  This will get your dog’s attention.  Once your dog pays attention, start leading your dog with the treat out front and turn around.  Your dog will follow.  Just do this in a smooth movement.  Do not tug on the leash.  After your canine follows, take a few more steps, and give your dog a treat as a reward.  Provide praise.  Repeat these movements.  Your dog will begin to associate the u-turn around with the reward.

Repeat Sequence

Keep this lesson fresh in your dog’s mind by practicing.  Then start weaning your dog off the treats during the turnaround.  Give your dog the treat after two turnarounds, then lower the frequency.

To find out more information about how to teach your dog to u-turn, contact a Florida dog obedience training professional today.

Puppy kindergarten is a great place to teach your pup the basics of growing up.  It teaches your pup to be comfortable around other dogs, people and not be afraid during unwarranted situations. It shows a pup how to socialize and behave in a positive manner.  It is an uplifting experience for you and your pup and the benefits are life lasting.  But what exactly does puppy kindergarten do?  What does a class consist of?  Here is a basic outline of what puppy kindergarten is about, and why you should enroll today.

Provides Support for You…and Your Puppy

It is difficult to manage teaching your puppy how to act when you are implementing it solo.  You may become frustrated taking away from the bonding opportunity available.  However, if you are teaching your puppy in a group, then there is instant support on how to handle the situation in a positive manner.  It keeps the lessons light, and there are experts available to help you along the way until you are comfortable to manage the situation on your own.

In addition, your puppy learns from watching and interacting with other puppies.  Therefore, if other puppies are picking up a lesson quickly, then your pup will take note and try to exhibit the same results.  It is a wonderful avenue to utilize when training your pup.

Your pup will receive many benefits from puppy kindergarten classes.  It teaches your pup the necessary socialization skills needed to live a healthy and happy life.  And who better to teach you then a Florida obedience dog trainer.  Contact him/her today and find out more details about puppy classes.

Puppies chew.  Dogs chew. It is normal for dogs to engage in this behavior.  But what you do not want is your dog to chew on inappropriate objects throughout the house.  Save your new Nike tennis shoes, the lady’s new Prada heels, and the kids’ school shoes.  Spare the furniture from torture too.  Help your dog contain this habit to objects created for chewing like chew toys, bones, and treats.  Preserve the household items from being mangled by your dog.  Here are some tips to direct you in the right direction.

Puppy-Proof the House

First thing you must do is remove items from the floor that a dog or puppy may get into.  Put shoes up on shelves or away in a closet.  Pick up your clothes from the floor.  Place books on the shelves.  Eliminate visible cords.  Whatever your canine’s mouth may grab, move it.  You do not want to encourage the chewing behavior by leaving things within your dog’s reach.  For it sends mixed signals to your pup.  Best solution is clear the room of anything that may seem too tempting for your dog to resist.

Supervise Awake Time

If you are able to provide the chance to supervise your dog while the dog is awake, then do so.  You need to teach your dog what is okay to chew, and what is not.  You may accomplish this task by watching your dog throughout the day and making appropriate corrections teaching your dog to learn quickly.  If you are unsure on how to make the corrections with positive reinforcement talk to a Florida dog obedience training professional today.  He/she will be able to provide ample techniques on how to prevent the chewing from growing rapid in your home.

If you still have further questions about any aspect of your dog’s chewing behavior, talk to a k9 obedience instructor or enroll in a puppy kindergarten class.  Both are great sources of knowledge and wisdom providing methods assisting in resolving this issue before it gets out of hand.

Some dogs will run after a toy no problem.  But the trick is when your dog brings the toy back to you.  Does your dog hold on to it?  Does your dog wander off with it?  You need to teach your dog to bring you the ball and drop it.  This is where some dog owners are unsure how to implement.  Here are some tips to help you along the way.

Teach “Drop It” Command

If your dog has no problem chasing after the toy, but needs help with the “drop it” command, then this is the advice for you.  When your dog fetches the toy, call to your dog.  Your dog should already know “come” and “sit”.  Thus, when you call to your canine, your dog comes.  Afterwards, say the words “drop it.”  While doing so, put a treat in front of your dog’s nose.  This will automatically cause your dog to drop the toy where you want and be prepared to receive the treat.   When your dog does so, praise your dog.  Give your dog the treat, and repeat this method.  After practicing this technique, your dog will understand the command “drop it.”  And you shall be able to play fetch with your pet.

This is only one of many tips taught in a Florida dog obedience training class.  The instructor will show you how to play fetch using different methods, finding the positive technique that works for your pup.