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Category: Dog Training Classes

Posts that include all of our training classes. From private lessons to Canine Good Citizen, all of our training classes fall into this category.

  • How to Teach Your Dog to Play Tug-of-War

    Benefits of Playing Tug-of-War

    Playing tug-of-war with your dog is an immense exercise teaching your dog to play nicely, listen to you during times of excitement, and allow your dog to release canine instinct of pulling and tugging in a fun atmosphere.  The first thing you need to do is get a suitable toy.

    Appropriate Tug-of-War Toy

    Find a toy that is soft, comfortable and easy to hold.  Do not get anything that will snag in the dog’s teeth or snap out easily.  Some experts suggest using toys made from bungee material.  There are also toys with handles.  Choose one that is suitable for you and your pup.

    How to Teach Your Dog to “Drop It”

    This part matters significantly when playing the game tug-of-war.  It teaches your dog the “give” or “drop it” command.  It helps your pup understand these commands while having fun.  One way to get your pup to understand to release the toy is by using treats.

    Treats are a necessary item to keep on-hand when teaching commands.  This is how it works with “drop it.”  While you two are playing tug-of-war, say the command, “Drop it,” and let go of the pull on the toy.  Keep holding the toy but do not place any tension on it.  Now, this is where the treats come in.  With your other hand, place a treat in front of your pup’s nose.  Do not give it to your dog.  Just place it in front of the nose.  The dog will drop the toy to focus on smelling the treat.  Once the dog drops the toy, reward your dog with the treat and lots of positive reinforcement.  Then, repeat the same action again until your dog understands “drop it” command.

    This is only one tip on how to play tug-of-war with your dog.  To find out more about the benefits and teaching your dog these healthy, interactive, physical activities with positive reinforcement check out Florida dog obedience training or k9 training today.

  • Dog Poison Tip #1

    Watch Out for Dog Poisons

    Many ordinary, household items, if ingested by your dog, may cause your pet to turn fatally ill.  You need to be careful of what you leave laying around the house, and keep things out of your pup’s reach.  Here are a few items to keep stored away and inaccessible to your dog.

    Human Food

    When the whole family is sitting around the dining room table, and you have not taught your dog to exit the room during dinnertime, you leave your dog at risk.  For you leave your dog available to eat scraps off the dining room floor.  By doing so, your dog may be in danger.  For example, if someone at the table is eating chocolate brownies for dessert and your dog eats up the leftover chocolate left on the floor, then you may be putting your pup’s life in danger.  Chocolate is the number one killer of dogs.   It causes excessive diarrhea, vomiting, abnormal heart palpitations, and seizures.  You should teach your dog how to sit in his/her own spot during human mealtime preventing your dog from ingesting table scraps.

    Human Drugs

    Human medications may cause your dog to die.  You need to keep all medicines off countertops and away in high shelves unreachable to your pup.  If you do not take these precautions, your dog may ingest whatever liquid, pills, tablets left in plain sight without knowing the risk involved.  You are the responsible, loving pet owner.  Therefore, ensure your actions reflect this and provide your dog with a healthy and happy environment.

    Pet owners across the world, would love to keep their pets around as long as possible.  Thus, be responsible and do the right thing.  Keep the human food and medications away from your dog ensuring your dog’s health remains intact, not faltering due to the presence of these harmful elements.

    To find out more about what household items may harm your dog; check out Florida dog training classes and puppy preschool today.

  • Why Dogs Need Exercise

    Dogs have a built-in need to exercise.  It is a way for dogs to release energy.  If this need is unmet on a regular basis, then dogs find alternative ways to expend vigor that is not in a constructive manner.

    Lack of Exercise Equals Destruction

    Do you ever wonder why your dog chews up the house or why your pup scratches and digs all day long?  Does your dog engage in excessive barking?  Does your dog frequently raid the garbage?  You need to examine how often you play with your dog or provide your pup with exercise.  If your dog is lacking in participation of activities, then the dog will substitute the physical actions with negative behaviors.  These are bad habits for your dog to adapt.  To prevent this from happening enroll your pup in agility classes or dog obedience training classes.  These classes allow your pup the opportunity to socialize with other dogs, bond with you, and provide a positive atmosphere to let loose.  Thus, when you come home your dog is relaxed, happy and peaceful.

    Ample Exercise Exemplifies Happy Home

    When you ensure that your dog is engaging in exercise on a daily basis, you are improving the quality of life for your dog, and you.  You decrease your dog’s need to chew, bite and bark.  It eliminates a significant number of bad behaviors from continuing to develop.  The dog also will be able to sleep and rest quietly at night.  It also prolongs your dog’s life by keeping your dog in shape.

    For more information on why dogs need exercise talk to a Florida dog obedience training class today.

  • Prevent Your Dog from Chasing Runners

    It is hard to think about spring when the weather is still frigid outside, but it will happen before you know it.   And with warm weather, additional joggers and runners are noticeably active outside.  So how do you prevent your dog from running after these people when they go by?  There are different techniques you may utilize and here are just a few tips to help you and your dog.

    Bring Special Treats

    When you take your dog out for a walk, bring a stash of dog treats, small pieces of chicken, cheese or a hot dog with you.  You shall use this only when you see a runner pass by.  Let me explain.  When a runner goes by, you need something to distract your dog.  A regular dog treat may not be sufficient.  However, a tiny piece of chicken would be enough to keep your dog’s attention on you.  Furthermore, this will have the dog associate a runner going by as a positive thing.  For the dog sees runner, and thinks treat.  Thus, your dog will adapt to sitting or staying near you whenever someone jogs alongside.

    Encourage Safety

    The reason why it is vital to teach your dog not to run after people is for several reasons, but mainly for the runner and your dog’s safety.   If your dog chases after a person, then it may lead the dog into traffic and cause permanent injury to your dog and to the runner.  In addition, not everyone is comfortable with dogs.  Therefore, if a runner sees a dog chasing after him/her, then the runner may not respond in a friendly manner causing further aggression from both parties.

    Teach your dog not to chase after joggers.  Make sure you expend your dog’s energy by engaging your dog in daily exercise and agility classes.  Florida dog obedience training and dog agility classes will prevent your dog from chasing a person out of excitement or the need to release nervous energy.   By the time a runner passes by, and agility classes are over, your dog will be too tired to care if someone is coming the pup’s way or not.

  • What to Do When a Puppy Bites

    When dogs are just little puppies, they show signs of personality traits.  If the pup is forming aggressive or frightened behavior then the pup may bite.  Thus, you need to modify this behavior from the beginning ensuring your dog lives a joyous life.

    Enroll in Puppy Kindergarten

    The first key is to enroll your dog into a puppy kindergarten class or k9 obedience training classes.  This class will teach your pup not to bite using a positive reinforcement technique.  Just make sure your pup is current with vaccinations.  Furthermore, the classes are an opportunity for you and your pup to learn how to effectively communicate with one another making the years to come easy on the two of you.

    Let the Puppy Mingle

    The more your puppy socializes with other puppies, dogs, people, and kids the less frightened the pup will be when he/she grows up.  As a result, the less scared the dog is the decreased odds are that biting shall ensue.  Fearful dogs instinctively turn towards biting.  It is what they know.  It is how they fight with others.  Thus, do not isolate the pup.  When socialization happens appropriately, the pup develops into a well-mannered, friendly, comfortable dog.

    If you still have problems with your dog biting, then do not wait to take action.  Find a Sarasota dog training facility that implements positive reinforcement.  Make sure the staff is experienced and knowledgeable in what they do.  Enjoy the time you share with your pup during the close.  It will bring you and your pup closer together.

  • Stop Your Dog from Begging at the Table

    When you sit down to eat with company, it is not pleasant to have your dog continuously pestering everyone seated.  Generally, if your dog has not modified this behavior, then your puppy is instinctively moving back and forth between the table members until the dog finally gets something to eat from someone’s plate.  It is a good idea to stop this behavior from the start.

    Choose a Spot and Distract

    The first step is to decide where your dog’s spot will be during your mealtimes.  For instance, if you are getting ready to eat lunch, show your pup a designated spot where it can lie down and rest while you eat your meal.  Normally, this is an area where you have a doggy bed or mat.  Then, to make certain your dog does not get up from the chosen area; give your pup something to play with or a bone to chew on.  Anything to distract the dog ensuring you, and your guests, will be able to eat in peace.  You will have to teach your dog the “stay” command before achieving positive results.  It will take lots of repetition, treats and reward methods.  Florida dog training classes may help you achieve this goal.

    Remove the Puppy from the Room

    If you do not want your dog to be in the same room as you during meals, then choose a spot to move the dog and teach your dog how to settle in and relax in that chosen area.  This is a great option for people who like to entertain but do not want the dog roaming around inside the exact area as the party guests.  Select a room the dog is comfortable in or a portion of the house or yard; provide the dog with plenty of toys and other objects to remain occupied.  Thus, your dog will be happy and relaxed while you get a chance to enjoy time with your houseguests.

    Sarasota dog training is available to help you with the “stay” and “settle in” commands.  They also are able to teach you pet care tips to keep your dog living a healthy and happy life.

  • Ways to Change Excessive Barking

    It is commonsense that dogs bark to communicate ideas to others.  Dogs bark to greet, alarm, and to establish territorial area.  But what happens if your dog barks excessively for attention-seeking purposes?  This can become a huge headache, literally, for the entire household.  So why not teach your loving pup other behaviors to notify you of the same needs.  It is possible with K9 private lessons and here are a few tips to start you off in the right direction.

    Teach Your Dog to Ring a Bell

    When a dog needs to go outside, it instinctively barks.  It is a way of notification that works.  However, why not teach your dog to ring a bell instead.  It is possible with patience, repetition and body language.  For instance, if your dog barks to go outside, but you do not wish to encourage this behavior then do not yell or physically touch the dog in any manner.  Instead, use body language.  Stand and do not make eye contact.  Stare at the wall or ignore the dog completely.  This will teach your dog to stop barking quickly.  Encourage the dog to nudge a bell hanging by the door or install a doggy door.  After repetitive practice, and proper training, the dog will be able to do this in no time and the house will return to its peaceful state.

    Distract with Toys

    If your dog has a habit of barking while you are on the phone, computer and/or trying to complete work then distract your dog with treats, toys, or a bone.  For example, if your dog barks while you are trying to talk on the phone, then give your dog a chewing toy.  Your dog will become distracted and will not bother to make noise.  It is a good way to show your dog another method of keeping busy while you complete your work.

    For more tips on how to teach your dog positive techniques to replace excessive barking check out Sarasota dog training and K9 private lessons today.

  • Training a Puppy to Walk on a Leash

    Teaching a puppy to walk on a leash is not that difficult.  It just takes patience and lots or persistence.  If you teach your puppy how to walk properly on a leash from a young age, then it will keep your dog safe while on walks and makes it an enjoyable experience for the both of you to share.

    Familiarize Your Puppy to Wearing a Collar

    A puppy has no clue regarding the correct way to respond to a collar.  Thus, introduce the idea of wearing a collar from the very beginning.  A good way to do this is while the puppy is eating, slide a collar on.  The puppy will be distracted making this an ideal time.  Once the puppy does realize what you have done, it will probably try to rub it off by sliding itself against the floor or scratch it off.  It is important not to take it off.  It needs to get used to the idea of a collar on so it becomes second nature.

    Introduce the Leash

    Once your puppy is comfortable and happy wearing a collar, then it is time to clip on a leash.  It is not necessary to use a heavy-duty leash on your puppy at this time.  Choose a lightweight, thin leash.  And once the leash is clipped on allow the puppy to walk around with it.  As a result, the puppy will be accommodating when it is time to put on the leash later.

    These are only the first steps to teaching a puppy to walk on a leash.  To find out how to implement the rest just check out a puppy preschool or a puppy kindergarten near you.

  • What to Expect in Puppy Kindergarten

    Puppies are adorable, loving, and fun.  Nevertheless, puppies need guidance just as people do and puppy kindergarten is created to teach basics allowing you, and your puppy to live a happy and healthy life.

    Introducing Play Time

    During puppy kindergarten, one of the lessons is to socialize your puppy with others.  The pup gets a chance to interact with other pups, play with them, and learn what is accepted and what is not.  It is to ensure your puppy is comfortable in different situations with other animals around and it does not become a concern when the puppy grows into a dog.  For if the puppy is not accustom to other dogs, then the personality may evolve into an aggressive, or timid, dog causing problems down the road.

    Learn the Basics

    A puppy’s attention span is limited.  A reputable, experienced puppy kindergarten keeps this natural development in mind when designing the class.  Look for a class that is a mix of socialization, bonding and instruction.  Within the lesson, your puppy shall learn the basics.  Some of the basics include, yet, not limited to, sit, stay, and walk on a leash.  The puppy learns how to control enthusiasm during appropriate times.  For instance, if you have company over, the puppy may have the instinct to jump on your company’s lap to engage in play or bite on the person’s shoelaces.  The puppy learns how to curb the excitement and release it at proper times through positive reinforcement.

    Be Reasonable

    Do not put too many expectations during your puppy’s beginning growth phase.  Your puppy will need lots of love, attention and amusement.  Just keep in mind, a puppy needs to revisit these lessons throughout its entire lifespan.  So continue with these lessons with Florida dog training courses.

  • Why Puppy Preschool?

    Bringing Home Your New Puppy

    Bringing home a puppy is an exciting time in one’s life.  The puppy is full of energy, running around, and adorable.  It is impossible not to love those first moments.  But as soon as the puppy starts chewing up the shoes, furniture, and household items, then it is difficult to maintain a joyful demeanor.  A person may easily direct tension and stress at the puppy for not listening.  This does not help you or the puppy to be in such a negative state of mind.  For the beginning should center on bonding, not scolding your puppy.  Thus, why not attend a puppy preschool class and allow an experienced professional teach you the basic skills to create a fun, loving, healthy home.

    Learning the Basics

    When you first bring home a puppy, have you noticed how difficult it is to get the puppy to come when called?  Puppy preschool will teach you how to call for your puppy properly.  It will engage the puppy in coming when being called ensuring the puppy associates the two and delivers successfully.  It makes the experience of owning a puppy fun for both the owner and the pup.

    In addition, puppy preschool will address how to handle the biting and mouthing.  It will teach the commands sit, drop, stay and let’s go.  Florida puppy training instructs on toilet training, mat training, and calming behavior.  The class should cover nutrition, health, vaccinations, and flea treatments.

    Bonding with Your Pup

    It is essential to attend a puppy-training course.  It helps ease your puppy’s transition into its new home and gives an opportunity to build a relationship between you and your puppy.