JamaicanPitbulls.com

Train a Puppy Not to Bite

2010-02-02T13:44:00.001-08:00

Dog Training Tips : How to Train a Puppy Not to Bite

Puppy Training to Sit

2010-02-02T13:42:00.000-08:00

Dog training tips: How to train a puppy to sit

Agility Tricks

2010-01-27T17:02:00.000-08:00

I love food and like to do tricks for my mom. I have been in two movies becasue I learned to do these tricks. One was called "Dogmatic" and the other last year was a Disney movie called "Murder she Purred. If you see them, look for me. In Dogmatic, I mostly run with a pack of other dogs but I do get to jump over a big flowerbed in one scene and I did it real good!!! I played a German Shepherd Guard Dog in the Disney movie. I had lots of scenes in that one, including chasing a cat. I had to do things on command like opening a door and then standing still,,good thing I had been trained.

Most of the actions you see dogs doing in movies are just a bunch of simple tricks. If you learn these tricks, maybe you can be in a movie too. My mom says these tricks are good exercise for me too.

By teaching your dog to do each trick, you can have him/her capable of being a movie dog (or just a fun pet).

Some of these tricks help the dog in other sports such as agility and in obedience. Likewise, agility work can be incorporated into movie work. For example, dogs that can jump obstacles can be taught to jump in and out of moving cars, leap over people or other dogs, or jump in and out of windows. A-frame work can be used to teach the dog to go over fences or other high obstacles and dog walk training can be used to teach dog to walk along narrow walls, etc. The circle obstacle with the hole covered with saran wrap can be used to teach the dogs to jump through a window.

This list doesn't include tricks such as retrievals which are used often in movies or bite work. Bite work should only be done by a trained handler as you must do it properly to be effective. None of these tricks require special equipment. They are meant to be fun for you and your dog. This list includes some instructions on how to do them but there are many ways to teach the same trick. Use the one that works for you and your dog.

PLAY DEAD/BANG

Agility Use: to get dog to down on table if you are having problems with this obstacle

How: With dog in sit or stand stay, point finger and pull hand up while saying bang. This action is similar to the down hand signal. Dog must lie down on side with head down. You may have to do in stages - down and side.

CIRCLE

Agility Use: to improve corners and turns and weaving - helps increase flexibility

How: With dog in stand stay in front of you, give "circle" command and entice dog with food treat or toy to turn in circle. Don't encourage to "chase tail'. Give reward when dog turns fully. Gradually give command from greater distances. For distance, it helps to put reward on end of pole and use to get dog to turn in circle.

BOW

Agility Use: before doing agility, this is a good stretching exercise. Can also help on down contacts

How: With dog in stand stay, handler in front of dog, with reward (food treat) in hand. Move both hands in towards dogs front paws (above paws) while saying "bow". As dog extends head down for treat in a bow position, reward. This trick is eventually down at a distance and can be down from the side with a single hand command.

CRAWL

Agility Use: Helps dogs who will not go through tunnel

How: Dog in down stay. Hold treat in right hand with left hand on dog's withers (farther back on large dogs). Move hand with treat up and down (short movements) while saying crawl. As dog moves forward, hold him/her down with hand on back. Move treat hand away from dog so dog has to follow to get treat. Reward initially after any movement and then require longer distances. If dog has trouble crawling, this can be down under someone's legs or under a solid chair or low agility table.

BACK UP

Agility Use: positioning dog at start, repositioning if dog slightly overruns weave poles, general control

How: Handler in front of dog. Step into the dog, move hands towards dog in a pushing motion (palms up facing dog). Dog will have to move backwards as you move into it. Reward with "good back" as soon as dog takes one step. Best way to reward is to toss treat into dogs mouth. If you let him take it from your hand it is hard to get distance on this one. Leash can be used to move dog back if he has trouble. Wall keeps dog straight. Gradually stop moving towards dog as you give the verbal command and hand signal. When learned properly, the dog will back away from you in a straight line for extensive distance (depending on comfort zone of your dog).
TOUCH/TARGET

Agility use: use to send your dog to an obstacle or to encourage touching contact

How: Train this one by first having dog touch a piece of paper stuck to the wall. Take dog to wall, command "touch" or "target" and touch the paper. When dog jumps up and touches the paper, reward her. Then place an object on floor and send dog to "touch or target. Reward when dog moves to object and touches it.

TURN OUT LIGHT

Agility Use: same as target - a fun trick to do that helps dog learn to go away from handler and touch or manipulate an object

How: Hold treat at light switch (make sure dog can reach the switch when on back legs. For short dogs, place on sturdy table at light switch). Give command "turn out light" or "light off". When dog jumps up to get treat make sure her paws hit the switch. Reward with "good light off/out", or whatever your command was. Gradually start to stand away from switch and send dog. Toss treat when dog jumps up and paws at light. You can also teach this by placing the treat on the switch so dog has to knock it off. This method may, however cause the dog to use the mouth to hit the switch more than the paw so it is preferable to hold the treat in the hand.

JUMP OVER DOGS

Agility use: Practising jumping obstacles, socializing with other dogs, being handled on obstacles from both sides

How: This is an interesting trick to do once you have a group of dogs that meet certain qualifications:
Get along (ie non aggressive with each other)
Keep a still down stay
Good at jumping low obstacles
If you have this combination, this trick can look very impressive. First start with pairs. Have one dog in a down stay with the handler holding the leash short and a treat in hand if required. The other handler gives the "over" command and while on leash has the dog jump the one who is down. Repeat in opposite direction to get dog used to jumping on both sides of handler. Then switch dogs. When the pairs are reliable, put up to 6 dogs in down stays about 3 feet apart (depending on size of jumper). One dog (on leash to begin) jumps all of the other dogs. This is repeated several times for each dog and then they change places until all dogs have had a turn jumping.

WALK UNDER

Agility Use: apart from teaching a long stretch exercise which is good for warming up, there isn't too much related to agility in this one but its fun and looks good.

How: Same qualifications for dogs as Jumping Dogs. Once all of the dogs can bow and hold it, line up dogs very close together and give the "bow" command at same time. Tell dogs to "stay" - handler holds treat close to keep attention. You need to use a very small dog such as a terrier for the next part. While the larger dogs are in bow position, the small one starts at one end and walks under their rear legs. Trick is to keep the large dogs from lying down. This takes great concentration and muscle control by the large dogs.

WEAVE HEELING

Agility use: improves flexibility

How: Start heeling off leash. Have a treat in both hands. As you step with right foot exaggerate the step and bait dog under your leg while saying "weave". Dog is to walk under your leg to your right side. Then as you take the left foot step, repeat to left side. Continue as you move forward. This trick takes time to learn and if you have a large dog it can be more difficult. The trick is to keep the dog weaving in and out under your legs. Once you have this one, you can combine it with the next trick (circle me) into a complete heeling pattern.

CIRCLE ME

Agility use: circles improve turns and keeps dog focussed on handler. May help in direction changes

How: Start heeling with treat in hand. Bait dog while saying "circle me" and draw the dog around your body so dog is completing a circle around you. Remember to continue to move forward while doing this. Make it lots of fun and get dog to skip around you. This is a fun trick - not an obedience exercise. Change direction until dog can circle you in both directions. When you've got this down to a fine art, do two circle me's, 2 weaves, repeat, repeat. Then make up different combinations. For example: circle me, circle me, weave, weave, circle me, circle me, bow (and then reward). Note that this can takes several weeks to get or your dog may pick it up very fast.

BOOK ON HEAD

Agility use: balance

How: Find a book that is suitable to the size of your dog. Balance book either on head between ears, on withers or on muzzle. This depends on your dog's body shape. Hold the dog still with left hand and place book with right. Hold book while saying "stay". Eventually remove both hands (slowly) until dog is balancing book. Count to 3 and remove and release and reward. Idea is to increase time the dog holds the book. The ultimate is to have the dog come while balancing the book. This is a hard one so don't expect instant success.

GO THAT WAY

Agility use: sending dog to a location

How: The object is to tell the dog to go in a certain direction and she will move wherever you point. First use a bait (can be food or toy). Place three baits - one directly in front of you about 10 feet away, one along the same line (10 feet away) to the right and one to the left. Dog is in sit or stand beside you on long line (or flexi). On command "go that way", point to the treat you want the dog to go to. If dog has trouble, toss a treat in that direction to get her started. Reward when she moves correctly. If the dog goes wrong way, stop her with the long line and direct again. Continue to give the command until there is success. Once dog picks up first treat point to the next one and say "go that way", and so on. The dog must pay attention and move in the direction you are pointing to. Eventually you will start to give commands when the dog is in a position away from you. For example, send your dog to the left (may have to toss a treat.) When she gets there tell her to "down" or "sit". If she does it, walk in and reward. Alternate commands until your dog will obey from longer distances.

Train Your Dog Yourself

2010-01-27T16:55:00.000-08:00

Think of it - a well-trained, manageable pet in just a few weeks! You and your dog won't have to leave the house to go to obedience class or call in an expensive professional trainer, you will find easy-to-follow directions on the following pages on everything from HEEL to STAY. This method is easy enough to use that you will be able to teach your dog one new item each week. Follow these step-by-step instructions, and your dog will love you for it. And, it is all free!

Beginning training sessions should be in a safe area with no distractions. After you and your dog have finished this "course" and he has the commands down pat every time, try moving the sessions to a park so he will eventually learn to follow commands despite any distractions.

You should only concentrate on one new command per week. Once you start your dog's training, you will need to practice the new command for at least fifteen minutes every day. After adding a second command, practice both every day. And so on. It won't take long for your dog to forget these new things if you don't keep practicing. Not all dogs learn at the same pace, so don't feel discouraged if you need to practice each command for two weeks instead of one.

Getting Started

Beginning training sessions should be in a safe area with no distractions. After you and your dog have finished this "course" and he has the commands down pat every time, try moving the sessions to a park so he will eventually learn to follow commands despite any distractions.

You should only concentrate on one new command per week. Once you start your dog's training, you will need to practice the new command for at least fifteen minutes every day. After adding a second command, practice both every day. And so on. It won't take long for your dog to forget these new things if you don't keep practicing. Not all dogs learn at the same pace, so don't feel discouraged if you need to practice each command for two weeks instead of one.

Your dog wants to make you happy, and he will quickly do what you want once he knows what it is you want him to do. The way for him to know it is what you want is to praise him every time he does it - even if you had to put his body in the right position or he did the right thing on accident. In the beginning, your praise should sound hapy and excited and include lots of nice petting.

The commands you give should be said in a commanding voice - just slightly louder than normal, very authoritative and stern, and in a slightly deeper tone than normal. "Sit!" means sit down right where you are and do it immediately. Saying "sit?" means please sit - that is, if you feel like it - okay, when you get around to it - maybe?

When you say come in your most authoritative voice and he runs through the front yard of three neighbors before coming to you, do not say no, yell at him, or sound mean. He came, so praise him. The last action is the only one he will relate to your praise or lack of it - the only one that he will think made you happy or mad.

All commands must be enforced. Dog training is not for a lazy person. In the beginning, each command will be given at the same time that you literally put his body into the position that you want. When you think he knows the command, try it with the verbal command alone - once. If you have to give the command a second time, it should be done at the same time that you physically put him into position. Otherwise, he will think that he can either obey or not, or that he can take his own sweet time to obey.

Anything that you have been allowing a dog to do in the past that you want to change now will take longer than if you start with a new puppy that does not yet have any bad habits. A six-week old puppy can learn to sit, come, stay, get off, and heel in a matter of days. Stay takes longer with the really young ones because they are usually only not moving when they are sleeping or chewing on your good slippers. But, a dog of any age can and will learn all of these things if you are persistent, you sound authoritative when you give the commands, and you praise him as soon as he does it right.

First, raise your hand and repeat after me. "I swear that I will never leave the training collar on my dog except when actually training him or taking him for a walk."

Obedience training requires a special collar. This is called a choke-chain collar and is meant to "choke" the dog for a matter of seconds to tell him that he can't continue to do what he is doing, and to release quickly - this doesn't actually hurt him. When the collar is put on incorretly, the "choke-hold" will not release at all. Even if the collar is on correctly, he could be choked to the point of injury or death by something in the house or yard if he is wearing the collar without supervision.

The collar must form a circle with the loop continuing to the right at the top. (You can test this by doing it incorrectly on your own arm to see the difference.) The leash attaches to the loop. With the leash attached to the collar loop, hold the loop at the other end of the collar and allow the collar to drop down through the loop. With the leash on the right, put the collar over the dog's head. You need to be sure that the collar has about 2 inches of extra length once it is on. The collar links should be as thick as needed for your dog's size. Thin links will do fine for little dogs, but a very large dog needs very thick links so the choke chain collar won't break if he decides to run after another dog someday.

The training lead or leash should be about 6 feet long.

You may want to have some healthy treats on hand.

Stay

Have your dog sit next to you in the heel position. Once he is not excited and is settled down into a relaxed sit, "push" your open hand directly in front of his face as you say stay, and take two or three steps to get right in front of him. Just the action of a hand seeming like it was going to hit him in the face (do not actually make contact!) will shock him and almost push his butt farther onto the ground long enough for him to actually stay put. Only make him stay for a few seconds - not giving him time to move, and say good boy!. He did it. Each time you do this, you can increase the time a little, but don't yet increase your distance. And, don't look him in the eye because it will make him want to leave the position.

After your dog is able to stay nicely for a minute or two, you will start to increase the distance. Stand a little farther back, next time going farther back, and farther still the next time.
Stay will become old hat to him, boring, and easy as pie. Then, put your hand in front of his face while saying stayno, sit, and push your hand in front of him again while saying stay. After making him stay for just a short time, say good boy!Walking around him while he is in the stay position does several things. It definitely makes him keep an eye on you - and you do want him to pay attention to you during the entire training session. Also, this lets him know that he is safe in the stay position - that he doesn't have to be afraid of someone that comes up from the front, side or back of him. and walk all the way around him. This one may cause him to try to get up and go with you. If he attempts to get up, say no, sit, and push your hand in front of him again while saying stay. After making him stay for just a short time, say good boy!

Walking around him while he is in the stay position does several things. It definitely makes him keep an eye on you - and you do want him to pay attention to you during the entire training session. Also, this lets him know that he is safe in the stay position - that he doesn't have to be afraid of someone that comes up from the front, side or back of him.

Now, the down-stay. Have your dog sit on your left. Say down. Then, say stay! as you push your hand in front of his face. While still holding the leash, take a few steps around to stand in front of him. Don't forget to end with good boy!. Continue this as you did the sit-stay, getting farther and farther away. After he is doing really good at staying in the down position, walk around him while he is lying still. Later, you will even be able to walk over him, showing him he has nothing to fear in this vulnerable position.Eventually, you will be able to be any distance from him and he will stay for as long as you need him to.

Heel

Let's begin heeling.

Hold the leash tightly with your right hand, and let it be loose in your left. With your dog on the left side of you, say heel, give the leash a quick tug as you start walking, and say good boy! as soon as he starts moving. Keep walking - different directions - different speeds - all the while saying heel with a quick tug of the leash and saying good boy! every time he stays with you. You might have to tug heel, tug heel, tug heel, three times or so before he gets near your heel area and you say good boy!. If his mind starts to wander, his attention will go back to you the first time you make a turn and he doesn't. Left turns are great - walk almost into his head, kind of pushing it and him with your leg while saying heel and good boy! It won't take long at all for him to realize that he has to pay attention to where you are at all times. This is the essence of heeling - paying attention. After he seems to be getting the hang of go straight and making left turns, throw in a right turn. Yeah, he will not be expecting this, and he will probably need to tug heel, tug heel, tug heel before he gets to hear good boy! Keep this first session down to about 20 minutes of actual heeling. Finish up with an extra happy and excited good boy! and lots of petting and hugging. This is the signal that this session is over. And, now is when you healthy training treats on hand. What about tomorrow?

A dog has a very short attention span. You will need to have a heeling session once or twice a day for 15 minutes everyday for the next week to get him to remember what to do.

Your dog may get the hang of this early and improve more and more each day. Or, your dog may be one of the tougher ones and will need a full week - or even two - to really catch on. If your dog is one of the "slower" ones to catch on, it may actually be that you are not being consistent enough, or not saying good boy! like you really mean it, or you are not tugging hard enough to get the message through. It may not be his fault.
Down

Down is not to be used when he is jumping up on you - that is off (which we will get to later). Down will mean to lay down. And, don't say "go lay down," as that is another command still.

Get your dog to sit. If he is sitting next to you, reach over and push your arm from behind his front legs. As you say down, slowly and gently force his legs forward, and his body will go down to the ground. It should not take much effort on your part since it is a natural reflex for him to move his own legs once they are being botherred. As soon as he is in lying on the ground, say good boy!. He will probably pop right back up. That's fine because he did lay down. If you prefer, you can have him sit in front of you. Grab both of his front legs, down by the bottom, and gently pull them out toward you as you say down. Say good boy! as soon as he gets all the way down. Each time you give the down command, try to have your own body less stooped or bent over. If you continually are bent over when you give a command, he may not respond later when you give the command from a standing position.

After your dog does know what down means and he usually does it on command, you may have to get his attention sometimes if he is distracted. With him on your left (looking at that cute little poodle walking by a few yards away and not wanting to change position now while she's watching), bend down and give the leash a quick snap down and to the right. This should get him in the down position quickly.

When this session is over, you can give him a healthy treat.

Down is used for your dog to lay down right where he is when you say it - immediately - as part of the obedience training session. Go lay down is used outside of the obedience training, comfortably and relaxed around the house or yard. Go lay down means go pick a good spot yourself for yourself, take a little time if you need to, and eventually lay down.

Stand

Stand is a necessary command for the show or obedience ring. And, it can also be quite useful around the house or yard, like for having him stay standing while you bathe him.

Have your dog sit on your left. As you say stand, pull his leash forward with your right hand and move your left foot forward like you are going to start heeling. Say good boy! as soon as he stands up.

Here is another way to have your dog stand. Have him start in a sit and bend down to him. As you say stand, pull his leash forward just a little while you push your entire left arm backward from just behind his front legs. Your pushing backward should make him stand up. Good boy!
When this session is over, you can give him a healthy treat

In the show ring, your dog is required to stand while being touched all over for inspection. Once your dog stands on command, have a family member touch the dog so he can get use to it. The person's hand should start by going slowly toward the dog's face and stopping briefly in front of the nose so the dog can smell the hand. The person then rubs his hands down the dog's sides, down each leg, down the tail, and then goes back up to pet the dog's head. (In the ring, the judge would also open the lips to see the dog's teeth.)

Sit

Even with a puppy as young as five or six weeks old, he will learn to sit after only a day or two of you putting him into a sitting position while saying sit if he gets praise each time.

Sit training is easiest with the choke chain collar and leash.

Have your dog at your left side. Say sit as you pull up on the leash with your right hand, and gently "push" his rear end down with your left hand. With most dogs, the "push" needed will only be a gentle guiding. As soon as he is in the sitting position, say good boy!, good boy! Do this several times, and he will understand what sit means. If you have a very large dog that just grins at you when you try to push is rear end down, you will need to get a little tricky. You could (1) stand in front of him (facing him), say sit as you lift his face up with your hands and start to walk toward him (almost into him) and push his head back just an inch or so. The combination of his head going up and back and his body starting to go back to avoid you walking into him may "push" him right into a sit position. Good boy! Or (2), you could stand to the right of him and say sit as you really pull up on his leash with your both hands. His butt will "fall" to the ground. Good boy! This sounds mean, but this will all happen in a matter of seconds and he won't be hurt at all. In fact, it will be such a shock to him that you will probably never have to do it again.

You may help the sit command along by giving him a healthy treat and saying good boy! Treats are too distracting to use while heeling.

From now on, you will begin each heeling session with the dog in a sitting position, and you will tell him to sit every time you stop. "Heel" said outside of going for a walk actually means for him to immediately come sit next to your left heel.
Come

This is a fun one, and possibly the most important command you can teach your dog.

"Come!" means to come immediately and sit right in front of you. ("Come here" in a loving, questioning voice means that he is allowed to come to get a hug in a minute or so - at his own pace - when he wants to. For this kind, you can even start down on your knees.) Before he is trained, you may find he is running all over the yard before he comes to you. Never, never, never tell him no or scold him when he DOES come to you or he will think that is what he did wrong!

Start with him sitting next to your left heel. Say stay while pushing your hand in front of his face, and go stand in front of him. Push your hand in front of his face again and say stay again. Now back up a few feet. Say come! as you give a little tug on his leash. If he is coming slowly, repeat come over and over excitedly. As soon as he gets an inch or so from you, loudly say sit!. Technically, he has not come until he is right in front of you and sits, so don't say good boy! until he sits. Practice this way for a week. If the sessions are going well, you can back up more and more each day until you are at the end of the leash.

Start with him sitting next to your left heel. Say stay while pushing your hand in front of his face, and go stand in front of him. Push your hand in front of his face again and say stay again. Now back up to the end of the leash and hold your arm out in front of you - making you 8 or so feet away. Say come! as you give a little tug on his leash. If he is coming slowly, repeat come over and over excitedly. You may even have to pull on the leash a few times to keep him coming quickly. As soon as he gets an inch or so from you, loudly say sit!. Good boy! when he sits. Practice this way for a week.

If he is not coming quickly enough or is not coming without extra pulls on the lead, change the pace with this next one.

Start with him sitting next to your left heel. Say stay while pushing your hand in front of his face, and go stand in front of him. Push your hand in front of his face again and say stay again. Now back up to the end of the leash. Say come! as you give a little tug on his leash. When he gets up and starts toward you, run backward as you excitedly repeat come. As soon as he gets an inch or so from you, loudly say sit!. Good boy! when he sits. Practice this way for a week.

Now you will need to extend your training lead. Either buy a 20- or 30-foot-long training lead, or tie a 15-foot-long rope onto the loop handle of your 6-foot-lead.

Start with him sitting next to your left heel. Say stay while pushing your hand in front of his face, and go stand in front of him. Push your hand in front of his face again and say stay again. Now back up to the end of the 20-foot-long training lead. Say come! as you give a little tug on his leash. This is a long way, you may have to keep repeating come excitedly - and you may also have to pull on the lead a few times to keep him coming quickly. When you stop and gets a few inches from you, loudly say sit!. Good boy! when he sits. Practice this way for a week.

Don't forget to give him a healthy treat.

In the end, he should be able to come directly to you immediately and sit in front of you no matter what he is doing or how far away he is.

Off

Off is the correct command when a dog is jumping up on you or the couch. If your dog has jumped up on the couch, literally push him off while saying off. If he is small enough, you can just pick him up and put him on the floor. As soon as he is off the couch, say good boy!. If you have allowed him to get away with this in the past, it may take many tries before he learns it. And, once he learns that he can't jump onto the couch without being told to get off, he might stay on the floor and put his front legs on the couch. It's up to you if this will be acceptable or if you want him to keep his paws off the couch also. If so, take both his paws in your hands, push them gently toward the floor while saying off, and say good boy! as soon as his feet are off the couch.

Your dog likes to jump up on your dress with muddy paws just before you leave for the office. But, he is only trying to give you a hug or get some attention, but he has to learn that this is not acceptable. As he is jumping up, turn your body away from him while saying off! He should then simply sit down, at which time you immediately pet him on the head and tell him he is a good boy! He wants your attention, not your back! Even if he has already jumped on you, turn away.

Or, since you already know that he will jump up on you, you can try to beat him to the punch. As he starts to jump up, put your hand out quickly and pet him on the head and start to bend over. This action would encourage him to stay off or to sit. This is an acceptable position for him to be in when he first sees you in the morning or when you get home at night. If he is sitting patiently waiting for you to pet him each time, go greet him quickly with by petting his head (while saying good boy! or hello!) or bending down to take his paw and saying good boy! or shake. He won't see the need to jump on you to receive a greeting if you greet him first.

A third method is to stick your knee out and say down! if you see him starting to jump up. Jumping up into your knee is not comfortable. If he is really large, you might have to push him off you. When he is off you, say good boy!.

Continue either of these actions until he actually stays off, then give him extra praise and some petting and saying good boy!. This may start him jumping up again because he may get excited, so you continue the same method until he really gets the idea. Eventually, you will be able to tell him to get off anything or anybody from any distance.

To reinforce all of this, it is best to always have your dog sit before you greet him or give him a treat or anything else. This way he will soon learn that he won't get any of these things unless he does sit nicely and calmly. (Some people take it even farther and teach their dogs not to eat any dogfood, or even human food, until they are sitting and given a command to eat. This prevents them ever taking poisoned food from a bad stranger.)

When Should I Start Training My Puppy?

2010-01-22T13:14:00.000-08:00

If you have a puppy, you must start training early, but do it gently.

Your puppy has to have confidence in you before he can begin learning. Remember that puppies are like children - they have growing bodies, short attention spans, and will only learn things when the conditions are right and when they understand what it is you're trying to teach them.

That said, the earlier you start training dogs, the better. More specifically, it's best if you start "socialization" from 8 weeks, simple commands like "come" and "sit" from 12 weeks, and more intensive training at 5 to 6 months.

While some early training can be started as soon as you bring your puppy home, the optimum time to begin obedience training is somewhere around 9 to 12 weeks of age.

Keep in mind that training can cover a broad range of topics - I'm not suggesting that you begin training your puppy at 8 weeks of age for agility competitions! Your training should start off with the basics - teaching him "No!" and beginning house-training.

Socialization skills are next - experts tell us the best window for your puppy to learn socialization skills is between 3 and 16 weeks - that's the best time to insure that your puppy grows into a well-adjusted adult.

And remember, socialization isn't about teaching him the right fork to use at the dinner table - it's about giving your dog the self-assurance to deal correctly with any social environment he finds himself in is one of the most valuable and lasting lessons you can teach him.

A well-socialized dog will interact well with all types of people and situations, even those he has never been in before. With appropriate social skills, your dog will show little or no fear of most objects, people or other animals, and even if startled, will recover quickly and won't panic.

Bottom line, a well-adjusted dog is one that is comfortable in a variety of situations and surroundings. He may be excited in a new setting, but not fearful. The key here is to create positive experiences as you expose your dog to more and more new situations.

Even training your puppy for 5 - 10 minutes per day as soon as you bring him home will make a big difference in the social skills and adaptability of your puppy.

Keep in mind that puppies have very short attention spans, so keep your lessons short and fun. How short an attention span? That depends on the age of the puppy, his breed and how mature your individual puppy is - but a good rule of thumb is to keep the training sessions within that 5 -10 minute range.

Depending on your puppy's age and maturity level, sometime between 3 and 6 months of age you should be moving the training into the area of the basic commands such as Sit, Heel, Down, etc.

It's important you have realistic expectations about your dog's capabilities at this point - I don't expect a puppy to be responding to the basic commands with any degree of regularity until they've reached 6 months of age.

Five dog training mistakes to avoid

2010-01-22T13:12:00.000-08:00

Mistake #1: Not being consistent.

Consistent training is a must if you expect to ever have a reliably trained dog. Repetition is the key. Without a doubt the number one question I have gotten from people training their dogs themselves is, how do you get them to listen to you? After a bit of investigating on my part I find out that they are simply trying to teach to much.

Solution: Break your training sessions down into 5-10-15 minute segments. Two or three times per day. This will help you and your dog progress faster.

Mistake #2: Being impatient.

Let's face it. Dog training is something that does not happen over night. It takes time, repetition and most of all, patience. You can't expect your dog to learn how to sit, stay, down, get a cola out of your fridge, and all that in 10 minutes. It's simply asking to much. Yet, everyday I see people get so frustrated they almost resort to brutal behavior with their dogs. Simply cause they didn't sit the first they were ever asked to sit.

Solution: Take it slow. Don't expect to much of your dog. Set them up to succeed and not to fail. Always end on a positive not. Make sure you are upbeat and happy. Be calm. If you find yourself getting frustrated. Do one more repetition, let the dog succeed. Then quit training until you have calmed down. Come back to it later.

Mistake #3: Not working with the dog

What I mean by this is...approaching training like, "You better listen, or else!" That mind set is self-defeating and honestly, if you think about it, would you be able to learn something new in that environment? I highly doubt it. The days of pain = avoidence = obedience are basically out. Working with your dog and being proactive to possible problems is in.

Solution: Let your dog learn. Forcing the behaviour, while they might do it, does not instill a positive process in them. In other words, yes, they might down if they learned it through dominance. But letting them learn that downing when you ask results in a positive, good feeling, will prove to give you a more reliable down.

Mistake #4: Not having an open mind.

When I speak with people who are having problems training their dogs. I always investigate further to boil down the problem. More times than not, someone has either (A) went to a training class and is using their methods or (B) bought a book, surfed the web, or some other method of gathering information on how to best train their dog. In their pursuit for the best method they lose focus. In short, there isn't one single method of dog training that works all the time every time.

Solution: Be open minded. Use different techniques. Always keep you and your dogs health in the forefront of your mind. Pick techniques you are comfortable with and aid in developing a bond between you and your canine. Remember, training should be fun. It's your job to make it interesting for your canine pal too.

Mistake #5: Making training a chore.

Tedious, mundane, boring, hard, frustrating, irate, and other words have been spoken by dog owners about their dog training efforts. Making dog training a chore or a job is a sure way of killing any hopes you will ever have a reliably trained dog.

Solution: Make it fun. Change it up. Use your mind. Be creative. Don't stick to one type of training. Don't put yourself in a mundane area. We're not training obedience champs here. Just basic manners. Find interesting ways to reward your dog. Teach new tricks often and incorporate basic obedience into that. For example, teach your dog to get your something like a paper or magazine. Watch those paper cuts! (kidding). Bottom line, make it fun and interesting and both you and your and dog will make more progress.

Basic Dog Training Tips - Videos

2010-01-15T17:25:00.000-08:00

Observing the Dog: Dog Training Tips

How to Train a Dog to Sit & Stay

How to Train a Dog to Stand & Stay

How to Train a Dog to Heel

How to Train a Dog to Come

Basic Dog Training Tips : How to Train a Dog to Stop Barking

2010-01-15T17:20:00.000-08:00

Teaching Your Dog to "Fetch"

2009-10-29T10:07:00.000-07:00

Teaching your dog a few simple tricks is fun and entertaining for both you and your pet. It's best if your dog knows and reliably responds to the basic obedience commands of sit, stay and down before teaching him to perform tricks. Most tricks are built on basic obedience work anyway and, also, in the process of being taught "the basics," your dog will have learned to pay attention to you during training sessions.

If your dog has an orthopedic problem, check with your veterinarian before proceeding with more advanced training. Even relatively simple tricks can place unnecessary stress on bones and joints that are in any way compromised.

Successful of training of your dog hinges on rewarding the desired behavioral response in a timely fashion. The most valued rewards differ from dog to dog: For some, food it is the most powerful reward, for others, praise or petting are what they crave.

Some dogs will do whatever their owners want them to, just to have a little playtime. Find the reward that best motivates your dog to learn and stick with it. Work with your dog daily in 5 to 15 minute sessions. Keep training fun, and end sessions on a high note with reward for a job well done. If you feel yourself getting frustrated or tired, quit and try again later.

To teach your dog to fetch, start with the object he loves most. With your dog on a long leash, give your dog the command "sit." Take the object and toss it a small distance from the dog. Give the command, "fetch," and let your dog run after the toy. Once he has it in his mouth, gently draw him back to you by means of the lead. Show him a tasty food treat and give him the command, "release." It is very important that your pet give the object to you willingly. This is not a tug-of-war. Retrieving breeds will learn this trick quickly, and may play for hours. Other dogs may not be so enthusiastic about surrendering their favorite toy, so make sure you reward success exuberantly, lavishing your dog with praise and treats.

Once your dog reliably brings the object back to you, remove the leash and have him fetch the object on his own. For a more advanced "fetch," teach your dog the names of different objects. Once he understands the concept of "fetch," work with one object at a time and call it by name until he can identify the object by name. For example, if you want your dog to get the morning newspaper, start by throwing a paper. Give the command "fetch paper." Your dog should bring you only the paper to receive his reward. As your dog learns the names of different objects, give him some mental exercise by laying out 3 or 4 different objects and asking for them by name. See how smart your dog is.

Continue to practice this over and over. Always use a happy singsong voice and lots of positive reinforcement. Eventually, your dog will understand and will begin fetching all kinds of things.

The keys to success when teaching your dog tricks are patience, practice, praise, and persistence (the 4 P's). Every step in the right direction should be rewarded as though your dog had just won the lottery. Tricks are fun – and learning how to do them should be fun, too.

Teaching Your Dog to "Jump Through a Hoop"

2009-10-29T09:57:00.000-07:00

Teaching your dog a few simple tricks is fun and entertaining for both you and your pet. It's best if your dog knows and reliably responds to the basic obedience commands of sit, stay and down before teaching him to perform tricks. Most tricks are built on basic obedience work anyway and, in the process of being taught "the basics," your dog will have learned to pay attention to you during training sessions.

If your dog has an orthopedic problem, check with your veterinarian before proceeding with more advanced training. Even relatively simple tricks can place unnecessary stress on bones and joints that are in any way compromised.

Successful of training of your dog hinges on rewarding the desired behavioral response in a timely fashion. The most valued rewards differ from dog to dog: For some, food it is the most powerful reward, for others, praise or petting are what they crave.

Some dogs will do whatever their owners want them to just to have a little playtime. Find the reward that best motivates your dog to learn and stick with it. Work with your dog daily in 5 to 15 minute sessions. Keep training fun, and end sessions on a high note with reward for a job well done. If you feel yourself getting frustrated or tired, quit and try again later.

To teach your dog to jump through a hoop, you must first get him used to the hoop as an everyday object. A hula-hoop works well for this trick since it is durable and inexpensive. Leave the hoop out for a day or two and allow your dog sniff it and become used to its presence. For the first step of the process, with your dog on a lead and the hoop flat on the ground, walk your dog around and over the hoop. Give a little food treat as he clears the edges of the hoop. The object is to get him used to stepping over the edges of the hoop without hesitating.

When your pet becomes comfortable with this simple procedure, the hoop should be set on it's edge for the next stage. You can support the hoop by tying it to stakes in the ground, or have a partner hold it upright. Any method is okay as long as the hoop's stable enough that it won't move or fall over as your dog begins to move through it. Using collar and leash, have your dog wait in the "sit" position on one side of the hoop. Toss the free end of the leash through the hoop and then go to the other side of the hoop and it pick up. . Give the command "hoop," and then gently pull your dog through the hoop, giving him a food treat as a reward once he is through it. As his confidence builds, raise the hoop a few inches off the ground. Now he will have to take a hop-step or a little jump to get through. Raise the height of the hoop slowly. Don't exceed a height that your dog can reasonably jump. Dogs master this trick fairly quickly and it sure is impressive for your friends and family.

Continue to practice the hoop trick over and over. Always use a happy singsong voice and lots of positive reinforcement. Eventually, your dog will understand the game and will enjoy being the focus of attention.

The keys to success in teaching your dog tricks are patience, practice, praise, and persistence. Every step your dog takes in the right direction should be rewarded as if he has just won the lottery. Tricks are fun – and learning how to do them should be fun, too.

Obedience Training By Mr. K9

2009-10-13T18:23:00.000-07:00

Choosing the Right Dog for Your Family

2009-10-13T18:20:00.000-07:00

First of all DECIDE.
Decide whether you want a purebred or a mixed-breed dog. If you plan to show off your dog or if you want to breed it, then choose a purebred variety. If not, mixed will serve all your wants. Don't forget that mixed-breed dogs can be just as loyal and lovable as any pure-breed.

Next decide whether you want a puppy or an adult dog. Many wonderful puppies and adult dogs have been abandoned or given up to animal shelters or breed rescue groups. Yes, there a lot of dogs who are abandoned and face the threat of a lethal injection or things worser. Yes, they do it to dogs so adopting a pet from one of these sources may mean saving a life.

Ask the seller to enlighten you about particular habits or personality traits the dog usually exhibit, they usually tell you beforehand. But never forget them to ask it if you didn't get the 'automated reply'.

Ask the seller about the details parents of the puppies if you are purchasing one. This is important. There are some breeds which are prone to common genetic or inheritable diseases. Be sure that each parent of your pup belongs to an different family. Many seller try to hook you up with those type of pups. If you are sure you will never abandon your dog, and always care for it, you can buy it. The genetic diseases, if not visible in your pup, will surely creep into their kids.

The best thing you can do is consult a veterinarian, who can provide useful advice on a breed's behavior and temperament as well as potential medical problems. A vet's opinion is more appropriate and more reliable than a breeder, who is trying to sell a particular breed. Supplement the information you receive from a veterinarian with further study about different breeds. For an overview of breed characteristics purchase ebooks, refer encyclopedias, libraries, etc. Talking to dog owners can provide additional advice.

Next you MUST consider your daily routine. Are you or someone else home often enough to care for a dog? If not, consider adopting a more independent pet, such as a cat. Adopting dogs won't be a very good option.

Next comes the more important part. FAMILY. Think about your family- the kids. Do you have young kids in the house? If yes, be sure to choose a breed that generally tolerates and gets along well with your children. Dogs can be really messy with kids sometimes. This includes Dog bites.

Last thing you want to do is evaluate your living conditions. If I am right, it is as important as any of the other things I wrote here. Is it a rural or an urban settlement, an apartment or a house? Many small breeds find it cozy to remain within a room, but larger breeds need more room to roam.
That's it!

Train Your Dog to Stop Barking

2009-10-13T18:15:00.000-07:00

First of all, you must be alert just like your dog! You have to check what your dog barks at. To stop any unwanted barks is a tricky job, and to do that you must first consider what exactly is making your dog bark.
There are usually these problems that I know. There might be more unique ones, but let me tell you what I know:
-The Cat: A cat is a not always a dogs rival. There are cases in which they co-exist together, but a dog never tolerates a taunting cat! Just check whether a cat is taunting him through the window.
-Yard access: Many dogs, especially in my German Shepherd's case, love to run roll and do everything that annoys a 'cleanliness-caring' master.
-No reasons: 'Uh!what's that?' Let me tell you: most of the dogs bark unnecessarily just because he(less among 'she')likes the sound of his own bark!!

-And most importantly: Check your pet's basic needs like hunger, thirst or toilet. If a pup is barking, he/she might be trying to tell you something among these.

Let's imagine you found out the problem. What next?
Yup! Kick it away!
Try your level best(on economical and other basis) to remove your dog's motivation for barking. For example, make a dog door for easy yard access. Close the window shades to avoid the cat (Oh my! Don't kick cats away! We must not be cruel to animals!).

If it still continues, there is an effective and not-so-cruel-at-all typ of thing you can do. Buy a Citronella no-bark collar. No it's not as pet toy either. It is a simple working device: if your dog barks, the collar sprays a itty-bit of citronella, which dogs dislike.

Train your dog. They are conditional learners. When your training for 'Stop Barking' goes on and the dog actually stops barking give him a praise. Timing is important. And try to be as kind as possible and train in a calmer environment first. Above all Have fun!

5 Benefits of Dog training

2009-10-13T18:08:00.000-07:00

Whether you are a new pet owner or you have had a pet in your home for some time, you know how delightful, and frustrating, owning a pet can be.

The happiness of bringing a new pup or a big dog into your home can be insurmountable. After all, the relationship like the one that is born between you and your dog is quite unique and not like the relationship developed between you and other people. Dog has been man's friend since history and man has started to train dogs ages before. From time to time, new dog training tips were discovered. And now, in this world wide web, there are numerous ebooks and articles related to dog training. Here, in this series, I present before you some dog training tips from my part.

First of all we have to look into the characters of a dog. A dog can provide uncompromising love, tons of fun and entertainment, as well as true and genuine friendship. Also, a dog can provide uncompromising messes, tons of destruction, and a genuine nuisance! It is to avoid the second case we generally prescribe a Training series for our dog. And with some real good training methods and training lessons, the dog would miraculously behave in the right manner.

Is there a method to ensure that your dog behaves in the manner of the first case described above? There would be an answer popping in your mind.If you think the answer is "correct breed" you are almost there. Not completely correct though. Alright, I agree, breed does play a role in a dog's overall behavior. But more than just the right breed, the major factor in the dog's behavior is based on the training he receives. So now you know the importance of dog training. Yes, it is training that counts and it's training tips that I am discussing here.

The Benefits of Training

The modern day people are extremely busy; that something everyone agrees with. You might not be one among them, but let us imagine that you are! Some days, there just doesn't seem like enough hours to take care of yourself, let alone a dog! Let me tell you, if you own a dog- you must spend some time training it and taking care of it! The time that you spend training your dog will always benefit you and your relationship for long years to come.

According to Sharda Baker, an expert in dog training field, there are five main benefits of training:

1. It builds a relationship.
2. It corrects behavioral problems.
3. It stimulates intellect.
4. It encourages inclusion.
5. It saves time.

Now let's get into the details of each benefit in further detail.

1. Training Builds a Relationship.

Let me make myself clear about this dog training fact: If you think there is a more better way to involve in a good relationship with your dog than through the process of training, you are WRONG. One big myth many people believe in is that training a dog starts from the day your pup rises out to be a big stubborn dog or from the date he started to chew off your shoes or the time when the dog started barking at visibly no one or nothing! All wrong! All wrong! You must start the dog training lessons on the very first (or at least, the second)day of adopting your dog! That is a must for easy dog training. More time you take to get started, more difficult it is to train your dogs!

There is another fact you need to know. From the day you adopt your dog, he is watching you. Literally spying every actions you make. Yes, dogs are one of the most observational creatures and this character goes regardless of which breed a dog belongs to. The dog you just adopted spies on you and at the same time it learns things from your actions. He checks for any matching basic characters with him and his master and learns from the methods his master react to his actions. The creature looks to you for guidance, food, warmth, comfort, and obviously, for playtime.

2. Training Corrects Behavioral Problems.

Let us first get acuiated with some problems that might sound familiar. Barking at anyone or no one. Going recklessly mad at a cat that walks by the front window, chewing up your favorite shoes, scratching pillows, digging through your vegetable garden, pooing everywhere, bolting out of an open door...do any of these actions look familiar? Is there a need to get acquainted with these problems? Well, if you own a dog that is not well trained, you will see these scenes right inside your house! Almost every day and every hour!

Now- how in the name of heaven could you prevent all this menace? Simple. The thing you need is 'trust'. It is the sole quality that bonds you with your dogs. It is the supreme quality that gives you the authority to COMMAND your dog. If your dog completely- I really stress- COMPLETELY trusts you- he/she will be on his best behavior and will be trying to obey you at any cost! And like this, you can teach him how to correct all those behavioral problems I have mentioned above.

3. Training Stimulates Intellect.

Curiosity kills the cat. That doesn't mean that dogs are not curious. In fact, many dogs are at least a thousand times more curious than a cat! Once a dog gets exposed unusual smells, sights, and sounds, dogs can't help but want to explore. There is nothing you can do to prevent this or completely avoid it. It's in their blood- it is their nature!

Many dogs are seemingly stupid- they simply put their tongue out and pant the whole day, or they even lie down and gnaw on anything like rats- some may even resemble the cartoon character Droopy! And we take them as dumb creatures good for nothing. But that's not IT! As an owner of the Droopy Dog, one must realize that they have got a good potential for learning and they have been gifted with a great brain. But they simply do not use it. Most dogs have the capacity to be very intelligent. But, they need to be stimulated first, and that stimulation comes from YOU and only YOU! Only if they are trained and motivated in the right way, they will be able to learn more and there by, increase their quality of life. One of the best benefits of training is the gift of proper motivation for stimulating your dog's intellect.

4. Training Encourages Inclusion.

What is inclusion? We might ask; but before that let me introduce you to this concept: "Inclusion" is the foremost guardian of a dog's security. It is my concept and my theory, you might not agree with it. What ever it is, let us take a quick glance: The day your dog was born, hee needs to be included. It is a 'humanish' character. And there is no reason that this character can't be applicable to dogs. I myself have seen many cases where dogs who doesn't have the feeling of 'inclusion' faces many problems including many depression related and behavioral problems. Some might lead to psychosomatic diseases.

The gist of 'inclusion' is that not only you but also all the members around the house are supposed to take care of the dog. Not that everyone must train the dog, but at least try to pay some attention to him/her. The dog should feel that the place where he sleeps is his home. The dog must feel that he too is a part of the family!

5. Training Saves Time and money.

This is relative. I mean, there is no limit to how much time you can save! If you train your dog, you can actually save a lot of time on the aftermaths. Invest time in dog training now and the results will be stunning. If your dog creates a huge mess, you can save the time you spend for fixing up once you have the dog in your command. It is great right? Imagine: If your dog dug up your gardens everyday- you will never have to clean the mess once your dog is trained! If he chews stuff like pillows and slippers/ shoes: you can save your money (and some time). There are more examples, but let me wind up with these. I hope you really enjoyed this.

Pitbull Training: Four tips for beginning Pitbull training

2009-09-16T15:51:00.000-07:00

Pitbull training is utterly necessary if you are raising your Pitbull from a infant puppy to a wholly active and obliging adult dog. Certainly, each and every dog should be trained by its owner but when you own a Pitbull, training is imperative in order to get him non-aggressive and well mannered around other people and animals.

Even though there are many kinds of Pitbull Training, we only support positive training that does not hurt or make your dog aggressive like many destructive Pitbull training techniques are apt to do. Following are a few tips that will help assist you in training your Pitbull:

1. Remove any confusion during your Pitbull training. Expressed in another way, be consistent when you teach your Pitbull new tricks and obedience. Changing the rules every day confuses your puppy. Therefore, if you give your dog food from your kitchen table for "just this only time" but then scream at her when she tries to do it again, then this type of dog training puzzlement can cause training to slow in progression.

2. By no means harm your dog when giving Pitbull training. Using cruel Pitbull training techniques have utterly no place in teaching your adorable family dog. Don't use such methods like striking him, choking your dog, and hanging. True, numerous dog owners out there use such detrimental ways of teaching their dogs but these people are deficient in the fundamentally positive basic knowledge of beneficial bonding with their dogs.

3. Never using the same commands during your Pitbull training as you would in everyday situations with your dog is bad. Here is an example, if you have trained your Pitbull that "down" means to "lie down" (on the floor, etc.) then do not expect her to comprehend what you are saying if you are telling her "down" when she is on the couch or another piece of furniture. Pitbulls like other dogs take your commands literally.

4. Commence Pitbull training at an appropriate time each day where all conditions for a good quality training session are present. Here is an example, your Pitbull will function much more attentively if her stomach isn't full from eating. So to avoid this make sure that you begin the training session well after her last meal is digested. An additional way to make certain a decent Pitbull training session takes place is to make sure that you dog is not too hot or exhausted. If your dog is having a terrible day, then plainly stop and start once again at another time.

Caring For Your Pit Bull

2009-09-16T15:50:00.000-07:00

Step 1) Vaccinate your pitbull terrier when you first get him, and see that he gets yearly booster vaccinations to maintain his immunity to disease. Consult your veterinarian about flea control products and worming your dog.

Step 2) Feed your pitbull terrier high-grade dog food. The first ingredient should be meat if you want a quality product. Crude protein should be no less than 30 percent and crude fat no less than 20 percent. The fiber content needs to be 4 percent or less.

Step 3) Socialize your pitbull when he's young to be with people and other animals. Establish your authority over your dog and be sure to take him to public areas, giving strangers the opportunity to pet and play with him. This will help the dog develop an even temper.

Step 4) Start obedience training early. Because this is a dominant breed, it's important to be able to control your pitbull by voice alone. Positive reinforcement will go further than physical, as this breed is eager to please.

Step 5) Give your pitbull vigorous exercise for a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes a day. This is an active breed, and the dog will require much activity. Keep him on leash when out in public to avoid fighting with other dogs.

Step 6) Brush your dog's coat daily with a firm-bristle brush. Shampoo as needed. Pitbull terriers are medium shedders.

Step 7) Understand that pitbull terriers are prone to certain health conditions such as cataracts (cloudy eye lens) and hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint).

Step 8) Expect male and female pitbull terriers to grow to 18 to 22 inches and weigh between 30 and 80 lbs.

Step 9) Know that the pitbull terrier will live about 12 years. So spend lots of time with him/her as much as possible.

Step 10) Check your pitbull for cuts and wounds everyday! If your pitbull got injured take immediate action to treat your pitbull.

How To Improve You Pitbull's Image

2009-09-16T15:48:00.000-07:00

Pit Bulls attract attention wherever they go, and most of the responses they get are not on the positive side. You have a dog that often times undergoes so much discrimination and misconception because of his strength and the origin of his breed. You have a special responsibility as his owner and leader to make sure that your Pit Bull is an example of why this breed can be wonderful pets. Below are some tips for you to help you gain a more positive image for your Pit Bull.

1. Teach your dog good manners for his sake as well as the sake of his breed's reputation. To formally recognize his outstanding manner, the AKC offers the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate. Use this certificate to convince your landlord, your friends and neighbors, or insurance agents that your dog is well behaved and a model canine citizen. Your dog does not have to be a purebred or an AKC-registered do in order to enroll. The test evaluates several behaviors such as his ability to accept strangers, remain calm and friendly, sit politely, and walk politely on a loose leash.

2. Have your dog pass an official temperament test. This ten part series of testing is being offered by the American Temperament Test Association. The test evaluates all aspects of a dog's temperament including his friendliness, shyness, aggressiveness, and stability. Dogs who pass this test earn the Temperament Tested (TT) title after their names. The association keeps records of how many dogs in each breed pass or fail. Based on their record, Pit Bulls score among the best of breeds, a fact that is very helpful to the breed's reputation.

3. You have a very strong, tough, intelligent, courageous, enthusiastic, agile, and obedient dog. These qualifications are exactly what the American Rescue Dog Association is looking for to become one of their Search and Rescue (SAR) dogs. See if your dog is up for the challenge!

4. Many people are surprised to learn that there are a lot of Pit Bulls out there that act as therapy dogs. These dogs bring entertainment, companionship, affection, and unconditional love to people in nursing homes, mental health facilities, hospitals, and prisons. Therapy Dogs are very stable, friendly, and well-trained. Your dog needs to complete a short program to be certified as a Therapy Dog.

5. Create a good example for other Pit Bull owners to follow. Do not let your Pit Bull wander around the neighborhood. Obey all leash laws in public. Have him sit at your side or heel in a crowded place. Never let him jump on or scare people, chase cats, fight other dogs, bark hysterically, or behave aggressively.

Facts About Pitbulls

2009-09-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

Ten Facts About Pit Bulls Every One Should Know
1. Pit Bulls are commonly used as therapy dogs. Whether they are visiting a senior care facility or helping someone recover from an emotional accident, Pit Bulls are making a mark as outstanding therapy dogs.

2. Pit Bulls are used in Search and Rescue work. One example of well known SAR Pit Bulls is Kris Crawford and her dogs. Kris and her dogs have helped save the lives of many people during their efforts.

3. Pit Bulls serve as narcotic and bomb sniffing dogs. One Pit Bull, Popsicle (named that because he was found in an old freezer) has the largest recorded single drug find in Texas history. Including how he found over 3,000 lbs of cocaine in Hildago, Texas.

4. Pit Bulls are great with kids. They weren't referred to as the "nanny's dog" for nothing that's for sure.

5. Pit Bulls are not human aggressive. The American Pit Bull Terrier as a breed is not human aggressive. In fact, quite the opposite is true of the breed. They are gentle and loving dogs. Like any dog individuals can be unsound and have behavior problems.

6. The Pit Bull was so popular in the early 1900's they were our mascot not only in World War One, but World War Two as well. They were featured on recruiting and propoganda posters during this time period.

7. Sgt. Stubby. A Pit Bull war hero. Stubby was wounded in action twice, he saved his entire platoon by warning them of a poison gas attack and he single handedly captured a German spy.

8. Pete the Pup on the orginal Little Rascals was a Pit Bull.

9. Pit Bulls score an 83.4% passing rate with the American Temperament Test Society. That's better than the popular Border Collie (a breed who scores 79.6%). View the ATTS stats here.

10. They are dogs not killing machines.

Myths About Pitbulls

2009-09-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

MYTH: All Pit Bulls are mean and vicious.
It is reported on temperament tests conducted by the American Temperament Test Society that Pit Bulls had a passing rate of 82% or better -- compared to only 77% of the general dog population. These temperament tests consist of putting a dog through a series of unexpected situations, some involving strangers. Any signs of unprovoked aggression or panic in these situations result in failure of the test. The achievement of Pit Bulls in this study disproves that they are inherently aggressive to people. (Please visit ATTS.org)

MYTH: A Pit Bull that shows aggression towards an animal will go for people next.
"Many working breeds have antipathy towards other animals - coonhounds go mad at the sight of a raccoon, foxhounds will not hesitate to tear a dog-like fox to shreds, greyhounds live to chase and maul rabbits and even dog-like coyotes. Even the ever-friendly beagle will slaughter a rabbit, given the chance. And yet the greyhound, coon and foxhound and beagle are among the friendliest of breeds towards humans. And it is the same with the pit bulldog. His work through the years has been control of other animals - never humans. A correct pit bull is more often than not submissive toward all humans, and adores children. A pit bull that snarls, lunges or growls at non-threatening humans is NOT typical of the breed." (Written by Diane Jessup) Pit bulls that do show aggressive behavior towards humans are not typical of the breed and should be humanely euthanized.

MYTH: If a Pit Bull was never trained to fight, it will be safe with other dogs.
Pit Bulls can live peacefully with other dogs and animals. However, the Pit Bull has historically been bred to take down large animals. Early and continual socialization can help a Pit Bull be more animal friendly. Genetics, however, play an important role in how the dog will respond to other dogs and animals. A Pit Bull that will fight another dog if unattended is a normal Pit Bull. Even if a Pit Bull does not start the fight, it has the potential to seriously injure or kill a dog once in the fight. The Pit Bull has been bred to not back down and withstand pain until the goal is met. This quality does not carry true in all Pit Bulls, but it is safe to assume it is a potential in any Pit Bull in order to avoid unnecessary problems. Pit Bulls have a late maturity, and a Pit Bull that was dog friendly at 7 months old may suddenly show signs of intolerance of unfamiliar dogs around two years old. Spaying and neutering the dog may help to prevent "turning on" the genetic urge to fight another dog. All dog fights are preventable, however. Socialize a Pit Bull slowly with new dogs, and never let them play unattended. Remove items such as toys and food bowls to avoid stress. Pit Bulls can live happily with other pets; if not left unattended. Even the "best of friends" can fight, and the outcome may be tragic. This can be true for dogs that have been together for years. Often, after the first serious fight, relations between the dogs are never the same. Keeping that first fight from happening is a great way to ensure peaceful relations for the long run. If there is a multiple-dog household, it is important to separate the dogs when there is no one home. Many people use crates for short times, put dogs into separate rooms, use kennels, or have outdoor areas set up for separation that are safe and secure. Pit Bulls can get along wonderfully with animals like cats, rabbits, and ferrets, but for safety's sake, never leave them alone together.

MYTH: American Pit Bull Terriers have 1600 P.S.I. in jaw pressure
Dr. Lehr Brisbin of the University of Georgia states, "To the best of our knowledge, there are no published scientific studies that would allow any meaningful comparison to be made of the biting power of various breeds of dogs. There are, moreover, compelling technical reasons why such data describing biting power in terms of "pounds per square inch" can never be collected in a meaningful way. All figures describing biting power in such terms can be traced to either unfounded rumor or, in some cases, to newspaper articles with no foundation in factual data."

MYTH: American Pit Bull Terriers lock their jaws.
Dr. Brisbin: "The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles and teeth of pit bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is no different than that of any breed of dog. There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of "locking mechanism" unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

MYTH: Treadmills are only used to get dogs ready to fight.
Many responsible owners utilize treadmills to help exercise their dogs. This is useful in places where weather prevents outdoor exercise, or in situations where off-leash exercise in not an option. The treadmill is used by people that show their Pit Bulls, and do sporting activities like weight pull and agility to help keep their dogs in shape. Because Pit Bulls are athletic animals, responsibly using a treadmill can help them be healthier and happier.

MYTH: Pit Bulls brains swell/never stop growing.
This rumor started with the Doberman, and has since been said about game-bred dogs in general. The concept of an animal's brain swelling or growing too large and somehow causing the animal to "go crazy" is not based in truth in any way. Their brains grow at the same rate as any other dog, and the only time that a Pit Bull's brain is going to swell is if it receives a serious injury. If an animal's brain were to grow too big for its head, the animal would die.

MYTH: It is unsafe to get a Pit Bull from a rescue or shelter because their past/genetics are unknown.
Under the best of circumstances, it is great to know the history of a dog, the history and health of its parents, and what that line of dogs were bred for. If a person is buying a Pit Bull from a breeder, this information should be of top importance. However, in most shelter/rescue cases this information is not available. The Pit Bull at the shelter will often be a wonderful pet. It is important to know the general behavior of the dog. Has it shown any aggression towards humans? Most Pit Bull rescues will not accept or adopt out Pit Bulls with any level of aggression or excessive shyness towards humans. How does this dog do with other dogs? Has it shown any undesirable behavior or habits? It is suggested that a potential adopter of a Pit Bull bring the whole family to meet the dog. Often, shelters and rescues will allow you to take the dog for a home visit to see how they respond to the new surroundings. Most adoptions of a Pit Bull are amazing successes, and the adopter is not only receiving a pet, but they are also saving a life!

MYTH: It is best to get a puppy so that you can make it behave how you want it to.
Many people feel if they get a Pit Bull as a puppy they can train it to not be aggressive towards other dogs and increase the likelihood that the dog will have no undesirable behavior qualities. Puppies can be a lot of fun and very rewarding, but with a new puppy there is no way of knowing how that dog will act as an adult. One benefit of adopting a young adult or full grown Pit Bull is the ability to avoid the uncomfortable puppy behavior stage. This includes constant destructive chewing, house breaking, excessive and uncontrollable energy, teething and puppy biting, possible whining, howling, and barking for attention at night, and the time and effort it takes to begin teaching general manners and obedience. Another benefit is that an adopter can know how an adult Pit Bull will do with other dogs, cats, children, car rides, and other certain situations. Bringing a puppy up in the most loving and social environment can only alter its predetermined genetic urges so much. In other words, having a dog since puppyhood does not necessarily mean it will have all of the qualities desired in a pet. It may end up having some traits that are undesirable. An adult Pit Bull, however, will have more of an established personality, and an adopter can know what to expect with the dog.

What is a Pitbull & The History Of Pitbulls

2009-09-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

The history of the pit bull-type dog reflects the history of its constituent breeds: the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

American Pit Bull Terrier
Pit bull is a term commonly used to describe several breeds of dog in the Molosser family. Many breed-specific laws use the term "pit bull" to refer to the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and dogs with significant mixes of these breeds; however, a few jurisdictions also classify the American Bulldog and the Bull Terrier as a "pit bull".

The American Pit Bull Terrier is the product of interbreeding between terriers and a now-extinct breed of bulldogs to produce a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the bulldog. These dogs were initially bred in England, Ireland, and Scotland, and arrived in the United States with immigrants from these countries. In the United States these dogs were used as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions; starting in the early 20th century, they began to replace the bull terrier as the "dog of choice" for dog fighting in the United States.

The United Kennel Club (UKC) was the first registry to recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier. UKC founder C. Z. Bennett assigned UKC registration number 1 to his own dog, Bennett’s Ring, as an American Pit Bull Terrier in 1898.

American pit bull terriers today successfully fill the role of companion dog, police dog, and therapy dog; however, American pit bull terriers in general have a higher tendency towards dog aggression and constitute the majority of dogs used for illegal dog fighting in the United States.

Much of a dog's temperament relates to it's breed history and genetic inheritance. I won't go too deep into the history of the Pit Bull as there are many good books and websites that cover the origin and history of the breed. It is common knowledge however, that the Pit Bull breed was developed for blood sports: Bull baiting, bear baiting, and later, dogfighting. What is not common knowledge is that in the days of organized dogfighting, the handlers of the combatants were habitually IN THE PIT with the dogs for the duration of the fight.

They were required to pick up and separate the dogs several times while the dogs were in full fight frenzy. Before the fight, the handlers were required to wash each other's dogs, and after the fight, the badly injured dogs were often treated at ringside by strangers. Any dog that attacked or bit a handler (even if it was the other dog's handler) or anyone else at any time was culled, often on the spot, and would never have been bred.