It is important that every dog learns to feel comfortable with a collar and lead, as this will be required when taking the dog to public places.
Walking your dog with a collar and lead is a basic and important skill otherwise you will be one of those people where the dog takes them for a walk and they are forever straining to hold the dog back from running away. The bigger the dog, the bigger the problem.
Even if your dog is extremely well trained it is unwise to take it out without a collar and lead as accidents can happen. The dog might get scared from unexpected noise or another dog might attract its attention and it could run off. If the dog is in new surroundings it could also get spooked by new noises and run off without thinking. Having a collar with good identification will help you to locate your dog should it ever go missing so this is an important safety factor that we all hope we never have to rely on.
You must always choose a collar that your dog will feel comfortable with as it will be wearing it a lot of the time and you can’t even start leash training until your dog has become accustomed to the collar. On puppies it is not unusual for them to try to remove the collar when they first start wearing it.
It is best to simply ignore your puppy and they will soon get used to wearing it. You can help by distracting it with toys or playing with it so it forgets that it is even wearing a collar. Once your dog has accepted wearing the collar you can begin leash training.
Please note: This article is part of a collection of dog-related content that we purchased the rights to. Opinions expressed may or may not agree with those espoused by Master Dog Trainer Adam G. Katz. When in doubt, please refer to the advice given in Adam’s “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” This article is provided for your enjoyment, only. It’s relevance to real world working dog training may be limited.
Filed under Dog Training Equipment by on Jul 7th, 2010. 
There are many benefits in giving your dog the right toys to play with. While most people think that dog toys are only to relieve boredom this is not the only use for these toys.
Sure dog toys are excellent for relieving boredom and are especially good where you might have to leave your dog on it’s own for periods of time, but there are other reasons why you should consider buying your dog toys.
Some dog toys are designed to boost their intelligence where they will only get a reward after they have performed certain tasks. These toys are a very effective method of training. Other toys help a dog to know what they can chew and in doing so you can save yourself a lot of expense by not having to replace expensive items throughout the house that can be destroyed at the teeth of your pet.
There are chewing toys that will help your dog strengthen and keep their teeth clean and there are toys that will help teach your dog with retrieval training. You really need to decide what you want the toys for before buying and also to determine what the personality of your dog is before you can get the right toys for it.
Some toys are designed to last for a short period of time when they will be replaced by new ones, and these are often the chewing variety. Some toys of the chewing variety are flavored so you will need to check first to see what ingredients they have used for the flavoring or you might be buying a toy that your dog is allergic to.
These toys with flavoring often have preservatives in them so beware. With such a wide variety of toys available on the market these days there is certain to be something that your dog will enjoy and make their life all the more happy.
Please note: This article is part of a collection of dog-related content that we purchased the rights to. Opinions expressed may or may not agree with those espoused by Master Dog Trainer Adam G. Katz. When in doubt, please refer to the advice given in Adam’s “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” This article is provided for your enjoyment, only. It’s relevance to real world working dog training may be limited.
Filed under Dog Training Equipment by on Jul 7th, 2010.
To stay fit and healthy and happy and strong, a dog needs good exercise and good food just as humans do.
They’re an important part of our families, and they rely on us understanding their needs, as they cannot talk to us.
Fortunately, dogs are a bit more resilient than humans but they still do need regular exercise and good food.
One of the benefits of owning a dog is the fact that in many cases, knowing that they need exercise is a good reason for us to get out and exercise as well.
So you could say that owning a dog actually keeps humans healthier.
Certainly a well-trained dog keeps us a lot happier.
There are many benefits that can be gained from owning a dog but you only get as much out of them as you put into them.
Good training, good shelter, good food, fresh water, regular exercise and a happy home are all that a dog needs to be content.
Just as the wrong foods can be very detrimental to the health of humans, the same goes for the health of dogs.
We have already discussed some of the nutritional requirements in an earlier newsletter and in the next newsletter we will be looking at some items that can be quite dangerous to dogs such as chocolate.
Until then, feed your dog premium pet food and fresh meat and make sure you get out and take them for a walk or run.
Please note: This article is part of a collection of dog-related content that we purchased the rights to. Opinions expressed may or may not agree with those espoused by Master Dog Trainer Adam G. Katz. When in doubt, please refer to the advice given in Adam’s “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” This article is provided for your enjoyment, only. It’s relevance to real world working dog training may be limited.
Filed under Dog Food & Health by on Jul 7th, 2010.
Is certainly a lot more fun for you to have an obedient and trained dog. Not only that, but trained dogs, are happier dogs. They are less likely to get into fights with other dogs and will tend to socialize better with dogs that they meet in public.
It is particularly important to have a well-trained dog if you have young members of the family or children in the neighborhood. Just like having well-behaved children, a well-trained dog makes for a happier household.
The time that you spend training your puppy initially will impact on the pleasure you can get from your dog for the many years of its life. Taking the time to train your dog will strengthen the bond you have together and this will ensure a long and happy friendship where both you and your dog benefit. Considering the amount of time that you will be with your dog the time involved in training is minimal and well worthwhile. There are a few basic commands that need to be mastered and they are all relatively simple.
These commands are…
Down: this is where you teach your dog to lay down on command, and is one of the main aspects of any succesful training program.
Heel: this is where you teach your dog walk beside you at the same pace without pulling on the lead.
Learning the ‘No’ word: this is a particularly important word for your dog to know and can save you a lot of trouble. In fact it is probably one of the most important aspects of training, if you can get your dog to understand and respond to the word no. It can certainly save you a lot of trouble in the future.
Sit: sit is one of the most basic of all dog training commands and is one that you’ll want to teach from the outset to maintain control of your dog’s behavior.
Stay: and finally ‘stay’ – this is important to ensure that no matter where you are, you’ll know that your dog will stay precisely where you want it.
If there is nothing else that you train your dog to do beyond these basic commands, it will certainly improve the relationship you have with your dog and the enjoyment and happiness that you and your dog will have together. It is well worth the time while still a puppy, as it will improve the quality of life for many years to come.
Training will also let your dog know that you’re the boss and in doing so eliminate many behavior problems. Dogs that are untrained can often get depressed, despondent, and unhappy and display symptoms of anxiety and confusion. You are actually giving your dog a purpose in life, where they will get pleasure out of the fact that they are pleasing you.
Please note: This article is part of a collection of dog-related content that we purchased the rights to. Opinions expressed may or may not agree with those espoused by Master Dog Trainer Adam G. Katz. When in doubt, please refer to the advice given in Adam’s “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” This article is provided for your enjoyment, only. It’s relevance to real world working dog training may be limited.
Filed under Dog Obedience by on Jul 7th, 2010.
Dogs get bored just like adults and children. Assuming that your dog is happy to just lay around all day or stay on it’s own while you are at work could lead to a very unhappy animal.
While it’s not possible or practical for most people to have contact with their dog throughout the day, due to work and other commitments, a dog will always be a lot happier if it knows that at the end of each day it will get the opportunity to go for a walk in the park or a run along the beach. The stimulation that it will get from this activity and the time that it is spending with you will help it to keep a healthy mind and a happy personality.
This time together is all important for building the bond that will ensure you both get the maximum benefit from your relationship. Quality time with your dog will reap rewards, just as they would with a child, with a more obedient dog who is happier to please you than to misbehave.
And a happier dog is a healthier dog that will tend to live longer and give you more years of pleasure.
Please note: This article is part of a collection of dog-related content that we purchased the rights to. Opinions expressed may or may not agree with those espoused by Master Dog Trainer Adam G. Katz. When in doubt, please refer to the advice given in Adam’s “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” This article is provided for your enjoyment, only. It’s relevance to real world working dog training may be limited.
Filed under Dog Behavior by on Jul 7th, 2010.
While we would all like to think we have the smartest dog in the world there are some breeds that are generally more intelligent than others. In this newsletter we will look at the dogs ranking from 6th most intelligent to tenth.
And then in the next newsletter we will look at the most intelligent dogs in the world. Don’t be too concerned if your dog doesn’t appear in either of these lists, as sometimes it is not always an advantage to have an intelligent dog.
As expected, the more intelligent dogs generally need more stimulation or they will get bored and this can cause problems, particularly if they are left at home during the day when you’re at work. So lets start with the tenth most intelligent dog…
Tenth on the list is the Australian Cattle Dog. The Australian Cattle Dog was originally bred for herding cattle, just as their name suggests. Obviously to be tenth on the list they are very intelligent, but they need to be stimulated, as one would expect from an intelligent dog. They are happy when they are working, as they need regular exercise and mental stimulation.
Ninth on the list is the Rottweiler. Contrary to popular belief, the Rottweiler is actually a great family dog, and is not quite as fearsome as many people believe. There are a highly intelligent dogs and respond well to training.
The eighth dog on the list of intelligence is the Papillon. Like the Australian cattle dog the Papillon is very protective of its owner and makes a lovable and intelligent pet. And as with most intelligent dogs they are relatively easy to train.
Number seven on the list is the Labrador Retriever. These are one of the most popular family dogs because of their good nature, which allows them to socialize well with other dogs and more importantly, children. Like the previous dogs on the list, Labradors need exercise, and particularly in their case, without exercise they tend to gain excessive weight.
Number six on our list of intelligent dogs is the Shetland sheepdog. Like the Australian Cattle Dog the Shetland sheepdog was bred for herding cattle and sheep. Obviously to do this well they need some intelligence and that is why they have ended at number six on our list. They’re not quite as good at socializing with other people or children but are excellent pets in their own family.
Please note: This article is part of a collection of dog-related content that we purchased the rights to. Opinions expressed may or may not agree with those espoused by Master Dog Trainer Adam G. Katz. When in doubt, please refer to the advice given in Adam’s “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” This article is provided for your enjoyment, only. It’s relevance to real world working dog training may be limited.
Filed under Living With Dogs by on Jul 7th, 2010.
This newsletter looks at the top five dogs based on intelligence. And at number five on that list is the Doberman.
It is important that the Doberman is trained early on in its life, as they can be quite temperamental. If they are trained they can be great family dogs and really good with children despite their reputation.They are highly intelligent, and like many intelligent dogs are very protective of their master and family.
Number four is the Golden Retriever, which is often regarded as one of the most popular breeds of dog. They are great with children and are a very loyal and loving dog. It is not uncommon to see Golden Retrievers winning dog competitions where intelligence is of importance.
Number three on our list is a dog that is often associated with police work. Yes, it’s the German Shepherd, and it is chosen for its police work due to its intelligence. They make great family dogs and love children. They need to be kept busy with work or some form of stimulation otherwise they can become depressed and unhappy. They need to know who their master is from a young age to ensure both you and the family get the most out of their relationship.
The second most intelligent dog might surprise a lot of people. Not only for the fact that they are highly intelligent, but also because they are one of the easiest dogs to train. And that dog is the Poodle. Yes the Poodle comes in at number two on our list of intelligent dogs. They love people, and because of this they don’t like to be left alone. They are very protective and can become quite vicious if anybody encroaches upon their property or territory.
And the number one all-time most intelligent dog of all is the Border Collie The Border Collie is another dog that is often seen winning competitions. They’re highly intelligent, but along with that intelligence comes the need for them to be stimulated regularly. They’re happiest when they’re working or performing in competitions or dog trials.
So there you go, if you have a Border Collie, you know you have the most intelligent dog in the world, provided of course, that you have trained it well.
Please note: This article is part of a collection of dog-related content that we purchased the rights to. Opinions expressed may or may not agree with those espoused by Master Dog Trainer Adam G. Katz. When in doubt, please refer to the advice given in Adam’s “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” This article is provided for your enjoyment, only. It’s relevance to real world working dog training may be limited.
Filed under Living With Dogs by on Jul 7th, 2010.
One of the best things you can do for your dog besides regular exercise, good food, water and shelter, is to be aware of any changes that it might exhibit in all aspects of it’s life.
Particularly as dogs get older they might seem like they are just not interested in exercise any longer but this might be due to the fact that they are suffering from pain of some form or another. Many older dogs suffer from arthritis and this can be very painful.
There are all sorts of remedies that can help your dog from natural remedies to ones that your local vet might prescribe. Our beloved pets cannot talk to us and they can only hope that we are aware of their conditions by knowing what they are usually like and noticing any behavioral changes.
Even if a normally quiet dog starts whining or barking more often they might be trying to give you a signal that something is not quite right in their life. A regular checkup at the Vet is a good solution to ensure that your dog is always in optimal health and that includes their mental state.
Older dogs can become depressed because they are no longer getting the required stimulation mentally and a depressed dog will suffer just as a human can do in similar circumstances. If your dog starts to eat more or less food than normal this could be another sign that there is a problem and also if they gain or lose weight they could be suffering from some health problems.
Always be aware of their behavior and it will ensure that your dog has a happy and long life.
Please note: This article is part of a collection of dog-related content that we purchased the rights to. Opinions expressed may or may not agree with those espoused by Master Dog Trainer Adam G. Katz. When in doubt, please refer to the advice given in Adam’s “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” This article is provided for your enjoyment, only. It’s relevance to real world working dog training may be limited.
Filed under Dog Food & Health by on Jul 7th, 2010.
In an earlier newsletter I talked about allergies and how many of these are related to the food that your dog eats. This is due to all the filler, colors and preservatives that the dog food manufacturers put into the processed dog foods that are sold through the stores.
There is a solution if you have a dog that has food allergies and it is not only a cost effective way to feed your dog but it can also add to the quality of your dogs health. Creating your own dog food and dog treats might be the best solution for your dog’s allergies.
Even if your dog doesn’t have food allergies you can often see an improvement in the health of a dog by changing to homemade treats that don’t have all the harmful additives of the dog food you will buy over the counter. You will also have full control over the ingredients that you use for your food preparation and you can eliminate any foods that you already know your dog is allergic to.
If you are still unsure of the food that your dog might be allergic to you can add and delete the various different foods until you eliminate those that cause negative reactions and only use food that your dog is comfortable eating.
While it might be difficult determining exactly what is in the dog food that you buy from the store you will always know exactly what your dog is eating if you prepare the food yourself. You can create the food fresh and in the quantities that you require rather than rely on the portions that are determined by the manufacturers.
Please note: This article is part of a collection of dog-related content that we purchased the rights to. Opinions expressed may or may not agree with those espoused by Master Dog Trainer Adam G. Katz. When in doubt, please refer to the advice given in Adam’s “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” This article is provided for your enjoyment, only. It’s relevance to real world working dog training may be limited.
Filed under Dog Food & Health by on Jul 7th, 2010.
One of the best things you can do for your puppy early in life is crate training. Many people are under the misconception that crate training a puppy is cruel but this is far from the truth.
Dogs actually get a lot of benefit from having been crate trained and they generally come to like the fact that they have been crate trained. Many people also assume that crate training is difficult, but this is also far from the truth. Dogs, naturally avoid soiling the area where they will eat and sleep and this is one of the reasons why crate training is important.
It is essential to take notes of the times when your puppy likes to eat, sleep, and ‘go to the toilet’ because this will help determine the best times for the crate training. Crate training is not about keeping your dog locked up for extended lengths of time. Crate training needs to be handled with the care that one would expect from a family member.
You should remember that, done correctly, crate training will enhance the lives of both you and your dog. There are bound to be mishaps along the way when your puppy might ‘mess’ in the crate but he/she should not be punished for this, as it is highly unlikely that it would have been intentional.
Crate training is the best method of potty training a puppy by far, so it is well worth doing when they are young to eliminate one area that can be a problem with dogs, as they grow older. While it might seem that your dog doesn’t like crate training initially, (many dogs will fuss, whine and bark when they first start crate training) most crate trained dogs learn to love their crate as their own place, much like children have their favorite blanket for security that they will carry around. Crate training usually starts with short periods of 10 to 15 minutes slowly building up to two hours as they become more accustomed to their crate.
Please note: This article is part of a collection of dog-related content that we purchased the rights to. Opinions expressed may or may not agree with those espoused by Master Dog Trainer Adam G. Katz. When in doubt, please refer to the advice given in Adam’s “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” This article is provided for your enjoyment, only. It’s relevance to real world working dog training may be limited.
Filed under Crate Training by on Jul 7th, 2010.
