How to Train a Dog to Stop Barking

Dog barking is a common problem among dog owners. But before you try to stop dog from barking, you must first find out the reason why your dog barks. It is impossible to completely stop a dog from barking but there should be a certain level where you determine if barking is too excessive. Barking is a way for a dog to communicate. If you do not hear your dog barks, then there may be something wrong with him.
There are many reasons why a dog barks, such as, if the dog is hungry and asking for food, if he sees some strangers, if he wants to go to the toilet, if he is frightened, or worst if the dog is in pain. You must not stop your dog from barking if you do not understand what he wants. You must understand his body language while he is barking and how excessive his barking is. Normal barking is just fine. Through this understanding you can have a good communications with your dog. Once you have isolated the issue on why he is barking, you can start your own dog training to stop your dog barking problem.
The dog should learn some words associated with your training. You can use words like "Stop Barking" or "Quiet". When he is barking excessively, you must get his attention and focus on something else while showing him the treat. Say the words "Stop Barking" and give him the treat. This will move his attention to the treat and eventually he stops barking. Repeat the same procedure until he associates the words and the treat with stop barking. When he stops, praise him and focus his attention to other things or giving him a chew toy.
Another way to stop dog barking is to use a leash method. The dog must be aware of your movement. A way to do this is by firm tug of the leash downwards while saying the words "Stop Barking". Repeat this several times and be consistent. Say the words only once per tug so as not to make it monotonous to the point that he ignores what you are saying. But do not forget, for every time he follows your command, you must give him a treat and praise.

My Rollie is still alive!

Night view of Shanghai

I touched down at LCCT airport from Shanghai on the 16 March after more than 5 hrs flight time. When I arrived back home, my Rollie was so excited to see me, probably wondering where his mistress has gone these pass 8 days.

I was really very happy to see my children as well as being very proud of them for taking good care of Rollie. Does that mean that I can now take more oversea trips and have the peace of mind that all would be well at home?

My Rollie waiting patiently to be fed.

Hope My Rollie Will Be Well Taken Care Of...

I will be going to Shanghai for a 9-day with my husband. Will be leaving my doggie with my 3 children. I've instructed them about his food as well as to bring him out often for his wee-wee and poop.                                   Will see how all this instruction is followed when I come back. Really... part of me is rather scarce about leaving my children and the dog at home to fan for themselves. This is my first time leaving them alone to go for a holiday. Will pray that everything will work out just fine!                                     

 Till then, take care!

How to Stop Your Dog From Digging Up the Lawn

My dog, Rollie has started digging up my husband's potted plants.

I found this clip from Youtube that might be useful to some of you who may
be facing a similar problem with your puppy.

 

As for my problem with my Rollie, I don't think his method is appropriate

as I can't be putting dog shit on all my potted plants!

Tips To Stop Puppies From Biting

Whilst it is a natural thing for puppies to do, biting is something that puppies must learn not to do from a very young age. Dog bites can lead to major problems in the future, including legal action, hence the reason that puppy biting needs to be stopped while they are very young.

Do not assume that a puppy will naturally outgrow its biting habit without being taught otherwise you could end up with a fully grown dog that bites and may cause a lot of damage.

If you have even been bitten by dog you will know how powerful their jaws are, so a child could experience permanent damage just from a playful nip from a puppy.

Normally, puppies are taught to control their biting (bite inhibition) by their mothers. The problem is that when adopted as pets many puppies leave the litter before they reach the age that the mother can teach them not to bite, so it is up to the new owner to teach a puppy to refrain from biting.

If you have watched puppies playing with other dogs you will have noticed how the elder dog will "tell the puppy off" when it has had enough of the biting and in so doing this teaches the puppy that it needs to control its biting to avoid an ensuing fight or serious bite.

As long as a puppy is taught at a young age not to bite, either by its owner or other dogs, then it will become less aggressive as it grows older. It is important that puppies learn to interact with other dogs within the first three months of their life.

The longer it is left on it's own, the more difficult it becomes for your dog to socialize correctly and they can become dangerous later in life.

You will have a far better behaved dog in the long term if your puppy can learn the correct behavior patterns early on in its life. Just like raising a child. It is also important that your puppy learns to behave correctly when it meets other animals and pets such as cats.

You can find products that can give your puppy suitable satisfaction to bite and chew on at such places as pet supply stores, supermarkets and vets.

Potty Training Your Puppy

               Potty training begins as soon as the puppy arrived at it's new home

Let's be clear from the start. A potty is not used when potty training puppies. What we are talking about is house training your puppy so that it eliminates outdoors or in a designated indoor area rather than anywhere in the home.

1. Don't look on potty training puppies as the unpleasant or messy side of owning a puppy. Rather see it as the first stage of a bonding process. One that will result in a happy and healthy relationship. That is the real reward of house training a dog.
2. Start potty training as soon as you get your puppy home. But remember they don't yet have full control of their bladder and bowel functions.
3. Feeding should take place at the same times every day. Do not feed with four hours of bedtime and withdraw the water bowl two hours before bedtime. A routine is essential. That means you too have to stick to a routine by getting up and going to bed at the same time every day.
4. Take the puppy outside into the yard or for a walk first thing in the morning, 10 to 15 minutes after every meal or drink and last thing at night. Do not play with them until they have eliminated.
5. If after 10 minutes there is no action take the puppy back to its crate. Wait 10 to 15 minutes then take them out again.
6. Be sure to praise the puppy and reward them with a little playtime every time it does "the business".

Simply taking your dog out in the backyard a few times every day is not the way to potty train a puppy. After all, how do they know what they are being taken outside for?

Dog Training Need Not Be A Fearful Task (Part 2)

                                           Don't worry, not all dogs are that big....

You might not think it possible but dogs, like your kids, can tell when you mean business, slacken up a bit with them and they'll know you can be taken for a ride. Interestingly enough they also have this instinct for intonation; be strict when you want him to stay put at the yard, but be enthusiastic when you are asking him if he would like to go for a walk. It's funny how you'll see your own mood reflected in his responses. This is the primary step for you to establish the kind of communication with your dog which will allow you to calm him or set him up for work with a single word.

One of the main methods of training your dog is to keep a certain consistency in your approach towards him. Keep your intonations, gestures and words for expressing dissatisfaction the same every time, so that he gets used to the idea easily. A young pup who grows up with a certain set of commands will respond to them more promptly than one who is frequently confused by conflicting orders. The more consistent your commands are, the better trained your dog is, the better trained your dog is the greater your confidence in him regarding his obedience to you. A few other ways of establishing consistency are to use the same door when taking your doggie out for a walk, give him the same kind of pat every night before retiring for the day, so that he knows exactly what time it is.

Little things like these will help you predict your dog's behavior more accurately. Most importantly, however, remember to shower your love and affection on the little one, continue your training through little games which he might enjoy, and remember to treat him every time he does a task well, after all like a child it too needs to be appreciated and given its bit of fun.