To see an alphabetical site map click here

• Dog Training The Basics
  Though dog-human interaction goes back thousands of years, communication between the two is still sometimes rough. The human half of the pair is usually the smarter party, but watching the usual training sessions one can have legitimate reason to wonder.
  
  
• Dog Training Styles
  Contrary to popular belief, there are not as many training styles as there are trainers. Despite individual differences, people handling dogs fall into clearly recognizable categories. And no matter your individual style or that of your dog, there remain certain truisms.
  
  
• A Dogs Nature
  Some official estimates of the number of breeds reaches as high as 800 in Western countries alone. Even given that distinguishing one breed from another can be carried to absurd extremes, the variety is astonishing from a human perspective, who have, perhaps, a dozen 'breeds'.
  
  
• Dog Psychology
  Even dumb dogs are clever. Just think of the many ways they get humans to do what they want. Few can resist the soulful eyes and the offered paw when eating something the dog also views as tasty.
  
  
• Purebred Training
  The term 'purebred' is relative. No breed has been so isolated that it's never mated with another.
  
  
• Pet Tricks Training
  Teaching your pet tricks is easiest when you work with their nature, not against it. Most dogs are eager to please and respond enthusiastically to rewards.
  
  
• Training Rescued Dogs
  Normal dog training requires patience that is greater nowhere else but childrearing. Training rescued dogs takes even more.
  
  
• Training Passive Dogs
  Like humans, dogs are individuals. Some, through a combination of genetics, circumstances and self-development display assertive characteristics and others are more passive.
  
  
• Training Older Dogs
  Of course, 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks' is a myth. Like humans, or many other species, dogs learn new things every day throughout life. My ten-year old Golden is still mentally alert and eager to 'play' in new ways.
  
  
• Training Non-neutered Dogs
  Not every dog gets spayed (removal of female reproductive organs) or neutered (removal of male organs). Whether through an intention to breed or other motive, many individuals leave their companions intact.
  
  
• Pros and Cons of Control Tools
  Sometimes the distinction between training and control is too easily lost. Using commands and hand gestures, with leashes or treats, to solicit desired behavior is training. Using choke or 'no-bark' collars, electronic fences and similar devices is for control.
  
  
• Dog Training Devices
  The creativity of trainers and those who supply them with additional tools is never-ending. To the new or casual trainer there appears a dizzying array of devices. Though many are useful, they shouldn't be viewed as substitutes for training knowledge.
  
  
• Dog Training No YOU Stay
  Dogs have a significant capacity for training their trainers. Apart from making us wave our hands and bark odd words, we regularly fetch treats and run after tennis balls. Not useful to us, but the dog enjoys it.
  
  
• Dog Training No YOU Sit
  Dogs can learn an amazing variety of behaviors, but few so fundamentally important as the 'sit'. Beyond the basic need to establish that the human of the pair is the alpha (leader), it has a number of practical benefits.
  
  
• Dog Training No YOU Down
  'Nature to be commanded, must be obeyed' said Francis Bacon. Nowhere more true than dog training. Dogs have a natural tendency to seek and adhere to a hierarchy with an alpha (leader) at the top on down to an omega at the bottom. 'Down' is one effective technique for enforcing your alpha status.
  
  
• Dog Training No YOU Come
  Dogs aren't really stubborn. But they often don't clearly know what's wanted. Make it clear by quickly establishing alpha (dominant leader) status. Be willing to exercise the patience and modest, firm force to get the desired behavior. This can be particularly challenging when training a 'come'.
  
  
• Training Assertive Dogs
  As descendants from wolf packs, dogs have and seek a natural hierarchy in which some are dominant (alphas) and others follow. Struggles among young pups to sort of who is which start early, in some cases three weeks after birth.
  
  
• Socializing Your Dog
  Dogs, like humans, show a wide range of tolerance for others. Some are immediately friendly with every new dog, cat or lizard. Others are forever hostile to even the opposite sex of their own breed. Considering dogs are by nature territorial the diversity is odd, but there it is.
  
  
• Specialized Dog Training Service Dogs
  And you thought normal dog training was difficult. Sit, stay, down, come, heel... all require weeks or more of dedicated trainer and dog effort to master. Now, consider the months or years needed to train a police, search and rescue, guide or other service dog.
  
  
• Specialized Dog Training Assistance Dogs
  Once upon a time, seeing-eye (guide) dogs were almost the only type of assistance dog around. Over the last few decades, the field has widened considerably.
  
  
• Specialized Dog Training Tests
  It's no accident that some breeds are more commonly found as working dogs. Retrievers, Shepherds and a few others tend to have the physical characteristics, intelligence and temperament needed to perform the complex behaviors even they need several years to master.
  
  
• Pros and Cons of Electronic Fences
  Electronic fences are a control device. That said, electronic fences can be a blessing or a curse - not only for the dog but for the human as well.
  
  
• Training Show Dogs
  Over 130 different breeds compete in major dog shows, such as the Westminster in the US or Crufts in the UK. But there's a good deal more to developing a show dog than simply acquiring a dog of one of those breeds and teaching it to sit or stay.
  
  
• Tips for Large and Small Dogs
  No project, apart from raising a child, requires more patience than dog training. All breeds have different attributes that present challenges. Some are intelligent, but boisterous and easily distracted.
  
  
• How To Stop Dogs Chewing
  A dog's jaw muscles are among his strongest. An average-sized Golden Retriever can untie the knot in a rawhide bone (or just chew it off) in minutes. If only they'd stick to those!
  
  
• The Best Dog Training Diet
  Nothing is more essential to good training than good health. And the foundation of good health is a good diet.
  
  
• Crate Training Pros and Cons
  Debate continues unabated about whether or not crate training dogs is healthy or harmful.
  
  
• Dealing With Jumping Dogs
  Most dogs will display a tendency to jump on people at times. How often will vary with breed and by individual. One theory suggests that dogs are trying to get close to the person's face - not to attack, but to interact.
  
  
• Finding a Dog Trainer
  Many people don't have the time, energy or patience to devote to dog training. Few other activities require as much, if the result is to be a safe, well-adjusted dog and a happy human
  
  
• Your Dog Around Horses
  You've undoubtedly noticed that your dog is much smaller than a horse. (Well, most are anyway.) Nevertheless, most horses are much more frightened of dogs than the reverse.
  
  
• Training Your Dog Not To Bite
  According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), dogs bite more than 4.7 million people per year. Law suits, medical bills and sometimes dog euthanasia are common results from this unwanted - and often avoidable - behavior.
  
  
• Housebreaking Your Puppy
  No training is more basic for pet owners than that first important lesson: Do it outside!
  
  
• Partner Sites
  Partner Sites