Leashes - Puppy Blog

Leash Training Is Important In Your Dog Training Schedule

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:05:14 +0000

Responsible dog owners never let their dogs off the leash when they’re out of the house unless they’re safely confined within a fenced-in yard. Keeping your dog on a leash is important for many reasons.

Why dog leash training is Important

Dog leash training, and keeping your dog on a leash every time he’s outside, can prevent potential injuries. If your dog is pulling on his leash or walking or running freely, he could knock a young child or elderly person down. And, even the friendliest dog could bite someone or get into a fight with another dog if provoked. You could be sued if your dog’s behavior results in an injury. Dog leash training allows you to keep your dog under control.

Keeping your dog on a leash also allows you to prevent him from eating something unhealthy, like a rotting carcass. Owners who allow their dogs to roam freely are also risking the wrath of their neighbors. Your neighbors won’t be happy if your dog is allowed to roam freely and roots through their trash or digs or eliminates in their yards.

A dog that is allowed to roam freely could also be picked up and taken to the local dog pound. You’ll be required to pay a pick-up fee and you might be fined for not keeping him on a leash, because it’s required by law almost everywhere. There is also the possibility that your dog might run away and never be found.

So, keeping your dog on a leash is extremely important. All responsible dog owners do it, not just to obey the law, but to keep their pets safe, prevent possible injuries and keep their relationships with their neighbors pleasant. And dog leash training is important even if you do already keep your dog on a leash – after all, you probably don’t want to be dragged down the street whenever you go on a walk.

Why Your Dog Pulls on the Leash

Many dogs pull on their leashes – that’s how the “who’s walking who” joke got started. Many dogs pull because they have an abundance of energy and almost endless curiosity. Primarily, however, many dogs pull simply because we let them. The only way to stop it is to stop letting your dog get away with it and stop rewarding him for doing it. Instead of letting your dog “win” by forging ahead and dragging you wherever he wants to go, take charge and stop walking the instant he starts pulling.

Things to Do Before You Even Snap on the Leash

Many dogs get excited as soon as they see their leash, because it usually means they’re about to go on a walk. You can help set the tone for a calm, pleasant walk by teaching your dog to remain calm while you’re attaching the leash to his collar. Require your dog to sit and stay quietly in place while you’re putting on the leash. If your dog starts acting up, simply delay the walk until he’s been sitting calmly for a minute or two. Most dogs learn to sit quietly very quickly, but if you give in and start the walk even though your dog is bouncing around, you’ll be sending the wrong message – that misbehaving doesn’t have any negative consequences (the delay of the walk).

Tips to Prevent Pulling

To teach your dog better leash manners, try practicing this helpful exercise inside your house – somewhere quiet,
where there are no distractions:

Put the leash on your dog and stand still while holding the leash close to your body. Your dog might start bouncing around in excitement, but if you stand still he’ll eventually calm down. Once he does, give him a treat, praise him and say “let’s go,” taking a single step forward as you do. After that step, stand still once again. If your dog pulls or resumes his bouncing, wait for him to calm down.

Repeat the entire sequence several times, making your dog stay calm a few seconds longer each time before you give him a treat and take another step forward.

You can build up to “two step walks” once your dog has learned to remain calm and not pull during the above “one step walks.” Gradually build up to more and more steps until you’re able to take a normal walk without your dog pulling on the leash.

Despite this dog leash training exercise, your dog might pull on the leash if he becomes excited or distracted while you’re out on a walk. If he does, try these simple techniques to correct him:

During your dog leash training, hold the leash close to your side, giving your dog only a few inches of slack so you can correct him quickly if he starts pulling.

When your dog pulls in any direction, immediately walk in the opposite direction. If he forges ahead, smoothly turn around and start walking back toward where you came from. If he goes off to the right, you turn left, and so on.

Alternatively, you can stop and stand stock still if your dog starts pulling. Then, take a few steps backward while calling your dog. When he comes toward you, praise him and give him a treat, then resume your walk. If it happens again, repeat the process.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

During your dog leash training, it’s important to avoid the following common mistakes:

Letting the walk continue even though your dog is pulling or forging ahead. All this does is reward your dog for his misbehavior. Instead, stop walking immediately and wait for him to calm down before resuming the walk.

Pulling back when your dog pulls on the leash. Most dogs react by pulling even harder.

Using a retractable leash. It will just teach your dog that pulling will allow him to get farther away from you.

The most important things in dog leash training are patience, persistence and a firm commitment to not let your dog get anywhere when he’s pulling on the leash. Forging ahead or running off to the side are unacceptable behaviors. Either stop walking immediately and wait until he calms down, or change direction so your dog doesn’t get to go where he wants. You’re the leader during your walks, not your dog.

I know how it can be tough and time consuming to train a dog and eradicate the bad behaviors. With patience and consistency you will be able to put an end to all your dog’s “problems” but you need to do it the right way.
If you need help to better understand your dog’s attitude, and therefore to be able to better train and correct your pretty stubborn mutt, then you should go to AboutDogsandpets.com.
AboutDogsandPets.com is the all-in-one solution for all your dog training and dog health concerns.
You will find the best dog training tips and techniques that are proven to be effective together with a lot of advices related to your dog’s health.
Implement what you will learn and you will see noticeable improvements in your dog’s attitude, not to mention that you will create a special bond with your dog and live a great relationship with him or her.
I would be very surprised if you do not find the answer you are looking for at AboutDogsandPets.com.

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The Difference Between Dog Tracking Collars & Dog Training Collars

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:09:43 +0000

When it comes to dog collars, the myriad choices can be mighty confusing. You can choose from simple leashes, special training collars for dogs with behavioral issues and tracking collars to keep your pet safe and secure. One thing most people get confused about is whether dog tracking collars and training collars are interchangeable. To put it simply – they aren’t. There are a host of different types of dog training collars itself that are used mainly to teach a new dog or puppy good habits or even break bad habits. dog tracking collars on the other hand are used to track and locate a missing pet using the latest GPS technology. Whatever reason you may have there are plenty of choices for the concerned pet owner.

Dog Training Collars: There are dog training collars for all types of behavioral problems. Choosing the correct one would depend on the type of dog and the issue at hand. For example, does your dog bark excessively? An electric shock collar might be necessary. Electric shock collars are not as cruel as they sound. When a dog continues barking even after being reprimanded, a small shock can be administered, which serves to break this unhealthy pattern. This produces only a minor discomfort and has been proven to be very effective in the long run. There is also a choke collar or a chain clip collar that offers maximum control over your pet. Used mainly for larger and more unruly dogs, these are popular training tools and used for disciplining and control. Dog training collars are often imperative in protecting your pet from dangerous situations as well. If your dog has a tendency to run after cars, the correct usage of the collar can break this unsafe habit. In the end, dog training collars can be used not only to remedy bad habits but also train puppies and dogs in discipline and good behavior. That said, they should be used with discretion and not as a regular collar. If you do not recognize the proper use of such collars, you could in fact cause more damage than good.

Dog Tracking Collars: Discovering that your pet has gone missing is probably one of the most stressful experiences to go through as a pet owner. But now, thanks to the latest GPS technology, there is a new, highly effective way of keeping track of your pet at all times. Using the same satellite technology used in your cars and mobile phones, a GPS dog tracking collar will keep you informed about the whereabouts of your pet 24/7. It will alert you with email or phone updates every time your pet moves away from his predetermined safe zones. It can also give you directions on how to get to your pet if he goes missing. Position Animals Worldwide (PAW) has recently teamed with the American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery (AKC CAR) team to create and develop the SpotLight GPS Pet Locator. SpotLight has the advantage of being water resistant, compact, lightweight, and long lasting. And with a lifetime enrollment in the AKC CAR’s Recovery Service, owners of the SpotLight GPS Pet Locator have access to their call center and the best recovery team available. With SpotLight, tracking and recovery of lost dog is no longer an issue and your missing pet will be returned safely to your home as quickly and efficiently as possible.

This article is Co-authored by Chris Newton & Lewis Sheats, from Positioning Animals Worldwide, Inc. For more information about GPS Pet Tracking System, visit http://www.spotlightgps.com/.

The post The Difference Between Dog Tracking Collars & Dog Training Collars first appeared on Puppy Blog.

The Best Dog Leashes And Leads For Dog Training

admin — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:14:12 +0000

Dog leads and leashes are not only very essential in dog training but also in general dog care and wellbeing. A lead is a very important buy for both your dog and you as the dog owner whether you will need it to help teach the dog right from wrong or to use it while taking him on long walks.

There is a wide selection of dog leashes and leads available for dog owners to choose from. Although there are no wide variations, applications and designs, most dog owners are often at pain to choose the right dog leash or dog lead because they always want perfection in terms of use by the owner and comfort of the dog. In such a case, choosing the dog leash or dog lead becomes an even more difficult task than the actual dog training.

Types of dog leads and leashes

There are thousands of types of dog leads and dog leashes to choose from. Most of these are available in most pet stores and other retail stores. We will look at the different common types of leads to assist dog owners find the most appropriate leash for their dogs and for the owner.

Extending dog lead

What extending dog leas do is exactly as the name “extending” portrays. This lead extends away from the dog owner for a certain distance. This type of lead gives the dog owner a lot of control on the dog and can choose how far they want the lead to extend. The extended lead can also be used as a normal leash if need be.

Slip lead

The slip lead is a simple type of lead which has a loop and an adjustable clip on both ends. The loops and clips will allow the dog owner to loosen or tighten the lead around the dog’s neck from his end. This is a simple but very effective lead that is easy to use and grants the owner full control of the dog.

Nylon lead

This is the simplest and the cheapest dog lead available. The nylon lead is not very dog friendly because it causes rubbing and digging on the dogs neck. Where possible, dog owners should never use this type of leash.

Bungee lead

The Bungee lead assists in doing away with the looseness of the lead that often causes the dog or the owner to trip over the lead or leash. It is designed to self adjust and there will be less pulling of the owner’s arm during the training process.

Leather leads

Leather is a popular material to make dog leashes and dog leads because it is comfortable and grants the dog owner full control of the entire training activity. If the dog trainer can determine what extent a dog can wander during training, then they have a greater advantage to train more effectively. However, if the dog is persistent and unwitting, the pulling can affect the owner’s arm.

Leather leads are the best for training a dog. The best way to train a dog is getting its attention and focus by limiting its freedom and chance to misbehave using a good leather lead.

My name is Kausar Khan and I run a very successful Internet business out of my home. I have been doing this business full time since 2003. Please do visit my websites Training Dog and Dog Training for more information.

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