Pros & Cons of a Harness or Collar

Dog Training

Dog walking is a great way to get fit and share time with your pet dog, providing it is fun and easy. But, who’s walking who? If your dog is walking you, then take action to rectify the situation. It’s never too late, no matter what age your dog is, although puppy training is the ideal starting time.

Dog training can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be! You don’t have to become a dog obedience expert to train your dog. Most pet owners do not have the time or desire to become dog trainers, nor do they need to have a highly trained pet.

By following a few simple suggestions you can have a happy, well behaved, leash trained dog that can be taken anywhere by anyone.

FIRSTLY; you must be the Pack Leader and set clear expectations in your own mind, and then be consistent. Be fair and realistic in the beginning with what it is you expect, your dog needs to learn. Learning must be a positive building block process.

Now you have the right mindset 90% of your training job is done, the rest is easy, your dog will pick up on the new you and adjust accordingly. Sure, there might be some resistance at first but, providing you stick it out your dog will find comfort in the boundaries you’ve established – it’s like they can read your mind. If you come from a place of passive persistence, with a kind but assertive attitude you’ll win the game and their trust.

SECONDLY; you need an effective walking and training device.

No training tool is a solution on its own; without you firstly having the right mindset and the willingness to help your dog to learn, no tool will work.

There is no place for any training device that causes pain or potential damage to your dog, no justification or need, ever, for the use of such tools. I can personally assure you of this, from years of careful observation and experience. Use your good judgment and commonsense when making the choice of a training or walking device, your dog is relying on you.

There are basically two categories of walking – training aids available:-

**Head & Neck Area Products – these include devices such as collars and leads, choker chains, muzzle harness, etc. These devices rely on trying to control the dog by using the sensitive and vulnerable neck area, where vital structures such as the airway and spinal cord are interfered with.

They claim to use the principle of comfort vs discomfort however; there is a fine line here, it is more like the outdated method of ‘train by pain’. As with any training tool, used properly by experienced trainers they can be effective however, in my opinion they are definitely not for the average dog owner or child to use, they can and do cause pain and distress. Just look around, you don’t have to go far to see gagging dogs at the end of choker chains and leads, dragging their handlers all over the place.

**Body Harness Products – of which there are two main types, a Fixed Position Body Harness or a Slip Action Body Harness.

The least harmful of all the dog walking products is probably the Fixed Position Body Harness however; this style of harness does not provide any real avenue of training or communication. The dog can use his weight, without any discomfort, to pull against you. This style is only suitable for small breeds, quiet, older or trained dogs.

In my opinion, the most effective and kindest of all the training devices we have tested is the other type of body harness; the Slip Action style, which works on the principle of ‘give and take’, the same as the choker chain but, of course, without the risk of causing damage to sensitive vital structures.

Of the Slip Action style body harnesses there are currently two types I know of, both are good communication and control devices however, one is made using cord, which can be quite severe and cause pain and bruising to soft tissue areas.

The other type of Slip Action harness available is made of soft, flat nylon webbing which doesn’t cause pain or damage, no matter how inexperienced the handler is or how much the dog might pull against it – it is safe for the dog in any hands, as well as providing an excellent degree of control for the handler at the same time. It also converts easily, from a Slip Action training and control harness to a Fixed Position body harness, so it is actually a combination of both styles of harness in one.

By Lou-Ann Atkinson

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Dog Trainer

Dog training is definitely not rocket science and is easier than you would expect particularly if you can get help from a good dog training book or guide. It’s also certainly possible for almost any dog owners to train their dogs themselves provided they put in adequate amount of effort.

Nevertheless, you might still want to get additional help from a professional trainer, especially if you got a tough nut to crack in your hand. Before you engage a trainer, it’s always best that you do some research first as there are many trainers with different teaching styles and not every style suit every dog or owner.

Here’s a guide for you to find a reliable trainer:

Ask someone

It wouldn’t hurt you to open your mouth to ask someone for advice or recommendation.

- Ask your friends, even strangers you meet in the park for the contacts of their trainer if you notice that he owns a particular well-train dog. Even if they don’t engage a trainer, you could still possibly pick up some valuable training tips. You’ve got nothing to lose and I’ll bet the owner would also most probably be flattered.

- Ask your veterinarian for recommendations. He deal with dogs everyday and must have seen the best and worse dog. He should have contacts for some good trainers in your area.

- Ask the local Humane Society, dog breeder or even your pet supplies shop owner. They are also a good source of information and might just be able to direct you to a trainer who is particularly suited to training your dog breed.

- You can also check out The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Trainer Directory:
=> http://www.apdt.com/trainers-and-owners/trainer-search/trainer-search.php

The directory has a search engine that allows you to search trainer by specific geographical location and also list out if trainers are Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) to help you make your decision.

*CPDT is certified by the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers an international testing and certification program for professional pet dog trainers. It is basically to ensure that the trainer has a certain level of knowledge and expertise. To be certified, trainers must have at least 300 hours of dog training experience and have passed an exam that assesses basic knowledge of canine training. For more details, visit http://www.ccpdt.org/

There are several things to look out for before you engage a trainer. You might want to consider these factors first before you engage one from a list of good contacts you got. The Trainer must have the following traits:

- must be humane and gentle with the dogs during training.

- must be an effective communicator and teacher. Both you and your dog must be able to understand his teaching for effective training. In short, “Do you understand the words that are coming out of his mouth?” As dog training involve both you and your dog, you must also be able to understand his teachings so that you can practice them when you get home.

- must be experience and up-to-date with the latest training methods. You might want to request a sit-in session to observe him and see if he can deal with the particularly difficult dogs. Don’t be afraid to ask him questions about his training background, training techniques, methods and etc. An experience trainer should have no problem answering your questions.

Distance - This might not be a big factor but certainly one worth considering. Imagine a 4 hours drive for every training session!

Hope these tips are useful to help you look for a good dog trainer.

Good luck in your quest for a good trainer!

By Moses Chia

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Dog training collar

There are many different types of dog collars available in the market to suit different function, needs and all kinds of dog activities. Sometimes, it is so hard to pick the right training collar as more breed of dogs are now domesticated and it is very important to consider these important features before buying a remote electronic Dog Training Collar.

Multiple Stimulation Levels

Remote hand-held transmitter must have the flexibility to match the stimulation level to your dog’s temperament. Stimulation intensity level must also be appropriate to the size of your dog. Larger dogs need a high stimulation to follow and obey your commands while a small collar, your dog may not respond from the radio frequency if the stimulation is too weak. Most electronic training collar now clearly indicates what size of dog the training collar is intended for.

There are 2 forms of stimulation available on the market today. First is the continuous stimulation, this method of correction delivers an electronic stimulation to the dog as long as the button is pressed from the hand-held remote transmitter. The second form is the momentary stimulation or sometimes called “nick”. The dog will only receive a short electronic stimulation within seconds. Auto shutoff features are also available on some remote transmitter.

Range

Generally speaking, the more range the better. Effective range of an electronic collar can vary according to terrain, environmental and line of sight conditions. If you are training your dog in the field, it is recommended to have a long range training collar so the transmitter can still produce a reliable strong signal when if its needed. However, if you are only doing basic yard work obedience training, the 150 to 300 yard range is more than enough.

Handheld Transmitter Design

The transmitter should be small enough to carry in your pocket. Manufacturers make transmitters that small and lightweight. However, dog trainers have their own personal preferences but the main feature to be considered is the resistance. Some handheld transmitters are waterproof, water resistant, and rugged punishment tested.

Integrated Collar Design

Remote electronic dog collar should have intelligent engineering with internal antenna to avoid being caught up from the dog’s body. And of course, waterproof collars are highly recommended if you intend to train your dog in our around the water.

Manufacturer & Retailers

Manufacturers that proven to be in the business with excellent product support. I recommend 2 of finest manufacturers (Innotek and Pet Safe). While Pet Street Mall, the fastest growing internet site with a variety of available pet products has been online since 2001 got my recommendation. Other notables are Innotek Direct, Mutt Mart, KCKaylas Pet Supplies and America Outdoor.

By Ben Magtanggol

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Dog Training

Can you really train your dog with the help of a DVD? Can you start with a squirming, wriggling, 8-week-old wild bundle of love and end up with a canine good citizen? Or can you take an untrained older dog and teach it to come, sit, stay, walk on a loose leash, and everything else you want for it to fit well into your family?

The answer is simple: It depends.

It mainly depends on you, more than on the dog. There are excellent Dog Training DVD available. Most dogs are very trainable. But will you find the time and make the effort to go through the process of training? That’s the question. If you are willing, the DVD will help you every step of the way.

All you need to do is plan a time to do short training sessions with your dog, at least a couple of times a day and preferably more. Plan it… and do it! One convenient schedule is just before you feed breakfast and dinner. Short sessions are best, as they are more fun and the dogs learn better from several short bits of training than from one long session.

If you are able to make a plan and pretty much stick to it, you can most likely train your dog from a DVD.

DVD or Class?

Should you train your dog with a DVD or should you take him to a class? Again, the answer is that it depends. The first question regarding a class is whether there are good trainers teaching near you. Dog training methods have been changing tremendously in recent years, and your dog will learn best if you find someone who uses positive reinforcement.

If you find a class that you and the dog can attend regularly, that is an excellent choice. There is a regular discipline involved, of turning up for at least most of the classes and doing the homework between sessions. Your dog will be around other dogs, though you will still need to do more socialization in any case.

You still might want to use a DVD, before the class sessions start or after they are over. Dog training becomes more and more fun the more the dog knows, so you may develop a taste for teaching tricks and more advanced behaviors.

Choosing a DVD

The best dog training DVD that I have found for learning the basics of come, sit, stay, down, etc., is Train Your Dog >with Nicole Wilde and Laura Bourhenne. It also covers house training, crate training, other puppy training topics, and more. It is very economically priced. If you don’t fancy doing training alone, watch the program with other family members or friends and you can all get involved!

By Rosana D. Hart

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electronic dog fence

An Electronic Dog Fence is not necessarily a panacea for the problem of the wandering dog or a substitute for teaching your dog to come on command and other training, but if used correctly it can be the right tool for reinforcing and reminding a dog where the boundaries are.

What is an electronic dog containment fence and how does it work? It is a management device or system used to contain and control a dog who is easily lured from his own yard by passing dogs, people, cars, etc. These systems consist of an underground wire buried a few inches deep and running around the periphery of the property. The dog wears a collar that receives a signal from the wire if approached too closely and delivers a mild shock, vibration, sound, or disagreeable spray which ideally conditions the dog to avoid getting too near the boundary.

So what are the negatives of using an electronic collar/fence dog containment system?

First of all electronic dog fences can be quite costly.

When used as an alternative for hands-on dog training, positive results may be limited.
If the dog does not immediately understand the cause and effect relationship of receiving a negative stimulus as he approaches the boundary, the use of additional negative reinforcement such as a firm NO or a quick jerk on a long lead may be necessary until it is clear that he understands.

Aggressive, highly excitable, or slow-to-learn dogs may be so intent on chasing after a squirrel or another dog that they bolt right through the shock zone, and, once on the other side and possibly trying to return home are reluctant to cross back over the boundary. There is also the possibility of another dog entering and attacking your dog.

There is the remote chance that an electronic underground dog fence could be struck by lightening and shorted out so it’s important to test the system after a passing storm. There is also the possibility that haphazard digging could cut the wire and disrupt the system.

Some believe that an electric shock is inhumane form of negative reinforcement, but this has to be weighed against the possibility of real harm or possibly death if a dog is hit by a car or gets into some other form of trouble.

electric dog fence

Some of the positive reasons to use an electronic dog fence include the fact that there are city zoning laws and development association rules in some areas which prohibit the construction of typical fences. An underground electronic dog containment fence may be the only alternative that will allow your dog the freedom to romp in the yard, clearly very important to his health and mental well being. This is especially true if there are no local dog parks or other areas where he can be exercised.

Installation of an electronic dog fence can encompass a much larger area at considerably less cost then a regular above ground fence. In fact some systems are designed to contain up to 25 acres. A regular fence would have to be quite substantial and high enough to contain the larger breeds, and there is always the possibility of a dog digging underneath it to escape.

If used in conjunction with regular dog obedience training and common sense, and considering your dog’s personality, demeanor, and your local circumstances, an electronic dog fence may be the right choice for you.

By Ira Nelson

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Dog training collar

Teaching Your Dog Basic Obedience and Breaking Bad Habits

Having a pet means having to provide for the pet’s safety. But, that is not all a pet owner is obligated to do. People, mainly neighbors, do not appreciate noisy animals or animals that provide any type of nuisance to them. Basically, the neighbors don’t want someone else’s pet to interfere in any way with their lives. It is the pet owner’s responsibility to ensure this. One method for training animals to obey is by using Dog Training Collars.

While there are many types of training collars for dogs, the main goal of any of them is to ensure that the pet follows the rules. Like any creature, learning the rules takes practice. Dog training collars allow pet owners to teach their pets which behaviors are acceptable and which are not. Dog training collars provide this service to the pet owner.

There are many types of dog training collars on the market. Each provides its own methods and outcomes. Some dog training collars use electric shock to discipline an animal behaving in an improper manner. One way pet owners can communicate with their pet is to use a training collar that causes as small amount of discomfort to the animal. Although they sound harsh, the reality is that they are basically harmless to the animal. Dog training collars such as these help show the animal that they will be punished for doing something bad.

A dog training collar that teaches a dog to obey and respect their owners is the ultimate goal. The point behind dog training collars is not to hurt an animal, but to teach it the correct behaviors. Pet owners will develop their own decision whether or not dog training collars are appropriate for their pet. But, one way or another they must find a way to communicate to the dog that certain behaviors are not okay. Often times, dog training collars are an enormous help to pet owners.

By Byron Pappageorge

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Dog training books

Are Dog Training Books any good? Is it worth you spending your hard earned money on dog training books? In a word, maybe. It depends on who the book was written by. Dog training is a hard subject to be good at – I’ve had many successes training my dogs, but similarly I’ve had many failures when I first got started and it took me a while to find a rhythm that worked with me and my pets.

Also, dog training is a hard skill to translate into writing. It’s easy to stand next to someone and teach them about their dog, but it’s very hard to convey in a book everything that you need to and to be sure that the person who’s reading your book understands what you’re really getting at.

So, if the author of the book you’re interested in is a ghost writer who knows nothing about dog training books, you’re better off leaving that one on the shelf. On the other hand, if the author of the dog training book is a professional dog trainer who has decided to share his skills and techniques, then great. Dog training books usually come at hugely reduced costs when compared the price of hiring a professional trainer, so they can be a great way to get the same advice way cheaper.

Finding good dog training books can be difficult though. You want one that caters for all dog breeds, ages and genders, covers a wide variety of behavioral problems like biting, barking, chewing, digging, scratching and aggression, AND it should be written by and expert and be affordable. As an extra bonus, it might also come with audio and video material for you to use to help you along.

If your local bookshop can’t provide that level of depth in a dog training book, there is a solution. Firstly, check out the local library, but if that’s no good, get on the internet. There’s a ton of excellent guides written by real experts and professionals who offer world class advice. Because of the expense of getting a physical book published, many first time authors go straight to the e-Book route and self-publish online.

This means you get high quality products and rock bottom prices, and that means you can have a virtual dog training professional in your living room, helping you along the way to training your dog out of his or her behavioral problems. Dog training books are an amazing addition to your usual dog training routine, and can help you stop making common mistakes and start using power professional tips to speed up the whole process.

By Sarah Barker

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