Dogs are considered to be man’s best friend so understandably, getting a dog or puppy is always an exciting experience for every family. However, getting a puppy is one thing, but training him to be an understanding and obedient part of the family, is another. Dog training requires some necessary skills and attitudes to be effective; you will learn most of these as you train your dog. It is always better to opt to train your dog personally, though there is nothing wrong with hiring a professional dog trainer to handle the task. Both have merits and perhaps, disadvantages.

Though, you may be prone to mistakes and inconsistencies along the way, training your dog yourself could be a very effective way of establishing that important communication between you. You also learn how your dog reacts to some situations and what triggers some actions, like barking. On the other hand, employing the services of a professional brings you instant results and takes away the “trial and error” process that is mostly experienced in personally training your dog.

Some people will advise a blend of the two. Training your dog yourself, but joining a professional dog training class. This achieves several ends, you can describe it as ‘eating your cake and still keeping it’. The training class reduces the cost of employing direct professional services but still provides you with professional direction for home training of your dog. Thus, it does not deprive you of the ‘bonding’ and understanding that is established each time you and your dog start that training session.

No matter how you want to go about your dog’s training, patience, the environment and rewards/praises are vital factors that will greatly affect the success of your efforts.

Patience, in the sense that you are trying to communicate with an animal that doesn’t speak the same language or employ the same communication methods as you do. Whenever you get stuck with training your dog, when you feel your efforts are not yielding any results, remember that you wouldn’t fare better if asked to bark. It is going to take time before you can make you dog sit, by just saying the word, that is not his natural language. A lot of repetitions and praising your dog each time he does it right will reap results.

Dogs are naturally excited by their environments and they tend to get easily distracted. Imagine what happens when a cat cruises past the front of your dog during a training session; he is bound to get distracted. Your dog’s training session will be much more fruitful if you can have your training sessions in a quiet environment with less distraction. You can progress to noisier environments for more advanced obedience training, when you have your dog well grounded in basic obedience training.

As man’s friend, dogs seek to always make their owners happy and satisfied. The training sessions with your dog will be more fruitful if you let your dog know when you are satisfied. Rewarding your dog with cuddles or a treat when he gets it right, shows the dog you are happy with his conduct and reinforces that action in the dog.

Dog training can be quite a challenge, but if you follow the tips here, the task will be much easier.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Dog Training

Every week there is one date I faithfully keep: “ablutions” time with my dogs. I don’t know why we started calling it that - probably when I was completely and totally addicted to Regency Romance novels. According to Webster’s Dictionary, “ablutions” is “a washing of the body, especially as a religious ceremony.”

We don’t actually do a full-body dog wash every week - I’m told that less frequent bathing is better for a dog’s skin and fur - and it’s not really a ritual. We do trim nails, brush fur and teeth, clean ears, and wash faces. Because of the breeds we have; Brussels Griffons, Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs, skin folds, beards and mustaches, and wrinkles get special attention.

It’s down to a routine in our house; it doesn’t take much more than about 15 minutes per dog, once you catch them. One person holds the dog. The other “ablutes.”And the benefits are vast. The dogs seem happier, they smell good, and we have the chance to check each one for anything that doesn’t seem quite right.

Contrary to popular belief - clean, healthy dogs really shouldn’t smell. “Dog breath” may be an indicator that the dog’s teeth need cleaning. There are many products available to care for dog’s teeth, but a start can be made with just a damp washcloth or gauze. Special toothpastes made just for dogs are readily available. Human toothpaste isn’t a good idea - it can be too harsh and dogs tend to dislike both the foaming action and the taste of products made for people.

Your nose is an invaluable tool in assessing your dog’s health. Any odor from a dog’s ears may be a sign of infection. But we know that cleaning ears can be a challenge. We use a solution available from the veterinarian. It’s inexpensive and helps wash away any dirt or wax. Getting it into the dog’s ears is where the problem arises in our house. Even after four years of this weekly routine, our Boston Terrier struggles mightily to see what we’re doing. No matter how hard we try, we can’t seem to convince her that no one can see inside her own ears!

Keeping a dog’s nails trimmed is another part of the routine that can be challenging. Many people are wary of cutting the nails too close and hurting the dog by nicking the blood vessel. Some people avoid the problem by using a hand-held sanding device - but a light touch is essential. Power tools are exactly that - powerful. It’s better to do too little than risk hurting the dog. Most groomers and veterinarians will trim nails for a nominal fee. If you’re hesitant about trimming your dog’s nails yourself, it’s well worth the monthly visit to have a professional do the job. Even if you don’t trim nails yourself, take a look at your dog’s feet. See if their pads have any calluses or cracks or any abnormalities.

Lastly, a good brushing, in addition to taking care of any tangles, or mats in the fur, will make your dog look and feel terrific. You’ll distribute the natural oils that keep fur healthy and remove any dead fur that may have accumulated. By paying attention during brushing we discovered a growth on our Brussels Griffon we would not have discovered. A visit to the vet and a couple of stitches later, what might have been a major health issue later was disposed of with very little fuss. As with humans, early detection is the key for dogs.

Our weekly “ablutions” may not be as much fun as playing ball in the yard, but it is time well-spent with our beloved pets. Getting them used to the routine may take some patience but they’re well worth the effort.

Hope Saidel is the co-owner of http://www.GollyGear.com, a bricks-and-mortar and online small dog shop featuring fun, affordable and practical products for small dogs. She has trained and competed in Obedience with small dogs for over a decade and is on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Dog Training Club.

Obedience training is one of the best things you can do for your dog and yourself. In fact, a well trained dog is by far a happier dog! Why? Because a trained dog requires much fewer restrictions, so the more reliable the dog, the more freedom he/she is given.

Dogs are social animals and without proper training, they will behave just like animals.(A dog is a pack animal. It prefers to be with companions) They can soil your house, chew your belongings, bark at everything that moves, dig up your back garden, attack other dogs and even attack you or your children! Training serves to strengthen the bond between a dog and his owner. It builds communication and mutual respect, and effectively demonstrates to your dog that you’re the leader of the pack without resorting to smacking or hitting. Dogs have their own personalities and mindset. They can be stubborn, dominant, submissive, or fearful, characteristics that can make them difficult to own and train.

Obedience training is also an easy way to establish the social hierarchy. Training can be accomplished at home, in an obedience class, or with a private trainer. When your dog obeys a simple command he/she is showing compliance and respect for you. A well-behaved, obedient trained dog is a pleasure to own because he can go virtually anywhere without being a risk or nuisance to others or themselves ( an untrained dog loose near traffic is an accident waiting to happen). At the end of the day dog obedience training really benefits everybody. Remember dog ownership is a big responsibility and there is nothing fast and simple about it, consistency is important in dog training, in fact patience, persistence and consistency are the most important concepts in any kind of teaching. Obedience training should be fun and rewarding for both you and your dog.

When searching for a trainer or instructor to help with training your dog there are different types of training available, remember an obedience instructor works with people not dogs, then the people work with their pets. Whereas a dog trainer teaches your dog to obey, then teaches you how to get the dog to listen to you.

Author is a long term dog trainer and rescuer, see more of her articles on dog training and obedience here, remember a well trained dog is a happy dog and happy dogs make happy owners!

Remember that repetition is essential. Your puppy will not understand what you want unless you continually show him/her the preferred behaviour numerous times. Keep in mind also that your puppy does not know what is predictable and must be shown the correct place to eliminate, and when.

Your best bathroom training ground is your crate. When you cannot look after your puppy, use a crate. Think of the pen the same way you think of a playpen for a child. Even if you are only departing the room for a “minute”, either take the dog with you or use the pen. After all, you would not leave a kid in the house alone “for just a moment” would you?

Crate training can be fun for the puppy if you make it an encouraging occurrence. The den is all part of the wild dog’s background and protection zone. The same thing applies to the “crate”. Giving the dog special “treats” is a wonderful way to initiate him or her to his crate. The only time the puppy gets these exceptional treats is when he or she is in the crate; the treats become associated with the crate. Use the crate sensibly. Don’t crate only when you are leaving the house. Put the puppy in the pen while you are home as well. Use it as a “secure” zone.

By crating when you are home and while you are gone, the puppy becomes content in the den and not apprehensive that you will not return. This helps to remove separation nervousness later in life. The majority of dogs will not soil their “den”. The first few attempts you might have some accidents, but don’t be discouraged.

If the den is too huge, the pup can without problems soil on one side and rest on the other. The way to stop this is to buy a crate that will contain your pet when it is fully developed. Whenever you take away the puppy from the crate or just want the puppy to “go to the bathroom”, take the dog to the door that will always be used to “go outside”.

During housebreaking don’t let the pup outside to eliminate by itself. You go with the dog too. Provide the puppy ample amount of time. When the puppy urinates, praise the puppy with “good dog” and give it a small treat. When the puppy poops, again praise the puppy with “good dog” and give a treat.

If done consistently, this instruction process should take only about 2 weeks for the dog to comprehend. This technique will work with any dog, apart from those of greater age. If you adopt a dog from a shelter, follow the same practice.

Crate training has been working for years and will help your dog. It’s a great technique to make your dog feel safe and to train it to go to the bathroom outdoors. Watch that pup, and please crate train! Take it slow and easy… be tolerant and have fun with your dog!

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Dog Training

The Basset Hounds we all know and love today have bloodlines that descend from England in the middle-to-late 19th century. However, the Basset breed actually got its start (best as anyone who has delved into it can ascertain) much earlier, and in France, of all places. This was in the 16th century. Now, I know what you’re thinking… how can such a magnificent and flawless dog breed as the glorious Basset Hound have had its origins in France? I have to confess that it does makes things a bit more complicated for me emotionally, since I detest that snooty, has-been nation (kidding, sort of), BUT…

My love for Bassets wins out every time!

The AKC officially deemed Bassets ‘worthy’ in 1885 by recognizing them. I guess they didn’t realize that Basset Hounds are all BORN perfect and, thus, are beyond such trifles as being “recognized” by the almighty AKC (oooh!). But I’ve learned to forgive such human errors.

You may be wondering why French folks would concoct such a funny-looking dog breed. The answer is pretty boring, actually (as are most things French…ok, enough!). Nobles of that time liked to hunt. A lot. But the French countryside featured a lot of dense brush and thickets. The hunters’ prey (deer, rabbits, etc.) routinely escaped into nearby cover. Hunters didn’t like being stymied by mere animals.

Enter Monsieur Basset Hound (say it like this: Misssssssure Bass-ay Ound). Developing a dog breed that could smell and hear just about anything from one side of the nation to the other, and who would fearlessly bound into the thickest of brush, became essential. Being low to the ground made them more efficient hunting machines.

So, now you know why Bassets are funny looking. But isn’t the way they look the very reason why you find them adorable and huggable? *NOTE: If you do NOT find them both adorable and huggable, stop reading now. I mean it. Go away.

Basset Hound Characteristics

The name “Basset” is a play on the French word for ‘low’ - bas. The English, clever devils that they are, combined that word with the English word for how something is positioned - ‘set.’ Bas-set. Low set Hounds. Cool, huh?

Basset Hounds typically come in combinations of the following colors: brown, black, white, and red. So-called ‘tri-colors’ are the most common nowadays (brown, black, and white).

Quick! What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you visualize a Basset Hound? The long ears, of course! Do you know why they were bred to possess such ridiculously long ears? I do. OK, I’ll let you in on it. It was NOT primarily to improve their hearing (the common myth). It was all about picking up the prey’s scent.

Imagine if you walked with your head a foot or so off the ground all the time. Now imagine having ears that dang near dragged the ground. Ears flopping back and forth with every step. Besides never getting any dates, you’d also catch a whole lot more of every scent in the vicinity with those tremendous lobes.

For a hunting dog, a finely tuned ability to pick up faint scents equals success for the master. And now you know why Bassets have those trademark ears. You must promise to use this information only for good…never for evil.

The tale continues…

Basset Hound Temperament

When you picture a Basset Hound’s daily activities, what do you see? Most people imagine a lazy, sprawling, sleeping and eating machine. And that’s pretty much right on target for most Bassets. Every now and then, some mutant Basset will spring forth who actually becomes delusional and thinks he’s a Jack Russell Terrier, all wired up and full of pep. But those types are few and very far between, thankfully.

In terms of getting along and playing well with others, Basset Hounds are among the best. It goes back to their breeding, again. They are pack animals by nature, so docility among the pack was an especially advantageous and much sought after characteristic. Yes, individuals will vary, but you have a much better than 50-50 chance at raising a low-key, unassuming pet with this breed. And this includes how he gets along with other pet dogs. Males and females share this trait.

There is a vicious rumor floating around about Bassets being hard to train because they’re stubborn and strong-willed. Slanderous! OK, actually, that’s true. But nobody’s perfect, and I bet you weren’t exactly the model child! So stop being so critical, miss or mister high-and-mighty.

Among Basset trainers, you hear this sentence a whole lot: “Bassets are easy to train, as long as you’re trying to get them to do what they wanted to do in the first place.” That’s as close to a truism as you’ll find in the dog universe. If you adopt a Basset with the intention of making an obedient little trooper out of him, prepare yourself for years of frustration. Be happy that he’s loyal and allows you to feed him and give him lots of toys. Enough said.

Some Basset Tips

First, you have to keep Basset Hounds on a diet pretty much from the time they’re grown until they pass away. This is much easier said than done, as any Basset owner will attest. They have faces that just beg to be given treats for any action, including waking up, looking around, yawning, and the other major accomplishments of a typical Basset’s day. Resist that urge!

Basset Hounds are naturally heavy, and it’s very easy to make it worse if you don’t stick to a pretty strict dietary regimen. Obesity in dogs leads to canine diabetes at an alarming rate (just like humans). This breed is particularly susceptible, so be careful. A daily walk is a terrific idea as well.

Staying with the health rant for another minute - clean your Basset’s ears often! Their huge size makes them ideal breeding grounds for all kinds of nasty little critters on the insides; and the outsides tend to collect dirt, food from bowls, and water (which turns the dirt and food remnants to a mushy mess). Not exactly hygienic.

Finally, never ever, under any circumstances, let a Basset Hound run around loose outside without a fence that is well maintained. They’re specialized hunters - bred to find their way into (and out of) tiny openings. And they’re intelligent. That’s a potentially lethal combination for your pet, especially if you live near roadways. A Basset believes he has the right to be in the middle of the road if the scent led him there. Vehicles be damned! No need to endure that kind of tragedy. Keep your Basset INSIDE (or at least behind a fence with no possibility of escape).

© John Schwartz http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com (All rights reserved - article may be reprinted freely, providing the author section is included and all links are intact and clickable.)

About The Author: John Schwartz is a freelance writer and dog lover. He has written many published articles on subjects that include shopping for safe dog toys and supplies, improving pet health, and good dog training practices. Visit his website at http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com for general dog information, some funny stories, and lots of dog ownership tips.