Are you doing some dog obedience training to fix your dog’s behavior problems? If you are, then you must use hand signals in addition to verbal commands that you want your pet to follow. The hand signals work most of the time, especially when your pet cannot hear you. Actually, these are more effective ways to ensure your dog pays close attention to you even from a couple of meters away, as long as it can see you.

And these are what trainers of agility dogs and hunting dogs use to control the actions of these dogs while in the field. By using the right hand signals during dog training, they can make the dogs turn left or right, go fast, stop, or stay put. Now, you can also do these to your pet without using verbal commands. Learn these first three hand signals and teach them to your dog while doing dog obedience training.

1. For the “sit” command, here’s the hand signal: bend your arm upwards at the elbow and then raise your hand with fist closed up to your head’s side while you command your dog to sit simultaneously. Keep on doing these hand movements while commanding your dog to sit. Later on, your pet will soon learn how to associate the hand signal with your vocal command. Now, if you are not able to get your dog’s attention the first time you try the hand signal, don’t punish it. Instead, keep trying or better yet, make sure you have a leash in your left hand.

2. For the “down” command, the hand signal is just like when you are asking someone to sit down at the same time saying, “Have a seat.” To teach your dog the hand signal for down, you need to hold your arm out towards your pet and then lower your hand, on which your palm faces down towards the floor. While doing this, give the “down” command, and your dog will follow your hand signal into the down position. Just like in the sit hand signal, keep repeating this until your dog learns to associate the lowering of your hand towards the floor as part of the “down” command.

3. For the “stay” command, first, put your dog into the sit or down position. Afterwards, hold out your arm towards your pet, with your palm’s position similar to that of a policeman who’s using hand signal to stop traffic. And just like in the previous two commands, do this at the same time command your dog to “stay”, with your firm tone of voice. If at first, your dog does not follow, try it again until he recognizes that hand signal means “down”.

Using hand signals can really do a lot when training your dog. Although you may find it difficult to make your dog obey at first, don’t give up, but instead keep repeating the signals until it understands what you are trying to communicate. Take note that if you are consistent and thorough in showing your pet those hand signals, the faster it will respond.

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Who doesn’t want a well behaved dog? This can be achieved by no other than dog obedience training. However, having your pet trained the right way may not be that easy for you. You may have a very busy schedule or you simply don’t have the patience to pull things over. Thus, your ordeal is solved because there are numerous schools that can handle your pet very well.

When you take a walk at the park or just within your neighborhood, you surely have seen those pet owners who are problematic with their unruly dogs. Sometimes, you experience losing your patience because your pet just would not budge despite the commands you have given him. Or it could be that your dog goes wild and feels agitated whenever he sees people or other dogs. Such is a major problem that you have to face.

Well, don’t feel flustered and resigned. There is an immediate solution which you may turn to. That is by enrolling him in a dog obedience school. You can always hire a professional trainer who has the ample expertise to communicate with your pet and have him all focused to listen. The basic commands can be learned and of course be responded to. Proper training will therefore make things easier for you and your dog.

So, how do you choose the school for your dog? Here are some noteworthy steps to take into account.

Choosing an obedience school for dogs is like that of picking the right school where to send your kids to. Of course, there are several dog schools that make up the list and what you must do is to narrow down your choices. It is important that you select the best one and researching will help you cast your decision.

The first step to take is to make a research. What are the best dog schools in your area? List them down.

Then, find out the feedbacks that clients have for those dog schools.

Ask around for referrals. Your friends or relatives may have already sent their pets to any of these dog obedience schools.

Call up the administrators. Find out the programs offered and inquire about some facts.

Of course, you need to visit the “campus” itself. See for yourself if there are proper sets of equipment and the likes. It is also the best chance to get to see if the trainers look reliable in handling your pet.

Talk to the trainers and ask around the methods that they use. Be sure to bring along your dog so it can have an immediate feel of the place. You may also see if he is comfortable with the trainer.

Your dog is not merely a guard but should be treated more like a companion. Thus, he needs the proper dog training so you will be more comfortable having him around you. Plus, you don’t have to worry about him hurting other people or animals. A well trained dog is a pleasant pet. So, choose the right dog obedience school for him now!

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Do you ever wonder how dogs find criminals in a passenger ship? It’s simple: by sniffing. They are called detection or sniffer dogs. Trained to detect people and substances, through their senses, such as explosives, illegal drugs and blood; almost always the sense of smell, which is two thousand times much stronger, and fifty times more sensitive than that of a human’s. In addition to sensitivity, a dog’s sense of smell is pricky.

It can discern a specific scent; meaning it can recognize cheese in a fish and vegetable market thousand miles away from where it is standing. Hunting dogs that search for game and search dog that search for missing humans are generally not considered dogs. However, there is some confusion with cadaver dogs, only trained to detect human remains.

As to not make a fuss, they are taught to learn two kinds of alerting: the passive and the aggressive. Drug dogs use an aggressive alert, where they dig and paw at the spot where the smell the dugs. On the other hand, there are some cases where this kind of alert would be bad news. Placed in a situation where bombs are included, scratching can be very disastrous. In these cases, a passive alert is used.

A good example for this type are the beagles used by the Department of Agriculture where the dogs are trained to sniff out produces that are not allowed to enter the country. The Beagle Brigade, as how they are called, sniffs people’s luggage while they wait in lines at airports and border crossings. In other countries, some also are used in emergency search actions. Because no one wants a dog digging in their belongings, the USDA beagles have been trained to simply sit down when they are able to smell it.

Trainers have come up with a strategy for dogs employed to sniff out drugs. On odd cases, they seem to eat them when they have found the illegal substance. Is it because they are addicted to those drugs themselves? In fact, the dogs have absolutely no interest in drugs. What they are actually looking for is their favorite toy. In an article found in discovery.com, the “toys” that are mostly often used are white towels. Since dogs love to play this vigorous game of tug-of-war, they have generated the “White Towel Game” idea.

To begin the training, the handler simply plays with the dog using a towel, which has been washed carefully to appear null and without scent for the trainee. Later, a bag of marijuana, for instance, is rolled up inside the towel.

After playing for a while, the dogs starts to recognize the smell of the drug as the smell of his favorite toy. The handler then hides the towel, with the drug, in various places. Whenever the dog sniffs out the drugs, he digs and scratches, trying to get his toy. He soon comes to learn that if he sniffs out the smell of drugs, as soon as he finds them, he’ll be rewarded with a game of tug-of-war.

As training progresses, different drugs are placed in the towel, until the dog is able to sniff out a host of illegal substances. The same method is used for bomb-detection dogs, except various chemicals used to manufacture explosives are placed in the towel instead of drugs.

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Whether you have just adopted a new dog and brought him into your home, or you are in a place where a dog that has been part of the family for years is acting strangely, you may find that you are dealing with canine anxiety! The truth of the matter is that anxiety is something that needs to be treated in dogs, just like it needs to be treated in humans, but it can be hard to know that anxiety is what you are looking at. How can you diagnose anxiety in dogs, and what can you do about it? 

There are many different ways that you might be able to detect that your dog is feeling anxious. You may find that he starts licking himself or the furniture a great deal, or you might find that he has taken up compulsively repeating the same behaviors, whether it is chasing his tail or running around the fence. He might suddenly become very clingy, or you might find that he drools or pants heavily. You may also notice that he is becoming more destructive or that he is grooming or biting his own flesh to the point where he is injuring himself. 

When you are wondering at how to cure anxiety in dogs, it is important to look at the cause. Dogs are pack animals, and if they are not getting socialized as much as they should be, they will likely end up feeling nervous or unsafe. Even if you do spend time with your dog, a dog’s natural inclination is to be with people or pack members at every moment. If you leave your dog home alone a great deal, this can be an issue. Similarly, poor breeding can make dogs more prone to anxiety issues, as can the conditions in which puppies at puppy mills are kept. 

If you are looking into how to cure anxiety in dogs, you will find that training can be a big help. If your dog is anxious due to needing more socialization or if he needs to become immune to a certain kind of stimulus, training can be the key to the problem. A dog who is anxious around other dogs or around humans can be slowly acclimatized to them, and this can be something that takes some time. Training can be quite effective when it comes to calming your dog’s nerves. 

Also make sure that you stay in contact with your dog’s veterinarian, who can be helpful with the prescription of medication. Similarly, you may also want to look into how to change your lifestyle to better accommodate your dog. More walks and more attention can solve many problems, and a dog who is anxious because he feels alone can be improved in this fashion. Consider how you are going to be able to move forward and to help him in this fashion.

Take some time and consider what your options are going to be when it comes to curing anxiety in dogs. If your dog is anxious, there are many things that you can do!

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Most people love the idea of being able to take their beloved dog out to the dog park to ‘play’ with all the other dogs. In theory this sounds like your dog will have a great time meeting new dogs, playing, sniffing and generally goofing off.

The reality is a little different.

Many mature dogs don’t like to meet strange dogs in a park. This is a human idea. Dogs aren’t technically social creatures when outside of their pack, although it is possible for dogs to make friends with other dogs.

You may also find your dog becomes aggressive toward other dogs, lunging at the other dog or growling or raising his hackles. Even non-aggressive dogs can display these characteristics when they’re confronted with an uncertain situation.

Some dogs also display aggression out of fear, deciding that the best defense is offense, and they’ll show aggressive signs to ward off the other dog.

Socializing Your Dog

The term ’socializing’ doesn’t mean allowing your dog to play freely with any other dog it meets. It simply means teaching them to behave well when he should come across other dogs. When you visit dog schools, mature dogs aren’t left to romp around together playfully. They are expected to work alongside their handlers while tolerating the presence of other dogs gracefully.

The most effective way to socialize a dog is to begin from a very young age. If you have a puppy, enroll in puppy school immediately. All good puppy schools will have a ‘play time’ as part of training, in which puppies are encouraged to meet each other and get to know other dogs.

However, if you have an adult dog that needs socializing, begin by using the praise and reward method and keep your dog on a leash when in public places. When you notice another dog coming toward you, tell your dog to ‘Say Hello!’ to the other dog. You can begin this at 10 or even 20 yards away from the other dog.

The moment you notice your dog tensing up or you see hackles rising, get your dog’s attention by calling his name or turning at a 90 degree angle sharply. The instant your dog looks at you instead of the other dog, say “good dog!” in a happy, high-pitched tone and give him a small treat or reward.

This distraction can often be enough to stop your dog from perceiving the other dog as a threat. It can also teach your dog that you are the pack leader and you are controlling the situation. Your dog learns that there was no need to fear the other dog, as no confrontation took place, and he also learns to trust that you will be there to take care of the pack even when you’re out together in public.

Discipline

When you’re working to control a dog around other dogs, never yell, scream, scold or hit your dog. These forms of discipline simply don’t work and can often have the opposite effect. A dog who displays aggressive signs around other dogs might be fearful, so hitting him is likely to make him retaliate, snapping or biting in response.

The best form of control in any situation is to teach your dog when it’s time to look away from any distractions and focus on you for positive rewards and treats. You’ll find walk-time much more enjoyable.

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Whether you are moving to a new home with pets that are a loving part of your family or you just brought home a new puppy, one of your first considerations is always going to be how you will contain your dogs to your own property. If you don’t want to spend the time and money putting up a chain link or privacy fence, underground fences for dogs could be the perfect solution.

How They Work

Underground fences for dogs deliver a slight shock through a special collar every time the dog goes out of a designated area on your property. How intense the shock will be depends on the strength of the system you purchase, and most systems will have more than one setting so you can control the strength of the shock.

You will have to train your dog to understand where their limits are on your property, so it is a good idea to start out on the lowest shock setting and adjust higher only if your dog runs straight through the underground fence. Some systems will even be designed for small, medium, or large dogs, making it easier to find the suitable level of shock for your dog’s body weight.

Safety

Underground fences for dogs are extremely safe. As long as you are using a system properly designed for the size of your dog and do not have the shock set extremely high, your dog will not be injured or put in severe pain if they do get a shock from time to time.

Most dogs will quickly catch onto their limits and happily remain inside the yard, which means they are never going to really be shocked anyway once they have gone through the initial training. To get your dog to that point, it is important to follow the training guidelines included with your underground fence.

Installation

Many underground fences for dogs come with wire which must be buried before you can start using the system. This is a fairly quick process and it allows you to determine the exact boundary lines for your dog. Other systems are wireless and will be much faster and easier to install, though some of them may be a bit more expensive.

Many people install underground fences for dogs on their own, though there are companies that will come to your home and do the work for you. It is more cost effective if you can do the burying on your own.

Purchasing Tips

Underground fences for dogs can cost a fraction of the price of having an actual fence put up in your yard, and they are much faster to set up. It is always best to look around online first and determine what type of underground fence you want and what prices they are selling for. When comparing systems make sure you are including any extra collars that may be needed, or check to see if there is a system that offers multiple collars as a part of the package.

Keeping your dog on your property is crucial, but it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Underground fences for dogs make it easy, fast, and extremely cost effective.

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If you are a new dog owner with very young puppy, lose tooth issues can be something that surprises you! If you are sitting around and playing with your puppy, losing tooth or teeth spitting out of his mouth can be a little alarming! The truth of the matter is that puppy has baby teeth just like human infants do, and like human babies, they will go through a stage where they are losing them. Take some time to learn more about this phenomenon and to understand what your new puppy might be going through.

Puppies are born without teeth and it takes them between six and eight weeks before they have their first teeth, which are typically called milk teeth. These teeth are small and sharp, but they are not the teeth that your puppy is going to keep as he grows up. As puppies, dogs do not have molar teeth; they only have premolars, and the canine teeth that are closer to the back of their mouths are larger. At this age, the upper and lower incisor teeth are going to be located closer to the center of their mouths. This arrangement is temporary and you will see that if you have your puppy when he gets a little older.

The process where your puppy loses teeth is called teething and it can stretch between the ages of three and seven months. The roots of the teeth are expanding and being absorbed by the adult teeth, and the incisors will probably be the first to fall out. Almost a month later, you will likely see the adult molars and canines start to come in. If you are concerned about your puppy lose tooth, you will find that it is a completely natural thing. Make sure that you check to see how old your puppy is. If he is between three and seven months in age, you will find that you are simply dealing with a teething puppy.

A puppy that is teething can be irritable or in pain, and that makes sense, as teething can be quite uncomfortable. You will find that it can be a little difficult to keep things away from your puppy. He or she is going to want to bite his developing teeth against a variety of textures to see what will bring the most relief, and you might even find that he can get a little nippy during this process. While you should definitely be firm with nipping and biting, make sure that you do give him appropriate objects to bite and chew. Much like you would give a human infant a teething ring, a puppy will be happy to have some soothing chew toys that are going to bring relief to his aching gums and teeth.

Remember that your puppy is very young and that teething can be a painful process. Do not panic if your see your puppy losing teeth. By the age of 8 months, your puppy will have a full complement of adult teeth, so if he or she continues to have problems after that, it might be time to go to a veterinarian.

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Beagles are happy little dogs, and in general they have personalities that probably are a lot like those of the kids in your family: they’re active, curious, playful and happy-go-lucky. Almost all beagles are easy-going and carefree. Beagles are also very social little dogs, having being bred as pack animals for hundreds of years. Their sociable nature means that a typical beagle will prefer the company of the kids in your family over almost anything else that might come along. The one possible exception to a beagle’s devotion is a rabbit, which hardly any beagle can resist.

Most adult beagles are 13 to 15 inches tall, and they typically weigh between 18 and 30 pounds. They’re sturdily built, attractive and an ideal size for a family with children. Beagles have an engaging personality and they never get tired of playing so they’ll keep your kids well entertained. They’re also extremely easy for children to feed because generally they’re very avid eaters, and they almost always do well with any standard or vet-approved dog food. There’s one thing about feeding beagles that owners should be careful about, though. They tend to eat anything and everything you give them, and then immediately ask for even more. If you’re not careful they can tend to get chubby, so your entire family should learn how to resist those beautiful brown, sadly pleading eyes.

Despite their hunting history, beagles make very good family pets. They have short hair that’s easy to care for and they’re intelligent, affectionate, gentle with children, cheerful and outgoing. If they’re well cared for, a beagle is likely to be a happy, healthy member of the family for up to 13 to 15 years. And they’re pack animals by nature, so they’re motivated to fit well into family life. Beagles are extremely loyal to their family and they even make good companions for other pets if they’re exposed to them early.

Beagles are easy and fun for children to help train. All you need is the proper motivation, and that’s easy to identify because these little dogs are real foodies. They are, however, known for being escape artists in addition to being avid bunny and squirrel hunters, so if your yard’s not fenced, be careful and don’t let a beagle get outside if it’s not on a leash.

Beagles are protective and will definitely bark at strangers, but because they’re so food motivated they can easily be “bought off” with a treat. This trait, along with their small size, means that it’s probably best to think of beagles as alert dogs rather than guard dogs or watchdogs. But that’s ok, because beagles more than make up for it with their wholehearted, cheerful devotion to their families.

In short, beagles are almost the perfect dogs for kids. These floppy-eared dogs are affectionate and curious and have a never-ending supply of energy, making them ideal playmates. Beagles are very popular pets, and they’re happy little members of huge numbers of families with kids.

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When families are wanting a dog they look for a breed that is good with kids. Kids can be rough on dogs, so it is important that the breed understands that they are just children trying to play with them. This way the children can play with the dog without fear of the dog lashing out on them. So let’s look at one of the breeds that is good around kids, the boxer.

If your family is going to get a boxer pup though you will need to understand what it takes to train it. These pups are very smart and sensitive and do not respond well to yelling, hitting, or screaming. They still do take a firm hand but in a loving way. You may try using training treats when working with your boxer pup.

You need to wait until your pup is old enough to train. Of course the typical housebreaking is done first, or crate training if you so choose. This keeps the accidents from happening in the house. As you are working on this though you can slowly work into teaching the pup simple things like “sit”. Also begin using the word “come” at this point. Then as the puppy grows you can train them more.

The Boxer breed if great for many families due to its protective and patient nature. They do make good watchdogs for their families, and that is why so many people think this breed is only good for guarding. Boxers do not like strangers but love their families. They are not as aggressive like numerous other watchdogs are. But if they feel threatened they can be assertive. The boxers are tremendously courageous in these situations.

Boxers are known and loved for their agreeable personalities. They love to have affection lavished on them by their families. In return they are friendly and loving back. These dogs are also very loyal to their families and respond openly the thoughtful care when given to them. The boxers make for great companion dogs.

These dogs also love to be around children. They love the way kids like to play with them and give them attention. Boxers are very patient with children too, which is important. They tolerant children who may not always handle a dog correctly as in pulling their tails and petting them roughly. The adults still need to supervise any kids around dogs though. But this boxer breed is extremely accommodating when it comes to kids whether they know how to treat dogs yet or not.

So if you are looking for a great family dog, you can see why the boxer might be a good choice for your family. There is nothing more fun than a family pet. The kids can even learn responsibility by having to feed and water the boxer. It makes them know that animals have to be cared for. With the boxer’s personality they certainly make wonderful pets for children though.

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Are you bored with your dog who knows only three commands?

Don’t fret, my friend! You could probably use a little jazz.  Specific command words are not that difficult and important. The thing here should be the consistency of its usage. My friend, Wiki, here can give you a bit of a blast. Some of these certain commands are accepted as standard, while others are commonly used.

Here is a list you might find quite interesting:

Let us start off with the basic commands

1.) Sit – it is a mono-syllabic word that requires a bit of an authentic tone that would require for your dog to be in a sitting position.

2.) Down – just like #1, this also requires an abrupt tone for the dog to be typically down when its elbows (front feet) and hocks (rear legs) are touching the ground or floor.

3.) Heel – The dog’s head or shoulder is parallel to the handler’s leg on the left side of the handler.

4.) Come or Here – (referred to as the recall) you just really got to call your dog which equates the whole command.

5.) Stay – another command that requires another snap for the dog to remain in the sitting position (sit, down, stand), and location under which the command was given until it is released by the handler

Those were just some of the basic ones, but wait! Here is something for those who are too hungry to actually stop.  The advanced commands are the following (which may need more patience and dedication):

1.) Stop – Wiki says that the dog commanded will simply stop whatever it is doing, and lie down on command no matter how far it is from its keeper is a dog that can be taken anywhere. Some handlers use the German word PLATZ (related to place, i.e. stay in position) for this action.  A little bit demanding, but who knows when your dogs needs it.

2.) Back up – keepers of large dogs or dogs with reputation (a must quote!) for aggressiveness can make strangers more comfortable by teaching the dog to back up on command. This command might probably be very useful for police dogs.

3.) Growl – now this is what you guys should be talking about. In case you are bullied, this is the inverse of backing up. Some owners teach non-aggressive dogs to growl on a subtle command –not the word “growl”, just usually a small hand gesture –as a way of letting strangers know that you and your dog value being left alone.

4.) Steady – to keep near by. The dog can walk free, but not dash off. This can be very valuable to sport dogs, and/or during competitions.

5.) Stand – on this command, the dog stands still. Funny how this is seems so advanced; it is very valuable for “grooming”. Many dogs are groomed frequently, that they need to stand quietly during the process. You can also use this when you want your dog to wait for you at the park, while lining up for an espresso at Starbucks seven in the morning.

6.) Go to bed, kennel, or get in – this command directs the dog to go to its bed, and remain there unreleased. This is somehow useful to keep a dog out from underfoot, and safe in a busy or complicated situation.

7.) Drop or Drop it – to release something they just picked up; very useful when they’re about to chew your sandals off.

8.) Leave it – an adjunction to Drop, directing the dog NOT to touch an item.

9.) Take it – the dog leaves a desired object untouched until given this command.

10.) Give – a command teaching the dog to be generous, and/or releasing something your pet has placed in his mouth on your hand.

11.) Speak – another way of saying “to bark ONLY when I say so”.

12.) Roll over – can be one of the basic commands; this is when the dog lies down, roll over, and stand back up. Quite a bit of an exercise.

13.) Attack – if partnered with the command “Growl”, you (the owner) will be the king of your neighborhood, though mostly used only on Police Dogs. Common commands are either “Attack” or “Sick’em”.

14.) Fetch – can also be one of the basic commands where the dog retrieves a thrown object, bringing it back to the one who threw it, a nice strategy for luring guard dogs (especially when they’re obsessed with balls).

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