Training
May 6, 2013
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May 2, 2013
Many cat owners nowadays keep their cats indoors full-time, but we still spot plenty of non-feral cats roaming the countryside. If you live with an indoor/outdoor cat who enters and exits the house through a cat door, you will enjoy Ridding the House of Errant Raccoons and Other Animals | NYTimes.
To keep out unwanted critters, the safe move is to upgrade to an electronic programmable system, such as the Cat Mate Elite Selective Cat Flap
. Only animals with an electronic collar ID tag programmed into the door can enter or exit.
May 1, 2013
Do you believe that dogs are striving for dominance? That training them is a power struggle? Some experts take a different approach, one being dog trainer and Animal Planet TV star Victoria Stilwell in Train Your Dog Positively: Understand Your Dog and Solve Common Behavior Problems Including Separation Anxiety, Excessive Barking, Aggression, Housetraining, Leash Pulling, and More!
.
Rather than focusing on punishment-based methods, she goes with positive reinforcement. This book helps owners actually change the way their dog thinks, feels, and learns, using her time-tested and scientifically-backed brand of positive reinforcement training solutions. Create a bond with your dog based on mutual trust, respect and love!
October 24, 2012
Dogs certainly can learn and understand some words, though they naturally communicate with us through body language. Our dogs are watching us closely and taking their behavior cues from our actions and facial expressions.
We often unwittingly reinforce "bad behavior". Martin Deeley elaborates in Showing Pack Leadership in Dog Training | Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan:
Training is not just a formal five, 10 or 15 minutes of your day. It is all the time - your dog learns from everything you do.
You shout at your spouse or the kids and guess what? He picks up on that energy and may think it is directed at him. You feel irritable and under the weather? He knows it.
If you make a mistake with your dog, he will remember the body language and repercussions. Of course, the opposite is true too.
It is important when we are with a dog to realize that they are always learning. They are watching our movements, listening to our sounds and, I am certain, ''scenting'' our emotions.
Sometimes we may even take our feelings out on our dog. He did not create the feeling but we have to vent somehow and he happened to make a small mistake.
Therefore when you are feeling a little under the weather or are getting a little frustrated - put your dog somewhere he cannot get into trouble and will not be the recipient of your mood.
Or, if he is the one that can calm you, sit nicely with him, breathe deeply, and let each of you find calmness together.
For more tips, visit Cesar Millan
June 25, 2012
Trick training is a terrific way to bond with your dog and help him or her feel like one of the family. It's an activity that keeps your pet mentally and physically challenged, which we know they all need. If you are interested, trick training prepares your dog for common dog sports, dog dancing, and dog therapy work.
101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog
requires no special tools (such as clickers) or knowledge of specific training methods. The author Kyra Sundance is a world-acclaimed stunt dog show performer, dog trainer, and internationally best-selling author.
The book's step-by-step approach, difficulty rating, and prerequisites allow readers to start training immediately. Tips and trouble-shooting boxes cover common problems, while "build-on" ideas suggest more complicated tricks which build on each new skill.
January 2, 2012
Ever wish your indoor cat could be an outdoor cat and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells while staying safe? According to Training a Cat to Walk on a Leash | NYTimes.com, more and more animal behaviorists, such as trainer Jackson Galaxy quoted below, are convinced that training and walking cats is not only possible, but good for the cat.
First equip yourself with a cat leash, such as this Come with me Kitty Harness
to obtain gentle and comfortable control of your cat or kitten for your outdoor excursions. Next, follow these tips from Jackson Galaxy for training your cat on a leash:
1. Know your cat. If it doesn't mind being handled, is pretty confident and not easily spooked, it's probably a good candidate for leash training.
2. Get the right gear. It is not safe to walk cats on a traditional collars; if they escape up a tree, a breakaway collar will detach, while a standard collar can strangle them.
3. Hungry is good. Many cats respond to food treats, so start with a hungry cat. Cut treats into tiny pieces, because when a cat gets full, it will stop working. Only give the cat treats when you're doing the training, and limit the overall amount.
4. Start small. In the first session, place the harness on the cat with confidence, and fit it snugly but not tightly. The moment you've finished putting it on, give your cat a treat.
5. Set goals. Push the cat a little farther each day, by breaking up leash walking into small steps. When it walks around each new area with its tail up, it's ready for the next step.
6. Expect some setbacks. If the cat is afraid of something, try to redirect its attention to another area. If the cat completely freaks out, retreat to the previous area you were walking until it is confident again. Try not to pick up the cat, which erases its confidence.
7. Be careful if your neighborhood has lots of off-leash dogs; consider taking the cat to an area that's more protected.
Come with me Kitty Harness is available in many colors:
October 20, 2011
A well-trained dog is a pleasure to be around. Many, if not most, dogs want to please their human companions and will respond to positive reinforcement rather than punishment. Just break off a bit of a Natural Balance Dog Food Roll at a time to reward your pet's good behavior.
These made-in-the-USA pet food rolls provide high quality nutrition and do good things for your dog's skin and coat condition. When you need to administer medication, hide the pills in a chunk, and your dog won't suspect a thing. The rolls come in different flavors (beef, turkey, duck, lamb) and are super convenient at home or on the road.
August 2, 2011
Does your dog yank on the leash, no matter how many dog training techniques you try? Dog owners report that some dogs calm right down when you fit them with a backpack.
This streamlined 2011 Mountainsmith Dog Pack
will keep everything stowed for extended trip to town or an all-day outing. The Dog Pack has a D-ring attachment point for your leash and 3M reflective trim for year-round visibility. In three sizes for Small, Medium and Large dogs.
June 28, 2011
We remember vividly driving down the highway back to headquarters the morning we adopted our two puffball 10-week old clone twin girl puppies. We were so excited, and so nervous. On one hand, we love sharing our life with our doggies, but then at the same time we also wondered what have we done? Are we up to the task?
Our favorite dog trainer Patricia B. McConnell Ph.D. and Karen B. London Ph.D. tackle these ambivalent feelings of anticipation and "buyer's remorse" upon adopting a dog of any age in their just-released puppy handbook Love Has No Age Limit-Welcoming an Adopted Dog into Your Home
. As the authors point out, this is a new dog, and neither of you know each other. The book guides you through the transition, with advice on surviving the chaotic first few days, training techniques as well as solving and avoiding common behavior problems.
To visit the author's blog, click The Other End of the Leash.
March 11, 2011
You may be familiar with famed animal trainer Victoria Stilwell, the star of Animal Planet's hit TV series It's Me or the Dog which airs in more than 40 countries. If you haven't seen her shows yet, check them out. She is a passionate advocate for positive reinforcement training methods and teaches both owners and dogs through positive association and confidence building techniques.
American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) have announced that Victoria Stilwell will receive the 2011 Global Pet Expo's annual "Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award". Victoria Stilwell will personally accept the award Thursday, March 17, 2011 in Orlando, Florida at the Global Pet Expo, the pet industry's largest annual tradeshow, taking place March 16-18, 2011 at the Orange County Convention Center.
In addition to her work on It's Me or the Dog, Victoria Stilwell is the author of the best-selling book It's Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet
.
January 24, 2011
Researchers at Auburn University's Canine Detection Research Institute have created an external, real-time navigation system to guide detection dogs remotely. This new "backpack" is equipped with GPS, sensors, a processor and a radio modem, and directs the dog with vibration and tone. The system should enable these specially trained 'super dogs' to take on risky tasks such as security, combat operations, and support for the disabled.
Discovery via DVICE
January 18, 2011
Many dog lovers wonder whether dogs actually understand our words or simply the body language and tone of voice that accompanies them.
John W. Pilley, a psychologist who lives in Spartanburg, SC decided to put his dog's language skills to the test. He has taught his border collie Chaser 1,022 words, the largest vocabulary of any known dog. Dr Piley describes his experiments with Chaser in the current issue of the journal Behavioural Processes (see abstract after the jump).
The New York Times article on Chaser points out that border collies are bred for their ability to pay close attention to the shepherd. "Watch a collie work with a sheepherder [sic] and you will come away amazed how small a gesture the person can do to communicate with his dog," said Alexandra Horowitz, a dog behavior expert at Barnard College and author of Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know
.
Chaser's words skills may have some bearing on how children acquire language, although that is a matter for scientific debate. In any event, Dr. Pilley's goal is to develop methods that will help increase communication between people and dogs. Chaser is scheduled to star in a PBS Nova episode on animal intelligence airing February 9.
Continue reading: "Super Smart -- Chaser the Border Collie Knows Over a Thousand Words"
January 10, 2011
Training a pet can conjure up overwhelming feelings of a lot of work--frustrating, time-consuming and tedious. But in fact every move we make, we are training our pets, children, relatives, associates. Training is a natural, on-going process. And apparently a lot of people enjoy it. As our favorite dog trainer Patricia McConnell aptly describes it:
... at least, if you define "training" the way I do. I'm talking about teaching a pup to associate coming when called to feeling happy happy happy, to learn it's fun to be with you, that what you say has meaning and that there are ways to behave that makes life so very, very nice.
Patricia McConnell is the author of many books, one of which has recently been updated, The Puppy Primer
. If you have a new family member who walks on all fours and barks, this book comes highly recommended. And if, unlike us, you have the patience for formal training rather than providing only benevolent guidance, you can find a 6-week program in Family Friendly Dog Training: A Six Week Program for You and Your Dog
.
Speaking of training, Animal Planet's reality show It's Me or the Dog, featuring dog expert and trainer Victoria Stilwell, began its third season Saturday, January 8, at 8 pm EST. We have set our DVR to record the series.
And, if you are lucky enough to have a new puppy, your local PETCO
is offering FREE 30-minute potty training seminars on the weekends in January -- click the link for details.
December 6, 2010
Poochie Bells hang from your doorknob, and with them you train your dog or puppy to tell you when it's time to go out. Pet training bells are recommended by professional trainers, with a 95% success rate.
This Puppy Training Bells Holiday Gift Pack
adds some festivity to the function. When the holidays are over, you can swap out the festive grosgrain ribbon for its off-season counterpart for year-round use.
Receive 20% off + FREE Shipping
-- no minimum order. Use code EFD2626.
For holiday gift ideas, browse our Super Cool Pets 2010 Holiday Gift Guide!
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