STORM JUST AFTER WE GOT HIM ABOUT 2 MONTHS OLD
I by no means am a professional dog trainer, but I have trained a couple dogs. The first dog I train was a German Shorthair named Jake. The next dog I trained was is a Black Lab named Drake, and now I am training a Yellow Lab named Storm. The number one tip I can give anybody training a dog for the first time is to do not rush your training! Your pup is just that, a pup. He does not know what you are trying to say or what you want him to do. He will learn by repetition. Start out with the basics, sit, come, stay. Do not overdo the training. If he starts getting distracted, stop the training for the day. Try and do your training away from as many distractions as possible.
When I started training my first dog Jake, I didn't really know how to train a dog. I bought a couple books and watched a couple videos which were a real big help. If you are training a pup for the first time,it would be a very good idea to get a book about dog training and read it completely. If you train your pup correctly, you will have a friend for life. He will be a family pet and will be loved by you and your family. If he isn't trained correctly, you will not be happy with him, and he won't be happy with you.
One tool I have learned to use since training my first dog is a choke chain, or slip collar. I know many people think that a slip collar is cruel to your dog, but if used correctly it is not cruel, and is a very effective tool. A slip collar is meant to put pressure on a dogs throat, not to choke him! Animals do not like pressure on their throat, this is a showing of dominance. If used correctly a slip collar will show your dog that you are the master. Many people don't know that there is a right way and a wrong way to put a slip collar on. The free end which connects to the lead goes over the neck. Never put the end that connects to the lead under the neck. The position is important, over the neck the collar immediately releases pressure when slack is given. Under the neck this is not the case. The only time a slip collar should be used is when you are training. As soon as you are done training for the day the slip collar must be taken off. If it is left on, there is the possiblility of it getting caught on a fence, a tree, some brush, or anything that could hook it. In use there should be no tension in the lead and approximately six inches of slack, the collar should be completely relaxed. Giving corrections with the slip collar should be putting pressure on his throat, then when he corrects let off the pressure. For instance, when you are teaching your dog to sit, gently pull back on the leash putting pressure on his slip collar while pushing down on his hind quarters. When he sits, let the pressure off his slip collar. PRAISE THE LIVING CRAP OUT OF HIM!! Whenver your dog does something you want him to do, give him praise like he's never seen it before. Dog's love praise.
When using a slip collar there are some key things you never want to do.
- DON’T haul back like you’re setting a gaff in a fish. It is very easy to damage the dogs throat.
- DON’T let your dog run and hit the end of the lead.
- DON’T hold steady pressure on the lead constricting the dogs breathing.
- NEVER yank on the lead in anger. You can crush the dogs throat and kill them. Yes sad to say it does happen.
These are just a couple tips on using a slip collar for training your dog. If you are looking for a good book on training your dog, one that I would seriously recommend is a book by Dove Cresswell called Dog Training Online.
Another training tool that can be very helpful if use correctly is a shock collar. Shock collars can come in a variety of configurations. The one I have been using has a strength setting that can be adjusted from 1 to 10, with 10 being the strongest. I've known some people that have trained their dogs with a shock collar, but in my opinion have gone about it the wrong way. They think that you put the shock collar on and jolt the heck out of the dog until they listen. Then every time they are out with their dog, they put the shock collar on and the dog will listen. If not, give them a jolt. From what I have learned, you don't want the dog to know the collar is what is giving them the shock, this way they will listen wether the shock collar is on or not.
The way to use the shock collar and have your dog not know it's the shock collar that's giving them the shock was explained in a seminar by a professional trainer.
Here's how it was explained by the professional trainer.
The way to use a shock collar is to start at the lowest setting, and keep working up until you get a reaction from your dog. Start by putting both the slip collar and the shock collar on at the same time. Do this when you are going to do something with your pup that they enjoy, like playing fetch with a bumper. Do this for a couple weeks but do not use the shock collar, just put it on and let him get used to it. After a couple weeks of this, start by using the slip collar and the shock collar at the same time, starting at the lowest setting on the collar. For example, when telling him to sit, put pressure on the slip collar, and give a little tap with the shock collar. Do this every time you use the slip collar, put pressure on the collar, and give a little shock with the shock collar. The reason for this, is he will think it is the slip collar that is giving him the discomfort. After a couple weeks of this, use the slip collar and the shock collar without a leash. Tell him to sit, and give a little shock with the shock collar. After a few weeks of this, take the slip collar off, and just use the shock collar. Your dog will think that somehow you still have control of him with the slip collar, even though he isn't wearing the slip collar. After training him like this for a few weeks, you should be able to take the shock collar off and not have to use the slip collar or the shock collar anymore. The key is not to use the shock collar right away. If you put it on him every time you are going to be doing something he likes doing and not use it, he will associate the shock collar with doing something he enjoys. Then once you start using the shock collar, he isn't going to realize that it is the shock collar that is giving him the shock. The professional trainer who gave the seminar called the shock collar an invisible collar, because the dog will think you are still using the slip collar. Then once you take the slip collar off and just use the shock collar, your dog will think you have some type of invisible collar that you can control without a leash. This way, once he realizes you can do this without a leash he won't think he can get away with things when he isn't on his leash.
These are just a couple ways to train your dog with a slip collar and a shock collar. It done the right way, these tools aren't cruel or dangerous to your dog.
These are just a couple ways to train your dog with a slip collar and a shock collar. It done the right way, these tools aren't cruel or dangerous to your dog.
If you are having some obedience problems with your dog and are having a hard time correcting them, a very good resource is a book by Daniel Stevens called SitStayFetch.
Here is a sample of what you will learn:
Did you know that your dog may not know why you are trying to correct him? Learn how to make him understand. This will remove the frustration and rapidly increase the speed of your dog's learning. (Page 37, plus further communication strategies provided throughout)
All the secrets of professional dog trainers are revealed, and best of all are easy to apply! Stop wasting hundreds of dollars (chapters 103, 201, and 301)
Need to stop your dog from trying to fight with other dogs? Learn the best ways to break up dog fights and prevent them from ever happening again.(page 84-86)
Want to know how to curb your dog’s aggressiveness? Learn six powerful strategies for training aggressive dogs. (pages 60-72)
Does your dog require urgent dog house training? Learn the dog house training techniques you must know that get the fastest results, whether you keep your dog indoors or outdoors. (chapters 103, 203, 302 plus house training bonus book)
Sick of having your dog race out the front door? Read my book and you’ll never have to worry about this again. (page 116)
Got a dominant dog? We teach you how to deal with him. (chapters 201, 202, plus bonus book)
Separation anxiety getting you both down? Find out about the best ways to make it go away. (pages 143-144 and Separation Anxiety case study: pages 145-146)
Hate having your dog jump up on you? Learn six simple techniques to stop him jumping up on you ever again! (pages 141-142 and Jumping case study: pages 143)
Neighbors getting annoyed with your pets constant barking? Maybe he doesn’t bark enough? Apply these advanced techniques so that your dog knows when and where it’s appropriate to bark. (pages 56, 86-89, 127-128)
