Does your dog dig in the yard? Do you find yourself filling the same wholes all summer long?
I have 3 dogs, and I know exactly how you feel.
I needed to figure out if he would dig ANY TIME he was left alone in the yard or if it was
only when another dog was present. Test and see when your dog digs. Does he dig when left alone, does he dig when another dog is present, or when he is upset? Mine dug when left alone.
The next step is to make sure that he associates that negative (correction) just as he starts to dig. The Old Fashioned Way to make sure that the dog gets a motivational negative association when he digs is to: Step 1.) Leave a pinch collar and tab (one foot leash) on the dog when he's outside in the yard with another dog.
Step 2.) Bury hardware mesh or chicken wire in the spot where he's been digging. The chicken wire should be buried two to three inches below the surface. Dogs don't like scraping their paws against this stuff. So, right off the bat you've got an immediate negative association.
Step 3.) Spy on him and just wait until he start to dig.
Step 4.) As soon as he begins to dig, yell "No No No!" as you run outside and give the dog a correction. As long as you continue to say "No no no" as you run to the dog, the dog WILL still associate the correction with the behavior.
Step 5.) Be 100% consistent until you are 100% sure that the dog isn't digging any more.Be sure never to hurt your dog, or scare him. Correction is the secret!
2 - Eating Poop
This is a tough one. Be there to yell at the dog when you see him eat. If you are able to consistently correct him, this will stop his behaviour. -you can buy products to add to your dogs food that will stop him from eating it. But, that only works as long as you put it in his food. It is NOT a behaviour modification. -pineapple juice in the food also works the same way.
3 - Barking
Your dog must be wearing the pinch collar and the tab ANYTIME you are with her. If you were a canine rather than a human you wouldn't need the pinch collar as you'd just go over to your dog and give her a nip on the neck.
When she barks you need to tell her, "No!" and then give a firm tug on the leash. If she continues to bark, then either:
* Your correction didn't have any meaning to her?
Or?
* She's testing to see if you're going to correct her for barking THIS TIME just like you did LAST TIME. If your correction is motivational then you'll only need to do this two or three times before the problem stops forever.
You can get professional help, or, you can get one of the few excellent online professional dog training courses. The secret, as said before, is: When you say no...be prepared to be able to correct him at that precise time. Your dog needs to know the word "no" and the correction go hand in hand. If you are NOT in a position to correct, do not say "no"! 100% Consistency is the secret.
Also, NEVER give your dog a command unless you are in a position to correct him if he does not obey.
In other words, never give a command you cannot enforce, and never say "NO", if you cannot correct!! This is the very secret of success with your dog.
And, use your imagination to set your dog up in certain conditions so that you CAN teach and correct him.
4 - Jumping On Your Visitors
Be consistent with puppies and dogs; it's counterproductive to discourage your dog from jumping on others, while allowing her to jump on you and lick your face. Again, the consistency to correct when you say no.
5 - Not Coming When Called
Only call your dog when you have a leash, a long cotton leash, so that when he does not come, you can correct instantly. If you cannot correct instantly, do not use the command. Set him up for this command. Specifically go out to teach this command with the long leash on him. Some cotton leashes come in 50' length. Remember, train in a controlled environment where your dog is SAFE.
Use the same techniques for any command you wish your dog to learn: 1) Be able to correct if your dog does not follow through with your command 2) Only give a command if you can follow through with a correction 3) Set your dog up so you can teach and train 4) Always, Always ensure of your dog's safety. You are the only one who can look out for your dog. That is your job and duty and responsibility as his master.
And most important. ENJOY. Enjoy the training, enjoy yor dog, and your dog will please you in return.
More areas of concern for training your dog.
6 - Walking Without Pulling; 7 - Sitting When stopping On Your Walk; 8 - Sitting And Stopping On Command For Safety Reasons; 9 - Play Gently With Kids 10 - Good Manners
1. The first and foremost requirement is to choose an appropriate mate for your dog. It should be compatible to your dog and possess all the qualities that you will like to see in the newborn puppies. Make sure that the male and female dogs do not bear any kind of genetic problems (related to pedigree) that would, in turn, affect the puppy's health in future.
2. It would be a good idea to keep the record of both the male and female dog's genetics, which you have chosen for breeding, with you. Mind that, keeping the genetic record of your female dog is a more important job. It would be better if you keep the medical history of the female dog ready for reference. Recording important dates, like the first time the dog went into the heat, changes in her behavior, or any other medical issue is also important.
3. You need to be sure, if the female dog is healthy or not, since a healthy doggie will ensure the birth of a healthy puppy. Supporting the female dog with required supplements and nutrition is also an absolute necessity for the birth of healthy puppies. Moreover, good health will enable the female dog to be stronger during the pregnancy period.
4. As there are different species of dogs, you should have a thorough knowledge about what kind of dog you are breeding. If you are aware of the history of your dog, then breeding becomes much easier. It may happen so, that your dog species is essentially rare and it becomes very hard for you to find a mate for it.
5. You also need to posses a thorough knowledge about your dog's "family of breeds". You could find out the stature of your dog, and familiarize yourself with it by doing the necessary research. This would in turn, help you a lot in breeding.
6. If you are an owner of a female dog, then you have to face a few more extra complications. Though, finding out its history may be a hard task, but it is not as difficult, since it is important to the veterinarian.
7. You should know the exact time, when your female dog is exactly ready for mating. Otherwise, it may result in the failed conception.
8. Before mating, the pedigree of both male and female dog should be carefully examined, so that you could identify the points of their difference, and have an idea as to how their off springs would be.
9. You can follow the out-crossing method and choose the mates that are either similar or have a similarity in their general appearance.
10. You should also take the dogs for regular medical check ups for avoiding any post pregnancy complications, while you have considered them for breeding.
Hope the above keeps you in good stead, while deciding on breeding your dog.
Both Ruth Bird & John Pawlett are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ruth Bird has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dogs, Makeup and Dogs. Ruth's passion is dog health care and dog training. She is very active in dog therapy visiting. Visit