By Stanley Morse

Training a dog is one of the biggest let downs in owning a dog. Yes you could hand it off to a professional but this may entail big costs. Also, training your own dog is much better because this will give you a chance to develop a bond and strengthen your relationship. But, most of the time, when it’s time for you to train your dog, you will most likely encounter some dog training problems.

Knowing that you will be encountering these dog training problems will most likely be a deterrent to any owner to undergo the program. But, being reluctant with this endeavor can only lead to an ill-mannered dog in the future which could lead you to detest it. So if you really want to have a dog you can truly love, then it’s essential that you understand these dog training problems and nip it in the bud before it even happens.

First, many dog owners encounter problems in dog training not only with their dog but also with themselves. You have to mentally prepare yourself for the task at hand, many dog training programs ended abruptly or took a longer time because the dog owner or trainer would get frustrated and end the program right in the middle of it. Some would resume the program but only after a while and all the progress beforehand were lost.

Next, a dog can be very stubborn and is difficult to work with. This is usually experienced when you are training a dog breed that is known to be very hyper. This is also evident when training older dogs. Dog are creatures of habit, so older dogs may have already set their ways and will have difficulty in breaking the habits they have already established. Persistence is the key here. By using a reward system, a dog may change his habits knowing that they will be able to get treats if they follow you or their trainer. For hyper dogs, train them frequently but in short period of times. They don’t have long attention spans so it is integral that you can make a game out of their training program and keep it sweet and short.

Another dog training problem is when a dog is overly aggressive. The key here is understanding the signs that show that a dog is feeling agitated or threatened. Dogs tend to be aggressive only when they feel their space is being invaded. Some signs include snarling, showing of teeth, hair raised, a posture that seems it will be lounging for you and more. When you see these signs, give the dog ample space and don’t rush in to its space. Talk in a low friendly voice. Don’t force the situation.

These are just some of the most common dog training problems encountered even by professionals. And the best way for you not to experience them is to avoid them from ever happening. If you haven’t had any experience with aggressive dogs especially the older ones, don’t attempt to train them. The key here is to first develop trust between the two of you.

Stan enjoys writing on wide range of topics such as Dog Training Problems. Visit http://olderdogtraining.org for more details.

By Chris Cornell

Dogs are naturally carefree. There are no rules in their world except for the rule of marking their territories. However, when dogs and humans live together, there are some rules we humans want our dogs to follow, so that they do not end up causing ruckus to our daily lives. With that, people have come up with dog training so that both mankind can live peacefully together. Here are some other reasons why you should train your dog.

First, an obedient dog will be a much happier than the ones that are not obedient. When you look at owners with dogs who are trained to behave properly, their owners are happier with their dogs, thus, their dogs would be happy too. Unlike dogs that are not trained and does things as they like, some of the things they do may not be pleasant for the owner, so the owner may end up punishing on every “wrong” occasion, which will make them less happy. And on this note, a trained dog will be more welcomed to attending places with the owner than a dog that is not trained, who will not be easy to stop him if he begins creating a scene. Thus, a trained dog is given more positive attention.

Dog training is also important to keep your dog from harm’s way. For example, if there is fire, instead of panicking away, you can easily command him to follow your orders to the best safety options available in mind. Or if he accidentally walks into a busy road, you can command him to stay at a certain spot until you get to him, preventing him from getting hit by a vehicle.

Last but not least, another good thing about training your dog is that it helps you bond with your dog. Your dog learns to listen to your instructions, while you are able to measure his capabilities. You and your dog are also able to spend more time together with training sessions.

Chris has written this article and he likes to write and share articles on topics like dog training and dog training tools.

By Raymond Remi Rheault

Photo by Mike Baird

I really think that getting the dog out for a run is important and I do my best to get her out all year long. Of course, there are inconveniences no matter what season it is. In the winter it’s wet paws on the back seat of the car, but even wet paws are better than the mud soaked ones that comes with fall or spring! In the summer my problem isn’t really dirt so much as the heat.

Dogs need a lot of water, and if they get a lot of exercise they need much more. Have you ever thought about how you would feel if you ran as much as your dog? I’d be pretty near dead, I’m sure. It’s amazing really, the amount of effort they put into it. A dog needs almost an ounce of water for every pound on their body. Depending on the season, this can be tricky.

In the winter it’s as simple as letting your dog eat snow. He or she will want to, so there’s no encouragement required. Still, bring a bottle of water and keep it warm if possible. In the spring and fall, depending on where you are, there are usually lots of places to find running water or newly formed mega-puddles. It’s important to be aware that near major roads there can be unknown toxins in puddles, so try to keep your dog away. Find a lake or stream.

In the summer, bring a dog water dish in the car with you and go for a nice long ride with the windows down after you take your dog for a run. They’ll appreciate the cool wind. Be careful with your choice of water dish though, as it’s easy to spill in the car when you’re making corners (or if your dog is a messy drinker) and spills can lead to unpleasant odours and ruined upholstery.

I recommend the K9 Travel Mug, it fits directly into your cars cup holders, is spill resistant, and made of durable stainless steel.