How to Halter Train Your Dog
One of the easiest training lessons you will ever encounter is halter training. Why is this? It is because your dog already knows the basics of how to function on a collar and leash system and walking is within their natural range of movement. Thus, you are not asking the dog to do anything outside of its normal field of activity. All you are doing is putting an extension on the collar and leash, which allows for more control of the animal.
So to begin the discussion, what is a halter? A halter in its simplest of forms is no more than an extended collar which has a secondary collar that encircles the animal’s upper torso just behind the front legs. There is a D-loop on the back for the attachment of a leash and the whole attachment usually buckles in the front. The halter is useful in stopping disagreeable behaviors and provides more control for the handler without wrenching the animal’s neck to achieve this goal.
To halter train your dog, you must first get your dog used to the apparatus. Let them explore it, sniff it and generally just look it over and become comfortable with it. This will put the dog at ease that this is not some new form of torture that you have devised and the dog will be more willing not to resist in the next step of training, which is placing the halter on the dog.
Most often halters are placed on the dog by slipping the collar portion over the head and then wrapping the torso section around the dog just behind the front legs. Many systems use a metal buckle or even a plastic snap connector of the type common amongst backpackers which joins the pieces together thus forming two loops, one around the neck and the other around the torso, with a connecting piece in between. The D-loop would then be positioned on the dogs back so affixing a leash is no major task. There are variations on this system however so read the manufacturers instructions on your particular model so as to avoid injury to yourself or your pet.
Now that we have the halter on your pet, the hard part is over. Now you get to have some fun praising your pet for cooperating so well and rewarding them. Also give them a few minutes to explore the new sensation of the halter without the leash while rewarding them for not trying to remove it. The rewards will help with the next part of the training as well, which is getting them to walk while on a halter and leash system. My favorite method for this is to find an assistant who can walk a few feet in front of the animal and myself and offer some kind of treat to the dog, be it food or a favorite toy.
The dog quickly learns that the harness is not restrictive and will follow the treats. Walk with your pet and allow them to sense that this device is not an encroachment on their freedom. If the dog begins to pull you along, say no and stand in one place just as in leash training. This will teach the dog that, while the halter does not impede their normal movements, there are limits to what they are allowed. In no time at all, you should have a pet that will happily be haltered and be ready to walk at your side rather than pulling you along over hill and vale.
The halter also has the added advantage of being a good handle should you need more control of a situation such as when aggressive behaviors are displayed. There is a simple technique to deal with this and avoid injuries to your pet or yourself. If you encounter a situation where you think aggression may be an issue quickly take in all slack on the leash and grab the harness between the collar and the torso loop. By pulling back on this section, you will raise your dog’s front legs off the ground and distract them from their aggressive behavior. In smaller dogs, it is possible to lift the dog completely free of danger in this manner.
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Dog Behavior Training – How Much Does Professional Dog Training Cost?
February 15, 2010 by admin
Filed under Dog Training
Dogs can be very difficult animals to deal with from time to time, some breeds and types can be especially difficult to train and control. No mater how much time and effort you seem to be putting in, your efforts give no results.
Don’t worry too much about persistently training you dog, it might not be your fault your dog is disobedient, people in different circumstances may be failing to train their dog for very simple reasons, whether it be your tone of voice, not having enough time to give your dog due to other commitments like work or hobbies, or your children throwing all the basic dog training rules out the window. Here we will try to educate you on the difference a professional dog trainer could have on your dog’s obedience, and how much it will cost.
The options available for dog training
Group dog training sessions locally - four to eight weekly 1 hour sessions for around $40 - $130 (£20 - £70).
Private dog trainers visiting your home or work place to give personal training to your dog for around $25 - $110 (£13 - £55) per hour.
Dog boarding kennel where your dog lives with the trainer for around 2 – 4 weeks getting many hours of professional dog behaviour training a day for around $1000 – $2,500(£550 – £1,300).
What you get for your money
So what do you get for your money? Many dog trainers concentrate on different areas of your dog’s obedience and you will usually get a much better service for the more money you pay. Standard training classes and trainers will concentrate on addressing the chewing, barking, biting and digging aspects of your dog’s behavior. Hand signals may also be covered in dog obedience classes along with showing you, the owner how to handle trickier situations that can only be over come at home like housetraining.
General guidelines for hiring a dog trainer are to always research the dog trainer well, find out qualifications the dog trainer has in his area of expertise and seek advice and information for other dog owners who have had their dogs trained previously. Get to know your trainer well before handing your dog over to him/her and make sure you are comfortable in the methods he/she uses.
Obedience Training Resolves Bad Dog Behavior in Most Cases
December 23, 2009 by admin
Filed under Dog Training
There is nothing worse then a dog that jumps on anyone who walks in the front door, barks all day long, doesn’t listen to your commands, or relieves himself in your house. These are just a few examples of the sorts of bad dog behavior that drives owners crazy. If you are having these types of behavioral problems with you dog then it might be time to try some basic obedience training.
Dogs are very social creatures and they love attention, even if it’s for doing the wrong thing. Dog obedience training is the best way to re-program the way your dog goes about seeking attention because it them a positive outlet to please you. It also teaches them the difference between good and bad behavior because once they understand what you want from them they will always work to earn your praise.
There are two ways to approach training your dog to correct bad behavior; you can do it your self or you can sign up for a dog training class. If you are having a particularly hard time with your dog’s behavior then a class run by a professional trainer may be your best bet. Not only do you get their years of experience working with just about every kind of behavioral problem you also get a chance to find out exactly how to best deal with your dog’s problems. Dog obedience classes also give you the opportunity to socialize your dog with other dogs, which is a big part of solving many of his behavior issues.
If you don’t wish to train your dog in a class setting then you can still use the services of a professional trainer. Many trainers will provide private lessons, either at their place of business or at your home. Again you will get their experience working with all sorts of dogs but it will be more cost prohibitive.
If you would rather train your misbehaving dog yourself there are plenty of resources available to help you. Your local pet or book store will have plenty of books on the subject, some even specific to your particular breed. This can be important because not all breeds respond as well to the same training methods. Getting a better understanding of the intelligence level, mood, and temperament of your dog can give you insight into why he might be misbehaving.
There are also good training methods available on the internet. Most of these are downloadable ebooks written by professional dog trainers. They cover a wide variety of bad behavior problems and give you the insight of a pro without having to pay to see one in person. One of the nice things about going this route is the ability to email the trainers with questions and problems you may be having. This personal touch makes the low cost of these products a good way to go.
Bad dog behavior in the majority of cases is simply a case of a lack of proper obedience training. No matter which training option you choose your chances of turning your misbehaving dog into a model doggy citizen are greatly increased if you take the time to train him properly.
How to Potty Train Yorkies
October 8, 2009 by admin
Filed under Dog Training
Potty training Yorkies can be a hassle and frustrating. Especially when they potty on your carpet all the time. So, what I’m going to do is share with you some tips on how to potty train Yorkies. That way, your dog will know how and where to go potty.
The tips on how to potty train Yorkies are:
1. Reward Good Behavior. The first way to potty train your dog is to reward them for their behavior. If you are trying to get your dog to potty outside in the grass, whenever you take them outside to potty and they do it, be sure to reward them.
Even if your Yorkie potties outside while you’re playing with them. This will let your dog know that the grass is where they should potty.
2. Discipline Bad Behavior. Whenever your dog potties in the house, you should discipline them. Put there nose up to the place where they went potty, whether is urine or poop, and gently spank them. This will let them know that this behavior isn’t acceptable.
3. Have A Schedule. You should take your dog outside first thing in the morning, at mid-day, and again at night. Of course, your dog will have to go more than that. But this is a good way for them to get on a schedule.
It will also encourage them to go potty. Once they figure out that’s why you’re taking them outside, they will make it a regular routine.
4. Praise Your Dog. You don’t have to give your dog a treat every time they have went potty outside. Instead, you can praise them. This will help reinforce the positive behavior. Also, Yorkies love to be praised.
Potty Training a Dog Takes a Little Time and Patience
August 29, 2009 by admin
Filed under Dog Training
For the new dog owner there is nothing quite as frustrating as potty training a dog. Teaching your dog that she needs to go outside when she needs to go to the bathroom is what house training is all about. It will take a little time but if you are patient with your new four legged friend she will soon do her business outside.
The first thing you will need to do is realize that punishing your dog is not the best way to get them to do what you want them to. Most dogs relieve themselves in the house because they don’t know any better. Many times they will actually wait outside patiently until you let them in and then relieve themselves because that is what they are used to. Catching them in the act and giving a firm “No” and then taking them outside works best if this is the case. Rubbing their nose in it and yelling at them can actually make the problem worse because your dog will come to fear you instead of learning from her mistakes.
The newspaper method is one of the easier ways to housebreak a dog. This method if done correctly will actually allow you to train your dog to go on command. Pick a certain area inside your house as the designated doggy bathroom and lay down several layers of newspaper. Every hour or so take your dog to the designated newspaper spot and tell him to go potty, or any other command you wish to use for this task. You do have to be consistent and use the same command every time.
She will eventually go to the bathroom on the newspaper and when she does be sure to give praise. Also keep a close eye on her around the house and watch for signs that she needs to go to the bathroom. When you spot this behavior take her to the newspaper and give the command to go potty. As she learns to go on command you can start taking her outside to do her business until she learns that is where she is to go.
Potty training a dog is not the most difficult thing to do, but you do have to spend some time and have some patience with your dog to be successful. Once your dog has learned to go outside to relieve herself you can spend more time just enjoying the company a dog brings to you and your family.
In House Dog Potty Training
May 11, 2009 by admin
Filed under Dog Training
Tired of your lovely dog peeing all over the places, trying to teach she/he how to use a potty? Here are some essential points to potty training.
A suitable potty is very important if you want to potty train your dog to eliminate indoors. You can find plenty of potties on Ebay and Amazon for a fair price. And what you want is something with a splash back and has a post for the dog to aim at, not just a tray.
If you use old newspaper to absorb the dog’s urine, insert a single soiled sheet of newspaper into the fresh stack of newspapers when you are cleaning up the potty. It keeps some smell of the dog in the newspapers, the dog will be encouraged to use the potty again when the dog can sense the smell.
Just like us, dogs don’t enjoy using toilet in the same room where they eat and play. If your dog has an accident in a clear area, then feed and play with the dog there. It will keep the dog from doing it again in the same place.
Like all other training, your dog needs some positive reason to use a potty, do encourage the dog with praise when he/she uses the potty correctly.
Adult dogs are easier to train than puppies. Adult dogs are more responsive to commands. They already have fully developed muscles for bladder control. They can hold it much longer. If you just got your dog from someone else, it’s a good idea to ask the previous owner about the dog’s training and behavior history, just so you have a clue on how to train the dog.
Puppies get accustomed to the surface they eliminate on. So don’t change this until he/she is fully house trained.
Lastly, take note from others. Watch some videos you can find on google to teach you how to train you dog to use potty.
You may find the detail instruction on dog potty training at this dog potty training page.






