Obedience Basics For Puppies That Stay Home Alone...

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So, you’ve acquired a new puppy over the weekend and already you’re in love. But Monday morning rolls around and reality hits. How do you raise a well behaved canine while working away from the home?

In more than 50% of American households wives, as well as husbands, work out of the house, while children depart for school or the sitters. Training “Fido” not to use dad’s favorite slippers as chew toys or to refrain from soiling the carpet has become a frustrating challenge for many.

Though training a puppy that spends the majority of time home alone might be more of a challenge, it is not an impossible feat. You can still raise a well-behaved dog despite your busy schedule by following the insightful tips below.

Serious behavior problems in growing dogs usually develop around six months or older. Biting, chewing, jumping up on people, excessive barking, digging, and soiling are all avoidable bad-behavior habits if training is consistent and begins early.

When a puppy is adopted into a human family it leaves its mother and littermates. The pup leaves behind the security of the known and enters into the unknown. This can be a very scary and confusing time. It is also one of the most important times in the puppy’s life.

As the puppy’s care giver, it is crucial for you to provide a sense of security and belonging. By consistently demonstrating love and affection, solid groundwork is laid for a loving, trusting bond between you and the puppy. Puppies so nurtured will grow into happy, confident dogs. Puppies denied the security of love consistently demonstrated and regular, positive attention will grow up fearful and full of anxiety. Training such a dog will be difficult.

The very first lesson you should teach your new puppy, then, is that his new home is a place where he is loved and accepted. Once your puppy feels safe and loved, he is ready for obedience training.

Obedience training should begin early, and should become a regular part of your weekly routine until your dog has been properly trained. Sessions should be executed in a calm manner, and should always end on a positive note. Your puppy will look forward to each session if you praise his efforts, and do not yell in anger or frustration.

Physical punishment should not be doled out before the puppy is older and can fully grasp what you want from him. There is a difference between a dog requiring a firm hand because he behaves headstrong and willfully refuses to obey, and a dog requiring patience because he lacks confidence or does not quite understand what it is you are trying to teach him.

Training sessions should be kept to 15 minutes or less. A puppy’s attention span is much like a small child’s; interest soon wanes. Forcing a young puppy to endure sessions longer than 15 minutes will be frustrating for both you and the puppy. It would also be non productive, and sabotage training efforts.

A puppy that must stay alone for an eight hour day requires proper training to learn and accept that without excessive barking or other bad behavior. Since your puppy’s first learning experience begins the moment he enters your home, working people find it is easiest to bring a puppy home at the start of the weekend so that they have a few days to begin training.

Your puppy will need to learn to stay quietly in his pen until you decide he can come out. As difficult as it is, you must resist his cries and baby antics to get his own way. Resist the urge to pick the puppy up whenever he cries for attention. Be gentle, but be firm.

The easiest way to train your puppy that there are times when he must be confined to a pen, or certain area of a room, is to sit in the pen with him at different intervals during the first few days. This will help assure him that he will not be ignored while he is in his pen.

Go in and out of the pen as much as you wish, but firmly push the puppy back and close the gate when you leave. Praise the puppy when he is quiet in his pen; when he whines or barks, tell him “No” in a firm voice. Never allow the puppy out of the pen when he is noisy or barking. Allow him out of his pen only when he is quiet.

If he continues to bark after you have told him “No,” slap a rolled newspaper on your open hand while repeating with more emphasis, “No!” The noise will startle the puppy and distract him long enough for you to praise his silence. Be consistent, and this training will pay off. There’s nothing neighbors dislike more than a dog that barks continually every time he’s left alone.

Dogs often respond to aggressive provocation and fear in the same way by biting. Many dogs also bite and nip during play. Puppies especially are notorious for playfully biting and nipping. While some care givers feel such “rough housing” is harmless, or even cute, puppies should be taught early not to bite or nip. They also have to learn not to struggle or squirm when picked up.

Even a puppy that will be too large to pick up once fully grown needs to learn this lesson. There will be various times in his life – during an examination at the vet’s, while being groomed, or when sick or injured – that he will have to accept being picked up or held down patiently, without struggling or biting.

Start the lesson by sitting on the floor and picking up the puppy. While holding the pup firmly, speak in affectionate, soothing tones. Tuck the pup’s back end under your arm, with your elbow tight against his outside rear hip. This provides a good, strong hold that will make the puppy feel secure. Any puppy will attempt to free himself for fear of falling, if he is not held securely.

If he is small enough, grasp his front paws with the same hand. This will leave your other hand free to pet or discipline the dog.

Some puppies love to be picked up and held, and will immediately relax. Other puppies will squiggle, squirm, and nip to be released. They must be taught to endure being handled.

If the puppy struggles, pet his head and continue to talk to him in soothing tones. If he does not quiet down, give him a little shake and firmly say, “No.”

If he tries to nip or mouth your hand, hold his mouth closed for a few seconds, and repeat, “No,” then release his mouth. Continue this lesson until the puppy learns to remain calm and accept being held. The minute the pup becomes quiet and accepts your handling, praise him. Remember, praise for obedience is one of the most important tools for successful obedience training.

Training a young puppy to accept handling is always done gently but firmly. Under no circumstances handle the puppy roughly, or strike the puppy. Older puppies and dogs can be trained more firmly when they resist handling. (Note: Don’t confuse the terms “young puppy” and “older puppy” with how small or large the puppy is. Distinctions are attributed to age relevancy, not size.)

Until your puppy is completely toilet trained, he should be confined to a certain area of the house and not allowed to roam at will. This can be in a particular room, or cage. Not only will this save you frustration by not having multiple areas of the house soiled before the puppy is completely toilet trained, but dog psychologists agree that puppies feel more secure in a reasonably small enclosed area.

Newspapers should cover the floor of the area. Plenty of clean, fresh water should be available at all times. Using a heavy bowl will help prevent accidental spills. A clean bed (an old blanket or towel works nicely) should also be provided for warmth and for comfort, as well as toys to chew and play with. Like human babies, puppies need toys for entertainment; chewing helps alleviate gum discomfort caused by growing teeth.

When it comes to toilet training, do not expect too much, too soon. No one can expect a puppy to stay alone for a full eight hour day. A puppy under five months old will need to be put outside to relieve himself every 4 – 5 hours. This means that you or another family member will have to go home at lunch or break time to let him out.

This may seem like a hardship, but it is important and will only be for a few months. It is the only way to affectively toilet train a puppy. The puppy will soon adjust to your schedule and will stay clean until taken out of doors at noon, and again in the evening.

By balancing gentleness with firmness, being consistent with patience and love, and by following the above tips, both you and your puppy will benefit. Your pup will be well on his way to becoming the well-behaved canine companion you desire.

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Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

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Eliminating Your Puppy's Love of Nipping

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If you've ever been nipped by a puppy, you know those teeth can be as sharp as ice picks. While other dogs generally have thick skin and can handle a nip relatively undamaged, we humans are not quite so fortunate. And yes, a puppy bite can definitely break skin.

So how do you put a stop to your puppy's nipping?

First, it helps to understand that he's not biting maliciously. Biting and mouthing are natural activities for puppies and young dogs. They instinctively nip when playing with their siblings. This is the way they interact with the world around them. Left with his family, a puppy would soon be taught by his mother and siblings to control his bite. But most puppies are removed from their mothers before they've had a chance to learn this lesson.

With this in mind, taking advantage of your puppy's natural instincts can actually provide you with an easy, painless way to inhibit his biting. All you have to do is let him play and socialize with other dogs. Puppies love to tumble and roll and play. They also love to nip. If your puppy becomes a bit too rough in the company of other dogs, the rest of the group will quickly correct his inappropriate behavior. As simple as it is, this socialization with other dogs is easily the most effective way for him to learn to control himself when he's tempted to nip.

There are other benefits to socializing your puppy as well. He'll learn not to fear other dogs. He'll expend his excess energy. And you'll find that he interacts better with the rest of your family. Puppies that miss out on socializing with other dogs tend to be hyperactive and destructive and exhibit other problem behaviors. In addition, unsocialized dogs will often react aggressively to new situations. So any efforts you make to expose your puppy to other dogs and new people (especially children) will pay dividends in many areas of your puppy's development.

This can be particularly helpful if you have children in the family. Children are closer in size to dogs, and they often have that same puppy-like energy that can be interpreted as aggressive by a dog. So while your puppy is still young (four months old or even younger), this is a good time to have him interacting with children in a proper manner that excites neither your puppy nor the children. This can be especially important if your puppy is from a breed of large or aggressive dogs.

The next way to work with your puppy in eliminating biting behaviors is to gain his trust and respect. This goes a long way toward making all training easier and more effective, especially if you're working to correct problem behaviors.

How do you gain your puppy's respect? By treating him with respect.

Whether you're training your puppy or just playing, always treat him with respect. This means no hitting or slapping your puppy, even in situations where you're trying to correct inappropriate behavior. Physical punishment will not only destroy the trust and respect of your puppy, it'll make him afraid of you. More important, it's often ineffective. Reprimanding your puppy will not stop him from biting. It'll only confuse him.

Using positive reinforcement, which generally means treats and plenty of praise, will teach him much faster and more effectively to play without biting.

A puppy that bites will grow up to be a dog that bites unless you teach him better. Left alone, these negative behaviors only become worse. So deal with them early, and deal with them positively, and you'll establish the foundation for a loving, healthy relationship with your puppy for the rest of his life.

Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

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Does Your Dog Have A Barking Problem?

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Have you tossed and turned in bed at night because the sound of a barking dog is keeping you awake? How about the dog that barks off and on throughout the night? Just when things have quieted down and you have finally fallen asleep, you are jolted awake because your neighbor's dog has wound back up and started her barking, again. Individuals who live next to a "barker" may find their nerves at the breaking point, especially if the dog barks around the clock.

The yipping can grate on your nerves to the point where you are grinding your teeth and plotting ways to get rid of your neighbor's dog. Visions of a full nights sleep or a peaceful backyard cookout dance in your head, yet your daydreams are interrupted (yet again) when "Fluffy” decides it's time to start her barking back up. What can possibly be worse than this? Well, being the owner of this noisy canine is far worse.

Dog owners, who have a pooch that is constantly barking, are very much aware that their neighbors are upset. They are used to seeing their neighbors with bloodshot eyes and unfriendly expressions. Many of these dog owners may even have "run ins" with their neighbors over the annoying behavior of their dog. Others may have received citations or fines for being in breech of some noise ordinances in their town or neighborhood. What is a dog owner to do when they have a dog that has annoying (or down right disturbing) barking tendencies? They love their pet, yet they know their pet's barking is out of control. They also know their pet is tearing down their standing in the neighborhood.

The first step is to try to uncover the reason behind the continual barking. If you have had your dog for years and she has never displayed a tendency for barking before, you should have her evaluated at the vet's office. Older dogs may start barking if they are experiencing changes in their body. A dog that is suddenly losing her hearing or sight may be frightened. She may simply be trying to tell you that something is wrong with her. Older dogs who are experiencing arthritis--or other disease or disorder- may also start barking.

Countless barkers are simply having separation anxiety. The signs of separation anxiety in a dog can include these symptoms:

Your inside dog is your shadow. She follows you from room to room and doesn't seem to have "interests" that do not include you.

Your inside or outside dog is aware when you are preparing to leave-and she becomes mournful or agitated. She may also do things for your attention and act excited in an attempt to get you to take her along.

You’re inside or outside dog barks nonstop when you are away. (You can have a neighbor monitor your dog's behavior or set up a video or tape recorder.)

Your dog greets you with much enthusiasm, jumping . . . or even a weak bladder.

Inside dogs do not like being placed outside and will stand at the door and bark to get back inside.

Outside dogs will bark nonstop when you are away from home. They will also bark when you are indoors and they do not see you.

The last thing that dogs with separation anxiety need is punishment. They simply do not understand what they are being disciplined for. The best thing you can do is to teach your dog that she is going to be all-right while you are away. You can do this by going through the "motions" of leaving your home without actually doing so. This means you can put on your coat, gather your things, and pretend that you are leaving. Then don't. Repeat this, but next time go outside for a few minutes and then return. As you repeat this process, stay outside for a few minutes longer. This will gradually work up the amount of time your dog is alone and she realizes that she is going to be okay. You can also leave a special treat or chew toy behind to distract her from your leaving.



You can do this with an outside dog, too. Simply go outside like you are preparing to leave. Open your car door. Stand there a few minutes, then shut your car door and go back inside. Next time, go back outside and sit in your car for a few moments. Extend the amount of time you are in your car. You can work this up to driving down the block, then around the block twice, etc. You can have a neighbor or family member secretly monitor how long your dog stays quiet.

One of the important things to remember when you have a dog with separation anxiety barking is to make your arrivals and departures very low key. Do not overly greet them, or sadly tell them good-bye. This will only aggravate them. While some individuals would never dream of leaving home without telling their pets good-bye, it usually only upsets a dog with separation anxiety disorder.

Another thing you can do if you have an outside dog with separation anxiety is to evaluate if they are being socially neglected. Most dogs have a pack mentality, and they need to feel as if they belong. Make sure you are spending adequate time with your dog. Ensure that her area is full of toys and playthings that will keep her entertained while you are away. There are many families who found their dog quieted once they got her a playmate. If this does not help, there are anxiety medications which you can get from your vet. These will usually keep your dog calm and relaxed while you are away.

If your dog has been checked by a vet and she is healthy, and if you are certain your dog does not have separation anxiety . . . you may just have a dog with a major "quirk." After you try the many techniques to get your dog not to bark, you may have to try a new approach. This can include squirting them with a water hose/water bottle or placing a barking collar on them.

There are some pet owners who assume that all barking collars are "shock collars." This is not true. There is a bark collar which will squirt liquid on your dog when she barks. If you know your dog will hush when she is squirted with a hose, this collar can work for you while you are away, or at night. Check out the various barking collars on the market and find one you are comfortable with. But, keep in mind that there are some canines who will bark, despite the barking collar they are wearing.


As a last resort some dog owners (who find there is nothing to keep their dog from barking) will sometimes have their dog's "bark" removed. This concept is quite shocking to a dog owner who has never experienced the problem of having a severe barker in their family. However, this doesn't mean a dog will not be able to bark. This surgery just brings a dogs bark down to a quieter and softer level. It should be noted that many dogs which are in dog shelters are put to sleep on a regular basis because of their incessant barking. If your dog has a severe barking problem, this option is certainly preferred over euthanasia or moving to a secluded island.


Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

To find excellent information about Dog Training, Dog Behaviour, Dog Obedience Training, Dog Food, Dog Health, Grooming and Dog Care. Free Recipes and Articles about everything that concerns Dog Owners and their Dogs.. Visit.. http://myspace.com/biggso

How To Stop Puppy Chewing..

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So you got a new puppy this holiday season and so far, his chewing has cost you more then what you spent on Christmas presents. Before your puppy starts chewing up your wallet or needs surgery to remove something, he's swallowed, let’s look at ways to stop you puppy from chewing things he shouldn't.

Where do you start? First, are you reasonably sure that your puppy is healthy? There is a medical condition called Pica that can cause your puppy to chew and eat non-food items to try to deal with nausea. If you reasonably sure that puppy has, a clean bill of health then lets move on.



With dogs, in general you need to accept that chewing is a normal healthy activity and is part of a puppy's development. Just like children, puppies learn from exploring everything around them and part of that exploring is chewing. Also like children, puppies don't know what is safe and what is dangerous, they need your protection and guidance to teach them what is acceptable and what is unacceptable.

The number one thing to always remember when training your dog is consistency. When training your dog not to chew you will need to chose a word or sound that means "No" or "Bad". I would however not recommend using the words "No" or "Bad", training a new dog can be challenging enough, in the beginning you will be correcting the dog a fair bit and who wants to continually be saying "No" or "Bad", this can leave a person feeling very negative about the whole experience. "Ah Ah" is what I have found to be quite effective. With consistent training using "Ah Ah" or whatever command you choose your dog should learn to respond instantly.

When you catch you puppy chewing on anything they are not suppose to say "Ah Ah" take the item away and replace it with a toy they are allowed to chew on. Get you puppy to start chewing on the toy and then praise them. You may need to try a chemical additive such as Bitter Apple on any items your dog habitually chews on. In later articles, we will talk about crate training, which is another effective way to stop chewing behavior.


Remember the best way for your dog to learn not to chew unacceptable household items is by not letting them even start. By keeping items out of reach of you dog he will only chew on his toys. Dogs are creatures of habit, the more times they chew shoes the more difficult it will be to get them to stop. If for most of their puppy years all they've chewed on is their toys they will mostly likely only chew on their toys. Remember the key to all dog training is consistency, so don't give up and you'll soon have a very happy relationship with your new friend.

Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

To find excellent information about Dog Training, Dog Behaviour, Dog Obedience Training, Dog Food, Dog Health, Grooming and Dog Care. Free Recipes and Articles about everything that concerns Dog Owners and their Dogs.. Visit.. http://myspace.com/biggso

How To Prevent A Dog Bite.

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Most humans are not aware that some of their body postures when greeting an unfamiliar dog are perceived as a threat in the dog world. For example: typical human behavior when greeting a dog is to say over and over again, "it's ok, it's ok," as they extend their arm out to reach over the dog's head to give them a pet. This is a threatening posture in the dog world. Always let the dog approach you in their own time, especially if it does not want to meet you. When they are comfortable with you and are allowing you to touch them, then, rather than reaching to pet their head go for under their chin, and pet their chest or the shoulders.



If a dog is running at you and you think it might be in attack mode, then stand sideways. If you pay attention next time you see two unfamiliar dogs approach each other, you'll notice they keep their body in a neutral position by standing side by side.

Does a wagging tail mean "hey, I am friendly," or can it also mean "Hey, come over here - I want bite you"?

Yes, both. A dog can be wagging its tail to greet you or wagging its tail because it is weary of your presence. A dog with its tail way up in the air, stiff and moving rapidly back and forth, could be feeling a little dominant or feeling the need to defend itself. If you get mixed messages from a dog, to be on the safe side, do not approach it.

Dogs that are tethered or chained are more likely to be aggressive and are prone to more behavioral problems. The reason for this is usually lack of socialization with humans and other dogs. There is a frustration factor here that has been building up for some time. These dogs have a chase instinct that is constantly challenged by the boundaries of their restraint. The largest percentage of serious bites come from dogs that have broken free from a restraint, and children are usually their victims. I suggest never approaching a dog on a chain or one that is tied up unless you know the dog well.


There are more dog bites reported from family pets than from unfamiliar dogs. The reason more dogs are likely to bite a family member is that the family member more than likely has pulled their tail, stepped on their foot, or taken a bone or toy away and then ignored the warning growl. Children are the main culprits of this behavior. They sometimes unknowingly provoke a dog bite.

Children are at eye level with dogs, and so can be perceived as posturing back at them, which the dog sees as a challenge or a threat. Some kids constantly jerk things away from dogs, and this causes the dog to want to have possession over something. This behavior is called resource guarding, and dogs have many warning signals when they are guarding their resource. You must be aware of what the signals are and take warning from them to avoid a dog bite.

Children should always be supervised when playing with a dog and need to be taught to be respectful of them and their territory. Just like we teach children how to greet another human we also need to teach them how to greet an unfamiliar dog.

Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

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Optimize Your Dogs Health With Homemade Dog Treats..

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Homemade dog treats are an excellent way to optimize your dog's health. When you make your own homemade dog treats you have the flexibility to include ingredients that will be best for your dog. For example if your dogs coat is dull or their diet is lacking in protein you could make homemade dog treats that are filled with ingredients to combat these problems.


Dogs with dull and lifeless coats can benefit immensely from homemade dog treats that are rich in fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids which are found in fish oil and flaxseed is essential to your dog's health and also helps to improve your dog's coat to create a luxurious coat that shines. If your dog does not have a coat that appears healthy it may be an indication that its dietary needs are not being met with the foods that you are providing. Creating your own homemade dog treats that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can help you to ensure that your dog remains healthy and strong. http://dog-food-secrets.eoltt.com

Homemade dog treats also provide you with the opportunity to increase your dog's protein intake. If you have reason to believe that your dog is lacking in necessary proteins, you can make your own homemade dog treats that are packed with protein. Feeding these treats to your dog should help them to meet their protein needs. http://homemade-dog-treat-recipe.eoltt.com

Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

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Preventing Your Dog From Inappropriate Urination..

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Problems with inappropriate urination are some of the most commonly encountered by dog owners. As a matter of fact, inappropriate urination and defecation is the most frequently cited reason that owners surrender their animals to shelters.
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Before you can address problems with unwanted urination, it is important to understand the basis of the problem. There are several reasons why dogs lose control of their bladders, and it is important to know the root cause of the problem before it can be properly addressed.

Problem #1 – Excitement Urination:

Dogs often urinate when they become overly excited, and dogs that are otherwise perfectly housebroken sometimes show their excitement by dribbling urine when greeting you excitedly. It is normal for some dogs to urinate when they get excited, and this can be a particular problem for many older dogs.

A lot of excitement induced urination occurs in young puppies, and it is caused by a lack of bladder control. The puppy may not even know he is urinating, and punishment will simply confuse him. Becoming angry with the puppy will quickly cause excitement urination to morph into submissive urination, thus compounding the problem. As the puppy gets older and develops better bladder control, this type of excitement urination should disappear.

The best cure for excitement urination is prevention. Preventing your dog from becoming over excited is the best way to control this problem behavior. If your dog is excited by a particular stimulus or situation, it is important to repeatedly expose him to that situation until it no longer causes excessive excitement.

Problem #2 – Submissive Urination:

Submissive urination is a natural part of pack behavior among animals like dogs and wolves. The submissive member of the pack shows his or her submissiveness by lowering itself and urinating. Since dogs are pack animals, they may show their submissiveness to their owner, who they regard as the pack leader, by exhibiting this submissive urination worse.

Dogs who exhibit submissive urination are usually showing their insecurity. Unsocialized and previously abused dogs often exhibit submissive urination. These dogs need to be shown that there are more appropriate ways to express their submissive status, such as shaking hands or licking the owner's hand.


The best way to deal with submissive urination problems is often to ignore the urination. Trying to reassure the dog can give mistaken impression that you approve of the behavior, while scolding the dog can make the submissive urination worse.

Correcting problems with submissive urination should be directed at building the dog's confidence and teaching him other ways to show his respect. Teaching the dog to lift his paw, sit on command, or similar obedience commands, is a great way to direct the dog's respect in a more appropriate direction. http://dog-obedience-training-zone.eoltt.com

Problems with urination are not always easy to deal with, but it is important to be consistent, and to always reward acceptable behavior on the part of the dog. When urination problems do occur, it is always a good idea to first rule out any medical conditions that could be causing those problems. Medical issues like bladder infections can be the root cause of problems with unwanted urination.

After any medical problems have been ruled out, it is important to determine what is causing the problem, and treat it appropriately. While it can be tempting to punish the dog for inappropriate elimination, doing so will only confuse and further intimidate him.

Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

To find excellent information about Dog Training, Dog Behaviour, Dog Food, Dog Health, Grooming and Dog Care. Free Recipes and Articles about everything that concerns Dog Owners and their Dogs.. Visit..
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