Dogs and Kids - Kid-Proof Your Dogs & Dog-Proof Your Children

Dogs and kids just seem to go together. Ensure that you have a happy household by selecting a dog with the best temperament to live with children. Then teach kids how to be an active and integral part of the dog?s life. The benefits for everyone in the family are substantial! Rules to Mixing Dogs and Kids Together
Many households consist of both kids and dogs. Because of this, it is important that our dogs get along with ALL members of our family. When it comes to introducing a dog into a household with children, there are a few rules to follow.
Rule #1
Carefully choose a puppy or dog that really likes children. There are many dogs who will politely put up with children, and then there are dogs who really adore children. A dog that falls into the later category is the one you want to find for your family. To achieve this goal, seek a professional dog trainer who can help you select a dog or puppy from a shelter with the correct personality and temperament for children. If you are going to buy a puppy from a breeder, make sure you know the puppy?s mother and father, inquire what kind of socialization the breeder is doing with the puppies (there should be human children regularly interacting with the puppies), and ask to talk to other families who have adopted the breeder?s puppies to inquire how the dogs and kids interacted together.
Rule #2
Never leave dogs and kids alone or unsupervised. Not for even a single minute, no matter how wonderful the dog, or how long the dog and child have known each other. Dogs are animals, children are unpredictable and accidents can happen.
Rule #3
Teach children how to approach and interact with a dog. Instruct them not to approach dogs they do not know, and guide them in reading some obvious dog behaviors such as a dog who looks friendly verses a dog who looks aggressive. Because not all dogs are friendly, teach children to: Be alert to dogs in the area they are playing.
Not to approach a strange dog.
Not to approach a dog who is eating, sleeping, or a dog who avoids them.
If approached by a dog they do not know, instruct children to be ?a tree?. Practice standing still, avoiding eye contact with the dog (but keeping the dog in sight out of the corner of your eye) and being quiet.
Find protection or a means of escape, and slowly (without running) back away.
Become ?a rock? if attacked by a dog. This means curling into a ball and protecting their face, throat, neck and vital organs.
There are several resources for parents who are looking for guides on successful interactions between dogs and kids. One good place to find information is with a local professional dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement. Some trainers even have classes specifically designed to teach kids with dogs.
Additional Information You May Also Find Helpful:
Children And Dogs: Important Information For Parents
Books: Living with Kids and Dogs...Without Losing Your Mind, by Colleen Pelar
Video: Dogs, Cats & Kids: Learning to Be Safe With Animals. Created by Donald Manelli with Wayne Hunthausen, DVM. This short video helps children read animal body language, shows children how to handle animals and demonstrates what to do in a dog attack.
The Wonderful Benefits For Kids With Dogs
Because many children are drawn to animals, quite often the children are the ones trying to initiate getting a dog for the family. Sometimes parents are reluctant to bring a dog into their household because dogs do require a lot of time, energy and money. However, there are several benefits to children having a dog in the house, such as:
Sometimes, much to the pleasant surprise of a parent, kids often make the best dog trainers! Considering the roles dogs and kids play in each other?s lives, it is important to invest the effort in a smooth relationship. Before you get or adopt a dog, make sure your child knows what kind of responsibilities are expected of him or her in caring for the dog. Set up a list of their duties and be sure to reward them for being successful!
Check out classes at the local training center or seek the services of a private dog trainer who can give you tips to make the most out of having the kids train the dog.
When kids use positive training techniques, they will use treats to reward the dog. Having the dog associate children with making good things happen is a great way to further cement the bond they share. Other attributes that kids have going for them when it comes to training the family dog is that they are: As many families will agree, there is nothing better than a happy household! Giving children the skills to take care of and train the dog will help the dog, the children and the parents! Dogs and kids often form a special relationship with one another. They are playmates, best friends and trusty companions. And, after all, isn?t that what family is all about?

Puppy And Dog Training Games | Dog Games

Dog training games are an excellent way to foster your dog's interest in learning new things, and at the same time it is also a great opportunity to teach your dog desirable behavior patterns. Studies have shown that dogs learn faster and respond more positively to the training when the lessons are complemented with some simple fun and innovative games. Using games during training, you also help provide your dog a healthy outlet to expand out those excessive energies whereas if the training is boring, leaving him/her feeling frustrated, your dog will seek his/her own entertainment to bite, jump, chase and dig. That is why dog training games are actively use and recommended by many dog trainers together with other traditional or sophisticated methods of training. There are several popular games that you can apply together with your dog training:
Game of Fetch
Throwing a ball or object, you teach your dog to follow and retrieve the toy back to you. Allow your dog to exercise, develop enthusiasm and their natural retriever instincts. Also helps teaches your dog the "Recall" command.
Game of Tug-of-War
As the name suggest, a tug-of-war for the blanket or rubber toy ? this develops your dog physical strength and confidence (if you let your dog win most of the time).
Game of Hide and Seek
A very useful indoor game to teach your dog the "Wait" and "Seek" command during rainy days. You hide a treat or an object (preferably his favorite toy) and ask your dog to search for it. It also encourages the use of your dog's natural curiosity in constructive explorations and helps create familiarization around his/her surroundings. Game of Socialization
Spending time with other dogs or people. This game develops the social skills of the dog and its connection with other animals and even people.
Game of Exchange
Teach and encourage your dog to come back to you by saying his name in exchange for a reward like a pat or treat. Repeat in many times a day. After several days of reinforcing this exercise, your dog will be able to recognize the verbal cue and even without any rewards, your dog will come back towards you. This actually helps in establishing various voice commands and obedience in your dog.

Dog training games also involve many useful benefits such as: All in all, dog training games are really a wonderful and great way to help your dog get stimulated both physically and mentally. In the end, the games are useful training methods to help develop your dog confidence, prevent undersirable habits, alleviate boredom and acquire useful skills. Oh!... do remember to keep all your dog training games short, simple and fun.

Training An Adult Dog

Why Exercising And Training An Adult Dog Is Important? As your dog reach adulthood or his senior years - about 7 years old for both large breeds and small breeds - his energy level may become lower and he may begin to settle down however you should never stop continuing exercising or training your adult dog. Firstly, a regular dose of physical exercise will keep your adult dog's body in shape and continuous training will keep your pet's mind stimulated to be alert and responsive. Secondly, having a right mixture of exercise, training and socialization will also help provide your adult dog with the necessary needs to keep him happy, healthy and may even add a few extra years to his life. Therefore, depending on your dog's size, breed, and personality type, a good formula for exercising and training an adult dog is to have 3 training sessions a week. Exercising or training an adult dog does not have to be laborious, nor does it have to take long. Continue with the regular walks and occasional runs or a game of ball. All it takes is about 10 to 15 minutes per session. Training can also be about practicing and/or improving the skills that your dog has already learned. Training your adult dog to perform certain tasks also gives him purpose, which in turn greatly improves the quality of his life. The old adage ?use it or lose it? not only applies to humans, but to our canine friends as well. Your adult dog needs to brush up on his skills and talents on a regular basis, otherwise he will forget them. It is that simple! To summerize, below are the many benefits to continue exercising and training an adult dog on a regular basis: Regular training keeps your dog's mind alert and active.It keeps his body strong and in shape.It serves as refresher courses to different commands and tricks that he had already acquired.It keeps him aware of the rules that you have enforced for him.It prevents boredom.It develops great team work between you and him.And best of all, it will deepen the bond that the two of you have together. If your dog remains active throughout the whole aspect of his life (physical, mental, social), then he will continue to play an active role in your life, be a team player, and be able to share wonderful times together.

Puppy Training Games And Their Benefits

 Puppy training games are an excellent way to play and bond with your puppy, at the same time, communicating and teaching your dog desirable behavior patterns. Puppies respond more positively to the training when the lessons are complemented with some fun and innovative games. Using games during training, they can also help provide a healthy outlet to expand out those excessive energy in your puppy's natural tendencies to run, chase and chew. That is why puppy training games are the preferred choice for many dog owners compared to the more traditional or sophisticated methods of training their puppies.
There are several benefic games for your puppy like: Puppy training games also involve many other useful advantages such as: Therefore, puppy training games are really a great physical exercise and a wonderful way to educate your puppy mentally without stressing or traumatizing his/her future development. The games are also useful training techniques to help develop your dog confidence, prevent undersirable habits, alleviate boredom and acquire useful skills.

Puppy Training Tips and Advice

#1 - Start Training Early: Puppies start to learn the moment they open their eyes and are most open to new experiences during the first four months. Start training your puppy the moment it is bought home. Good early habits endure and will result in a well behaved dog in the future.
#2 - Early Socialization: Help ensure your puppy meet and socialize with as many people as possible during the first four months. Going on outdoor trips, visiting friends who own pets, and walking along busy streets should all be part of your puppy's education. These positive experiences will allow your puppy to be comfortable with humans and reduce the likelihood of any future behavior problems.
#3 - Mental And Physical Stimulation: Every puppy thrives on both mental and physical stimulation. Exposing your puppy to new environments and experiences early can greatly enhance your dog's interest in learning new things. Puppy walks or games are great ways to stimulate your pet both mentally and physically. If actively stimulated, your puppy will become healthier and adept at learning new trainings faster. This will also help strengthen the bond between the both of you at the same time.
#4 - Hand Feed Your Puppy: Whenever possible, hand feed your puppy. This teaches him/her to like human contact, even when your puppy is feeding from his food bowl. Not feeding from hand can lead your puppy to turn aggressive to whoever that tries to get near him/her while feeding.
#5 - Biting And Chewing: Your puppy will certainly bite and chew while they play and investigate new things around them. If your puppy is teething; direct, encourage and reward your puppy to bite the right object (toy). Discourage and discipline by simply saying a firm "NO" and replace the object with the correct toy or training equipment.
#6 - Step-by-Step Training: Always begin your puppy training at home where it is in a familiar environment and work on one new exercise, command or trick per training session. This will allow your puppy to learn, understand and familiarize each training better and faster. Trying to introducing multiple items at one session can confuse your dog and lead to a slower learning curve.
#7 - Best Time To Train: Train your puppy when it is feeling hungry or before each of its meal. Your puppy will respond very well to food treats. This is especially useful if you are just starting out to train your puppy or you have certain difficulty with a particular command. Balance your rewards with praises and hugs so that your dog doesn't associate every reward with just food. Never begin any training with your puppy when you are feeling lousy or in a bad mood.
#8 - Housetraining: Housebreak your puppy early by supervising and recognizing your puppy's body language such as circling or sniffing the floor. Take your puppy out every 45 minutes after eating or drinking as they tend to "let go" around this time. When it eliminates at the right location, praise and rewards your puppy so that it will associate eliminating outdoors as a positive experience.
#9 - Rewards And Punishment: Different puppies learn at different speeds. Whenever your puppy obeys or performs to a certain command, praise and reward your dog immediately. This allows your puppy to associate learning with positive-ness and fun. Never use any physical corrections or harsh yelling when you puppy misbehave as this can cause fear and promote future aggressive behavior in your dog. Reprimand your dog by using a stern voice instead and only when you actually caught it misbehaving.
#10 - Training Sessions: Train you puppy in short, frequent sessions. Puppies have a short attention span and will get easily distracted or bored. Train your puppy for ten minutes each session and then play with him/her with its favorite toy to stimulate your pup's learning process. Always end each training on a positive note with your puppy wanting more. This will allow your puppy to look forward to its next training session.

Golden Retriever Training

Simple Golden Retriever training tips that will help you establish the best possible relationship with your Golden Retriever and stop bad behavior. The Golden Retriever is the perfect pet for anyone who enjoys an overly affectionate and well-mannered dog companion. They are very intelligent, quick witted, more easily trained than almost any other breed of dog and they settle well into family life if given the proper training. However you should be aware that without the proper obedience and housebreaking training, your golden retriever can proof to be more frustrating than fun! Basic golden retriever training should begin the moment your dog is bought home especially if he is still a puppy. Good early habits endure and will result in a well behaved golden retriever in the future.
Ensure your golen retriever meet and socialize with as many people as possible during the first four months. Golden retrievers when left alone too much does suffer from separation anxiety, which can include barking and destructiveness. Going on outdoor trips, visiting friends who own pets, and walking along busy streets should all be part of your dog's education. These positive experiences will allow your puppy to be comfortable with humans and reduce the likelihood of any future behavior problems.
Housebreak your golden retriever early by supervising and recognizing your puppy's body language such as circling or sniffing the floor.
Take your puppy out every 45 minutes after eating or drinking as they tend to "let go" around this time.
When it eliminates at the right location, praise and rewards your dog so that it will associate eliminating outdoors as a positive experience.
Always begin your golden retriever training inside the home where your dog stays. Your dog will learn faster when he/she is in a familiar environment.
Work on one new command or trick per training session. This will allow your dog to learn, understand and familiarize each new training better and faster.
Make sure you always use and repeat the same word or command for each particular training.
Train you retriever in short, frequent sessions. Dogs have a short attention span and will get easily distracted or bored.
End the training with a positive note or with your retriever wanting more. This will allow your dog to look forward to the next training session.
Golden retrievers have a natural instinct to chew or bite when they are still a puppy. It's their way of playing and investigating new things around them.
Get a few chew toys for your retriever when he is still teething. Positive reinforcements such as food treats and praises works best as incentives to encourage him to bite on the right objects (toys).
Do not teach your Golden Retriever games that have them chasing your feet or hands as this can cause confusion.
Discourage and discipline by simply saying a firm "NO" when they bite on the wrong items and replace the object with the correct toy or training equipment. If necessary, try using bitter spray and apply them to objects such as your shoe to deter your dog from chewing on things he shouldn't be chewing or biting on.
Do crate train your Golden Retriever if your dog has a habit to chew up items in the house while you are out.
Be aware that you will need to change the chew toys as he gets older since your golden retriever may swallow and get choked playing with a smaller toy.
Do discourage your dog by not patting him when he jumps on you during homecoming. Instead fold both your arms and look away till he calms down.
Do raise one of your knees and give a stern "Down" command if there is persistent jumping. As a reflex action, your dog will usually stop and back away.
Do learn to teach your dog the basic "Sit", "Stay" and "Down" command to address the problem.
Do be consistent, repeating the process and praising your dog when he no longer jumps.
Have fun with your Golden Retriever training and you?ll have very few stressful moments with a fully housebroken, happy and obedient dog.

Effective Dog Training & Puppy Training Methods, Approaches & Tips

If you're looking for useful and practical information on Dog Training to housebreaking your dog or solving your puppy's behavior problems, you've just stumbled on a important resource that will help you quickly and easily train your dog and bring out the best in your dog behavior and manners... Training your dog is the basic and fundamental steps to communicating and teaching your dog proper obedience and good behavior. In fact, it is highly important that every dog be given at least some basic elementary obedience and behavior training as no responsible dog owner would like to have a disobedient dog that won't listen to commands and one that embarrass you in public. With proper behavior and obedience training, both you and your dog would be able to understand each other better. You would also be able to bring out the best in your dog -- one you can trust and rely on. If you are interested in getting a dog or whether you already have a puppy or an adult dog, it doesn't matter. We can help you jump-start your training needs and transform your dog's behavior for the better. While training your dog certainly has its own challenges, we have identified for you the most common dog training mistakes that you should watch out and broken down the different types of dog behavior problems you might encounter so that your training process is made simpler and easier. Ultimately, training your puppy or dog is simple as long as you keep it short, simple and fun - for both your dog and yourself. Our aim is to provide you with as much valuable information and stress-free techniques to go about training your dog. Best of all, the methods and techniques are practical and easy that every dog owner can understand, apply and use at this very moment!