Archive for the ‘Dog Training Tips’ Category

Leash Walking Your Dogs

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

One of the most common dog problems that we encounter with our clients are dogs that pull on the leash. Many times, even well behaved dogs are terrible when they are on a leash. Some people choose to simply take their dogs off leash, but let’s be realistic. Are you willing to risk getting a citation for having your dog illegally off leash in public?

The challenges faced with teaching a dog to walk politely on a leash without pulling are numerous. They can ultimately be broken down into two broad categories:

  1. The distractions and prospects of the outdoor world are numerous
  2. Dogs have a naturally occurring opposition reflex

Distractions

When you leave your house, suddenly and automatically the distraction level that you have to contend with spikes. Dramatically. With this increase in the distraction, many times it means your dog’s level of attention to command drops dramatically too. The challenge is of course, that with all the prospects of new smells and new things to explore, each step you take validates your dog’s desire to pull. Every step he takes brings in new smells and new things to explore, thus rewarding your dog for pulling.

Opposition what?

An ‘opposition reflex’ is just a fancy way of saying that your dog does the opposite of whatever physical guidance you may provide. Basically the dog has a tendency to pull away from leash tension. A common technique people use to try to control a dog who pulls on the leash is to shorten and tighten the leash in their hand into a super-tight vice grip. This actually does the opposite of what the trainer wants, as it typically encourages the dog to pull more, and harder. How many times have you seen a dog on a choke-chain dragging their owner around, all the while restricting their breathing and potentially hurting themselves in the process. Common-sense would dictate that if something is choking you, you do what is necessary to remove the tension. In dog-language, common sense is to pull away from the choking sensation. Obviously, that doesn’t work.

The challenges faced with walking multiple dogs at once are the same, but doubled. There is also that competitive factor between the two dogs to get where they want to go first. Factor in the issue of dogs feeding of each others energy (basic pack mentality) and you’ve got some very difficult situations to deal with. As professional trainers, we recommend getting control over each dog individually to begin with, and then bringing the two (or three dogs) together as distractions for each other to proof the exercise.

The beautiful thing about training multiple dogs with a Sit Means Sit Dog Collar is the ability to control two or three dogs from one remote control. There is no need to fumble with multiple remote controls. The Sit Means Sit dog training collar features a programmable remote control allowing you to switch from single dog operation to multi-dog operation in the field and on the fly.

The video below features a Sit Means Sit dog training client from Las Vegas who was hesitant to call Sit Means Sit at first, however after only two lessons was more than pleased she did. She can now walk both her excitable golden retrievers at the same time without them pulling on the leash and dragging her around. More importantly, she has gained confidence in her ability to maintain her dogs’ training. Don’t take our word for it, check out the video from her second lesson below.

Check out our dog training client from Colorado training her three dogs off leash. We’d love to hear your feedback. Feel free to leave a comment and share your dog training tips.

Posted in Dog Training Articles, Dog Training Collar, Dog Training Reviews, Dog Training Tips, Featured Videos | 0

Dog Training – teaching him to enjoy water

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Teach your dog to play in water so that you can ‘water the dog’. A lot of people have problems giving their dog a bath, but teaching him to play in the water can alleviate
this type of stress from the dog. Not all dogs are crazy about water, and being confident in handling your dog with obedience and behavior exercises like this can make it easier
and more fun.

Posted in Dog Training Tips, Dog Training Videos | 0

Dog Training Tips – Releasing your dog from a sit.

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Teaching your dog to sit and to remain stationary until he is either released from the command, or given another different command is very important
in your clarity to your dog. A lot of times people have the bad habit of calling the dog to them in the initial behavior training which can influence the dog, and
create a bad habit of the dog breaking the command because of anticipation.

In this video, Sit Means Sit CEO Fred Hassen goes over the steps to see to it that your dog can have a very steady command and in conjunction with
the Sit Means Sit remote dog training collar, your obedience commands can be as consistent while the dog is away from you, as they are with the dog next to you.

Posted in Dog Training Commands, Dog Training Tips, Puppy Training | 0

Training a dog to walk with a Muzzle on

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

Training a dog to walk with a muzzle on can present problems. It is hard for a dog to concentrate on even simple obedience if his behavior and energy on entirely focused on trying to take the muzzle off, and that is normal if the dog has never had a muzzle on before. These same principles would apply if the dog was wearing a muzzle as well. In this daily dog training video, this West Highland Terrier has a few aggression problems, and also gives the owner difficulty when having his nails cut.

Here is a video with a much more aggressive dog in a muzzle.

Sit means Sit dog trainer Ashton Fitz-Gerald eases the dog into comfortably walking in a very short time and also transfers the knowledge successfully to the owner very quickly.
Speed in learning is accomplished very quickly using the Sit Means Sit dog training system and the Sit Means Sit dog training collar.

Posted in Dog Training Collar, Dog Training Tips | 0

Never tell your dog ‘No’ – Here’s why

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Watch this video as Fred Hassen explains why it is best to never tell your dog ‘No’.
Simplifying training for the dog and owner, and having the technology to make it the easiest
is why Sit Means Sit dog training continues to have the most efficient dog training system on the planet.

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Posted in Dog Training Tips | 0

Classes in the dogparks?

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009


Fred Hassen talks about upcoming classes in the dog parks, things people think about dog parks, and how he is looking forward to all of the exciting new video that it will bring to the Sit Means Sit website!

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Posted in Dog Training Tips, Manners at the dog park | 0

Dog Training Tip: Don’t say ‘Stay’

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Sit Means Sit CEO/Owner/Founder Fred Hassen explains why ‘Sit Means Sit’ and the faults in using extra commands like ’stay’ and the problems it brings.

Have an email question for Fred Hassen? Send it to info@SitMeansSit.com and you may just find your answer in video form!

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Posted in Dog Training Tips, Featured Videos | 0

 
 
 

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