General Dog Training

While the abuse has subsided, the strictness of the practice has not, due to the need to carefully evaluate the Schutzhund trained dogs. At its onset, the training was prescribed through the use of pamphlets and in-person classes. In modern times, dog owners are able to use DVDs to begin their dog’s training.

Originating in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century, Schutzhund dog training was designed as a means of testing numerous dogs, specifically the German Shepherd, to see if they would be viable as police dogs.

As the appearance in and of itself was not enough, this much more thorough method of training made it much easier to decide the animals most adept at this job. Although it is rare that Schutzhund trained dogs today pass the difficult training, many owners of various breeds are allowed to take part.

Schutzhund Dog Training Essentials for Potential Schutzhund Trained Dogs

The canine candidate will be tested for various behaviors associated with police work, such as sniffing, protecting, retrieving, and tracking.

The dog training is started when the dog is less than a month old, and it takes as long as several months to assure the owners that the Schutzhund trained dogs definitely have an aptitude for this line of work.

Techniques used on Schutzhund Trained Dogs

Although there are many alternate concentrations of Schutzhund dog training, there are some basic training factors that the courses focus on:

Obedience

This is the first test that Schutzhund dog training explores. For Schutzhund trained dogs to pass this test, they must understand the 10 or 11 points of training that cover such things as retrieving, heeling, jumping, pointing out of an object, targeting, and heel positioning, and such orders as “go out”, “sit, down and stand”, and “focus and attention”.

Tracking – This kind of dog training is geared toward Schutzhund trained dogs who will be used to seek out bombs, drugs, dead bodies, to name a few. They are ultimately trained to recognize these scents and go after them without stopping until they are pulled off.

Dogs trained in this discipline will be trained exclusively to be trackers. This method teaches obedience cues of “pointing out of an object” and “targeting” to teach the dog to discern between the alternate scents.

Clicker Training

This famous method has proven itself over and over to be amazingly effective with German Shepherds and other breeds that are suited to this training.

Clicker training is initiated when the dog is very young, typically about 10 weeks old. Although this procedure has been implemented universally, not all trainers use it.

Protection

Schutzhund trained dogs may be taught to protect people or objects, with or without commands. Guard dogs, attack dogs, and police dogs all are trained to protect. If they are trained with commands, they are specific so that the dog can discern and then attack a threat.

Schutzhund dog training can also be used to train an owner’s dog for obedience aims, although the owner will want to make certain to look into numerous training courses to ensure the success of their dog’s training and to understand the various philosophies the training explores.

Although Schutzhund dog training can be harsh and quite difficult, the skills that the Schutzhund trained dogs to learn are very high and permit the dog to complete a task or respond to a command amazingly quickly and with the utmost efficiency, while dogs in more regular training programs may only accomplish the training at a rate of 20%.

If you think that you may have a dog that could benefit from rescue dog training you may find that you are getting as much benefit from this challenge as your four-footed buddy.

Handlers and dogs must train for about two years before they can actively participate as part of an official rescue team. Some dogs excel at this kind of work and may progress a bit faster but it is generally a good idea not to try and rush this kind of learning activity.

At the very beginning of rescue dog training, each canine is tested and judged. Those that show a strong affinity for this kind of work are approved for the next stage of training. A rescue dog must be obedient and able to get along with a variety of animals and people.

The dogs must be able to work long hours in difficult environments while maintaining their composure and focus. Trainers look for dogs that are agile, calm and have a strong prey or food drive when they are considering potential candidates for rescue dog training.

All rescue dog training involves a great deal of physical activity and outdoor work. Dogs must be in good physical condition. They must prove that they can climb, jump and run for long periods of time.

Improvised hurdles and challenges are frequently presented to the dogs, and in order to complete rescue dog training the canine must be able to adjust to these challenges and overcome them. If your dog excels at agility training you may want to consider whether to have evaluated as a potential rescue dog candidate.

Learning how to pick up a scent and follow it is one of the most important aspects of rescue dog training. These animals are trained to stay on the trail of a scent even if it is camouflaged with other smells. Sometimes the dog must follow the scent through ponds, streams or other bodies of water.

The dogs will be taught how to stay focused on one scent and avoid all distractions. They will also be instructed in the proper way to alert their handler to a scent that they have found.

Many of the commands used in rescue dog training exercises will be nonverbal so it is very important that you understand how to work with a canine teammate using this silent form of communication.

With rescue dog training there is always a lot of work for both dog and handler to do. In order to have a good rescue dog, both handler and canine must learn to work as a cohesive and efficient team.

Commands and training drills must be practiced continually to reinforce the lessons that have been taught.

There are some breeds of dogs that are better suited for search and rescue dog training. Usually smaller dogs are not ideal candidates for this type of work because rescue dogs must be able to adapt to any kind of environment including rough outdoor conditions.

A rescue dog may be called upon to negotiate tall steps, ladders or may even be asked to walk across a steep roof. These animals may be required to work in cold, rainy or windy outdoor weather.

Many rescue dogs are sent out into densely wooded or swampy areas and larger boned dogs are better suited for these kinds of environments.

German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Malinois, Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Bloodhounds, Boxers, and Dobermans are some of the breeds that make good candidates for rescue dog training.

Many mixed breeds can also be used as rescue dogs, especially those that have bloodlines containing the DNA of retrievers, hounds or German shepherds. As a rule, a dog that has strong traits for sporting, herding or working are always among the top contenders to become a rescue dog.

Air scent dogs, trailing (or tracking) dogs, water search dogs, cadaver detection dogs and avalanche recovery dogs are just a few of the jobs available for canines that have successfully completed rescue dog training courses. Most dogs will specialize in just one area but there are a few dogs that have proven they have outstanding abilities in more than one rescue field.

You should never try to compel your dog to concentrate on search and rescue training exercises if the animal shows no interest. This will only become an exercise in frustration for both handler and canine. Pursue rescue training for dogs with an animal that shows an interest in this type of activity.

If you want to keep your dog focused and excited about rescue training you need to be sure and offer rewards for a job well done. Prey driven dogs will appreciate additional play and recreation time while food driven dogs will want to be rewarded with treats.

Making sure that your dog is well schooled in basic obedience training is necessary before you even begin to think about rescue dog training.

You can train your dog at home but it is generally a better bet to seek some type of professional training help if you plan to progress your dog into rescue work at a future date and time.

This will help ensure that your dog is well grounded and responds appropriately to commands regardless of the situation.

Socializing a dog will help them overcome some of their feelings of anxiety and insecurity. A dog that is well socialized to people, children, new environments and other animals is the kind of animal that has a better chance of successfully completing any type of advanced training courses.

In order to maximize the full effect of rescue dog training, the handler must remember that he is to maintain his position as alpha leader when exercising and training drills are being done.

The use of the eyes and body posture is often the most effective training tools a handler has to work with. Using these nonverbal signals appropriately will help you control and teach your dog.

Rescue dog training will give any dog and owner a sense of pride and accomplishment. While this type of work is not going to be the ideal choice for some canines it is a wonderful opportunity for many other dogs. If you have a dog that you feel is a good candidate for rescue work there are programs that will help you uncover and develop these hidden talents.

Puppies have to be watched closely during their first weeks and even months of life. There are things you have to accept as being out of your control.

You have to put up cherished items while you train your puppy and you have to make allowances in your daily schedule to do things when the puppy needs them and not when you wish it.

It takes a lot of work to train a puppy, but the rewards are great, you will have a forever friend who won’t max out your credit card and can’t crash your car when they are older.

One of the most important pieces of advice on puppy training that one can get is to set up a schedule. Make a set time to do the things your pet needs to be done. If you set up routine times for feeding, walks, playing and many other things the puppy will begin to learn what to expect and attempt to act accordingly.

Animals in many ways are very routine oriented and if you adopt this in the training of your puppy things will progress for you and the puppy at a much faster rate.

Establish routines of what you wish the puppy to do when it is time for a walk, time to eat or time to sleep. You may want the puppy to sit and wait while you prepare his food, this is good because then he sees that food doesn’t just appear but that you are responsible for it. This helps in establishing your role as someone the puppy best pay attention to.

Walks are another way to establish who is a leader. Make sure your puppy starts to learn the routine you set for going on walks. Making a puppy work for his rewards is helpful to them and makes the process much smoother for you.

The most valuable advice on puppy training is to have patience. Puppy training does not happen overnight. It can be a slow process for even the most experienced trainers. It takes a great deal of hard work and patience to keep repeating the same steps over and over until the puppy understands what is expected of him.

Puppies are very smart, but they have their own unique personalities. Remember to be patient and eventually, you will have a well-trained companion.

All of your family members must agree on a routine for the puppy, including rules and responsibilities towards it. In the first few days, show enthusiasm. Your puppy needs a routine, and to feel secure. Puppies need lots of sleep, so if your puppy looks sleepy then let them sleep.

One important thing to remember during basic puppy training is to show love. However, showing too much love will result in the spoiling of your dog.

This will make it difficult to train in the future. Attempting to retrain the dog in the future will prove to be even more difficult, and may be frustrating to you as an owner.

To avoid this, ensure that everyone acts upon their agreed commitment and responsibilities towards the puppy. Be consistent in your daily training program, making no exceptions even when you have company in your home. This will allow your puppy to recognize your authority.

When setting your routine for basic puppy training, be sure to include a clear schedule for walking the puppy, as well as feeding and playing with the puppy, and of course, training. When your puppy performs with positive behavior, give it attention and rewards immediately, such as praise or treats.

Do not give in to your puppy’s every whim, giving them a treat simply because they are cute.

Observe the behavior of your puppy so as to prevent punishing the puppy for no clear reasons.

Finally, when you need to change the methods of training your puppy, modify them so that they are always short, enjoyable and fun.

Here are some tips for basic dog training. Get an adjustable puppy for your collar so that you can adjust the collar as your puppy grows. You should also get a leash, preferably a training three in one.

For your puppy’s food and water bowls, only have one of each.

For durability and hygiene, it is recommended that you get stainless steel bowls. Toys should be used as motivators. To get your puppy to recognize its name, call the puppy to you using their name. Crouch down and open your arms to the puppy, then call its name.

How does clicker training work?

The sound of the clicker is very sharp and strong which your puppy can hear from a long distance away. When you sound the clicker you give your puppy a specific command. This aim of this training is to reward this specific command with the noise from the clicker.

Clicker Puppy training does not start with the clicker your puppy must understand that the clicker is a reward for when he is good. So a great place to start would be with a selection of his favorite treats and a cheap clicker from your local pet store.

Your puppy will then always think that after hearing the clicker he has done a good job and a scrumptious treat will soon be heading his way.

How is Clicker puppy training done?

The training can be broken down into 3 simple steps. The first stage is to get your puppy to take a required action that you would like him to do, like sitting or rolling over. Once they have completed this action sound your clicker (which says to him ‘good puppy’) and give him a reward.

The puppy after a short while soon understands what he has been doing and repeats it when you click the clicker. The reason that clicker puppy training works so well is that the puppy understands and responds quickly, much quicker than if they were given a verbal instruction.

One your puppy has received his reward it’s important to keep getting him to repeat the behavior as often as possible so the action will soon become second nature to him. Also, you don’t have to give him a treat every time, the treats can be substituted with petting and praise which work just as well.

Progressing from clicker training

The next stage when your puppy has got used to an action using the clicker you can start to use verbal commands, which can be used anywhere and without a clicker.

When you were about to use the clicker just say the command out loud then click and give him his reward. Your puppy will learn to associate all 3 together.

Clicker training makes training your puppy so much easier, they understand what pleases you much quicker and easier.

Additionally, different methods are available for different purposes. For instance, a dog being trained as a seeing-eye dog will require a different a different method than a family pet.

Likewise, a dog being trained to pull a sled will need a different type of training than what is used to prepare police dogs.

The biggest difference between modern methods of training dogs and those that were used a generation ago is a switch from negative to positive reinforcement.

Before an individual can decide which of the dog training methods is best for their animal and themselves, it will be necessary to understand exactly why dog training is so important. A well-trained dog will not put children, other animals, and property at risk.

A well-trained dog will also live a happier life since it is less likely to run away, get hit by a car, or get into dangerous chemicals and materials around the home. An important part of the training will involve socializing the dog with children, strangers, and other animals.

It was not uncommon for many individuals to use dog training methods that involve negative reinforcement in the past. That is, a dog owner might strike an animal or yell aggressively at the dog when it misbehaved or failed to follow a command. This method was especially popular when people were trying to house train an animal.

Owners would often rub the animal’s nose in the mess they had made after eliminating indoors. Rather than enforcing the idea that it was wrong to relieve itself in the house, the dog would learn that it should not eliminate in front of its owner.

Positive reinforcement, on the other hand, is one of the dog training methods that reinforce good behavior rather than focusing on the animal’s mistakes. A popular form of positive reinforcement training is the use of clickers. When using this type of method, the owner or trainer will use a clicker to make a distinctive noise when the dog does something good.

The dog then learns to associate that particular sound with a reward. Another one of the dog training methods that is very popular is known as lure training. This method uses a lure such as a toy in order to teach the dog commands.

Following a schedule will teach your puppy that there is a time for everything. Taking your puppy outside frequently will also help. Do this every two hours at least, including after he wakes up.
Choose a spot for your pup to go to the bathroom outside, and each time you take him out to use the bathroom, take him to this spot with a leash.

A big part of house puppy training is rewarding your puppy when he does well. Give him a treat or praise, immediately after he is finished. A regular eating schedule is also important for them.

Feed your puppy at the same times every day to make his routine consistent. About two and a half hours prior to your puppy’s bedtime, put away his water dish so that he will not have to go during the night. If your puppy wakes you up during the night, turn on as few lights as possible while going out.
Supervision is necessary for house puppy training.

Whenever your puppy is indoors, be sure to keep a close watch on him. Keep the puppy close to you or tethered to a nearby piece of furniture when you are not playing with him and he is not being trained.

When he is in the yard, be sure to keep the puppy on a leash. Only give him freedom in the yard after he is house trained. If you are not able to watch your puppy at a certain time, confine him to a small area.

The final thing to consider while house puppy training is what will happen when you’re away from your puppy. Puppies can control their bladder one hour for every month of their age. If you must be away for long periods, you should arrange for someone to take your puppy outside when needed.

This individual should be someone you trust, a responsible adult such as a neighbor or a pet sitter. Confine your puppy to an area that has a place for him to play, sleep, and eliminate if necessary. This space should be a box lined with several layers of newspaper or filled with litter products.