Heal, Sit & Lay 

This is the humane way of training your dog not to bark. Please check with your vet on using this product. Your dog may have an allergic reaction to it, if so discontinue use immediately.  

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Protect Your Pooch

There is no certification or licensing requirement for dog trainers in the U.S. If you're in the market to find a trainer, be sure to read up on our tips before choosing one! Here is an article that may help.

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Facts You Need to Know For Dog Training

By Michael Baldwin

There are many facts which you need to know while training your dog. These would be helpful in removing some prejudices which can restrict effective training of your dog. Certain myths are prevalent in our society regarding dog training which might result in some problems. People do not understand the feelings of the dogs and punish them leisurely at small mistakes. Moreover, most of us don't understand the importance of dog training which can result in some unexpected situations.

1. Feelings of dogs: Most of us do not care about the feelings of the dogs. We feel that if animals can't speak, they can't have any feelings. But this can't be farther from the truth. We need to provide them proper love and care as well.

2. Training of older dogs: It is a tradition to train the dogs while they are young puppies. No stress is given on training of older dogs. It is true that such dogs have undergone a lot of changes but they need to be trained as well. In case they have suffered from any hearing loss, use of sign language can be done to make them understand your point. Older dogs would not be as mobile and flexible as the younger ones, but if you train them in certain basic activities, they can turn out to be quite useful.

3. Only one person should be in charge of the training the dog. He or she can in turn introduce the dog with other members of the family. In this way, you can prevent development of confusion in the dog regarding whose instructions need to be followed. The age old proverb of 'Too many cooks can spoil the party' holds true in this regard.

4. You can ensure that the energy of the dog is given a proper channel so that it can be utilized in a positive manner. Such exercises can be organized for him. This can help to avoid your dog becoming overweight. This can be detrimental to his health as it can lead to health problems. Besides, your dog would remain more active and playful with regular exercise. Another indirect advantage of his exercise is that it would make you occupied as well. If you organize this activity smartly, your dog would like it as well and he would look forward to it everyday.

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The Secret To Training Dogs to be Happy, Well Adjusted And Well Behaved
 

 Dogs are fantastic additions to our lives.  They’re happy to see us when we come home.  They sit on our laps or snuggle with us in bed when we’re not feeling well.  They’re entertaining, they’re confidantes, and they really are our best friends.  It’s reasonable that you want your dog to have everything that he wants, it’s also reasonable that you want your dog to behave well both inside and outside of the home.  It’s reasonable that you want to know the best and most effective information on training dogs.

 The truth to keep in mind when you’re training dogs is that your dog prefers some sort of structure.  They prefer that you’re the boss and that you provide a series of rules and expectations for them.  It makes them feel safe, secure and it helps them to trust you.

 This bond that you create with your dog when you train them can only happen if you train them with positive reinforcement tools rather than negative reinforcement tools like choke collars, electronic fences or collars, and even yelling.  Training dogs with positive reinforcement creates a bond with your dog that just cannot be replicated any other way.  The best and most effective tool you can use train dogs positively is to use ‘clicker training.’

Clicker training dogs is an animal training method based on behavioral psychology that relies on marking desirable behavior and rewarding it.  Or to put it more simply, it’s a training method that uses a tool, a clicker, that tells your dog the instant it has performed a correct or desirable behavior.

 A clicker, combined with positive reinforcement like verbal praise and tasty treats, is an effective, safe, and humane way to teach your dog any tricks or behaviors that you want them to do.

 Here’s how it works.  You, the trainer, click the very instant your dog performs a behavior that you want them to perform. You can actually train your dog to clicker train by training him to do a behavior that he enjoys performing like fetching a ball.

 Throw the ball, your dog chases the ball, picks it up and brings it to you to throw again, the instant he drops the ball in your lap, you click and reward.  Very soon, your dog will begin to associate the sound of the click with his reward, something it likes.  Since it wishes to repeat that pleasurable experience, it will repeat the action it was doing when it heard the click.

 Clicker training dogs can be used to train behaviors that you want like sit, stay, and walking on a leash but it can also be used to train away unwanted behaviors like going to the bathroom inside, begging, barking and that ever annoying “let’s wrap the leash around your legs” game.           

 Dogs are naturally loving and are great companions, if treated correctly. They are, however, still animals, and have basic needs and protective instincts that must be met. If they are not, they may become aggressive. Here are a few common ways to change how aggressive your dog is, and with the right dog training, you'll never have to worry about it again.

 Hands down, the most common mistake is hitting your pet. This instills fear in the animal, and it is not appropriate, under any circumstance. The only effect you will have on the dog is the opposite effect: they will know that aggressive behavior is something you endorse, and will act accordingly. Instead, be assertive. Always let them know you are the boss, but do NOT cross that line.

 Encourage your dog to engage in playful activities such as frisbee or catch. Instead of playing games like tug of war, which can send the wrong signal, engage in a playful, non-aggressive game. Later, when the dog is fully indoctrinated into what is and is not acceptable behavior, you can start to play games like tug of war and wrestle with them.

 By understanding your dog's nature, and their needs, you will start to establish a better connection with your dog. Once you do this, you will start to realize the true reasons why your dog does what they do. Aggressiveness is something that is a natural part of them, but only in certain circumstances. Be sure those circumstances don't exist, and you won't get aggressive behavior!

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Automated Cat Repellents Stop Bad Kitty Behavior

If your cat likes to scratch furniture or other items around your house, you know that getting your cat to stop can be a challenge. When training your cat to stop a destructive behavior, it is a good idea to use a deterrent to help reinforce good behavior. An automated cat repellent can be very helpful when trying to get your cat to doing bad behavior, even when you are not around and without having to take the time to train your cat.

An automated cat repellent like SSSCAT Automated Cat Repellent by Multipet is ideal for helping to deter your cat from doing a bad behavior. This automatic cat repellent is so easy to use and may be set up any where in your home. As soon as it senses movement, it releases a brisk spray that startles your cat and encourages your cat to move away. This spray is safe for use around your cat and will not stain your carpet or leave a bad scent in the room. With the use of this automated cat repellent, your cat will learn quickly without training.

Another great automated cat repellent is the PetSafe Pawz Away Spray Deterrent. This automated cat repellent is also designed to give your cat a quick spray that makes your cat want to run away quickly and can sense movement up to three feet away. Place this automated cat repellent in a place that your cat likes to cause damage and your cat will learn quickly to stop that behavior without you having to get mad or having to train your cat. The spray is non scented and safe for use around your cat.

If your cat has a bad behavior that you want to stop, an automated cat repellent is ideal for deterring your cat without the hassle of training your cat.

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"Warning: Your Dog Training May Actually Be Hurting Your Dog."
 

 Any book or trainer who says that you should be using a shock collar, should be yelling at, or even hitting your dog, is using old, outdated, ineffective, and not to mention inhumane methods to train your dog. It doesn't have to be that way...

    * Shock, Spike, and Choke Collars hurt your dog! They violate the trust your dog has in you, and they should not be used, no matter what any "trainer" says.
    * Yelling at your dog does nothing but intimidates your dog and makes them learn to "tune you out". Most training courses I've seen recommend that you sternly yell at your dog to get your point across. Do NOT do this!
    * And the absolute worst: I've seen some books recommend the occasional "swat" or spanking of your dog... this is 100% unacceptable, as it does nothing but makes your dog hurt and ruins your relationship!

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5 Dog Training Tips That Wont Scare Your Dog to Death
 

 For many, owners and so called experts alike, the key to training a dog is to dominate it through fear.  The use of choke collars, electric shock, and yelling and hitting are their main tools.  I see several very critical problems with this type of training.  Negative reinforcement breeds fear and fear breeds aggressive and unpredictable behaviors.  Training dogs shouldn’t be scary for them, it should be fun. While negative reinforcement behaviors may work, they are not predictable.  For the best dog training results you want to make sure that the behaviors are predictable and repeatable.  Negative reinforcement doesn’t encourage your dog to be a loyal and loving pet.  Training dogs for the sake of obedience is fine but don’t you want a dog that loves you too? Punishment is not an event marker, meaning that your dog knows that he’s been punished but he may not be able to associate the punishment with the wrong behavior.  If he doesn’t know what he did wrong, he’ll repeat the behavior.

So how do you train your dog without terrifying him?

Dog Training Tip #1. Keep your training sessions short. Your dog’s attention span is pretty short.  If you keep the lessons to five minutes a piece, he’ll not only enjoy the sessions much more, he’ll retain more.  In fact, most dogs will pick up the new skill or trick on three short sessions.

Dog Training Tip #2.  Fix bad behavior by rewarding good behavior. Reward your dog or puppy for relieving itself outside.  Reward your dog when he greets visitors properly, don’t punish when he jumps on them.  Reward your dog when he heels and walks on a leash properly, don’t punish when he pulls on the leash or wraps it around your legs.

Dog Training Tip #3.  Reward your pet when he’s performing the correct behavior not after it is completed.
This is important to help your dog catch onto your rules quickly.  If he goes to the bathroom outside and you reward him when he comes back in the house, he thinks he’s getting a reward for coming in the house – not because he went to the bathroom outside.  Of course, you probably don’t want to run over to him with a treat while he’s going to the bathroom but you can say ‘Good Boy’ while he’s going and you can give him a treat right after he finishes.

Dog Training Tip #4. Don’t wait for perfect behavior. Reward your dog for small improvements in skills or behavior.  For example you want your dog to have good table manners and lay on the rug by the door during mealtime you can begin by rewarding him when he doesn’t beg.  Once he has that behavior down you can then reward him for staying on the rug or lying down nearby.  Eventually you’ll be rewarding him for your goal behavior of staying on the rug during mealtimes without you asking him to.

Dog Training Tip #5. Clicker train your dog. Clicker training is a great way to communicate with your pet. It's easier to learn than standard command-based training because your dog is able to instantly know when he’s done something right.  It’s a wonderful, positive way to train your dog quickly and easily.  No pain, no yelling, no fear.

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Is Your Dog Afraid of Thunderstorms?

Picture this: As the skies darken overhead, an otherwise amiable dog is panting and pacing around the house with his tail tucked between his legs. When the first crash of thunder hits, he bolts into the bathroom and curls up tightly in the tub, where he remains, panting and trembling, until the storm passes. Sound familiar? Does your dog behave this way during storms? Not to worry, pet parents, the ASPCA has some advice for helping your pooch overcome his fear.

Any dog can develop a fear of thunderstorms, but herding breeds seem more susceptible to developing noise phobias. Age is another risk factor: Dogs who are afraid of thunderstorms can become more distressed with each successive season, so it’s smart to start working with your dog as soon as you notice his fearful behavior. If your adult dog has suddenly become afraid of storms, please start with a visit to your vet. A sick dog may become more sensitive to sounds, and no amount of behavior modification will help if your dog’s fear is medically based.

Try the following strategies to reduce your dog’s anxiety during storms. For dogs with mild thunderstorm phobia, these tricks may get rid of the problem entirely.

Let your dog take refuge inside. Storms aren’t as loud and scary with four walls around you! Bringing your dog into the house also ensures that he won’t try to escape from the yard.

Having some human company often calms panicked dogs. If your calm, quiet touch brings him comfort or if he comes to you for security, it’s perfectly fine to pet and reassure him.

Try turning on some calming music, a TV or radio, or a fan to muffle storm noises. Shutting the drapes may help if lightning also frightens your dog.

More active distractions may help, too. See if your dog will eat from a food-filled toy, such as a stuffed Kong, scatter treats in the house for him to find, or try playing tug or fetch with his favorite toy.

If your dog’s quality of life is seriously impaired by thunderstorms, consider speaking with a vet about anti-anxiety medication. Medication can enhance the effectiveness of other efforts to help your dog cope with his fear. A technique called desensitization and counterconditioning can also help. This technique involves gradually increasing the volume of an audio recording of a thunderstorm to help your dog become accustomed to it, while at the same time associating the sound of thunder with good things, like treats and toys. Additionally, there are a number of products on the market that may help your dog remain calm during storms, including close-fitting body wraps, noise-reducing headphones and herbal remedies.

Help is just around the corner! Please visit the ASPCA’s Virtual Behaviorist for more advice and useful resources.