Homeland K-9 Dog Training Academy

If you had 5 minutes to advise someone getting a new dog or puppy what they should do to prevent present and future behavior problems...what would your advice be.

Here's mine

1. get a  dog crate and learn how to use it

2. learn and start effective training immediately and never stop.(preferably remote collar:))

3. do not think in any way your dog is human... act accordingly

What would your advice be?

1. Dog kennel/cage

2.Leash & collar

3. Training

1000. E-Collar (For Kurt)  hahah Had to put that on the list for you.......

Number 3 is a very good point Kurt. So many time people treat there dogs like a human.  A dog is just like a child, if it take 3 "NO'S" before you make your dog do something than it will learn to do everything right after that third NO. 

Its like telling your kid to brush his teeth. They tell you know and you say 1,  2,  Dont make me say 3................3.

1.  confining your dog does not mean you don't love her.

many benefits of confinement, i could go on and on.

2.be totally commited to find a trainer, and train.  you need help, there is no shame in this.  even the most experienced can't do it all themselves.

3. PLAY with your dog, make things fun.  build that bond.

these are just three that came to mind.  i don't want to get too high on my soapbox.  we want to encourage responsible, low stress ownership.

The dog crate/kennel is probably the second best training tool ever invented for the dog. Sooooo many problems are eliminated if a person will use a crate...especially for puppy's.

But some will confuse it w/ "being locked up". Yet in the wild canines will build a small den(crate) under a tree stump to live in for safety and comfort. Most dogs end up loving their crates...it's the human that fights it.

Another tool used properly would help empty shelters everywhere.

Most of you reading this forum train your dog at Homeland K-9...so probably have a pretty well behaved dog.

Quite a few of you are reading this, yet only two others are willing to share what they think is most important in preventing/solving dog problems.

Don't be selfish...share what has helped you it may help someone else reading this forum.

often times we want results.  we want the finished product.  we want spit and polish.  we say our dog needs training.  we forget the joy in the journey.  i will bet you will like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfXGD4hP1Ro

if the link does not work, copy and paste. 

i am kind of a softy.

I agree with all of you.   Keep in mind that those who posted before me are very experienced dog handlers and we need to remember those that read this are not.   Train, Train, Train is not just a attending a class or teaching a command, it include socialization at an early age.   Socialization is the single most important 8-20 weeks old thing you can do for your dog.   (I think we could start a socialization check list to post).  Crating and training is a given top of the list, but:

1.  Socialization is training--Dedicate time to exposing (socialization)  puppies to EVERYTHING from a pop can rolling in the street, loud noises, children, old people that walk funny, anything you think is normal is strange in their world when they are very young.    All these puppies know are their litter mates and the place (room, kennel, yard they came from).

2.  Don't treat like children, they don't speak English!

3.   Don't tie them out in the yard on a chain as a permanent place to be.  

4.  Get a mutt or quality breeder and the quality breeder subject is another subject.

5.   Find a softy like Joe to help you through the tough times. 

6.  E-collar 95% of the time YES.    Invisible fence should not be used with dogs that have aggression problems.   I believe that with ecollar, the dogs understand the handler is making the correction.  On invisible fence, I believe the dogs think the correction is from the stranger. 

Biggest thing I have learned the last couple years.   Kennels (and crates) do solve problems like Joe said.     I wish I would have built a kennel a couple years ago and I will do it in the future.  

There you go guys, a rookie posted an opinion and I am not afraid to say it.    

Okay, I jumped in and got a puppy yesterday, just a mutt, about 5 lbs right now. I went and got a crate for her, but I'm a bit confused on how to use it. She spent the night in it last night and did ok. She would go to sleep and then would wake up and cry for a bit. I ended up sleeping on the couch with her in her crate next to me, and ever time she would start to cry I had to put my hand in front of the crate and then she'd fall back asleep. We also have an old wind up clock and we set that next to the crate thinking maybe that would help her anxiety a bit, seemed to at first and then not so much. I'm a bit confused on how exactly to use the crate, do I leave her in it all of the time during the day, only letting her out to go potty, and do I leave her in it all night and just let her cry it out or is it okay to sleep next to her? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

First....Use the crate any time she cannot be supervised.  This means overnight, when you are gone, when you take a shower, etc.  The crate is not a bad thing!!  If you can supervise her...definately let her out.  You will find she will begin to think of the crate as "her space". We leave ours set up and open even when we can supervise, and often the dogs will go to it on their own for a break.  However, while you are potty training her you will need to be diligent about taking her out at regular intervals so that she learns to go outside.

Because she is a puppy remember that her bladder is small and she will need to go out every few hours.  This may mean she may need to go out once during the night.  As she gets older this will change and she can be in the crate all night or for 8 hours at a time during the day.  However, if she is crying and going back to sleep I recommend you sleep in your bed and just let her cry.  This will be difficult for a few nights but she will soon adapt and won't be crying.  If she gets used to you sleeping next to her she will train you to do this forever....trust me, you don't want to spend the rest of your dog's life sleeping on the couch!!

Thanks Mike for the info. I'm planning on trying this tonight. She seems to sleep much better when she gets out and plays a bit. Hopefully tonight she won't want to get out and play at 2:30 am. She is doing pretty good overall. Just still trying to work the kinks out a bit!

   In my opinion the two most common ways of messing up crate training are:

   1.  Not using the crate enough.  People think that they are locking their dog up (as Kurt touched on).  This is not the case...crating works because it goes right along with the dog's natural instinct.  Always work with nature, not against it!

   2.  Using the crate as a punishment.  Too many owners only use the crate when they are mad at the dog...never do this.  The crate is always positive.

   I am a big fan of Cesar Millan and his methods (Dog Whisperer fans are going to read some very familiar stuff here), so the three part formula I prefer for prevention of problems is:

   1. Exercise

   2. Discipline

   3. Affection

   In that order!  Exercising your dog properly through a walk, run, play, etc. drains excess energy that may lead to destructive behaviors and behavioral issues.  Note that in the wild (and dogs are decendant from wolves) a dog may walk for up to ten hours a day in search of resources.  A big yard to play in all day is not a substitute for a few walks with you.  A walk is an important part bonding with your dog and entire post in itself.  Let it be your chance to unwind at the end of the day and bond with your dog.  Number one mistake here?  People don't exercise their dog(s).

   Discipline is next...and this does not mean punishment!  Discipline is obedience, working for its meals, walking properly on leash, etc.  It's also giving your dog(s) rules, boundaries and limitations.  Is your dog allowed on the furniture?  Is the dog allowed to stare at you while you eat?  Is the dog allowed to sleep in bed with you?  Is the dog allowed to jump up and greet people?  Of course Mike is yelling, "no, no, no and no!" at the computer screen.  The big mistake here?  Consistency.  If you let the dog on the couch sometimes, you can't yell at him or her for it other times...the dog does not possess the cognitive abilities to distinguish when it's okay and when it's not.  It's always okay or it's never okay.  Period.

   Finally, affection...the one everyone was waiting for.  This is an important part of your relationship with you dog and the main reason most people have one.  The dog needs to work for it, though, and you must work on the exercise and discipline first!  A dog needs leadership before love!  The mistake here?  Instead of exercise, discipline, affection too many give affection, affection, affection.

   My two cents.