House Blueprints

Dogs, like humans, have their own individual personalities and quirks. These little personality quirks are what make each animal special and individual. Thus for this article we will be discussing a bit of animal psychology and what makes our pets who they are.

The first thing to remember is that all living creatures have three basic needs. These three needs are food, water and shelter. When these needs are met, the being is satisfied and will be healthy. This is the basics.

The Curious dog can be a pleasure to own or a nuisance depending on how their curiosity is directed. A dog that is always digging through the trash or chasing porcupines in his desire to learn can be quite taxing, whereas, a dog who is easily trainable and learns many new behaviors quickly is a joy to own. Curious dogs can be taught all manner of interesting dog behaviors, some of which will be discussed in future articles.

The Aggressive dog is also an interesting character. If your pet bristles and growls every time a stranger or other animal approaches your house, then you have an aggressive pet.

The Friendly or Gregarious pet is always ready to make a new friend. The Friendly dog does well with veterinary visits and pooch parties. For female dogs, she may have a strong maternal instinct and horde toys such as tennis balls or stuffed animals. This dog is a pleasure to own but may be a bit over friendly at times, jumping on guests and begging food.

The Shy or Reclusive dog is totally the opposite. The shy dog is usually the product of prior mistreatment or abuse but there are a few naturally occurring animals, just as some humans are shy for no apparent reason. The shy dog is an interesting character and it may take some time to train them as their personality makes them a bit hard to reach. With persistent effort and much patience, however, the shy pet can be an excellent animal.

The Nervous or Easily Frightened dog is also an interesting animal. Again the fear in these dogs is usually based upon some prior instance of abuse or mistreatment, but not in all cases. These animals tend to be a bit defensive of their personal space and should not be cornered, as they will respond to perceived threats with aggressive behaviors, such as nipping or biting. Its incessant movement and body language can spot the nervous dog. They also tend to be hard to completely housebreak due to their nervous state causing them to urinate in moments of stress or excitement.

These five basic personality types may also include other traits of one or more of the other categories or even something entirely individual to the dog itself. Thus each dog becomes unique and an individual, requiring specialized training modeled to the animals needs. In the next article, we will discuss how to train an animal according to its personality traits.

Extensive research and experience has established the incontrovertible fact that successful dog training is premised upon utilization of positive reinforcement. Once-used training techniques that were premised on physical punishment have been abandoned and in many cases outlawed.

The difficulty inherent in non-violent training steeped in positive reinforcement is that it requires a greater commitment from the owner. The old methods relied on intimidation as a shortcut to results. Although far less effective than today s techniques, they were simple to administer. In order to use positive techniques, the owner must not only possess a good knowledge base, he or she must also have patience.

Over and over again, the necessity of patience is emphasized in dog training literature. Be patient with your dog. Do not expect overnight results when dealing with a difficult dog. Maintain your cool when dealing with your dog. The presence of patience is preached as the ultimate virtue for anyone training a dog. No one providing dog training guidance overlooks the value of patience.

However, patience is not necessarily an attribute possessed by all dog owners. As a result, the impatient owner may often delve into his bag of intimidating dirty tricks when things do not go according to plan, and we all know the negative impact such a deviation from the positive-reinforcement route can have.

What needs to occur is that the owner must be trained before the dog can be trained. Owners must be trained to be patient when dealing with their dog when that personality trait is not already in place. All of the time spent teaching techniques premised on the idea that an owner can be patient are doomed to fail if that the owner cannot remain calm. As such, dog owners must teach themselves to be patient during the training process.

Training an owner to be patient is no easier than training a dog to behave in line with one s expectations. In fact, adult humans, with their personalities formed by years of experience and socialization can be even more different to train than dogs!

It is advisable, however, for anyone planning to train a dog to take steps to train themselves to be patient. There are a few helpful recommendations that can allow a trainer/owner to improve their patience skills.

Finally, an owner should have a realistic understanding of the time commitment required to train a dog. Impatience results when one s goals are not met within anticipated time frames. Too often, unfortunately, dog owners are not really aware of the length of time they should expect successful training to take. By outfitting the owner with a clear understanding of dog training techniques and a commensurate understanding of the time required to implement those methods, realistic expectations can be created. With a realistic outlook regarding what is ahead, an owner is less likely to find himself or herself feeling agitated or impatient.

The idea of retraining an owner before he or she trains a dog may seem unusual. However, modern dog training techniques require a level of patience and calmness not always possessed by dog owners. By increasing the dog owner s ability to remain patient, the likelihood of successful training is increased significantly.

In today s world, working dogs are a fact of life. These dogs selflessly provide a service to their masters and their communities and are rewarded with adoration and praise. Police dogs provide such an important service that, in some areas, the killing of a police animal is just as serious an offense as murdering an officer of the law. That in itself is quite a tribute to the work these animals perform.

But what goes into the training of one of these fine animals? Have you ever taken the time to think about how many hours are put into sorting the working animals from the common pets? How much effort is placed on teaching these animals how to do their job in protecting and serving their masters either in official police form or as an assistance dog, such as Seeing Eye or Hearing Ear dogs?

The training of Police dogs alone accounts for many hundreds of man-hours spent for just one animal, the same with bomb dog training aids. Trainers spend many hours researching, locating and acquiring suitable breeds for service dogs and then the dogs must fall within the correct age bracket being neither too young nor too old for service with most dogs ranging between ten months on the young side and two and a half years on the older side. The dogs are then given complete physicals including blood work and X-ray pictures to be certain that they can withstand the stresses and situations the job throws at them. There is much rigorous testing of the animals before any true training ever begins and matching the animal s temperament and personality to the correct trainer is one of the biggest criteria to effective training.

These animals must also learn to deal with distractions, large crowds, tracking in rural, urban and suburban environments and unusual objects, such as umbrellas and weapons. Remember that there are many hours spent on each of these lessons and that the average dog/handler team is in the field for a year before they become effective and you have a huge amount of training going on.

What does the dog get from all of this? A reward you could never imagine The love of a trainer and handler that is served well. The affectionate hug of a child whose daddy came home tonight because a well-trained dog put its life on the line. The caress and praise of a blind child who has new freedom because of an animal that leads them where they want to go and protects them from danger. These dogs are rewarded for what they do and rewarded well because they serve well. Think about that the next time you see one of these dogs on the street and remember all the training that goes in to making sure they protect and serve with pride.

Since the beginning of time, man has always been proud of the things around him and quality was a prime concern. Even in the biblical account of Adam and Eve, it states that Eve looked at the fruit of the tree and saw that it was good and desirable to the eyes. (Genesis 3:6 NKJV- So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. ) The tradition continues today with contests of skill, beauty and training taking place around the world. From the small town livestock and pet shows to the huge, century old affair of the English, Crufts, which has been drawing crowds since 1891, the show dog is heeling its way down the halls of fame.

Show dogs come from all breeds and the object of the sport is to find the best bloodlines, training and dispositions. In 1991, the centennial year for Crufts, there was a turnout of 22,993 canine entrants for the show which was held at The National Exhibition Center in Birmingham, United Kingdom. It should be remembered that this is an annual show that has been going strong since its inception by Charles Cruft, a British traveling salesman, in the year 1891. With an entry list of so high a number, one staggers to imagine the size of the crowd of spectators who attended the centennial show. With all this fame and glory just waiting to be taken, how do we get our dogs in the act?

Well, the first step to beginning in the show dog circuit is getting into touch with a kennel club or pet association. They will be able to assist you with finding the rules and regulations for your area, common acceptable practices and any special vaccinations or veterinary testing that may be required. They also offer the mind pool of many experienced trainers who are willing to share the thoughts and training tips.

There are a few basic dog behaviors that are common amongst all and these do not change with the show dog except for the fact that they are refined a bit more. Show dogs must be trained in running a circle, as well as an obstacle course, with their handler. They also must be taught correct postures for sitting, heeling, trotting and standing. Your dog should be taught to be still and not fidget when being handled by the judges as well as while waiting their turn at judging.

Another very important aspect of show dog training is socializing the animal to other dogs. These animals will be in the presence of possibly thousands of others animals so it is imperative that your dog knows how to behave correctly to avoid disqualification due to aggressive behaviors.

With these little pointers under your collar, the day of the big show isn t far away. Be prepared for it and plan well ahead of time. A professional grooming before the show is nice for your pet and will be sure to add to her sleek lines. Also don t forget her favorite treats and toys for after the show. The author wishes you the best of luck and I hope to see you at a competition near me soon.

In the dog trainers arsenal of tools and tactics, there are many great items that will assist in the task and make things much easier for you. Items such as clickers, leashes of different varieties, halters, electronic collars, electronic and chemical training aids, muzzles and treat carriers are dog training aids that have their place in the trainers world and can prove very useful in your efforts to train your dog. Let s take a few minutes to explore some of the various tools of the trade.

We shall begin our discussion with the clicker. It emits a clicking noise by pressing down and then releasing the metal. This sound is a quick attention getter for most dogs and once they are taught to recognize the sound, they can discern it even over much background noise or relatively long distances. It is used a great deal by trainers who focus mainly on positive reinforcements.

Next in line are a variety of leashes. These handy tools can range from a very short leash with less than eighteen inches of length to an extremely long leash of twenty feet or more.

After the leashes we find another control device; the electronic collar. These negative reinforcement devices come in two major categories, sonic and shock emitting. The sonic version is the more humane of the two and emits a discomforting sound when the dog performs a certain disagreeable behavior. The second version works in the same manner but has the added enforcement of delivering a painful electric shock.

There is also a variety of training aids, both electronic and chemical based, for combating specific behaviors. One of the most popular electronic aids is the electronic shock mat, which is placed on furniture to keep your pet from jumping onto your leather couch or expensive recliners. These devices emit a mild but persuasive electrical shock when the pet comes into contact with them. (A cautionary note: Don t forget to remove these items before you sit down on the furniture. It might prove to be a shocking experience. ) Chemical based training aids include such products as Bitter Apple sprays or creams, which are used to prevent chewing or self-mutilation behaviors. Other such products are administered as a dietary supplement to produce calmness in excessively overactive dogs or to stop a dog from eating feces.

Muzzles are also useful in training dogs to stop barking and to avoid aggressive behaviors and injuries when a gathering of many animals is expected or when introducing your pet to a new animal in the household such as the family cat.

Last but not least, and certainly the most appreciated by your dog, are the special treat carriers that have become quite popular in training circles. This listing was composed of just a few basic tools of the trade. There are many other training aids that we do not have time to discuss here but feel free to visit your local pet store and find out more about the ever growing line of pet supplies and how they can aid you in your training ventures.

You leave and he howls. Not just for a moment, but seemingly forever. When the howling finally abates, it is replaced by a whine. When you return, you find your home a mess he has engaged in destructive dog behavior that is completely out of character. Your dog has a real problem: separation anxiety.

Dogs love their owners and develop a very close relationship with them. Thy dog may seem confused, angry or sullen when the owner leaves and may appear to lash out against being left alone by ruining furniture, creating messes or otherwise acting in ways wholly inconsistent with his training. Separation anxiety is relatively easy to diagnose: an otherwise well-adjusted dog seems to transform into a monster when left alone. Unfortunately, it is not always quite as easy to treat the disorder.

Helping a dog to overcome problems with separation anxiety is a process, just like other aspects of training, it takes time and repetition to be truly successful. The idea of training away separation anxiety seems unlikely how can you address a behavior when you are not present to see, prevent or correct it? Fortunately, there are actions one can take to decrease separation anxiety and to prevent your dog s frustrated behavior from spiraling out of control during your absence.

Prepare the dog for your departure. This can be done by intentionally decreasing interaction with the pet prior to leaving. Although one may want to spend extra time with a pet before leaving him alone, the best practice is to actually come close to ignoring your pet for several minutes prior to leaving. This will make your departure less jarring and should serve to decrease the dog s level of anxiety.

If you are leaving for an extended period and feel the need to connect with your pet and to enjoy their company, find ways to do so earlier in the day. Resist the urge to say goodbye before actually leaving.

Provide an immediate distraction for the dog. Right before leaving, it is desirable to provide the pet with some sort of distraction. A new toy, for instance, may serve to occupy his attentions, allowing for a smoother transition to his alone time. Whatever immediate distraction is provided, make sure it is something that is likely to interest the dog for several minutes. The objective, after all is to maintain his attention on something other than your absence for as long as can be reasonably expected.

Separation anxiety can be an absolutely befuddling issue for a dog owner. Even the most well-mannered and well-trained dogs can suddenly transform into destructive troublemakers as a result of separation anxiety. Training away this difficulty can be hard, especially when a dog feels very connected to his owner. However, by preparing your dog and utilizing appropriate immediate and lasting distractions, one can reasonably expect to reduce the anxiety experienced by their dog.

There are virtually as many approaches to training a dog as there are dogs to train! It seems as if every day new systems and techniques are announced or older methods are resurrected. Check a bookstore shelf or do a quick internet search and you will be overwhelmed with the number of ways people may advocate training a dog.

Despite the tremendous diversity of methods, almost every successful dog training system is premised on positive reinforcement techniques. All of the new, more effective, recommended means of dog training share something else in common: their effectiveness can be enhanced significantly by remembering three simple secrets.

Start Young

We ve all been told a thousand times you can t teach an old dog new tricks. That popular old saying, of course, is not entirely true. Any dog, regardless of age, can learn new things. However, like most old adages, it has been remembered because it contains a kernel of truth. Dogs, like humans, are much more receptive to learning new behaviors when young. The earlier you are able to start training your dog, the more effective the training will be.

Puppies will learn at a much faster clip and do not have ingrained behaviors that must be un-learned. Thus, any training regimen is sure to be more successful when conducted with a puppy for a subject instead of an older dog.

Remain Gentle

Dogs are social animals and develop a real attachment to their owners. A dog who trusts his owner and who sincerely wants to please his companion is far more likely to remain attentive and compliant during the training process.

A failure to act gently jeopardizes the training program by undermining the quality of the dog/owner relationship.

Of course, aggressive behavior also runs contrary to the very foundations of most dog training techniques. Dog training is premised on the notion that positive reinforcement techniques best modify dog behavior. The interjection of inconsistent activity frustrates that process. Furthermore, there are ethical and moral concerns about mistreating an animal, in addition to the practical concerns. By making a commitment to retain gentleness throughout the training process one can insure they are consistently treating their dog appropriately.

A gentle dog owner will find himself with an ally for a trainee rather than a rival. Instead of a battle of the wills, training can become a cooperative exercise. Under those conditions, training tends to take less time and be far more effective.

Emphasize Prevention

Too often, training a dog devolves into a series of constant corrections for behaviors the owner finds unsuitable. This reduces the pleasure found in dog training as well as its overall effectiveness. A strong emphasis on preventing inappropriate behavior reduces the need for correction efforts and can help spur quick progress.

The basic goal of prevention is to intervene before a problem is created instead of simply responding to the problem. This technique allows one to avoid spending undue time on correction and to emphasize real positively reinforced training methods, keeping a program on track and accelerating its successes. By starting early, remaining gentle and emphasizing prevention, any reasonable method of dog training can garner better results. These three secrets, if always operating in the background, serve to push the effectiveness of any training technique.

Built with two floors, three bedrooms and three baths, this Traditional style house has a total surface of 2038 sqr. ft. and a garage for two cars. The house is build on a 48′ width 57′ depth terrain. The height is 0′.
See details for this blueprint

There are many different approaches to dog training and many different ways of implementing each of those approaches. Most techniques utilized today however, are premised upon the idea that positive reinforcement is likely to create the best results. Virtually every truly functional dog training system is outgrowth of positive reinforcement thinking.

Inconsistency

Consistency may be hobgoblin of little minds in terms of the need for human creativity. With respect to dog training, however, inconsistency is the quickest way to reduce the experience s effectiveness.

A dog is likely to best respond to a system in which regular actions produce regular results. In the dog s mind, these lapses in regularity convey a sense of randomness to the process and make it difficult for the pet to associate his specific behaviors with specific results the key to training. Dogs will excel when they are taught that things happen for specific reasons. When surprises occur it undermines the whole of the training process.

Impatience

There can be a great deal of frustration in dog training. Concepts we believe dogs should be able to grasp easily often escape them completely for quite some time.

We live in a world that is so often focused on immediate results. We learn to expect that our actions will be met by prompt, anticipated responses. Dog training runs counter to this societal trend toward speedy, immediate gratification. Training is an extended process that can require a great deal of patience from the trainer.

Impatience results in unpredictability on the part of the owner as they hastily cease a training session or abandon positive reinforcement techniques in hopes of finding a shortcut to desired results. Patience is, indeed, a virtue when one considers the role of the owner in a dog training situation.

A successful trainer will master developing a patient outlook throughout the extended process of dog training.

Treating the dog as a subject instead of a partner

Dog training requires two participants: the dog and the owner. Frequently, however, owners tend to perceive the process as being uniquely about them. They fret over their techniques, equipment and strategies without giving real consideration to their training partner, the dog.

Dogs are sufficiently intuitive to be attuned to a trainer s attitude and are less receptive to learning when they are treated merely as a subject instead of as a complete being. Owners who fail to see their pet s identity during training are unable to pick up on subtle clues and possible means to improve their techniques.

The successful trainer will treat his dog as a full partner in training, not merely as a subject.

By avoiding these three common pitfalls, a dog owner is more likely to be able to implement a training strategy that produces results. Regardless of the exact methodology adopted by the owner, the training process will benefit extraordinarily from avoiding the mistakes of inconsistency, impatience and treating your pet as a subject instead of as a partner.

Teaching a dog a tick can be a rewarding experience for both pet and owner. Thousands of tricks have been taught to dogs ranging from the common ( roll over ) to the entirely unique. Certainly thousands of new tricks are being conceived and taught to dogs with each passing day. Despite the diversity of tricks, all share some common traits. Chief among these commonalities is the framework in which successful trick training occurs.

All successful trick teachers do some things in common. They understand the necessary foundations for successful trick instruction and are mindful to the tricks they must know before they even begin to work with their dog. That s right, teaching a dog a trick requires knowing a few of your own! There are three tricks the owner must learn before teaching a dog a trick. These three tricks are choosing proper tricks, choosing proper rewards, and remaining positive throughout the teaching process.

Choosing Proper Tricks

When selecting a trick to teach a dog, one is far more likely to have a successful and rewarding experience if they choose a trick for which the animal is well suited. A dog who hates to rear up on his hind legs, for instance, is a poor candidate for any learning to walk trick. Meanwhile, a dog who seemingly loves to bring things to people is an excellent candidate for a trick based on fetching.

Choose Proper Rewards

Teaching tricks is premised on the notion of rewarding desired behavior until it becomes second nature. In order to maximize the likelihood of successful teaching, one must choose rewards that are particularly coveted by the dog.

Some dogs, for instance, thrive simply on praise and this may be enough of an enticement through the trick learning process to produce desired results. Too often, the unsuccessful teacher will rely on praise for a dog that is inadequately impressed by it or on a specific treat the dog may enjoy but does not truly love. By targeting the optimal reward, one increases the chances for trick learning success.

Remain Positive

Teaching a dog a trick, i just like doing a simple dog training, it always be premised on positive reinforcement. Unfortunately, some frustrated trick instructors will find themselves tempted to use stern tones or other disciplinary tactics on a dog that is failing to learn a trick. These efforts generally backfire. The dog fails to learn the trick and the owner has turned a potentially valuable and fun exercise into a negative experience for all involved.

Sometimes trick instruction can be difficult and frustrating. Nonetheless it is important to remember to focus on positive reinforcement. One must make the experience a fun activity, not a threatening one.

By making wise choices in the tricks to be taught, using appropriate rewards during the teaching process and retaining a focus on the positive, teaching a dog tricks can be a great and rewarding experience with lasting benefits for both the dog and his owner. By learning a few tricks of your own first, you will be far more likely to teach your dog a few, too!