Actually, many of the problems with dogs and puppies and training them properly come down to a single principle: Who the pack leader? In the wild, dogs are pack animals. This means that not only do they stay together in a group for their safety, but that they rely on one dog to provide the leadership.

In fact, this reliance on a leader has great significance when you consider a dog’s psychology. What it really means is that dogs don’t like to make their own decisions. They much prefer to have a leader tell them what to do and when. To survive in the wild the pack must work as a team, so a dog prefers to go along with a decision made by another rather than do its own thing. Dogs are not really wired for independent thought and behavior.

So, you may be asking, if this is the case, and dogs like to be given directions, why won’t my dog do what I tell it to do?

Quite simply, you have not established yourself as the authority in your dog’s mind. If it is not doing what you want it to, it is probably thinking that you want it to be the leader, and he is showing you that he is in charge! That is why he will bark, not come when called and do all those other things; he’s saying to you, “Don’t worry, I’m in charge and looking after you.”

Once you understand this you can do different things with your puppy or dog to let it know that you are in charge. Once you do this you will see most of the problems disappear – and you will end up with a very well trained dog.

For some of the best ways to simply train your dog by showing it you are the boss, check our the following training resources. By learning to speak your dog’s “language” you will be amazed how quickly you will end up with a puppy or dog that is a joy to own rather than a frustration.

Recommended Reading:

• Dog Training For Beginners
• 7 Tips For Successful Dog Training
• Visual Dog Training Tips

Online Ressoources:

• Puppy and Dog Training Online
• Secrets to Dog Training

You can get everything at dog training supply shops from anti bark collars to dog calming pheromones! You will find something to suit your dog; ask for advice and see which items are most recommended. The other option you have is to look online; there you will find a massive selection  of dog training products which can be shipped directly to you.

A new product on the market is dog appeasing pheromones. These help to calm your dog. In a world of many frightening disturbances (including noises and smells) these can be very effective. Remember, a do’g senses are much more sensitive to humans, so they can react badly to their environment. There are several different types of dog appeasing pheromones. See which one is the most effective for your dog, although all of them do work well. One type works very much like an air freshener; it is plugged into a wall socket and releases the aroma into the room.   You can also get the pheromones in a spray . This has the same effect as a diffuser, except that you will be spraying the area yourself using the dispenser (usually a bottle) provided. For the best effect, spray the room about ten minutes before the dog is likely to enter. The effects of the spray should linger for at least an hour.

Dog training products can be a very useful and effective aid in the training of your dog. They certainly can work if used correctly. Select one that you think would work best for your dog. You may have to experiment a little but the results will be well worth it.

Remember however that in the interests of the safety of your dog you should carefully follow the instructions on the packaging. And maybe purchase a toy or two which you can also use as part of the training; your dog will learn better if he or she is also having fun!

Having a well trained dog makes ownership a real joy and you should make dog training a priority. It will make your life (as well as your dog’s) so much more enjoyable. The right training supplies can make a huge difference so they should definitely be considered as part of your training routine. Just remember to get some good advice, whether it be from your pet supply store or from a reputable website.

Be prepared for it take some time and effort. However, this is just one of the things that goes with dog ownership and the rewards will be well worth it.

One way to make the task of dog training easier is to use some of the right dog training supplies. Make sure before you do the training yourself, however that you are prepared to spend quite a bit of time on it. It can take as much as several hours every day, at least in the beginning. Start by choosing a place where you will train your dog. It could be in your bak yard or even a nearby park or reserve.

To guide you in your training, have a good look online for articles and videos (many websites include good dog training videos). There are also some extremely good dog training courses and programs (several of the best ones are listed here on this website). Pet stores also sell dog training kits which can be very good.

Training supplies can also be valuable training aids. Check to see what is available.

The first thing that you really need to train your dog is the right collar. Select a suitable material (such as leather or nylon) for your breed and size of dog. Electronic collars are also an option. These make the training easier on you as the dog will not give you as much resistance. They should also not pose any danger if used correctly.

One type of electronic collar is called a bark collar. As the name suggests, they are primarily designed to control barking. While they can be expensive, they are often quite effective.

For training the dog to walk correctly you will also need a leash. Other training aids include  toys, clickers, harnesses, poles, whistles, bells and even food, as well as many others. What you decide to use will usually be determined by the particular training techniques you decide to use.

Positive enforcement – or rewarding your dog – is a very powerful and effective dog training technique and it is favored by many dog trainers.Here you will reward the dog when it displays positive behavior. It is important not the do the opposite and punish the dog if he does something wrong. This would be counterproductive and reduce the effectiveness of the training.

Remember also to start your training when the dog is as young as possible. It is much easier as the dog or puppy will not have formed any bad habits which may be hard to break.

However, a dog of any age can still be trained; the older the dog, however, the greater the effort that might be required.

Critical to successful dog training is using the best dog training supplies. You don’t need a lot; just a few select items. Combined with the right dog training knowledge and skills and you should be very successful.

Remember, training a dog will take time and effort. However the rewards you get from a well trained dog will make it well worth it.

Dog training videos are an excellent form of dog training help. It is like having a professional dog trainer alongside you. By observing and applying the techniques and hints from a video you can use the information to see what works.

There are a large number of dog training videos available, although they can vary in quality and effectiveness. Many are available for download from the internet. From the many trainers who offer video training courses, we have selected the ones we think are the best and are recommending them here on this website. Each of these sites also offer free videos which in themselves are very useful.

You will notice that each dog trainer will take a different approach in the way they present their videos. It is worthwhile having a look at at least two or three different trainers to see which one you like the best.

Some trainers will use a rather theoretical approach. They may instruct the viewer using a white board and diagrams and may not even have a dog present. This probably works for some people but most would find it a bit difficult to apply to their own situation. Also, many people have said that they quickly lose interest from this approach.

Other trainers may demonstrate what to do using their own dog. The problem with this is that their dog is already well trained! There might be many aspects that leave you unclear when you are trying to work with your own untrained dog.

So by far the best approach we have found is when a dog trainer is actually working with untrained dogs themself. You can see clearly how an untrained dog is going to react to the various techniques. It is then much easier to see how to apply the ideas to your own dog or puppy.

Dog training videos work out to be very inexpensive for the value they provide. You can have a world class trainer literally in your home for a fraction of the cost. And for the reduced stress of not having your dog trained properly and the joys of a well trained dog you will find the cost will be well worth it.

Check out our recommended courses on this site and have a great time training your dog or puppy.

To be successful at dog or puppy training you need to do the right things. Here are seven ideas that will help you get the best results in the shortest possible time:

Always keep in mind that dog training should be fun – Without some pleasure and enjoyment, not only will your dog feel discouraged, but you will lose your motivation as well. When you are doing training exercise with your dog, include some fun and games. It will help you both stay on trac, and your dog will also associate pleasure with learning and good behavior.

In addition, you should aim to let your dog or puppy know when their behavior pleases you. Dogs are by nature pack animals. This means that they want to follow a pack leader. Knowing that they are pleasing you will make them feel happier and even more motivated.

Use both positive and negative reinforcement, but only at the right times – It is important that you use a combination of both of these types of behavior  reinforcements. However, make sure you use them appropriately or the dog will become confused.  Positive reinforcements are such things as praising the dog and giving the occasional treat.  Negative reinforcements, on the other hand, can include withholding treats or creating other discomforts for the dog (of course without being cruel).

Minimize distractions. It is very easy for a dog or puppy to get distracted while being trained. The best way to keep this to a minimum is to select an area for your training sessions that are away from as many distractions as possible. It could be an empty room or even an abandoned yard. Try to ensure there aren’t any ‘natural’ distractions as well, such as birds or other dogs.

Having such a place will reduce the distractions for you as well, all aiding in the training process.

Follow through with every task to completion. When you give a dog an instruction make sure that you do not stop until the dog completes the follow through. If you don’s, the dog will learn that it is ok to disobey your directions. You need to be firm and persistent. It may take a while but eventually the dog will realize that he will not get anywhere unless he obeys you.

Use firmness and kindness in all your training – IWhen giving a command, keep your voice at a low rather than a high pitch. Express yourself clearly and calmly. Don’t get stressed or angry with your dog; it will only upset and confuse them and slow down the results you get.

Also, don’t be cruel or use force. It will only make things worse. Remember, your dog or puppy really does want to please you. If it is not doing the right thing it will only be because it is thinking it is doing the best it can.

Make all your training sessions short – Dogs not only have short attention spans, but they also have relatively low ability to retain the information they learn. Your training will be more effective if you keep your dog training sessions short and frequent.  Focus on one command at a time in each session so that you condition the dog to respond. This is how they learn best.

Be patient – Much as we might like them to pick things up super quickly, it simply takes time for a dog to learn anything. Ironically, the faster we want them to learn the slower it will take as it will only create pressure.  Some people become frustrated when things don’t progress at the pace they would want them to. But be patient and don’t be discouraged. The rewards of a wonderfully trained dog that will give you great joy (as well as being the envy of your friends) are certainly worth the effort and wait.

Start training early. The sooner you start the easier it will be and the better the results. That is why it is ideal to begin the training when your pet it still a puppy. The best time to start the serious training is when the puppy is between six and eight weeks old. Like humans, as a dog gets older it will begin to develop habits that become difficult to change. So start early.

Apply the above and you should find your dog and puppy training to be much easier and more enjoyable. Have fun!

The first things you will want to train your dog or puppy to do are to sit and come when called. These are extremely important things for the animal to learn as it will give you control over the dog. It also teaches your dog to respect you. And of course having control of your dog and its respect will make dog ownership a lot more fun and less stressful for you. It’s also embarrassing to have an out of control dog, and could even be potentially dangerous.

Teaching your dog to come when called is not complicated, although it will need to be repeated often for it to be effective. The best way to train the dog to do this is call your dog when you are away from it and have a treat or toy in your hand. Use the same command each time and if it comes to you when called give it the reward. The reward needn’t always be food. Vary it a bit, sometimes with a pat or a play with the toy. Don’t do too many repetitions of this exercise in any one session or your dog or puppy may become bored. Only keep going as long as you both are having fun. However, you should have a number of different sessions at different times.

Getting your dog or puppy to sit is another basic dog training element. It is also quite simple, but it is recommended you master getting your dog to come to you before you work on this. While you are saying the word “Sit”, place your hand on the dog’s rear quarters and push down firmly. Reward him when he sits with praise and a treat. Try also to delay the reward and praise if you want him to stay sitting for longer. This will give him the message that he is to stay sitting until you command him not to do so.

These are two very simple yet effective techniques of basic dog and puppy training. If you spend just a few short minutes at a time, but repeat it often, you will be amazed at the progress you and your dog will make. Just remember to be consistent – and keep it fun.

One of the advantages of dog training equipment is that it is usually very portable and therefore can be used anywhere. This is important because you want to be able to use it to train your dog wherever you might be. If you are a friend’s place or even out for a walk or drive and you feel like you want to do some training with your dog, then having the right equipment with you can make things a lot easier.

Dog training equipment really falls into two categories, depending on what you are wanting to achieve with your pet. If you are doing obedience training, items will include leashes (preferably extendable), clickers and treat balls (these can be especially effective).

The other form of dog training is when you are training your dog for agility. This is usually for people who want to enter their dog into a competition or to do some advanced forms of training. It is more of a hobby to have with your dog and can be highly enjoyable and beneficial for your dog. It is a commitment of time for you though, so make sure this is really what you want to do before embarking on any serious agility training.

There are a huge number of designs, colors and styles of dog training equipment items. What you choose will often come down to personal taste as the item itself may not differ greatly in effectiveness from other similar items. Just choose something you like the look of and feel that you would be happy using.

As always, make sure that whatever dog training equipment you decide to use, you keep your training sessions with your dog fun for both you and your pet. After all, this is why you got your dog in the first place.

Collar

These are essential, not only for dog training, but because in most parts of the world it is a legal requirement  for a dog to wear a collar. Some form of identification on the collar also helps greatly if your dog were ever to get lost. So make sure you get a good collar. They come in a wide variety of types and materials and they can be designed to do different things. Some common types include the spoke collar, chain or choke collar and martingale collar. There are also electronic and shock collars which can be effective for dog training.

Collars can come in a variety of materials such as leather, metal, fabric or nylon and of course different colors as well. A collar can also be a fashion statement!

Harnesses

These are often used in dog training as a replacement for – or in conjunction with – a dog collar. It has many advantages over a collar alone. It reduces the chance of choking if a dog pulls or slips. It can also make a dog easier to handle, particularly if it is a large or heavy dog.

It should be said that harnesses are not that common in the training of house pets. They are most often used for training assistance or service dogs.

Lead or leash

A lead or leash is a length of cord, usually made from rope or leather, that is attached to a dog or puppy’s collar. This give better control for the handler and can allow for the dog to be more responsive. It is important to choose the right size and length of lead. This will be determined not only by the size of the dog, but the size of the owner as well!

Muzzle

A muzzle is very useful if your dog or puppy suffers from problems of excessive barking or biting. They can also be very effective if a dog is displaying particularly dangerous or aggressive behavior as it can help prevent a dog from harming itself and others.

The muzzle is used by placing it over the animal’s mouth of the dog, thus restricting its ability to open its jaws. Materials and stypes vary; check to see what would be the best for the size and shape of your own dog’s mouth.

Halter

This is another type of head gear that is designed to give greater control over the dog. Usually it is fitted to be worn over a muzzle or collar. It can help greatly in giving greater guidance to a dog during training.

Bait Pouch

This is an interesting one which many owners and trainers don’t think about. If you are using treats to reward a dog during training, it means you have to carry treats around with you. If you simply keep them in your pockets it can get a bit messy. Also, the time it takes to remove the treat from your pocket can reduce its effectiveness.

The solution is a bait pouch, a small bag (usually made of canvas) that you tie around your waist. It makes the treats accessible – and doesn’t mess up your clothes.

These are some of the basic types of dog training equipment. Use at least one of them in your training sessions and you will find they can be a great help.