Think Like a Dog for Training

About Training 

Dog thoughts. Dogs think in the present moment. When training your dog, timing is vital. Use both rewards and or corrections right away, within seconds. Mistakes should be disregarded, not punished.

Understand your dogs potential 

Each dog has it's own personality and this affects it's ability and or willingness to be trained. Dominate and confident dogs may disregard or even challenge your commands. At the other end of the personality spectrum are overtly submissive, so insecure that at the mere hint of a command the dog rolls over in trepidation.

Fortunately, the vast majority of dogs are content to compromise. Their natural curiosity, and their affinity for people, make them  easy to train. Consistency is KEY. Most dogs have mixed personalities. Some want to please but are easily distracted. Others may seem intensely submissive, but in fact are controlling your behavior by acting in a helpless way. Each dog has it's own potential in some areas and lesser potential in others.

Understand your own Limitations 

If you know you don't have much patience, another member of the family should be the primary dog trainer. Dog training can be frustrating and it is easy to make two common mistakes.
The easiest mistake is to treat your dog like a person. You are wasting your breath telling him how you feel. They just don't get it. They understand cause and effect.
The other mistake to avoid is the misuse of discipline. This can cause your dog to fear you. That is the last thing you want.

Set sensible goals

Dog training takes patience on your part. Training two dogs at the same time is extremely difficult and is best left to professional dog trainers only.

Your dog looks up to you 

Your dog isn't just asking for a belly rub when she rolls over; she is telling you, by this classic submissive action, that she sees you as her natural leader.

The Importance of Training 

Your dog's behavior will make or break the bond between you. It's difficult for some dog owners to understand that problems arise because they have not trained their dogs properly.
The word "training" can sound a little dull, but when talking about dog training, nothing could be further from the truth. Basic obedience is the very least you can do for your dog.
A dog that has never been taught the "Stay" command, for example, is in very real danger from everyday situations, such as passing traffic other dogs. Even walking on a lead,
something every dog is expected to do, is a skill that dogs need to learn, so they don't surge
ford or jump up or chew the leash.
Dogs who have excelled at basic training may benefit from going out to learn many other activities and a more advanced form of training.
On the other hand dogs who refuse to act upon your teaching, can always go to an animal behaviorist to aid them and you in progressing.

Fun Food For Fido

Two Recipe's 

Rotisserie Chicken a savory cookie

1 1/2 c. Oat flour
1 1/2 c. Brown rice flour
1/2 c. Cooked ground chicken
1 tbsp. Rosemary
1 tbsp. Sage
1 tbsp. Grated Parmesan cheese
1 Egg
1/2 c. Chicken broth (add slowly)

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients (except the broth)
together. Add broth slowly and mix until a dough forms. If too dry, add more broth, if to wet add a bit more flour. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4" thickness.

Use a cookie cutter or knife and cut into shapes. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up. Place cookies on sheet close together as they don't grow when cooked.

Bake 22 to 27 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to wire rack for cooling. Store cookies (after cooled down) in airtight container in refrigerator.
Have your dog sit or down before he gets a treat. ENJOY.


Honey Oat Treats a sweet cookie

1 1/2 c. Brown rice flour
2 c. Rolled oats (old fashioned not instant)
1 Egg
1/2 c. Unsalted peanut butter
4 tbsp. Unsweetened applesauce
1/4 c. Honey
1/4 c. Water (add slowly)

Preheat oven to 375. Combine all ingredients, except water, together.
Add water slowly, mix until dough forms. If too dry add a bit of water, if too wet add a bit more flour. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spoon out mixture and roll into balls about 1" in diameter. Press down each one to flatten.

Bake 18 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to wire rack and let cool completely. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator.
Your dog will love them.
Please have your dog do something before you give him the treat. He has to earn all his food. Have fun with your pal.

Talk with Your Hands

Hand Signals

Hand signals are the primary means of communicating commands to deaf dogs. The training methods and time involved are no different than teaching a hearing dog, as all dogs learn through repetition. When two dogs meet, even if they bark or growl, their primary means of communication is through scent and body language. If your dog is hearing-impaired, his powers of observation have been put to great use in watching you and his world so there is no impediment to obedience training.

Hand signals can complement your training, giving you a way to communicate with your dog in situations where he can't hear you but can see you. These signals are just another form of "language" between you and your dog. Training your dog to recognize hand signals is best started once your dog is already responsive to your voice commands.

To begin, combine the familiar command word with the hand signal; your dog will soon learn to associate the signal with the command and with practice will respond to either the silent or verbal cue.

Dog Fact
If your dog is excited, he won't listen well. It has been found that even in an excited state, a dog will more frequently respond to a hand signal than to a verbal cue.

Be consistent and make the training fun. Exercise as much as posible. Tired dogs listen better.

Down and Come Commands

DOWN Command 

When your dog successfully responds to the "Sit" and "Stay" commands, you can move on.

To teach the down command:

• Stand in front of your dog with a reward in your hand and ask him to sit.
• Place the hand holding the treat in front of your dog's nose then slowly move your hand straight down toward the floor while saying the word "down". Your dog should follow the treat and lie down. If he does not lie down, start from the beginning until he lays down. 
• Praise him and give several treats as long as he stays down. Practice daily until your dog lies down each time. 

Tip: Be careful that you don't move the treat towards him as you bring it down to the floor.
If you do this your dog will stand up to get the treat. Just start over again from the sit position.

COME Command

Teaching this command is not difficult, but it may take longer for your dog to understand the desired response.

• Give your dog the stay or down command.
• Once he is in position, take a few steps back from your dog, say his name, and say "come" in a happy voice. If he does not respond pat your knees or make a kiss sound a few times.
• When he comes to you give lots of treats and praise. Continue to practice daily, and be patient.

Tip: Never use the "come" command and then reprimand your dog for something else. Only use this command to give praise when he comes to you. He will then associate the command with good happy rewards. You want your dog to come to you not shy away from you.