Behavior & Training by @FunDogs The Fun Times Guide to Dogs

How To Find A Professional Dog Trainer

If you've got a new dog, then you probably want to find a professional dog trainer -- sooner, rather than later -- to help you teach your dog how to mind his manners and live a long happy life with you. If you don't, your ability to communicate with your dog will be limited at best and, as a result, your dog's everyday behaviors will likely become chaotic and maybe even destructive over time. A dog isn't born knowing how to live comfortably in a home... with people. Even just a few dog obedience … [Read more...]

Having Dog Training Problems? Try A Different Dog Obedience Training Method

There are many different dog training techniques out there. If you're like me, you've probably read books on how to train your dog, and maybe you've even taken your dog to obedience classes. With the many different methods, types, and styles of dog training, dog training problems can inevitably result -- depending on which one you choose and the breed and personality of your dog. Here's how to find the right dog obedience training method for you and your dog... … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Behavior & Training, Home & Garden Tagged With: dog breeds, dog tricks and training

Dog Bell Training 101: How I Potty Trained My Dogs By Teaching Them To Use A Dog Doorbell

When you are potty training your dog, you will inevitably find accidents inside the house because you missed your dog's signal that she had to go outside. Even if you have successfully potty trained dogs in the past, you can still expect to find accidents with your new dog. When we got our first dog Nakita, we didn't know what we were in for with housebreaking. Potty training a dog takes time, no matter what, but what made it worse for us is Nakita is a Min Pin. Since her bladder is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Behavior & Training, Home & Garden Tagged With: dog tricks and training, Miniature Pinscher, peeing and housebreaking

Dog Fetch Training: How To Get Your Dog To Bring Something Back To You

Have you tried to teach your dog to fetch a ball or a frisbee, but he won't bring it back to you? He'll only catch, but not fetch and return the item to you? Some dogs, when they're given the fetch command, are more focused on the item they caught than on actually bringing it back to you. To get a dog to follow-through takes a bit more training (and patience). Lots of dogs will chase after a ball or other retrieving toy, but when they get it they not only won’t bring it back, but actually … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Behavior & Training, Home & Garden Tagged With: dog tricks and training, frisbees

Human & Dog Communication Tips: Have You Given Your Dog A Job Lately?

How often are we unhappy about certain behaviors our dogs have? Like jumping up on strangers when they first meet them, barking all the time, growling at other dogs, the list goes on and on. What do we do in these cases? Most of the time, we will express our frustration in one way or another. "No." or "Don't do that!" is probably the word or expression most often used. Often, we get frustrated (or even angry) if the "No" does not get the desired result. But are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Behavior & Training, Home & Garden Tagged With: barking, dog tricks and training, socializing dogs

How To Calm A Frightened Dog With Treats (aka Counter Conditioning)

When there is a thunderstorm outside, does your dog freak out? Is your dog scared of storms? What about strangers? Does your dog get scared whenever visitors come to your house? Lots of dogs become frightened whenever they: Hear loud noises (like fireworks or thunderstorms) See certain things (like strange people) Smell certain smells (like other dogs, another animal, or food perhaps) If your normally calm and assertive dog becomes a frightened dog during certain … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Behavior & Training, Home & Garden Tagged With: 4th of July, dog tricks and training, fearful dogs, storms

VIDEOS: How To Do Loose Leash Walking With Your Dog & Put An End To Pulling Once And For All!

When walking your dog on a leash, do you keep the leash tight? Most people do. It's usually the style of leash walking that most dogs gravitate to -- where the dog is in the lead, and you're on the other end of the leash following (or being pulled!) along. Have you ever tried loose leash walking? The fact is dogs actually need to be taught how to walk on a leash the right way. With loose leash walking, your dog trots next to you at the same exact pace that you are walking while the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Behavior & Training, Home & Garden Tagged With: dog tricks and training, walking and leashes

Training Your Dog To Pee & Poop On Command

Training your dog to pee or poop on command could be the difference between standing in the rain forever or getting in out of the rain quickly. It will take a little bit of time for your dog to associate the behavior that you're after, but the end result will be worth it! Why Going On Command Is Good … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Behavior & Training, Home & Garden Tagged With: dog tricks and training, peeing and housebreaking, poop issues

The Shaping Dog Training Technique – An Easy Way To Teach A New Behavior

There are several different dog training techniques that you can use to teach your dog new tricks and behaviors. Some methods are based on punishment, others on rewards, sounds, or positive reinforcement. Shaping is a popular method of dog training that works well with most dogs. With shaping, you are taking one task and breaking it down into several smaller steps. Some of the best times to use the shaping dog training technique are: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Behavior & Training, Home & Garden Tagged With: dog tricks and training

Some Things To Think About Before Installing An Invisible Dog Fence

Have you been toying with the idea of getting an invisible dog fence? I have to admit, I never realized exactly how they worked until a friend of mine installed an invisible dog fence when they added a new puppy to their family. They spent a good deal of time training the puppy on the boundaries of the invisible dog fence. This meant that they had to teach the puppy where each of the boundaries were by showing her the flags. They took her closer and closer to the boundaries, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Behavior & Training, Home & Garden Tagged With: fences, pet warnings and dangers