okay. i have a mixed-breed dog (spaniel/setter, somethingsomething) who is about six or seven years old. lately i realized that i haven't been spending enough quality time with him. i got him when i was young, he's my first dog and i didn't know that there are more things that you can do with your dog than just, you know, lie around and be buddies when i was eleven years old (which is when i got him, and he was a puppy then). so now that he's getting older and i'm getting older, i acknowledge how important exercise is to him and almost as importantly, our relationship. i love him more than anything but i know that since i never took the time to teach him anything besides playing fetch and sit and 'give me howdy' it's taken a lot away from our relationship and i don't think that we're as close as a dog owner and their pet should/could be. he doesn't really like toys, mostly just bones and that's a fault of mine that i realize as well. he is an active dog now, but i know it's his being hyper because we never really play, and not his being enthusiastic or motivated - so i need suggestions on how to GET him motivated and active and take the hyperactivity out of him. i've read and heard from trainers at places like petsmart and they said that playing with your dog can also improve its behavior and manners, and i believe that; my dog is becoming unruly, chewing up things that aren't meant to be chewed and growling at me when i try to take the stuff away or tell him to stop. he didn't do this before and now that i see the problem and have found a solution (hopefully, if not i'm going to try and try and try) i want to do anything that i can to keep him and turn him into a better dog than growling and terrorizing the house. i don't want to get rid of him, that is completely a last resort IF at all, i just want to improve his behavior so that my family and i can be happy with him and he can be happy with his life with us. we all know that he's a good dog with so much potential that has so far been wasted because of my irresponsibility as a dog owner, and i want to learn how to make my dog completely happy. PLEASE help me, if you have any suggestions at all please let me know, thank you so much for your help and time.Can anyone give me some doggie tips?
I highly suggest an obedience class! Even if it's some of the stuff you already know, the coolest thing about classes is the time you spend with your dog! The bond that forms from classes is just amazing. I have a nine year old BC and since his obedience was rock solid, we started taking flyball classes and participating with the local flyball team. I have always been devoted and into my dogs, but the classes STILL increased out bond a million fold! I have taken a puppy class with my newest addition, and I plan on being in classes for the rest our days! Intermediate obedience, games and tricks, canine good citizen, agility, flyball, jumpers, rally... What you learn in the classes is amazing, but the coolest part ever is how you and your dog bond as a working team.
If you cannot afford classes, or don't maintain a regular schedule, start devoting some time to just ';work'; wrapped up in a ';play'; package! Start modifying fetch. Work with ';naming'; your toys... ball, tuggy, whatever, and see if he can't learn to get then one you're asking for! There's tons of GREAT things you can do with your pup. Questions? Shoot me an e-mail!!!
Remember, no matter what happens when you're out working your dog, the only thing that really matters is that you're out wiht your best friend.Can anyone give me some doggie tips?
Try obedience classes and good luck!
try obedience classes or agility or those dog-dance classes!
also just take the dog for a walk every day!
he sounds like a really cute, nice, dog!
answer mine:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;鈥?/a>
So what I would suggest is take your dog for a walk, or to a dog park. One your dog gets exercise, and becomes more socialized. I know my dog, has playdates. i have a neighbor, who has to min pins, and my dog is considerably larger, but they all play well together, and it has helped her dogs gain better social habits. They also stopped having accidents in the house. My dog also loves to just lay outside and sunbathe. But the best way to get them out of being so hyper is playing with other dogs. Don't be scared if your dog is aggressive, sometimes you may even need to walk away so your dog can feel out the situation, but in most cases, they will end up playing an become completely worn out. Also get training treats from petsmart. It took about 1 hour for my dog to learn to shake, but she eventually got it and now does it on command. Also when using commands use one short word, like OUT, COME, SIT, STAY. Dogs register this as a bark. Finally to get a dog to learn boundries, you have to act like a dog, Alpha dog, and be territorial. What I mean by this, is that you have to guard the area you don' want your dog in, and say out firmly. Once your dog realizes you won't let up, he will move on. Hope this helps
If you don't want to go to obedience class, there are basic commands you can do at home. Other things that your dog would love to do with you is swimming, agility training, camping, really just about everything you can do, your dog can do.
Dogs LOVE to please! I think starting out with obedience would be a great way for you to increase and strengthen your bond with him. But remember....ALWAYS use positive reinforcement. Physical punishment will immediately break that bond.
http://members.tripod.com/~Jerrier/obedi鈥?/a>
I recommend clicker training. Teach your dog to do some cool/cute tricks. It will help build your bond, stimulate him mentally, and teach him that listening to you is a good way to get rewarded. There's a book out called 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog that you can buy or get from your library to give you ideas. You can also visit the behavior and training forum on Dogster and www.rewardingbehaviors.com for other ideas.
Obedience class is not a bad idea either.
No comments:
Post a Comment