Dog Training

Dog training, if done properly, will bring about amazing results. If you are looking to change your dogs behavior, we have some tips and tricks listed below to get you on your way. We also have tips for those who just got their first puppy, and want to get off on the right paw.

What This Site Will Do For You And Your Dog

Dog training in a non violent, positive, and healthy manner. Along the way, you will learn how to socialize and care for your puppy.

We have all been there. Training can be extremely frustrating and often those involved in the process feel burdened, especially when things are not going well.

This site has a large collection of dog obedience advice that is used by dog trainers all over the world.

Our Dog Training Methodology

  • To give our dog the “tools” it needs to be a well adjusted member of the family, and local community.
  • Positive reinforcement instead of dog training methods that rely on “breaking down” your dog.
  • Safety first! The safety of other pets as well as children are an area that many dogs need help in. With the proper training, you will feel in control, no matter what situation you are in.
  • Rome was not built in one day, and the same is true for the level of trust that you have with your dog. With the right training techniques, you can slowly increase the trust level, until you know exactly how your dog will react in all situations.
  • Dog psychology. It is important to understand all of the natural instincts of your dog, so you can work with them.

Dog Training

Who Should Train Your Dog?

You! For those who don’t have the time, you can always hire a professional, but most dog owners want to get hands on in the process. To get started, you should consider the following:

Crate Training

A Complete Guide on Proper, Safe and Effective Puppy Crate Training
Crate training is on of the first things you need to start with if you have a new puppy. Our guide will help you through the process.

 

Your Choice of Dog Breed is an Extension of Who You Are

While it’s true that you can’t judge a book by its cover, meaning other people can’t judge you by the way you look, you can definitely be judged by your choice of dog breed. This is because your choice of breed says a lot of things about you. There are hundreds of breeds available and you had to choose one. Surely, there’s something in that breed that made you decide to get it, and that reflects on your personality.

Dog Breed

Your Dog and You

Here are some of the more popular dog breeds and what they say about their owners:

  • Terriers

Terriers are small, but they’re packed with fun and energy. They’re also very flexible as they can go from guard dog to playful dog in a snap of a finger. If you’re an owner of this dog breed, you’re also seen as a flexible person. Also, you’re very brave – something that terriers are known for.

  • Chihuahuas, Poodles and other Toy Breeds

A lot of owners of toy dogs love to travel, and they love bringing their dog with them. This is why if you own a toy dog breed, you’re seen as someone who loves to travel.

These toy dogs are also an extension of their owners as far as their appearance is concerned. This means that their owners take pride in their outside appearance.

  • German Shepherds

There’s a reason why this breed is very popular as K9 dogs. It’s because they’re very loyal to their owner which in this case, is their handler. Owners of this breed are seen as loyal and protective friends.

  • Dachshunds

Dachshunds are sometimes too brave for their own good, acting as if they’re the biggest and meanest dogs in the block. This reflects on their owner, including the stubbornness that Dachshunds are known for.

A lot of owners of this breed also love gardening – something that they share with their dogs as Dachshunds love to dig things as well.

  • Rottweilers

Rottweilers just demand respect. They have this certain air about them that makes you want to respect them. The same thing applies to their owners. Owners of this dog breed commands respect.

The breed is also very loyal to its owners. This is something that they share with their owners, as owners of this breed tend to be loyal to friends and family members as well.

  • Pugs

If a Pug is in a classroom with other dog breeds, you just know that they’re going to be voted in as “Class Clown”. Pug owners are also very cheerful and they are known to maximize life and its offerings.

  • Doberman Pinschers

It’s very rare for you to see Doberman Pinschers goofing off. It’s because they’re very intense and serious. They’re also natural-born leaders. This is something that they share with their owners. In addition, owners of this dog breed are known to be very organized.

Not Set in Stone

Of course, these are not set in stone. However, these situations happen a lot of times especially since people are very careful when choosing a dog breed. This is why they often end up buying a breed that fits their personality.

Pit Bulls: The Most Misunderstood Dogs in the World

Quick – come up with a mental image of a pit bull. There’s a good chance that the mental image that you came up with is that of a vicious dog. It’s easy to see why this is the case. Pit bulls have this negative rep and this makes them the most misunderstood dogs in the world. But you have to wonder – how did they get this rep?

History of the Breed

There are actually two theories on the origin of the breed. One theory states that the breed came from the now-extinct breed of Molossus and was used as war dogs by the Greeks. They made their way to Britain where it was called as the Mastiff. The Britons continued using the breed in their wars, and when they fell against Rome, Rome used the breed for four centuries more as war dogs. Through the centuries, the breed was mixed with different breeds, and this led to the Pit Bulls that we know today.

The other theory states that the breed originated in England as a “bull biter”. The dogs would bite the bull’s nose and hold on until the bull is subdued. According to historians, this is why they’re called Pit Bull Dogs and eventually, Pit Bulls.

The Popularity of the Breed during World War I

The breed has always been very popular, its popularity dating back to World War I. You can see recruitment posters featuring the dog. In fact there are even a lot of popular Pit Bulls that served in World War I, with Sergeant Stubby being the most popular.

Reputation of the Breed Before

Its negative rep started in the mid-80s. In fact, it was very popular as a children-friendly breed before that. It was also featured in several short films. It was even used as a mascot of the Buster Brown Shoe Company.

What Changed?

Things changed in 1986 when communities started putting out legislation banning Pit Bulls. Here are the things that gave the breed its bad rep:

  • The dogs were used in dog-fighting.

Being naturally strong, the breed was trained to fight other dogs, giving them their vicious rep.

  • They’re the dogs of choice of gangs and criminals.

How often do you see movies of gangbangers with Pit Bulls by their side? Known as a good guard dog, it was an easy choice for gangbangers and criminals. This breed is also built like a tank and their imposing built is preferred by criminals like drug dealers to provide security for them.

There was an unfortunate incident in 1987 wherein a Pit Bull guarding a marijuana crop killed a two and a half year old boy. That paved the way for the banning of the breed.

They’re Victims

The breed is a victim of its own strengths. Pit Bulls are big, strong, agile, and very loyal to their owner. They’ll do anything to protect their owner, and with irresponsible owners taking advantage of this, they’re getting a negative rep that they don’t deserve.

Fortunately, more and more people are recognizing that these are cases of bad owners, not bad dogs. With more education, this breed will hopefully soon shed their negative rep.

How To Choose A Dog Breed

So you finally decided to get a dog. If you’re like most people, you have no idea about dog breeds so you don’t know how to choose a dog breed. You were probably planning on just going to the pet shop and buying the cutest dog that you can find. This is not a good strategy because the “cute” St. Bernard puppy that you might end up choosing will grow up to be 30 inches tall and 300 pounds. That’s not a good choice if you’re living in a small apartment.

There Are A Lot Of Breeds Available

You have to know that there are hundreds of dog breeds out there. In fact, it’s been said that there are more than 400 dog breeds to choose from. This makes it very hard to choose a breed so it’s a good thing that you’re looking for tips on how to choose a dog breed.

Fortunately, you can create a shortlist that will make it easier for you to choose one.

how to choose a dog breed

You Can Start By Looking At

The Most Popular Dog Breeds

It’s a good idea to start with the most popular dog breeds. After all, there’s a reason why they’re very popular. This is especially true if you’re looking to buy your first dog. What better way to do it than to buy a breed that a lot of people prefer?

Here is a list of the most popular dog breeds according to the number of mentions that they get online:

  1. Labrador Retriever
  2. German Shepherd
  3. Yorkshire Terrier
  4. Golden Retriever
  5. Beagle
  6. Poodle
  7. Bulldog
  8. Dachshund
  9. Shih Tzu
  10. Boxer

Now, you can’t just buy a Labrador Retriever because it’s the most popular, but you can check them out one by one so you can learn more about them. Once you’re familiar with the breeds, you can take several things into consideration to learn how to choose a dog breed.

how to choose a dog breed

Why are You Getting a Dog?

There are several reasons why people buy dogs, and it’s a good idea to determine what your reason is first so you can make an educated decision. You have to know that different breeds are built for different tasks. By choosing a dog breed based on your specific reason, you can set up a harmonious relationship between you and your dog.

Here are the different reasons of people as to why they buy a dog:

For security

Dogs are amazing when it comes to securing your home or property since they can alert you of intruders and maybe even take down an attacker in your home. Of course, not all dog breeds are built for this. Check out this list of popular guard dogs to learn how to choose a dog breed for security purposes:

  • Bullmastiff
  • Doberman Pinscher
  • Rottweiler
  • German Shepherd
  • Terriers

As you can see, 4 out of 5 dogs on this list are big and menacing, and that alone is a good deterrent. On the other hand, terriers are good watchdogs because they’re good at alarming people when there’s an intruder inside the property. These 5 breeds take pride in protecting their master’s home and its occupants.

For working

There are also dog breeds built for working. These are hardworking dogs that have been helping people with their jobs for centuries. Here are some of the best working breeds:

  • Border Collie (one of the best as a herding dog)
  • Collie (“Lassie” is also another good herding dog)
  • Alaskan Malamute (for sledding)
  • Siberian Husky (for sledding as well)
  • Labrador Retriever (for hunting)
  • English Cocker Spaniel (trusted by hunters for centuries)
  • Dachshund (used by hunters to find, chase and flush animals out of their burrows)
  • German Shepherd (a good search and rescue dog)
  • Bloodhound (part of a K9 unit to sniff out bombs and drugs)

For Sports

If you’re looking for tips on how to choose a dog breed for sports purposes, you’re in luck because there are a lot of breeds that are built for sports. Generally speaking, dogs are very active and will take advantage of the chance to showcase it via sports.

There are a lot of popular sports that involve dogs like racing, agility, fetch, catch and the likes. Here are some of the best sporting breeds:

  • Labrador Retriever (for fetch and catch)
  • Jack Russell Terrier (for agility)
  • Greyhound (for racing)
  • German Shepherd (for obedience)

how to choose a dog breed

Dogs As Pets

On the other hand, most people just buy dogs because they want a pet at home. Having a pet at home provides a lot of benefits. Of course, this is provided that you’re ready for one, and part of being ready is learning how to choose a dog breed.

You have to ask yourself several questions before deciding on a dog breed. This is the only way for you to learn how to choose a dog breed that you’ll treat as just a pet at home.

Ask yourself the following questions in order to find the perfect breed:

  • How big is your home?

Dogs come in different shapes and sizes and you should choose a breed that will fit perfectly in your home. If you have a small home like an apartment, it’s best that you stick to toy dogs like a Shih Tzu, Chihuahua, Miniature Pinscher and the likes.

The bigger your home, the bigger dog breed your home can accommodate. Obviously, having a farm means that you can even get a St. Bernard provided that you can handle one.

  • What is your budget?

Of course, you can’t buy a dog breed that’s out of your budget. You don’t have to worry because there are a lot of inexpensive, but great dogs like the Labrador Retriever or the Chihuahua. However, it’s important to note that there can be expensive Labrador Retrievers or Chihuahuas depending on several factors like their pedigree.

  • Do you have kids?

There are breeds that are amazing with kids. If you have kids, you can’t go wrong with something like a Bulldog because it’s built for roughhousing. A Beagle is another popular choice even if it’s a hunting dog. However, a lot of people buy a Labrador Retriever because of its playful nature.

  • Can you handle a high maintenance dog?

Shih Tzus are considered high maintenance because of their long coat. Ask yourself for your level of commitment when it comes to maintaining your dog. If you’re like most people that have a lot of responsibilities, stick to low maintenance dogs like the Chihuahua, Japanese Chin, or the Chinese crested.

  • Do you have other pets?

Learning how to choose a dog breed also requires you to learn how to choose a breed that goes along with other pets if you have another pet or you’re planning to get one in the future. Some pet-friendly dog breeds include the Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and the Briard.

On the other hand, stay away from the Chow Chow, Akita and Alaskan Malamute if you have other pets because they’re not known to play well with other pets.

  • What’s the general weather in your area?

If your area suffers from long bouts of cold winters, it’s best to stick to dogs with thick coats or those dogs built for the cold climate like the Siberian Husky. On that note, don’t get a Siberian Husky if you live in a warm place. Get a Doberman Pinscher instead.

  • Do you have other needs that a dog breed can help with?

Since you’re getting a dog, why not learn how to choose a dog breed that will fulfill other needs as well? For example, why not get a guard dog while you’re at it? A Doberman Pinscher is a good guard dog and is a good family dog as well because it’s very loyal. If you like jogging, get a sporting dog so you can have a companion (and guard as well) when you’re out jogging.

Learn About the Natural Instincts of Dog Breeds

You also have to learn about the natural instincts of dog breeds in order to learn how to choose a dog breed. For example, don’t get a dog breed that’s a natural digger like most of the Terrier breeds if you have a well-manicured garden. Also, stay away from dogs that bark a lot like a Chihuahua if you live in an apartment with paper-thin walls.

how to choose a dog breed

Check Out Several Dogs

Now that you know how to choose a dog breed, check out several dogs in your area. The next thing that you should look for is the connection. Once you’ve decided on a breed, look for dogs of that breed and check them out yourself. It’s best if you can check them out personally so you can see if there’s a connection. If you’re buying online, visualize yourself having that dog for the next 10 to 12 years. If it brings a smile to your face, you now know how to choose a dog breed and how to choose the perfect dog.