Welcome to the Spitz (German/Japanese) Breed Information blog

This is a blog devoted to the lovely Spitz breed. We will try to provide information for all spitz family, Japanese Spitz, German Spitz, Finnish Spitz, Pomeranian. Feel free to contact us to send us your dog pictures.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Factors to Consider in Choosing A Dog Training Collar

In training dogs, the most important tool you have to acquire is the dog training collar. This type of collar is the very fundamental tool used to train your dog some basic tricks as well as sport dog training, obedience training, and even expanded training without having to hire the services of a professional dog trainer.


Services like these can be quite expensive. Hence, trying to train your dogs using dog collars can save you lots of money.


Dog training collars are specially designed collars to put your dog under proper control. It guides them on what to do, such as the proper way to behave in public places when instructed to.


Dog training collars facilitate obedience training and enable the dogs to learn the necessary "obedience commands" such as heel, stay, and sit.


Before, there are only few options in choosing dog training collar. It is as if dog owners do not have any choice at all. Now, thanks to the revolutionary dog training collar enhancements, dog owners can now choose from a wider array of dog training collars.


However, the abundance of dog training collars is not at all advantageous at some point. With so many choices, dog owners find it difficult choosing the best dog training collar for their pets.


It is a well-known fact that not all dog training collars are created equal. Each has its own varying intensity when it comes to efficiency, affordability, and functionality.


Hence, it is best to consider some factors affecting dog training collar choices. To help you out, here are some things that you need to reflect on before deciding on a particular dog training collar.


1. Size


Of course, this aspect matters most. It is important that the dog training collar will fit comfortably on your dog's neck. Do not make random guesses as to how long the collar should be.


Before going to the pet shop, try to measure your dog's neck by using tape measure or any string or tape that can be used as a guide. Then, try to make some allowances, say, 2 to 3 inches more. You can never be too sure about the actual length of the item; hence, it is best to make room for extras.


2. Budget


Each type of dog training collars may vary from the most affordable to the most expensive. Among the different types of dog training collars, the electronic dog training collar is the most expensive. Since it runs electric current throughout its mechanism, the actual value for this collar is quite expensive.


If you cannot afford to buy expensive ones, you can always resort to cheap dog training collars. However, the efficiency of developing positive results is lower than the best dog training collars available in the market today.


Keep in mind that quality is always partnered with value. Hence, the better the quality, the higher the value.


3. Function


Some experts do not approve using dog electronic training collars. The infliction of pain tends to create inhumane act towards dogs. Hence, if you think you can still train your dog without having to hurt them, you can try the other types of dog training collars.


Just keep in mind to choose dog training collars according to the function that you need. For instance, if you do not want to use inhumane devices such as shock collar but would still want to tame down a wild dog, you can use the pronged collar instead. It is ideal for dogs that are hard to control.


Indeed, buying dog training collars can be quite tedious. However, once you have considered these factors, buying the best dog training collar is possible.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Guard Dog Training Tips & Tricks Revealed

People buy guard dogs because they want protection. These pets can be very valuable and a great asset to any family. Their training takes special measures and people need to be aware of the best way to train them properly. Here you will find a short guide revealing some of the main considerations needed when training guard dogs.


The first thing you want to do is teach the dog when to bark. It might be when something unusual takes place. When the dog barks at the proper time, you can call it to your side and offer a treat. You might also try to offer a chew toy. You want the dog to understand that when something unusual happens and the dog senses this, it's good to bark and go to a family member.


Some people like to use what is known as "clicker training" to get their dogs to perform properly. When the dog behaves correctly, you make a noise with tiny clicking apparatus that lets the dog know it has done a good job. Give it a treat at the same time. The dog will soon understand that the noise and the action will get it a treat. After the dog gets the hang of this, you can replace the clicker with a treat and a verbal order like "Bark."


At the same time, there are dogs that bark too much. Then you will have to teach them a "quiet" order. When you want them to be quiet you might have to shake a can full of coins or say "Quiet" and squirt their mouth with some water. The dog will quit barking in order to suck up the water. Follow this by letting the dog have a treat. Soon the dog will learn to respond to the word "Quiet" and you won't have to give it a treat or squirt it.


Guard dogs may get aggressive about protecting their territory. You may need to put up a "Beware of dog" sign. Good guard dogs don't need to scare people. They can be trained to be obedient to commands.


Although guard dog training can work well with older dogs, it's best for the dog to learn these skills while they are young. That's because you don't want them to get training that might interfere with the guard dog training. For instant, if you teach your dog not to jump up on people, the guard dog might be hesitant to jump up on a trainer that is supposed to be an intruder.


Guard dog training is something you can do yourself or let a professional trainer do. There are a couple of fantastic guard dog training guides available which you can read about in more detail using the links at the bottom of this article. If you prefer to let a professional trainer train your dog, you should be able to find a one by asking at your local vet clinic or pet shop.


In a good training program, the guard dog will first learn some basic obedience lessons. Those lessons will be very rigid. Guard dogs must learn to follow each and every command instantly. These dogs also get trained to only obey commands or take treats from owners and handlers. This is important because nobody wants an intruder to have power over the guard dog.


When the owner wants a dog to alert them if an intruder enters the property, the dog must be trained to spot strangers. This is usually accomplished through barking and going back to the owner. Barking and returning to the owner's side can be repeated often, until the owner recognizes the stranger and the dog knows he successfully finished the job.


Sometimes the guard dog is actually trained to attack an intruder. This is done for protection purposes. After this kind of training, the dog shouldn't be left alone. The dog might perceive a movement by a visitor as a reason for attack. Dogs trained to protect owners are not as sensitive to noise or threatening movements. This is to help the dog respond properly to loud noises or strange gestures used by intruders.


The guard dog must be taught how to properly respond to all family members. The dog should know all the children in the family, as well as other family members. The dog should also be familiar with other household pets. This is how to make the guard dog an agreeable member of the family.


Guard dogs make gentle and sweet companion dogs. They enjoy having company, but they will put up a fierce face when intruders arrive. Owners will feel secure having these dogs in the house. Training them can the beginning of a fabulous relationship. Don't forget to praise them when they do a good job, and you will be rewarded with lots of love.


A couple of links are provided below which you can use to find out more information about dog training and in particular guard dog training.

Using a Good Dog Training Tip

Sometimes using just the right dog training tip can make all the difference in achieving your training goals. If you would like to have the most productive dog one can ever have, let your dog be trained by a professional dog trainer. A professional dog trainer has the skills necessary to teach the dog about the primary skills about obedience and agility. He or she is knowledgeable about the physiological and emotional needs of the dog. He/she can ensure that the dog gets proper care and attention. A dog trainer is wary of the various diseases that the dog can be at risk to, thus he/she can prevent it. Furthermore, you really need a professional dog trainer if you would like your dog to engage in proper attack dog training or dog field training.


In choosing the perfect professional dog trainer, do check the past work experiences of your prospect. Check for the possible specializations in terms of the breed that the trainer usually trains, and the type of training that he gives. Fit your choice of trainer with the characteristics and the personality of your dog. Choose the dog trainer that your dog easily gets along with. If faced with the dilemma of choosing between equally competent dog trainers, do choose the one that your dog likes best and the one that loves your dog as well. If you don't have any dog trainer in mind and you would like to challenge yourself in handling dogs, then you can opt to be your dog's 'personal' trainer. Such choice is more rewarding and fulfilling for you as a dog keeper, but you ought to remind yourself that dog training is not just about spending lots of quality time with your dog. Instead, dog training requires a huge load of perseverance, time, effort, and determination on your dog's part, but even more on your part.


When training your dog, the most important tip or technique that is advised by professionals is to you're the reward system. Dog studies show that positive reinforcement is the most effective way to teach the dog something. No matter what type of training- may it be toilet training, attack dog training, or dog field training, or police dog training- be sure that you give rewards and privileges to your dog if he/she responds well to the lessons. Usually, dog trainings should be done following a step-by-step procedure, with a chronological order. In cases of doing such trainings, the privilege or the reward given should increase as well. This will then motivate your dog to move on with the training no matter how difficult the next step will be. Also, make sure that the pleasure given by the reward is proportional to the effort given by the dog and the level of difficulty posed by the trick being taught. Moreover, reward your dog more if he/she increases the skills he/she shows each trick trial. Such reward system can motivate your dog to achieve a higher level of performance each time he/she responds to the training.


If your dog happens to ignore the training you are providing, a good dog training tip is, do not lose hope. You may reassess or consult a professional if the type of training is fit for your dog, or you may also try new ways to motivate your dog.

Do's and Dont's of Dog Training

When it comes to training a dog, every dog trainer, been the dog owner or a professional dog trainer needs to be aware of the do's and don'ts of dog training. Just because you decided to train your dog it means that immediately will have a well trained puppy, it takes consistency to train a dog, but it is not that difficult, if you can figure out what are the initial steps you need to take into account to start training your dog. Read below to learn more.


There are different advances to dog training and these techniques are proved to be effective in training your dog to become the well-mannered, refined dog you always desired her to be. There are some do's and dont's of dog training that you must be aware of before training your dog. These do's and dont's of dog training are imperative to be taken note of so that you can distinguish the positive and negative elements that can bear upon how your dog is responding to training.


The do's and dont's of dog training are not truly something so elaborated or complex and these may be well understood by even the simplest pet lover and dog owner attempting their deal at dog training.


First of all to take in consideration are the dont's in dog training. You must keep in mind that dogs are living things and as beings, they've dissimilar attitudes and so training different kinds of breeds might differ somewhat. In general, when training dogs, you shouldn't put your dog nor yourself in a position where both of you are not ready to manage, in order to avoid any mishaps or frustration from occurring. Besides, if you're training your puppy in your home with lots of older dogs, you must not permit them to mingle particularly if the grownup dogs are impatient of the younger ones. In respect to this, you must not expect that your dog will like all the dogs she will meet as well.


Furthermore, you must not let your dog to become overexcited as the inclination for dogs when overexcited is that they'll have no control over how they act. As the pet owner, you must not tolerate other dogs to be rude to your dogs and so it's best to keep an eye on them. You should also not dismiss your dog when you feel that she's attempting to tell you something especially if you acknowledge something awry in her behavior. Never impose your training goals to your dog and never penalize a dog for doing something wrong.


Now, let us consider the do's of dog training. First in line is to acknowledge that dogs need of his own space. You must be able to respect this fact so that in turn the dog will respect you as well. It's likewise of essence that your dog must socialize with other dogs therefore that she will be aware of the presence of other creatures as her. Some of the times, when dogs have uttermost dislike of some other dog or matter, you must become capable to understand her for having this kind of attitude. Likewise, you must be able to build your dog's tolerance levels by putting her through positive and rewarding experiences.


Be sure you make your dog feel that you as owner and trainer likewise functions as her guardian. A significant matter to recognize when training your dog is that occasionally you will not see eye to eye as to your training goals, so if it takes time for the dog to be in the same boat as you are, and so you must be extremely patient in understanding this fact. An efficacious way into positively rewarding your dog during training is to put your dog's needs, fears and concerns first on the list. Because you desire your dog to learn, then it's of essence for him to feel that you really care about them by showering them with much attention.


If the dog owner follows the above dog training tips, he will have the opportunity of developing a strong bond with the dog. One of the most crucial aspects when training a dog is to be able to connect with the dog and with further training that bond will become even stronger. It does not matter if you decide to train your dog at home, or if you decide to bring your pet to a dog training facility you need to be aware of how important is for your dog to acknowledge and recognize you as the alpha. If he does not yet recognize you as the alpha, dog training will help him to do so.

Train Your Dog - Benefits and Tips For Successful Dog Training

Watching your children's eyes light up when you bring a new puppy home is truly a heart warming experience. Your dog comes with unconditional love and warm genuine friendship. If you've owned a dog before you already know that along with all the delights of a new doggy - it can also come with frustration, unconditional messes, and genuine destruction. Not to worry, with a little obedience training you can head off unwanted dog behavior.


5 Great Benefits of Dog Training


It builds a solid relationship with you and your dog and establishes you as the pack leader. The time you spend together as a team working together, learning about each other, deepens your bond. A well trained dog is a welcome dog that can be taken almost anywhere, and is a joy to be around when camping, hiking, or even just going for a walk, because he is not high risk or a nuisance to others. Dog training corrects undesirable dog behavior. Chewing up your furniture, digging up your flowers, barking at everyone who passes by your yard and even bolting out the door can be resolved with a little focus on obedience training. When you train your dog it stimulates your dog's intellect and allows him to use his brain; dogs are curious by nature and want learn about both the world and the people around him. Dogs have a deep desire to please us, its instinctive, so when they can understand what we want of them and they respond to our commands; they feel vital and needed - a strong member in the pack. It saves you time and money! Taking the time to train your dog to behave properly in your home saves time cleaning up messes and saves you money by not having to replace torn up pillows, shoes or other valuable possessions.


Obviously, there are many great benefits to a well trained dog, to many to really list, but among my favorites is the companionship, having a dog that can protect my family when I'm not around. It was best said by an unknown author: "He is your friend, your partner, your defender. You are his life, his love and his leader."


The very best dog training method is the use of Positive Reinforcement to train your dog. This is simply rewarding good behavior that you want to see repeated, and ignoring bad dog behavior. This is a direct contrast to a now outdated method of obedience training which by today's standards was cruel and inhumane, (like using shock collars, hitting your dog with rolled up newspapers, or even rubbing your dogs nose in pooh.) Your dog instinctively wants to please you and when you use positive reinforcement to train your dog you will find that your dog learns quicker and the lessons are remembered throughout your dog's life. This is the best path to a well trained dog.
 
5 great tips to facilitate your dog training efforts


Be sure to use meaningful rewards. Most dogs get bored quickly and don't respond as well with just a pat on his head or a good boy. To keep your training at the highest standards use tempting incentives for good dog behavior. Mix up the rewards, don't always give the same treat while training your dog. All dogs have different favorite treats; I've trained dogs that would practically rob a bank for a liver treat. Try to find two or three special treats that you can use just when you train your dog. Use the right timing when you reward your dog for obeying a command. Your goal is to mark the desired dog behavior with a treat timed so that your dog understands what behavior earned the treat. Some dog trainers recommend a clicker while training to mark the exact moment your dog does what you desire, then immediately give the reward. This works well but so does a high pitched "whoop," or any other sound that the dog can identify as the reward sound. Be clear and consistent with your commands. Decide your verbal clues before you start your training and stick with them. Be sure that everyone in the family uses the same commands and your dog's rate of obedience training will be much higher and you'll see quicker change in dog behavior. Take the time to learn proper dog training techniques - it really helps to get it right the first time out. If you're new to obedience training or an experienced trainer; it pays big dividends to read trusted sources to learn more about the benefits of training your dog.


You are the best person to train your dog! It can be simple to teach a dog to do almost anything. Beyond understanding basic dog behavior and obedience training, I've trained dogs to close the door, dance, speak, play bang you're dead, catch Frisbees, and other cute and impressive tricks. For more information the basics, or learn about the hottest trend - Dog Training Videos: join us at The Dogs Park. With new and fresh dog related information being added all the time you are sure to be successful in all of your dog training efforts.


Watch an amazing short video about The German Shepherd. You can find this and other videos on our menu under dog breeds.
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Thursday, February 10, 2011

A Long Tradition of Dog Training

For as long as people have kept historical records, we can find accounts of a strong bond between people and dogs. In primitive times when hunting was man's only way to survive, people realized that using dogs could make the hunt more successful.  This partnership was more than just people dominating animals because dogs and humans worked as partners with a goal benefit both species. Dogs and their human companions developed an unspoken ability to understand each other.  So throughout history, when dog training was designed, it was focused on  the working relationship between dogs and people.


Historians have evidence of art and documents from ancient civilizations. They discovered drawings depicting dogs serving as guides and companions  as far back in time as we have records.  No doubt our ancient grandparents knew that the relationship that they had with their dogs served the people and the dogs equally and that their trusted canine companions were prized and cherished part of their families much as they are today.


It isn't a stretch to say that as long as there have been human culture and civilization, dogs have been part of it.  When society was agricultural, dogs were important in protecting livestock and herding sheep and cows.  But as people began to realize how easy it was to train dogs, they began to be used in other agricultural chores as well as in military and police functions. Then dogs were bred and trained for the very purpose of serving people's working need: Hunting, herding, protection and pulling.


Turkish and British used the natural abilities of their local dogs for guarding and herding livestock. Inuits and other Northern culture used their dogs for pulling sleigh across the snow The Lasha Apso was bred to guard temples and palaces in Tibet The ChowChow one of the oldest breed originated from Mongolia and was bred for hunting, pulling, guarding and herding. The Roman Empire developed full battle ready battalions comprised entirely of dogs. Later, during World War I and II, dogs were vital to the war effort delivering messages and protecting military encampments and guarding prisoners as well.  Along with these duties, dogs also pitched by serving as scouts, finding mines, tracking the enemy and delivering important military messages during battles. The ability of dogs to help the blind has been going on since the first century as has been proved with ancient artifacts of the time. 1788 see the first ever training facility to teach dogs to aid the blind atles " Quatre Vingts" in Paris, France.  Even though modern medicine has advanced significantly, dogs have more jobs than ever helping patients recovering from therapy, assisting people with disabilities including epilepsy and autism and even making contributions in cancer detection.  


In 1939, when WWII started, young servicemen were taught the military method of training service dogs, which used the choke chain and harsh training method. When the war ended there were a group of young ex-military trainers available to help civilians train their dogs. By now the original trainers and their method of training had pretty much disappeared.


It was in the 1970's thanks to TV that Barbara Woodhouse was able to bring her method of training to the masses. Choke chains became as popular to dog training as moon rocks had become to fish bowls. By this time the use of physical correction was  widely accepted in dog training.


By the 1980's the buzz was dominance, not by the dog but by you over your dog. This method led to all kinds of pack leadership ideas. It was decided that if you didn't dominate your dog he would dominate you, and that there was simply no other way to train a dog than using the pack leader method.


And just like politics that swing back and forth like a pendulum, by the 1990's we had swung the other direction.


This was when animal behavior experts and psychologist started to understand dog's behavior and their body language. More interested by the overall well being of the dogs and how they communicate with each other, experts such as Turid Rugaas, Patricia McConnell, Karen Prior and Ian Dunbar opened a new door to dog training, behavior and psychology.


The focus became more about teaching owners how to understand their dogs better and enhance the positive natural abilities of the dog rather than dominance and other forceful methods.


As the population of dog lovers responded to these new techniques, more and more up to date dog training courses have become available. The number of dogs entering human homes continues to rise. It seems there are more and more dog owners looking for companionship in our four legged furry friends.


TV shows with popular Cesar Millan have create an awareness around dog training. Like him or not, now more than ever, people are taking their commitment to well trained dogs very seriously and more dogs than ever before are being trained because of the dog whisperers popularity.  


It can seem a little bit strange to be  able to train your dog at home in the comfort of your living room or backyard but when you think about it isn' t dog training about educating the human first?


From a partnership for survival to online courses, dog training has evolved with our society and technology.The number of dogs entering human homes continues to rise. It seems there are more and more dog owners looking for companionship in our four legged furry friends.  No matter how the training is delivered, dogs are here to stay and always be an important part of our society.

Dog Training: 7 Reasons Why You Should Do It Yourself

Reason 1:
Poor Dog Training resulted in unruly dog which can be a serious nuisance and be destructive to the relationship between the dog and its owner.


Effective dog training is essential for both a pet's safety and the quality of life for both dog and its owner.


Would you take the risk of leaving the Dog Training to someone whom may not love your dog as much as you?


Reason 2:
Effective Dog Training must be consistent. Effective Dog Training Starts even while they are still puppies.


The Problems of Leaving them to Dog Training School, is that they might be trained by different Dog Trainer and this reduces the consistency, which might confuse the Dog.


Reason 3:
Effective Dog Training must be fun. Well, can you imagine how fun it is for an employee or Trainer in Dog Training School have when in one day he or she has to conduct Dog Training for more than 5 Dogs per day


You get what I mean don't you? But if you do it yourself, you can make the Dog Training session much more fun both which will be enjoyed by your dog and yourself.


Reason 4:
Dog Training Creates Lasting Bonds between the Trainer and the Dogs.


Since it is your Dog, How would you like Your Dog to have a better relationship with the trainer instead of with you.


This can be disastrous.


That is why there is some cases where robbery occurs and the Dogs did not even bark or show any aggression, because the one that enter the house is known to the Dogs


Dog Training Yourself can create a much more satisfied relationship with your dog and thus beneficial for the dogs and its owner.


Reason 5:
Dog Training Session is costly and expensive while its effectiveness is very questionable at times.


The cost and frustration of Bad Dog Training is very very expensive. You have to pay a lot and at the same time it will aggravate the Dogs and Frustrate you.


Self Dog Training cost much lesser and if you do it right, it brings much pleasure and satisfation for the Dog and yourself.


Reason 6:
You know your Dog Better than anyone. You know when to train them at their most effective moment.


When your dog is down with sickness or is not having fun, you will be able to notice them, but where as a lot of Dog Trainer may not be able to notice them as they are just doing their job.


In addition to that, since Your Dog will be one of your best company,


Dog Training yourself will set your dogs to be familiarise with your habit and the environment and places you have in your life.


This will be a much fulfilling experience for both the dogs and the owners.


While in Dog Training School, Your dog will only be confined to one or few common area of training.


When you bring the Dog back home, you will still need to train him to the environment of your life.


isn't it a waste?


Reason 7:
Effective Dog Training do closely related on the condition of the Trainer during the Dog Training Sessions.


You as Trainer know your own condition during the training better than anyone. If you are not feeling well or not in the mood for training because of some personal problem that happens in your life.


Then you can choose not to train your dogs during such situation


What about when those trainer in dog training school. When they are facing problem at home. Do they still need to train your dog?


Yes Definitely ....


Do you think it will be effective and good for your Dog?


So that's it, The 7 Reasons, Dog Training, why you should do it yourself?


One Fatal MisConception that most dog owner have, is: It is Difficult to Conduct the Dog Training Yourself....


Let me tell you that it is not as much difficult and troublesome as taking your dog to the Dog Training School. It is much worth the the risk in Dog Training yourself than leave it to people whom you may never know what they instill in your dog while training them.