Basics of Dog Training

by Janice Kumar



Training a dog requires certain attributes in the trainer himself, if he is to succeed in the training process.

The dog trainer has to be:

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Smart or Smarter than the Dog. The dog has cunning and wile in his personality and will many a time outwit the trainer. Instead of getting angry, the pet trainer must get smarter.
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Patient. Without patience, the trainer will not be able to train the dog properly and will do irrevocable harm.
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Knowledgeable. The pet owner or trainer has to understand the dog's personality before the training can start. He/she has to categorize the dog mentally as shy/nervous/bullish/naive/crazy etc and adjust himself/herself accordingly.



The following three basics must be adhered to.

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The training process can start at fourth to fifth month of the age. Basic -No!, and name association should have been done at the pup (one month) stage itself.
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The process will consist of periods of repetition and reward for at least 15 minutes daily. This is flexible depending upon how much the trainer and the dog can handle.
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The training must take place before food is given to the dog. Food can thus be a 'reward' for being a good dog.



Basic training is accomplished with the help of a collar, leash and a choker. The choker , when put on properly, will tighten when the dog strains away and loosens when the dog ceases the pulling action.

How to give Commands

Remember and follow the following basic principles.

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Speak always in an even voice to the dog. Do not raise your voice or shout at it. This will only confuse the dog.
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Pay particular attention to the tone of the command. Adhere to the same tone throughout the training process. Avoid inconsistencies.
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Reward a successful execution of a command with a tidbit and signs of affection. Ignore 'failures'.
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Keep the dog on a leash while giving the command under training.
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Ensure that the dog follows each command before moving on to the next command.
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Avoid hitting the dog in any circumstances. Use an appropriate tug on the choker and tidbits and praise to admonish and reward a dog.
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Stop a training session when the trainers or the dog's attention starts wavering.

Some Important commands. Follow the sequence. Teach the dog, one command properly before proceeding to the next.



Heel

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Speak out the dogs Name.
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Command HEEL to the dog, letting the dog stand at the left side.
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Pull back and snap back the leash if the dog tries to run.
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Let it associate the command with the action.
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Once the dog is in proper position, pat it and stroke it , letting it know, that it is doing things right.

Sit

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Once the dog knows how to heel. Teach it the second command -Sit.
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Let the dog trot /walk properly at your left (heel).
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Stop and give the command SIT after calling the Dog's name.
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Pull the leash and push down the dog's hind quarters to show it the sitting position.
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Force the dog down to sit , putting pressure on the rump.
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Give it a tidbit or stroke it , when it follows your command.

Stay

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After the dog learns the sit command, the stay command can be taught.
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Sit is prolonged into STAY.
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In order to differentiate between the two, do not call out the dog's name before the command.
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Put the leash in your right hand and put your left palm in front of the dogs nose.
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Face the dog and repulse any forward movement of the dog, and repeat the command stay.

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Repeat a few times till the dog understands and then reward it.
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In the next few training times, move slowly away, making the dog understand that stay means no movement.

Stand

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Let the dog heel. Bring it to a gradual halt.
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Put your right hand before the dog's nose and say the command STAND.
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Gently caress the dog's back with your other hand. If the dog tries to sit, exert a slight lifting pressure under the body indicating to the dog that he has to stand.
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Repeat and reward till it gets it right.

Come

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Command the dog to Sit, then to Stay on the longest leash available with the trainer.
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Then in a friendly voice ask it to COME.
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Pull the leash a bit to give it direction and encouragement.
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Give it a small reward when it begins to understand the command.



After the dog has mastered the above basic commands, remove the leash and teach the dog to follow the commands.

It is important to teach the pet dog these commands without the aid of the leash in a small enclosed yard or small garden so that it does not run away.



This completes the basic training. Now it is up to the trainer to teach the dog , more command such as Go, Stop etc as and when required. Advanced obedience training for guard dogs, hunting dogs etc will take place under the guidance of an expert after the basic training is completed satisfactorily.

Emergency Help for Dogs

by Janice Kumar

A dog can get injured without warning. The animal is by nature playful, active and aggressive. An injury can take place due to many possible foreseeable and some unknown causes also. It is important to know what to do when the pet is in pain.

A severely injured dog may be so blinded by pain that it might even attempt to bite it's owner. It may be necessary in such a case, to make a temporary muzzle with a strip of cloth or bandage and tie it below the jaws and and on top of the head or back of the ears. This will prevent the dog from biting the person, trying to give first aid to the dog.

It may be possible to treat the obvious injuries by using commonsense and some guidance. However some injuries may be internal or not visible to the naked eye and may require an emergency visit to the vet.

Wounds may be from automobile accidents, cuts from glass, sharp objects, wire, bites from other animals, puncture wounds, and / or from foreign objects such as thorns, glass splinters, sharp edges etc. All these may require first aid and severe wounds may require specialized care by a vet.

The dog has to be treated for shock in case of an automobile accident. This can be done by covering the dog with a blanket and allowing it to rest. The dog may require consoling in a soft voice and affectionate stroking. Keep the dog rested in a semi dark place as the shock wears off. If you suspect internal injuries in the dog, a vet, need to be called. Before calling the vet, it may be necessary to immobilize the animal by wrapping it in a tight bandage so as to form a sheath. This will prevent further internal damage. Internal injuries can be indicated by symptoms of white gums and or when the dog is in obvious pain without sign of external damage.

If a bone is broken, the limb needs to be immobilized immediately. This can be done with splint. In case some other bones are broken , the dog needs to be totally immobilized before a veterinarian is called.

For bee stings, the dog needs to be given an antihistamine cold tablet and cold compress over the area of the sting. Normally this should be sufficient, however if you feel that the problem is serious, do consult a vet.

Burns should be treated by applying cold water to them. Water- immersable (burn) creams can also be used in the dressing afterwards. Serious burn injuries have to be treated by a specialized animal hospital.

Bites from other animals can be treated by applying an antiseptic solution in to the puncture wounds. The solution can be applied by using an eyedropper or disposable syringe ( without the needle) and letting the antiseptic liquid flow directly into the wound. Bad bites, where the skin is badly torn up, need specialized care.

If the dog is choking on a foreign object, open the mouth of the pet wide and remove the objects which may be stuck at the back of the throat or the mouth. If it cannot be removed, you need to rush to a vet, to save the pet's life.

A dog that has succumbed to a heat stroke needs immediate care. It needs to be immediately immersed in a tub of cold water or lay it flat and pour cold water with a jug over the body. The body temperature needs to be bought down fast, so a fan may also be necessary. If the dog does not accept cold water over itself, then try to press cold towels against it's abdomen and back of the head before you call a vet.

Incase you suspect that the dog has been poisoned, indicated by trembling, panting, intestinal pain, vomiting, slimy secretion from mouth, convulsions etc, then you need to take prompt action. The accepted first aid treatment is giving the dog a general emetic so that the dog regurgitates the contents of the stomach immediately. Take the advice of a vet as to what exact treatment to give, while you wait for him. Immediate action from your end, can save the pet's life in case of serious poisoning.

In general, first aid to a dog is the first step that can be taken by a pet owner, before a vet is called. Minor puncture wounds, bee stings, minor cuts and lacerations and some minor emergencies can be treated quite successfully at home. However if the wound is serious or not responding to treatment a visit to a vet is a must.