Labrador Retriever Dogs Blog

Dog training collars aren’t just for dogs needing obedience training. There are also many specialty uses for specific types of collars. One example is the hunting dog training collar. These collars can be a bit more expensive; however they come with additional features and are specifically designed to assist a dog owner during hunting expeditions. Given the design or limited features of traditional training collars, they can be impracticable, either due to beeps that can alert the prey or the very limited range of these collars. To address these issues, hunting dog training collars are excellent choices for dog owners looking to get the most out of their pets during their hunting trips.

One handy feature of these specialty collars can be the multi-dog feature. Many hunters utilize multiple dogs during their hunting trips. In this situation, you would have the painstaking process of using separate systems on each dog and having to use the correct controls to stimulate the correct dog in each situation.

Multi-dog systems can be a valuable tool since they can equip up to six dogs at a time with only a single unit. A simple selector on the unit will allow the owner to select the appropriate dog to receive the stimulation. In addition, further features allow for you to not only select the correct dog, but also the right level of stimulation required based on the action. So if one dog needs a heavy stimulation to get him into line but a second dog only needs a light stimulation, you can easily switch between them.

Most hunting dog training collars are also much higher quality than standard training collars in terms of their transmitters, allowing for greater ranges on the collars. There is nothing worse than having your dog run off and then needing to stimulate the dog, only to find out that he is out of range. This can especially be a problem when hunting, due to the line of sight issue. If you don’t have a clear, unobstructed line of sight between you and the dog, things such as trees, rocks, or elevation will considerably lessen the advertised range on the transmitter. Top-of-the line transmitters have ranges up to two miles, and are very useful for hunting situations.

Another good feature is the beeper system on the collars. Hunting dog training collar systems can be tailored so that they only beep when the dog is within range or only when the dog stops. This can be very useful because you know where the dog is at any time and also when the dog is moving. The ability of the system to be able to detect movement also lessens the chance of alerting the prey.

When you’re out hunting, the last thing you want to happen is to lose track of your dogs or to have them totally misbehave. Hunting dog training collar systems are extremely valuable tools for hunters who need the appropriate device for training their dogs in actual hunting situations. These particular training collars can be a bit more expensive due to the additional features that are included, but are well worth it for hunters who need to get the most out of their dog training collars.

I do not own a lab. I own a german shorthair and a Braque du Bourbonnais (pointing dogs). I hunt upland birds so I decided on pointers. But I grew up with labs. My dad hunted waterfowl a lot and some upland. I remember way back in the day my dad gave me my first 20ga shotgun. I think I was one of the few 10yr olds that owned one and hunted. My dad grew up with labs and stuck to this breed up until recently (his last one died two years ago and he retired hunting and is now enjoying life with mom and traveling the world). Anyway while visiting my parents in CT I found this old VHS tape from 1985. We watched it and although it pertains to labs I found it very interesting. I thought some of you w/hunting labs might also. Its really old and a bit damaged but fun to watch. It brought back memories of High School for me and good ol hunting memories for my dad. Enjoy.

Owning a dog that can carry out antics and is very docile and well trained is a pleasure and delight of every dog owner. Owning a dog that in reality pays attention, hangs on to each word and abides by its master would surely be appreciated and awarded. This would firmly strengthen the bond. What’s more, a dog well trained knows the way to “socialize” properly with people and other dogs.

Dogs are one of the most cherished pets in every part of the world. They are well received in more homes than any other domestic animal ever. Though they are in general affectionate, devoted and faithful, they can be taught to be more compliant. A well trained and well behaved dog is more cherished in any family and is shown more affection and consideration. The times you spent with each other performing antics and teaching equals to a connection that grows deeper each day. You will definitely feel secure in taking your dog just about anyplace, to the park, vacations, beach, if you know that they will be conducting properly.

Getting to Know How your Dog Feels

Though animals are not thought to be as refined mentally as humans are, people can make the change. Dog training permits us to comprehend how the dog experiences and behaves.

Dogs are group animals, they fit in to groups and require a head, and we will be their person in charge. In dog training we will gain knowledge of how to behave like their head and tell them what to do. When we have set up our role as their “pack leader”, the admiration and faithfulness follows next.

But apart from that, our dog is a member of our family, as each member of the family has their part to play, so does the dog. A dog training sitting would let your dog be aware of his or her part and tasks. In getting to know this, every one would be happy to co-exist with one another furnishing a good atmosphere and a strong joyful bond.

Basic Behavior Dog Training

At sometime or another, every dog owner needs to set up some sort of dog training for their pet even the most basic kind is essential. When considering what type of dog training is required it is necessary to understand what behaviour problems you need to correct, it is only when you isolate the behavioral problems that requires changing can you decide if you need professional help or by following instructions in a book or video you can carry out the training yourself. All things need to be considered carefully when making the decision, your life style, your dog and yourself all must be in harmony when selecting the method of training.

A happy dog is a dog that has had quality behaviour training, the bond that has been established between owner and dog is reflected by a faithful dog and an attentive owner. Basic training will also help to keep your dog safe when you leave home as it includes socialisation and traffic awareness. Quality dog obedience training is a gift you can give to your dog, as an untrained dog is easy to spot by it usually being a nuisance in any situation instead of being welcome wherever it goes.

If you are not able to call on the services of a specialized dog trainer to do the simple behavior dog training, then it is easy today to search the Internet for guidance, hints and tips to enable you to undertake the basic training yourself. Their is a great deal of satisfaction for both pet and owner when training produces results. Many of the simple behavior dog training problems (such as barking, biting & digging) often times stem from bad communication and mixed signals between owner and dog, this usually comes about through the owner using different words and tones when issuing the same command, a dog learns from tones and to a degree word structure, so if you constantly change your commands by saying words such as ‘fetch’ or ‘bring’ and ‘stop’ or ‘stay the dog will find it hard to recognise the command that brings the reward.

It is necessary to have a pocket full of small treats when undertaking a training session, dogs should be rewarded with a great deal of affection and a small treat whenever a task is undertaken correctly, very quickly the treat can be removed but the affection should always be there. You are the best person to train your dog as the bond that is formed will last a lifetime and bring pleasure to both dog and owner.

A dog is considered to be “a man’s best friend”. The companionship between a pet dog and the owners is priceless. Imagine how delightful it is seeing your own dog behave so good, that you don’t have to yell or scream at him, ever again.

The best way to train dogs remained a perpetual concern for the dog training enthusiasts. Before training your dog, there are some things you might want to know in order for you to be an efficient trainer. This will also help your pet dog on how to adjust with all the new tricks you will give.

Whether you have a puppy or an older dog for an instance, you can still teach them new tricks. Dogs are intelligent creatures thus they can always be taught new things. It is helpful to start training a puppy, between the age of six to eight months. In this stage, the dog is a lot eager to learn things. Somehow, a dog is more receptive between these ages.

It is best that you understand how to use reinforcements so that your dog can really absorb the new tricks you teach. A positive reinforcement is favorable in training dogs. Like what most people want, dogs appreciate it much when they are praised and fed with dog treats. When dog is able to perform commands in a correct and precise manner a treat must be given. This can be in a form of food.

Dogs are brilliant companions and are very trainable. Their gregarious nature sets them aside from other pet animals. They can interact and attach emotionally with their owners. While training your dog, you will soon appreciate the connection that you have both made.

Be firm but friendly in dealing with your dogs. Like when you are dealing with toddlers you have to be firm in giving those orders but in a very positive tone. This approach in teaching dogs fosters learning and being friendly towards your dog avoids intimidation. When you start to give command try a calm voice coupled with a little tone of being friendly.

Make use of your voice to give commands. Learn when to use high pitch voice and low pitch voice. This will also enable the dog to get familiar on the usual voice usage that you might implore.

Punishment is a type of reinforcement. It is classified as a negative reinforcement which is unfavorable when training dogs. It is imperative that you should not punish the dog in any manner. Otherwise, the dog will develop that fear and will be distracted along the course of the training. Be consistent in all your commands. Consistent training techniques can hasten learning of the dogs due to the fact that they are familiar with the sounds, words used in the command given. In addition, it is important that the command must be given by the same person. This will also help the dog to associate the commands to who is giving the commands.

The dog must not be confused in any manner.

On top of these, you might want to solicit an advice from a dog trainer, better if it is a certified dog trainer. Yes, there are many dog training resources out there, including dog training videos and dog training e-books, but nothing compares with the advice you will get from a certified dog trainer professional.

You may think that training your dog is not going to be easy, or that you may not even be able to train your dog at all. Well, I am here to tell you that your dog can be trained!

You just have to know what to do and what not to do when you begin to train your dog. All dog owners know this at first before their dog is trained and this can become quite a real pain.

Peeing all over the floor, jumping on you when you come home, not listening, and anything else that dogs may do can really frustrate their owners. In order to get the respect you think you deserve as the dogs master, you need to learn to respect the dog as well.

The first no-no in dog training or in even owning a dog is never to hit your dog with your hand or any other instrument, such as a stick or rolled up newspaper.

This makes the dog more aggressive. Another thing, if you are trying to teach your dog to sit, stay, lay down or any other command, you should reward the dog with treats or praise him when he does what you commanded.

If you think your dog barks too much while you are out, this means that the dog has separation anxiety. Start leaving for short periods of time and gradually move the time up.

Make sure that you always leave her with some kind of chew toy or treat to keep her busy while you are gone. You can also crate your dog if you have to leave the house without her, but this can lead to having to crate her around every time you leave for the rest of her life.

Did you know that if a dog does not get enough exercise it will cause him to misbehave? Just walking around the yard is not enough to give your dog the exercise it needs. You should take your dog for a walk at least once everyday.

Having mental stimulation is also quite important to the dogs behavior. If a dog is bored he will bark more, but if he is understanding and interested in what is going on around him, he will not misbehave.

Potty training seems to be a big problem for a lot of people when they first get their new puppy. Potty training your dog is a must if she is going to live inside the house! Dogs love schedules, therefore, you need to keep your beloved new pet of a potty schedule.

You also need to have a lot of patience and some doggy treats handy when potty training. Dogs usually need to go outside about 20 to 30 minutes after eating, so make sure that you pay close attention.

Always keep in mind that dogs will never go potty where they sleep. You can confine your dog to a crate or a specific area while you are training him so you can control his food and water intake.

This will help teach the dog that going potty is something that is only done outside. You must be consistent with training your dog to keep it behaving appropriately. That means rewarding good behavior or dishing out discipline as required.

Once you train your dog, you will be able to enjoy him much more and he can really become your best friend. Your dog will obey and respect you more for all the love, care and attention you are giving to her.

Many people’s experience with dog training can be described like this; when their dog is six months to a year old, they sign up for a dog obedience class; some make it through the six or eight week course and some do not; but for many, that is the end of their dog’s education, and they describe their pet as “an obedience school dropout.”

To these people, I say, “Let’s be honest.” The dog didn’t drop out. You did. After all, who didn’t drive to the class or decided to skip the session?”

The Problem with Obedience School

But in fairness to dropouts, let’s also admit that a dog obedience class can be a frustrating experience for both dog and owner if this class is the dog’s first experience with training. Obedience classes traditionally begin with the heel command, which is actually one of the more complex things you can ask a dog to understand. It’s like expecting a child to learn algebra when they haven’t had basic arithmetic.

When you give a dog the heel command, what you’re asking him/her to do is not one specific thing. What your dog is supposed to do depends entirely on what you’re doing. Should your dog walk when you walk, turn when you turn, and stop when you stop. Add to that the fact that, if this is the first training experience, your poor dog doesn’t even understand that training is what is going on. The dog is not a bad dog, and is not a stupid dog, but he/she not only doesn’t know what you’re asking it to do, your dog also probably doesn’t even understand that you’re asking it to do something.

An Easier Way

It doesn’t have to be this way. There is a simpler way to train your dog, so relaxed that you can begin training your puppy the day you bring her home.

The “sit” command is the most universally useful command you can teach your dog. The new dog owner might wonder why. “How is this useful? The dog is not doing anything!”

Exactly! A dog that is sitting is not jumping all over your grandmother, or whatever other obnoxious behavior you want it to stop doing. And more importantly, a dog that is sitting when told is a dog that is under control and doing what you want.

The traditional method of teaching the sit command is to have the dog on leash at your side, repeat the command “Sit” while you pull up on the leash and push down on her butt. You’re forcing the dog into the correct position, but this is not enjoyable and can be stressful and frustrating for both you and the dog.

But why force the dog into position when you can coax? Start with a treat, something yummy like dried liver, or even a piece of kibble if he/she hasn’t been fed yet. Call the dog, get his/her attention, and make sure your dog knows you have a treat.

It won’t take long. Within seconds your dog will be there, his/her nose right at your fingertips. From this position, all you have to do is move the treat back over his/her nose and the top of it’s head.

Keep your hand only an inch or two over the dog’s head; too high and she’ll rear up on her hind legs. But, with the treat moving right back over her head, the nose will follow it, up and back… until… he/she… SITS!

Say good doggie, and reward him/her with a treat.

Do this a number of times every day. When you feed your dog, he/she will probably be jumping and frisking when your dog sees you coming with the food bowl. Tell your dog to sit, and when your dog sits, tell him/her is a good dog and set down the bowl.

You don’t need to give the dog a treat now every time you tell him/her to sit. But do give your dog a praise! Your dog is doing what you asked it to do, acknowledge that, let your dog know how pleased you are, and what a good dog he/she is.

These exercises are not just useful in themselves, your dog is also learning to learn. Your dog is learning that sometimes you want it to do something, that there is a word associated with the thing you want her to do, and that if he/she pays attention, he/she can figure it out.

Above all, never consider that you’re “done” training your dog. There’s always something new to learn, and new ways for you and your dog to have fun together.

There are plenty of reasons why dog training at home should be taken with care and determination. Proper training results in pets doing what is expected of them in terms of socialization, good defecating habits, reduced anxiety, obedience, and a generally good behavior.

Providing the proper dog training at home could be very rewarding experience if you put your heart into it. A responsible and loving pet owner should be more than glad to help his new dog adjust to the surroundings.

A disciplined dog is loved by many compared to their rowdy counterparts. He will also return the favor back to you by being well-behaved and following your commands and instructions. Apart from this, he will surely make you proud if you did well in training him.

Training you dog should start while he is still young although older dogs could also be trained. Moreover, you should be prepared to spend time and energy when dog training at home because it is a long process.

Dog owner anywhere must be consistent and patient in training his dog. The key is setting limits and restrictions by being firm and by offering rewards for a job well done. Below is 5 Steps To Dog Training At Home.

A. Have fun. More than anything, dog training at home should be a fun experience. Dogs love to play and they should not be denied that privilege. Be firm yet gentle. Start with simple commands and use them repetitively and consistently.

Believe it or not, you also need to establish mutual faith and trust in place of harsh punishment. If you succeed in creating a training environment filled with respect, your dog will be more than willing to be trained.

B. Be flexible. This is not the military so do not hesitate to make minor adjustments if, for instance, your dog still does not get a certain lesson you are trying to teach. Consider your pet’s maturity and age. There is no need to hurry. Like human beings, dogs are unique and also harbor different rates of progress.

C. Training your dog yourself helps develop a strong bond between you and your pet. A well-trained dog is a dog you could be proud of around your friends and your neighbors.

D. Be fair. As mentioned earlier, give rewards and merits when it is due. Do not set very high standards. Recognize every achievement no matter how small it is.

E. Positive reinforcement is the highly recommended method of dog training. This entails providing praise and physical rewards each time your pet follows your commands. Training sessions need not be long and tedious.

Set realistic goals. You cannot expect your pet to do it right the first time around. You take it one step at a time whether you are training him to use the litter box or getting him to follow the “Sit” command.
The key is consistency and patience. Do not punish your dog if he makes a mistake.

These five Steps to dog training at home also provides your pet with needed exercise and mental stimulation. You could also have peace of mind if you have a well-trained dog around the house.

Congratulations on your families new dog. Now is when the real work begins. Providing quality care for a dog, especially a puppy, is like taking care of a small child – they require 24 hour attention and they need lots of loving affection even when they make plenty messes. Here are some important dog training tips to help make the adjustment period easier for both of you.

Dinner Time

- Dogs should be fed on a set schedule. One of the most important puppy training tips is to feed your dog at the same times every day. This makes it much easier for house breaking. Keep in mind that most puppies need to eat at least 3 meals a day in order to supply the calories that their growing bodies need.

- Feed your dog a high quality diet. This is twofold – one, higher quality dog food will provide the nutrients that your dog needs to stay healthy. Two, a higher quality dog food creates less and better formed stools, reducing the number of accidents that your dog will have.

- Do not free feed your dog. What goes in must come out, and if you are free feeding your dog, you may not be home when this happens. Free feeding can also lead to obesity and other health problems.

Puppy Potty Training Tips

- Keep your dog on a potty schedule. An essential puppy potty training tip for house training involves a schedule. A schedule for going outside to use the bathroom makes it easier for your dog to anticipate when he or she will be able to go out next, and it help eliminates the risk of accidents. -

- Take the dog out in immediate “gotta go” situations. There are some situations that a dog will need to go to the bathroom – immediately after waking, eating, being crated, or in times of great excitement.

“Bad” Dog Training Tips

Much of puppy training involves preventing unwanted behavior. Here are some dog training tips that will make it easier to make your dog a model citizen.

- Set your dog up to succeed. Dog training tips without common sense will be counter productive to your dog training efforts. Make sure your dog does not have access to things that you do not want them to chew on.

- Do not give your dog items of clothing to play with. Your dog does not know the difference between playing tug of war with an old sock and playing tug of war with your brand new pair of pantyhose.

- Rotate toys. Like children, dogs can get bored with the same toys over and over again. Rotate toys as part of your dog training to help keep them fresh, and replace toys that have become broken or excessively worn.

Correction Dog Training Tips

Your dog will need correction at some point of your dog training. Tips to help with this include:

- Only use positive reinforcement. – Ignore bad behaviors like barking for attention.

- stop behavior unexpectdedly. Interrupting behavior at the same time and in the same way will cause your dog to ignore you.

- Redirect unwanted behaviors. If your dog is starting to jump up, tell him to sit and reward him for sitting. Replace inappropriate chew toys, like shoes, with appropriate toys instead.

By taking the time to conduct appropriate dog training, you will enjoy a lifetime of relaxed companionship with your new best friend.

There are some tools that every trainer needs to do his job. There are a number of purposes that dog training equipment has, but in general it has specific functions to make the dog perform certain things, to get control over him or to train him faster.

1. Collar

Besides using normal training aids, a dog trainer will also use collars in the training process. There are a wide variety of types of collars, sorted by appeal, materials or their functions. If we’re talking about classification by functions, collars can be spoke collars, chain collars, electronic collars, martingale collars or shock collars.

Usually, dog collars are made of nylon, leather, metal or fabric materials.

2. Harness

Something that can be used as a leash alternative, a harness is a device used for training, either replacing a dog collar or using it together with one. A harness can be used so that the pulling force is distributed more equally, so that the dog doesn’t choke. A collar also brings with it the risk that the dog will slip out of it.
Dog harnesses aren’t used to train a normal dog though. They’re usually preferred when it comes to training assistant dogs or service dogs.

3. Leash or lead

The lead, or leash, is made usually out of rope or leather, which helps restrain or control the dog when it’s attached to the collar. Some leashes are made so that they loop around the dog’s neck, so the collar isn’t needed. The length can also be a way to choose a leash: it can be short, very short, extended webbing leash or webbing leash.

The length matters because different training exercises will require leashes of different sizes, keeping the dog at a distance or close to you. Use long leashes for distance training or tight leashes for the best control.

4. Muzzle

If the dog has the habit of barking or biting, and you want him to stop doing it, you can use a dog muzzle. This dog equipment is very important, especially for dangerous or aggressive dogs that you want to prevent from doing any damage.
You place the muzzle on the dog’s mouth, so he can’t open it and bite with it. You can use dog muzzle to vary how much freedom the dog has. You can also choose one depending on its shape or material. Materials used for dog muzzles can include leather, wire, nylon or plastic.

5. Bait Pouch

The bait pouch is putting a dog treat in your pocket, and it’s a method that many dog trainers use. There is a disadvantage to that though, the fact that if you take some extra time to get the reward, the purpose of giving the dog a reward is a bit lost on him.
It’s recommended to buy a special bait pouch if you want to use one for training. It’s just like a normal pouch, but made from canvas. It’s kept at the trainer’s waist, so that he can access it easily.

6. Halter

The halter is a training gear similar to a collar, and it’s used by trainers to guide or train pets, making it easier to control it. It goes over the dog’s muzzle and fitted to the back of his head. By pulling the head, the trainer signals the dog to change his direction.
There are plenty of types of dog training equipment, by name, construction or purpose. You can’t do everything with just one type of equipment. Decide what you want it to do before you buy it.