Category: dog training

dog training

It’s an aspect of dog training that you will be teaching him many verbal commands. Sit, stay, heel and come will be staples of your routine. Your dog is responding to more than just the words you use; he’s interpreting your tone of voice, your body language, and your facial expressions to determine the nature of your commands. In this vein, language is so much more than verbal. Your dog has his own ways of communicating with you that you can interpret if you know what to look for.

 

A dog communicates primarily with body language and secondarily with verbal cues. When you observe your dog, make sure that you observe his entire body. Don’t just pay attention to the tail or the ears. He may be wagging his tail but the rest of this body may be saying something entirely different. When it comes to communication, different cues can be grouped into five categories: fear, aggression, anxiety, arousal, and relaxation.

 

Fear: A frightened dog may cower or whimper. He may lower his body, tuck his tail, and retreat. Other signs are trembling, shaking, licking his lips or yawning, putting his ears back, and leaning back. A dog that acts differently from normal may be exhibiting fearful behavior. If he’s avoiding people, staying hidden, and not eating, these could also be behavioral signs of fear.

 

Aggression: Knowing what to look for in an aggressive dog can be the difference between defusing a situation and escalating one. Dogs often display aggression when they are guarding their territory. Growling or barking are obvious verbal cues, but look for other body language before these occur. A dog may stiffen first to show aggression. He may put his ears back or widen his eyes. Heed these actions before the dog starts nipping at the air to de-escalate the situation.

 

Anxiety: The signs of an anxious or stressed out dog will be in some ways very similar to a fearful dog. He may display pacing and panting, licking his lips and yawning. If a dog is continually anxious, his health may suffer and he may shed excessively and drool. If your dog is in a kennel and is uncomfortable with his surroundings, you will be able to see his anxiety in his behavior.

 

Excitement/Arousal: A dog’s excitement behavior is generally standing erect with ears forward and tail wagging quickly and stiffly. He may bite, bark, or lunge forward. He may jump, run in circles or back and forth. He may pant excitedly, or alternate moving his legs in place as if he wants to run and doesn’t know where to go.

 

Relaxation: A relaxed dog is perhaps the easiest dog to identify. His legs may sprawl out lazily when lying down instead of tucking under his body. His mouth will hang open with his tongue drooping out. His head and ears will be central and he will make happy grunts. His tail will slowly wag back and forth and his muscles will be loose. A relaxed pup is a happy pup.

 

Learning the verbal and non-verbal cues of your dog is an essential part of dog training. At All Dogs Unleashed, we will train you in identifying these behaviors so you can understand your dog throughout the teaching process. The better communication you have with your best friend, the better your relationship will be throughout his lifespan.

dog trainer in dallas

It can be a bit daunting to find a dog trainer in Boise who’s perfect for you and your pup. Not all trainers are created equal. The services they provide and the facilities they use vary widely. You can easily narrow down your search with a few criteria.

Philosophy:

Choose a trainer whose philosophy aligns with your own. Many trainers are moving away from the Alpha Dog approach. Conventional dog trainers use a positive and negative reinforcement method. They use rewards such as food, petting, or sounds to encourage the good behavior, and negative reinforcement, such as “no,” turning your back, or ignoring the dog to discourage the bad behavior. The problem with these methods is that they only work when the owner is present. Once you leave your dog you are relying on it to remember the training. Most people are not home with their dog all day long. Look for a program that trains the dog to behave all the time, not just for show. Here at All Dogs Unleashed we employ a unique results-driven method in our Board and Train program.

Works with your type of dog:

Not every approach works with every type of dog. Certain breeds are known for consistent behaviors. Some training approaches are better for specific breeds. Our approach works with all types and sizes of dogs.

Experience:

Anyone can become a dog trainer; however, it is important to choose a trainer with the experience to guide your dog to becoming a successful member of your family. Our two co-founders at All Dogs Unleashed have successfully trained more than 4,000 dogs and have been training for more than ten years.

Variety of services:

People lead busy lives and not everyone has the time to invest in daily dog training. All Dogs Unleashed offers a one-stop shop for all of your best friend’s training and care. For busy owners: choose our board-and-train program. It is a two-week immersive course that focuses on all the behaviors you’ll want addressed like house training, biting, jumping, chewing, and barking. We also invest the time in training owners! We make sure that before you bring your doggy home that you fully understand the course so you can continue the program at home.

For owners who want to be more involved in their dog’s education, we offer in-home training using our methods with you as the instructor. We come to your home for two weekly sessions and give you all the tools you’ll need for success.

We also know that your dog’s needs do not stop at training. We care for every aspect of your dog’s needs. From grooming and spa services, to daycare and longer-term boarding, you can trust that your pup is in good hands with All Dogs Unleashed.

Location:

Having your trainer close at hand can be a great comfort if you feel you need to come back for a refresher. All Dogs Unleashed is easily accessible, close to the airport off 635 and George Bush.

Testimonials:

Read honest reviews to see what others have to say about their training. It helps to hear when other people are going through a similar experience. Explore our testimonials section on our website for more information.