5 Tips to Selecting the Right Dog Trainer

Having a pooch for a friend is a wonderful experience, but for best results, Rover will need some training. A well - mannered dog can truly be part of the family, and be welcomed almost everywhere, while an untrained one may be a joy to you, but avoided by everyone else. Choosing a good dog trainer can make the difference between a peaceful pup or a catastrophic canine. Here are five tips for choosing the right trainer.

1. Get references from pet owners who have previously used the dog trainer you are considering. If he or she is reputable, references won't be a problem. Ask the previous dog owners some specific questions about how this trainer deals with dogs. A dog trainer must have authority over the animal, but shouldn't gain it by physical force or loud yelling. Dogs that can't be trained by quieter, more controlled methods might need a special pinching collar. Ask the previous clients about yelling and brute force.

2. Choose a group class whenever possible. A novice dog trainer might not think of this, but there is one great advantage to training your dog in a class. That advantage is that your dog will be forced to learn how to behave around other dogs. A well behaved dog around people can lose it when it gets around other dogs!

There are other advantages to training in a group. One is that you are the one who has to walk the dog through it's exercises. If the training is all done by the professional dog trainer, the dog might behave well for them, but not for you. Working through the lessons with your dog gives you a chance to communicate and bond with your dog, too.

3. Check out the dog trainer's qualifications. Being certified or trained won't necessarily ensure a good dog trainer, but it can't hurt. A good dog trainer will know about the health and psychology of dogs. She will know how to read a dog's behavior in order to figure out the best way to convince the dog to do what is being asked of it.

4. Find out about the dog trainer's experience. Has he had experience with your breed of dog? Dog behavior and training varies according to breed, and it makes sense to choose a trainer who has a lot of experience with the kind of dog you have. Training methods for guard dogs, for instance, differ widely from training techniques for small indoor pets.

5. Sit in on a class and observe the trainer in action. Do they require the dogs to be in choke collars, or are the dogs trained in a more gentle method, using plain, flat collars or harnesses? Get a feel for this trainer's personality with both people and dogs. Is this someone you can work with effectively?

Taking the time to choose the right dog trainer can make a big difference in your dog. Pooch needs a good education, too, right? Choose that teacher for your pup carefully.

Source: Free Articles

Petsafe Little Dog Remote Trainer

Get Your Disobedient Dog on the Right Track With a Remote Trainer

By William Mac

An unruly dog can be quite a nuisance when going to the park, walking, or even in your own back yard. Neighbors and bystanders can get frustrated by barking and being bothered by your pet. Although running around, barking and playing are all natural behaviors of your dog, everyday activities with them are much easier if they are taught to obey commands and behave in an appropriate manner. Sometimes leash training is not enough and other methods must be used.

A remote trainer is a device many owners are now using as a way to teach their dog appropriate behavior and follow commands. This device allows you to train your dog without a leash. It consists of a collar and a remote control device that delivers a set level of static shock when a command is disobeyed. This shock grabs your dog's attention and teaches them that the discomfort will come when they do not listen to you. The collar has a box with two electrodes. These electrodes must contact the skin in order for it to function properly.

When using one of these devices, take off their regular collar. Have them wear the trainer collar a few times before starting to correct their behaviors so they can become accustomed to it. Training is much like any other dog training. Start with one basic behavior command such as sit or stay and use the correction if they do not follow the command. You may have to show them what the command means a few times before using the correction. Attempt to teach them with a leash for basic understanding before using the remote trainer. If they disobey, correct them with the collar. Give them praise if they follow the command. After one command has been mastered, move on to the next one.

Always start out with the lowest correction level. Increase it as the dog continues to disobey. Continue repeating the command word and giving corrections until the dog obeys. These trainers are not only good for correcting bad behavior, you can also use them to teach your dog tricks and keep them safe. Walking can be a much more pleasant event because you will not have to shout at your dog and can walk them without a leash if desired. This means no more jerking and pulling.

As a dog owner, activities with your dog should be enjoyable for both you and your pet. When your dog does not listen and obey you, this makes each activity stressful and frustrating. All the fun and relaxation is removed and your pet does not get the satisfaction they need while being out. A remote trainer may be just what you need when your dog is not behaving properly and will not listen to you. It will allow you to adjust corrections according to the situation and has been proven to help correct the most disobedient of dogs. Don't spend all your time yelling at your companion and confusing them. Train them to listen to you and understand what is expected of them and everything you do with your best friend will be rewarding and fun.

Petsafe Little Dog Trainer

PetSafe Little Dog Review

By Jay Stephen

The PetSafe Little Dog is the only system designed specifically for the little dog. It has a smaller collar and a toned down correction making it the best choice for dogs under 12 lbs. The only drawback is the proprietary battery.
Most systems are designed with medium sized dogs in mind. This means that the collars are too big to be really comfortable on your smaller dog. The correction levels are also set with medium sized dogs in mind. The PetSafe small dog addresses those problems. It is also flexible, and can be used with other PetSafe collars to let you use the system with larger dogs too.
Box Contents
The Collar:
The collar is the reason you are buying this system. The collar is much smaller than a regular dog fence collar. The band is also more adjustable, letting you set it to even the smallest neck size. The correction level is also scaled down. You set the correction level on the collar itself, using the button on the side. The system has four correction levels. You set this by using the button on the side of the collar.
The battery is a special PetSafe small dog battery that you change by unscrewing with a coin. It is the only downside of this system. The battery costs around $8 and lasts about two months. A little tip, you can squeeze a third month out of the battery if you switch off the collar when you take it off the dog at night (just turn the battery to the off position).
You can use this collar with the other PetSafe in-ground systems and vice-versa. So you could use this with you Chihuahua, the PetSafe stubborn dog with your great dane, and the PetSafe deluxe collar with your Labrador.
Base Station:
The small dog uses the premium PetSafe base station that is also used by the PetSafe Deluxe. The base station is capable of covering 25 acres (5,000 feet of boundary wire). It has the basic controls. The boundary width dials lets you set how widely the signal transmits out from the wire. You have a power status light and a loop status light to tell you there are no problems with the loop. A side switch to set it up for big, small and medium sized installations. Two toggles connect up the boundary wire loop. There is a third toggle to ground the system in case of lightning strikes, you are going to need a grounding rod nearby to hook this and most people don't. So most people who have a lot of lighting strikes will opt for the optional plug in lighting protection module instead. But the inbuilt ground may help some of you save a bit of money.
Boundary Kit:
The system comes with the standard 500 feet of 20 gauge boundary wire, two splices and 50 flags which is good for about 1/3 of an acre. More kits and wire upgrades are available in the store section of our website.
Conclusion
It is a great little system. The only really drawback is the proprietary battery. For dogs over 12lbs, there are similarly priced options with rechargeable batteries like the Innotek 4100 that we would rather see you choose. But, for small dogs, this is really the one to get.