Like dogs of any age, senior dogs need physical exercise tailored to their needs, as well as mental stimulation in the form of training, play, and interactive games. The oldest dog I've ever trained was 17 and deaf when we began working together!

Your dog's advanced age may present new challenges. You may need to train your dog to accept a sling around his rear for assistance up the stairs, or to learn new boundaries as he loses his vision.

A qualified trainer will help you train your dog useful and adorable new behaviors, regardless of your pup's age!

Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY.

Any dog, regardless its size, shape or breed should be taught the five basic commands. Let's be honest, dogs are cute, but a trained dog is even more pleasant to be around. These commands, if taught correctly, will make your life and your dog's a very happy one.

It is very important that you train your dog with positive reinforcement. Find out, or you might already know what motivates your dog the most. For some dogs, is about food, and for other, affection will move him. Either form of reward you will be using to train your dog, remember that timing is the key factor when training your dog. If you reward your dog even 5 seconds later, you may be rewarding the wrong behavior. It is also important to fill yourself with a lot of patience and consistency. The more you practice with your dog, the better he'll get at learning the new command. Practice one million times until your dog automatically does the command you ask him to do.

The basic commands are "Sit", "Down", "Stay", "Come", "Heal".

Sit: Your dog pretty much sit and remains sat until you release him.

Hold a treat in your hand a bit higher above your dog's head, and slowly move the treat backwards over your dog's head. This will make your dog to sit. If this doesn't work, keep moving the treat above his head backward towards his tail until your dog sits. The second your dog sits, reward him with the treat and praise the behavior by saying "Sit!" Once your dog sits repeatedly, wait for a few seconds before rewarding, and remember to give the treat only when your dog is in the correct position.

Down: when your dog is sitting facing you. Hold his favorite treat on your hand and put it on top of his nose. Move the treat slowly straight down to the floor. Your dog should follow your hand and naturally drops to rest on his chest or belly. This is when you release the treat and praise him by saying "Down!" only and only when your dog is on the right position-down! Sometimes, your dog will follow your hand with the treat in with his head without lying down. If this happens, once you have lowered the treat to the floor, move the treat toward away from your dog. This will make your dog lay down, and it is when you release the treat and praise him.

If your dog is not responding to the food reward, it is fine to slightly push your dog's shoulder down and to the side. Once your dog drops to the floor, then immediately praise him and release the treat.

Stay: with this command, your dog will hold his position, which it's mostly when sat, until released.

Ask your dog to sit or lay down. You can also use a leash to keep control of your dog. Once your dog is sat or laid down, stand in front of him, and a firm tone of voice say "Stay" holding your palm flat, very close to his nose. Then, move to a short distance away from your dog, and keeping eye contact with your dog, and return to him. Praise with your dog by saying "Good", or "Great", and give him a treat. Once again, make sure you praise and give your dog the treat only when the dog remain sat and in the staying position. As you practice, increase the time you ask your dog to stay and the distance between you and him. Keep in mind that consistency will pay off and sooner than later your dog will begin to understand.

Come: This command is also called the "life saver". Thus, it is very important that your dog learn this command properly.

Attach the leash to your dog (preferably, a long leash) and walk away about 2 to 4 meters facing him. Say "Come" and pull him quickly in to you, where he will be praised. Make sure you sound happy and welcoming, but firm. And give the command only once. As your dog improves, increase the distance of the leash.

At some point you will be confident to practice off-leash, when so, do it in a fenced area. Give your dog the command and if he doesn't respond, go grab your dog and take him to the spot where you initially gave him the command. It is imperative to not praise or reward your dog until he obeys to your command on his own the very first time. Before practicing this command off-leash, make sure you practice as many times as possible with the leash on. Also, it is a recommendable to reinforce this command for life. Always.

Heel: this command may take some time for your dog to learn it. The purpose of this command is to stop your dog from pulling you. Be aware that you must make it clear who the pack leader is, which it should be you. When on a dog walk, your dog might pull because he simply is excited to be outside, or his walking pace is faster than yours.

Start by having your dog sit next to you on your left side. Walk your dog always on your left side, this action will send your dog the message that you are on charge. Once your dog is calmly sitting next to you on your left. You step out first, and say" Heel" while you start walking. Say "Good Heel" if he walks behind or next to you. If your dog tries to walk in front of you, tag his leash firmly but gently. This should make him to back off. If your dog is pulling you badly. You can stop this behavior by simply stopping every time your dog starts pulling. This will give your dog the message that you aren't going anywhere if he keeps pulling. You will need to fill yourself with tons of patience. But it does pay off. Your dog will learn.

These methods are used at Manhattan Paws Walkers, a NYC dog walker and puppy training Service.

Vera Torres is a professional dog walker at Manhattan Paws Walkers, a NYC Dog Walkers service, and puppy training tips and tricks resource.

Visit our site at http://www.manhattanpawalkers.com.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6595906

In addition to dog-proofing your home, you'll want to create a soothing, pleasant environment to welcome your new best friend. Set up a crate for your dog in a quiet but well-used area and provide plenty of chew toys. You can also use accessories like music from Through a Dog's Ear and Dog Appeasing Pheromone sprays to comfort your new pooch and help it adjust to its new environment.

If you can swing it, it's a good idea to bring your new pup home on a Friday and take a couple of days off work the following week. That way you can practice getting your dog used to your absence and establish some household rules and routines.

Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY.

The American justice system stands firm on the presumption of innocence. The accused in a criminal trial is innocent until proven guilty. The Latin term for this is Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat. This means that the burden of proof is on the prosecution (qui dicit, the one who speaks out), which must gather and present legally admissible evidence that the accused (qui negat, the one who denies) is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If there is any doubt, the accused must be acquitted.

Unless he’s an American Pit Bull Terrier.

Tragically, the pit bull has been routinely betrayed by the American justice system . In the case of this most feared and legislated-against dog breed, the rule is: Guilty until proven innocent. The dog doesn’t even get to stand trial – he’s simply sentenced and removed.

Removed from the home he knew for years, seized by animal control officers in the presence of the horrified children he loves; removed from the animal shelters that are meant to be a homeless dog’s port in any storm; removed from the compassion that should encircle every dog, regardless of breed.

It’s unconstitutional and un-American, but it’s the way it is. Thousands of good dogs have been branded “bad,” found guilty without a fair trial . The breed as a whole has been categorized as “dangerous” and handed the harshest possible sentence: Death.

No appeal.  

The accused come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Even before they get a chance at life, pit bull puppies are put down at animal shelters in states where breed specific legislation makes it illegal to own one. The lucky ones are pulled by dedicated animal rescuers, then transported to other parts of the country where they may legally be fostered or adopted. The unlucky ones are euthanized by gas, intracardial (“heartstick”) or intravenous injection.

“Punish the Deed, Not the Breed” is a famous pro-pit slogan. But it’s the breed that keeps getting punished, over and over again . The dog pays the price for its owner’s irresponsible deeds. The real criminals are the people who exploit, abuse, and neglect these dogs – not the dogs themselves. Yet it’s the dogs – not their owners – who get the bad rap.  

Convicted dog fighter Michael Vick is enjoying a successful second career in football; his new employer received a congratulatory call from the President of the United States thanking him for giving Vick a second chance. The dogs Vick killed are forgotten. Some of them are enjoying their second chance, experiencing love and kindness for the first time. Others – the ones Vick boasted about intentionally drowning or electrocuting - never got that chance.

The injustice that continuously befalls dogs categorically labeled “dangerous” has motivated many to rise to the pit bull’s defense. One pit defender is documentary filmmaker Jeff Theman . His production company, Riverfire Films, has spent the better part of the last two years shooting and editing footage for ”Guilty ‘Til Proven Innocent,” an investigation of breed specific legislation in his home state of Ohio.

Jeff’s constant companion and muse throughout the long process of making this documentary has been his adopted dog Preston, rescued from an Ohio fighting ring by Cleveland’s For the Love of Pits and granted what all pit bulls deserve: a new leash on life.

In Jeff, Preston found a doting Dad: “I’ve even received a speeding ticket for rushing back home to be with him!” he says. “Words just can’t describe the unconditional love I have for him. Every day Preston changes minds; he’s a shining example of why dogs should be judged as individuals and not systematically killed.”

I’m proud to be one of the people speaking up for pit bulls in Jeff’s film, and I’m looking forward to his final cut. In the meantime, I hope you’ll view the trailer and post a comment about it. Preston thanks you.

All that hard work is evident in the trailer, which was just released on YouTube. Check it out here .
as seen on: http://blogs.dogster.com/living-with-dogs/riverfire-films-unleashes-documentary-on-discrimination-against-dogs/2011/04/

At a minimum, you should plan on hiring a trainer and a veterinarian for your dog's care. Depending on your schedule, lifestyle, and the breed of your new dog, you may also need to work with groomers, pet sitters, boarding facilities, dog walkers, or even daycare operators.

Be aware that with the exception of veterinary medicine, all of these professions are unregulated. Do some detailed research to find qualified and trustworthy pet professionals in your area who can provide your pet with the best possible care.

By Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY.

Dogs will do whatever works best for them. They are opportunistic, not vindictive. They are not barking simply to make you mad, or peeing on the bedroom floor to scold you for leaving the house. Your dog's problem behavior can now be addressed with a training plan.

There will likely be setbacks along the way, but be patient with yourself and your dog and keep working. If you need to, talk to the professional who helped formulate your training plan and tweak it where necessary. But above all, give it time. Learning is not instantaneous.

by Tammy Reinarz, Owner, Tammy's Dog Training Service