It is easier to crate train your therapy dog than you might think. Dogs, foxes, coyotes, wolves - all like to use a den for sleeping and caring for their young. Your therapy dog is no different. If you introduce your dog to crate training correctly he will feel secure in his crate. It quickly becomes a place to go for peace and quiet, a place he can go to get away from noise and stress. It should be respected as such. If you have children teach them to leave the dog alone when he is in his crate.

What is a crate? It is a container made of wire, plastic or mesh and comes in all sizes from the very small to large enough for the giant breeds!

Which size is right for your dog? Your dog should be able to stand in the crate and have enough room so that his back doesn't touch the top of the crate and when he lies down he has enough room to stretch out.

Crates can be found at pet stores, online pet catalogs, department stores... just about any place that caters to animals.

Why should you use a crate? There are a lot of reasons to crate train your dog. It keeps him safe when you are gone. It will give you peace of mind knowing your dog isn't getting into trouble or wreaking things in the home. House training is much easier. The crate is familiar to him if he goes to an unfamiliar place or travels with you. If you are involved in an accident on the road, a crated dog is less likely to get loose on the road or be flung from one part of the car to another.

How do you crate train your dog? Slowly, carefully and with kindness. Begin by making sure the door to the crate will not shut. Either remove it or tie it back so the entrance to the crate is open. If you have a young pup you can feed him in the crate but because dogs are messy drinkers don't leave a water bowl in the crate. Pad the bottom with soft bedding or, for housetraining purposes, paper. Be sure to take your pup outside for elimination as soon as he has finished eating and as soon as he wakes up since puppies will eliminate soon after eating and waking.

Begin crate training as soon as you get your dog. Start crate training by tossing a tasty treat inside and when he goes in to get the treat, praise him. Repeat this until your dog doesn't hesitate entering the crate. When he enters with no hesitation close the door. Leave it closed for few seconds and, as long as he isn't whining or scratching, open it and allow him to exit. Praise him. Duplicate the entire procedure: treat into the crate, dog entering, close the door, wait a few seconds to a couple of minutes and then opening the door, gradually keeping the door closed for longer and longer periods of time. Never open the door if your dog is whining, scratching or in any other way, demanding to be let out.

Don't abuse the use of the crate. It is for your dog's security and comfort, not his prison.

Learn more about Crate Training Your Therapy Dog. Stop by www.therapydogtrainingtips.com where you can find out all about crate training tips and what it can do for you.

Written by Paulette Bethel using tags: crate training your dog, dog crate training, Pets, puppy crate training

No matter what sort of dog you own, you'll need to deal with potty training your dog at some point. If you have children, you'll know that potty training isn't always a breeze. Teaching your pet where and when to use the bathroom will take effort. If you want to do it effectively, you'll have to start by taking them out frequently.

You will want to begin developing the habit of taking your pet out to use the bathroom, and do it frequently. This will help them associate outdoors with going to the bathroom. They won't necessarily immediately understand this, but they will begin to make the connection if you're doing it all the time.

All dog owners want their puppies to simply "hold it" for a solid 8 hours, but the truth of it is that they're babies, they can't do that. You have to keep one eye peeled at all times, because your puppy will want to use the potty as he sees fit. If you watch him for any sort of sign that this is going to happen indoors, then you can stop them early enough.

One helpful tip trainers don't make good use of is the role that diet plays in potty training your dog. In so doing, this will make their digestive system fluctuate, and thus their routine will be off. If you want to potty train, you'll need to keep their dietary intake really consistent. It will also be good for their system in general, as they will be able to digest their food and stay "on schedule" so to speak.

Although every dog parent would lavish their puppy with treats simply for their cuteness, this is a bad idea. Again, it boils down to making a change in their diet, and adjusting their behavior. You only want to "treat" them when they're obeying you, otherwise you'll have trouble on your hands.

The thing most owners don't realize is the power of commands - so train your dog to understand "go outside." You'll have to take your dog out for exercise. Whenever you do this, you want to be sure that you are asking them if they want to go outside. Also use this phrase when you take them to the potty. This will help them to associate the phrase with relief.

When you are potty training your dog, you'll want to also praise your dog when they do relieve themselves in the right way. Keep reinforcing their behavior, so that they will begin to understand that outside is the right place to do that. You can punish them for doing this inside, and give them positive reinforcement when they are telling you they need to go outdoors.

For more information on how to Professionally Train Your Dog please visit our complete set of resources and additional articles, including a Free Special Report at How To Train My Dog.

Written by Daniel Williams using tags: crate training your dog, dog training advice, dog training secrets, dog training tips, Dog training tricks, how to train your dog, obedience training for dogs, Pets, potty training your dog, train my dog, training tips for dogs, training your dog

No dog owner wants an aggressive animal on their hands, so ensure you don't do anything to encourage such behavior. Certain archaic forms of dog obedience training will create such traits in your pet. For instance, physical discipline comes to mind, first and foremost. This form of training will only cause frustration for both you and your dog, and will cost you in the end.

There is hardly a legitimate reason for physical contact with your dog, despite what they have done. You don't want to use spanking or hitting as a legitimate means to train a pet, no matter how bad it is. You should only use physical contact as a means of affection and to keep them safe, not punishment.

Naturally, people hit their dogs because they're totally frustrated and impatient with their animal, and they want release. That's not going to accomplish anything by way of training your dog, however, and will encourage your dog to become afraid of you and disobedient. You don't want to train your dog to become aggressive, either, so it's best not to use this method.

In 100% of the cases, a dog can't speak to you in your language and let you know their remorse. So they only respond in one of two ways: to saunter off, or to become angry. Don't expect your dog to respond in any way other than an animal's. If they pee on the floor, or knock your trash over, or rip open your shoes - these are dog behaviors, and shouldn't merit your anger.

Rather than resort to the lowest denominator of training, you will get much further if you simply used a firm tone of voice. If you use this properly, you can stop your dog from acting poorly. They will learn to heed your voice and will note your displeasure in your tone, and will respond far better to that than physical force.

You want to be sure that you affirm your place as the leader of the "pack," and treat them as you would a child. If you are after obedience, then you have to keep your composure and keep your emotions under control - don't spank or hit your dog.

The last thing is that you'll need to ensure that your tone of voice alone is what you use, and don't yell or scream. Your voice should be firm and steady. Yelling can also produce the emotional response in your dog that physical abuse can. Be sure to choose your words in such a way that you make your point, and do so in a more controlled fashion.

Honor the following rule of thumb with dog obedience training: you don't want to hit or kick your dog under any circumstances. Physical touch is only ever to show affection or praise. Physical abuse is wrong, and won't result in anything but a misbehaved animal.

To get all your questions answered about Dog Training Advice, visit Training Tips For Dogs and claim your free special Report. See more articles at Dog Training Secrets.

Written by Daniel Williams using tags: crate training your dog, Dog obedience training, dog training advice, dog training secrets, dog training tips, Dog training tricks, how to train your dog, obedience training for dogs, Pets, train my dog, training tips for dogs, training your dog

If you are the owner of a new puppy, then you need to make socializing your pet a first priority so they can learn to deal with the unfamiliar in a positive way. This will help you to circumvent your dog getting into bad habits such as anger or aggressive behavior. Most dog owners don't consider themselves to be a dog trainer, but that is what they are, so here are some Dos and Don'ts to help you do the right thing.

The first thing to know is the list of dos in order to socialize your little pup. For instance, you need to be sure that when you introduce your dog to someone or something new, you do it pleasantly. You'll want your pet to associate training with positive interaction with you. You want your puppy to desire this time, not dread it, and not to be afraid.

Be sure that from the get-go, you include a variety of friends, people from all sorts of demographics. Men, children, boys, women...old people, young...This diversified approach will allow them to adjust well to a variety of people later in life. You also want to make sure that the dogs they get introduced to are friendly, and healthy. You want to have happy dogs to be your pet's friends.

Last on the "dos" list, you'll want to get your puppy exposed and out to as many different places as you can. Take your pet places - the local pet store, different parks and playgrounds, school campuses, all over your neighborhood. This will teach them that it is OK to be around various settings and people, and make you a better dog trainer.

That's about it for the list of DOs, here is the list of DON'Ts. To socialize your puppy, don't hesitate to start this process to begin with. You want to be off to a running start. This will ensure they aren't afraid of new things and people, and they get a sense of diversity early on.

There is another no-no that you don't want to do: place your pet near any other pets that you are not 100% sure about. If you don't know a dog's temperament, then you shouldn't expose your dog to them. One attack is all it takes to ruin a good dog.

If your puppy acts afraid, then you don't want to inadvertently reward the behavior by soothing them with reassuring words and stroking. Later down the road, this may develop into biting, which isn't something that you want to be responsible for.

Lastly, a dog trainer has to remain patient during training. Think of it as a time where you can either sink or swim the whole project - by hurrying your dog through a lesson, or being impatient, you'll undo a lot of hard work. You want them to go along at their own pace, as they see fit. This will give you the best results.

Learn more about Achieving The Best Dog Training Method, at How To Train My Dog and claim your Free Special Report which is just packed full of related articles. To find a number of different articles on the subject they can be found at http://www.dogtrainingnow.org.

Written by Jeff Yuan using tags: advanced dog training tips, crate training your dog, dog trainer, dog training advice, dog training secrets, dog training tips, Dog training tricks, how to train your dog, Pets, positive dog training, train my dog, training tips for dogs, training your dog

When you first get your dog, you'll want to make sure that you do a few important things. First off, you need to be sure to socialize your puppy. You also want to perform basic training, and introduce you new dog to his new home. One of the other important facets to consider is a crate, a powerful tool to training a dog.

One of the most effective means to introduce your new puppy to his home is the use of a crate and crate training. This is such a fantastic method because it takes advantage of the natural thought processes of your dog in order to reach the training goal, instead of a foreign method that makes things harder than they ought to be.

Once you commit to training a dog, you'll need to commit to regular periods of training. Using a schedule and a routine will go far to teach your dog the timing of his bathroom breaks, for instance.

When using the crate training technique, you want to praise your puppy every time he relieves himself at the right time and place. This gives your dog a signal that they've done well, and this will motivate them to keep up the good work.

Crate training is designed to give your dog a private space when nobody is around him. You'll need to put them in their crate when you leave your home, or when you're sleeping. Whenever you get up or return to the house, go to their crate and take them out to where they can relieve themselves.

Neglecting your pet in his crate for an extended time will cause them to relieve themselves while in there. Of course they can't hold it forever, so only use the crate as a tool. Don't use it to abuse or neglect your dog. If you leave them locked up inside for an unusual amount of time, you'll wind up making matters much worse.

One other tip that you should experiment with for crate training is simply to give them treats of some sort with their good behavior. If you do this when they go to the bathroom at the right time and place, then they will think of using the bathroom as a positive experience when they do it right.

You'll need to come to face the fact that accidents do and will happen every now and then as your dog learns where he's supposed to use the toilet. Be sure you're not too severe with them, but be sure you do let them understand that indoors is not the place for relief. You don't want to incite fear in your dog, so don't harm them in any way. All this to say, that crate training a dog is a fabulous way to get results.

There is an amazing dog training tricks that will teach you some more training tips for dogs at Dog Training Tips so that you can rapidly increase your professional dog training. If you need to do a full course training in no time there is no faster way than this program. Read more about it at Professional Dog Training.

Written by Carlos Garcia using tags: crate training your dog, dog training advice, dog training secrets, dog training tips, Dog training tricks, how to train your dog, obedience training for dogs, Pets, positive dog training, train my dog, training a dog, training tips for dogs, training your dog

Every dog owner wishes they were the proud parent of a well-behaved, obedient puppy that has no trouble getting along with people and other dogs. Too bad this isn't how a dog comes naturally. If you want your puppy to grow up into a well-trained dog, you'll want to follow these free dog training ideas.

One of the first things you need to start doing is to train your puppy the basics. For example: sit, stay, heel, and get down are all good beginning commands. Your training will be on sure footing this way.

Also, you need to be sure that your pet understands what it means to heel in order to take a walk and be self-controlled, on a loosened collar and without much tugging. This just makes walking a joy. You will also want to be sure to train them to obey when you tell them, "No!" They will need to understand when you want them to quit what they're doing right away, for safety's sake.

You can continue from there to the command to sit. This will help ensure further training sessions are more productive. Naturally you should combine "sit" with "stay," for obvious reasons. If your dog learns stay, you'll be able to assert more authority over them.

Once you begin to implement these free dog training steps, you'll be on your way to a healthier relationship with your puppy. These training tips will help develop a strong bond between you. The reason for this is that dogs understand society from a pack point-of-view, placing yourself at the head of the pack will help your dog know his place and yours. It's how they pay you respect.

You ought to make it a point to take the lead and guide your dog the right way. If you hesitate, they will notice it. You simply have to establish your authority in the dog's mind, and take every moment to train your dog this way.

Still another benefit to training your pet is that you will be strengthening your dog's needs. That is, you'll be giving them their exercise in order to stay fit. Your pet will develop a sense of confidence and sure-footedness, knowing they're doing something that will please you. Finally, you'll notice that they will have a sense of genuine accomplishment as they begin to "get it." By rewarding them with treats for their hard work, you'll only strengthen this sense of confidence.

Training will bestow upon you and your pet a number of benefits - too many to list here, in fact. Use these free dog training tips so you can transform your puppy into that obedient dog you've always hoped for.

Learn more about Dog Training Tips and Crate Training, at Effective Dog Training Advice and claim your Free Special Report which is just packed full of related articles. To find a number of different articles on the subject they can be found at http://www.dogtrainingnow.org.

Written by Isabella Brown using tags: crate training your dog, dog training advice, dog training secrets, dog training tips, Dog training tricks, free dog training, how to train your dog, obedience training for dogs, Pets, positive dog training, train my dog, training tips for dogs, training your dog

Are you dog training? It doesn't matter what dog issues you're trying to overcome - potty training a puppy, training an aggressive dog, etc. -training is a necessary part of dog ownership. By now you should be warned that half the time it isn't your dog's fault that he's behaving in his mutt-like fashion, he's a dog. Use these 5 tips in order to maximize your training efforts.

1. Be patient and be successful

Of all the suggestions you read here, you'll keep coming back to this basic issue: real training happens when the owner is most patient. Animals don't change in a heartbeat, they have a lot of obstacles to overcome (language and animal instinct, to name the top two). You will not train any dog if you're not patient.

2. Consistency is king

It might take your dog a while to learn these new habits and commands, and being consistent will go far in achieving that goal. If you simply train sporadically, then your pet will forget everything you've done. Worse yet, he will become confused altogether. It only takes about 15-30 minutes per day to teach a dog something new. You can teach them out of a problem and teach them a cool pet trick for the Late Show With David Letterman.

3. Keep it positive

When your pet senses your negative attitude, you've just lost his trust. You want to be free from frustration and realize you won't get anything done without being a positive trainer. If you want to maximize your time and efforts, be encouraging and not discouraging. Reinforce their good behavior for the best dog training.

4. You will need to use what is best for your dog

There are so many different kinds of programs and techniques promising that you need to do things a single way or the highway. The truth is, not all dogs are created equal. You may find that you'll have to search and try out several methods until you have hit the right one for your pet's temperament and personality.

5. Enjoy training

Fifthly, if you want to maximize your efforts at dog training, you need to have fun with your pet. This should be a positive time that both of you love, where you both bond and enjoy the experience. As long as you keep your sessions to around 15-30 minutes every day, then your pet will also enjoy the time and dig what you're teaching, versus dig the rose bushes. Use toys and other things your dog loves, and both of you will have an easier time.

To get all your questions answered about Training Tips For Dogs, visit Dog Training Secrets and claim your free special Report. See more articles, product reviews, surveys and videos at Dog Training Tips Online.

Written by Jacob Michaels using tags: advanced dog training tips, crate training your dog, dog training, dog training advice, dog training secrets, dog training tips, Dog training tricks, how to train your dog, obedience training for dogs, Pets, train my dog, training tips for dogs, training your dog

To many pet owners, crating a dog, even for a little while, seems like a terrible punishment. Dogs will see crate training differently.

Crate training helps with housebreaking, teaches overactive dogs how to be still, and helps nervous dogs feel safe.

Still, the last thing you may want to do when you bring home a new puppy is introduce him to a crate. But you will need to start soon, because crate-training should start when the puppy is still young. Although there is nothing more comforting than cuddling up to your puppy on the couch, it is wise to introduce him to a crate for a short time everyday. If you leave him alone while you work or run errands, placing him in a crate with a suitable toy during that time will not only help with housebreaking as any dog resists soiling close to where he has to sleep, but it will also protect him from hazards such as chewing on shoes, toys or electrical chords. At the same time it protects your belongings from the unrepentant damage of puppy teeth.

Some dogs do better if crated. Some breeds that are known to be hyper are proven to be calmer in old age if they were crated as a puppy. For pets with anxiety, a crate can create a safe environment.

If used properly, many dogs will come to identify their crate as their "room." It becomes a place they can go when the environment becomes too stimulating or when they are just tired. Experts recommend not using a crate as punishment, but dogs can also come to understand "go to your room" as a time out in their crate.

Even if you have an outdoor dog that doesn't act as the watchdog of the house, crate-training can still have its advantages. If your pet becomes ill, requires grooming, or needs to be boarded, he may need to stay in a crate at the vet's office, grooming facility or kennel. If he is already comfortable with spending some time in a crate, then those experiences will be less traumatic for him.

Remember to not cramp your puppy in the crate. Crates come in several varieties including folding or stationery metal for the house or garage; plastic when traveling with your pet, soft-sided crates to cushion the hurt or injured animal, and there are also crates made to look like furniture. Be sure to select one that will provide adequate ventilation and light for your pet's comfort.

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Written by Doris Kinney using tags: crate training your dog

If you are thinking of buying a dog cage, I am sure you have probably found it quite confusing. The reason for this is that there are so man available for the small, decorative, cute models, that look more like a piece of furniture, to the larger, heavier duty travel dog cages.

The folding wire cages are one of the most popular and usually cheapest models around. They are very useful for crate training your dog and for travelling. They are open on all sides which can be a disadvantage as it does not provide a quiet area for your pet to retreat to. This can be remedied though by simply placing a blanket over the cage.

Another type to consider is the increasingly popular soft dog cage. They are durable but may cause a problem if your dog is a chewer or is going to get much bigger than his current size. They look cute, often come in bright colors and are more ideal for the smaller breeds of dog.

The next type is the wicker dog cage, which is one of my favorites. It will often blend in with the furniture at home and so is ideal if you plan on keeping the cage indoors. As with the soft type of cage, these types are best suited to small dogs.

The most common type of cage used for transporting dogs is the plastic dog cage, which has a door at the front and air vents on the top and along the sides. These types are often a little more expensive than the other models available. Therefore, it is worthwhile buying one that is also an airline approved carrier, in case you decide to travel by air at a later date. I would advise this type of cage over the wire variety for travelling in a car.

When finally going out and buying your new dog cage you also need to consider the size of your dog, his tendencies and habits. If you have a large dog or one that is a chewer, especially if he is going to spend a lot of time in the cage, I would recommend a plastic one.

Whichever type of cage you decide to buy, it is important to remember that this is your dogs new home. He should see this as somewhere that provides him with security and somewhere quiet to rest.

Fran writes many articles on car dog cages and about training your dog with small dog cages.

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Written by Fran James using tags: crate training your dog