Dog Training Tips for the New Dog Owner

By: Andrew Bicknell

Let's face it, for many people training their dog is a struggle that sooner or later leads them to just give up and let their dog do whatever he pleases. Then they ask themselves why they have such a disobedient dog. More experienced dog owners know that dog training is something that is always going on. Whenever they are with their dog they are always training him. Going for walks, playing in the park, even just relaxing around the house are all opportunities to teach.

Dogs by nature are curious creatures who get easily bored. If there is not a proper outlet for this boredom they will find something to do. And to a dog who doesn't know the difference chewing up a shoe or digging holes in the yard is neither good nor bad. It's just something to do. The more a dog learns to please himself and do whatever he wants the less control his owner will have. A disobedient dog does not just happen; by ignoring, mistreating or being lackadaisical about training him he will learn all sorts of bad behaviors all by himself.

Dogs love to please their owners but without feedback they have no idea if they are doing right or wrong. Everything is the same to them. This is why it is important to praise a dog when they are being obedient. Positive reinforcement is one of the most powerful dog training tools a dog owner can use.

Many people do not realize the amount of work needed to train some of the more amazing dogs they see on TV or here about in news reports. Police dogs, seeing eye dogs, military dogs can take a good year of intense training to get them to the point where they can even start working in that capacity. And their training never stops. Dogs do not come trained and they will not learn simply because they inhabit the same space as their owners. Dogs have no inborn sense of right and wrong; everything is the same to them, unless they are taught.

Dog training is all about teaching a dog good behavior. Repetition is the name of the game when it comes to having an obedient dog. Combined with praise for a job well done a dog will soon learn what its boundaries are and who is actually in charge. The first thing every dog should learn is their name. This is what gets their attention and simply saying it should stop them dead in their tracks from whatever they are doing. From there on a dogs training should be a daily routine; housetraining, sitting, staying, not barking or jumping up on people, these are things that will make life with a dog easier and much more enjoyable.

Author Resource: For more dog training tips and tricks visit the website Worfdog.com by clicking here.

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Becoming A Professional Pet Sitter or a Dog Trainer

Did you ever happen to think about having a career in which you would be able to work with dogs or other animals? You may need some professional training for certain careers in this field. I will include helpful job descriptions for two career options that would enable you to be working with dogs or other animals in general.

A pet sitter is an interesting animal related career option. Sometimes dog owners may have to leave their home temporarily for a few days or more and they are unable to bring their dog with them, so they may hire a professional pet sitter. They usually look for a reputable pet sitter that is honest, reliable and knowledgeable about dog care in general. The pet owner may carefully prepare a list of the duties and responsibilities that they would like the pet sitter to fulfill while they are away. This is an ideal time for the owner to write down any important information about their pet, such as any medical problems, special requirements (like any necessary medications prescribed by their veterinarian for their pet or special diet).

They should write down their veterinarian's phone number in case of an emergency. They will want to definitely include the phone number and the place where they can be reached. The pet owner will want to talk about what specific food to feed their pet and how often to feed their pet. They may want to explain where they routinely walk their dog and how often their dog needs to be walked. The pet owner will want to know their pet will be cared for in a safe and comfortable manner while they are away.

A professional dog trainer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs. I recently read there is an increased demand for dog trainers. There are many kinds of professional dog trainers. Dog trainers understand how dogs learn and they may help dog owners correct their pet's specific behavior problems. You may wish to read Why Become a Dog Trainer?: Careers in Dog Training Offer a Variety of Opportunities.

If you feel you have the interest and patience to become a dog trainer, you can talk to other professional dog trainers in your local area for more information. There are dog training schools as well as some online dog training courses. A certified dog trainer may decide to start their own dog training business. They may offer dog training classes or work individually with an owner and their dog. You may wish to check out the following:

A Cute Video of Yorkies Doing Tricks

Careers for People Who Enjoy Working With Animals

Did you ever happen to think about having a career in which you would be able to work with dogs or other animals? You may need some professional training for certain careers in this field. I will include helpful job descriptions for several career options that would enable you to be working with dogs or other animals in general.

The first career professional that comes to my mind is the veterinarian. To become a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) you may need to complete a four-year undergraduate program and then an additional four years of veterinarian training for your career. Veterinarians may diagnose animal health problems and prescribe the proper medications for animals suffering from certain illnesses. They may provide appropriate vaccinations for the animals against diseases, such as distemper and rabies. Veterinarians may also offer some advise to pet owners about behavior and preventive care for the animals. They can usually perform diagnostic tests such as Xrays, blood work, urine tests and much more.

Next, there is the interesting career of the professional veterinary technician or veterinary assistant. These technicians may help with many duties in the veterinarian's office. To qualify as a licensed veterinary technician you may need to complete a two-year or possibly a four-year educational program. You could even search online to check for schools that train people to be veterinary assistants. If you are sincerely interested in pursuing this career, you may wish to ask a reputable veterinarian for some information about becoming a veterinary technician or an assistant. There is also the option of performing clerical work in a veterinarian's office or being a receptionist.

A pet sitter is another animal related career option. Sometimes dog owners may have to leave their home temporarily for a few days or more and they are unable to bring their dog with them, so they may hire a professional pet sitter. They usually look for a reputable pet sitter that is honest, reliable and knowledgeable about dog care in general. The pet owner may carefully prepare a list of the duties and responsibilities that they would like the pet sitter to fulfill while they are away. This is an ideal time for the owner to write down any important information about their pet, such as any medical problems, special requirements (like any necessary medications prescribed by their veterinarian for their pet or special diet). They should write down their veterinarian's phone number in case of an emergency. They will want to definitely include the phone number and the place where they can be reached. The pet owner will want to talk about what specific food to feed their pet and how often to feed their pet. They may want to explain where they routinely walk their dog and how often their dog needs to be walked. The pet owner will want to know their pet will be cared for in a safe and comfortable manner while they are away.

Another option that involves working directly with dogs is a job working in a doggy daycare. Doggy daycare is an available option for dog care if dog owners just need supervised care for a few hours a day, or during certain occasions. Sometimes dogs just need some additional companionship. Doggy daycare should be a safe place, fully supervised by trained staff members. It is a place where dogs can play with other dogs that match their similar temperament.

There may be safe and appropriate dog toys and comfortable dog beds for napping. Most doggy daycares have an outdoor area for exercise. You may wish to read the following article: Doggie Day Care? Really? The staff should be trained to understand and appropriately respond to dog behavior and interactions.

There should be enough humans around to give each dog nice attention and positive reinforcement. Doggy daycare should be secure and safe. All dogs in doggy daycare usually need to meet minimum health requirements. Dogs must have their current vaccinations and be free of infectious diseases. The dogs may be evaluated to make sure their temperament is fine for the daycare environment.

A dog groomer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs and have patience. If you think you may be interested in this line of work, you may wish to visit and talk with a professional dog groomer in your area.

Another job for people who like to work with pets is to work in a pet shop. You could also decide to volunteer or work in an animal shelter.

A professional dog trainer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs. I recently read there is an increased demand for dog trainers. There are many kinds of professional dog trainers. Dog trainers understand how dogs learn and they may help dog owners correct their pet's specific behavior problems. You may wish to read Why Become a Dog Trainer?: Careers in Dog Training Offer a Variety of Opportunities.

It must be a fun career to be a dog trainer for celebrities or who happen to be lucky enough to work with dogs that appear in movies. If you feel you have the interest and patience to become a dog trainer, you can talk to other professional dog trainers in your local area for more information. There are dog training schools as well as some online dog training courses. A certified dog trainer may decide to start their own dog training business. They may offer dog training classes or work individually with an owner and their dog. You may wish to check out the following:

Socializing Your Yorkshire Terrier Puppy

Your goal may be to have your puppy grow up and mature to be friendly, happy and very well-adjusted for their lifelong emotional well-being. Socialization is so important for your puppy. You will want them to feel comfortable in their new world.

It is helpful for puppies to learn how to cope with their environment, (which includes people, animals, places and things), in a healthy and positive way throughout their lifetime. You will want your puppy's socialization experiences to be positive.

A puppy is usually very eager to explore their new environment. Puppyhood is an important period for your dog's development. Positive influence in the early weeks of the puppy's life can be very beneficial. I read that the time before the puppy is 16 weeks old is an important developmental time period when he may be very receptive and influenced by his experiences. Praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training. Socialization begins on the day your puppy is born and continues for the rest of his life.

Until your puppy has had all of his proper vac­cinations, you may want to be guided by your veterinarian about socialization. I read that you should consult your veterinarian about when and also how to introduce your puppy to other animals in a safe manner.

Once you know that it is fine to socialize your Yorkshire Terrier puppy, you may want to gradually introduce your new puppy to some of your close friends or relatives in a pleasant, supervised manner. Your puppy can learn to get accustomed to people who are quiet or talkative, young (active), or old (possibly more inactive). You may wish to introduce your puppy to people wearing glasses or wearing hats or bike helmets, or to people carrying an umbrella, or wearing coats and gloves.

If your puppy seems scared about a certain object or specific person it may be a good idea to introduce that object or person more slowly, and you can try to associate the object or person with something positive, like a favorite treat. If your puppy is afraid of your grandfather who happens to be tall and speaks in a very loud voice, have your grandfather offer treats to the puppy.

You may want to get your puppy comfortable with handling, especially if they may need routine grooming in the future. You can safely and comfortably hold your cute puppy on your lap and help him practice being calm and relaxed with you. Your friends and family can help by gently handling the puppy the proper way. Positive reinforcement for your puppy may include lots of friendly praise and maybe also their favorite treats.

It may be lots of fun to safely take the puppy on short car rides, so he becomes familiar with riding in the car. This positive experience may make it easier for the both of you when you need to go for any future veterinarian office visits.

When the puppy is the appropriate age, you may decide to invite people that you already know that own pets who are friendly, healthy and vaccinated who can come over to your home for a little visit, and with your knowledge and supervision you can work on socializing your puppy.

If you happen to already have another pet in the home, you may want to make sure that you provide enough individual attention to your new puppy to help them develop their own personality.

You can also gradually introduce your puppy to a variety of items and sounds that are routinely around the house so they become a little familiar to them. Some sounds that may be new to your puppy are the following:

Doorbell ringing

Telephone ringing

TV and radio

Any music playing

Computer noises

Video games

Vacuum cleaner

Sound from a hair dryer, blender, or fan

Noise from a washing machine or dish washer

Any noise from your childrens toys

Thunderstorms

Any noise from electric grooming tools, if your dog may need grooming in the future

After your veterinarian says it is safe for you to take the puppy out into the real world, you can safely introduce the puppy to walks in your the neighborhood. Your walks together can be so enjoyable for you and your puppy.

In summary, if you are patient and consistent with social­izing and training your Yorkshire Terrier, he will likely be happier and feel comfortable throughout his life. Always remember that praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training.

Puppy Proofing Your Home for Your Yorkshire Terrier

Puppies are usually very curious and they may have lots of energy. When someone first brings a new puppy home the puppy may want to start checking out many things throughout the house. You will be interested in puppy proofing your home to keep your Yorkshire Terrier puppy safe. You will want to make sure there is nothing within his reach that could harm him.

You can consult your veterinarian about all of the specific things that can be done to puppy proof the inside and outside of a house. There are so many great ideas to help keep a new puppy healthy and safe and protect him from anything that would be potentially harmful.

I will write down a few tips that I read about relating to puppy proofing the inside of the home. It may be helpful to try to think about a puppy's view of a house from what he can see at his eye level.

You may want to keep all breakable items out of your puppy's reach.

Plants: Some specific plants inside and outside of the house may be potentially harmful to the puppy. Consult your veterinarian for a complete list of plants that are dangerous or toxic to dogs.

Medications can be kept in a very safe area where the puppy definitely does not have access.

Cleaning supplies can be kept in high cabinets where the puppy definitely does not have access or childproof safety latches may be used to safely secure cabinets.

Household wastebaskets may be placed in an area that the puppy cannot access.

Electrical cords: I read that people who are trying to puppy proof their house can unplug, remove or safely cover any electrical cords that would be around the puppy's area. Electrical outlets may also be covered when they are not in use.

Bathroom: Toilet lids can be kept down. Bathroom trash cans may be put up high where the puppy cannot access them.

Any possible drawstrings or cords used for draperies or blinds in the home may be tied up high enough so the puppy cannot access them.

Precaution may be taken regarding a rocking chair or chair recliner. A puppy could happen to have his tail near that area or even try to crawl under the area. Take proper safety precautions.

Laundry baskets and clothing can be kept off the floor and out of reach from the puppy.

Small objects can be kept out of reach so the puppy does not have access. Some examples of small objects are the following:

Many childrens toys have small pieces and parts

Crayons, pens, pencils, rubber bands, paper clips, tacks, staples

Jewelry, hair barrettes

String, ribbons, yarn

Buttons, sewing needles, pins

Coins

Safe gates made for dogs may be used across stairs and other areas where the puppy isn't allowed.

There are certain human foods that can cause problems for pets. Consult your veterinarian for the specific list of human foods that can cause problems or be potentially harmful to your puppy.

It is also very important to make sure the outside of your home is safe. Hopefully, you can puppy proof your backyard before your puppy goes outside. You will want to be with your Yorkshire Terrier puppy when he is outside, so you can supervise him.

If you have any fencing in your yard, you can check to make sure there are no holes through which your puppy could squeeze through and sneak out of the yard. Check to see if all of the gates are securely closed and that your Yorkshire Terrier puppy would not be able to crawl underneath the gate.

Some plants and trees outside may be toxic to dogs. Many bulb plants can also be poisonous. Some mulch can be toxic to dogs. Again, you can ask the veterinarian for a complete list of plants and trees that are dangerous or toxic to dogs. You will want to keep your Yorkshire Terrier puppy off of freshly treated lawns.

Keep all gasoline, auto supplies, insecticides, fertilizers for your lawn, oil, or any paint in securely closed containers out of reach from your puppy. Also, keep antifreeze out of reach from your puppy.

Swimming pools or hot tubs should be properly covered or fenced off.

For a safety measure, keep your Yorkshire Terrier puppy away from any barbecue grills during outdoor cooking.

Garbage should be kept in closed containers that have secure lids.

It is so important to keep your puppy healthy and safe.

The Yorkshire Terrier and Separation Anxiety

Dogs of all ages can experience separation anxiety when separated from their owner. Young dogs and even older dogs that might have some hearing or sight problems may feel anxious when their owners are away from them. You may need to understand that chances are you are probably the most important thing in your dogs life. You may now begin to realize that when a dog that is routinely used to constant human companionship and attention is left alone, the dog can experience some anxiety about where their owner might be going. Your dog may not understand why he cannot go with you and he may worry about whether or not you will be coming back home to be with him.

What behavior may your dog display if he is experiencing separation anxiety?

The most common behaviors associated with separation anxiety include the following:

Barking, whining, crying or howling

Destructive chewing or digging

Inappropriate elimination (urination or defecation), even if the dog was otherwise successfully house trained

Scratching at doors or windows

Excessive licking of hair, circling the room or pacing

Loss of appetite, depression or inactivity

The dog may have an over attachment to his owner. The dog may get too dependent on their owner.

An example: Your dog makes a daily habit of following you from room to room whenever you are at home together. My dad used to have a very cute, long haired, male chihuahua and he would follow my dad everywhere that he would go in the house all day long. If my dad was in the kitchen cooking, or folding laundry, or watching television his chihuahua would be right with him. He would constantly be right by my dad's side almost every minute of each day, if possible. When my dad had to go out of the house to do a few errands, his chihuahua would always give him a dramatic, overwhelming greeting as soon as he would return home.

What are some other characteristics or factors regarding separation anxiety?

The behavior occurs mostly when your dog is left alone in the home and his problem behavior usually starts soon after you leave him in the house.

The behavior may occur whether your dog is left alone for just a little while or long periods of time.

Your dog may display a reaction of depression or anxiety when he realizes that you are getting ready to leave the house. Actions like picking up your car keys or purse, turning off the TV, or putting on your coat can trigger the anxiety behavior.

But it is very important to realize that any destructive type of behavior or house soiling that may possibly occur with separation anxiety are part of a dog's panic reaction. Your dog is not trying to punish you for leaving him home alone.

What are some things that can precipitate separation anxiety in your dog?

A Yorkshire Terrier that is routinely used to constant human companionship and attention is left alone for the first time.

A dog that may have suffered a traumatic event in their mind, such as time spent away from home at a veterinary hospital, dog shelter or boarding kennel.

Anxiety may develop if there is a significant change in the family's routine or the death of a family member or other pet.

Some other situations that may precipitate anxiety for your dog are if one of your dog's favorite family members leave the home and go away to college or get married, or if your work schedule changes dramatically, or if the whole family moves to another home or a new town. Dogs are actually creatures of habit and any changes may bring about some anxiety.

Some ideas that may possibly help minor separation anxiety:

Don't be very dramatic when you are leaving or returning to your home. When you return back home you can calmly pet your dog and reassure him.

When you have to leave your Yorkshire Terrier in the house, you can let him have something of yours like a piece of clothing that smells like you.

You can make a reassuring habit of using a certain word that you routinely use every time you leave that tells your dog you will be coming back home.

Possibly, if the dog could hear the sound of a radio or television, it may be calming.

Sometimes having their safe and appropriate dog toys available for them will be a little distraction for them and help to keep them busy.

You may also wish to read The Yorkshire Terrier and Separation Anxiety: "A lot of Yorkie owners know the signs — sticky terriers that follow you everywhere, scratch at the door or window when you leave, and bark non-stop until you reappear. If so, it’s probably just a case of Yorkie separation anxiety."