Dog Training Tips

• Brushing your dog is a great way to build a bond.

• Any change of diet, such as "people food" scraps, will result in loose stools.

• Try not to repeat commands when working your dog.

• Older dogs can learn new tricks!

• Try heeling your dog on a loose leash only.

• Feed your pup in several locations throughout the house. Dogs won't urinate where they eat.

• Dogs can hear a heart beat from 50 feet away, under the right circumstances.

• Dogs do smell fear, in the form of lactic acid from human pores during an adrenaline rush.

• Do not smile at an unfamiliar dog. Showing teeth can be seen as a sign of aggression.

• When offering your hand to an unfamiliar dog, do it low. Do not go over the dog's head.

• Never run from an approaching dog. Their prey drive may escalate.

• To help modify behavior problems, try to break the dog's concentration: clap loudly, drop a book, use a shaker can, etc.

• Agility training is a great way to boost your dog's confidence.

• What dogs want most is "other dogs".

• To teach a dog to fetch, use 2 balls. Throw one and keep the other. After he gets the first one, show him the other and he will come. Then throw the second ball. Repeat several times.

• Dogs love a routine; any change can affect their mood.

• Socialization and training are the keys to modifying an aggressive dog's behavior.

• Try not to use a dog's crate as a place of punishment.

• The reason a dog chases a cat is because the cat runs, inciting prey drive. If the cat stops, the dog will usually stop as well.

• Dogs have 1 million cell receptors per nostril.

• All domesticated dogs have a wolf as an ancestor.

• Come up with one command to use the bathroom. "Hurry up" or "go pee" are common ones.

• "Down" is the hardest command for some dogs to learn because they must totally submit.

• Never put your hands or other body parts in a dog's mouth while playing. Use toys only.

• When teaching "stay" try not to use the dog's name. He will think you are calling him and telling him to stay at the same time. Reserve his name for the "come" command in early trainings.