Depending on what command you are working on, dog treats will be used in different ways. However, before you begin obedience training, there are a few general tips and suggestions that all dog owners should be aware of. Incorrectly timing rewards can begin to reverse your training effort. Avoid this set back and keep things moving in the right direction. When you know how and when to reward your dog you can prevent frustration and continue building a bond with your pet through training.

Training Tip #1: Timing is Vital to Proper Rewarding

Some dog owners new to training may feel that it is up to their pet to determine the success of each session. The truth is that more weight is placed on the human doing the training. This is why timing the reward is so important. You are communicating with your pet through treats. The reward must be given promptly when your dog does something right, even if it is not the entire gesture you are looking for. If you wait a few seconds, your pet will become confused about what he or she did right.

Training Tip #2: Treat Storage during Training

You do not want to allow your dog to remain focused on the treats, so it is often best to store them out of sight while training. Always put the package away after you have removed the treats you plan to use. That being said you also must be able to quickly retrieve rewards and give them to your pet when they do something right. A pocket or pouch kept on your body is a great choice for storing treats while training. Never allow your pet to go for the treats. If he or she does, calmly put them back into the correct position with a firm no.

Training Tip #3: The Clicker and Dog Treats

Dog treats are very effective training tools however did you know a clicker can help even more? When used together, your pet will have an easier time understanding what you are trying to tell him or her. The clicker emits the same click each time, reducing the likeliness for confusion and misunderstanding. Clickers are inexpensive, usually available for under $ 2 or $ 3 at your local pet supply store.

Training Tip #4: Combining Dog Treats and Praise

Although you will see progress encouraged by dog treats during obedience training, avoid the urge to reward with treats only. This will create an expectation for food rewards in your pet, and possibly begin to impact his or her weight and desire to eat actual meals. Instead, combine dog treats with praise and petting. Edible rewards should only be given for large achievements while the rest can be rewarded with praise. You might be surprised to learn just how far a positive word and affection can go with a canine.

Training Tip #5: Training Treat Size

You will probably notice that dog treats marketed for obedience training are small in size. Use this as a rule of thumb when choosing your training rewards. Never use a full size biscuit intended for snack time. You will be giving your pet multiple treats during a single training session, so consider cutting up a larger biscuit or buying dog treats that come in small portions. Remember, the point is not to feed your dog but to teach him or her.

When you first bring a rescue dog into your home – especially an older one who may be very set in his ways – your first responsibility is to get to know your dog. This requires constant and careful observation. You must spend time getting to know your dog, learning how to read him so that you will understand which training techniques will work best with your dog.  For instance, if your dog has quickly assumed the role of “Alpha dog”, your task at hand will require immediate and influential action. However, if he is demonstrating tentativeness, he may be simply in the “role confusion” stage and only needs to see signs of leadership from you to learn where he belongs in the family hierarchy.

So job one is observing your dog’s behavior to determine what type of training will be required and in what doses. If your dog tries to “lead” you or other members of the family, he is trying to take charge. More specifically, if your dog exhibits some of the following behaviors, then you would do well to take the appropriate steps to assert yourself as Top Dog. It’s in everybody’s best interest – including your dog – that he learn from the get-go that he belongs in the lowest place in the family’s pecking order.

To determine if your dog thinks he is “leader of the pack”, look for the following behaviors:

Shows teeth, snarls, or even attempts to bite when you try to remove a toy or bone from him
Always has to be out in front – pulling on the leash, rushing out the door ahead of you
Challenges your authority, from simply ignoring your instructions to outright disobedience
Eats food on his schedule – that is whenever he feels like it – and not on your schedule
Is always trying to control his territory – like sitting in the middle of the hall – forcing all to walk over or around 
Pushes his way onto your bed despite your commands to the contrary

The recommended techniques required to establish you as “Alpha Dog” may at times seem harsh. But asserting yourself as leader will be doing your dog a huge favor. For a dog to assume the role as leader in a human environment can become very stressful for your dog. This could lead to anxiety, nervousness, constant barking or even aggression. Dogs simply want to know their place in the family pack and what is expected of them. Oftentimes, an “aggression” problem is really attributable to “role confusion”.

So, how do you go about reversing roles?  Start with these four general rules:

Rule 1 – go slowly. In fact the more aggression your dog has exhibited, the slower you should go.  You do not want this to become a challenge to your dog to compete with you, but rather a life lesson.

Rule 2 – no more “something for nothing”. Teach your dog that all the good things in life must be earned including play time, treats, walks, petting, even meals. 

Rule 3 – do not tempt bad behavior. No more dashes out the door unfettered. No leaving food on easy-to-reach counters. No more treats simply because you looked down and saw two soulful eyes beseeching you. 

Rule 4 – Make your dog totally dependent upon you. Become the provider of his every life-sustaining necessity and his every life-enhancing nicety.

Here are some tips and techniques to help you achieve role reversal with your dog:

When taking your dog outside, be sure to walk through the door BEFORE your dog
Always request and get a trick, even if just sitting, before receiving a treat or when you place his food bowl in front of him
When you dog occupies space that he shouldn’t – like the middle of a walkway or on your favorite seat or your bed – gently nudge him until he moves. If necessary, lead him to where you prefer he rest
Never give a command that you don’t intend to enforce. Don’t beg or yell.  Help him to obey if necessary, like gently pushing his rear to sit. Once he obeys, reward him with praise
Feed your dog afterthe family eats. And, give him ample time to finish, but do not allow him to “graze”. If he doesn’t eat in a determined time frame (15 to 30 minutes), remove the food
You determine play time
You determine which games to play. Avoid games of strength and resolve like tug-of-war and even rough housing. Hide and seek or fetch are more appropriate (if you play fetch, insist that he return the toy to your feet). Do not allow him to play keep away
Provide your dog with affection, but in moderate doses and preferably as positive reinforcement for good behavior
During this role reversal period, always remain on a higher level than your dog – literally. Be sure to administer praise and even petting from an elevated position. Avoid sitting down to play with your dog. When your eyes make contact, maintain your eye contact until he averts his stare. After you gain the dominant position in your home, you will be able to relax these silly techniques
Do not allow jumping up on people or furniture during this period. This is a dominating behavior. Either ignore the dog or use a command such as “off” or “no” while gently pushing the dog to the floor
Do not allow your dog to pick favorites among family members. This can be accomplished by having everyone involved in the “role reversal” training. Allowing the dog to dominate just one person will defeat your purpose
Do not hesitate to introduce crate training. It will be a safe haven where your dog can escape the stress of trying to be a leader until he learns his rightful place in the home

Be diligent, patient and persistent and your dog will eventually understand that he relies upon you to satisfy all of his needs and wants. This is a happy place to be for your dog, for you and your family. Now enjoy the wonderful benefits of dog ownership.

Adopt Buster for Any Price You Choose!

The SPCA of Brevard is bursting at the seams, so it invites the community to adopt any pet and pick the adoption fee too, during the month of September. Thats right, states SPCA Adoption Coordinator, Debra Cantwell, you can pick any age or size pet from any of our locations, and pay any price youd like to adopt that pet. There are over 120 animals that are available for adoption right now through the organization. We want to see all these dogs and cats in loving homes where they belong, that way we can save even more homeless pets in our community.

The Pick Your Price adoption promotion applies at all SPCA of Brevard locations, including its new adoption center at 6035 Sisson Road in Titusville, both cat adoption centers at the Melbourne and Merritt Square Malls and any off-site adoption events during the month of September. For the first time ever, pets of any age, including puppies and kittens, are eligible for this promotion for one month only.

All animals adopted from the SPCA have been spayed or neutered ($ 25-$ 90 value), are up-to-date on required vaccines ($ 30 – $ 50 value), have been de-wormed ($ 9 and up value) and have been tested for feline leukemia/AIDS or tested for heart worms ($ 25 value each). They have also been micro-chipped ($ 10 value) and receive a free wellness exam certificate at the SPCA Clinic ($ 30 value). Plus, any dog adopted in Brevard is also eligible to receive one free training session, courtesy of Brevard Dog Training by Paws for Veterans, Inc. All this can add up to a value of over $ 200. Knowing that you are giving a homeless pet a family to love, however, is priceless!

For more information about this adoption promotion, contact 321-567-3615.

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About SPCA of Brevard The SPCA of Brevard is a private, non-profit organization with the mission of protecting and providing a voice to the homeless animals of Brevard County. It receives no funding from the government and relies on private donations to be able to serve the community. It operates thrift stores in Titusville and Merritt Island, which are stocked solely with donations for resale to help fund adoption center locations.

Founded in 1979 in Titusville, Florida, the SPCA is the largest private no-kill animal rescue group in Brevard, will find homes for more than 2000 animals this year. It is the first adoption facility with free-roaming cat rooms in the County, allowing adopters to interact with the cats in a more home-like setting. Its new Adoption Center in Titusville is over 11,000 square feet and sits on nearly three acres. Additionally, it operates two satellite Cat Adoption Centers in the Melbourne and Merritt Square Malls, which have contributed to a 241% increase in adult cat adoptions. Additional adoption statistics can be found here. The SPCA of Brevard Clinic also provides reduced-price vaccines to the public and has performed more than 55,000 low-cost spay/neuter surgeries since 1999.

For more information, visit http://www.spcabrevard.com.

Dog lovers like you are surely facing the challenge of training a dog. While there are many proven methods and philosophies on how you can train your pet dog, there are still common principles that can be taken into consideration. Before you start your training, one thing you must not forget is the fact that your dog knows his position in your house and in your family. If you train it well, you will be a leader in the dog’s eyes and it will turn out to be a happy, obedient dog.

Training means teaching your dog to interact socially and to communicate well with you and with other people. That’s why it is advisable to develop a leader-follower relationship with your pet. If you assume leadership, your dog will see the need to submit to your commands. If you are now convinced on the importance of dog training, then you better start familiarizing yourself with the easy ways on how to train a dog.

Among the straightforward ways to teach your dog is to get the services of a professional dog trainer that will work with you and your dog in a one on one setting. It will, of course, cost you money, but this is an easy dog training option that will quickly bring result. The trainer will coach your dog on how to properly behave when you are out for a walk and when you are asking him to do something. The trainer is also able to train your dog on how to react in complicated circumstances.

And if your dog finds it hard to behave well in a group environment, or if it seems aggressive or out of control, the easy way to train it is to get a specialist in dog behavior or an expert dog whisperer. This is a very humane approach that will help correct the dog’s behavior. It will also facilitate the way you communicate with your dog. The moment your dog becomes interested in interacting with you, that’s an indication that you can now start training him. So if you are one of those who are on the look-out for ways on how to train a dog the easy way, better keep these things in mind. But mind you, you will go a long way if you use these tips in your dog training.

I love my dog and my sister

Yes, Salt was a fun action-adventure genre film, even if you have to suspend disbelief that a drink of water can beat up beefy men. Okay, you know it’s fake, but you love to watch Angelina Jolie. When you want to get back to reality, which requires real muscle, nothing in the sports world beats free horse racing videos.
There are two types of horse racing fans, those who love to bet on horses and those who just like to watch and be inspired by the beauty and grace of these spectacular four-footed athletes. Yes, betting the Trifecta, Exacta, or Daily Double and turning in a winning ticket is what turns on a lot of people, but if it weren’t for the beauty and majesty of horse flesh in ultimate competition, they might be racing jackrabbits.
Here’s the latest selection of free horse racing videos:
Man o’War (1917-47), the greatest Thoroughbred racehorse of all time
Secretariat (1970-89), the 1973 Triple Crown champion
Forego (1970-97), winner of eight Eclipse Awards including Horse of the Year, Champion Handicap Horse, and Champion Sprinter.
Affirmed (1975-2001), famed rival of Alydar, and most recent winner of the Triple Crown in 1978.
John Henry (1975-2007), the Eclipse Award Horse of the Year for 1981 and 1984, and the greatest money earner of all time.
Bernardini (2003-), son of A.P. Indy, who won the 2006 Preakness Stakes by 5-1/4 lenghts in a time of 1:54:65 in the same race that saw Kentucky Derby winner Barbara fatally injured.
Curlin (2004-), highest North American money earner, $ 10.5 million, and winner of the 2007 Preakness Stakes, 2007 Breaders’ Cup Classic, and 2008 Dubai World Cup.
Rags to Riches (2004-), the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes in over a century (2007), defeating horse of the year Curlin.
Street (2004-), winner of the 2007 Kentucky Derby.
Zenyatta (2004-), the retired female champion racehorse who won 19 consecutive races.
Uncle Mo (2008-), the leading contender for the 2011 Kentucky Derby.
General horse racing videos – YouTube has a growing collection of some of the best horse racing videos of all time, featuring some of the greatest horse racing legends to ever set foot on any racetrack. YouTube is also the place to get videos on all aspects of the sport, from the bugle call at the start to the photofinish and the victory ceremony, along with training and breeding videos at all levels. Some videos feature a jockey cam, or a collection of horse racing accidents and oddities like starting gate tractor malfunctions. How about a video of the craziest horses ever seen? YouTube categories include horses, horse mating, horse breeding, horse racing, horse jumping, horse riding, and horse training. Never mind Horse With No Name, that’s a song.
View any or all of these free <a href=”http://ezinemark.com/goto.php?url=http://www.horseracegame.com/videos.php”>horse racing videos</a> and experience the majesty of thoroughbred horse racing. For more information on how to view horse racing videos online, check out the following website:  www.horseracegame.com.