A trainer who has received the Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) credential has met strict eligibility requirements and has successfully demonstrated his or her knowledge by passing a 250 question certification exam. To meet eligibility requirements, candidate trainers...
The Canine Good Citizen Test is a certification program that tests dogs in simulated everyday situations in a relaxed atmosphere. It identifies and rewards dogs that have the training and demeanor to be reliable family members as well as good-standing community...
Dogs are pack animals, and as such, need leadership. In the dog’s world there is no such thing as “even Steven”. Dogs don’t care who’s in charge just as long as someone is. If you don’t provide leadership for your dog, he just might take over as leader himself....
How dogs learn: A dog’s behavior is influenced by the result it produces. In other words, dogs do what works for dogs. If a dog’s behavior produces a positive result, that behavior will increase. If, on the other hand, the behavior produces a negative result or no...
In dogs, adolescence begins at sexual maturity, around 5 to 6 months of age. At this age your dog begins to have a sense of self and independence. Your adolescent will become less interested in you and more interested in the environment. He develops an opinion and may begin to question your rules and talk back. By the time your dog reaches 7 to 9 months he is very much like a 16 year old, wanting a later curfew and the keys to the car! The adolescent dog, like the adolescent human, has an immature brain in a body that’s nearly the size of an adult. While adolescence in dogs may last up to two years, the most trying period is from 8 to 18 months of age. This is the age most dogs are surrendered to shelters.
Housetraining a puppy requires time, vigilance, patience and commitment. Following the procedures outlined below, you can minimize house soiling incidents, but virtually every puppy will have an accident in the house (more likely several). Expect this – its part of raising a puppy. The more consistent you are in following the basic housetraining procedures, the faster your puppy will learn acceptable behavior. Housetraining a puppy is not about the dog; it’s about you, and how hard you are willing to work at it!
