How to Raise the Perfect Dog

From the bestselling author and star of National Geographic Channel's Dog Whisperer, the only resource you’ll need for raising a happy, healthy dog.
For the millions of people every year who consider bringing a puppy into their lives–as well as those who have already brought a dog home–Cesar Millan, the preeminent dog behavior expert, says, "Yes, you can raise the perfect dog!" It all starts with the proper foundation in the early years. Here, Cesar tells you everything you need to know to create the best environment for a well-balanced dog in order to avoid behavior issues in the future, and shows you how to correct the most common behavior issues for young dogs.

Based on Cesar’s own detailed experiences raising individual puppies from some of the most popular breeds, How to Raise the Perfect Dog is like having Cesar right beside you, as your own personal expert, coaching you and your dog from the first day of your life together.

Packed with new information aimed specifically at the particular needs of puppies and adolescents, and written in Cesar's friendly, accessible style, How to Raise the Perfect Dog answers all the most commonly asked questions and guides you towards a loving, satisfying life-long relationship with your best friend.

#1 New York Times bestselling author, Cesar Millan shows you how to raise the perfect dog and prevent behavior issues before they start, including:

• what to expect from each stage of your puppy's development
• quick and easy housebreaking
• the essentials of proper nutrition
• the importance of vaccinating–and of not over-vaccinating
• creating perfect obedience from day one through rules, boundaries, and calm-assertive leadership
• how to avoid the most common mistakes owners make raising puppies and young dogs
• how to correct any issue before it becomes a problem
• unique exercises and play to bring out the best in every breed

Price: $15.00

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Secrets To Dog Training: Stop Your Dog's Behavior Problems!

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How to Use Positive Dog Training

Using positive dog training techniques can be a great way to get your dog to happily and willingly respond to your commands every time. Using rewards and praise to let your dog know when he's done well and using effective penalties to let him know when you're not so happy is the easiest and most effective way to train any dog.

During positive dog training, it's important to understand a little bit about how your dog thinks. Dogs are pack animals. When you bring them into your family, they assume your family are his pack. He will naturally spend some time trying to figure out what his role within the pack is going to be. It's important that you establish yourself as pack leader quickly or you'll find yourself with a dog who constantly tests your authority by chewing your shoes or clothes or one who jumps all over you whenever he can.

Once he begins to understand that you're the alpha dog, he'll work very hard to please you. It's your responsibility to use his willingness to please you as a part of your positive dog training techniques. This means establishing a reward system and a penalty system.

Once again, rewards and penalties need to be based on his psychology. He will view praise, affection, attention and food as being rewards.

However, the most effective way you can let your dog know that you're not pleased is to turn your back on your dog and ignore him. Never hit or smack a dog. This is not seen as punishment for doing something wrong. Dogs only view aggression as something to fear, so they may be tempted to retaliate out of fear. A big part of positive dog training is getting your dog to seek out ways to receive the positive rewards he's seeking, so this means he'll begin to behave if it means he'll receive attention and affection for doing well.

Another aspect of positive dog training is teaching your dog how to recognize various tones in your voice and specific signals. Dogs don't technically understand words. They read body language and the tone you use when you talk to them. When you want to praise your dog, tell him 'Good dog' in a high-pitched, happy voice. When your dog was a puppy, his mother would call her pups to her using a high pitched yip, while she will use a low, abrupt sound to reprimand her pups if they play too harshly. You need to learn to use similar tones to let your dog know when he's doing well and when you're unhappy.

A good example of positive dog training at work is to assume you have a dog that jumps up at you and at visitors to your home. When your dog jumps up on you, don't yell or push him away. Give out a low, abrupt growling noise, like 'Ah!', and fold your arms over your chest. Then turn your back on him. This is a severe penalty in dog-language.

When your dog stops jumping and sits down to try and figure out what you're doing, quickly reinforce the command to 'Sit' and then switch the tone of your voice to a high-pitched tone to say 'Good dog' and give him a pat. The happy tone along with your affection is a great reward for your dog. Using this form of positive dog training means you're communicating with your dog on a level he can understand.

Want more great dog training and dog obedience training tips? Then take action now and click this link to discover the best dog training secrets around.

Basic dog training: Start with right equipment and attitude - Princeton Daily Clarion

Working with your dog on basic cues such as “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and so on helps your pet behave well in human society. But training is also vital to the health and safety of your pet, allowing you to prevent your pet from running away or eating something noxious. And it’s a great way to provide mental stimulation and build a closer bond with your pet.

Dr. Kelly Ballantyne, a veterinarian with a special interest in behavior at Furnetic, a small animal practice that is part of the University of Illinois Chicago Center for Veterinary Medicine, strongly advocates training for all pets, and she frequently collaborates with Laura Monaco Torelli, of Animal Training Behavior Concepts.

Recently, she and Torelli offered these tips for getting started.

The first step is to choose the right equipment. Some dogs wear collars, while others wear harnesses. Does it matter which you use? “Take into consideration the breed, age, and size of the dog,” advises Torelli. “A harness is a good choice for brachycephalic breeds. Those are the dogs with a flat face, like bulldogs and pugs. This type of breed may have difficulty breathing with a collar around the neck,” explains Dr. Ballantyne. “If you have a petite dog, a harness can even be custom-made to fit.”

Some people may think that choke or pinch collars should be used for training. According to Dr. Ballantyne, “Choke and pinch collars not only can damage the neck, but these types of collars can lead to behavioral problems.” The bottom line in dog training: “It’s all about the positive reinforcement,” say Dr. Ballantyne and Torelli.

Torelli and Dr. Ballantyne advocate only positive reinforcements and interactions with dogs, even when it comes to donning the harness. They recommend using a clicker, initially immediately followed by a small treat, to reinforce the behaviors you are encouraging in your dog.

“We suggest that the training begins with putting the harness on,” says Torelli. “You can turn even that first step into a game that trains a dog to step into the harness without putting up a fight.”

Dr. Ballantyne agrees. “Giving your dog the choice to step into the harness makes him feel more comfortable.”

As you hold the harness, allow the dog to touch the harness and give a click from the clicker and a small treat following the click sound. The dog then is making the choice to move toward the harness. Gradually reinforce the dog’s choices until he is accepting the harness.

“Bending down to get at the dog’s level is another way to make the dog feel comfortable,” says Torelli. Make sure your fingers are between the clasp and the dog to avoid accidentally pinching the skin as you fasten the harness.

Again, contrary to some training philosophies, Dr. Ballantyne and Torelli advise giving your dog full range of motion while on a leash. “Dogs have an oppositional reflex,” explains Torelli. “This means the pressure that is exerted onto the body, for example, from the person tugging on a leash, is going to trigger the dog’s instinct to go in the opposite direction.”

A loose leash, or a hands-free leash worn around your waist, is a good training option because it negates this natural reflex and helps the dog not to feel confined. With a positive approach, plenty of treats, and lots of patience, you will set the stage for a rewarding and effective training relationship with your dog.