Archive for the ‘Training Equipment’ Category

The Zen Master Of Dog Training

May 2nd, 2011
By Eric Letendre

WARNING:

This may not be an easy message for you to read. I am going to share some of my experiences that may upset you. It is NOT my intention to upset you. My intention is to make a point and I don’t think I can do it if I don’t share some unpleasant situations I’ve seen. You have been warned:

In the past two decades, as a dog trainer and former animal control officer, I have seen dogs kicked, choked, punched and beaten.

Most of the time when I saw a dog being handled roughly, it was at the hands of the last person you would think. It wasn’t someone on the street or in a backyard beating the dog. In fact, most of the time it was right out in the open. Sometimes the person choking the dog was teaching someone else to do the same. Keep Reading…

17 Comments » | Tags: Behavior Problems, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog behavior training, dog problems, dog training
Posted in Aggression, Behavior Problems, Obedience, Training Equipment |

SOLVED: Jumping, pulling on leash, not coming when called

December 17th, 2009
By Eric Letendre

Went for a walk with my pups this morning
and all I can say is, “IT’S COLD!”

December mornings here in chilly Western
Massachusetts are not fun. Maybe I’ll take
my Mom’s advice and go visit her in sunny
south Florida soon.

Won’t she be surprised when I show up with
Jimmy, my German Shepherd, Izzy, my pitbull
and Martini, the maltipoo – haha!

Anyway, as I was walking around this morning, I
thought back to when I used to do K-9 patrol
in Hartford,CT.

I used to work 8 to 9 hours outside with my
partner Jocko, a long haired German Shepherd
who never seemed to mind the temperature.

Back then I started giving it some thought
to becoming a full time dog trainer. The
thought of working all day long in a nice,
heated room working with dogs seemed nice.

What I didn’t know was that becoming a dog
trainer was like entering a life in politics.

Dog trainers are very opinionated about the
right way and wrong way to train dogs.

Spend some time on the Internet or watching
some of the popular dog training TV shows
and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

One trainers says to use a choke collar, the
next says to never use a choke collar, never
use a treat, always use treats, and on and on.

The problem for the new dog owner is that they
become confused, frustrated and in some cases
depressed.

I know, I have talked to thousands of dog owners
over the past 20 years.

It’s one of the reasons I have put up so many
videos on YouTube and articles on the Internet.

It’s also the reason I developed the Dog Training
Inner Circle. I wanted a place where people could
go and get quality information and a place where
you can go and ask your questions.

The forum has over 1700 pages of questions asked
and answered. The forum is a dog training encyclopedia
all by itself!

Add to this, The Good K9 Manners course, The Housetraining
Handbook, monthly video seminars, breed of the month
profiles and your dog training and behavior problems are
SOLVED!

If this is the kind of information you’d like to get
your hands on…now you can.

Dog Training Inner Circle

All the best,

Eric

P.S. You’ll be amazed at how simple and easy it is to apply
all of the dog training techniques.

1 Comment » | Tags: come when called, dog behavior training, dog obedience, dog training, heel, leash walking, Obedience, Puppies, puppy training
Posted in Behavior Problems, Clicker Training, Crate Training, Good K9 Manners, heel command, Housetraining, Leash Walking, leash walking, loose leash walking, Obedience, Puppies, Recall Command, Training Equipment |

2nd Most Common Dog Training Mistake

June 3rd, 2009
By Eric Letendre

Back in the 80′s, I landed my first job working with dogs. I worked as a security patrol dog handler at a large inner-city hospital that boarded on one of the worst neighborhoods in the state.

The training back then was extremely harsh. Training consisted of choke collars, prong collars, electronic collars and NO TREATS!

For some strange reason, some trainers still train today using extremely harsh and cruel techniques.

I definitely think that electronic collars have a role in dog training – it’s just that the foundation for all of your training should be based on trust and POSITIVE reinforcement, because using negative methods will effect your dog.

NOT using loads of positive reinforcement is the second biggest mistake that I see.

Spend eight to twelve months reinforcing your dog’s behavior with treats, praise and toys. You’ll be amazed at how your dog responds and remembers the commands.

Spend twelve months punishing your dog’s behavior with overuse of an electronic collar, scruff shakes and harsh tones and see how your dog responds. You’ll be amazed at how grouchy your dog becomes.

Don’t be surprised if your dog develops a serious aggression problem.

Once a dog has developed an aggression problem, it is very difficult to bring him back from the dark side.

"But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny (or your dog’s).

Yoda – Star Wars, the add on about dogs is mine.

All the best,

Eric

P.S. Looking for a way to train without worrying about your dog going to the dark side, surf on over to:

Dog Training Inner Circle

No Comments » | Tags: Aggression, Behavior Problems, dog aggression, dog obedience, dog training equipment, People Aggression
Posted in Aggression, Behavior Problems, Obedience, People Aggression, Training Equipment |

How To Teach Your Dog To Love The Crate

March 24th, 2006
By Eric Letendre

Crates are one of the best management tools a dog owner can use. For new puppies, a crate is crucial. As a former animal control officer, I have seen puppies get sick or injured because they were allowed too much freedom. The trick to teaching a dog or puppy to love their crate is to build desire. Using force or bribes will only backfire on you.

Steps

1. 1. The first step is to think a little like your dog. Your dog does not want to go into the crate because he does not want his freedom taken away. Given a choice, your dog would be much happier chewing on the corners of your coffee table than being stuck in a crate. Knowing this, if we physically force the dog into the crate he will make negative connections and will resist everytime we attempt to put him into the crate.
2. 2. The next step is to build desire in your dog. How can we get it so your dog is actually fighting to get into the crate? We will start with a Kong toy (available at any pet store). A Kong toy is a hard rubber toy with a hollow center. With your dog in front of his crate, you are going to stuff the Kong toy right in front of him. Put a generous portion of peanut butter or cream cheese in the Kong with his nose inches from it. Then place some strong scented liver or bacon treat into the Kong. Now you have a stuffed Kong that your dog wants very badly.
3. 3. Now with your dog very excited at the prospect of getting a bacon and cheese stuffed Kong toy, you are going to throw it into the crate but you are NOT going to let him get it. You are going to close the crate door as soon as you throw the cheese stuffed Kong into the crate. Now your dog is on the outside looking in. He wants the Kong but it is on the other side of the door.
4. 4. Now this is where we start to build desire, don’t open the door right away and let your dog in. Wait until he paws at the crate and whines a little. Wait a few minutes and then let him into the crate and get the toy.
5. 5. Repeat this exercise a few times a day. If your dog knows that he is going to get the toy he will try harder and harder each time. Just like if you open the crate door when your dog is barking, he will learn that the louder and longer he barks, eventually you’ll break down and let him out.
6. 6. Don’t close the crate door when your dog goes in and grabs the Kong. Let him take it out. If you close the crate door when your dog goes in he may not go in voluntarily again. You need your dog to make the decision to stay in the crate on his own. How do we do this? Simple, read on to step 7.
7. 7. You now want to secure the Kong toy inside the crate. You want your dog to go into the crate but not leave with the toy. This can be accomplished by tying a string around the Kong and tying it to the back of the crate. Now when your dog goes into the crate and can’t leave with the Kong he has to lay down inside the crate and get the goodies. Once he does that, then you can start to close the crate door.

Tips

The first time you close the crate door don’t secure it. If your dog turns around and hits the door it should open. After a few days you can start to secure the door for a few minutes at a time.

Warnings

Teaching your dog to love the crate takes time. If you move too quickly it can backfire on you. Taking a few days to teach your dog to enjoy his crate is well worth it.

In my book The Amazing Dog Training Man, I go on to explain that at some point in your dog’s life he will have to go into a crate – groomers, vet’s office or travel. It’s much better for you to teach your dog to like the crate in the comfort of your home than some vet tech stuffing your dog into it.

9 Comments » | Tags: crate, Crate Training, Housetraining, Puppies
Posted in Crate Training, Housetraining, Puppies, Training Equipment |