Heya

[Thalasar]

Sure - plenty of dog training tips if you want. I have 4 dogs.

 

[Reckoner]

Thalasar... are you the gatekeeper?

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Thalasar
Sure - plenty of dog training tips if you want. I have 4 dogs.

How do you teach them to stop barking once they have let you know of a visitor/threat?

 

[RichUK]

Do YOU lika do da cha cha?

 

[BillyBatson]

Originally posted by: SmoochyTX
asl?

man i have not heard that in a while

woot welcome. have you purchased a flame suit yet?

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: AnandTech Moderator
Just passing through...
:shiftyeyes;

Can you pick me up some fries and drop them off on your way back through. Large coke too?

Thanks.

 

[Thalasar]

You really wanna know? Ok well it will vary with the dog breed and the temperment. It also helps if start this when they are pups. Adult dogs like adult people aren't as flexible in their learning skills. First off it helps if you train your dog to be quiet on command. I use the command 'Settle.' Assuming you have given your dog some basic training, have them lay done. Then treat them periodically while saying settle. Use a soft gentle tone with the dog. Repeat this over several sessions over 2-3 weeks. After awhile your dog will get the picture and understand that "Settle" is a command to be quiet and relax.

To condition it for after a visitor it will require you to be with the dog when someone arrives. The dog will bark. Once you have deemed the barking is sufficient, give the "Settle" command and then treat again. You will need to condition the dog for several more weeks (assuming you have visitors) for the the dog to finally get it. This will take longer than the actual learning of the "Settle" command as a dog is naturally suspicious of strangers.

As a general rule don't train a dog for more than 15 minutes before giving them a 5 minut play break (dogs need play to help with the learning process). Your training sessions can be up to 1 hour long with 4 - 5 minute breaks.

 

[Thalasar]

Also you natural instinct is sometimes to yell at a dog if you can't get him to shut up. He will shut up as he is responding to the tenor of your voice. He knows you are upset and will be silent accordingly. Unfortantly he doesn't know why you are upset so this will happen again. The point is to condition him to bark until you tell him to stop.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Thalasar
Also you natural instinct is sometimes to yell at a dog if you can't get him to shut up. He will shut up as he is responding to the tenor of your voice. He knows you are upset and will be silent accordingly. Unfortantly he doesn't know why you are upset so this will happen again. The point is to condition him to bark until you tell him to stop.

I don't have a dog yet, I will this spring.
I got some training videos from Ed Leerburg and have been studying up on the subject.

 

[Thalasar]

Well I just poked over to Ed's site. It seems solid. He's got a good point about only using positive reinforcement. Occasionally you need to correct your dog. Usually a deep voice and the right attitude - I am in charge! go a long way with a dog. His middle way sounds like a good place to start. Remember the key to really understanding and training your dog comes in when you understand that dogs are pack animals and you are the leader.