Archive for the 'Dog Training Equipment' Category

Are No-Bark Dog Collars Really Effective?

June 15, 2009
posted by breezy

There are several no-bark dog collars on the market.  But, before purchasing you should give some consideration to what your circumstances are and when you will want to use the n0-bark collar.  These no-bark electronic collars come with a variety of features.  First, you have the basic no-bark collar that has a sensor that detects when the dog barks, which is a noise or sound sensor.  With these basic no-bark collars the electrical stimulation occurs when your dog barks, but they can also emit an electric shock to the dog when a loud noise is detected other than your dog barking.  Loud noises such as dropping something, a loud ringer on a phone, other dogs barking, shutting a car door, a car horn or children yelling can trigger the sensor.   When your dog receives an electric shock that has nothing to do with them barking it is very confusing for the dog.  If this basic type of collar is used, you should be very careful not to have the collar on your dog when children are present or you anticipate a situation where a lot of noise could have the potential for triggering the sensor on the collar.

no-bark-collarA better choice might be the no-bark dog collar that has a motion sensor along with the noise sensor.  The sensors must be activated simultaneously before the shock is administered.  This type of collar is better suited for families with children and who have more than one dog in the household, than the collar with only the noise sensor.  The motion sensor must be activated by the vibration or movement in the dog’s throat along with detecting sound before the electrical stimulus is given.  This prevents an accidental shock being administered to the dog due to other loud noises or other dogs barking triggering the collar.  Many of the collars with both the motion and sound sensors also have adjustable levels of stimulus, which is important.  Not all dogs have the same level of  tolerance.  You should begin at the lowest level of stimulus and increase in small increments until your dog responds to the correction.

We moved to an area close to a University and the students are walking past our house all day long.  My dog is a good watch dog, which means he alerts us to everything happening in the neighborhood and this gets old after a while.  I have worked and worked with him to get him used to all the people walking down the street, but he hasn’t responded the way I hoped.  I finally decided to try the no-bark collar and was quite surprised to see how quickly he responded.  It didn’t take him long to figure out that when he barked, he got shocked.   He barked only once at two different people and then sat on his chair on the front porch and just watched the rest go by.

There’s something else I noticed and that’s when he’s barking his level of physical excitement escalates.  The other day, he had his collar on when my husband came home from work, he didn’t bark at him and he always barks, his level of excitement was less, not all the jumping up and down and running around his feet.   And, he calmed down much quicker than what his normal routine usually lasted.  I wonder if the act of barking releases adrenaline or some other chemical that escalates the dog’s physical excitement level?  When the use of the collar stops the barking, then no biological chemicals are being released and the dog is calmer.  Humm… does any one know if this scenario has any validity?  Or do we just have an unusual dog?

Anyway, I thought I would pass along my observations and to point out the different collar options to consider before purchasing a no-bark collar, in case anyone is considering one for their dog.  The collar has proved very effective in our situation and I no longer have to usher our dog into the house and shut the door to keep him from barking.  Now our dog is enjoying the summer afternoons on the front porch with us.

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Now that the weather is nice, you and your dogs want to be outside.  Only one problem, your dogs are uncontrollable barkers!  The electronic dog collar can help break your dogs from barking at the birds, squirrels, the neighbors outside, people walking down the sidewalk, kids playing outside and cars driving by.  The question is “How do I stop my dog from barking so much?”  Dog training with specific dog training techniques do work but can be a lengthy process.  But, by using a bark-control dog collar it makes barking a thing of the past and assists you in training your dog not to bark at everything that moves.  Using the electronic dog collar along with verbal command of “No” or “No Bark” and a dog treat will, in short time, train your dog to respond to just the verbal command.

In today’s economy, it’s nice to find the products you want at exceptional prices.

ON SALE JUNE 1 through JUNE 2!  The Bark-Control Dog Collar for only $39.95 (Retail $59.99) a 33% savings!


PetSafe PBC-102 No-Bark Collar


bark-control-dog-collar

Product Features

* Bark-control collar sends harmless s

tatic shock to the dog whenever it barks

* Adjustable nylon collar senses vibration in dog’s throat during barking

* Lightweight receiver perfect for toy or small breeds

* Includes water-resistant receiver, operating manual and

replaceable 6-volt battery

* Receiver measures 1.75 x 1 x 1.25 inches; limited lifetime warranty

Product Description
Curtail your dog’s excessive barking with this harmless, easy-to-use nylon collar. Insert the included 6-volt battery into the lightweight receiver, and fasten the adjustable collar around the dog’s neck. When the dog barks, the collar senses the vibrations in the pet’s throat and emits a mild static shock and an audible warning beep. There are 6 progressive correction levels, so if the dog barks again within 30 seconds, the next shock will be stronger, though not too strong for small or timid dogs. For safety, if the dog barks 15 times in less than 50 seconds, the collar shuts off automatically for a period of 3 minutes.

The collar is designed to train the dog, not punish it, and the shocks are not harmful. According to a Tuskegee University study, adult shelter dogs wearing the PetSafe No-Bark Collar for 6 30-minute sessions over a 2-week period showed no long-term adverse effects, and they all reduced their barking by the second day.

The 2.3-ounce receiver works with dogs weighing from 15 to 120 pounds. It is water-resistant and not affected by rainy or snowy conditions. The pure digital signal eliminates interference from stray signals, and is approved by the FCC. The collar includes PetSafe’s limited lifetime warranty.

Customer Review:

4 out of 5 stars Solid product - effectiveness depends on the source of the barking problem.,

May 24, 2009
By Mrs Dee “Dee” (Los Angeles, California)

We’ve only had this product for about 10 days, but I see how effective it is.. and under what circumstances it DOESN’T work. I tried it on our 1 year old Shih-Tsu who barks at every single little noise, because he’s trying to establish himself as the boss/top dog and it worked very, very well. He just stopped barking while we had it on him and we’ve noticed a huge reduction in his barking overall. We’ve also got an 8 year old terrier mix who has very tics and neurosis and he barks much of the time because he feels threatened or nervous. The bark collar forces him to bark less but doesn’t stop him so we’re working on that.

If your dog is ‘nuisance barking’ just for the hell of it, this collar is an excellent solution. If there’s another underlying cause then of course this collar isn’t going to work a miracle, though combined with addressing those issues directly it could be very effective.

Training a Dog Good Manners

May 20, 2009
posted by Shopping4MyBestFriend

dog-train

It can be difficult for an owner to take their dog to manners class with a professional trainer both in terms of cost and time.  In addition, hiring a trainer to come to the home can also be a hassle.  For dog owners who don’t have a lot of free time, dog training videos and books tend to be the best options.  While there isn’t the same sense of receiving hands-on training with a professional, most dog training videos and books provide the same lessons and tips as the professionals.  The best part of these videos and books is that owners can learn at their own pace.  The best time to start teaching a dog is while they’re still puppies, but it’s possible to train a dog of any age.  It’s important to practice patience when training because dogs will learn at a much slower pace than people, and it doesn’t make sense to get frustrated. 

While some dogs are more intelligent than others, all dogs can learn the basics with just a little love and effort on the behalf of their owners.  Make sure to keep ample treats on hand for rewards!

Your Dog’s Toenails - Tips for Trimming

March 14, 2009
posted by breezy

Trimming your dog’s toenails can be a tricky endeavor and very time consuming part of your dog’s grooming, especially if they have black nails and you can’t see where the quick is.  Years ago, I began trimming my dog’s toenails with the common guillotine nail trimmer.  Many times I would nick the dog’s quick and it would bleed and bleed.  Even though I always had the septic powder available for those times, the nail still bleeds quite a bit before it stops.  I always felt absolutely horrible when this would happen.  It didn’t make it any easier the next time because my dog remembered that I hurt him the last time I trimmed his nails.  So, needless to say, trimming the dog’s nails wound up being a struggle and I dreaded the thought of tackling the chore.

I have discovered a much easier way to do this and that is by using a coarse nail file.  What I did was purchase a couple of cheap coarse nail files from the drug store and I filed his nails with those instead of cutting them with the guillotine clipper.

I have a small dog, so I would set on the sofa, get an old towel, lay it across my lap and have my dog lay either next to me or on the towel.  If your dog is large then you may want to sit on the floor next to them.  Be sure to have healthy dog treats handy so you can treat them when they behave well having the nail trimmed.

Begin by having them lay next to you and before you begin be sure they are in a relaxed state, then take one paw, hold a nail firm in your fingers and begin to gently file the nail.  At first, your dog won’t be used to how the grinding on the nail feels and will probably jerk away.  As they become acclimated to the filing of the nail, you can begin filing harder and more rigorously to speed the process.  Trimming the dog’s dog-paw-with-long-nailsnails in this fashion is less stressful for you and your pet.  Plus, there’s no worry about nicking the quick and making the nail bleed.  The finished length of the nail should not touch the floor when your dog is standing.  Your dog’s nails need to be trimmed at least twice a month.  If those nails don’t get trimmed the quick will extend longer inside the nail and it’s difficult to get the nail trimmed as short as it should be.

Be sure to purchase the very coarse nail files so that you can take off a substantial amount of nail in the shortest period of time.  Using the coarse nail file can be a precursor to using the very popular Peticure that is advertised on TV.  I have not used the PediPaws brand but would assume it works the same, although the one I use is not battery operated, it’s electric with a variable speed.  I only mention this as I use the Peticure  to facilitate the amount of time it takes to trim the nails and my dog adapted quickly only needing to get used to the noise it made.

This aspect of your dog’s grooming is such a very important part that it is necessary to find alternate ways of getting those nails trimmed.  If the dog’s toenails are left untrimmed they will continue to grow and become jagged and split, possibly exposing the quick.  Not only do the nails become jagged and split, but over a lengthy period of time, the dog’s feet can become deformed if their nails are left too long, which is painful for the dog.

Don’t give in or stop when the dog  jerks his paw away, it’s just because they aren’t used to the grinding on the nail.  If you let them relax and try again they will become used to it and realize that it doesn’t hurt.

Happy toenail trimming!

Thinking about Dog Agility Training?

March 11, 2009
posted by breezy

As we embark on a physical training regime we must first start out slowly and gradually build our physical strength a little at a time.  Dogs are no different, if they have been “couchpooches” they must also start out slowly and build up to greater levels of physical endurance.  Dog agility training is great exercise for both you and your pet and a wonderful activity for bonding.  But, start off slowly taking your time to be sure both you and your dog are in good physical shape before commencing on a demanding exercise program such as agility training.

Before beginning an agility program your dog will need to know general obedience commands such as sit, dog-on-seasaw-agilitystay and the recall commands.  In agility training the dog uses specific movements in, over, under and around agility equipment.  If your dog doesn’t know the basic commands yet, they will have difficulty understanding what they are to do and will become confused and frustrated.

If your dog has been sedentary, it’s a good idea to  ease him into a gentle, regular exercise routine before hitting the agility course.  An agility program involves running, jumping, balancing and quick turns on and around equipment specifically designed for agility training and is physically demanding.  Pay attention to your dog’s exhaustion level and attention span and take breaks now and then to give the dog a physical and mental rest.  Increase the physical and mental demands only when your dog is ready for the next level.

By increasing your dog’s physical activity they will need additional nutrition, so adjust the amount of food your giving.  You may look into changing the type of food so that they are getting the high protein diet they require.  The dog will also be more tired and have sore muscles especially in the beginning.  Make your training sessions short in the beginning and gradually increase the length of your workouts.

As you begin agility training here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Always have plenty of fresh water readily available for the dog.
  • Provide a cool, shady spot where your dog can rest.
  • Feed your dog a balanced high protein diet.  You may want to consider a natural dog food.
  • Never let the dog become overheated.  You may want to train in the morning or evening to avoid the heat of the day.
  • Keep an eye on their feet and legs for abrasions and/or cuts.
  • Especially at first, be aware that the dog may have sore muscles and stiffness, so go easy.
  • If you plan on attending a formal agility training program take note of where they hold the training, if it’s indoors make sure there is plenty of ventilation so your dog doesn’t become overheated.
  • And above all, make agility training fun for both you and your dog.

How Does Your Dog React When Visitors Arrive?

March 3, 2009
posted by breezy

Does your dog attack visitors at your home before they are barely inside the door? Is your dog absolutely out of control barking, jumping on you and rushing the door in attack mode? Yes, I understand and this is not an easy behavior to change.  But it can be done and here are some basic dog training tips that you can use to change your dogs behavior when there is a knock at the door.

First, establish a boundary that your dog is to stay behind and you don’t open the door until they calm down and stay behind the barrier.  Second, they are to remain there until your visitor comes into your home. The dog is not to cross the boundary to approach the visitor.   The visitor can cross the boundary when the dog is calm and then allow the dog to sniff and smell them.  The dog is not to jump on the visitor.

These are very basic principles and not difficult to understand, but can be difficult the first several times you put this into practice with your dog. You don’t need to wait for visitors to arrive to facilitate your dog’s training.  You might consider having a family member, friend or neighbor assist you with the dog training.  Have them knock on or ring the door bell, patiently wait until your dog calms down and is in their designated waiting area and then come into the house.  Praise them with kind words and treats when they behave well.  If you do this several times a week your dog will learn this faster than relying only on visitors.  If you drill your dog in this frequently and early on in their training then your visitors aren’t outside waiting in the rain. Take a look…

In this video you will see the basic dog training technique in action.

Dog Training Collars

February 21, 2009
posted by breezy

steel-choke-collarThere are several different types of dog collars and I’m going to discuss two types of dog training collars; the metal choke collar and the pinch collar.  The choke collar is a useful collar and the use of this collar depends on the temperament and level of training of the dog.  If the use of  the choke collar on a dog  produces nothing more than the dog choking and gasping for air it’s time re-evaluate whether this type of collar is appropriate.   When the dog’s attention is focused on “the collar that’s choking them” and not fully on what you’re wanting them to learn then the collar is defeating its purpose.  Also, if you use the choke collar for training  you must give a quick tug and an immediate release of the leash so the collar will loosen.  Care with the collar needs to be taken as the choke collar can damage the trachea of the dog if used inappropriately.

There are alternative collars , such as, the pinch collar that is used for training dogs along with other, very effective dog obedience training techniques.  The premises of the pinch collar is when the leash is tugged it snugs up and has a pinching effect on the skin.  It resembles the correction a puppy would get from it’s mother.  To the dog it feels like the mother’s teeth around their neck.  The moment you tug on the leash you have the dogs undivided attention and he’s not pinch-training-collarbeing distracted by the fact that he can’t breath, and the learning can begin.

The pinch collar doesn’t strangle or choke the dog.  In order for the pinch training collar to work effectively it must be adjusted to fit the dog’s neck correctly.  These collars are made with links that are easily added or removed for a proper fit.  When properly adjusted you get the dog’s attention with the slightest tug and there’s no damage done to the dog’s throat.  If other dog collars don’t seem to be working you might want to give the pinch collar a try.