From basic house-breaking and crate training to solving problem behaviors, here´s links to some of the best advice from dog experts.

Crate Training - from Dogs at BellaOnline
Contrary to what many frustrated dog owners believe, crating a dog is not inhumane. When properly introduced to a crate, a dog will not feel like it´s trapped in a cage, but secure and content in it´s own special place.

The Doggie Door
Using a doggie door takes some getting used to, but even older dogs can be taught to use one. My 8 and 11 year old dogs recently learned to use their new doggie door in a few days. A patio pet door panel can provide an almost instant doggie door with no cutting or permanent installation required.

Behavior: Solving Barking and Growling Problems [offsite link]
Correcting a barking problem requires an understanding of the situations and stimuli that initiate barking. Until effective control and leadership is established, training programs are unlikely to be successful. Once you have effective control over your dog, you can begin to train it to quiet down when barking begins. This can be accomplished with lure-reward techniques, disruption techniques, or head halter and leash training. Read more...

Body Language [offsite link]
It´s important to understand what dogs are saying with their bodies, not only to know your own dog but to better predict what other dogs are doing. Here are some illustrations.

Bringing Home a Puppy Mill Dog
During the first few days with your new puppy mill dog or shelter rescue, start to build a strong foundation of trust.

Canine Freestyle Federation, Inc. [offsite link]
This web site will keep you updated on all the new developments in Canine Freestyle. Canine Freestyle is a choreographed performance with music, illustrating the training and joyful relationship of a dog and handler team. Freestyle is an excellent discipline to illustrate the conformation and movement of the dog. The reach, drive and beauty of an athletic, trained dog moving to music can take one’s breath away.

Canine Good Citizen ® [offsite link]
The AKC´s Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program. is a certification program designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.

Choosing a Trainer [offsite link]
Read the guidelines ON how to choose a trainer, then click on "Take Me to the Trainer Directory" to search for a trainer in your area.

Clicker Training Basics [offsite link]
Clicker training is a system for teaching behavior with positive reinforcement. The system was first widely used by dolphin trainers who needed a way to teach behavior without using physical force. In clicker training you watch for a behavior you like, mark the instant it happens with a the sound of a toy clicker, and pay off with a treat. This site tells you all about it.

Collar or Harness - Which is Best?
There is a lot of debate as to what type to use. Should I use a collar or harness? It all depends on your dog, what issues you are trying to address, training, etc. Read on to find out what type will be suitable for you and your furry friend!

Coping With A High Energy Dog [offsite link]
Given the right exercise, training and diet, the high energy dog will be the ideal companion for the high energy family, or even an averagely active family. Read more...

Crates and Adult Dogs
Keeping a crate around for your dog well after housetraining has been completed can have its benefits.

Crating: Training or Torture? [offsite link]
Crate training is not cruel and inhumane. If more new pet ownwers would try crate training, there would be fewer dogs banished to shelters because their owners didn´t want any more chewed up furniture or stained carpets.

Dethroning the Canine King [offsite link]
Pushy canines come in all sizes. Many of these dogs are bold and overconfident and relish dominating both people and other dogs. Some are reluctant leaders who take charge in a family when no one else assumes the position of leader. Whatever the size, sex or situation, they need to be put in their place via a benign yet effective leadership program.

Do Dogs Dream?
Do dogs dream of electric sheep? Science shows that they just might.

Dog Tricks! [offsite link]
According to the author - "I have made this page for the average dog owner who wants to teach his or her dog more tricks!" "Below you will find a nice collection of tricks to teach your dog. If you have the time, patience and a dog, there is no limit of the tricks you can teach old Rover! What wise guy said you can´t teach an old dog new tricks? Totally wrong! The only problem is that people don´t take the time to teach that old dog some new tricks!"

Dr. P´s Dog Training [offsite link]
A virtual library of info about dog training & behavior. This is a noncommercial site sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Halter Collars [offsite link]
Some people are hesitant to use a halter type collar, since they feel it looks more like a muzzle than a collar, but these types of collars actually give you better control than ´choke´ collars or prong collars.

Halti and Gentle Leader Collar [offsite link]
The proper fitting and acclimating procedure

Housebreaking the Older Dog [offsite link]
You and your family have made the decision to adopt an older dog from the shelter rather than a young puppy. You and your home are unfamiliar to him. He doesn´t know where he is or even where the doors are that lead outside. He may or may not have been housetrained previously. It would be wise to assume that he has not and start with him as you would with a young puppy...

Housetraining Your Dog [offsite link]
From getting started on the right track to pottying on command, here´s expert tips for housetraining both puppies and older dogs.

How to Become a Professional Dog Trainer [offsite link]
Thinking about becoming a professional dog trainer? The American Dog Trainers Network has a page with links to many resources to help you get started.

How to Handle Dog Barking [offsite link]
Your dog has learned to get attention through barking. It is easy to fall into this trap because the very nature of barking gets your attention. However, you, your neighbors and your dog will all be much happier if the barking is under control.

Introducing Dogs to New Pack Members
When bringing home a new cat or dog, there might not be any easy answers when it comes to making everyone in the house get along. Your most valuable tools can be insight and patience, along with following your intuition when choosing your new addition.

Links to Dog Activity Training Classes and Club Lists [offsite link]
Links to dog training resources - Trainers, training clubs and workshops in agility, obedience, herding, tracking, etc.

Obedience Trainer Search [offsite link]
Here´s a way to find a dog obedience training professional in your area. Search for a trainer by zipcode. The results of your search will be emailed directly to you.

Possessiveness [offsite link]
Teaching Dogs It´s Okay to Share - It is not sufficient merely to teach dogs to tolerate the proximity and actions of people; in addition, we must also teach dogs to thoroughly enjoy the presence of people around their possessions, to relish people taking away their food bowls, bones, or toys, and especially to love human company at mealtimes.

Preventing Digging [offsite link]
"Digging occurs for many reasons. Dogs dig to bury and recover bones; they dig cooling pits when it´s hot and warming pits when it´s cold; they dig up prey and they dig dens. Lack of exercise, prolonged confinement and boredom can also cause digging. Once digging starts, it can quickly become a habit." Read more...

Rolling in Smelly Things [offsite link]
A Veterinarian answers the question - Why do dogs always want to roll around in smelly things?

Schutzhund Training [offsite link]
Schutzhund is a German word meaning "protection dog". It refers to a sport that focuses on developing and evaluating those traits in dogs that make them more useful and happier companions to their owners. Schutzhund work concentrates on three parts - Obedience, Tracking and Protection work, similar to training dogs in police work.

Second Hand Dog [offsite link]
The second-hand dog has become commonplace. More often than not, the second-hand dog is slated for pethood and his somewhat checkered past is rarely revealed in full. It may even be a found dog, a treasure that someone left to fend for himself in a cold, cold world. Whether an older, used, second-hand, passed-around-dog was recycled for a "legitimate" reason or not, solving the problems that will come with your new pet can be a most satisfying and necessary pastime.

Stop Your Dog from Unwanted Chewing
Dogs of all ages can fall into a routine of chewing beloved possessions and all sorts of things they're not supposed to. Follow these simple tips to end unwanted chewing -- and to stop it from happening in the first place.

Stopping Begging at the Dinner Table
Ask people why they don't like dogs, and one of the answers will undoubtedly be "Shameless begging at the dinner table." A polite, well-mannered dog that waits his turn will go a long way in changing people's minds about a canine companion.

Taming the Dominant Dog [offsite link]
"Dogs which fancy themselves as the Alpha are generally pushy, manipulative, demanding and dominant. They like to call the shots in any relationship, and expect others to follow their lead. If your dog acts like the dominant member of your pack, you´d be wise to begin taking steps to turn your relationship around."

The Dog Obedience & Training Page [offsite link]
A page with links to internet obedience & training sites from puppy training and basic obedience, to competitive obedience, clubs and schools, to upcoming obedience trials.

Train Your Dog To Be Your Frisbee Playing Buddy [offsite link]
On the surface playing Frisbee with your dog may seem like just a bit of fun, but this activity actually holds other benefits as well.

Training Tips from Matty [offsite link]
From PBS... Training tips from Matthew Margolis using simple, effective techniques and his trademark philosophy of "love, praise, and affection." These are tips that no dog owner can do without.

Walking the Dog [offsite link]
Walking the dog can be pleasure or pain — the leash is in your hands. You can avoid or cure typical dog-walking problems with a few simple exercises and determination that the dog will learn to walk on a leash. Read more...

What to do if your Dog is Dehydrated
the signs of dehydration is a start, but what happens next?

Why Some Dogs Eat Poop ( Coprophagy ) [offsite link]
When dogs eat their own as well as other animals´ feces, it is believed to be due to a combination of physiological and behavioral factors. Read more....

Links marked with the [offsite link] designation point to websites not associated with BellaOnline.com. BellaOnline.com is not responsible for the material found there.

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