Dog Training Aids

When the dog training gets tough, the tough get dog training aids.

There's no doubt about it that a well-trained dog makes a far better companion, and various dog training aids can help owners achieve their training goals and move on to enjoying a comfortable relationship with their pets.

Because their are so many ways to train a dog, there are literally thousands of training aids available to cover almost any situation, and we cannot cover every one in a single article, so let's break them down into some general categories.

For many owners, dog training schools are the best answer to their training needs. Why? Because schools offer the option of training both owner and pet. If you've never trained a dog before, this kind of firsthand learning experience can be invaluable, helping you to avoid the common communication mistakes many new owners make that wind up confusing their pets and delaying the learning process.

Most schools offer private lessons and group classes in numerous types of training, from simply teaching your dog to walk on a leash to a wider range of obedience commands. Whether you just want your pet to learn a few basic social skills or prepared for competition, you're sure to find just the type of training you seek through dog training schools.

To find a school in your area, check your local phone directory or contact your local kennel club, which may offer it's own training classes. Most establishments will allow you to observe a training session before signing up, so you can decide if this the route you want to take before you pay any fees.

Books can also be very handy dog training aids, especially for owners who aren't able to commit to a training school's schedule.

Books offer an incredibly wide range of training info, with a title to match nearly every conceivable training topic. One advantage to using training books is that you can refer back to them to make sure you are using the proper techniques to achieve each of your training goals. No need to worry if you've remembered a professional trainer's instructions exactly.

Training books are easily found at local book stores, libraries, and online vendors.

Books are great, but if you prefer learning by visual demonstrations, dog training videos and DVDs are the way to go. Again, you can view them and work with your dog according to your schedule, and if you need a refresher, you can simply hit the rewind button.

Dog training videos cover many training topics, but you can also find many titles that cover canine behavioral issues as well. Since understanding the way your pet thinks is essential to providing effective training, you may want to explore these dog training aids as well.

They don't call the Internet the information super highway without good reason. After all, you're reading this article aren't you?

The Internet holds a wealth of dog training info, but this bounty can also present a problem. The Internet provides a platform for everyone, but it does not guarantee that the information you receive is correct or that all recommended training methods are safe for your pet. It will be up to you to judge which information seems like competent advice and if it is suitable for your dog's unique personality and temperament. When possible look at the about page for the website or the writers byline for credentials that qualify them as a canine expert.

This is our catch-all category, filled with all those handy products and devices that stock so many pet supply store shelves. Here are just a few examples.

• Electronic dog collars can serve several different training functions. By delivering a small static shock to your dog, they can be used to deter unacceptable behaviors such as nuisance barking or to reinforce your verbal commands. Owners should be aware that these devices are not suitable for use on every dog, and should be avoided if a pet has fear/abuse issues.
• Scat Mats can be used to train your pet to stay off furniture. These training aids are similar to electronic collars in that they also deliver a static shock to discourage your pet from going where he doesn't belong.
• Pee Posts are potty training aids that are charged with pheromones to encourage your pet to do its business in a specific area of your yard, leaving the rest of the territory safe for foot traffic.
• Clickers are an essential tool for dog clicker training. The noise made by the device is used to instantly mark the moment a dog successfully obeys a command.
• Tasty treats can also be a reward for your pet when he obeys successfully, but it's important not to get carried away with their use. Some dogs become more focused on the food rewards than the training at hand. For your pet's health, try to choose treats that are low in fat and have some nutritional value as well.

The list goes on and on, but as you can see, there's almost no limit to the number of training aids available. You're free to choose just one, or you can try combining several aids in order to customize your training experience to one that gets positive results from your dog. In the process, don't forget the most valuable training aid of all--your praise and affection for a job well done!

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