Dog Training & Behavior

Dog Training Articles from the USHS

A Good Leash on Life

Like collars, leashes are available in many colors and designs from charming to chic. They are made of a variety of materials ranging from leather and nylon to hemp and metal.

Barking: How to Get Your Dog to Quiet Down

Try these techniques to stop your dog from barking. All of them can be successful, but don't expect miracles overnight. The longer your dog has been practicing the barking behavior, the longer it will take for him to change his ways.

Barking: Why Dogs Sound Off

Dogs have a lot to say, and they do it by barking. They bark to go out, come in, to tell you a stranger's in your yard, and at people, cars, and other animals.

Bringing Your New Dog Home

The key to helping your new dog make a successful adjustment to your home is being prepared and being patient. It can take anywhere from two days to two months for you and your pet to adjust to each other.

Chewing: The Whys and Hows of Stopping a Gnawing Problem

Sooner or later every dog lover returns home to find some unexpected damage inflicted by his or her dog; or, more specifically, that dog's teeth. Although dogs make great use of their vision and sense of smell to explore the world, one of their favorite ways to take in new information is to put their mouths to work.

Choosing a Dog Trainer

Too many dogs are given up after their normal, easily modifiable behaviors are allowed to become problems. But it doesn't have to be this way. To prevent your dog from becoming a sad statistic, take your dog--and your family--to a professional dog training class.

Choosing the Right Dog for You

The problem with adopting a dog from an animal shelter? The selection of available canine companions can overwhelm you! Man's best friends come in all shapes, sizes, and--of course--personalities.

Crate Training

' Private room with a view. Ideal for traveling dogs or for those who just want a secure, quiet place to hang out at home." That's how your dog might describe his crate. It's his own personal den where he can find comfort and solitude while you know he's safe and secure--and not shredding your house while you're out running errands.

De-Skunking a Dog

Skunks are everywhere--in the country and in the city--and if your dog gets sprayed, there are ways you can rid him of the scent without using your entire ketchup (or tomato juice) supply to do it.

Dig This: How to Get Your Dog to Stop Digging

Has your dog turned your lawn into a moonscape, with craters everywhere? If so, your dog isn't doing this out of spite or a desire to destroy your landscaping. More likely he's seeking entertainment, attention, comfort, escape, prey, or protection.

Dog Aggression

A dog's bark may be worse than his bite, but most of us would rather not find out one way or the other.

Dog Care Essentials

Your dog gives you a lifetime of unconditional love, loyalty, and friendship. In return, she counts on you to provide her with food, water, safe shelter, regular veterinary care, exercise, companionship, and more. Take care of these 10 essentials, and you'll be assured to develop a rewarding relationship with your canine companion.

Dog Collars

Every dog needs a collar, chiefly because he needs something to hang his ID, license, and rabies vaccination tag on (and leash, of course). There are so many styles of collar out there that it's easy to get one that reflects your dog's (or your) personality

Dog Toys

Toys help fight boredom in dogs left alone, and toys can even help prevent some problem behaviors from developing. Although cats can be pretty picky when it comes to enjoying particular toys dogs are often more than willing to "play" with any object they can get their paws on. That means you'll need to be particularly careful when monitoring your dog's playtime to prevent any "unscheduled" activities.

Dog Training: Nothing in Life is Free

"Nothing in Life is Free" isn't a magic pill that will solve a specific behavior problem. Instead, it's a way of living with your dog that will help him behave better because he trusts and accepts you as his leader and is confident knowing his place in the family.

Dogs: Positive Reinforcement Training

Dogs don't care about money. They care about praise... and food. Positive reinforcement training uses praise and/or treats to reward your dog for doing something you want him to do.

Escaping

Are you tired of trying to find new and creative ways to keep your dog safely confined to your yard? Read our tips on thwarting your canine companion's escape attempts.

Excitement Urination

Excitement urination occurs most often during greetings and playtime and isn't accompanied by submissive postures as in submissive urination.

Fear of Thunder and Other Loud Noises

Firecrackers, thunder, and other loud, out-of-nowhere sounds often leave dogs frightened and wanting to flee to a safer place. These types of fears may develop even if your dog has had no traumatic experiences associated with the sound. Many fear-related problems can be successfully resolved. If left untreated, however, your dog's fearful behavior will probably get worse.

Foods Potentially Poisonous to Pets

Some foods that are considered good for people can be very dangerous for pets. The list below highlights some of the most common foods that can be dangerous to animals.

Getting a Tick Off of Your Dog

If your dog spends time outside in areas where ticks like to hang out, a tick check should be part of your daily routine.

Housetraining Adult and Senior Dogs

Any dog, even a fully housetrained adult dog, may have house-soiling accidents when he first moves to your home. The stress of new surroundings and a new schedule can disrupt his routine.

Housetraining Puppies

Housetraining your puppy requires far more than a few stacks of old newspapers--it calls for vigilance, patience, plenty of commitment and above all, consistency.

How to Avoid a Dog Bite

A dog's bark may be worse than his bite, but most of us would rather not find out one way or the other. Here's how to avoid getting bit.

How to Use a Head Halter

"Whoa, Rover, whoa!" Sound familiar? If that's what it's like when you take your dog for a walk, you may want to consider getting a head halter.

Introducing a Dog to Other Pets

From "the leader of the pack" to "the top dog," plenty of simplistic metaphors come from the canine world. But relationships between canines can be pretty complex, beginning with the very first meeting.

Prevent Your Dog From Biting

There is no way to guarantee that your dog will never bite someone. But you can significantly reduce the risk. Here's how.

Puppy Behavior Basics

Well-socialized dogs are more likely to have well-socialized puppies. Here are general guidelines for puppy stages of development, and what to expect during their first 18 months of life.

Puppy Nipping and Rough Play

It's not always easy to convince a new puppy not to bite the hand that feeds him, pets him, or plays with him, for that matter.

Separation Anxiety

Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit distress and behavior problems when they're left alone. Here's how to help your dog cope with you not being there.

Stop Your Dog From Jumping Up

Does your dog jump on you as if he's got springs on his feet? Like it or not, we humans are to blame. We not only permit this behavior, we encourage it.

Submissive Urination

In a pack, dogs have many ways to show the leader that they accept his role as top dog and thus avoid a confrontation. One way is to roll on their backs and urinate on themselves.

Teaching Basic Commands

Teach your dog a few basic obedience commands using positive training methods, and you will be rewarded with a well-behaved dog who can handle most everyday social situations.

Teaching Dogs the "Come" Command

Coming when called is not only a behavior issue, it is also a safety issue.

Urine-Marking Behavior: How to Prevent It

You mark your stuff by putting your name on it; your dog marks his with urine. Here's how to prevent urine-marking behaviors.

Urine-Marking: Why Dogs Mark Their Territory

You mark your stuff by putting your name on it; your dog marks his with urine.

popular training topics
Potty Training Rules
Some dogs take 2 days, some take 2 months but I have yet to see a puppy not learn if the simple rules are followed.
Teach Your Dog Not to Jump
An annoying behavior, but one easily treated. Take a look at our handout for jumping.
Setting Boundaries & House Rules
As with children, we need to set up boundaries and rules within our household to maintain order. Same with your dog pack!
Crate Training - Yes or No?
Dogs are are naturally denning animals. Wouldn't it be nice to provide them with a safe, secure-feeling den?
Recommended Training Supplies
A list of all recommended dog training products. Sold via Amazon.com (prices are cheap!).
Photo Gallery
Our photo gallery includes students and dogs from around the world. Upload your pics!
Denver Humane Society Articles
Some excellent articles written by the Denver Humane Society. Covers everything from aggression to separation anxiety.
US Humane Society Articles
More excellent articles, these written by the United States Humane Society.
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