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| Almost any job is easier when we have the right tools. Training our dogs is no exception. From enrichment toysto no-pull harnesses, tools help us communicate with our pets and speed up the training process. |
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| More than just a canine fashion statement, collars are also training tools. They are designed for different purposes so consider what you want to accomplish when you select one for your dog. Some collars are worn regularly to hold identification and license tags and others are used for training lessons. |
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| Walking with your dog can be a terrific way to spend time together and increase her level of activity. Head collars and some types of body harnesses help solve problem behaviors such as pulling or jumping that make it difficult to enjoy a walk with your four-legged friend. |
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| Have you noticed that dogs often prefer to lie underneath tables, desks or beds? They have a natural inclination to rest or “den up” in a confined space. A dog crate capitalizes on this tendency. Crates provide a quiet, contained den-like space for a pet. When a puppy or adult dog is introduced to a crate correctly, he will identify it as his safe place of choice. Crating will be a positive and rewarding experience for him. |
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| Clickers are small devices that make an audible click sound. We use the sound to “mark” a behavior that our dog is doing as it is happening. It lets our dog know that we like the behavior and a reward is coming. |
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| Wireless communication has become common in our lives. We can communicate with our dogs in this tech-savvy way as well. Our pets wear the receiver collar and we manage the hand-held remote. When the button is pushed on the remote, a signal is delivered to the collar that communicates to our dog through sound, smell or touch. |
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| Our homes, pets and lifestyle preferences are entirely unique. Some people enjoy having their dogs beside them on the couch or keeping them company in the kitchen. Others prefer that pets stay off of the furniture or out of certain rooms in the house. Whatever your lifestyle, barriers and deterrents are useful training tools. They establish boundaries for your dog so everyone can live together peacefully. |
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| Dogs bark to communicate. There are times, however, when a dog’s barking can become excessive and cross over from communication to annoyance. Bark control devices are training tools that can be used to correct and reduce nuisance barking. |
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| Toys that are stimulating, durable and rewarding can enrich a dog’s life. They provide entertainment, mental challenge and keep a dog active. Playtime with toys can be used to reward good behavior when we teach our dogs training commands. If boredom is causing a behavior problem like digging, enrichment toys engage a dog and give him something to do. |
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