They’re many factors that could influence you on the best dog training book for you and your pet’s needs. One of the most important influences is whether or not you were able to help your dog reach goals that you set for him or her. When it comes down to it, the best dog training book would help you to achieve the fundamental concept of building a good relationship with your dog in order for the animal to learn how to communicate what you demand from him within a positive and a non-punishment environment.

There are litanies of dog training methods within these books that will allow you to achieve the goals that you’ve set for your dog. One of the first forms of training is called clicker training. Clicker training is when someone uses a small clicking device; the noise of the device is used to reinforce the adult dog or a puppy. This is accomplished by making the dog anticipate a treat every time he or she hears the sound of the clicker. Once your pet has become accustomed to the clicker, it is time to start training your dog and getting him or her to perform the task or behavior that you would like, using the clicker device.

Another form of training you will find in the best dog training book is the use of doggy treats to attain the behavior you would like to see in your dog. Most books on dog training gives detailed instructions on how to use positive reinforcement like doggy treats as well as positive praise. Within each book, you will find specific instructions on how to train your dog the right way. You will learn tips like which environment is best for your dog to train in. In addition, you will see how well your dog is progressing with the training, because you will also be supplied with a time line. The time line will allow you to judge if your dog is achieving the goals that you’ve set for him or her.

For the most part, you would have to read many dog training books to be able to find the right one for you. However, I have already done all of the research for you, and the best dog training book I’ve ever seen is the Secret To Dog Training. This is a downloadable e-book that can be downloaded at any time of the day or night. You will not have to go to the book store or wait days for it to come in the mail. You can get it right now and start training your dog today.

Best Dog Training Book – What you Should Look out For is a post from: Shitzu Puppies - Shitzu Information - Shitzu Dogs

1) You will have to fill out an application:

The application you fill out will ask for specific information such as what type of dog are you looking for, or are you looking for a dog in general. Shitzu rescue groups are highly picky when it comes to choosing who they’ll let adopt a Shitzu because they want to be absolutely sure without a doubt that the new owners are going to care for the dog for the rest of his or her life. You will have to answer questions about yourself, your home, your schedule, your family members, your financial situation, other pets that may be in the household, experiences with other pets, and references.

2) The rescue group will want to interview you as well as visit you at your home:

Not only will you get questions about your home, but you should also expect a visit to your home. Rescue workers will visit your home to make sure that you answered the questions correctly on the application about your home. They also make sure that the environment you live in is conducive to the needs of the Shitzu. They’ll also want to meet everyone in the family.

3) It’s time to wait to see if you’re approved:

Once you’re approved, you’ll have the opportunity to visit some of the dogs as well as spend some quality time with the dog that you want to adopt. However, do not be disappointed or offended if you’re not approved. Remember, these people are only doing what they think is best for the dog; therefore, no decision should be taken personal.

4) It’s time to bring home your new pet:

You finally get to bring home your new adopted rescued Shitzu after all of the questions, paperwork, and home visits. You should congratulate yourself for doing a good deed. What you did will definitely make a big difference in the life of a beautiful Shitzu dog.

Adopting a Rescued Shitzu – What to Expect is a post from: Shitzu Puppies - Shitzu Information - Shitzu Dogs

Advanced training methods – beyond the basics

If you’re dog has been a house dog for a while and he or she has already mastered the basics of training and now they’re ready for the big time, it is now time for some more advanced dog obedience training. In fact, your dog has mastered the basics so much that when you mention the word “Sit”, your dog’s hindquarters hits the floor and when you call his or her name they’re right there at your side. This is wonderful! What’s next? Good question! The training process is not over, now is the time to move into more advanced dog training techniques.

Many of the basic dog training techniques that you’ve focused on in the past will create a basis for future lessons. Before you advance dog training, go over some of the same basic commands that you used to train your dog at first. Once your dog executes the basic commands without a hitch, it’s time to move on. During this practice phase, you’re trying to weed out any confusing or weak commands so that you and your dog are ready to move on to more advanced dog training techniques.

You and your dog should not feel as if advanced dog training is a chore; therefore, you must keep it interesting. Try to make a game out of the training sessions, this will help to raise the level of enthusiasm, but do not let your dog get too overexcited. Boredom will not be a factor if you spice up the training sessions for both you and the dog. There is nothing more time consuming or tedious than trying to get a bored or uninterested dog to learn new training techniques. Try to avoid boredom at all costs because it hinders learning.

One of the best dog training tools is food. You may want to try different types of treats while you’re training to see which treat he or she likes the best. As you know, dogs love their treats. However, once you find a dog treat that your canine likes, do not use it for too long, he or she may get tired of it and it will lose its effectiveness. Therefore, do not hesitate to cycle through the doggy treat choices. The best treats to give to your dog are the treats that contain a lot of fat, but be cautious; you do not want to encourage weight gain. You can also cut the treats in half to make them stretch longer. This technique alone will help you to save money as well as save your dog a few extra pounds.

The best way to make advanced dog training fun is for you to get creative. Dog’s love to run and chase things around the place, this is a perfect activity to incorporate into your dog training. Keep your dog enthused by strengthening what they already know in a new and exciting way. A family member can help you train by practicing a back and forth game. This technique will help to increase your dog’s recall skills and will teach him or her to respond to the voices of other members of the family as well.

Your family member and you should stand a good ways apart; in fact, try for 9 to twelve yards. This game should be played in a safe area, preferably in a fenced in yard. If you do not have a fenced in yard, that’s ok, just try to find a place where your dog can’t wander away or be placed in a dangerous situation. Therefore, do not play this game in open areas or near busy streets. Once you’ve found a safe place, you and your family should take turns calling the dog and putting him or her into the sit stay position. Repeat the process at uneven intervals. Once your dog gets accustomed to this game, challenge the dog more by moving further apart. Later on, if you like, you can incorporate a third person. In addition, you can take the game inside the home and call from different rooms so that your dog cannot see who is calling.

The best way to keep the lessons fresh and interesting is to get creative. Any type of dog training whether advanced or basic can be a fun experience for you and your dog. Advanced dog training should not be a problem if you don’t allow your dog to get bored. Your dog will love the training sessions every time and even look forward to them. In the end, you’ll have well trained dog.

Advanced Dog Training – Beyond the Basics is a post from: Shitzu Puppies - Shitzu Information - Shitzu Dogs

A good amount of the rescue groups raise money as well as use their own individual money to fund their operations. This money is then used to provide medical care for the pets and other services such as spay neuter, and basic obedience training, which would make them more adoptable and successful pets.

A rescued Shitzu could be the perfect pet for the right person. There are plenty of benefits to rescuing an older Shitzu:

1) Many rescued Shitzu’s have already been housetrained; therefore, have already learned to behave in the home.

2) They get along great with children as well as other pets, however, if they don’t, the rescue workers would have known because they carefully evaluate the dogs before releasing them.

3) For the most part, these dogs can obey simple commands like Sit and Stay.

4) In some cases, owners have reported that the dogs seem to know that they’ve been rescued and show their new owners gratitude with a particularly strong bond.

5) The dog is already full grown; therefore, you will know how the dog looks and acts. They’re no surprises when you rescue and older dog. You will also be able to make the right choices for your dog because the rescue group has already screened them. You will get all of the information about your new Shitzu rescue dog such as the dog’s foster parents, and what it’s like to live with the dog.

Tips on finding a Shitzu rescue group

Now that you’ve learned about rescue groups and what they do, I’m sure you would like to know where you can get in contact with a rescue organization. Below are a few places that you can get started.

1) ASTC:

The ASTC has a rescue committee with a lot of members all over the United States. You can find them online at www.Shihtzu.org/ASTC/rescue.asp?menu=ASTC.

2) PetFinder:

This internet source is among the many favorites for finding pets that are adoptable. This website is very user-friendly and allows you the ability to select any breed that you want by entering your zip code, which gives you a list of all current animals that are available for adoption near you. They’re database is very huge and up-to-date. You can find them at www.petfinder.com

3) ASPCA:

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has a great website (www.aspca.org) which has tons of information and resources pertaining to the adoption of pets as well as a search engine that allows you to find rescue groups and shelters in your area.

4) Pets911:

This is another great website for performing local or regional searches for adoptable pets. Pets911 is a group that is partnered with the Human Society of the United States. You can find them at www.pets911.com.

Shitzu Rescue Groups and the Job they Do is a post from: Shitzu Puppies - Shitzu Information - Shitzu Dogs

You have two main options when you come to the decision of adopting an older Shitzu. The two main options are: a Shitzu rescue group or an animal shelter.

Adopting an Older Shitzu is a post from: Shitzu Puppies - Shitzu Information - Shitzu Dogs

What about the shock collar? Many people question whether this form of training is humane. Well, in my honest opinion, the decision whether it is humane or not comes down to the owner that’s using it. In addition to bringing up questions of whether it is humane to use training collars for dogs that shock, what if I was to ask a critic of this form of training whether it would be humane to let a dog bite a person on the street? Or, is it humane to let your dog bark all night and wake up the neighbors, who then could call the police, which could end up with the dog being taken to a shelter and eventually put to sleep. Is that humane?

Using a dog barking collar is probably one of the quickest ways to stop a dog from barking. When you place the dog in the backyard, the barking will undoubtedly get worse for the simple fact that there is no one outside to discipline the dog. If you’re someone that has had to get up in the middle of the night to calm down a barking dog, then I’m sure you would not have any problems using a bark collar to remedy the situation as easy and as quick as possible.

Many training collars for dogs come equipped with hand-held remotes that can transmit a warning in the form of audible or vibrating stimuli that gives the dog a warning before the actual shock itself. This gives the dog a chance to correct its behavior. The electrical shock that the dog experiences is nothing more than the shock we feel when we rub our feet across a rug with socks on. The dog owner should know how to use the stimulation properly.

Many training collars for dogs have different levels of intensity. When it comes to their tolerance of pain, dogs are just like us in many ways. The humane issue comes up around this time. If it is possible for a dog to learn while using a low intensity shock, then why is a higher intensity needed? To answer this question, I’ve personally seen dogs that didn’t even wink an eye while being shocked at the lower intensity. In addition, I’ve seen dogs that reacted strongly to being shocked at the lower intensity.

Therefore, using training collars for dogs is totally up to the owner and their present situation. I do not endorse the use of shock collars; I just wanted to shed some light on both sides of the argument. Hopefully after reading this article, you can decide for yourself whether a shock collar is for you.

Training Collars for Dogs is a post from: Shitzu Puppies - Shitzu Information - Shitzu Dogs

Most breeders like to discuss price and other costs of raising their dogs in an attempt to weed out the pretenders from the serious people that really want to own a dog and can provide the financial commitment necessary to take care of a puppy. All breeders want careful and dedicated pet owners for their dogs.

I know these costs may seem too much or more than you’d like to spend on a dog; however, keep in mind that purchasing a Shitzu from a pet store or a commercial breeder can start out at the top of the scale from the very start. For example, I’ve personally seen Shitzu’s for sale on the internet for $4000 and up. In addition, these dogs are going to cost you more down the road especially if they end up with health problems or behavioral problems.

Once you’ve visited a breeder once or a couple of times and you’re finally comfortable with him or her and their comfortable with you, ask the breeder when it would be possible to take home the dog. If the breeder has a litter at that time, then you can start dialogue about which Shitzu puppy might be right for you. Most breeders will not give away a puppy during the first visit; in fact, it may take two or three visits for a breeder to properly gauge if you’re a good match for one of their precious little Shitzu puppies. This process takes time, because good breeders like to check the references of the people that may be potential owners of their dogs. Good breeders do not breed for profit; therefore, they’re all about the well-being of the puppy and will take every precaution to put their dogs into a good loving home.

The Price and other Costs of Owning a Shitzu Dog is a post from: Shitzu Puppies - Shitzu Information - Shitzu Dogs

Any good hobby breeder will have plenty of questions for you as soon as they meet you for the first time. Do not get offended by the line of questioning that’ll be coming your way. You must understand that a hobby breeder’s job is to find a good loving home for the beloved Shitzu pups.

Here are some questions that you can expect a Shitzu breeder to ask:

1) Are you experienced with dogs?

The breeder will want to know if you’ve had dogs in the past and whether any of them were smaller dogs such as a Shitzu or any other small breed. In addition, they’ll want to know what happened to the dog you’ve had in the past.

2) Are you familiar with the Shitzu breed?

The breeder would want to know if you’re familiar with anything that relates to the breed. Before going to meet a hobby breeder about a Shitzu, make sure you at least know some facts about the breed.

3) Are there other pets in your household?

Shitzu’s get along great with most other pets; however, there are some that just might not be a good match. The breeder will want to know that their precious little Shitzu puppies will be kept safe in your home.

4) Do you have children and how old are they?

Shitzu puppies are so small and fragile, they’re easy to missed and stepped on. They’re not designed to be played with roughly. Smaller children would not understand that a Shitzu is not something to be pulled or thrown. Breeders want to know if the children inside the home are capable of handling such a tiny puppy. In addition to the safety concerns, Shitzu’s are also very high maintenance dogs. The breeder may also be concerned that you may not have time to care for the dog properly.

5) Where will you be keeping the dog?

Shitzu’s are not outside dogs, they must be kept inside the home or at least in some form of shelter. They cannot survive exposed to the elements. Breeders must absolutely be certain that you understand this fact. Therefore, if you’re asked this question, do not reply: (“somewhere in the backyard!”) An answer like that would guarantee that you will not be taking home one of this particular breeder’s puppy.

6) Are you or someone in the household home often?

Shitzu’s are specifically bred to be companion dogs; therefore, if you’re never home, your dog cannot be a companion to you. A good hobby breeder that cares about their dogs will not send a Shitzu puppy home with someone that is at the office all day. Shitzu’s cannot be left alone all the time, they’re going to develop behavioral problems if left alone for too long.

7) Are you willing to spend time grooming the dog regularly?

The breeder will want to know if you’re willing to groom the dog on a regular basis. Or, if you’re not going to groom the dog on your own, the breeder would want to know that you can afford to have the dog groomed professionally at least once a week. Grooming is crucial to the Shitzu; lack of grooming will cause health problems.

Are you planning on entering your brand new Shitzu in dog shows sometime in the future?

Breeders do not handle the sale of pet dogs in the same manner as show dogs. If you’re buying a Shitzu with the sole purpose of showing the dog then a breeder may want to retain part ownership, which is a fairly common practice. The breeder may also want to mentor you. If you’re successful in showing your dog and you start winning, you might want to eventually breed a Shitzu. This is when the part ownership of the breeder comes in also; the breeder would want to make sure that you know what you’re doing. Remember, the breeder provides plenty of knowledge and guidance, which will ensure that you’re not breeding the wrong way and bringing unhealthy and/or unwanted Shitzu’s into the world.

9) Do you have a vet? If yes, what’s their name and phone number?

The breeder would want to exchange vet numbers with you. It is not uncommon for a breeder to want you to take the puppies to their vet if there is ever a problem. However, the breeder would also like to have the number of your vet; however, this is done mainly for reference purposes. The vet would definitely let the breeder know if you’re worthy of taking care of a Shitzu.

If you notice a breeder that is too anxious to send you home with a Shitzu puppy before asking some basic questions, that breeder does not have the dog’s best interest in mind. Therefore, be cautious and do not be afraid to tell the breeder that you’re going to look elsewhere.

A Good Shitzu Puppy Breeder will ask a Lot of Questions is a post from: Shitzu Puppies - Shitzu Information - Shitzu Dogs

Meeting the parents is crucial because it gives you an idea of how your little Shitzu’s are going to grow up and act. Therefore, if you notice that both of the parents do not look like Shitzu’s or has a bad temperament; you should politely let the breeder know that you’d be moving on. You do not want to put yourself into a situation where you take the dog home and a few months later, you’re contemplating getting rid of the dog because it doesn’t look or act like a Shitzu. Shitzu’s are friendly and trustworthy dogs and these are traits that you should be able to see in the parents right away. Do not purchase a Shitzu or any dog for that matter without seeing their parents first. It will save you a lot of headaches in the end.

Meet the Parents before Purchasing a Shitzu Puppy is a post from: Shitzu Puppies - Shitzu Information - Shitzu Dogs

Am I getting a good feeling from this Shitzu breeder?

Do I trust this person; are they trustworthy and forthcoming with information in regard to the Shitzu puppies?

Is this person clean and is the home well taken care of as well as the area where the Shitzu’s are being cared for?

Are the Shitzu’s well cared for and are they healthy, clean, and friendly?

If the situation comes up and you smell diarrhea or vomit where the dogs are being kept, don’t just let it slide and assume that the breeder has everything under control. Ask questions, inquire about the smell, or alert the breeder about your concern. Reasons for this could simply be the puppy may have had a distressed stomach and the breeder was already aware of the situation. However, you would not have known unless you were being observant. If the puppies seem all sickly to you, it is time to move on to finding another breeder.

Do not let a Shitzu breeder bring you puppies from another room without letting you see the others, he or she may have something to hide. Therefore, if you witness poor housing, messy living standards, or a mother Shitzu that doesn’t look healthy or friendly, move on, because these are signs of poorly raised dogs. If you witness anything strange or suspicious, ask about it. You need to get a feel for the dogs; therefore, it is in your best interest to survey every inch of the breeder’s property where they breed and care for the dogs.

Be Observant when Searching for a Shitzu Breeder is a post from: Shitzu Puppies - Shitzu Information - Shitzu Dogs