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Dog Crate Buyer's Guide- How to choose the right crate and accessories
Why use a crate: When used properly and not abused, crates are the fastest and most humane method of housebreaking dogs. Dogs are den animals that will instinctively seek out a small, cozy place to rest for shelter and security. Crates act on a...
Dog training basics - preventing unwanted urination
Problems with inappropriate urination are some of the most
commonly encountered by dog owners. As a matter of fact,
inappropriate urination and defecation is the most frequently
cited reason that owners surrender their animals to shelters.
...
Goldfish Diseases - How To Spot Them, Treat Them And Hopefully Prevent Them
Goldfish Diseases
Many small animals and fish are susceptible to diseases and once infected, have greatly shortened life spans.
A goldfish can get sick if his tank is dirty, the water and oxygen levels are too low, the temperatures are too...
Housebreaking Your Dog
Dogs are creatures of habit; and once they develop a habit, breaking it can be a long, frustrating process. Your dog needs guidance and encouragement from you to develop a toilet habit you can live with. Animal behaviorists have learned a lot about...
Is a Boxer Dog The Right Pet For You?
Having a boxer dog as a pet, although low-maintenance, require your consistent attention, exercise, human interaction, consistent obedience training and lots of love. You cannot leave them to their own design for too long or they will get lonely,...
Obesity In Dogs
Numerous studies have shown that more Americans are obese today than ever before and, interestingly, we're not the only ones. Not only are Americans fatter than ever, so are their dogs; and the phenomenon can have serious ramifications for both...
Ragdoll Cat History is Stranger Than Fiction
The origins of Ragdoll cats are full of myth and controversy. This cat's history is often contradictory and confusing; some of the Ragdoll story is just not possible. Other parts we know to be factual. First things first: the Ragdoll cat breed...
The Myth of 100% Complete Processed Pet Foods
Every day, people by the millions pour food from a package into their pet’s bowl. Day in and day out, meal after meal, pets get the same fare. This strange phenomenon is not only widely practiced, but done by loving owners who believe they are...
Westies Dogs and Your Children
Almost without exception, breeders will advertise that their favorite terrier, westies dogs, are good with children. However, terrier enthusiasts, and westie rescue organizations, tell a different story. Before you bring your terrier into a home...
Why Adopt a Pet?
A cat was run over on my busy street this weekend. It wasn’t my pet but it hurt just as much as if it was. This animal came into our lives when we returned from walking in the park with our 3 yr. old son. A lady who lives across the street was...
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Shih Tzu - Reward Training For Your Shih Tzu
Reward training is often seen as the most modern method of
training a shih tzu, but reward training is probably much older
than other methods of dog training. It is possible that reward
training for shih tzu has been around as long as there have been
dogs of any breed to train. Early humans probably used some
informal kind of reward training when taming the wolf pups that
eventually evolved into modern dogs.
Many principles of modern reward training date back many
decades. However, what is called reward training today has only
enjoyed is remarkable popularity for the past 10 or 15 years.
Many reward training enthusiasts are less enthusiastic about
other methods of shih tzu training, such as the traditional
leash and collar method. However, the best approach to training
any individual shih tzu is often a combination of leash/collar
training and reward training.
In addition, a training method that works perfectly for one shih
tzu may be totally inappropriate for another, and vice versa.
Some shih tzu respond wonderfully to reward training and not at
all to leash and collar training, while others respond to
leash/collar training and are not at all motivated by reward
training. Most shih tzu fall somewhere in the middle of these
two extremes.
Clicker training is one of the most popular forms of reward
training these days. While clicker training is not the answer
for every shih tzu, it can be a remarkably effective method of
training many shih tzu. In clicker training, the shih tzu is
taught to associate a clicking sound with a reward, like a
treat. The trainer clicks the clicker when the shih tzu does
something good, followed immediately by a treat. Eventually, the
shih tzu learns to respond to the clicker alone.
Most reward training uses some sort of food reward, or a reward
that is associated with getting food. In most cases, complex
behaviors can only be taught using this kind of positive
reinforcement, and you will find that the people who train shih
tzu for movies and television use reward training almost
exclusively.
Reward training is used in all forms of dog training, including
police
work and military applications. Most scent detection,
tracking and police dogs are trained using some form of reward
training. Reward training is also a very effective way to teach
many basic obedience commands.
Reward training often incorporates the use of a lure in order to
get the shih tzu into the position desired by the trainer. The
lure is used to get the shih tzu to perform the desired behavior
on his or her own and of his or her own free will.
It makes a great deal of sense to get the shih tzu to perform
the desired behavior without any physical intervention on the
part of the handler. Getting the shih tzu to perform a behavior
without being touched is important.
After the shih tzu has performed the desired behavior, it is
given a reward, also called a positive reinforcement. Treats are
often used as reinforcers, but praise, such as "good dog" or a
pat on the head, can also be effective rewards.
Making a shih tzu that has been reward trained a reliable shih
tzu is important, especially when the shih tzu has an important
job, like therapy shih tzu. For that reason it is important to
get the shih tzu accustomed to working around distractions, and
to properly socialize the animal to both people and other
animals.
Many shih tzu trainers make the mistake of only training the
shih tzu inside the house or back yard, and only when the
handler is there. In order to become a reliably trained
companion, the shih tzu must be taken outside the confines of
its safety zone and introduced to novel situations.
It is also important to teach the shih tzu to pay attention to
the handler at all times. Having the attention of the shih tzu
means having control of the shih tzu. Reward training is very
effective at getting the respect and the attention of the shih
tzu when used properly.
About the author:
Connie Limon is a professional shih tzu breeder in Indiana. She
publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter
with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets.
Discounts on shih tzu puppies are offered to subscribers. Sign
up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com
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