Dog Training With R & R Works!

Dog behavior training is both an art and a science. Some experts say that a dog can have up to an 800-word vocabulary. Im not so convinced of the number of words but I can verify that many of my dogs showed an uncanny ability to figure out exactly what I was trying to communicate.

One of the best dog training tips I ever got was from a neighbor when I got my first puppy. I was about 9 years old and this was the best present my parents had ever given me. My neighbor was an old hand at training dogs and had living proof in his own dog.

The first thing I did when I got Skipper (not sure why I picked that name, it just sounded right) was to rush over and show my neighbor. His name was hard to pronounce so every one in the neighborhood just called him Mr. D. So Mr. D was kind enough to run through some dog training basics and taught me a lot about how to take care of my new puppy.

Mr. Ds dog was a Jack Terrier called Willie. Willie could do any trick and would respond to almost any request. Willie pretty much had the run of the neighborhood and was known by all. In those days people just let their dog out since there were no leash laws and no one complained. My Mom often gave Willie any leftovers or a soup bones when he would stop by for a visit.

So when I showed up with Skipper, Willie was as excited as I was to have a new playmate. Skipper was a Springer Spaniel that we had rescued from the city dog pound. Skipper was probably about 6 months old but we never knew for sure since the dog pound didnt know when he was born.

The first order of business was your basic dog house training. I got off pretty easy on this phase since Skipper seemed to prefer going outside to do his bathroom chores. From day one Skipper would go to the door and want to be let out when he needed to go.

Mr. D explained that the two most important things about any kind of dog training were rewards and repetition. The reward could be as simple as praise or a pat on the head. And that I should spend at least 30 minutes a day working with Skipper on anything I wanted to teach him to do.

So each day I would spend 30 minutes teaching Skipper how to stay, sit, fetch, and come when I called. Willie would come over and help too. I dont know if they actually communicated but having another dog around that already knew all these tricks had to be beneficial.

Skipper also showed a high aptitude for retrieving. Of course I didnt know at the time that he was a natural born retriever and took credit for being a great and skilled dog trainer. Once I got the basics down I worked on teaching Skipper how to heel, play dead, and not to jump on people.

Skipper started learning on his own too. When I was at school or somewhere that Skipper couldnt go, my mother would be his next choice in companion. In those days we had what was called a Bookmobile that was a bus from the local library that would come to the neighborhood twice a week.

Skipper figured out that when the Bookmobile came he got to go for a walk with my mother. So like clockwork, Skipper would come to get my mother when it was about 2:00 pm on Tuesday and Friday. Skipper loved to go since he got to sit at the door and welcome every one that showed up each day.

Skipper also knew when it was Saturday. Saturday was grocery-shopping day and when my mother went to the store she always asked the meat department for some bones. Skipper knew that he would get his favorite snack on Saturday afternoons when my mother came back from the store.

For the next 14 years Skipper was my constant companion and escort. Skipper was an exceptional dog in disposition, learning ability, and affection. I also had a big advantage having a helpful neighbor and watching him and his dog. Mr. D and Willie were both a huge help and positive influence.

Dog training does require some dedicated effort but the rewards are more than worth the investment. My current dog, Tuxcitto, is a 24/7 project since he is a Border Collie and full of vim and vigor. But Tuxcitto is a lot like Skipper in that he is a fast learner and extremely affectionate companion.

John Dow owns http://www.freedogtrainingarticles.com, a website that provides free information on dog training. John gets to test his dog training skills daily with his new dog Tuxcitto. You can learn more here: http://www.freedogtrainingarticles.com.

Top Ten Things To Do with Your Child

Go to a Ball Game, Soccer Game or the Circus. Events like these give the opportunity of simple conversation. Perhaps your teenager like mine does not talk all, but there is a chance We go to Soccer Gamers and have purchased two season passes. This way my wife and I go at different times and with a different Child. These events by their nature open conversation opportunities where other events may not. A movie for example is not a place for interacting.

It's Your Day

This is something I heard while listening to a Tony Robbins tape. Have one special day for each child where they can do what ever they want within reason and budget. If you can, schedule a vacation day to do this. The older child will realize the importance of the event and the time was set-aside just for them. I would say: "Jacob this is your day what would you like to do" My advice is also to keep a hot list of things you heard in the past just in case the child says " I don't know"

Time Capsule

Just get some stuff together and bury it. Be around when the items are selected. This creates a lot of interaction and conversation. Don't know how to make one or what to choose? There are plenty of suggestions by a searching Google.

Letter Boxing

Letter boxing is a combination of hiking, puzzle solving and treasure hunting. Basically folks have hidden little boxes all over the country. In these boxes are logbooks and a hand made rubber stamps. You follow clues to the box. Once you find it you stamp their logbook with your family stamps and use their stamp in your logbook. For more information of this great hobby and pastime plus clues for boxes all over the United States: http://www.letterboxing.org/

Rake Leaves in a Park

This works with the younger children up to 12 I would guess. Go to your local park with a rake and pile up those leaves. As you know children likes to jump in them. The beauty of the park trip is that you don't have to pick them up. We bring hotdogs as well.

Wedding Album

Go though your wedding album or video. There are always a lot of questions and there is the closeness of looking at a book together.

Game Night

Turn the TV off and pick a game. It is that simple. At my house I have some of the colorful board games hanging on the wall like pictures. They are reminders of games we own. Try the game Apples to Apples it is a great game with a very slight learning curve. There are two versions to choose from.

Read Together

This might not work well with the older child but for those younger ones it is good also if you have them read to you. You can assess their reading skills this way.

Does Something On a Whim

Do something that is not planed. Do something you may not have done before or in a long time. Make it spontaneous. Go to the Zoo, Museum, Movie, Miniature Golf, and Ice Cream, Get a Pumpkin or go out to dinner. Just do it.

Dinner Together

In today's fast paced work and school schedule it may be a rare time where the family is together for a meal. Simply make it happen. The results will get you all in touch with each other's lives.

Eric Hoyt is owner, writer, webmaster of Average Guy Reviews. A new review site for the average person. To read reviews about movies, products and web sites go to http://www.averageguyreviews.com