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Training Tips

A.C.E. Dog Training source the best resources for our students and use modern positive dog-friendly training methods based on sound scientific principles with common sense and 30 years professional experience to back these up.
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Meal time routines for your puppy

March 5, 2015

ACEAdmin

Getting the right routine established for your puppy or dog to follow at meal times is an easy way for anyone in the family to convey leadership- especially to a young dog. Yes you can eventually teach a puppy to wait or stay  just by holding them back, but this is not the most efficient technique nor is it the recommended method used by good modern trainers. Instead we advocate working on teaching the puppy self-control. To get what they want (permission to eat) they learn through patience, not pushiness. With this technique even pre-schoolers, under close supervision, can be involved in a daily routine. How do you achieve this? Initially the bowl is a guide to get your pup to sit by moving it above their head so they look up as you say a cue “sit.” Then introduce “Wait” or “Stay” Your other hand might also add a “wait” cue by making a stop sign as you start to lower the bowl towards the ground on the other side of your body. Then if the puppy remains sitting (say as you lower to waist height) mark the good behaviour with a “Yes” and give the puppy something FROM THE BOWL. Lift it above their head and start again – going lower ...

House-Training The Older Dog

March 17, 2015

ACEAdmin

When it comes to house-training an older dog many of the same concepts apply as with a puppy. The difference is often you are trying to undo a more rehearsed behaviour, rather than establishing a new one and so it may take a more regimented approach – especially at first. It also pays to eliminate any medical issues – not only bladder infections that might result in incontinence but also your dog being on prescriptions with a side effect being excessive urination or sudden bowel movements. You need to be consistent about meeting the dog’s physical needs and have a good set of plans in place to cover the general situations that arise day to day. We can housetrain dogs because they instinctually don’t soil a den. An untrained adult doesn’t understand that where our den is. So we teach them our whole house is a den and set them up to go in the right place on cue by: Limiting access to small areas of the house – one room or one part of a room. Anticipating needs – times that they will want to go and take them there yourself. Making the act of going in front of you a rewarded one – both ...