Attack Training

1. 1. Wear a protective glove that covers not just your hand, but also your entire arm. This is a necessary safety precaution to prevent injury.


2. 2. Sit your dog down. If you have not taught it simple commands like come, sit, stop, run, and stand, then you must teach those first before teaching the “attack” command.


3. 3. After sitting the dog down, tap it in the face with the glove on your arm. This is a way of irritating the dog and trying its patience. Continue doing this until your dog attacks the glove in anger. (Do you now understand why you must wear an arm-long glove?)


4. 4. As soon as the dog attacks the glove, say the word “attack” loudly. You are doing this because you want to make your dog understand what the word “attack” really means.


5. 5. Praise the dog verbally or show it that you are pleased. Though it may not be necessary, reward your dog by giving it some cookies or other treats. But if your dog is often motivated by food and learns faster with treats, then you must offer it some.


6. 6. Repeat steps 3 – 5 until you are sure your dog has understood what the word “attack” means. You will know this if your dog responds quickly to the “attack” command by attacking your gloved arm immediately it hears the command.


7. 7. Stand at a short distance away from your dog, and give the “attack” command. See how it responds. If it doesn’t, then repeat steps 3 – 5 many times over. But if it attacks, this shows it’s familiar with the command.



How to Train Your Dog to Attack on Command



8. 8. Take a break to reward the dog once again for understanding your command.


9. 9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for five to seven more times. This is to ensure that your dog has really mastered the command.


10. 10. Now, it’s time to show the dog how to attack an intruder (or else, every time you say “attack”, it will go after your arm). Get a very big doll or make a caricature human and place it at a distance. Then point towards the “fake” intruder and shout “attack”. Although your dog may attempt coming towards you at first, it will go in the pointed direction once it sees your finger.


11. 11. Reward your dog with treats or in some other way.



Repeat step 10, placing your fake intruder at various points and pointing at it each time you command your dog. Repeat this until you are convinced that your dog has mastered the command and would no longer come after your arm.

12. 12. Get someone to act like an intruder (use someone whose face is not familiar to the dog). Tell the person to stand by the door entrance and get ready to shut the door in case the dog ignores the “stop” command.


13. 13. Point towards the “intruder” and command your dog to attack. If it runs towards the intruder, then it has gotten your message.


14. 14. Repeat step 13, but while the dog is going for the intruder, shout the word “stop” to see if it will obey. If you’ve familiarized it with the “stop” command, it should stop immediately. This step is very necessary because it teaches your dog that sometimes you may want to stop if from attacking an intruder after initially giving the command.



As a final note, I believe that with these steps, you would successfully transform your dog from a mere pet into a selfless guard dog that attacks only when you want it to.

Basic Obedience Training

Mastering basic obedience commands is a vital part of being a responsible dog owner. These basic commands make navigating the relationship between animal and owner much easier and keep both you and your pet safe in emergency situations.

From an outsider's perspective, basic training can look either very simple or extremely difficult. Recognize that training can take a lot of work. Also recognize any dog can learn at least the most basic and necessary commands. Dog owners occasionally run into road blocks when training, don't become frustrated. Seeking assistance from a professional trainer benefits first-time owners or individuals struggling with teaching commands or correcting problem behaviors. Don't ever hesitate to ask for help!

Training takes a lot of time and patience, even if you aren't trying any complicated or 'fancy' tricks. The responsibility of pet ownership includes properly training and socializing your animal. Before considering adopting an animal, please take into account how much time you will need to dedicate to making sure you have a happy, healthy, well-socialized and well-trained animal.

Finally, dog ownership and even training should be fun! Don't be too serious and make sure both you and your pet have a good time so you will look forward to future sessions!

Step 1: What You Will Need

• 1. A dog!


• 2. An area in which to practice where it is free from distractions when you are first training your dog. As you and your dog master commands, you will want to move to areas with more distractions, such as outdoors, to continue improving your dog's ability to focus on you and the commands.


• 3. Treats or a toy as rewards. Figure out what works for you and your dog. Some dogs are very food driven, and some dogs prefer toys and play as their reward. Additionally, consider the size of treats you use during training! Treats that are too large fill a dog up quickly, so seek out small treats for training.


• 4. A short leash, and a longer training leash for distance work.


• 5. Realistic expectations!
  
  
  • • Don't expect to get it done on the first few tries. Some commands take a lot of time to teach and perfect.
  
  
  • • Try to make training sessions about 15 minutes long at the most.
  
  
  • • There will be times when both you and your dog are frustrated. When struggling with a certain command, simply move on to another or better known command. Come back to the one you are struggling with later.
  
  
  • • ALWAYS end training on a positive note. This keeps training sessions fun for you and your pet. Next time, your dog will be excited when it is time to practice!

Step 2: Sit Command

• 1. Make sure you have your dog's attention and a treat in hand. Stand or kneel in front of your dog and hold your hand a little higher than your dog's head.


• 2. Use the treat to guide your dog into position by slowly moving the treat straight back over the dog's head and towards the tail. Your dog should point his nose up and his rear should drop towards the ground.


• 3. As the dog moved into the sit position firmly say 'Sit' and make the hand signal shown in Picture 2.


• 4. As soon as the dog moves into position reward your dog with a treat and some praise, like saying, 'Good sit!'


• 5. If your dog is having trouble understanding, you can help guide them with a gentle push. Place two fingers on his hips and gently push his rear towards the ground while firmly saying 'Sit'.

Step 3: Down Command

For this trick, your dog should already know the Sit command. This command can be a little more difficult to master because it is a very submissive position for your dog to take.

• 1. With your dog in the Sit position, kneel in front of your dog.


• 2. Hold a treat in front of your dog's nose and guide him by lowering the treat slowly to the ground. Firmly say 'Down' and make the hand gesture shown in Picture 2.


• 3. As your dog moves downwards he may only slouch. If this happens, move the treat towards or away from your dog as needed to further guide him.


• 4. As soon as your dog is down in the correct position, reward him with a treat and praise.


• 5. If you are having trouble guiding your dog into the Down position, you can physically guide him by placing a hand on your dog's shoulders and lightly pressing it down to the side while saying the command. Praise your dog as soon as he drops to the floor.



Step 4: Stay Command




To master this command, your dog should already be able to do either the Sit or Lay positions. You will need both a short lead (6') and a longer lead to assist in training.



• 1.Begin with your dog in the Sit or Down position.


• 2.Standing in front of your dog, firmly say 'Stay' while making the hand signal in Picture 2.


• 3.Move a short distance away while keeping eye contact with your dog.


• 4.If your dog remains in position, then step back towards him and reward him with a treat and praise while he is still sitting. As your dog's response improves, you can move to a longer lead and distance. Eventually you can begin practicing off-leash in a fenced area.


• 5.If your dog breaks position, guide your dog back to the sitting position in the original spot and try again.



Step 5: Come Command




To begin working on this command your dog should already know the 'Sit' or 'Down' and 'Stay' commands. You will need a longer lead for this command.



• 1. With the dog in the Sit or Lay and Stay position, walk a few distance away from the dog on the long lead.


• 2. Firmly, but pleasantly, say 'Come' and make the hand gesture shown in Picture 2. Then reel your dog in with the lead if necessary. You should only say this command once!


• 3. As soon as your dog reaches, reward him with a treat and praise.


• 4. As your dog improves, you will be able to begin practice off-leash in a fenced in area. If your dog refuses to come off-leash, then return to using the long lead until he begins responding appropriately and consistently to the come command.

General Dog Care

A dog can be a wonderful addition to any home, but whether you're an experienced pet parent or a first-time adopter, it's important to keep your canine companion's health and happiness a top priority. Below are some useful tips for all dog parents.

And remember: If you're considering bringing home a new dog, please make adoption your first option. We encourage you to browse our directory of adoptable dogs in your area or visit our Find a Shelter page to start your search.

Feeding

• • Puppies eight to 12 weeks old need four meals a day.


• • Feed puppies three to six months old three meals a day.


• • Feed puppies six months to one year two meals a day.


• • When your dog reaches his first birthday, one meal a day is usually enough.


• • For some dogs, including larger canines or those prone to bloat, it's better to feed two smaller meals.



Premium-quality dry food provides a well-balanced diet for adult dogs and may be mixed with water, broth or canned food. Your dog may enjoy cottage cheese, cooked egg or fruits and vegetables, but these additions should not total more than ten percent of his daily food intake.

Puppies should be fed a high-quality, brand-name puppy food (large breed puppy foods for large breeds). Please limit "people food," however, because it can result in vitamin and mineral imbalances, bone and teeth problems and may cause very picky eating habits and obesity. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times, and be sure to wash food and water dishes frequently.




Exercise

Dogs need exercise to burn calories, stimulate their minds, and stay healthy. Individual exercise needs vary based on breed or breed mix, sex, age and level of health. Exercise also tends to help dogs avoid boredom, which can lead to destructive behaviors. Supervised fun and games will satisfy many of your pet's instinctual urges to dig, herd, chew, retrieve and chase.




Grooming

Help keep your dog clean and reduce shedding with frequent brushing. Check for fleas and ticks daily during warm weather. Most dogs don't need to be bathed more than a few times a year. Before bathing, comb or cut out all mats from the coat. Carefully rinse all soap out of the coat, or the dirt will stick to soap residue. Please visit our Dog Grooming Tips page for more information.




Handling

To carry a puppy or small dog, place one hand under the dog's chest, with either your forearm or other hand supporting the hind legs and rump. Never attempt to lift or grab your puppy or small dog by the forelegs, tail or back of the neck. If you do have to lift a large dog, lift from the underside, supporting his chest with one arm and his rear end with the other.




Housing

Your pet needs a warm, quiet place to rest, away from all drafts and off the floor. A training crate or dog bed is ideal, with a clean blanket or pillow placed inside. Wash the dog's bedding often. If your dog will be spending a lot of time outdoors, be sure she has access to shade and plenty of cool water in hot weather, and a warm, dry, covered shelter when it's cold.




Licensing and Identification

Follow your community’s licensing regulations. Be sure to attach the license to your dog’s collar. This, along with an ID tag and implanted microchip or tattoo, can help secure your dog’s return should she become lost.




Fleas and Ticks

Daily inspections of your dog for fleas and ticks during the warm seasons are important. Use a flea comb to find and remove fleas. There are several new methods of flea and tick control. Speak to your veterinarian about these and other options. Visit our Fleas and Ticks page for more information.




Medicines and Poisons

Never give your dog medication that has not been prescribed by a veterinarian. If you suspect that your animal has ingested a poisonous substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for 24-hour animal poison information at (888) 426- 4435.




Spaying and Neutering

Female dogs should be spayed and male dogs neutered by six months of age. Please visit our Spay/Neuter Your Pet page to learn more.




Vaccinations

Your dog may benefit from receiving a number of vaccinations. Please visit our Pet Vaccinations page to learn more.




Dog Supply Checklist

• • Premium-quality dog food and treats


• • Food dish


• • Water bowl


• • Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys


• • Brush & comb for grooming, including flea comb


• • Collar with license and ID tag


• • Leash


• • Carrier (for smaller dogs)


• • Training crate


• • Dog bed or box with warm blanket or towel


• • Dog toothbrush



The Scoop on Poop

Keep your dog on a leash when you are outside, unless you are in a secured, fenced-in area. If your dog defecates on a neighbor's lawn, the sidewalk or any other public place, please clean it up.

Regular Grooming

Regular grooming is an important part of responsible dog care, even if it may seem like your dog is taking care of those needs by himself. If you don’t have a routine set, start small. Attempt one task each time. Brush one day. Then bathe the next. And trim the nails on yet another day. The shorter you can keep each session, the better.

Ready to begin? Here are a few dog grooming tips to make the process easier.

Brushing Tips

• Check for ticks as you brush

You may notice the bugs themselves or small black flecks.

• Determine how often you need to brush

Most short coats require weekly brushing, but longer coats may require daily attention.

• For smooth, short coats

Use a slicker brush to remove tangles, followed by a bristle brush.

• For short, dense coats

Use a slicker brush to remove tangles, followed by a bristle brush.

• For long coats

Use a slicker brush to remove tangles and be very gentle when removing mats. Then follow it with a bristle brush.

• Don’t forget the tail and feet

Particularly for dogs with longer coats.

Bathing Tips

• Determine how often your dog needs a bath

Depending on the weather and your dog’s recent activities, you may want to bathe your dog every one to three weeks.

• Use a dog shampoo

Dog’s skin is different from humans, so you want to ensure the shampoo is mild enough to avoid irritation.

• Start by brushing

It will make the bathing process easier and more effective.

• Use a bath mat

If your pup is in the tub, this helps prevent slipping.

• Add lukewarm water

Be careful not to burn your dog or make it too cold, and only use about 3 to 4 inches in the tub.

• Don’t spray directly in the nose, eyes, or ears

A plastic cup or a spray hose can help you direct the water where you want it to go.

• Rinse well

One of the most common grooming mistakes is not properly removing all of the shampoo, leaving it on the skin to irritate your dog.

• Check the ears

Do you notice any foul odors or a lot of debris? Consult your vet

• Use a low heat setting on the blow dryer

A dryer can be an effective way to keep your dog from making everything in your house wet as he dries, but be careful not to burn your pup. You can also help keep it safe by not pointing it directly at your pup, but a little to the side instead.

• Try a bath toy

If your dog is overexcited and mouthy during bath time, it may redirect some of that attention onto something else.

Certain breeds have more particular needs. For example, bulldogs require special attention between the folds on their face. And droopy ears can be more prone to problems, so they should be monitored closely. Talk to your veterinarian to get dog grooming tips specific to your pup.