Dog Training – Waggish Dogs http://www.waggishdogs.com/ Your fast, secure local WP environment Thu, 08 Jul 2021 16:20:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 The Best Dog Treadmill https://www.waggishdogs.com/best-dog-treadmill/ https://www.waggishdogs.com/best-dog-treadmill/#respond Thu, 10 Dec 2020 20:31:45 +0000 https://www.waggishdogs.com/?p=413 It might sound crazy for a dog to use a treadmill to some people, but we think otherwise. A dog...

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It might sound crazy for a dog to use a treadmill to some people, but we think otherwise. A dog treadmill is a great solution for any owner who struggles to give his or her dog the necessary exercise.

They’re actually more types and products in this space than you might expect. And this means that it can be difficult to find the correct one. Below, we’re going to list our the best dog treadmills for your dog and situation.

We’ll also take a look at how to choose. Some dog treadmills are more suited for your pup than others. It all comes down to size, activity level, and the character of your dog.

But why would you need a dog treadmill in the first place? Here are the top benefits of treadmills for dogs.

Benefits of dog treadmills

The main benefits of dog treadmills are related to providing a better way to exercise your pup. We all know how important regular exercise is for humans, and dogs are no different. In fact, I believe it’s even more important for them.

Benefit 1: Keep your dog active and healthy

Healthy and active dog running on the beach

The biggest reason why people buy dog treadmills is to increase their dog’s activity level. If you have any time constraints or physical issues that keep you from exercising your pup the way it should, you could really use a dog treadmill.

Benefit 2: Allow an Energetic dog to blow off steam

Some dogs have so much energy by nature that it is hard to wear them out at all. We know that cropped up energy can easily result in anxiety and stress.

Benefit 3: Help With Weight Loss.

Obesity is a common problem for canines and leads to all kinds of health issues. Together with a healthy diet, exercise is the best method for weight loss. Letting your dog run on a treadmill every couple of days is a great way to achieve sustainable weight loss.

Benefit 4: Allow you to take your dog for a walk if you can’t go outside.

In some regions, the weather conditions don’t allow you to go outside during part of the year. And being cooped up with an energetic dog that can’t get enough activity is not a great situation, not for you and not for the dog.

So, in this case, a dog treadmill could be a lifesaver that allows you and the dog to come out stronger after the dark months.

Benefit 5: Help with achieving specific training goals.

If you want to train your dog, the most effective way is to have a clear structure. With a precise fitness plan, you can maximize the gains just like human athletes do.

dog focused on his fitness plan

But that requires precise distances and speeds, which is hard to achieve when letting your dog run. Sometimes, there might be other dogs that cause him/her to overexert. Sometimes, it could be the other way round.

So, in that case, a dog treadmill will let you follow clear fitness plans and achieve extraordinary results.

Benefit 6: Rehabilitation after injury.

Rehabilitation after an injury or operation can be difficult with a dog. You either have to keep it on the leash or risk overexertion when letting it off the leash.

With a dog treadmill, it’s easy to keep your dog running at this steady pace or walking slowly. You can stay nearby and make sure he or she doesn’t overexert itself. You can also easily detect issues with her movement.

Human treadmills versus dog treadmills

girl and dog on human treadmill.

If you already have a human treadmill at home, it’s very tempting just to let your dog walk on that. And you are definitely welcome to try. But when you do, you might find that human treadmills are not that suitable for dogs. So let’s take a look at some of the differences between human treadmills and dog treadmills.

Human treadmills tend to make more sound the dog treadmills. Dogs are very sensitive to sounds. Dog treadmills are designed specifically to avoid the high pitch noises that create anxiety or stress. Human treadmills are not designed for that and have motors or parts that can be really noisy.

Dog treadmills provide specific safety measures that human treadmills don’t have: Dog treadmills have raised fences besides the running platform to make sure your pup can’t jump off and injure itself. Human treadmills don’t have these. Now, you can always build something yourself. But if you do, make sure that it’s stable and keep your dog safe. Especially when your pooch is running at high speed on the treadmill, jumping off can be dangerous.

Dog treadmills come with dog-specific speed settings and training programs. Dogs can run quite a bit faster than humans. They also require a different type of training. That’s why dog treadmills offer different settings.

The 5 Best Dog Treadmills Reviewed

The best overall: DogPacer Mini Pacer Treadmill

If you’re looking for the best dog treadmill for nearly any situation, the Dogpacer Mini Pacer Treadmill is your best option. It scores strongly in all the important categories, from value for money, to durability, to adjustability and noise level.

Designed to be completely collapsible for easy storage, this machine is built out of high-quality steel and will last forever. It will be easy to store it out of the way when you’re not using it due to the folding mechanism.

The running belt on the Mini Pacer is a generous 38 inches long and 16 inches wide. It can comfortably accommodate dogs up to 55 pounds. The treadmill itself comes in at only 48 pounds, so you won’t have to worry about moving and storage. Dogpacer offers a lifetime warranty on the frame, clearly standing behind their product.

The Dogpacer treadmill really shines in its ability to adjust to any dog in any situation. The incline can be changed between 0 and 4.5 degrees, allowing you to create different levels of resistance for your pup.

With speed settings between 0.5 mph all the way up to 7.5 mph, and a 0.1 mph speed increments, you can always find the perfect speed.

If you have an injured dog that needs to rehabilitate, you will really love this feature. It’s also a great way to create a progressive dog exercise program.

Another reason that we chose this as our top pick is the extremely low noise level. As we discussed before, noise can really upset a dog. This treadmill runs very quiet and doesn’t create any high pitched frequencies that tend to annoy dogs.

All this makes it very easy to get your pooch accustomed to using this treadmill.

Easy to use, combined with nearly endless adjustments, make the Dogpacer Minipacer our best overall dog treadmill. Check price here.

A Strong Second: Gopet Treadmill Small to Medium

The Gopet Treadmill is also a great option. It’s a little bit more expensive and also slightly bigger and heavier than the Mini Pacer. But it has some great features and solid construction.

The overall dimensions are 12 by 123 by 74 inches, and it weighs 123 pounds. But don’t let that scare you, because it comes with easy transport wheels that allow you to move it around and in and out of storage.

Gopet offers different sizes to accommodate different sizes of dogs. However, the small-medium option that we listed here will suit dogs of up to 132 pounds. And since there aren’t many dogs heavier than that, we can recommend this for almost anyone. If your dog is bigger, take a look at our “Best for heavy dogs” recommendation.

The treadmill is clearly aimed to be heavy-duty and last for a long time. Speed can be adjusted between one mile per hour up to 8 mph, which should be enough to challenge even the most active runners. The motor has a generous 1 horsepower. You also get an adjustable incline so you can increase the resistance and help your dog burn more calories.

The Gopet also has some unique features to make it easier to get your dog used to it. It runs extremely quiet at all speeds and features a special eyelid to dangle a dog toy.

Having his favorite dog toy with him, your pooch will feel more at home and more motivated to run.

If you happen to have a dog with long hair, you can rest assured that it won’t get caught. Great care was taken during the design to eliminate any possibility of fur getting caught.

With a one year warranty on the whole machine, great functionality, and high-quality components, the Gopet treadmill is a great option for nearly any dog. Check price here.

Best Value Treadmill: Dogpacer 3.1 Treadmill

The Dogpacer 3.1 shares a lot of great features with our top recommendation but can accommodate bigger dogs. We chose it as our best value option because it comes in at nearly the same price as our top pick but can accommodate dogs up to 180 pounds.

With a weight of 97 pounds and dimensions of 10 by 26 by 47 inches, you get a lot of treadmills for a relatively small footprint. It can be folded up, making it very easy to transport and store.

Even though this dog treadmill is positioned as a budget product, it comes with a lot of features of more expensive treadmills. The motor has a generous 1.5 hp, and the running surface measure 71 inches by 16.5 inches. This provides plenty of space for your large pup. Dog pacer offers its standard lifetime warranty on the frame.

You can adjust the incline between 5 and 9 degrees and the speed between .5 miles to 7.5 mph. This range in incline and speed gives you a lot of different applications. From the rehabilitation of an injured dog all the way up to training a very active dog, this treadmill provides the best value for money. Check price here.

Best Small Dog Treadmill: PetZEN Dog Treadmill

If you own a small dog, you don’t need a big and heavy treadmill. The PetZEN Dogthread is specifically designed for small dogs up to 30 pounds. There are no gaps or holes that could trap a smaller dog. The motor is extremely quiet and won’t stress or scare your pooch.

With an overall size of 44 by 21 by 21 inches and a weight of only 47 pounds, this machine can easily be transported and stored. It also has wheels for even more convenient transportation.

You can clearly see that the PetZEN was designed for small dogs when you look at the speed and incline adjustments. The incline can be adjusted between 0 and 14% (0 to 8 degrees). The speed is adjustable between 0.3 mph and 5 mph and can be controlled with the handy remote.

Another feature I really like is the integrated treats compartment. This is fully automated and can dispense treats at regular intervals, so your dog is always getting positive reinforcement. This is a feature that is unique to the PetZEN.

If you are looking for the best dog treadmill for smaller dogs, you can’t go wrong with the PetZEN. Check price here.

The Best Large Dog Treadmill: Gopet Treadmill for Large Dogs

We already covered the Gopet treadmill for small to medium dogs as our close second. However, if you have a huge dog, the Gopet Treadmill for Large Dogs is clearly our winner.

This beast can accommodate dogs of up to 175 pounds. Naturally, you need a bigger and heavier machine for this.

Measuring 90 inches by 24 by 16 inches, it weighs 137 pounds. But you do get a running surface of 71 inches by 16 inches. And, to make storage and transportation easier, the Gopet has a handy folding mechanism.

With a speed range between 0.6 and 10 mph, it can easily accommodate larger dogs with a long stride. And, with an incline adjustment between 5 and 9 degrees, you can give your large dog a powerful workout.

Just like the other Gopet model, this treadmill runs really quietly, making for a stress-free environment for your dog. The access can be controlled by remote and also features a safety lock to prevent unauthorized escape.

If you have a large dog that needs to rehabilitate, lose weight or expend energy, the Gopet treadmill for large dogs is the best option for you. Check price here.

How to train your dog to use the treadmill

Training a French Bulldog to use the dog treadmill.

Time needed: 5 days.

If your dog is never run on a dog treadmill, he might be wondering how to get started. Don’t worry; it’s not as difficult as it might seem. The following steps will get you started in the right way.

  1. Let your dog get used to the sights and sounds of the treadmill.

    Bring your dog near, and let the machine run. Reward your pooch generously and let him or her get used to the machine. It can also help to talk to your dog reassuringly.

    Pay good attention to your dog’s body language. You want to get to a point where he/she is pretty much as relaxed as any other situation.

  2. Let your dog get on the treadmill while it’s off

    Once you got your dog used to the sights and sounds of the running treadmill, you can try to get her on the running platform. Leave the treadmill off for now, and put some dog treats on it.

    When your pooch steps on, give more rewards, and praise her. Practice this for several days until your dog has no hesitation.

  3. Let your dog walk on the treadmill at a slow pace

    Now that he or she is used to both the running treadmill’s sounds and standing on top of the stop treadmill, it’s time to move to the next step.

    In my experience, it’s a lot easier to start with the treadmill running at a slow speed than to turn it on while your pup is standing on it. It can be quite scary when it suddenly started moving.

    So, set the machine to a very slow speed, and try to get your dog to step on the running platform and start walking. You want to position yourself in front of the treadmill and use a leash. Make sure to give plenty of treats and praise as your pooch to help build it’s confidence.

  4. Slowly increase the speed

    Now your dog is slowly walking on a treadmill and getting comfortable, you can increase the speed. If he or she gets nervous, reduce the speed, and go back to walking. In general, you will find that most dogs have no problem running under build once they are used to walking.

Congratulations, you’ve successfully trained your pup to use a treadmill. Now it’s time to make it a habit or start a workout program.

FAQ about dog treadmills

Can you use a human treadmill for a dog?

While many online videos feature dogs running on human treadmills, we strongly advise against it. Human treadmills are just not very suitable for canines. They’re noisy, vibrate, and don’t have good sideboards. Often, the speed adjustments are not in the right range, and the dog’s fur can get caught in the moving parts. All in all, it’s unsafe and stressful for a dog to use a human treadmill. You can also read our section at the start of this article for more information about the differences.

How long should my dog run on a treadmill?

This depends on your dog’s fitness and familiarity with the treadmill. When you’re just starting, one-minute intervals are more than enough. Your pup will be tense and easily get tired, so it’s best not to push it.

Once he or she is more relaxed, you can work your way up to intervals of 10 to 20 minutes. Even moderately fit dogs can easily run 20 to 30 minutes per day.

What to do if my dog is scared of the treadmill?

Getting a dog used to anything is all about positive reinforcement. If your dog is scared, it must have somehow picked up negative associations. Now you need to replace those negative associations with positive ones.

The best way to do that is to start with something straightforward and provide lots of rewards and treats. Once you established a base, you can slowly build on it.

Make sure your treadmill doesn’t face the wall because that will be scary. Dogs can’t really understand that they’re not moving while running on the treadmill and will feel like they’re about to run to the wall.

First, go back to the initial step of our how-to on training your dog. Begin with the treadmill turned off and let him or her get used to the sight and smell.

When’s that has become comfortable; you need to turn it on and get your pup used to the sound. Loud noises can really upset dogs, and that’s why you want to make sure you bought a quiet dog treadmill.
From there, you can slowly work your way up to standing, and finally walking on the treadmill. Make sure there are lots of rewards and plenty of time to get comfortable with each step.

How to clean the dog treadmill? 

You will find that a treadmill accumulates dirt and hairs over time. This can cause an issue for the belt, drivetrain, and motor. On top of that, the belt will also get dirty from drool, sweat, or dirt.  

Every manufacturer has their own specific instructions for keeping the machine clean. It’s best to follow these closely as they are tailored to your specific machine.

Generally, if you want to keep your treadmill in the best possible condition, we recommend the following:

Every couple of days, wipe the belt and top of the machine. Use a wet cloth to wipe down any stains or dirt from the belt and the sideboards.

Vacuum underneath the machine every month. Use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of any dog hair, dirt, or other things accumulated underneath the belt.

How can I keep my dog interested in the treadmill when it’s become bored?

 It’s not uncommon for dogs to be interested and motivated at first but later become bored with the treadmill. A lot of people have the same problem with working out. And, a lot of the same solutions can be used.

The first thing you can do is to change things up. You can change the speed and incline put a workout. Just make sure you’re not overexerting your pooch as you’re changing things.

If you were using a low incline but higher speed, try increasing the incline but reducing the speed. If you were doing longer runs at a slower speed, you could try to do shorter runs at a higher speed.

A good training program still requires consistency, so it’s important not to change things for every workout.

You want to use the same workout for a couple of weeks to get the maximum training effect. After that time, you can change the workout and do something new.

Another way to keep your dog interested is by changing its view. Where humans like to watch television when using a treadmill, dogs also like a change of scenery.

You can move the treadmill to a different room, put it in front of a window, maybe try putting it in front of the television. Dogs react differently to television, but some are definitely able to appreciate it.

So, keep experimenting and try to find the things that resonate. Chihuahua bored with the treadmill

How To Choose the Best Dog Treadmill

The best dog treadmills need to provide a safe and stress-free environment for your dog to run. The following things are important to keep in mind when you are making your choice.

Speed Range And Increments

The right speed range depends on the size and fitness of your dog. If you want to rehabilitate an old or injured dog, you want to be able to use a very slow speed with small speed increments. If you have a large dog that can run very fast, you need a high-speed adjustment. Either way, always buy a treadmill with adjustable speed.

Protective Sideboards

One of the most dangerous things is for you pup to jump off while running at full speed and get injured. That’s why most dog treadmills have rails or boards on the side. In the odd case that your pooch doesn’t like the closed-in feeling, it’s beneficial to have a treadmill with removable rails.

Silent Driving System

The noise level is a critical consideration when buying treadmills for dogs. All our top recommendations have been specifically selected to be very quiet. Dogs have a much more sensitive hearing than humans. What sounds to us as a mildly irritating electric motor sounds like a headache-inducing terrible whine to a dog. So, always look for a dog treadmill that runs quiet, whether at high or low speed.

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The Best Escape Proof Dog Harness https://www.waggishdogs.com/best-escape-proof-dog-harness/ https://www.waggishdogs.com/best-escape-proof-dog-harness/#respond Fri, 04 Dec 2020 21:58:24 +0000 https://www.waggishdogs.com/?p=366 Is your dog an escape artist? Even when you think you tied harness perfectly somehow, he still manages to escape?...

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Is your dog an escape artist? Even when you think you tied harness perfectly somehow, he still manages to escape?

We had the same problem. No matter what we tried, some of our dogs always managed to squirm their way out of it. After doing a lot of research and trying many different harnesses, we were able to find the following best escape proof dog harnesses. We also discovered the biggest reason that dogs tried to escape and how to avoid it. But more about that later.

Top 5 Best Escape Proof dog harnesses.

Ruffwear Webmaster Harness

Ruffwear Webmaster Harness

The Ruffwear Webmaster Harness is the most advanced escape proof dog harness that you can find. The designers went to great lengths to design a comfortable and protective harness for your dog. You get two leash attachment points for different levels of control. One sits in the middle of the harness and the other in the back. Depending on your dog, you might prefer either one. All attachments and webbing are made of extremely high-quality nylon webbing.

Aside from the attachment points, you also get a padded handle right in the center of gravity of your dog. This handle is a great help if you need to quickly take control of your dog or help it over an obstacle.

The Ruffwear Webmaster Harness is not only convenient and comfortable for you but also for your dog. The padding on the straps is thick and durable and designed to be comfortable during long walks and when wet.

You can easily adjust it using the five adjustable straps and get a perfect snug fit. A good adjustment is crucial to prevent escaping, as we’ll talk about later. If you often walk in the dark or bad weather, you will love the reflective material on this harness and the option to add a beacon light.

The Ruffwear Webmaster is our #1 recommended escape proof dog harness because of the great design, high-quality materials, and attention to detail. It’s not the cheapest dog harness but more than worth it. Check price here.

Cozy Meadow Escape Proof Dog Harness

Cozy Meadow Escape Proof Dog Harness

The Cozy Meadow Escape Proof Dog Harness is a lot cheaper than the other harnesses on his list. But, it doesn’t compromise on design and quality.

This harness uses a different design to prevent your dog from escaping. It fits around the shoulders and doesn’t put any pressure on the throat. Throat injuries are common with badly designed or wrongly fitted dog harnesses. The webbing and padding are comfortable and designed to prevent chafing even during long walks or when your dog is wet.

This harness also features reflective materials, but instead of reflective strips, they were actually woven into the fabric. Your dog will be visible for drivers, and you won’t have to worry about the reflective strips wearing off.

You also get a safety handle on the top of the harness in case of emergencies. If the need arises, you can quickly grab and secure him or her.

If you’re looking for the best value in an escape-proof dog harness, look no further. The Cody Meadow dog harness is well-designed, extremely affordable, and made of high-quality materials. Check price here.

IceFang Tactical Dog Harness

IceFang Tactical Dog Harness

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, we recommend the IceFang Tactical Dog Harness. This harness is fully adjustable and fits in a way that makes escape impossible. The webbing and padding are made of industrial quality materials and come in a camouflage color to blend in with the surroundings.

On top of the harness, you get a strong handle to control or lift your dog quickly. Another interesting feature of this harness is the extra leash attachment points. The front clip is designed to make it easier to direct your dog in the right direction.

The IceFang tactical escape-proof harness is perfect for strong working dogs. You can easily adjust it to your dog and make sure that he or she remains safely with you at all times. Check price here.

Gooby Escape Free Sport Harness

Gooby Escape Free Sport Harness

Where the IceFang is designed for working dogs, the Gooby Escape-Free Sport Harness is designed for house dogs. Small dogs are often more likely to escape a harness than big dogs. This harness tries to make that impossible by fitting really close to the back of the shoulders. When there’s no space, your dog can’t pull back and get its shoulders free. 

Another reason we really liked his harness is that it never put any pressure on the neck. The chest and backstraps are designed in such a way that your dog’s neck is safe when he or she tries to pull away.

Made from a durable and comfortable neoprene material, this harness will help you keep your dog secure and comfortable for a long time.

If you are looking for a well-designed escape-proof harness for your small dog, the Goobi Escape Free Sport Harness is the one for you. Check price here.

Mihachi Secure Dog Harness

Mihachi Secure Dog Harness

The Mihachi Secure Dog Harness is the perfect solution for adventurous dogs.

You can easily achieve the perfect fit using the five points of adjustment. This harness was designed to prevent escape without restricting freedom of movement for your dog. If you have an active dog, you can be sure that they have more than enough movement freedom.

This harness is made from a high-quality fabric that is both lightweight and durable. It is also washable, so you never have to worry about smells or stains. Chafing can be a real problem for dog harnesses. The Mihachi Secure Dog Harness has a special smooth finish on the fabric to prevent chafing and irritation.

Next to a sturdy handle for controlling and lifting your dog, you also get a big reflective strip that keeps him or her visible in the dark or bad weather. Check price here.

Our top recommendations.

Best overall.

If you are looking for the best overall dog harness that is also escape-proof, the Ruffwear Webmaster Harness is the one to get.

Ruffwear is known for producing extremely high-quality dog products. Their harness is no different. With three straps, a great fit, and high-quality materials, the Webmaster is the best escape proof dog harness you can buy right now.

Best value.

If you’re looking for a harness that combined great function with great value, we recommend the Cozy Meadow Escape Proof Dog Harness. This harness looks simple, but it’s well thought out, made of durable and comfortable materials, and almost impossible to escape. If you combine that with an amazing price point, you have a winning combination.

Why do dogs try to escape?

You might be wondering why your dog is trying to escape. After all, you’re just trying to take it for a walk.

There can be many reasons why dogs might try to escape. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones.

They’re nervous.

Some dogs carry a lot of anxiety with them. It might not always show, but it comes out in certain situations, just like with humans. And when a dog gets nervous, it has only two options, aggression or flight.

If your dog is not an aggressive type, it will try to escape. So, if your dog is nervous or anxious on the street, it will be forced to try to escape from the leash.

They Were Never Properly Introduced to the Leash.

Proper leash training is more involved than you would think. If you got your dog from a shelter or second hand, it’s possible that it was never properly introduced to the leash.

If you trained it yourself, you probably know whether you did it correctly or not. A dog that was never properly trained will always have troubling associations. And in a lot of cases, these underlying associations will make a dog try to escape.

They Love to Destroy Things by Dhewing on Them.

If your dog loves to chew and destroy things, a harness can be an easy target. Not all dogs are destructive, and it also depends on the breed. Either way, in this case, all you need is a harness made of strong, durable materials. And you might also want to try to train your dog not to destroy things.

They’ve become Used to Escaping.

Escape can become a game or an act of defiance, especially for dominant dogs who try to test you. Walking on the leash doesn’t really jive with their feeling of dominance. So, they will try to avoid obeying you. If your dog manages to escape once, it has now found a way to challenge you successfully.

And if you don’t do anything about it, your dog will keep playing this game over and over again.

Their body shape makes them slip out of the harness easily.

Escape is not always done on purpose. Some dogs have tiny heads or slender bodies that don’t fit well in normal harnesses. Or, they are so flexible they can easily slip out of a harness.

Just pulling in the wrong direction can lead the leash or harness to become detached for these dogs. If your dog is a very lanky build or small head, it’s advisable to look for a harness for that particular shape or with a large range of adjustment.

What Are the Ways a Dog Can Escape From her Harness?

Most dogs managed to escape from their harness and either one of the two following ways.

Pulling Their Shoulders Free

Most dog harness is are designed to constrain your dog when he or she is pulling forward. When a dog starts to pull back, it can find enough space to wiggle its shoulder and legs through the straps.

Cutting The Straps With Their Teeth

Another way that dogs can escape is by chewing through the webbing or unclipping the buckles. If the harness doesn’t fit snugly on the body, a dog can reach it with its paws or teeth. In that case, it’s only a matter of time before it’s either destroyed or unclipped.

What Are The Different Designs of Escape-Proof Dog Harnesses?

Design 1: Front-clip Leash Attachment Harness

With this harness, the leash attachment point is on the dog’s front, usually at the chest. Now, you will be able to control a pulling dog a lot easier. You will also control your dog’s direction, which is ideal for navigating stressful situations like other dogs or traffic.

Design 2: Back-Clip Leash Attachment Harness

This harness has the leash clipped to the back of it. With the leash clipped to the back, the dog is free to walk around with minimal restriction. That is why this type is mostly used for smaller dogs, or dogs that are well trained and behaved. The back clip harness makes it harder to control a dog that wants to pull and is not very effective when trying to control a strong dog.

Design 3: Tightening Harness

A tightening harness can be a useful solution, but you should always be careful with it. A dog can easily get hurt when using this type of dog harness.

It works by increasing the pressure as your dog pulls harder. The idea is that the dog is punished for his behavior and will stop doing it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way.

Sometimes a dog will pull harder as it becomes more stressed and anxious. Another problem is that it will make your dog get used to the pain and discomfort and reduce the effect.

Then you will be forced to exert more pressure or more pain to get the same effect. Strong physical punishment used to be the norm for dog trainers. Nowadays, a lot of trainers have really switched to much more dog-friendly and effective methods.

Time needed: 5 days.

If your dog isn’t used to wearing a harness, it can be not easy to get it on at first. He or she will squirm or try to get it off because it just isn’t used to it.
With the following steps, you can feel comfortable and relaxed both when wearing the harness and when you are putting it on.

  1. Let her see and smell it.

    If your dog isn’t used to wearing a harness, you’ll need to start slowly, or you risk creating a negative impression of it. So, take minimal steps with lots of rewards and cookies.

    You can begin by just petting and letting him, or her check out the harness. You want your pooch to see the harness from all sides clearly.

    It can also help to place a cookie or two on top of the harness. There’s nothing like cookies to create a positive association in dogs.
    If the escape-proof harness features buckles, you want to clip and unclip the buckles so your dog can get used to the sound. All these things will help to reduce the surprise later on.

    The less surprised your dog is, the more relaxed it will be, and the easier you can go through the next steps.Dog sniffing

  2. Let her feel the harness.

    Now your dog is used to the sight, sound, and smell; it’s time to take it one step further. Get close and make sure he or she is relaxed.

    Now, gently place the harness on its back. If she doesn’t immediately pull away, give a reward.

    Most dogs will be uncomfortable but allow it to happen. If yours immediately runs away or tries to get the harness off, don’t be alarmed. This is totally normal. You’re just going to have to try again.

    First, bring him or her close to you again, give a reward, and then carefully place the harness on a different area of the dog’s body.

    If you still can’t get your dog to accept the harness after 5 tries, it’s better to go back to the previous step than to keep on pushing. Do step one for a couple of days again. After that, come back to this step.Dog with harness on its back

  3. Get her to walk into the harness

    Once your dog is OK with feeling it on its back, it’s time to begin the next phase.

    You don’t want to end up having to chase your dog every time you want to put the harness on. I’ve had that with one of my dogs. It’s very frustrating and can easily be avoided with some extra training.

    The best way is to get your dog to walk into the harness. I like holding out a cookie in front of the opening, so the only way to get it is to go through the opening.

    He or she might try to go around it, so you will have to maneuver slightly. Once you can get your dog to poke it had through the harness for the cookie, you will have made a massive step.Pug with head through harness

  4. Keep repeating the previous steps for a couple of days.

    You might have noticed that we still haven’t fastened the buckles yet. This is important because fastening the buckles can really scare a dog. So before we get there, we want to establish as much of a positive base as possible.

    Every day, bring your dog close a few times and place the harness on it back. Additionally, you also want to try to get it to poke its head through it. Once you can get to the point where he or she has no problem with either of those, you’re ready for the next step.

  5. Tighten the harness and go for a walk

    Now your dog is totally OK with the process of poking its head through the opening and having the harness sit on its back; you can start closing the buckles.

    At first, make sure the buckles are not tight but just loosely fit around the body. If you get a negative reaction and your dog tries to escape, go back to the previous steps and try again in a couple of days.

    Patience and consistency are everything in dog training.

    Once you’re able to close the buckles, you can let your dog walk around in the house while wearing it.

    And then you can also tighten it. At this point, you can try to attach the leash and take your dog for a walk.Dog wearing an escape proof harness

What makes The best escape proof dog Harness

If you are looking to buy a harness for your escape artist dog, you need to make sure it has the following features.

A great fit and Adjustability

Without a good fit, no harness will be able to prevent your dog from escaping. It will also not be comfortable. That is why you always want the first look for an escape-proof harness that has a great fit for your particular dog and or has the adjustability to make it fit.

Dog with harness that fits well

If you have the option of trying it out on your dog, always use that. Most online providers have a risk-free return policy. Don’t be afraid to use it even though it might seem like a lot of extra work; getting the right fit is paramount.

Durable and Comfortable Materials

A great escape proof dog harness needs to last more than a couple of months. It also needs to be comfortable for your dog. Because a harness fits so closely to your dog’s skin, the material plays a big part in its comfort.

You always want to prevent chafing or irritation. If your dog is wet, the material still needs to be comfortable. Some dog harnesses might come at a lot cheaper price, but you often pay for that in the durability and comfort of the materials used. You want a strong and pliable material that is smooth to the skin. Some of the best materials are leather, high-quality fake leather, and nylon webbing.

A well-positioned and strong handle

A good handle on the back is a lifesaver when you quickly have to control your dog. It’s also beneficial when you’re trying to help your dog or lift him or her into the car. You want a handle that is easy to grab, strong enough, and easy on their hands.

Make sure the handle has enough padding so it doesn’t hurt your hand when your dog is pulling hard, or you’re lifting her complete weight. Also, make sure that the handle is standing up instead of lying flat on the back. This will make it so much easier to grab in case of an emergency.

The Right Leash Attachment points

As we talked about before, the attachment of the leash can really influence your dog’s behavior. When you attach the leash to the back of your dog, he or she will be in the perfect position to pull, and a lot of dogs will gladly make use of that.

Bull Terrier pulling on harness

Sometimes that can be helpful, for example, if you’re trying to walk up a hill. Other times, this can be a real problem, like if you’re trying to get your dog to behave well under leash.

In that case, you want to make sure the harness has a chest connector. With the leash connected to the chest, you’ll be in a much better position to control its behavior. You can easily steer your dog, and it will be much harder for him or her to pull away from you.

Make sure the harness comes with different options. Even though you think that you only need a chest connector right now, you might run into a situation where you really want to connect the lease to the back.

Secure buckles

The buckles or connectors are critical when it comes to preventing your dog from escaping. No escape-proof harness will stay on if it becomes unbuckled.

That is why you want to opt for a more secure connector, even if it’s less convenient to put on or off. Some dogs are extremely good at finding ways to disconnect or unclip the connectors. They might not be able to reach it with their teeth, but they can rub against obstacles or use their paws. I have even seen one dog help another other by opening the connectors.

Increased visibility

Did you know that about 1.2 million dogs get killed by cars every year?

That is an absolutely crazy number. In most cases, the driver has little to no time to respond because they never saw the dog coming.

If you combine that with bad weather and darkness, it’s easy to see why you want a dog harness with reflective and visibility features. All the harnesses on our list have reflective strips or material, which will greatly enhance visibility.

You can also improve your dog safety by attaching a light. A simple or flashing light can make the difference between a driver being able to avoid your dog or a terrible accident.

Frequently Asked Questions About Escape Proof Dog Harnesses

Will a tightening dog harness hurt my dog?

If the harness was designed properly and fits properly, it will not hurt your dog. It will merely exert pressure against your dog’s body without restricting the throat or lungs. Most dogs don’t like the feeling of a tightening harness, and I wouldn’t suggest it as a go-to solution.

How Do I know that the escape-proof harness fits properly?

A simple way to test the fit is by sliding two fingers between the straps and your dog’s body. It should feel pretty snug because too much space will make escape a lot easier. You also want to test all the straps and not just one.

If your dog is not used to wearing a harness, it can complain about the tightness. Don’t give in. Your dog will get used to it soon. Without a snug fit, most escape-proof harnesses will be useless.

Is it OK for a dog to wear a harness all the time?

No, I would not recommend that. A harness fits close to the body and doesn’t allow your dog’s skin to breathe fully. Moisture and bacteria can accumulate underneath it.
You always want to take the harness off when it’s no longer necessary.

Can a dog wear a collar and a harness?

Yes, that is possible. Whether it’s a useful solution, I am not so sure. If you have a well-fitting harness, there is really no need for a collar. It can only get in the way when you are attaching the leash.

Do harnesses encourage pulling?

No, dog harnesses do not encourage pulling. A harness is less uncomfortable for a dog to pull on, and that will make him/her pull harder. But, the reason your dog is pulling is not that it’s wearing a harness.

The reason is that your dog is not properly leash trained or has issues with other dogs. And until you find a way to solve that, your dog will keep pulling no matter how uncomfortable the collar or harness.

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Best Dog Pulling Harness https://www.waggishdogs.com/best-dog-pulling-harnesses/ https://www.waggishdogs.com/best-dog-pulling-harnesses/#respond Sun, 27 Sep 2020 23:29:57 +0000 https://www.waggishdogs.com/?p=24 Your dog is there for you through everything and is willing to do anything for you. Dog weight pulling activities...

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Your dog is there for you through everything and is willing to do anything for you. Dog weight pulling activities are an incredible way to bond with your dog, but comfort and safety are key when you begin your newest bonding adventure.

The type of harness you chose for your dog will depend on a wide variety of factors, such as the breed of your dog, his weight, the weight he is pulling, and the purpose of the harness.

This list of the top seven dog pulling harnesses will set you, and your best friend up for success in your weight pulling activities.

1. Best Overall Harness

Canine Equipment Ultimate Pulling Dog Harness

The Canine Equipment Ultimate Pulling Dog Harness wins for the best overall harness. The fleece lining provides comfort to pull with just the right amount of traction. The distribution of weight allows for even pressure across all the right areas. It is adjustable, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your dog. Check price here.

​2. Best Dog Weight Pulling Harness

Pet Artist Weight Pulling Harness.

Weight pulling is a sport that has dog lovers divided. However, dogs have been accustomed to pulling heavy objects for centuries. Even if you aren’t a fan of weight pulling as a competition, there are many other reasons to outfit your pooch with a dog weight pulling harness–think daily chores for example.

Check out the Pet Artist Weight Pulling Harness. This harness does not skimp on comfort by providing extra padding and 50mm wide straps, keeping your dog safe and comfortable for maximum performance . It’s designed specifically for weight pulling and not as a dual or triple use harness.

It also comes with a spreader kit that will get you started in your weight pulling training goals. Check price here.

​3. Best Dog Cart Pulling Harness

Fidogear’s padded cart pulling harness

​Cart pulling is a fun pastime for families and their dogs, as well as a fun way to compete with your dog. If you think cart pulling is just for the big dogs, think again, even little breeds love to pull for you. From pulling supplies while you work together, to the kids after school, cart pulling is an activity for the entire family.

The best dog cart pulling harness goes to Fidogear’s padded cart pulling harness. It is manufactured specifically for this purpose, giving it an edge in the industry. It includes padded neck and chest straps to ensure comfort and even weight distribution. Check price here.

​4. Best Dog Sled Pulling Harness

The Neewa Sled Pro Harness

​​When it comes to dog sled pulling harnesses, performance and comfort are at the forefront when choosing the right outfit. The Neewa Sled Pro Harness is built with your canine companion’s well-being in mind.

The harness uses the proven X-back for both stability and freedom of movement.

With strategically placed padding your dog can easily pull from the full length of his body without chaffing or irritation.

All materials are breathable and hypoallergenic and the harness has reflective strips for better visibility. Check price here.

​5. Best Harness for Dogs Who Pull (and shouldn’t)

Red Dingo’s Designer Harness

​The majority of harnesses reviewed herein have been based on fun activities you can do with your dog, however, every once in awhile, you don’t want your dog pulling. The last time your furry friend dragged you down the sidewalk you promised to look into a safe and comfortable dog pulling harness that would give you the control you need. Enter Red Dingo’s Designer Harness: Cute, and extremely functional, it looks good and gives you the control you need with your overly-excited pooch. Check price here.

6. Best Dog Pulling Harness for Search And Rescue Dogs

Ruffwear Web Master Pro dog harness

​​Ruffwear has one of the largest selections of harnesses for your weight pulling pooch. Its Web Master Pro harness is explicitly created for the working dog in the field. Complete with pockets and outfitted with hardware that will withstand the harshest weather, it is ready to go to work with as much dedication as your canine rescue dog.

This dog weight pulling harness was created as a “lift and assist” harness to fulfill the needs of the professional avalanche and other search and rescue teams. Check price here.

​7. Best Harness for your Dog-Powered Joring Activity

Ruffwear Joring Dog Harness

If you and your dog have recently taken up skijoring, or canicross, this is the harness for your team. Ruffwear wins again with the best harness for dog-powered activities Bikejoring and skatejoring are a great way to get out of the house with your dog and get active, and this harness has you covered where it counts! It is created to work with your dog as it learns its newest joring activity, and can be adjusted as he progresses in his training. Check price here.

​Conclusion

When deciding on a weight pulling harness for your dog, take the time to seek out the experts in the industry and select the harness that fits the sport, and your dog the best. When it comes to weight pulling activities with your dog, remember to keep comfort and safety in mind, and you and your dog will be on your way to a very rewarding bonding experience.

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Dr Ian Dunbar Dog Training Books https://www.waggishdogs.com/dr-ian-dunbar-dog-training-books-courses/ https://www.waggishdogs.com/dr-ian-dunbar-dog-training-books-courses/#respond Sun, 27 Sep 2020 23:27:47 +0000 https://www.waggishdogs.com/?p=18 If you’re looking for information on Dr. Ian Dunbar dog training, you have come to the right place. In the...

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If you’re looking for information on Dr. Ian Dunbar dog training, you have come to the right place. In the article below, you will find all the information you need to decide whether the dog training courses by Dr. Ian Dunbar are worth your while.

Dog training is big business all around the world. Due to the enormous demand, the market is full of gurus who sell all kinds of dog training techniques. It won’t be wrong to say that the dog training world is full of snake oil salesmen who are just looking to make a quick buck. Therefore, it’s essential for you to do some research to make sure that you are using proven techniques to train your dog.

Who Is Dr Dunbar?

Dr. Ian Dunbar is one of the foremost experts on dog training, and millions of people all around the world have benefited from his training methods. He is not just a dog trainer but also a veterinarian and an animal behaviorist. He also has a doctorate in animal behavior where he researched aggression in domestic dogs as well as the development of social hierarchies in domestic dogs. He is the author of several books as well as DVD courses about dog behavior and training.

In fact, he is also credited with designing and teaching the first puppy socialization classes in the world. He has been active in this industry for more than three decades and is recognized all around the world as an expert in dog training. He also had his TV show and had also appeared on hundreds of radio and TV programs all around the world. In other words, he is widely recognized as an expert in dog training, and hundreds of thousands of dog owners have benefited from his training courses.

Which Products Does He Make?

Since he has been active in the dog training world for some decades, he has authored some courses on various subjects. There are hundreds of reviews online regarding the effectiveness of his dog training techniques and many dog owners who have used these techniques swear by their effectiveness. If you want a taste of his dog training techniques, he also offers a variety of free courses where you can get a first-hand feel of the training given by him.

On his website, you can also find free guides on getting a dog as well as some crash courses on dog behavioral problems. In addition to the regular dog training courses, he also offers courses on a variety of other topics such as providing solutions for some very common dog behavior problems as well as treatment and prevention of dog aggression among other things.

​What Else Does He Do?

In addition to his paid courses, he also has a completely free website for dog lovers. On this website, he shares a variety of information regarding various issues related to dogs and dog owners. As far as buying his dog training courses is concerned, you should know that most of his courses are incredibly affordable and you won’t have to spend too much money to get a copy of these courses. However, if you’re still not comfortable spending that money on his dog training courses, you should check one of his free courses to get a feel of his training methods as well as his overall training methodology to make sure you like his training techniques before investing that money.

​Get The Real Thing

There are some websites online selling dog training courses which are supposedly created by Dr. Ian Dunbar, but it is recommended to buy these courses only from the official website to make sure you’re getting the original course and not something else. Almost all of his courses are available online, and you will get quick access to all the training videos as well as e-books as soon as you make the payment on his official website.

​​​​​​Some Of The Training Is Free

​On his free website, he has some dog training videos as well as some audio recordings where he speaks in some situations. In simple terms, there is a lot of free information on his website where you can find a lot of useful information. Some people are of the opinion that the training techniques used by him are outdated, but there are also many others who believe that his training techniques are highly efficient and they have been able to train their dogs in the right manner by using his methods.

Click for Free Training Here!

Summary

  • ​Dr Dunbar uses only positive ​dog training techniques without any punishment or domination
  • Almost everyone agrees that his training videos are helpful
  • All access pass provides amazing value as you get full access to hundreds of videos, slideshows and articles. These cover every imaginable aspect of dog training

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Wizdog vs Ugodog https://www.waggishdogs.com/wizdog-vs-ugodog-indoor-potty-comparison/ https://www.waggishdogs.com/wizdog-vs-ugodog-indoor-potty-comparison/#respond Fri, 21 Aug 2020 18:17:00 +0000 https://www.waggishdogs.com/?p=131 UPDATE: Both the Ugodog and Wizdog are currently unavailable in stores. We are working on a new article about potty...

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UPDATE: Both the Ugodog and Wizdog are currently unavailable in stores. We are working on a new article about potty training. This one is only left for reference.

I used to hate potty training. I mean, I love puppies. But cleaning up pee and shit, all the time, and having to get up every hour at night?

That has never been fun to me.

So why this title then? Well, apparently other people don’t like potty training either. And they invented the indoor dog potty.

For me, I was interested in two things, looking at these products.

Does it save me from cleaning up?

Does it save me from getting up every hour during the night?

Wizdog and Ugodog are some of the most innovative indoor potties available right now, so we want to see how they could make potty training fun. And how they compare to each other.

Dedicated indoor dog potties are easier to clean (both liquids and solids) and they contain the smell. Once you have trained your dog to use the indoor potty, you won’t have to get up every few hours at night to take him/her outside. And that makes the life of a puppy owner so much easier.

Now, which one should you be going for?

This is where the comparison starts to take shape as people don’t always know what route to go down.

Should they go with the Wizdog or Ugodog?

Ugodog

Ugodog
  1. Includes Two Fitted Removal Grates For Convenience
  2. Simple Clean Up
  3. Engineered Grates For Comfortable Experience
  4. Convex Shape Grid To Suit Paws

Benefits Of Ugodog

Comfortable

The primary benefit for the Ugodog has to be how comfortable this solution is. It is easy on the pet’s paws, and that is going to feel great. They will enjoy going to the pad, and that is positive reinforcement for the pet when they have to pee or poo.

Easy To Use

This is a critical benefit with Ugodog as it is easy to use. Pet owners who are going to be cleaning the pad will know this isn’t going to take a long time. It will work as needed and won’t get in the way.

This is what matters with a pad where you want your dog to rush in, do their business, and then you can clean things up as necessary.

Good Absorption

The absorption matters with urine as you don’t want things to become messy. With this pad, it can soak in right away and not let the urine create an unmanageable odor. It is important to look into absorption because that has a key role to play.

Wizdog

Wizdog
  1. Measures 21″ X 28″
  2. Made From Industrial Grade Polyethylene Plastic
  3. Made In USA
  4. Includes Fitted Honeycomb Grate

Benefits of Wizdog

Spacious

It is spacious, and the dimensions are a big plus point for dog owners who have larger dogs. It does not get in the way of a room nor does it create issues where the pet misses.

This is key when it comes to a pad of this sort, and that is a significant benefit with its dimensions.

Easy To Clean

It is easy to clean, and that does hold importance for pet owners who have to take care of the Wizdog after their pet has relieved themselves. It doesn’t require daily cleansing, but a weekly disinfection session will help with bacteria.

This ensures the pad is usable in the long-run and provides good value as time goes on. The product is designed for proper results, and it does help the dog.

Final Thoughts

In the end, the best solution is the one that’s going to suit your needs.

The Wizdog is a great solution for those who want a large surface, but the Ugodog is far more comfortable when it comes to your dog and is going to prove to be easier to clean in the long-term.

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Best Dog Training Books https://www.waggishdogs.com/top-5-dog-training-books/ https://www.waggishdogs.com/top-5-dog-training-books/#respond Thu, 04 Jun 2020 18:26:00 +0000 https://www.waggishdogs.com/?p=149 When choosing a pet a dog is a great option. With owning a dog comes with a few hurdles to...

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When choosing a pet a dog is a great option. With owning a dog comes with a few hurdles to get over as you would expect with any pet. whether you choose to start with a rescued dog that may or may not already have some behavioral skills or problems, or you adopt a puppy with no experience in life, it is important to understand proper training of a dog.

Dogs are living animals, they have personalities and opinions even though they may not be able to communicate these concepts to you well. A dog training book is not only an effective way to help understand how to teach an animal basic behavioral skills. A good dog training book will also teach you the owner proper behavioral skills in understanding and bonding with your pet.

What Books To Buy

​The following is a list of the best dog training books available online for download or at your local bookstore. These books are not only our best dog training books but the highest ratings available from experienced dog owners worldwide.

1. How To Be Your Dog’s Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners

How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners

This book has been one of the most famous books to train dogs for more than a quarter century today. Not only is this one of the best books to buy, but it is also widely used as a reference for the standard bar of what new books are rated from. Written by the Monks of New Skete, this group is famous for the breeding of top of the line German Shepherds.

How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend focuses on the physical fitness of dogs, how to match a dog to your lifestyle, behavior issues, and effective ways of raising dogs in the city.

​Check Price on Amazon

​2. ​Cesar’s Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding & Correcting Common Dog Problems

Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding & Correcting Common Dog Problems

Cesar’s Way is a unique way of understanding and mastering training your pet. This book begins by putting the aspect of training on the owner of the dog, and not the dog itself. Giving dog owners the first-person perspective of a dog because understanding why and what a dog is thinking helps owners to make clearer decisions about how to teach dogs how to communicate in return.

Cesar is also famous for running the reality show Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic.

​Dog Whisperer is a show which Cesar travels to different dog owner residences around the world. These homes having the most complex challenges in communicating and understanding their pets. Cesar helps dog owners identify the underlying cause by spending prolonged time with both the pets and the family in the household itself. Using his signature technique to help these families heal their differences. These experiences are contributors to the training breakdown in the book so families worldwide can also heal without having to go onto live television to use his unique approach.

​Check Price on Amazon

​​3. ​​Zach George’s Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love

Zach George's Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love

Author Zach Geoge you may recognize as a famous Youtube star who is also widely known for his work on Animal Planet. This book is unique because it not only focuses on training and choosing a dog but also focuses on the healthcare side of having a dog.

Listed as the #1 book for dog training on Amazon Books, Dog Training Revolution has sold thousands of copies worldwide. Animal Planet is the top television program focusing on only factual television entertainment for pets and animals around the world.

​Check Price on Amazon

​​​4. ​​​No Bad Dogs: The Woodhouse Way

No Bad Dogs: The Woodhouse Way

Written by Barbara Woodhouse, a woman who truly believes dogs do not behave badly and that this concept is something we as people invented to better help ourselves in defining the differences in behavior patterns. Barbara Woodhouse takes a positive only technique in training dogs which has been proven effective in the past. Barbara Woodhouse has been featured on 60 Minutes, Good Morning America, and the Tonight Show.

​Check Price on Amazon

​​​5. ​​​​Puppy Training for Kids: Teaching Children the Responsibilities and Joys of Puppy Care, Training, and Compassion

Puppy Training for Kids: Teaching Children the Responsibilities and Joys of Puppy Care, Training, and Compassion

This book has made it to the top of the lists by effectively breaking down the concepts involved in training dogs and hyper-focusing them towards children.

Children learn a bit differently than adults do and not all dog owners know how to explain these complexities to children whose minds have not fully developed yet. Kids tend to have just as much influence if not more in a dogs behavior due to having a more physical influence on how the dog plays.

This book emphasizes on anyone who communicates with the dog on a regular basis should be versed in the dogs training regiment to keep training consistent and straightforward while giving a fun more appealing spin to each mode of interaction.

​Check Price on Amazon

​Let Us Know Your Favorites

​Th​is is our top list of dog training books. But we can only read so much. So if you have a good book to add to the list, ​​let us know. Then we can ​extend the list. ​Your feedback can help other dog owners, so leave a comment below.

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Doggy Dan Online Dog Trainer Review https://www.waggishdogs.com/full-doggy-dan-online-dog-trainer-guide/ https://www.waggishdogs.com/full-doggy-dan-online-dog-trainer-guide/#respond Thu, 13 Feb 2020 20:07:00 +0000 https://www.waggishdogs.com/?p=213 If you’re looking to train your dog but are unsure about how to do so, then you’re probably looking for...

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If you’re looking to train your dog but are unsure about how to do so, then you’re probably looking for an online dog training program. There are hundreds of different dog training programs online, and it can be difficult to choose just one.

Training a dog is essential, especially if you expect to have them live inside your home.

You will need to teach your dog proper potty habits as well as how to obey simple commands. You can also train your dog to do specific tasks, become a support animal, etc. One of the best programs on the market is the Doggy Dan Online dog training program which we will now thoroughly review.

What Is Doggy Dan’s Online Dog Trainer

First of all, the Doggy Dan training program is a video course, which is surprisingly easy to use.

The site and course are straightforward to follow and navigate, and each section flows easily from one to the next. You can also jump to any section that you’re particularly interested in.

This is a much better format than an eBook since the videos will show you exactly what to do which is perfect for visual learners.

The cost of this program is only $37 per month, ​and there are several options to try the program before buying:

​It is a simple sign-up process, and the customer support is fast, so you don’t have to worry about any payment issues.

Example Videos

If you like this video and want to learn more, ​go here to get the rest ​of Dan’s mini video course Easy Way To An Obedient Dog.

How Does It Work?

Now, when it comes to the actual training program, Doggy Dan’s entire philosophy is based around the idea of creating a pack. This is somewhat like a wolf pack when training your dog.

This is also referred to as alpha training or dog whispering, and Doggy Dan focuses on a lot of positive reinforcement type training which is quite positive and healthy for your dog. This program is fully endorsed by the S.P.C.A, which means that it is a high-quality program that can be trusted.

The typical training method that is used is positive reinforcement where the dog is rewarded for the right behavior. However, if this type of training doesn’t work, then correction-type techniques are used. It is best to not use these methods unless it is necessary.

Becoming The Pack Leader

The pack training part of the program is about how to become the pack leader of your family.

The entire point of establishing this hierarchy is for your dog to respect you as the leader of the pack and they need to accept that they are a lower ranking member of the pack. To do this, you will be mimicking the actions of wolves and becoming the “wolf mother,” especially when training a puppy.

If you don’t do this, then your dog will assert himself as the pack leader of the family and try to control the household and behave badly.

The 5 Golden Rules

Doggy Dan has five basic rules that will enable you to become the pack leader.

One of these rules is to do gesture eating where you eat in front of your dog without feeding them first. This is based on the idea that the alpha of the pack eats first and the lower ranking members wait till they’re finished before eating. The other step is that once you’ve placed food for your dog, you should remove it within a second if they don’t begin to eat. This will show them that you are in charge of the food and control all of the resources.

Another important part of the training is ignoring your dog after separating from them.

This means that when you reach home, you shouldn’t acknowledge your dog since they check to see who is the leader, every time you do so. Isolation is used as a technique in this training.

However, it is done so carefully without any shouting, hitting or slamming. This can be used as a punishment or to help your dog to stop bad behaviors. You will learn how to change annoying dog behaviors such as biting, chewing, incessant barking, leash pulling, not using the toilet properly, etc.

Training Your Dog Some Nice Tricks

One of the best parts of this program is the tricks section. Some of the neat tricks that you will learn to teach your dog include fetching slippers, barking on cue, shake a paw, play dead, high five, spin around, say hello and goodbye, etc.

There is also a VIP insiders club that you also gain access to when you buy this program.

The insiders club is a forum where you have access to Dana, and you can ask questions and interact with other members of the community. This is a perfect opportunity for you to ask for help if you run into issues and get suggestions on alternative methods if the ones in the program don’t work.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this is a great system that will help you to train your dog.

The fact that the training is based on solid science and is approved by the S.P.C.A. means that it will indeed work on your dog.

Also, the video based training is beneficial as you see what to do and how to do it. This is a much better alternative to other programs that are text-only which can make doing the exercises challenging.

This program gives you all the tools you need, and it will make your dog happier and more confident. So, you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain​.

You can start using Doggy Dan’s training methods for free with the video course: Easy Way to an Obedient Dog.

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Brain Training For Dogs Review https://www.waggishdogs.com/brain-training-for-dogs-worth-time/ https://www.waggishdogs.com/brain-training-for-dogs-worth-time/#respond Thu, 05 Dec 2019 20:09:00 +0000 https://www.waggishdogs.com/?p=216 Dog training is one ​of the biggest responsibilities we have as dog owners. Without it, we risk; harm to the...

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Dog training is one ​of the biggest responsibilities we have as dog owners. Without it, we risk; harm to the dog, harm to other people, and harm to their property.

It’s not always easy, nor is it always fun.

Especially when your dog behaves perfectly during training but becomes completely unpredictable ​in difficult situations like with children, other dogs, or in the car.

Over the years, science has discoverd a lot about how dogs learn​ and new training methods are being introduced. One of the main focal points is to use less force and fear to achieve obedience. This has a two main benefits:

  • It’s more fun for dog and owners
  • ​​​Your dog will still follow your commands without you having to always exude power and dominance.

​Brain Training for Dogs is a ​course and book based on these new discoveries, we really wanted to find out what it was and how it works. ​In this review we are going tot cover these and other questions about it.

​What Is Brain Training For Dogs?

​​Brain Training for Dogs is an ebook and online training program that aims to develop the dogs brain to increase focus and ability to understand commands.

It’s based on the premise that a dog is not intentionally disobedient but too distracted ​to follow commands. ​​

After signing up, you receive a PDF for the main book, the bonus book, and access to the member section of the website. This is where you can find all the videos.

Brain training for dogs book

The book starts with an introduction into force-free training methods. Every exercise is based on these principles. ​This section really opened our eyes to how we have been trying to train before.

​After the theory come the practical exercises. There are 21 different “brain training” games that you can teach your dog. We found it really easy to ​play these games. Each is described in-depth and illustrated with a video. ​

​Who is the author?

​The book and course are designed by Adrienne Faricelli. Born in Italy, she became a certified dog trainer in 1995. After moving to the US, she got certified here too in 2004.

Adrienne has always been a strong advocate for friendlier training methods. She has been writing for Hubpages, Daily Pub, Nest Pets, Paw Nation, Ehow, USA Today, and Everydog Magazine.

​Now she has condensed all her expertise into Brain Training For dogs.

​Principles Behind Force-Free Dog Training

​​Dogs were mainly trained using negative reinforcement and punishment to teach them that misbehaving would have harsh repercussions. Many of those practices have been abandoned today as being considered unnecessary and inhumane.

From the 1980s ​research suggested that positive reinforcement and force-free dog training achieve better results without the cruelty.

But until this day. many professional and amateur trainers are still using dominance, fear, and pain as their main method. ​And that has got to change.

How Does it Work? – Brain Training for Dogs Structure

The book starts with an introductory Obedience lesson which you really should learn and go over with your dog. It teaches basic commands like sit and lie down which will be necessary for the brain games in the rest of the book.

​After that come the lessons which are have a definite structure to them.

  1. There’s an introduction that tells you the objective of the lesson and the supplies you’ll need to do it.
  2. Next is a “How to Train” section that gives you step-by-step instructions on how to train your dog on that particular behavior. ​
  3. After that is a troubleshooting section that deals with any issues you could have.
  4. ​Several ways to increase the challenge.
  5. An exam ​so you can know you have mastered this game and it’s time to move on.

​Example lessons 1 + 2

​The first two lessons on the book are titled “Target” and “Look into my Eyes”.

The target lesson teaches your dog how to touch target objects with his nose or paw and how to reward him when he’s done it correctly.

The second teaches your dog how to look into your eyes because this will help him learn to focus and follow directions.

​Advanced Lessons

​These lessons let your dog learn more valuable skills that create greater bonding between you two and will ultimately improve his thinking skills and agility. Activities like leg weaving, name discrimination, the tidy up game – now doesn’t that sound fun? – and playing the piano all increase your dog’s cognitive skills and positively affects his quality of life.

​Bonus: Behavior Training for Dogs

In this brain training for dogs review I will also mention the bonus book that Adrienne provides to help you deal with issues in your dog’s behavior. Behavior training for dogs helps you address bad habits that your dog may be exhibiting by targeting the most common ones.

For example, the book explains how whining is an instinctive behavior that dogs do to get attention. Ignoring them when they do it lets them learn that it is a bad behavior and they won’t get what they desire by doing so.

Another behavior Adrienne talks about is barking at nothing. Of course, we think that it’s nothing but there could be a number of factors that cause your dog to bark more than you’d like and she gives suggestions on how to address the different causes of barking.

​Free game with PDF

​If you want to take Brain Training for a spin, try the free Airplane game. All you need is this PDF, and the video below. Your dog will be surprised today!

BRAIN TRAINING FOR DOGS CONCLUSION

​This is a truly effective program and a steal at its price compared to the hundreds of dollars that you might pay to have a dog trainer teach your dog valuable skills. It’s an easy understandable product designed to train your dog and developed by someone who’s a professional in the field.

Not only does it build your bonds but also increases your dog’s thinking abilities. The only potential problem is the fact that the included videos have some sound issues. Adrienne can be heard in them but the sound is a bit interrupted because of the wind or distance. However this is a minor setback against all the good that the program can do.

Pros

  • Only force free training
  • ​Great results while still completely dog-friendly
  • ​Dozens of videos to support the book
  • Great bonus book, basically doubles the content

Cons

  • Some videos suffer from bad sound recording
  • ​Not complete enough as a standalone training resource

Check out Brain Training For Dogs

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Cleverpet Review https://www.waggishdogs.com/arcade-machine-cleverpet-for-your-dog/ https://www.waggishdogs.com/arcade-machine-cleverpet-for-your-dog/#respond Thu, 16 May 2019 20:32:00 +0000 https://www.waggishdogs.com/?p=258 CleverPet is a new, interactive learning console for training and keeping your dog engaged indoors. Originally, dogs were domesticated for working...

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CleverPet is a new, interactive learning console for training and keeping your dog engaged indoors.

Originally, dogs were domesticated for working and when most modern dogs are left all by themselves at home with little to do they tend to get lonely and bored thus leading to destructive behavior. The console aims to help your dog to continue learning while you are away from your home.

The console helps to keep your furry friend happy and engaged and this in turn helps to get rid of negative behavior. It can also help to train your dog to understand that rewards are attached to positive behavior. As the dog progresses, the levels also become more challenging. The console adjusts the levels in real time depending on the performance of your pet.

How Does CleverPet Work?

The console uses revolutionary algorithms that are based on behavioral science to reward your pet once he or she learns something new. It comes with 3 sensitive touch pads designed to respond to the paw or nose of your dog. The touch pad lights up creating an interactive game with different levels that reward the dog with treats/food once he or she follows the instructions.

The console is fully automated and you can leave it on all day while you are away from the house. It carries sufficient food to feed the dog when you are away from your house. It is like a combination of a game and a high-tech slow feeder. Being a slow feeder, the console will help keep your dog healthier. This is currently the only device that can interact with your pet in such a autonomous and comprehensive way.

Another great feature that comes with the console is that you can use an app to set a schedule to see the progress of your dog in real time. The greatest thing about it is perhaps its sleek design. The console offers a wide variety of interactive games for your dog to enjoy.

Some Levels That You Can Teach Your Dog Include:

Doggie DDR: For the dog to get a treat he or she has to press the first button that lights up then the button that lights up next and so on. As the dog gets better, the number of buttons he or she has to press in a row increases.

One Of The Lights Is Not Like The Other: All the 3 pads light up. Two of the pads are in one color but the third is in a different color. The dog then needs to press the pad of the different color.

Notice The Change: The pad remains yellow … then it is blue. When it is blue the dog needs to press it.

Quick Reaction: The middle pad lights up and the dog has to press it before it turns off.  As the game progresses the time period grows increasingly shorter.

Videos

Subscribe to our Smart Pet Toy Youtube channelfor more videos

Features

Here are some of the features that you will find in the console:

Dog-Friendly– The console has durable rubber touch pads, a microphone for sensing the barks of the dog, a low center of gravity to avoid tipping, as well as no “bitable” parts. Injury prevention is a crucial check in any pet toy review.

Smart Dog Bowl– The console can replace your dog’s regular food bowl. It can hold enough food to feed most dog and dog breeds until you reach home. It is also compatible with a wide variety of dry food sizes.

Remote Monitoring– You get to witness the progress of your pet in real time through the app and website and view a summary of the learning of your dog over time.

Wi-Fi Connected– The console can connect to other smart devices. You can just picture the possibilities.

Never Boring– The console continually adapts to the responses of your dog to keep him or she challenged.

Totally Autonomous– Just sit back and allow the advanced algorithms to do their work. Just fill the console with food, leave it on, and leave with the understanding that your dog is learning and having fun while you are away.

Tuned Into Dogs’ Senses– The console is built to suit the natural behavior of dogs such as digging and pawing and includes sounds and lights designed for your dog’s ability to hear and see.

Conclusion

CleverPet is truly a revolutionary device that will help your beloved pet learn and have some fun while you are away from him or her. Based on the information provided in this article it is quite clear that if your pet doesn’t already have one, you need to go out there and buy your dog a CleverPet.

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How To Stop a Dog Digging Holes https://www.waggishdogs.com/how-stop-dog-digging-holes-tips/ https://www.waggishdogs.com/how-stop-dog-digging-holes-tips/#respond Sun, 12 May 2019 20:36:00 +0000 https://www.waggishdogs.com/?p=265 Many pet owners will wonder exactly why their dogs are always digging. Understanding why they are doing it could be...

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Many pet owners will wonder exactly why their dogs are always digging. Understanding why they are doing it could be half of the battle when trying to find ways to stop them from destroying flower beds and garden areas. Sometimes, only look at it from your dog’s perspective will give you some insight as to why the digging transpires. Let’s take a look at how an expert would approach how to stop a dog from digging holes.

To begin with, you need to know what the digging is not. Your dog it not digging in an attempt to annoy you, to wind you up or to even ruin your new flower beds out of spite. Dogs are just not wired that way, such as a human.

1. Natural Instincts

Dogs are naturally fun loving creatures, with many dogs that like to dig for fun. A younger dog, or puppy, will love to explore and investigate while having a great time in the soil, mud, stones and sand. Some dogs will end up digging for a particular reason, including feeling too hot and they will look to dig into the ground where it is a bit cooler. There are also times when a dog would want to burrow into the ground when it is cold to build up a bit of a den. Some dogs will also have lots of energy that they need to channel off into something else, which is where the exercise from the digging will come into play.

Think about covering up certain things before your dog starts to investigate. For example, smelly fertilizers will be the perfect thing to tempt your dog to start in on digging. Some garden foods will have specific ingredients that can be dangerous for dogs, including slug pellets, which can be deadly for your pets. There may even be some products that are on the market that claim to be safe, but if they do not explicitly state that they are safe, you should proceed with caution and think about looking for one that says pet safe on the label.

After you have given your dog lots of exercises, you have removed any bones that might be buried, given your dog a nice shelter to stay in, and then stopped using garden products with an enticing smell, you can look further into why the digging may be taking place.

Digging is a normal activity. However, the excessive digging is not necessarily normal. Most dogs will dig, and the secret may not be to stop it but to find ways to work with your dog so that you can manage the digging instead.

2. The Digging Pits

Small dog digging hole in sand pit

 If you can focus your dog’s digging into a single area, then you will have already won half of the battle. You can do this simply by creating a digging pit that your dog knows and recognizes. Some dog owners have made a pit border with some boards and nails; then you can start the digging in the area using a spade to show your dog that it is okay to dig there. You could put a few toys in and bury them, encouraging the digging spot even further. For an added touch, you can put some tasty treats in as well. Just a few times of your dog digging in that one area and you will be amazed at just how quickly he or she will start paying attention and getting involved. After your dog understands they can dig in that area and not in the middle of your lawn or flower bed, you are one step closer to success.

3. Lawn Holes

Dog digging massive hole in lawn

 If your lawn is being destroyed by digging, there are some other options that you may have. For an existing hole, find a small rock or brick that will fit inside at the bottom of the hole and wedge it in. Then, bury it, packing the soil in around it. When your dog tries to get back in to dig that same area, they will be stuck once they get to the brick or rock underneath. This is no fun for the dog, so he or she will most likely give up. If your dog continues, you can walk over and guide them to go back over to the digging pit that you have created and encourage them to dig there instead. If they seem to go back again to the lawn for digging, you can place your dog in timeout somewhere. They will hopefully learn soon that they will not be allowed to dig the lawn. If you can’t solve the digging right now, you might be able to distract your dog in other ways. Dogs that like to fetch balls can be kept busy very well with an automated ball launcher, as we found out in our iFetch review.

4. Digging When You Are Not Around

Dog digging hole under fence

 One major problem that people have is that the dog will dig whenever you leave the property. The solution will be quite simple, however. Instead of being an issue of having too much energy or one that loves to dig, this may be caused by pack leader issues.

Your dog could be digging as a way to escape the setting of the property to look for you. This is actually why so many dogs will dig whenever their owner is away, which can include damage that will occur at the bottom of a gate or a fence. The owner will sometimes note that their dogs will only dig when they are away from home. This is because when you are home, your dog is relaxed and happy that you are around. When you leave, they will usually become anxious and look for you.

Dogs will feel as though it is their job to look after their owner and protect you. Many will become stressed when they are alone and then channel this stress into digging, all over the place. Other behaviors that are destructive, like chewing, will be the same thing.

5. Be The Pack Leader

In a nutshell, you have to become the pack leader so that your dog will relax even when you are not around. There could also be a lot of other behaviors that will more than likely disappear if you have a dog that understands he or she is not the one that is in charge.

Doggy Dan’s website is loaded with all sorts of information that you can use to help make sure that your dog is always on his or her best behavior. There are many helpful steps that you can use to be sure that you are the pack leader and that you have a great relationship between you and your dog. The methods listed by Doggy Dan are not harsh, nor are they difficult to tackle. It is a kind and gentle way for you to train your dog and work on methods that will allow you to have a happy coexistence that is free from destructive behavior.

Once you win your dog’s mind, you will see that training is simple and you can become the pack leader very quickly. To find out more, just click here!

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