The English Bulldog
It’s no surprise that many sport teams have selected the bulldog as their mascot.
Dogs
The Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are always ready to spread their distinctive brand of sunshine with everyone they meet.
The Beagle
Background
The English gentlemen’s dog! In 1500s England, most gentlemen had packs of “hounds” for hunting. Bigger hounds tracked deer and foxes, while smaller ones went after rabbits. The smaller ones were the first Beagles, who were actually brought to England by conquering Roman armies (like Rottweilers).
The Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers, or “Yorkies,” have been the third most popular dog breed in the U.S. since 2005.
The German Shepherd
Star of the large and small screen, Rin Tin Tin was a glowing example of why the German shepherd dog is so highly thought of by many.
The Tibetan Terrier
The smallish Tibetan Terrier is an incredibly smart dog, meaning you'll always have to be on your toes during training and socialization.
Brussels Griffon
The small Brussels Griffon has minimal exercise needs, an assertive manner, both intelligent and ornery streaks, and a love for playing games.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Background:
The Labrador Retriever
It’s no wonder that the Labrador retriever has been America’s favorite purebred dog for the past two decades.
10 Simple but Effective Dog Training Tips
Submitted by Tori from the P... on Mon, 2014-12-15 14:45 January is National Train Your Dog Month. Don’t miss out on these simple tips to strengthen the bond you share with your pooch.
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1. Always be positive when working with your dogAlways be positive when working with your dog. Dogs enjoy learning if they don’t feel unduly stressed and you want to focus on building a positive relationship with your dog. -
2. Remember that your dog wasn’t born understanding human speech and can’t read your mindDogs “speak” to each other using body language and various types of vocalizations so learning to understand what your dog’s signals mean can lead to stronger relationship. -
3. Understand the basics of how animals, including people, learnBehaviors that are reinforced are more likely to be repeated, and behaviors that are ignored are more likely to be stopped because they bring no benefit to the dog. -
4. Keep your training sessions short and train in small increments throughout the dayDogs learn best in small increments, and by making sessions shorter it becomes more likely you’ll find the time to train your dog every day. -
5. Make training part of your daily routineAsk your dog to sit before going in and out of doors, have your dog do down stays while you’re watching TV, etc. By asking the dog to do these behaviors as part of “daily life” the dog will learn to offer these behaviors without prompting. -
6. Teach your dog new behaviors in quiet, low-distraction areasOnce your dog is doing them well, slowly add in distractions. Don’t be surprised if you have to go back to square one with some behaviors once distractions are added in. -
7. Make sure everyone in your household is on the same pageBe sure everyone uses the same words and hand signals that you use with the dog for each behavior. Being 100% consistent helps the dog to learn faster and find training less confusing. -
8. Always focus on teaching what you wantIt’s much easier for the dog to learn to “do” a behavior than to learn to “not do” a behavior. So a dog that jumps up could be taught to sit, or a dog that pulls can be taught to look at you and give eye contact before moving forward. -
9. Use what your dog finds reinforcingEvery dog is different. Potential motivation may include food, treats, toys, petting, or getting to play with another dog. Treat your dog as an individual and use what he loves best. -
10. If you find you need help with basic training, or start to see behavioral problems appear, do not wait to see a trainer or behavior consultantVisit www.apdt.com to find a qualified professional near you who can help you and your new friend work through his or her issues for a long, happy life together!
