Jad Research Blog

To teach your dog tricks even easy ones you need to have some small reward treats, be in a quiet suitable place and keep the training sessions to 10 - 15 minutes or your dog will start to get board, remember when he gets something right lots of praise and a reward treat, just be careful not to get him over excited or he will loose concentration.

Getting your dog to give you his paw, first get your dog to sit, then as you say the word ‘paw’ take your dogs paw in your hand, give the dog a treat, repeat this, after a few times do not take his paw so quickly, say the word, count to one then take it, you should notice he is bringing his paw up as you say the word if he does not go back to saying it at the same time, do it a few more times then slow your response again. After 2 or 3 sessions most dogs pick this one up quite happily.

The high five, like a lot of tricks the high five is a progression of an earlier trick, in this cast the paw trick. Hold a treat in your fingers and raise your hand slightly higher than you would for the paw trick. You dog will think you want to do the paw trick and will reach for the treat with his paw as we taught him earlier, as he reaches up you say “high five” and give him the treat. Once your dog has mastered the paw trick this one should be very easy to learn and with just a few sessions he will be doing it on hand signal rather than voice control.

Getting your dog to jump through a hoop, before you start this one I would just like to ask you to be a little sensible and not hold the hoop too high as you do not want your dog to heart himself while doing the trick. Sit your dog on one side of a hoola hoop, get the dogs attention on your hand on the other side of the hoop take a treat in your hand and give the dog the command to release him from the sit, at first he may attempt to go around or under the hoop, if this happens start again, your dog wants the treat and will soon learn that going around or under does not get it so he will soon start going through it, when he does say hoopla and give him the treat. He will soon be jumping through the hoop on the command of hoopla. When I started doing this trick I had a medium sized dog (a Labrador) so I started with the hoop 6 inches from the ground and slowly raised it to waist height, if you have a smaller dog you might want to start with the hoop touching the ground so the dog just goes through the hoop and then slowly raise it as he gets used to the trick.

I have been working with dogs and teaching dog training classes for over 30
years, you can get a copy of my book and visit my site at
Dog training basics or
Dog gates

It’s important to understand your dog’s sleeping habits and how they influence its behavior, particularly when your dog gets disturbed.

You see, Dogs will usually sleep for around 13 hours every day. Although this can vary between different breeds, this still means your dog is going to be asleep for almost half it’s life!

Dream time.

Your dog will tend to circle before lying down to sleep
As he would do in the wild, where he would trample down vegetation to create a bed, typically in longer grass where his presence will be concealed.

Temperature also influences the way in which a dog sleeps.
If it’s cold, your dog will curl up in a ball to conserve body heat. (just as puppies do by sleeping together instead of stretching out).

It’s not unusual for an adult dog to lie on his side while he’s sleeping, and start moving his legs as if he were running.
The eyelids and whiskers may twitch too at this stage, which is usually a sign of what we humans call ‘deep sleep’.
Dogs generally spend most of their time sleeping lightly.

Sleeping habits.

Seeing as dogs are descended from opportunistic hunters, dogs instinctively wake when there is an increased amount of activity around them.

However, if a dog is deliberately woken, particularly if it is disturbed by a child, he may react aggressively and bite without warning.

The phrase ‘let sleeping dogs lie’ should give you a clue!
Also, your dog may be a little unwilling to settle down again if woken at an unusual hour.

This means it’s important to establish a set routine for a new dog from the outset. This includes things like exercising, feeding and sleeping times.

A new puppy is likely to be distressed on its first few nights in a new home, as this will be the first time that he will have been separated from its littermates.

Within a pack, there is no visible hierarchy in the order in which the dogs sleep, although they will instinctively sleep close to their fellow members. (Although the alpha dog will usually sleep apart).

If your new pup has been allowed to spend the night in the bedroom, it can become problematic to expect it to sleep elsewhere.

Its instincts suggest that it has been driven away from the pack.

By being firm right from the start and establishing that your dog sleeps on his own, you can ensure that he doesn’t experience this ‘rejection’ once he gets a little older.
Dogs can get restless during the night if they’re not exercised regularly. Although he may also nap continually if there isn’t much happening.

While you are out, your dog may find its way to your bed, just to be near your smell. An old item of clothing, which will carry your scent, will comfort your dog when you are not there.
Sleeping postures.

Puppies often appreciate contact with littermates when sleeping, just in the same way that many dogs prefer to lie against a wall or next to their owner’s feet. This probably gives them a sense of security.

Amy Howells is the owner of a website dedicated to teaching you the
short-cuts to dog training.

You can also sign up to a free e-course and discover the astonishing
short-cut secrets to dog obedience training

Unsure which Dog Breed to choose? Well I don’t blame you - there
are literally hundreds to choose from! Do you fancy some dogs,
only to find out that they just won’t suit your lifestyle! Are
you STILL looking?

Here is a Tip……

There is one dog breed that you really need to consider. In fact
it hasn’t been in the states for very long and already is
becoming one of the most sought after little dogs going around.
So much so that the demand for puppies is so great the breeders
are having a hard time keeping up - talk about a stampede of
interest in this popular little dog….

Curious about what all the fuss is about?

Well I am talking about the highly sought after Havanese!

Are you looking for a sweet, cute, yet sturdy small lap dog? How
about a dog that has a non-shedding fluffy white or black coat?
If you are looking for a petite companion dog that is
intelligent and great with children then the Havanese breed is
for you.

Here is a little about the Havanese.

Did you know that the Havanese originated in Cuba? The Havanese
is in the Bichon variety of dogs and has relations to the
Maltese, Poodle, and Bichon Frise. The Havanese is the national
dog of Cuba. Wow - what an exciting honor to bestow upon a dog!
This recognition demonstrates the universal admiration and
appreciation for the Havanese breed.

Did you know that the Havanese is a small dog, but is an
accomplished performer? The Havanese dog is clever, obedient,
and skilled at performing tricks. The Cuban social elite have
regarded the Havanese breed as a top dog for hundreds of years.

Did you know that the Havanese breed is relatively new in the
United States? The Havanese breed hit America in the 1970’s. The
1990’s brought a surge in popularity and the Havanese is quickly
becoming the “It” dog of the 21st century.

Its temperament, personality and non-shedding coat have made
this little dog “The Dog To Have”.

As you continue your search for the RIGHT puppy to get, you
really need to consider the Havanese Puppy. If you want more
information about this dog, then visit
http://www.havanese-puppy-guide.com

Fiona