K9 Dog Training Club Review: How Easy Is The K9 Dog Training Club?

K9 DOG TRAINING CLUB

K9 is a dog training program that aims to teach your dog good manners, make him better socialized and in the process improve the quality of the relationship you enjoy with your dogs.

First, we look at the concept of dog training

Even though the dog has been voted as man’s best friend, dogs are dogs, and people are people. Dog owners must, therefore, make an effort to bridge the gap between them and their dogs. Only then can they live happily together.

Dog training is essential because it is the only way to create a code, a language of communication between dogs and their owners. Relationships are hinged on communication. The relationship between a dog owner and his dog is only as good as the quality of their relationship.

Operant conditioning

Dog training is modeled on the concept of operant conditioning. Operant conditioning was developed by B.F Skinner, a scientist who studied animal behavior. Skinner found a close relationship between stimulus and response. In his studies, a bell (the stimulant) communicated to the dogs that they were about to be fed. The dogs naturally salivated (behavior) on hearing the bell.

The principle works today. A dog will enter into a frenzy of barking on hearing a doorbell, and sometimes the bell is on television. In this situation, the dog has learned to associate the sound of a bell with the arrival of a stranger.

Apart from the presence of the stimulus, behavior can, in addition, be learned through reinforcement. Reinforcement can be positive (reward) or negative (punishment).Behavior that you acknowledge and reward is likely to be repeated while punishment will decrease the frequency of the action.

Similarly, dogs can be trained through positive reinforcement:

• Praise
• Affection (a pat on the head)
• A favorite toy
• A treat
• A favorite game

Training can also be achieved through negative reinforcement; some trainers use electronic collars to administer mild shocks to the dog.

Keller and Marian Breland expanded the concept of reinforcement to dog training. Breland was, however, keen on teaching the dog the exact behavior that was being rewarded. For example, if a dog jumped and barked, and then you rewarded him, the dog will be confused as to which of his actions you want to reward.

Breland introduced a marker, a cue that communicated to the dog that he had performed a good deed which was going to be rewarded shortly.

NOTE: A marker does not have to be a metal clicker. It can be anything that you choose for communicating to the dog that you are pleased with a good deed, and a reward is on the way. It can even be verbal. For example, a trainer can use the word yes anytime desired behavior is observed. The marker, however, has to be distinct, precise and consistent.

In the 1960s, Pryor introduced metal clickers as a marker to shape the behavior of dogs. With the advent of the internet, Pryor’s clicker method took on, and many trainers incorporated it into their training.

The clicker method

(Remember this when you get to the k9 dog training club later in the article)

It is the most celebrated method of training by dog trainers. The clicker is not automatically meaningful to the dog. The dog needs to learn that the clicker indicates that you are pleased with something that the dog did and you are getting ready to reward the dog.

Once the trainer observes the desired behavior, he must click at that exact moment. Timing is critical because a dog may undertake various consecutive actions and if the clicker is not accurate and well timed, the dog will be confused about the behavior that has pleased you.

Dogs can master even the most complicated patterns of behavior using the clicker method.

Click here to learn how you can completely train your dog to obey your commands, and eradicate bad behavior from going on, with the K9 Dog Training Club!

Final thoughts on reward and punishment

Both rewards and punishment can be efficient reinforces. However, rewards are easier to use. For a penalty to work, it must be immediate, intense, consistent, and unavoidable, a combination that is a bit difficult to achieve in dog training. It eases to misuse a punishment. This may not be deliberate, but it happens if it is:

• Poorly timed
• Excessive
• Inadequate

Lastly, always remember that the dog, like in any other situation of punishment, will not associate the punishment with the behavior but with the Punisher. This will eventually destroy the same relationship that you are trying to build.

Why should you train your dog?

There are many good reasons why you should train your dog or why you should have him trained

To build a healthy relationship

One of the best ways to build a healthy relationship with your dog is to understand how your dog learns. With dog training, you can influence the behavior of your dog and find out how to avoid misunderstandings between you and him. A dog that has been well trained has self-control, is more tolerant, and is likely to adapt to many different situations

To teach your dog life skills

Your dog needs to learn how to navigate the home environment. Training your dog gives him:

• Basic life skills
• Mental enrichment
• Physical exercise

These help your dog to avoid stress and anxiety which may lead to inappropriate behavior like:

• continuous barking
• Destructive chewing
• Eliminating in the wrong places
• Aggressive behavior.

Training your dog empowers him to manage the environment around him, and this enables him to cope with new situations. It also keeps your dog emotionally stable and therefore safe.

To increase sociability

Training your dog to have good etiquette will enhance their degree of social interaction. Training will give him the confidence to interact and relate with other dogs and even people.

To avoid behavior problems

Training creates a language of communication between the two of you. Having the ability to communicate with your dog promotes the feeling of comfort and safety. Your dog can understand your expectations, while you, on the other hand, are much more able to predict your dog’s behavior.

The more you successfully train your dog to coexist with other dogs and people around him, the more you can avoid a problem that may arise as a result of lack of understanding. No relationship can thrive without communication.

All commands that are taught to a dog should be taught with a precise motive in mind. For example, ‘sit ‘will come in handy in a situation where you need to cross the road. ‘Come,’ on the other hand will be helpful when your dog is off the leash. You can use the command to make him come to you when you need him to.

For loyalty and companionship

You can discipline your dog through timeouts, ignoring bad behavior, for example, inappropriate barking or withdrawal. This way, you can guide your dog to make the right choices which will, in turn, improve the overall relationship between the two of you.

Basic commands

Your dog needs to learn some basic commands. These will come in handy when dealing with behavior problems. The following are the essential commands that you need to teach your dog before you embark on behavior training.

SIT

This is one of the most basic command and one that is easy to teach.

• Hold a treat near your dog’s snout
• Move your hand up and down, allowing his head to follow your lead. His bottom will lower.
• Once he sits, say ‘sit ‘and give him the treat. Then share affection; you can pat him other head or give him a rub.
• You should repeat the sequence till the dog has mastered the command. You can use the put the command into everyday use. You can, for instance, ask him to sit at meal times and in other situations when you need him to be calm

COME

The command is necessary but essential. You can use it to keep your dog out of trouble. For example, if you accidentally leave the door open and he sneaks out, or you have probably lost your grip on his leash during a walk, you can use the command to have your dog come back to you.

• Put your dog’s collar and leash on the dog.
• Come down to his level and the say ‘come,’ all the while gently pulling on the leash.
• When he obeys and comes to you, give him a treat and show him some affection.
• Once the command is mastered, remove the leash and continue to practice. The command must, however, be taught in an enclosed area where there is no chance of the dog getting out.

DOWN

Dog trainers say that this command is the most challenging to learn in dog obedience training. The reason is that this posture is a position of submission ad requires a lot of self-control in your dog, which is something it needs to learn. You must remain relaxed and positive if you will successfully teach this command.

• Find a sweet-smelling treat and probably one that your dog likes. Hold it in your fist.
• Bring up your hand to the dog’s nose. When he starts sniffing your hand move it to the floor. The dog will follow.
• Slide your hand on the ground in front of the dog while encouraging him to follow.
• Once he is in the down position, say ’stay down ‘and then let him have the treat. Then, share affection. If he attempts to sit or lunge for your hand, say no and snatch your hand away. Repeat the drill every day until the command is well learned.

DON’T: Do not physically push the dog into the ‘down’ posture.

STAY

The stay command can only be taught once the sit command is perfectly mastered.

• Ask your dog to sit
• Open the palm of your hand and call the command ‘stay.’
• Then, take a few steps back. If he obeys, give him a treat and affection.
• Gradually increase the number of your steps before handing over the treat.

NOTE: Reward him for staying even if it was just a few seconds. Be patient. Your dog is learning self-control, and it may take him a while to learn. Remember, your dog would much rather be on the move and not just sitting there doing nothing.

LEAVE IT

This command is essential for the safety of your dog. It can help to take him away from a potentially dangerous situation. The objective of teaching this command is to let your know that he will get something better for ignoring another thing.

• Hold a treat in both hands
• Show him one enclosed fist with a treat inside and say ‘leave it.’
• Allow the dog to lick, bark, paw, sniff and do everything else in an attempt to get the treat, but do not react. When he stops, give him the treat in the alternative hand.
• Teach the command over and over until the dog moves away from the first fist when you command him to leave it. Give the treat when he looks at you. Once he has mastered this level of the command, you are now ready to take it to the next step.
• Say ‘leave it ‘and place the less enticing treat on the floor, covering it with your hand.
• Wait until the dog ignores that treat on the floor and give him the better treat.
• Move from covering the less enticing treat to covering it partially and finally to not covering it at all.

NOTE: Do not rush the learning process. What you are demanding from your dog is a lot. If you move to the next step and you realize that your dog is struggling, revisit the previous level.

Dog training tips

Listen to your dog

Your dog sends his messages to you. Communication with your dog is not one way. If your dog shows discomfort in a certain environment or at meeting another dog or, animal or person, you should not insist that he must go ahead and say hello. There is a reason why your dog is uncomfortable. Forcing your dog into uncomfortable situations will obviously cause problems later.

Be generous with your affection

Many people are good at expressing their displeasure and frustrations with their dogs, but they withhold praise and love even when t is well deserved. Give your dog attention when he is doing the right thing. This will serve as motivation to continue doing the good thing. Let him know that you recognize and appreciate that he has behaved well.

Feed him with the food he likes

Feeding your dog with his favorite food will go a long way in motivating him to continue with his training. Just like humans have their food preferences, so do dogs. So, does your dog like the food you are feeding him? Are you forcing him to eat something that he detests? Our dog will not be motivated if you continue to ignore his preferences.

Communicate clearly and unambiguously

There is nothing wrong with telling your dog ’no’ if he is misbehaving other than the fact that it does not offer enough information. Tell your dog exactly what you want him to do.

Be consistent

When you are training your dog, it is imperative that the instructions are consistent. If you are living with other people, you must bring them to speed. For instance, if your dog jumps up to someone, it does not help I you are telling him ’off while the other person is saying ’no.’ How will he learn with such varied instructions? Consistency is crucial.

Feed your dog with high-quality food

Ensure that you are meeting your dog’s nutritional requirements. The food should especially contain enough proteins. You can consult your veterinarian for the right diet for your dog. A poorly fed dog cannot train well.

The k9 dog training club

The k9 dog training club is a dog training program that was developed by Dana Gallagher. Dana is a certified professional dog trainer through the commonly respected Accreditation Council for Qualified Trainers. Dana is a 12 years award winning coach.

She is the lead trainer. She loves dogs so much that she quit her corporate job to become a trainer. Dana currently lives with five dogs. She adopted four of the dogs when they were going to be put down. She spends her time participating in dog sports like agility, obedience and musical freestyle. Her love for dogs is apparent on her website. The trainer offers training DVDs and even a member’s area.

Reinforcement

The program has reinvented the wheel in the area of dog training. Dana does not believe in the use of fear, pain, intimidation, or force to train her dogs. She would rather use positive reinforcement: toys, treats, praise, and affection. Her methods are aimed at not only training your dog quickly but also cultivating a close and lasting relationship with your dog. Dana believes that all pets understand the same and therefore there is no dog that is unteachable. The program aims at eradicating bad behavior from your dog:

• Jumping on guests
• Barking at cars
• Chasing things
• Chewing on things
• Eliminating in the wrong place
• Destroying things.

The program is designed for dog owners who would want to train their dogs at home and in the process form strong bonds with their dogs. The program also tackles some of the problems that dog owners face including:

Biting towards the sleeve handle, or elbow

If you are currently using a unique sleeve cover to make certain dogs bite in the middle of the sleeve, the k9 dog training club will teach you other techniques to fix the challenge without having to use any specialized equipment.

Stimulation problems.

If you are training dogs that need a warm-up bite to be at their best, or your dog needs to be threatened one teased to bite, the program will help fix these challenges.

Struggling with certain dog types

The program enables to find and draw strength from every dog to allow you to train a balanced dog. The program will help you prepare every single dog to its full potential.

The trainer is a firm advocate of the clicker method, and she applies it religiously in her training. (See section on the clicker method above).

The trainer takes issue with people who wish to accelerate the procedure that they result to forcing pets to learn. She insists that training ought to be a step-by-step process; one command per session. Always evaluate your dog’s mastery of the previous commands and then introduce a new one gradually.

PROS

• The program is straightforward. It does not require too much time and effort to execute.
• It will give you a proven formula that will give you quick results.
• The program promises to instantly cure 19 of your worst dog’s behavior problems in just six days without ever touching your do.
• The program does not require you to have any training
• The program offers you an easy avenue to train your dog from the comfort of your home.
• A review of the website indicates that the program performs well in the market.
• Dana’s program is a package that covers all the information you need to deal with your dog’s behavior problems. You buy at $47, making it one of the most affordable training programs especially if you take into consideration the fact that is a comprehensive program. The program has a 60-day money-back guaranteed.

Review of the program

Several reviews show that Dana’s training products come highly recommended. A review of the program’s sales pages on the website is very convincing.

Some reviews showed that the refund rate for the program is 17.87.This indicates that the product is a premium quality and therefore not likely to be a scam. Other reviews suggested that the current rating of the product is at 9.99 out of 10.This removes all fear that the program could be a scam.

Learn how to train your dog like a true K9 today, by clicking this link for your exclusive access to the K9 Dog Training Club!