Winter is over and its time to get back outside with your dog. Its great having play time with your pup but it is not all that fun if your best friend can not listen to your commands. If you are like so many other people who have no idea how to train their dogs, you have probably tried shocking or pinching collars as well as verbal reprimanding.

This spring, why not try out a new version of training called Puppy Clicker Training. This revolutionary new tool uses a high-pitched clicking noise that not only captures your dog’s attention but holds it long enough for you to teach them to sit or lie down. I reside in Silver Springs, Maryland and I can absolutely guarantee that Silver Spring Dog Training is some of the best available.

When your dog will not sit and listen and your commands to your pup seem to be useless, a new tool may be exactly what you need to fix your doggy’s listening issues. My two dogs, a Labrador and a Shiba Inu, are both very rambunctious and do not always listen directly on command. So, for kicks I purchased a new puppy clicker tool and tried it out of my dogs. From the moment I had first clicked the button my dogs had their ears perked up and immediately pointed their attention towards me. I was very surprised because it seemed as if the sound would annoy them, but it definitely worked well.

I contemplated taking my dogs to a real trainer but then realized that it would probably be better to train them myself, that way they understand who is in charge and who is their master. Dog training is helpful but has ultimately failed for my pups in the past. Don’t get me wrong, they are great dogs, they just need a little direction when it comes to behaving around other dogs and people when in public. My black Labrador, Gracie, is a bit older then Maxwell, the Shiba Inu, but she has never completely learned everything about her behavior. This is why I was glad the puppy clicker tool even worked on the older dog. Maxwell, the younger responded very attentively as well, but he was a bit easier.

My dogs were extremely well behaved after I began using the puppy clicker tool and best of all hiring a trainer or taking them to dog classes was not necessary. The tool is great to use at home or at the dog park where there are lots of people. The best part is that the clicker can be heard from far away. So, if you are at the park with your dog and you both are far away from each other try using the puppy clicker tool. A dog’s sense of hearing is already very strong, making it even easier to get your dog to listen and behave correctly.

The puppy clicker tool can work wonders for you and your dog, leaving nothing but peace of mind and silence when you need it in your home. Try it to find out if your dog can behave better as many others have tried and succeeded as well!

According to the American Kennel Club statistics for 2008, the Golden Retriever and the Poodle are ranked 4th and 9th respectively in terms of volume of registrations. This certainly supports their popularity in the US. These two breeds are as popular as they are for a number of reasons including temperament, gentleness, and intelligence. Cross-breeding the two gives you one fantastic family pet.

The Goldendoodle, the name for puppies resulting from the cross-breeding of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, is not a recognized breed by the AKC. Because they are a mix of two pure breeds, they are a hybrid - effectively marketed as a “designer” breed. (Hint, they can cost a pretty penny, however, a number of rescue groups are available to assist you in finding a Goldendoodle who needs a home. This tends to be a very inexpensive and animal-friendly approach to finding a family pet.)

Months ago, we brought home a Goldendoodle puppy. He was leggy and shaggy and shy. His silky coat was long and soft and the color of cream just poured into coffee. He wiggled and flopped and loved to run circles around our yard. We loved him immediately but we knew nearly nothing about him.

In the style of busy families everywhere, we didn’t do any homework on Goldendoodles before we brought him home. He was cute and available and we took him. Little did we know then we’d lucked into finding the perfect dog for us. Only afterwards have I discovered just how incredible the Goldendoodle is as a family pet. Goldendoodles tend to be sweet in nature, loyal, quick-learners, and eager to please - all reasons every dog-loving family should consider a Goldendoodle. Size, in particular, is often a determining factor in the selection of a dog. When you account for the size of your home, the amount of outdoor space you have available for a dog, and the time you have for walking and caring for a dog, you truly whittle down your choices. Because the Poodle comes in a variety of sizes from small to large, a Goldendoodle also offers a full range of sizes, allowing almost any new dog owner the chance to own a Goldendoodle despite their particular home environment. For example, Mini Goldendoodles average around 30 pounds whereas a Standard Goldendoodle may reach upwards of 85 pounds. I own a Standard Goldendoodle, a male named Apollo, who is projected to reach 80 pounds when fully grown. (By the way, that’s a horse to a 5 year old boy….just something to keep in mind.)

Color and coat type are another significant factor in dog selection. Not keen on fur all over your clothes? Goldendoodles tend to be low shedding, although this depends on the traits and mix of the puppy’s parents. Goldendoodles come in a variety of coats although most have wavy or curly coats and they tend to matt easily. Regular brushing and/or clipping is a necessity for a Goldendoodle. You don’t want them slipping across the floor on overly furry paws and - I’m pretty sure you’d agree - you’d like to see their eyes. That takes a bit of regular care. Most of this is easily handled by the owner with some practice and the right tools.

No matter what size or color of dog you bring home, you will want your dog to be well-behaved. The inherent intelligence of the Goldendoodle through the combination of two breeds both known for being such smart studies makes this a much easier accomplishment than with some other types of dogs. Within a week, our 4 month old Goldendoodle would - on command - sit, lay down, go to the bathroom, go in his kennel, and offer his paw to shake. This does take work and commitment on the part of the owner - you simply make it easier on yourself if you choose a dog that tends to be easy to train.

Gentle playfulness, if you have children, enriches the experience of having a dog in your home. Visions of Frisbee tosses, playing fetch, and a great game of tug-of-war are the moments we envision sticking with our children throughout life when we introduce a dog. Golden Retrievers are known for being loyal, loving, and great with children. To the degree these traits carried over to the offspring, the Goldendoodle follows this lead. At nine months, Apollo still sleeps a fair amount but he loves his toys. In fact, two toys are better than one and he’ll do anything he can to keep two with him by putting one in his mouth and kicking the other alongside. All toys, however, lose their appeal the minute one of the boys walks in the room. My husband and I may be his masters and caretakers but his best friends are, by all means, the boys.

We bring pets into our homes for many reasons. We want something to love and care for, we want a companion, we want our children to learn how to care for others - and we want all of that to be fun and rewarding. A Goldendoodle can completely fulfill those expectations and plaster a large smile on your face in a moment’s notice.

Do you need to stop your dog from jumping the fence?  You are not alone.

There are literally thousands of canine escape artists out there.  Every day some poor owner is having to take off of work, apologize to the neighbors or spend half the day (or night) looking for their dog again.  And that is the upside of a dog escaping his yard.  Imagine that owner that may have to pay vet bills or explain to his children why Rover is no longer around. 

All because the traditional fence they spent thousands of dollars to keep their dog safe in his yard is not doing its job.

It doesn’t have to be that way.  An underground dog fence  may be the answer to stopping your dog from jumping the fence … if you do your homework.

Why does an electric dog fence seem to be a good answer?

You have to understand how the fence works. Typically, you lay the fence wire around your yard in a complete loop.  You hook the wire to the fence transmitter which in turn sends a radio signal around the property.  You dog or cat would wear an electronic collar.  As your pet gets close to the system, your collar wakes up and will beep/correct him if he gets too close to the fence.

With the “proper conditioning”, your pet will know he has gone to far and return to the safety of his yard.

Did you see the “proper conditioning” term above?  You just don’t go out and shock the heck out of your pet.  You teach and condition him where the boundary is.

Once properly trained, your pet will not get close to the fence.  If you do this part right and maintain the pet containment system, you will solve the dog jumping the fence problem.

The hard part is finding the right electric pet fence.

There is a whole series of articles written by a certified professional master dog trainer that will help you find the company that fits your situation best.