Dog Trick Academy Library

So you want to train your dog to jump through a hoop? Well in this article, I am going to show you how to make one that is SAFE for your dog.

When a dog jumps through a hoop, there is always the possibility of the dog injuring himself by accidentally hitting the hoop with his legs. So below, I will take you on a step-by-step guide to building your own safe hoop. (more…)

This article was written by drgnrdr.
This article may or may not be fully endorsed by the Dog Trick Academy.

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You might be surprised that you are actually following, not leading. Try and answer these questions:

1. Does your dog usually walk ahead of you, either in the house or when you go for a walk? Does he tug or bite at the leash?

2. You know when he wants to play because he…Brings you a toy/ball? Or Barks at you? Plays “keep away”?

3. You know when he wants attention (wants to be petted or you’re ignoring him) because he:
A). gets up under your hands?
B). barks or makes noises (whining included)?
C). puts his head on you or puts a paw on your leg or knee?
D). Jumps up on you with both feet or when you’re sitting he just stands upright looming over you?
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It is truly amazing to see that all dogs from all over the world has learned to communicate with each other using a universal language. Whether you are from China, Europe or Mexico, all dogs communicate the same way. They communicate their moods and feelings by giving out signals with their body.

An encounter with a dog can be a lovely experience or a very bad one, totally depending on how well you interpret his body language. (more…)

There are many different kinds of leashes on the market today; each one has its own practical and aesthetic appeal. When shopping for a leash, you will need to consider your dog’s size and age. Keep in mind that small dogs and puppies should have light weight leashes while larger dogs should have stronger and heavier leashes.

There are different lengths of leashes available; the majority of leashes come in 4-foot, 6-foot or 8-foot lengths. For training purposes, a 6-foot length leash is ideal and recommended. The longer leashes are used when your training requires you to be at a distance from your dog. (more…)

Dogs have learned throughout their many years of existence that they must protect their resources, such as food, in order to survive. They’ve learned that they could easily keep other dogs from eating their food by growling, showing teethes, snapping or even biting other dogs that came too close to their food. (more…)