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Dog Training Tulsa Tip: How To Break Up A Dog Fight

Posted Monday, August 03, 2009 (111 days ago.) Viewed 40 times.

Let's face it, for most of us a dogfight is a very scary thing, especially when one of the dogs in the fight is our own. So what do you do? Here are some tips on how to break up a dogfight.

First, remember that in a dogfight, the dogs believe they are fighting for their lives. They are usually oblivious to what is going on around them, due to their focus on the event at hand. This is why yelling at them rarely works. And this is why you should proceed with great caution. All dogs have teeth, and in a dogfight, they use them (obvious, I know). It is important to remember that if you attempt to break up a dogfight, you yourself could get hurt, so be careful.

Second, stay calm. Yelling and screaming actually could elevate the stress level of the dogs and increase the energy they have focused on fighting. Staying calm will also allow you the opportunity to more clearly think of what you should or should not do.

Third, do not hit or kick the dogs as this could make matters worse. As stated above, this could raise the level of stress, making them fight harder. Also, if you hit or kick the dog, he/she may think that the hitting or kicking is coming from the other dog, causing them to fight even harder. Also, do not use cattle prods or shock collars, as some suggest. This also may cause the dog think the other dog is causing the "shock", and increase the fight drive. Instead, try the following approaches:

  • Grab the dog(s) by the hind legs (preferably by the feet), and lift. This is an effective way to break up a dogfight because dogs get their strength and leverage from their rear legs. Raising the hind legs forces the dog to focus less on biting/fighting and more on balancing. Keep in mind, however, that doing this could cause the dog to turn its attention toward you. So, be careful. Once the dogs let go of each other, back them away from one another and don't let go of them, or they may begin fighting again.
  • Grab the dog(s) by the collar and pull back. Remember to be cautiousthe collar is awful close to the mouth! Once you are pulling back on the collar, if the dog doesn't release from the other, begin twisting the collar in order to make it more difficult for the dog to breathe. If the dog is struggling to breathe, it will let go.
  • Use water to distract them. Sometimes pouring water on dogs or spraying them with a hose can distract them long enough to pull them apart. This, however, is not as effective as some of the other methods for breaking up a dogfight.
  • Find something to wedge between the dog's teeth, like a strong, flat object. Just be sure not to get your hands too close to the dog's mouth.
If there are people around, such as children, who cannot protect themselves, make sure to keep them at a safe distance. And of course, after you have stopped the fight, check the dogs for injuries, and seek medical attention, if necessary.

One final thought. Never try to break up a dogfight by yourself. It is simply too dangerous. Get someone to help you; dogfights can turn ugly in a hurry. Whatever method you choose to break up a dogfight, remain calm, have a partner and act quickly.

Visit www.offleashk9.com for all your Tulsa dog training needs. Call us today about trained family and companion dogs for sale.


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Dog Training 101: Handling An Aggressive Dog

Posted Friday, July 03, 2009 (142 days 5 hours ago.) Viewed 50 times.

If you have ever owned or been around an aggressive or dominant dog, then you know the importance of getting control of him or her. Good obedience training will help keep the dog, other dogs and people safer. You need to understand something about aggressive dogs: Most dog aggression (unless the dog has been bred and trained to be aggressive) comes from one of two placesdominance or fear.

If professional dog training is not in your budget, or you simply don't have the time, here are some suggestions that may help you deal with your aggressive dog.

1. Have your dog spayed or neutered.

Doing so will reduce hormonal dominance levels. Check with your veterinarian to discuss your best options.

2. Stop playing rough with your dog.

Roughhousing games (like tug of war, wrestling, etc.) teach your dog that challenging you is fun. When your dog wins, he thinks he is stronger than you; and stronger dogs are always higher in the social hierarchy of the pack. In addition, do not allow your dog or puppy to "play bite". This teaches him bad habits.

3. Teach your dog the "down" command and use it throughout the day.

The down position (where the dog is lying down) is a submissive position. Many dogs, especially fearful or dominant dogs do not like this position. So, instead of letting your dog wander around the house or go where he pleases, make him lie down and stay there while you're preparing dinner, watching television, changing your clothes, etc. Make your dog stay down for at least a full 30 minutes every day.

4. Make your dog work for praise.

If your dog approaches you and demands to be petted, then make him sit or down first. He needs to learn that you are the dominant one, and that you make the rules, not him.

5. Lead your dog stop letting him lead you.

You need to be the first one to walk through doors, the first to eat, and the first to decide where you're going to walk. Alpha dogs never walk behind the pack. They always lead. Establish yourself as the leader by making your dog wait on you.

6. Do not let your dog sleep on the bed.

And do not let your dog sleep on your child's bed. Annette Adams, a professional dog trainer in Tulsa says, "There are sometimes more dominance and aggression problems created by people who let their dogs sleep on their bed, than perhaps any other single behavior." The pack leader always sleeps on higher ground. Subordinate dogs sleep on lower ground. Being higher (or on top) is a dominance behavior.

7. When your dog misbehaves, correct him.

Make sure that your dog gets corrected every time he exhibits an unwanted behavior. If you are uncertain as to the best way to correct them, consult a professional dog trainer. In the meantime, a good, strong "off" will work. Never hit or kick your dog. This can create fear, which in turn can create more aggression.

8. Be the one who decides when your dog is allowed to meet other people and dogs.

Do not let your dog immediately run up to people or other dogs to greet them. You need to decide when and how that happens.

Handling an aggressive dog is something that needs to involve a lot of care and preparation, but it doesn't have to be something that causes you fear. Just follow these tips and you will be on your way to learning how to handle aggressive dogs.

Marc Adams is a professional speaker and a representative of Off-Leash K9 Dog Training of Tulsa .


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Public Speaking 101: Overcoming Your Fear of Public Speaking

Posted Tuesday, May 19, 2009 (187 days 6 hours ago.) Viewed 14 times.

Your fear can hinder you, or it can help you!

One of the greatest fears among people is public speaking. Some people are natural on a stage, relaxed, in control, comfortable. But countless others are terrified at the thought of even standing in front of a crowd, much less talking to an audience. But this stage fright does not have to hinder us when those times come that we do need to address a crowd. In fact, that fear, if properly used, can actually help us become more exceptional communicators.

According to Wikipedia , The Free Encyclopedia, " stage fright arises in a mere anticipation of a performance, often a long time ahead. It has numerous manifestations: fluttering or pounding heart, tremor in the hands and legs, diarrhea, facial nerve tics, dry mouth. Stage fright may be observed in people of all experience and background, from beginners to professionals."

Stage fright, or fear of public speaking, isn't only found in beginners or inexperienced speakers. We all get nervous, and if we don't learn to control those nerves, we can struggle in our quest to effectively impact our audience. So how can we use our fear to help us instead of hinder us? Here are some tips:

1. Know your speech inside and out. If you show up very well prepared, it will take much of the fear out of your talk. Lack of preparation is scary. I sometimes have a dream where I am walking on a stage to speak, having not prepared anything. I wake up fearful, because for methat's frightening. Most speakers are at their best when they are most prepared, so do your homework, come ready (really ready), and your fear will lessen.

2. Use your fear to make you better. I actually think nervousness is a good thing. Butterflies in your stomach shows that you care. It says, "I want to do my best here." Show me a speaker who never feels the butterflies and I'll show you a speaker who doesn't care whether or not they make an impact. I use my nervous energy to make me better.

For starters, I use it to motivate me to prepare as well as I can. I know how scary it is to take the stage unprepared, so I make sure that doesn't happen by pushing myself. I also use the energy by actually feeding it during my presentation. I turn the nervousness into enthusiasm; enthusiasm in my words, gestures, and overall presentation. This makes me more effective, because enthusiasm is contagious, and audiences respond to it very well.

3. Start off right. I use a funny story (usually something really stupid that I've done) to kick things off. This does a few things for me. First, it relaxes me because I'm telling a personal story that I know quite well. Second, it relaxes the audience because they're laughing. Third, when I use a story that illustrates how big of an idiot I can be from time to time, it builds a lot of rapport with my audience. They can relate to me, and if my story is stupid enough, it makes the audience feel better about themselves. They think, "At least I don't do as many dumb things as this guy." That makes me more likeable, and knowing this helps me relax.

For example, late one night, while in the middle of an ice storm, my electricity went out. So I got in my car, drove on the ice-covered roads to Wal-Mart, and bought an electric heater so I could stay warm while the power was out. It wasn't until on the way home that it hit me: I just bought an electric heater to keep me warm while my electricity is out! I'm the stupidest person on earth.

When I tell that story, my audience has a great time with it, because they can relate. We all do dumb things! I'm willing to use those experiences to help me onstage.

One quick tip: If you are going to use humor, go all the way with it. Don't try to do it half-heartedly; you will fail. Go all out. Someone said, "If you're going to be seen, be seen." In other words, if you're going to jump in, then really make a splash.

4. Never tell your audience you are afraid. I saw a guy deliver a talk recently in which he was so nervous that he was physically shaking. Everyone in the audience felt bad for him. But then he made it worse by actually telling us he was really nervous. This was the wrong thing to do for two reasons. First, we already knew thatthe shaking gave him away. And second, when your audience can tell you are nervous, and you reinforce it by saying as much; you really put your audience on edge, as well. This is one of the worst things you can do because you want your audience to relax, and if they are too busy worrying about your nervousness, they won't relax, and you'll struggle to impact them.

Get on the stage and give it your best. Know your speech inside and out, use your fear to make you better by using that energy as an enthusiastic delivery, start off strong, and never tell your audience how nervous you really are. Following these four tips will help you overcome your fear of public speaking and allow you to more effectively communicate. Stage fright can be a thing of the past for you. Happy speaking!


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