The word 'vital' has its roots in the Latin word for life. That gives us a clue to why dog training is so important, both for owner and dog - it enhances the quality of life for each.

Though dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, they still have much of the wild in their natures. They adapt well to home life, but they are still dogs, not furry small children. Training helps maximize peace and security for both the dog and the family.

Dogs are by nature hunters and therefore are inclined to chase things. Young dogs especially are prone to take off after another animal, a car or a child. Any of these scenarios can result in harm to your companion, a person or property. Training a dog early on to listen to voice commands from everyone in the family lessens the odds of bad consequences.

Teach your dog to obey 'halt' or 'stop', then 'come' and you'll be much less likely to have accidents as the dog responds to his sudden surge of emotion.

At first, it might be necessary to use a leash so that you can physically jerk the dog sideways at the same time you issue the command. Try to avoid jerking backward against the dog's throat. Then, as they associate the command with the physical action, they will come to obey by voice alone.

Techniques like that help ensure the security of other animals and people, but also that of your own dog as well. Many dogs will race after another who, in fact, can do them great harm.

Their emotions take control - as when the other dog has entered his 'territory' - and they don't judge, as we might, whether they have any chance of chasing the animal away. They simply react.

But the importance of training your dog goes well beyond the very basic level of safety and security, or the avoidance of physical harm and property damage. Dogs are by nature pack animals. They recognize a social hierarchy that is established very early in life. You must be at the top of that hierarchy, for the sake of your own sanity and that of your dog.

Some dogs will naturally try to take the so-called alpha role. That has evolutionary advantages when they live in the wild. But in a domesticated situation you have the greater ability to forecast consequences. You and your dog will be better adjusted if you never let even the most assertive dog be your master.

Peace of mind comes from teaching your dog that, no matter how treasured they are, you are at the top of the heap. That means they must come when you say so, stay when you command and do as you wish.

Among adult humans, that sort of behavior is very dictatorial and many are reluctant to assert themselves that way. When dealing with your dog, it's essential.

Being the leader of the pack gives the dog a sense of its place in the group. It can follow your lead, secure in the knowledge that you will keep it safe from harm and well-fed. You're acting like the alpha dog would. Training is the only way to bring that about.

I've been reading Cesar Millan's book, Cesar's Way, and have already learned so much. I can see where I haven't been training my dogs the right way so that they are content and happy.

I've been treating them as if they were people, like my babies. That's not what dogs want or need. They need to know that I am their pack leader and that they are safe and secure as the followers.

One thing I read last night explained the importance of letting the dog come to me instead of walking up to a dog and giving it a pat or a hug. As puppies the mother trained them to come to her for food. She was, perhaps unknowingly, teaching them that she was the boss.

Fast forward a few weeks and they are in their new homes. Their new families run to them, pick them up, hold them, all of which is basically telling the puppies "you are the boss, I am the submissive one." All wrong.

What we need to do when we meet a new dog is let him come to us. Wait for him to nudge us or rub up against us. That is the signal that he is the submissive one. Now we are free to pet him and still maintain the position of leader.

That's just one thing I have learned. I recommend Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems to anyone who has a dog or who is around dogs.

by:louisenova

Most people just look in their telephone book or some go on the internet to search for dog behavior training programs. The telephone book is probably quite limited, especially if you live in a small town, and the internet is so vast that it can be overwhelming trying to sort through the information to see what is relevant.

So many companies claim to have the best program. The secret is to narrow your choices down so you end up with the best dog behavior training program for you and your dog.

The first step is to take a good look at who has written this program.
1. Does this person have any real experience with training dogs?
2. Do they have a proven track record with dog training basics?
3. Do they give easy to follow instructions with real solutions, not just vague comments?
4. Do they expect results with methods that are cruelty free and adaptable?

The next step is to see how accessible the program is.
5. Is the program available to you right away? You don't want to wait weeks to receive your information - you need it now!

6. You will also need to know if the dog behavior training program covers all areas of dog training basics such as:
housebreaking, dealing with aggression, training with praise, jumping problems, biting problems, chewing problems, communication, speed of training, and using food for training. It should also address issues around choosing puppies and raising puppies, as well as advice on different kinds of dogs.

Then you need to know if the dog behavior training program you have chosen is guaranteed.
7. Do they offer a 100% moneyback guarantee?

Lastly you need to know that the program is successful.
8. Can you ask for references or testimonials from others that has used the program?
9. Are they freely and openly giveing you access to these testimonials?
10. Are the testimonial specific and detailed?

If you follow these rules you will be able to find the dog behavior training program that suits your lifestyle, your dog, and yourself.

Louise Nova's passion for dogs is clear in her commitment to quality information. See the best in dog behavior training on her site at http://www.dogbehavior-training.com

by:Janis Cazares

Often in extreme heroic or tragic situations you see & hear about a scent tracking dog in the newspaper or on the local TV news. Have you ever watched in awe and thought to yourself, my dog can do that!

While it is true that a trained scent tracking dog can be any breed or mix of dog that has the desire to work. The dog must have an excellent scenting ability and be large and strong enough to handle a very physical job.

They must have lots of stamina, a sound temperament, and be able to work well with other dogs and people. Sporting dogs like the Labrador Retriever or the Golden Retriever often make an excellent scent tracking dog.

Working and Herding breeds like German Shepherds, Bloodhounds, Newfoundlands, Dobermans and Rottweilers are highly motivated "workers", and also make a good scent tracking dog. The truth is not all canines are created equal.

The good news is that one trained scent tracking dog is as effective as ten trained human searchers. Their value is indisputable and a well trained scent tracking dog is worth the world to family and loved ones of those who are missing.

These dogs are highly trained to find missing people and save lives. These truly heroic dogs rely on their powerful scenting ability and physical endurance in their work on search and rescue missions. They are specially trained to locate lost or missing persons in a specific area.

Search and Rescue dogs (as they are commonly referred to) track human scent - microscopic particles that are carried by the wind for considerable distances. Every person has a unique scent, like fingerprints, and a scent tracking dog is able to discriminate and sniff out an individual person in a highly populated area.

All they need is a sample of that person's particular scent. The scent tracking dog works day or night, rain or shine. They are especially effective where human sight is most limited - in the dark, in dense woods, in heavy brush, in disaster debris, and under water.

A scent tracking dog can be trained for a variety of specific situations:

Wilderness Search: These dogs search out a missing person who has gone lost in the woods. They are given a scent sample of the missing person, and assigned a specific area to cover.

Water Search: The Water Search dog works to find drowning victims, sniffing out human scent which rises to the surface. Newfoundlands and Labradors, both excellent swimmers, often specialize in Water Search.

Urban Search: These dogs are trained to follow an individual human scent within highly populated areas, blocking out the distractions of the city.

Disaster Search: Disaster Search dogs work in emergency situations like earthquakes, floods, explosions, fires, train wrecks, plane crashes, tornadoes and other disasters. This is a dangerous and difficult job - physically and emotionally. It is distressing for the dog, and its handler, to find victims who have died. The handler must be aware to keep the dog's spirits up in these horrific and chaotic circumstances.

Lifesaving Group: This group of dogs are specially trained to save lives in water and snow, and are most often St. Bernards and Newfoundlands. These breeds are large enough (100 - 150 pounds) to pull and lead humans to safety, or to lie down next to victims and keep them warm while help is on the way.

Before you sign up your canine for specialized training you need to realize that at least one year of training twice a week is needed before a dog can be evaluated and deemed "mission-ready". Rigorous training exercises prepare the scent tracking dog for future missions where they may have to search for people amidst chaotic conditions, such as after a flood or earthquake. Above all, these dogs are trained to stay focused while trailing a scent in stressful situations.

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Janis Cazares knows scent tracking dogs. For a 4-Step Must Know Plan on how to find an excellent scent tracking dog trainer and other dog training related topics click http://www.scenttrackingdogs.com

Janis Cazares is a dog owner and lover. When she is not researching the latest dog training methods, she manages www.scenttrackingdogs.com a wonderfully informative site dedicated to educating people about dog training, dog behavior, and more.