Dog Training Basics for the Average Person

Congratulations on the purchase of your cute little puppy. Now you can love it and spoil it as your own child. Your new pet will need you and depend on you for many things. It is important to remember that owning a dog also means there will be responsibilities. A dog, like a child, needs proper care, attention, and training. Your new dog is an extension of your family and needs to learn to fit in and live by the house rules. Just as you would want your kids to be well behaved, your dog is no different. I have some very simple and useful training tips to help you along the way.

It is best to start training your puppy earlier rather than later. The best time to start is when your puppy is between six and eight weeks old. You would not wait until your own child turns five before you start the training process. Can you imagine starting potty training when your child turns five years old, yuck!

It is also important that you educate yourself with various dog training techniques. I am not suggesting that you immerse yourself by going back to school. However, there are some very simple techniques you can learn that won't cost you an arm and leg. The level of performance your puppy will achieve depends on your ability to be prepared. It is best to follow a simple and methodical plan. Your puppy will learn best with step-by-step instruction. Always keep it simple so it is fun for both of you.

The reward system is ranked the most effective training tip by professional dog trainers. This needs to be the foundation for all types of training whether your puppy is potty training, leash training, or simply learning tricks. Using positive reinforcement will increase the effectiveness of your training schedule. Be sure that you reward your puppy when it reacts positively to the training. An effective, not excessive, reward system will produce quicker results as your puppy achieves higher levels of success.

During your initial training your puppy will have accidents in the house. Don't worry, this is will happen it's natural. Contrary to old school teaching, you do not need to rub its nose in it! This is not the the an effective technique. This is as far away from the reward system as you can get. The best thing to do is to immediately take them outside and show them where they need to go. You do not want to create a fearful training environment. You want the training to be effective and not counter productive. Not using the reward system will make the entire training experience frustrating and exhausting.

Persistence and repetition are necessary attributes you need when training your new puppy. Remember to be patient, don't expect your puppy to learn after one short lesson. You need to keep at it. Training your dog is an ongoing process and the biggest reward will be having a well behaved dog. It should be fun for the dog as well as you. Now the rest is up to you, begin applying these techniques and enjoy and love your new puppy.