Isn't it exciting to get a new dog? But, as you already know, there are also a lot of responsibilities that come with the privilege of dog ownership. You have to ensure she gets fed; you have to monitor her health and well-being; you have to groom her and provide her with a happy home. And one of the most important responsibilities -- for your happiness and for hers -- is providing proper discipline.
Have you ever seen a dog that constantly misbehaved? You may have guessed -- in fact you may have accurately guessed -- that her owner didn't take time to train her. You don't want that to happen to you, do you? Take the time to train and discipline your dog so you won't have behavior problems to deal with in the future.
You'll have to work on this, and take it seriously, but the outcome will be worth the effort -- you'll have a well-behaved dog that you'll feel a lot closer to you. But if your dog is untrained and disobedient, exhibiting behavior patterns that embarrass you, you'll be annoyed with her and have regrets about having her. For the best possible results, start training her as soon as possible after she reaches about four months of age.
Start off concentrating on obedience training with your dog. Note that it's "training with your dog," not "training for your dog." This is because you, too, will be training on how to exercise the training and authority that will result in her obedience. There are differing levels of obedience training, ranging from the basic to the advanced. Basic obedience will include such things as house breaking, leash training, and simple commands like sit-and-stay.
You don't have to stop there, though. More advanced training will mean a more cooperative, more obedient dog. You can train away behaviors like aggressive behavior, barking, chewing, digging, growling, and whining. To get started, find a program with solutions that gets you results.
Puppy training is something that you should begin to seriously address about the time she reaches four months in age. If you wait too long to begin training your puppy, then it becomes harder and frustrating. Frustrating to both you and her.
While certain skills are to advanced for a puppy, you can get started with her introductory training shortly after you bring her home. Do the appropriate research to ensure you're following correct methods for your puppy's breed and age.
There is a wide variety of dog-training books, ebooks, websites, and tutorials that you can follow. Alternatively, you can hire an experienced professional instructor. Friends or family may be able to make recommendations concerning trainers with whom they've been satisfied.
Find a local trainer who has plenty of experience. This need not necessarily be one that specializes in your breed. A good trainer with experience will be able to help any dog and will know the tricks and stratagems to succeed with your dog.
Don't worry if you have a dog that is difficult to train. There are methods out there for training any dog breed and any type of dog attitude. The good results are worth the hard work.
It's a Really Big Responsibility to own and train a dog. But if you approach it with the right attitude, you've find that it's a rewarding experience that both you and your dog will enjoy. When the two of you work together, you'll start to trust each other and enjoy each other's company.
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