Dog Training Tips - How to Train a Puppy - the 10 Most Important Principles

raining Your Puppy

How to train a puppy is one of the most common questions raised by new dog owners. You have just brought this new creature into your lives and before too long you realise that unless you do something about it, his boisterous, carefree puppy ways are going to turn into a real headache when he is five times his current size and weight.

With that in mind, the following are what I consider the ten most important principles to take into account when training a puppy.

The Ten Principles of Puppy Training

Beginning Training

1. Utilise the first three months of the puppy's life to shape the puppy's behaviour. This time should be spent teaching the puppy where it can and can't go in your house, getting the puppy into a routine so that it knows its boundaries and potty training the puppy.

2. Don't start formal obedience training with your puppy until it has reached at least three months of age. Your puppy goes through drastic change during his first three months where the central nervous system is developing. A puppy will not be able to understand or cope with formal obedience training before then.

3. When you do start formal obedience sessions at three months of age do not make the sessions any longer than four to five minutes long. Break the sessions up so that your puppy never becomes bored and ensure that you make the sessions happy so that your puppy is left wanting more. This is crucial.

The most important commands

4. At 3 months of age concentrate on the three most important commands, 'down', 'stay' and the command that I consider is by far the most important-'come'. (The come command is crucial, it can save your dogs life). The way to introduce these commands is as follows: "When ever your dog sits or goes into the down position on its own free will, simply state the command 'sit' or 'down' to coincide with the action". Likewise, when ever you walk away from your puppy and want the puppy to remain where it is, simply state the command 'stay'.

You can even do this before the puppy is 3 months old because you are not putting any pressure on the puppy. When the puppy is 3 months old it will then be ready to associate the command with the action in formal obedience sessions.

Praising and Rewarding the Puppy

5. Never yell at, hit, punish or scold your puppy during obedience sessions, this will only hinder your puppy's learning by having a negative effect on his confidence. Instead concentrate on positive reinforcement i.e. giving praise and/or a reward for completing the command. If the puppy does not do as you wish, simply withhold the praise and/or reward and move on.

6. Use food rewards 100% of the time when you start formal obedience sessions with your puppy. However, slowly withdraw them to around one reward for every twenty commands over the coming six months. That way your puppy will always be motivated because he will never know when the next reward is coming and he will be looking for it.

The two steps forward-one step back Principle

7. Do not make each training session progressively longer and harder for your puppy. Concentrate on the 'two steps forward -one step back' principle. This means, progress over two training sessions, then regress and make it easier on the third session. For example, you are teaching your puppy the 'stay' command. On Monday you have your pup stay for twenty seconds, five metres away from you, Tuesday thirty seconds seven metres from you and Wednesday forty seconds ten metres from you and so on. When you consistently progress like this you are de-motivating your puppy by making it harder for him every time that you teach the command. The correct way to go about this would be as above for Monday and Tuesday, however on Wednesday take the exercise back to fifteen seconds at three metres. Then progress again on the following day.

The Retrieve

8. When ever your puppy brings an item such as a ball, stick or any toy to you, do not immediately reach for the item. Instead pat the puppy on any part of his body except his head and ignore the item at first. If you immediately reach for items that your puppy brings to you, he will always feel threatened when ever he has an item in his mouth. This will hinder progress with retrieve exercises and even with games such as retrieve with a ball or stick.

The Collar and Lead

9. During the first three months familiarise your puppy with the lead and collar. Do this by introducing the collar first. Show the puppy the collar and let him smell and investigate it before you place it on him. Do this in a positive environment, for instance when you are outside playing with the puppy. After he has investigated it, simply place the collar on the puppy with minimal fuss, give a food reward so that the puppy has a positive association with the collar and continue playing with the puppy as if nothing has happened. If the puppy becomes distracted and starts pawing at the collar etc. distract the puppy with a toy or food item to take his mind off the collar. Very soon, your puppy will have forgotten that the collar is there. After two to three days of wearing the collar, introduce the lead. Again, do this under positive circumstances. Allow the puppy to investigate it and then clip it onto the collar then give a food reward. Allow the puppy to run around an area where he cannot get tangled, with the lead dragging behind him on the ground for around five to ten minutes. Extend this to around thirty minutes over the following week and then start picking up the lead for short periods while slowly walking around with the puppy following you.

Enjoy your Puppy

10. Lastly remember to enjoy your puppy. Make learning as stress free as possible. Accept that when you are training a puppy that things will go wrong and when they do move on with minimal fuss. Obedience Training is your responsibility as a dog owner. It is well worth the time and effort because the result is a companion that is always under your control and a pleasure to be around.

Nick Wilson is an author, a former Police Dog Handler, and the owner of K9Koncepts, based in New Plymouth, New Zealand. He focuses on teaching owners how to train their dogs with a simple and forthright approach. He also specialises in teaching owners how to overcome issues with problem dogs, and helps them understand the importance of the Canine Dominance hierarchy in dog training. You can obtain his free report Canine Dominance and the Five Key Factors to Dog Training from http://www.train-your-K9.com/ If you really want to understand canine dominace in more detail, and how it effects dog training, then his recently authored e-book "Train Your K9" is also available from the site. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_P_Wilson

Train Your Puppy or Pay the Price

Puppy Training is for every dog, regardless of breed, size or temperament. Puppy training is one of the fun parts about having a puppy. The single most important aspect of dog and puppy training is that you reward and praise your dog or puppy each and every time she does the right thing.

The main goal of puppy training is to prevent problems before they get started. The best time to start puppy training is as soon as your bundle of joy comes into your home. Puppy training is very important, whether you are training your first puppy or your 20th. Puppy training is, as much as anything else, the formation of good habits.

The amount of patience required during puppy training is a test for even the most mellow of us. Reinforcing commands in puppy training is essential. All puppy training is designed to direct your puppy's behavior into making her an acceptable member of human society. For this reason, puppy training is extremely important for the happiness of the dog and for your household.

Puppy socialization and puppy training is a very specialized type of training. Successful puppy training is all about proper supervision. Puppy training is a very important part of being a puppy owner and can prevent possible problems from developing in the future. Puppy training is a must for a happy pet and family. Best of all, puppy training is easy, fun and can be done by all family members, including children.
Puppy training is often considerably easier than training an adult or adolescent dog. Puppy Training is for every dog, regardless of breed or size. Puppy training is an important part if your dog's life. Although puppy training is not hard, it takes a lot of dedication and patience on the part of the owner.

The goal of young puppy training is to get your puppy headed in the right direction to enhance future formal obedience training. Puppy training is the key to proper adjustment. Puppy training is a vital and necessary component of a well-adjusted, well-behaved dog. The main purpose in puppy training is to build a communication system between the two of you. We know that puppy training is very important to the character development of your puppy.

A puppy does not have a very long attention span so short segments of training are definitely the best. Puppy training is a matter of consistency which means always using the same word for each command. Puppy training is nothing more than positive praise when he does a good job and prevention so that he doesn't make any mistakes.

The greatest value of very early puppy training is the opportunity you create for your puppy to succeed and be praised for it.

Puppy training is widely recognized as a huge step in deriving maximum pleasure from a well controlled and obedient dog. If you've got a new puppy, then puppy training is vital to his future well-being. Part of puppy training is socializing your pup to people, other dogs and new situations and surroundings.. All training, including the early puppy training is teaching your dog what he or she knows to be safe and happy.

A lot of good puppy training is preventative (housetraining, barking and chewing, for example). The goal of puppy training is to build a bond between you and your dog and for both of you to enjoy the process. New dog owners may be daunted by the task, but puppy training is not as hard as you think. Puppy Training will teach your puppy basic manners that will be carried into your puppy's adult life. Early puppy training should be done with bits of food as rewards such as pieces of cheese (kibble takes them too long to chew).

Introducing your puppy to new experiences and new locations is also an important part of puppy training. Repetitive actions are a large part of dog and puppy training. You want to have a smooth and easy time with this puppy, and a wonderful life with her. Puppy training will help you turn an adorable ball of fur into a well trained companion for life.

Copyright © 2007 B. Steele

B. Steele is a realtor in Nevada and a contributing editor for [http://www.Best-Free-Help.com] She has worn many hats during her career-mostly in sales of some kind. Among her work experiences she lists: retail fashion owner, restaurant owner, sales manager at a weekly newspaper, etc. She enjoys working with the public and training other sales people. Visit: BEST-FREE-HELP.com [http://www.Best-Free-Help.com] Today!

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10 Advantages of Getting an Adult Dog

Are you thinking of joining the ranks of the canine enhanced? Ready to take the puppy plunge? Good for you! But before you take a ride down to the puppy farm consider this: puppies aren't the only options. There are some fantastic advantages for anyone willing to open their home to an adult dog, and depending on the breed and age of the adult dog in question there can be significant benefits. Especially if you value your time, money and slippers. In no particular order, here's my top ten advantages for getting an adult dog!

Established Personality: One of the most advantageous benefits of getting an adult dog is that they have an established personality, you will know if your dog is one that loves lots of petting and affection or if he/she is a dog that loves to work.

Less Need For Supervision: They will not require as much time and attention as a puppy.  For example, you will not have to worry as much about leaving your dog home alone while you are at work.

Complimentary Lifestyles: You can choose an adult dog whose personality is suitable to your own. Do you want a dog with a lot of energy so you can take long hikes, go bike riding and other activities that require more energy?  Or do you prefer relaxed moments, short walks and then a quiet night of TV?

Reduced Veterinarian Bills: Adopting an adult dog from a shelter ensures they have been spayed or neutered. Having a dog that has already been spayed or neutered is a great way to help with the over population problems we are facing.  Last year over a million dogs were euthanized.

The Slipper Factor: You won't have to worry about an adult dog creating havoc in your home. Older dogs have usually already gone though their destructive phase, so you will not have to worry about coming home to Domestic Armageddon.

Less Soiled Carpets: An adult dog will not need to be taken out as frequently as a puppy. When you get a puppy, the puppy will not be house trained so you will have to take him/her out to potty several times a day until he/she learns to go outside on their own.  A puppy is not able to wait a long time in between using the bathroom because they won't have much control over their bladder for a few months.

Skip Grade School: You can train adult dogs more easily than puppies. Adult dogs have a longer attention span therefore, they are easier to train than young puppies.

Large Selection: There are more adult dogs available for adoption than puppies. Every time I go to the local humane society I see hundreds of adult dogs waiting for their forever home. In comparison to maybe 10 puppies, which I know will be adopted. It makes me sad.

Kid Durable: Depending upon the breed you choose, older dog may be more appropriate for children. Most older dogs are not able to get hurt by a child accidentally playing too rough.

Possibly Trained Already: They may also understand certain commands from the outset. Many adult dogs have already had some training. They might already be leash trained or even know certain commands like sit, stay, etc.

With the adult dog population on the upsurge, adopting one from a shelter is literally saving a life.  While many first time pet owners may wish to get a puppy, you may not find many puppies in shelters, but you'll have an abundance of adult dogs to choose from. Plus you won't have to pay the high dollar price-tags that a pet store or breeder may be demanding.

If you can take a moment to look at it from a dog's perspective, they may have been neglected by their owners, or perhaps the owners can no longer take care of them. Recently, due to the economic slowdown, many dog owners have lost their homes to foreclosures and been forced to give up their pets. Suddenly Fido finds himself living in a shelter. Most shelters do try their best, but living in a shelter is neither pleasant nor conducive to a dog's emotional state of mind. This can leave the dogs depressed and lethargic.

If you've ever gone to a shelter, you may have noticed when you walk by cage after cage that some dogs become excited, often press their noses up against the cage or try to reach out with their paws.  Others may just sit in a corner and look up with sad eyes.

Consider adopting an adult dog. Take him home and care for him. You'll soon discover that the rewards are immeasurable. With so many unique breeds and personalities to choose from you're almost guaranteed to find a perfect fit for your home. I can pitch this all day, but the bottom line is: You're not just bringing them home, you're giving them a second chance. Both of my dogs came from out local shelter.

Kelley Denz helps pet parents take care of their pampered pooch by delivering up to date information on natural dog products treats and food and quality toys. For more information about picking out your dog see http://www.critterminute.com/choosing-the-right-dog or visit my website http://www.CritterMinute.com for Fun, Helpful Tips for Dog Lovers

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Mixed Breed Dogs Versus Purebred Dogs

Bloodline or Uniqueness

When buying a dog, you may have the option to select between mixed breed dogs and purebred dogs. Most people choose a purebred dog because of the expectation that they have certain attributes, bloodline. There are people who may opt for mixed breed because of the unique blending. Of course pure bred dogs have a specific appearance and personality. A sample is a Newfoundland dog. Selecting this dog can ensure you a good companion because of its gentle disposition, large size and fondness for swimming. The Jack Russell terrier breed, with its small and athletic disposition, can display a fondness for digging.

Purebreds Come With Standards

Purebreds come with a standard. Regardless of the breed type, the dog's temperament is dependent on its environment, past experiences and other factors. There are traits that are inherent for purebred animals. It is best that you do a research before selecting the dog that you want. It is best that the dog has a similar personality like you. This can ensure that you can jive along with them. For those who will own a dog for the first time, purebred dogs are recommended because they have disposition and temperament that are innate in them.

Health problems are also inherent as well. This is very much helpful for inexperienced owners. They can prepare possible veterinary bills. There are purebred dogs that are prone to diseases such as allergies, health problems, cancers and others. Mixed breeds on the other hand may acquire certain conditions coming from the two breeds that are combined. The medical problems are harder to predict in such a case.

Mixed Breeds: Let the Surprises Unfold

There are many who select mixed breed dogs because they want a surprise unfolding as the dog grows. It can reveal personality and appearance which is overwhelming. Each mixed breed dog can be a combination of two or more pure breeds. An example is when you get a Cocker Spaniel/Poodle-mix or the cocka poo. It would display characteristics that are known to each breed. It would also project an individual quality that is unique in them. Before buying one, do a research and study the traits that exist within each of the breeds. A Heinz 57 is a mixture of different breeds like the Husky, Old English Sheepdog and Labrador Retriever. It could have the husky's blue eyes, sheepdog's coat and personality of the lab. A mixed breed is somewhat exciting particularly the combination of the breed type entered in the genes of the dog.

Responsibility of Care

Most vets agree that mixed breeds are healthy because some genetic health problems aren't bred in them. All dogs are considered to be unique. Choosing a dog may require you to do extensive research. As an owner, you are advised to consider your ability to provide a dog with good exercise, proper training, good diet and regular vet care.

http://www.europuppyblog.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rodnas_Laygaf

4 Great Reasons to Choose a Mixed Breed Dog

Mutts make the best dogs! Many people think a pure bred dog is going to have a certain personality, then they are shocked when the dog doesn't act exactly as expected. The truth of the matter is that each dog, mixed breed or pedigree, will have it's own unique personality and character attributes (just like people). There are so many great reasons to choose a mixed breed dog and this article covers 4 of the best reasons we've identified.

1. Mutts are more even-tempered. While it is possible for mixed breed dogs to be very energetic or very laid back they tend toward more moderate temperaments. Their behavior is typically more moderate because they were not bred to have specific characteristics. The behaviors required to achieve the tasks that certain dogs were bred for are not necessarily middle-of-the-road behaviors. Extreme personality traits in mixed breed dogs are often products of the dog's environment and upbringing and are not inborn characteristics as seen in pure bred dogs. Mixed breed dogs also tend to be a little more flexible to change than pure bred dogs. Some suggest they are not as programmed as their pure bred counterparts and therefore adjust more quickly to change.

2. Mutts have good genetic diversity. Because their genes are usually unrelated the chances of both parents of a mixed breed dog carrying the same defective genes are low. Often the worst diseases or health problems in dogs are passed along through the pairing of the same defective genes. Mixed breed dogs are often healthier because when left up to nature dogs tend to be moderately sized with more natural builds. This happens when cross breeding occurs over time because this is how dogs are designed to be. When people begin breeding they tend to go to extremes from a 3 pound Chihuahua to a 150 pound Great Dane. Other breed specific traits like the short snouts of Pugs, the barrel chest of a Bulldog or the large folds of skin of a Sharpei are actually abnormalities that can cause additional health problems over the life of the dog.

3. Millions of mutts are euthanized each year. Mixed breed dogs are often abandoned or neglected for their pure bred counterparts because they are not perceived as valuable by some. They are often passed over for adoption and end up in the gas chamber simply because they do not appear as fashionable or trendy as the expensive, pure bred, trend dog of the moment.

4.Mixed breed dogs are less expensive. The average price of a pure bred dog is around $800 if you agree to spay or neuter him and around $1,500 if you do not. While many people are more than willing to pay a significant sum of money for their ideal dog, it is completely unnecessary. Mixed breed dogs can be adopted for free from a neighbor or for around $150 from a rescue organization. The adoption fee from a rescue group is nominal and goes towards Veterinary care expenses. Dogs adopted from reputable groups come with all of their shots and are spayed or neutered and ready to go.

This article was written by Gwen Childs. She is a writer for pet-super-store.com. They offer great products such as elevated dog feeders, orthopedic dog beds and many other pet products. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gwen_Childs

Find Reliable Dog DNA Tests Today

Many of us who adopt mixed-breed puppies are always wondering what exact breeds they are made up of. This is actually a way more important question than you could ever imagine. Knowing the breeds in your dog will allow you to know their health and behavioral patterns and with that knowledge you will be able to keep your dog happy and healthy. The fastest way to learn the breeds is to find the most reliable dog DNA tests.

So what makes up the most reliable dog DNA tests? Here are some facts that can help us answer that:

1. The best kits will be easy to use and have very detailed instructions. This is important because you will be the one doing the cheek swab. As long as you rub the brush against the inside of your dog's cheek, you will get actual cells. Many people just stick the brush in their dog's mouth and just get saliva, which obviously does not give you the results you are looking for.

2. Look for a test package that gives you a lot of breed options. The top ones will have more than 100 options of breeds that could be in your dog.

3. Take a look at the lead times. If the kit says that they will have your DNA results back to you in one week, it is not reliable. It takes at least 4 weeks to get a thorough analysis of your dog's DNA because the SNP-based DNA Technology Process is the most cutting-edge and cannot be done in one week.

4. Last, but not least, look for the kits that will encourage you to share the results with your vet. Your vet needs to know this information so that during check-ups or emergencies, they know how to react to your dog's personality and look for any diseases that your dog may be prone to.

Now that you know how to find the most reliable dog DNA tests, get online and read some reviews. In a few weeks you will have an official certificate for your pooch and will be a better parent to them!

Find the reliable dog DNA tests here!
Elle Del

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Dog DNA Testing - How They Work

We can do different DNA tests to check for a child's real father, so it does make sense that dog DNA testing is available for those who want to check their dog breeds. It might sound too crazy to be true, but there are many different dog breed test kits being sold online and in pet stores that promise to deliver accurate results in a few days.

Ever wondered if your Yorkshire Terrier has actually been crossbred with another toy dog? By using dog DNA tests, you can confirm if your little bundle of joy is a true blue purebred or if you've been duped at your local pet store. How does dog DNA testing work exactly? Read on to learn more about this innovative technology.

The Basics of Dog DNA Testing

Let's go back to basic Science for a second. DNA, as we learned in school, is the blueprint of our entire being. Our DNA is composed of a series of molecule pairs and is unique to each individual, like a thumbprint. We get half of our DNA from our mom and half from our Dad. The DNA strands of dogs are quite similar to that of humans. Dog's DNA are also composed of DNA strands from the mother and the father. Thus, puppies always display random traits from both parents.

A dog breed test examines the DNA found in the dog's saliva and checks this against a database. The results will tell you what breeds are mixed in your dog's DNA. All you have to do is swab your dog's cheek with the supplied device, mail the sample back to the manufacturer of the dog breed test and wait for results.

Once the laboratory receives your dog DNA analysis sample, technicians put it in a solution that removes the cheek cells from the swab to reveal your dog's DNA. The solution also allows the DNA to be copied into millions of bits needed for analysis (the "DNA markers"). The markers are then analyzed with information found in the company's database, where they are compared with the information from thousands of purebred dogs.

The Importance of Dog DNA Testing

Your little furry friend won't be able to tell you what kind of dog he really is or why he's got brown spots all over his body, but reliable dog DNA testing can. Although most people think that DNA testing for dogs is unimportant, it gives you essential information that you can use to help your dog live a healthy and happy life.

Most people might use a dog breed test to make sure that the puppies they're buying are as purebred as the sellers say they are. But you can also use this innovative test for other things. Some dog owners have had their dogs tested so they can discover and understand their pet's different habits. You might not know, for instance, that little Lulu loves to swim because she's part Labrador or that Foxy loves to run around and dig holes because he's part Terrier. You can also use this knowledge to help in the training of your dog. Different dog breeds have different personalities, so you can develop training programs specifically suited to your pet. And, just as DNA testing can help you manage your health and wellbeing, dog DNA testing can reveal different potential health risks and wellness issues that can plague your furry friend.

Dog DNA testing might sound like something that could be read from a Science Fiction book, but this innovation has apparently become as important to dog owners as regular training and visits to the vet.

This Article is written by Lena Butler, from TestCountry the contributor of Test Country Articles. More information on the subject is at http://www.testcountry.org, and resources from other home health and wellness testing articles are used such as DNA & Genetic testing

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