All the material you may have read by now about puppy training may make it sound like an almost impossible feat. But it really does not have to be a difficult task if you practice common sense and patience. In fact, it can be very enjoyable, if it is done properly and consistently.
It is very important for any new puppy or dog owner to understand that dog training is not going to happen overnight. It will happen it by bit, day by day, if you are consistent.
Patience is an absolute must. With the right amount of knowledge and a really good attitude, your dog could eventually be the best trained dog in your neighborhood, one that people will love to see and spend time with.
Everyone that owns a dog really does want their dog to be a well behaved one they can be proud of. It is also for his safety and that of the general public and other dogs that your puppy be trained to listen and obey your commands.
Speaking from personal experience, there is nothing more heartbreaking that seeing an injured or even dead puppy, killed in the street, because the dog was so badly trained that it acted uncontrollably even on a leash. It yanked away from its owner and out in front of a car going past, and died before it could get to a vet.
That happened to one of my neighbors’ dogs. It was a black labrador puppy they had got from a shelter and had not trained carefully. They also used way too long a leash, one of those ten foot ones. (I would also avoid the thin, roll-up washing line type of leashes as well, especially with large dogs). Your dog should always be trained to walk to heel, not only close to you, but also a bit BEHIND you.
This is essential, because dogs are pack animals, and they need to have respect for the head of the pack, the ‘alpha’ dog. If the are allowed to walk ahead, pull or tug, they are more likely to think THEY are in charge, and will not only not obey your commands, they might even turn aggressive.
The same is true of allowing them to sleep on your bed. It may seem as if you are letting the puppy become a valued member of the family, but a crate is far better for a young dog, giving him his own ‘den’ of safety and making sure that you have a place to put him when you go out for short periods so you won’t have to worry about him getting up to mischief when you are away.
If you show any uncertainty or fail to take charge in what your puppy or young dog feels to be a challenging situation, such as another dog coming by, they will try to assume the alpha role and protect YOU. That is where inappropriate barking, growling or tugging can not only make people think your dog is dangerous, but put it in a dangerous situation if the other dog he is confronting is equally out of control.
(see Dog Training Made Fun Part 2 also)