There is nothing quite like bringing home a new puppy. The excitement level can be quite high, particularly if children are waiting anxiously. But before you even bring home a new puppy be sure that you are doing it for the right reasons because while puppies make great gifts they are a responsibility that lasts for their entire life. A new puppy can make a lifetime of great memories but they also require a lot of training and work if they are to become a member of your family.
Your puppies breed and temperament will go along ways in determining what sort of training may work best for him. Of course the smarter the breed of puppy the easier it will be to train, but at the same time a smart dog will probably be somewhat resistant to being told what to do at first, at least until it is determined who is dominant in the dog/human relationship.
Training a puppy is something that can take a short amount of time depending on how much time and attention you spend doing it. This does not mean that you need to spend hours a day training your puppy. Just like small children their attention span only lasts so long. Break your training sessions up into a few short sessions throughout the day and your puppy will respond in a positive manner.
When you first start training your puppy you will need to start with basic obedience training, teaching commands such as sit, come, stay, heel and fetch. As they get older and master these simple commands you can start to incorporate more difficult training.
The idea of training a puppy can be somewhat overwhelming for some people but it is really not that hard. Most puppies and the dogs they grow into really want to do nothing but please their owners. By teaching them correctly you will create a bond that will cause them to remember everything you teach them simply because they like to be rewarded.
If you choose not to train a new puppy the consequences may not be to your liking. They will learn that they do not have to listen and will essentially become the master of your house. And puppies can be very destructive. As they teeth they will chew on anything available if they don't know better. If they are taught the difference between right and wrong the damage they can do will be limited.
While you can use any number of training aids to help you train your new puppy sometimes the best approach is to just work with him on a daily basis. The more interaction you have with your four legged friend the better his response to training will be. It is also important to remember that training should be a continuing process, even as your dog gets older and grows bigger. The positives of a well trained puppy and dog are many and will make for a lifelong companion who is happy and healthy.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Dogs Disobedient When Together, Angels Rest of the Time.
By: ftsisthebest | 12-05-2008
My two dogs are really obedient when they are apart, but absolutely unmanageable when together. We've started taking them on separate walks and leashing them at all times, even though we live in the country. If we're walking and one of the Boston Terriers is alone with us, a car can drive by and they will heel. If we have both dogs out together and a car drives past, they will chase it at top speed until they can no longer see it, and not heed our "stay" or "come" commands at all.
Training My Dog
By: chellyblzz | 21-03-2008
Ok so, my dog is almost two years old and still untrained. I tried training him when we got him but that didn't really work (he was still too young to comprehend, he was in an abandoned litter and we got him at a month old)But then my dad (i'm 16 now, i was 14 when he said it) said not to even bother and he will learn on his own, i knew this wasn't true but I don't argue with him. Now that he isn't chilling out, my dad is virtually begging me to train him. (He has the basics like pottytraining and come, but that's pretty much it) Ok, now here comes my question. Is there ANY good free websites that basically teaches you how to efficiently teach the dog??
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Pets Articles
Dog Weight Loss Tips
By: Jane Dinunzio | 13/10/2008
Dog obesity is a national epidemic, just as it is with ourselves. We have to relearn fitness and health and apply it to our pets also, to give them a chance of a healthier, happier life.
Food Intolerances in Dogs
By: Alan Low | 13/10/2008
A dog may develop intolerance to foods that they have been eating for years. Closely monitoring your dog diet is the best way to manage an intolerance.
Keeping Your Indoor Cat Happy
By: Connie Limon | 13/10/2008
Even though indoors in the best place for your cat, indoor life can also contribute to boredom and stress that might result in medical and behavior problems. There are steps cat owners can take to provide an interesting indoor life for feline companions.
Is Pet Insurance for your Dog a Smart Move?
By: Lawrence J. Reaves | 13/10/2008
Dog owners naturally want to make sure that their dogs can receive the care they need in the event of an accident, illness, or even a routine checkup.
Luxated Patella and What This Means to Your Dog and You
By: Kelly Marshall | 12/10/2008
Scenario: Let's say that your child is playing fetch with your one year old Chihuahua when all of a sudden, he cries in pain. You notice that he starts to limp with his lower back leg. Then suddenly, he skips on the other three legs for about 2 to 5...
Pet Food Recall - Knowledge is King When it Comes to Pet Food
By: Kelly Marshall | 12/10/2008
Due to current pet food recalls, several of pet owners are left feeling alarmed and bewildered as to why this incident happened. Several dogs and cats were left sick and worse yet-several more died. Since the many of pet owners depend solely on commercial pet food to feed their pets,...
Pet Food Recall on Purpose or Not
By: Kelly Marshall | 12/10/2008
Many pet owners want the best for our dogs, especially when it comes to what foods our pets eat. We not only want to give them the healthiest food possible but we want to make sure that they will live a long and healthy life. On the other hand, what...
Natural Cures For Dogs
By: Kelly Marshall | 12/10/2008
Most dogs are scared of loud noises, specifically thunderstorms and other unexpected sounds that rattles their little ears ---especially for puppies. Dogs are not used to hearing loud popping sounds and their ears are sharper and more sensitive than adult dog's ears.
When dog owners deal with the possibility of having...
More from Andrew Bicknell
Why an All Inclusive Honeymoon Vacation is a Great Idea
By: Andrew Bicknell | 25/07/2007 | Travel
An all inclusive honeymoon vacation includes everything you need to have a romantic and relaxing honeymoon. And after the stress and craziness of the wedding what couple doesn't need this. The all inclusive package can save couples not only money but countless hours of work and planning.
Using a Natural Acne Face Treatment
By: Andrew Bicknell | 21/07/2007 | Non-Fiction
For anyone who suffers acne having outbreaks on their face is the worst form of this skin disorder and finding an acne face treatment that works is a high priority. Most people rush out to their local pharmacy and buy some form of topical cream which is spread on the offending pimples. While these OTC remedies may work short term they key to treating acne comes from within.
The Bond of Dog Obedience Training
By: Andrew Bicknell | 20/07/2007 | Pets
Getting your dog to understand what you want him do when given certain commands is the purpose behind dog obedience training. It is a communication process between owner and dog that creates a bond that is vital to the safety of the dog, his owner, and those around him.
Speed Your Metabolism and Burn Away Fat
By: Andrew Bicknell | 20/07/2007 | Fitness
Increasing the speed of your metabolism is probably one of the easiest and best ways to lose fat naturally. Form many people this may sound easy but the only way to really do this successfully is to make some lifestyle changes that involve diet and activity levels.
Buying Insurance for Your House
By: Andrew Bicknell | 20/07/2007 | Non-Fiction
One of the most important things any homeowner needs to do is purchase insurance for their house. House insurance is also mandatory with almost all mortgage lenders if you are financing your home through their services.
Bio Diesel Fuel - An Energy Source Now and for the Future
By: Andrew Bicknell | 20/07/2007 | Environment
Bio Diesel fuel is a diesel equivalent, processed fuel derived from biological sources, such as vegetable oils, which can be used in unmodified diesel engine vehicles. It can also be used as a heating fuel in domestic and commercial boilers.
Learning How to Plant a Vegetable Garden Can be Fun
By: Andrew Bicknell | 20/07/2007 | Gardening
Learning how to plant a vegetable garden is not hard, but without careful planning and proper follow through, your garden may perform poorly. If done correctly it pays off with big benefits in so many ways. Before you know it you will be picking perfectly ripe, perfectly delicious tomatoes without having to wonder what chemicals went into growing them.
Prostate Problems and What They Mean
By: Andrew Bicknell | 19/07/2007 | Non-Fiction
There are two broad categories of prostate problems that all men need to be aware of- Benign prostate hyperplasia, which is an enlargement of the prostate that occurs with age or because of the effects of prostatitis, and prostate cancer.
Home and Family 
