Teaching your puppy the “leave it” and “drop it”commands can keep your youngster from doing something dangerous, such as eating mouse poison, rotten food and other yucky stuff, or running into the path of a speeding car.

“Leave It”

With your puppy on a leash, walk by a tempting item, such as food or a toy (you can pre-place items for this exercise). When your puppy tries to pick up the item, give a short quick tug on the leash and say, “Leave it.”

Enthusiastically praise your puppy for obeying (“Good Sparky!”). You can offer a treat reward at this time if you prefer, but praise and a pat on the head work just as well. Repeat this routine at home.

Here's another method you can use to teach your puppy the leave it command: Hold a food treat in your closed fist. When your puppy noses your hand, say “Leave it,” and keep your fist closed. When your pup stops nosing your hand, reward with praise, then give a verbal release command (such as “okay”) and let your puppy have the treat. Continue working like this until your puppy will sit quietly without touching a nearby treat until you give the release command.

“Drop It”

When your puppy picks up a forbidden object, say, “Drop it!” and walk over to your puppy. If your pup won't release the item, offer it a tempting treat as a trade for the item. When your puppy drops it, offer praise and a safe substitute – preferably one that's more enticing than the forbidden item.

If your puppy runs away from you, don't chase it – it'll think you're playing a game. Instead, ignore your little one and get yourself a treat from the kitchen (something you know your puppy likes). Take the treat to a puppy-accessible area and start to eat it (or pretend to eat it, if it's a dog goodie).

Be dramatic about how yummy it is. Call your puppy over, then give the drop it command and trade the treat for the forbidden item. (Be sure to praise your youngster for obeying.) After your puppy finishes the treat, offer an acceptable toy.

When you buy a crate, make sure that it allows your dog to fit inside perfectly without cramping him.  A dog must be able to walk inside without having to stoop too low to gain access.  He must also not position himself awkwardly just to keep himself inside.  A perfect crate will also have a removable top as this will be help your dog to get use staying inside the crate.

Once you have purchased the crate for your dog, place it in an area where your dog usually spends his time in the house.  Open the door and do not start crate training right away.  Let him investigate the crate to his leisure so he will get the feel of it.  Whenever he is near, tell him what the crate is for and have it come across that the crate is safe.

After a couple of days, place a toy inside the crate leaving the door open and see how he reacts.   If your dog is proving to be skittish and wish nothing to do with the crate, remove the top and see for a couple of days how he would react.  Always make sure that the door of the crate is still open.  Then start feeding him inside the crate.

At first, do not put the food way too far inside the crate.  Just a little beyond the crate opening will be enough.  Stay with him while he eats and praise him afterwards.  Slowly put his dog dish deeper inside daily until it reaches inside the crate.  Before you reach the middle part, put back the top and see how it goes.

If he’s anxious, move a little further back and see if you can inch the dog dish a little deeper the next day.  With each passing day, move the dog dish deeper and deeper until it reaches the end.

If your dog is comfortable eating inside the crate, close the door without leaving him.  The moment he’s finished, pull open the door and let him out.  Praise him for being a good dog, and give him a treat.  After a couple of days, close the door for 5 minutes and then let him out.

If he starts to become agitated, let him out before he starts to whine.  Gradually increase the amount of time he spends inside the crate everyday, making sure that you always stay with your dog as you do so.  Once he gets used to being in the crate for certain duration of time, start leaving him alone for a couple of minutes, and then come back.  Do not open the crate yet.  Praise him for waiting and let him out after a while.

Every time your dog goes in the crate give him an associative command like “In crate” or “go inside your crate.”   Once your dog is comfortable being left inside the crate with the door locked, see if he will follow your command without using any treat or food.  You can then start leaving your dog for several minutes alone inside the house by going outside for a while, gradually increasing the number of minutes each day.

Do bear in mind that crates are not intended to be used as a form of punishment.  Only close the door when it is necessary, keeping it open for your dog to come in and go as he please.  Once your dog is inside the crate, no one in the family must disturb him – this is his place to relax and unwind.

Do not to consider in paper training if you plan to housebreak your dog, this option will delay house training.  Your dog will get confused on the proper way to answer the call of nature, making potty training more difficult.  Only choose one form of potty training to help eliminate confusion.

You need lots of paper for this process.  You have to layer the paper thick enough to absorb urine without seeping through the floor.  The thickness will depend on the size of your dog.  A puppy will require at a layer of least ¼ inch thick.  Bigger dogs will need up to ½ to ¾ inch of layered paper to properly absorb wetness.  Always have a set of cleaning supplies ready like brooms, scrubbers, and disinfectant cleaners.  You may want to throw in a pair of gloves and a mask to protect yourself and in case you cannot stand the smell.

Place the paper in a place that can be easily cleaned.  The floor must be bare or lined with linoleum.  Never place your paper on a carpeted floor; there would be times when your dog will pee a bit too much that it would seep through.  Do not place the paper in the kitchen or near a place where food is usually kept or eaten.  The usual option is the bathroom since the floor is covered with tiles and can easily be cleaned in case of accidents.

Some opt to confine the dog in the place where the paper is located.  Place your dog’s paraphernalia opposite the paper if you are thinking of doing the same thing.  This will keep him entertained for a while until he feels the need to relieve himself.  You need to stay with him to observe his movements.  A dog that is feeling the urgency will sniff the floor and walk around in circles. 

Once you see your dog doing this behavior, place him on the paper and encourage him to pee.  Saying “go pee” or something similar can be used, but do not expect your dog to fully understand you for several days.  You can give him a soup dish or a drink of water to speed up the process.  Once he pees, praise him for doing so and give him a treat.

Expect your puppy to relieve himself every 2 -3 hours, especially after meals.  To make this training consistent, make it a point to feed your dog the same time each day.  Always keep your eye on your dog so you can observe his movements and also to watch out for cues that will tell you that your dog needs to relieve himself.  Bring him to his paper whenever he gives those cues so he will get the point and will always search for his paper to do his ritual.

1)  Your dog barks as a form of warning.  This type of bark is usually started with a low, menacing growl followed by a loud series of sharp bark.  Usually, this is heard when your dog senses that someone is approaching.  To fully understand this bark, see if you have a friend who’s got a dog that has just given birth, ask if you could visit.  Try to walk near while the dog is nursing and you will hear that distinct bark.

1. Solution: try to see what’s eating your dog.  This type of barking is the one that should not be ignored for it may signify an intruder.  But once you notice that the dog is barking at a person you know but he’s not familiar with, hold the dog by the collar and say “STOP” in a firm voice.  Don’t tug at the collar for you may injure your dog’s wind pipe.  Maybe your neighbor’s dog or cat is at your yard and it’s making your dog irritated for your dog’s territory is being invaded.  Scoot the invader away and then tell your dog to “STOP!”  The moment your dog stops barking, praise him and tell him he’s a good dog for knowing how to stop barking.

2)  Your dog is trying on alert.  This form of barking is characterized by low, staccato-like barks.  This behavior is observed whenever the door bell or telephone would ring, or when someone you know is approaching.

1. Solution: see what’s captured your dog’s interest.  If it’s the doorbell, tell your dog “STOP” and when he does, say he’s a good dog for telling you about the door bell.  The same goes for the telephone.  Now, if you still cannot order your dog to stop barking have friend over and ask her to help train your dog.  What your friend can do is ring the doorbell every now and then.  Every time your friend would ring the bell, command your dog to STOP and SIT.  Wait a couple of seconds, and praise your dog or give him a treat.  Tell your dog that one bark is enough when the doorbell rings, then repeat the process again.  The same procedure can be done with the telephone.

3)  Your dog is longing for company, or bored.  When dogs are having separation anxiety issues, they can incessantly bark and howl while you’re gone.  Dogs are pack animals.  This means that your family is not treated as an individual, but a group in which he sees himself as a leader, or the one being led.  If you are gone, as a leader he would worry about your safety.  As the one being led, your dog will feel lost when left alone. This bark is also observed when you put your dog in a kennel, crate, or leash for the first time.

1. Solution: of all the types of barking problems, this is the hardest to correct for it happens during your absence. Behavioral modification can be the only solution to this problem.  You have to train your dog to wait for you while you’re gone.  Address your dog’s separation anxiety issues by leaving the house for a couple of minutes and coming back in just before your dog starts to bark.  Whenever you leave and arrive home, don’t make a fuss.  Tell your dog firmly and as short as possible that you’ll be gone and be back after a couple of hours, then leave.  When you get back, painful as it may seem, ignore your dog for 15 minutes, or until he’s calmed down.  Rub his neck and don’t say you miss him, that you’re glad to see him.  Just rub him and say he’s a good dog for not barking too much while you’re gone.  As for the kennel, crate, and leash issue, you have to introduce him to it slowly.  Don’t just dump your dog in or tie him.  An abrupt curtail in freedom is not what every dog would like, especially if the dog grew up being free to roam around the house.

4)  Your dog is in pain. A dog in pain will give a series of yelps.  It may be because his paw or tail got stuck on something, someone threw a stone or a stick at him, or he may be having some medical condition that needs attention… or your dog may be in labor.

1. Solution: immediately see what caused your dog to yelp.  Unstuck his paw or tail, and sooth him by rubbing him and giving comforting words.  You may want to put ice on the affected part to lessen the pain.  If there is no obvious cause and your dog is yelping, not eating, has labored breathing, bring him to the vet to see if there is a medical condition is causing a problem.  If your dog is recovering from a major operation, make sure you stick to the pain medication regimen to lessen his pain.

5)  Your dog wants to play. Low, short, repetitive barks will come from your dog whenever he has the desire to play with you.  Usually, your dog will bark this way when you get his leash, favorite toy, or Frisbee.

1. Solution: Always give your dog playtime, even for just 15-30 minutes a day.  Each dog, especially a puppy, would always want to have some physical activity to release some pent up energy.  Play time can be very good for dogs, especially when your dog has separation anxiety issues.  This can prevent your dog from getting bored and keep him from distracting you and your neighbors.

If your dog is still barking non-stop you can buy either a spray bottle or a citronella dog collar.  Whenever your barks spray him with the spray bottle set on squirt mode.  Don’t use a squirt gun, the point here is to get your dog’s attention and not play with or traumatize him.

Tell him why you had to use the squirt gun and tell him that one bark should be enough.  A citronella dog collar works on the same principle.  The collar has a sensor attached that monitors the vibration in your dog’s throat. Whenever your dog barks, the vibration will set off the collar and would spray a dose of citronella.  The odor is quite strong for your dog’s sensitive nose, and most dogs do not like the scent.

Try to line your garden with citronella plants and you’ll notice that your dog will not approach the side that has citronella in it.  Most dog owners prefer a citronella dog collar to other collars that deliver an electric shock to a dog.  Just remember that if your dog has separation anxiety, giving a dog collar while you’re away will not help his condition, but only make it worse.  Address your dog’s separation anxiety first before utilizing a dog collar for behavioral modification.

It can be very hard to train a dog to stop excessive barking.  But in time, coupled with patience and practice, your dog will become a well-behaved canine that is adored by your neighbors.

One particular instance when your dog would pee uncontrollably is during an exciting event such as you arriving home, having visitors over, a sudden loud noise, or whenever you and your dog are just having a good time.  This is called excited peeing.  Here are the steps that you can do to help lessen its occurrence.

1)  Whenever you get home, do not make such a fuss when you arrive.  Greet your dog with a pleasant “hello” and then keep your interaction low-key as much as possible.  Try ignoring your dog for 15 minutes then give him your full attention.

2)  If you’re having visitors over, you can pre-warn your dog by saying that some of your friends will arrive shortly.  You can also lessen your dog’s intake of water before your friends arrive.  The keyword here is lessen, not eliminate.  Dogs need water as much as you do, so make sure that you just limit the intake and not deprive him of it.

3)  Take your dog out for a walk before your friends come over.  Encourage him to urinate while outside, and do not go in while he hasn’t.

4)  Greet your friends outside with your dog.  When your dog urinates outside, tell him he’s a good dog for he urinated outside the house.  This way, your dog will get the idea that he should be doing the deed outside, and not inside the house.

5)  If your dog is small, then by all means hold him when your friends arrive.  This way, your dog will be reassured and be calm whenever strangers are around.

Submissive peeing, on the other hand, occurs when your dog is feeling threatened or dominated.  It is also due to your dog’s belief that he must be submissive enough to gain your approval.  To lessen this problem, the following tips can be employed.

1)  Whenever you arrive home, greet your dog pleasantly but without looking at him straight in the eye.  This is a show of dominance, and your dog will react by showing submissive behavior.

2)  Wait for him to be the one to approach.  When he does so, do not pat him on the head.  Rub him behind his ears or give him a little scratch beneath his chin.  You would be in a less-dominating position and your dog will get the idea that he does not need to become submissive to gain your affection.

3)  You can also greet him this way:  when he comes near, command him to sit, and shake.  When he performs the command correctly, praise him appropriately and also tell him he’s been a good dog for not peeing.

4)  Expose your dog to a lot of children or dogs.  Tell children not to pat or touch your dog when she rolls over.  Tell them to touch your dog only when she’s standing on all fours, or sitting down calmly.  This can also be told to your friends whenever they come over.

5)  If ever your dog pees whenever he is given attention, tell him softly and calmly in a normal tone of voice that you and he are going out for a walk.  When he pees outside, tell him that he’s being good and peeing is best done outside the house and not inside.

Do take into mind that excited and submissive peeing are not problems due to improper training, or because of lack or too much attention.  If you suspect a medical condition, consult a vet.

However, whenever you observe your dog doing such an act, do not scold or punish him.   Doing so will only make the condition worse and not resolve the issue.  All he needs is proper encouragement and a boost in self-confidence to overcome this behavior.

• Your dog may need to have a bath.  How many times a week do you bathe your dog?  If your dog is itchy or hot, he would relieve himself by licking his fur or skin.   This is the normal way dogs groom themselves, and the instinct will not disappear no matter how domesticated your dog would be.

• Your dog may be irritated by an allergen in the food, or something else in the environment.  You may have fed him a food that has eggs or seafood in it that did not go well with your dog’s skin.  Fleas between your dog’s paws may also be irritating your dog, as well as leaving some itchy marks on his body.

• Your dog is anxious.  This can be seen after a major relocation, or whenever you or a favorite person leaves the house.

• If your dog is excessively licking you or other people, this is a behavioral problem that comes from different reasons:
  • Your dog has been trained during puppyhood that excessive licking is acceptable.  Your child may be playing with your dog as a puppy and can be constantly delighted with the excessive licking the puppy is showering her.  When the dog grows old, that “learned” behavior is carried on and manifested when you come home from work, or when visitors drop by.
  • It is your dog’s way of showing affection.  Dogs are not able to communicate properly, so this behavior is their way of saying that he likes you, is delighted to see you, and he wants to play with you.

To stop the dog from licking, you have to address the issue.  Ensure that your dog is given proper hygiene.  See if your dog has some flea issues you have to take care of.  If your dog is licking himself and you or a favorite person after a period of lack of contact, you may want to do some separation anxiety management.

Make sure that you don’t make a big issue about coming and going the house.  Leave the house for 5 minutes and come back again without saying anything to your dog.  This would take some time, but it will do its trick once your dog gets used to it.

You can also correct his behavior by not noticing him when he licks you.  Train him that he will still get the attention that he wants without having to resort to heavy licking.  When he finally stops licking you, ignore him for a short while and then praise him for not licking you.

Train him to do some tricks, and give him rewards and praise when doing so.  Tell him firmly “NO!” when he jumps at you starts licking you.  Do not punish him for doing so.  Punishing will only cause more behavioral problems.  Remember that dogs respond better through positive encouragement, and as a responsible pet owner, you are in charge of producing a dog that has acceptable behavior.

There are two ways of praising a dog: giving treats and positive words of reinforcement.  These two when properly given will produce wonders in your dog’s behavior.  You will be able to uncover hidden talents and produce a dog that is disciplined and eager to please.

Each time you want a dog to perform a trick, speak the command clearly and distinctly.  Once your dog is able to do the trick, offer him a piece of treat like a piece of dog biscuit.  But there is a downside to constantly using this method.

Every time you give your dog a treat each time he would do as you command, he would be conditioned to expect a biscuit as a reward.  Once you stop giving him treats, he would also soon realize that it would be pointless to do as you command.

In order to maintain acceptable dog behavior, alternate between verbal encouragement and treats.  Each time he does something that you tell him to, go down to his level and say “You’re a good dog, Buddy.”  It’s important that you state your dog’s name as would foster good master-dog relationship and encourage self-worth for your dog.  Bear in mind that dogs are pack animals.

You’re seen as a leader of the pack, and he looks up to you and hangs on to your every word and gesture.   There is not a single thing that you do that is not important to him.  Give him a good pat on his back, or scratch behind his ears each time he exhibits good behavior.

You can also reward your dog by letting him do his favorite activity whenever he behaves favorably.  Say for example he did his best in behaving like the perfect dog even with a room full of rowdy people.

When the guests have gone, go down on all fours and say “Good job, Buddy, you did not bark the whole time my friends were here.” Then go out and have a round of Frisbee or for a walk around the block.  You can also go at the backyard and play with him for 10 minutes or more.

Always be prompt when giving praise or reward to your dog.  A dog that adores his master will always be willing to do everything to gain approval.  Remember to keep a pleasant tone of voice, smile, and be sincere with your praises.  Each time you praise your dog, you will condition him to always be at his best, and still be happy with what he does.

Shoes, bags, toys and furniture are chewed to pieces.  Not only that, your dog constantly jumps on the dinner table, either begging for scraps or taking the food from your plate.  Your dog definitely needs to be disciplined.

It would be best to discipline your dog whenever you caught him in the act of doing something unpleasant.  If you see your dog stalking your favorite pair of shoes, tell him right there and then “NO.”  Not that soft, sweet, mellow tone of voice.  He will not respond to it in a way that you want him to be. A firm, louder and slightly harder than normal tone must be used for him to know that you mean business.

If it has been done, you must reprimand your dog, and you must also explain why he should have not done so.  You will say you’re treating the dog like an errant kid; well that’s precisely the idea.  A dog is just like a kid who does not know his boundaries and you must be authoritative enough to set him straight.

If your canine is into the habit of rummaging your garbage whenever you’re gone, that may mean two things: boredom and hunger.  There are several ways to address this.  You can buy a dog food dispenser that you can train your dog to access food whenever he wants it.  Or, before leaving, give him a hearty meal that can last for a whole day.

To address boredom, give him toys that he can gnaw and chew to his heart’s content.  If that still does not solve the issue, then get into the habit of taking out the trash before you leave, or buy a container that can seal your trash securely until you come home.

If you cannot afford such a container, pet stores have something that you can spray on your trash.  The spray is non toxic but with a taste that is absolutely detested by dogs.  Once your dog gets a taste of it, he will always associate garbage to that taste and will leave your garbage alone.

If your dog has a habit of jumping on the table for food you can start training him by telling all your family members (and yes, that includes you) not to encourage the behavior.  Avoid giving him table scraps whenever he’s near the table.

If it’s time for dinner, give him his plate outside.  Close the kitchen door when you’re preparing dinner and say clearly to your dog that he’s not allowed inside the kitchen and he should behave.

You can produce a learned behavior by placing a delicious piece of morsel at the center of the table and lining the table with a loose cloth filled with a lot of lightweight, safe, yet noisy items.  When your dog leaps on the table, he can cause the cloth to slide off along with the noisy items.

This can startle the dog and he would definitely not want to experience that event again.  If you don’t have a table-lining, have the family hide behind the kitchen door with pots and lids as well as ladles.

When he pounces, create such a racket that would surprise your dog.  Just make sure you won’t be seen.  And do not go after your dog to console him.  That would totally eradicate the whole point of the procedure and your dog will do it again.

However, this type of situation is only fit for confident and self-assured dogs.  If your dog is not behaving the way a normal dog should (i.e. being very submissive or very aggressive), ask a dog trainer what controlled situation would be appropriate to produce a learned behavior.

Whenever you correct your dog’s behavior, you must not use physical violence.  Beating or hitting a dog can turn your loving, trusting, and loyal companion into a dog that is mistrustful, frightened, and at worse, aggressive.

Your confident and exuberant canine will become a dog that does not interact, has low self-esteem, and avoid any human contact in any way it can.  And that means biting and attacking the very person that he used to love and adore.  Whenever you physically hurt a dog, he will be conditioned into thinking that a raised hand and a raised voice would equate to getting hurt.

In turn, whenever your children or anybody else walk towards him and play, an innocent gesture will be perceived as a threat.  This would instinctively command your dog to protect himself and act out aggressively to the nearest target.

Consistency and patience is the key to properly disciplining your dog.  And just like children, dogs respond more to positive reinforcements like rewards or praise whenever they are doing something right.

If your dog responded appropriately to your command, keep it in mind to lavish him with praise and give him a doggie treat.  Doing the same thing over and over again whenever your dog misbehaves will eventually train your dog to behave and cease wreaking havoc on your home.

Some dogs will even have a self-satisfied grin that they would not exactly hide when you scold them.  Apparently, it’s not something they perceive as a mischievous act, but something that they do normally and enjoy.

Fact is, digging is a natural instinct of dogs.  A dog that is about to give birth or a dog that is hot will dig the ground to provide them privacy and comfort.  A freshly dug ground can be quite cool and cozy for a distressed or hot dog.

If your dog is feeling too hot, you can give him a bath, or give him a wading pool to cool himself down whenever he wants to.  Place his dog house under a shade and as much as possible facing the east.  This way, he can be free from the direct rays of the sun around the afternoon.

It may be that your dog is scared of something, and this can happen when you’re near a place where wild life can come in any moment.  Your dog may be digging up a hole where he can hide himself so he won’t be seen by the very thing that he’s scared of.  Check to see if there are any wild life in your area that can be at risk for your dog.

Sometimes, a timid dog may also be afraid of a cruel owner, and it would dig a hole as a place of solace whenever a beating has happened.  Give your dog the comfort and reassurance that he needs so he would not need to bury himself inside that hole.

Is there a pattern that you observe on your dog’s digging habits?  Is he digging in just one area in the garden?  He’s so fixated in just one area that he was able to dig a hole that hides him up to half of his body.  What you can do is fill up that hole and have a designated digging area by giving him a digging box.

Place a favorite toy in that digging box and encourage your dog to dig in it whenever you see him getting ready to do so in his favorite spot.  You can fill the box with all sorts of things like food or a squeaky toy.

Show him what to do by going on all fours and digging yourself.  Praise him whenever he digs, and share his delight when he finds his treat.  If he goes back to his digging place, go and fetch him then bring him back to his digging box.  Keep it interesting by placing the treats in layers.  Place some at the surface to first train him that something is there.

Stimulate his curiosity further by placing another layer of items in the middle.  Give him a sense of accomplishment by placing a final and special toy or treat at the bottom.  Maintain that digging box by turning the earth with a shovel at the end of the day and burying a new treat beneath it when the dog is already asleep.

If the hole is made beneath a fence, the hole may also have been made by your dog due to separation anxiety, and they release their anxiety by digging a hole that they feel they can go.  They also feel that if they have dug a hole big enough, they will be able to escape and go to where you are.

If you and your family have been spending so much time outside because of certain activities, your dog may feel quite lonesome.  The activity outside may have caught the curiosity and interest of your dog that he would want to go outside of the fence in order to partake with the enjoyment.

To solve this entertain your dog by playing with him every now and then.  Play fetch, chase him around the garden, do some other activities that will help him vent out all his excess energy.  As much as possible have someone to keep him company for a long period of time just to tire him out.

Another way to stop this is to have your fence go as deep as 12 inches beneath the surface.  Your dog will get the message that he would be unable to escape and cease his digging.

Regardless of the reason, you can also turn on the sprinkler system whenever he’s digging a hole.  Place the sprinkler near his favorite area and turn it on whenever he starts digging.  Eventually he will get the idea that he will be sprayed whenever he digs, so he will stop doing so eventually.

Just make sure that you won’t be seen so he will still think that the whole thing is happening even if you’re not around.  If your dog still cannot be stopped from digging, put on a good pair of disposable gloves and place his own feces inside the hole that he’s made.  Even if you cover the hole, he will still be able to smell his own dump, and be repelled by it.

You must use his very own poop, otherwise, it won’t work. Others go further by lining the entire garden area with chicken wire.  After doing so, the area is covered with several inches of soil.  Whenever and wherever a dog digs, he will always encounter that very uncomfortable and highly irritating chicken wire so he would stop all efforts to dig.

Others sprinkle on a good amount of cayenne pepper inside the holes previously dug by their dogs and cover them up.  When the dog digs in it, his nose will have quite a stinging from the pepper and will not dig again.

Remember that physical punishment is not the answer to correcting undesirable dog behavior.  Your dog will only learn not to dig in your presence and will resume doing so when you’re not around.  Reprimand your dog verbally whenever he starts digging and praise him when he stops.  Pet him and give him treats whenever he digs in his own digging box, and he will retain the good behavior.

It may take time to train your dog to stop digging, so just be patient.  Eventually, he will get the idea and leave the garden alone.  A dog that cannot be stopped from digging may need some professional assistance.  Bring him to the vet if the digging is suspected to come from a deeper problem.

This is a common problem for dog owners whenever they leave for work.  Sometimes the owner gets so upset over the dog that it leads to giving the dog away either to other friends and family or to a dog shelter.

What exactly is separation anxiety for a dog?

Every dog article that you would read will always tell you constantly that a dog is a pack animal.  A dog with a high sense of dominancy will think of you as a part of the pack that he needs to protect.  The moment you’re gone from his sight, he would think all sorts of things with regards to your safety and whereabouts.

Eventually, your dog will be so overwhelmed with anxiety; he would eventually explode and unleash his pent-up emotions on furniture, doors, windows, and the garden.  And you will find that the most destroyed items in your home would be the ones you always use and come in contact with.  Your favorite shoes, favorite socks, favorite chair, all will be in shambles by the time you get home.  You may even find some dog poop in your shoes or anywhere in the house, and be horrified to know he has relieved himself on your expensive carpet.

What causes it?

Separation anxiety can be caused by a lot of things.  One could be genetic predisposition.  If your dog came from a breed that is known to exhibit separation anxiety, chances are your dog will also be doing the same thing.  A traumatic event that has happened while you’re away like a severe thunderstorm, earthquake, or robbery, can cause your dog to be fearful of your absence.

It can also be caused by any change from the normal daily routines that your dog has grown accustomed to.  Your dog may have grown used to your constant presence because you were on a vacation, then suddenly have to cope with you leaving for work when your vacation has ended. Or it can be an addition of a new family member such as a baby who takes away the attention from him.

And even though your dog does not usually exhibit separation anxiety, he will manifest the condition if he has been left to the vet or kennel for a long time.  A rescued dog from an animal shelter is also the biggest candidate for separation anxiety.

How will I know if my dog has separation anxiety?

These behaviors are commonly noted on dogs that suffer from the said condition.

1)  Your dog engages in wild behavior before you leave and after you come home from work.  This would include whining, clawing on doors, leaping at you to prevent you from leaving, biting your trousers and dragging you back to your house.  Some dogs tense up and even shake when they see that you’re preparing to leave.  When you get home, you will observe exuberant behavior such as leaping or pouncing, excessive barking, and licking.

2)  Your neighbors will say that they can hear your dog whining and howling nonstop the moment you’re gone.

3)  You will notice that your dog will also cry, refuse to eat, or drool excessively as well as refuse to eat.

4)  Severe cases can manifest vomiting and or diarrhea; escaping through windows or screen doors regardless of any injuries your dog may suffer from.  Self-mutilation may be seen in bleeding paws and other body parts such as the mouth.

How will I know if it’s really separation anxiety?

Some asks if those manifestations are indeed signs of separation anxiety and not some deeper problems that their dog is suffering from.  For one thing, check to see if your dog is healthy.

See if you’re giving him the right balance of protein in his diet.  The usual and distinctive characteristic that distinguishes separation anxiety from behavioral disorders is simply the manifestation of inappropriate behavior while you’re gone.

Is there a way to cure or help my dog?

Some pet owners scold and punish their dogs whenever they go home and find destroyed items in their home.  This is not the appropriate approach, for this would only result in a more depressed dog.  He is already upset that you left him, and scolding or physically harming your dog due to bad behavior that is mostly due to missing you will only make him more upset and disturbed.

This will only aggravate your dog’s condition, and can even result in a dangerous or permanent conduct disorder.  You have to help your dog get used to your absence by slowly and patiently desensitizing him of your routine.

1)  During your off days, stay with your dog in the living room.  While you two are together, leave through the front door and stay out for just about 20 seconds or so.  You have to get back before he starts to whine and not when he does so.

The principle of this exercise is have him accept your absence without suffering from distress. Do this every once in a while in varying intervals and duration.  It would be best to do this straight for 2 or 3 days.  Gradually increase your “absence” by 30 seconds, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5, until you get to 10.  Eventually, the next day you will be able to stay away for a maximum of 30 minutes or so.

2)  Take notice of your ritual before you leave.  Do your ritual even though you’re not leaving.

• Get your car keys while you’re within sight of your dog and let it create a sound by playing with it.  Carry it around for several minutes then return it back to the key holder.

• It may be uncomfortable, but you may have to sit in front of the TV wearing your coat or blazer.  Eventually, he will get used to the coat and not associate it with your impeding departure.

3)  If you’re leaving by the front door, try leaving through the back door or kitchen door if you have.  That very door that you always access to leave the house is already associated with hours of loneliness.  Every single time you go near that door, your dog knows you’re leaving.  Remove that association so the next time you leave through that door, he would not stop you from leaving.

4)  If you can stand some dog smell in your homely clothes, leave a couple of shirts behind and let him play with it while you’re gone.  At least his attention will be fixed on your clothes and not on your furniture or your favorite pair of shoes.

5)  Before you leave, engage your dog in a variety of physical activities.  Jog with your dog in the morning around the neighborhood.  This activity will enable your dog to use any pent-up energy that he may use against your furniture the moment you leave for the office.  Give him ample food and drink that has enough nutrients to sustain him for the day but not necessarily stimulate him.

6)  It is important to tell your dog that you are leaving and for how long you will be away.  This helps you prepare your dog and yourself for what is going to happen the moment you do.  Make leaving boring and swift.  Do not look back when your dog whines or howls or scratch at the door or windows.   When you get home, ignore his exuberant behavior.

You may miss him as well and be delighted over his display of affection, but remember that you are helping your dog to be self-reliant.  Ignore him for 5-10 minutes and only give him the attention that he needs when he’s calm.  Keep it in mind to praise him when you notice that he has calmed himself and tell him that you prefer his behavior that way.

7)  You can buy a crate so that your dog will have its own den to comfort himself while you’re gone, but some say it does not cure your dog of separation anxiety.  A new companion may also be an option, but a new dog will not always be the right answer especially if you have a breed that has problems with separation anxiety.

8)  You may use medications that your vet prescribes, but that should be the very, very, very last option for you to consider.  For these medications to take effect, you must stick to its regimen every day and never skip a dose.  If you forgot to give the prescribed dose, give it the moment you remember.  If you discontinued the medication abruptly, or have forgotten or neglected to give the dose for a few days, it may cause an ever more uncontrollable behavior.

Take into account that helping your dog recover from separation anxiety is a long, tedious, and time-consuming process.  Never stray from your behavioral modification regimen and always remember to praise your dog whenever he is able to stand being alone or being without your presence.

Most puppies will initially want to pull away during a walk. While this may seem cute at first, if it is allowed to continue the practice will become ingrained and it is a difficult habit to break. A key component to leash training is to stop anytime the dog pulls. This helps to teach your pet proper leash manners.

In other words, if your puppy/dog puts tension on the leash, you automatically stop each and every time. All types of training should include treats, praise and other positive payoffs that help to instill in our dogs the concept that our way is the better way.

A clicker is a small device that makes a clicking sound when it is pressed. Each time that your pet demonstrates a desired behavior the click should be sounded, followed immediate with a reward of some type. The dog learns to associate the sound with a reward and good behavior is the prerequisite to the sound – which makes clicker training very effective.

You can help your dog learn that it's a good idea to stay close to you, that good things happen when you're nearby, by clicking and then giving him a treat. This helps to insure that you are more interesting to your dog than other things in the environment.

When you are working with your dog in an attempt to train him how to walk on a leash or any new trick at all actually, it is important that you have the right mindset.

This includes being patient. Expect that your dog will not immediately ‘get it’, and that will make things less frustrating if he doesn’t. You should also expect that there will be days that he does very well with his training and other days when you wonder what happened to his memory.

Relax – just like humans, dogs have good days and bad days. Some days he simply may not be in the right mood. Speaking of which, it is important that you insure he is not overly hungry or tired when you are attempting to train him.

With a kind and steady approach your dog will learn the things you want him to. He will work hard to please you and in the end the bond between the two of you will be strengthened.

Not only does training provide quality time for you and your pet, but it creates a well behaved animal that is more enjoyable to be around. That results in a better companion and a closer friendship between you and your furry little comrade.

But finding effective ways of dealing with these behaviors is often a problem for many dog owners. We have to walk a fine line between being firm but in showing kindness at the same time when correcting our pets. Even old dogs can learn new tricks – but a lot depends on how we approach this teaching.

There are some things that we need to always be aware of and the most important is that our dogs have feelings. They have developed a love and trust in us. Even when correcting or training them we need to encourage this relationship that we have established.

The following tips can help in working with a dog that has a frustrating, annoying, or dangerous habit or behavior. These suggestions will encourage good behavior while maintaining the bond that you enjoy with your pet.

1. Consistency is the key when doing any type of training. You may be tempted to let them slide every once in awhile, but this will only serve to hamper your efforts. Be consistent with praise as well as with corrections and your dog will begin to understand what behavior you want and expect – the fact is that our dogs want nothing more than to please us.

2. Positive Reinforcement is Vital because it allows the dog to associate good behavior with a reward that he enjoys. Kindness pays off in almost every case. In brief, positive reinforcement means that you reward a dog when they do the right thing, and withhold the reward when they do not. Even the most stubborn dog will begin to respond to these training techniques, when they are applied consistently.

3. Use a dog crate sparingly. I always insist that dog crates not be over used. In reality, I would not use one myself but I know that many dog trainers suggest crates are one of the easiest ways to put an end to destructive behavior. A crate provides clear cut boundaries. Crating them while you are gone, or when you need some space is an effective and humane training aid. You may need to introduce them to the crate slowly, and allow them time to get used to being confined.

Remember, be consistent and reward them for good behavior in their crate. A crate should not be used as a punishment device, but rather as a safe place for them to go and relax. If you use a crate you should insure that it is the appropriate size for your pet and you should make it comfortable.

4. An additional cautionary note for you and especially your immediate family members. Once the dog behavioral problems are addressed, and the corrective training has started, it is imperative everyone involved with the dog use the same training techniques. Everyone must be consistent in the handling of the dog. If not your poor dog will become very confused and may display even more inappropriate behavior than before.

These easy tips can go a long way toward changing bad behavior to good. Both you and your pet will benefit from effective training. A well behaved pet is better liked by everyone and he is welcomed in more places. This makes it easier to take him with you for fun and travel. The bond between you will be stronger because you will enjoy his companionship even more than before.

1 - Be Gentle - Your new puppy is going to be very sensitive at first, and as a result will not be able to handle anything that is too stressful, both emotionally and physically. Although learning generally takes place quickly, now is the time your puppy will react badly to stress or being trained too rough.

Keep in mind that fears developed during these early stages can affect your pet for the rest of his life. They can inhibit the dog's ability to learn and to socialize – so it is important that you exercise a gentle and caring approach that assures the puppy of your support.

2 - Keep It Short - Puppies are like small children, they have extremely short attention spans, which means any training sessions have to be short if they are going to be effective. Your puppy will learn only when his attention is focused on you; and you will not see the results you want when your puppy is physically or mentally tired. Plan short sessions at a time you’re your puppy is not too tired or hungry.

3 - Exercise Patience - Expecting results overnight will only frustrate you and make your training regime too intense to be enjoyable for you or your pet. Relax, and realize that things like this take time, and understand that there are some things that puppies learn more easily than others.

You should also expect some training sessions to go better than others. This may mean that one day the puppy suddenly seems to have forgotten what you thought he knew. Exercise patience and refresh his memory.

4 – Simplicity Is Best - Teaching your puppy should be done in a step by step process if you want to achieve the best results. This is the best way for a puppy to learn. Build on the knowledge that he learns overtime. If you plan and work a simple, step by step program your puppy will learn faster and enjoy the process more thoroughly than if you try to use a vigorous training regime.

5 - Build Confidence - Confidence is the core of every healthy adult dog, and building trust begins with confidence in a puppy. Building confidence in your puppy is not difficult to do, to begin, all you have to do is spend some quality time with your puppy – make this a positive experience for both of you.

This will help build confidence in your puppy and he will at the same time, come to feel that he can trust and rely on you. Although puppies need at least some training, you should also insure that there is plenty of play time. Your dog is your best friend and it is important that you treat your friends with love and respect – don’t ask for or expect too much.

Sadly, the smells linger and the stains are difficult to completely eliminate. This is a very frustrating topic for many dog owners. Most of these individuals will tell you that after trying everything they finally gave up on ever getting their pet housebroken.

The good news is almost any dog can be housebroken. The steps listed in this article are proven to work but they have to be followed consistently to be effective.

One of the most basic methods of housebreaking a dog is with the use of a crate. First I want to say that although I do not advocate this technique, simply because I do not like the idea of confining a pet in a crate, I will admit that this method works – in fact, it is almost fail-proof.

To use this method you will need a crate or kennel. The idea behind the routine is to keep your pet confined in his space – a space that he will not want to ‘go potty’ in because it is his space. You will need to insure that the kennel is large enough for your dog to be comfortable, and make it a cozy space.

Watch your pet closely. Keep in mind that puppies need to ‘go’ more often than older dogs. Just as you would with a small toddler that you were potty training, you will need to take your pet out to potty after a nap, after play, after a meal, and at various other times.

Each time your pet does as you want, which is relieving himself where you want him to, you should lavish him with praise or reward him somehow. If you choose to give your dog a treat you will need to keep in mind that treats include calories that will add up – and oftentimes these calories are not necessarily nutritious.

If you choose not to use a crate you can still use a variation of the same method and it will be just as effective – but more effort will be required on your part. You will need to keep the dog with you – in most cases you will want the pet in the same room at all times.

Use the same intervals to take your pet to the appropriate spot to relieve himself. It’s a good idea to have a code word for what you want your pet to do, and it’s important to remember that there will probably be times that other people will be around when you use this word.

Taking your pet to the same spot helps the dog make an association with the spot and the activity. This is true whether you are using a puppy pad or a spot outdoors.

With a little effort your dog will be housebroken in a short amount of time. The important thing is not giving up. If you do you will be back where you started and the task will be more difficult than before.

The first basic thing that dog owners teach their dogs are the commands to sit and stay. With a little time and effort on a regular basis you can certainly train your dog which will result in him being a well behaved and even a helpful dog. When dogs are taught to fetch things they turn into helpful companions that can actually help with odd jobs around the home.

With the right tips you can teach your dog to do just about anything – which is intellectually stimulating to your pet, resulting in an increased ability to learn more new tricks and an even more helpful pet.

The regular tricks that dog enjoy doing are fetching the newspaper and mail while you have morning coffee. Your dog can also be taught to help you search for the car keys and or remote controls that often get misplaced.

Your dog will need to be taught the names of these items so he can make an association with what it is that you want him to find for you. Your pet will then use his keen sense of smell to locate the object.

Teaching your dog to behave and to do certain basic tricks helps to make them a part of the family. By spending the necessary time with your pets and interacting with them, both the dog and you will sense the bond that grows. Setting boundaries with your pet will be easier as well. In fact, you will find that over time you will be able to teach your pet almost anything you attempt to.

The more words your dog learns to recognize the more things he will be able to fetch and find. Whenever you say the word remote or car keys your dog will go around sniffing with his sensitive nose and searching for them till he finds and brings them to you clenching it with his teeth. You can teach your dogs your family names and the names of different household objects like the telephone and he will learn to answer the phone.

Using rewards for a job well done is one way to keep your dog motivated and ready to assist you when you need it. Small treats can make your dog’s effort worthwhile.

Remember, a trained dog will be happier and live a fuller life, and he can make your life easier too!

Some dog owners want their pet to be of show quality, some want a hunting companion, others want a dog that can protect their home and yard, and still others simply want a pet that they can count on for friendship, love and loyalty.

Obviously some owners will need to work with their dogs more closely if they are to instill the qualities they desire in their pet. But it is true that many dog owners do not spend much time training their little friends; instead, they seem happy to have their dog just as he is. In fact, some people prefer dogs that are full of their natural instincts.

Whether your dog is a champion or he is a hunter or simply a companion, he should be taught some simple commands. The three basic commands that can literally save your dog’s life are; ‘stay,’ ‘drop it’, and ‘leave it’ or ‘no.’ Each of these commands can be taught very quickly and without much effort.

By teaching your pet to stay you can be assured that you can prevent him from running into traffic or out your front door. Countless dogs are lost or even killed because they unknowingly put themselves at risk. You can greatly reduce this risk for your dog if you teach him the ‘stay’ command.

Puppies love to chew on things and they are usually not particular about what that is. Even adult dogs sometimes find inappropriate objects to play with. Teaching your dog to ‘drop it’ or ‘leave it’ can prevent him from eating something poisonous or otherwise dangerous, or it can simply keep him from getting into your kitchen garbage. An alternative to teaching each of these two commands individually is simply teaching your pet the ‘no’ command.

Believe it or not it is easy to train your dog to respond to these commands. Work with you pet on a regular basis, but keep the training sessions short. A 10 – 15 minute session is usually sufficient. Always reward your pet with praise or a treat for each success.

To begin teaching the your pet to stay you may want to leave your pet in a room, repeat the command a few times, then walk out, closing the door behind you. After doing this a few times you can use the same technique without closing the door. After you dog has mastered that you will want to take him outdoors, in an enclosed area, and continue the practice.

The other commands can be taught by practicing with a safe item that you know your pet finds tempting.  This can be anything of your choosing; food, a shoe, or even a toy. When you see your puppy or dog attempt to explore or pick up the object you should give the command. Repeat if necessary.

If your pet ignores you and picks up the object you should remove it and repeat the command again. You may find that offering another object in trade for the forbidden one will speed up the learning process.

Remember to keep the training session short and always reward your pet for a job well done. These simple commands can help keep your dog safe and make your life with your pet more enjoyable.

While dog leads are a simple concept, a strap or chain intended to restrain the animal, there is much more to choosing the one that is right for you and your dog than you may think. This becomes obvious as you begin shopping for a dog leash. Even the smallest pet shop will carry a variety of leads, in varying lengths and made of anything from plastic to metal.

To determine which one is right for you and your pet you should begin with determining your specific needs. If you plan to use your lead for walking your dog as you stroll through the neighborhood for example, a nylon leash (4 – 6 feet long) is ideal. These leads have a clip for attaching to a harness or collar at one end and a loop handle at the other.

The proper length needed is determined by the height of the dog and by how much freedom you want to allow him. As you can imagine, the shorter the leash, the less freedom the dog will have to stray. Short leads are used during dog shows because they can provide greater control of the animal during competitions.

Most dog trainers agree that a 4 ft. lead made of soft braided leather works best for dog training. These leads also have a clip at one end and a loop handle at the other. The trainer can have a tight grip on the leash, which is often needed during training, and at the same time, the lead can easily be folded into a shorter length if the need arises.

If you are fortunate enough to live in an area where you can safely allow your dog a little more freedom during walks, you will probably want to use a retractable lead. These leads are 15 – 25 feet long. They have a plastic handle and a thin rope (sometimes made of wire) that retracts automatically. This allows your pet freedom while keeping you in control.

There are also extended length dog leads made of nylon rope. These can range in length from 12 to 30 feet and they can be ideal for training a puppy to fetch or for tracking sessions.

Some dogs are used for special purposes, such as Guide Dogs (Seeing Eye Dogs) and other special assistance needs. Many of these dogs use leads that are specifically designed for that unique purpose.

Leads range in price from about $5 up to about $50. Knowing what you will be using the leash for will make your shopping much easier. Once in the store you should look for a leash that is made of quality material and that has secured stitches. Whether the lead is made of leather or nylon, it’s a good idea to look for one that feels soft. You and your pet will appreciate the flexibility.

And finally, the clip should be sturdy. Check it out and consider the fact that it will be used repeatedly. Therefore, the clip should be made of a durable metal that will hold up to many uses.

Whether it is our ankles or the ankles of other pets in the home, the new puppy is likely to ‘attack’ each time we walk across the floor. Although this activity is cute and even adorable at first, it can become quite annoying in a short period of time. Not only is it irritating but it can also become a costly and hurtful experience.

Sometimes those sharp little teeth and claws land just right, grabbing and tearing through not only our pants, socks, and/or hose, but also our skin. Ouch! This is obviously a problem that new puppy owners frequently complain of.

The good news is that there are some simple solutions to the problem. You clearly want your puppy to understand that you are the one in charge in your home. But you don’t want your puppy to be frightened of you and you understand that he is only playing. The perfect way out is to provide a distraction for your little dog.

Each time that he does his ‘attack’ thing you should be prepared with a distraction of some sort. Many people use noise makers for this. The ‘noise maker’ should be something that is unusual for your home. It could be a clapping of your hands, snapping of your fingers, shaking of a jar of pennies, etc. The point is that the noise needs to get the pup’s attention.

The noise has to be out of the ordinary to do that. But some puppies do not respond to strange noises. They continue with the attack as if nothing else is going on. In that case you could try offering a favorite toy. You will need to place the toy near the puppy and make a real effort to get his attention.

Depending on how much your puppy likes playing toys, this tactic may be effective. The last option is really not a favorite because it can send the wrong message to your puppy. If all else fails you can use a treat to distract your puppy. The bad thing is your pup could learn to associate this misbehavior with a positive reward.

On the up side of things, puppies do grow out of this stage. As with everything else, time will take care of the problem, if your patience last that long!

In the ideal case this socialization will begin in the earliest days of a dog’s life. That means the responsibility begins with the breeder. Puppies should be handled on a daily basis. The breeder should spend time holding them, talking to them, and playing with them each day. They should introduce the puppies to new sounds and sights, as well as allowing them to meet other people and animals.

When you acquire your new puppy or dog it is imperative that you continue the socialization of your pet. Take him with you whenever and wherever you can. Introduce him to new situations and environments regularly. If you are unsure of how he may react you will want to use caution as you allow him to meet new people and other pets. These simple activities are actually a vital part of your dog’s training.

Unfortunately not all dogs begin their life or existence in a new home in such an ideal setting. Your puppy or dog may have started out in a less than ideal situation. That means more effort will be required by you as the permanent owner.

Dogs that are not socialized can sometimes turn into a dog with emotional problems or put simply, a dog with annoying tendencies. Emotional issues can include such things as fear of other animals, people, or even locations. Some improperly socialized pets do not like to be touched by anyone but their owners and others are so fearful of new experiences that simple things like regular grooming can become a real chore.

When a dog is not socialized he may exhibit signs of aggression. In reality this aggression is brought on by a fear of the unknown. Unfortunately many of these pets are simply considered too dangerous to have around children or other pets and so they end up in a shelter.

These dogs will require a lot of hands on training and patience from someone if they are ever to become an ideal pet.
Sadly though, many of these animals do not end up with owners that are willing to take the time and effort required to work with them. Their untimely end is often waiting for them.

With this information it is easy to understand the importance and relevance of dog socialization. Properly socialized dogs make better companions and will be better liked by your family, friends, and neighbors. After all is said and done, a dog that is accepted by others in our lives is a happier dog and that makes our time with him more enjoyable.

They are pack animals and because you are the one that provides food and shelter you are the alpha dog; you are the pack leader. But you have to think like a dog and work with them.

Housebreaking can be done in four simple steps as follows:

1) Restrict the area that your dog is allowed to freely roam in. This should be no more than the area that you can keep watch over. By limiting the area to what you can supervise you will be able to closely monitor your dog.

2) Be diligent about taking your dog out as you should. Puppies will need to go out more often than older dogs. Always be ready to immediately take the pet outdoors when he wakes up. This is a time that you count on that he will look for a spot to ‘go’. Dogs also ‘go’ after eating, drinking, and exercise. Once again, older dogs can wait much longer than puppies.

3) When you take the dog out be sure to say whatever word or phrase you want him to associate with the deed. Just keep in mind that you may be saying this in public at some point in time so make it something that is not embarrassing. Taking your dog to the same place each time helps him to associate the spot with the deed. Do not play with your dog during these trips outdoors. He needs to understand that the trip has a purpose. When he finishes you should lavish praise on him, let him know he did good.

4) Repeat until your dog gets the idea and begins signaling to you that he needs to go out. If your dog makes a mess indoors it means that you were not monitoring as closely as you should have been. Never punish your dog for accidents. Simply continue with the training and expect that there will be a few accidents along the way. Some dogs continue to have occasional accidents but others will do anything not to ‘go’ indoors.

Many small breed owners find that the use of puppy pads works for their dogs. Rather than taking their little dog out the dog simply messes on the pad and it is disposed of. This also works for dogs that are left alone for long periods of time.

1) The young pup should start its education at a minimum of 8 weeks old, but no later than 12. When they are this young, they learn better. As they age, they won't learn as easily. The reason behind this is that they already know too much. You can educate dogs at an advanced age, but it will be difficult and require more effort, so, the earlier you teach them, the better.

2) Choose a place that does not have a lot of noise for the training. Puppies get preoccupied quickly by anything that makes a sound. Find a silent area around your house and educate him or her there.

3) Stay tolerant! Puppies are not children that can easily understand. As dogs they don't have the capacity to know language (at first anyway), so you must be patient when you start your training.

4) Don't shout at the puppy since it is not beneficial to you at all. If you shout, the dog will just become confused and not understand why you are shouting at him. You can speak in a stern tone, but do not shout.

5) The basic commands you need to teach your dog are fetch, stay, sit, down and others (ensure that everyone around the dog utilzes the exact commands that you do, or you might make your puppy bewildered).

6) Buy your new family member a container for his toys, and put a few chew toys made just for your pup inside the container. Otherwise, he might gnaw on other items you don't want him to, trust me, I know.

Chew toys are really great educational aids, but they also clean your puppy's teeth, and, when the dog is small, they aid in the relaxation of the teeth, which in turn relaxes the dog as you try to train him.

When you catch your puppy gnawing on an item you do not want them to gnaw on, take the puppy by his toy container and have him gnaw on his toys instead. The puppy will soon know which items he can gnaw and which ones he can't, as long as you remain determined.

7) What should be your recourse if your puppy goes to the bathroom inside? Initially, you need to put him in a safe place, such as a crate (teaching the dog by way of a crate is the number one method) and clean up the mess. You must remove the entire odor, or a chance exists that they'll go again since the place now stinks like his bathroom area.

Plain water and detergent will not be sufficient to remove the odor, since puppies have a better nose than people. A pet supply store can be a wonderful resource to help you select the right cleaning agent. Keep in mind that you should not reprimand your puppy for the mess. When you catch your puppy going in the house, pick him up and go outside with him.

The puppy will not comprehend why you are shouting at him if you do so for more than 60 seconds after the act. A popular punishment is to put the puppy's nose in the mess, but that is simply mean and may cause him to be self-conscience about going to the bathroom, even where he's supposed to go. If this is your punishment method, you should immediately quit.

Finally, when your pup gnaws on stuff you don't want him to, or if he makes a mess in your home, keep in mind that these incidents are not the puppy's fault. If you want to circumvent educational issues, concentrate on training your puppy constantly.

This will require time and patience. Allow your puppy to set a pace he is comfortable with, and do not push him into any situation where he is reluctant. Puppies do not know what is acceptable and what is not, so it is up to you to teach him these things; have patience and make things fun.

The best time to introduce your puppy to new things in the world is during the first few months of his life, as they are already prone to exploration. Chores performed everyday in the household, such as vacuuming, are excellent things to introduce the pup to. Some social skills may also be taught to him by the mother.

When first brought home, take the time to introduce your puppy to his new family in a quite, subdued setting. This will give him the opportunity to become accustomed to each person without any distractions. Too much distraction or too many people at once can create unnecessary stress for your new puppy.

Prior to taking your puppy outside, be sure to have him fully vaccinated and speak with your veterinary for the go-ahead. Once your vet gives approval, begin taking your puppy on walks to begin to acclimate him to the new surroundings.

It is recommended to introduce your puppy to individuals of all ages. Be aware, if your puppy is used to elderly people, he may become scared or nervous around children. This may create aggressive tendencies that can easily be avoided in the first place.

To help, try giving the new person a treat to give to your puppy when he is introduced to them. This may help to create trust between your puppy and the new individual. After a few meetings, they can be allowed to play on the floor with your puppy.

However, if you feel you do not have enough time to invest in raising a puppy, please do not bring one home at all. Puppies require a great deal of care and patience during their first few months. Remember, they are learning what is acceptable and expected of them, and this will require a set schedule.

Be sure that the dog will fit alright in the crate. If you want to start off with a big crate, that is okay, because your will grow. You can utilize a board to portion off the crate so that it is smaller for the puppy. Be sure that your puppy can be comfortable when it turns around, lays down, or stands up.

To start off, show the puppy the crate. Allow him to go in and out of it, exploring. At first he may just smell it or he might go on in. Slowly, he will get used to the crate. After this, you should put your puppy in its crate for about twenty minutes. Ignore him if he begins to whine. It may help if you put a cover over the crate. This will make the crate appear confined. You may also want to place a blanket or toy in the crate with your puppy.

When the twenty minutes are up, let him out and take him outside to use the bathroom. If he goes to the bathroom, praise him. Bring him back in the house and for the next half an hour, just play. When the half an hour is up, put him in the crate once more. If he balks at going in, put a treat in the crate. When he goes inside, praise him, then shut the door. Wait for twenty minutes. You can keep your puppy in the crate for an hour for every month old he is, plus an additional hour. So if he is four months of age, you can leave him in the crate for five hours.

Puppies should never be left in their crate for more than eight hours. They have to go outside regularly to use the bathroom and exercise. The best thing you can do for your new puppy is to follow a schedule. Your puppy will soon understand what you want from him and will do it.

To begin, you must first determine exactly how long your puppy can hold their urine. Try to discover a correlation between your puppy's eating habits and the time until elimination is needed. Keeping a record for a few days should make this easy to determine.

Once the pattern is known, the puppy's comfort time zone can be determined by using the time frame discovered from your records, then subtracting a range of 15 to 30 minutes. This process should give you an approximate estimation of how long your puppy should be capable of holding their urine after they have previously been.

Typically, most puppy's will require to go outside after drinking, eating, sleeping, and/or playing. Unless they have ingested an excess of water, most canines will require to go outside between three to five times per day. One of the best tips is should to take the puppy out to walk, do not allow him back inside until he has urinated.

Be prepared to remain outdoors until he has done so. Be aware, this may require some waiting time on your part. Should you choose to bring him back inside prior to this, it will, more likely than not, result in an accident.

When he does engage in the right behavior, take the time to verbally praise him. Be sure to do this every time. This is perhaps the most vital thing you can do as an owner. The verbal praise will act as a positive reinforcement due to the attention he will receive. Try pairing this along with a treat.

If you do not praise him at the time of the behavior and do it at a later time, it will not reinforce the desired behavior with praise, rendering it ineffective. Puppies will often select a particular area to eliminate, often carpets or rugs. To prevent this, try to close off rooms with either rugs or carpeting, restricting him to open areas.

However, if an accident does occur, immediately use an odor neutralizer on the area. There are some designed specifically for pets - use these types as this will prevent any odor from occurring. Puppies frequently attempt to find the same spot they used last time by sniffing. Refrain from using any ammonia based cleaners, as these contain urea, which can also be found in urine.

A plethora of collars, crates, muzzles, and leashes exist out there. Take the advice we give you on the benefits of each piece of equipment, then figure out what kinds will make your dog the most obedient and comfortable.

Collars

You can find numerous kinds of collars out there. Factor in the needs of your dog when making your decision.

Buckle or Flat Collar

You'll see these collars around the neck of a dog. You can nylon, cloth, even leather types of collars for your pet.

If your dog is well behaved on a leash, you can trust that the collar will effectively restrain him. There's a possibility of choking with the collar if the dog tends to pull on the leash. These kinds of collars are not ideal if your dog is in danger of doing this.

Head or Halter Collar

You'll see halter or head collars on the muzzle and neck of a dog. These kind of collars work not unlike a horse's halter; the body will follow whatever direction his head is pointing toward.

You can control your dog more effectively if need be with this collar, as the dog will move where you want, but a minimum amount of force is applied, so the dog won't get hurt in the process.

However, a dog can find the head collar uncomfortable at times. Even dogs who are used to wearing them won't accept a head collar properly, putting up resistance. They often refuse to move when you put it on, or attempt to paw it off or bite it off.

Martingale

Martingales look like regular collars, but are designed to only be tightened so much, and can slip off if need be. The owner still has appropriate control of the dog, without sacrificing the dog's comfort level and ability to feel safe. You can fit the collar quite easily. The martingale can be put on the dog's head or around their neck safely and securely.

With the Martingale, even with backward movement, the dog will find it difficult to remove, making it secure and giving you control. Even with this, it's never too tight, so it can't choke your dog. If the dog pulls regularly and constantly, the Martingale may not work as well.

Choke Collar

Only use a choke collar when you are training your dog and he is very aggressive and resistant. When the collar is jerked, it will tighten around the neck of the dog. When you let the leash go slack, it loosens. If you aren't careful, you can cause harm to your dog.

Be absolutely sure you know how to use it and be careful when you're using it to train an aggressive dog who is resisting training, or else something bad can happen. People who use it carelessly can hurt and abuse their dog.

Harnesses

When you use a harness, you wrap it around the body of the dog, and the leash is attached to the harness at the shoulder blades. Unlike collars, which control at the head or neck, harnesses control the entire torso. When a dog has a harness, his pulling force is placed squarely on his shoulders and chest, allowing the dog to resist more.

Decide on the kind of harness that's best and most comfortable for your dog, as there are numerous harnesses to choose from. If your dog has had a neck injury in the past, harnesses are a great pain free way to go.