Dog Training Obedience

In order to be considered properly trained, there are some basic commands that he or she must master.Understanding these basic commands is vital to the well being of the dog, the owner and the family.

Learning just a few basic commands can go a long way toward creating a dog that is a joy to be around. Everyone has seen examples of both well trained and poorly trained dogs, and few people would opt for the poorly trained varieties. Training a dog properly the first time is especially vital for owners of dog breeds that have been bred for their aggressiveness, such as pit bulls, Doberman pinchers and German shepherds.

In addition, proper training is important for families with young children. Young children can torment dogs and cause biting reactions, so it is important that the dog learn how to deal with these types of situations.

Bringing a new puppy into the household is always an exciting and fun time. Everyone wants to play with, cuddle and hold the little ball of fur. The last thing on the minds of most new puppy owners is training the new addition, but it is important that puppy training and socialization begin as early as possible.

Socializing a new puppy is a vital part of any training program, and it is important for socialization to begin early. The window for socialization is very short, and a puppy that is not properly socialized to people, dogs and other animals by the time he or she is four months old often never develops the socialization he or she needs to become a good canine citizen.

A lot has been said and quoted about not being able to teach old dogs new tricks, but in reality, it’s not necessarily impossible. While tougher than training a pliable, eager to please puppy, an older dog is just as capable of learning new commands as any other dog. Consider the human mind. How much easier is it for us to learn when we are just children? Six year olds can be fluent in multiple languages, but if you or I tried to sit down and learn French right now it would take years to master it.

The same is true for dogs. The brain gets set in its ways and it takes quite a bit of extra effort to learn something new when you’re that much older. But, it’s not impossible – not by a long shot.

Loud noises, such as fireworks, thunder and traffic, are one of the most frequently cited fears given by dog owners.  It is natural for some dogs to be fearful of loud noises, but some dogs are so traumatized by thunder, fireworks and other loud noises that they are completely unable to function.

Dogs that display excessive fears or phobias such as these can be a danger to themselves and those around them.  Dogs may manifest their fear in self-destructive ways, like slinking under the couch or the bed and getting stuck, for instance.  They may also react in ways that are destructive to the home, such as urinating or defecating on the carpet, chewing up favorite items, or barking incessantly.  These reactions are often worse when the owner is not at home.