We have already talked about why train a dog. Now it’s time to take a look at some dog training basics.

Begin Dog Training

It doesn’t matter if you have a puppy or an adult dog, taking the time to start teaching her from the beginning will go a long way to avoiding behavior problems in the future.

The first place to start is with house training. Housebreaking a dog is a great accomplishment that is not that difficult if you follow the right training methods. But don’t stop there.

Many dog owners feel that it is enough to have a dog that doesn’t mess in the house. That is a mistake. Move on to the next step and start teaching your dog some basic obedience commands. This will not only allow you to have a more well behaved dog, but it will strengthen the bond between the two of you.

Obedience Training

There are various methods of obedience training for your four-legged friend. What method you choose will depend on what you are trying to accomplish. If having a house trained dog, who listens to you, and is leash-trained, then the dog training basics in obedience will be sufficient.

If you want a well-behaved and obedient pet, you will want to explore further dog obedience training. Many behavior problems can be avoided or corrected with the proper dog training techniques.

Behaviors such as:

• barking
• growling
• whining
• digging
• chewing
• aggression

You may think that these are just issues that a dog owner has to deal with, but with consistent training and dedication these are issues that can be prevented, or eliminated. With basic training you can avoid many common dog behavior problems.

Puppy Training

If you have a puppy, then you can definitely get a jumpstart on your efforts by starting at an early age. There is no reason to wait until your puppy is six months old to start. You just need to understand the right methods to use for young puppies to effective.

There are various books, ebooks, videos, and other training courses available to help you with training your puppy. If you are committed to having an obedient dog but you just don’t have the time, then you can hire a professional dog trainer. You can start by asking friends, people you know, or your vet for recommendations.

Professional Dog Trainers

When looking to hire a professional trainer there are some things you want to keep in mind. Finding a breeder specializing in your particular dog breed is not necessary. A good dog trainer will be able to work with your dog no matter what breed, or mix of breeds, she is.

You can find group classes, private one-on-one training, and board and train programs. It all depends on your situation and budget. Choose the program that is right for both you and your dog.

Train Your Own Dog

If you decide to train your dog yourself then you need to find the best training materials to help you get the job done. Do your research to learn as much about dog training as you can. Purchase or read high quality materials. Know that it is possible to train your dog on your own, but you will need to have patience, dedication, and consistency. If training by yourself seems a little intimidating, remember that you can always hire a professional.

If you are looking for a good training resource, check out Secrets to Dog Training. It is one of the more popular training packages available online.

A Positive Attitude

Owning a dog, or as I like to say, being owned by a dog , can be a truly wonderful and rewarding experience. But it is not always fun. It can be hard work at times, and you do get frustrated. Like any other relationship worth treasuring, it takes work and dedication. However, with the right attitude, you will develop a strong bond with your canine friend. And a great place to start is with dog training basics.

Now I invite you claim your Dog Care Handbook and get our free dog training tips every week.

p.s. Remember to stop by Secrets to Dog Training and check it out. I bought it so pretty soon I will be writing a review of the training program.

Recommended Reading

• Why Train a Dog – 8 reasons why you should train your dog

We have already talked about why train your dog, but here is a quick dog training tip – one of the most important responsibilities you have as a dog owner is to train your dog or puppy as early as possible.

There are various types of dog training you can pursue such as:

Puppy Training

You should start training your puppy from an early age. Some dog owners wait too long to begin puppy training, then it becomes more difficult to train your dog and more frustrating for both dog and owner.

Some people believe that you cannot train a puppy younger than six months old. Thankfully, that is a misconception. I agree that there are certain skills that may be too advanced for a young puppy. However, there are things you can begin to teach your puppy as soon as you get her home.

Just be sure to do your research to make sure you are using the proper methods and techniques. There are various dog training books, videos, courses, websites, and e-books available on the topic. If you prefer you can also hire a professional dog trainer to help you. Be sure to ask around for referrals.

Obedience Training

It is also important that you do some level of obedience training with your dog. You should start with basic obedience training and move on from there. Be certain you at least provide basic training which includes things like house training, leash training, and basic commands like sit, stay, and come.

However, you don’t have to stop there with your dog’s training. Once she knows the basics, why not continue on to more advanced training. If you have a well trained dog it is less likely that she will develop problem behaviors such as barking, digging, and excessive chewing.

There are many options available for both basic training as well as advanced obedience training.

Professional Training

Some people feel confident enough to train their own dogs. But there is nothing wrong with seeking the help of a professional dog trainer. There are various options available when looking for an experienced trainer. You can enroll in group classes or private one on one sessions. Both have some advantages and drawbacks that we will be looking at in the coming weeks.

What’s Next

Owning a dog is a great responsibility, but a very rewarding experience. And part of that responsibility is making sure that your dog is trained.

If I were to choose one last dog training tip to share with you, that would be to approach dog training with the right attitude. Do that one thing and the rest will fall into place. You will enjoy working with your dog, and you will also be pleasantly surprised by the special bond that you and your dog will begin to share. You will also be able to avoid some common dog behavior problems.