This is a guest post by Carrie Boyko from

At the heart of the American Kennel Club’s devotion to dogs lies their commitment to owners’ proper care and handling of their canines. Earning the coveted Canine Good Citizen certificate is the first level for many owners. The CGC certificate is often required to enter training as a working dog. This certification includes more than mere obedience and proper care; it requires the teaching of proper behavior, manners and socialization. And it does not stop there.

Taking their seriousness to another level, the AKC requires several additional confirmations of good teamwork from a dog and its handler:

Before taking the test, the AKC requires that owners sign a Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, promising to take care of their dog’s health, safety, exercise, training and quality of life, among other items.

The CGC evaluation is a 10 item test, during which the examiner will assess the dog and handler’s ability to behave calmly in public; allow social interactions with dog and owner; perform skills such as sit, stay, down, and come; manage environments where other dogs are present; accept a separation of dog and owner for a brief time without anxiety; stay calm during distracting noises, and permit a physical exam and grooming without issue.

Each of the items on the test is taken as seriously as another, and only a 100% completion will permit certification. This is a Pass or Fail test, so owners tend to take it seriously. And so they should. A qualified CGC dog should always be a good example of proper behavior in public, thus helping to ensure their place in the many areas where they can work alongside humans for the sake of our health and safety.

The CGC exam is given only by experienced trainers who have been qualified as CGC evaluators by the AKC. To find an evaluator in your area, check with the AKC at this link. Most trainers recommend that dogs and their handlers take an advanced training class to prepare for the CGC evaluation. This extra training will allow the evaluator to assist the owner with any areas of difficulty, to better prepare both for the exam. Good luck in this important step as a team with your dog.

Carrie Boyko from www.AllThingsDogBlog.com

Then you watched several episodes of the Dog Whisperer on TV, talked to a trainer about clicker training, and read several websites about training your dog. Then you picked up a few books about dog training and managed to confuse yourself even more. With all this information about dog training you’re afraid to touch your puppy. You have no idea what you’re doing. Sounds familiar?

As you have already found out, there are many ways of training a dog. There is no one “best” way. All of them have their advocates. Different methods and strategies work for different people and dogs. Some approaches work better for some dogs at different times.

The Best Dog Training Method

Many people achieve the best training results from choosing among the various kinds of dog training methods.

You may love to teach your dog using clicker training but there could be times when teaching by simple repetition works best for you. You may try to always keep your training sessions fun for your dog but you like to assert yourself as the leader during training, too. You would never do anything to harm your dog but you do like to use a basic choke chain during your training. And so on.

There can be many ways of combining elements from different kinds of dog training to work with your own dog.

Even for dog training basics as simple as teaching your dog to sit there are many different approaches.

Some people like to use food — they may hold a piece of food over the dog’s head and slowly move it until the dog is in a sitting position. Then give it to the dog as a reward. Other people may prefer to train the Sit command using a clicker. When the dog sits they will click and reward. They will repeat this, using the “Sit” command, until the dog is sitting simply on the command.

Other people prefer to put the dog in the sitting position by using their hands, and then reward the dog. They repeat this until the dog associates the act of sitting with the reward. There are a number of variations on these training methods. All of them work! It’s easy to teach your dog to sit. What matters is that you find a way of doing it that feels right to you and your dog.

Understanding Dog Training Methods

The most important thing about training methods is understanding how and why they work so you can apply them properly. If you understand why the training method works and you and your dog are communicating, then the method is successful for you. That’s what matters.

Most good training methods have a few things in common:

• They stress good communication.
• They require that you remain calm and positive during training.
• You should offer praise and rewards of some kind to your dog, even if the reward is a play session or petting.
• If you feel yourself getting angry or upset you should end the session.
• You should try to end all of your training sessions on a positive note.

You can try several exercises using different training methods to see how you and your dog like them. Or, you can read about them and see how you feel about them. You can get an intuitive sense of whether or not a training method would work for you and your dog. Sometimes you may like a method or it may appeal to you on paper but it may not be a good fit for your dog. Every dog is different so what works for one dog may be totally wrong for another dog.

Don’t be afraid to try new things. Even experienced trainers who have been training dogs for years can learn new tricks. You don’t have to choose one training method and stay with it for the rest of your life. Dog training is something that you never stop learning. There are always new things to learn when it comes to dogs. And remember, there is a ton of information about dog training out there.

There is nothing as wonderful as having a well-trained dog. They are excellent social creatures, less likely to annoy by jumping up on people or worse; biting them! These dogs are also able to keep themselves calm even under the most stressful situations.

Another great thing about well-trained dogs is that they are a lot more likely to stay with the same owner. Untrained dogs can quickly become frustrating and are often abandoned. It is an amazing statistic but the American Veterinary Medical Association has found that 96% of dogs that end up in shelters were never trained.

When you make the decision to begin dog training you’ll be setting important boundaries. This will increase how comfortable your dog feels around other humans. If you’re not sure where to get started there are many different dog-training programs and professional trainers to choose from.

Even though they are plentiful there are things you’ll want to consider before settling on a trainer. Asking friends and family for referrals is a great way to find someone you can trust. You might also come across a name or two that you want to avoid.

When you do find a trainer you’re willing to consider you should investigate their training method. There are different methods that different trainers use. It’s important that you feel comfortable with this method. If you’re unfamiliar with a particular method the trainer should be more than willing to answer why they use it as well as what the benefits of that method are.

Regardless of if you do find a trainer or decide to train your dog on your own, there are certain commands you need to cover. Socializing your dog is also extremely important.

1. Teach your dog how to deal with strangers. They need to realize that they will come across people they don’t know and that they should not react violently to these people. Taking your dog for walks around the neighborhood is a great way to socialize your dog.
2. In addition to humans, your dog needs to become familiar with other dogs. Try going to dog parks or a dog training class so they learn those necessary interaction skills.
3. Your dog also needs to learn how to walk at a steady pace while on a leash. This is one you can start as early as the puppy stage.
4. Crate training is a great way to make sure your dog will be able to stay at a kennel or slightly confined area when necessary.
5. Teaching your dog to sit is one of those basics that is incredibly necessary. In fact, learning to sit is usually the first thing new pet owners teach their dogs.
6. The down/stand command is another thing you need to teach. You’ll find that this helps them to deal with distractions and a busy environment better.

If you take the time to begin dog training your dog you’ll find many benefits. Start with dog training basics. Just be aware that these simple commands will not get rid of all problems that might develop down the line. Training is something that should be ongoing and tailored toward the needs of your specific do.

When you have a well-trained dog you’ll have a pet that is fun to be around and that you feel incredibly close to.

This is a guest post by Carrie Boyko from

Socialization of your puppy or dog is critical to his happy life. An unfriendly dog will not make as good a companion for you; and let’s face it, it isn’t much fun for the dog either.

Dogs are, by nature, pack animals. When we bring a dog to live in our family, we become their pack leaders. With this job comes the privilege and responsibility of assuring that they receive their social upbringing. To be a pleasant member of our family, they must learn good manners.

If you are starting this process with a new puppy, your task will likely be easier. After all, what’s not fun about playing with a puppy? Play is their socialization. As their social director, you must assure that all of their experiences with humans and dogs go well.

Each puppy is different. If you have a submissive, shy puppy, she may need a slower indoctrination to the socializing experiences. Start with one-on-one meetings, gradually moving up to small groups. When she is ready for a large group, you will know it by her posture at the gate of the dog park. A wagging tail and perked ears will signal her readiness.

Dominant or assertive puppies may need guidance in a different way. These pups may often simply "mow through" the assembled visitors, playing too aggressively. It will be up to you to intervene and let the little guy know when enough is enough. Your guidance will help him understand what level of greeting activity is desired. Be consistent and assure regular experiences during the formative first two years, to assure his socialization is well learned.

Socializing a mature dog, whose pack experiences have been lacking, may involve a bit more diligence on your part. Don’t give up hope. Very few dogs cannot learn to enjoy people and other dogs, given the proper leadership, patience, and practice. If your dog seems hesitant, nervous, or even aggressive around other dogs, begin his socialization process by establishing yourself as his leader. You set the rules and lead the way, at all times.

When leash training is accomplished, you may be ready to engage a fellow dog-owner to join you with her pup on a walk. Skip the greetings and simply meet up and keep moving, walking the dogs on the outside of your foursome. Most dogs will find walking with their owners to be a good way to accomplish a successful first meeting, without a face to face introduction. It’s a start, and one that you can build on slowly as your dog shows you his growing readiness for greeting others of his own kind. Take your time and enjoy the journey. Happy tails!

Related Reading:

Guidelines for First Time Dog Park Visitors

The Importance of Exercising Your Dog–Mentally and Physically

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.

8 Reasons Why Train a Dog

Training Can Be Fun

When done for the right reasons, and approached with a positive attitude, training can actually be fun for your dog. Of course, if your dog is enjoying the session, you will too.

Training Creates a Strong Bond

The bond between you and your dog will continue to grow stronger as you spend more time together working on your training sessions. As your dog learns more you both begin to understand each other more. It is one of those things that is hard to explain. But for dog owners out there, I am sure you can relate.

Training Allows You To Spend Quality Time Together

Your dog loves to please you. As the level of training progresses and you become more in tune with each other, both of you will look forward to those times together. Is is truly quality time spent between dog and owner.

Training Can Lead To Other Activities

Of course training should start with basic obedience commands and then proceed from there. But as your dog learns more and more, you can move on to some pretty cool things. There is agility training, advanced obedience training for competition, flyball, canine freestyle, and more. But all of these activities depend on getting through the basics first and establishing a trusting relationship.

Training Makes Your Dog More Responsive

Dogs that are trained learn to tune in to their owner’s commands. The know that they need to be alert for any commands as to what they need to do. When this happens, you can teach them more and more.

A Well Trained Dog Can Be A Joy

If you have a well trained dog, they will be welcomed at the vet’s office, at the dog groomers, at the pet store. If will be a joy to take them out with you.

Training Keeps Dogs and Owners Together Longer

This is one of the real benefits of why train a dog. So many dogs are given away, turned into shelters, or just abandoned because their owners could not control them. The truth is that with proper dog training, the majority of those situations can be avoided. It just takes a little time and effort to teach your dog basic commands to avoid many common behavior problems.

Proper Training Can Save Your Dog’s Life

Finally, here is a very important benefit. Proper dog training can save your dog’s life. A well trained dog will respond to you on command. There are times that this response will help to avoid disaster and save your dog’s life.

So, if someone asks you why train a dog, you can give them anyone of these eight reasons.

Since I only listed eight, why don’t you share some of your reasons in the comments below.

Recommended Reading

• Dog Training Basics – 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.