Obedience Training        

Ideally, puppies that are handled and petted by humans regularly during the first eight weeks of life are generally much more amenable to obedience training and living in human households.

Puppies should be placed in their permanent homes between about 8 and 10 weeks of age. In some places it is against the law to take puppies away from their mothers before the age of 8 weeks.

Puppies are innately more fearful of new things during the period from 10 to 12 weeks, which makes it harder for them to adapt to a new home and obedience training.

Puppies can begin learning tricks and commands as early as 8 weeks of age; the only limitations are stamina, concentration, and physical coordination.

A puppy requires discipline, consistency, and the patience of its owner. Owners should take time to train their puppies and take steps to make their home safe. The puppy training phase is integral in raising a healthy and happy dog and keeping a safe and fun home environment.

Puppies need consistency more than anything else. A stable diet and clear expectations will help the puppy learn what it is expected. Dogs are expressive and may communicate needs by biting, whining, and getting fidgety. The owner's response may contribute to a healthy, obedient puppy.

An important principle is that the best way to change a puppy's behavior is to modify one's own conduct. Giving a puppy toys that are similar to household items he likes to chew may facilitate easier puppy training.

An integral puppy training issue is house training. Various methods of house training will work although the key is to be consistent. With regularly enforced rules, litter box, crate, or paper training can be successful.

Puppies also like to jump up on you. This is a very easy process to stop. See puppy jumping up

Basic training

Most dogs, no matter their eventual advanced training or intended purpose, live with people who want them to behave in a way that makes them pleasant to be around, keeps them safe, and provides for the safety of other people and pets. Dogs do not figure out basic obedience on their own; they must be trained.

The hardest part of training is communicating with the dog in a humane way that he understands. However, the underlying principle of all communication is simple: reward desired behavior while ignoring or correcting undesired behavior.

Basic dog obedience training usually consists of 5 behaviors:

1. Sit
2. Down
3. Stay
4. Recall ("come" or "here")
5. Close (or loose-leash walking)
6. Heel

Corrections of these commands should never include harmful physical force or violence. Using force while training is controversial and should not be taken lightly, because even if it ends the behavior, when applied inappropriately with some dogs it may lead to a loss of drive (enthusiasm for the given task), stress, and in some cases even aggression.

A handler may decide to use force, however the standard used by most trainers is the minimum amount necessary to inhibit the unwanted behavior.

Basic training classes

Professional "dog trainers" train the dog's guardian on how to train his dog. Although it is also possible to send a dog to a training school, the owner must learn what the dog has learned and how to use and reinforce the techniques. Owners and dogs who attend class together have an opportunity to learn more about each other and how to work together under a trainer's guidance.

Training is most effective if everyone who handles the dog takes part in the training to ensure consistent commands, methods, and enforcement. Classes also help socialize a dog to other people and dogs.

Training classes are offered by many kennels, pet stores, and independent trainers.

Formal training in classes is not always available until the puppy has completed all its vaccinations around 4 months of age, however, some trainers offer puppy socialization classes in which puppies can enroll immediately after being placed in their permanent homes as long as disease risk is minimal and puppies have received initial vaccinations. In most cases, basic training classes accept only puppies who are at least 3 to 6 months old.

It is however recommended to start training as soon as the puppy comes into your home. A better way than group classes is "In Home Dog Training", with companies who will have trainers coming to your home, you can start training as early as 8 weeks and set a great start to proper housebreaking procedures and building a good consistent start.