While puppy training is not an absolutely essential part of keeping a dog as a pet, it can be particularly useful in helping the animal curb its natural instincts and being more socially adaptable. For example, dogs have a natural tendency to chase a cat. If you have a rather large dog and it sees a cat that it decides to chase on a daily walk, its sudden sprint could potentially throw you off guard leaving the task of controlling the animal an uphill task.
Training the animal will help it become more obedient and help the master be assured of complete control in almost any situation.
Effective puppy training starts on the first day you bring the animal home. Not many people understand the significance of a well fitting collar.
It is one of the first things you should put on to your animal in addition to providing it with its own personal space, toys and designated play area. An owner should take advantage of the fact that dogs are much easier to train when they are young as they have the interest and ability to learn new things. A puppies mind is more open to a host of newer experiences up to the age of 12 weeks old and the more it experiences, the more it will consider being a natural cycle of life. As a result, getting the puppy to do certain things in a certain way during this timeframe will allow it to adapt to these requirements and take it to be natural habit.
Patience and persistence are probably the two most important characteristics of any successful dog trainer. Rewarding the dog for any successfully accomplished task will help increase the dog’s determination to do well. It is also important that you avoid giving the dogs any treats unless it has performed the required task properly as anything less will make it start to believe that it can get away with practically anything. Chewing is a common tendency for any puppy during these first 12 weeks and is part of their investigation of a new environment. However, make it a point to discipline the animal when it nips by saying ‘no’ but avoid physical reprimand of the animal. The simple task of walking the dog could also play an important role in teaching the animal the order of command. Allowing the dog to walk in front of you during a walk will assert its command as the leader instead of the follower, so always make sure that you stay in front of the animal during a walk.
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