The Basics of Dog Obedience Training for Your New Pet

Dog obedience training starts even before you get your puppy in your home. Instead, it starts originally with the person that you purchased the dog from. Ask the breeder or salesperson what type of training, if anything at all, was provided before your dog came into your care.

Puppies until the age of 21 days are like infants; they are only able to find Mom, eat, sleep and go to the bathroom. Anything else is pretty much beyond their abilities at this time. That fourth week, however, is crucial to any dog obedience training because this is when your animal becomes more aware of his surroundings. Any positive or negative experiences that occur during this time will affect your puppy for life, so make sure that any stimuli is in the right direction.

At the four week mark, puppies can be introduced to crate training while still at the breeder's. A wire cage, well padded and large enough for the entire litter, is placed in the whelping box at this stage. Newspaper is placed all around the floor space, so that the dogs can get used to sleeping in the crate and eliminating on the paper.

Dog obedience training at this stage of the game is gentle and supportive, and there is no punishment. Breeders and owners should take this time to play with their puppies, and get them in a group to slowly learn the "Come" command, by quietly saying the word, and praising heavily when they do respond appropriately.

Remember that timing and consistency are key when beginning dog obedience training with your young pups. The trainer should be planning, on a daily basis, when and how to work on these essential skills, and then perform them at basically the same time every day. Also, positive reinforcement is necessary immediately during or after the pups have followed the given commands, or else there is a danger of the animals associating the praise with something else other than the intended action.

Give your dogs time to think about their actions before you react to them; especially at this young age, where there are a lot of distractions (like other puppies for instance, or a grumbly tummy), they may need a bit of time to respond to a command they are learning. Be patient. However, keep in mind that young dogs such as these are not able to take more than about 10 minutes of training at a time, before they lose attention. This is not only appropriate for their young age, it's essential to their continued learning. Dog obedience training shouldn't be boring for your animal ? it should be fun!

Once you've worked through the more basic commands, make sure when introducing more complex concepts (such as Stay or Sit) that you break down the skill into small, bite-sized chunks. Start with teaching the dog how to sit properly, before you ask him to respond to the command, for instance. Many web sites have detailed progression training techniques for all of the dog obedience training commands, so feel free to search around for some ideas along this vein.

(c) 2005 dog-training-info.com. This article may be republished as long as these bylines are included. Kevin Simmons is the webmaster of http://www.dog-training-info.com. Please visit the site for more free dog training articles. Online URL for this article: http://www.dog-training-info.com

In The News:

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents
Apple recently notified a small number of iPhone customers in 92 countries that their phones may be under attack by mercenary spyware.
An artificial intelligence-powered home security system can fire paintballs and tear gas at trespassers. The camera identifies human faces and animals.
Technology expert Kim Komando gives her tips and tricks on enhancing your user experience a smartphone and other devices you use everyday.
A new camera called NUCA uses artificial intelligence to create deepfake photos of subjects by stripping away clothing in close to real time.
The Kimberley Kube trail-ready camper has a compact but spacious design and combines luxury, functionality and ruggedness for a weekend getaway.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Emails instructing you to reset your password for an account may be legitimate, or they may be scams. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains.
Northrop Grumman's Manta Ray uncrewed underwater vehicle aims to revolutionize undersea missions — it glides through the ocean without human assistance.
Learn how to work Google's calendar application to streamline and organize your daily tasks from technology expert Kim Komando.
If you do not want Facebook to have automatic access to your private photos, follow our tips to protect yourself. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson shows you how.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson goes into detail about Apple’s recent iOS update that allows iPhone users to instantly translate spoken language simply by using the Action Button.
Safeguarding your digital life with a reliable physical backup isn't just a precaution, it's a necessity. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson provides the essential backup checklist.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how a Redditor exposed false recycling claims at their apartment, highlighting a report that only 21% of U.S. recyclables are processed.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson offers a travel toolkit featuring five technology tools to help you with booking flights and hotels for your summer vacation.
The bubble behind the clock on your iPhone can appear in different colors. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains what each of those colors mean.
Scammers are using the power of artificial intelligence to mimic voices of people and are using the fake voices to commit crimes, like kidnappings.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains the science behind the Invisibility Shield, a 6-foot shield that makes people become invisible.
The International Olympic Committee on Friday announced plans to use AI in various Olympic aspects, including athlete identification, training and judging.
Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains an easy trick to avoid squinting while working or surfing the web by zooming in on your personal computer.
Streaming giant Roku has recently been targeted by a pair of cyberattacks, and the company confirmed over a half million Roku accounts were compromised.
The Land Aircraft Carrier combines an all-terrain, six-wheeled vehicle with a two-seat aircraft, which features electric vertical takeoff and landing.
The European Union has sent TikTok a "request for information" on the video sharing platform's newest app, TikTok Lite, under the Digital Services Act, with the aim to clean up social media.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Pilling a Cat

Pilling a cat can be a "nightmarish" experience. Cats don't... Read More

Is YOUR Child Ready for a Dog?

Are you considering buying a dog for your child or... Read More

How to Buy a Purebred Dog

If you decide you want a purebred, make sure it's... Read More

An Introduction to Dog Beds

Some people are so attached to their pets that they... Read More

Responsible Dog Ownership

Owning a dog is a serious responsibility, one that should... Read More

Puppy Care 101

Puppy CarePuppy care can be a lot of work, but... Read More

Keeping Your Cat Healthy

Cats need only be provided with decent shelter, food and... Read More

Toys are GOOD for your dog

Did you know that dog toys are actually good for... Read More

The Wire Fox Terrier

Of the thirty-three terrier breeds (most of which were first... Read More

Finding the Perfect Cat or Kitten for You and Your Family

Some people say they are exclusively "cat people," meaning they... Read More

A German Shepherd Puppy May Be Just What Your Family Needs!

A German Shepherd puppy can become a very welcome member... Read More

Dog Training Information for Training Your Puppy

Puppy TrainingPuppy training can be a trying time. The key... Read More

Herbs for Pets

Let me begin by saying that I am not an... Read More

Make Your Home Cat-Safe - How To Keep Your Cat Happy and Healthy

* Lock things up that could cause harm* Keep the... Read More

Buying a Custom Bird Cage

Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird... Read More

Lyme Disease Treatment in Pets

Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, because the disease... Read More

Are Your Fish Sick?

Keeping a fish tank is a wonderful and relaxing hobby,... Read More

Teaching Your Dog to Heel

Teaching your dog to heel is one of the most... Read More

Distemper in Dogs - Home Detection Tips

Distemper: Spotting This Dog Killer Before it's Too LateCanine distemper... Read More

Rabbits As Pets

Rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart from... Read More

Train Your Dog To Be Your Frisbee Playing Buddy

On the surface playing Frisbee with your dog may seem... Read More

Have an Itchy Dog? Consider These Grooming Tips Before Turning To Chemical Treatments

Many dogs today suffer from itchy skin caused by a... Read More

The Pros and Cons of Vaccinating Your Dog

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That's become the burning... Read More

How to Teach YOUR Cat to Use a Litter Box - Secrets to Litter Tray Success

Even the most dedicated cat lover has little patience with... Read More

Puppy Crate Training -- Fast Track to a Contented Dog

Puppy crate training is one of the most effective ways... Read More