Dog Obedience Training - Teaching Your Pooch Good Habits

When you think about bringing a puppy into your home, you will probably think about getting toys, bedding, and food. Don't forget to also consider dog obedience training. If you are an experienced dog owner with a history of raising perfectly well-behaved pups, you may not need professional classes, but most families and dogs will benefit from at least some basic obedience classes. Even if you have a lot of experience with dogs, consider whether everyone in your family will enforce the rules consistently or if you all should attend some classes to present a unified set of rules for your new pet.

The ideal time for dog obedience training is when your pup first comes to live with you, although both you and your companion animal can benefit from it at any time. If you buy your dog from a breeder, the breeder may provide classes or recommendations for good trainers in your area.

Your local pet store will often offer a beginning type of obedience training consisting of a series of classes for you and your pet. These are conducted either at the store or a local park. You will soon discover that although they call it dog obedience training, the primary focus is on educating the human owners. Most dogs are eager to please, but they need a clear set of boundaries, repetition, and consistency to understand what you require.

Basic dog obedience training is essential to make your pup a well-adjusted, safe, and happy member of your family. Commands such as sit, stop, and stay can and should be started immediately after you bring your puppy home. These commands are just as crucial as early effective house training. Teaching your dog to stay could save its life some day. If you have children, it is especially important that you are in control of your animal, as dogs don't want to be at the bottom of the pack and may try to assume a dominant role around children. If you see your dog nipping at your little one, even though it may look like play, you have allowed a bad habit which needs to be broken immediately.

If, despite your best intentions, Fido develops some bad habits, you don't have to live with the problems. It is never too late to consult a professional about behavior problems. Some of the common behavioral problems that develop include excessive barking, digging, chewing, jumping and aggression. Any or all of these issues can make you wonder what you were thinking when you got that cute little bundle of fur. Fortunately, most of these issues can be resolved with a little help and some persistence on your part.

If you have a serious behavioral problem, the basic training offer at your local pet store is probably not for you. Most areas have professionals who will come to your home to work on dog obedience training. Your veterinarian is a good source for a referral to a trainer in your area, and it is always a good idea to discuss with your veterinarian any issues regarding your pet's behavior.