Proper Dog Training Can Start Even Before Birth

By Adriana Noton

One of the things that really angers most dog lovers is when they see an animal whose dog training has clearly been neglected. While some people may think dog training oppresses their animals, in fact it's just the opposite. A truly loving pet owner will see that his or her animal gets the best training possible.

Dogs have a natural instinct toward sociability. They're pack animals who look to a leader, an "alpha" dog, " to know how to behave. Good obedience training establishes the pet owner as the "alpha" dog without harshness or cruelty, so that their pet responds appropriately to other people, other pets and to the world around them.

Good dog training also should train the owner as well. Pet owners should know the proper commands to keep their animals under control, so that they can have confidence in how their pets will behave around people and other animals. This is especially important in situations where some kind of danger or hazard suddenly appears.

Eventually, however, as you learned the local language you will be able to have a happier, more fulfilling life there. The same is true of dogs that live as pets in a human environment. Through obedience training a dog learns how to associate behaviors with certain human sounds. Saying "sit" to a trained dog always results in the dog sitting. Saying "stay" keeps the dog in one place, and saying "come" brings the dog to its owner. With proper puppy training, both the owner and the dog develop a mutual understanding that each can trust in their relationship.

However, all puppies go through a period of "stranger avoidance" between six and 12 weeks. This is a natural fear that develops as a way to keep puppies safe from predators. During this time puppies exhibit more "startle" reactions to sounds and sudden movements. These reactions keep a pup safe, but they also could interfere with establishing relationships with people. That's why it best not to rush a puppy through these behavioral period. Let it get its bearings first.

Dogs that are petted and cuddle by people frequently during their first eight weeks of life tend to be better suited to living in a household as a family pet. Ideally puppies should be situated in their owners' homes between eight and 10 weeks. By 10 to 12 weeks, puppies can be more fearful or new things and new situations, which can impede their adaptation to their new homes.

Group training classes for puppies may not be available until the pup has had all its vaccinations, which occurs around three to four months of age. However sometimes a kennel or trainer will offer puppy socialization classes, in which the dog can be used to getting along with other puppies. This can be a good first step toward a more structure dog training class in the future.

One thing that is never, never, never appropriate in dog training is to strike, hit or physically abuse a dog in any way. Dogs, especially puppies, quickly become devoted to their owners and physical abuse will destroy that relationship. Always train a dog with firmness, but with patience and lots of love. - 32366

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