The best moment to start to train your puppy is as soon as you get him. It is easier to learn the correct way to do things the first time than to have to untrain unruly habits when you first get him.

The very first thing you will need to do after purchasing your puppy is to take it to your home. The smartest way to carry your dog is by utilizing either a harness that attaches to the seatbelt or to use a medium size carrier . A dog that is not used to to those devices might feel uncomfortable at first, and whine, or show a desire to lay on your lap. This is a dangerous practice and should not be done. Use the dog restraint or car seat in the beginning and your puppy will soon not be uncomfortable with it.

After you reach home, the all-important puppy home training should take shape. Fortunately, for most dog breeds there is definitive instinct to deficate away from where they live. Even the very young of pups will often take a few steps away from its mother before doing its business. Most dogs are creatures of habit so as soon as you arrive home, begin walking the young dog to a place where you want it to pee. Be patient as it walks around and investigates its new environment. After it goes to the bathroom, offer lots of praise for doing the right thing. Eliminating outside can be scarey at first, this is because that is when a puppy is very vulnerable. To a little dog that is used to being inside, the great outdoors can be scarey in the beginning, so try not to be shocked if it runs away. Patiently bring your puppy back to the correct place, and reassure it that you are there for it. Bring it back to the same place often, and give it a moment to sniff around. Once it detects the smell of its last defication, it will feel inspired to repeat its past. Again, please give it plenty of praise and soft touches as you learn more information about dogs

Don’t punish your little dog for making mistakes. That will only cause it afraid of you. Shoving the dog’s face into its feces is a dangerous practice. After it has an accident, clean up the urine, or pick up the feces and take it outdoors, showing the dog where it goes.

While walking your puppy you should use a leash to  keep it safe. Using of a choke collar is discouraged, because it causes pain. To teach the dog to walk using a leash, say “Come on”. Then softly bring the puppy along, on your left side. Praise the puppy when he does walks along beside you without you having to pull it. This kind of leash walking should be utilized where there is a decent amount of room around.

When you are walking your puppy in a crowded location, such as an outdoor fair, you will want your puppypet to know “heel”. Say the command and gently move the puppy next to you. Reward the puppy after it listens.
 
The last command to learn is “stay”, which is useful when your around guests over who are afraid of some dogs. Give the command and then walk off a few feet away. If the dog tries to follow you, put the puppy back to the same spot, state the command again, and walk off a few feet. Begin by staying away for only a few moments, return, and give the puppy praise. Gradually increase the time as the dog learns.

Keep in mind, puppy training should be a good time for both of you, because you’re going to be this dog’s friend. When you are both settled with the basics, you should train your new friend a few tricks. Have fun.

Many people will train their dog for various sporting events such as Frisbee catching or obstacle races, then there are some that get into the show dog training aspect of it all. This is where your dog will be showcased as a class breed according to the AKC or CKC, and they will be judged for their appearance and demeanor. This is something that is extremely popular, and you will find some of the best dogs in the world are being trained to partake in such events around the world. This is a wonderful way for your dog to show their stuff, and you never know you could actually see your dog with the ribbon one day.

Composure

One of the most important aspects of the show dog training is composure. This is the demeanor that the dog is going to carry in the ring, when they are being viewed by the judge and the audience alike. When they are being checked over, they are expected to stay calm and collected. They will have their eyes and ears looked over, and the judge will look over the dog’s teeth. This is when the dog must behave the most, as it would be an immediate fail if the dog reacted poorly to the judge handling them in this manner. If the dog cannot be trained to keep their composure, they will not be permitted to enter any one the contests that they are training for.

Following Commands

Show dog training means that the dog is going to have to pay close attention to the commands that are given when they are given. If the dog should fail to follow a command by either the handler or the judge, they will not be able to proceed in the event. The commands will be simple and direct, and if the dog is to go anywhere within the show circuit they are going to need to excel at this aspect. There is no room for error in this field, and your dog should be trained to understand this idea. The judge in this type of event has no patience for a dog that is unruly, so this is something that trainers pay particularly close attention too. This will ensure that the dog will not fall behind the pack, due to a misunderstanding. The dog will be trained to succeed, so they must now prove what they have learned.

Walking, Trotting, And Standing Tall

Show dog training will incorporate a few very basic yet critical practices when they are in their program. This means that sitting, standing, and any form of walking or trotting, will be done so with great pride and integrity. All of these actions will be used quite frequently when in a show, so it is vital for these to be worked on diligently with the trainers. There are very few trainers that will forego this type of training for something else early on, so you can expect that the dog will get a full schedule of it.

When I discuss the concept of crate training with pet dog owners they often look a little befuddled. I know exactly what they are thinking in most cases before they even open their mouths. Pet owners think of their dogs as family members, loved ones in some cases even our furry kids. Why would we want to put them in a crate?

There are many benefits to crate training a dog, especially if you have a puppy or a young dog and you are in the process of house training. I often ask people, especially those with small children, if they ever used the baby pens. “Of course they reply, I would have never had any peace or quiet”. Well a crate for a puppy is the same concept as a baby pen. You would never leave your baby or child unsupervised, free to wander the rooms of your house where they could injure themselves. Puppies, like small children need a place they can go when you are not available to watch every move they make, a safe place where they can hear, see and smell you without being underfoot. A crate is a safe, quiet place your dog can go when they want peace and quiet, to snooze or just to withdraw into their own sanctuary. I have never met a dog that does not enjoy their crate if the crate is introduced into their world correctly.

There are many benefits of crate training your dog not just for housebreaking but also to prevent destructive behaviors such as chewing, counter surfing and trash exploring, especially while you are away. When a pet is injured or sick a crate is an ideal location for them to rest and, should you ever need to evacuate your dog you will be grateful if you can safely contain your dog on a long journey, in a shelter or in compliance with a hotel’s pet policy.
Contrary to what many may think, a crate is not a tool for punishment, or a long term confinement tool. With training, an adult dog can remain in a crate for up to 8 hours but will need plentiful amounts of exercise before and after crating and an assortment of toys for mental stimulation during its time in the crate.

There are many different sizes, models and varieties of crates. The more durable crates designed for airline travel, in my opinion, do not make the best crate for home use as they tend to be bulky and restrict the dog’s view of their environment. For my dogs, I use the canvas/mesh style of crates for their daily use and that is where they often disappear to be alone while we read or watch television. This design provides for shaded visibility, they fold easily, are durable and can be moved or stored with little problem. Many pet stores provide the metal wire crates that collapse and can be easily moved around the house. These are good crates for large dogs and dogs that may chew. They also come with accessories such as water bowls, fans to keep your pooch cool, and fabric covers to blend them into your home décor.

To start the crate training process make going into the crate a game. Dogs should be encouraged, not forced, into their crates. To generate interest feed them in the crate with the door left open, throw in the odd treat or toy and within a short period of time you will find them happily exploring the inside of their new place delighted to find a surprise. As time goes by gently close the door giving them treats for staying quietly inside, progress on to actually fastening the door and then extend the period of time you leave them in their crate. Remember, offer treats and toys to go in and do not let them out if they are barking or pawing at the door. You want to let them out when they are calm and quiet or they will learn very quickly that if they bark or paw the door opens. If you work on this and make it a fun happy place for your dog you will soon find them choosing to snooze in their crate as happy as can be.