How to Select a New Dog for Your Family

When selecting a new dog to take home there are many things to think about and to take into consideration. For instance, the biggest question to ask yourself is why you want a dog? Do you have children who have been begging you for one, or have you decided you need a dog outside to warn of intruders? Maybe you had one as a child and miss the companionship the dog gave you. For whatever reason, dogs can bring families closer and leave you with a sense of fulfillment-however you should know that not all dogs are good for every situation.

If you are selecting a new dog for your children, think about starting with a puppy. Puppies are more sociable and adaptable, and you will get to train them according to your needs. In addition, there's nothing quite as satisfying as watching your new puppy grow up alongside your kids.

Next, you will need to decide on male or female when selecting your new dog. Remember that males tend to be bigger in stature than females, who stay relatively more petite. Males are also more dominant and aggressive in certain breeds.

Temperament should also be checked when selecting a new dog. To do this, simply hold the dog in your arms and tip him on his back (if size allows). If he struggles consistently, this may mean he will take more patience in training. If he lays there, genuinely calm, you can be rest assured he is mild tempered and will be easy to work with. In addition, clap your hands, or make other loud or sudden movements. A mild tempered dog will look curiously at you, while a shy or nervous dog will be startled or shy away.

It's important to always research the breeds you are looking at when selecting a new dog. Make sure you are going to have time to care for whichever one you choose. Depending on the breed, he may need more exercise, training or special climate. For example, a cocker spaniel will take a lot of grooming time and expense because of his luxurious coat.

Although selecting a new dog may seem like a no-brainer, you need to carefully consider the place that you will purchase your dog from. If dealing with a breeder, be sure that he/or she is respectable and dedicated to the standard of breeding itself, and not just in it for the money. Some breeders truly care about their dogs, while others simply don't, and that means that the puppy may not be socialized or might have been treated roughly or poorly. If you are going to buy a dog from the pet store, it's a good idea to ask around or make phone calls to other families who have bought from the same pet store.

Whether you are looking for a big dog or small dog for your family, if you include thought and common sense in selecting your new dog, you should be able to find the perfect one for you. Your new dog will offer you a lasting, loving relationship that is sure to be fulfilling for all of you.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Select-a-New-Dog-for-Your-Family&id=9154465

Experience the Love of a Dog

Do you want true, everlasting, unconditional love? Then adopt a dog! The loyalty and faithfulness of a dog cannot be compared to anything else, including that of a spouse or family member. A dog will never argue with you (although I suppose some pet parents could debate that one!) He or she will be by your side until your very last breath and even beyond that.

If you adopt a little puppy make sure someone in the home is with him or her most of the time. Either that or take some lessons on crate training. Crate training is a safe, humane and effective way of making sure the puppy stays out of trouble while nobody is at home with them. Your puppy will need a lot of love and patience from you. Perhaps while he is very young, begin some training courses that you and he can take together. Both of you will learn a lot and it can prevent many problems that could occur as your puppy grows. For a list of dog trainers near you look up the subject on your search engine. Make sure your trainer has experience in training young puppies. If there are small children in the home, be certain you supervise all encounters between them and your puppy. This can deter any accidents from happening. If the children are taught to treat the puppy with love and respect, the puppy will be their best friend for life.

If your home is too busy

to take on the responsibilities associated with raising a young puppy, you can still have a dog. Then the best thing to do is take your whole family to your nearest animal shelter and find a mature dog that everyone bonds with. You will know when you find the right dog. Sometimes they pick you and it is love at first sight for all concerned. An older dog is just as much of a loving and affectionate companion as a puppy that you have raised. Plus they have often outgrown all of the sometimes unwanted antics of a baby dog.

Do remember however that owning a dog of any age is a lifetime commitment. A dog is not a toy, nor is it garbage that you throw away when it has aged. Many a dog is literally heartbroken and does not survive when the family he or she has known all of its life abandons them - even at a shelter. A dog will give you and your loved ones endless amounts of pleasure. They will be there for you when everyone else has gone from your life. Your dog will never give up on you. So please remember to never give up on them.

When you have made a decision to get a dog; whether it is a puppy or an adult, the best thing to do is adopt one from an animal shelter. Not only will you be taking home your new friend-for-life, but you will be saving his or her life. There are plenty of dogs at shelters who have lots of love to give if someone will just give them a chance. Will you be that someone?

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Experience-the-Love-of-a-Dog&id=9207947

What You Need To Know If You're Getting A Dog For Christmas

In this article, I'm going to discuss the choices and preparations you need to make if you're bringing home a dog or puppy for Christmas. The decisions you make could prove to be either the best decisions for you and your new four-legged friend, or an absolute nightmare! There are sure to be things that you simply haven't thought of.

First things first... what you can expect

Since your new dog or puppy will be untrained at this point, you can expect toileting on the carpets and floors, biting, ripping, barking at night, as well as chewing on the furniture. This, of course, could lead to tons of stress and expense, and the dog being returned with a classification of "too difficult to handle."

However, with the correct approach, getting a dog for Christmas will be a decision that you will be glad you made for many years to come. Yes, it's the proper training, not the dog, that makes all the difference in the world.

Here are the things you must consider up front:

1. Choose the right dog!

When considering getting a dog for Christmas, think about a dog that would suit both you and your lifestyle. Ask yourself, "Would I really prefer a dog or a puppy?"

For instance, an older dog's character and personality is easier to see so you can tell, for example, if the dog is on the lazy side or is a real firecracker!

Another good thing about older dogs is you won't have the headaches associated with 'potty training' which is very time-consuming and requires almost your constant presence.

Other things to think about are the size of the dog (strength and feeding), the amount of shedding (cleanup), as well as the amount of energy your dog will have. Please take your time in making this decision.

2. Time commitment

The time requirement needed for a dog varies considerably from dog to dog and also varies over the dog's lifetime. As you would expect, more time is needed for young dogs and puppies up to age 2. Older dogs tend to be content to just sleep and lie around all day.

How much energy a dog or puppy has is vitally important to consider when making your choice of dog because you also have to keep in mind how much exercise your new dog will need.

For example, if you bring home a high energy Border Collie or Boxer dog, they will need more exercise than a St. Bernard or Pug. High energy dogs require as much as three half-hour walks or runs each day. Lower energy dogs, of course, require much less of a time commitment. Be sure to match YOUR energy level with the dog of your choice.

3. Prior setting up of the home

One thing you do NOT want to do is what many new dog owners do... bring your new dog or puppy home and then realize that you need to construct a fence, close openings in an existing fence, or put other safety measures in place to keep the dog or puppy from escaping from the yard. If your dog can't run around the yard, this can prove to be extremely stressful for both you and the dog and therefore should be taken care of first before the new dog arrives.

Other important things to consider are... 

If you're bringing home a puppy, you will need to provide a small area for containment. Consider purchasing a puppy pen or cage or create a safe place where your puppy can sleep or go when you simply need a break. This could be a washroom, bathroom, or laundry room.

Also consider getting some chew toys or other items that would be safe for your dog to chew.

Decide early which areas will be okay for your dog and which will be considered out-of-bounds. While training your dog, you'll want to keep any possible destruction or damage to an absolute minimum.

4. Remember that training begins as soon as you arrive home

Here's a word of caution: Don't be fooled! Dogs can often seem tame when you first get them and then completely change when you get them home. For the greatest chance of success, prior preparation and planning is not only crucial, but smart!

Getting your new dog home first and then looking for problems is what most people do and later regret. This lack of planning only helps your dog to develop bad habits that you'll spend unnecessary time and energy working to correct.

If you follow the advice in this article, getting a dog for Christmas will be a decision that will bring you and your new dog or puppy much joy, happiness, and love for many years to come.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?What-You-Need-To-Know-If-Youre-Getting-A-Dog-For-Christmas&id=8157093

Preparation for Dog Potty Training

Potty training is the training that teaches your dog the proper way to eliminate. This training is vital the moment your dog takes it's first step into your home.

Dog Potty Training is much easier to do when you have arranged a space which will serve as the place for your potty training. For dog owners who live in apartments or in high buildings, a dog litter is an appropriate tool. Another alternative is the use of newspaper. But using this can be a messy process when you have to get rid of your dog's waste.

Before introducing potty training for your dog, you must be prepared. Here are some suggestions:

Monitoring the intake of food in regular intervals.

This will help you with the right timing when you have to bring your pet to the area where the dog can do the potty training. The potty break for a normal puppy is usually six times daily. For adult dogs, this usually happens once daily. However, there are variances for much younger puppies. They usually reach eight to ten times daily. Moreover, this also depends on the type of food that you will introduce to your puppy.

Using commands is also advised.

These commands must be associated with what the dog is doing. Since you are training a puppy, you have to exert more patience. Expect that your pet will not get this for the first time. What is needed is that you have to be consistent with the training until your pet is already familiar with the training.

The right equipment.

A crate, a leash can be used when dog potty training your dog.

The right timing.

The BEST and MOST practical method of training is to ANTICIPATE the need! Usually, the amount of time a puppy can be left fenced in without being allowed to go outside is directly proportional to his age in months:

1. 2 months old = 2 hours of being fenced in without a potty break

2. 3 months old = 3 hours of being fenced in without a potty break

3. 4 months old = 4 hours of being fenced in without a potty break

4. etc. - up to about 6 - 8 months of age.

If there are any changes in your canine's activities, such as after waking up, playing, or eating, you SHOULD take you puppy to the place where he should eliminate.

Using Words to Teach

Do not touch or threat your puppy while it is eliminating. Such acts could cause your puppy or dog to stop the act as it was interrupted. Instead, praise them verbally with an upbeat tone while they are doing the act, not afterwards. Generally, dogs/puppies will pee first then poop afterwards. Get to know your dog's habits so you can anticipate for defecation and use a specific word or command for it (i.e.; "do number 2", "go poop", etc.).

There are also signs that your puppy will give you every time he wants to have a potty break, such as, he might suddenly stop playing, go around in circles, sniff around, runs out of the room, or an "expression" on his face. You might not notice this at first but eventually, you will be more familiar with these "hints" from your puppy/dog.

Note: To help you with potty training your puppy, take a look via the following link "House Training Your Puppy" for simplified, easy to follow techniques to help you potty train your puppy.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Preparation-for-Dog-Potty-Training&id=6775860

Top 4 Puppy Meal Time Rules

Much of the training that you will do with your puppy revolves around giving a reward - a treat or titbit - so it is essentially centered on food. It follows that meals themselves should be controlled and calm affairs which are led by you setting the mealtime rules. Don't forget the puppy obedience training basics, you are the dominant leader and you eat first and decide when the pack eats.

The four meal time rules

Rule 1. Don't feed your puppy between meals. All your family and any visitors to your home must follow this rule. You are the leader and sole provider of food and your puppy must understand this.

Rule 2. Don't have set times when you feed your puppy. If your puppy does not know when his meal is coming he will not anticipate it. You will re-enforce the notion that you are the leader and you decide when the pack eats. Make sure that he understands that you eat first - even if it's just a cup of coffee and a biscuit! To start off, let him see you eating before you feed him. Never feed him just before you sit down to eat - it will appear to him that he is eating before you and belittle your authority.

Rule 3. Never allow any jumping about or barking at meal times. It should be a calm and quiet affair. If the puppy is excitable then wait before you feed him, just ignore him and get on with doing something else. When he is calm, give the meal then walk away - making the point that you, the leader, have decided he can now eat.

Rule 4. Don't let your puppy walk away from his food. He must learn that he has no control over meals. If he does get distracted and goes to play instead of eating, then take the food away and do not give anything until the next scheduled meal. This may seem rather cruel and harsh but he has to realize that a meal is just that, and he does not have any choice in when he eats. He will learn this lesson very quickly indeed!

Meal Time Rules show that you are the leader. Remember that food and your control over it are very powerful tools in demonstrating to your puppy that you are the leader of the pack and are in control of every aspect of his life. This isn't cruel, you are putting your puppy at ease by showing his status - just as in the wild - and he will feel relaxed knowing that you are in control and making all the decisions. All he has to do is be good and enjoy himself!

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-4-Puppy-Meal-Time-Rules&id=6555618

Dog's Dental Care - Dogs Need Teeth For A Bite!

Not many people understand the importance of dental care in maintaining the general health and well being of dogs. Just like humans, dogs need regular dental care. It is the responsibility of owners to make sure that they get it. A responsible dog owner takes care of their dog's teeth.

Food residue can accumulate on your dog's teeth just as it does on your own teeth. It quickly leads to tartar and plaque build-up causing tooth decay and gum disease. All the things you know about dental care in humans applies to your dog too.

If you neglect your dog's dental care it can lead to pain for the dog. The pain will stop them eating and their health will suffer as a result. An even more serious result of tooth decay are diseases and ulcerated gums that can cause blood poisoning if left untreated.

Ulcerated Gums

Even if you avoid giving your dog sweet treats they are at risk of dental decay. So it is important to pay attention to dental hygiene when caring for your dog. Dental care is vital to maintaining your dog's health.

Brushing is essential. A small soft brush is best. You can get a specially designed canine brush from your veterinarian or dog food supplier.

Remember that a dog's sense of smell and taste is far more acute than ours so don't use toothpaste that is intended for human beings. It is too strongly flavored and would distress a dog. Canine toothpaste usually has a meaty flavor that your dog will like.

Begin your dental care regime when your dog is a puppy. They get used to having their teeth brushed and regard it as part of their regular grooming routine. Start with small sessions at first. You must build up your dog's trust in order to let you clean their teeth.

Your choice of food is also important. Dogs need to crunch and chew their food. In the wild they are used to crunching bones. It is important to allow them to have a bone or chew toys. It is a valuable part of your dog's dental care.

Dry food and biscuits are better than canned dog meat for dental care. They help to keep the teeth clean and do not build up on the teeth allowing bacteria to multiply. Some biscuits are specially designed for cleaning a dog's teeth. These make a good treat for good behavior. You will know that you have taken care of your dog's dental health and your dog will feel rewarded.

If your dog has dental problems you will get a face full of bad breath every time he greets you. Eventually you will get a massive bill from your veterinarian. Dog dentistry is seriously expensive. What is more, it is dangerous because it needs an anesthetic. So avoid it if you can be paying attention to your dog's dental care.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Dogs-Dental-Care---Dogs-Need-Teeth-For-A-Bite!&id=1662194

The Most Common Mistake In Training Your Puppy or Dog

Puppies and dogs learn by association. The ABC Rule of dog training makes the learning of what are appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, easier for your dog to make the expected association, thereby displaying the appropriate behavior.

We all want happy, well-mannered dogs. The best way to achieve that is to keep things simple.

The Always Be Consistent (ABC) Rule applies to each family member living and working with your pet, as well as everyone who comes in contact with them. That is why we believe before you undertake the repetitive task of training your puppy or dog; everyone must understand you practice The ABC Rule. Explain to them, you are doing this in order to make training easier and therefore a more successful way for your puppy or dog to comprehend.

It isn't hard for you to understand why inconsistency leads to disappointment and frustration. But, put yourself in your dog's place! If everyone in the house is not consistent with the rules, your puppy or dog's failure to comprehend is not their fault! By being sent mixed messages, your pet will never be able to make the appropriate expected association. Their misbehavior is due to confusion, not their failure to comprehend or comply.

The Four Most Common Inconsistencies

The four most common examples of our inconsistencies that confuse our puppy or dog are:

Walking - Teaching your puppy or dog to properly walk on leash, yet allowing them to walk in front of you or to pull you when on leash is sending a mixed message. Be consistent; keep them at your side. Reward them with calm praise, when their behavior is appropriate.

Furniture - The second most common example is the decree of being allowed or not allowed on the furniture. If the agreed rule is, the dog is not allowed on the furniture, and one person "allows" it... how is your puppy or dog to know what is the appropriate behavior? They can't justify their inappropriate behavior by saying "Why not? ____ lets me do it."

Jumping - No jumping on people is another behavior frequently not grasped because of our inconsistency. If you don't want your puppy or dog to jump on you or your guests, you must be consistent! Jumping a natural way to demand attention and demonstrate how happy they are to see you. Everyone must be consistent and not allow it, so your puppy or dog learns it is an inappropriate behavior. Ignore them until they calm down or train them to sit for attention, acknowledgement and affection. That is the only way they will make the association to be acknowledged, as well as receive human attention and affection, means they must be calm, and with all four feet on the floor!

Begging - All it takes is one person to feed your pet from the table! Your dog associates when people are at the table, all I have to do is look pathetic or be persistent and I'll get a freebie! If you don't want begging, be consistent and never consent to anyone feeding from the table!

Bottom line: The ABC Rule makes training easier for yourself and your pet. By being fair, firm and consistent, your puppy or dog will quickly and with less confusion, learn the appropriate behaviors you expect. Sit down with your family, and decide on the rules. Make it clear for the dog's sake; it is everyone's responsibility to be consistent. Let's face it; we all want our dog to be the happiest and most well-mannered darn dog on the planet!

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Most-Common-Mistake-In-Training-Your-Puppy-or-Dog&id=7206983

The 5 Stages of Successful Dog Training

Puppies and dogs learn by association, consistency, and repetition. To acquire the appropriate association, it is up to you, to make it as simple as possible for your dog to make the connection of what you are commanding and the expected behavior.

Keep training sessions short, interesting and fun. End them, while your dog is fully engaged. You want them to look forward to "playing school," and not run and hide under the bed when it's time to do homework!

Stage 1 -Association/Acquisition

For you dog to follow your command, they must first acquire a sense of what behavior you expect. To do that, they must associate the expected behavior to the command. The word or words mean nothing to them, until you demonstrate the expected association to that command.

To put yourself in your dog's place, imagine you are in a foreign country, and you have no experience with that language. You need to find a restroom, so what do you do? Somehow, you have to communicate that need, in a civilized manner, so you have to find the simplest way to express it. The same hold true for your puppy or dog... keep it simple, so they can acquire the association.

Stage 2 - Consistency

There is nothing more frustrating or confusing for your dog, than inconsistency. If you, and everyone in your home, are inconsistent with commands and expectations, your dog will never acquire the correct association for following commands, or well-mannered behavior.

Consistency simplifies training, be it Stages of Successful Dog Training or behavior. When everyone living and working with the dog is consistent with commands and expectations, your dog will acquire the association faster, and respond appropriately.

When possible, the entire family should attend the training classes. This helps to keep things consistent when learning commands and corrections. Your dog will appreciate that!

Note: not only should commands and corrections be consistent; the rules of the house should also be constant. If one person allows the puppy or dog on the bed or couch, and the rules is no pets on the furniture, it confuses the animal.

Stage 3 - Repetition

Be prepared to repeat yourself as many times as it takes! Not all dogs learn at the same pace. Some catch on faster than others. The key to learning associations is consistent repetition. Once your dog has a grasp on the expected behavior, you can make learning more interesting, and raise the bar. Challenge their mind! Keep it fun!

Nearly all dogs want to please their owner. To get more out of your dog, challenge their minds by expanding and varying commands. However, do not expand and vary the repetitions, until your dog responds appropriately to the simple command at least 90% of the time. That is a fair assessment that your dog comprehends what is expected.

Stage 4 - Reinforcement

Rather than giving a command over and over again verbally, which only becomes "blah, blah, blah" to your dog. Reinforce your command with a physical gesture, a bit like sign language.

Watching and responding to your hand commands not only keeps your dog focused on you, it reinforces the behavior you are expecting, without boring your dog to tears. Your friends will be so impressed!

Stage 5 - Maintenance

Dog training is a labor of love. Like fees and taxes it never ends. All too often, people enroll their puppy or dog in one training class when they are young, and expect it to last a lifetime. It doesn't!

Maintenance is the final stage. Think of maintenance as the CEU (Continuing Education Units) of dog training. The most well-behaved dogs are the ones that learn to respect boundaries and interact positively with people and other animals, on an on-going basis. Most people find by maintaining and expanding their pet's training all through their lifetime, their dog stays attentive and sharp. Occasionally they are even pleasantly surprised by their dog's capacity to learn something new, even as they get older. Old dogs can learn new tricks!

Work your dog for a few minutes daily. Work training into their daily routine, and you've doubled the training time. The more time you invest, the greater your return.

Periodically, sign up for a refresher or more advanced course of positive reinforcement, punishment-free obedience or even agility training. You and your dog will not only enjoy the time shared together, as a team, you will tackle new challenges.

Bottom line: If you keep in mind the 5 stages of dog training, Acquisition, Consistency, Repetition, Reinforcement and Maintenance, you should have no problem finding within your puppy or dog, the well-mannered, well-behaved canine best friend you've always wanted.

Source:Adource: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-5-Stages-of-Successful-Dog-Training&id=7241651

How To Stop Your Dog From Snatching Food

Dogs are keen observers, and devious opportunists! It's instinctive and it's how they survive when they are on their own. Unless they are taught manners, it doesn't take long for them to figure out the best times to make their stealth attacks are on unsuspecting children, when adults are distracted, or better still, out of the room.

Dogs know the little people are easy pickings! That's why children are such a soft target for your dog's hit and runs.

You may be a bit more of a challenge. However, a quick glance around the room to note the coast is clear, and your turkey sandwich is history!

Why Your Dog Steals

Your endearing, snack-snatching pooch is nothing more than a wolf in disguise. Like wolves, they have their pack. In your puppy or dog's case, that's you and your family. Even though they have the cutest little face, and seem so innocent, their genes are screaming messages in order to survive, you must be a fearless hunter. That means you have to take risks now and then.

Your dog instinctively knows, in a pack everyone has his or her place. In the wild, when a pack shares a kill, those lower in status patiently wait their turn to chomp on the carcass. Most are happy with whatever scraps are left. Your little wolf learned this when they were nursing with their litter mates. They quickly figured out, the higher your status in the litter, the more you get to eat, is the rule.

So, you had to be bold and daring if you wanted a full belly. The wily members, like a sharp businessperson, always weigh benefit versus cost. If the odds appear more in their favor, they will take the risk and make an unabashed leap for prime stuff. They will the risk of the wrath from the higher-ups. They will jump in at any and every opportunity to "snatch" a bite of whatever they can sink their teeth in.

That's what's happening with your thieving canine opportunist! They have learned children are easy prey. If your dog is not taught manners, and to respect your child, they will consider them lower in pack status.

Here's how you prevent or modify that inappropriate behavior.

Teaching Rules and Boundaries

Your dog must learn to respect rules and boundaries. Positive reinforcement, punishment-free methods work! Enroll in an obedience training class that encourages the attendance of the entire family. It teaches everyone how to define the pack order, so your dog understands as important as he, or she may think they are, they are now, and will always be at the bottom of the pack.

"No free lunch!" Never give treats, without your dog doing something to earn it. Make them follow a simple command. It is a positive way to reinforce they must work for their rewards, and people are the provider of all good things... and that includes the little ones too!

Teach your children not to tease or "share" their food with their dog. That only encourages snatching.

Never feed your dog from the table! They should not be allowed near the table at mealtime. All it takes is a simple distraction, and there goes your chicken leg! Children often drop food where they eat... sometimes by accident, sometimes not so by accident! Or, children, (and sometimes Grandpa,) are easily cajoled into slipping a treat when no one is looking. Your dog quickly learns where there are free eats!

If you catch your dog in the light-fingered act, immediately correct them. You must let them know what they just did was unacceptable behavior. If you can, take the object away from them. Demonstrate to them that you are higher on the pack status; therefore, it belongs to you! If they have already swallowed it, let them know you are not pleased, by exiling and ignoring them. Give them a minute or three to associate their behavior has consequences. If there's one thing puppy and dogs hate, it's being unnoticed!

Teach your dog the "LEAVE IT!" command. Place them in the sit position. With a treat in your hand, give the "LEAVE IT!" command. Do not allow them to touch it, until you give a release command. If he or she goes to snatch it, give them a no reward maker, such as 'EHH!" Make a firm correction, such as "NO! BAD!" Then, repeat the exercise, until they associate they are not to touch the treat until released to do so.

If you have little or no control over your puppy or dog, consider enrolling in a positive reinforcement, punishment-free obedience class. It will help you learn the leadership skills you need, and it will help your pet learn their place in your family in a fun way.

Bottom line - Teaching your puppy or dog not to snatch food is not difficult. If you are fair, firm and consistent, they will make the association that it is an inappropriate behavior.

Source:Source: https://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Stop-Your-Dog-From-Snatching-Food&id=7981596

Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes When Training Your Puppy

So you have your treats and rewards ready. You know how to teach the first basic command step by step. You're ready for your first puppy training session! It should be smooth sailing, right? It could be once you read and avoid these common mistakes that dog parents make when training their pet:

Choosing the wrong time for training

Puppies are fairly easy to teach once you have their attention and interest. Otherwise, you will be wasting your time. Choose to train him when he isn't excited, exploring or tired. An ideal time would be when he's trying to get your attention to play with you - this means that he wants to spend quality time and his focus is on you. Where you hold your training sessions also play a significant part in your success, so be sure to choose a quiet area in your home with the least distractions.

Holding lengthy training sessions

It is important to keep in mind that puppies are like little children - you have to make an effort to get their attention and once you have it, you have to work hard to keep it. Generally, they get bored easily because of their short attention spans. Because of this, long training sessions will never work. Keep the sessions to a maximum of 10 minutes per day. Short but regular ones work best.

Teaching too many things at once

As a pet parent, one of the most important traits we should display is patience. A lot of patience is indeed needed from you when it comes to teaching your dog basic commands and tricks. Teach a basic command one at a time, don't move on to the next until he's mastered the first one. This way, you'll be sure that your pup has really learned and not just following your orders at the time.

Not making training sessions a positive experience

Dogs respond best when trained with a positive attitude and treats. Scolding them when they make mistakes gives them the impression that a training session is a time they shouldn't look forward to. As a result, it will take longer for him to learn and longer for you to achieve your goal.

Not having scheduled feedings

Housebreaking a pup can be a difficult task especially when you feed him at different times throughout the day. But when you have scheduled feedings - one meal in the morning, one in the afternoon and one at night, it will be easier for you to determine the times your pet has to be taken outside to do his business.

Avoid these 5 common puppy training mistakes and your dog will learn basic commands in no time!

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Avoid-These-5-Common-Mistakes-When-Training-Your-Puppy&id=9703548