8 Dog Training Tips for New Dog Owners

1. Socializing your new puppy is huge.  Socialization can be in many different forms. When I get a new puppy I take him everywhere. I want to expose him to anything and everything. The more your puppy or dog becomes acquainted with new things, the better off he will be in the future.  Socialization also helps your dog build confidence.  All of these things will help you when you start to train your dog.

2.  Start training your dog at a very young age, the earlier the better. It's like teaching a little kid how to golf versus teaching a thirty year old how to golf, it's easier when they are young as their minds are still developing.  Even if you bring home your puppy at eight to ten weeks of age, you can start teaching him simple things like how to sit when you ask. I actually offer a course on puppy imprinting- this covers how to develop good habits at a young age. Mainly focusing on sit, down and teaching your dog to come to you.  It is crucial and will make your life far easier if you do the right things before your dog adopts bad habits.

3.  Be sure to keep training fun and positive. I always praise my dog-- either by petting him or telling him he is a good boy/doing a good job. Think of how good you feel when your boss tells you that you are doing good work. The same goes for your pooch, they want to please you. 

4.  Keep your training lessons short and action packed. 5-10 minutes 2-3 times a day is more than enough. Puppies are like kids, their attention spans are very short. It is important to keep them short and fun so your dog looks forward to them. You can do something your dog likes after a session; fetch, belly rub, cookie break to name a few things. Your dog will learn that fun comes after work.

5.  Give your dog a lot of praise and rewards. I like to call it "paying your dog." If he does something for you, in return you pay him. The payment usually comes in the form of praise, petting, or treats. 

6.  Always do your best to stay calm. Dog training can be frustrating but the best trainers remain calm. If you are having a bad day or are very angry postpone training that day. You do not want to take that out on your dog.

7.  Be consistent. This is one of the biggest things in training. If you ask your dog to sit and he goes down, don't praise him for that. Instead, ask him to to that command again and then praise him once he does it right.

8.  It is crucial to always end your training session on a positive note. If you dog is having trouble with a command near the end, don't end on failure. You can simply ask him to do something that you know he will do and then end on that note. It is important to set your dog up for success and to keep it positive. Your results will be far better than the alternative.

Jimmy Cee

"A Trained Dog is a Happy Dog"