Many dog owners use different methods to train their puppies. Some bring their pups to dog obedience classes, while others prefer to train them at home with the help of good dog training books or videos. How do you go about training your puppy?

[mrandrei]

One thing you can do to make your puppy training as successful as possible is by rewarding him every time he does your command right. The more times he is rewarded, the quicker he will learn.

[Yogi]

For me over the many years is reminding myself that a puppy has the attention span of a gnat. This being said I have found that once they have exhausted themselves they are more prone to learning therefore pay more attention and catch on quicker. Granted, you do not want they too exhausted otherwise they have a tendency to fall asleep in the middle of the training.

[DoggieVogue]

I train my puppy at home. I've never used obedience classes. The dog I have now is the first I've trained completely on my own. My mom used to do most of the training when I lived at home and my brother and I used to practice what she taught. I use her methods and for everything else I'm not sure about, I ask knowledgeable people here and other places on line.

[6Miranda]

My lil puppy is 16 weeks, is this too young to yank her back, on trying to get her to walk with me instead of pulling?

Taking your puppy to classes is good but why waste money while you can do it for free and enjoy it. I trained my dog by using dog books, websites and videos. And my dog turned out to be very intellegent.

[dixied]

Hello folks

Thought I might get some ideas for little Ben our 14 week old golden retriever. First of my books arrived today it's about positive training dogs and the little I have read so far makes great sense.

It seem to be encourage the dog to do things and reward when it does something good. I've also heard about clicker training, this is a book I'm still waiting for, I think that is on the same lines if the bit I read is right.

Not that anyone would be cruel to their dog but having seen some people around the area pulling hard against the dog when walking on the lead I want to avoid that. That's a little way off as Ben still can't go out will have his injections next week so might start a little then. I will try training to get used to wearing a lead. I just going to put it on him and let him drag it round.
Does this seem sensible way to start?

I'll keep posting here to see if I get any comments and help, I'm sure I will.

Dave

PS Bens just wondered in to the lounge - hope that doesn't mean he will be up in the night. Evening time here now.

[Lara's mom]

I took both of mine to puppy classes just so they'd get the basics and for the socialization aspect. They both loved it!!! After their respective graduations, I trained them at home using positive reinforcement. Young puppies have a short attention span so, we'd train for 5 - 10 minutes a few times a day. As they got older, I extended it to 15 minutes.

[dixied]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

I took both of mine to puppy classes just so they'd get the basics and for the socialization aspect. They both loved it!!! After their respective graduations, I trained them at home using positive reinforcement. Young puppies have a short attention span so, we'd train for 5 - 10 minutes a few times a day. As they got older, I extended it to 15 minutes.

Thanks for the post Lara's mom. I'm on the look out for a socialisation class - I assume just puppies playing together rather than a real class. May have a loook at the vets where we're off to next week for a check up.

Dave

PS
I'll remember short attention span - I know what it's like.

[Lara's mom]

You'd have a riot at puppy class! I remember one elderly couple in particular. They were both very small people and they had this great big honking Newfoundland pup. When that big lug decided to lay down, the two of them together couldn't pull him up!!! It was a great laugh!!! You'd meet some really nice people.

[crstev]

Originally Posted by Ali21Dashti

Taking your puppy to classes is good but why waste money while you can do it for free and enjoy it. I trained my dog by using dog books, websites and videos. And my dog turned out to be very intellegent.

I'm doing the same thing with 2 puppies, 7 months and 12 weeks. I spent about $75 on books and DVDs, and it seems to be working. I have to make sure the younger dog mimics good behavior.

[rlang]

Clicker training can be a great way to get your pup trained. Here is a site that goes through the process with some videos and a lot of great info.

Start Clicking | clickerworks.com

[CorkyMax]

Simplified Puppy Training Tips Uncovered
Updated June 28, 2009
by Melissa Simmonds

Anyone who has ever brought home a puppy knows that the best days are yet to come. Sure puppies are among the most adorable creatures ever. But watching them learn and discover the world is what makes them so precious to us.

In their growing up and learning years, it is important that you instill them with correct practices and proper behavior early on. House training a puppy is simultaneously frustrating and fun. Regardless, you have to be there and teach them. Here are some puppy training tips that will help make your job a lot easier.

It’s so easy to spoil the puppy fur balls. Let them get away with the mischievous little tricks that are just so cute. What harm could it do right? Wrong. You have to set yourself as their master early on. Don’t let them get away with bad behavior at any time. You can play with them but be firm and authoritative when the need arises. Once they submit to your leadership, training them will be much simpler.

To train effectively you must open communications that your dog will understand and obey. More often than not it’s not the dog’s stubbornness that makes him not follow you, it’s his confusion on what you really mean. Use the same word or phrase every time. If you use “Sit!” don’t use “Down, boy!” anymore. Be repetitive in your obedience training.
Puppies understand the language of praise. If you want him to distinctly remember a certain behavior, praise him enthusiastically during the actual act. He will associate the favorable sensation of being commended with that particular act. He will strive to gain more praise and repeat it.

On the other hand, discipline the dog by admonishing him sharply for wrong conduct. You can use spray guns to squirt water to rebuke him but never hit him. Sometimes owners unknowingly over compensate and hit their puppies. This will result in fearful and aggressive dogs that will not be good around people.

Socialization is especially effective when practiced regularly until the puppy is about 3 months of age. He will grow up to be a friendly and well rounded dog, able to interact with humans and canines alike. Take him to places where there are a lot of people. Let him play with other dogs you know are clean and healthy. Let him get accustomed to strange objects to dogs like vacuum cleaners, cars, other animals. When he ages, he is less likely to be intimidated and fearful of things and people.

With these puppy training tips, expect a confident and well-adjusted dog in a few years. It is an enjoyable and rewarding past time to house train a puppy as long as you do it right.

[Lara's mom]

I swear by puppy classes. It gives them a chance to socialize as well as get the basics in training which you can carry over on your own. Both of my girls loved their puppy classes! They had a riot!