Thursday, February 24, 2011

The Importance of Puppy Obedience Training

By Sandy Rutherforde


Puppy obedience training is critical if you really want a happy, healthy pet. That old saying of "spare the rod and spoil the child" bears similar credence when applied to the psychology of dog training. A dog that's not properly socialized within its initial formative months stands a significantly greater chance of becoming a poorly behaved dog at maturity.

The first and most essential skill that an adorable, cuddly puppy learns is the way to say "hello" to its fellow classmates. From the very first initial sniffing at the tail to the nose to nose greetings, a puppy that does not find out the proper way to say "hello" is destined to have behavioral problems later in their life. There is a proper way to get to know a different dog and a wrong way.

Misbehaving pups who are far too nosey or overly aggressive with their greetings often find out the hard way. From a minor nip on their nose to a guttural growl, the result is instantaneous. That is not the way to say "hello" and you had best not forget it. A reminder of appropriate manners is often just necessary a time or two from an unwelcome partner and the lesson is learned. Transferring that understanding to any dog that is met can sometimes take a little bit more time.

There are a number of smaller dogs who take issue with a larger dog greeting them. There are in addition larger canines that will question the greetings of a smaller puppy. Familiarity is clearly the key element as is direct exposure. The more breeds that your puppy is exposed to the better. The mystery of an unusual creature dissipates when a very similar foe has been foiled in the past.

Another important factor in effective puppy obedience training is the teaching of certain skill sets. From sit to stay to heel, these fundamentals of instruction are important for a dog's overall well being. Both while a puppy and later on as a mature dog, the lessons of standard schooling are particularly crucial for a happy, healthy member of the family. Our soft and cuddly canine critters look to their adult owners for direction.

In fact, they long for it. Their single purpose in life is to make their masters happy. They will have a difficult time doing so without very clear direction from their master. If they're not provided certain direction, they soon learn to imagine that anything they would like to do must be fine since it doesn't have consequences. It's as soon as a furry puppy is aware of exactly what's expected of him that his behavior improves. He knows what he is allowed to do and exactly what will get him a strict warning. So long as he understands the rules he is more than satisfied to play by them.

For the best results to be achieved start puppy obedience training early. It's an investment in the long term future of your furry friend. The returns on that investment are beyond compare.




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