Training a new puppy to behave suitably for a family environment can seem more of a challenge than it has to be. If you know how to properly communicate with your animal, then you will find much more progress being made as opposed to a broken line of communication. Take time to know your dog. If you really plan on making him/her a part of your family for many many years, then you should be willing to put in the time and effort to properly train them. If your intentions are good, and you just don’t know where to start… here are a few tips to get you and your dog started on the road to obedience.

List what behaviors you wish to alter

You should lock this concept in your mind. When you train your animal, it shouldn’t be about what you want them to stop doing. It should be more of a reward program for the behaviors that you want more of. If your dog has a bad habit of barking when company arrives, reward him/her when they are quiet during this event. The same would apply if you were teaching your puppy to stop chewing things. Reward him/her when they chew the proper toys. This will reinforce the proper behavior without turning you into a scary authority figure to the dog. [Read more…]