The essence of dog training is to have a happy, safe and properly socialized family pet. Whether you own your dog as a puppy or adopt a dog, professional trainers recommend starting obedience training as soon as possible.

Dog training involves many tasks. Teaching a dog the basics like sit, stay, look, come, and drop it take repetition and rewards. More than anything it takes patience on the part of the dog owner to be positive and persistent. Changing an unwanted behavior takes a lot of time, and you need to change it at a slow and steady pace. If you become angry and impatient with your dog, the chance to correctly modify the behavior will be more difficult.

Some dog trainers prefer a martingale collar. These dog collars provide the convenience of adjustable sizing with the safety of a limited range of choke collar action. The dog collar size adjusts as pressure is applied to the leash. The limited closure guarantees that the collar will not injure pets.

Crate training is used for a variety of reasons. The most important reason to crate your dog is to make sure your pet is safe when a dog owner is not present. Crate training is recommended by veterinarians as an effective way to prevent destructive habits and establish good habits in your dog.

Barking is an instinctive behavior for dogs. When a dog hears an unfamiliar noise, sees a stranger, or hears a knock or doorbell they tend to begin barking. It is their way of communicating what they hear. Some hunting breeds like a Beagle or Terrier tend to bark more than other docile dogs. So when training your dog on the behavior of barking, keep this in mind.

Does your dog follow you everywhere you go and becomes anxious when they can’t be near you? Some breeds like the Golden Retriever become distraught when they become aware their owner is leaving. Dog trainers recommend giving your dog a chew toy, like a Kong filled with frozen peanut butter, cheese or their favorite treat to keep their busy while you are out.

Training your pet does take patience and persistence, but that doesn’t mean the whole experience can’t be a fun one. Keep it light and be stern when you have to be and your dog will thank you.