What is puppy socialization?

A socialized puppy is one that has been introduced to as many different sights, sounds, people, and situations as possible during his first few months of life (from approximately 3-4 weeks to 14 weeks of age). If a puppy isn’t properly socialized, as an adult dog he may react with fear or aggression toward those things he’s never seen or…

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How to paper train a puppy or dog

Housebreaking a new puppy or dog can seem like a daunting task, particularly if you live in a high-rise apartment building or don’t have ready access to an outdoor area. In these situations, paper training can be a useful way to house train your dog until he can hold himself long enough to make trips outside less frequent.

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Dog training the positive way

There are generally two approaches to obedience training: positive dog training, also called lure/reward training, and force/punishment. In positive training, the emphasis is on rewarding the dog for correct behavior. Only later in the training process are reprimands used to ensure the dog understands a command. This is the opposite of the force/punishment school of thought where the focus is…

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Leash training a puppy

A leash and collar are invaluable training tools that allow you to communicate with your puppy, they keep him safe and under your control, and most states require them when you take him to public places. You can begin leash training puppy within the first few days after he arrives home starting with the gentle introduction of a collar and…

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Dog behavior and training

Your dog may like to watch TV with you, but he’s a wild animal at heart. He has many of the same instincts and drives that his ancestors did. With a little practice you can learn to use these behaviors to your advantage when you train your dog. Two of the most important dog behaviors for training are…

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