Dog Training Shows How Much An Owner Loves A Pet

By Adriana Noton

Many people who get a dog do a poor job of researching how much responsibility is involved in owning a pet. This is especially true of people who neglect dog training.

There's a wealth of information about dog training, but experts say that one of the best reasons to train a dog properly is to establish a relationship of mutual trust. Unlike other kinds of pets, dogs are social animals that have been bred through centuries to serve and be close to their human owners. Dogs by their nature are pack animals that look to a leader to know how to behave, and a human who doesn't establish this kind of relationship really fails to take good care of his or her dog.

About three weeks after they're born, puppies entertain into a behavioral period known as socialization. Between three and 12 weeks, the main task of puppies is social play. The investigate, they "play-fight, " and they mimic sexual behaviors. Their subsequent behavior is shaped by the puppies interaction with their mother and littermates.

Eventually, however, as you learned the local language you will be able to have a happier, more fulfilling life there. The same is true of dogs that live as pets in a human environment. Through obedience training a dog learns how to associate behaviors with certain human sounds. Saying "sit" to a trained dog always results in the dog sitting. Saying "stay" keeps the dog in one place, and saying "come" brings the dog to its owner. With proper puppy training, both the owner and the dog develop a mutual understanding that each can trust in their relationship.

However, all puppies go through a period of "stranger avoidance" between six and 12 weeks. This is a natural fear that develops as a way to keep puppies safe from predators. During this time puppies exhibit more "startle" reactions to sounds and sudden movements. These reactions keep a pup safe, but they also could interfere with establishing relationships with people. That's why it best not to rush a puppy through these behavioral period. Let it get its bearings first.

Dog training for obedience involves the owner and puppy learning a series of basic commands. Among these are "sit, " "stay, " "down, " "come, " "heel, " "drop it" and "leave it." In most cases, these commands are taught with the use of food rewards such as dog food, tiny dog biscuits or small pieces of appropriate human food such as string cheese or baked or boiled chicken. Each of these commands is intended to teach a certain posture to the dog that the owner can use to control its behavior.

Among the basic obedience commands, "stay" and "heel" may be the most difficult for puppies to learn. Puppies are naturally full of energy and playfulness and they want nothing more than to explore. Owners who find it hard to channel all that puppy energy must develop the patience to keep practicing all obedience commands until their dogs can do them well instantly.

A dog needs his or her owner to provide discipline, patience and most importantly, love. Getting proper training for a dog as early as possible provides all these essentials for a happy life. - 29895

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