I hate to start out on a negative note, but here is a sad-but-true fact: one of the most common causes of a dog being euthanized is that the people who had it as a puppy didn’t do the basic dog training that would have averted many of the most common dog behavior problems. So then a dog grows up who is out of control in one way, or more likely in several ways.

This website, and many others you will find around the internet, are dedicated to helping you train your dog or dogs. Since I used to be a librarian, one of the ways I do this is by drawing your attention to books, ebooks, and some of the outstanding dog training websites. I’ve never been a professional trainer, but I’ve done enough training that I also write some how-to articles.

Starting Off Right

Young puppies are so cute that it’s easy to not bother with training the cute little fluffball. But do begin as you want to things to turn out. Do you want your huge dog on the couch? No? Then make it off limits right from the start.

If there are good puppy classes where you live, that is a very good option, as socializing your dog to various kinds of people and dogs will make it much easier to take him anywhere in the future without worry that he will be aggressive or timid.

You can start training even before your puppy has developed an immune system strong enough to go off to classes. I always start my puppies right away, with enjoyable little interactions involving yummy treats. My smart little Basenji thought she had me trained to give her treats whenever she sat, within a week of when we got her. She even had me trained to click a clicker!

A great DVD for puppies!

In my opinion, the very best single resource for getting your puppy off to a good start is Sirius Puppy Training, a DVD featuring Dr. Ian Dunbar.

Literally hundreds of copies of this program have been bought from my recommendation on various pages of this website, and actually it’s one of the things I’m most proud of!

So do train your puppy, using kind and loving methods like those in that program. If you are interested in clicker training, get my free ebook on clicker training or the comprehensive ebook, Clickertraining: the 4 Secrets of Becoming a Supertrainer.

Of course, you will have plenty of challenges along the way, but there are few things in life more satisfying than raising a puppy who turns into a great dog!

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