The most important thing I ever learned about dogs is to make sure they are properly trained. A dog without proper training is a constant source of aggravation for the owner and can't be trusted to do what is needed at the right time. If your dog won't sit/stay on command when you need him to hold still like when the doorbell rings and someone is at the door you will always be worried that the dog will charge out the door when you open it. Even my dog who is reasonably well trained will occasionally charge out the door when someone comes to visit. So I have gathered together some dog training resources here for you to use in helping you get your dog properly trained.

I had the most success with my dog when I took both of us to a local dog school for a six week course. It was tough since he was a puppy and really just wanted to play with all of the other dogs but it was a great learning experience and doing the homework really paid off as he is trained enough to keep me happy. It helps that he is highly motivated by food so he pays complete attention when he knows I have treats in my pocket for rewards.

He is at the point in his training now that when I walk him most mornings before starting work I let him walk off leash and he loves it since he can spend as much time as he wants sniffing the wonderful? smells that catch his attention. Training for my dog means at the minimum that he can sit / stay and a great command I taught him is the stop command where he can be moving along doing something but when he hears stop he doesn't keep going he stands still.

This is a very important dog training command for any dog to know since it can easily save their life if they are about to run across the street in front of a car or molest someone who doesn't like dogs. I took dog training very seriously when I first got Jake as I didn't want him to be out of control and wanted him to be good at mingling with people.

Another item not everyone will tell you about and boy do I wish someone had told me about is where you dog goes to the bathroom. Most people initially are so happy to get their puppy dog trained to go outside that they never think to go on with the training and make sure that he well you know takes a poop in roughly the same location each time. I don't mind picking up dog turds with baggies but what I don't like is having to search all over the back yard for the land mines my dog leaves behind. The trick to doing this properly is to take the dog on leash to the backyard each time you let him out and keep him in the area you want him to go in each time. WIth my dog it would have been easy if as he goes immediately after he eats breakfast each morning. All I would have to have done is how him the spot a dozen times and he would have made my life a log easier! I should try it still and see if I can teach my old dog a new trick or two!

Association of Pet Dog Trainers

American Dog Trainers Network -- Your Dog Training & Behavior ...

dog training behavior tips for your puppy or adult K9 kid ...

A few good dog training books won't hurt either?