Maximize the enjoyment of pet ownership by teaching your dog basic home manners and how to behave in public. Although the human dog owner may become convinced that the key to successful training lies in capitalizing on his pet's animal nature, he still seems to persist in "humanizing" the dog when it comes to reproduction.

Pet

Never use your hand to do anything but pet or hug your dog, or to restrain him if necessary. Perhaps the most natural reaction of the pet owner with a "nipper or mouther" is to shake a finger at or to hit the puppy. "Replace what he is chewing on with something that's OK such as a rawhide chew toy or perhaps a "Nylabone" (available in pet shops). A crate should be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around in. If there are other pets in the home, you should also consider their feelings. Call your dog to you for petting and attention. By keeping a standard harness from pet shop, it hooks to his back and feels comfortable. Your young pup will also try to chew on your hands, every time you try to pet him. It is very important to remember, if you don't want the grown dog to be chewing your hand every time you go to pet him, teach him now. You can correct your dog, and within 2 seconds he'll want to be petted.

Family

Once he determines his family ranking and he submits to higher-ranking family members, there may not be any more problems until he reaches his social maturity. He is now older, stronger, and more confident and his attitude toward family members may change. The best to way assure your puppy knows his proper position in his human pack is to begin making him earn everything he receives, as soon as he joins your family. Once your puppy has mastered this exercise, every member of the family, including all children, must be taught how to make him sit. When you open the door, make your puppy remain sitting until you and other family members go out the door first. The individual feeding him is a special member of his family and is often considered a higher-ranking member. Another good idea is to have all family members do things to distract the puppy while he is eating. Eventually every family member should be able to take things away from your puppy and reward him for giving them up. If other family members challenge him and force him to do something against his will, he may not submit to them and they could be at risk of being bitten. If he growls or snaps at an individual and makes them back down, he has elevated his status over that particular individual or family member.

A puppy that is trained using humane, fun training methods, where he has to submit to you for everything he receives, has a better chance of becoming a well adjusted adult dogs that knows that all family members are higher ranking than he is.

About the Author

Cayla Young is a successful Webmaster and publisher of www.WeKnowDogTraining.com. She provides more information about dogs and dog training issues that you can research in your pajamas on her website.