Everyone would like to have the perfect "Lassie" dog, one that obeys commands, walks perfectly by your side and minds his manners in a crowd (and can save you if you fall down a well!). "Boy, I wish my dog were like that", they say! It is easy to forget that "TV Dogs" have had years of training at the hands of professional handlers! You don’t need to hire a pro or send your dog to Hollywood, but you do need to dedicate some time if you would like a dog that is obedient and understands what you want.

It is Never Too Early to Start

People are often under the impression that a dog cannot be trained until it is six months or older. Nothing can be further from the truth! It is never too soon to start your new little friend on the road to doggie "higher education". As soon as a pup opens his eyes his education begins. At this stage it is very important for the young dog to socialize. He learns how to play and act around other dogs from his mother and littermates. He learns how to act around humans from those around him. Studies have shown that pups who are isolated at the critical 7 to 10 week stage tend to be more fearful and have a harder time making a dog-human bond. They can still make fine pets, but they will not achieve their optimum. Once the pup leaves his mother and littermates and moves to your home, you become his teacher, introducing him to the world.

Socialization

One of the best things you can do for your dog is to properly socialize him when he is a pup. It is crucial that you do this when he is young—there is a definite window of opportunity to optimum socialization. Start out gradually, being careful to not overwhelm or over tire your pup. Introduce him to the members of his family. Get him accustomed to all the noises and obstacles in your house. Let him stay in the room while you vacuum; encourage him to walk up and down the stairs. Your house may seem dull to you, but to your pup it is a jungle of new smells, sights and sounds! Make games of your training and be creative! For example, spread a small tarp on the floor and put your pup in the middle with you on one side coaxing him toward you. Often the new texture will make the pup hesitate, but he will soon overcome his fear with gentle coaxing. Be generous with your praise! If you have access to any children’s toys, these can be great fun in socializing! Coax your pup to walk through a tunnel, tent or down a small slide! Encourage your dog to solve puzzles…place his favorite treat under a towel and help him find it! If the pup seems very timid, be sure not to go too fast. Introduce the new objects slowly, once he is used to the old ones.

As he gets a bit older, you can move your exercise outdoors into the neighborhood. With a leash and a puppy collar on for safety, you can walk him around the yard, through the sand box, down the street, past the fire hydrant, etc. The idea is to get him used to all the sights and sounds he might encounter on a walk. This will help him to become a calm dog in all situations and help him not to be distracted by the world around him when he is supposed to be minding you.

Keep your lessons short. A puppy has a very short attention span and if you try to train too long you will end frustrated and have an unhappy pup! Sessions should be 10 to 15 minutes, perhaps twice a day. Keep the tone fun and upbeat. Your dog should love his time training with you, not run for cover! Use positive re-enforcement and be generous with praise. Your kind words will go much farther than your scolding.

Don’t Give in to Fear

As tempting as it might be, try not to coddle your pup when you are socializing. Dogs are very intuitive and can read even the slightest clues and body language from their owners. If you approach a situation expecting your pup to be afraid and then pick him up and cuddle him when he is, you have taught him a fear response—the opposite of your intention. For example, you are walking down the street with Rover and a bicyclist is approaching. You assume he will be scared. You start bending down, reach for him, pick him up, pet him and cooingly tell him everything is ok. You think you have helped him not be afraid of bikes, but in fact Rover is now thinking, "My Goodness, that thing made Mom act so upset! It must be awful!". Approach situations confidently and your dog will read your response. If he does act frightened, calmly pat him and reassure him, but don’t pick him up. Let him face the situation.

Children

It is critically important to expose your dog to children, whether you have them or not. There will always be children in neighborhoods, riding bikes or delivering the paper. Children move and act differently than adults and the dog who has not been exposed to them may not react properly. If you have children, the task is an easy one. The pup and child will automatically be together. Be sure to supervise them, however. Teach the children how to handle the little pup. If you do not have children, try to take your pup to places where he can be around them. Playgrounds or friends’ homes work well. Let the pup get used to the noises and actions of kids and have fun with them in a supervised setting.

Kindergarten

Believe it or not, almost all dog training clubs offer "puppy kindergarten" classes. These classes are excellent places to start your pups training. Not only can he start to learn basic obedience, but also the class is a socialization smorgasbord! The classes incorporate play time with training and are a marvelous start for a well-behaved dog. Ask your vet, breeder, shelter or local pet store to recommend a training class and start your dog as soon as you can. As an added bonus, training will strengthen your bond with your pup.

Treat Him Like a Dog

Yes, he is the cutest thing you have every seen, with fuzzy face and eyes that make you melt. Do not give into temptation and let this little charmer rule you! Whatever he is doing, you must stop and think "Will this still be cute when he is a full-grown dog?" It is pretty harmless having tiny pup jump up on you, but will it still be sweet when he is 100 pounds? So he chews on your hand when he plays…will that still be fun when he can swallow your hand? If you don’t want your full-grown dog on the couch, don’t let him up there when he is a puppy. It might make you laugh now if he growls to protect his food, but believe me, you won’t be laughing about it when he is full-grown. You can still have fun with your pup while setting boundaries for behavior. It is much easier to teach it right the first time than to have to correct bad habits later.

Your hard work now will pay off for years to come and you will have a trustworthy, well-mannered companion! Soon you’ll hear people passing- by saying, "Boy, I wish my dog were like that!"