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by: Rachel Brett
If you are in the process of training your dog or considering it, then you might like to check the following list to ensure that you are not making one of the common mistakes.

1) Giving different words for the same command.
If you want your dog to obey your commands, you must be consistent with the words that you use. For example you may issue the command “Sit” most of the time. It is no good expecting your dog to also sit down when you say “Get down off my favourite chair”

2) Rubbing nose in urine
This has no affect on training a dog. All you are doing is burning its nose. Which is probably something that you don’t want to do.

3) Smacking, hitting and punishing the dog.
Expert dog trainers have shown that this type of human behaviour has no positive effect on a dog,

4) Shouting
This will just confuse the dog. Remember, that the whole point of verbal commands is that you have taught the dog to learn from the sound of your voice to link it to an action that he needs to take.

5) Letting the dog eat at the same time as you.
This indicates to the dog that he is your equal. What you need to do is let the dog eat after you. This will teach him that you are the master and in control.

6) Making training session too long.
15 minutes is just about right for a training session. This keeps it fun for young dogs that can have a short attention span.

7) Starting training too late in the dogs life
It’s far easier to train a young puppy. As a dog gets older you will have to put in a lot more obedience training and may have to take the dog to a training school.

8) Puppy crate too big
Puppies don’t like to be a in a big crate. It makes them feel uncomfortable. You can get crates that are adjustable. So that as the dog gets bigger you can adjust the size of the crate to accommodate him.

9) Training the dog when you are in a bad mood.
Don’t train the dog when you are in a bad mood. This means that the tone of your voice will be different and the dog will not be able to link your verbal commands to the action that he should take.

10) Not giving lots of praise.
To enforce your commands, when the dog has taken the right action give him lots of praise.
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By: Steve Davis
If you have recently brought a new puppy into your home then you are embarking upon a relationship with your dog which should prove to be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for you both. There can be no question that the first few weeks will be the hardest and most important weeks in establishing your relationship and setting out the ground rules. Top of the list will be the task of house training your puppy which must begin as soon as you bring him home.

The keys to successful house training are time and patience. Your puppy will require almost constant supervision and when accidents happen, which they will, you must not shout at or punish him. Shouting at or punishing your puppy when he goes to the toilet in the wrong place will only teach him that by going to the toilet he makes you angry. As a result he will try to hold his bowels and bladder to avoid making you angry again and when he can really hold himself no longer he will find a place to hide and go to the toilet which will make house training much more difficult.

With the above key points in mind you will first need to decide which part of your garden or yard you would like your puppy to use as his toilet. Once you have chosen it you must stick to it and always take your puppy to that same spot to go to the toilet.
During the first few weeks your puppy will require almost constant supervision. Establish a daily routine for him which incorporates set toilet times. These should be at least every 2 to 3 hours including first thing in the morning when he wakes up, after every meal, after every play time and before he goes to bed in the evening. At each of the designated toilet times in the daily routine take your puppy to the chosen spot outside your house whilst giving him the “outside” command. Once there if he goes to the toilet say the command “toilet” as he does it and when he has finished praise and reward him. In this way he will learn to associate the “toilet” command with doing his business and in time you will be able to train your puppy to go to toilet on command.

If between set toilet times you catch your puppy doing his business in the house do not get cross with him. Instead, firmly issue the “outside” command and take him to his outside toilet spot as quickly as possible to finish his business while you say the “toilet” command.

Try to reduce the risk of accidents by keeping a watchful eye on your puppy at all times whilst in the house. Look out for the tell tale signs of circling and sniffing the floor which normally mean he needs to go to the toilet. If you spot this behaviour issue the “outside” command and quickly take him to his outside toilet spot. If he goes when you are there issue the “toilet” command and praise and reward him when he has finished.

On the occasions when your puppy does have an accident in the house, including those you do not find out about until some time later, do not shout at or punish him. Simply clear any mess up without a fuss and if possible without him seeing you do it. Make sure you have a supply of deodorising spray or solution which you can apply to the area once you have cleaned it so that all traces of any smell are completely removed. If you do not it is likely that your puppy will find, and use, the same spot again the next time he feels the need to go to the toilet whilst in the house and you are not watching him.

Time and patience with your puppy in the first few weeks are essential. A daily routine and the issuing of repetitive commands which your puppy can learn to associate with actions, coupled with plenty of praise and reward when he gets things right, should enable you to house-train him both quickly and effectively.

Author Resource:- Want more help and advice on how to train your puppy? If so, go to
http://puppyanddogtrainingonlinereview.blogspot.com
for further details including access to online audio and visual training material.
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