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By the time you have your dog its behavior will have already been greatly influenced by his mother and his siblings.

Here’s an example: If his mother barked to attract some attention, her puppies will probably behave in the exact same way. The experiences that occur between three and twelve weeks of age are crucial in the development of a dog’s personality.

The best time to get a puppy is when it is about eight weeks old. By making sure that it has as much varied experience as possible during the month that follows, you will lay the groundwork for easier, more productive, and rewarding training.

Meeting New People
You need to make sure that your new puppy meets as many different people as possible while it is still young. If you can, take him to work, take him out in the car, and take him to your friend’s homes whenever possible. Let the puppy play with dogs that you know are healthy, and introduce it to children and other adults.

Personal Investigation
Playing with toys will provide the puppy with mental and physical stimulation. Find out which toys the puppy likes (they often have favorites), but you need to make sure that the toys are unlike other domestic items, such as shoes. You can use his favorite toy as a reward during training.

Play Constructively
You can play active games with your puppy, but you need to make sure that it is you who is in control and ‘dominant’ in the puppies eyes. While you play, watch the puppy’s behavior, and if it is about to sit, issue the “Sit” command. This gives the puppy some early association with basic commands and what they mean.

Give Immediate Rewards
When the puppy obeys a command, you should offer an immediate reward, such as stroking or praise with words. Remember: You’re the dominant member of the pack, which means you should always be in control.

Early Habits Can Last A Life-Time
If you carry a puppy constantly when it is very young, it will expect similar treatment when it feels insecure as an adult. Bear this in mind.

Give Mental Stimulation
Puppies that are actively stimulated between the age of three and twelve weeks grow into adults that are good at both learning and problem solving. A puppy learns best by observing its mother’s behavior.

Understanding Fear
You must try to keep an eye on all of your puppy’s activities, to ensure that any frightening situations he may encounter are kept to a minimum. Fears learned at an early age can become lifelong phobias unless they are overcome with training.

Gatherings
All dogs must learn to behave properly, both with their own species and with others, especially people. This isn’t always an easy task, so the best time for them to learn is when they are still very young - less than four months old is best.

When it’s possible, make sure that the puppy meets other species such as cat’s horses when it is very young.

Here’s why: Early socialization to other species reduces the likelihood of future problems. With the advice of your vet or local dog training club, it’s a good idea to participate in supervised weekly puppy evenings. At these gatherings, puppies learn how to respond to other dogs and to strangers in a controlled way.

Social Deprivation
Dogs that lack early social experiences can sometimes become more difficult to train. Restricted contact with people when the puppy is young can cause limitations in the dog’s ability to obey commands.

Before getting a dog, find out as much as possible about its early experience. The more a puppy has been handled while young, the more likely it is to respond well to obedience training.

Puppies raised with hardly any contact with people can be very difficult to train for the average person without the help of a professional dog trainer. So remember to ask questions about the puppies experience with being handled.

Learn about dog training here: dog training

Tags: dog behavior training, dog health, dog health problem, Dog Obedience Trainingdog behavior training, dog health, dog health problem, Dog Obedience Training

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Keeping your four-legged friend healthy takes a combination of management techniques. Genetics, diet, exercise and veterinary care are factors that contribute to health and longevity in dogs.

While it is not always possible to determine whether a pet has the genetic makeup that will provide it with health and longevity, some factors can influence genetic health. Mixed breed dogs are often thought to be healthier. Their random genes are thought to give them hybrid vigor. This is true in some cases, but mixed breeds can only be as healthy as their parents. Two unhealthy parents will very likely produce unhealthy pups, whether they are mixed or purebred. The genetic makeup of purebred dogs is easier to ascertain, as selecting a purebred pet usually involves contact with a breeder who (ideally) maintains health records for the dogs they breed along with information about close relatives. Choosing a pet from a reputable breeder will give you access to the genetic background of your pet.

Diet is important to the health of your pet. A wide range of commercial diets is available, designed for palatability, nutrition, convenience and weight control. Commercially prepared diets are required to carry ingredient and nutrition labeling. Read the labels. Many inexpensive diets contain grain “fillers”, often in excess of the meat products. And while dogs will and do eat a variety of plant matter, large amounts of grains are thought to be responsible for allergies, overweight, and possibly endocrine problems. So look for a quality diet that is meat based to promote health in your pet. A word here about herbal additivesthere is no scientific basis for the addition of human herbal products in dog food. Garlic, ginseng and rosemary may be good for people, but little, if any, research has been done on their benefit to dogs.

Dogs benefit from regular exercise that is age appropriate. Young puppies and elderly dogs should exercise carefully, the former because growing bones are soft and easily damaged, the latter due to diminishing energy and age related disease. Slower walks with intermittent stops will benefit an older dog and help them to maintain a healthy weight and good mobility. Puppies should not be forced to exercise, but given the opportunity to play, building strong bones and muscles at their own pace. Walking, jogging or biking may benefit healthy adult dogs. A game of tug-of-war or Frisbee may be enjoyable for dogs as well as helping to maintain a healthy weight. Your pet won’t be the only one to benefit from a regular exercise program, you will too!

Regular veterinary care should consist of more than vaccinations. Your veterinarian should provide a thorough exam, including a dental check and a blood panel if your pet is over the age of five. Many diseases have a slow onset, so a blood panel provides a basis for comparison as your pet ages. Always alert your vet to changes in your pet’s normal routines, as they may be signs of disease. Early treatment improves the chances of successfully restoring your pet’s health.

Canine genetics determine the risk of hereditary disease, but providing a high quality diet, age appropriate exercise and regular veterinary care will help you to maintain your dog’s good health. Good management will allow you to enjoy your four-legged friend for many years.

Author Sue Holsinger is a dog lover and breeder of purebred dogs with a lifetime of experience in dog care. Her website http://www.mydogshealth.org provides an online resource for people searching for information about dog health.

Tags: dog health, dog health care, dog health problem, dog health question, dog health sypmtomdog health, dog health care, dog health problem, dog health question, dog health sypmtom

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