Train Your Dog Month

Christmas and Hanukkah are top holidays in December when pets are given away to friends and family members as gifts. When people receive dogs as presents, they often wonder 'What now?' January is Train Your Dog Month; and we offer tips and tricks to get dogs listening and learning in their new environment. 

Training a dog is no easy task. It requires patience, love and care. Puppies will not be potty-trained right away; and they may not stay inside the perimeter of the yard.  The best age for training dogs is when they are 7-8 weeks old. Here are a few things that can be done when training dogs:

• Reward dogs for listening. Practice basic commands like 'sit' and 'stand;' when they obey, give them a healthy dog treat or pat their head. 
• Train dogs to go to the bathroom outside by buying fake grass turf. Take the pet outside often to learn to go outside. 
• Speaking of outside, pets require exercise and time outside with other animals. Consider fencing in yards for dogs to run and play. Having a fence will keep them safe from wildlife, strangers and traffic and inside the confines of the property. 
• Teach dogs to socialize with other friends. Whether it's from a fenced-in yard, or at a dog park, welcome them to other companion animals.

Dog training can be done at home or at a class with a certified dog trainer. There are many types of dog obedience classes for training dogs and ways for dogs and owners to interact with one another.