Dog training will transform the dog’s mannerisms, from a dog that will not do as he is told by you to a dog that will pay attention to your orders, from a dog that is annoying the neighbors into a calm one, from a dog that is at all times scampering from you into a dog that will remain at a halt at your order. Just like in any other training scheme, there are some methods to be followed.

The dog has got to be familiar with his name, so he can act in response to the master’s instructions. When he is familiar with his own name, you can begin teaching with the check lead and instruct “here” or “come”. You can begin all this in the house, but initially, he has to be able to make out his own name. If you would like the puppy to pay attention just to you, then do not permit him to play with other people. If you will allow him to play too much, he will begin to snarl and bark every time you take his playthings away.

One more essential feature of dog training is that you have to teach your pet, so no one will get harmed when you are out with him and people are all about him. By making use of the dog training instructions correctly, you do not have to be anxious that he will bite off someone or he will scamper off. Even if you have trained your dog to be compliant and pay heed you, you should admire him as well since after all, you selected him, he could not select you, and if you will not take care of him properly, he will in all probability run away, or he will be miserable. The fundamental dog training instructions that a dog should act in response to are: fetch, stay close, here, sit and come.

- Begin teaching the dog whilst he is still a puppy - this makes sure of much better achievement rates even for starting out dog trainers.

- Put up some information on dog training and only then acquire a new puppy.

- Free dog obedience training programs ought to be modified to the precise necessities of your dog breed. Please see our collection of precise dog breed training techniques in order to get more understanding on this subject.

- Make certain that the puppy is in high spirits and has an adequate amount of energy to try out training.

- Be inventive, by no means let the puppy get fed up and coach the dog where the limits are set.

Choosing the right dog for your family is a bigger decision than you may initially think. There are about 330 pure breeds and almost another 80 that were developed by breeders by mixing different combinations of pure breeds.

Some breeds were mixed in ways that kept the characteristics, yet caused the dogs to be larger or smaller than the original breed. With so many choices, you have to think of each dog breed as having specific characteristics, temperament, size, function and abilities.

Each dog within that breed will share some common elements. For example, some dogs who were hunting dogs in times past have been bred differently to reduce the hunting instinct and make the dog more suitable as the pet for a family whose only “hunting” is stopping at grocery store or fast food to bring home dinner.

Major categories of dog breeds include: toys, companions, guards, working, spaniels, terriers, sighthound, scent hounds, spitz and herding. This doesn’t include the famous “Heinz 57″ - or pound mutt, whose exact heritage is unknown.

Each of the breeds is known for its ability to perform certain jobs. Historically, all dogs were working dogs - helping with sheep herding, cattle tending, fetching game, guarding property or tracking escapees.

House pets were not common as they are today. Each dog breed still carries the genetic code for its original type of work. You need to know how that dog is genetically programmed before you bring him home.

The dog that’s naturally a watchdog won’t be the cuddly playmate for your small children. The greyhound, particularly the rescued greyhound, is gentle and quiet, but they must have plenty of outdoor time to run. As a dog that can gain speeds of up to 45 mph, the greyhound is not a dog for couch potatoes.

If you want a medium to large dog that will be easily trained and protective over your children, then choose a pastoral or herding dog like the Old English sheepdog, Collie or Welsh Corgi. The instincts they have for keeping sheep in the pasture adapt to keeping your children inside the backyard while keeping intruders outside.

When having a dog means a smaller pet that’s purely for amusement with little expectation, then look at the toy dog breed. Among this group, you find Chihuahua, Poodle, Manchester Terrier, Pug, Pekingese, Shih Tzu and King Charles Spaniel. Don’t expect any work from this group. Toy dogs are masterful at finding ways for you to work for them.

The hunting breed has a proud tradition as the faithful companion and partner to hunters. These dogs include the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, English Springer Spaniel, English Setter, Irish Setter and Cocker Spaniel. Even if you don’t hunt, give these dogs the kind of open field exercise that makes them feel useful in the way that’s part of their heritage.

Some breeds require space, while others need primping for show that rivals what you see among fashion models. Perhaps the easiest breed to bring home and love is the “pound mutt.” In all shapes and sizes, these dogs have endured hardships that landed them in the shelter, when all they want is a family to love. Bring one home and you’ll have a friend for life.

There comes a time in most home families when the children get a bit older and their dog or teddy is no longer the best thing in the world to play with, every new friend or existing friend your children make seems to have a cute little dog, and its only a matter of time before your children are going to start pestering you for one. So what should you look for is your serious about getting a family dog?

For starters your dog will need to be able to take everything your children can throw at it, children often don’t have any idea of how to handle a new pet dog so don’t expect them to play gently all the time, unknowing children have a tendency to be a little rough wile playing with dogs so a dog breed that can take some rough playing is essential.

Different dogs have different personalities just like humans do so be aware of this when purchasing a new dog, just because a dog breed is normally playful, energetic, and nice , this does not mean the one you get will be the same. Being prepared to put in work and time with your dog is also essential with a family dog because dog’s often take the things your children tell it to do as acceptable when this may not be the case, so dog behavior training will be needed at some point.

After considering the previous paragraphs I’m sure you will be pretty certain on whether you still want a dog for your home or not, if you do then here are some suggestions on different breeds that you may want to consider.

Golden Retriever. The golden retriever is a good popular choice for families because of their active and loyal personality and a good all round dog.

Boxer. Although the boxer may look big and intimidating to some, the boxer is a very good family dog in that they love being around people, they take care of the family members, and are always willing to play.

Labrador Retreiver. An extremely popular pet in many households across the world, the Labrador is a very friendly loving dog that loves to play and be very active for your kids to play with.

Beagle. The beagle is a very sturdy dog that can take plenty of roughness and playing, and loves to be active and meet new people. A very excited and curious dog that is great for family life.

Boston Terrier. The terrier is a gentle, well mannered dog and enjoys a challenge. Boston terriers are very easy to train and make for great family dogs and friends.

Irish Setter. A very affectionate dog, the Irish setter is a very good choice for families due to its liking for children and constant happy playful attitude.

Not too sure which type of dog to buy? This is part 1 of 3 articles that addresses the different needs and characteristics of some of the popular dogs. Look out for my other 2 articles on ‘Dog Breed Characteristics - medium-sized dogs’ and ‘Dog Breed Characteristics - large dogs’.

Chihuahua

A small, fast-moving toy dog named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. It stands between 15 cm to 25 cm tall, but some grow as tall as 35 cm. There are only 2 recognised varities of Chihuahuas, the long-coat and the short-haired. Long-coat Chihuahuas have a downy undercoat, which makes them look ‘fluffy’. Short-haired Chihuahuas, on the other hand, require minimal grooming. Although Chihuahuas are small, they are not suitable for families with very young children because they have the tendency to bite when frightened. They can also be quite picky eaters. OVerfeeding is definitely a no-no because overweight Chihuahuas are prone to joint injuries, diabetes and shortened life span. And they don’t really cool that cute.

Maltese

This is one of the oldest breed around and is believed to be originated from the island of Malta. A Maltese is a toy dog that is covered with long, silky fur and is usually pure white in colour. They have very expressive facial features, which makes them popular as pets. They are companion dogs and love attention from their owners. They are also extremely playful, and are good with children. They thrive well in small enclosed areas, and are popular with those living in the cities. However, Maltese can get very aggressive and they have the behaviour of barking constantly.

Australian Silky Terrier

They are a friendly lot. They orignated from Australia (hence its name) and this breed is classified as a toy dog in Australia but a terrier in Europe. It has a silky coat and it is usually non-shedding. This breed is suitable for those who are allergic to pet hair. Similar to the Maltese, they love the attention of their owners. A playful breed, it is suitable for those families with older children. They respond well to obedience training, coupled with rewards and praise. The only main problem with this breed is that it’s coat tangles easily and will need daily grooming.

Pomeranian

This is one of my favourite breed. It looks lively and graceful with its trademark tail. They are typically friendly and active, but they can develop a bad habit of barking excessively if allowed to do so. They are also intelligent creatures and can be trained easily. Note that they are extremely loyal and will lay around their owners’ feet. Owing to this loyal behaviour, they will follow the owners from room

to room, thus risking getting stepped on. It is important to train them not to do so.

Shih Tsu

It’s name was derived because it looks like a lion (Shih Tzu literally means “lion dog” in Chinese), and it originated from China. They are very sensitive to high temperatures, so it is important to keep them in cooler conditions. They need regular grooming to maintain their coats, and they shed little if proper care is given. Supervision is recommended during drinking because water can enter their flat noses easily and cause breathing problems. Not suitable for busy professionals due to its constant grooming needs.

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