One of the things that really angers most dog lovers is when they see an animal whose dog training has clearly been neglected. While some people may think dog training oppresses their animals, in fact it’s just the opposite. A truly loving pet owner will see that his or her animal gets the best training possible.

Skeptics might think this is nonsense, but recent research shows otherwise. Thanks to ultrasound machines, which can take pictures of puppies in their mother’s womb, researchers have found that puppies will respond to touch or pressure on their mother’s abdomen as early as four weeks into pregnancy. This amazing discovery has shown that petting a pregnant dog will produce a litter of puppies that are more docile and have a well-developed sense of touch. This in turn helps with relaxation, emotional attachment and most importantly, socialization with people, according to dog experts.

About three weeks after they’re born, puppies entertain into a behavioral period known as socialization. Between three and 12 weeks, the main task of puppies is social play. The investigate, they “play-fight, ” and they mimic sexual behaviors. Their subsequent behavior is shaped by the puppies interaction with their mother and littermates.

Unfortunately for dogs, humans for centuries had an attitude that it was necessary to “break a dog’s spirit” in order to train them properly. This attitude resulted from humans’ sense that they had to dominate their animals in order to control them properly. Thankfully over the last century or so, animal experts have learned much about the natural instincts and behaviors of dogs so that puppy training has advance from this earlier, more cruel attitude.

Without proper training, life with a dog can turn disastrous. It’s not right to blame an untrained dog when it chews up an owner’s belongings, does its “business” in the house, digs house in the garden, fights with other dogs or even bites the hands that feed it. These are all natural behaviors among canines, but without training a dog has no way or knowing when these activities are inappropriate for the time or place.

Dogs that are petted and cuddle by people frequently during their first eight weeks of life tend to be better suited to living in a household as a family pet. Ideally puppies should be situated in their owners’ homes between eight and 10 weeks. By 10 to 12 weeks, puppies can be more fearful or new things and new situations, which can impede their adaptation to their new homes.

Group training classes for puppies may not be available until the pup has had all its vaccinations, which occurs around three to four months of age. However sometimes a kennel or trainer will offer puppy socialization classes, in which the dog can be used to getting along with other puppies. This can be a good first step toward a more structure dog training class in the future.

One thing that is never, never, never appropriate in dog training is to strike, hit or physically abuse a dog in any way. Dogs, especially puppies, quickly become devoted to their owners and physical abuse will destroy that relationship. Always train a dog with firmness, but with patience and lots of love.

Dogs can become more loyal, obedient, and affectionate towards their owners through vigorous puppy training. Enroll your canine companion in some dog training Kelowna today!