Dog training involves teaching dogs desired behaviors in specific situations. Basic training teaches dogs obedience commands and how to behave pleasantly around people and pets. Professional dog trainers usually teach owners how to train their own dogs in basic training classes. Classes allow owners and dogs to learn together under a trainer's guidance. Training is most effective when all handlers consistently reinforce commands and methods.

2. Dog Training Part I
Basic Training

3. Dogtrainingistheprocessofteachingadogtoexhibitcertaindesired
behaviorsinspecificcircumstances.Someexamplesare:
*Teachingadogbasicobediencecommands(partofobediencetraining)
*Teachingadogtoperformtrickscasuallyorforcircusacts
*Teachingaguidedogtoleadtheblind
*Teachingarescuedogtofindvictimsofadisaster
*Helpingahuntingdoglearntoperformitsinstinctivebehaviorsat
appropriatetimes

4. Thespecificbehaviorstaughtineachcasearedifferent,buttheunderlying
principlesaresimilar.
Inthewildaspackanimals,canineshavenaturalinstinctsthatfavortraining.
Theseinstinctsaremanifestedwhenthedogliveswithhumansasadesireto
pleaseahandler,asadogwouldpleaseseniormembersinapackinthewild.
Thehandlerissimplywhoeverisworkingwithadogatthetime.

5. Basictraining
Mostdogs,nomattertheireventualadvancedtrainingorintendedpurpose,
livewithpeopleandthereforemustbehaveinawaythatmakesthempleasant
tohavearoundandfortheirownsafetyandthatofotherpeopleandpets.
Dogsdonotfigureoutbasicobedienceontheirown;itmustbetrained.

6. Basictrainingclasses
Professional"dogtrainers"usuallydonottrainthedogs,butactuallytrainthe
ownershowtotraintheirowndogs.Althoughitisalsopossibletosendadog
awaytoatrainingschool,theownerstillmustatsomepointlearnwhatthe
doghaslearnedandhowtouseitandreinforceit.Ownersanddogswho
attendclasstogetherhaveanopportunitytolearnmoreabouteachotherand
howtoworktogetherunderatrainer'sguidance.

7. Trainingismosteffectiveifeveryonewhohandlesthedogtakespartinthe
trainingtoensureconsistentcommands,methods,andenforcement.

8. Formaltraininginclassesisnotalwaysavailableuntilthepuppyhascompleted
allitsvaccinations at around 4 months; however, some trainers offer
puppy socializationclassesinwhichpuppiescanenrollimmediatelyafterbeing
placedintheirpermanenthomes as long as disease risk is minimal and
puppies have receieved initialvaccinations.Inmostcases,basictraining
classesacceptonlypuppieswhoareatleast3to6monthsold.

9. Nextarticle:DogTrainingPartII-Ageforearlytraining

10. To LearnMoreAboutDogTraining,go to
http://howtohousetraindog.com/go/dog-training
http://howtohousetraindog.com/go/theonlinedogtrainer