How to Avoid the Biggest Dog Training Mistake: Waiting to Train

Contributor

By Eric Letendre
eHow Contributing Writer

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(1 Ratings)

After spending over 20 years training dogs there is one HUGE mistake that I see dog owners make year after year: waiting to train. If you make this mistake--it can be very difficult to overcome--however, it is also extremely easy to avoid. A dog is a 10 to 15 year commitment. When you start training early your dog will learn much faster and be much better behaved and obedient. Having a dog that listens to your commands--after all--makes it much more enjoyable for both of you. Here is how to avoid the biggest dog training mistake.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Leash
Collar
Treats

Step 1

A common misconception that has been taught for years is that the new puppy owner has to wait until the pup is 6 months old before they can start training. This is terrible advice; you can start training your pup as young as 8 weeks old.
Step 2

Train your dog with simple, basic commands and use loads of positive reinforcement.
Step 3

Socialize your puppy; the more your pup is exposed to as a puppy, the more stable your pup with be as an adult. Not properly socializing your pup can lead to big behavior problems including aggression. A puppy class or puppy daycare are great ways to socialize your puppy with other dogs and people.