How to Raise a Confident Dog

Anytime you get a puppy there are a few very important things you'll need to do. There are some very basic commands every puppy and owner should know. The one that usually gets left out is the most important. All dogs must be socialized. For very tiny dogs socialization is important because most small dogs are fear biters. I'm sure you've come into contact with the little ankle biters that are afraid of their own shadow. Even more frightening is the large dog that growls, snarls and shows his teeth every time he sees something unfamiliar. This can be avoided very easily, if you start young.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Leash
• Slip collar
• Time

1. First, spend a couple of days with your new puppy so he can get to know you and get into a routine. You can start to work with him on his sit, down, off, and wait commands during this time. Be sure not to go through his list of tricks in the same order every time or he'll learn them all as one long trick. It can be funny, but he may not remember how to separate the commands when you need them. Once you two are comfortable with each other, then you can begin to venture out.

2. Next, begin taking your dog with you on short outings. Visit friends; go to parks, the beach, open air shopping malls, any where with people and other things he won't see in his home. Introduce him to other people and animals at every opportunity. Introduce him to kittens, ferrets, any kind of animal he may come into contact with throughout his life. When a dog grows up around other animals they become comfortable together.

3. Increase the time spent on outings with him as he begins to get more comfortable with new things. Originally dogs lived in packs, and they are very social animals by nature. Secluding them inside isn't fair to them. Don't slack on his socialization as time goes on. The more he is exposed to, the more confident he will be.

4. Lastly, keep him on his lead when you take him out so he'll be used to it when he's grown. Certainly you've seen people being dragged down the street as their beloved pet tries to chase after other people, animals and children that pass by while on walks. All of this can be avoided by following these simple steps to properly train your pup right from the start.