Dogs never stop learning. However, some habits are harder to deal with as our dogs mature. Just like with humans, old habits die hard! Therefore, it’s better to start basic training as early as 9 weeks old. Please be sure to check with your Vet regarding Vaccination recommendations before taking your puppy out into social settings. Puppies are like sponges and typically don’t have any reservations about new things, but curiosity can quickly get them into trouble too. This window of opportunity starts to slowly close as they age and the key time to socialize with optimum benefit is prior to 16 to 20 weeks of age.

While out and about with your pup, always try to keep any interactions with people and dogs positive. If your puppy seems overwhelmed, end the interaction with confidence and move onto the next positive adventure. Your goal is to bring as much positive interaction into your puppies prime social window and to continue this socialization even as they mature.

Just like any athlete needs to keep practicing, our dogs are no exception. Even after formal training ends, you will need to continue to fine tune their skills to keep them in top form. An example of this would be practicing your “Come” or “Recall” commands. All too many times individuals forget to practice this and then when it’s needed, your dog fails because you haven’t continued doing your homework.

Don’t forget to walk your dog – it’s not only good exercise for both of you, it can relieve stress and excess energy, as well as stimulate your dog mentally. Your dog wasn’t meant to live out its days in the 4 corners of your yard – just like most of us are not content sitting in our “cubicles” all day every day. When we walk our dogs, we not only become more familiar with the neighbors and the neighborhood, but so does your dog. This awareness could someday help them find their way home if they should become lost because they are more familiar with the neighborhood and the neighborhood is more familiar with them.