This dog has been well trained. Can you see him watching his owner, ready to obey whatever command is given?

A well trained dog is a joy to be around. Beyond being well socialized, trained dogs are less likely to jump up on people, and are less at risk of biting someone. They also tend to stay calm in distracting environments.

Also, well trained dogs are more likely to stay with the same owner, as opposed to being abandoned to the pound. One research report from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that 96% of shelter dogs had never had any training.

Training your dog helps to teach them boundaries, thus making them more comfortable around humans. There are many different dog training programs and many professional dog trainers. However, just because someone has a business card doesn't mean they are a qualified trainer.

To find a good trainer, ask your friends and family if they know a good trainer. Also, while walking your dog at the dog park, ask other dog owners who they recommend. Once you have found a dog trainer, ask them what method of training they teach.

There have been dozens of different training methods for dogs that have been in and out of fashion over the years. Ask the trainer what method they use, why they use it, and what the benefits of it are. Also ask for references.

Whether you train your dog yourself or find a professional, teaching your dog commands and socializing it is important. Areas to cover in training include:

1. Socializing to strangers

This is easy to accomplish while out walking your dog around the neighborhood and introducing them to people.

2. Socializing with other dogs

You can do this at dog parks, or even better in a dog training class.

3. Leash walking at a steady pace

You can start this training as soon as you get your new dog.

4. Crate training

This is important, especially to build up a tolerance to stay in a kennel environment for several hours.

5. The sit commandThis is usually the first command new owners teach their dog.

6. The down/stand command

These commands help develop boundaries for the dog.

7. The stay command

This command is important for your dog to master, especially in an environment with a lot of distractions.

There are many benefits to having a well trained dog, but it doesn't necessarily mean the dog will not develop behavioral problems down the road, like separation anxiety. It does mean that your dog will be a joy to be around and training strengthens the human-animal bond.

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When Should You Start Training a Puppy?

It is never too soon to start training a puppy. However give your puppy as much freedom as possible until he is about 4 to 6 months of age.

That does not include running amok in public places. Always keep a lead and collar on your puppy in public places where there is danger from road traffic and so on. In many countries it is against the law to allow a dog to run free, so be careful if that applies to your country.

This picture is of Rocky, my sister's dog. He was trained from a puppy to not run away when off the leash. In the country he lived the first few years of his life dogs were allowed to run loose so my sister would take him to the park to exercise and play with his friends.

Rocky was also trained to go everywhere with her. He would sit patiently outside the grocery store. That country allowed dogs to go inside many buildings, too, and he was taught to be quiet and calm wherever she took him.

Be careful in parks if there are older dogs loose as they may attack a crazy pup they think is infringing in their territory. A boisterous young pup of a larger breed can also harm very young children or frail elderly people by jumping on them excitedly. Always keep your pup in sight when he's off a lead.

Plenty of exercise and fresh air is essential for a fast growing young puppy. He needs the exercise to strengthen his bones and fresh air for the development of strong lungs.

Being in public places also allows him to interact with people and get used to the noises of traffic and life in general. He should be exercised daily if possible, with a side benefit being that he will sleep well and not get bored, which is the main cause of bad habits and destructive behavior seen in so many young dogs today.

Another thing it prevents is shyness, which is primarily caused by isolation as a pup, although shyness is also a trait that can be inherited.

Starting Basic Puppy Training

You can start training a puppy from about 4 to 6 months of age. It is possible to train older dogs, but it's a lot harder. Don’t overdo these exercises, 10 minutes a day is adequate. You'll find that your puppy tires fairly quickly, and a tired pup won't learn anything.

Be regular in your training sessions, taking him out at about the same time each day. Dress in the same shoes or jacket each training session, and the pup will soon associate those shoes or that jacket with training.

Teaching a Puppy to Heel

Walk at a steady pace with your puppy on a firm fitting collar and lead. Have him on your left side, occasionally saying the command HEEL. Each time you say HEEL, slap your thigh or the side of your leg.

If your pup pulls away or gets distracted, just keep walking, he'll soon get the message and follow along. If you don't stop, he'll have to follow.

As he follows you after a distraction, pat him saying GOOD DOG or GOOD BOY or GIRL. If he tries to run or pull against the lead, say a very firm HEEL! When he obeys, give him a pat and praise him and he'll soon get the message.

Teaching a Puppy to Sit

Once your puppy is heeling properly, it's time to teach him to sit. With him walking at your left side, stop, transfer the lead to your right hand and while pulling up on the collar, press down on his back end with your left hand. He will have no choice but to sit.

While lifting with the collar takes weight off his front legs the motion causes the pup to want to sit, especially with your hand pressing him down. Firmly say the command SIT as you press down. Repeat this several times, praising him each time he sits. Now walk further along and repeat this exercise several more times in a 10 minute walk.

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Housebreaking your puppy is fairly simple if you follow a few steps.

Using a Crate

Besides a puppy, you will need a create, some treats, a leash and an enzymatic cleaner. A crate similar to the one you would carry your dog in while traveling is perfect. You may think placing your dog in a crate for this purpose is cruel, but remember dogs are den animals, and like small enclosed locations.

The dog will also not want to soil the area within the crate. There are exceptions to this, such as the puppy that comes from a pet shop or any place where they have been confined to a cage.

Buy a crate which is large enough to fit your dog when it is grown, but block off certain parts of it with cardboard. If you don't do this, the puppy will use the bathroom in one part of the crate and sleep in another. You just want to leave enough space for the puppy to rest comfortably.

If you can't watch the puppy, put him in the crate. Put toys and things in there with him so it is comfortable and your dog doesn't think you're punishing him. If he begins yelping, ignore him until he becomes quiet before letting him out. If you take him out when he yelps, he will think he can yelp whenever he wants to leave.

Take the Puppy Outside After Eating

After every meal, and after a large drink of water, take the puppy out to relieve himself. You also want to take him out after he has been playing vigorously. When the dog sniffs, runs around in circles, or whines, that is a signal he needs to go and relieve himself.You may want to take him out every 30 minutes during the day and every four hours at night until he can sleep through the night. Make sure you place treats in the area where he wants to relieve himself, and reward him when he does.

Accidents Happen

If he has an accident, don't yell at him. You can either take him outside and reward him when he finishes or in some cases you may want to hold his nose above where he used the bathroom so that the smell will make him think twice about using the bathroom there again. After a while he will begin to listen.You must remember that puppies are babies, and it will take them about 6 months before they can sleep through the night without supervision. They will have to be a bit older before they are able to be fully housebroken.