Being a responsible dog owner goes beyond providing your dog with food, water and shelter.  If you want a more meaningful relationship with your dog, it is important to let him go through basic pet dog training.

Downers have the common misconception that only dogs with aggressive dog behavior need to undergo obedience training.  Unknown to many, even the mildest tempered puppies need to be trained, too.  The only difference is that these puppies need a different kind of training tailored to meet their needs as growing household companions. 

Here are the different types of dog training:

1. Potty Training – Potty training can start as early as eight weeks to six months old.  The importance of potty training cannot be stressed to highly enough.  Puppies that are not properly trained to poop and pee in the right time and at the right place tend to develop compulsive dog behaviors which can become a problem as they grow into adults.  Not only do they grow into messy adults, these dogs have higher risks of developing behavior problems such as coprophagia, or dog poop-eating, among others. 

A more detailed information on this condition and how to deal with this problem can be found in a dog training book.

2. Crate Training – Crate training can bring about the same benefits as potty training your dog.  However, this type of training covers a broader ground as far as dog behavior and canine psychology is concerned.  Like potty training, this should be done as early as eight weeks old.  Introducing a puppy to his very own crate will train him to be orderly and will develop in him a sense of his very own territory, his very own space where he can chew and play to his heart’s content.  This, then, leaves your own territory – including your furniture, clothes, and other belongings – free from being subjected to your dog’s chewing.

3. Obedience Training – As the term suggests, obedience training is aimed to meet and address problem behaviors in dogs such as excessive digging, jumping, biting and aggression.  This lessens the chances of your dog hurting you, hurting others, and hurting himself as well.

Pet dog training can take time and a lot of patience from you as the dog owner.  However, training your dog can yield priceless benefits in the long run: a happier dog and an even happier owner.