When you take your dog to a dog park or any other setting where there are other dogs, you have a responsibility to make sure he or she practices acceptable social behavior. Yet dog parks often become a venue for excited, dominant and even aggressive behavior.

Have you ever loaned a favorite tool or item to a friend and when they return it, it is ruined? I hate to say it, but friends can also ruin all the training you do with your pup. Guests can overwhelm a puppy, they can frighten him, teach him bad habits, and even more, in doing this they can turn your pup into a dog that annoys you, even after the guests leave.

There are many different approaches to training. The key is to do your research, use your best judgment, and most important, know your dog and remain calm and assertive. Training is about communication; conditioning your dog to respect you as the pack leader as you set rules, boundaries, and limitations. As the human, you need to practice patience and know yourself, too. If you start to get frustrated or nervous, the dog will sense your energy and the work could be counterproductive. Take it in small steps. Even a minute of calm, focused training can make a difference. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

Have you ever wondered why your dog loves to worm his way under a chair, table or other tight space? Dogs are den animals by nature, and look for spaces in your home or yard that mimic a den. Dog crates make excellent dens and provide that safe, secure environment that dogs crave.

Written by Martin Deeley

Just like people, dogs have different learning abilities. Some dogs learn quickly, some slowly, and some learn at different rates depending on many factors including what you are attempting to teach them.