Published: January 13, 2009 01:30 pm      

New year, new dog

Training tips and advice for novice pet owners

Most dog trainers experience a rush of new clients at the beginning of every year. Even President-Elect Barack Obama and his family will be welcoming a new arrival soon.

Whether you’ve brought home a new puppy or an adult dog, it’s important to start off on the right foot to create a happy and harmonious relationship. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) asked their members to provide their top recommendations for new dog owners.

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers emphasizes the importance of training your new dog right from the start. Training and early socialization are the keys to avoiding behavior problems and easing the transition into your home and family.

The importance of early planning when it comes to puppies has been highlighted by the current media buzz around President-Elect Obama’s announcement that he and his family have narrowed down their choice of dog to a Portuguese Water Dog or a Labradoodle.

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (http://www.apdt.com/) asked their members to provide some essential tips to help new owners. Whether you’re the everyday dog owner or our new president, these tips will help you get your relationship with your new dog off on the right paw.



1. Work with Your Veterinarian.  If you don't already have an established relationship with a local veterinarian, now is the time to find one. Set up a "meet & greet" and make the first visit a fun and positive experience. 

2. Train the Family.  If there are children in your home, make sure you train the entire family, not just your puppy.  Teaching your children how to interact properly with your dog from the beginning will help to build a loving and trusting relationship.

3. Use a Dog Crate.  Crate training can aid in house training and will also prevent your new dog from practicing unwanted behaviors (like chewing on your cell phone) when you can’t supervise him. 

4.  Provide Chew Toys.  Provide your new dog with a variety of chew toys, even when he is in his crate.  Providing him with chew toys will teach your dog what items are appropriate for him to chew on. 

5. Socialize Your Puppy. Barbara Long, president of the APDT, says, “Make sure your puppy has a great time meeting all sorts of people. Expose her to noises, objects, and surfaces in a gradual, positive way. Encourage her to explore new things.”

6.  Ready, Set, Go! As soon as your veterinarian okays it, sign you, your family, and your new dog up for training classes.  Training classes will help you teach your dog good life skills and household manners. 

These classes also teach owners techniques that will help prevent and fix many behavior problems. 

7. Use Positive Training Techniques. Dog training has changed over the years and there are newer, more humane methods that rely on scientific understandings of dog behavior.

The APDT recommends that you work with a qualified trainer who uses sound positive reinforcement and force-free methods.  An article on how to find a good trainer is located on the APDT’s Web site at http://www.apdt.com/po/ts/choose_trainer.aspx.

Training the newest member of your family is critical to preventing behavior problems and developing a successful relationship.  You can find a qualified trainer in your area using the popular APDT Trainer Search feature at http://www.apdt.com/.

The APDT is a professional educational organization of trainers who are committed to becoming better trainers through using positive, dog friendly methods based on sound scientific principles.

With over 5,000 members worldwide, the APDT provides professional dog trainers with a respected and concerted voice. The APDT promotes caring relationships between dogs and people and works to increase public awareness of dog-friendly training techniques. For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.apdt.com/.