Housebreaking

• Usually, training a puppy to eliminate outdoors is one of the first lessons she will learn. Most puppies can begin to understand where their outdoor toilet area is by three months of age, but until their bodies mature, some puppies may continue to have "accidents," especially if their owners do not follow a consistent routine of taking the puppy outside after waking or after eating.
  
  

Obedience

• Local kennel clubs across the nation offer basic obedience classes for puppies and older dogs. Experienced instructors help dog owners teach their puppies to follow simple commands, such as Sit, Down, Heel and Come. Puppy owners practice the lessons at home. Most obedience classes last for two or three months and meet once or twice a week. Besides qualified instruction, obedience classes serve to socialize a puppy, reducing his anxiety and aggression around unfamiliar dogs and humans (see Resources).
  
  

Methods

• Positive reinforcement for a puppy that exhibits desirable behavior is an effective method of training her. By using small treats to get the dog's attention and then allowing her to have the treat once she obeys your command, you will encourage her to repeat the desired behavior. Maran discourages the use of punishment and scolding as methods of discipline, since they may make the puppy nervous and less likely to learn the correct behavior.
  
  

Consistency

• Like children, puppies need constant reinforcement of a lesson they have not yet mastered. This involves following the same training methods every day until the puppy knows what is expected of him.
  
  

Specialty

• After a puppy masters the basic obedience commands and is housebroken, she may be ready to tackle specialty training. Depending upon the aptitude of the individual puppy, she may be a candidate for Search and Rescue training, tracking, birding, police work or companion therapy. In addition, some purebred dogs may train for the show ring. Competitions in physical conformation, agility and advanced obedience offer dog owners a chance to continue their dog's training.