[Alpha]

I see so many frantic questions in these forums, and that's not a negative! But questions, that appear have been written by someone at their witts end.

My advice to new dog owners and old, is get signed up for some basic obedience classes!

So many what can be annoying, dangerous issues, could've been totally avoided by just having the right knowledge/socialization/basic obedience skills.

Quick examples:

Knowledge:
My puppy is 3 months old, when should I expect them to be fully housetrained?

This question, a knowledgeable trainer could answer. It varies depending on breed as well.

Socialization:
My dog barks and growls and pulls on the leash whenever another dog nears us on walks!

Working in a group obedience class desensitizes dogs to other dogs presence. They quickly learn, in the comfortable, safe, calm atmosphere, that despite the other dogs presence, they still need to devote their attention to you.

Basic Obedience:
My dog ran out onto the road and almost got hit by a car! How can I stop this!!?!?!

A basic command like come/stay/sit/down easily solves problems like these. The more you work in obedience the less chance you have of ending up in situations like these. The dog begins to understand the rules of offleash work etc. and if that fails your basic obedience is solid by this time and often works as a last resort for avoiding dangers such as busy streets.

Find a reputable trainer in your area!

I pay around $75 for 8 weeks of group lessons. $35/ hour for private sessions.

It is worth it! It could save your dog's live one day, literally. Amongst dozens of shoes, carpets and your furniture!

[alundy]

I agree. Even if you've trained dogs before, you get a great place to socialize your pup with an expert on-hand to give you feedback on your puppy's progress and behaviour.

[dmarzean]

I can't agree more. I have seen people go out and get dogs, never train them, then get fed up and get rid of them. Here is a little something to ponder:

The Life and Death of an Untrained Dog

I woke up one morning with my littermates. I saw Mom lying there, so I went over to get some breakfast. Mom was warm and she licked me all over. She loved us so much...

Things were good back then.

Then I went to live in a home with two kids and their mom and dad. I used to be able to come in the house and play. They even let me sleep in the house. The children would run and I would chase them around. When I was little they would let me jump on them and even playfully bite them. The family would laugh and encourage me to play like that. They gave me lots of toys such as socks, shoes and stuffed animals. I had so much fun...

Those were the days.

As I got bigger, I would accidentally knock the children down. I would try to bite them on the cuff of their pants as they ran. I found toys like the ones my master gave me when I was younger, and I would chew them up. They started getting mad at me all the time. When I jumped up they would knee me down. One minute they were laughing at me for play biting and chewing and the next minute they would spank me for doing the very same thing...

I was so confused.

Now I spend my days, hour after hour, chained in the back yard. No one comes out to play with me. I am so happy to see them when they come out that I jump and bark with joy. I spend my days digging up the yard around me which makes my masters mad at me. The fleas crawl all over me...

Which drives me crazy.

The more I sit out here the madder I get. I cannot understand why they brought me home just to chain me in the yard. If my masters are unhappy with my behavior...

Why not train me?

Why did they encourage me to jump and bite? Things have not gotten any better for me. Now I sit in jail. People come by my cage looking at me. I bark at them but no one wants me. Oh, no! Here comes a lady with a leash. Where is she taking me? She walks me into a room. Oh, she likes me. It's so good to be hugged again. What's this? She is sticking my leg. Oh, I am so sleepy. What has happened to me? I am asleep now...

NO ONE CAN HURT ME ANYMORE.

[exotic]

I always do a few weeks of socialization classes with my puppies when I get them. Usually they get all the socialization they need through my coursing events though, and they get great exercise at the same time.

I've had to take one of my dogs to a basic training class, because I was one of those people at wit's end! It helped great, and I realized that my baby had a dominance issue as well, and we're still working through that but doing very great.

[Alpha]

dmarzean- It's so sad, but true.

So many dogs end up in shelters just because they didn't spend that time, or that little bit of money to get some basic knowledge.

So many tragedies happen, with families and small children because as your post said, some things are just too cute when they're puppies... the behaviours are encouraged, and when the dog get's older those behaviours are dangerous.

So sad...