finding a good, ethical breeder is one of the most important ways to ensure you are getting off to the right start in obtaining the puppy who will be the best fit for you and your household. puppies of all breeds have a critical socialization window that closes at 12 to 16 weeks of life, and your gsd puppy is no exception. a confident puppy is a happy puppy.” during this period, be sure to expose your gsd to the …

before you even start training a puppy, it’s important to focus on your little one’s emotional health, says naito, “that means making sure you create an environment in which your puppy feels safe around you.” after all, once a loving and trusting bond exists, it’s much easier (and enjoyable) to teach your dog specific behaviors and commands, such as “drop it” and “heel.” at this critical socialization period that ends by 16 weeks, puppies are students of life, naito explains. …

however, you do need to keep in mind a few specific guidelines — the do’s and don’ts — to make sure that you’re successful and fostering a healthy relationship with your dog. when you think of dog training or obedience, the first two commands that probably pop into your head are the sit and the down commands. practice a 30-minute down and a 10-minute sit, on alternate days, for four weeks. when giving commands to your dog during training, be …

from basic obedience commands to advanced tricks, dog training is a rewarding and engaging experience for you and your dog. everyone in the household is better off if the dog conforms to the behaviour expected of it. it wants to please you (most of the time, anyway!). during your dog’s life you may decide to teach it to perform all manner of impressive tricks and tasks. it is also worth mentioning that it is just as important, if not more …

also recognize any dog can learn at least the most basic and necessary commands. this command can be a little more difficult to master because it is a very submissive position for your dog to take.1. as soon as your dog is down in the correct position, reward him with a treat and praise.5. as your dog’s response improves, you can move to a longer lead and distance. make sure not to leap ahead into off-leash situations before the command …