{"product_id":"2940014347716","title":"Dog Basics And Training","description":"Most people pick dogs based on physical characteristics. A particular color, length of hair, type of ears…etc. But just as with people, you should look beyond the “pretty face.” The plain black pooch that others ignore might be the best choice. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDon’t pick a puppy that is less than eight weeks old. Some breeders will want you to reserve a puppy at a younger age. A very young puppy hasn’t yet developed a personality. You’ll have no way of knowing whether such a young puppy will be timid or friendly, for instance. And this is definitely something you’ll want to know, especially if you’re paying big bucks for a pup that you’ll be sharing your life with for several years! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf you’re getting a puppy from a breeder, be sure to “meet” the pup’s parents. Pay close attention to their behavior. Their behavior may give you a clue to the eventual disposition of the puppy. Don’t get a puppy from parent dogs that aren’t friendly.      \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRegardless of the many reasons for picking a particular pooch whether pedigree, size, cuteness, or other traits you find appealing the success of the relationship between you and your new friend will ultimately depend on how you raise and train him.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf you have a young puppy, we recommend that you wait until he’s at least 8 weeks old to begin formal training.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBefore you begin the formal training lessons with a dog of any age, please plan to follow these keys to success: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1. Be patient. Each dog is unique, and can only learn at his own pace. Some dogs learn quickly; others take more time. Patience is indeed a virtue when it comes to effective dog training! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e2. Be kind. This goes hand-in-paw with “Be patient.” Don’t lose your temper if your dog doesn’t “get it” right away, or appears to be ignoring you. Please do not punish your dog for not learning quickly enough. As a matter of fact, don’t punish your dog at all. (We’ll be teaching you effective ways to stop or prevent inappropriate behavior -- without punishment.) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e3. Be flexible. If your dog is struggling to learn, be willing to change your training routine. The location may be too distracting. The time of day may be too close (or far from) feeding time. The length of your training session may be too long (or too short). The training exercises may need to be broken down into smaller, simpler steps. Remember, each dog is unique. Be flexible and willing to do whatever you can to help your dog succeed. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e4. Be generous. Be generous with your rewards and your time. Always reward your dog’s correct responses generously. Don’t be stingy with the treats -- he’s worked hard and deserves a generous reward! And commit ample time to your training lessons. We’re all busy these days, but this is “quality time” for you and your dog. You’ll both enjoy and benefit from the lessons, so make sure your schedule is adjusted accordingly! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of the biggest keys to success with positive reinforcement training is rewarding your dog properly. This means giving him something he loves at exactly the right moment.","brand":"Bradley Davis","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47073994309872,"sku":"2940014347716","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940014347716_p0.jpg?v=1763606551","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940014347716","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}