Training a puppy--or even an older dog--is time consuming and requires consistent behavior from its owners.
"Dogs learn from habit, from the first day in the home," said Mychelle Blake of the Association of Professional DogTrainers. The keys to successful training are immediacy, consistency and praise, Blake said.
"Begin the training right away," she said. "Learn to praise the dog for the right behavior and redirect it for the wrong behavior."
She offered other useful tips: "The entire household should employ the same commands, hand signals and praise, or the dog could get confused." While the ultimate responsibility for training falls with the parents, Blake recommends documenting commands in a chart and putting it on the refrigerator, so children can help.
"You have to be very vigilant, but training is really helpful for the dog, as it can help build confidence," added Goldfarb. If you're concerned about housebreaking, he recommends adopting a dog who's already housebroken.
Click each link for more information from Live Search.
