Training a dog the basics of Sit, Stay, and Come can be accomplished at any age, but the ideal time to socialize your dog to other dogs, people, and new experiences is between the ages of eight to eighteen weeks. Once a puppy is eighteen weeks, she is less open to new experiences and she begins to gravitate toward the familiar rather than explore the new. You must of course continue to give your dog social experiences beyond the age of eighteen weeks, but if you don't start b

The easiest part of socializing a puppy simply involves showing up in public with a clicker and treats to make sure all new experiences are fun and rewarding. Bring plenty of delicious treats and a toy to keep the puppy's under control. Go to parks and pet stores, or visit the groomer or the neighbors. Take your puppy as many new places as possible; let him hear, see, and experience the world. Be careful how you introduce your puppy to these new experiences, though. If she se

There are several things you can do to help raise your dog's confidence level and make it more likely that your training program will be successful. Avoid reinforcing fearful behaviour. Petting and talking soothingly to the dog or picking him up reinforces the dog for fearful behaviour. A hands-off approach where you state that everything is fine will send the message to your dog that there is nothing to fear. No punishment - ever. There is never a reason for punishment in a