Dog Training Tips

Your Lifestyle

This is of great importance. If you’re athletic and want a companion to keep pace with you, you need a very active breed. One of the sporting dogs would be a good choice. A Welsh Terrier, Weimaraner, Old English Sheepdog, or a Boxer. If you exercise in moderation, a Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever, or a French Bulldog would fit in. (Energy levels can vary from dog to dog. Take a little walk with the animal before you make your choice.) If you have children (depending on their ages) or elderly relatives, you’ll need a gentle, nurturing beast that won’t knock them down or hurt them otherwise. Certain breeds, such as Rottweilers, Dalmatians, and Irish Setters, are so vigorous that even the most well meaning dog can send a toddler or a granny flying. Clumber spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Shetland Sheepdogs, even something as large as a Mastiff, move gently and slowly.

If you’re a people person and entertain frequently, forget the Rhodesian Ridgeback, the Yorkshire Terrier, or the Chow. Instead, consider a St. Bernards, a Bichon Frise or a Greyhound. English Bulldogs, Great Danes, Border Terriers, and Sealyham Terriers are also very sociable dogs. If it’s a watchdog you need, most breeds will be fairly attentive to noises in the night. A couple of exceptions are the English Bulldogs, the Clumber Spaniel and, believe it or not, the Irish Wolfhound. Among the best watchdogs are Akitas, German Shepherds, Bull Terriers, and Tibetan Terriers.

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Lord and Master

The first thing to think about is this: you will be the pup’s sole authoritative voice. You will be responsible for his health and happiness. He will look to you for every need, little or big in his life. In short, you will be responsible for his life.

Next, consider where you live, what kind of lifestyle you have and so on. Do you live in an apartment, suburban home or country estate? How do you live? Do you watch television most nights, or party every weekend? Are you very finicky as a housekeeper? Do you jog or stroll, have kids or live alone? Are you looking for a companion or just a pet to pat on the head once in a way?

If you have a sprawling ranch house outside the city, you can own most breeds of dogs. An apartment requires some thought. A small dog would do well in an apartment. Even the most active one-pound Chihuahua will cause less commotion than an energetic Irish Wolfhound. However, the Wolfhound just doesn’t get active that often (in fact, rarely), whereas the little dog can keep moving all day and night. As long as there’s room for the animal to turn around (and not too many things to break when he does), a large inactive breed (for example, a St. Bernard, Akita, English Bulldog, or Standard Poodle) will do as well and sometimes even better in an apartment than a Miniature Pinscher, Pomeranian, or Bichon Frise.