• Training your puppy or dog should begin from the moment you bring it home.
• Dogs will go on learning regardless whether we teach them or not. Obviously if we put in some effort we can teach them what we want them to learn, rather than habits they pick up if left to their own devices.
• Puppies start learning from birth. 8 weeks of age is the ideal age to obtain a puppy (It is not recommended that you purchase a pup younger than 7 weeks of age as it needs time to learn from its mother).
• Socialisation is extremely important between 8 & 12 weeks, discuss socialisation classes with the veterinary hospital staff. If the classes are run properly, the risk to the puppy is low and the benefits are enormous.
• Puppies have short attention spans so training should be brief and interesting.  Training should be practiced once or twice daily.
• All training should rely on positive reinforcement and gentle methods.
• Food lure training can be useful. When teaching a new command the food is used consistently, when the command has been learnt, food should be given intermittently.
• It is very important that verbal praise is always given, even with the food, as this becomes a secondary reinforcer. Because it has been associated with an extra special food reward in the past, it takes on more meaning.
• Try to keep all training sessions brief, regular and fun.
• Start training in an area with minimal distractions, then progress to more distracting areas such as the front yard or park.
• Undesirable behaviour is best prevented or corrected in the act. Allowing behaviour sometimes, but not at other times (eg rough play or jumping up) will confuse the dog and make correction more difficult.
• Do not use harsh correction methods.
• Be aware of taking ‘helpful' advice from friends or acquaintances; always double check with your Instructor or Behaviourist.

Training classes are an excellent way to guide your dog in the right direction, they give you better control and are a great way to socialise your dog.

Behaviour problems can be due to behavioural or medical causes, or both. A full history is required to accurately diagnose a problem, and sometimes the pet may require veterinary tests to rule out underlying medical conditions.

Although there may be a single cause for a behaviour problem, it is often the combined effect of the environment and learning on the pets' mental and physical health that determines behaviour. Genetics can predispose an animal to some behaviours, however the expression of those behaviours will depend on the animals early socialisation and training.

Learning (e.g. reinforcement, punishment) also plays a part in most behaviour problems. Punishment can make behaviour problems worse so it is very important that advice is obtained. Positive reinforcement is the preferred method; however this also needs to be used carefully as it can also encourage some undesirable behaviour if used incorrectly.

There is no simple cure for any behaviour problem, so be careful when taking 'helpful' advice. For example, many people with a destructive dog are given the advice to get another dog to fix the problem; usually the owner ends up with two destructive dogs! It is very important that the cause of the problem is addressed, not just the symptoms. For example don't chain the dog up because it is digging; find out the reason for the digging and treat the dog accordingly.

When it comes to your pet's behaviour, it is extremely important to seek the advice of a qualified Animal Behaviourist; there are a number of unqualified people or 'trainers' who advertise and 'deal' with behaviour problems but do not have the correct training. A university qualification is highly desirable in dealing with your pets' psychology. A guarantee is not enough: you cannot guarantee psychology, (or the pets' genetics, or that the owner of the pet will follow the Behaviourist's advice). A 'guarantee' to fix the problem is just a sales gimmick; this is your pets' behaviour and welfare, not a household product!  

In addition to the free information provided on this site, Clever Creatures has a range of products designed to assist with the prevention and treatment of minor behaviour and training problems. For example we have an affordable range of booklets, a DVD & CD available. We also have a number of training aids & products. We hope to expand our range in the near future (for updates please subscribe to our newsletter).

The products are an affordable option to try before engaging the assistance of an Animal Behaviourist. Many of these products are also ideal to use in combination with behaviour modification.